Author: Eternity Lab

Joey Porter Jr.’s balky back felt good enough to return to practice for the Pittsburgh Steelers on Tuesday.

At the moment, his health appears to be the least of his concerns.

The fourth-year cornerback didn’t commit to playing in Pittsburgh’s season opener against Atlanta on Sept. 13 if he and the team can’t come to terms on a new contract.

“I don’t know,” Porter said. “I’ve got to talk to (the front office) and my agents about that one.”

The 26-year-old is entering the final season of the rookie contract he signed after being selected with the first pick of the second round in 2023. He said during minicamp in June that he believes he’s one of the best defensive backs in the league and is confident that he’ll be compensated that way.

Three months later, Porter has yet to put pen to paper.

While general manager Omar Khan said Monday he wants Porter — the son of former Steelers linebacker and coach Joey Porter Sr. — to be in Pittsburgh for the entirety of his career, it doesn’t feel as if the two sides are particularly close.

Porter, who hasn’t allowed a touchdown pass while being the primary defender since his rookie season, essentially grew up in the Steelers locker room. His ties to the organization are deep, which has made the process of separating the business side of things difficult.

“It’s been tough, I’m not going to lie, and it’s my first go-around with this,” Porter said. “But I mean, it’s been also great because I have all my guys with me, all the coaches and players really are on my side.”

Veteran defensive back Jalen Ramsey recently said it was time for the Steelers to pay Porter, though first-year coach Mike McCarthy described the two sides as at an impasse.

Asked if he hopes something gets done with the opener less than two weeks away, Porter shrugged.

“I could hope and think all day, but it’s really, it’s up to (the front office) and what they want to do with this team,” he said. “So all I can do is just show up every day to work and be prepared.”

Pittsburgh has already handed out new deals to several other members of the 2023 draft class, including linebacker Nick Herbig and tight end Darnell Washington. Porter said he’s happy for his teammates and has no issue with the team taking care of them.

“Those are my guys,” Porter said. “So I was ecstatic that they got paid.”

The Steelers have a long-held policy of not negotiating once the regular season begins, meaning there is a firm deadline in place.

It’s not unusual for Pittsburgh to put things together at the last minute. Star outside linebacker T.J. Watt agreed to terms less than 72 hours before the opening kickoff in Week 1 of the 2021 season.

“Things carry out a long time,” Porter said. “I know T.J. went through this. Cam Heyward went through this as well. So I never really had a clock on it. If it gets done, it gets done. If it don’t, it don’t.”

Heyward said his advice to Porter was “don’t take it personal, but you will.” Though the seven-time Pro Bowler added he is not worried about the contract being an issue whenever Porter takes the field.

“I think every player in there says Joey’s got to do what’s best for him and Joey’s got to be ready for Week 1, and hopefully we can celebrate a new contract for him,” Heyward said.

Though he’s been limited by a back issue that cropped up during a mobility test when the team reported to training camp in late July, Porter has been in the classroom studying up on first-year defensive coordinator Patrick Graham’s approach.

Porter stressed the injury was the sole reason for his absence during camp, and Heyward believes whenever Porter gets out there he’ll be ready to continue on the trajectory that’s made him one of the better man-to-man defenders in the league.

“We’re expecting him to be the Joey of usual,” Heyward said. “I don’t think there’s going to be a drop-off. I think we’ve all got to be ready to welcome him back.”

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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*Probability is subject to change*

Teams	Chance	Yes	No
Los Angeles Dodgers	64%	65¢	36¢
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U.S. Open Final Men’s Qualifiers 

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College football will bring a wide range of emotions to fans across the nation this fall, but those attending games in person will certainly not go home hungry. 

Programs across the country are expanding concession menus and souvenir offerings for 2026, blending regional food culture with traditional college football experiences.

New food offerings are already gaining attention online, like Wisconsin’s offerings at home games this fall.

Badger Bakers lead this season’s lineup in Madison, offering classic, sweet corn, and poutine loaded potatoes alongside Takis-crusted sweet corn. 

