It's fair to say England's homecoming didn't go to plan on Saturday. Returning to action for the first time since winning the European Championship this past summer, the Lionesses were 2-0 down just 18 minutes into their meeting with Brazil, and despite the visitors going down to 10 players not long after scoring that second, England could not make their numerical advantage count in a disappointing 2-1 defeat. What will have made the loss even more frustrating for some, though, was that it came amid a lack of experimentation from Sarina Wiegman.
GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their home comforts in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.
We're two months into the season now, and it feels like things are starting to take shape around Europe. Some title races are looking like they will be closer than others, with some surprise contenders in the mix, while other presumed challengers are beginning to struggle, casting doubt on the futures of their managers and star players.
It's been a few months, but Jude Bellingham is back. After a delayed start to his season and an international break packed full of questions regarding where - and remarkably, if - he fits into England's World Cup plans, the Real Madrid man has showed in Sunday's Clasico that he remains the man for the biggest of occasions.
Jude Bellingham had a hand in both goals, and Kylian Mbappe continued his excellent run of form as Real Madrid beat Barcelona 2-1 in the first Clasico of the season. It was hardly a legendary iteration of this famous fixture, but two first-half goals from Los Blancos were enough to see off the short-handed Blaugrana.
Chelsea were beaten 2-1 by Sunderland thanks to a stoppage-time strike from Chemsdine Talbi, with the Blues throwing away the chance to move into the Premier League's top four on Saturday. Alejandro Garnacho scored his first goal for the club since joining from Manchester United, but it mattered very little as the spirited Black Cats fought tooth and nail to claim a precious three points.
Real Madrid are among the teams looking at Moises Caicedo, with the midfielder's recent change of agents adding intrigue to his future at Chelsea. However, transfer guru Fabrizio Romano has insisted that the Blues remain calm and fully in control of the situation, with the club planning to reward their star midfielder with an improved contract in the coming months.
Estevao Willian has been informed of the Premier League challenges that he must "adapt" to in order to become the superstar Chelsea believe he is. Former Blues defender Marcel Desailly has been assessing the Brazilian wonderkid's early showings in English football, with there clearly still more to come from the exciting teenager as he adjusts to the demands of a testing division.
Ruben Amorim has sought to explain why Manchester United have not yet opened talks with Harry Maguire about a new contract. Maguire scored the goal which gave United their first away win at Liverpool for nine years but his future with the Red Devils is in doubt as he is into the last year of his contract. From January, he will be allowed to speak to foreign clubs about joining as a free agent.
Liverpool supporters have erupted online after Federico Chiesa was named the club’s Player of the Month for September, despite the Italian not starting a single Premier League game during that stretch. Chiesa’s recognition has reignited anger towards head coach Arne Slot, with fans questioning his team selections and labelling the forward "Liverpool’s best player" who continues to be unfairly benched.
Teenage wonderkid JJ Gabriel has been promoted to first-team training at Manchester United, with Red Devils boss Ruben Amorim eager to take a look at the exciting 15-year-old. The hottest of prospects, who has been dubbed 'Kid Messi', is being tipped to enjoy a bright future. United do, however, have a fight on their hands when it comes to retaining his services.
Harry Kane has been given two reasons why he should snub an imminent transfer away from Bayern Munich, with Danny Murphy telling GOAL in an exclusive interview why the England captain remains in the best place at this stage of his career. A fresh start for the prolific frontman is being speculated on as clauses in his contract can be triggered in 2026.
West Ham United are facing the grim prospect of Premier League relegation and the financial fallout could be catastrophic. An expert has warned that dropping to the Championship would cost the club up to £120 million ($160m) in lost revenue from television rights, ticket sales, and sponsorships, compounding growing unrest among fans amid the club's worst league start in decades.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot has revealed that record signing Alexander Isak faces a race against time to be fit for Saturday’s Premier League clash with Brentford after sustaining a groin problem in midweek. The Dutchman also confirmed that Jeremie Frimpong is sidelined with a hamstring injury, while Alisson Becker remains unavailable and Ryan Gravenberch faces a late fitness check.
