Paul Pogba
January 2026
Monaco removed Pogba from their Champions League squad, with the midfielder limited to three brief Ligue 1 appearances and still battling recurring fitness issues after his ban and long layoff. Reports say Monaco also dropped Salisu and Minamino due to injuries, replacing them with Diatta, Faes and Adingra for the two-legged tie.
Didi Hamann
January 2026
Hamann says United should prioritise Tuchel as the next permanent manager, arguing he has the authority and edge to reset standards, even with Luis Enrique also being linked. The pitch is that Tuchel brings proven big-club management, cuts through politics, and focuses on winning over reputations, but timing is awkward because United may need to choose before the World Cup while Tuchel is focused on England.
Ousmane Dembele (Paris Saint-Germain)
November 2025
Ousmane Dembele lasted under half an hour. He thought he had equalised before VAR caught a marginal offside, then pulled up clutching his thigh. He left the pitch in visible frustration as PSG replaced him with Bradley Barcola. The cancelled goal flipped momentum and PSG’s attack lost width and penetration immediately after. Bayern defended compactly and denied counter attacks. Dembele’s ongoing availability remains a concern as PSG juggle European load and domestic fixtures.
Endrick (Real Madrid)
October 2025
With Xabi Alonso open to a January loan, Endrick wants a top-five league—or Portugal’s big three—guaranteed minutes, European competition, and an attack-minded system that showcases his movement before Brazil’s World Cup squad is chosen. Interest from Marseille, PSG, and Juventus grows as Madrid weigh short-term depth versus long-term development, mindful of protecting asset value and the player’s confidence after limited opportunities.
Ousmane Dembélé (Paris Saint-Germain)
October 2025
Back from a hamstring layoff and fresh Ballon d’Or honour, Dembélé struck in a 30-minute cameo as PSG dismantled Leverkusen 7–2 to stay perfect in Europe. Red cards for Andrich and Zabarnyi compounded the Bundesliga side’s collapse. Luis Enrique’s press and wide overloads pinned Leverkusen deep; early territorial dominance snowballed into high-value box entries. Dembélé restored directness and 1v1 threat, while rotations with Nuno Mendes created repeatable cutback lanes, turning control into ruthless shot volume.
Paris Saint-Germain
October 2025
Ousmane Dembele has resumed full training after a right hamstring layoff and could face Strasbourg. Desire Doue is back from a calf issue. Others including Joao Neves and Bradley Barcola remain in rehab while Marquinhos is ruled out.
Luis Enrique regains wing thrust and rotation flexibility as PSG manage minutes to avoid setbacks. Medical staff will stage returns, aiming to stabilise form in Ligue 1 and Europe during a congested stretch.
Real Madrid, PSG
October 2025
Real Madrid remains the only major club still advocating a breakaway European Super League, while PSG president Nasser Al-Khelaifi has invited the Spanish giants back into UEFA’s fold. The Paris club’s call for unity follows years of tension since the 2021 collapse of the original ESL project.
Florentino Pérez continues to argue that UEFA’s competition model is outdated and financially unsustainable. The rebranded “Unify League” proposal from A22 Sports includes promotion, relegation, and a women’s division, but has gained little traction. Barcelona president Joan Laporta signaled renewed willingness to “pacify European football,” leaving Madrid isolated in its pursuit.
Roberto De Zerbi (Marseille)
September 2025
Marseille’s 1-0 home win over PSG was overshadowed by coach Roberto De Zerbi’s red card, leading to a one-match ban and a further suspended sanction. He admitted his mistake but insisted his remarks were not insulting. De Zerbi expressed frustration over a Hakimi foul, admitting his body language was poor. He apologised in his press conference, promising trust in his assistant. He will miss matches against Strasbourg and Metz, but return for the Champions League fixture with Ajax.
Olivier Giroud (France)
September 2025
Olivier Giroud admitted he never foresaw Ousmane Dembele winning the Ballon d’Or, despite his talent. Dembele’s resurgence at PSG, capped by 35 goals and a Champions League triumph, convinced critics he deserved football’s top individual honor after years of struggles at Barcelona. Giroud highlighted that Ballon d’Or winners need both talent and team success, noting Dembele’s form peaked at the right time with PSG’s historic quadruple. He called it a season where Dembele “had everything”—fitness, consistency, and trophies—that finally fulfilled his long-questioned potential.