Premier League

CHRIS BASHAM has posted an update on his condition from a hospital bed after undergoing surgery.The Sheffield United midfielder suffered a horrific ankle injury during Saturday’s Premier League defeat to Fulham.
Chris Basham has shared an update on his horrific injury from hospitalCredit: Instagram
The 35-year-old suffered the gruesome injury during Sheffield United’s defeat at FulhamCredit: Getty
Basham attempted to cross the ball into the Fulham box when his ankle gave way and was badly broken.
The match was stopped for 13 minutes while the 35-year-old was given oxygen.
Concerned manager Paul Heckingbottom broke protocol by entering the field of play and providing support for his player before the ace was then taken to hospital in distressing scenes.
Sheffield United confirmed that he had undergone surgery this week and now the player has spoken to worried supporters for the first time.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
The club shared a picture of Basham giving the thumbs-up from his hospital bed that he had shared on Instagram.
And it came accompanied with a message from that veteran that read: “Had my two surgery’s done now and I can’t thank the surgeons enough for the fast response to me, the first surgery was for cleaning up the wound I suffered and dislocation, the second surgery was to repair the ligaments and to fit a plate on my bone where the fracture was.
“I’m in a cast now and it feel a lot more comfortable. Will be in London still for another few days but then be going home to recover in the right way.”
Basham added: “Trying to stay positive everyday with great family and friends around me. Still overwhelmed by the support I have received. Thank you Bash.”
Most read in Football
A host of footballing stars offered the stricken Basham their support on social media after the sickening scenes.
Arsenal and England goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale wrote on Instagram: “With you mate.”
Sheffield United’s George Baldock posted: “The best about brother! Everyone is with you.”
While Blades striker Ollie McBurnie said “All with you mate” as fellow team-mate Ollie Norwood wrote: “All with you during your recovery.”
Basham came through the ranks at Bolton Wanderers before a switch to Blackpool in 2010.
He spent four years at Bloomfield Road until Sheffield United swooped to sign him in 2014.
He has since gone on to become a legend with the Blades, making over 350 appearances, and helping them to win League One in 2017 before twice being promoted to the Premier League.
He now looks certain to miss at least the rest of the season, which will come as a bitter blow to boss Heckingbottom.
Sheffield United are currently bottom of the Premier League after amassing just one point from their opening eight games of the campaign.
Chris Basham broke his ankle when going to cross the ballCredit: Rex
Fulham’s Tim Ream tended to Basham before the ambulance crew could arriveCredit: Rex
Basham was taken away from the stadium in an ambuanceCredit: Reuters More

FORMER Leicester boss Craig Shakespeare has revealed he has been diagnosed with cancer.The 59-year-old has also confirmed he is receiving treatment to combat the disease.
Craig Shakespeare is undergoing treatment to fight cancerCredit: PA:Press Association
Leicester chief executive Susan Whelan released a statement which read: “Everyone at the Club sends their strength and support to Craig, his wife Karen and their children Elle and Jed.
“They will all be in our thoughts and prayers as Craig progresses with his treatment, surrounded by the love befitting his place in the hearts of the Leicester City family and the wider game.”
Shakespeare was a part of the Foxes backroom staff that sensationally won the Premier League title back in 2016.
The English coach then took over from manager Claudio Ranieri the following season after the Italian was sacked.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
He spent eight months in the role, winning 11 of his 26 games at the helm.
His only other job as first-team coach came in a one-match stint as caretaker boss of West Brom in 2006.
Shakespeare has worked as an assistant coach for the majority of his career.
That includes stints at Hull, Everton, Watford, Aston Villa and Norwich.
Most read in Football
He was Dean Smith’s right-hand man at Carrow Road, before he joined him in a return to Leicester earlier this year.
Prior to his career as a coach, he enjoyed nearly two decades as a player.
Shakespeare spent eight years at Walsall after coming through their academy.
He went on to play for Sheffield Wednesday, West Brom, Grimsby, Scunthorpe, Telford and Hednesford. More

