Chelsea have reportedly entered talks with the representatives of Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka over a potential summer move to Stamford Bridge. The veteran Switzerland international is said to be open to the move, which would see him reunite with Xabi Alonso after their historic title-winning campaign together at Bayer Leverkusen.
Legendary former Sunderland boss Peter Reid has admitted to GOAL that he did not give the Black Cats “a prayer” of securing European qualification at the end of their first season back in the Premier League, but he is now backing them to find more “ammo” in the summer transfer window. Regis Le Bris and his board are ready to spend again after upsetting the odds with a seventh-place finish.
Ronald Koeman has offered a mixed review of his Netherlands side following their dominant 5-1 victory over Sweden at the World Cup. While the Oranje boss was delighted with the impact of Brian Brobbey, he insisted there are still significant areas for improvement within the team.
The Premier League fixture list for 2026-27 has been released. Arsenal will be looking to defend their title, while the likes of Manchester City, Liverpool and Manchester United have sights locked on the ultimate prize. Coventry are back in the big time after a 25-year absence, while several managerial changes mean that new eras are being ushered in across the division. Here, GOAL picks out the most notable matches from what promises to be another thrilling top-flight campaign.
Former West Ham and Sunderland defender Anton Ferdinand joins Adebayo Akinfenwa on the latest episode of the Beast Mode On Podcast. The 41-year-old discusses his journey through professional football and the experiences that shaped him both on and off the pitch. From coming through the ranks with the Hammers and establishing himself in the Premier League, Ferdinand reflects on the highs and challenges of life at the highest level of the game.
The Premier League has announced a comprehensive suite of mandatory law changes and officiating guidelines ahead of the 2026-27 campaign. Developed in tandem with PGMOL and informed by an extensive annual football survey, the updates heavily target time-wasting tactics while refining the threshold for video assistant referee interventions.
The 2025-26 European season is over, and it ended just as the 2024-25 did 12 months earlier, with Paris Saint-Germain lifting the European Cup at the end of the Champions League final. Saturday's win over Arsenal in Budapest was a much tighter affair than their thrashing of Inter in Munich, but was greeted with no less joy by the French giants and their supporters as they clinched a double having already won Ligue 1.
The 2025-26 European season is almost in the books. Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain will face off in Saturday's Champions League final after both secured league titles in England and France, respectively, while there was joy for Bayern Munich in Germany and Inter in Italy as both won domestic doubles. Rounding out the 'Big Five' leagues, Barcelona successfully defended their crown in La Liga as Real Madrid tailed off in chaotic circumstances.
The 2025-26 Premier League season is over, with top-flight players around England making their plans for the summer, whether they involve holidays or, for the lucky few, a chance to put on a show at the World Cup. Even those internationals will get the chance to switch off at some stage, but for their managers, the work never stops, with plans likely already being drawn up for the transfer window and next season.
And there you have it - the 2025-26 Premier League season is over. Arsenal are the champions while West Ham have been relegated alongside Wolves and Burnley as Tottenham secured survival on the final day. While the football hasn't always been the most scintillating, it's been a campaign full of twists and turns at both ends of the table, making it difficult to predict any result given the increased parity among the teams in the English top-flight.
The 2025-26 Premier League campaign drew to a tense conclusion on Sunday, as Tottenham scraped past Everton to consign West Ham to relegation in spite of a 3-0 victory over Leeds United. Meanwhile, in the north-east of England, Sunderland sensationally defeated Chelsea to secure a place in the Europa League, while simultaneously preventing the Club World Cup winners from qualifying for any form of continental competition next term.
As the 2025-26 Premier League season draws to a close, it's time to look back on what has been a campaign full of twists and turns. Arsenal eventually saw off the challenge of Manchester City to secure the title, but European places and the final berth in the relegation zone are still to be decided into the final day.
Joshua Zirkzee’s future at Old Trafford is under intense scrutiny following a toothless performance during Manchester United’s disappointing 0-0 draw at Sunderland. The Dutch forward has been heavily criticised for his lack of physicality and impact, with pundits and former players suggesting that he lacks the necessary profile to succeed in a Red Devils shirt.
Michael Carrick has fiercely defended his Manchester United squad against claims they have checked out for the season following their lacklustre goalless draw at Sunderland. Despite the Red Devils appearing to drop their intensity after securing Champions League qualification last week, the United boss insists his players remain fully focused on their responsibilities.
Sunderland have enjoyed a memorable first season back in the Premier League, but that has not stopped rumours of managerial change from surfacing - with Thomas Frank being linked with the Black Cats on the back of his surprising flop at Tottenham. Stadium of Light legend Michael Gray has addressed the “crazy” talk of change on Wearside during an exclusive interview with GOAL.
Michael Carrick has called for "clarity" regarding the Manchester United managerial situation, suggesting that now is the "natural time" for a definitive decision. Despite guiding the Red Devils back into the Champions League, the interim boss is still waiting to discover if he will be handed the reins on a permanent basis.
Manchester United legend Peter Schmeichel has implored the club to target Sunderland midfielder Granit Xhaka to address a chronic lack of leadership within the current squad. Schmeichel believes the experienced ex-Arsenal star is the ideal candidate to mentor emerging talent following his impressive £17m move to the Stadium of Light last summer.
Sunderland defender Dan Ballard became the latest victim of the Premier League's strict disciplinary clampdown on hair pulling during Saturday's clash with Wolves. The centre-back was dismissed just 25 minutes into the game following a VAR intervention that left the Black Cats bench fuming.
Anybody plotting a summer raid on Sunderland for “unique” forward Brian Brobbey and highly-rated goalkeeper Robin Roefs - with Bayern Munich and Chelsea said to be in those respective hunts - have been warned that “big money” will be required in order to tempt the Black Cats into selling. Don Goodman has told GOAL why exciting arrivals at the Stadium of Light should be considered more likely than any high-profile departures.
FC Bayern Munich are reportedly casting their net as far as Sunderland in their quest for fresh attacking talent ahead of next season. A forward once dubbed “Tah’s nightmare” plies his trade there.
Bayern Munich are reportedly tracking the rapid rise of Brian Brobbey as they consider a summer move for the Sunderland striker. The Dutch forward has impressed in his first Premier League season and Bayern could target him to provide attacking support for Harry Kane.
Micky van de Ven has expressed significant concern that Tottenham Hotspur may run out of time to master Roberto De Zerbi’s intricate tactical system as they battle to avoid a historic relegation. The vice-captain insisted that the squad must prioritise immediate results over stylistic evolution following a dismal defeat at Sunderland that left them two points adrift of safety.
Sunderland
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