Match Overview

Manchester City’s Premier League title defense hangs by a thread after a costly 3-3 draw with Everton. The result leaves them trailing Arsenal, and the pressure is immense as they return to the Etihad Stadium. With their destiny no longer in their own hands, Pep Guardiola’s side faces a must-win scenario to keep their championship hopes alive. Their formidable home record, where they are unbeaten in 15 matches, will be put to the ultimate test.

Brentford arrives in Manchester full of confidence and with their own ambitions. Fresh off a dominant 3-0 victory against West Ham, the Bees are in a heated race for European qualification. Defying all preseason expectations, they are a resilient and fearless side known for their late-game heroics. This clash is not just about City‘s title aspirations; it’s a pivotal moment for a Brentford team looking to make a statement and secure a historic place in Europe.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

The trajectories of these two clubs could not be more different at this crucial stage of the season. Manchester City, a team built for championship run-ins, has shown uncharacteristic vulnerability, dropping vital points. In contrast, Brentford is on an upward surge, turning a season of predicted struggle into a potential European campaign. City‘s strength at home is well-documented, scoring at least twice in 13 of their last 15 games at the Etihad, but Brentford‘s knack for scoring late goals makes them a persistent threat.

The tactical battle will likely pit City‘s possession-heavy, attacking football against Brentford‘s organized and disruptive counter-attacking strategy. City’s major weakness is a recently destabilized defense, hit hard by injuries to key players. This vulnerability will be the primary target for Brentford, who will look to expose City‘s backline with the physicality and clinical finishing of striker Igor Thiago. The game could be decided by whether City‘s elite attack can overwhelm Brentford before their own defense is breached.

Motivation is at a fever pitch for both sides. For Manchester City, anything less than three points could be a fatal blow to their title defense. The urgency is palpable, and they must respond with a dominant performance. For Brentford, the stakes are equally high as they fight to secure a top-six finish. A positive result at the Etihad would be a massive step toward achieving a dream European qualification, making this a high-stakes encounter for both teams.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, Manchester City has held a clear advantage in this fixture. The Citizens are currently on a six-game unbeaten streak against Brentford, winning five of those matches and drawing just once. This pattern of dominance underscores the challenge facing the visitors, who have not secured a victory against City since 2023.

Recent encounters have followed this trend. The teams have met twice already this season, with Manchester City emerging victorious on both occasions without conceding a goal. They secured a narrow 1-0 win in the Premier League at the Gtech Community Stadium and a more comfortable 2-0 victory at home in the EFL Cup. These results highlight City’s ability to control the game and shut down Brentford’s attack.

Despite City‘s dominance in wins, the matches have often been tightly contested affairs. The last five meetings have produced an average of just 2.2 goals per game, suggesting that Brentford consistently makes it difficult for City to score freely. Furthermore, Manchester City has managed to keep three clean sheets in those five games, a trend they will be desperate to continue given their current defensive issues.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Manchester City is grappling with a significant defensive crisis at the worst possible time, while Brentford arrives with a more settled lineup despite some notable long-term absentees.

Pep Guardiola is facing major selection headaches at the back. Key defenders Rúben Dias and Josko Gvardiol are out with hamstring and leg injuries, respectively, leaving a significant void in central defense. To compound matters, the influential holding midfielder Rodri is also a doubt due to physical discomfort, potentially forcing a major reshuffle and leaving the team exposed.

Brentford manager Keith Andrews will be without several players, including Jordan Henderson, Rico Henry, and Fábio Carvalho, but the core of the team that defeated West Ham is fit and available. The consistency in their lineup has been a key factor in their successful season, and they will look to leverage that stability against a patched-up City defense.

Manchester City Projected XI (4-2-3-1):

Donnarumma; O’Reilly, Khusanov, Guehi, Nunes; Gonzalez, Silva; Doku, Cherki, Semenyo; Haaland.

This lineup reflects the forced changes due to injuries. The offensive burden will fall heavily on Erling Haaland to convert chances, while the creative spark from players like Jeremy Doku will be essential to break down Brentford‘s organized defense and compensate for any defensive frailties.

Brentford Projected XI (3-5-2):

Kelleher; Collins, van den Berg, Ajer; Lewis-Potter, Yarmolyuk, Jensen, Damsgaard, Kayode; Schade, Thiago.

Brentford‘s 3-5-2 formation provides defensive solidity with three central defenders while allowing the wing-backs to push forward and support the attack. Igor Thiago will serve as the focal point up front, using his strength to hold up the ball and bring teammates into play on the counter.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Manchester City vs Brentford live stream exclusively on DirecTV Stream. The platform is available on a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and iOS and Android mobile devices, as well as through your web browser.

A subscription to DirecTV Stream not only gives you access to this crucial Premier League match but also to a host of other top soccer competitions. You can stream other leagues and tournaments, providing comprehensive coverage for any soccer fan.

The service is available for a monthly fee of $69.99. This plan includes access to all live matches, on-demand replays, and expert analysis shows, making it a complete package for watching the beautiful game.

SEE MORE: Schedule of Premier League games on US TV and streaming

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If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

Sebastiano Esposito and Paul Mendy lead the Cagliari attack in a home Serie A match against Nicolò Zaniolo’s Udinese.

Saturday’s Serie A action begins at the Unipol Domus in Cagliari with the Rossoblu facing Udinese at 15:00 CET (14:00 BST).

Idrissi, Mazzitelli, Felici, Pavoletti, Borrelli and Liteta are unavailable for the home side, while Udinese must cope without the injured Zanoli, Ekkelenkamp and the suspended Kabasele.

Cagliari have a nine-point lead over the relegation zone, so they need one final push to secure mathematical survival.

The Sardinians have won two of the last five league matches.

Udinese have only lost once in their last five meetings and can technically still qualify for Europe, but they find themselves eight points behind Atalanta in seventh.

Cagliari vs. Udinese – confirmed line-ups

Cagliari (3-5-2): Caprile; Ze Pedro, Mina, Dossena; Palestra; Adopo, Gaetano, Folorunsho, Obert; Esposito, Mendy.

Udinese (3-5-2): Okoye; Mlacic, Kristensen, Solet; Ehizibue, Piotrowski, Karlstrom, Atta, Kamara; Zaniolo, Buksa.

