Chelsea are holding their breath after key midfielder Enzo Fernandez withdrew from international duty with a knee problem. Fernandez joined up with the Argentina squad earlier this week having played the full 90 in Saturday's 2-1 win over Liverpool. The Blues star, who played 78 minutes of Argentina's 1-0 win over Venezuela in the early hours of Saturday morning, has since returned to London.
Ruben Neves rose highest to nod in a late winner for Portugal to beat a resilient Irish defence 1-0 in Lisbon. The Portuguese midfielder was the hero for the hosts who had looked as if they would never beat the superb Caoimhin Kelleher in the Irish goal, particularly after their captain Cristiano Ronaldo had his penalty saved by the Brentford shot-stopper.
Spain maintained their 100% 2026 World Cup qualifying record as they eased to a 2-0 win over Georgia on Saturday night. Goals from Yeremy Pino and Mikel Oyarzabal either side of half time was enough to La Roja to make it three wins from three as they maintain their unstoppable march towards the World Cup. Spain dominated from the outset and many had expected the Euro 2024 winners to put up a big score.
Marcus Rashford has lined up a permanent move to Barcelona next summer after a prolific start to his life in Barcelona. After being put in Ruben Amorim's 'bomb squad' this summer, Manchester United outcast Rashford was sent out on a loan move to Barcelona. The Catalan giants have the option to make the transfer permanent next year for a fee of £26million ($34m).
Nottingham Forest are considering replacing Ange Postecoglou with Sean Dyche, should they decide to part ways with the Australian coach after just a handful of games in charge. The former Tottenham Hotspur boss has failed to impress and win over the hearts of the Forest faithful and, with patience running low, could be moved on in favour of the former Everton and Burnley manager.
Heung-Min Son has delivered advice to Bayern Munich striker and former Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane on what he'd tell his younger self when going through a setback. Kane posted the video on his official Instagram account to promote World Mental Health Day and encouraged others to talk about the tough times to help overcome the stigma surrounding mental health.
Real Madrid have earmarked Erling Haaland as Vincius Junior's replacement as the Spanish giants make the Manchester City star a priority target if the Brazilian leaves the club and moves to Saudi Arabia. Vinicius Jr has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League for almost two years now. The winger has yet to agree to sign a new Los Blancos contract, with only two years left in his existing deal.
Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt a blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was sent home from the France camp during the international break. Konate was called up by Les Bleus despite being forced off in the 56th minute of the Reds' 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. The Liverpool star made the bench against Azerbaijan but won't travel to Iceland next week.
Former Chelsea star Diego Costa reignited his feud with former Liverpool enemy Martin Skrtel during a charity match between the Blues and the Reds. Costa, who was infamous for his flaring tempers during matches, has not changed and it was evident in his antics during the game, which was deemed to be a friendly encounter for a noble cause. Costa spent three years at Stamford Bridge between 2014 and 2017.
Germany boss Julian Nagelsmann has defended Florian Wirtz and blamed his slow start to life at Liverpool on the creator's new team-mates. The Reds won the race to sign Wirtz over the summer, beating off competition from the likes of Bayern Munich and Manchester City to land the youngster. And Nagelsmann believes those around Wirtz at club level are to blame for his early-season struggles.
Former Arsenal star Jack Wilshere has officially been appointed as the new manager of struggling Luton Town. The 33-year-old takes the reins at Kenilworth Road following the sacking of Matt Bloomfield, with the Hatters opting to hand the rookie coach his first permanent senior managerial role in a bold and eye-catching move. Wilshere has only held an interim job with a senior side so far.
Erling Haaland saved his blushes by scoring for Norway moments after having a penalty saved twice by Israel goalkeeper Daniel Peretz. The goal machine failed to convert from the spot initially, but Peretz was judged to have come off of his line and Haaland was allowed to retake. The striker fluffed his lines again and was made to look a fool, although that did not last long.
Tottenham star Mikey Moore returned to form with a stunning hat-trick in England Under-19s' thumping 4-1 win over Belgium on Saturday. Moore scored his maiden hat-trick for England in the U19 age group as Will Antwi's side marched towards a comprehensive victory in the first of the two international friendlies they are scheduled to play during the October break.
Kyle Walker has admitted that he never should have left Manchester City to go on loan to AC Milan last season, criticising his own decision as ‘selfish’. The English defender made the six-month switch to the Italian giants in January and, looking back, believes it was the wrong move to make at the time, given City had been uncharacteristically struggling under Pep Guardiola.
