It's difficult to overstate Cole Palmer's importance to Chelsea, but it's probably reflected in how determined head coach Enzo Maresca has been to have him at his disposal this season despite a persistent, niggling groin injury. The Blues have now paid a significant price for that over-reliance on the 23-year-old, with the attacker - who has already been sidelined for close to a month - now ruled out until December, in a crushing blow to his club and his World Cup hopes.
Former Barcelona and Everton forward Gerard Deulofeu has opened up about his devastating three-year injury ordeal, calling it 'the most difficult recovery in history'. The 31-year-old Spanish footballer, whose last game was in January 2023, is fighting for a miracle return to the sport he loves after an infection destroyed the cartilage in his knee.
Arne Slot has revealed Alexander Isak is fully fit again after his lack of pre-season, with the £125 million ($166.7m) striker now searching for his first Premier League goal for Liverpool. The Swedish striker might have forced his way out of Newcastle United in a messy transfer saga over the summer, but he is yet to shine since swapping St James' Park for Anfield.
Developing plans for a buy-out of Manchester United could include the return of one of the club's most celebrated former stars after Eric Cantona was named as a potential ambassador if the Glazer family decide to sell-up. And while those planning a mega-money bid haven’t officially announced their interest, talk of Canton’s return has excited United fans.
Harry Kane has been busy picking out some of his favourite players in quickfire quiz games with GOAL. The England captain named Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as part of his selection, as well as greats such as Alan Shearer and Thierry Henry. Former Three Lions strikers Jermain Defoe and Peter Crouch were also on Kane's shortlist, as well as Bayern Munich team-mate Joshua Kimmich.
Cristiano Ronaldo has been urged to complete a "beautiful story" by returning to his roots at Sporting, even if that path is trodden without taking on the No.7 shirt. Ronaldo took his first tentative steps down the road to superstardom in Lisbon and has seen it suggested on a regular basis that he could bring his record-shattering career full circle by finishing where it all began.
Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl has made it clear that extending Dayot Upamecano’s contract is a top priority for the club. The French centre-back, who joined in 2021, is out of contract next June, and with several European giants circling, Bayern are trying hard to keep one of their key players beyond 2025. However, Upamecano’s high wage demands have made negotiations challenging.
Mikel Arteta laid down a stern "pressure" warning to Viktor Gyokeres as the Arsenal boss claimed he isn't concerned by a six-game goal drought. The Swedish striker enjoyed a prolific spell at Sporting Lisbon, but is enduring a nightmare run in front of goal since his summer move to North London. Now, Arteta has made it clear that wearing Arsenal’s No.9 shirt comes with heavy expectations and an unrelenting level of pressure.
Pep Guardiola is thrilled to see Jack Grealish getting "back to real business" after leaving Manchester City for a loan spell at Everton. The England international found the going tough towards the end of his stint at the Etihad Stadium, but is playing with a smile on his face again and appears to be well on course to secure a permanent transfer to Merseyside in the summer of 2026.
Hansi Flick admitted he’s “particularly sad” about Raphinha’s situation as Barcelona's injury crisis deepens, with Robert Lewandowski and Ferran Torres also ruled out this week after returning from international duty. With key forwards missing and El Clasico approaching, the German coach faces a growing headache as the Catalans prepare for decisive games against Girona, Olympiacos and Real Madrid.
Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has admitted he does not know when Rodri will return from injury as he confirmed that the Ballon d'Or winning midfielder will miss Saturday's Premier League clash with Everton. Rodri suffered a hamstring injury in City's 1-0 win at Brentford before the international break, missing two World Cup qualifiers for Spain as a result.
Ex-Newcastle midfielder Jonjo Shelvey has rejected the notion his former club can’t attract superstar players to the north east after a number of big-name summer signings elected to join rival teams in Manchester and London this summer. Shelvey believes it's a mistake to look down on the region and has spoken of the love players feel from supporters at St James’ Park.
Roma legend Francesco Totti has made a stunning confession, revealing his infamous red card kick on prime notorious Mario Balotelli was a premeditated act against an "arrogant and presumptuous" player. The Roma legend also opened up on his bitter feud with Luciano Spalletti and the emotional trauma of being forced to retire from his boyhood club.
Liverpool icon Jamie Carragher has likened Mohamed Salah to Cristiano Ronaldo and explained why it is far too early to be writing the Egyptian superstar off at Liverpool. The remarkable numbers that he has been posting for the Reds have dipped slightly in 2025-26, on the back of signing a new contract, but the expectation is that he will come good again.
