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After a long summer of drama, Joao Felix joined Barcelona on loan from Atletico Madrid and the Atleti president has now spoken about Felix's future.

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Felix wanted by Barca on permanent transferAtleti ready to sell playerPermanent deal will be difficult for BarcaGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Portuguese international actively pursued a transfer to the Blaugrana, waiting until the final day to complete his ideal move and even consenting to a large pay cut in order to facilitate the deal. Felix made an immediate impression upon arriving, getting off to a great start in his Barca career by both scoring and setting up goals, and soon solidifying his place in the starting lineup. According to recent reports, the Catalan side hopes to recruit the Portuguese on a permanent basis in the summer of 2024.

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Whether or not Atleti are ready to sell Felix to their rivals, a permanent agreement will be difficult to achieve because Barcelona will reportedly to spend at least €105 million (£92m/$113m) in order to sign Joao Felix and Joao Cancelo in the upcoming summer.

WHAT CEREZO SAID

"Joao Felix will be one of the best players in Europe, I wish him all the best at Barca," said Cerezo to COPE Partidazo. "He’s on loan there but if Barca wants to sign Joao on a permanent deal, they’ll have the option to make it happen for sure. Otherwise, he will return."

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(C)Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR FELIX?

Felix has been called up to the Portugal national team for their European Championship qualifiers against Liechtenstein and Iceland. He will then rejoin his club for their clash against Rayo Vallecano on November 25.

Erik ten Hag looked to have transformed the Red Devils but his side are showing many worrying signs associated with his predecessor

"They were easy give-aways," said the Manchester United manager, assessing how his side had fallen behind so early in a match they were expected to win comfortably. "It was a horror start. With all respect, we can't allow them [those goals]."

The Red Devils' boss added: "The first one is that we play a short corner and forget about the man up top. That’s unforgivable… We’ve not done our roles, it’s my responsibility. You don’t see goals like that at this level. You shouldn’t concede easy goals like that. When you do, it makes winning matches a lot harder."

Spot the difference? The first line of quotes was Erik ten Hag's reaction to United's 3-2 victory over Nottingham Forest last Saturday, a game in which his side fell two goals behind within the opening four minutes. The second comment was from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer after United's 2-1 defeat to Istanbul Basaksehir in November 2020.

Solskjaer could not believe his eyes after 35-year-old Demba Ba had ran from his own half towards goal, completely unopposed, to give the unfancied Turkish side the lead in the 13th minute. Ten Hag, meanwhile, had just witnessed Taiwo Awoniyi run unchallenged from the halfway line to score the opening goal, taking advantage of childish defending after United had just taken a corner.

Getty A thrilling yet concerning start

It has been 21 months since United parted ways with Solskjaer, who fans loved for his contribution as a player and his commitment to the club. However, by the time of his sacking in November 2021, having won no trophies in nearly four years, almost everyone recognised that the Norwegian was a limited and inexperienced coach incapable of taking United back to where they belong.

Ten Hag, by contrast, is one of the most admired tacticians in Europe, with a track record of overseeing elaborate football and winning trophies. In just a few months in charge he ended United's six-year silverware drought by lifting the Carabao Cup, while he also took them to the FA Cup final and secured Champions League qualification at the first time of asking.

However, after a chaotic start to the season, which included fortunate wins over Wolves and Forest as well as a limp defeat to Tottenham, Ten Hag's United are showing many of the traits that Solskjaer's team were known for. They are making unforgivable mistakes defensively, players are not doing their jobs, and they are having to pull off dramatic escape acts. It might be thrilling to watch, but it is also deeply concerning.

AdvertisementGettyComebacks are in United's DNA

While United fans were struggling to make sense of what they were witnessing in the opening minutes at Old Trafford, Forest fans were staging a party in the away end. In another throwback to the Solskjaer era, they were gleefully chanting "You're getting sacked in the morning" to Ten Hag.

