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Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has hinted Barcelona-linked Jaden Philogene could be heading for a summer exit.

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Philogene stars for Hull CityWinger linked with BarcelonaTigers' owner drops transfer hintWHAT HAPPENED?

The 22-year-old has been linked with a stunning move to European giants Barcelona this summer, with West Ham and Everton also said to be keen on the winger. Now, club owner Ilicali has admitted he would never stand in the way of anyone who wants to leave the Championship side.

AdvertisementDepo Photos WHAT THE HULL OWNER SAID

When asked if Barca were really keen on Philogene, Ilicali told talkSPORT: "Yes, everything is true. But I told my fans that I would sign nobody. My idea in football is not to make money, my idea is to make a stronger and bigger club. But to make a bigger club, sometimes if a player says, 'I want to go', that is a different case.

"For me, one player change is not the end of the world. But my players, I would never want to rein in their careers or their moves because of a contract I have.

"So in that case, if Jaden wants to move and he says he wants to go somewhere, this is something we cannot do too much about because this is his life. I love all my boys, I am responsible for their careers. So they don't need to play with us if they don't want to play with us."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

If the former Aston Villa man, who signed for Hull last summer, did move to Barca – that would be quite the story for the England Under-21 international. He scored 12 goals and bagged six assists in an impressive campaign in 2023/24 but few would have predicted that would have attracted the interest of Barcelona.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT?

Philogene, who has had loan spells at Stoke City and Cardiff City, is out of contract at Hull in the summer of 2026. The London-born player returns to Hull pre-season training this week but it remains to be seen if he will be with the club for the new season.

West Ham United are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery” to replace David Moyes at the London Stadium, according to a new update.

David Moyes under West Ham pressure

The Hammers are still yet to win a game in 2024 after suffering another Premier League defeat on the weekend, this time to strugglers Nottingham Forest.

It was yet another afternoon to forget, losing 2-0 and seeing new signing Kalvin Phillips sent off. Plenty of West Ham supporters in the away end at The City Ground made their feelings known at the end of the game, unveiling a ‘Moyes Out’ banner.

West Ham make decision on future of David Moyes amid Forest defeat

The Hammers appear to have changed their mind on the future of the Scottish manager.

ByBen Browning Feb 17, 2024

However, Moyes came out and defended his position after the defeat at The City Ground, saying on fans’ discontent:

“I’m pretty long in the tooth, it happens and I don’t think you can please everybody. I think it would be hard to say there have been many better times at West Ham. Maybe they want something different but if they’re honest I think they probably have to say it’s been as good a time as they’ve had at the club, winning a trophy and the league positions.

"Maybe they’ve had managers who excite them more, possibly, but the one who’s sitting here wins more.”

It is believed that Moyes is still under no immediate pressure in regards to getting the sack, but it looks as if club officials are looking at their options.

West Ham manager update

According to Football Insider reporter Pete O’Rourke in the last 48 hours, West Ham are plotting to appoint the “next Unai Emery”, looking at bosses who are serial trophy winners and have a CV littered with top clubs. Those at the London Stadium have been ‘impressed with Aston Villa’s capture of Emery in 2022 and would consider the potential to lure a top-calibre manager of their own’.

The Hammers want Moyes to stay but now have a shortlist of potential managers to replace the Scot, should they feel a change is needed.

It looks as if the club could well have a new man in the dugout during 2024, but when that will be remains to be seen. Moyes’ current contract expires at the end of the season, with talks over an extension thought to be on hold for now.

So far this year, things have gone from bad to worse, falling down the Premier League table and exiting the FA Cup to Championship side Bristol City.

In regards to who could take over in the Emery mould, former Wolves, Sevilla and Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has been mentioned and is open to the idea of replacing Moyes.

He‘s won three honours as a manager and has taken charge of a number of top clubs, so perhaps Lopetegui could be a target, making this one to keep an eye on over the coming weeks and months.

