Soham Mukherjee

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca will watch Saturday’s clash with Aston Villa from the stands rather than the technical area, serving a one-match touchline suspension after yet another booking for dissent. Yet the Italian is not regretful for his behaviour; instead, he has struck a defiant tone, insisting he is "proud" if his players are mirroring his intensity on the sidelines.

For the first time in English football history, Saturday 3PM kick-offs could reportedly be broadcast live on domestic television, with the Premier League and the English Football League set to open formal discussions early next year about lifting the long-standing blackout. England is now the only major footballing nation in Europe to maintain the restriction, which prevents live broadcasts between 2.45PM and 5.15PM on Saturdays.

Manchester United legend Louis Saha has urged the Red Devils to sign Morgan Rogers in January. The Red Devils will head into a Premier League fixture without Bruno Fernandes for only the second time in almost six years when they host Newcastle United on Boxing Day, a rarity that has intensified debate around the club’s creative depth. The Portuguese captain is sidelined with a hamstring injury and his absence is expected to leave a significant hole in Ruben Amorim’s side at a moment when margins at the top end of the table are unforgiving.

Arsenal are edging closer to a significant injury lift after Mikel Arteta confirmed Kai Havertz is on the brink of returning to action. The German forward, absent since undergoing knee surgery in August, is now just days away from rejoining the squad, offering renewed depth and flexibility as the Premier League leaders prepare for a demanding festive schedule.

Roman Abramovich has assembled a formidable legal team as a protracted court battle in Jersey continues to block the release of billions of pounds from the sale of Chelsea, funds that were pledged for victims of the war in Ukraine. While the £5.3bn dispute over frozen assets on the island remains unresolved, Abramovich is refusing to bow to mounting political pressure to immediately release the money.

Mason Mount believes "there’s an opportunity" to still make England's 2026 World Cup squad as the Manchester United midfielder enjoys a resurgence under Ruben Amorim. After years disrupted by injury, inconsistency and a painful separation from Chelsea, the 26-year-old is finally enjoying a sustained run of starts that feels like progress rather than promise.

City Football Group have brought their association with Mumbai City FC to a close, ending one of the most significant foreign investments in Indian football amid deepening uncertainty over the future of the Indian Super League. The CFG-owned network, which also controls Manchester City, has divested its entire shareholding in the Mumbai-based club, returning full ownership to founding partners Ranbir Kapoor and Bimal Parekh.

Lionel Messi’s traditional Christmas return to Argentina has been overshadowed by a serious family setback after his sister, María Sol Messi, was forced to postpone her wedding following a road accident in Miami. The ceremony, scheduled to take place in Rosario on January 3, has now been cancelled as she begins a lengthy period of recovery from multiple injuries.

Ruben Amorim has confirmed there is still “no decision” on the futures of Harry Maguire and Casemiro, as Manchester United edge closer to a potentially delicate contract crossroads. Both players are approaching the final months of their current deals, leaving uncertainty hanging over two figures who have revived their form under the Portuguese head coach.

Once the undisputed No. 1 at Manchester United, Andre Onana now describes his life in Turkey as "perfect", a striking contrast to the turbulence that defined his final months at Old Trafford. He found himself surplus to requirements early in the campaign, first dropped in favour of the inconsistent Altay Bayındır before United moved again to recruit Senne Lammens. For a player regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the world as recently as 2023, the writing was on the wall that a reset was no longer optional, but essential.

Vinicius Jr sent a heartfelt message to Endrick after the Brazilian star sealed a loan move to Lyon. The move represents a decisive step away from the Santiago Bernabeu spotlight and towards regular football. The 19-year-old has struggled to force his way into the picture under new head coach Xabi Alonso and will now spend the remainder of the campaign in Ligue 1 with Lyon, a club eager to harness his raw potential.

Cristiano Ronaldo is aiming to become the first player in history to score 1,000 professional goals, but Portugal coach Roberto Martinez does not view it as a "goal". The Portugal captain, whose career has been defined by shattered records and relentless ambition, has his sights set on finishing at the very top, yet those closest to him insist the pursuit of the landmark milestone is not driving his every move.

Wrexham’s Championship campaign has been dealt another blow after James McClean was handed a three-match suspension for violent conduct, following an incident during Friday night’s defeat at Swansea City. The ban removes a key leader from Phil Parkinson’s side at a critical point in the season and represents unwelcome news for club owners Ryan Reynolds and Rob Mac, who have watched their team struggle for consistency since stepping up to the second tier.

Marc Guehi’s future appears to be drifting further away from Barcelona after reports in Spain suggested the reigning champions have cooled their interest in the Crystal Palace captain due to his wage demands. The England international, long admired across Europe, has become one of the most sought-after defenders on the market, but the financial gap between Guehi’s expectations and Barcelona’s limits is now considered too wide to bridge.

Mikel Arteta admitted it was "emotionally tough" to process Crystal Palace’s stoppage-time equaliser, before Arsenal steadied themselves to edge through on penalties in a breathless Carabao Cup quarter-final at the Emirates Stadium. After 90 minutes the game finished level at 1-1, but the Gunners held their nerve to win the shootout 8-7, with Kepa Arrizabalaga emerging as the decisive figure.

Erling Haaland has reunited with former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, and the Manchester City striker suggested that the Manchester United legend has been giving him advice to continue his scoring form. The Norwegian's relentless pursuit of goals shows no sign of slowing, but even the most prolific striker of his generation is searching for marginal gains as Solskjaer is once again helping to fine-tune his instincts in front of goal.

Former Liverpool star John Arne Riise believes that Jurgen Klopp "would love" to take charge of England, and has tipped the German to move into international management. The Champions League-winning coach may have stepped away from the Anfield dugout, but the gravitational pull of his reputation continues to link with a potential return to the touchline.

Paris Saint-Germain are reportedly weighing up an unprecedented contract proposal for Luis Enrique. Appointed in 2023 to replace Christophe Galtier, the Spaniard inherited a club long defined by domestic dominance but haunted by European frustration. Less than two years on, PSG are no longer chasing history; they are living it.