FOOTBALL

Injury-hit Delap suffers fresh shoulder blow in Chelsea stalemate

Liam Delap
December 2025

Chelsea striker Liam Delap faces another spell out after suffering a shoulder injury and being forced off after 32 minutes in a goalless draw against Bournemouth, compounding a stop-start beginning to life at Stamford Bridge following a previous two-month hamstring layoff. Bundled over by Marcos Senesi, Delap left the pitch in visible pain as Chelsea’s attack again misfired. Enzo Maresca said it “looks quite bad” and admitted both player and club have been unlucky, stressing Chelsea “need that kind of No.9” while scans in the coming days determine damage.

Furious Salah says Liverpool have “thrown me under the bus” and hints at Anfield goodbye

Mohamed Salah
December 2025

Mohamed Salah delivered a shocking post-match interview after Liverpool’s 3-3 draw at Leeds, accusing the club of “throwing me under the bus” and declaring he will say “goodbye” to fans in next weekend’s home match against Brighton, signalling a potential imminent exit. Benched for three straight league games amid a sharp dip from last season’s 29 goals and 18 assists, Salah has been criticised for his silence during Liverpool’s slump. With Slot under pressure and Salah only recently signing a new two-year deal, his public outburst intensifies the crisis.

Konate’s nightmare at Elland Road piles pressure on Liverpool defence

Ibrahima Konate
December 2025

Liverpool twice surrendered the lead in a chaotic 3-3 draw at Leeds, with Ibrahima Konate involved in two goals conceded. Hugo Ekitike’s quickfire brace and a late Dominik Szoboszlai strike were not enough to secure three points in a fragile title defence. Konate conceded a penalty by clumsily bringing down Wilfried Gnonto, then backed off Anton Stach for Leeds’ second before ducking under a late corner that Ao Tanaka buried in stoppage time. Arne Slot admitted the centre-back has been “a bit too much at the crime scene” this season.

Slot defends misfiring Isak and says Liverpool must “bring him into threatening situations”

Alexander Isak
December 2025

Arne Slot has moved to calm concern over Alexander Isak’s slow start at Liverpool, arguing that the £125 million striker should not be judged purely on goals after an injury-disrupted first spell and limited service, despite scoring only once in all competitions so far. Slot pointed to the modern reality that elite No.9s rarely get constant clear chances and insisted Liverpool must supply Isak better in key zones. He contrasted Isak with Erling Haaland, saying touches must come at the right moments, and called for collective improvement rather than blaming the forward.

Guardiola admits Rodri is “suffering” as hamstring setback delays full Man City return

Rodri
December 2025

Pep Guardiola says Rodri is “suffering” as a troublesome hamstring injury hampers his comeback following a nine-month layoff with an ACL problem. The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner has managed just one late substitute appearance since sustaining the latest issue in early October. Guardiola stressed he will resist the temptation to rush Rodri back, citing the risk of another long absence if they push too hard. He highlighted how much City miss their treble-winning midfield anchor, but insisted the club must protect him until his body fully adapts post-ACL.

Haaland reacts to brutal “group of death” World Cup draw with France and Senegal

Erling Haaland
December 2025

Erling Haaland admitted on social media that Norway’s World Cup group with France, Senegal and the FIFA play-off winner looks “tough”, acknowledging the scale of the challenge in what many fans are calling the tournament’s group of death ahead of his first World Cup. Haaland blasted 16 goals in eight qualifiers to drag Norway back to the World Cup, while Kylian Mbappe arrives as a champion and near France’s all-time scoring record. Their long-awaited showdown, plus a strong Senegal side, leaves Norway facing an extremely demanding path.

Pochettino admits he “misses” Premier League and still dreams of title

Mauricio Pochettino
December 2025

Mauricio Pochettino says he is happy coaching the USMNT but openly admits he misses the Premier League and wants to return. He still dreams of winning both the Premier League and Champions League after coming “so close” with Tottenham earlier in his career. Pochettino revealed he watches the Premier League constantly and feels it remains the most competitive league. He said he still has energy and motivation to chase major titles, spoke warmly about Daniel Levy, and described pride in making his family and former Spurs “family” proud.

Arsenal suffer new blow as Mosquera faces six-to-eight weeks out

Cristhian Mosquera
December 2025

Cristhian Mosquera is expected to miss six to eight weeks after suffering a complicated ankle injury in Arsenal’s 2-0 win over Brentford, leaving Mikel Arteta without all three of his centre-backs at a time when the club lead both league and Champions League groups. With William Saliba nursing a knock and Gabriel Magalhaes likely out until January, Mosquera’s setback forces further reshuffles alongside Piero Hincapie, increases reliance on full-backs and academy cover, and risks disrupting Arsenal’s defensive cohesion heading into a congested winter schedule.

Lamine Yamal named La Liga Player of the Month after explosive November

Lamine Yamal
December 2025

Lamine Yamal capped a resurgent November by winning La Liga’s Player of the Month award after three goals and three assists in four games, driving Barcelona to a perfect league record and emerging as the division’s most productive creator at just 18. His output included key strikes against Elche, Celta Vigo and Alaves plus a two-assist showcase versus Athletic Club, easing post-Clasico nerves and pushing Barcelona to the top of La Liga while edging out stars like Kylian Mbappe and Antoine Griezmann in voting.

England’s “favourable” World Cup draw hides brutal knockout path

England national team
December 2025

England’s World Cup draw puts them in a group with Ghana, Croatia and Panama, opponents who all topped their qualifying sections and arrive with momentum. On paper it looks manageable, but each side carries threats, travel demands and contrasting styles that complicate progress. If they top the group, England probably face Senegal in the Round of 32, co-hosts Mexico at altitude in the last 16, then Brazil in Miami and Argentina in Dallas, a brutally demanding sequence of physical, tactical and emotional challenges.