Southee and Boult pick up two wickets apiece as India fold for 242

The Report by Sidharth Monga28-Feb-2020
The depth in New Zealand’s five-man seam attack pulled India back from positions of strength on two occasions to leave them bowled out for 242; their openers knocked 63 off that total by stumps. While Kyle Jamieson starred on the scoreboard with a maiden five-for, the other three frontline quicks played their part: Trent Boult took the first wicket, Tim Southee took out Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane, and Neil Wagner’s short-pitched bowling broke India’s biggest stand of the series.At 63 overs, India’s innings was shorter than either of their digs in Wellington but, thanks to more positive intent and a quicker pitch, they ended up with a bigger score. And yet they will be disappointed that despite three fifties from their specialist batsmen, despite lives through dropped catches, they ended up with the third-lowest Test total in an innings that featured three or more scores of 50-plus from the top-seven batsmen.On an individual level, there was improvement as all three half-centurions made technical or mindset adjustments after Wellington. Out of sorts with lack of footwork and struggling against the short ball, Prithvi Shaw got his front foot moving and scored a 64-ball 54 to give India a rollicking start. Two men in the spotlight for their slow going in Wellington and their captain’s subsequent remarks about intent, Cheteshwar Pujara and Hanuma Vihari batted with urgency and purpose in their half-centuries, but aggression got the better of both of them with the team score in the 190s as India lost their last six wickets for 48 runs.Asked to bat once again, India had a tough job in the morning after a delayed start because of an early-morning drizzle. Shaw, though, went on to show that conditions in New Zealand can look tougher than they are. His forward movement allowed him to track the swing, and his instinctive positive batting remained intact. As a result, Southee in particular couldn’t bowl the really full swinging ball, and Shaw made merry every time Southee pitched even slightly short of a good length. There was a gorgeous on-drive off the full ball too.Boult, though, brought New Zealand some cheer by setting up Mayank Agarwal by moving the first four balls of the sixth over out, in, out and in. Pujara showed he was mindful of his attitude to loose deliveries after he was guilty of not always taking advantage of them in Wellington. To the 13th ball he faced, a full wide one, he threw his hands, ending up slicing it over point. Shaw at the other end made sure Colin de Grandhomme, first-change bowler, couldn’t achieve a repeat of Wellington where he bowled at under two an over.As early as the 19th over, New Zealand went to Wagner and his short-pitched bowling, which nearly brought immediate benefit. Shaw hooked the second ball from Wagner, top-edging it just over the tallest man on the field, Jamieson, at fine leg. That brought up his fifty, a credit to him and the support staff that they could figure a way out of his Wellington issues in one net session between the Tests. Minutes before lunch, though, Shaw had a drive at a full wide one from Jamieson, falling to an acrobatic catch by Tom Latham at second slip. New Zealand would struggle to maintain that catching form.Kohli had tense few minutes to survive before lunch, and Williamson immediately went to Southee. Before lunch, Southee kept dragging Kohli across with outswing outside off before bowling the perfect delivery immediately after lunch. These are not always bowled by design, but you reap the benefits only if you are accurate. This was an outswinger just outside off, but it seamed back in upon pitching and hit him in front, leaving Kohli no chance. A more defensive batsman might have perhaps got an inside edge, it was that good a delivery.While Pujara had now begun driving well, and timing them instead of punching them, Rahane committed a mental error in Southee’s fifth over after lunch. Just visually, Rahane has looked the most comfortable of India’s batsmen on tour, defending late and playing under his head, but this time he was drawn to defend in front of his body, and the outswinger took the edge. When Jamieson pushed Vihari back, hit him on the finger, and then drew an edge to a full one, 80 for 1 was all set to become 134 for 5. Except that BJ Watling dived in front of first slip, and managed to get only fingertips to it.Pujara and Vihari then batted freely, especially against Boult, which meant New Zealand went to plan B in the afternoon. Wagner kept the batsmen honest with a seven-over spell for just eight runs, mixing the bouncers and knuckle balls, nearly getting Pujara with one. But India didn’t allow de Grandhomme to settle, which meant the run rate remained healthy. However, just before tea, Wagner did his job. Having had enough of his bouncers, Vihari decided to take Wagner on in a fresh spell. He kept a pull down, upper-cut him for a four, drove a knuckle ball, but to what turned out to be the last ball before tea he managed only a glove through to Watling. Time and again, it has been seen that there is only one winner when you start taking Wagner’s bouncers on, which will make Vihari question his approach moments before tea.If Vihari’s dismissal was disappointing, Pujara’s was near inexplicable. Just after tea, Pujara went to hook the tallest bowler in the opposition, managing only a top edge to a ball not that short. At the other end, de Grandhomme and Watling reprieved Rishabh Pant in successive deliveries, but the uncertainty that Jamieson’s height brings got the better of him in the next over. Pant pushed at a length ball outside off, but his feet remain rooted, thus producing a played-on dismissal.Umesh Yadav was no match to Jamieson, and Ravindra Jadeja – selected ahead of R Ashwin for his batting – top-edged another short ball to give Jamieson the five-for. A 26-run roulette for the last wicket took India to 242, but the bowlers sans Ishant Sharma had a big task.In the 23 overs before stumps, India kept the batsmen honest, but couldn’t produce an opportunity that would go to hand. Tom Blundell and Latham batted watchfully, respecting the good balls and then cashing on the odd loose ones. They will hope the loose ones will increase in number if they can keep India on the field for a long time on day two.