GARETH SOUTHGATE may not seem to mind either way but Harry Maguire knows his situation at Manchester United cannot go on forever.And if Erik ten Hag continues to limit the defender’s game-time to around a match a month, he will need to have a word with the club about his future.
Harry Maguire has admitted that he needs more game time at Man UtdCredit: PA
The defender assisted Scott McTominay’s winning goal at the weekendCredit: Getty
Maguire completed the full 90 minutes — plus the considerable injury time — in Saturday’s dramatic 2-1 win over Brentford, teeing-up Scott McTominay’s 97th-minute winner.
But the 30-year-old was only selected because other defenders were injured and is set to be back on the bench when the likes of Raphael Varane return to fitness.
England boss Southgate would obviously prefer Maguire to be playing regularly.
But despite his reduced role at Old Trafford, Southgate has once again picked him for his squad for tomorrow’s friendly with Australia and Tuesday’s Euro 2024 qualifier against Italy.
Read More on Man Utd
Yet Maguire is adamant his record under Ten Hag — where he has won 14 of the 18 games he has started during the Dutchman’s reign — is stone-cold evidence of his quality.
And that gives him confidence he can turn it around and still have a future at the Theatre of Dreams.
The centre-back, who joined United from Leicester for £85million in August 2019, said: “I am not going to sit here all my life and play once a month.
“If it carries on I am sure myself and the club will sit down and have a chat about things.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
The defender has fallen down the pecking order under Erik ten HagCredit: Getty
“But at the moment I am focused on two big games for England.
“And then I am fully focused on fighting to try and win back my place at Manchester United and trying to help the team climb up the league to where we should be.
“I have belief in my ability and what I have done in my career.
“Every player who is on the bench should believe they should be starting otherwise they wouldn’t be playing at a high level.
“I am no different. It has been tough, I want to play games, I want to feel important to the club and to the rest of the team.
“I haven’t been playing nowhere near as much as I would like.
“I just have to make sure I am ready to take the opportunities when they come along.”
After a year of criticism from pundits and fans about his performances — as well as nasty abuse from online trolls — Saturday must have been a strange experience for Maguire.
Instead of the usual sniping, he was widely praised for his performance as an unconvincing United somehow turned it around against the Bees thanks to two injury-time McTominay goals.
And some United fans are now calling on Ten Hag to stick with Maguire, who revealed his gaffer told him “really well done” in the dressing room after the win.
Yet when asked if this can be a turning point for him to get back into the Dutchman’s team regularly, Maguire was unsure.
The former Foxes man — whose transfer to United is still the world-record fee for a defender — said: “It’s not my decision to whether I start the next game or not.
“If you look back on my last 15-20 starts for club and country, I would be happy to sit here and say I’m really happy with my performances.
“My record under this manager speaks for itself. I haven’t started as many games as I like but my win percentage when I’ve played is ridiculously high.
“Of course there are times when I could do more and could improve.
“I can only do what I’ve been doing when I’ve come into the team, bringing positive performances.
“I’ve started two games this season and come on in a few off the bench.
“The manager can only watch training and make his decisions from training in the games when I get the opportunity to play.
“I’ll keep working hard, I’ll keep pushing, I have great belief in myself and I’m sure there will be opportunities to come.”
Maguire would have played more had he left the club in the summer.
West Ham were very interested but the Sheffield-born star revealed it never got as far as him saying yes or no to the Irons because the clubs could not come to an agreement.
Ten Hag may not be convinced by Maguire but Southgate’s faith in him could not be stronger.
In fairness, he has rarely let Southgate down with his England performances and will hope to repay that loyalty again tomorrow if selected against the Aussies.
This week it was revealed England will co-host Euro 2028.
Read More on The Sun
Maguire will be 35 by then so likely not in the reckoning ­— but his passion for his country means he will be involved in some capacity.
He added: “I’ll either be in the stands with my mates having a few pints or in the squad, helping the lads.”
Maguire was linked with a move to West Ham this summer, but he didn’t get the chance to leave Old TraffordCredit: Alamy More

