Chelsea midfielder Cesc Fabregas has said that Lionel Messi would be considered the best player in the Premier League, if he ever considers a move to the English top-flight. The Spain international is close friends with the Barcelona superstar since their time together in the La Masia academy, and he is relishing the challenge on store in midweek.

In an exclusive with Goal.com, Fabregas said: "Without a doubt, he would still be the best [player in England]. We all want to live it from inside. These games require less talking and to focus on playing and giving all we have. Of course [it means a lot to play Barcelona]. To me, and to all players in the world, including the ones who were born there."

Matteo Darmian's agent Tullio Tinti has confirmed that the full-back won't be parting ways with Manchester United during the winter transfer window. The 28-year-old has been restricted to just seven starts this campaign, and this has led to speculation of him pursuing a move back to the Serie A.

In a report covered by Rete Sport, Tinti revealed that there is indeed transfer interest from the Italian top-flight, but his client is likely to stay put at Old Trafford for the season at the least. He added that the Giallorossi are not among the clubs interested in the versatile full-back despite being linked on several occasions since the summer, he said: "I haven’t had any calls from Roma for the player. There has been contact with other Serie A teams, but not with the Giallorossi. For the moment the lad isn’t for sale."

Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay is aiming to repay the faith bestowed upon him by manager Jose Mourinho this term. The teenager has been a regular in recent matchday squads, and he made just his second Premier League start during the 1-0 triumph over Bournemouth in midweek.

Speaking on MUTV, McTominay stressed that he can't take anything for granted at his age, and he has to earn the right to play for the first-team, he said: "That’s the main thing – I’ve said it previously that minutes are the most important thing for any young player, and every footballer wants to play, but you have to earn the right to play and come into the team. You have to earn trust from people like the manager and the coaching staff and, ultimately, if you can be trusted, you will play in these games."

Manchester United legend-turned-pundit Gary Neville believes Antonio Conte could soon be walking a tightrope at Stamford Bridge, should he fail to bring David Luiz back into the starting lineup. The Brazil international was axed from the matchday squad versus Manchester United last weekend after he produced a below-par performance in the 3-0 Champions League defeat to AS Roma.

Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville claimed that Conte is unlikely to keep his job for long if he is to continue his rift with David Luiz. He compared the defender's situation to John Terry's back in 2007 that led to Jose Mourinho's sacking.

Whilst the top flight of English football is once again dominated by the same six names, an ever-evolving group of teams sit just outside of England's elite, desperate to break into the Premier League.

Each season the Championship throws up a new set of contenders, some looking to regain their status at the head table, others looking to join for the first time. 2017/18 is no different and, with half of the season gone, we have a quick look at those sides likely to be involved at the end of the season.

Too early in the season some may say, but a quarter of the way through this Premier League campaign and there are some clear runners and riders for the drop.

The newly promoted three:
No one really thought that Huddersfield or Brighton had a chance in their inaugural seasons in the Premier League did they? Well they have confounded the doom-mongers - Huddersfield claiming the scalp of Manchester United and with Brighton quietly going about their business gaining points neither side are looking anyway out classed in their first season mixing it with the billions of the EPL.