Five Premier League players whose market value could soar in 2026/27
The 2026/27 Premier League season is well underway, with players across the division already making their marks as clubs look to achieve their ambitions for the campaign.
For some players, a strong start could prove crucial in attracting interest from clubs across the world, increasing their transfer value and establishing themselves as the league’s biggest stars.
With that in mind, Sports News Blitz writer Max Steel takes a look at five players whose market value could explode this season.
Erica Parkinson’s mindset coach Martin Fairn explains the importance of mental preparation in football
How much attention do we really pay to the mental side of football, particularly when it comes to young players?
It’s easy to focus on talent, technical ability and performances on the pitch, but what happens when a young player has to deal with the expectations that come with reaching the highest level, the pressure to constantly prove themselves and the scrutiny that comes with playing the game professionally?
These are some of the questions Sports News Blitz sub-editor Nicole Powell explored in a recent interview with Martin Fairn, co-founder and CEO of Gazing Red2Blue.
Women’s Club World Cup 2028: FIFA’s global ambitions face a test over player welfare
FIFA’s decision to stage the inaugural Women’s Club World Cup in the United States in 2028 marks a significant milestone for women’s football - but concerns over fixture congestion threaten to overshadow the tournament well before it begins, writes Sports News Blitz’s Alice Rowhan.
Announced on Thursday, October 22, the 19-team tournament will run from January 5-30 in 2028, bringing together clubs from all six continental confederations for the first time of a global competition at this level.
Seven clubs have already qualified, including Arsenal, Club América Femenil, Barcelona, Gotham FC, Naegohyang from North Korea, Corinthians and Wuhan Jiangda.
The further 12 clubs are yet to be decided.
Premier League news: Michael Carrick under pressure as Antonio Conte linked with Man Utd job
Michael Carrick is coming under increasing pressure at Manchester United as questions continue to be raised about his future at Old Trafford, writes Sports News Blitz’s Elliot Desage.
After a disappointing run of results, fans are beginning to wonder whether he is the right man to lead the club forward.
With doubts surrounding Carrick's position, Antonio Conte has been linked with a possible move to Manchester.
Premier League betting tips: Chelsea to win London derby vs Tottenham, Aston Villa to beat Man City, and more Matchweek 8 predictions
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including Sunday’s game between Manchester United and Bournemouth.
Arsenal news: Bukayo Saka injury does not look good at all, admits Mikel Arteta
Arsenal battled to an impressive 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich on Wednesday night, but Bukayo Saka’s early injury quickly became the biggest talking point of the match.
Arsenal showed plenty of fight to earn a point in Munich, coming back from behind to leave the Allianz Arena with a respectable result.
However, the celebrations were cut short when star winger Saka was forced off after just 10 minutes, leaving manager Mikel Arteta facing an anxious wait.
Premier League: Five talking points from Nottingham Forest 0-1 Arsenal
Premier League champions Arsenal claimed a hard-fought 1-0 win over Nottingham Forest on Sunday, October 18, to keep pace with Manchester City.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Monzer Hussain breaks down five talking points from the City Ground, where Mikel Arteta’s Gunners banked three vital points.
Premier League betting tips: Goalscoring affair in Everton vs Chelsea, Bukayo Saka to score first, and more Gameweek 7 predictions
Read on for a breakdown of the best bets from this weekend’s Premier League TV games from Sports News Blitz’s punting laureate - The Bookie Basher - including the huge clash between Leeds United and Manchester United on Sunday, October 18.
EFL Championship: Why Midnite are serving 1,000 free chicken parmos to Boro fans this weekend
Midnite will serve 1,000 Teesside Parmos to Boro fans at Riverside Stadium this weekend following an entertaining parmo-cooking challenge that will go live following the fixture.
Fans just need to show their match ticket to claim a free parmo while supplies last.
Erling Haaland double not enough as Man City lose to PSG while Liverpool hit six vs LASK
Manchester City suffered their first defeat of the season after losing 4-2 to Paris Saint-Germain, while Liverpool secured a thrilling 6-3 Champions League victory over LASK on Wednesday night.
