Boreham Wood have signed experienced striker Conor Wilkinson from Solihull Moors on a short-term loan deal until mid-December.
The 31-year-old has played for numerous EFL clubs including Walsall, Leyton Orient and Gillingham.
He arrives after two seasons in the National League with Solihull Moors finishing as top-scorer with 13 league goals in 2024-2025, and a further nine goals in 25 league appearances last season.
Real Madrid have won six out of seven matches in all competitions this season
Real Madrid forward Kylian Mbappe says he stands “in full solidarity with Ceuta” after choosing to obscure a message of support for people who live in the Spanish enclave.
Real players wore T-shirts carrying the message ‘Todos somos Caballas’ - ‘We are all Caballas’ - before Tuesday’s match against Elche.
Caballas is a nickname for the people of Ceuta - a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
More than 100 people died when tens of thousands of migrants crossed into the territory from neighbouring Morocco in July.
Mbappe - along with team-mates Vinicius Jr and Ibrahima Konate - rolled up their shirts to partially cover up the message.
“I want to explain this clearly so people understand,” the France international said.
“It was the clubs’ decision to include the T-shirt and to have us wear it. We players had to wear it.
“The first thing I want to say is that I stand in full solidarity with Ceuta and with all the victims. Because before I’m a player, I’m a human being.
“But I also wanted to make a gesture and spare a thought for all the immigrants who have lost their lives and who are also living in harsh condition.”
Mbappe acknowledged his gesture could be misunderstood.
“It wasn’t an easy position to take,” he said. “It was difficult because, in the end, people might think I’m against the people of Ceuta. But no, absolutely not.
“I have nothing against them, and I support them 100% in my thoughts. But I also wanted to spare a thought for all the people who are suffering because, at the end of the day, I’m human, and I don’t want to prioritise one form of suffering over another.
“There are people who are suffering, and it breaks my heart to see that happening in the world. I’m a young man who wants the best for the world we live in.
“I aim to send a message of positivity and peace, and I hope this situation is resolved quickly.”
This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.
The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, after at least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July.
Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.
Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest there.
Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.
Tuesday’s pre-match gesture to show support for the territory also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.
Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, though players at other La Liga fixtures wore the shirts as intended.
Real Madrid have won six out of seven matches in all competitions this season
Kylian Mbappe, Vinicius Junior and Ibrahima Konate rolled up their pre-game T-shirts before Real Madrid’s match at Elche on Tuesday to obscure the message of support for the people of Ceuta.
Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the North African coast, bordering Morocco and separated from mainland Spain by the Strait of Gibraltar.
Players from both sides walked on to the pitch at Elche’s ground, Martinez Valero, wearing white T-shirts carrying the message “Todos somos caballas” – translated as “We are all Ceutans” - along with references to the Spanish autonomous city.
While most of the players wore the shirts fully, Mbappe, Vinicius and Konate had theirs rolled up to around chest height, obscuring some of the slogan.
Mbappe and Vinicius then removed their shirts before the pre-match handshake, while Konate kept his on for longer. Their team-mates and the Elche players continued to wear the shirts through the pre-match formalities.
The trio’s actions sparked criticism from La Liga president Javier Tebas, who told reporters: “We saw three players decide not to wear it - putting it half on is the same as not wearing it… bad, bad.”
Tebas confirmed the initiative, which came from a group of entrepreneurs from the Valencia region, had been approved by La Liga and was “not a political act of any type”.
This is not the first time Real Madrid have shown support for Ceuta. Before their Champions League meeting with Inter Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu on 8 September, supporters in the south stand displayed cards featuring the coat of arms of the autonomous city, while the rest of the stadium joined the tribute with a round of applause.
The initiative was part of a wider show of support for Ceuta, following a major migration crisis in the Spanish territory after thousands of people entered from Morocco.
At least 72,000 migrants crossed from Morocco into Ceuta on 30 and 31 July. Most swam around a border fence and at least 100 people died during the crossing, according to figures from Ceuta’s mayor.
Although most returned, as many as 5,000 remain in makeshift camps or are sleeping on the city’s streets and beaches, leading to unrest in the autonomous Spanish city in North Africa.
Locals have expressed safety concerns and some have destroyed shelters and blocked aid being supplied to the migrants.
The representatives of the players have been asked for comment.
The episode came shortly before a dramatic night for Real Madrid, who recovered from surrendering a two-goal lead to beat Elche 3-2, with Carlos Espi scoring the winner in stoppage time.
Mbappe was among Madrid’s scorers, while Vinicius started the game.
The pre-match gesture also highlighted the differing approaches among players and clubs to the Ceuta campaign.
Barcelona did not take part in the initiative, while players at other La Liga fixtures had worn the shirts as intended.
Attacking midfielder Kendry Paez has finally pulled on a Chelsea shirt, three years after agreeing a move to Stamford Bridge - albeit for the club’s Under-21s.
Chelsea agreed a £17.27m deal to sign Paez from Ecuadorian side Independiente del Valle in 2023 when he was 16, but his development has not progressed as quickly as many expected.
