USAC says “aggressive” and “legal” move necessary to ensure future of American cricket

Nagraj Gollapudi02-Oct-2025The crisis in USA Cricket has deepened, with the USAC initiating bankruptcy proceedings on Wednesday as part of what it said was a structural reorganisation. Terming it as an “aggressive” and “legal” move, the USAC said it was necessary to “ensure the future of American cricket.”The development was made public in a media release where the USAC said it had “voluntarily” filed for the financial reorganisation under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy code. The USAC decision is concerning as it comes about a week since ICC suspended USAC on September 23 for serious breaches of membership criteria.Communicating the suspension in an email to USAC chairman Venu Pisike on September 23 (accessed by ESPNcricinfo), the ICC chairman Jay Shah had warned USAC to “not take any steps to undermine the ICC or its Normalisation Committee in all aspects of the ICC’s work related to the USA, including the LA28 Olympic Games.”However, USAC chief executive officer, Johnathan Atkeison, said in the media release that one of their motives behind the financial restructuring was to also address the ICC suspension. “The decision was not made lightly, but it is the best course of action to secure USA Cricket, and allow it the time and space it needs to successfully reorganize,” Atkeison said.

Who authorised the move?

The USAC release did not mention when the decision was taken and whether it was the USAC board that authorised the move. It is understood that the board met on September 30 when the nine directors were present to discuss the sole agenda of filing for bankruptcy. This was the second time the USAC board was meeting since the ICC suspension – the first being on September 28.Related

• Boards set to discuss India-Pakistan fallout during ICC quarterly meeting

• USA Cricket directors ask ICC to investigate organisation's collapse

• USA Cricket calls ICC suspension 'one of the most difficult moments' in its history

• MLC parent company calls its agreement termination by USA Cricket 'unlawful' and 'wrongful'

• ACE takes USA Cricket to court as power struggle intensifies

On Tuesday, when four directors questioned why filing for bankruptcy was a priority over discussing the ICC suspension, it is understood Pisike said “there is nothing to discuss.”It is learned those four directors – Nadia Gruny, Atul Rai, Arjun Gona and Kuljeet Singh Nijjar – left the meeting in protest of the proceedings and conduct of the meeting, including what one said was being “muted” by Pisike, before they got the opportunity to complete what they wanted to say.Pisike could not be contacted for a comment. It could not also be confirmed if the remaining five directors – Pisike along with Anj Balusu, Srinivas Salver along with two independent directors Pintoo Shah and David Hauber – had decided they had the constitutional majority to authorise to financial restructuring move.

The ACE connection

The “need” for financial restructuring, the USAC said, was due to a long-term contract it had signed in 2019 with American Cricket Enterprise (ACE), its primary commercial partner and owner of the Major League Cricket (MLC). In 2019, USAC signed a 50-year contract with ACE, which the former says “heavily favours” the latter.”One factor to USA Cricket’s need for financial reorganization was the financial strain and operational interference caused by the ACE agreement,” USAC said in the release. ” The original 50-year agreement, which heavily favors ACE, does not appear to have been completed at arm’s length as understood by the USA Cricket Board. It was negotiated largely by one USA Cricket Board member who did not disclose certain conflicts of interest that both he and his employer had with ACE affiliates.”The US also hosted the T20 World Cup in 2024•Getty Images