VIDEO footage has emerged of Samir Nasri looking distressed after being confronted by an Arsenal fan on Sunday.The Frenchman was in attendance as the Gunners beat Manchester 1-0 at the Emirates.
Samir Nasri was seen looking distressed after being confronted by an angry fanCredit: TIKTOK @werdnamcnny
Footage showed Nasri’s response to being angrily confronted
Nasri, 36, was working at the game for Canal PlusCredit: Rex
Nasri, 36, was working for French broadcaster Canal Plus providing punditry on the match.
After the final whistle, the former midfielder was the subject of abuse from an irate Arsenal supporter.
The fan is claimed to have squared up to Nasri, before claiming he “sold his soul”.
As others defended Nasri, the enraged fan allegedly began throwing punches at fellow supporters.
Read More Football Stories
Alex Crook of talkSPORT wrote after the match: “An #AFC fan has just been thrown out of the Emirates for squaring up to Samri Nasri near the press box.
“And then started throwing punches at fellow Arsenal fans. Absolute moron.”
In a video clip depicting the immediate aftermath that has since circulated online, Nasri can be seen looking visibly shaken.
He left Arsenal for Man City in 2011 following three years with the Gunners.
Most read in Football
FREE BETS – BEST BETTING OFFERS AND BONUSES NEW CUSTOMERS
Following his departure the former Marseille star claimed he was moving to a club with “more passionate fans”.
Nasri stayed at the Etihad for six years, winning two Premier League titles.
He later went on to represent Sevilla, Antalyaspor, West Ham and Anderlecht.
Nasri played for Arsenal for three yearsCredit: PA:Empics Sport
He went on to leave the Gunners and sign for Man CityCredit: AP:Associated Press More

CHELSEA fans have praised co-owner Todd Boehly after it emerged that their team is among the youngest in Europe.The Blues have been free-spending since the American arrived in West London last year.
Chelsea have been fielding a new-look group of young starsCredit: Getty
Todd Boehly appears to have a plan for the youthful BluesCredit: Reuters
They have so far forked out over £1billion on fresh talent, but are yet to see results on the pitch.
Back to back wins have increased fans’ optimism that there is method in the madness, however.
And a statistic regarding their young starlets has supporters even more enthused.
According to the CIES Football Observatory, Chelsea have fielded the fifth youngest starting XI on average in Europe’s top five leagues so far this season.
READ MORE ON CHELSEA
Mauricio Pochettino’s XIs to date have possessed an average age of just 24.95, making them the fifth youngest on the list.
This is made all the more remarkable, given that 39-year-old Thiago Silva has started all eight matches, dragging the average age up considerably.
The veteran Brazilian has been surrounded by fresh talent including Cole Palmer, 21, Enzo Fernandez, 22, and Moises Caicedo, 21.
Fans also noticed that Strasbourg round off the top ten with an average age of 25.22.
Most read in Football
CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS
Chelsea have the fifth youngest average starting XI in Europe’s top five leagues
This is notable given that Chelsea’s Clearlake Capital also own the Ligue 1 side.
Strasbourg’s young talent includes 20-year-olds Junior Mwanga and Ismael Doukoure.
While Chelsea’s 18-year-old Brazilian Angelo Gabriel has also been playing regularly for them on loan.
Fans have been left excited by their owners’ vision for picking up young talent.
One tweeted: “Todd Boehly and co are building for the future and I am here for it!”
While a second enthused: “BlueCo building for the future. And not doing so bad currently either.”
A third pointed out: “If you take silva out we must be the youngest.”
Another added: “Chelsea and RC Strasbourg || Project.”
Teenage Chelsea loanee Angelo Gabriel has featured regularly for StrasbourgCredit: Getty More