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LONDON — The sheer speed of Declan Rice’s evolution at Arsenal has taken many people by surprise. Just not the man himself.

The 25-year-old midfielder signed from West Ham United in the summer for an initial £100 million, with £5m in add-ons, and has been integral to the Gunners’ hopes of winning the Premier League title this season as they sit two points off Liverpool at the top of the table.

“I’ll be honest, some people might stand here and say ‘Yeah, I’ve surprised myself,’ but I haven’t,” Rice tells ESPN. “I was playing this well at West Ham, I feel like my levels at West Ham gave me so much confidence and belief in myself to have that belief I can be a top Premier League player.

“But the main thing was to be myself. Not to change anything. Just because I have been signed for £105 million, don’t do anything different, just be myself. Things can unlock and so far things have gone really well. I’ve signed for six years and there is still such a long way to go in my Arsenal career.”

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Rice is speaking after being named the Premier League Player of the Year at the London Football Awards, which is yet another indication of the significant impact he has made since leaving the Hammers in that club-record deal.

But it was a difficult decision for him. Rice joined West Ham aged 14 after being released by Chelsea and went on to captain the club and make 245 appearances, the last of which concluded with lifting their first trophy in 43 years as they beat Fiorentina 2-1 in the final of the UEFA Europa Conference League.

Rice had developed into one of England’s finest midfielders and despite a genuine affinity with the club where he turned from boy to man, the time had come to test himself at the top end of the Premier League. Playing against his old side was always going to be tricky and Arsenal made it unexpectedly harder, losing 3-1 in the Carabao Cup in November — when Rice was a 57th-minute substitute — and then succumbing at home in the Premier League with a 2-0 defeat in which he conceded a penalty in the final minutes.

That backdrop made last month’s league trip to London Stadium — his first start as an opponent in the venue he used to call home — all the more intriguing. But the collective response was emphatic. After receiving a mixed reception when taking an early corner (Yes, he’s on set pieces now, more of that later), the Gunners went on to win 6-0, with Rice refusing to celebrate a brilliant sixth goal which he curled in from 25 yards. And he hasn’t spoken about the emotions of that day until now.

“It was so tough,” he says. “We lost in the cup to them. We lost in the league at the Emirates; I didn’t play well and gave away a penalty. The West Ham fans bantered me and I can 100% take that; I played for West Ham for 10 years and I know how they work. When I went over to take the corner, there were a few boos, but there were claps as well.

“I know my love for them has never changed; their love for me has never changed. It is one of those things where you move on. Obviously I scored a great goal, it was really odd. Even speaking about it now, it is weird. A lot of the lads asked me afterwards, ‘How does it feel?’ It was a bittersweet feeling, really odd.

“I always said I would never celebrate against West Ham and I don’t think I ever will. They made me who I am. I spent 10 years there; I owe them a lot. I would never ever celebrate; I think that would be really disrespectful. Overall, [it was] a really good day to win and to score, but a bittersweet feeling.”

Rice has brought composure and class to Arsenal’s midfield, but there are new aspects to his game emerging all the time. He had ostensibly been labelled a defensive midfielder — critics arguing earlier in his career that his passing range was too conservative — but under Mikel Arteta’s tutelage, Rice has switched between playing as a deep-lying No. 6 or a more attack-minded No. 8, a change which has helped in part lead to some unexpected goal contributions.

The England international has already equalled his best-ever return in a Premier League season, netting four times, including some vital moments such as a stoppage-time strike against Manchester United and a last-second winner at Luton.

“To score that and watch the goal back, you can’t help but smile,” he says of his goal against United in early September. “Probably my best moment so far. My role has completely changed to what I was doing at West Ham and it has taken time to adapt, to improve, to ask questions, and I am really just trying to buy into it. I was bought for a lot of money, I want to ask questions and improve, and I want to win stuff with this club.”

In perhaps the most unexpected twist yet, Rice is now given responsibility for corners and set pieces — a trait first witnessed with a goal from his corner in Arsenal’s first game back after a warm weather training break in Dubai: a 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.