This individual was former USAC president Paraag Marathe, president of San Francisco 49ers Enterprises. However, it is understood Pisike was part of the USAC Board in 2018 that approved the ACE contract. As part of the deal, ACE is contracted to funnel a minimum of USD 1.2 million annually to the USAC to cover the contracts of the national team including support staff.”The financial terms directly reflect this lack of arm’s-length dealing. Instead of fair market value, USAC receives only a small percentage of ACE’s gross cricket-related revenues. This arrangement purports to preclude USA Cricket from seeking team sponsors or broadcast partners, and effectively limits other events and competition from entering the market. USA Cricket’s national team commercial rights are valued at over $5 million annually, a figure ACE has never come close to achieving, to the detriment of USA Cricket.”On August 21, the USAC said it was terminating its contract with ACE, who responded by saying the decision was “unlawful” and in September decided to trigger legal proceedings. On Wednesday, the Boulder County District Court in Colorado – where USAC is registered – was scheduled to start proceedings. About 18 minutes prior to that hearing, however, the court was updated on the bankruptcy filing.Pisike had told ESPNcricinfo in September that the USAC was open to revoking the termination as long as ACE agreed to renegotiate the contract on fresh terms. In the media release on Wednesday, USAC said ACE attempted to “bully and coerce” it into “submission” using its “financial might”, eventually forcing its hand to file for bankruptcy. “We have been forced into the protections of the U.S. Bankruptcy Court because ACE is well aware of its stature as an 800lb gorilla and has weaponized its financial muscle to frustrate our ability to govern the sport” Corey MacDonald, USA Cricket General Counsel, said in the media release.ACE blamed USAC for “imperiling” cricket in the USA. “USAC could not bear for the preliminary injunction hearing to even begin, and knew the result was a forgone conclusion: it had no basis to terminate the parties’ agreement and was recklessly imperiling the success of cricket in the U.S,” an ACE representative said in a statement. “USAC has zero regard for the best interests of cricket and its players, and is only motivated by politics and its directors’ personal agendas.”The USAC also partly pointed the finger at the ICC suspension and its “unfortunate timing” but remained confident it would revive itself via the revamp. “This Chapter 11 filing is a decisive move to secure our ability to address the patently inequitable contracts of the past, correct our financial situation, achieve governance reforms and finally build the world-class NGB America deserves, with an eye toward LA2028,” Atkeison said.

Liverpool are probing the market for reinforcements after a poor start to the Premier League season and could now be ready to break their transfer record in the process.

Despite returning from the international break determined to arrest their slump in form, the Reds were on the end of a comprehensive defeat to Nottingham Forest that hammered home some of the frailties Arne Slot has been trying to address since the beginning of the campaign.

Nevertheless, David James is a firm believer that Liverpool can still have a solid season despite losing six of their last seven top-flight matches, claiming that the Champions League may be where they are most likely to earn success.

He told BBC Sport: “Liverpool do not recruit for one season, they recruit for the future. I believe with the players they signed they can be good, but I was one of those that expected them to be fine from the get-go.

“The test for Arne Slot as manager is whether he can turn this around. Not winning the title this season doesn’t make it a bad season. Comparatively it does compared with last season but he wasn’t expected to win it last season. He has already ticked that box if we are looking at the broader picture. The Champions League now becomes more important and winning it would justify everything this season.”

PSV Eindhoven visit Anfield in midweek as the Reds bid to move well into the top eight of the league phase, which would result in an automatic place in the last 16 if they were able to finish the job.

January and beyond will be pivotal for Liverpool as they look to build for the challenges ahead, and they could now be willing to shatter their transfer record to land a premium target.

Liverpool submit club record bid for Federico Valverde

According to reports in Spain, Liverpool have submitted an offer worth over £131 million for Real Madrid’s Federico Valverde. The Reds would also be willing to make the Uruguay international, who Toni Kroos called one of the ‘top three’ players in the world, their highest earner on over £500,000 per week.

Liverpool's record signings ranked

Willing to double his current wage at the Santiago Bernabéu, the Reds see Valverde as someone who could revolutionise their midfield after falling into a sticky patch under Slot. Simply put, he fits their tactical framework and England’s reigning champions are ready to convince him that Anfield is a place where he can thrive.

Internally, there is debate at Real Madrid over whether letting one of their high-profile stars leave the club would offer up the opportunity to invest elsewhere, as the size of the offer has caused discourse within Los Blancos’ higher ups, something that may give Liverpool a fighting chance of landing their man.

Federico Valverde at Real Madrid

Appearances

339

Goals

32

Assists

35

With any transfer more likely to occur in the summer, it now remains to be seen whether Valverde will become a statement addition on Merseyside.

The international break is finally coming to an end this weekend, and West Ham United will be looking to continue their good form.

After a somewhat rocky start to life in the London Stadium dugout, Nuno Espírito Santo finally got a tune out of the Hammers before the break, beating Newcastle United and Burnley.

Those victories have done wonders for the atmosphere around the club, but even so, there is plenty of work to be done in the coming months.