Christian Eriksen's strike breathed life back into Old Trafford and then everyone believed the comeback was on. And when Casemiro equalised and Bruno Fernandes converted from the penalty spot, there was an air of inevitability about it all.

Some of United's best ever moments were comebacks, such as the 2-1 win over Sheffield Wednesday in 1993 which paved the way for the first Premier League title win, or the three-minute turnaround against Bayern Munich in the 1999 Champions League final. Never knowing when they were beaten was a defining characteristic of Sir Alex Ferguson's many great teams.

GettyTurnarounds can mask deeper issues

However, if a team falls behind too often and epic finishes are routinely needed, it is rarely sustainable. United tend to average around three or four comeback wins per season in the Premier League era, but things got ludicrous under Solskjaer. In the 2020/21 season, United won 10 league matches after conceding the first goal, more than in any other campaign.

The Red Devils ended up finishing second in the league but the following season they picked up their lowest points total in Premier League history. Solskjaer was sacked four months into that dire campaign, following a 4-1 thrashing at relegation-fighting Watford.

A similar pattern can be spotted in United's second-best season as far as comeback wins are concerned. In the 2012-13 season, Ferguson's last in charge, United won nine matches from losing positions. They romped to the Premier League title then, but the fact they needed so many late finishes should have suggested there were deeper problems and the winning train was about to come off the tracks.

With almost an identical squad the following season under David Moyes, United had an utterly miserable campaign and came seventh in the table, their lowest-ever Premier League finish.

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GettyTen Hag catching up with Solskjaer

Under Solskjaer, United won a whopping 19 matches in all competitions from losing positions. And as the hero of the team's most famous comeback of all as a player – the 1999 Champions League final – the Norwegian coach revelled in each turnaround.

Take his response to beating Southampton 3-2 in March 2019. “The manner of it is like the old days. I have been part of that so many times myself and so pleased for the boys that they managed to claw three points out of this game." Days later, United pulled off perhaps the best result of the Solskjaer era, beating Paris Saint-Germain 3-1 in the last-16 of the Champions League to overturn a 2-0 home defeat in the first leg.

Even in the dying weeks of Solskjaer's time in charge, United were capable of pulling off comebacks. They turned things around to beat West Ham 2-1 with an 89th-minute strike from Jesse Lingard and enjoyed Champions League victories over Villarreal and Atalanta from losing positions, winning each time courtesy of late strikes from Cristiano Ronaldo.

Just one month into his second season, Ten Hag is developing his own reputation for comebacks. The Forest game was his seventh turnaround victory, following wins over Manchester City, Everton, West Ham, Fulham, Aston Villa and Barcelona.

The Norwegian midfielder may not be a stereotypical captain but he has stepped up to the mark time and time again this season

Martin Odegaard looked like a man possessed against Chelsea on Tuesday night. Arsenal’s captain was singled out for a lot of criticism after the defeat at Manchester City a few days earlier and he certainly gave the impression of a man with a point to prove as he drove Mikel Arteta’s side to a much needed 3-1 win.

The Norway international was at his very best, scoring twice to set the ball rolling in the first half and producing the type of tireless display that has been the hallmark of his impressive season in north London. Odegaard now has 14 goals in the Premier League, as well as eight assists. Those are fantastic numbers for a 24-year-old who started the campaign with many wondering whether he had it in him to be so decisive in the final third.

So, it’s somewhat surprising that the playmaker still seems to have people questioning him, both as a player and as a captain.

Getty ImagesNeville's criticism

Gary Neville did just that after the mauling at the Etihad, pointing a finger at the Gunners skipper when discussing what he felt went wrong for Arteta’s side. The pundit said: “I look at Martin Odegaard, fantastic professional. Oleksandr Zinchenko, great professional. But when you actually get to the highest pressurised moments in the biggest matches in the crux of the season, are they leaders then?

