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It's the moment most MLB fans have been waiting for.

The league announced on Monday that starting in 2025, players competing in the All-Star Game will sport their team's home and away uniforms during the festivities. Players will also wear their team uniforms during the Home Run Derby.

The home team will wear white uniforms, while the away team will wear gray.

A special All-Star uniform will still be designed to be worn during workouts and such for the All-Star Weekend. Since 2020, All-Star participants all wear a specific All-Star uniform for the American League and National League. Many MLB fans have been calling for the league to revert back to the players sporting their team's colors instead.

Along with this change, MLB announced that the league will go back to using the uniform material from 2023 instead of the highly criticized material used this season. The player's name and number on their jerseys will be enlarged, and there will also be pant customization. This change was decided based on a survey handed out to the players.

Chelsea are 'hopeful' that Cole Palmer will be fit again for the upcoming clashes against Barcelona and Arsenal, as Enzo Maresca delivered a positive injury update. The 23-year-old's creative spark has been sorely missed as he has been sidelined for over a month, but the head coach has hinted at a possible comeback date that will provide the club and its supporters a significant boost.

Palmer’s race against time

Palmer initially suffered the setback before Chelsea’s 5–1 thrashing of West Ham in August, which forced him to pull out of the line-up at the last moment. He then sat out the win over Fulham before returning briefly after the September international break, only to aggravate the same problem again. Since then, it’s been a frustrating spell on the sidelines. He hasn’t featured since a 21-minute cameo in the 2-1 defeat to Manchester United on September 20, and his absence has stretched to nine games across all competitions. But now, with the Barcelona clash looming on November 25, there's cautious optimism that he could finally be back in blue.

AdvertisementgettyWhat did Maresca say on Palmer's injury?

Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s midweek trip to Qarabag, Maresca was asked if Palmer will be fit to face the Blaugrana at Stamford Bridge on November 25 and Arsenal five days later. He said: "We hope so, but with Cole we try to plan, we try to schedule, you know, at the beginning. Then we need to review that. So in this moment we go day by day with Cole. He's [still] not taking any session with the team. And we have Benoit Badiashile that probably can be available after the international break and that is huge news. To be honest, I would like to have Cole here tomorrow. I would like to have Cole early. I said many times that we are a better team with Cole. Unfortunately for us, he's out, he's injured, but for sure we want him back very soon."

While Maresca keeps his cards close to his chest, injury expert Ben Dinnery shed light on what Chelsea supporters can expect. Talking to, via, Dinnery said: "It's sometimes not until the last stage, particularly if you're talking around a loading issue, where you could be fine for three, four or five days, and then all of a sudden, you just feel a little bit of intensity as you increase that intensity and increase that load. Ultimately, there's nothing fixed in terms of timeframe. I think we're looking at post-international break. We're coming up to a busy period in and around Christmas, and it's one of those ones where you could see Cole Palmer managed in terms of his minutes.

"Again, the factors around that could be how Chelsea are performing, and probably until last weekend, you would have said they're doing alright until that home defeat to Sunderland. They'll have an idea and understanding that when Cole Palmer does return, they want him fit and available not just for two, three, four or five games, but for the festive period to January and beyond through the remainder of the season."

Who are the other injury concerns for Maresca?

Palmer isn’t the only name on Chelsea’s injury list. Pedro Neto, who has been a bright spark so far this season, is also set to miss the midweek trip to Azerbaijan with what Maresca described as a "small issue", suggesting he could be available for the Wolves game at Stamford Bridge on November 8. "Yeah, not a problem, just a small issue. So we try to protect him. He's not involved in tomorrow's game," the manager said.

Meanwhile, Romeo Lavia's long road back to full fitness appears to be reaching its conclusion. The young midfielder, who joined from Southampton in 2023, has endured a torrid run of injuries, making just 29 appearances in two years due to recurring muscle issues. Maresca, however, is refusing to rush the 21-year-old and compared his situation to Reece James's gradual comeback from long-term injury. 

The Chelsea boss revealed that he has already outlined a careful reintegration plan and said: "The main target for Romeo now is to be fit. Don't get any injuries. For me, at this moment, Romeo is where Reece was more or less one year ago in terms of back after a long time. We need to manage him every minute, every day, every second. And the target with him is just to keep him fit. So, he's training with us. He's OK. He's 100% fit. But we need to be very careful with him because we don't want him to be out again and finally he can enjoy being a football player.