Cagliari vs. Udinese – live updates

09-05-2026 14:00

MatchDay 36

Unipol Domus (Sardegna Arena)

Cagliari

Udinese

vs

Season Analytics

Cagliari

Positions

Udinese

SEASON TOTAL

CAG HOME

6

4

7

9

10

16

Last matches

03-05-2026		Bologna	D	0 - 0
27-04-2026		Atalanta	W	3 - 2
17-04-2026		Inter	L	3 - 0
11-04-2026		Cremonese	W	1 - 0
04-04-2026		Sassuolo	L	2 - 1

27-04-2026		Atalanta	W	3 - 2
11-04-2026		Cremonese	W	1 - 0
20-03-2026		Napoli	L	0 - 1
07-03-2026		Como	L	1 - 2
21-02-2026		Lazio	D	0 - 0

16

11

Position

SEASON TOTAL

UDI AWAY

7

3

7

13

8

14

Last matches

	2 - 0	W	Torino		02-05-2026
	3 - 3	D	Lazio		27-04-2026
	0 - 1	L	Parma		18-04-2026
	0 - 3	W	Milan		11-04-2026
	0 - 0	D	Como		06-04-2026

	3 - 3	D	Lazio		27-04-2026
	0 - 3	W	Milan		11-04-2026
	0 - 2	W	Genoa		20-03-2026
	2 - 2	D	Atalanta		07-03-2026
	1 - 0	L	Bologna		23-02-2026

Matteo Moretto reports that ex-Juventus and Napoli director Cristiano Giuntoli has ‘already reached an agreement’ with Atalanta for next season.

Former Juventus CEO Giuntoli is set to become the new Atalanta sporting director.

Several sources have claimed that Giuntoli is the leading candidate to replace Tony D’Amico in 2026-27, but according to Moretto, the agreement between Giuntoli and La Dea is already finalised.

The Italian transfer expert reports that the two parties have finalised all the details and the agreement will be confirmed with an official statement in the coming days.

Giuntoli’s appointment means Atalanta’s sporting director, Tony D’Amico, will leave the club after four years.

D’Amico has been linked with Milan and Roma.

The Rossoneri were already interested in the 46-year-old last summer before ultimately appointing Igli Tare.

Recent reports have claimed that the Italian director remains on Milan’s agenda as Tare’s future at San Siro is uncertain.

Roma, however, are another possible destination, given that Gian Piero Gasperini has gained more power following Claudio Ranieri’s departure, which will also lead to Frederic Massara’s exit.

Milan coach Massimiliano Allegri hints that he might pick an attacking trident for a Serie A match against Atalanta on Sunday, but Luka Modric’s return for the last game of the season is ‘nearly impossible.’

Milan are under growing pressure, having won only one of their last five games and scoring just one goal in the process.

Reports in Italy suggest that Santiago Gimenez could start against Atalanta at San Siro tomorrow, and Allegri discussed the matter at a pre-match press conference today.

Allegri drops Gimenez hint for Atalanta clash

“If Gimenez is there, there will be one or two players moving around him,” Allegri said via Milannews.

This means Allegri could choose three attacking players tomorrow rather than the usual 3-5-2 system: “We’ll see,” the coach said.

“We can’t change what we’ve done in these ten months. Tomorrow we begin a mini-season of three games,” Allegri continued.

“That’s how we have to look at it. We have a three-point lead. If we make it to the Champions League, we’ll go; if not, we won’t deserve to qualify. I’ll assess the starting line-up tomorrow, but I need everyone right now. Aside from Modric and Tomori, everyone else is available.

“The games last long, and substitutions in the last 30 minutes are decisive. Everyone will have to be involved in the game. We are in a decisive and important moment.

“It’s a decisive match tomorrow because three games remain. All energy must be focused towards tomorrow’s game. Then we’ll look at the table. We’ll have to play a tricky and difficult game at Genoa afterwards.”

Modric was forced to undergo a cheekbone surgery two weeks ago following an injury against Juventus.

The Croatian star is training separately at Milanello, but Allegri practically ruled out his return to action for the last game of the season against Cagliari.

“Even if Modric always comes to Milanello to work, it’s nearly impossible that he’ll be on the pitch for the last match,” he said.

During the same press conference, Allegri insisted that he wants to remain at San Siro for as long as possible despite reports that his strained relationship with CEO Giorgio Furlani could lead to a summer departure.

“Whoever is at Milan must work for the club and defend a glorious DNA,” Allegri insisted.

“I’ve seen that in the directors, and I understand that Milan must always have the ambition to win. If Milan finish sixth, it means we deserved to finish sixth. The important thing is that everyone works for the club. Personal targets must be set aside. The collective goal is to qualify for the Champions League.”

Massimiliano Allegri insists he wants to ‘stay at Milan for as long as possible’ and thanks the Rossoneri fans for their support this season.

Milan have only won one of their last five league games, and their advantage over fifth-placed Roma has been reduced to three points with three games remaining.

Tensions are running high at San Siro among Rossoneri supporters, who are preparing a protest against CEO Giorgio Furlani during tomorrow’s home game against Atalanta.

“We can only thank them for now. They’ve been supporting us since August 17, and the stadium has always been full,” Allegri said at a press conference via MilanNews.

“We’ve always felt their support, and they’ll do it tomorrow as well in a decisive moment of the season. We have a tricky match. We’ve had a good week of work, and we’ll have to face Atalanta as we try to return to winning, which we haven’t done at home in a while.

“We must do and not talk. Atalanta are an excellent team, and we’ll need an excellent performance to bring the result home.”

The Rossoneri have scored only one goal in their last five matches, and tomorrow they’ll host Atalanta without the injured Luka Modric and the suspended Fikayo Tomori.

“I’m not worried; you have to look at things positively. Normally, after a defeat like the one against Sassuolo, one tends to see things more negatively,” Allegri said.

“The destiny is in our hands. What’s nice about football is that 90 minutes can change everything. That said, tomorrow we won’t be mathematically in or out of the Champions League.”

There have been several reports that Allegri might be leaving San Siro at the end of the season due to strained relations with Furlani. The Livorno-born coach is also among the candidates linked with the Italy job. Does he see himself as a national team coach or does he prefer day-to-day duties?

“This is not a matter I’ve thought about. Right now, Milan are the most important thing, for the next games and for next season,” Allegri replied.

“We’ve worked with great attention and dedication for ten months. We must respect everyone who makes themselves available so we can perform at our best. I don’t think about anything else because my goal is to stay at Milan for as long as possible.”

Match Overview

Sunderland‘s celebrated return to the Premier League has been a success, with their top-flight status comfortably secured. However, a recent dip in form has seen them struggle, particularly at the Stadium of Light. After losing four of their last five home matches, including a heavy 5-0 defeat, the Black Cats are desperate to deliver a statement performance for their fans and push for a top-half finish.

