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Connelly's Premier League 'ifs' list: How contenders can come together to win it all

How many ifs does it take to be called a contender? Bill Connelly runs through the Premier League's title hopefuls and assesses who has the most and fewest question marks around their progress.

3hBill Connelly
Gaspafotos/MB Media/Getty Images

Premier League storylines after international break: Ange-ball returns

From a high-stakes Manchester derby to the return of familiar faces, here's everything you need to watch for.

7hMark Ogden

TOP HEADLINES

IN SEARCH OF A NEW IDENTITY

Few clubs have fallen harder than Bayer Leverkusen. Can Kasper Hjulmand halt their slide?

In little more than a year, Leverkusen have gone from Bundesliga champions to a club adrift and in search of a new identity.

2hDerek Rae
Jürgen Fromme - firo sportphoto/Getty Images

ALL EYES ON 2026

World Cup Onside/Offside: Good win for USMNT, last dance for Lionel Messi?

With another international break behind us and just nine months to the World Cup, what have we learned this week? For one, the U.S. needs tougher tests, and we might need to prepare for Lionel Messi's curtain call.

22hLuis Miguel Echegaray
Ben Jackson/USSF/Getty Images

Nicol: Pochettino's comments were mind blowing

22h
2:38

CRUCIAL WIN AS WORLD CUP APPROACHES

Zendejas' starring role has come at the right time for himself and the USMNT

Just as things were beginning to look dire for Mauricio Pochettino's side, Alejandro Zendejas & Co. produced a display that has boosted optimism around the U.S. camp.

1dJeff Carlisle
Robin Alam/ISI Photos

Pochettino 'so pleased' with the USMNT's win vs. Japan

1d
1:37

TRANSFER TALK

Transfer rumors, news: Elliot Anderson tracked by Man United

Manchester United are looking at Elliot Anderson as well as Carlos Baleba. Transfer Talk has the latest news, gossip and rumors.

7hESPN
Getty

The strangely specific transfer obsessions of elite clubs

Every team has preferences when it comes to transfers ... but some are more surprising than others.

2dSam Tighe

GRADING THE DEALS

NWSL transfer grades: Two more USWNT stars make big-money moves

A new world-record deal in women's soccer and USWNT stars are among the NWSL's big moves of the transfer window. Let's grade them!

6hJeff Kassouf
Chris Lee/Chelsea FC via Getty Images)

TAKING ISSUE

Michael Owen's 'hypocritical' comments on Harry Kane's Bayern move

22h
1:14

PEP'S SWAN SONG?

As difficulties mount at Man City, could this season be Guardiola's last?

Pep Guardiola's exit from Man City feels imminent and this season may be his last dance -- even if it means he can't go out on a high note.

1dRob Dawson
James Gill/Danehouse/Getty Images

Nicol: Derby defeat could define Man City's title chances

17h
1:44

RED FLAGS ON DEFENSE

Gattuso's Italy now have a potent attack, but what's happened to their defending?

After just two games in charge of Italy, one thing is for certain: Rino Gattuso's Azzurri will be wild, must-see viewing.

1dGabriele Marcotti
Claudio Villa - FIGC

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