Simon Stone
BBC Sport

Image source, Getty Images

The Metropolitan Police have told the Football League they do not want the EFL Cup final to kick off any later than 15:00 GMT on Sunday, 25 February.

Chelsea’s Wembley encounter with Liverpool has been designated as a ‘high-risk’ fixture.

Although the two clubs met in the final two years ago and that had a 16:30 start, a change in policing tactics mean that has been ruled out.

Last season’s final between Manchester United and Newcastle also started at 16:30 GMT, although the FA Cup final between United and Manchester City on 3 June kicked off at 15:00 BST.

The last EFL Cup final with a start time of 15:00 GMT or earlier was in 2014, when Manchester City beat Sunderland. That game kicked off at 14:00 GMT.

“Preparations for the EFL Cup policing operation are underway following the conclusion of the two semi-finals and we are working with partners including the Wembley Stadium, local authority and EFL on agreeing the kick off time,” said the Metropolitan Police.

A 15:00 GMT kick-off could have implications for the Premier League match between Wolves and Sheffield United that is due to be played at Molineux on the same day.

Sky Sports are the rights holders for both matches, with the Wolves encounter currently due to start at 13:30 GMT.

Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

Aston Villa's Leander Dendoncker has joined Napoli on loan for the remainder of the 2023-24 season.

In his news conference on Thursday, Unai Emery said the 28-year-old midfielder was "more or less close to leaving".

The Belgium international moves to the defending Serie A champions as they struggle to retain their title, sitting ninth and 21 points off leaders Juventus.

He has made 15 appearances for Villa this season, scoring once, having joined from Wolves in 2022.

BBC Sport has a dedicated Villa page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on facing Fulham in the fourth round of the FA Cup: "It is a big moment in our season as the Sunderland game was, this is an important competition for us now, a new dynamic because of what’s gone before.

"We are desperate to get our best form back and progress.

"We are hopeful you will see a very energetic performance, and a very technical one because we have put a lot of work into that.

"We are determined to do well. I believe in this team."

Newcastle United

More from manager Eddie Howe on Joelinton, who has 18 months left to run on his contract: "It’s a possibility [he could leave] but I hope that’s not the case. I want him to stay.

"Before a player signs a contract he has to be happy with everything and so it’s a possibility he’ll be sold in the summer."

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on Joelinton, who is set to miss four months after undergoing thigh surgery: "It's a massive blow for us.

"We knew when he did the injury it immediately didn't look good. We didn't know he'd be out as long.

"He's had a stop-start season. When he is fit and firing, there's no one like him and he brings a different dynamic to our midfield.

"He's a leader as well. He'll be a big miss."

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on the possibility of adding players: "I don't know. Things are changing on a daily basis.

"We're working behind the scenes on targets. But there's no guarantee it will happen.

"It's my end to try and leave the window with the strongest squad possible and that won't change."

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on injuries: "It's still a long list.

"Jacob Murphy has trained and looked good. We've been pleased with his progress and it's a big positive.

"No one else has returned but they're getting closer and showing good signs."

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on Financial Fair Play: "It has been a difficult window so far, as you can imagine for us. It's the first time since I've been manager of the club that we've been linked with players leaving and that creates an unsettling dynamic.

"A lot of those rumours have been that, they are just speculation and there is nothing behind it.

"I'm trying to prepare a team to win the next game and we want to keep the team intact.

"The club side and Financial Fair Play is affecting all clubs. You look at this window and it has been very strange, very different to last year and that's a consequence of that [FFP]."

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on Callum Wilson: "It's been a strange one. A lot of speculation and a lot of it unfounded.

"From our side, he's a huge part of what we do. We're desperate to get our two strikers fit again.

"He's nearing a return and looks good. He's getting there. There's no part of me that wants to lose him.

"In every conversation, he's 100 per cent committed. No part of him is looking elsewhere.

"He's got big ambitions and we want to keep him here. But some things are out of our control.

