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January is a notoriously bad time for buyers because nobody ever wants to sell top talent midway through the season. There are, however, exceptions to the rule. Some clubs need to raise funds to balance the books, while others can be left with not option but to unload an unhappy player who has made it clear that he wants to join a stronger side.

Wearing the USWNT armband for the first time, Trinity Rodman discusses how she views leadership after captaining the U.S. vs Paraguay.

GOAL spoke with the American in January to reflect on a whirlwind 2025 as he prepares for an even bigger 2026

GOAL breaks down top USWNT performances abroad, with Coffey shining for Manchester City and Fox lifting silverware at Arsenal.

With Arsenal steaming ahead in the Premier League title race from the off while Manchester City stumbled, the one thing Pep Guardiola's side could cling on to was their capacity for a strong finish. City have a remarkable history of reeling in their title rivals in when it matters most by going on what became their trademark relentless runs. But one month into 2026, there is little evidence of that happening this time around.

Liverpool need new defenders; that's no secret. Club captain Virgil van Dijk is past his peak, the future of prospective free agent Ibrahima Konate remains up in the air and a spate of injuries have limited Arne Slot's options this season. Help is on the way, though not until the summer at the earliest, with the Reds having agreed a deal to sign French sensation Jeremy Jacquet.

Chelsea's 2024-25 Women's Super League season was an all-timer. Undefeated through 22 games - the first team ever to achieve that in the competition's history - while also registering a record points return of 60, the Blues ascended to unprecedented levels of dominance in their first year under new head coach Sonia Bompastor. What has gone wrong, then, that means the six-time defending champions are on the brink of relinquishing their crown less than a year later?

After all the drama provided by the Champions League in midweek, domestic action returned over the weekend, and it did not disappoint. Title races and battles to earn European spots are heating up around the continent, with there plenty of twists and turns still to come over the next three-and-a-half months.

GOAL runs the rule over the British players earning a living away from their homeland, with plenty more stars deciding to leave their comfort zones in search of a better footballing life elsewhere. The Premier League is still obviously one of the world's most entertaining divisions and the Championship can prove fantastic for development, but there are more options out there.

Alexia Putellas has always strived for greatness. As a legendary champion with Barcelona and Spain, and one of the most decorated female players of all time, the iconic midfielder has always set impeccable standards on the pitch, empowering athletes to become role models for younger generations. For club or country, ‘La Reina’ has built a legacy through her vision, control and versatility, thriving as a creative force while driving unprecedented growth in the women’s game.

GOAL reviews the major takeaways from Americans playing in Europe, including McKennie scoring, again, for Juventus in an important victory.

Arsenal became the first-ever winners of the FIFA Women's Champions Cup as Caitlin Foord struck an extra-time winner to seal a 3-2 victory against a resilient Corinthians side. The Gunners led twice in normal time through Olivia Smith and Lotte Wubben-Moy, before a last-gasp penalty conceded by Katie McCabe saw Vic Albuquerque draw the Brazilian champions level. But Foord had the final say for Renee Slegers' victorious Gunners, who saw goalkeeper Anneke Borbe stretchered off in worrying scenes just before full-time.

Manchester City are now six points behind Premier League leaders Arsenal after succumbing to a 2-2 draw at Tottenham on Sunday. The visitors seemed in cruise control having raced into a two-goal lead in the first half, but threw that advantage away in damning circumstances as they lost further ground in the title race.

Defending champions Chelsea were taught a harsh lesson as Women's Super League leaders Manchester City took a huge step towards claiming the title with a 5-1 victory over the Blues on Sunday. Kerolin struck an impressive hat-trick while Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema also got in on the act, with Alyssa Thompson merely able to register a consolation which did little to change a devastating result for Sonia Bompastor's side.

Manchester City have one hand on the Women's Super League trophy after opening up an 11-point gap at the top of the table on Sunday by beating Chelsea, the six-time reigning champions, 5-1. Blues boss Sonia Bompastor admitted last week that she felt the title race was already over and this result only strengthened that feeling, as a Kerolin hat-trick and goals for Khadija Shaw and Vivianne Miedema gave the Cityzens what is surely an unassailable lead with just eight games remaining.