‘X-factor’ quick could hardly have done more in training to show he’s ready to return from injury as Jofra Archer remains in doubt

George Dobell in Port Elizabeth13-Jan-2020Mark Wood would appear to have given himself an excellent chance of playing in the third Test with a blistering bowling performance in the nets on Monday.Wood, who has not played a match since the World Cup final on July 14, bowled with outstanding pace as he attempted to prove his fitness for selection. Required to demonstrate that he could back up Sunday’s equally impressive display for a second successive day, Wood bowled a long, hostile spell without any obvious difficulty. He could hardly have done more to convince the England team management of his readiness to return.His performance came in contrast to that of Jofra Archer. Also required to bowl at full speed as he recovers from an elbow injury, Archer looked considerably slower than Wood in the nets. As a result, Archer looks unlikely to be considered ready for selection in the third Test starting on Thursday.ALSO READ: Harris backs Maharaj to rise to the occasion if Port Elizabeth spinsAhead of the session, it appeared England may opt for Chris Woakes to replace James Anderson in the side. For while the team management are understandably keen to include a bowler of Wood or Archer’s pace, they are even more keen not to recall them too quickly and risk further lay-offs. They seem particularly cautious over the recall of Wood, who has not played a first-class game since February, when he bowled England to victory over West Indies in St Lucia.Woakes remains very much in contention. A final decision will not be made until Wednesday, or perhaps even Thursday morning. The squad are not due to train on Tuesday – they have been given a rest day – and will have a light session ahead of the Test on Wednesday at which it will be clear if Wood has suffered any reaction to his recent exertions. Archer now looks the least likely of the three to play.With the Port Elizabeth pitch expected to be fairly slow and dry, England are keen to include a point-of-difference bowler within their line-up. And as Wood showed in St Lucia – or at various times during the World Cup, when he delivered the fastest ball of the tournament – he can generate the sort of pace that can unlock even international quality batting line-ups on decent batting surfaces. Woakes, for all his all-round qualities, cannot necessarily do the same thing.Selecting a man with no recent match action is not ideal. The England management had attempted to find some sort of competitive game for Wood to play over the last week or two, but nothing appropriate was available. Certainly unleashing Wood in Monday’s form on club batsmen may have proved unwise.”I’ve got no qualms he could come in this week and be successful because of what he’s done in the past and what he can draw upon,” Paul Collingwood, one of England’s assistance coaches, said. “He’s got the skills to go out there and make an impact.”Here at Port Elizabeth it’s generally a slower pitch so sometimes having that kind of X-factor bowler would be great. We have enough bowlers in and around the county circuit who can bowl at 82 to 85 mph and try to nip it around. You want the likes of Wood and Archer to give you that X-factor.”Ideally we would have loved Woody to go out and get some competitive games in. We had a look around but it’s not as easy as it sounds. So we’ve tried to replicate the amount of hours on his feet with running and walking. All you can do is get the overs under their belt and make sure they can come back for second and third spells and get the miles in the legs.”England also received encouraging news in a swift return from sickness for Joe Root. The England captain missed training on Sunday due to illness, but took a full part on Monday. The team management insist his absence on Sunday was mainly precautionary with a view to preventing further contamination.While a first look at the pitch on Monday may have seduced England into thinking they could field an all-seam attack, they seem intent of retaining Dom Bess, who made a favourable impression in Cape Town. The last Test on the ground, in January, lasted three days with Sri Lankan off-spinner Dhananjaya de Silva claiming five wickets in the match.”If you look at the data, spin tends to play a bit more of a part here than the other grounds,” Collingwood said. “But we’ll gauge it. There’s no point looking today. These pitches change so quickly over 24 hours. We’ll have a good look on Wednesday and see which combination is best to take 20 wickets.”On the evidence of the last two days, it’s hard to leave Wood out of that combination.