“We had actually been having conversations about it with Nico [Nicolas Jover], the set-piece coach, since the start of the season,” he says. “Obviously because of my height [6-foot-1], he’s wanted me in the box. I just feel like he wanted a switch-up. If I hadn’t got the assist [against Palace], I don’t think anyone would have been talking about it.

“Obviously I’ve been putting in good deliveries near middle, back post in games. I get excited by getting assists now. It is a big thing for me. Whereas before, goals and assists weren’t really my thing. But now I like getting assists, getting goals and I feel it gives me that extra energy on the pitch. I’m striving, I’ve got targets between the end of the season, what I want to hit.”

Arsenal’s ultimate target is to go one better than last season and win the league. They held an eight-point advantage at the beginning of April only to win three of the final nine league matches as Manchester City overhauled them.

Rice was just an onlooker for West Ham then, aware of the perception that either the Gunners ran out of steam or wilted when the pressure reached maximum intensity.

“I think Arsenal were the best team in the league last season, but they slipped up at the end,” he says. “What they say now is they can’t believe they lost the league from being eight points ahead.

“This year I feel like everyone in the team including the manager, the staff, want to learn from those mistakes. We’re stronger; we have the belief. If we go 1-0 down, we have that confidence and mental strength in us that we can push on and win games. The league is so strong this year anything can happen. There are 12 games to go but the main thing is we’re right in there. At Christmas we had a little wobble, we lost two games on the bounce which wasn’t good, but we’ve won big games at home recently which has been really important.

“Come the end of the season, we’ll see who wins it, but playing in it has been special, going head-to-head with the top teams every week and the pressure, it is so good and I know me and all the lads are really enjoying it. So we’ll continue and see what happens.”

So are there even greater levels Rice can reach?

“I have this conversation with the manager all the time,” he adds. “A couple of weeks ago he said, ‘You don’t realise the potential of how far you can go.’ Maybe sometimes I don’t, maybe sometimes I play it down and I don’t feel as confident as I seem. The next thing is winning trophies.”

Once Arsenal’s season is over, Rice will head to Germany where England are among the favourites to win Euro 2024. Gareth Southgate will hope to benefit from Rice’s progress at Arsenal, Jude Bellingham’s elevation at Real Madrid and Harry Kane’s consistent goal scoring at Bayern Munich. The high-class individual talent at the manager’s disposal will only heighten talk of whether, finally, England can end a 58-year wait for silverware.

“I feel like it is the conversation every time a tournament comes around,” Rice says. “A lot of players are obviously playing really well. So many players in the Premier League: Jarrod Bowen at West Ham, Ross Barkley at Luton, Cole Palmer [Chelsea], Curtis Jones [Liverpool], so many players playing well.

“[It’s a] big one in Germany; never been done on foreign soil. Gareth and [assistant coach] Steve [Holland] have reminded us of that. We’re confident. We’ve got two big games in March [against Brazil and Belgium] which will be a really good test. If we learn from the previous World Cup and the Euros, anything can happen. It is what happens on the day, you know? If you can perform and deal with the pressure. I really believe we can.”

Everton’s punishment for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules (PSRs) has been reduced from 10 points to six on appeal by the Merseyside club, the Premier League announced on Monday.

The initial 10-point sanction was handed down in November, with Everton immediately filing their appeal against what was the harshest such penalty in Premier League history.

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In a statement on Monday, the league said: “Everton FC appealed the sanction imposed against it on nine grounds, each of which related to the sanction rather than the fact of the breach, which the club admitted.

“Two of those nine grounds were upheld by the Appeal Board, which has substituted the original points deduction of 10 for six.

“This revised sanction has immediate effect and the Premier League table will be updated today to reflect this.”

The decision moves Everton from 17th in the league table to 15th, five points clear of the relegation zone.

Everton said they were satisfied at the ruling in a club statement posted Monday.

“We understand the Appeal Board considered the 10-point deduction originally imposed to be inappropriate when assessed against the available benchmarks of which the club made the Commission aware, including the position under the relevant EFL regulations, and the 9-point deduction that is imposed under the Premier League’s own rules in the event of insolvency.

“The club is also particularly pleased with the Appeal Board’s decision to overturn the original Commission’s finding that the club failed to act in utmost good faith.

“That decision, along with reducing the points deduction, was an incredibly important point of principle for the Club on appeal. The club, therefore, feels vindicated in pursuing its appeal.”