Cal is also featuring distinct corn dishes with street corn ribs, while adding edamame dumplings and a chicken Philly cheesesteak to its stadium menu.

Fans heading to games this season are also walking away with much more than a cup with a university’s logo on it. Stadiums across the country are providing upgraded collectible items or food that could be shaped like anything ranging from team mascots, to university symbols and landmarks.

Take a look at some of the built-in souvenirs fans will be able to bring home.

USC is selling beer in a Trojan sword-shaped vessel at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, along with a carne asada fries drum bucket, beverage jugs, and popcorn buckets. 

Michigan is introducing a nacho container shaped like Michigan Stadium.

Meanwhile, Boise State is celebrating 40 years of the blue turf as fans who order a food item that comes in a basket will receive it in a souvenir stadium bowl that features orange bleachers surrounding the blue turf.

Among the featured food additions this fall, the University of Houston is serving “tachos”, tater tot nachos, inside a Cougar paw bowl.

UCF has added a sword-shaped pretzel to its menu, a snack fit for a knight.

Specialty foods tailored to regional cuisine are also being introduced, particularly in Texas.

The University of Texas is offering a footlong hot dog topped with smoked brisket and nachos at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. 

Staying in the lone star state, Baylor will offer a “Baylor line dog,” consisting of a Nathan’s hot dog topped with Texas chow chow, cheese and chicharrones, deep-fried pork skin. The Bears will also offer a “bear claw”, a Texas-sized pastry topped with cinnamon and a green-and-gold glaze.

Settling for a bag of peanuts is quickly becoming a thing of the past as stadiums and campuses offer dishes tailored to local tastes, collectible containers and more. For fans heading to games this season, the food on the concourse is now ingrained in the college football experience.

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A slew of lawsuits clearing the way for waived NFL players to re-enter college football has sent shockwaves across the sport.

Reaction first poured in from top college coaches like LSU’s Lane Kiffin, Texas’ Steve Sarkisian and Oregon’s Dan Lanning. Now, NFL executives are joining the fray, led by Indianapolis Colts general manager Chris Ballard, who didn’t mince words when asked for his thoughts by reporters on Tuesday.

“No, that’s the stupidest shit I’ve ever heard,” Ballard said. “Your entire life, you fight to get up to the NFL. OK, but now we’re gonna go back? That makes a lot of freakin’ sense.”

The Colts’ 53-man roster is locked in with no players attempting a return to college. Meanwhile, former Tampa Bay Buccaneers edge rusher Jack Pyburn tried heading back to LSU before the Kansas City Chiefs stepped in to claim him off waivers.

While he was one of the biggest names publicly expressing interest in playing for Kiffin, he won’t be heading back to LSU after all. Instead, he stayed in the NFL after putting together a dominant preseason for the Buccaneers, where he recorded four sacks in three games.

After being waived during the NFL preseason, defensive tackle Zxavian Harris and tight end Dae’Quan Wright attempted to return to college football to play for Kiffin at LSU. As of now, their eligibility is caught in a legal battle over a new SEC policy.

The SEC’s new policy bans certain former pros from returning to college sports, threatening severe penalties for programs like LSU that break the rule. It’s a move that highlights just how chaotic this entire situation has become.

Public scrutiny surrounding Kiffin and LSU’s portal moves has yet to shake the locker room. Starting tight end Trey’Dez Green is embracing the added talent and told reporters that he’s staying focused on whatever helps the team win, even if it means sharing reps with Wright.

Ballard is the first NFL general manager to speak out so bluntly, but when Rams coach Sean McVay was asked about NFL players returning to college last week he said: “I feel like I took a freakin’ gummy.” 

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Folarin Balogun’s return to the English Premier League will have to wait until 2027.

According to multiple reports in Europe, the U.S. men’s World Cup striker’s widely expected $50 million-plus move from French Ligue 1 team Monaco to Prem mainstay Everton has collapsed in the final hours of European soccer’s summer transfer window.

