Chelsea’s season hasn’t gone to plan so far. After romping to a sixth successive Women’s Super League crown last year, going unbeaten through all 22 games to set multiple records, the Blues’ title defence has fallen incredibly flat. Sat nine points behind leaders Manchester City with six games to go, it’s simply not been good enough for a club with such high standards.

If you thought the days of the Ballon d'Or generating headlines were over after Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo's era of dominance came to an end, then think again. After one of the most closely-fought races for a number of years, Rodri came out on top in 2024, beating Vinicius Jr into second place as Real Madrid dramatically boycotted the ceremony in Paris in protest at their star player missing out.

The annual NXGN lists are back for another year, highlighting 50 of the most incredible talents to have been born after January 1, 2005

Nathan De Cat is the next big thing to come out of Belgium - both figuratively and literally. At just 17 years old, the midfielder already stands at a towering six feet and three inches tall - and he still has plenty of growing to do. The latest gem to emerge from Anderlecht's famed youth system, his height isn't the only reason he's caught the attention of some of Europe's elite.

Despite the painfully protracted league phase running through the first five months of the season and the play-off round providing some drama, for many the Champions League doesn't truly begin until the last 16 gets underway. And after a wild week of first legs around Europe, the picture when it comes to potential winners of the tournament has been shaken up massively.

Within a Real Madrid squad that is packed full of Galacticos, Fede Valverde is rarely singled out for what he offers to Los Blancos despite his obvious importance to the team. On Wednesday, though, he was able to hog the limelight after his stunning first-half hat-trick saw off Manchester City in the Champions League. His performance also earned him the rarest of plaudits: A 10/10 rating from L'Equipe.

Say what you want about Arsenal (and, ahem, their fans), but they really do not miss when it comes to off-pitch fashion collaborations. The latest drop in a prolific run sees the Gunners and kit suppliers adidas link up with streetwear label PLACES+FACES for a celebration of London's distinctive culture.

There was less than an hour remaining in the Women’s Super League summer transfer window when the most stunning business of all was completed. Jess Park and Grace Clinton had been stalwarts at Manchester City and Manchester United, respectively, during the previous season. And yet, at the eleventh hour, both were sent to opposite sides of the city, to represent what had been their biggest and bitterest rival.