Moroccan Throne CupVue d'ensemble

Chelsea winger Jesse Derry is on the verge of completing a season-long loan move to Portuguese giants Sporting CP, shortly after agreeing a new contract at Stamford Bridge. The highly rated teenager enjoyed a promising breakthrough campaign in London last season and will now look to gain valuable first-team experience and continue his rapid development in the Champions League.

A light-hearted joke by the 21-year-old has set the internet ablaze as furious fans of the Glamour Boys rush to defend their club. Even though the remark could, at worst be considered a bit of banter, many fans have taken his comment to heart and have come out all guns blazing in response.

With the Lionel Messi-Cristiano Ronaldo duopoly presumably disappearing into the rearview mirror, the battle for the Ballon d'Or hasn't felt so open for the best part of 20 years, with countless players now beginning each campaign believing they have a chance of claiming the most prestigious individual prize football has to offer. Ousmane Dembele emerged from a career plagued by injuries and inconsistencies to win the Golden Ball in 2025, and he is among a crowded field of contenders again in 2026.

The departure of the youngster to Europe marks a significant moment for South African football, but his father believes it should be the start of a wider trend. Having seen his son secure a dream move to Belgian side Royale Union Saint-Gilloise, Sechaba Mofokeng is now calling on the nation's biggest clubs to step up their youth development.