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Alonso's back on the market - & Slot's seat just got hotter

  1. Yamal finishes the job as Barca avoid Copa del Rey shock

    Barcelona avoided a Copa del Rey upset thanks to second-half goals from Ferran Torres and Lamine Yamal in a 2-0 win. A day after bitter rivals Real Madrid were dumped out of the competition by second division side Albacete, Hansi Flick's men overcame a stern examination against similar opposition on Thursday. The cup holders were indebted to substitute Fermin Lopez as they reached the quarter-finals in battling fashion.

  2. Will self-destructive Osimhen ever achieve full potential?

    Back in the summer of 2023, Victor Osimhen was the most in-demand striker in world football. He'd just spearheaded Napoli's run to their first Scudetto in 33 years, netting 26 goals in 32 games to become the first African player ever to finish as Serie A top scorer, and had pretty much every elite club in Europe knocking on his door. For a 24-year-old with talent and drive, it seemed like the start of something truly special.

  3. Could Luis Enrique really leave PSG this summer?

    While effectively ruling himself out of the running to take over at Real Madrid, Jurgen Klopp pointed out that "the coaching market is being reshuffled" right now - because Xabi Alonso isn't the only manager to lose his job at an elite European club since the turn of the year. On January 1, less than six months after lifting the Club World Cup, Enzo Maresca was fired by Chelsea after publicly criticising his employers. Just four days later, Manchester United also got rid of Ruben Amorim for speaking out of turn.

  4. Gyokeres & Zubimendi shine as Arsenal take control of semi

    Arsenal took a big step towards the Carabao Cup final by edging past Chelsea 3-2 in this dramatic, all-London semi-final first leg, but Mikel Arteta's side will be left feeling they probably should have put the tie to bed having twice seen a two-goal lead pegged back at Stamford Bridge. Goals from Ben White, Viktor Gyokeres and Martin Zubimendi had the Gunners in control throughout this topsy-turvy contest, but a second-half brace from substitute Alejandro Garnacho ensured Chelsea have something still to play for at the Emirates in three weeks' time.

  5. Garnacho keeps Chelsea alive after Sanchez shockers

    Chelsea face a tall order to reach the Carabao Cup final after a shocking performance from goalkeeper Robert Sanchez handed Arsenal a 3-2 victory in the first leg of their semi-final. The Spaniard made two avoidable mistakes which allowed Ben White and Viktor Gyokeres to score, though Alejandro Garnacho bagged twice ether side of a Martin Zubimendi effort to ensure the Blues take some hope into the return leg at the Emirates Stadium.

  6. Was Alonso the problem?! Madrid embarrassed in Copa del Rey

    Real Madrid were woeful defensively, and despite goals from Franco Mastantuono and Gonzalo Garcia, succumbed to second division Albacete in the Copa Del Rey, losing 3-2 on Wednesday to get Alvaro Arbeloa's reign off to a forgettable start. Los Blancos had most of the ball throughout, but created few clear cut chances. The home side, meanwhile, were clinical - and good value for the win.

  7. Will banned Mudryk ever play for Chelsea again?

    Some 13 months on from a devastating provisional doping suspension and close to 14 months since his last appearance for the club, Mykhailo Mudryk is Chelsea's forgotten man. An upcoming anniversary, however, brings his troubles back into sharp focus; January 15 will mark three years to the day since Chelsea completed the signing of the then-coveted young winger from Shakhtar Donetsk, but he will find little reason for celebration.

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Transfer news and done deals 🤝

  1. Wrexham confirm promotion hero to leave Rob & Ryan's side

    Wrexham have confirmed that promotion hero Elliot Lee will leave the club in the January transfer window on loan. Lee is on his way back to full fitness after knee surgery but will move on in search of regular game time. Manager Phil Parkinson has also offered an update on Paul Mullin's future after his loan spell with Wigan was cut short and he returned to the Welsh side.