"In the Forest game, we planned for him 45 minutes. Then Ajax, I think he played one hour, 70 minutes. The other day against Tottenham, when he was on, he was very good. We are happy with Romeo. We are happy with the way he's progressing. And the only thing we want is to keep him fit. So, I would like to have Romeo inside the pitch always. But it's my duty to try to protect also him."

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AFPThe road ahead for Chelsea

For now, Chelsea's focus shifts to Wednesday’s daunting Champions League away fixture against Qarabag, which involved a long trip to Baku. They then return to Premier League action against Wolves on Saturday evening before travelling to Burnley on November 22 after the international break. After that, the Blues have two titanic fixtures against Barcelona and Arsenal, respectively, on November 25 and 30. If Palmer does make it back in time for those clashes, he could be the catalyst in attack against the two European heavyweights.

Sussex lose third game in a row to dent qualification chances

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Jul-2025James Vince hit the turbo button to smoke 98 not out to beat Sussex Sharks and put Hampshire Hawks on course for the Men’s Vitality Blast quarter-finals.Captain Vince led from the front in a magnificent 49-ball knock to chase down 168 and secure a third straight Hawks victory – and only failed to reach figures by hitting the winning runs with a four rather than a six.James Fuller supported with three wickets before Joe Weatherley partnered up for 62 – and 43 himself – as Hampshire found form at the right time of the competition.They now have seven wins – the traditional benchmark for qualification – while Sussex have stalled. They have lost their last three matches.Vince has blown hot and cold in the Blast, with three half-centuries but plenty of single-figure scores. This was a boiling day for him.The second ball he faced flew over the square ropes, with two more joining it to go with 12 other boundaries – it was vintage Vince, punishing anything that wasn’t an A-class delivery.A record 12-ball half-century looked temporarily on before settling for 19 balls, and from there he found a rhythm to tick off the runs quickly and risk-free.Toby Albert put 54 on with him at the top before frustrating himself with a pull to midwicket and Danny Lamb snuck one past Tom Prest. But in-form Weatherley provided the firmest support, while also plundering a quartet of sixes to make sure there was no pressure on the chase and Vince.He fell for 43, and Hilton Cartwright followed before Fuller helped Vince to get over the line.Sussex’s innings came in three acts. The cagey start, the run-frenzied middle and then the run drought at the death.Having chosen the bat, neither side could get an advantage in what felt like an ‘eight-pointer’ match due to their positions in the table and their closeness to qualifying.The Sharks probably edged the powerplay with a six off the last ball taking them to 51 for 1 – with Daniel Hughes been and gone after cutting to cover.That maximum sparked Tom Clark and George Thomas into life as they whacked 63 in the following six-and-a-half overs. Clark’s pair of sixes off Benny Howell was the apex of the innings, as the duo ran hard and piled the pressure onto the hosts.But both departed in the 13th over, Fuller dislodging each of them to spark a slow down – with only 60 runs coming from the last eight overs.Scott Currie repeated Fuller’s trick by seeing off Tom Alsop and James Coles in the 16th over, before only conceding four runs in the 18th over.Chris Wood also only went for four runs in the following over with two more wickets – the latter of which a controversial boundary catch which caused a fracas at the interval – as Hampshire took control.The visitors snared 15 runs from the last to take them to 167 for 7. But it was far from enough as Hampshire won with 16 balls to spare.

Four Lads Had A Dream have named their “biggest fear” at Rangers after another disappointing result in Europe this week.

Rangers fans want Thelwell and Stewart out

Gers supporters will have been hoping for a new manager bounce from Danny Rohl on Thursday, but instead, another woeful performance saw their team lose 3-0 away to Brann in the Europa League.

The pressure is building on sporting director Kevin Thelwell and CEO Patrick Stewart coming under fire, with Heart & Hand Podcast’s David Edgar calling for them to be relieved of their duties.

It is a sorry situation at Rangers, with Rohl coming in with so much to deal with, and Ally McCoist calling this his nadir as a fan on Friday.

“Last night is probably as depressed as I have been during this whole debacle, because I actually feel for the manager.I don’t know what he is going to do. He might improve them in terms of a little bit of organisation – set plays, you can do all that, bits and pieces, but I do not think there is anywhere near the level of improvement in that team that will even be required to get them up the league domestically, to tell you the gospel truth.”

"Biggest fear" at Rangers revealed

Writing on X, Four Lads Had A Dream claimed that Andrew Cavenagh is also a huge issue alongside Thelwell and Stewart at Rangers, due to him being blinded by the current problems surrounding them.

“We are in a really bad position, every game is a lottery & sadly not in our favour. Ally summed it up, we look like a team of young kids. He was also spot on when he said recruitment was horrendous. I fear more ‘nights/afternoons’ like tonight, which was painfully embarrassing.