"The club is acting with the long-term interests of the club and they have to. Let's see what happens."

Image source, Getty Images

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on Miguel Almiron's future: "There has been a lot of noise and speculation about his future, but as his manager I'm desperate to keep him.

"He has been an integral part since I've come to the club in a sense of his contribution has been immense, whether that's goalscoring last season or work rate, discipline and professionalism all throughout.

"There has been a lot of noise and that noise does come from somewhere but hopefully we can keep him when the window shuts."

Newcastle United

Manager Eddie Howe on Keiran Trippier's future: "A few things to say on Kieran's situation. We hope he will stay and we're very confident he will be part of our long-term future.

"But I have to make it clear he has never asked to leave or even questioned his future here. We've had conversations in the last week and it's always been about Newcastle.

"It's important I make that clear. His commitment to Newcastle shouldn't be questioned.

"I don't think it has been a difficult week [for Trippier]. It's a huge compliment that a club like Bayern are interested.

"I want to keep our best players, I want to keep every player in our squad that is very thin on the ground now.

"His situation [with Bayern] is finished as far as everyone is concerned.

"I've been in football long enough to never say never because I don't want to look stupid but Kieran is fully committed."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport

West Ham boss David Moyes will be delighted to get Kalvin Phillips' move from Manchester City done this week as it allows the midfielder some build-up time before the Premier League encounter with Bournemouth on Thursday.

Just as was the case on deadline day in the summer, West Ham find themselves with a match in the same evening as the transfer window closes.

It is not the latest game, that is Manchester United's visit to Wolves, which won't finish until 2215 GMT-ish, 45 minutes before the deadline closes, but it is pretty inconvenient.

Now in terms of Kalvin Phillips' loan move to West Ham...

Originally there were a number of reports saying the deal could contain an option for the Hammers to buy the player in the summer but that was not included in the final agreement.

You'd have thought that if the England midfielder hits the ground running and turns in some excellent that will help Manchester City get closer to the £45m they paid for Phillips, should they choose to sell him this summer.

Kalvin Phillips, James Ward-Prowse, Edson Alvarez, Tomas Soucek, Pablo Fornals, Mohammed Kudus.

Some pretty decent midfield options for David Moyes when everyone is fit.

West Ham United

West Ham manager David Moyes had been eager to bolster his squad in January and says that the arrival of Kalvin Phillips can only strengthen the Hammers during the second part of the campaign.

“We are really pleased to bring a player of Kalvin’s quality to West Ham United,” said Moyes.

“We’ve been big admirers of him for a long time and we believe that he will add strength and competition to our squad.

“Kalvin is an England international midfielder, with proven Premier League experience. We’re excited to welcome him into the group and look forward to working with him.”

West Ham United

Kalvin Phillips will wear the number 11 shirt at West Ham, which has previously been worn by the likes of Paul Ince and Stewart Downing in the past and more recently Lucas Paqueta.

Speaking about his move to London Stadium, Phillips said: “There’s always been a lot of speculation about me moving to West Ham, so I’m really excited to get going now.

“There’s so much to look forward to in the second half of the season for the Club and I can’t wait to be part of it.

“There’s an unbelievable group here and if I can come in and add the quality that I know I’m capable of, I’m sure we can give the West Ham fans plenty to be excited about between now and the end of the season."

West Ham United

With West Ham already out of the FA Cup, the first opportunity for Kalvin Phillips to feature for his new club will be when West Ham host Bournemouth in the Premier League next Thursday.

BBC Sport has a dedicated Hammers page packed with news, analysis and fan views - get it here

Image source, Getty Images

There you go. Signed, sealed and delivered.

West Ham have signed Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips on loan for the rest of the season.

There is no option to buy included in the move for the 28-year-old England international.

Phillips signed a six-year contract when he joined City from Leeds United in a £45m deal in July 2022.

However, he has struggled under manager Pep Guardiola and made just two starts and 16 total Premier League appearances in his 18 months at City.