English football is buzzing with a whirlwind of headlines, from managerial shake-ups and transfer rumors to bold statements from some of the sport’s biggest names. As the international break brings both anticipation and uncertainty, the beautiful game continues to deliver drama on and off the pitch.
Let’s start with the ever-controversial Ballon d’Or rankings. England national team coach Thomas Tuchel didn’t mince his words when asked about Harry Kane’s position at 13th in the latest Ballon d’Or list, announced on October 9, 2025. “Look, I never know when this Ballon d'Or will take place or what the rankings will look like. I'm the last person to see and know that. I'm not a big fan of individual awards in team sports. Harry is a true team player, he excels and he should definitely be ranked higher than 13th,” Tuchel stated, making it clear he believes Kane deserves much more recognition.
Tuchel, who coached Kane at Bayern Munich before taking the England job, has nothing but admiration for the 32-year-old striker. “He is undoubtedly the best striker of his generation. He has reached a new level and is now scoring two goals per game,” Tuchel previously told BILD. The England boss went on to emphasize Kane’s impact, noting, “He's in top form; you can feel that he's full of confidence and can carry Bayern and England effortlessly on his shoulders.” With Kane sidelined due to an ankle injury, all eyes are now on who will fill his shoes in England’s upcoming clash against Wales at Wembley.
According to talkSPORT, Tuchel is set to give Aston Villa’s Ollie Watkins his first start under the England manager’s reign. Watkins, known for his relentless work rate and sharp finishing, hopes to seize the opportunity in front of a packed Wembley crowd. Meanwhile, Declan Rice will wear the captain’s armband, stepping into the leadership void left by Kane’s absence. It’s a big night for the Three Lions, and the pressure is on for the new-look lineup to deliver.
Elsewhere in the managerial merry-go-round, Watford have once again turned to a familiar face. Paulo Pezzolano was shown the door, only for Javi Gracia—himself sacked by the Hornets six years ago—to return as head coach. The move has raised eyebrows, with fans questioning whether this déjà vu appointment can bring the stability Watford so desperately needs. The club’s revolving door policy with managers continues to be a talking point across English football.
Up north, the situation at Manchester United is as turbulent as ever. Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently acquired a minority stake in the club through his INEOS group, addressed the mounting pressure on manager Ruben Amorim. “He has not had the best of seasons. Ruben needs to demonstrate he is a great coach over three years. That’s where I would be,” Ratcliffe explained on The Times podcast. He criticized the media’s demand for instant results, saying, “The press, sometimes I don't understand. They want overnight success. They think it's a light switch. You know, you flick a switch and it's all going to be roses tomorrow. You can't run a club like United on knee-jerk reactions to the press who goes off/on one every week.”
Despite United’s lack of Champions League football and inconsistent results, the Glazer family remains firm in their valuation of the club—over £5 billion. Rumors of a potential Middle Eastern takeover were fueled by Saudi billionaire Turki Alalshikh, who claimed on social media that a deal was in advanced stages. “The best news I heard today is that Manchester United is now in an advanced stage of completing a deal to sell to a new investor – I hope he’s better than the previous owners,” Alalshikh posted on X. However, United sources have denied any such talks, and it’s understood that no Saudi or Qatari groups are currently involved. The referenced investor group is believed to be UAE-based, but negotiations remain clouded in uncertainty.
On the player front, Harry Maguire is in discussions over a new contract with United. With his current deal expiring at the end of the season, Maguire is eager to resolve his future before the World Cup, hoping to avoid distractions during the tournament. Even if he signs an extension, there’s no guarantee he’ll stay at Old Trafford, as the club could still decide to sell him next summer—mirroring Manchester City’s decision with Ilkay Gundogan.
Club ownership issues aren’t limited to the Premier League. At Sheffield Wednesday, owner Dejphon Chansiri faces fierce criticism after failing to pay staff on time for the fifth time this year. Unite, the UK’s leading union, is demanding full payment for non-football staff, with general secretary Sharon Graham stating, “Unite will do everything in its power, industrially and legally, to ensure these workers get their wages. Dejphon Chansiri has millions at his disposal, these workers do not - his behaviour is disgusting. He needs to pay his staff and sell this well-loved club and community asset to a buyer who can run it properly as a matter of urgency.” With union membership at Hillsborough surging, the pressure is mounting on Chansiri to resolve the crisis.
In the world of transfers and player ambitions, Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta has hinted at a desire to join one of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ clubs. “That is natural. Every ambitious player wants to make that step, especially when you arrive in the national team and around you there are only players who are playing in the Champions League, who win the biggest trophies. When you are surrounded by the best players in the world, naturally, you want to make that step,” Mateta told RMC Sport. His comments have sparked speculation about his future, with fans wondering if a major move could be on the horizon.
Meanwhile, in the business of football, Burnley’s owners ALK Capital, led by Alan Pace and featuring former NFL star JJ Watt as an investor, have completed a €130 million takeover of Spanish club Espanyol, acquiring a 99.66% stake. “This is not about ownership; it’s about stewardship,” Pace assured supporters, promising that both Burnley and Espanyol would retain their unique identities and independence. The multi-club model is gaining traction, as teams look for innovative ways to develop talent and expand their global footprints.
On the global stage, FIFA president Gianni Infantino has opened the door to moving future World Cups away from their traditional summer slot. With the 2034 tournament set for Saudi Arabia—likely in winter to avoid extreme heat—Infantino argued that climate change could make such scheduling shifts commonplace. “If you want to play at the same time everywhere, then you can play in March or in October - most likely because in December, you're not playing in one part of the world, and in July, we're not playing in another part of the world,” Infantino told delegates in Rome. The debate over the football calendar is far from settled, with player welfare and league schedules hanging in the balance.
As the football world watches these stories unfold, Tottenham Hotspur’s owners ENIC have injected £100 million of new capital into the club, signaling a renewed commitment to long-term sporting success. Former West Ham striker Michail Antonio, meanwhile, is training with Brentford as he seeks a new club, though no contract offer is expected.
With managerial changes, ownership drama, and player ambitions dominating the headlines, English football remains as unpredictable and compelling as ever. Fans across the globe are watching, waiting, and wondering what twists the next week might bring.