The Professional Footballers' Association is reportedly in talks with Chelsea over how they are treating exiled duo Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi. Both the Blues winger and defender tried to secure deadline day exits but in the end they stayed put in the club's 'Bomb Squad'. Now, it is understood the PFA have intervened over how they are being looked after.

PFA concerned about Chelsea duo

According to BBC Sport, the PFA have contacted Chelsea as they want to ensure that Sterling and Disasi have the 'platform to train to an optimum level' despite not being involved with the first team. The union has sought to ensure clubs are aware of FIFA's strict regulations over players who are isolated from squads in circumstances that could fall under 'abusive conduct' by the club. If so, this may entitle an individual to terminate his contract, citing 'just cause'.

AdvertisementGetty/GOALUncertain future for Sterling and Disasi

Sterling's contract, which earns him £325,000 per week, runs until 2027, while Disasi's terms expire in 2029. The former nearly joined Fulham on loan, and the latter turned down a switch to West Ham earlier this month. Both are unlikely to have a future at Chelsea, with the pair unlikely to play first-team football for months.

Sterling and Disasi had summer offers

The report adds that Chelsea, who are closely working with the PFA, presented former Manchester City star Sterling with potential moves to Bayern Munich and Napoli over the summer. Bayer Leverkusen and Galatasaray were also interested, and Disasi decided against joining West Ham and Bournemouth.

Getty ImagesWhat next for the Chelsea outcasts?

Both Sterling and Disasi are said to have been assigned specific training times and a designated Chelsea coach to work with at the club's training ground. Meanwhile, the first team travel to Manchester United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Tottenham are said to have their eyes on a "big-name" forward wanted by a number of their Premier League rivals, with his club now prepared to gift a potential £30 million discount.

Spurs linked with signing striker despite fine Richarlison form

There have been many success stories at Spurs in recent weeks, from their brilliant January transfer window to usurping Chelsea as London's richest club, but one perhaps all supporters have been crying out for is the resurgence of Richarlison.

"Quality" player who Ange loves is now preparing to leave Tottenham

Another club is attempting to sign the player, and he’s very keen.

ByEmilio Galantini Feb 8, 2024

The Brazilian, signed by Spurs in the summer of 2022, endured a regrettable debut campaign under former Lilywhites boss Antonio Conte and was subject to widespread criticism throughout his first year at N17.

Richarlison even sought "psychological help" in a bid to get his north London career up and running, but fast-forward to now, and the 26-year-old is fresh off the back of nine goals in his last eight league games.