Manchester United arrives in high spirits after a thrilling 3-2 victory over Liverpool, a result that officially punched their ticket to next season’s Champions League. Under interim manager Michael Carrick, the Red Devils have experienced a dramatic turnaround. With their primary objective achieved, the pressure is off, but the expectation to dominate and finish the season with authority remains.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

This match features a clash of teams on different trajectories. Sunderland started the season strong, building their success on defensive solidity, but have since seen their form and creativity wane. In contrast, Manchester United has surged under new leadership, transforming from a team in disarray to one of the league’s most potent attacking forces, overcoming an underwhelming start to their campaign.

The tactical battle will likely see Manchester United control possession and territory. The Red Devils boast the highest number of shots per game in the league and rank among the top for goals scored. Their aerial threat from players like Casemiro and Harry Maguire will test a Sunderland defense that, despite its early-season resilience, has recently shown fragility and concedes a high volume of shots.

While the biggest prizes are off the table, motivation is not lacking. Sunderland is fighting to secure a top-half finish, a significant achievement for a newly promoted club. For Manchester United, every game is a chance to build on their revival under Carrick, with players looking to solidify their roles for the future as the club prepares for a busy summer transfer window.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, this fixture has been dominated by Manchester United. The Red Devils have won four of the last five encounters between the clubs, establishing a clear pattern of superiority in recent years. Sunderland‘s lone victory in that span came back in 2016.

Manchester United is currently on a three-game winning streak against the Black Cats, including a decisive 2-0 victory at Old Trafford earlier this season. This recent history suggests United has had the tactical edge, effectively neutralizing Sunderland‘s attack while consistently finding ways to score.

Defensively, United has been particularly effective in this matchup, keeping a clean sheet in three of the last five meetings. Sunderland has struggled to find the net, failing to score in their last two games against the Red Devils and managing only three goals total across the last five clashes.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Manchester United enters the match in relatively good health, while Sunderland must cope with a key suspension and several injuries.

For Sunderland, the absence of defender Daniel Ballard due to a red-card suspension is a major blow to their backline. The team is also without goalkeeper Simon Moore and attackers Nilson Angulo and Bertrand Traoré, limiting their options and depth for this challenging fixture.

Manchester United‘s primary concern is Matthijs de Ligt, who remains sidelined with a back injury. Striker Benjamin Sesko aggravated a shin issue in the last match but is expected to be fit to lead the line. Otherwise, Michael Carrick has a nearly full-strength squad to choose from.

Sunderland Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Roefs; Reinildo, Alderete, Mukiele, Hume; Sadiki, Xhaka; Le Fee, Diarra, Talbi; Brobbey.

This formation emphasizes a solid defensive base with a double pivot in midfield designed to disrupt United‘s rhythm. With key players missing, Sunderland will rely on a compact shape and look to hit on the counter-attack through their lone striker, Brobbey.

Manchester United Projected XI (4-2-3-1): Lammens; Shaw, Maguire, Martinez, Dalot; Casemiro, Mainoo; Cunha, Fernandes, Mbeumo; Sesko.

This is a formidable attacking lineup, with Bruno Fernandes orchestrating play from the number ten role. With the dynamic duo of Mainoo and Casemiro controlling the midfield and Sesko providing a physical presence up front, United will aim to dominate the game from the start.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Sunderland vs Manchester United match on Peacock. The service is available on a wide range of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and Android TV, as well as on web browsers and mobile apps for iOS and Android.

In addition to the Premier League, a subscription to Peacock gives you access to other top soccer competitions, including Liga MX and various cup tournaments. It is the go-to destination for soccer fans in the United States.

A subscription costs just $10.99/mo or you can opt for an annual plan to save money. The plan gives you access to every live match, plus replays and highlights on-demand.

SEE MORE: [Link to general Premier League TV schedule]

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

Inter referee manager Giorgio Schenone was heard as a witness by Milan Prosecutor Maurizio Ascione on Friday, and further interrogations will be completed at the start of next week.

Referee scandal in Serie A: latest updates

Inter’s referee manager, Schenone, was heard by the Milan Prosecutor on Friday as part of a probe into alleged sports fraud, which involves five people under investigation, none of whom are from Serie A or Serie B clubs.

Former referee designator Gianluca Rocchi is among those under investigation on suspicion of having influenced VAR decisions during matches and of manipulating referee appointments.

In a wiretap from April 2025, Rocchi is heard telling VAR Supervisor Andrea Gervasoni, who is also under investigation: “They no longer want to see him [a referee] anymore.”

During the same wiretap, Rocchi and Gervasoni mention “Giorgio”, which, according to investigators, refers to Inter’s Schenone.

Corriere della Sera reports that the Nerazzurri referee manager did not receive questions regarding a meeting at San Siro on April 2, 2025, during which Rocchi is suspected of having chosen referees favoured by Inter for upcoming games against Bologna in Serie A and Milan in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal.

Investigators are trying to understand whether Schenone conveyed Inter referees’ preferences to Rocchi.

Daniele Doveri was picked for the second leg of the Coppa Italia semifinal against Milan last season so that he would be shielded for the Final, which Inter didn’t even qualify for.

What Inter Referee Manager told Milan Prosecutor

Schenone, however, argued that he had always dealt exclusively with refereeing matters and that during the 2024-25 season, Inter had Dover as referee six times, practically the maximum possible in the competition.

Schenone, nor any other Inter member, is under investigation. The Nerazzurri referee manager was only heard as a witness.

Corriere adds that there are no wiretaps involving Schiavone and Rocchi, but, on the other hand, Schenone heard several other wiretaps, mostly from spring 2025, involving Rocchi and VAR Supervisor Andrea Gervasoni and between Rocchi and Riccardo Pinzani, Rocchi’s former referee partner.

Former AIA President Antonio Zappi and new Referee Designator Dino Tommasi were also questioned on Friday, mostly about the activity in the VAR room in Lissone.

According to the report, the Milan prosecutor will complete further hearings between Monday and Tuesday next week.

Rocchi, in the meantime, has once again informed prosecutors that he does not intend to answer the Prosecutor’s questions, exercising his right to remain silent.

José Mourinho insists Iran deserve to play at the World Cup, which Portugal can win, and feels Zinedine Zidane embodied the concept of elegance: ‘Marco Materazzi might get mad at me…’

Former Inter and Roma coach Mourinho gave a long interview to Sport Week, discussing his life and career.

Ex-Roma star Nicolò Zaniolo once described Mou as a ‘master’, saying the Portuguese tactician could almost perfectly predict what would happen during matches.

