CHELSEA SIGN ENGLAND’S RODGERS FROM VILLA IN RECORD BRITISH DEAL

Morgan Rogers with his beloved mother at Stamford Bridge during his official unveiling and contract signing

London club’s previous record signing was Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo

Chelsea have signed England international Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa on a contract until 2033, both Premier League clubs said on Tuesday, with British media reporting the deal was worth £117m (R2.58bn), making him the most expensive British player.

Neither club disclosed financial details, but Sky Sports reported the package surpassed the reported fee of up to £116m Manchester City paid Nottingham Forest for midfielder Elliot Anderson earlier this month.

Chelsea’s previous record signing was Ecuador midfielder Moises Caicedo, who joined from Brighton & Hove Albion for £115m in 2023.

“I’m so excited,” said Rogers in a club statement. “For me, Chelsea are the biggest club in London and a club I’ve always admired since I was a kid.

A photo posted on social media by Chelsea FC shows new signing Morgan Rogers at the club's headquarters in London. (Chelsea FC/X)

He chose Chelsea. 

pic.twitter.com/V6NrGsuZH9

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) July 21, 2026

“I’m really excited about the project with the new manager, the players we’ve got and where the club is heading. That’s why I’m here and I can’t wait to get started.”

Rogers, who can play on the wing or as an attacking midfielder, leaves Villa after two years, having helped them win the Europa League in May. He scored in the 3-0 final victory over Freiburg as Villa claimed their first major European trophy since 1982.

The 23-year-old scored 31 goals in 125 appearances for Villa after joining from Middlesbrough in 2024, earning his England debut later that year.

Rogers featured in seven of England’s eight matches as they finished third at the World Cup and enjoyed his most prolific domestic campaign last season, scoring 10 Premier League goals.

Chelsea, who finished 10th in the Premier League last season, begin their league campaign away to Fulham on August 24.

- Reuters

SOUTHAMPTON EXPELLED FROM EFL PLAYOFF FINAL AFTER SPYING

Southampton were on Tuesday expelled from the Championship play-off final after admitting to spying on a training session of semi-final opponents Middlesbrough.

Southampton have been kicked out of the Championship playoffs after being found guilty of spying on semi-final opponents Middlesbrough, the English Football League said on ‌Tuesday.

Middlesbrough, who lost 2-1 to Southampton in the two-legged semi-final, have been re-instated ‌and will now face Hull City on Saturday in ‌what is ⁠dubbed the ‌world's richest football match.

Promotion to ‌the Premier League is estimated to be worth in the region ⁠of 200 million pounds ($268.10 million) over three seasons. Southampton, who admitted the charges, were also found guilty of filming training sessions involving Oxford United in December and Ipswich Town in April during the regular season. They have also been deducted four points for the start of next season in England's second tier.

"An Independent Disciplinary Commission has today expelled Southampton from the Championship play-offs after the club admitted multiple breaches of EFL regulations related to the unauthorised filming ‌of other clubs' training," the ⁠EFL said.

"Southampton admitted breaches of Regulations requiring Clubs to act with the utmost good faith and prohibiting the observation of another Club's training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match. The effect of today's order is that Middlesbrough are reinstated into the 2026 play-offs and will proceed to the play-off final against Hull City. The final remains scheduled for Saturday 23 May, with the kickoff time to be confirmed."

The EFL confirmed that Southampton could appeal against the decision and that "parties are ‌working to try and ‌resolve any appeal on May ⁠20. "Subject to the outcome, it could result in a further ⁠change to Saturday's fixture," ⁠the statement said.

Middlesbrough had called for Southampton's expulsion after having a training session filmed ahead of the first leg of their playoff semi-final with Southampton which ended 0-0.

The club said it welcomed the decision. "We believe this sends out a clear message for the future of our game regarding sporting integrity and conduct," Middlesbrough said in a statement. "As a club, we are now focused on our game against Hull City at Wembley on Saturday."

Southampton were relegated from the Premier League last season and were struggling in the early part of this campaign until a storming finish in which they went unbeaten in 19 league games to finish fourth and enter ‌the playoffs.

- REUTERS/LONDON

SOUTHAMPTON CHARGED BY EFL AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF SPYING ON MIDDLESBROUGH

 

The Riverside Stadium hosts the first leg between Middlesbrough and Southampton

Southampton have been charged with a breach of EFL regulations after being accused of spying on a Middlesbrough training session ahead of the two clubs' Championship play-off semi-final.

