Barcelona sporting director Deco has lifted the lid on contract renewal discussions between the club and key midfielder Frenkie de Jong. The Netherlands international’s current deal expires next summer but the Blaugrana hierarchy have now revealed they are confident fresh terms will be agreed soon as negotiations are set to continue between both parties.
Liverpool boss Arne Slot revealed why star winger Federico Chiesa was left out of the Reds squad for their upcoming Champions League fixture against Galatasaray this week. The Italian displayed impressive performances in the club's last couple of matches. After starring with two assists in the win over Southampton, he scored the Reds' solitary goal against Crystal Palace in the Premier League.
Jose Mourinho has warned Chelsea he will not be feeling sentimental when he attempts to lead Benfica to victory on his highly-anticipated return to Stamford Bridge. The Special One heads back to his old stomping ground on Tuesday evening when the Portuguese giants lock horns with Enzo Maresca’s Blues in the latest round of Champions League fixtures.
Jose Mourinho’s reunion with Chelsea, the club where he enjoyed so much success across two spells at Stamford Bridge, is one of the headline fixtures in this season’s Champions League as he takes new employer Benfica back to his former stomping ground. Blues winger Pedro Neto is relishing the chance to come up against his fellow Portuguese thanks to his incredible legacy.
Federico Chiesa has not travelled with Liverpool for their Champions League clash with Galatasaray on Tuesday, despite the winger’s impressive run of form. The Italy international was registered in the Reds’ European squad in place of injured team-mate and compatriot Giovanni Leoni but he has since been left at home for the trip to Turkey.
Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta is looking to improve the way he communicates with his players by inviting a team of Royal Air Force (RAF) fighter pilots to the club. The idea is the latest in a developing series of unorthodox methods employed by the Spaniard as he attempts to give the Gunners the edge over their Premier League rivals in the 2025-26 season.
Federico Valverde has revealed Real Madrid held a series of "rare" crisis talks after their 5-2 derby humiliation against Atletico Madrid. The midfielder slammed his teammates' attitude as Xabi Alonso's men were overpowered in the second half of the encounter despite going in level at half-time with a 2-2 scoreline.
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has called it a “privilege” to face Jose Mourinho as the Portuguese coach returns to Stamford Bridge with Benfica in the Champions League. With the Blues struggling for form and under pressure after recent defeats, Maresca now seeks to steady the ship and secure vital points against a Chelsea legend.
Jose Mourinho has been warned that he may "already be in sh*t" at Benfica as many supporters of his new club "prefer Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp". Having returned to his homeland in familiar surroundings, it is up to Mourinho to win those supporters over. He remains one of the most highly-decorated coaches in the business, but has seen the odd question asked of his methods at 62 years of age.
Liverpool have been warned to brace themselves for "banging drums and smoke everywhere" when travelling to Turkey for a Champions League clash with Galatasaray. The Reds will be back in European action on Tuesday, with Arne Slot’s side being told - by a man who knows all about life at both clubs - that they must put any distractions out of their mind when entering the most hostile of environments.
Bayern Munich forward Luis Diaz admits he has been surprised by the complete package possessed by Harry Kane after forming a formidable partnership with his new team-mate this season. The star duo have been in scintillating form in front of goal to help the Bundesliga champions win their opening eight games in all competitions in 2025-26.
Real Madrid have been plunged into a defensive crisis after Dani Carvajal suffered a calf injury during the Madrid derby, ruling him out for around a month. With Trent Alexander-Arnold already sidelined for up to eight weeks, Los Blancos are left without a single natural right-back, forcing Xabi Alonso to improvise ahead of a crucial run of fixtures.
Jose Mourinho claims that he feels that he is a 'much better coach than before' as the Benfica boss prepares for a reunion with his former club Chelsea in the Champions League. After losing his job at Fenerbahce last month, Mourinho returned to his homeland to take charge of Benfica. Under the veteran coach, the Liga Portugal side have registered two wins and a draw thus far.
Benfica manager Jose Mourinho has cheekily admitted he is “happy” Cole Palmer will be absent when he makes an emotional return to his former club Chelsea next week. The Special One heads back to his old stomping ground when he takes the Portuguese giants to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League on Tuesday evening.
