Aditya Gokhale

West Ham boss Nuno Espirito Santo has challenged Lucas Paqueta to lead the Hammers' revival after the FA formally closed its spot-fixing investigation into the Brazilian. Cleared of all major charges but sanctioned for non-cooperation, Paqueta is now being urged by his manager to embrace his No.10 role and help drag the Irons out of the relegation zone.

Paul Pogba’s long-awaited Monaco debut has been delayed yet again after the midfielder picked up an ankle injury in training just 24 hours before his expected return. The 32-year-old, who last played competitively over two years ago, is now set to miss this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash against Paris FC, with his first appearance for the club pushed back beyond the November international break.

Jordon Ibe, once one of English football’s brightest young talents and a £15 million Liverpool export, has joined eighth-tier side Sittingbourne as he looks to “rediscover the joy of football.” The 29-year-old winger, who previously starred in the Premier League with Bournemouth, has embarked on a new chapter in non-league football after his move to Sweden fell through earlier this year.

The Premier League has confirmed a dramatic change to one of English football’s most cherished traditions, with only one fixture set to take place on Boxing Day this year. Manchester United’s clash with Newcastle United at Old Trafford will be the sole Premier League match on December 26, breaking with decades of festive scheduling that typically sees a full slate of games across the country.

Wayne Rooney has revealed that former Manchester United teammate Carlos Tevez was his favourite strike partner at Old Trafford, snubbing Cristiano Ronaldo. The Red Devils legend said he shared a 'special connection' with Tevez during their two seasons together, describing their aggressive, hard-working style as the perfect blend that made them a nightmare for defenders.

Newcastle United’s wait to see Yoane Wissa in action goes on. The £55 million summer signing has suffered another delay in his recovery from a Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injury sustained while on international duty with DR Congo. Eddie Howe has confirmed that Wissa is “not close” to making his debut and will almost certainly remain sidelined until after the November international break.

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.

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.

Bayern Munich are preparing for the future beyond Harry Kane and have identified Hoffenheim’s in-form striker Fisnik Asllani as a potential long-term back-up. The 23-year-old Kosovo international, who has also attracted serious interest from Barcelona, has impressed with six goals in nine appearances this season, prompting Bayern to enquire about his release clause ahead of the summer.

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.