  2. Rosenior offers transfer update as Chelsea eye key move

    New Chelsea boss Liam Rosenior has provided an update on the club's January transfer plans as the Stamford Bridge side try to re-ignite their season. Former Blues head coach Enzo Maresca made no secret of his desire to sign a centre-back in the summer in light of Levi Colwill's serious injury and missing out on Dean Huijsen to Real Madrid. Now, Rosenior says the Blues will be in the market but only for the "right player".

Video

  1. Watch Amorim's 'not the coach' press conference that led to sacking

    Ruben Amorim has been sacked by Manchester United after just 14 months in charge, with his post-match press conference after Sunday's 1-1 draw with Leeds United proving the final nail in the coffin for the Portuguese. Watch the above clip as the former Red Devils boss clarifies that he's the "manager, not the coach" and that his tenure was "going to finish in 18 months and then everyone is going to move on".

  2. 🎥 | How Mbappe booted Alonso out of Real Madrid!

    The latest video from the football humour factory that is 442oons shows how Kylian Mbappe successfully orchestrated Xabi Alonso's exit from Real Madrid. Featuring cameos from Lionel Messi, Arne Slot and England boss Thomas Tuchel, watch as the French striker leads his reluctant team-mates in singing a special version of the children's nursery rhyme 'If You're Happy And You Know It'

This is the Premier League

  1. Chelsea axe loan star after four months as Leeds secure deal

    Chelsea have axed one of their summer loan signings after just four months, and now Leeds United will take him for the second half of the season. The Blues have often been parodied for signing so many players, many of whom are then jettisoned to their 'bomb squad' and away from the first team. But now, Daniel Farke's men have taken a certain player off the west London team's hands.

  2. 'Giving the team talk' - Keane rips Carrick's 'big mouth' wife

    Roy Keane has aimed a savage dig at Michael Carrick's "big mouth" wife following his appointment as Manchester United's new interim head coach. Carrick has been charged with overseeing the Red Devils for the rest of the season after Ruben Amorim's sacking. And as the ex-Middlesbrough boss prepares for this new position, Keane risked re-igniting a feud with Carrick's wife, Lisa, with a brutal put-down.

Queens of football 👑

  1. Stanway set for WSL return as Bayern Munich exit confirmed

    Lionesses star Georgia Stanway has confirmed that she will leave Bayern Munich this summer, paving the way for a potential return to England and the Women's Super League. The midfielder's next destination has not been officially revealed just yet but Arsenal have been heavily linked with a move for the two-time European Championship winner, who previously spent seven years at Manchester City.

Superstars of the future

  1. Why Man Utd & more want Hertha's teenage Kroos regen

    Hertha Berlin fans haven't had much to cheer about in recent years. Their decade-long stay in the Bundesliga ended after the team slumped to an 18th-placed finish in the 2022-23 season, just four years on from Lars Windhorst's €224 million minority takeover that came with the billionaire's promise to build a "true ‘big-city club’, like those in London or Madrid."

  2. Red Bull's best post-Haaland star on Liverpool & City's radar

    With all the data and all the video footage you could ever hope for, there really shouldn't be many secrets left in the world of youth football. Sure, progress isn't linear and some players' attributes translate better to the adult game than others, but for most teams, picking and finding the best young talent still feels like a bit of a lottery, at least from the outside looking in.

  3. Why Chelsea & Man Utd are tracking Rennes' towering teen

    Rennes are no strangers to producing some of the best players around, and Mohamed Kader Meite looks primed to become the next elite talent to step off the conveyor belt after the likes of Ballon d'Or winner Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Eduardo Camavinga. Still just 18, the towering striker is already said to be turning heads across Europe.

  4. Why Man Utd, PSG and more want Nantes' teenage 'monster'

    From Ibrahima Konate winning the title with Liverpool, to William Saliba anchoring Arsenal's charge to the top of the table or Leny Yoro's big-money signing for Manchester United, French centre-backs have had a massive influence in the Premier League's recent history. Now, the race to sign Les Bleus' next great defender is on as the top clubs from England and beyond circle Tylel Tati.