"Arsenal’s senior players, Partey, Zinchenko, Odegaard, in the most difficult period, they didn’t impact the rest of their team-mates on the pitch. Odegaard had probably his most difficult game against Manchester City."

Neville’s right, Odegaard did have a difficult game against City. But when you think about what went wrong at the Etihad, it’s surprising that he was one of the players picked out as an issue. Arsenal couldn't get close to their hosts on the night, but that was not down to how their skipper performed.

AdvertisementGettyArteta's response

Questioning Odegaard's leadership abilities was out of line. Odegaard has led Arsenal exceptionally well this season, both away from the pitch and with his performances on it. One quiet performance where he was completely starved of the ball does not change that.

Time and time again he has been the driving force behind Arsenal's surprise title challenge. He is often the man who sets the tone, and his manager knows it. “I don’t read those comments,” Arteta said of the criticism of his captain.

“What I can say is that he’s been exceptional for us. You look at his contribution, every single day in the team and then what he does out there for us every single time, it’s exceptional. 

"The perfect player that plays perfect football every time doesn’t exist. But what Martin has done this season deserves a lot of credit.”

GettyGuardiola out-thought Arteta

City were incredible in that game at the Etihad and barely let Arsenal out of their half for 90 minutes. Odegaard just didn’t see any of the ball. Had he been given the sort of space Kevin De Bruyne was repeatedly allowed to run into, there’s no doubt he would have been able to influence the game in the same way as the Belgium international.

Arsenal’s front four were passengers against City because Pep Guardiola got his tactics spot on and Mikel Arteta didn’t. The hosts went direct to Erling Haaland, bypassed the press and the Arsenal backline and midfield couldn’t deal with it. That took Odegaard out of the game completely.

But that subdued showing shouldn’t detract from what has been a superb season from the 24-year-old. He may not be your stereotypical captain. He doesn't scream and shout all of the time. But that doesn't mean he doesn’t show leadership qualities. Anyone who has watched Arsenal regularly this season will tell you that he shows them on a regular basis on the pitch.

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GettyLeading by example

Odegaard has led by example with his performances all season long. There was the win at Tottenham, when he ran the show in the north London derby and inspired Arsenal to their first three-point haul at the home of their rivals in nine years.

He bagged both goals in the win at Wolves, while he both scored and produced one of the assists of the season in the excellent victory away at Brighton. The list goes on and on.

But what has really stood out this season with Odegaard is his hunger and his drive to lead from the front. No-one presses harder and does more on the pitch to try and get more out of his team-mates. He sets the standard that others must follow.

“The energy that he has, when he hasn’t got the ball, the movement, the quality, the way he is in that dressing room is exceptional,” Arteta said when asked about Odegaard after Tuesday night’s win. "We’re really pleased to have him as captain.”

Inter Miami have officially set their first preseason friendly on the calendar, with a match against the national team of El Salvador on the books.

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Inter Miami schedule preseason friendlySet to take on El Salvador national teamRumors of River Plate friendly followWHAT HAPPENED?

January 19 will see the Herons return to the pitch for the first time in 2024, with Messi and co. taking on Los Cuscatlecos. The match will be played on the road in San Salvador at the Estadio Cuscatlán, one day before the USMNT take on Slovenia in Texas in an international friendly. In addition to the El Salvador friendly, the Herons have also been linked with a match against Argentine powerhouse River Plate Thursday, that comes on top of previous rumors of matches against Al-Hilal and Newells Old Boys.

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With the match being played one day before the USMNT take the pitch, both Gregg Berhalter and Tata Martino will have to make a decision on where Benjamin Cremaschi and Deandre Yedlin go. The young attacker made his international debut in a friendly in September against Oman, but is not yet cap-tied due to not competing in an official competitive match. Yedlin, meanwhile, has been on the outskirts of the program of late, but could feature in January due to it not being an official FIFA window.