The English Football League had received a complaint from Middlesbrough over allegations of unauthorised filming by someone connected to Southampton during a training session ahead of Saturday’s first leg at the Riverside Stadium.

The incident had revived memories of an incident when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for spying on a Derby training session before a match between the two clubs in January 2019.

An EFL statement on Friday night read: "Southampton Football Club has today been charged with a breach of EFL Regulations, and the matter will be referred to an Independent Disciplinary Commission.

"This follows a request from the EFL for the club’s observations after a complaint from Middlesbrough relating to alleged unauthorised filming on private property ahead of the two clubs meeting in Saturday’s Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final first leg.

"The charges relate to the following Regulations: EFL Regulation 3.4, which requires clubs to act towards each other with the utmost good faith; and EFL Regulation 127, which prohibits any club from observing, or attempting to observe, another club’s training session within 72 hours of a scheduled match between the two clubs.

"Under EFL Regulations, Southampton would ordinarily have 14 days to respond to the charges.

"However, given the nature of the matter, the EFL will ask the Independent Disciplinary Commission to shorten the response period and to list a hearing at the earliest opportunity.

"The League will make no further comment whilst proceedings are ongoing. "

Saints responded to the EFL charge, saying: "Southampton Football Club acknowledges the statement issued by the EFL in relation to alleged breaches of EFL Regulations.

"We can confirm that we will be fully cooperating with the League throughout this process.

"Given the ongoing nature of the matter, the club is unable to comment any further at this time."

Middlesbrough have been approached for comment by the Press Association.

Hull and Millwall met on Friday night in the other Championship semi-final, with the first leg being drawn 0-0.

Tigers boss Sergej Jakirovic said he was completely unaware of the 'spygate' story surrounding Southampton.

"Why do you need to spy? We played already," Jakirovic said.

"I know everything about everything. What Middlesbrough will surprise (with?) He will put 14 players? What? Unbelievable. Really?"

Millwall manager Alex Neil said: "I would certainly comment on it if somebody from Hull was hiding in a tree videoing our training. Well, I might not have caught him yet!

"It doesn’t affect us, so I’m not going to get involved in that conversation."

The alleged incident has revived memories of when the League issued a fine of £200,000 to Leeds for a breach of its ‘good faith’ regulations in 2019.

Then Leeds manager Marcelo Bielsa sent a spy to the Derby training ground before a match between the two clubs.

Bielsa, who faced fierce criticism for his actions and responded by delivering a lengthy press briefing outlining his coaching methods, paid the fine out of his own pocket.

- RTE | 100

EFL CHAMPIONSHIP STANDINGS

 

CHAMPIONSHIP TABLE | COVENTRY TAKES THE LEAD

 

FRANK LAMPARD IS DOING WELL WITH COVENTRY

Frank Lampard's Coventry City remain unbeaten in the Championship this season, topping the league with 22 points after 10 games. 

They have scored 29 goals and kept a clean sheet in their last five games.

- The Athletic

BREAKING: MICHAEL CARRICK SACKED BY MIDDLESBROUGH

 

PRP GUARDIOLA REVEALS WHY MANCHESTER CITY LET MORGAN RODGERS LEAVE AFTER ASTON VILLA DEFEAT

Morgan Rogers inspired Aston Villa to a 2-1 win over Manchester City (Picture: Getty)

Pep Guardiola says it’s ‘obvious’ Manchester City would love to have a player of Morgan Rogers’ quality during their current crisis – but fierce competition for places blocked the youngster’s path at the Etihad.

Rogers left City for Middlesbrough in search of regular playing time last year and the 22-year-old has gone on to establish himself as one of the finest young players in Premier League football under Unai Emery’s guidance at Aston Villa.

This afternoon, Rogers was the star of the show as City’s crisis deepened, with the attacking midfielder assisting Jhon Duran’s opener before doubling Villa’s lead in a 2-1 victory.

Phil Foden’s stoppage-time strike proved too little, too late as City suffered a ninth defeat in 12 games and the result saw Villa leapfrog Guardiola’s side into fifth place in the table.

City are now nine points adrift of leaders Liverpool, who have two games in hand over the champions ahead of their trip to Tottenham tomorrow afternoon.

Shortly after the full-time whistle, former City goalkeeper Shay Given was among those to criticise the club’s decision to allow a player of Rogers’ undoubted ability leave.

But Guardiola defended the call at his post-match press conference, underlining just how many established players Rogers had in front of him, from Kevin De Bruyne to Bernardo Silva.