Carlo Ancelotti has admitted that how former Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich viewed Jose Mourinho played a key role in his Chelsea sacking. The Italian coach, who won the Premier League and FA Cup double in his first season, said the Russian billionaire measured his success against Mourinho, and their Champions League clash with Inter Milan proved decisive in his eventual departure from Stamford Bridge.
Hansi Flick is facing a selection crisis ahead of a crucial Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Goalkeeper Joan Garcia suffered an injury in training, while tests have confirmed winger Raphinha will be sidelined for three weeks with a hamstring problem, ruling both out of key domestic and European fixtures.
Paris Saint-Germain have been hit by injury news as captain Marquinhos is ruled out for several weeks. The Brazilian defender will miss this weekend’s Ligue 1 clash with Auxerre and next week’s Champions League showdown against Barcelona. PSG must rely on backups to steady the defence ahead of a crucial European test.
Ryder Cup star Matt Fitzpatrick has been discussing his love of Football Manager. He is busy in New York at present, as he battles Team USA for one of the most prestigious prizes in golf, but likes to relax by putting his coaching skills to the test in the gaming world. Fitzpatrick claims to not be the best when it comes to tactics and managing a team, but is proud of his transfer record.
Benfica's new boss Jose Mourinho has shut down speculation linking Karim Benzema with a sensational return to Europe. While rumours swirled over a January reunion, Mourinho insisted the 37-year-old striker is happy at Al-Ittihad, thriving financially, and unlikely to leave Saudi Arabia, despite his illustrious Real Madrid past and recent form.
Harry Kane has been praised by Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl for his “special development” under Vincent Kompany’s system. The England captain has been in lethal form at the start of the 2025-26 campaign, scoring 13 goals in just seven games across all competitions, and is already closing in on the 100-goal milestone for the German champions.
Mark Clattenburg has lifted the lid on a spat he had with Jurgen Klopp that led to the former Premier League referee telling the German to 'f*ck off'. Joining Adebayo Akinfenwa for episode seven of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Clattenburg explained how Klopp had sought to blame the match official for a 3-0 defeat to Real Madrid, leading to a fiery response from the referee.
In the seventh episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast, Adebayo Akinfenwa is joined by Mark Clattenburg, who carved out a career as one of Europe's top referees. The 50-year-old, who took charge of the Champions League and European Championship final in 2016, discusses his interactions with Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi, as well a particularly heated exchange with former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and much, much more.
Galatasaray have been handed a huge fitness boost by Victor Osimhen ahead of their Champions League clash with Premier League giants Liverpool. The Reds are due to pay a visit to Turkey next Tuesday. Gala are desperate to have Nigeria international Osimhen available for that fixture, and the prolific striker appears ready to make a timely return to competitive action.
European football’s governing body, UEFA, has sent a letter to all 55 member federations, warning them that prior approval must be sought before scheduling league matches outside Europe. Describing the matter as sensitive with far-reaching implications, UEFA stressed the need for caution amid plans to host AC Milan vs Como in Australia and Villarreal vs Barcelona scheduled for Miami.
Fermin Lopez joked Real Madrid were not among the clubs trying to sign him in the summer as he admitted that he received more offers than just Chelsea's late bid. The midfielder insisted that leaving Barcelona was never an option, though, as he looks to become a crucial figure for Hansi Flick's side following another injury upset.
Chelsea fans are "absolutely fuming" and have accused the Blues of exploitation ahead of Jose Mourinho's much anticipated return to Stamford Bridge in the Champions League. The clash has been slapped with a Category AA label, the most expensive tier in the club’s pricing structure, meaning adult general sale seats stretch up to a staggering £83.
Barcelona are cautiously managing Lamine Yamal’s recovery as the teenage star edges closer to full fitness ahead of the Champions League clash with Paris Saint-Germain. Hansi Flick admitted the teenager is “almost back” but stressed no risks will be taken. With PSG and Ousmane Dembele looming on October 1, Barca are preparing to have their prodigy fit for Europe’s biggest stage.
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