The Premier League’s PSRs stipulate that a club can lose no more than £105 million ($133.6m) over a three-year period.

Everton’s figures that led to the punishment showed a fifth straight year of losses, with their total loss over that period amounting to more than £430m.

The club said they had posted a loss of £44.7m for the 2021-22 season earlier this year.

After three straight years of losses in excess of £100m, Everton said they had made significant reductions to their losses, down £76m from last year’s loss of £121m.

Everton were charged again in January for further contraventions of the PSRs, along with Nottingham Forest, but no punishment has yet been given by the league.

“Notwithstanding the Appeal Board’s decision, and the positive outcome, the club remains fully committed to cooperating with the Premier League in respect of the ongoing proceedings brought for the accounting period ending in June 2023,” Everton said of those charges in their statement.

Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea is attracting interest from a number of clubs in Europe and the Saudi Pro League, including Al Shabab, a source has told ESPN.

De Gea has been without a club since leaving Old Trafford last summer and despite receiving a host of offers over seven months, he remains a free agent.

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The Spain international, according to a source, rejected an approach from the Saudi Pro League (SPL) in the summer but has since held talks with Al Shabab.

The 33-year-old left United after 12 years after failing to agree a new contract. United were keen to agree a deal which would have seen De Gea taking a cut in wages following Erik ten Hag’s decision to pursue the signing of André Onana as his new No. 1.

Al-Shabab, 11th in the SPL table, have shown ambition this month with attempts to hire Jose Mourinho as their manager and sign Miguel Almirón from Newcastle United.

De Gea, according to a source, would prefer to resume his career in Europe but has not ruled out joining an SPL team.

Meanwhile, a source has told ESPN that SPL clubs are showing interest in Fulham midfielder Andreas Pereira.

The Brazil international has impressed in his 18 months at Craven Cottage following a £10 million ($12.7m) move from United in 2022. He has registered four Premier League assists this season after getting six last term.

Pereira has a contract at Fulham until 2026 with the option of another year and Fulham would expect a significant fee before the 28-year-old was allowed to leave.

BOURNEMOUTH, England — Liverpool’s comprehensive 4-0 victory at Bournemouth saw Jurgen Klopp’s side send out a warning to the chasing pack as they extended their lead at the top of the Premier League to five points, thanks to braces from Darwin Núñez and Diogo Jota.

All the talk coming into the match on Sunday was of Liverpool’s absentees and how they’d have to cope without Trent Alexander-Arnold and Mohamed Salah, among others, but the team managed this tricky trip to in-form Bournemouth brilliantly with four second-half goals.

Pressure? What pressure. Even with Manchester City breathing down their necks, makeshift full-backs and a star cast all missing either on international duty or because of injury, Liverpool showed their title credentials in the way they came through.

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This was no day out on the south coast. Bournemouth were undefeated in their past eight league matches, boasting one of the most prolific strikers in the league in Dominic Solanke, who had six goals from six games. Still, Liverpool restricted the hosts to one clear-cut chance and bypassed the impressive Bournemouth press with a series of pinpoint cross-field balls and by winning the small 50-50s when they mattered.

Núñez and Jota will get the headlines but this was a collective effort. From the brilliant manner in which Alexis Mac Allister dictated the tempo in the middle of the pitch, the outstanding performance debutant right-back Conor Bradley put in, and all the rest of their teammates, this was an exercise in control. Virgil van Dijk completely marked Solanke out of the game and nullified one of the league’s most lethal finishers.

Bournemouth threw everything at Liverpool in the first half with their high press causing Liverpool the odd nervous moment, and had the best chance of the half with Ryan Christie unable to convert at the near post a minute before the break. Liverpool’s efforts were restricted to long-range shots in the first half, but at the break Klopp switched Núñez to the left wing, played Jota through the middle (just like they did in the FA Cup match at Arsenal) and from there they dominated the match.

Núñez’s physicality caused Bournemouth all sorts of trouble. He has been at times a bemusing player to watch, someone who misses chances he should take and then strokes home occasional wonder goals he has no right to score. After one mishit in the first half, the Bournemouth fans serenaded him with a version of “you’re just a s–t Andy Carroll,” but Núñez was unbowed and unflustered, and when he had his first real sniff of a chance he converted it. It was a brilliant goal in the 49th minute.

