Football transfer news

England interim manager Lee Carsley does not want the permanent Three Lions job, according to reports.

Carsley, who was promoted to the senior team on an interim basis after Gareth Southgate made the decision to depart England in the summer, has been at the helm for three of the nation’s international fixtures. His record so far has seen him secure wins over the Republic of Ireland and Finland, before falling to a 2-1 defeat to Greece on Thursday.

While his tenure was initially announced for three England camps, from September to November, fans began to wonder if the Under-21’s boss would be given the job on a permanent basis.

However, reports from Telegraph Sport, have revealed that Carsley is not interested in extending his stay with the senior side.

He recently revealed that he was looking forward to returning to his position at youth level, admitting that he was ‘hopeful’ his results on the senior stage would not impact his previous role.

Carsley was asked to elaborate on these comments during Saturday’s press conference, during which he revealed his ‘pride’ of the youth team.

“Hopefully is a word and a phrase I use quite a bit. There’s obviously no guarantees in life, including tomorrow.

“It’s a job, the U21’s, that I’m really proud of and massively invested in. But I know there’s no guarantees. But the plan is to give this job [England’s senior side] for three camps the best I can do along with the rest of the staff and hopefully we can be in a good position.

“I wanted to give this job my best shot for three camps. I didn’t want to have any regrets. I think it’s important that we do try something different at times and I think I’ll be a better coach for that, but I think we’ll be a bit more conventional tomorrow night.”

England are set to face Finland at the Helsinki Olympic Stadium on Sunday. Meanwhile former Chelsea and Bayern Munich boss Thomas Tuchel is reportedly in talks over the permanent England role.

READ MORE OF THE LATEST ENGLAND NEWS, QUOTES & MATCH PREVIEWS

Liverpool have confirmed that Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk will return home from international duty after being released by their respective nations.

Salah will not feature in Egypt’s return fixture against Mauritania on Tuesday, despite scoring in their African Cup of Nations qualifier clash against the side on Friday. The Liverpool star’s efforts ensured his side recorded a 2-0 victory in Cairo as they look to improve on their performance at last year’s AFCON tournament – where Egypt were knocked out in the round of 16 by DR Congo.

He’s set to return to Liverpool earlier than expected, leaving his nation’s camp ahead of their final October international fixture.

Dutchman Van Dijk will also leave his nation’s camp early after picking up two yellow cards in the Netherlands’ 1-1 UEFA Nations League draw with Hungary on Friday evening. The Anfield captain’s sending off was his first on the international stage, making him ineligible for his country’s clash with Germany on Monday.

The defender admitted his ‘anger’ after being shown two yellows by Swiss referee Lukas Fahndrich, explaining after the game: “They say the captain is the only one who can talk to the referee. I walk up to him. Up tempo, but not in a nasty way, not at all. Very respectful. Because I felt it was a breakaway player, he did not go for the ball at all. If even the captain can not say anything… then it gets difficult.”

The pair will return to Merseyside but will not return to action until Liverpool’s Premier League clash with Chelsea on 20 October.

READ THE LATEST LIVERPOOL NEWS, TRANSFER RUMOURS & GOSSIP

Dejan Kulusevski made Premier League history with a decisive display for Tottenham Hotspur during the club’s 3-0 thrashing of Manchester United in September.

The Sweden international created nine chances for his teammates, the most of any opposition Premier League player at Old Trafford since Opta began recording this detailed data in 2003. Chelsea’s Florent Malouda is the only other player in the last two decades to have teed up more than six shots at the iconic venue.

According to Kulusevski, setting a new landmark in this impressive – if niche – statistical category was a conscious objective. “There was a record there that I broke,” the 24-year-old told the Swedish publication Aftonbladet during the October international break. “It was my plan all along to do it and I’m glad I did. When the team plays well, I play well.”

Despite his record-breaking creative figures, none of Kulusevski’s nine key passes were converted into goals. The former Juventus forward did find the net himself, making it 2-0 three minutes into the second half by tapping in Brennan Johnson’s deflected cross beyond Andre Onana.

Spurs played more than half of the contest with the upper hand after Bruno Fernandes was sent off for lunging at James Maddison. But as boss Ange Postecoglou rightly pointed out post-game, the visitors “probably should have been out of sight by that stage”.

Kulusevski created half of the 12 shots which Tottenham rattled off while United had a full complement of players. The hosts, by comparison, had been able to muster just three efforts collectively. Fernandes was the most prolific creator in the Premier League last season, per FBref, but is only responsible for six key passes this season – less than Kulusevski’s tally against the Red Devils alone.

“It was great fun to play in a legendary arena and I played exactly as I wanted,” Kulusevski grinned when looking back on that hefty victory. “And [we] played football that not only I want to play but the whole team.”

United’s Victor Lindelof watched the carnage unfold from the Old Trafford substitutes’ bench. The Swedish centre-back put club loyalties aside to hail his compatriot as a “role model for many” ahead of the national team’s UEFA Nations League fixtures this month.

“I think Dejan is a fantastically talented footballer,” Lindelof continued. “He runs as much as he wants. It is a treat to see him play football and that he is here. These players also get to see what it takes to play at the highest level.”