Cole Palmer's injury has been put down to Chelsea's "bizarre, wrong and impossible" schedule, with club icon Pat Nevin spelling out Enzo Maresca's "biggest challenge" so far. The 23-year-old has been ruled out for at least another six weeks, as revealed by the Italian manager in a press conference before resuming Premier League commitments after the international break with a clash against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.
Ahead of the German Clasico against Borussia Dortmund, Bayern Munich manager Vincent Kompany praised Harry Kane’s mindset, saying the striker’s long wait for silverware has only fuelled his hunger for success. The Englishman, now in his third season with the Bundesliga champions, is in red-hot form with 18 goals in 10 games as Bayern remain unbeaten across Europe.
Wayne Rooney has been brutally informed, by Danny Simpson during an exclusive interview with GOAL, that his dream of one day becoming Manchester United manager is likely to have "died". The Red Devils legend has, however, been talked up for alternative roles at Old Trafford - and one of those could see him help son Kai to chase the professional football dream.
Barcelona have officially renewed their partnership with Spotify, extending their sponsorship through 2030 and maintaining the naming rights of Camp Nou until 2034. The deal comes just months before the stadium’s grand reopening, marking a new chapter in Barca’s long-term strategy to unite football, music and global audiences.
Pep Guardiola longed to see Jack Grealish return to being the player he was when he helped Manchester City sweep to the treble. He waited and waited, and now has finally got his wish, albeit not in the way he would have hoped. Grealish feels like a brand new player away from City on loan at Everton, even more influential than in 2023, a talisman for his new club rather than just one of many stars.
Barcelona coach Hansi Flick has denied reports of a disciplinary issue with Lamine Yamal, saying that claims he wanted to drop the teenager from the starting XI are false. It had been reported that the German wanted to punish the winger ahead of the Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain, but sporting director Deco intervened.
Manchester United's newest star Senne Lammens supposedly became a goalkeeper to 'avoid running and being substituted', with his brother revealing the secrets of the Belgian stopper. Signed from Royal Antwerp this summer for £18.2 million ($24.5m), the 23-year-old has quickly caught attention with his commanding presence between the sticks. His clean sheet on debut in a 2-0 victory over Sunderland before the international break gave United fans a glimpse of his potential.
Barcelona's teenage sensation Lamine Yamal will no longer sign free autographs for fans as he prepares to enter a lucrative partnership to sell his signature on merchandise. The move, common among sports figures in the United States, reflects his soaring global brand value but comes at a time of intense scrutiny for the 18-year-old star.
Jenni Hermoso has been recalled to the Spain squad by new head coach Sonia Bermudez. The legendary forward, who is her country's all-time leading goalscorer, was caught up in the Luis Rubiales scandal which accompanied La Roja's World Cup triumph in 2023. She is now stepping back into the fold alongside former Barcelona team-mate Mapi Leon, who sees a three-year exile from the international arena brought to a close.
Newcastle star Joelinton has pledged to supply the chances to make new signing Nick Woltemade a goal-scoring success for the Magpies. Toon boss Eddie Howe has endured an erratic season so far, but can move onto the top half of the table with victory over Brighton and his Brazil star is confident Woltemade will help fire them up the table.
Barcelona have been granted permission to reopen the Camp Nou to 27,000 fans after the city council approved the stadium’s first occupancy phase. However, the club have chosen to remain at Montjuic for now, prioritising financial stability and waiting for a larger capacity clearance before making their long-awaited return home.
It's a weird time to be Endrick. The immensely talented Brazilian was supposed to be part of a new era, but instead finds himself in complete limbo. He hasn't played for five months, and everything suggests that he probably should have left over the summer. Injuries and a reluctance from the manager to play him have resulted in successive games sat on the bench, and now the 19-year-old faces a huge decision on his future.
Former Manchester United goalkeeper Nathan Bishop has detailed the savage, and very short, meeting that he tried to arrange with Erik ten Hag - only to be left standing alone in a corridor wondering "what the f*ck do I do now". A brutal verbal volley was delivered in Bishop’s direction when he attempted to speak with the Red Devils’ Dutch coach about his contract situation.
Jurgen Klopp has taken up a new role with the German Football League (DFL) as part of a newly formed expert group aimed at improving the nation's game. The former Liverpool manager, who is currently Global Head of Soccer at Red Bull, joins former Real Madrid star Sami Khedira and several top club officials on the committee.
Arne Slot has urged the Anfield crowd to play their part when Liverpool host Manchester United in Sunday's highly-anticipated Premier League clash. The Reds boss is wary of the threat posted by the Red Devils, and he believes the league table - that has United sitting in 10th spot - doesn't accurately reflect how well Ruben Amorim's side have started the 2025-26 campaign.