WHAT INTER MIAMI SAID

“We’re excited to start announcing our preseason plans and preparations ahead of a thrilling 2024 campaign. We look forward to facing the El Salvador national team in what will be a good first test for our squad against the best players from the country,” said Chief Soccer Officer and Sporting Director Chris Henderson.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR INTER MIAMI

The Herons will make their official return to the pitch on January 19, but in terms of build up until then, Inter Miami are in offseason mode. They'll go about planning roster additions, contracts and preparation for the 2024 MLS Draft, but more than anything, it's a small break from a congested schedule.

Somerset’s players skedaddled away from the Riverside before lunch on Wednesday with a draw in their results column and eight points gained from the match

Paul Edwards at Chester-le-Street13-Apr-2016
ScorecardChris Rushworth could have been a threat to Somerset had there been any play on the final day•Getty ImagesThe point about fire alarms is that they go off while the fire can still be put out. Somerset’s players skedaddled away from the Riverside before lunch on Wednesday with a draw in their results column and eight points gained from the match. Durham received ten points for their efforts. At which point even the most passionate former inhabitant of the Stragglers’ Bar might offer a polite cough and a wry smile. The reassuring thing for Somerset supporters was that Chris Rogers would understand that reaction only too well.Heavy overnight rain and a mid-morning shower put paid to any chance of play on the final day of this match. Somerset’s skipper admitted that, on balance, his relief at not having to face Chris Rushworth and Graham Onions outweighed his disappointment at losing two days’ cricket.”We want to challenge ourselves and we want to get better but it was probably a relief to us in many respects because we were behind in the game and it was going to be hard work, particularly against Rushworth and Onions in that last innings,” said Rogers. “On the other hand, it would have been a useful opportunity to see where we’re at.”The more caustic West Country critics might be quick to tell Rogers where they think his team is “at” but they might be wisely advised to listen to what else he had to say. For example, here is his assessment of Somerset’s performance in a game in which they were bowled out for 179 and in which Durham were 53 for 1 after ten overs in their first innings and – the real horror show – 72 for 0 after 11 overs in their second.”Our fielding was top class and our attitude was top class but we disappointed with the new ball and that’s pretty unforgivable at Durham in the first game of the season. But the guys who had that ball in their hands will know that and they will get better. We found it hard with the bat and lost wickets in groups. Then we were shown that it was possible to stick around by our Nos. 7 and 9.”Given the limitations placed on Rogers by the fact that his comments were for public consumption, there is not too much skipper-speak in them. If he described the new-ball bowling as “unforgivable” outside the dressing room one wonders what adjectives he attached to it in private.Rogers is a fighter and he wants to lead a team of players with similar dispositions. He will be delighted to welcome the Overtons back for the game against Surrey at The Oval a week on Sunday. This is him on the challenge of facing Durham’s seamers on the first evening and second morning of this game.”I loved being back in the fight. To be up at Durham against Rushworth and Onions is probably as tough as it gets and I thought I was coming out at the other end of it when I was run out. These things happen. There were a couple of glances at Peter as I was walking off but I’ve done it to other people too, so you just have to cop that on the chin.”And so he did. But he will not be deceived by that return of eight points. One imagines there are some things Rogers will take on the chin and others which he will refuse to accept.”I’ve learned a lot about the guys and there is plenty to work on,” he said. “There is a lot of talent in the squad but how they put that into practice out in the middle is going to be our challenge. Every game’s going to be tough but it comes down to us. We didn’t get it right in this match but it’s a long season.”

There will be a huge summer clearout at Stamford Bridge, but who should stay and who should go?

Chelsea are set to undergo a period of huge transition when the transfer window creaks open, as a notoriously bloated squad is finally trimmed down to size after what was effectively a wasted season. Mauricio Pochettino has been appointed as the new head coach, and his first job will be to hack away the deadwood that has built up across two thriftless transfer windows under the stewardship of co-owners Todd Boehly and Behdad Eghbali.