Moreover, the board need to help the Portuguese coach overhaul the squad, and one way they can do that is by moving on one of Graham Potter’s worst signings, alongside Niclas Füllkrug.

The latest on Niclas Füllkrug

While some fans wanted Fullkrug to leave West Ham in the summer, the German decided to stay put and fight to turn things around.

However, like the rest of the team, he started this season in dire form and then, within two games of Nuno’s reign, tore a muscle, which has kept him out of the last four matches.

During that period, it became clear that the former Borussia Dortmund striker wanted to leave the club, and now, transfers expert Fabrizio Romano has confirmed that he will, and has already been in talks with sides from Germany and elsewhere.

On one hand, it could be seen as a shame that the Irons will be losing a German international after just a season and a half at the club.

However, on the other hand, this is a move the club need to facilitate for everyone’s sake, as describing the 32-year-old’s time in the capital as disappointing would be an understatement.

Appearances

20

7

Minutes

877′

385′

Goals

3

0

Assists

2

0

Goal Involvements per Match

0.25

0.00

Minutes per Goal Involvement

175.4′

N/A

For example, since making his move to the club in the summer of 2024, he has scored just three goals and provided two assists in 27 appearances, totalling 1262 minutes.

Worse yet, he failed to score or assist a single goal in the seven appearances prior to his injury this season.

For whatever reason, the international marksman has looked like a totally different player in Claret and Blue from the one who racked up 25 goal involvements in his last season in Germany.

Therefore, getting rid of him in January would be best for all parties, which is unfortunately something that could be said about another international in West Ham’s squad.

The West Ham flop Nuno needs to axe

While it took a little while for them to settle in, it would be fair to say that most of West Ham’s summer signings have improved the squad.

Chalkboard

Football FanCast’s Chalkboard series presents a tactical discussion from around the global game.

El Hadji Malick Diouf, for example, is a tremendous attacking full-back, Kyle Walker-Peters is great cover and even Callum Wilson has scored a couple of goals and is fine as a low-cost option.

However, one player who wasn’t low-cost and certainly has not improved the squad is Mads Hermansen.

Potter and Co paid Leicester City around £18m for the Danish international in the summer, and unfortunately, that fee is looking worse and worse with each passing game week.

For example, on his competitive debut for the club, he conceded three against Sunderland, then let in five at home to Chelsea the following week.

It was after the game against the West Londoners that Jamie Redknapp argued that he “needs to be changed”, and iconic commentator Ian Darke described the 25-year-old’s start to life in East London as “horrible.”

He then kept his first clean sheet against Nottingham Forest, but the next game saw him let in another three goals, this time at home to Tottenham Hotspur.

Since then, the 25-year-old hasn’t been anywhere near the starting lineup, and in his place, Alphonse Areola has reminded the club that while not the most spectacular of keepers, he can do a job.

Therefore, when the winter window opens, the board should be looking to recoup as much as they can on the former Foxes star, as he’s clearly not good enough to be the number one, and he cost too much and is too unreliable to be a number two.

Ultimately, it might be ruthless, but for the good of his own career and the squad, West Ham need to ensure Hermansen follows Fullkrug out the door in January.

West Ham flop was compared to Pirlo, now he's "National League standard"

He has shown no Pirlo-esque ability since moving to West Ham United.

ByJack Salveson Holmes Nov 18, 2025

The Yankees fell short of the ultimate goal again when they were eliminated by the Blue Jays in Game 4 of the American League Division Series on Wednesday.

New York fell in a 2-0 hole after the series opened in Toronto and battled back to take Game 3 on Tuesday, only to watch its season end with a 5-2 loss in Game 4 on Wednesday night. After the game, Yankees skipper Aaron Boone was asked if he has any doubts about his future in New York after he finished his eighth year managing the team.

"No, I'm under contract," he said. "I don't expect anything."

Before the regular season, the Yankees announced they had reached a two-year contract extension with Boone to keep him as their manager through the 2027 season. He remains confident his team will eventually break through and win the franchise's first World Series since '09.

"I believe in so many people in that room," he said postgame via SNY. "That hasn't changed, the fire hasn't changed. It's hard to win the World Series, been chasing it all my life."