Mourinho predicted Zaniolo’s winning goal in Conference League Final

“Almost,” Mou replied, smiling.

“One thing I had predicted and actually happened was that Zaniolo would score the decisive goal in the Conference League Final between my Roma side and Feyenoord.”

During the same interview, Mourinho admitted that he’d leave Inter for Real Madrid again and was then asked to name a player who “embodies the concept of elegance.”

“The first name that comes to mind is Zinedine Zidane,” Mourinho said.

“Marco Materazzi might get mad at me for saying it, but watching Zizou play was pure beauty.”

When asked about his favourite city as a coach, Mou replied: “The most important thing is to be with the people I love. It could even be the Sahara Desert. To me, anyway, the most beautiful city in the world is Rome.”

Lastly, the Benfica tactician spoke about the upcoming World Cup as well: “Portugal can do anything. They have an incredible generation. They won the Nations League a year ago. We won the Euros in 2016, and this generation is technically superior to that team. Of course, there is Carletto Ancelotti’s Brazil, Argentina, but Portugal can win this World Cup.”

FIFA President Gianni Infantino has confirmed Iran’s participation in the competition, yet there are still doubts on whether they’ll actually take part in the tournament due to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East.

Donald Trump’s Special Envoy, Paolo Zampolli, has been reiterating that Italy should replace Iran if they don’t show up for the World Cup in June.

“One thing is politics, one is sport,” Mourinho concluded.

“The Iranian players who have qualified for the World Cup, which will involve too many teams, deserve to play it.”

Paris Saint-Germain reportedly expect to have Achraf Hakimi, Lucas Chevalier, and Warren Zaire-Emery back for the Champions League final against Arsenal.

PSG recently booked their place in the final for a second year in a row after beating Bayern Munich 6-5 on aggregate in the semi-finals, while Arsenal advanced past Atletico Madrid.

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Fans of both clubs will surely already be looking into how to buy Champions League final tickets, but what players will be available to play in the big game in Budapest?

According to French journalist Fabrice Hawkins in the X post below, PSG manager Luis Enrique should have Hakimi back after he missed the second leg against Bayern, while there’s also optimism over Chevalier and Zaire-Emery…

Champions League final injury updates

??Absent pour la qualification du PSG face au Bayern Munich en demi-finale retour de Ligue des champions, Achraf Hakimi est espéré pour la finale contre Arsenal, le 30 mai prochain. L'optimisme est aussi de mise pour Lucas Chevalier.

Luis Enrique va gérer les organismes lors des… pic.twitter.com/AAXaZjKfZp

— Fabrice Hawkins (@FabriceHawkins) May 9, 2026

“Absent for PSG’s qualification match against Bayern Munich in the Champions League semi-final return leg, Achraf Hakimi is hoped to be available for the final against Arsenal on May 30 next,” Hawkins posted.

“Optimism is also in order for Lucas Chevalier. Luis Enrique will manage player workloads during the upcoming matches. Some starters returned from Munich with minor aches and pains that are nothing serious. That’s the case for Warren Zaïre-Emery, for example, who has a slight back issue. The staff’s goal is to have the full squad available for the Champions League final.”

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Can Arsenal beat PSG in the Champions League final?

Arsenal will surely be the underdogs against the reigning European champions, especially as they’ve had such bad luck with injuries this season.

PSG have a less demanding schedule and so look set to have everyone available for this big game, whereas Arsenal still have some hugely important games coming up in the Premier League title race.

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

Jurrien Timber and Mikel Merino are out at the moment, and there have been on-and-off issues for other big names like Bukayo Saka, Martin Odegaard, Kai Havertz, and Riccardo Calafiori all season.

Mikel Arteta surely needs as many options available to him as possible if he is to stand any chance of an upset against PSG at the end of this month.

The post Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final appeared first on CaughtOffside.

France can win the 2026 World Cup but Kylian Mbappe’s ego has the potential to cause “trouble” for Didier Deschamps’ side, according to Emmanuel Petit.

Mbappe is one of the best players in the world on his day, and has a great history at the World Cup, scoring for Les Bleus in their final victory in 2018, and even bagging a hat-trick as they lost on penalties to Argentina in 2022.

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Still, Petit has his concerns about how Mbappe fits into this France team, with the former Arsenal midfielder and World Cup winner with France back in 1998 making it clear he feels the Real Madrid star needs to play on the left.

Petit says he wants to see Mbappe out wide rather than up front, with Ousmane Dembele taking up that central role, and with Michael Olise on the right-hand side.

Kylian Mbappe could be an issue for France at the World Cup

Discussing how Mbappe could impact France’s World Cup hopes, Petit told the Sun: “Mbappe is playing up front as a striker. Dembele is playing up front as a striker. Ask Didier Deschamps, the French manager, ‘Who is going to play?’

“If I am Didier Deschamps, for me it’s very simple. Ask Kylian Mbappe to play on the left, the way he was brilliant for years with Paris Saint-Germain.

“Ask Dembele to play up front as a striker, and I ask Olise to play as a right winger.

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“If you do like that, I’m pretty sure France will win the World Cup. If you don’t do that and you want to go the same way that Madrid has been doing with Kylian Mbappe then you’re going to have trouble.

“Egos in the dressing room will come out, and the trouble will start in the team.”

Can France win third World Cup?

France have won the World Cup twice before, in 1998 and 2018, and they’ll be one of the favourites for this year’s tournament in North America.

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

France are in Group I with Senegal, Norway, and Iraq, and will hope to avoid a repeat of 2002 when they lost their opening group game against Senegal and ended up exiting the tournament early.

Mbappe could prove a difficult character for Deschamps to manage, and it will be an interesting situation to watch if this talented squad once again suffers from too many competing egos.

The post France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Juventus and Atletico Madrid are reportedly interested in a potential transfer swoop for Marseille forward Mason Greenwood.

The former Manchester United attacker’s future is in some doubt this summer after issues at Marseille, but it looks like he won’t be returning to the Premier League.

According to TEAMtalk, it seems unlikely that Greenwood will reunite with Roberto De Zerbi at Tottenham, so he could continue his career elsewhere in Europe.

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Given how things ended for Greenwood at Man Utd, it’s no surprise that English teams are likely to back away from making a move for him, even if he has rebuilt his career in France.

Mason Greenwood transfer would be too toxic for Premier League clubs

Greenwood looked like a superb talent when he first broke through at United, and he’s been in fine form for Marseille this season with 20 goals and seven assists.

However, there is no escaping the fact that the 24-year-old is likely to be seen as too toxic for clubs after reports of him being charged for assault, as per BBC‘s reports from a few years ago.

