West Ham’s new signing Max Kilman has not given up hope of representing England one day, hoping his consistent performances earn him a debut call-up.
Kilman left Wolves after six and a half years to join the Hammers in a £40m deal earlier in the transfer window, becoming Julen Lopetegui's third signing.
The Englishman was one of just two defenders, along with Arsenal's William Saliba, to play every minute of the 2023-24 Premier League season.
He was left out of Gareth Southgate's England squad for Euro 2024, with the likes of Jarrad Branthwaite, Lewis Dunk and Ezri Konsa preffered.
Interim manager Lee Carsley will choose his first squad for the Three Lions' upcoming Nations League games against the Repbulic of Ireland and Finland next month.
“It’s definitely a big aim for me. I have been competing against other Premier League central defenders in the last couple of years and I have been consistent.," Kilman told BBC Sport.
“I want to get as high as I can as a player so playing for England would be a huge honour.”
Kilman admits he did not expect to be leaving Wolves but a return to London, the place where he grew up as a boy, has helped him to adjust to his surroundings.
“I never thought I would leave Wolves," Kilman started. "I was there for so long, so this is something a bit unusual, but I was born and raised in London, which makes it a bit easier and I am really happy to be at West Ham.”
The defender also said new boss Lopetegui, a manager he worked under at Wolves, was a major reason why he made the move to the London Stadium.
He said: “The manager is obviously a big factor. He did a really good job at Wolves. There are not many teams who have started bottom of the league at Christmas and stayed out of it.
“He had really high standards and wanted every player to reach the top of their game. He has pushed players to their limits. He helped me improve so much.”
Vinicius rumours 'just speculation', says Ancelotti amid Saudi interest
Carlo Ancelotti has insisted that rumours linking Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior with a move to Saudi Arabia are nothing more than "just speculation".
Vinicius, who scored 24 goals in all competitions for Real last season, has received interest from the Saudi Pro League, reportedly considering the proposal.
The Brazilian is currently preparing for Los Blancos' UEFA Super Cup clash against Atalanta on Wednesday, with Ancelotti quick to dismiss reports of a departure.
"There isn't anything at all," Ancelotti said on Tuesday. "There's just speculation, at this time in the market. There's just speculation, nothing else."
Vinicius helped Real claim a domestic double last year, winning his third La Liga title and scoring in their Champions League final win over Borussia Dortmund.
The 24-year-old has the chance to win a 13th major honour in his sixth year as a Madrid player on Wednesday, with Ancelotti expecting him to be on top form in Warsaw.
"Of course speculation doesn't affect [Vinicius]," Ancelotti continued. "He's here, he wants to be here. He wants to do his best and help Real Madrid."
Ancelotti also shrugged off suggestions that Madrid's sporting project was under threat from Saudi Arabia's growing investment in the sport.
The likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Neymar have all made the move to the Middle East over the past two years, with many other high-profile names following suit.
"No, absolutely not," Ancelotti said. "We have our project and we continue in that. We have a squad of great quality.
"We've lost important players and we've brought in others who have to adapt.
"We have to work to maintain the atmosphere, and the commitment, which was the key last year."
Rossi inspires Crew comeback to end Inter Miami's Leagues Cup defence
The Columbus Crew came from two goals down to put an end to Inter Miami's Leagues Cup defence, winning 3-2 at the Lower.com Field on Wednesday.
Matias Rojas and Diego Gomez had given the visitors a comfortable lead just beyond the hour-mark, only for Christian Ramirez's strike to spark an unlikely turnaround.
Diego Rossi netted twice in 11 second half minutes to confirm the win as Wilfried Nancy's side advanced to the quarter-finals where they will face New York City FC.
Despite still being without Lionel Messi, Miami started brightly and were rewarded for their fast start when Rojas headed past Nicholas Hagen in the 10th minute.
Columbus finished the opening 45 the better side, but found themselves two goals down after the break as Gomez curled home their second following Luis Suarez's pass.
But Nancy's side would respond five minutes later as Max Arfsten's teasing delivery was powerfully headed home by Ramirez inside the penalty area.
The hosts found themselves level moments later when Cucho Hernandez's cross to the back post picked out Rossi to finish beyond Drake Callender.
Rossi grabbed his 15th goal of the season 10 minutes from time, finishing from a tight angle following a clever pass by Mohamed Farsi to confirm the triumph.
"Today, even after a defeat, we will continue trying to achieve some title in the local league, which is what remains," Miami head coach Gerardo Martino said.
"But I cannot accept that all this is measured based on whether you won or lost, I accept it because they are the rules of the game."
Data Debrief: Rossi brace continues Crew's sensational home form
Columbus continued their fine home form under Nancy and are now unbeaten in their last seven games on home soil in all competitions (W6 D1).
Rossi was the standout for the Crew, contributing 0.88 expected goals (xG) to Columbus' 1.79 total at the conclusion of the thrilling encounter.
Miami failed to make their opportunities in front of goal count, only managing three shots on target from the 12 they attempted while also missing five big chances.
Ancelotti coy over potential Mbappe debut in Super Cup
Carlo Ancelotti remained coy when asked about the chances of Kylian Mbappe making his Real Madrid debut in the UEFA Super Cup on Wednesday.
Madrid won the Champions League by beating Borussia Dortmund 2-1 in June to set up a meeting with Europa League winners Atalanta in Warsaw.
Ancelotti had previously said after a pre-season friendly that he planned on using players who had won the trophy for the Super Cup match.
Mbappe joined as a free agent in June and has now started training with the team following his extended break due to France's involvement in Euro 2024.
And though Ancelotti remained tight-lipped about how Mbappe could be used, he did not rule out a first appearance for the Frenchman in a Madrid shirt.
"Mbappe has arrived well, just like the other players who joined last week," Ancelotti said in his press conference on Tuesday.
"We haven't had much time to train, but we are doing very well, and Kylian has also arrived in good shape. He is adapting very well. Obviously, everyone who is here can play tomorrow."
Madrid are aiming to win the Super Cup for a record sixth time, leapfrogging Barcelona and AC Milan, who have also both won five.
They are also chasing history once again this season with seven titles available for the first time due to FIFA's new Intercontinental Cup.
"As always, we're starting the season with all the excitement and desire," Ancelotti added.
"It's the first title of a season that is going to be very demanding but can also be very successful. We want to start it well. We are aware of the difficulties, but I see the team in good shape, motivated to play a great game."
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