The ex-Watford ace has now taken club-record goalscorer Harry Kane's mantle with real aplomb, coming after the latter sealed a multi-million-pound move to Bayern Munich last summer.

Tottenham 4-1 Newcastle

8.85

Everton 2-2 Tottenham

8.22

Tottenham 3-1 Bournemouth

7.91

Man United 2-2 Tottenham

7.80

Nottingham Forest 0-2 Tottenham

7.67

However, despite Richarlison's phenomenal transformation, there are still rumours that Tottenham want to sign a new striker as Kane's long-term replacement.

Indeed, the likes of Feyenoord forward Santiago Gimenez, Bournemouth's Dominic Solanke and even Brentford star Ivan Toney have been linked in the last few months.

The latter man will most likely be central to one of the summer transfer window's most gripping sagas, with Fabrizio Romano claiming he is one of the "big names" to watch out for.

"Ivan Toney will be one of the big names to follow during the summer transfer window," wrote Romano for 888sport.

"The England striker is expected to leave Brentford as manager Thomas Frank also confirmed in the last hours, the plan is clear: after difficult months with recent ban, Toney was open to stay at Brentford until the end of the season to return in good conditions, back to business with goals and excellent performances. But then, in the summer it will be time to look for new opportunity."

Despite facing stiff competition, Spurs have not been entirely ruled out of the race for Toney just yet, with HITC and journalist Graeme Bailey sharing an update on their interest.

Tottenham want Toney as Brentford gift hefty discount

According to their information, Tottenham are interested in signing Toney and Brentford have slashed his asking price from £80 million to £50-60 million.

The in-form number nine, though, is also wanted by a host of other top-flight sides – including Arsenal, Manchester United and Newcastle.

Toney, who's back scoring goals after his ban for gambling breaches, has been called a "playmaker" striker by Arsenal star Declan Rice.

"He's kind of like Harry Kane in a way where he's not only an out-and-out striker, he's a playmaker as well – his left and right-footed passing, the way he picks out his teammates is a special technique to have." said Rice to talkSPORT.

The Australia captain’s words follow the allrounder’s match-winning display for Melbourne Stars against Sydney Thunder