Everton reportedly submitted a deal sheet to the Premier League to give the club a two-hour transfer deadline extension to finalize a move for the United States men’s national team forward, but Balogun ultimately decided against the move after the deal was renegotiated.

The two clubs had agreed on the fee and Balogun to what was surely a significant salary bump. Balogun had been given permission by Monaco to travel to the blue side of Liverpool on Tuesday to complete his “medical” — the routine but nonetheless required physical examination that is almost always a formality for some of the world’s best conditioned athletes.

(Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images)

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The 25-year-old New York-born, London-raised 25-year-old sat out much of Monaco’s preseason with what was thought to be a minor injury he first sustained at the World Cup.

Balogun scored three goals in four games — including the winner in a knockout stage victory over Bosnia and Herzegovina before the Americans were eliminated by Belgium in the round of 16. 

He also found himself at the center of an international controversy after President Trump asked FIFA president Gianni Infantino for global soccer’s governing body to review the red card that would’ve kept him out of the co-hosts round of 16 match against Belgium. FIFA suspended the suspension, allowing Balogun to play, though the U.S. lost 4-1.

Folarin Balogun’s Best Moments 2026 FIFA World Cup™ 🇺🇸

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Another report, from the highly respected French daily sports newspaper L’Equipe, said that the holdup was caused by Everton needing to first finalize the sale of Senegalese forward Iliman Ndiaye to Manchester City. Ndiaye’s transfer was finalized, but Balogun’s wasn’t.

Staying at Monaco until the January transfer window opens wouldn’t be the worst thing for Balogun or the U.S. national team if that’s how this shakes out, though the club will miss out on the UEFA Champions League this season after finishing seventh in France’s top flight last term.

Balogun was a hot commodity this summer after his breakout performance for the Stars and Stripes, having also drawn interest from Champions League participants Aston Villa and Spanish champions Barcelona, per reports.

Everton, which was suddenly left shorthanded up top after sending veteran forward Beto to Italian side Fiorentina on Tuesday, could also circle back on Balogun in the new year.

The American would be an ideal supplement to 6-foot-5 target man Thierno Barry under Toffees manager David Moyes. The Gunners product shouldn’t need much time to adapt to life on the blue side of Liverpool, or to the physicality of the Prem, as Balogun made 10 first team appearances for Arsenal over parts of two seasons. In his three years in Monaco, Balogun has scored 31 goals, including 29 in 85 Ligue 1 and UEFA Champions League matches.

If healthy, Balogun is expected to be included on USA coach Mauricio Pochettino’s squad for home exhibition games later this month against Chile and Peru and in early October vs. regional foes Canada and Mexico.

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After trading 2023 second-round draft pick Gervon Dexter and going through a training camp with injuries to key players, Chicago Bears general manager Ryan Poles still views his team as capable of defending the NFC North title.

The major reason is quarterback Caleb Williams’ development in his second season under coach Ben Johnson and third year overall.

“I think the first year, he was white-knuckling the whole time, trying to figure it out, trying to do it right,” Poles said Tuesday. “He continues to do that, wanting to do it right, but I think you see that joy back in his game where he’s playing free.”

Johnson backed that thought about Williams, who threw only five passes in preseason.

“I’ve seen a very composed person every time he steps into the building,” Johnson said. “This guy, you know, might have had a little bit of goofy to him a year ago. And I use that term with love.

“And now you just see a more serious player and intent every time I’m around him. And I think his teammates feel that as well.”

The Bears may need an explosive offense and more focused QB because their secondary is still in question coming out of training camp despite being an area Poles sees as loaded with versatile players.

Nickel cornerback Kyler Gordon’s injury situation is an issue. He suffered an offseason calf injury and hasn’t practiced all training camp, after missing 14 regular-season games last season with a groin injury.

Poles said he’s still hopeful of Gordon’s return.

“Any time you have an injury and you’re coming back from something, there’s discomfort that you have to push through and that’s what it comes down to,” Poles said. “So we haven’t been able to get over that hump and we’re not progressing as fast as we’d like. That’s really all I have to say about that.”