“The spotlight continues to shine on the running of the club, those that have overseen this position and those heading up recruitment on and off the pitch taking us here. Yes Patrick and Kevin that means you. The biggest fear, Andrew Cavanagh is so entrenched he doesn’t see it either. “That’s wider than tonight. But tonight is in indication of exactly where they have taken us.”

Each Rangers fan will have their own person in mind when it comes to who is most to blame for the ongoing woes at Ibrox, but Cavenagh is clearly doing an unsatisfactory job as chairman.

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Some would like to see him depart, as well as Thelwell and Stewart, allowing the Gers to start from fresh, and it is hard to argue his corner right now.

Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto gave his team a gift on Saturday. He carried a one-hit game into the seventh inning of a World Series outing against the New York Yankees. And while the opening part of that sentence was nice—of course—it was the clause that followed that might ultimately prove to be the most important. This was one of the best games that Yamamoto has pitched in his first year in MLB. But its greatest value may come from its length.

The Dodgers are in an enviable position. They now sit up 2–0 in the World Series over the Yankees after Saturday’s 4–2 win. But there are still pockets of this roster worthy of concern. This rotation could generously be described as threadbare: The only place to look for a full starting five around here is on the injured list. Los Angeles has navigated the playoffs thus far with just three starting pitchers, two of whom missed significant time with injuries this year themselves, making it difficult to rely on them for any serious length. The Dodgers’ top relievers have admirably carried the resulting load, including navigating bullpen games in every round, even in critical situations. But that weight accumulates. Yet they collectively got a critical opportunity for breathing room with Yamamoto’s outing Sunday.

It was just the second time in 13 playoff games this year that a Dodgers starter pitched into the seventh. 

“Obviously, the bullpen is going to be leaned on a lot during this series,” said Dodgers reliever Michael Kopech, who pitched the eighth inning on Saturday. “And for him to give us some length and not only be able to pitch well, but dominate, that’s huge.” 

This was the most important start that Yamamoto has made for the Dodgers, and it was one of his best, too. In 6 1/3 innings, he allowed just one hit and two walks and struck out four. Yamamoto managed to look his best as he settled in and the night wore on: He retired the last 11 batters he saw. It was a performance made all the more impressive by the fact that it had been more than four months since he worked so deep into a game. 

A strained rotator cuff kept Yamamoto out for much of this summer. Entering Saturday, he had not thrown more than 79 pitches in any game since he returned to the mound in mid-September, and he had not pitched beyond the fifth inning. While the Dodgers have won in all four of his outings this postseason, his performance had been somewhat uneven, with a notably rough first career playoff start in the National League Division Series. Yet he cruised through the middle innings of his first World Series game with such ease that Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts had no doubts about letting him go past 80 pitches to get to the seventh inning.

“Watching how he was throwing the baseball,” the manager said, “there wasn't much stress in the game.”

There are four double-header days scheduled, with the league stage ending on December 28

ESPNcricinfo staff03-Sep-2025The fourth season of the ILT20 is set to begin on December 2, 2025, with defending champions Dubai Capitals set to take on Desert Vipers in a rematch of last year’s final, in Dubai.There are four double-header days scheduled, with the league stage ending on December 28. The knockout stages will begin with Qualifier 1 on December 30, followed by the Eliminator on January 1. The winner of the Eliminator will have to play Qualifier 2 on the following day, after which there will be a day’s break before the final, on January 4, 2026, in Dubai.Sharjah Warriorz and Abu Dhabi Knight Riders will begin their respective campaigns against each other on December 3, while Gulf Giants will take on MI Emirates for their first game, on December 4.The matches will be played across the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, Sharjah Cricket Stadium and the Zayed Cricket Stadium in Abu Dhabi, like previous seasons.Dubai Capitals, who have reached the last two finals, won the title in the previous season with a four-wicket win over Vipers.Before them, MI Emirates lifted the trophy in 2024 and Gulf Giants in the inaugural season in 2023.

Inter president Beppe Marotta has candidly admitted that while a return for former Manchester United and Chelsea coach Jose Mourinho was "mentioned," as the club searched for a new manager, he would have ultimately "regretted hiring him." Marotta praised the "courageous" decision to appoint Christian Chivu instead, highlighting the club's commitment to different values and a forward-thinking approach over relying on big-name managers.

