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Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney can make Wrexham a Premier League side inside five years, claims ex-Red Dragons star Brett Ormerod.

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Welsh outfit back in the Football LeagueHollywood co-owners want to reach the topFunds able to make those dreams realityWHAT HAPPENED?

The ambitious Welsh outfit began their climb towards the top tier in 2022-23 when claiming the National League title in record-breaking style. They are now riding high in League Two, with Hollywood co-ownersmaking the funds available that are allowing the grandest of long-term plans to be pieced together.

AdvertisementGettyWHAT ORMEROD SAID ABOUT WREXHAM

Quizzed on whether Wrexham could be rubbing shoulders with the Premier League elite by 2028, Ormerod – who spent two years at the Racecourse between 2012 and 2014 – told : “Hopefully, I'd like to see them in the Championship or Premier League in five years. The owners are ambitious enough to get there. They've always had the right fanbase and now they have the might of the Americans. Where Wrexham end up depends on where the owners want to take it. I wish them all the best because the fans have been through a lot of pain. I remember being there when the bills weren't being paid and they were being threatened to be kicked out of the ground.”

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Wrexham have come a long way in a short space of time, with Ormerod adding on a remarkable sporting story that began when a stunning takeover of the club was completed in the spring of 2021: “Wrexham are very strong. Wrexham have always been a well-supported club and now they have the Hollywood glitz – it's a bit like the circus comes to town now with Wrexham. When I was there as a player, the club was on the brink of bankruptcy and only survived because of the fans so they deserve to be in the position they're in now.”

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FXWHAT NEXT FOR WREXHAM?

Reynolds and McElhenney have never shied away from the fact that they want to take Wrexham to the very top, with their bid to hit the loftiest of targets being captured on camera by the ‘Welcome to Wrexham’ documentary series.

How to watch Blackburn against Hull City in the Championship in the US as well as kick-off time and team news.

Looking for a place in the Championship play-offs, Blackburn Rovers will want to put an end to their three-game winless run when they host Hull City on Saturday.

💻 Watch Blackburn Rovers vs Hull City live on ESPN+ today!

The Rovers, though with the advantage of an extra game to play, are not alone in the chase for a playoff spot but have only managed to hold Huddersfield in a four-goal draw after back-to-back defeats against Birmingham and Norwich City in recent games.

On the other hand, Hull City would consider themselves well clear of a relegation threat this season following their 1-0 win against Millwall amid a four-game unbeaten run.

GOAL brings you details on how to watch the game on TV in the U.S. as well as how to stream live online.

Getty ImagesKick-off timeGame:Blackburn Rovers vs Hull CityDate:April 15, 2023Kick-off:2:45pm EDTVenue:Ewood Park

The Championship game between Blackburn Rovers and Hull City is scheduled for April 15, 2023, at Ewood Park in Blackburn, Lancashire, England.

It will kick off at 2:45pm EDT in the US.

AdvertisementHull.How to watch Blackburn Rovers vs Hull City online – TV channels & live streamsTV channels & streaming options

Country TV channel Live stream

U.S.N/AESPN+

In the United States (US), the game can be watched live on ESPN+.

(C)Getty ImagesTeam news & squadsBlackburn Rovers team news

Ryan Hedges scored off the bench and after Sorba Thomas was ineligible to face his parent club the last time around, and only one of them can make the XI on Saturday.

Blackburn boss Jon Dahl Tomasson may also ponder on playing 18-year-old Adam Wharton in midfield, which means Lewis Travis may have to make way, while Tyrhys Dolan may continue ahead of Sam Gallagher up front.

Blackburn Rovers possible XI: Pears; Rankin-Costello, Carter, Hyam, Pickering; Morton, Wharton; Hedges, Szmodics, Brereton-Diaz; Dolan

Position Players

GoalkeepersKaminski, PearsDefendersPhillips, Hyam, Ayala, S. Wharton, Mola, Carter, Pickering, Edun, Brittain, Rankin-CostelloMidfieldersTravis, Garrett, Morton, A. Wharton, Buckley, Dack, Szmodics, Dolan, Thomas, HedgesForwardsBrereton Diaz, Gallagher, ValeHull City team news

Adama Traore made a case for himself after scoring the winner against Millwall, while Liam Rosenior might bring in Callum Elder in place of Jacob Greaves at left-back.

Right-back Lewie Coyle may be touch-and-go but should start if he's considered fit.