Up front on defense, the trade of Dexter for a fifth-round pick and cornerback Clark Phillips III allowed the Bears to set up budding young defensive tackles Jordan van den Berg and Jayden Loving with more potential playing time. They avoided a big pay day next year for a veteran player who hasn’t fit well into defensive coordinator Dennis Allen’s scheme.

“Those young guys started making a push when we got through camp, and along with obviously Grady (Jarrett), (Kentavius) Street and Neville Gallimore),” Poles said. “And we felt like the timing made sense for us. So really, it was about the shape in the room and really how well those young guys were doing, too. So, we feel really good and confident in our talent level at that position.”

Phillips could eventually fit their plans to replace Gordon, but he hasn’t played much slot cornerback in the NFL. For now, they’ll use fourth-round rookie Malik Muhammad in the slot. They’ve also considered Josh Blackwell, Xavier Woods, and even first-round rookie safety Dillon Thieneman.

Injuries hit the secondary during camp, starting with Gordon. Safety Coby Bryant is out until at least December. In addition, cornerbacks Tyrique Stevenson and Jaylon Johnson were hurt during a joint practice last week against the Titans, but both returned Tuesday from minor issues to practice.

The injuries were less severe on offense, with only running back Kyle Monangai a real question for the Sept. 13 opener against the Panthers.

The Bears fought through injury and consistency issues at left tackle to settle on Braxton Jones protecting Williams’ blind side, possibly until starter Ozzy Trapilo returns from knee surgery. It now appears Trapilo is well ahead of schedule and made it onto the 53-man roster.

“We’re going to be able to operate as an offense and I think we’ll be able to score points,” Johnson said. “It’s going to take all 11 of those guys out there in order to get that done.”

Reporting by the Associated Press.

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Gabriel Jesus completed a transfer deadline day move from Arsenal to Barcelona on Tuesday on a three-year contract.

The 29-year-old Brazil striker was part of Arsenal’s Premier League title-winning squad last season after lifting four league crowns with Manchester City.

He joins Spanish champion Barcelona following the departure of Robert Lewandowski at the end of last season.

Jesus joined Arsenal in 2022 after six trophy-laden seasons at City. Despite enduring an injury-disrupted time at the Emirates Stadium, he was part of the squad that ended the London club’s 22-year wait to be crowned English champion.

Jesus is the latest arrival in a busy transfer window for Barcelona, following deals for Anthony Gordon, Rodri, Joao Cancelo, Karim Adeyemi and Dominik Livakovic.

Reporting by The Associated Press.

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In arguably the hardest division in the NFL, two teams have emerged as not just potential winners of the NFC West, but as potential candidates to lift the Lombardi trophy In February.  However, the question remains: Can the Seahawks go back-to-back or will the Rams take back the NFC West?

The Rams won the offseason with their defensive additions in defensive end Myles Garrett and safety Trent McDuffie. But the biggest win came from the return of four-time Pro Bowler Aaron Donald, who came out of retirement to play alongside Garrett in Los Angeles. 

However, the reigning Super Bowl champions make a strong case to win a second consecutive NFC West title. Returning quarterback Sam Darnold and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba make a strong case to keep the hardware for a second year in a row. 

Here’s how all three First Things First co-hosts’ predictions for the NFC West this season.

Nick Wright’s NFC West Predictions:

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2.

3.

4.

Nick Wright elected for a repeat NFC West title for the Seattle Seahawks, followed by the Los Angeles Rams, the San Francisco 49ers and the Arizona Cardinals in last. 

Even with the loss of Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, Wright says the Seahawks are still in position to be a 14-win team led by quarterback Sam Darnold.

“They’re going to go 14-3. Aside from losing Super Bowl MVP Kenneth Walker, which is a massive loss, I don’t know why they wouldn’t be awesome again,” Wright said on Tuesday’s edition of First Things First. “They were dominant all of last year…Do we see post-Super Bowl win, a free Sam Darnold where he’s actually better than we’ve ever seen him before? It’s certainly on the board.”