There is already some semblance of a plan in place for how to approach a crucial transfer period for a club that has just registered its lowest Premier League position since 1994.Chelsea will look to sell any player entering the final year of their contract, while a new loan policy will mean that only players who have a real chance of making a first-team breakthrough will be shipped out on a temporary basis.

With that in mind, who should Chelsea keep, loan or sell out of all the players whose futures are uncertain, including their returning loanees? GOAL runs through the list…

GettyKEEP: Mason Mount

An academy graduate who Chelsea should certainly be looking to keep, but it's looking unlikely. Pochettino is keen to work with Mount, but the Blues are struggling to convince him to extend his stay at Stamford Bridge amid interest from Liverpool, Arsenal, Manchester United and Bayern Munich.

Advertisement(C)GettyImagesKEEP: Romelu Lukaku

Romelu Lukaku's future is set to be one of the most polarising topics of the summer among the Chelsea fanbase; should they keep him given their desperate need for a striker, or should they let him go?

It has been rumoured that Pochettino is open to working with the Belgian, and given the limited centre-forwards available this summer, relying on a Rom-ontada may be the club's best hope of success. He has hit form towards the end of the season in Italy, but he will need to do a hell of a lot to win over the fans after his outbursts during his most recent spell at Stamford Bridge. The best way to do that is by scoring goals.

Getty ImagesSELL: Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang

Without a doubt, it's time to bring Aubameyang's nightmare spell with Chelsea to an end. The ex-Arsenal striker saw the manager who actually wanted him, Thomas Tuchel, sacked just a week after he had signed and barely featured for the Blues thereafter. Time to swiftly move on.

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Getty ImagesKEEP: Raheem Sterling

The jury will be out on Sterling's time at Chelsea following an indifferent debut season at Stamford Bridge, although he still struck nine goals and laid on four more in 2022-23. What isn't in question, however, is the England winger's commitment to the cause, and his experience will be vital in what is guaranteed to be a mightily important season in the club's transition.

Elliot Lee has joined Paul Mullin on the bench at Wrexham, with Phil Parkinson explaining why the 14-goal midfielder was a substitute against MK Dons.

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Red Dragons boast strength in depthAble to rest & rotate when requiredBoss eager to avoid taking fitness risksWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Dragons have, courtesy of Hollywood co-owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, been able to piece together a squad that boasts the depth required to deal with a gruelling 46-game League Two campaign. With so many matches to take in – as domestic cup competitions are also added to the pot – rest and rotation will be required at times.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Parkinson has taken to shuffling his pack of late, with star striker Mullin starting a couple of games among the replacements. He was joined on the bench by talismanic midfielder Lee for a trip to Stadium MK, with the pair handed cameo roles in a 1-1 draw that lasted less than half-an-hour apiece.

WHAT PARKINSON SAID ABOUT LEE

Explaining Lee’s absence from the Wrexham starting XI, with George Evans and James Jones among those currently nursing injuries, Parkinson said: “Elliot has played more minutes than any other player. I just felt that to play him again after putting so much effort in at the weekend and the midweek game at Sutton would put him at risk of maybe getting a little injury. With the injuries we have got, I didn't want to take that risk. I said to Elliot: 'it would be great for you to come on after 60 minutes when the game has opened up' and he was magic when he came on.”

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GettyDID YOU KNOW?

Parkinson added on the knocks picked up by Evans and Jones, who are recovering from glute and hamstring problems respectively: "Both look quite serious unfortunately for us. We have had setbacks in that department but that's the way it goes and we will have to address that.”

Lionel Messi and Mohamed Salah both feature as Goal picks out the best 11 performers in Europe's 'Big Five' leagues in 2017-18

GettyGK: Jan Oblak

The latest in a long line of great goalkeepers at Atletico Madrid, Jan Oblak is a pivotal part of the miserly Rojiblancos defence which has conceded just 20 goals in La Liga this season.