This led to United suspending Greenwood and he hasn’t played for the Red Devils since.

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

De Zerbi’s arrival as Tottenham manager was also seen as controversial due to his backing of Greenwood when they were together at Marseille.

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Spurs would surely not risk further backlash by bringing in the former England international this summer, but it will be interesting to see how his career can progress at Juve or Atletico.

The post Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Verdict: Home win Best odds: 5/8 Bookmaker: Olympusbet The La Liga title race may well end on Sunday, when Barcelona welcome arch-rivals Real Madrid to the Spotify Camp Nou on Sunday evening. Hansi Flick’s side only need a point from this clash to retain their status as the Spanish champions, while things really don’t look […]

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The post Prediction: Barcelona vs Real Madrid appeared first on Soccer News.

As the Serie A season enters its final weeks, there is still a lot to play for. The league winners might be known, but the race for the Champions League places is heating up.

Inter are now guaranteed to finish top of the table after their 2-0 victory against Parma, which clinched the Scudetto. That leaves three qualification spots remaining, but five teams are all pushing for them.

Who, though, has the best chance of finishing in the top four? Here’s a closer look at the matches each team in contention has left, and who is the most likely to qualify.

Napoli – 70 points

Antonio Conte’s men might have fallen short of defending their status as champions, but they look all but certain to qualify for the Champions League. A goalless draw against Como means that they only need one win and one draw from their three remaining games to guarantee a top-four finish.

Napoli face ninth-placed Bologna in their next match, but their away fixture against struggling Pisa should be their best chance of a victory. They then play Udinese in their final match, although that could be a potential slip-up that teams can capitalise on, as I Friulani emerged as 1-0 victors when the two sides met in December 2025.

Milan – 67 points

A victory against Sassuolo would have put Milan on the brink of qualification, but a defeat has put the pressure on. Now only three points ahead of fifth-placed Roma, the Rossoneri need to bounce back from their latest setback, and quickly.

Fortunately, while their next match against Atalanta will be difficult, the final two matches of the season are much more straightforward. Milan have a trip to Genoa on May 17, before they then host Cagliari at the San Siro in their final game. Both teams lie in the bottom half of the table, and while Genoa did manage a 1-1 draw in the reverse fixture against Milan back in January, the 19-time champions will still be confident in their chances.

Juventus – 65 points

Milan’s failure to beat Sassuolo might have been punished had Juventus beaten Verona. But, in spite of that 1-1 draw, La Vecchia Signora should feel the most optimistic. While they are only one point ahead of Roma, Luciano Spalletti’s side now only play teams in the bottom half of the table.

Lecce could be a potential mistake waiting to happen, but their win against Pisa was their only win in seven. Juve will also be heavy favourites in their matches against Fiorentina and Torino.

Because Juventus is the team in Serie A with the biggest global following, fans across the world will be making the most of betting bonuses, such as a 1win promo code for India readers, to back Juve to qualify for the Champions League. They have a lot going in their favour, but only time will tell if they manage to get over the line.

Roma – 64 points

Roma might have lost four more games than Como, but the Giallorossi still find themselves among the chasing pack for Champions League football. It’s been seven seasons since they last played in the competition, but if things go their way, that streak might come to an end.

A win against Fiorentina has put them in fifth, but there’s no question that their route to the top four is more difficult than their rivals. They face Parma away from home next before the Derby della Capitale against Lazio.

Nevertheless, Roma have not lost to their rivals since January 2024 and will be confident of extending that run as they pursue European football. If the teams above them drop more points, then it could all come down to their final match of the season against Verona on May 24.

Como – 62 points

A win against Napoli would have put Como in control of their bid for Champions League football. Now, I Lariani need to win the maximum nine points from their last three games and hope that other teams can do them a favour if they are to have any chance.

Cesc Fabregas – who recently ruled out a move to Chelsea – has the team with sufficient quality to win three matches on the spin, and their remaining fixtures also lend themselves to potential success. They face bottom-three sides Verona and Cremonese, either side of a home fixture against 12th-placed Parma, whom they have not lost to since 2023 in Serie B. Nevertheless, the Lombardy-based club has a mountain to climb to qualify for the Champions League.

Both Lazio and Inter are likely to make squad rotations in their Serie A match today, as they prepare for next week’s Coppa Italia Final, but the Nerazzurri captain, Lautaro Martinez, is still expected to start.

It kicks off at 18:00 CET (17:00 BST) at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome.

It’s Inter’s first game as defending Serie A champions, as the Nerazzurri secured the Scudetto with three games to spare last week.

Lazio are four points below a Conference League placement, but their priority remains next Wednesday’s Coppa Italia Final, also against the Nerazzurri.

Francesco Pio Esposito and Hakan Calhanoglu are unavailable for Inter, but while the Italian striker is expected to recover in time for next week’s Final, Calhanoglu is not likely to make it.

Lazio get to this match without the injured Samuel Gigot, Ivan Provedel, Alessio Furlanetto, Danilo Cataldi, Elseid Hysaj and their captain Mattia Zaccagni.

As reported by Gazzetta, Italy international Davide Frattesi is set to make a rare start for Inter in the middle of the park, so Nicolò Barella will rest.

Marcus Thuram is also expected to start on the bench, making room for Ange-Yoan Bonny and Lautaro Martinez up front.

Lazio vs. Inter – probable line-ups

The match will be broadcast live on DAZN in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Lazio vs. Inter – where to watch on TV

Inter (3-5-2): Martinez Jo.; Bisseck, Acerbi, Bastoni; Darmian, Sucic, Frattesi, Mkhitaryan, Carlos Augusto; Lautaro Martinez, Bonny.

Lazio (4-3-3): Motta; Lazzari, Provstgaard, Romagnoli, Pellegrini; Basic, Rovella, Taylor; Isaksen, Maldini, Noslin.

Dusan Vlahovic is set to return to the Juventus starting XI for the first time in over five months as the Bianconeri seek a win against a Lecce side that is fighting for survival.

It kicks off at 20:45 CET (19:45 BST) at the Stadio Via Del Mare in Lecce.

The home side have a four-point advantage over the relegation zone, so a win would almost certainly allow them to secure survival, while Juventus sit fourth in the standings, but their lead over fifth-placed Roma has been reduced to just one point following back-to-back draws against Milan and Hellas Verona.

The Bianconeri have travelled to Lecce without the injured Arkadiusz Milik and Juan Cabal.

Serbia international Vlahovic is expected to start his first game since November 29, as reported by Sky Sport and Gazzetta.