The Yankees went 94-68 in the regular season, tying the Blue Jays for the best record in the AL, but they were given the first wild-card spot because Toronto held the tiebreaker. They had a chance to put the Blue Jays behind them, but Toronto's home-field advantage and high-powered offense was too much to overcome. Boone admitted it wasn't the easiest year for him personally, but he expects to be back in the Bronx next season and make a run at the World Series full force.

"This has been a tough year for me personally," he mentioned Wednesday via Fox. "But all you go through to become this team you think can really do something special and for it to abruptly end is always difficult."

Winning at least 90 games in six of his eight seasons as the Yankees' skipper, Boone is still in search of that elusive World Series.

MatériaMais Notícias

O Plano Orçamentário do Internacional para 2026, que será votado pelo Conselho Deliberativo na próxima segunda-feira (10), prevê superávit. Os documentos, distribuídos aos conselheiros para análise, foram obtidos pelo Lance!, que traz alguns detalhes. Alguns números foram antecipados pelo jornalista identificado Alexandre Ernst em seu canal no Youtube. Chamam atenção projeções que não serão cumpridas, já que o clube não terá participação em nenhuma competição internacional.

continua após a publicidadeRelacionadasFutebol NacionalInternacional recusa proposta por zagueiro. O que o Lance! sabeFutebol Nacional10/12/2025InternacionalQuarta será decisiva para o futuro do InternacionalInternacional10/12/2025InternacionalInternacional levanta transfer ban aplicado pela FifaInternacional10/12/2025

➡️Tudo sobre o Colorado agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Internacional

O orçamento foi auditado pelo Conselho Fiscal com apoio técnico da Cerutti & Machado Auditores Associados. No parecer final, o CF recomenda a aprovação dos valores.

Internacional calcula superávit

Após um déficit R$ 34,4 milhões em 2024, provocado principalmente pelos trabalhos necessários para recuperar o Beira-Rio e o CT Parque Gigante depois da enchente de maio daquele ano, o clube prevê segundo ano consecutivo de superávit. Ele será menor, porém. Se em 2025 o saldo positivo será de R$ 7,6 milhões, para 2026 o lucro será de apenas R$ 530,4 mil.

continua após a publicidade

Esse resultado, contudo, tende a ser pior, podendo, inclusive, se transformar em déficit. Isso porque a peça encaminhada ao CF e ao CD inclui a previsão de arrecadação com jogos e cotas de TV de participação em competições da Conmebol, somando R$ 23 milhões, que o clube deixará de arrecadar.

Números que chamam atenção

Outros números que chamam atenção estão relacionados à venda de jogadores. Para este ano, o Alvirrubro previa R$ 160 milhões nessa rubrica – até agora garantiu R$ 116,6 milhões. Para o próximo, o total seria de R$ 171,6 milhões.

continua após a publicidade

Por outro lado, está projetada uma redução nos custos do futebol. Em 2025, somando masculino, feminino, base, logística e outros gastos, o total chegava a R$ 431,5 milhões. Para 2026, o montante cai para R$ 406,6 milhões. Na folha, calculando todas as categoria e juntando salário, benefícios e direitos de imagens, o total cai de R$ 258,3 milhões, ou R$ 21,5 milhões mês, para R$ 253 milhões, R$ 21,1 milhões mês.

Alguns números

Tudo sobre

Futebol NacionalInternacionalLance! Biz

Sophie Devine took her time to get going, and then took time off to play hockey, but built up a remarkable body of work in ODI cricket before calling it a day