The Slovenian shot-stopper is considered by many to be the best goalkeeper in the world right now and has kept an amazing 22 clean sheets in the Primera Division in 2017-18 – four more than any other keep across Europe's 'Big Five' leagues.

AdvertisementGettyRB: Joshua Kimmich

Bayern Munich worried that it might be difficult to find someone to fill Philipp Lahm's shoes when the legendary full-back retired last summer, but in Joshua Kimmich, they have found a ready-made replacement.

The 23-year-old has been outstanding for Bayern. As well as netting in both legs of the Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid, he has also created 10 goals in the Bundesliga, which puts him fourth in the assists standings.

Getty ImagesCB: Milan Skriniar

One of the signings of the Serie A season, Inter's Milan Skriniar is now regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football after a stellar debut campaign at San Siro. 

Indeed, the €20 million summer signing from Sampdoria was being linked with a €65m move to Manchester City by the winter break due to his sensational form and the Nerazzurri undoubtedly face a fight to hold on to a centre-half who does everything well.

He ranks joint-second among Serie A defenders in terms of tackles won, fifth for duels won, sixth for clearances and eighth for blocks, as well as third in terms of successful passes. Oh, and he's also scored four goals for good measure!

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Getty ImagesCB: Diego Godin

Atletico Madrid's central defensive rock, Diego Godin is arguably the world's best defender.

The Uruguay international may now be 32 but he remains as inspirational as ever, racking up 30 appearances for the toughest and meanest backline in the game today.

The Barcelona star was stretchered off on Friday, leaving the European champions with a massive problem to solve in midfield

England are on the brink of qualifying for the Women's World Cup knockout rounds after beating Denmark 1-0 in Sydney on Friday to make it two wins from two in Australia – but there is serious concern around their chances of glory after Keira Walsh was stretchered off.

It was a night that started with real excitement when Lauren James' outstanding strike broke the deadlock early on, the Chelsea star easily the Player of the Match as she glided around the pitch with confidence and quality to make the Lionesses look really dangerous.

But Walsh's knee injury before half-time was a huge blow for England and the game fell flat after it, with Denmark causing problems on the counter as the European champions tried to find their feet again after losing such an influential player.

Fortunately for Sarina Wiegman and her team, they managed to recover enough to see the game out, despite Denmark substitute Amalie Vangsgaard hitting the post late on, and now have one foot in the last 16.

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from the Allianz Stadium in Sydney…

Please enable Javascript to view this contentGetty ImagesLOSER: Keira Walsh

"I've done my knee." That's what Walsh told the England physios as they raced on to see to her after she'd gone down in some pain at the midway point of the Lionesses' defensive half.

On the stretch to win the ball, her foot seemed to get stuck in the ground and the midfielder clearly knew right away that it was serious, signalling to the bench immediately that her night was over.

Stretchered off moments later, it was an extremely worrying scene for Walsh and for the team, too, who do not really have a replacement for the Barcelona star in the squad.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWINNER: Lauren James

There have been so many calls for Lauren James to start at this World Cup, and when she got the chance to do so on Friday, she did not disappoint.

The Chelsea star was the Lionesses' best player by some distance, constantly looking a threat whenever she picked up the ball, and produced an absolutely gorgeous strike from the edge of the box to give her team the lead.

It's hard to see her coming out of this line-up after that performance.

Getty ImagesLOSER: Pernille Harder

No player that started this game had fewer touches on the pitch than Pernille Harder. Starting in the No.9 role, one of the world's best footballers was incredibly quiet in Denmark's toughest group-stage match, and it was always going to be difficult for her team to get the goal they needed with that the case.

Harder dropped into a No.10 role later in the second half, but she still struggled to get into the game. It was a shame to see her unable to influence events in the game-changing way that everyone knows she can.

