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      England boss Gareth Southgate hits back at accusations he’s ‘cautious’ as Mings urges Grealish to stay patient

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE hit back at accusations he is a cautious manager.
      And the England boss insisted he would have used Jack Grealish against Denmark but for Harry Maguire’s sending-off.

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      England boss Gareth Southgate insists he was not cautious in the recent internationalsCredit: AFP or licensors

      Southgate named five defenders and two holding midfielders for Tuesday’s 1-0 Nations League defeat at Wembley – ignoring a clamour to play in-form Aston Villa star Grealish.
      But asked whether he was a cautious boss or a risk-taker, Southgate answered: “We gave another two young players [Reece James and Ainsley Maitland-Niles] their full debuts against Denmark, alongside Mason Mount, Declan Rice and Kalvin Phillips, who’s had four games in the Premier League.
      “So I think we’ve been pretty bold in many of our decisions over a long period of time really.
      “We’ve been top scorers in the World Cup, we were top scorers in the Euro qualifiers, we’ve been to two semi-finals. We’ve blooded any number of young players.

      “I suppose that I would point to that body of work but it’s for others to have their opinion. I’m not really too concerned.”
      On Grealish’s omission, Southgate added: “Any plans we had went out the window with the red card.
      “We needed legs to be able to defend with ten and Mason and Marcus Rashford have done that really well.”
      Meanwhile, Grealish has been urged by Aston Villa team-mate Tyrone Mings to be patient and wait for another England chance.

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      Jack Grealish has been urged to remain patient by team-mate Tyrone MingsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      The playmaker, 25, was snubbed in the last two internationals after a Man of the Match full debut in the 3-0 win over Wales.
      Southgate opted for Mason Mount instead of Grealish for the 2-1 win over Belgium and 1-0 loss to Denmark.
      On his team-mates absence, Mings said: “It is easy to talk about players who aren’t playing but that does a  disservice to the people who are.
      “We are playing at an elite level and people have to bide their time, like I do. I’m trying to get into the team as well.
      “Everybody is competing for places and  that makes for a healthy group.
      “Jack is a fantastic player, we all know that – we know what he can bring to the group.

      “But you have to trust in the squad, trust the manager that different players will be utilised at different times.
      “Jack is fine. Jack is a great lad and everyone in their career will have times when they are on the bench and out of the team – that is just something you go through. He won’t need an arm round the shoulder, I’m sure.
      “The only thing we can do is try to play well for our clubs and when we are given a chance to come into the camp show humility and bide our time.
      “We have to pay service to the  players who have credit in the bank, the people who have got the England team to the position it is in now, who have been to tournaments and delivered relative success to what we have had  previously.
      “It is such an honour to represent your country, it is never something that is taken for granted.
      “All we can do is continue to play well for our team and continue to support the lads when we are here, on and off the pitch.”

      Gareth Southgate reacts to Harry Maguire and Reece James red cards More

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      Man Utd boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer urged to ‘take Harry Maguire out of the oven’ amid horror run of form by Rio Ferdinand

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      RIO FERDINAND has told Ole Gunnar Solskjaer: “Take Harry Maguire out of the oven.”
      The former Manchester United ace believes Maguire needs to be dropped for his own good after a summer of turmoil crowned by his England red card against Denmark.

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      Harry Maguire is going through a horror run of formCredit: PA:Empics Sport

      Ferdinand, 41, said: “It’s obvious to see he’s going through a bad spell.
      “Nobody is immune from having a downturn in form and confidence.
      “If you want to play well, then having that confidence is an absolute necessity.

      “He’s lacking that and it’s very evident in his performances.

      “In these situations – and I’ve been in them as well – you sometimes need to be taken out of the oven.”
      BT ambassador Ferdinand added: “Sometimes just taking yourself out of the actual firing line for one game helps.
      “It’s about having enough time to reflect, a chance to sit down and go through where you are at.
      “When you are going game-to-game with matches every three or four days it’s very hard to see through the fog.