Shubh Agarwal26-Oct-2025Built to lastIt’s been almost two decades since Devine made her international debut as a 17-year-old in 2006. She finishes with the second-longest ODI career for a New Zealand cricketer, male or female. Only Suzie Bates, Devine’s long-time team-mate, has had a longer career, having made her debut seven months before Devine.In between, Devine had paused her cricket career for two years (2011-2012), when she featured for the New Zealand women’s hockey team.ESPNcricinfo LtdThe fixture against England is Devine’s 159th ODI, the second-most for a New Zealand woman, only behind Bates’ tally of 178. Remarkably, she also stands as the only New Zealand cricketer – and just the third women overall – to achieve the rare double of 4000 runs (4256 before her final ODI) and 100 wickets (110) in the format.ESPNcricinfo LtdDevine has the third-highest runs for New Zealand in women’s ODIs and is one among only three bowlers to pick up over 100 wickets.The emergence of the batterDevine actually did not bat much at the start of her career. She batted at No. 8 on her T20I debut and was run out without facing a ball. Four days later, she batted at No. 11 on her ODI debut, making an unbeaten 6 off 29 deliveries.However, things changed after 2013. It was the first time she averaged over 30 with the bat in a calendar year and she didn’t look back after that. It was also the time when she started batting in the top five consistently.But, at the same time, her bowling workload took a backseat.Since then, Devine has not only been among New Zealand’s most consistent run aggregators but also has the best strike rate among those who have at least 1000 runs in this period, also playing 40 of her 108 innings in this period at the tricky No. 4 spot.The batting numbers have spiked since then.In 2015, she was promoted to open the innings, which she has done 34 times in her career. In fact, she is one among only five players to have batted at all 11 batting positions in women ODIs.ESPNcricinfo LtdDevine shone in the opener’s role too. She scored five hundreds as an opener, the second-most for New Zealand with only Bates ahead with 12 centuries.Overall, her total of nine ODI hundreds, four of them as captain and six away from home are all second only to Bates’ numbers.Her 2470 runs away from home are also the second- most for a New Zealand woman cricketer.In the 2017 World Cup clash against Pakistan, Devine smashed nine sixes – a women’s ODI record later matched only by Chamari Athapaththu in 2023. Devine’s 93 off 41 balls came at a strike rate of 226.82, the highest for a 50-plus score in New Zealand’s ODI history.Before her final ODI, Devine had 75 sixes – the second-highest in women’s ODIs, behind only Deandra Dottin’s 91.Defiance in defeatWhile New Zealand’s campaign at this World Cup has been marred by poor weather and some mediocre cricket at times, Devine has stood tall as their highest run-scorer: she has amassed 289 runs at an average of 57.8.In New Zealand’s first fixture, she scored a valiant 112 walking out at 0 for 2 while chasing 327 against Australia. It was her third World Cup century, the second-highest for New Zealand. She followed it up with scores of 85 and 63 with wickets falling around her.Yet, she couldn’t save New Zealand from an early exit in this World Cup, a familiar script for a batter who has the second-highest runs in defeats in ODI history.

Daniel Farke looked long gone as Leeds United manager heading into an intimidating run of matches in the Premier League.

Not even the most optimistic Elland Road supporter would have expected the Whites to grab some much-needed points against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Liverpool.

Yet, after this trio of difficult clashes, Leeds are four points better off with a win and a draw secured, which also – most importantly – means they’re two points above the dreaded relegation zone.

Farke will just keep his fingers crossed that this high-energy approach can be replicated versus the likes of Brentford and Crystal Palace to come, away from turning on the style against some of the division’s flashier opponents.

More positive results ahead would give Leeds a huge boost in their bid to avoid relegation, with the January transfer window also providing the Whites with an opportunity to add some standout signings to help them secure their survival.

Where Leeds could strength in January

Even though there has been a dramatic upturn in form, when Farke once looked like a dead man walking, Leeds will still likely be active in the hectic window to come.

Indeed, rumours are already beginning to circulate that the Premier League newcomers have Tromso midfielder Jens Hjerto-Dahl on their radar as transfer season edges ever closer. Moreover, the relegation-threatened outfit has also been linked heavily with a move for AC Milan striker Santiago Gimenez to bolster their centre-forward options.

Away from all this gossip, though, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano has also come out to state via his YouTube channel that Farke and Co have even made a concrete approach for an attacking playmaker in the form of Martin Baturina.

Romano stated: “In the last few days, Leeds has been in touch, the teams are starting to move.”

The £21m midfielder, who only signed for Cesc Fabregas’ Como in the summer, is struggling for consistent first-team minutes in Serie A at the moment. Yet, despite his predicament, he isn’t overly keen on a switch to West Yorkshire, according to Romano, with Como allegedly turning down the approach.

Still, transfer stories can change in the blink of an eye, so don’t write this one off completely.

How Baturina can become Farke's next Rutter

If Leeds were eventually successful in their mission to land the captivating 22-year-old, Farke could sign Leeds’ new version of Georginio Rutter, with the 15-time Croatia international capable of being a terrifying assist machine, much like the former number 24 was at Elland Road.