As the Seahawks rebuild at running back, the Rams are a team whose additions make them one of the most intriguing teams in the NFL. However, Wright said LA is due for an 11-6 record and won’t be ‘quite as good as everyone expects them to be.’

Wright placed the 49ers in third because of last season’s injury overhaul, the overuse of running back Christian McCaffrey and the departure of their former defensive coordinator.

“So many injuries. I don’t trust the wide receivers. I think they will miss Robert Saleh. They pressed the CMC button so many times last year,” Wright said. 

Which leaves Arizona in last place, according to Wright. The Cardinals closed out their 2025 campaign with a 3-14 record, and could be set up to repeat the record this season. 

“They’re going 3-14. They might be the worst team in the league, and they definitely have the toughest schedule in the league,” Wright said. 

Chris Broussard’s NFC West Predictions:

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Chris Broussard went a different direction and chose the Rams as his NFC West favorites. The Rams have had an eventful offseason with the addition of star defensive linemen Aaron Donald and Myles Garrett. 

When it came to putting the Super Bowl champions in second, Broussard made his point about where they could be after the big win. 

“I still have them making the playoffs. I just think they’re not going to be quite as good as last year. I think it’s kind of natural. Macdonald is great. They just won a Super Bowl,” Broussard said. 

When talking about the 49ers, who came in third on Broussard’s list, the amount of injuries and the departure of former defensive coordinator Robert Saleh is a big reason Broussard did not make them a playoff team. 

“Half the team is hurt. And I don’t have them in the postseason. I would be pleasantly surprised if Brock (Purdy) went out there and cooked…I agree with Nick, they’re going to miss Saleh. He kept that defense together last year,” Broussard said. 

While Broussard placed the Arizona Cardinals last, he tabbed rookie Jeremiyah Love as someone to watch on Arizona’s roster this fall. 

“We all know who’s finishing last, the Arizona Cardinals. I do want to see what Jeremiyah Love does,” Broussard said. 

Danny Parkins’ NFC West Predictions:

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Danny Parkins followed similar suit of Wright’s picks, placing the Seahawks first. Parkins’ reasoning for Seattle’s first place prediction comes from being overlooked because they won a Super Bowl. 

“I think everyone is continuing to overlook a Super Bowl team that blew out the 49ers in their playoff game. Blew out the Patriots in the Super Bowl,” Parkins said. “I have the Seahawks being the forgotten champion and running it back.”

The Rams were labeled as Parkins’ “super team,” which was only reinforced after Los Angeles traded for Myles Garrett, which led to Aaron Donald returning along with a returning Matthew Stafford. 

As the 49ers also come in third place on Parkins’ list, the difference he made is his prediction that San Francisco will make the playoffs. 

“The San Francisco 49ers, I have them making the playoffs,” Parkins said. “They won 12 games, and basically everything went wrong…it’s been a weird offseason, but they also added Mike Evans. They were the third most injured team last year, and they won 12 games.”

San Francisco was without star defensive linemen Nick Bosa and Fred Warner, tight end George Kittle, and wide receiver Ricky Pearsall. However, the 49ers managed to make their way to an NFC Divisional win over the Philadelphia Eagles. 

As the Cardinals, once again, fell last place in the predictions, Parkins did not count out offensive stars like Marvin Harrison Jr, Jeremiyah Love and Trey McBride. However, it’s not enough. 

“I like a few of the players on the Cardinals. I do think Marvin Harrison is in line for a good year. I think McBride is excellent. Jeremiyah Love is excellent. The problem is, everything else.”

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The summer transfer window slammed shut across Europe on Tuesday evening, and for fans of the U.S. men’s national team, it was a frustrating Deadline Day as the biggest potential move of any American player post-2026 FIFA World Cup fell apart at the 11th hour.

Folarin Balogun was thought to be headed to English Premier League mainstay Everton from Monaco in a deal worth more than $50 million.