The Chaaaaaampions 🎶

  1. Mario Basler

    Rebel United: Bayern icon who got drunk before the UCL final

    Teddy Sheringham. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. "Football, bloody hell!" The 1999 Champions League final is one of the greatest dramas in the history of Bayern Munich. The German giants led for a long time in Barcelona before Manchester United snatched the trophy they thought was theirs in stoppage time. But according to one member of the Bayern team, he actually won that final. "Actually, I'm a Champions League winner," claims the latest member of GOAL's Rebel United, Mario Basler.

MUNDIAL

Hall of Fame

  1. Hall of fame Roberto Carlos

    Hall of Fame: Roberto Carlos - the greatest full-back in history

    Modernising the role of a full-back 30 years ago, Roberto Carlos undoubtedly set the benchmark. A tactical genius and a physical specimen, the Real Madrid and Brazil legend won countless trophies at club and international level, contributing bucket loads of goals and assists. No one in the past, present or future can ever claim to be his equal - he was that good.

  2. Hall of Fame: Why Beckham is such an underrated player

    One of the best midfielders of his era, perhaps the greatest crosser of a football ever and a free-kick taker to rival the best the game has ever produced, David Beckham was a special player to say the least. And yet due to his off-field impact, one of the sport's great champions of the past 30 years is generally forgotten when it comes to referencing the true legends of the game.

  3. Hall of Fame: Romario - Brazil's penalty-box panther

    Romario moved around the penalty area with the stealthy gait and sly gaze of a panther, ready to suddenly accelerate as soon as the ball came his way, to disorient the opposing defenders with a couple of feints, to pounce on the ball, which inevitably ended up at his feet, as if magnetised, and finish with an unstoppable shot of pure technique or power, or alternatively serve up a perfect assist for one of his team-mates. He was a Hall of Fame striker if ever there was one.

Rebel United

  1. George Best

    Rebel United: George Best - Man Utd's 'fifth Beatle'

    In 1969, at the age of 23, George Best wanted to focus solely on the essentials. Just football, just his job. So he turned his back on his two other great passions, alcohol and women. His sobering conclusion: "It was the worst 20 minutes of my life." A Manchester United legend, that quote sums up Bet's rebellious attitude towards football, and life in general.

  2. Rebel United: Mekhloufi's sacrifice for Algerian independence

    "La France, c'est vous." Translated as 'France, is you', that was what French president Charles de Gaulle told footballer Rachid Mekhloufi in 1968. Mekhloufi had just led his Saint-Etienne side to the double, and the reward was an audience with the most powerful man in the country. For Mekhloufi, this sentence brought things full circle. Now he was both Algerian and French; 10 years earlier, he had - in a sense - been neither.

Hidden Gems FC

  1. Hidden Gems FC: Roefs' rise to Premier League star

    Robin Roefs' story reads like a fairy tale. The 22-year-old goalkeeper is only in his second season as a first-choice shot-stopper, and yet he is already considered one of the better No.1s in the Premier League. A place in the Netherlands' starting line-up at the World Cup is now not out of the question for the latest of GOAL's Hidden Gems.

  2. Hidden Gems FC: The rise of N'Golo Kante

    On September 15, 2018, N'Golo Kante walked off the Stamford Bridge pitch, satisfied. As was often the case, the Frenchman had just covered every blade of grass over the course of the 90 minutes. And, as was so often the case, he was not one of the major speaking points at full-time. Not right away, at least.

  3. Hidden Gems FC: Drogba, Toni & football's top 10 late bloomers

    Anyone that manages to carve out a career for themselves in professional football is ridiculously talented. The standard at the highest level is just so high that it is simply impossible to 'fake it 'til you make it'. However, not everyone is as prodigiously gifted as Lionel Messi or Lamine Yamal. Your average player will require some time to get to grips with the rigours of the elite game.