Rutter did manage to hammer home some memorable strikes when still situated at the Whites, with eight goals tallied up. But, it was his unerring ability to create chances for fun that made him really stand out as a fan’s favourite during his short, but sweet, 66-game stint at the club.

TalkSPORT’s Jeff Stelling would herald him as a “class act” at Leeds for the way he managed to make creating chances galore look effortless, with a bumper 18 assists coming his way across that string of matches.

In league action alone across the 2023/24 season, Rutter would muster up a ridiculous 22 big chances created, which led to the silky Frenchman securing himself a deserved £40m move to Brighton and Hove Albion.

While it hasn’t gone Baturina’s way at Como to date, with just one Serie A start handed to him by Fabregas this season leading to zero assists being tallied, it’s clear from his explosive time at Hadjuk Split that he has the same devastating ability to carve team opens that Rutter possesses.

Fabregas has already waxed lyrical about the 22-year-old’s “immense” nature to make things happen in “key moments” when first moving to Italy.

The clip above saw the £21m-rated midfielder calmly tee up his teammate for a golden opportunity in the Champions League back in 2024, with the assists flowing throughout his time at Split, leading to scout Jacek Kulig once hailing him as one of “the biggest talents” in Croatia.

League stats: Baturina vs Rutter

Stat

Baturina

Rutter

Games played

114

60

Goals scored

17

6

Assists

36

17

Big chances created

38

23

Stats by Sofascore

Albeit from a wider pool of matches than the Seagulls star, Baturina would see out his time in his native Croatia with a staggering 38 big chances created from 117 league contests, which trumps Rutter’s own creative prowess.

Analyst Ben Mattinson would weigh in with some praise of his own by stating that the new Como number 20’s passing range was “outstanding” throughout his much-talked-about Split stay, with Farke now hopeful – if a move can be pulled off – that Baturina can enhance Leeds’ attack even more, after the goals have started to come naturally against the likes of Chelsea and Arne Slot’s Reds.

Of course, there will also be a worry in the air that for £21m, Leeds are risking their money on a midfielder who hasn’t ignited into life in Serie A.

Still, the Whites were here before with Rutter when splashing the cash on him in a January window, and while it took time for him to acclimatise, he is now seen as a modern great. Could Baturina soon follow in his esteemed footsteps?

Related Leeds now make contact over signing "powerful" star who's been likened to Odegaard

He’s a wanted man.

Posts ByTom Cunningham 6 days ago

England's Lionesses have learned the location of their next European Championship title defence after UEFA announced the hosts of Euro 2029 on Wednesday. Poland, Germany and a joint-effort from Denmark and Sweden were the three official bids submitted for the next edition of the tournament, which will see Sarina Wiegman's side go for a third successive continental crown after triumphs in England in 2022 and in Switzerland in 2025.

• Official: Germany revealed as hosts of Euro 2029

  It is Germany that will host Euro 2029, having previously done so in 2001 and also in 1989, the latter as West Germany. The eight-time winners are the most successful nation in the history of this tournament, with no other side winning more than two titles, and it will hope to add yet another trophy to that cabinet when welcoming Europe's elite in four years' time.

  The decision was announced by UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin at a special ceremony on Wednesday afternoon. "I want to sincerely thank all three bid delegations for their tireless work and commitment throughout the process," he said. "Each bid showcased vision and exceptional teamwork between national associations, governments and local experts, all inspired by the benchmark set by Switzerland last summer. Congratulations to Germany – we look forward to an unforgettable tournament in the summer of 2029."

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• Getty Images
  

  How Euro 2029 could provide a necessary boost to German women's football

  Germany and its clubs remain contenders in the women's game today but the awarding of the status of hosts for Euro 2029 could give the sport a significant boost as it looks to reach the heights other nations have achieved. In the women's game, it's 10 years since a German club last won the Champions League, 12 years since Germany won its last European Championship title and 18 years since it last appeared in – and won – a World Cup final. Instead, nations like England and Spain have overtaken what was long the dominant force in Europe.

