As Bayer Leverkusen and Borussia Monchengladbach set square off this weekend, Malik Tillman and Gio Reyna will face each other on opposite sides - a timely backdrop for a debate within the USMNT. Tony Meola says he remains a “Gio fan” when both are at their best, but says Tillman’s recent rise gives him the edge in the race for the No. 10 role going forward.
Club América midfielder Alejandro Zendejas returned to Mauricio Pochettino’s U.S. men’s national team squad for the international window earlier this month after being left out of the Nations League Final Four and the Gold Cup. Back on the pitch for friendlies against South Korea and Japan, Zendejas scored for Pochettino's side.
There are several notable names on coach Marko Mitrović's U.S. men's national team roster for the 2025 U20 World Cup in Chile, announced Friday by the federation. Former Inter Miami midfielder Benjamin Cremaschi, now with Parma on loan, leads a squad that features several rising MLS stars, along with Dortmund's highly-touted prospect, Cole Campbell.
U.S. international goalkeeper Matt Freese has agreed to a five-year extension with New York City Football Club, the team announced. The 27-year-old’s stock soared in 2025, as he rose from USMNT outsider to one of the standout performers in the Gold Cup - positioning Freese as the possible starter for the 2026 World Cup.
Liverpool sporting director, Richard Hughes, justified the £450 million ($606m) summer spend which saw two club records shattered, and a squad reshaped with some of Europe’s hottest talents. Alexander Isak arrived for a record £125m ($168m) breaking the club’s transfer ceiling, whereas Florian Wirtz joined in a deal worth £100m, potentially rising to £116m ($156m).
Liverpool and Everton could be in danger of seeing another Merseyside derby postponed due to stormy weather conditions in the United Kingdom. The Reds and Toffees had to reschedule one of their meetings in the 2024-25 campaign, with questions being asked of whether their latest clash - scheduled to take place at Anfield on Saturday - will go ahead as planned.
Arsenal’s boardroom has taken a glamorous twist with the arrival of Ben Winston, the Emmy-winning producer whose contacts list reads like a Hollywood roll call. The 43-year-old Arsenal obsessive has been added to the club’s new-look hierarchy after a dramatic reshuffle that saw long-time advisor Tim Lewis step aside and Josh Kroenke take a firmer grip of day-to-day influence.
Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim has been mocked by a bookmaker following the club’s poor start to the season. Amorim has come under fire following an early run which has seen the Red Devils win just one of their opening four Premier League games and suffer an embarrassing Carabao Cup exit at the hands of League Two minnows Grimsby Town.
Everton striker Beto has paid tribute to his compatriot Diogo Jota, revealing the late Liverpool and Portugal forward was the first person to text him following his move to Merseyside. The footballing world was left devastated after Jota, 28, and his brother Andre Silva, 25, tragically died in a car crash in the Spanish province of Zamora in July.
Rafa Benitez lifted the lid on his relationship with Jose Mourinho and made his feelings known on the Special One joining Benfica. The pair first locked horns in England back in 2004, when Benitez arrived at Liverpool just two weeks after Mourinho swaggered into Chelsea. What followed was a feud laced with mind games, press-room barbs, and an incredible 15 clashes in just three seasons.
Manchester United legend Bryan Robson believes Paul Pogba struggled at Old Trafford because he “forgot about football” and cared more about his social media presence. The midfielder joined the Red Devils from Juventus for a then-world record fee of £89 million (€105m/$120m) in 2016 but found it difficult to live up to the fanfare which surrounded his eye-catching return to the Theatre of Dreams.
Nicolas Jackson’s chaotic loan move to Bayern Munich almost collapsed on deadline day after Chelsea tried to recall him, with his agent Ali Barat revealing the details on the drama. The deal only went through in the final hours following tense negotiations. Just two weeks later, Jackson faced his parent club in the Champions League, adding extra intrigue to Bayern’s 3-1 win over Chelsea.
Guglielmo Vicario explained the differences between Thomas Frank's methods to Ange Postecoglou's as the goalkeeper admitted that Tottenham have a better "understanding" under the new boss. The Italian talked about the dramatic shift inside the dressing room, revealing how Frank’s pragmatic approach has ripped up Postecoglou’s ultra-attacking mantra and replaced it with discipline, structure, and grit.
