There is a huge scramble among agents to sign up Arsenal record breaker Ethan Nwaneri.
The teenager who, at 15 years and 181 days, became the youngest player to appear in the Premier League was highly-rated before and now his sudden fame has thrust him into the spotlight.
Big name agents are keen to snap him up and so far his family have clearly done a superb job in guiding him and reports in Nigeria suggest the Super Eagles are also chasing him as he is eligible through his dad Obi.
England under-16s starlet Nwaneri is a huge talent and insiders insist that he got his chance on merit but there can be no mistaking that Arsenal do want to keep him and tie him down for the long term.
They lost teenager Omari Hutchinson to Chelsea in the summer and promoting Nwaneri not only shows him there is a pathway at Arsenal but it also provides an incentive for other youngsters who have come through the production line at Hale End.
England could break audience records
England's World Cup clash with the United States could break TV audience records.
US broadcasting giants Fox believe the Group B showdown is on course to become the most-watched football match in American history.
It will be played on November 25 which is Black Friday in the United States - the day after Thanksgiving - with many workers on holiday and the World Cup is already driving huge interest across the Atlantic.
The 2015 women’s World Cup final when USA beat Japan attracted 26.7m and just beat the men’s final in 2014 when 26.5m tuned in for Argentina v Germany.
Fox will be showing the World Cup this winter and, even though US coach Gregg Berhalter has a young squad, they are hoping that it will provide a platform for interest ahead of the 2026 finals which is being played across the States, Mexico and Canada.
It can also drive interest in the Premier League where audiences are on the rise but also because of the added interest in England and English football this tournament can be a huge boost for football in the States.
One of the biggest stars in the US is Chelsea’s Christian Pulisic and interest in him is huge but they also have a considerable number of players in Major League Soccer.
The US have organised friendlies with Japan and Saudi Arabia but some players and staff will be able to take time to check out their facilities in Doha but also have more time to report up ahead of the tournament than European-based players, including England.
They will be very well prepared ahead of the tournament and, while England are favourites to go through, the Group is a long way from being easy.
Meanwhile, flights from Dubai to Doha - passengers can be in the air for as little as 35 minutes - have rocketed in cost to as much as £600 with more exec fans and families planning to jet in for games.
Channel 4 deserve credit
Channel 4 deserves credit for trying to give their England coverage its own identity.
Former England defender Graeme Le Saux, an excellent but underused media pundit, is a welcome different voice on co-comms for the Nations League double header with Italy and Germany.
It is also good to see Jules Breach being the face of their England coverage. She is one of the best presenters around with her enthusiasm, knowledge and is a breath of fresh air.
Unusual Man Utd kick-off time
Everton face Manchester United on Sunday, October 9, at 7pm on BT Sport.
It comes just three days after United face a lengthy trip to play Omonia Nicosia in the Europa League the previous Thursday night but stands out for an unusual kick-off time.
Bearing in mind BT Sport have often faced criticism for their Saturday lunchtime kick-offs after midweek European ties, this makes a lot of sense and deserves credit for trying to help an English team in Europe.
The clubs are relatively close so travel is not such an issue even on a Sunday night.