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Building their own narratives, experimenting with fashion choices and gaining the confidence to test boundaries – modern day footballers have created their own definition of style, regardless of what people think.

Whether it’s styling luxury brands at London Fashion Week, showing up to training camps in risque outfits or creating their own line of apparel, footballers are taking ownership of the fashion world and influencing fans all over the world.

But what has caused this growth? Why are fans interested in football fashion? 90min caught up with Footballer Fits founder Jordan Clarke to find out why footballers are redefining their own style.

Footballer Fits was founded from humble beginnings, with Jordan explaining: “I founded Footballer Fits while I was working at Argos, I would post on social while in the stock room. It was just me at the start, but I wanted to build a platform that backed players and pushed the culture.

“I wanted to be the platform that ballers loved because we had their back. I wanted to do something different, I’d love to say that I knew it was going to grow this much when I created it, but I didn’t, it’s been a whirlwind.”

Five years later, Footballer Fits has garnered millions of followers on social media and connected with players around the world, allowing footballers to embrace fashion without fear of judgement.

As an active consumer of football fashion, Jordan knows just how much influence players can have in the style game.

“The expression of footballers has reduced in the game,” he continued. “Football is very tactical now. Growing up we would watch the likes of Neymar and Ronaldinho dribbling past players. Now football is more robotic, but people still want to see that expressiveness from players, to see their personality.

“We’re also seeing footballers take their own narratives into their own hands now, players like Jude Bellingham and Cristiano Ronaldo building their own Youtube channels.

“I think young people are demanding that athletes show their personality and that side of them, in order to connect with fans. Football has changed and that contributes to the off-field behaviours. We’re seeing now that players are inspired by US athletes.”

With expression, comes negativity. The rise of social media has given every fan a voice, whether that be for good or for bad. While players like David Beckham and Hector Bellerin were among the first to play with their style choices, even they received backlash for their behaviour.

These standards are slowly changing, however, and platforms like Footballer Fits allow players to express themselves without facing constant criticism.

“The previous generations of footballers were continually told to ‘stick to football’, limiting their freedom to express themselves away from the game,” Jordan adds. “The new generation are encouraged to be different, have other interests and use those interests to show fans who they are when they don’t have a ball at their feet.

“From fashion and music to tattoos and hairstyles, there’s so many ways for players to openly express themselves these days and the criticism is now massively outweighed by the support and encouragement that Gen-Z fans give to athletes.

“The rise of social media has created a demand for athlete-driven content and those not riding that wave and using it as an opportunity to connect with their fans, tell their story and build their personal brand are missing out. It’s never been more socially acceptable for players to be open about their interests and hobbies away from football and the shift from previous limitations placed on athletes has been a huge success.”

Declan Rice’s London Fashion Week debut at the Emirates, Jules Kounde sitting front row at Paris Fashion Week and Cole Palmer starring in Burberry’s latest outerwear campaign – players are representing brands now more than ever before.

While singers and actors were often the first-choice celebrities for these opportunities, footballers are now being selected for their influence.

“The influence of athletes has never been higher, but especially in footballers,” Jordan says. “Young players like Jude Bellingham and Lamine Yamal are gaining millions of likes per post, more than the total followers of globally known actors and artists and have better engagement rates than the likes of Drake and Kim Kardashian.

“Gen-Z and the upcoming generation have made it clear that footballers are the people they connect with most, which is why fashion brands have began tapping into the game more than ever.”

Football fashion is undoubtedly a growing industry, with unlimited opportunities on offer to ballers in the game, if they are willing to break boundaries and experiment with their style.

READ THE LATEST FASHION NEWS AND FEATURES FROM 90MIN

Icons on the pitch and icons on the runway, modern day footballers are not afraid to express themselves when it comes to fashion.

It’s no longer just actors and artists who grace the catwalk at various fashion events, our favourite ballers are embracing the opportunities to break into the world of style, donning luxury brands while they show an opposing side of their on-pitch persona.

From the likes of Pele and David Beckham, to current stars Bukayo Saka and Marcus Rashford, footballers are increasingly becoming more influential on the fashion stage.

Here’s the 13 most influential footballers, ranked by 90min.

It’s been a whirlwind few years for Chelsea star Cole Palmer. After switching Man City for Chelsea, the attacking midfielder has become a genuine star in the Premier League, winning PFA Young Player of the Year for his efforts in 2023/24.

His growth has been monumental off the pitch too, making his way into the fashion world by starring in Burberry’s latest outerwear campaign.

He’s proven his versatility already, donning a classic black suit at the Professional Footballers Association Awards before swapping to a classic British parka coat for Burberry.

The coldest man in the game demands the hottest fashion.

Manchester United’s Mason Mount never misses when it comes to his outfit choices – impressing in stylish blends at the Monaco Grand Prix and Wimbledon, to name just a few events he’s profiled at.

His style is beautifully unique, mixing high-end luxury brands with simple affordable collections to blend the best of everything fashion has to offer.

He’s starred in multiple collection launches, strolled out at various premieres and never misses an opportunity to put his modelling skills to the test.