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer should rest Maguire, according to FerdinandCredit: Times Newspapers Ltd

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      Rio Ferdinand believes Maguire needs to be taken out of the firing lineCredit: PA:Press Association
       “If you are taken out of the firing line you get time to sit back and analyse your performance, your training, preparation and recovery.”
      But Ferdinand warned Maguire, 27, and Red Devils manager Solskjaer that there is no magic wand, adding: “It doesn’t happen overnight.
      “It’s about getting through a game without being seen. That might seem silly but it is the way I used to look at it. At the moment he’s being seen for all the wrong reasons.
      “So if he can get through winning a game, keeping a clean sheet, that’s the first of the building blocks.
      “It’ll mean him playing simply, only putting his foot in when he needs to, not gambling like he did against Denmark, tackles that were taking risks.
      “If you can tiptoe your way through a game, that builds the foundations.”
      Ferdinand insisted the blame game must not stop at the Red Devils captain – and warned that Solskjaer and his management staff now have a huge test of their own capabilities.
      He added: “With Manchester United, it’s not just about Harry Maguire. There’s a much bigger picture.

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      Maguire was shown a red card after just 30 minutes for EnglandCredit: AP:Associated Press
      “He is not the actual reason why people are questioning things. It’s about numerous things people are wondering why this, that and the other are happening.
      “He’s just a part of it and being the captain of United you automatically become one of the main people they look to for reasons.
      “I didn’t recognise that as a Manchester United team against Spurs.
      “I would be sitting here lying if I was to dress it up in any other way.
      “That and the Palace game were two performances you’d like to erase from your memory.
      “I was part of a team that had performances like that and you do have downturns of form.
      “United obviously had a shorter pre-season than a lot of teams and that may have played a part in the early games against Palace etc.
      “But the Spurs game, there were no excuses. They were well off it and didn’t perform anywhere near their capabilities.

      “It’s the job of Ole and his staff to really get that right.
      “The international break came at the wrong time for them because what they needed was to get the players in the building to work on things. The next set of seven games are difficult, it’s going to be testing times — but this is where you see the character.
      “I think Ole and his staff have learnt a lot from the players about their character in this early part of the season.”
      Ferdinand was speaking as EE announced its customers will be among the first to gain access to Match Day Experience, a new set of immersive viewing features on the BT Sport app.

      Roy Keane says Man Utd players will cost Solskjaer his job More

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      Mourinho refuses to confirm Bale will play for Spurs vs West Ham as Welshman shows off his basketball skills in training

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      JOSE MOURINHO would not confirm if superstar ‘Gary Bale’ will face London rivals West Ham on Sunday.
      The Spurs manager called ­Gareth Bale ‘Gary’ – just like he did with England boss Gareth Southgate this month.

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      Gareth Bale is training with Spurs ahead of his return from injuryCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Welshman Bale showed off his basketball skilssCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      Bale, 31, joined full training last week after recovering from a knee injury as he targets a first appearance of his season-long loan from Real Madrid.
      The Welshman had hoped to star against West Ham at the Tottenham Stadium in the Premier League on Sunday.
      But Mourinho said: “The team is the most important thing and Gary is here – sorry, Gareth – to help the team.
      “But at the same time we care about him. The decision will be for the good of the team and for him.”

      And Bale showed he could have become a multi-sport superstar in training on Thursday.
      Proving he could have signed for NBA giants San Antonio Spurs, the Welshman got down to work with some basketball shooting.
      Spurs fans were cock-a-hoop to see their new loan signing attempting some three-pointers and lay-ups on a court at the club’s training base.
      Maybe he can link up with pal Dele for some Alli-Oops this season!

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      Meanwhile, Tottenham have been warned they will not get £22million-rated Swansea ace Joe Rodon on the cheap.
      The Londoners want the Wales centre-back, 22, for £8m.
      But Swans boss Steve Cooper said: “Joe is a really good player and it’s important if we have to sell, then we get ­something to show for it.”

      Gareth Bale tears up Tottenham training and scores wonder goal leaving fans drooling about first game back More

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      Struggling Man Utd star Harry Maguire too important to be rested for club or country despite crisis, says Southgate

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      GARETH SOUTHGATE is adamant Harry Maguire is too important to be rested for either club or country – despite his alarming confidence crisis.
      The Manchester United skipper was sent off after half an hour of England’s 1-0 defeat by Denmark on Wednesday for two desperate challenges.

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      Gareth Southgate has urged Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not to drop Harry Maguire despite his horror run of formCredit: Rex Features

      And since being jailed while on holiday in Mykonos in August, Maguire has suffered shockers in United’s home defeats by Crystal Palace and Tottenham.
      Yet England boss Southgate remains convinced the defender must carry on playing for England, while believing he is also undroppable at Old Trafford.
      Southgate said: “My view would be that you’ve got to play your way through these moments.
      “Harry is too important a player for them and us to think about resting him but that would be for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his staff to make those decisions.”