  Germany has still had successes. It reached the final of Euro 2022, won a bronze medal at the 2024 Olympic Games and Wolfsburg were 2-0 up at half-time in the 2023 Women's Champions League final, only to succumb to an incredible second-half comeback from Barcelona. There have been great moments where these achievements have cut through at home, too, with thousands lining the streets of Frankfurt to welcome the players home after Euro 2022. But to host a tournament could be a galvanising moment.

• Why England and Switzerland are exciting examples for Germany to follow

  England and Switzerland have witnessed that impact first hand. Since the Lionesses won Euro 2022 on home soil, interest in women's football in the country has skyrocketed, with record-breaking attendances, increased investment and continued success all coming off the back of that.

  Switzerland, meanwhile, will hope the long-term legacy of its hosting of Euro 2025 can also be very positive, with the short-term impact already ticking that box. La Nati reached the knockout stages of the tournament for the first time this past summer and record numbers of fans watched them do so. "It's something we've never experienced before in Switzerland," Lia Walti, the team's captain, told during that historic run.

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  Can anyone dethrone England's Lionesses at Euro 2029?

  Winning the tournament would go a long way towards helping Germany enjoy such a ground-breaking summer and Christian Wuck's side will surely be among the favourites to do so, though they are at least behind a couple of other nations as things stand right now.

  England have won the last two editions of the European Championship and Wiegman, having also won while in charge of the Netherlands in 2017, has triumphed in all of the last three, making them the standout favourite at this point in time. Spain, who the Lionesses beat in this year's final, will be right up there as a top contender too, having won the World Cup back in 2023.

  How things unfold at the 2027 Women's World Cup, and through a very competitive qualification process for that tournament, will likely tell us who the other main candidates for the Euro 2029 trophy will be. Germany underwhelmed at the last World Cup, suffering a shock group stage exit, but appear to be back on track under Wuck and after reaching the final of this year's Nations League tournament, they'll be keen to carry that momentum on as the clock ticks down to their big moment in the spotlight in 2029.

Enzo Maresca admits that the return of Cole Palmer from injury was “the only good news” for Chelsea during their dismal defeat at Leeds. The Blues suffered a shock 3-1 reversal against relegation-threatened opposition at Elland Road, with Maresca’s side always playing catch up. They did, however, welcome England international Palmer back from an untimely absence.

Welcome back: Palmer's first appearance since September

Palmer’s last appearance for the Blues came against Manchester United on September 20, when he was forced off early on. His return to action was delayed when suffering a freak accident at home which left him nursing a toe complaint.

The 23-year-old was named among the substitutes against Leeds, allowing him to be introduced just past the hour mark. Chelsea had found a way back into that game at that point, with Pedro Neto halving their deficit, but Palmer was unable to inspire a revival.

The hosts went on to net a third in the 72nd minute, through Dominic Calvin-Lewin, as Chelsea were left to reflect on a surprisingly abject performance that brought a seven-match unbeaten run to a shuddering halt.

AdvertisementGettyBlues boost: Maresca pleased to have Palmer back

Palmer is not yet ready for 90 minutes, but Maresca said of having his No.10 back: “Probably it’s the only good news of the night. I’m happy for him, he’s back, now he needs to build a little bit the physical condition and he will be important for us, for sure. He’s getting better, but he needs to play minutes. Last night he had more-or-less half-an-hour, hopefully we can give him more in the next game.”

Former Premier League title-winning Chelsea star Joe Cole has told of how important Palmer’s return to the fold could be: “He can elevate them, and his return will give the lads a boost. What I will say is that the players who stepped up in his absence have been superb. They have spread the goals around the team, and the performances have been great. If you played against Enzo Fernandez, Moises Caicedo and Cole Palmer in the 10 role, it’s as good as anything in world football.”

Neto form: Winger matches best Premier League tally

The Blues’ performance at Leeds was far from “great”, but Neto did net his fifth top-flight goal of the season. Alongside two assists, he has matched his best Premier League return from 2020-21 – during his time at Wolves.

Maresca added on the Portugal international winger: “Pedro, compared to last season, he is doing many things better. It’s also normal now this season that he is scoring goals and getting assists.”