Hull City possible XI: Darlow; Coyle, Jones, McLoughlin, Elder; Seri, Slater; Ebiowei, Tufan, Sayyadmanesh; Traore

Position Players

GoalkeepersDarlow, Ingram, Baxter, Lo-TutalaDefendersGreaves, Figueiredo, A. Jones, McLoughlin, Elder, Christie, CoyleMidfieldersWoods, Slater, Simons, Tufan, Seri, Docherty, C. Jones, Traore, Pelkas, Sayyadmanesh, Ebiowei, Longman, CovilForwardsEstupinan, Connolly, TettehHead-to-head record

Date Result Competition

October 29, 2022Hull City 0-1 Blackburn RoversChampionshipJanuary 20, 2022Hull City 2-0 Blackburn RoversChampionshipSeptember 15, 2021Blackburn Rovers 2-0 Hull CityChampionshipFebruary 12, 2020Blackburn Rovers 3-0 Hull CityChampionshipAugust 21, 2019Hull City 1-0 Blackburn RoversChampionshipENJOYED THIS STORY?

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(C)Getty ImagesUseful links

Blackburn Rovers team home page

Live soccer on TV in the U.S.

Championship play-offs: Everything you need to know

Manchester United have been urged to sign Bayern Munich midfielder Joshua Kimmich, as Louis Saha feels he would be a "great fit" under Erik ten Hag.

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Kimmich linked with a move to Man UtdSaha backs German to succeed at Old TraffordBut warned that midfielder will be hard to getGetty ImagesWHAT HAPPENED?

The Red Devils are looking to revamp their squad in the upcoming summer and have drawn up a shortlist of players with expiring contracts, including Kimmich, Jonathan David and Khephren Thuram. With Casemiro struggling to realise his full potential, Ten Hag wants more steel in midfield and the United hierarchy believes that the German international is an attainable target who can inject fresh blood at the centre of the park.

AdvertisementWHAT SAHA SAID

Former United great, Louis Saha, put his weight behind Kimmich as he believes that the player would suit Ten Hag's structure.

"Kimmich and Alphonso Davies are two extremely experienced players, especially Kimmich," he told . "Kimmich would obviously be a great fit because he’s one of the fittest players in Europe and is capable of running games and is very slick."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

However, Saha warned that United will face stiff competition from several European elites for Kimmich as many of them would be eager to land the player at a discounted rate since his contract with the Bavarians ends in 2025.

"Other teams will be interested in these players if their contracts are running down, so it won’t be easy for Manchester United to pull off any of these signings," he said.

"If Manchester United are unable to offer these players Champions League next season, then that will be an advantage to certain other clubs looking to sign them."

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DID YOU KNOW?

Manchester City are also reportedly interested in Kimmich as Pep Guardiola remains keen to reunite with the 29-year-old. His versatility both as a right-back and a defensive midfielder makes Kimmich an attractive proposition.

Victor Osimhen reportedly faces the threat of a fine at Napoli following his substitution outburst against Bologna.

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Striker missed penalty in 0-0 drawTaken off towards the endDisagreed with decision of head coachWHAT HAPPENED?

The Nigeria international, who helped to fire Napoli to Serie A title glory last season, did not take kindly to being hauled off with four minutes remaining in the goalless stalemate. He had earlier missed a penalty that could have wrapped up all three points for Rudi Garcia’s side.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Osimhen was caught on camera airing his frustration towards Garcia after seeing his number held up, with the 24-year-old frontman of the opinion that Napoli should have gone with two strikers while pushing for a late winner.

DID YOU KNOW?

Garcia has said the details of a heated discussion will remain private, with claiming that club captain Giovanni di Lorenzo has been charged with the task of speaking to Osimhen about his behaviour. It is also reported that the African ace could now be fined as a result of his touchline rant.

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GettyWHAT HAPPENS NEXT?

Napoli are eager to make it clear that no player is allowed to step out of line, or to question the decisions of head coach Garcia, with Osimhen having that pointed out to him during a chat with Di Lorenzo. A meeting between the star player and frustrated manager is due to take place at the club’s training ground on Monday.

