Matthew Judge

Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca could be sacked within the first two days of 2026, according to Sky Sports. The Italian is under pressure after overseeing a dismal run of form which has seen the Blues win just one of their last seven Premier League games - a victory over Everton in which he described the build up to the match as his “worst 48 hours” at the club.

Brighton and Hove Albion have agreed a deal to re-sign midfielder Pascal Gross from Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, according to Fabrizio Romano. The Germany international is reportedly close to sealing a surprise return to the Premier League - just a year after he decided to end his seven-year stay with the Seagulls by returning to his homeland.

Out-of-favour Chelsea winger Raheem Sterling could be on the move in the January transfer window with Fulham reportedly still interested in securing his services. The Cottagers have previously explored the possibility of signing the England international, who is yet to make an appearance this season after being deemed surplus to requirements by Blues head coach Enzo Maresca.

Arsenal should have conceded a penalty in their 1-0 win over Everton on 20 December, according to the Premier League's Key Match Incidents Panel (KMI). The Gunners have now been told they should have given away a spot kick when William Saliba and Thierno Barry challenged for the ball at Hill Dickinson Stadium - in a controversial decision which could have huge implications in this season’s title race.

Spain manager Luis de la Fuente has told Lionel Messi he should “never retire” as the Argentina star continues to weigh up whether to compete at the 2026 World Cup. The Inter Miami forward remains undecided over whether he will turn up in North America next summer, but he has now been told he can be the difference maker for the defending champions.

Struggling West Ham United should vacate the London Stadium if they are relegated from the Premier League this season, according to former Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Jamie O’Hara. The Hammers are currently 18th in the table and four points adrift of safety following a poor run of form which has seen them fail to win any of their last eight games.

Luka Modric has named Jose Mourinho as the toughest manager of his illustrious career, claiming the legendary boss is so intense that he once made Cristiano Ronaldo cry in the Real Madrid dressing room. The Croatia and AC Milan midfielder has worked under several world-class coaches during his sparkling spell in football, but he has labelled the Portuguese as the strictest of them all.

Florian Wirtz has been likened to a Liverpool legend after finally scoring his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League victory over winless Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Germany star has been praised for ending his long wait to break his duck, while team-mate Federico Chiesa has been defended following a quiet performance at Anfield.

Wrexham made it back-to-back Championship victories with a 2-1 win over Preston North End on Monday, but Phil Parkinson's side will be sweating on the fitness of talisman Kieffer Moore after the striker limped off with a suspected injury at the SToK Cae Ras. Goals in either half from Nathan Broadhead and Oliver Rathbone saw the Red Dragons build on their eight-goal thriller against Sheffield United by inflicting the Lilywhites' first defeat since late November.

Enzo Maresca has conceded he is struggling to put his finger on why Chelsea keep throwing away leads this season following their latest collapse against Aston Villa on Saturday. The Blues head coach admits he is at a loss to explain why his side are failing to maintain “control” in the Premier League - a worrying trend which he says is "not random".

Manchester United Women have completed the signing of Lea Schuller from Bayern Munich. In a major statement of intent from the club, the Germany international striker has joined the Red Devils on a contract until June 2029, becoming their second new addition in the January transfer window following the earlier arrival of Sweden defender Hanna Lundkvist.

Aston Villa head coach Unai Emery has labelled former club Arsenal as Premier League title “favourites” ahead of Tuesday’s crunch clash between the two teams. The Spaniard has taken the opportunity to add plenty of extra spice to a mouth-watering fixture which will see Mikel Arteta’s leaders play host to the high-flying Villans at the Emirates Stadium.

Manager Ruben Amorim has stressed Manchester United will not make any new signings in January unless there is “common ground” between himself and director of football Jason Wilcox over which players will improve the squad. The Red Devils continue to be linked with a host of names - including several midfielders - ahead of the winter transfer window opening on New Year's Day.

Mikel Arteta says Arsenal are ready to push Manchester City all the way for the Premier League title as both teams continue to slug it out at the top of the table. The Gunners were momentarily replaced at the summit following City’s late victory over Nottingham Forest on Saturday, before the north Londoners reclaimed top spot following their win over Brighton and Hove Albion later in the day.

Chelsea are reportedly keeping tabs on James McAtee ahead of the January transfer window, despite the midfielder having become an outcast at Nottingham Forest following his summer move from Manchester City. The former England Under-21 international is being monitored by Blues head coach Enzo Maresca, with the pair having worked together in the past.

Aston Villa equalled a centuries-old club record as Unai Emery’s side came from behind to defeat Chelsea 2-1 in the Premier League on Saturday. A second-half double from Ollie Watkins cancelled out Joao Pedro’s opener and inspired the Villans to an 11th consecutive victory in a remarkable feat which has left fans dreaming of big things this season.

Liverpool boss Arne Slot has backed Florian Wirtz to continue finding the back of the net after the midfielder finally scored his first goal for the club in Saturday’s 2-1 Premier League win over Wolverhampton Wanderers. The Germany star ended his painful wait for a maiden goal in red as the Merseysiders moved into the top four with a tight victory at Anfield.

Rayan Cherki has opened up about borrowing Erling Haaland’s goalscoring role - and his celebration - as the Manchester City midfielder produced a match-winning performance against Nottingham Forest on Saturday. The France international continued his remarkable form for Pep Guardiola’s side, who secured their eighth successive victory in all competitions with a 2-1 win at the City Ground.