Chelsea will be back in action on Saturday when taking in a trip to Bournemouth. Maresca said of recovering quickly ahead of that contest: “Now we need to reset, we need to prepare for Saturday’s game. Saturday will be very similar to last night’s game with the environment, the intensity, and we need to reset and prepare to win the game.”

Palmer will expect to see more game time against the Cherries, as he works on recovering full match fitness and sharpness. He has two goals to his name this season – registered against Brentford and Bayern Munich in Premier League and Champions League competition – and has a crucial role to play in Maresca’s plans.

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Getty ImagesWorld Cup target: Long-term goals for Palmer

He will be desperate to avoid any more setbacks, with international ambition also being factored into the equation. Having missed out on selection under Thomas Tuchel this season, Palmer must prove his worth to England’s demanding head coach ahead of the 2026 World Cup.

Regular outings at club level, in domestic and continental fixtures, will aid that cause – with Tuchel often favouring those that are competing on the grandest of stages. There is, however, fierce competition for places when it comes to playmaking berths in the Three Lions’ ranks.

England – who are waiting to discover who the 2026 World Cup draw will pit them against on Friday – will not be in action again until March. That is allowing Palmer to focus on matters at Stamford Bridge, with Chelsea sat fourth in the Premier League table – nine points adrift of leaders Arsenal.

Leeds United have been in excellent form over the last few weeks. The Whites suffered a last-minute defeat against Manchester City, before beating Chelsea 3-1 and then drawing with Liverpool 3-3 in consecutive games at Elland Road.

The number of goals scored across those three games is a real positive. They scored twice in East Manchester and bagged another six combined in the games at Elland Road.

That takes the West Yorkshire outfit up to 19 goals for the season, better than six sides in the Premier League.

There has been a real upturn in form for two of their strikers, Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Lukas Nmecha.

How Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha have turned it around

Leeds were savvy in the summer when it came to their business. Their two new number nines were a prime example of that, both of whom came on a free transfer.

Calvert-Lewin joined upon the expiry of his Everton contract, and Nmecha his Wolfsburg contract.

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26-year-old Nmecha has begun the season strongly. He already has four goals in 14 games for the Whites, including a goal against City.

He went on a run of three goals in as many games during November.

As for Calvert-Lewin, it was a slow start to life at Elland Road for the Sheffield-born attacker, but his form has really picked up of late.

He also has four goals in 13 appearances this term, bagging in each of the games against their last three opponents.

Someone who has been full of praise for the striker is his ex-teammate at Everton, Conor Coady. The defender described him as an “outstanding footballer” and said playing in a front two is beneficial for him.

However, this upturn in form in front of goal isn’t great news for all Leeds players, with someone on the periphery now seemingly set to struggle even more for a spot in the side.

Leeds' "best finisher" is now out of favour

It has certainly not been an easy campaign for a few of Leeds’ promotion heroes. Daniel Farke has not been able to find a regular place in the side for Ao Tanaka or Daniel James, who have become squad players.

However, it has perhaps hit Joel Piroe the most out of any Leeds star.

Last season, the former Swansea City striker was pivotal as Farke’s side got promoted at the second time of asking. Piroe bagged 19 times and assisted seven in 46 appearances.

His form last term in the Championship was summed up by some impressive underlying stats.

For example, the Dutchman averaged 0.8 goals and assists and created 1.1 chances per 90 minutes.

He had some huge moments in the Whites’ title-winning season, too.

Perhaps the standout was when he bagged four goals inside the first half against Stoke City in the third-to-last game of the season, helping them to a 6-0 thrashing.

Things have not been so straightforward for the former PSV Eindhoven attacker. Piroe has only played eight times in the Premier League, racking up just 197 minutes in that time.

That is a surprise given his form last term, but even more so when you factor in Farke calling him “the best finisher” he’s ever coached.

Yet, it seems like time could be up for the 26-year-old in a Leeds shirt. The fact that he has played so little this term, combined with how well both Calvert-Lewin and Nmecha are playing, does not bode well for his future.

Leeds paid Swansea a reported £16m, including add-ons for the striker, back in 2023. He has certainly justified that price tag with his performances in the second tier, but the fact that there has been no opportunity for him this season is worrying.

It certainly seems as though the man who helped steer Leeds back to the Premier League might not have a future at Elland Road much longer.

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