Barcelona Tell Rashford Two Areas Must Improve to Secure Permanent Move
Marcus Rashford
January 2026
Tag: Champions League
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.
Manchester United Track Mateta as Palace Contract Talks Stall
Jean-Philippe Mateta
January 2026
Manchester United are monitoring Jean-Philippe Mateta if he becomes available, with Crystal Palace talks over a new deal reported to have stalled. United are not planning a January striker buy but could move if conditions change. Palace previously rejected bids up to £50m and Mateta’s stance is shaped by ambitions to play Champions League football. Palace’s situation is also tied to uncertainty around Oliver Glasner’s future, while Brennan Johnson’s arrival is set to boost their attack.
Chelsea Sack Enzo Maresca After Late-2025 Slide
Enzo Maresca
January 2026
Chelsea have dismissed head coach Enzo Maresca with immediate effect after a poor league run left them fifth entering New Year fixtures. Despite winning the Conference League and Club World Cup last season and qualifying for the Champions League, results in late 2025 slipped. Club statement said both parties believe a change gives the best chance to get the season back on track while chasing targets across four competitions, including Champions League qualification. Maresca had hinted he lacked support from parts of the boardroom.
Chelsea Could Sack Maresca in January if Slide Continues
Enzo Maresca
January 2026
Chelsea are reportedly considering whether to dismiss Enzo Maresca if results do not improve in January after a poor run that has left them fifth and out of the title race. The league form has been marked by repeated leads being dropped. Chelsea have won only one of their last seven Premier League games and have surrendered 13 points from winning positions, including multiple collapses at Stamford Bridge. Champions League positioning is also under strain, though they reached the Carabao Cup semi-finals.
Napoli Director Says Hojlund Permanent Move “A Formality” After Strong Loan Spell
Rasmus Hojlund
January 2026
Napoli believe Rasmus Hojlund will not return to Manchester United after his loan, with director Giovanni Manna calling a permanent transfer “a formality” as things stand. Hojlund has hit form in Serie A and is scoring regularly. Napoli signed him after Lukaku’s injury and included a reported £38 million buy option, with an obligation if they qualify for the Champions League. Manna said Hojlund has embraced the coach’s demands, views himself as a Napoli player, and the club expects the deal to be completed.
Mbappé Sidelined With Left Knee Sprain as Real Madrid Face January Setback
Kylian Mbappé
January 2026
Kylian Mbappé has been diagnosed with a left knee sprain and is expected to miss at least three weeks, hitting Real Madrid as they return from the winter break. He has been a near ever-present this season with 27 goals across La Liga and the Champions League.
How: Mbappé had been managing the issue for weeks but an MRI confirmed a ligament lesion requiring rest and treatment. Real Madrid confirmed the diagnosis and will monitor his progress, with the decision to stop now aimed at avoiding a more serious long-term problem.
Dembele crowned world’s best to cap PSG’s historic Champions League year
Ousmane Dembele
December 2025
Dembele was named Best Male Player at the Globe Soccer Awards, completing a clean sweep of 2025 honours after also winning the Ballon d’Or and FIFA’s Best men’s award. His 35-goal 2024-25 season powered PSG to their first ever Champions League title in dominant fashion. The winger finally delivered on long-hyped potential, driving PSG through a ruthless knockout run that included three Premier League scalps before a 5-0 demolition of Inter in the final. Although injuries have disrupted his current campaign, his peak level over the last year convinced voters he was the outstanding player in world football.
Guardiola prefers comfort cushion as City chase leaders Arsenal
Pep Guardiola
December 2025
Pep Guardiola says he would much prefer Manchester City to be comfortably top rather than chasing Arsenal, but insists they remain well placed across competitions, close in the league, strong in the Champions League and Carabao Cup, and about to launch their FA Cup campaign. Aiming to avoid a second straight season without a league title, Guardiola urged players not to overindulge at Christmas and highlighted the difficult Forest trip, while also paying tribute to club legend John Robertson, emphasising respect for opponents even amid City’s relentless push for trophies.
Leboeuf says PSG needed Mbappe exit to finally win Champions League
Kylian Mbappe
December 2025
Frank Leboeuf argued that PSG’s long-awaited Champions League title only became possible once Mbappe, Messi and Neymar had departed, insisting the previous superstar trio lacked collective balance, with three forwards and “eight other guys” leaving the club more like an all-star showcase than a cohesive team. Praising Luis Enrique’s decision to rebuild around work rate and tactical discipline, Leboeuf said removing untouchable stars allowed a true system to emerge, turning PSG into “the best team in the world” within months, and compared the dangers of overloaded frontlines to Real Madrid’s early-2000s Galacticos era.