With three goals in four games during soccer’s quadrennial showpiece, the 25-year-old New York-born, London-bred Balogun was the breakout star for the Americans at this summer’s World Cup. That showing drew interest from multiple suitors, but the Toffees — the club where USA legends Tim Howard, Landon Donovan and Brian McBride all once played — appeared to have won the race for his signature.

But following some last minute hiccups, Balogun reportedly walked away from the deal late Tuesday despite traveling to Merseyside to complete the deal. 

Although Balogun’s high-profile move didn’t happen, other Americans found new clubs this window.Here’s how the transfers of five of his Stars and Stripes teammates could impact their club careers and the national team in the months ahead.

Zavier Gozo: Real Salt Lake To Crystal Palace

(Photo by Sebastian Frej/Getty Images)

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As I reported in May, USA coach Mauricio Pochettino thought enough of Gozo’s performances with RSL to include the uncapped 19-year-old on the Americans’ 55-player “provisional” World Cup roster, the preliminary list from which the final 26 came. So did Palace after the Utah native bagged 10 goals in 42 MLS games, including six in 16 appearances in 2026. Gozo made his Premier League debut for the London club in last week’s loss to mighty Manchester City.

Gio Reyna: Borussia Mönchengladbach To Strasbourg

(Photo by Yohan Castella/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)

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After spending the first seven years of his career in Germany, the 23-year-old traded the Bundesliga for France’s Ligue 1. Reyna, who scored a brilliant goal to cap the Americans’ World Cup-opening 4-1 rout of Paraguay, joined Les Bleus et Blanc for $3.5 million in early August on a five-year contract. The onetime teenage prodigy managed only one goal in 20 appearances — 16 of them off the bench for ‘Gladbach in 2025-26. He should play more this season;  Strasbourg’s new No. 10 started and logged 76 minutes in central midfield during the club’s most recent outing, a 2-1 win over Lens last Saturday.

Sebastian Berhalter: Vancouver Whitecaps To Middlesbrough

(Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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The scrappy central midfielder and set-piece specialist could’ve traded Western Canada for England’s second tier before the World Cup, opting instead to stay in Vancouver and cement the roster spot he won with aplomb last year. It worked: Berhalter appeared in all five of the USA’s contests and scored in the 3-2 group stage loss to vs. Türkiye. Now he’ll try to help ‘Boro gain promotion back to the Premier League after heartbreak in last season’s promotion playoff final. Berhalter walked straight into coach Kim Hellberg’s starting lineup upon arrival in late July, notching the game-winning assist against Wrexham in his first appearance the following week. The 25-year-old, who would’ve been a free agent this winter, has started each of the club’s five games across all competitions so far.

Max Arfsten: Columbus Crew To Middlesbrough

(Photo by Trevor Wilkinson/MI News/NurPhoto via Getty Images)

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Arfsten became the third American at ‘Boro, joining Berhalter and Aidan Morris — one of the final cuts to Pochettino’s roster — when he signed Aug. 4 for a fee of up to $7.5 including incentives, according to the Athletic’s Tom Bogert. The attack-minded left back made one brief cameo as Antonee “Jedi”Robinson deputy at the World Cup. He could play a larger role under Poch this cycle given the 29-year-old Jedi’s history of knee problems. Arfsten, 25, is already gaining crucial experience in the rough and tumble Championship, having appeared in all three league games last month ahead of Wednesday’s trip to Burnley.

Jack McGlynn: Houston Dynamo To Stoke City

(Photo by Bill Barrett/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty Images)

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Although an untimely injury cost the sweet-footed lefty any real chance of competing for a place on the Americans’ World Cup squad, McGlynn, 23, will be just entering his prime in 2030. Pochettino likes the Queens, New York product’s profile, having capped him 12 times in 2025 and getting two goals in return. Stoke needs the help, with the longtime Premier League team languishing in 21st place in the 24-strong Championship four games into the 2026-27 campaign. They got some by landing McGlynn on Deadline Day. 

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