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Getty ImagesWINNER: Alex Greenwood

Having played as a left-back in the first match, Alex Greenwood moved into a centre-back role for this game and she was much more influential in England's play as a result.

Her ability on the ball is excellent and that was evident throughout the evening, with her passing range adding another dimension to the Lionesses' play. She's a much greater asset to the team centrally.

There are plenty of rough diamonds who have gone on to make the grade at the highest level, with the latest being Luton Town's Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu

Over the past two decades Premier League clubs have increasingly turned to overseas transfers to bolster their squad. It therefore seems counter intuitive that there would be an influx of non-league players making it to the top level.

Yet, this is exactly what has happened.

Despite Premier League clubs casting their talent nets wider than ever before, there have still been plenty of players slipping through the cracks and entering the character-building world of part-time football.

Here are some of the lucky few who managed to bounce back from this disappointment to return to the summit of English football, with Luton Town's Pelly Ruddock Mpanzu making history as he becomes the first player to feature for the same club at non-league and Premier League level.

Getty ImagesJoe Aribo

Joe Aribo, who sealed a £6 million move to Southampton in summer of 2022, has been one of the latest non-league to Premier League success stories.

In a previous life Aribo lined up for Staines Town in the Isthmian League Premier Division. Incredibly, the midfielder was never picked up by a professional academy in his youth, but his one season for Staines – who have since sadly gone out of business – was enough to convince Charlton to hand him a one-year deal following a successful trial.

A full debut followed over 12 months later in 2016 with Aribo soon establishing himself as a regular starter and fan favourite.

A move to Rangers in 2019 would follow, with the Nigeria international falling narrowly short in the 2022 Europa League final – his last action before signing for Saints.

AdvertisementGettyMichail Antonio

Michail Antonio has had a pretty strange career, evolving into one of the most effective strikers in the Premier League after spending significant time shoehorned in at right-back. This is not the only distinguishing feature of his playing career either.

The West Ham icon's footballing education actually came at Tooting & Mitcham United, located a stone's throw from his home stomping ground of Wandsworth.

After a handful of senior appearances in non-league Antonio was snapped up by Reading in October 2008, beginning a long, winding road to the Premier League.

A string of loan moves and sporadic appearances for the Royals followed, before successive spells at Sheffield Wednesday and Nottingham Forest solidified Antonio's reputation.

West Ham took a chance on him in 2015 and the rest, as they say, is history.

GettyMax Kilman

Every time Wolves play on TV you can feel the painful restraint the lead commentator is exercising to avoid mentioning Max Kilman's futsal past. Unfortunately, they are rarely successful in avoiding bringing up the fact that he has 25 England caps in that form of football.

A less-discussed aspect of Kilman's pre-Wanderers career is the time he spent in the lower reaches of the game.

Following his release from Gillingham, the defender joined Welling United and then Maidenhead United, making 33 appearances for the latter and helping the Magpies finish above non-league sleeping giants Leyton Orient and Hartlepool in the National League.

He played predominantly as a left-back during that campaign but has moved into Wolves' back three seamlessly in recent seasons. Kilman is genuinely one of the most technically proficient defenders in England with rumours linking him with a top-six move having been rife.

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Getty ImagesChris Smalling

From Maidstone to the Eternal City, Chris Smalling has had quite the footballing journey.

After being released by Millwall, Smalling rocked up at the Gallagher Stadium in Kent and after just a few appearances clubs were queueing up to offer him a professional contract.

Amid strong interest from Middlesbrough, the centre-back was eventually snapped up by Fulham. Soon enough he had established himself in the first team and Manchester United came calling.

Despite catching some unfair criticism from fans at times, Smalling went on to win every domestic honour available to him, including a pair of Premier League titles, and also lifted the Europa League in 2017.

After falling down the pecking order at United, Smalling has gone on to rebuild his career at Roma, tasting continental success in the form of Europa Conference League glory in 2022. His form in Italy has even led to calls for him to add to his 31 England caps.