Daniel Brettig09-Jan-2020Glenn Maxwell picked a typically opportune time to rattle the Melbourne Stars to a Big Bash League victory at the MCG, leaving his erstwhile Melbourne Renegades rival and now the Australia ODI captain Aaron Finch to explain why the allrounder wasn’t joining him on the plane to India.After a World Cup campaign that fell short of expectations, and a battle with mental-health issues that forced an extended break from the game in the first half of the season, Maxwell is a T20 concern only for the time being, meaning he is with the Stars for the duration of the BBL and will next play for Australia in their next bracket of T20Is ahead of the World Cup on home soil later this year.However, the fact that the next 50-overs World Cup is to be held in India in 2023, a part of the world that Maxwell knows intimately through his many IPL and international campaigns, means that Finch, the national coach Justin Langer and his senior assistant Andrew McDonald will be looking again in the 31-year-old’s direction before the time comes to name the Cup squad.”People look at [that innings] and they see the results and see all the sixes and all the big hitting, but the way he approached it last night was very clinical,” Finch said of Maxwell. “The way that he gave himself a bit of a chance early and then dominated late. Once he’s in, you can’t bowl to him anywhere. He’s got an answer to everything.”It’s never closed, but when you’re picking a side there has to be a spot there. It just comes down to being in the right place at the right time and having the right match-up. You can only pick so many top-three batters. Guys that have been a part of the squad, Shaun Marsh for example, was disappointed as well after playing some great cricket for the last couple of years, but anyone who misses out is disappointed.”For the time being, the selectors have chosen to take a closer look instead at this summer’s breakout Test batsman Marnus Labuschagne, who with his energy, part-time spin bowling and strong footwork against spin looks a useful addition to the white-ball squad, if not quite so explosive as Maxwell can be. Finch said Labuschagne’s burgeoning friendship with Steven Smith should ensure that by the time the team sets up for the first ODI against India he will be well and truly across the team’s plans.”We know that he’s not going to be overawed by the occasion,” Finch said. “He’s come back into Test cricket after missing out at the start of the Ashes and he’s been unbelievable, so hopefully he can continue that. The form that he showed in the one-day games was outstanding domestically.”He’s averaging up around 40 there batting at three, batting at four for Queensland on what’s been traditionally a little bit tougher batting conditions over the last couple of years in domestic cricket. Playing on some slower wickets that spin quite a bit, to be able to come in and do that role really well for Queensland is obviously what’s got him a place in the side, as well as his current form. I don’t see why it wouldn’t translate.”Marnus Labuschagne bowls in the nets•Getty ImagesAustralia’s tour of India for three ODIs in the middle of January will see the BBL take centre-stage, while the players and broadcasters alike get used to being elsewhere during what is usually peak cricket time in the school holidays. Fox Sports has already made its displeasure known at the scheduling of a BBL match directly opposite one of Australia’s matches in India, and for Finch the scenario is not one he has previously contemplated.”It’s something we didn’t expect to come up even a few months ago,” he said. “But obviously there was a few games’ shortfall with India in the last couple of years, so it doesn’t make a difference to us to be honest, if you’re playing one-day cricket anywhere it’s exciting. Would’ve been nice to play a few more internationals at home during this period but it’s just not possible.”Instead, Smith, David Warner, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood will be turning out in India, and Finch said that for the bowlers there will be the opportunity to reconnect with white-ball cricket after five Tests, while the batsmen need to make the most of their starts in conditions that ease markedly once the first 20 or so balls have been negotiated.”It’s a place where once you get in – it can be a really tough place to start your innings, the ball can swing early, can spin early. So once you get in it can be a beautiful place to bat, the outfields are obviously rapid, so you make the most of that. Any top-order player, once you get to 20 or 30, you really want to go on and cash in. That’ll be the task for our top four.”[The pace bowlers] were all keen to get on this tour and play as much as they could and keep developing their skills. Especially someone like Josh, who’s been out of the side for quite a while now through injury and workload management at different times. I think the fact they’re all so keen to get over there and do well is really exciting.”

Inter head coach Cristian Chivu has urged the fans to stop "throwing stones" at goalkeeper Yann Sommer after his disastrous performance did little to prevent his side from losing to Juventus over the weekend. Chivu remains confident in the Swiss international's experience and abilities, adding that Sommer will retain his place in the starting lineup against Ajax in the Champions League opener.

Inter experience heartbreaking Derby d'Italia defeat

Inter's below-par start to life under new head coach Chivu continued over the weekend, as last season's Serie A runners-up succumbed to a 4-3 defeat at the Allianz Stadium against Juventus. Igor Tudor's men were trailing 3-2 as the clock went past the 80th-minute mark. However, a Khephren Thuram strike in the 82nd minute and a stoppage time winner from youngster Vasilije Adzic helped Juve stage a sensational come-from-behind victory in the Derby d'Italia.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesThe Nerazzurri struggling in Serie A

The loss against Juventus further compounded Inter's misery. The Nerazzurri are currently languishing in 11th position on the Serie A table, despite scoring nine goals in their opening three league games. After beginning the season with an emphatic 5-0 win over Torino, they slumped to a shock 2-1 loss to Udinese at the San Siro. The defence has been far too penetrative as they have shipped six goals, with Sommer especially becoming the target of the fans' fury following his disastrous display in the defeat to Juve. 

Sommer receives backing from head coach

Speaking to reporters ahead of the Ajax clash in the Champions League, Chivu said: "It’s not fair to put him out in the open and throw stones at him from all sides. He’s important to us, he showed that last year, and from a human perspective, I don’t feel comfortable doing something like that. I respect [Josep] Martinez, and sooner or later he will get his chance, but I won’t change Sommer just because the fans ask for it. I don’t want to go against the grain. A player with his experience needs support. It’s only right that he stays in goal."