Marotta discusses Chivu appointment over Mourinho speculation

Marotta has revealed that Mourinho's name was among those considered for the coaching role before the "courageous" decision was made to appoint Chivu. Speaking at the executive master's program in "Sports Management" organized by the RCS Academy Business School, Marotta explained why he ultimately favored Chivu, despite Mourinho's illustrious past with the Nerazzurri.

According to Gazzetta.it, Marotta stated: "I'm surprised people were surprised by Cristian's skill. We chose him because he represents important values; he had the courage to go against the grain, even in the media. Some even mentioned Mourinho, who, with all due respect… If I hadn't had the courage, I would have regretted it."

Mourinho, who famously led Inter to a historic treble in 2010, was reportedly a name floated by "some" stakeholders, indicating a natural inclination among some to revisit a successful past. However, Marotta's comments suggest a deliberate decision to move in a different direction, prioritizing new leadership and values.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesChivu's impressive start and tactical philosophy

Chivu, who took over from Simone Inzaghi, has navigated a challenging start to his tenure at Inter, ultimately guiding the team to the top of Serie A and a perfect record in the Champions League. His initial period included three defeats in Serie A, but the team has since recovered impressively.

Under Chivu, Inter are currently in first place in Serie A alongside Gian Piero Gasperini’s Roma, demonstrating a rapid turnaround in league form. In the Champions League, their performance has been particularly strong, boasting four wins out of four matches played and conceding only one goal. This triumphant march in Europe contrasts sharply with the earlier domestic stumbles, showcasing Chivu's ability to adapt and motivate his squad.

Marotta's praise for Chivu's "skill" and "courage" aligns with the team's visible progress. Chivu has been credited with introducing a "different football philosophy," which Marotta believes aligns with the club's evolving values. This new approach appears to be focused on developing talent and fostering a collective spirit rather than relying solely on individual star power.

Inter's evolving philosophy: sustainability over big names

Marotta used the platform to discuss the significant changes in modern football, particularly the shift from a "patronage model" to one demanding "sustainability" and "financial balance." He emphasised that the equation "if I spend, I win" is no longer valid, citing PSG as an example of a club that has changed its model from "huge names" to investing in "young talent."

This philosophical shift is directly linked to the decision to back Chivu over a high-profile manager like Mourinho. Marotta highlighted the importance of "motivation multiplied by competence" as the new formula for success. His career path, starting as a "mascot" for Varese and learning to "negotiate" for a tracksuit, underscores his belief in hard work and organic growth, values he sees in Chivu.

Marotta also touched on the increasing complexity of football management, which now involves "criminal, civil, and sports justice codes," and requires "industrial and financial expertise" alongside traditional sporting knowledge. He stressed the importance of leadership that is "courageous, persevering, and must listen," attributes he clearly sees in Chivu.

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Marotta's personal reflections on a long career and San Siro's future and modern stadium concepts

During his address, Marotta shared personal anecdotes from his extensive career in football. He recalled a pivotal moment in 1983 when then-Inter president Pellegrini offered him a junior manager role, an offer he declined. "If I had accepted, I wouldn't be president today," he mused, emphasising the importance of timing and managing career progression calmly.

He also recounted a difficult decision during his time at Sampdoria where he had to fire a "very dear friend," Gianfranco Bellotto, to bring the club back to Serie A. This story illustrates the tough choices leaders often face, prioritising the club's objectives over personal relationships.

Marotta concluded his speech by addressing the contentious issue of San Siro's future. While acknowledging the "bitterness and nostalgia" for old romantics, he stressed the necessity of a new, modern stadium for Inter's future. He entered San Siro for the first time in 1966 and described it as a "vessel of enormous emotions," but argued that innovation and modernity are paramount.

"Renovation was unthinkable, and so it ended up being demolished. But it must be done," he asserted. Marotta highlighted the need for a stadium that prioritizes "security, which is lacking; hospitality, so you can be there all day with entertainment of all kinds; and a sense of belonging. Having your own home." He projected the financial benefits of a new stadium, contrasting Inter's current €80 million (£68m/$88m) per year from matchdays with Real Madrid's goal of exceeding half a billion.

For the first time in a long while, Manchester United appear to have acted astutely in the transfer market, having notably snapped up Premier League-proven talents in the form of Bryan Mbeumo and Matheus Cunha.

Fresh off the back of netting 35 league goals between them for Brentford and Wolverhampton Wanderers, respectively, last term, the £130m+ pairing have scored six times in all competitions in their new surroundings – three of which came at Old Trafford last weekend.

There is a joy in seeing ready-made signings hit the ground running, but so too is there in United unearthing something of a hidden gem.