Joe Gomez’s looping crossfield kick found Curtis Jones and with Bournemouth’s defence disoriented, his pass found Jota in space, who put in Núñez, and his first-time finish capped a wonderful move. He scored his second late in the match, three minutes into injury time, converting an outstanding Gomez cross at the far post to bring up Liverpool’s fourth. Núñez’s double sandwiched Jota’s brace. He took both brilliantly, firing the first through Neto’s near post after 70 minutes and the second into the far corner after 79 minutes. With that, Bournemouth’s hopes were extinguished.

There were question marks over Liverpool coming into this over how they’d cope — the list of absentees was such that 24-year-old Cody Gakpo was the oldest outfield player on their bench. But the versatility and adaptability of the squad has seen them cope brilliantly. Gomez at left-back had a tough first few minutes against Marcus Tavernier but adjusted and was dominant from there, while Bradley was superb on the opposite flank, having featured for Liverpool sporadically in the cups this season but not yet in the top flight. The constant movement and positional switches of the front three must be a nightmare to play against while Harvey Elliott’s puppy-like energy complements the calmness of both Jones and Mac Allister in midfield.

Klopp has continued that praise towards the Argentine as such a vital player in midfield. “Absolutely exceptional performance,” Klopp said in his post-game news conference. I’m so happy for us but for him as well. He’s a really good footballer and defensively did a job and offensively he’s super important player for us. He’s calm on the ball and the good things in the first half were him.”

The good news for Liverpool fans is that Alexander-Arnold should be back by the end of the month, Robertson is returning to full training soon and Dominik Szoboszlai’s hamstring injury is progressing well. But in the meantime, those out on the pitch are keeping the ship on track. This victory was the first challenge of what could be a key fortnight for Liverpool with their second leg in the Carabao Cup semifinal at Fulham on Wednesday, their fourth round FA Cup match against Norwich City on Sunday, and then matches against Chelsea at Anfield and Arsenal at the Emirates.

All eyes will be on Salah however, as Klopp in his post-match conference that he will continue his rehab in Liverpool following an injury to the Egypt star at the Africa Cup of Nations and will only mostly likely go back to the tournament if his country makes the final.

“We should start the games better but it’s about 98 minutes, it’s about winning the games in the end,” said Klopp. As long as you stay in the game, and today step by step we found a way and we won.”

Their squad will be stretched and Klopp will need to manage it carefully. But even without their absent superstars, when it mattered, they were composed and got the job done with Núñez and Jota’s goals an exercise in composure in the face of immense pressure. At the full-time whistle, the away fans chanted “Liverpool, top of the league” and those who have eyes on the title will have taken notice of this performance.

The winter transfer window hasn’t re-opened in Europe yet, but there are moves in the works and plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Real Madrid prioritise Varane amid injury crisis

Real Madrid are exploring the market for a potential signing at centre-back, reports Fabrizio Romano.

Los Blancos want to reinforce manager Carlo Ancelotti’s side after David Alaba sustained an ACL injury in the recent 4-1 league victory over Villarreal, and the latest indicates that they are now set to put together their shortlist before making a final decision.

The club went top of the LaLiga table on Thursday night after Lucas Vázquez’s late goal in the 92nd minute sealed victory over Alaves — but they lost another centre-back for their next game when Nacho was sent off in the second half.

Manchester United defender Raphaël Varane has been one of the names recently linked with a return to Spain’s capital as well as Girona’s on-loan Manchester City defender Yan Couto, but with the Santiago Bernabeu hierarchy prioritising a cover option in the heart of the defence, it is Varane that could currently be higher up on his former club’s shortlist.

Brazil international Éder Militão also remains sidelined after sustaining an ACL injury back in August.

PAPER GOSSIP

– Tottenham Hotspur remain interested in Chelsea midfielder Conor Gallagher, reports Sky Sports. Spurs are said to have already made progress on a potential deal for the 23-year-old, and it is reported that the Blues’ stance in the summer to keep him at Stamford Bridge has now changed. Gallagher has featured in 16 Premier League games this season, and he was a standout performer in the 2-0 win over Sheffield United on Saturday.

