Here, Sports Mole rounds up the latest news snippets from across the footballing world, including Marco Silva's precarious position at Everton, Rodri's surprise comments about Liverpool and Didier Drogba's praise for Romelu Lukaku. Scroll down for more!
Cresswell 'to land new West Ham deal'
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West Ham United are preparing to offer defender Aaron Cresswell a new two-year deal, according to The Sun. The 29-year-old's contract doesn't expire until the end of next season but his good form so far this term has convinced the club to offer him an extension to 2023.
Silva 'has three games to save job'
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Everton have given manager Marco Silva three more games to prove he is the right man for the job, according to the Daily Star. The Toffees have a miserable return of seven points from their first eight league games and have last the lost four in a row to leave ex-Watford boss Silva on the brink. Everton next host high-flying West Ham United after the international break before a trip to Brighton and a home encounter with Tottenham.
Sky to regain Champions League?
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Sky Sports and ITV are teaming up for a joint bid to poach the Champions League rights back from BT Sport, The Times says. BT currently spends around £400m a season to broadcast both the Champions League and Europa League but with the current deal expiring at the end of next season, UEFA is preparing to auction off the rights for 2021 to 2024.
The new deal being offered will also bundle in the rights to UEFA's new third competition, the Europa Conference League, which will feature the winner of next season's EFL Cup. The kickoff time for early Champions League games is also thought to be switching from 5.55pm to 5.45pm from 2021.
Rodri brands Liverpool 'best team in Europe'
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Manchester City midfielder Rodri has admitted that his side's title rivals Liverpool are "the best team in England and in Europe". The Reds are defending Champions League champions and also hold an eight-point lead over City in the race for the Premier League title.
"The team to beat is Liverpool now and that has been for the last two seasons," Rodri told ESPN. "They are the champions of Europe so everyone wants to beat them, not just us. They're a great team, they have improved a lot of things, they're a very good team, and they're the best team in England and in Europe."
Ainsworth in line for Sunderland job?
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Wycombe Wanderers manager Gareth Ainsworth is said to be the firm favourite to succeed Jack Ross as Sunderland manager following his dismissal earlier this week. The 46-year-old has been in charge of Wycombe for eight years and guided them to promotion from the fourth tier in 2017-18, while they are currently second in the League One standings after the first 12 games of the season.
Drogba lavishes praise on "son" Lukaku
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Chelsea legend Didier Drogba has heaped praise upon former teammate Romelu Lukaku, insisting that the striker will 'only get better' following his move from Manchester United to Inter Milan over the summer.
"Romelu is like a son to me," Drogba told HLN. "When he came to our cloakroom in Chelsea at the time, there was an immediate click between us. Also because he literally knew everything about me. Romelu could describe in detail every goal I had ever scored. In fact, he even knew which football boots I had played with. But it wasn't because of that knowledge that we agreed well. Because of Romelu's personality. It is so beautiful.
"He shows respect for everyone. And he is eager to learn - he constantly came to ask for advice. Now, by the way, it happens regularly that we have contact. He knows he can always come to me. Not least when it seems like the whole globe is against Lukaku. But that criticism shows that Romelu is world class. Only later will the supporters realise how good Romelu was when they look at his achievements. Romelu is still not at his best, he has a lot of progression. He is only getting better."
Platt 'not involved in Bristol Rovers bid'
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Ex-Arsenal midfielder David Platt is not involved in a consortium looking to buy League One side Bristol Rovers, according to the Daily Mail. Platt was rumoured to have linked up with former Palermo chairman Clive Richardson to mount a takeover bid, but the newspaper says that Richardson is going it alone with a potential deal.
Remi Garde on Lyon radar?
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Former Aston Villa manager Remi Garde is said to be a contender for the vacancy at Ligue 1 side Lyon following the dismissal of Sylvinho earlier this week. The Frenchman enjoyed three successful seasons with Lyon before he left for Villa Park in 2015, where he was unable to prevent the Midlands side's slide into the Championship that season.
Neil Wilkes