A player who arrives as a relative unknown, before achieving cult hero status.

Think back to the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Javier ‘Chicharito’ Hernandez, recruited from obscurity in Norway and Mexico, respectively, or even in the current crop, the likes of Senne Lammens and Amad could fall into that category.

In the case of the latter man, the Ivorian has endured a long route to the top at Old Trafford, but now he is truly flourishing.

Amad's long road to becoming a Man Utd star

It was remarkably just over five years ago that the news broke of United’s £19m signing of a teenage Atalanta starlet by the name of Amad, with the then 18-year-old ultimately making the switch in January 2021.

At the time of the announcement on that October deadline day, the youngster had made just three Serie A appearances, totalling only 30 minutes, with the Red Devils gambling heavily on a raw and inexperienced addition.

Despite ultimately making his mark by netting in inventive fashion against AC Milan, the diminutive forward was forced to bide his time under the likes of Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, with the major breakthrough coming amid his stellar loan stint at Sunderland in 2022/23 – following a short spell with Rangers.

With 14 goals and hero status achieved at the Stadium of Light, Amad returned to Erik ten Hag’s ranks in the summer of 2023, albeit with injury curtailing his involvement in the first-half of the subsequent season.

Aside from that FA Cup winner against Liverpool – and a first Premier League goal against Newcastle United – that 2023/24 campaign was something of a write-off on a personal level, with a strong start to 2024/25 quickly halted as he again slid down Ten Hag’s attacking pecking order.

Since the Dutchman’s departure, however, the 23-year-old has gone to a different level under Ruud van Nistelrooy and now Ruben Amorim, producing a string of clutch moments, including goals away at Anfield and the Etihad last term, alongside his late treble at home to Southampton.

Now shifted back to right wing-back this season, amid the presence of Mbeumo, the £120k-per-week wizard is beginning to find his groove, highlighted by his statement early assist away on Merseyside.

Manager

Games

Goals

Assists

Ruben Amorim

36

8

10

Erik ten Hag

24

3

3

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer

8

1

1

Ruud van Nistelrooy

4

2

1

Ralf Rangnick

1

0

0

Michael Carrick

0

0

0

Total

73

14

14

It’s been five years or so in the making, but Amad – who is set to head to AFCON later this year – is properly realising his potential in a United shirt.

Perhaps a similar success story could be on the cards?

Man Utd's next Amad in the making

All the focus five years ago was on the £40m capture of Donny van de Beek, alongside the free transfer arrival of Edinson Cavani, with Amad’s announcement something of an afterthought – not least as he didn’t actually make the move until a few months later.

Such a scenario has seemingly been repeated in 2025, with United having quietly confirmed the £6m signing of another teenager, Diego Leon, back in January, with the Paraguayan belatedly joining this summer after turning 18.

Like a young Amad, the rampaging full-back has been signed as something of a project player, more with a nod to the future than with an expectation that he should immediately hit the ground running at Premier League level.

Like Amad too, however – who was even described as “like Messi” in training by Atalanta teammate Papu Gomez – the teenager arrives with a burgeoning reputation, having already scored four times in 33 games for former employers Cerro Porteno.

Comfortable at left-back or left wing-back, the rising star has been hailed for his physical attributes by the likes of analyst Ben Mattinson, who has noted that he “runs like a steam train” down that flank.

Such quality was evident only last week as United’s U21 side saw off Tottenham Hotspur, with Leon surging forward from his left-sided berth, running almost the length of the pitch, before converting for his first goal for the Red Devils.

Unsurprisingly, there is still a rawness to his game – having notably lost the ball nine times from just 31 touches in the recent EFL Trophy defeat to Barnsley, as per Sofascore – but with remarkable pace and power, it might not be long before United’s No.35 is featuring at first-team level.

Indeed, he has been a regular fixture in Amorim’s matchday squads this season, despite not actually making his competitive senior bow, while he has also received a first international call-up from Paraguay.

Paraded on the pitch ahead of the pre-season clash with Fiorentina, the left-footer was no doubt in the shadow of the marquee signings of Cunha, Mbeumo and Benjamin Sesko, although his time will surely come before too long.

With Patrick Dorgu yet to nail down that left wing-back berth – and with fellow teenager Harry Amass out on loan – there is a clear route to game time in the coming weeks and months, starting with Saturday’s meeting with Nottingham Forest.

While, like Amad, he may have to bide his time, United could reap the rewards later down the line of having invested in such an exciting teenage talent.

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Manchester United now have a talent who has managed to transform his career at Old Trafford.

ByEthan Lamb Oct 30, 2025