A total of 10 arenas will host matches during the summer showpiece event

Getty ImagesBerlin

The capital. Always proud of multiculturalism. Wasn't a host at the 1988 European Championships, but was the venue of the World Cup final in 1974 and 2006. Since the summer tournament twelve years ago, the area has served as a major football events pilgrimage for millions of fans after stopping at the Brandenburg Gate during the day. Plagued by the love-hate relationship of Hertha BSC supporters, the Olympiastadion is seldom sold out. Stadium: Olympiastadion (Total seat capacity: 74,461)

AdvertisementGetty ImagesMunich

The heart and home of Bavaria. At the 1974 World Cup and the European Championship in 1988, matches were still played in Munich's Olympic Stadium, and both times the stadium hosted the final. Forty-four years ago, Franz Beckenbauer and Co. won the World Cup (2-1) against the Netherlands, and 14 years later, the Oranje won its only title thanks to Marco van Basten's goal against the Soviet Union (2-0). The 2006 World Cup started in the Allianz Arena when the German team defeated Costa Rica 4-2 in the opening match. Stadium: Allianz Arena (70,076)

Getty ImagesDusseldorf

According to its own statement, has the "longest bar in the world" and welcomes guests from all over the world in the Old Town. Describes itself as a sports city, but failed in the effort to host the Olympic Games in 2012. Entertains a love-hate relationship with Cologne. During the promotion of Fortuna in 2012, was the scene of a peaceful pitch invasion, which then occupied the stadium. Stadium: Merku Spiel-Arena (51,031)

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GettyStuttgart

Swabian city. Stuttgart is a mixture between narrow-mindedness and thinking big, but the city has long since transformed the prejudices into pride. They can do anything except speak without their dialect. At the 1974 World Cup and the 1988 Euros, the Italian visitors gave the Neckarstadion southern flair. In 2006, the hosts were there in third-place match against Portugal (3-1). And when VfB plays in Cannstatt, more than 50,000 regularly come to the stadium. Stadium: Mercedes-Benz Arena (54.697)

Real Madrid starlet Nico Paz has followed in Lionel Messi's footsteps and surpassed Alejandro Garnacho with his Champions League goal against Napoli.

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Paz scored in Madrid's 4-2 victoryBecame second-youngest Argentine to score in UCLBeat compatriot Garnacho by a couple of monthsWHAT HAPPENED?

The Argentine was brought on in place of Brahim Diaz with the game evenly poised at 2-2 on Wednesday evening at the Santiago Bernabeu. Not many would have imagined that the teenager would give his side the lead but a speculative effort from a distance in the 84th minute ended up in the back of the net which paved the way for a 4-2 victory. The goal earned him a place in the history books as he became the second youngest Argentine, at 19 years two months and 21 days, to score in the Champions League.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Messi holds the record as the youngest to achieve this feat after he scored for Barcelona against Panathinaikos in a 5-0 rout at Camp Nou on November 2, 2005, at 18 years four months and nine days. Earlier on Wednesday evening, Garnacho was in the second spot after he finished off a brilliant move against Galatasaray to open his Champions League account at 19 years, four months and 29 days. However, Paz pushed him to the third spot after scoring in his second European top-flight appearance.

WHAT NICO PAZ SAID

Speaking after the match, Paz said: "A dream come true. The entire team & staff has congratulated me. We are an incredible group.”

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Getty WHAT NEXT FOR PAZ?

Paz will hope to earn more minutes with Real Madrid's first team after scoring in the Champions League. The club is going through an injury crisis and the Argentine should be geared up to make the most of the opportunity when Los Blancos get back to action against Granada on Saturday.

Manchester City moved ahead of Chelsea and into first place in the Women's Super League after beating Everton 2-1 to make it 12 straight wins.

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Shaw & Hemp on target for CityHome team dominant throughout matchGo ahead of Chelsea at top of WSLGettyTELL ME MORE

City, who have won all 16 of their league games against the Merseyside team, were behind Chelsea only on goals scored at the top of the table heading into the clash at the Joie Stadium. They were well fired up for this game, too, dominating from beginning to end against Brian Sorensen's team.

City enjoyed the majority of early possession but had a hard time getting time and space in dangerous areas. After a few tame efforts, Everton made it easy for the home team when Justine Vanhaevermaet crumbled under pressure and played a short pass inside the box that went directly to Bunny Shaw, who suddenly had an abundance of time and space to smash in the opener.

The goal gave the in-form hosts a massive boost as they looked even more dangerous from then on, with Chloe Kelly and Lauren Hemp sending dangerous balls into the box that Shaw was unable to connect with. By half-time, 1-0 seemed a low score considering City had 13 shots throughout the first 45 minutes. Everton, meanwhile, were gifted one chance late in the half when goalkeeper Khiara Keating played the ball straight to Rikke Madsen, but her weak shot was straight back at the youngster.