      Southgate backed Maguire to the hilt following his arrest while on holiday in Greece in August – naming him in his squad for three September internationals.
      The England manager then had to dump him hours later, when he was convicted of assaulting a police officer, resisting arrest and attempted bribery.
      Yet when Maguire appealed – and was seen as innocent in the eyes of the law, with a future retrial likely – there were serious discussions about recalling the 2018 World Cup hero, with concerns about the lack of defensive depth.
      Southgate was buoyed by the performances of Conor Coady and Tyrone Mings at the heart of defence after Maguire’s red card against the Danes.

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      Maguire was sent-off against Denmark in his latest horror showCredit: PA:Press Association

      He also rates Liverpool’s Joe Gomez and Spurs’ Eric Dier, with Kyle Walker impressing in a back three in the 2-1 win over Belgium.
      Yet still the England boss insists Maguire, 27, cannot be rested for key fixtures.
      Southgate’s loyalty seems excessive given Maguire’s current form.
      Perhaps the fact he is captain of United and the world’s most expensive defender at £85million can blind people into believing Maguire is a better player than he is.
      More likely, his leadership qualities – uncommon in the modern game – are treasured.
      Yet there is no point in being a ‘leader’ if you are going to commit a borderline red-card offence within five minutes, followed by a clear second booking, in an attempt to recover from a mistake.
      That was the sum total of Maguire’s contribution against Denmark and all of his qualities as a motivator and a great ‘team man’ are irrelevant if he cannot perform his basic defensive duties.

      Gareth Southgate reacts to Harry Maguire and Reece James red cards More

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      Uefa admit delayed Euros CAN’T go ahead as planned – with format set to be changed and some host cities set for axe

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      FOOTBALL bosses are preparing to rip up the format for the Euros – and SCRAP some venues.
      Uefa privately accept there is no way that next summer’s tournament – postponed because of Covid – will be able to go ahead with the planned 12 host cities.

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      Euro 2020 is set for a format change with some host cities to be axed due to Covid

      A worst-case scenario could see one country stage the tournament with four venues being used.
      Wembley is due to stage seven games, including England’s three group matches, plus the semi-finals and final.
      The competition is sure to go ahead – owing to the millions Uefa will receive from TV companies.
      And the governing body is hopeful supporters will still be able to attend.

      But some venues are at risk and the tournament will have to be condensed to ensure less travelling.
      Places such as Baku in Azerbaijan – now caught in a conflict with Armenia – plus St Petersburg in Russia will be among the first to be dropped.

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      Baku, Azerbaijan, is under threat as the country is in conflict with ArmeniaCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      San Mames in Bilbao, Spain, is among those that could be axed as it struggled to sell ticketsCredit: Getty Images – Getty

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      Bilbao in Spain struggled to sell tickets so would also be in the firing line.
      Uefa know they can complete a tournament in one country, with teams staying in bubbles.

      Further meetings are due over the next few months.

      Manager Paul Fairclough talks about the England C team and its importance to the game More

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      Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney in line for Derby manager job as Rams chiefs lose patience with Phillip Cocu

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      WAYNE ROONEY is in line to become Derby boss — and may even be in charge by the start of next week.
      The Rams face Watford on Friday night and another defeat could spell the end for under-fire Phillip Cocu.

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      Wayne Rooney is in line to become Derby bossCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Derby face Watford on Friday night and another defeat could spell the end for under-fire Phillip CocuCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ironically, sources insist boss Cocu was only saved from the chop before the international break by Rooney’s late winner at Norwich a fortnight ago.
      Yet he is still on the brink, and owner Mel Morris plans to turn to skipper Rooney, 34, if they lose against the  Hornets.
      With England’s all-time leading scorer still to get all his FA badges, it means he will need an experienced, fully-qualified coach alongside him — and him — and former Rams manager John Gregory is the man they want.
      Rooney joined Derby  as player-coach on an 18-month contract — with a further one-year option — when he returned from playing for DC United America in August 2019.