Kenan Yildiz and Francisco Conceiçao will complete the Old Lady’s attack.

Medon Berisha, Kialonda Gaspar, Riccardo Sottil and Sadik Fofana are unavailable for Lecce, where Walid Cheddira is the favourite over Nikola Stulic for a starting spot as a lone striker.

Lecce vs. Juventus – where to watch on TV

The match will be broadcast live on TNT Sports 2, DAZN and HBO Max in the UK and Ireland and on Paramount+ in the USA. Football Italia will provide live updates via a liveblog.

Lecce vs. Juventus – probable line-ups

Lecce (4-2-3-1): Falcone; Danilo Veiga, Siebert, Tiago Gabriel, Gallo; Ngom, Ramadani; Pierotti, Coulibaly, Banda; Cheddira. 

Juventus (3-4-2-1): Di Gregorio; Kalulu, Bremer, Kelly; McKennie, Locatelli, Thuram, Cambiaso; Conceição, Yildiz; Vlahovic. 

Arsenal have been tipped to change the course of their history if they win the Champions League final this season, with a transfer like Kylian Mbappe perhaps within their reach.

That’s the view of former Gunners midfielder Emmanuel Petit, who believes there could be a chance of Mbappe leaving Real Madrid this summer.

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Still, overall he feels it’s probably not realistic, even if Arsenal’s status would be transformed by finally winning the European Cup.

Mbappe would undoubtedly be a dream signing for Arsenal after so many world class performances throughout his career, even if he also comes with a big ego.

Arsenal could pounce for unsettled Kylian Mbappe

Mbappe has 85 goals in 100 games for Real Madrid, but it’s also true that his move to the Bernabeu hasn’t been entirely successful so far.

The France international’s future seems in some doubt at the moment, and this has led to Petit to call for AFC to snap him up if they win the Champions League.

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“If Arsenal win the Champions League for the first time then it would change the course of their history and send a strong message in the transfer market,” Petit is quoted by the Sun.

“Players would of course want to play for the Champions League winners and hope they can go and win it again, it would help them attract Kylian Mbappe if he does leave Real Madrid.”

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

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May 9 2026, 10:39

Kylian Mbappe would be a game-changer for Arsenal

Mbappe is one of the best players in the world, and it would be great to see him coming to the Premier League.

Even if it’s unrealistic, here’s how we scored Mbappe to Arsenal with our Transfer Fit rating system…

The only downside to this deal is the price, while Mbappe is also not the youngest, but he’s an elite goal-scorer who can also provide an option on the left-hand side of a front three.

The 27-year-old would be a huge upgrade on the likes of Viktor Gyokeres and Kai Havertz up front, and on Gabriel Martinelli and Leandro Trossard on the left.

The post Arsenal could try signing unsettled Kylian Mbappe if they win Champions League, says ex-Gunner appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich are reportedly eyeing up a potential summer transfer window swoop for Newcastle United full-back Tino Livramento as they also chase his teammate Anthony Gordon.

Gordon has been strongly linked with Bayern by Christian Falk and others, but it looks like other Newcastle stars are also facing uncertainty ahead of this summer.

There has previously been talk of Livramento and others possibly leaving St James’ Park, as per the Telegraph, while Arsenal have been linked as suitors for the England international in a report from BBC Sport.

Livramento has shone at Newcastle, and now a report from Fichajes states that Bayern are the latest club to show an interest in him.

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Tino Livramento to Arsenal or Bayern?

Livramento makes sense as someone who could now be keen to make the step up to a higher level after a difficult and frustrating season for Newcastle.

Eddie Howe’s side were thrashed by Barcelona in the Champions League and have dropped to 13th in the Premier League table, making European football highly unlikely for next season.

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Livramento is more than good enough to be playing at the top, so it will be interesting to see if he ends up somewhere like Arsenal or Bayern.

Fichajes suggest Bayern are now stepping up their interest, though the report adds that NUFC want as much as £70m to let the 23-year-old go.

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

That seems a lot to be paying for someone with a slightly worrying recent injury record, so it will be interesting to see how realistic a deal is for that price.

Still, Newcastle also surely need to push for a big fee or else they’re at risk of losing far too many important players in one go this summer, just a year on from the blow of losing Alexander Isak to Liverpool.

The post Bayern rival Arsenal for signing of £70m Newcastle star – not Anthony Gordon appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are understood to be on alert for the possible transfer of Arsenal attacking midfielder Ethan Nwaneri as his situation at the Emirates Stadium as changed.

The highly-rated 19-year-old was not initially loaned out to Marseille to be put in the shop window, but Arsenal could now be open to letting him go for the right price this summer, as first reported here for the Daily Briefing.

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Chelsea are one of the clubs with a long term appreciation of Nwaneri, and they could revisit this deal if he does indeed end up moving on from Arsenal at the end of this campaign.

For now, it’s not clear that Nwaneri himself is pushing to leave, but there may perhaps be concerns with his development after murmurings of attitude problems at Marseille training.

What sources are saying about Ethan Nwaneri transfer

As well as Chelsea, sources have named Borussia Dortmund, Juventus, and AC Milan as clubs keeping an eye on Nwaneri’s situation, while at least three other Premier League teams are also monitoring developments.

Meanwhile, Arsenal could be tempted to cash in on Nwaneri for around £35-40m, with the sale to count as ‘pure profit’ from a PSR perspective due to the fact that the England Under-21 international came up through the Gunners’ academy.

“Nwaneri is struggling right now and that means Arsenal are going to have to consider a sale,” one source said. “Things can change quickly, but he clearly isn’t progressing as expected, and they’ll feel they can get a decent fee for him.

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“Chelsea have tried signing him before. They’re still keeping an eye on how this develops, as are Dortmund, Juventus, and Milan. Many top clubs in England and Europe still see him as a fantastic talent, and he might benefit from a fresh start.”

Could Ethan Nwaneri be the right signing for Chelsea?

Chelsea haven’t got a lot right in the transfer market in recent times, but their policy of recruiting top young players has occasionally gone well for them.

Joao Pedro has been a big hit since joining from Brighton, while Cole Palmer was in a similar situation at Manchester City to Nwaneri’s at Arsenal now when he moved to Stamford Bridge.

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

Using our Transfer Fit rating system, we score Nwaneri to Chelsea 16/25 – a promising young player in a position they need, who wouldn’t cost a fortune, but who also isn’t in the best form right now.

Arsenal might be wary of selling a top prospect like Nwaneri to a rival, but it currently seems unlikely that he’s going to become a key first-team player in Mikel Arteta’s squad.

