FOOTBALL

Brennan Johnson Joins Crystal Palace in £35m Spurs Exit After Europa League Final Heroics

Brennan Johnson
January 2026

Brennan Johnson has completed a £35m move from Tottenham to Crystal Palace, ending his Spurs spell less than a year after scoring the Europa League final winner. Palace want his pace and goals to fix a recent attacking dip and push on in the league and Europe. Johnson slipped down the pecking order after Thomas Frank replaced Ange Postecoglou, prompting Spurs to accept a deal with Palace. He held role talks with Oliver Glasner and arrives early in the window as Palace prepare for Newcastle and Aston Villa, with attacking rotation also affected by Ismaila Sarr’s AFCON duty.

Liverpool Near £43m Joel Ordonez Deal as Slot Targets Defensive Reset

Joel Ordonez
January 2026

Liverpool are close to finalising a £43m deal for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordonez as they look to reinforce a defence that has underperformed this season. The move follows a wider focus on fixing set-piece issues. Liverpool’s form collapsed after a strong start, with defensive problems and set-piece concessions a key theme. The club has already parted ways with set-piece coach Aaron Briggs, while Virgil van Dijk has pointed to second-phase defending as a major cause of goals conceded.

Chelsea Interim McFarlane Takes Over and Preps for Guardiola Test at City

Calum McFarlane
January 2026

Chelsea Under-21s coach Calum McFarlane has been placed in interim charge after Enzo Maresca’s exit and will lead the team away to Manchester City. He said the first days in charge have been intense but positive, with strong energy in training. McFarlane described a supportive club environment and credited leadership within the squad, highlighting Reece James’ role in rallying the group ahead of Sunday’s trip. Chelsea continue their search for a permanent manager while he handles immediate fixtures.

Arteta Demands Arsenal Finish the Job as Title Lead Holds at New Year

Mikel Arteta
January 2026

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal to finally win the Premier League after several near-misses, with the club top of the table and four points clear of Manchester City. Arsenal are also in strong positions across cups and Europe. Arsenal have combined elite defensive numbers with depth through injuries, including a 4-1 win over Aston Villa without Declan Rice. Arteta’s test is turning a mid-season lead into the trophy, after multiple past seasons ended with Arsenal losing ground late.

Amorim Snaps at Reporter as United Boss Dodges Formation U-Turn Questions

Ruben Amorim
January 2026

Ruben Amorim refused to explain why he is moving away from the 3-4-3 system he has long relied on, leading to a tense exchange in a press conference ahead of Leeds. He repeatedly shut down questions about earlier comments suggesting he may need to adapt. Amorim previously said a perfect 3-4-3 would require too much time and money to implement properly, implying a tactical shift may be necessary. When pressed to clarify, he declined to discuss it and ended the exchange with a pointed remark before moving on.

Manchester City Agree Semenyo Deal in Principle as £65m Clause Looms

Antoine Semenyo
January 2026

Manchester City have reportedly reached an agreement in principle to sign Antoine Semenyo from Bournemouth, with paperwork being prepared. The forward has a £65 million release clause that can be triggered in the January window. City have moved ahead of other suitors by progressing terms with Bournemouth, while Guardiola stayed non-committal publicly. Semenyo has continued producing at Bournemouth and says he is focusing on performances rather than transfer noise.

Leeds Last Beat Manchester United in 2010 FA Cup Shock at Old Trafford

Leeds United
January 2026

Leeds’ last win over Manchester United came in the FA Cup third round in 2010, when they won 1-0 at Old Trafford. The result remains a standout upset given Leeds were two divisions below United at the time. Jermaine Beckford scored the only goal as Leeds held off a strong United side featuring multiple senior starters. The win ended with Leeds advancing despite the gap in league status and squad depth.

Lingard Says United Gave Him No Real Chance After West Ham Revival

Jesse Lingard
January 2026

Jesse Lingard believes he could have restarted his Manchester United career if he had been trusted after his strong West Ham loan spell. Now a free agent again after leaving FC Seoul, he says the lack of consistent minutes at United forced his eventual exit. Lingard pointed to his 2020-21 West Ham run as proof he merited a bigger role back at Old Trafford, but he was used sparingly the next season and then ran his contract down. He said players can sense when their time is up, even with multiple managers involved.

Richard Keys Calls for John Terry as Chelsea Manager After Maresca Sacking

John Terry
January 2026

Richard Keys has urged Chelsea to appoint John Terry as their next manager following Enzo Maresca’s dismissal. Terry has not managed a senior club, but Keys argues his connection to the club and standing with supporters makes him a fit. The argument is built on Chelsea seeking a reset after a sharp league drop-off despite still competing in multiple cups. Keys framed the suggestion as reflecting fan sentiment, even though Terry’s recent work has been outside first-team management.