      He began his coaching badges within months and admitted he first thought of a post-playing career in management when he was still at Manchester United.
      Rooney insisted he always planned to become a boss one day, and revealed on arriving at Championship club Derby: “I’ve always been interested in it.
      “When Louis van Gaal was manager at United, Ryan Giggs was analysing the opponents and I used to go in there for a few hours after training.”
      Dutchman Cocu replaced Frank Lampard when he moved on to take the Chelsea job in July 2019, but missed out on the play-offs in a disappointing first season.

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      Rooney joined Derby as player-coach on an 18-month contractCredit: Rex Features

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      Sources say Cocu was only saved from the chop before the international break by Rooney’s late winner at NorwichCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      This campaign has been even worse, and after needing penalties to see off League Two new boys Barrow in the League Cup, Derby lost the next four games before Rooney’s late Carrow Road winner.
      Mike Phelan, currently on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team at Old Trafford, had also been mentioned as a possible No 2 to Rooney.
      Yet Gregory, 66, who was manager for 12 months before he was sacked in 2003, is  favourite.
      He is available after leaving Chennaiyin FC, a year after he led them to the Indian Super League title two years ago.

      Mel Morris laughs off reports that Wayne Rooney is about to replace Phillip Cocu at Derby More

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      Man Utd legend Wayne Rooney in line for Derby job as Rams chiefs lose patience with manager Phillip Cocu

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      WAYNE ROONEY is in line to become Derby boss — and may even be in charge by the start of next week.
      The Rams face Watford on Friday night and another defeat could spell the end for under-fire Phillip Cocu.

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      Wayne Rooney is in line to become Derby bossCredit: PA:Press Association

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      Derby face Watford on Friday night and another defeat could spell the end for under-fire Phillip CocuCredit: PA:Press Association

      Ironically, sources insist boss Cocu was only saved from the chop before the international break by Rooney’s late winner at Norwich a fortnight ago.
      Yet he is still on the brink, and owner Mel Morris plans to turn to skipper Rooney, 34, if they lose against the  Hornets.
      With England’s all-time leading scorer still to get all his FA badges, it means he will need an experienced, fully-qualified coach alongside him — and him — and former Rams manager John Gregory is the man they want.
      Rooney joined Derby  as player-coach on an 18-month contract — with a further one-year option — when he returned from playing for DC United America in August 2019.

      He began his coaching badges within months and admitted he first thought of a post-playing career in management when he was still at Manchester United.
      Rooney insisted he always planned to become a boss one day, and revealed on arriving at Championship club Derby: “I’ve always been interested in it.
      “When Louis van Gaal was manager at United, Ryan Giggs was analysing the opponents and I used to go in there for a few hours after training.”
      Dutchman Cocu replaced Frank Lampard when he moved on to take the Chelsea job in July 2019, but missed out on the play-offs in a disappointing first season.

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      Rooney joined Derby as player-coach on an 18-month contractCredit: Rex Features

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      Sources say Cocu was only saved from the chop before the international break by Rooney’s late winner at NorwichCredit: Getty Images – Getty

      This campaign has been even worse, and after needing penalties to see off League Two new boys Barrow in the League Cup, Derby lost the next four games before Rooney’s late Carrow Road winner.
      Mike Phelan, currently on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s backroom team at Old Trafford, had also been mentioned as a possible No 2 to Rooney.
      Yet Gregory, 66, who was manager for 12 months before he was sacked in 2003, is  favourite.
      He is available after leaving Chennaiyin FC, a year after he led them to the Indian Super League title two years ago.

      Eddie Hearn wants to stage Wayne Rooney vs Rio Ferdinand charity BOXING match at Man Utd’s Old Trafford More

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      Man Utd and Liverpool threaten to ramp up European Super League plans if clubs don’t accept Project Big Picture vision

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      MANCHESTER UNITED and Liverpool may ramp up Euro Super League plans in a bitter twist if Project Big Picture is snubbed.
      The two English giants face a backlash when all 20 Prem clubs stage a virtual meeting today.

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      Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s Manchester United could push for a European Super LeagueCredit: Getty – Pool

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      Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool are supporting the Red DevilsCredit: News Group Newspapers Ltd

      But SunSport has been told smaller top-flight teams have been threatened with a breakaway European league if they do not agree to the deal. Project Big Picture wants to reduce the Prem from 20 to 18 clubs and scrap the Carabao Cup. 
      The EFL would also get 25 per cent of all future TV deals, plus £250million.
      But it has emerged the Big Six stand to rake in ‘hundreds of millions’ if they get the rights to sell up to eight games a season on overseas pay-per-view streams.