These two London rivals have also done business plenty of times before, with big names like Kai Havertz, Jorginho, Noni Madueke, and Kepa Arrizabalaga all moving from Chelsea to Arsenal in the last few years.

The post Sources: Chelsea & other PL clubs eyeing “fantastic” Arsenal star in surprise transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Jose Mourinho is reportedly already thinking about Real Madrid transfer targets if he ends up returning to the Bernabeu as manager.

The Benfica boss has been in talks over returning to Real Madrid for a second spell, according to the Athletic, and he’ll surely be keen to make several changes to this squad.

It’s been a difficult season for the Spanish giants, and one particular area of concern seems to be in midfield.

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According to Fichajes, this has led Mourinho to look for Real to sign one of Chelsea’s Enzo Fernandez, Liverpool’s Alexis Mac Allister, or Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali.

Jose Mourinho wants more control in midfield

Madrid have some fine midfield players, but they’ve struggled to adequately replace the quality of legendary duo Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.

Even if Fernandez and Mac Allister are not quite at that level, they are arguably more similar in playing style due to their ability to get on the ball and dictate play.

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Chelsea could also be open to selling Fernandez, which makes him a realistic target, so Los Blancos fans will no doubt keep an eye on how this saga progresses.

Could Alexis Mac Allister leave Liverpool?

Meanwhile, there are some doubts over Mac Allister’s Liverpool future after comments from the player’s father.

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

The Argentina international has not yet spoken with another club, according to his dad Carlos, but he also hasn’t discussed a new contract with Liverpool.

The Reds ended up losing Trent Alexander-Arnold to Real Madrid last summer, so they might not be too keen on a similar situation here, but if a new deal still isn’t in place then it surely has to be a possibility.

The post From Spain: Mourinho eyeing Chelsea & Liverpool stars in Real Madrid transfer overhaul appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Match Overview

Liverpool hosts Chelsea at Anfield in a crucial Premier League showdown with significant implications for both clubs. For the Reds, the mission is simple: secure a victory to lock in their spot in next season’s Champions League. Coming off a stinging 3-2 defeat to arch-rivals Manchester United, the pressure is on for Liverpool to deliver a statement win in front of their home crowd and achieve their final objective in a challenging season.

Meanwhile, Chelsea arrives in Merseyside in a state of crisis. The Blues are enduring a disastrous run of form, having lost six consecutive league matches for the first time in 33 years. Currently sitting ninth in the table, they are in serious danger of missing out on European competition entirely. With an FA Cup final on the horizon, Chelsea is desperate to halt their slide and salvage some pride in what has become a season to forget.

Tactical Analysis & Match Context

This season has been a story of unmet expectations for Liverpool, who are approaching a club record for defeats in a single campaign. Despite their struggles, their goal of Champions League qualification remains within reach. In stark contrast, Chelsea‘s season has completely unraveled. Once considered contenders for a top-four spot, they have plummeted down the standings, with their only hope for redemption resting on the upcoming FA Cup final.

The tactical battle will likely see Liverpool dominate possession and territory, leveraging their Anfield advantage. However, the Reds have shown defensive fragility, particularly from set-pieces, and have a tendency to concede the opening goal. Chelsea’s primary challenge is their lack of confidence and attacking rhythm. They recently snapped a 565-minute goal drought and have been leaking goals on the road, making them vulnerable to Liverpool’s attacking pressure.

Liverpool‘s motivation is straightforward: a win guarantees them a place among Europe’s elite next season, providing a positive end to a turbulent year. For Chelsea, the objective is to stop the bleeding. A positive result at Anfield would be a massive morale boost ahead of their cup final and could prevent them from slipping out of the Premier League‘s top ten.

Head-to-Head Record & Historic Trends

Historically, this fixture has been tightly contested. Across the last ten Premier League encounters between the two clubs, there have been five draws, with Chelsea claiming three wins to Liverpool’s two. However, the dynamic shifts significantly at Anfield, where Liverpool has been dominant, losing just one of the last ten league meetings against the Blues while winning four.

Recent matches have consistently produced goals and drama. Liverpool has won the last two head-to-head clashes at Anfield, scoring a combined six goals. The reverse fixture earlier this season saw Chelsea snatch a late 2-1 victory at Stamford Bridge, a result Liverpool will be eager to avenge.

A clear trend in recent history is the frequency of goals. Both teams have scored in the last five league meetings, with those games averaging an impressive 3.4 goals per match. This pattern suggests that another open, attacking contest is highly likely, as neither side has demonstrated consistent defensive solidity.

Squad News & Projected Lineups

Both squads are contending with significant player availability issues that will force tactical adjustments from their managers.

Liverpool is facing an injury crisis in their attack, with key forwards Mohamed Salah and Hugo Ekitike ruled out, and Alexander Isak remaining a doubt. This severely limits their offensive options and puts more pressure on Cody Gakpo to lead the line. The goalkeeping situation is also a concern, as third-choice keeper Freddie Woodman is expected to start due to injuries to Alisson Becker and Giorgi Mamardashvili.

For Chelsea, goalkeeper Robert Sanchez is expected to be fit despite picking up a head injury in their last match. Mykhailo Mudryk is unavailable due to suspension, which will likely see Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto occupy the wings. Following his spectacular bicycle-kick goal against Nottingham Forest, Joao Pedro is set to continue as the central striker, tasked with finding a breakthrough against the Liverpool defense.

Liverpool Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
Woodman; Jones, Konate, Van Dijk, Robertson; Gravenberch, MacAllister; Frimpong, Szoboszlai, Wirtz; Gakpo
With their primary goalscorers sidelined, Liverpool‘s lineup is built for creativity and pace. Wirtz and Frimpong will provide the attacking threat from wide positions, while Szoboszlai supports Gakpo from a central role. The makeshift defense and third-choice keeper will need to be sharp to handle Chelsea‘s attackers.

Chelsea Projected XI (4-2-3-1):
Sanchez; Gusto, Chalobah, Adarabioyo, Cucurella; Caicedo, Lavia; Palmer, Fernandez, Neto; Pedro
Chelsea will rely on the individual brilliance of Cole Palmer and the playmaking of Enzo Fernandez in an advanced midfield role. Joao Pedro will look to build on his recent goal, but the team’s overall lack of cohesion remains a major hurdle. The defense must find a way to contain Liverpool‘s press at Anfield.

More details on how to watch

You can watch the Liverpool vs Chelsea live stream on Peacock. The service is available on a variety of devices, including Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, and major web browsers, ensuring you can catch the action from anywhere.