Mason Greenwood’s stunning form at Marseille has convinced Roberto De Zerbi that the forward can become one of Europe’s very best. After a 21-goal debut Ligue 1 campaign, Greenwood has already added goals and assists this season, including an eye-catching display against Real Madrid. Now, all eyes turn to his test against Paris Saint-Germain.
Enzo Maresca mocked Manchester United as Chelsea boss bemoaned that Ruben Amorim's side have had an "entire week" to prepare for the Old Trafford showdown in the absence of Champions League commitments. The Italian couldn’t resist a jab in his press conference, insisting he’d rather have the chaos of Champions League football than a holiday week to prepare.
Diego Simeone was sent off after clashing with Liverpool fans during Atletico Madrid’s dramatic Champions League defeat at Anfield. The Argentine international later admitted he regretted the incident but blamed “insults” from behind the dugout. Meanwhile, Real Madrid coach Xabi Alonso also addressed the controversy, warning that fan abuse in football has been “getting out of hand.”
Though Lionel Messi is reportedly close to signing a multi-year contract extension to remain with Inter Miami, manager Javier Mascherano struck a cautious tone on Friday, choosing his words carefully ahead of the Herons’ matchup against D.C. United at Chase Stadium. “I’m certainly not the one who should make that announcement,” he said.
Jadon Sancho has been warned that his career is “going to turn into a circus” if he struggles at Aston Villa this season. The winger joined Unai Emery’s side on a season-long loan from Manchester United on deadline day in an attempt to get his career back on track. Sancho had been told he was not part of United boss Ruben Amorim’s plans for the 2025-26 season, with the 25-year-old training away from the rest of the squad before completing his switch to Villa.
Arsenal have undergone a "significant" board shake-up as executive vice-chairman Tim Lewis leaves the Gunners with Josh Kroenke becoming "increasingly prominent" at the Emirates Stadium. Lewis, who first advised the Kroenke empire back in 2007 before officially joining the Arsenal board in 2020, had become a powerful voice behind the scenes.
Manchester United players have reportedly become worried over the changing atmosphere in the dressing room following the club’s difficult start to the season. The Red Devils currently sit 14th in the Premier League table after suffering two defeats from their opening four league games, while Ruben Amorim’s men also suffered an embarrassing 12-11 penalty shootout defeat against League Two side Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup.
Luis Enrique may be enjoying success in Paris, but the pull of Barcelona remains strong. The Spanish coach, who guided Paris Saint-Germain to their first Champions League triumph last season, still dreams of returning to the Camp Nou one day. With two years left on his contract in France, though, a move may be far away.
Agent Ali Barat has pulled back the curtain on Dean Huijsen's summer transfer to Real Madrid, revealing 'more than seven' clubs were in the running. Barat described the deal as 'very easy' thanks to a £50 million release clause and the Spanish defender's clear desire to fulfil his lifelong 'dream' of playing for Los Blancos.
Vinicius Junior’s frustrations at Real Madrid have surfaced after he was benched again, this time in the Champions League win over Marseille. Xabi Alonso admitted the Brazilian was not ready to talk immediately after the match, but revealed the forward was in better spirits during training. Madrid now face Espanyol in La Liga, with selection questions looming.
Wrexham's non-executive director Shaun Harvey has rubbished reports suggesting that Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney are considering showing record-breaking head coach Phil Parkinson to the door at SToK Racecourse. Questions have been asked of the Red Dragons' boss, but said speculation has been branded an "absolute disgrace" by a man on the inside.
Pep Guardiola has aimed a sarcastic jibe at Arsenal and Liverpool ahead of Manchester City's visit to the Emirates Stadium, suggesting any title success for Mikel Arteta or Arne Slot will be "just because they spent a lot of money". The Spaniard claimed his rivals are treated differently in the debate around spending.
Jobe Bellingham has found game time hard to come by at Borussia Dortmund despite a bright pre-season and debut goal at the Club World Cup. Coach Niko Kovac insists the new signing must be given time to adapt, stressing the need to protect him from pressure as he adjusts to life in the Bundesliga.
La Liga has published its latest salary caps, revealing a huge financial gap between Spain's top clubs. Real Madrid's spending limit has increased to €761 million, while Barcelona have seen their cap slashed to just €351m. The massive disparity will have significant implications for both clubs in future transfer windows.