– Juventus are preparing to move ahead of Internazionale in the race for Lille centre-back Tiago Djaló, reports Gazzetta dello Sport. The Bianconeri are reported to have made an offer to sign the 23-year-old next month during a meeting with his representatives, with hopes of securing a move before he becomes a free agent next summer. It is believed that a deal worth €3 million plus bonuses could be enough for the Ligue 1 side to agree to part ways with him.

– A race between Napoli and Juventus could occur for Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg, reports Calciomercato. The Scudetto winners are the latest side to be linked with the 28-year-old Denmark international, as they continue to look for potential replacements for Eljif Elmas, who has been linked with a move away from the club. Hojbjerg has featured more of late amid several injuries in the Spurs squad, but interest in his signature will resurface in January.

– An offer worth in the region of €8m is being prepared by Internazionale amid hopes of landing Club Brugge wingback Tajon Buchanan, reports Gianluca Di Marzio. The 24-year-old Canada international is reported to have been identified as an ideal replacement for Juan Cuadrado, and the Nerazzurri are awaiting final approval from their hierarchy before making an official approach to sign him.

– Villarreal are considering a potential reunion with Besiktas centre-back Eric Bailly, according to Cadena Ser. The Yellow Submarine are believed to be on the lookout for defensive reinforcements in January, and it is reported that they have already enquired with the 29-year-old’s representatives. Bailly has made just six league appearances in Turkey’s Super Lig this season.

The winter transfer window hasn’t re-opened in Europe yet, but there are moves in the works and plenty of gossip swirling around. Transfer Talk brings you all the latest buzz on rumours, comings, goings and, of course, done deals!

TOP STORY: Phillips to switch sides of Manchester?

Manchester United have made Manchester City midfielder Kalvin Phillips their top priority for the summer transfer window, according to The Sun.

Amid speculation over the 28-year-old’s future, City boss Pep Guardiola said on Friday that he was “so sorry” the lack of game time the England international has received since his £42 million move from Leeds United in 2022. Phillips has seen just 216 minutes of action across all competitions so far this term.

While Guardiola can’t see a place for the midfielder in his team, under pressure United manager Erik ten Hag is believed to be a big fan of Phillips and feels that he would be a perfect fit for the direction the Dutchman wants the Red Devils to go in. United’s new investors are also said to be keen to bring in a core of English players and Phillips is still being picked consistently for Gareth Southgate’s Three Lions.

Man United are currently watching the situation very carefully, with it being felt that Phillips will go out on loan in January until the end of the season, after which he will then look for a permanent departure from the Etihad.

The cross-town move would likely be controversial, but it is claimed that Guardiola wouldn’t stand in Phillips’ way as he wants the situation resolved as quickly as possible. There would be even greater controversy if Phillips ended up at Old Trafford given the rivalry that exists between Man Utd and Leeds.

– Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

PAPER GOSSIP

– Manchester City want to sign Club Brugge winger Tajon Buchanan during the January transfer window, reports The Daily Star, which adds that a move would require around £50m. The 24-year-old’s contract runs until the summer of 2025 and he is unlikely to sign a new deal, which could play into Club Brugge letting the Canada international depart, although there will be competition from Internazionale.

– Manchester United have made RB Leipzig striker Loïs Openda their top priority for the January transfer window, says The Mirror, which adds that Tottenham Hotspur have also been watching the 23-year-old. Openda joined Die Roten Bullen from Lens for £35m during the summer, but it would now reportedly take £75m to sign him.

– Juventus are interested in signing Lazio winger Felipe Anderson if the 30-year-old is available as a free agent in the summer, reports Calciomercato. The Brazilian’s contract is set to expire at the end of the season and Lazio president Claudio Lotito has paused negotiations as he wants to see an upturn in the winger’s form before offering him a four-year deal worth €3.5m per season.

– Real Madrid have opened talks with Reading about a move for 18-year-old forward Caylan Vickers, according to The Sun, which adds that the Royals want £1m and a percentage of the funds earned from any future move. Arsenal have been tracking the teenager while Leicester City, Norwich City and Celtic have also sent scouts to watch him.

