Aditya Gokhale

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca has downplayed concerns surrounding his side’s defensive weakness from set-pieces ahead of Sunday’s London derby against Tottenham Hotspur. With Spurs emerging as one of the Premier League’s most dangerous dead-ball sides, the Italian insists Chelsea are working to correct their vulnerabilities as they look to turn mixed domestic form into consistency.

Former Premier League star Troy Deeney believes Bournemouth sensation Antoine Semenyo has what it takes to reach the very top — even suggesting the Ghanaian forward could one day line up for Real Madrid. The Watford legend hailed the 25-year-old as one of the Premier League’s most underrated stars and challenged him to maintain his stunning early-season form to fulfil his world-class potential.

Former Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper Alfie Whiteman has officially retired from professional football at just 26 to pursue a new career as a photographer and film director. The lifelong Spurs player, once seen as a promising academy graduate, has joined the award-winning production company Somesuch, where he plans to channel his creativity into storytelling, photography, and filmmaking.

Liverpool, Bayern Munich, and Real Madrid are circling Borussia Dortmund’s Nico Schlotterbeck, with the German defender’s contract talks at a standstill. Bild reports that Schlotterbeck, whose current deal runs until 2027, has rejected Dortmund’s latest offer and is demanding a wage closer to €14 million per year, a figure the Reds are reportedly ready to offer him next summer.

Ipswich Town manager Kieran McKenna has addressed growing speculation linking him with the vacant Celtic job following Brendan Rodgers’ sudden resignation. The 39-year-old has made clear that he remains fully focused on his current role, insisting that there have been “no formal conversations” with Celtic despite being widely touted as a leading contender for the position.

Manchester United legend Nani has urged fellow icons Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney to publicly support the club amid its recent resurgence under Ruben Amorim. The four-time Premier League winner said the Red Devils 'need the support' of its biggest names as the team continues its revival following a turbulent start to the 2025/26 campaign.

Frank Lampard is set to swap Halloween for Hollywood this year. The Coventry City boss, known for his spooky season enthusiasm, will miss out on trick-or-treating with his kids after dressing as the Grim Reaper last year. Instead, he’ll be leading his high-flying Sky Blues into a Friday night clash with Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac’s Wrexham under the lights.

Former Arsenal fan favourite Andrey Arshavin has once again made headlines, and not for his footballing flair this time. The Russian icon was spotted inside a Real Madrid store this week, proudly sporting a Barcelona jersey with his name across the back. The bizarre sight instantly went viral, sparking laughter and outrage as the ex-striker displayed his anti-Madridista feelings yet again.

Lisandro Martinez is back in Manchester United training after eight months on the sidelines following a serious knee injury but Ruben Amorim has warned the defender not to rush his return to action. The Argentine centre-back was keen to face Nottingham Forest this weekend, yet Amorim has confirmed he will not feature as the Red Devils continue to manage his recovery carefully.

Real Madrid may have gone five points clear in La Liga after edging Barcelona in El Clasico, but Vinicius Junior’s latest antics have somewhat overshadowed the triumph. The Brazilian winger’s furious reaction to being substituted by Xabi Alonso has sparked controversy, with former France international Christophe Dugarry slamming him for “whining all the time” and “insulting” his coach.

Real Madrid have confirmed that captain Dani Carvajal will be sidelined for up to three months after sustaining a right knee injury during Sunday’s fiery Clasico against Barcelona. The 33-year-old defender, who was involved in a heated post-match confrontation with Lamine Yamal, will undergo arthroscopic surgery to repair the damage, the club announced on Monday.

Manchester United are reportedly set to reject any January transfer requests from Kobbie Mainoo and Joshua Zirkzee, despite the duo’s growing frustration over a lack of minutes this season. With key players expected to miss several weeks due to the Africa Cup of Nations, manager Ruben Amorim views both Mainoo and Zirkzee as crucial squad members for the winter period.

Chelsea, Arsenal, and Manchester City have reportedly sent scouts to monitor Bayern Munich’s 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl, who continues to impress under Vincent Kompany. The Premier League giants are keeping close tabs on the prodigious attacker, who is represented by ex-Chelsea star Michael Ballack, after his stunning rise through Bayern’s ranks and recent first-team heroics.

Jude Bellingham could face a potential ban after being caught making an X-rated gesture during Real Madrid's 2-1 victory over Barcelona in El Clasico. The English midfielder was the match-winner at the Bernabeu, but his celebration has once again sparked controversy after cameras appeared to capture him repeating the same gesture that landed him in trouble at Euro 2024.

Marcus Rashford has vowed to “keep fighting” after Barcelona’s 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in his first-ever El Clasico appearance. Despite registering an assist in the heated Santiago Bernabeu showdown, the Manchester United loanee ended up on the losing side as Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham struck to extend Madrid’s lead at the top of La Liga to five points.

Odsonne Edouard has launched a scathing attack on Ruud van Nistelrooy, claiming the Manchester United legend’s managerial ability fell well short of his playing career after a miserable spell together at Leicester City. The French striker, who barely featured during the Foxes’ relegation season, says he “didn’t get along” with the Dutchman and was frozen out for seven months.

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.

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.