Now 19, Paez made his first appearance in Chelsea colours for Cobham Next Gen, the club’s newly-renamed Under-21 side, as a 12th-minute substitute in a 4-1 win away to Arsenal on Saturday.
It comes after new manager Xabi Alonso said the midfielder was “not in my plans” and Chelsea listed him as an academy player on the club website.
Chelsea explored the possibility of a loan move in English football, but Fifa regulations left the club unable to send him overseas after using all six of their available international loan slots.
With 27 caps for Ecuador, an appearance at this summer’s World Cup and a reputation as one of South America’s brightest young talents alongside Blues team-mate Estevao Willian, what has happened to Paez?
Paez is a record breaker and a headline maker.
He became the youngest debutant and goalscorer in Ecuadorian top-flight history at the age of 15 before making his debut in the Copa Libertadores, South America’s equivalent of the Champions League, later that same season.
Later in 2023, aged 16 years and 131 days, he made his second appearance for Ecuador, becoming the second-youngest South American international to feature in World Cup qualifying after Diego Maradona.
A month later, he became the youngest South American to score in a World Cup qualifier in a 2-1 win away to Bolivia.
It was understandable, therefore, that Chelsea believed the attacker, who had two international goals and 18 caps when they agreed to sign him, was destined for big things.
Chelsea allowed him to train regularly with the first team before he was officially eligible to join the club following his 18th birthday.
They also provided security for Paez, his family and the family of international team-mate Moises Caicedo after violence broke out in Ecuador in early 2024.
A few months later, Paez was filmed in a New York strip club while away on international duty.
He initially impressed on loan at Chelsea’s sister club Strasbourg by winning September’s Young Player of the Month award in the French top flight, but then came in for criticism from then-manager Liam Rosenior.
“We expect more, clearly,” Rosenior said later that season. “I’m tired of using the excuse of the player’s youth.”
Despite Strasbourg’s links to Chelsea through their shared ownership, the loan was cut short after one goal in 21 appearances. Instead, he joined Argentine giants River Plate on a two-year loan spell.
Sources in Argentina expressed similar concerns about his attitude when asked by BBC Sport. They point to a disappointing display in the 1-0 Superclasico defeat by fierce rivals Boca Juniors at the Monumental in April.
Shortly afterwards, Paez was named by club president Stefano Di Carlo as one of 15 players training away from River Plate’s first team, although other sources felt he could have been given more opportunities.
His loan ended by mutual consent after Paez scored once in 14 appearances in 461 minutes for River Plate.
Ahead of the international break, concern has been expressed in Ecuador, having built him up as the country’s next great attacking talent.
Michel Deller, the owner of Independiente, told Hincha Amarillo: “He’s like a son to us. We care about him deeply.”
“He’s a good kid who’s had a tough time and has made decisions that have complicated his life.”
“We are always hopeful he’ll show his exceptional talent one again but right now, it’s up to him to decide what to do with his life.”
These concerns are not dismissed completely by Chelsea or Paez’s environment. However, there is a belief they are grossly overstated, highlighting he is owed time to grow as a player and person.
There was one reminder of Paez’s quality in the dying moments of Cobham Next Gen’s (Chelsea Under-21s) defeat at Wycombe Wanderers in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.
It was an outswinging cross from a short corner routine, which Harrison Bettoni tapped in during added time. He then put in another cross that caused havoc as Chelsea chased an equaliser in front of just 778 fans.
It was a much-needed boost for Spanish-speaking Paez, who appeared to stand alone from the other academy players before kick-off.
He did join in their warm-ups but mostly kept to himself before coming on in the 62nd minute.
Ultimately Chelsea lost, while Paez was a peripheral figure playing as a right-sided No 10, like Cole Palmer, in a system that mirrored Alonso’s back-three shape.
That was until his flurry of activity late on.
Although he’s not Chelsea’s youngest player, Paez has already made 70 appearances for Ecuadorian side Independiente and more than 100 senior matches in total.
It’s something he can fall back on in a more than salvageable situation.
Chelsea have been encouraged by his attitude, having him back in the building at Cobham where he has trained in a stable and elite environment.
There is stability around him as family attended his recent match at Wycombe.
The Blues are also now able to monitor his development more closely, while academy matches are regularly attended by scouts from across the English Football League and beyond.
There is optimism from those close to Paez that he can impress and gain a first loan move in England in January, or one of the six international loan spots will become available for him to go overseas again.
It’s more than possible he can rediscover the form that attracted Chelsea in the first place and fulfil the immense potential that made him one of South America’s most coveted young talents.
Under Michael Carrick, Manchester United average only 1.5 points per game when they have more than 50% of the ball. When they have less than 50%, this number shoots up to 2.6.
And if you drop possession further, to 45% or below, United have won 10 games out of the past 10 since the start of last season.
It is a staggering correlation but it brings the Englishman to the same crossroads that former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer found himself at.
How do you bridge the game from a seemingly elite counter-attacking side to one capable of beating teams that give you the ball?
The answer has long eluded United.
Going down to 10 men on the way to a 1-0 derby defeat is far from ideal, but at full-time Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca offered a different perspective.