Do you know what happened with some players? It was a team that won the treble and the quadruple. Sometimes it’s the right tempo, the right time to give the chance,’ the City head coach told reporters.

‘Of course, everyone knows how good Morgan is. A lot of players went on loan or have been sold.

‘But he was in that age, that moment, we had the players that we had that allowed us to create the most successful years in the history of our club.

‘In that moment, sometimes when they arrive they are two, three years younger and at that moment there is Kevin in his prime, David Silva, Bernardo Silva, Riyad Mahrez, Leroy Sane and Raheem Sterling and sometimes it’s difficult. That’s the only reason why.

‘In the situation we are in right now, of course these kinds of players would be with us. This is obvious.

‘I’m happy for him because he’s a lovely guy. He exploded last season and this season he’s a really, really top-class player. England have another exceptional player.’

In his post-match interview with TNT Sports, Rogers pointed to Villa’s counter-attacking prowess as a major factor in Villa’s win.

‘It felt tougher than it probably looked. They make you work and it is so demanding out of possession,’ he said.

- Tom Olver

SOL BAMBA: FORMER CARDIFF AND LEEDS DEFENDER DIES AGED 39

Turkish club Adanaspor announces Sol Bamba has died aged 39; "Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the match against Manisa Football Club yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there."

Former Cardiff and Leeds defender Sol Bamba has died at the age of 39.

Bamba had been employed at Turkish club Adanaspor, who announced the news late on Saturday night.

A club statement read: "Our technical director Souleymane Bamba, who fell ill before the match against Manisa Football Club yesterday, was taken to Manisa Celal Bayar University Hospital and unfortunately lost his battle for life there. Our condolences to his family and our community."

Bamba was diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma in 2021 while at Cardiff, but was declared cancer-free after a course of chemotherapy and returned to play again for the Bluebirds and Middlesbrough.

His career also took in the likes of Leicester, Hibernian and Dunfermline, in addition to 46 international appearances for the Ivory Coast.

Chloe Bamba paid a tribute to her husband, writing on Instagram: "For the last few years I have watched Sol fight his cancer head on with an astounding mental and physical strength and stoicism.

"Unfortunately, it was never a fair fight and just when things were looking up he took a downturn and finally succumbed on 31st August.

"These years have been indescribably difficult but we still managed to find joy and laughter in it. I've experienced my worst days but also some of my best. Sol accepted his fate as God's will and left this earth knowing, without a shadow of a doubt, that he was loved wholeheartedly. I made sure of that.

"It was an honour to have loved and been loved by Sol. I learnt so much from him. He is my hero. My heart is breaking. What a gift, what a gift, what a gift to have been loved by him."

Meanwhile, Leeds said in a statement posted on X: "Everyone at LUFC is devastated to learn of the news that former LUFC captain Sol Bamba has passed away."

"Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends at this tragic time. Rest in peace, Sol, you will be forever in our hearts."

Cardiff said Bamba was "a hero to all of us, a leader in every dressing room and a true gentleman".

Middlesbrough wrote: "We are devastated to learn of the passing of Sol Bamba at the age of 39. Our thoughts are with Sol's family and friends at this time. RIP Sol."

The Football Association said it was "deeply saddened" to learn of Bamba's death.

Bamba, who was born in France to Ivorian parents, began his playing career at Paris Saint-Germain before moving to Scotland after failing to establish himself in the first team.

He helped Dunfermline reach the Scottish Cup final in his first season, before moving to Hibs and then Leicester in 2011.

Following spells in Turkey and Italy he joined Leeds, where he was club captain, while in his first full season at Cardiff he helped them clinch promotion to the Premier League.

He played more than 100 times for the Bluebirds and was assistant manager for six months in 2023.

Bamba represented the Ivory Coast at the 2008 Olympics and played in the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations. He made his final international appearance two years later.

- Sky Sports 

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CONTROVERSIAL OFFICIATING AT BURNLEY 3-1 MIDDLESBROUGH

THE BIG BOYS VS. THE MID-TABLE BOYS | TALK SPORT BREAKFAST

MICHAEL CARRIC IS THE NEW MIDDLESBROUGH HEAD COACH

 

CHELSEA VS. MIDDLESBROUGH | EMIRATES FA CUP | POST MATCH ANALYSIS

 

CONTE: "DEFEAT HAS TO HURT ME" | MIDDLESBROUGH 1-0 TOTTENHAM

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