England defender Jarell Quansah has been forced to pull out of the England squad ahead of their upcoming World Cup qualifier against Latvia after picking up an injury. The ex-Liverpool centre-back will now head back to his club Bayer Leverkusen, while manager Thomas Tuchel has decided not to name Quansah's replacement for their final game in the ongoing international break.
Bruno Fernandes has claimed he always wanted to remain at Manchester United over the summer, despite being the target of a number of bids from clubs in the Saudi Pro League. The Red Devils' skipper also dismissed the suggestion that he opted to remain at the club so he would remain in his best shape for the World Cup, insisting both he and the club wanted him to stay in Manchester.
Bundesliga club Hamburger SV chief has dismissed concerns that Tottenham Hotspur could call back their wonderkid Luka Vuskovic from his loan spell in January. Vukosvic, who formally signed for Spurs in the summer, was sent out on a season-long loan to Germany so that the 18-year-old can further grow with more game time under his belt in the Bundesliga.
Inter Miami are considering an audacious swoop for Santos' Neymar as they weigh up the merits of reuniting the famous former Barcelona attacking trident. The winger still has a couple months remaining on his deal at his boyhood club in Brazil, but may be looking to move on. The MLS could prove an interesting proposition given next summer's World Cup will be held in the US.
Rangers star Max Aarons has set his sights on an England call-up despite his domestic struggles as the 2026 World Cup looms. The 25-year-old right-back insists that representing the Three Lions is still the biggest ambition of his career, and he’s determined not to let his early issues in Glasgow derail that vision.
Arsenal defender Jurrien Timber is reportedly open to playing in a different position after thriving on Netherlands' duty. Fresh from a commanding display for the Dutch against Malta, the 24-year-old has shown that his football intelligence and adaptability make him one of the most complete players in Europe right now.
Kylian Mbappe limped off the pitch late on during France’s clash with Azerbaijan and will now miss Les Bleus’ World Cup qualifier with Iceland after he was sent back to Real Madrid to recover. Mbappe scored a stunner at the Parc des Princes, but scenes towards the end left fans of Real Madrid and France waiting anxiously for test result updates on the injured ankle.
Former Manchester United defender James Chester has reportedly made a sensational return to Old Trafford; not as a player, but as a coach. Fourteen years after leaving the club that shaped him, the one-time academy prodigy is back on familiar turf, this time helping nurture United’s next generation of stars.
FIFA is redrafting its regulations concerning domestic league games played in foreign countries and seeking legal advice on potentially banning them outright, after UEFA reluctantly approved LaLiga and Serie A matches to be played overseas. The games to be played are Villarreal v Barcelona in Miami and AC Milan v Como in Perth.
Tottenham have joined the list of teams keen on signing Brentford attacker Kevin Schade, with the Bees’ former boss lining up a potential switch. Frank signed Schade from Freiburg in 2023 and now wants to reunite with the Germany international.
Lucas Paqueta could reportedly leave West Ham in January as Flamengo eye an ambitious swoop for the Hammers ace. According to Brazilian outlet Bolavip, Flamengo’s technical director José Boto is spearheading the campaign to lure Paqueta home. The report claims that Boto has been in constant dialogue with the midfielder’s representatives, determined to make the emotional reunion happen.
Martin Zubimendi has revealed the details behind Mikel Arteta’s charm offensive as the Arsenal boss successfully pursued the Spain star’s signature. Arteta landed Zubimendi, who had been linked with Liverpool, and the determination the Gunners boss showed has paid off following his summer signing's impressive start to life in north London.
Eden Hazard is set for a Chelsea return as the former Belgium international is poised to play at Stamford Bridge once more after a fractious exit. The 34-year-old former superstar, who retired from football in October 2023, will return to West London this Saturday as part of the Chelsea Legends vs Liverpool Legends charity clash.
FC Porto president Andre Villas-Boas has lifted the lid on a bold new plan that could reshape European football, an Iberian Super Cup featuring Spanish and Portuguese giants like Real Madrid, Barcelona, Atletico Madrid, Benfica, and Sporting. The concept, still sitting in what he called “the drawer”, could see Iberian powerhouses go head-to-head in a cross-border spectacle aimed at expanding brands and global reach.
Real Madrid have been urged to give up their hopes of forming a breakaway European league and told they will be welcomed back by the “football family” after years of conflict with governing body UEFA. The proposed European Super League (ESL) of 12 clubs collapsed within hours of its announcement in 2021 and Real are now alone in continuing to pursue the idea.
Dayot Upamecano lavished praise on Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany and hailed the former Manchester City captain as "an example" to follow. Kompany’s Bayern Munich juggernaut is tearing through German football: ten games, ten wins, and not a single sign of slowing down, and Upamecano has now lifted the lid on his manager's methods amid their fine start.