Man City endured a disastrous first half at the Etihad Stadium, conceding three goals as PSG took control of the contest.
Desire Doue opened the scoring in the 13th minute before Ousmane Dembele doubled the visitors’ advantage two minutes later.
EFL Championship news: Five takeaways as West Brom, Bolton and Swansea secure midweek wins
After Tuesday night’s Championship fixtures, there is plenty to talk about. Cardiff City beat Watford 5-1, Bolton Wanderers handed Wolves a second defeat of the season, and Middlesbrough extended their unbeaten run in the league to eight.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Desage looks at five key takeaways from the midweek results.
EFL predictions for three new managers as Preston, Peterborough and Bradford make appointments
International breaks are typically the bane of a football fan’s existence, especially when it comes to those who prefer domestic leagues. Not only are the weekly accas gone, but a couple of weeks off the pre-match pints are sometimes enough to break a man.
For fans of a couple of sides, though, the drama has continued despite the lack of on-field antics, writes Sports News Blitz’s EFL expert Charlie Gardner.
2026/27 EFL Away Fan Price Index: Championship fans paying 11% more than the Premier League away price cap, with QPR the worst offenders and Wrexham among the cheapest
Away fans in the Championship are paying an average of 11% more than the £30 Premier League away price cap per ticket when following their clubs on the road this season, as revealed by research from OLBG.
Scottish Premiership: Celtic boss Martin O’Neill commits future to Bhoys after considering retirement
Manager Martin O’Neill has decided to commit his future to Celtic following a period of reflection during the international break.
O’Neill’s future was in doubt amid rumours of retirement after a run of three straight defeats, but talks with the club’s board have since convinced the 74-year-old to carry on in the Bhoys’ hot seat.
Roy Keane praises Jude Bellingham’s England influence after Nations League performances
Roy Keane believes Jude Bellingham’s growing influence without the ball is helping to raise the standards of those around him after England’s emphatic win over Croatia.
Bellingham produced another outstanding performance as Thomas Tuchel’s side cruised to a 7-0 victory in Rijeka, scoring once and providing three assists in a dominant display.
How have West Ham, Burnley and Wolves fared since dropping into the EFL Championship?
As we’ve arrived at the first international break, three of the favourites for promotion have enjoyed vastly different beginnings to life in the Championship, writes Sports News Blitz’s Gabriel Mills.
Both Wolves and West Ham have taken in stints at the top of the table, while fellow relegated side Burnley have been slumped at the foot of it.
Premier League news: Man City ‘have robbed the feelings’ from players, says Jamie Carragher
Jamie Carragher believes Manchester City should have the trophies they won during the period under investigation removed from the club’s record after the Premier League’s recent financial verdict.
The former Liverpool defender said the fallout from the case currently hogging the headlines goes far beyond medals, arguing that the findings could change how Man City players remember some of the biggest achievements of their careers.
Nations League analysis: Five talking points ahead of England’s clash with Croatia
England will travel to Rijeka to face Croatia on Saturday for a Nations League showdown.
Both teams will be going into the game with three points each with both having won and lost a game.
The Three Lions head into Saturday's game after beating Czechia 2-0 in Prague, while Croatia suffered a heavy 4-1 defeat against Spain in Seville.
Here, Sports News Blitz writer Elliot Desage looks at five talking points ahead of the game.
UEFA Nations League analysis: Five talking points from Czech Republic vs England
England got back to winning ways with a 2-0 victory over the Czech Republic on Tuesday, September 29.
After the disappointing result against Spain, this was a game where England really needed to respond and get three points.
The match was not the most exciting for long periods, but England did what they needed to do.
A red card for the Czech Republic in the first half also had a big effect on how the rest of the game played out.
Here, Sports News Blitz’s Elliot Desage looks at five talking points from England's win.
England Women: Sarina Wiegman leaves out Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly for Greece play-off
England Women manager Sarina Wiegman has named her 23-player squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying play-off against Greece.
However, there are two notable omissions, with Ella Toone and Chloe Kelly both missing out.