      According to club sources, the ultimatum came as top flight outfits voiced their private anger at the Project Big Picture proposals, including giving the Big Six a policy veto and a fundamental change in the club revenue split.
      One insider revealed: “The pair of them made it pretty clear what they saw the situation was.
      “We were told ‘you either come with us and make a deal or we will start detailed talks about a Super League’.
      “The argument was that by agreeing to these proposals, we would still have a share in what we have got now but risk being left with nothing if we didn’t go along with it.”

      Club bosses are ready to call the bluff of Liverpool and United, believing that even the rest of the Big Six are reluctant to publicly or privately back the plans.

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      FA chairman Greg Clarke yesterday revealed he walked away from initial PBP talks in the spring when a breakaway league was ‘mooted as a threat’.
      At that point, he claims in a letter to the FA Council: “The principal aim of these discussions became the concentration of power and wealth in the hands of a few clubs, with a breakaway league mooted as a threat.”
      And he warned that any breakaway competition would not be sanctioned by the FA, adding: “It is the FA’s responsibility to sanction competitions in England – including any proposed new competition – as well as being responsible for licensing clubs, through UEFA, to play in Europe.”
      It seems certain that United and Liverpool will be walking into a firestorm at today’s meeting, especially with the League board also furious at the backdoors deal cut with EFL chairman Rick Parry.
      A number of Prem clubs plan to call for a vote to demand Parry’s resignation as a price of his perceived ‘treachery’ before there can be any future talks about a bailout of the lower divisions.
      Even Big Six members who back some of the proposals believe the plan as it stands is doomed to fail.
      Other clubs have accused the American hierarchies at Anfield and Old Trafford of simply having no understanding of English footballing culture.

      PROPOSED PREMIER LEAGUE CHANGES IN FULL

      EFL given £250m for loss of matchday revenue – deducted from future TV earnings.
      Nine longest-serving clubs have ‘special status’ – with just six votes from those clubs needed to pass a new rule.
      Premier League to go from 20 clubs to 18.
      FA awarded £100m gift to help during Covid-19 pandemic to help non-league game, the women’s game and grassroots football.
      8.5 per cent of annual net Premier League revenue to go to ‘good causes’, including the FA.
      25 per cent of all combined Premier League and Football League revenues to go to EFL clubs.
      Six per cent of Premier League gross revenues to pay for stadium improvements across the top four divisions.
      New rules for the distribution of Premier League television income, overseas and domestic.
      League Cup and the Community Shield to be axed.
      24 clubs each in the Championship, League One and League Two reducing the professional game overall from 92 clubs to 90.
      A women’s professional league independent of the Premier League and FA.
      Two sides automatically relegated from the Premier League every season and the top two Championship teams promoted.
      The 16th place Premier League club plays in a play-off tournament with the Championship’s third, fourth and fifth placed teams.
      Financial Fair Play regulations in line with Uefa, and full access for Premier League executive to club accounts.
      Away tickets for fans to be capped at £20, with travel subsidised, a focus on a return to safe standing, a minimum away allocation of eight per cent capacity.
      Later Premier League start in August to give greater scope for pre-season friendlies, and requirement for all clubs to compete once every five years in a summer Premier League tournament.
      Huge changes to loan system allowing clubs to have 15 players out on loan domestically at any one time and up to four at a single club in England.
      *According to The Telegraph…

      But there is also a recognition that even if there is a huge vote to shoot down the plan in flames, it will not go away for long.
      Liverpool and United both have seats on the board of the European Club Association, headed by Juventus President Andrea Agnelli, which is plotting a revamp of club football from 2024-25.
      A European Super League remains the ambition of a number of Europe’s leading clubs, especially those who dominate their national leagues and need more competitive football to keep revenues growing.
      What has become clear to all 20 clubs and the League is the commercial push that will exacerbate the divide between the haves and the have nots.
      Among the plans drafted by Liverpool and United would be for all clubs to have the right to sell the overseas rights to up to eight games per season.
      It is estimated that Big Six showdowns would attract huge audience figures in the Far East, with expectations that clubs ‘could earn more from one game than an entire Champions League season.’

      Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden says he fears Premier League reform plans are a ‘power grab’ More