Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has revealed his side will be without Brazilian wonderkid Estevao Willian for their upcoming trip to Newcastle United on Saturday. The exciting winger was missing from the squad that prevailed 3-1 against Cardiff City in the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night, with the Italian boss explaining he is struggling with a "small muscular problem".
Chelsea secured a place in the Women's Champions League quarter-finals as they came from behind to beat Wolfsburg 2-1 on Wednesday. Alexandra Popp had given the German hosts the lead before Lucy Bronze and Sam Kerr headed the visitors to victory, ensuring they will skip the knockout phase play-off and head straight into the last eight.
Real Madrid and England star Jude Bellingham shared pictures of girlfriend Ashlyn Castro on her birthday on Wednesday. The couple have been dating since January and have kept their relationship relatively low profile, with few posts referencing each other on Instagram. However, Castro has been spotted in the stands at the Santiago Bernabeu in support of Bellingham.
Champions League holders Paris Saint-Germain held their nerve to come through a penalty shootout to claim victory over Brazilian side Flamengo in the Intercontinental Cup final on Wednesday, with goalkeeper Matvei Safonov the hero as he saved four of five shots from the spot to help PSG outscore the Copa Libertadores winners 2-1 on penalties. The game had ended 1-1 in normal time after strikes from Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Jorginho.
Chelsea's transfer plans for the next year or so have been revealed as the club look to further strengthen their squad. The Blues have enjoyed a reasonably strong Premier League campaign so far this season, sitting fourth in the table, but have identified one playing area in particular where reinforcements are required to take the team to the next level.
Liverpool midfielder Dominik Szoboszlai was forced off during the 2-0 win over Brighton after suffering an ankle injury, prompting concerns over his availability during the hectic Christmas schedule. The Hungary international has been one of the Reds' leading performers in an otherwise disappointing Premier League title defence so far and there are doubts over his availability for Saturday's trip to Tottenham.
Georgina Rodriguez has opened up on her engagement to Portugal legend Cristiano Ronaldo after nearly nine years together. The 31-year-old announced the news on Instagram back in August, posting a picture of a large diamond ring alongside the caption: "Yes I do. In this and in all my lives." The couple met in a Gucci shop in Madrid where Rodriguez was working while Ronaldo was playing for Spanish giants Real Madrid.
United Kingdom prime minister Sir Keir Starmer has warned Roman Abramovich "the clock is ticking" for the former Chelsea owner to donate £2.5 billion ($3.35bn) of the sale of the Blues to Ukraine. The Russian oligarch pledged to give the proceeds of the transaction to the people of Ukraine back in 2022, having been forced to sell the club after being sanctioned following Vladimir Putin's invasion earlier that year.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has picked out a surprising player for praise after returning to Arsenal to train. The former Liverpool midfielder is staying match-fit by training with the Gunners, having had his contract terminated by Besiktas back in August after two seasons in Turkey.
Marc Brys has refused to acknowledge his sacking as Cameroon manager, instead naming his squad for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations tournament. The Belgian has been feuding with Cameroonian Football Federation (Fecafoot) president Samuel Eto'o and was recently dismissed from his post, but is staying resolute as he is yet to receive a proper termination notice.
Santos president Marcelo Teixeira has confirmed that renewing Neymar's contract is a major priority, days after the Brazil international admitted he was unsure where his future lies. The former Barcelona star returned to his boyhood team at the start of the year and helped them avoid what would have been an embarrassing relegation from Serie A, but his current deal is now set to expire.
Arsenal and France legend Thierry Henry has become the latest pundit to weigh in on Mohamed Salah's remarks after being left on the Liverpool bench for the 3-3 draw against Leeds United. Salah accused the club of throwing him "under the bus" and was subsequently left out of Arne Slot's squad for the 1-0 victory over Inter Milan in the Champions League.
Harry Kane has made a decision on his future at Bayern Munich, having been linked with both a move to Barcelona and a return to the Premier League. The England captain broke his trophy duck last season and looks on course to add more silverware to his honours list, with the German giants well placed in both the Bundesliga and Champions League.
Charles De Ketelaere enjoyed getting his revenge on Alejandro Garnacho as the Chelsea winger was made to eat his words after his side's Champions League defeat in Italy on Tuesday night. The Argentina international had ruffled some feathers while speaking during a pre-match press conference, but was left speechless after the Serie A side came from behind to claim a 2-1 victory.
Newcastle, Liverpool and England legend Kevin Keegan has named the player he would sign if he were managing in football today, while praising Eddie Howe for his "profound" impact at St James' Park. The 74-year-old, who was speaking as he helped launch 10,000 free pints of Guinness for non-league fans on Boxing Day, won the Ballon d'Or twice as a player and had two spells in charge of the Magpies, famously leading one of their best ever teams in Premier League title races during the 1990s before returning for a brief stint in 2008.
Manchester United youngster JJ Gabriel marked his Old Trafford debut by setting a new club record after scoring the winner in an FA Youth Cup tie against Peterborough on Tuesday night. The 15-year-old has been linked with Barcelona and Arsenal and nicknamed 'Kid Messi', with many believing he has incredible potential. Meanwhile, Kai Rooney, son of legendary England striker Wayne, was left out of the squad for the third-round clash.
Roberto De Zerbi listed a number of areas where Mason Greenwood needs to improve after Marseille's 3-2 victory over Union Saint-Gilloise in the Champions League on Tuesday night. The former Manchester United forward scored twice as the French side held off a late comeback from the Belgians, but the fiery Italian manager wasn't entirely happy with his match-winner.
Arne Slot has suggested that Mohamed Salah must make the first move if the Egyptian forward is to work his way back into the Liverpool squad after his outburst at the weekend. Salah was dropped from the Reds squad that earned a crucial Champions League 1-0 victory over Inter Milan at San Siro on Tuesday night courtesy of Dominik Szoboszlai's late penalty, but all eyes will now be focused on whether the 33-year-old returns against Brighton on Saturday.
Florian Wirtz was denied a first strike for Liverpool after the Premier League's goal accreditation panel judged his effort against Sunderland to be an own goal from Nordi Mukiele. The German midfielder showed great close control to weave his way through the penalty box before shooting, with his effort taking a significant deflection off the Black Cats defender on its way into the back of the net.
A deflected Florian Wirtz strike helped Liverpool salvage a 1-1 draw with Sunderland on Wednesday in what was another hugely underwhelming performance from the reigning Premier League champions. The Reds looked set for another defeat after Chemsdine Talbi's opener, but clawed their way back to earn a point after a moment of magic from their German summer signing.