After Shaw missed a great opportunity by heading over the bar, it was Hemp who doubled City's lead, combining with Coombs in the middle of the pitch before driving forward and sending a long-range effort rolling into the bottom corner. Everton were not down and out, though, as City suddenly looked flustered at the back and gave the ball away, resulting in Hanna Bennison smashing in a beauty of a goal from outside the box. Both teams pushed on for another goal, but neither could find a way past their opponents' goalkeeper.

AdvertisementTHE MVP

While it was Shaw who opened the scoring and had a whopping six attempts, Hemp must get the nod for the hero of the occasion. Not only did she fire in a lovely second goal for her team, the England international linked up expertly with her team-mates, had four shots in total and put in great effort to win the ball as City pressed high up.

THE BIG LOSER

Everton were always on the backfoot but they did a great job of limiting City to weak attempts for the first 15 minutes. That all changed, though, when Vanhaevermaet's awful pass went straight to Shaw and teed her up for an easy goal. City were on top from then on but Everton were able to threaten and grab a wonderful goal. Unfortunately for them, the damage had already been done.

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GettyWHAT COMES NEXT?

Now top of the table – temporarily at least – City will be watching on as Chelsea look to draw level once again when they face Leicester on Sunday. Gareth Taylor's team come up against the Blues once again when they meet in the FA Women's League Cup on Thursday, followed by a match against Tottenham in the Women's FA Cup next Sunday.

The Blues are on the lookout for a new head coach, but who will Todd Boehly pick for his first managerial appointment?

Todd Boehly does not mess around! Seven games into the new season, and Thomas Tuchel has been relieved of his duties as Chelsea manager, with the man who delivered the club its second European Cup sacked less than 18 months later.

Defeat to Dinamo Zagreb in their Champions League opener on Tuesday proved to be the final straw for new Blues owner Boehly, who now has the job of making his first managerial appointment at Stamford Bridge.

But who should he be looking to recruit? An out-of-work big name, or can he tempt a coach who is already in a job to move to west London?

GOAL breaks down the top candidates for one of the biggest managerial jobs in world football…

Getty ImagesMauricio Pochettino

Pochettino was linked with the Chelsea job around the time that Frank Lampard was starting to come under pressure in late-2020, only for Paris Saint-Germain to swoop in and hire the Argentine to replace Thomas Tuchel before the Blues could act.

Now history might be about to repeat itself in England, with Pochettino still very highly-rated within Premier League circles after the job he did at Tottenham.

He would arrive with some silverware under his belt, even if winning Ligue 1 with PSG is a bit more straightforward than earning trophies with Chelsea, and a track record of uniting a dressing room, which given the number of new faces at Stamford Bridge needs doing quickly.

Pochettino's tactics were criticised during his time in Paris, leading to his eventual sacking in July, but his reputation remains strong and it is no shock to see him among the favourites to step in at Stamford Bridge.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesGraham Potter

The outstanding candidate from within the Premier League, Potter's stature has grown steadily during his three years in charge of Brighton.

Now, with his side having enjoyed an electric start to the new campaign, the Seagulls' boss is widely being recognised as a 'Big-Six' manager in the making given the way he has matched tactical thinking with garnering respect from his players.

Stepping up to take on the Chelsea role would be the biggest test of his career to date, not least because he has never been part of a truly elite environment as either a player or coach, but Potter's achievements with Brighton should at least give him a standing within the dressing room to get his ideas across.

Chelsea and Brighton have done business already this season following Marc Cucurella's big-money move to the former, and they now could be set for more negotiations in the coming days.

Getty ImagesZinedine Zidane

Zidane has been out of work since leaving Real Madrid in the summer of 2021, and has been linked with pretty much every vacant managerial position ever since.

It is easy to see why a three-time Champions League-winning coach would appeal to Todd Boehly, and being the man to lure Zidane back to coaching would certainly put an early feather in the American's cap.

Zidane has been criticised for not being the most gifted manager when it comes to tactical ideas, though that might be just what Chelsea's players need after the intense and constant tinkering of Tuchel.

There is a feeling that Zidane is happy to wait and see whether France require a new manager following the 2022 World Cup before deciding on his next move, but Chelsea have the finances to make him an offer he might not be able to refuse.

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GetyMarcelo Bielsa

While it would be slightly out of left-field, there is no doubt that Bielsa left his mark on the English game during his Leeds United tenure, impressing fans and owners around England with the job he did at Elland Road.

Whether he would be able to replicate the job he did at Leeds at a club that is already part of Europe's elite remains to be seen, however, and it would be a risk were Chelsea to appoint him.