Hannah Hampton has been ruled out of England's clash with Brazil on Saturday, meaning Sarina Wiegman will hand out a debut to another goalkeeper in the Lionesses squad this weekend. Khiara Keating and Anna Moorhouse are both in contention for that opportunity, as is Sophie Baggaley, who has been called into camp in light of Hampton's injury.
New England Patriots cornerback Christian Gonzalez admits to being left "starstruck" after receiving a signed Bayern Munich shirt from England captain Harry Kane. The prolific Three Lions striker is a big Pats fan, having followed them since the heyday of Tom Brady, and has previously expressed a desire to try his luck as an NFL kicker once his soccer playing days are over.
Florian Wirtz's big-money move to Liverpool has hit early turbulence, with Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand claiming the German midfielder may already be questioning whether he made the right choice. The £116 million ($155m) signing, who turned down Bayern Munich and Manchester City, has endured a mixed start to life under Arne Slot at Anfield.
Former Manchester United defender Marcos Rojo endured an outing to forget for Racing Club in their Copa Libertadores showdown with Flamengo. The combative ex-Argentina international was partly to blame for the only goal of that game being recorded, while he also cracked the skull of an unfortunate team-mate after challenging for a high ball with his arms flailing.
Lionel Messi has been told the one reason why eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo is the GOAT, with Danny Simpson explaining that to GOAL during an exclusive interview. Premier League title winner Simpson worked with CR7 at Manchester United and considers him to boast unique qualities that separate him from any other player in history - including Argentine icon Messi.
Hakim Ziyech has completed a stunning return to Moroccan football, joining Wydad Casablanca on a free transfer after being linked with a move to La Liga side Sevilla last month. The 32-year-old, who famously helped Chelsea lift the Champions League in 2021, now returns to his homeland for the first time in his club career.
Harry Kane returning to the Premier League "isn't even a question" at the moment, claims ex-Bayern Munich star Dietmar Hamann, but "things can change quickly" when it comes to movement in the transfer market. Prolific former Tottenham striker Kane is said to have a release clause in his contract at the Allianz Arena that can be triggered during the summer of 2026.
Liverpool are reportedly monitoring Michael Olise's contract situation at Bayern Munich after being made aware of how much it would cost to prise Antoine Semenyo away from Bournemouth. The Premier League title holders continue to scour the global transfer market for a potential long-term successor on their right wing to Egyptian superstar Mohamed Salah.
Bayern Munich have reportedly held talks with the representatives of Crystal Palace captain Marc Guehi as they step up plans to sign the England international. The 25-year-old Eagles skipper, who will be free to negotiate a move away to foreign clubs in January, has attracted serious interest from Real Madrid and Liverpool, with Der Rekordmerister now making the first concrete move to secure his signature.
Marcus Rashford is looking forward to gracing his first Clasico, with the Barcelona loanee picking out his favourite memory from previous meetings between the Blaugrana and Real Madrid. Unsurprisingly, Lionel Messi figures prominently as collective minds are cast back to iconic moments from the past - with the Argentine GOAT having often starred against the Blancos.
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has urged his players to "stay humble" after their surprising 1-0 defeat to Cypriot side AEK Larnaca in the Conference League. On a night that was supposed to celebrate Selhurst Park's first-ever European fixture, the Eagles' dream turned sour as the visitors spoiled the occasion with a second-half winner and a stark reminder for the Premier League side.
Morgan Gibbs-White helped Nottingham Forest to a welcome win under new manager Sean Dyche and admitted afterwards that it feels like he and the rest of the Reds squad can "finally breathe" as they put Ange Postecoglou's disastrous spell as head coach behind them. Dyche's first game at the helm delivered an impressive 2-0 victory over Porto in the Europa League.
Erling Haaland has opened a window to all the hard work and preparation that lies behind his incredible goal-scoring form. In the first video on his brand new YouTube channel, the Norwegian takes viewers inside his home and into Manchester City's training ground to show them a day in the life of a striker who has scored 24 goals already this season for club and country.