It’s 10/10 from us, Mase!

Mohamed Salah is the king of football both on and off the pitch. He is always, always dressed to the nines, earning his spot among some of the best dressed in the game.

His creativity has allowed him to feature in some exciting fashion campaigns, gracing the cover of GQ in trendy, iconic outfits.

If he steps onto the streets of Liverpool, he’s adored. When he steps onto the runway, he’s admired.

If you scoured the crowd at Paris Fashion Week, you may have seen a certain Red Devil sat in the front row of Louis Vuitton’s show – a spot he has rightfully earned.

There is simply nothing Marcus Rashford can’t do. He’s the perfect ambassador for every collection, bringing style, maturity and a whole lot of class to the stage.

His debut fashion campaign came in 2020, when he partnered with Burberry as their winter ambassador. Since then, he has continued to stand out in the fashion world, breaking barriers and challenging ideals.

Sneaky shoutout for Jude Bellingham here also, we see your game!

Trent Alexander-Arnold, let’s all take a minute to respect this man’s drip.

The Liverpool legend has taken the fashion industry by storm in recent years, whether that’s shining at Milan Fashion Week or dressing down to front Guess’ new jeans campaign.

Prada, Dolce and Gabbana and Burberry – if a brand want to showcase their newest launch, they often look towards this England star.

He’s never been afraid to share his thoughts either, telling Hypebeast: “From my generation down, the vibes are now more relaxed, less old-fashioned – and as long as they perform on the pitch, the lads can do what they want when it comes to expressing themselves.”

If you’re looking for a modern day star who’s paving the way in football fashion – you need to look no further than Bukayo Saka.

Arsenal are killing it in the fashion world anyway, but Saka stands out as one of the most creative members of the squad. He’s always one of the first athletes to be seen at various fashion weeks and has modelled some of the most iconic collections – including Burberry’s SS24 campaign.

It’s no shock that he continues to feature on the front of magazines and headline apparel adverts.

Imagine going through this man’s wardrobe!

Tottenham Hotspur man Son Heung-min is synonymous with football fashion, showing his class both on and off the pitch.

Another loved baller, Son has starred in campaigns for Burberry, Calvin Klein and TUMI. His looks are timeless, put-together and sleek – making him one of the most fashion-forward players in the game.

His fashion always catches heads, even if he’s just dressing up for the airport – we see you Son!

If Cristiano Ronaldo’s name is attached to a brand, the product will sell worldwide, no matter what it is.

His name is literally a brand, and so his involvement with fashion makes total sense. High-end suits, casual streetwear and athletic fits – Ronaldo turns heads with his versatility and well-thought pieces.

His status as a true icon has seen him shape consumer behaviour and partner with numerous companies. Everyone wants to be Ronaldo.

Brave, eccentric and bold – Dominic Calvert Lewin represents a forward-thinking style icon.

Calvert-Lewin has literally opened the door for thousands of ballers to express themselves, batting off judgement and refusing to be silenced with his outlandish designs and colourful combinations.

He deserves immense praise for his work in the fashion world. He constantly tears down stigmas to big up his fellow ballers, forcing people to rethink their narratives around football fashion.

Goodbye toxic masculinity!

When former Arsenal and Barcelona star Hector Bellerin walks into a room, everyone turns their head. That’s not just because of his talent on the pitch, but also his stunning outfit choices.

He’s arguably one of football’s most stylish men, but his influence goes beyond just the attire he picks in the morning. The defender launched his very own sustainable clothing brand back in June – carving a new space in the football world that challenges designs.

The footballer-turned-designer recognised his influence on the football fashion world and decided to take matters into his own hands – a true influencer.

Barcelona star Jules Kounde needs absolutely no introduction. If you know this man’s game, you’ll know his influence on the fashion industry.

Arriving to Barca’s camps in full glam, striding out at events in boundary-pushing outfits and featuring in sophisticated campaigns – Kounde is not afraid to be risqué, and benefits hugely from his bravery.

Nothing is beyond the realms of possibility for the French defender, and soon he could even climb the ranks of this list with his continuous attention to the fashion world.

He dances the line between footballer and model, refusing to be contained while doing so.

We could literally leave this part of our article blank, Beckham’s influence on the fashion world is not a new story, yet he continues to reach new heights and impress with his forward-thinking attitude.

He was always a maverick on the pitch – testing hairstyles and fashion that was way ahead of his time. Now, his ability to influence consumerism makes him a highly valuable asset to so many brands.

If David and Victoria Beckham rock up at a fashion event, all the cameras will pan to the famous couple. The Beckham name will never not be mentioned in the same conversation as football fashion.

There was only ever going to be one man at the top of this list. A legend off the field and on it, Pele was arguably the father of football fashion – crafting stunning outfits that oozed both style and class.

His career was glistening, but his influence off the pitch is hard to put into words. His style was unique – eccentric in the same way his style of play always was.

Forget luxury brands and questionable patterns – Pele knew what worked and made it look beautiful – spawning a generation of players who dared to waltz into the fashion world.

Forever a legend.

READ THE LATEST FASHION NEWS AND FEATURES FROM 90MIN