Bielsa demands buy-in from and control of all aspects of a club, but what he creates in return are teams that are exciting to watch and that produce results on the pitch.

Whether, at 67, he would be happy to return to England and take on such a high-profile project as Chelsea remains to be seen, but Boehly and his board will surely weigh up the pros and cons of making Bielsa a Blue during their hiring process.

The best Ligue 1 players have been released by EA Sports ahead of the release of FIFA 23 at the end of the month.

It is almost time for the latest iteration of the most popular sports video game franchise.

FIFA players will be able to get their hands on the new game with all its updated features on Friday, September 30.

The latest player ratings to be released are those of the stars of Ligue 1. Here are the 15 best players in the French top flight, according to the new FIFA 23 ratings.

Getty Images=13 | Anthony Lopes | GK | 82

The first player on this list is Lyon goalkeeper Anthony Lopes. He has been one of the most consistent goalkeepers in Europe in the last few years and he has retained his 82 rating from FIFA 22.

AdvertisementGetty Images=13 | Kevin Volland | ST | 82

Like Lopes, Kevin Volland has also been given an 82 rating on FIFA 23. Although, considering he got nine goals and 11 assists in Ligue 1 last term, he might feel aggrieved that his rating has been reduced by one.

Getty Images=13 | Dimitri Payet | CAM | 82

In the last of the 82-rated players in Ligue 1, Dimitri Payet has received a boost of two ratings from FIFA 22. That is because he was excellent for Marseille last season with 15 goals and 13 assists across all competitions to help them back into the Champions League.

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Getty Images=11 | Kasper Schmeichel | GK | 83

It cause some confusion in the summer when Leicester allowed Kasper Schmeichel to leave for a nominal fee. Nice were the side happy to pay for the veteran goalkeeper but he hasn't quite had the desired effect so far. He was 85-rated in FIFA 22 so it's a two-rating decrease for him.

Paul Mullin started a tradition at Wrexham that he now cannot stop, with Jurgen Klopp-esque fist pumps demanded from the striker after every win.

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Star striker celebrates with supportersFist pumps aimed in direction of the standsDragons have had plenty to shout aboutGettyWHAT HAPPENED?

The prolific frontman started that trend a couple of years ago when scoring a dramatic goal that sealed three points for the Red Dragons. Supporters now expect the post-match routine to be delivered when emerging victorious, with a loyal fan base – that includes co-owners Ryan and Reynolds and Rob McElhenney – having had plenty to cheer of late.

AdvertisementWHAT MULLIN SAID

Mullin has told the podcast of his celebration and why he was delighted to break it out again following an emotional return from injury in a 2-1 victory over Doncaster on September 9: “It’s something we sort of stumbled across. It was a couple of years ago that I scored a last-minute goal and just celebrating at the end of the game, it just came out. Ever since then, I think I didn’t do it when we won and I had so many people asking me to carry on doing it and it’s become a signature thing now when we win a game. I can genuinely say that while I was in LA, I was sat there thinking I can’t wait to come back and do that. Not because I get anything from it, it’s because we have won a game and it’s something I have worked for to do that. The fans get to enjoy it and it’s something to look forward to at the end of the game. If we win, that’s going to happen.”

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He added on returning to action after a punctured lung suffered in a pre-season friendly date with Manchester United, which forced him to spend several weeks in the United States before returning to North Wales: “That day [against Doncaster] the lads did unbelievably well – I came on and we managed to win the game. About the noise, it is still emotional now. I know the fans like me, but that day is something that I can’t describe. I don’t often get taken aback, especially when playing football, but that day I actually couldn’t believe it. Players I’ve played with on the other team said to be after the game ‘I thought the stadium was going to fall down’. It was that loud. It is a noise that I will never forget and is something I’m really proud of. For the two years that I’ve been there, I’ve built up that much of a connection with the fans to warrant that reception.”

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DID YOU KNOW?

Merseyside native Mullin believes the noise generated that day eclipsed anything else that he has ever experienced, including his travels across Europe following superstar performers on the books at Anfield. He added: “When I came on the pitch, I was playing the rest of the game thinking ‘wow, has that really just happened?’ I’ve been to many, many Liverpool games all around the world – Champions League finals and all sorts – and although there were only 10,000 fans in the stadium that day, I genuinely think that is the loudest noise I’ve ever experienced towards one player. I’ve been in the stadium cheering Steven Gerrard back onto the pitch after injury and there wasn’t an excitement like I felt that day. It was something I will never forget.”