“We had a plan for 11 versus 11, but after the red card the game completely changed, but also for them. They love transitions and space in behind, but the game became more difficult. We just dropped, [offering] no space in behind and no more transitions, which is why the game was also more difficult for them.”
This was an astute analysis of United’s most recent game as well as their team this year.
As divisive as the phrase “United DNA” is, it undoubtedly remains a key part of the conversation about United both externally and internally.
This is because certain coaches have leaned into the club’s roots, while others have tried but failed to move away from those ideas.
“We want to win; we want to be excited - that’s why we love this club. I’m fully aware that we need to do it in a certain way,” said Carrick when asked what style of football he wanted his United side to play.
Here he echoed the sentiment of United’s most successful manager, Sir Alex Ferguson, who in 2017 said: “You have a duty to entertain. We have to always remember there’s a public to be entertained.”
With excitement seemingly non-negotiable for Ferguson, it is obvious why fans and players of that era resonate with a United that create spectacles.
Dynamic, direct and open games are sought after to remain connected to a United they recognise.
Solskjaer’s side embodied United’s DNA before Ruben Amorim looked to play a more choreographed and risk-averse style of play. Carrick went back in the opposite direction.
Having established the context, we can take a closer look at how this has manifested on the pitch.
With the messaging around Carrick’s style of play being one of proactivity, excitement and directness, it is no surprise that United look better with space to attack – something that happens more often for a team with less of the ball.
The strengths of the squad are suited to this approach, with goalkeeper Senne Lammens a good long kicker of the ball. In defenders Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez, United have punchy progressive passers from deep too.
In attack, Marcus Rashford is a willing runner in behind, often moving into a striker position despite starting on the wing. The same can be said for Bryan Mbeumo.
Bruno Fernandes, central to all of this, is a strong passer when attacking in transition, finding runners ahead of him – a role in which he broke the Premier League assist record last term.
Bruno Fernandes recorded 21 Premier League assists last season, in large part because of how Michael Carrick platformed him.
Carrick has also provided certain players a level of freedom to make their own decisions on the pitch.
“Giving Bruno the platform to go and perform [has helped him],” Carrick said in April. “We’re trying to create a structure to try to bring out the best of everyone, but I like seeing Bruno in attacking positions with a bit of freedom.”
Although players may enjoy this responsibility, how the team play can be swayed by individual players’ natural tendencies.
With more risk-taking, direct passers in the side, when United are asked to disorganise stubborn defences their long-standing habits can mean losing the ball more often.
When dominating the ball, breaking down a team requires strong one-against-one wingers. Defending teams often clog the centre of the pitch, as City did in the derby, forcing the attacking side to the flank.
City’s Jeremy Doku, Arsenal’s Bukayo Saka, Bayern Munich’s Michael Olise and Paris St-Germain’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia have been key in helping those sides win often – while keeping the ball.
This season United have used a 4-2-4 shape in possession. The full-backs have pushed up and taken turns with the wingers to hold wide or narrow positions.
This, however, often results in Luke Shaw, Patrick Dorgu, Diogo Dalot and Mbeumo – not the strongest one-v-one dribblers - isolated on the wing.
Amorim used a system without wingers and the squad built as a result – with the exception of Rashford and Amad Diallo – appear underprepared to create chances from out wide.
With wide play an area of concern, play is often funnelled back infield.
Carrick has primarily used Fernandes and Matheus Cunha as a floating front two, both with licence to drop deep or pull wider.
Both players are more suited to facing the opposition’s goal, rather than playing with their back to goal in small spaces, which makes it hard for United to capitalise through the middle.
City’s Rayan Cherki and Arsenal’s Kai Havertz are players suited to this role, albeit in different ways.
Fernandes and Cunha’s quality means they can still be effective in these positions, often forming triangles with the full-back and wingers, helping United get into the final third.
But as they both vacate the striker position, United end up lacking bodies in the box when they play crosses in.
In an example against Ipswich, both Bruno Fernandes and Cunha, United’s front two, dropped deep and moved towards the ball. As the move reached the final third, Dalot shot from distance. The two central attackers were not able to get into the box soon enough, meaning United lacked options in the box.
The best teams have repeatable methods of chance creation in the final third that suit their players’ strengths. Teams then cycle through these depending on what the opposition are offering them.
With United’s attackers given more freedom, they often seem to be looking to solutions during the game more reactively compared to the more repeatable methods of creation Maresca can fall back on.
With United struggling to beat teams that allow them the ball, their impressive set-pieces provided them with a workaround last season.
Since Carrick took over, 56% of United’s opening goals have come from corners, free-kicks or penalties, and 28% from Casemiro’s headers.
Casemiro’s nine Premier League goals last season – mainly from set-plays – were key for United to unlock defences.
After scoring, opponents are more likely to attack, which stretches the game, allowing United to play to their strengths and in a more direct fashion.
This season they have not shown that same prowess and, although Casemiro is known for his defending, the loss of his ability to help open the scoring makes United’s attacking concerns against deep defences a more pressing issue to address.