– Lyon see the midfield as a key area to strengthen to aid their hopes of staying in Ligue 1 and are hoping to bring in AC Milan’s Rade Krunic, according to Le10Sport, although they will face competition from Fenerbahce for the 30-year-old. Lyon are also looking at Real Betis’ Guido Rodríguez and Stade Rennais’ Baptiste Santamaria as alternative options for that position.

Erik ten Hag has backed under-fire André Onana by insisting the Manchester United goalkeeper is “the second best” in the Premier League.

Onana’s errors in the 3-3 draw with Galatasaray on Wednesday cost United a much-needed win in the Champions League to leave Ten Hag’s team on the brink of an early exit.

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But speaking ahead of the trip to Newcastle United on Saturday, the Dutchman highlighted the Cameroon international’s stats this season which include being ranked second in the Premier League for saves, save percentage and goals prevented.

“If you analyse it well then you see he is the second best goalkeeper in the Premier League based on stats,” Ten Hag told a news conference on Friday.

“He’s doing well but he knows that in the Champions League he has made some mistakes but all over in the first five months he has done well.”

Onana’s performance against Galatasaray has started a debate about whether the £43 million ($34m) summer signing from Inter Milan should be dropped for the game at St James’ Park.

It would mean handing a debut to Altay Bayindir, who hasn’t played a minute since arriving from Fenerbahce in August, but Ten Hag suggested that Onana will start against Newcastle.

“You have seen how he is reacting to a bad performance like in Munich and at Burnley [in the next game] he was outstanding,” Ten Hag said.

“He is a strong character. He’s a personality and he will deal with it.”

United’s poor form in the Champions League is in contrast to their form in the Premier League, where they’ve won five of their last six games.

Ten Hag will be without long-term absentees Casemiro and Lisandro Martínez for the game at Newcastle while Mason Mount remains a doubt with an injury picked up in training over the international break.

There are players on the way back but I can’t give a prognosis on how long it will take,” Ten Hag said.

“Mason Mount is returning on the pitch [on Friday] but I don’t know how long it will take in this moment.”

Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane scored twice in their 4-2 victory over Heidenheim on Saturday to lift them provisionally into top spot in the Bundesliga while extending his own record-breaking scoring run in Germany.

Kane, who has now bagged 21 goals in 15 matches in the Bundesliga and the Champions League for Bayern, opened his account in the 14th minute with a superb turn and shot in the box.

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The England captain then struck again with a powerful header a minute before the break to become the first player in Bundesliga history to score 17 goals in the first 11 matchdays of a season.

He is now the first player in Bundesliga history to score 17 goals in the first 11 matchdays of a season.

Kane had scored back-to-back hat-tricks in the league against Darmstadt 98 and last week’s 4-0 demolition of Borussia Dortmund before netting twice more in their mid-week Champions League win over Galatasaray.

He now has more league goals after 11 league matches than last season’s top Bundesliga scorers had in the entire 2022-23 campaign, with questions about whether he can break the league record of 41 goals now almost inevitable.

“Good question, I’ll probably be asked about that all season,” Kane said. “But there’s still a long way to go.

“We showed a great reaction after their equaliser. I’m just enjoying playing with the team,” he added. “My body is used to the strain from the Premier League, but it was a tough week.”

Bayern coach Thomas Tuchel was not happy, though, with his team’s sloppy defending which allowed Heidenheim to roar back in the second half and score twice in four minutes to draw level.

Tim Kleindienst cut the deficit after Bayern were caught napping on a Heidenheim counter attack and Jan-Niklas Beste equalised after yet another defensive error in the 70th.

But Raphael Guerreiro quickly restored the hosts’ lead in the 72nd and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting headed in their fourth goal in the 85th to lift them into top spot on 29 points.

Kane’s performance also earned praise from Heidenheim coach Frank Schmidt, Germany’s longest serving club coach.

“He has unusual quality, you saw it today,” Schmidt said. “Just the way he plays, his game is that of a great player.”

Second-placed Bayer Leverkusen, on 28, host embattled Union Berlin on Sunday. VfB Stuttgart are third on 24 after a 2-1 victory over fourth-placed Borussia Dortmund, who have 21 points.