AFPAjax clash the perfect springboard for a turnaround in fortunes

Inter commence their Champions League campaign against Ajax on Wednesday. A win could go a long way in lifting the spirits of an Inter side seemingly struggling to avoid defeats. However, defender Denzel Dumfries remains confident of his team's chances. "We've often talked about it among ourselves," the Dutchman said. "We played a good game against Juve, but then things went the way they did. It's true, we've recognized this moment and we have a lot to learn. When you play in the Champions League, you play to win. We have a strong team."

West Ham United need some respite from what has been a shocking start to 2024, with the chastening 6-0 home defeat against Arsenal leaving a pall of black smoke in east London.

It's a peculiar position; West Ham are outside of European contention in the Premier League only on goal difference, topped their Europa League group back in December and won the Europa Conference League last summer.

David Moyes is under fire and it would have been a bitter pill to swallow that it was Declan Rice, sold to Arsenal for £105m in the summer, who produced last weekend's talismanic performance at his old stomping ground.

It wouldn't be a bad move for Moyes to revisit his past success and promote a talented academy star to the first team, following in Rice's footsteps, with George Earthy producing some high-class performances this term.

West Ham's next Declan Rice

At the start of the 2023/24 campaign, homegrown talent Earthy penned a long-term contract with the Irons, clearly viewed by the club's powers that be as a future star in the first team.

A creative and attack-focused midfielder – who is also capable on the right flank – Earthy has been a prolific figure throughout his United youth career and has posted 37 goals and 25 assists across 102 matches, lauded for his "brilliant" displays by club insider ExWHUemployee.

This season, he has been in emphatic form, scoring nine goals and supplying six assists across 19 matches in all competitions and notably thriving in the EFL Trophy against senior opposition.

Indeed, as per Sofascore, the 19-year-old's three goal and one assist return from five matches in the EFL Trophy is an attractive tally but does not tell the full story of a remarkably rounded skill set, having completed 90% of his passes and averaged 1.4 goals and three ball recoveries per game.

He will definitely need to improve the defensive side of his game, making just 0.2 tackles and winning two duels each outing, but there is no questioning the thrilling quality woven into his core.

Indeed Rice was once at that stage, before going on to enjoy such glittering success rising through the ranks to the apex of Moyes' reign, completing 245 appearances, winning the club's past two Player of the Season awards and bringing riches – both monetarily and from a footballing standpoint – to the fore.

Having crashed out of the FA Cup against Championship outfit Bristol City last month and still seeking a maiden victory of the calendar year, Moyes needs to fashion some renewed positivity from somewhere and unleashing a talented academy member might be the perfect way to sway the fans back on his side.

Lucas Paqueta remains convalescent on the sidelines and will not return to action for several weeks, so a playmaker of Earthy's precocity could be the perfect tool to rekindle the feel-good factor that was so prominent at the London Stadium only a matter of months ago.

Before his latest stint with KKR, Nayar was part of their backroom staff from 2018 to 2024 in the IPL

ESPNcricinfo staff19-Apr-2025Abhishek Nayar has returned as a member of Kolkata Knight Riders’ (KKR) support staff for IPL 2025, just days after his contract as an assistant coach with the India men’s team was terminated by the BCCI.Before his latest stint with KKR, Nayar was part of their backroom staff from 2018 to 2024 in the IPL. In July 2024, Nayar was appointed as an assistant to head coach Gautam Gambhir in the India men’s side. He became the first major casualty of the review carried out by the BCCI to assess India’s poor run in Test cricket late last year that included a 0-3 defeat at home against New Zealand and the 1-3 defeat in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.Related

Harshit Rana missing Gambhir's 'aura' at KKR

BCCI terminates India assistant coach Abhishek Nayar's contract

Welcome back home, @abhisheknayar1 pic.twitter.com/IwJQTnAWxa

— KolkataKnightRiders (@KKRiders) April 19, 2025