Manchester United's winning start to life under Michael Carrick continued in dramatic fashion as Benjamin Sesko's stoppage-time strike secured a 3-2 win over Fulham on Sunday. Goals from Casemiro and Matheus Cunha had the Red Devils cruising towards victory, only for late strikes from Raul Jimenez and Kevin to pull the visitors level. Sesko, however, had the last laugh when he lashed his shot into the top corner.

A late, if rather fortuitous, Kylian Mbappe penalty bailed out Real Madrid as they edged Rayo Vallecano, 2-1, on Sunday. Los Blancos were poor for most of the game, but a spot-kick deep into second-half stoppage time, converted by Mbappe, handed them a narrow win to stay within a point of Liga leaders Barcelona. Vinicius Jr also found the net in what was an unconvincing victory at the Bernabeu.

Manchester United moved - at least temporarily - up to second in the Women's Super League as Lisa Naalsund's double helped Marc Skinner's side beat Liverpool 3-1 on Sunday. The Norwegian midfielder struck either side of Alice Bergstrom's equaliser before Fridolina Rolfo bagged a late third to help United pick up their third win in a row and put pressure on Chelsea before the Blues' clash with Manchester City.

The two forwards were on the scoresheet for Barcelona again, as Hansi Flick's side extended their lead at the top of La Liga to four points courtesy of a 3-1 victory over Elche. Yamal was in inspired form to score one and set-up another as Rashford bagged his second for the Catalans in a matter of days in a confident win for the defending Spanish champions.

Wirtz and Ekitike stepped up for Arne Slot as the big-money summer signings helped fire Liverpool to a comeback victory against Newcastle. When the Magpies took a deserved lead, the French forward took the game by the scruff of the neck and scored a quickfire brace to flip it on its head. The Reds then pressed home their advantage and ran out worthy 4-1 winners.

Chelsea recovered to win a Premier League match from two goals down for the first time in their history as Enzo Fernandez's strike in stoppage time broke West Ham hearts in a dramatic 3-2 victory for the hosts at Stamford Bridge. The Blues recovered from a woeful opening 45 minutes to cancel out Jarrod Bowen and Crysencio Summerville's first-half strikes and hand manager Liam Rosenior a sixth win from his opening seven games in charge.

Arsenal ended their run of three Premier League games without a win with a dominant 4-0 win at Leeds United to move seven points clear of Manchester City at the top of the Premier League table, silencing those critics who have suggested their title hopes were about to collapse. The visitors suffered a major blow in the warm-up when they lost star man Bukayo Saka to injury, with Noni Madueke being drafted in off the bench to replace him, but it was the former Chelsea man who proved to be the difference in the first half as Mikel Arteta's superb squad again began to flex its muscle.

Arne Slot complained about the "noise" around Anfield ahead of Wednesday night's Champions League clash with Qarabag - and one could understand why. As well as being distracting, some of it has been disrespectful. Indeed, Slot had even been asked a question about Xabi Alonso, the favourite to replace him as Liverpool boss, in his pre-match press conference.

The last time Bruno Fernandes faced Fulham the whole football world was laughing at him. The Manchester United captain skied his penalty in the 1-1 draw at Craven Cottage in August and partly blamed the miss on referee Chris Kavanagh bumping into him. He explained: "As a penalty-taker, you have your own routines. It upset me because the referee didn't apologise."

GOAL looks at the biggest storylines among Americans Abroad, including Pulisic looking to get back to his best.

Dayne St. Clair was named MLS Goalkeeper of the Year after a career-best season for Minnesota United, yet surprised many when he left the club that drafted him to suit up for Inter Miami. But he has no regrets.

With some Americans potentially on the move, and a few surprises in store, GOAL's writers take a look at the state of the transfer window.

Another transfer window and another highly-rated prospect is on their way to Chelsea. The club's youth policy has struck again, with the west Londoners landing 17-year-old full-back Yisa Alao from financially troubled Sheffield Wednesday. Despite his very limited experience at senior level, the teenager provoked a transfer tug-of-war between three Premier League giants, but it is the Blues who have emerged victorious.

"There’s still questions about the mental strength of the team. I think there was a lack of aggression. Too many players failed to deliver," Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira said on Sky Sports after watching his former side suffer a 3-2 defeat at home to Manchester United last weekend. "It was a must-win game. They needed to send a message to the rest of the teams in the league."