In addition to this Premier League clash, a subscription to Peacock gives you access to a wide array of other soccer competitions. You can stream matches from leagues such as Liga MX, as well as programming from top networks.

A subscription to Peacock costs just $10.99/mo, offering a comprehensive package for soccer fans looking for extensive coverage of the world’s biggest leagues and tournaments.

SEE MORE: Find our comprehensive Premier League TV schedule.

How to watch anywhere with VPN

If you’re abroad, you may need to use a virtual private network (VPN) in order to watch games using your usual streaming service. A VPN, such as Nord VPN, allows you to establish a secure connection online when streaming.

La Gazzetta dello Sport

75m at stake

The transfer market is at risk without Champions. Juve, there’s Vlahovic.

Test for double

Double challenge Inter: only Lazio towards the cup

Gimenez shows up

No goals in Serie A for a year, Allegri is tempted.

Simeone’s energy again, and Toro turn Sassuolo around

Corriere dello Sport

Test for the cup

Two challenges in five days

Today’s game (18:00) is the aperitif for the final

Masked Lazio-Inter: Wednesday’s trophy only matters

Sarri is still in the race for the 7th spot, but will rest the big players. Zaccagni injured. Chivu’s first game as defending champion. Lautaro to partner with Bonny.

Juve, Lucio’s rules

‘Take our own responsibilities after the pain felt against Verona. We must react. Future? Many will stay, but we need more.’ Vlahovic returns to the starting XI after 160 days.

New directors: D’Amico and Giuntoli, what an intrigue

Napoli prepare for double celebration

Frosinone in Serie A, play-out for Bari

Tuttosport

D’Aversa’s pride. Toro, derby shake

Lecce, 20:45

Juve, you put it all on the line

Champions, UEFA millions, the breakeven, and appeal on the market

The Bianconeri can make no more mistakes to defend the fourth spot from the comebacks of Romo and Como. Spalletti’s project of building a winning team, based on Yildiz, is also at risk. Vlahovic is ready. The coach: ‘Many will stay, but we need reinforcements.’

Lazio and Inter, the Cup in the head

Lautaro set to start to test his shape. Chivu is looking for the goal record. Many people in Brescia say goodbye to Beccalossi.

Frosinone, welcome back to Serie A! Bari to the playout

Liverpool legend Jamie Carragher has admitted he can see there being a pathway for Arsenal to win both the Premier League and Champions League this season.

The Gunners beat Atletico Madrid earlier this week in the Champions League semi-final to set up a final clash against Paris Saint-Germain, while Mikel Arteta‘s side are also top of the Premier League table.

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Manchester City have a game in hand on their rivals, but arguably have the tougher fixtures remaining, with Carragher even claiming he thinks it could be over if Arsenal beat West Ham this weekend.

The pundit, speaking to the Metro, also stated his view that he could see Arsenal beating PSG in a one-off game in the Champions League final.

Arsenal to do the double?

Discussing his latest predictions on Arsenal’s season, Carragher said: “If Arsenal get over the line against West Ham, I can’t see them messing it up from there.

“When you think about it, it could arguably be the biggest game of the season. But for lots of other teams, it’s probably the biggest game for West Ham. They have to get something.”

He added: “That game (against PSG) will be a real problem if they don’t win the league. I think that’ll be a problem. Yes, you want to win everything, but I think Arsenal really want to win the league.

“They wouldn’t turn their noses up at the Champions League, but I think Liverpool were in that situation a few years ago, where they’d gone so long without winning the league that they just wanted it done.

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“For me, more often than I always say, the Champions League is a bigger trophy to win. But I think when you’ve gone so long without the league, they’ll be desperate for that.

“But I think if they win it, which they should do, the position that they’re in right now, I think it’ll give them a huge boost.

“They will need that going into the final. I think we all know PSG are the better team, but that doesn’t mean Arsenal can’t win a one-off game.”

More Stories / Latest News

Update on PSG trio’s fitness and chances of returning vs Arsenal in Champions League final

May 9 2026, 11:21

France can win World Cup but Kylian Mbappe could cause “trouble”, says 1998 winner

May 9 2026, 11:03

Euro giants more likely than Tottenham to sign 27 G/A star in deal that impacts Man Utd

May 9 2026, 10:39

Arsenal could have all-time great season

If Arsenal can go all the way in both the Premier League and Champions League, it will surely be the greatest season in their history.

Yes, the Gunners went unbeaten in 2003/04, in what is truly one of English football’s great achievements, but that was a team that had won titles in very recent history, whereas winning it this year would end 22 years of hurt in that regard.

Meanwhile, Arsenal have never won the Champions League, and are only appearing in the final for the second time in their history.

Mikel Arteta’s side can’t afford any slip-ups, but can perhaps also feel confident that they need only four wins to secure legendary status.

The post “I can’t see…” – Jamie Carragher makes big predictions about Arsenal’s PL & CL hopes appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola is reportedly willing to accept a tempting offer to take over as Crystal Palace manager in a surprise move.

Iraola is also considered a leading candidate for both Chelsea and Manchester United this summer after his impressive work with Bournemouth in recent times.

However, it seems speculation is growing that the Spanish tactician could be tempted by Palace, who are looking to replace Oliver Glasner this summer.

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BBC Sport have reported on Iraola being one of Palace’s top targets, and now there’s been a further update about the Cherries boss being tempted to take over at Selhurst Park.

Andoni Iraola very attracted by Crystal Palace project

See below as journalist Matteo Moretto claims that Iraola is tempted by the project at Palace, who seem to also be making him a very serious financial proposal…

A Iraola le atrae mucho el proyecto deportivo del Crystal Palace.

La oferta económica del club inglés es considerable: el entrenador parece muy dispuesto a aceptarla. https://t.co/SRCTmxa0pX

— Matteo Moretto (@MatteMoretto) May 8, 2026

Moretto’s X post translates as: “Iraola is very attracted to Crystal Palace’s sporting project. The English club’s financial offer is considerable: the coach seems very willing to accept it.”

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This is certainly an intriguing situation, as Iraola looks more than capable of taking one of the bigger jobs, but may be set to decide against it for a variety of reasons.

What does this latest Andoni Iraola update mean for Chelsea and Manchester United?

CaughtOffside will consult sources throughout the day to gain a better understanding of Iraola’s situation, but it may be that this latest update means the Chelsea and Man Utd jobs are now unlikely for the 43-year-old.

The Red Devils may well be leaning towards keeping interim manager Michael Carrick permanently, while the Blues have also been linked with other managers.

Xabi Alonso is a top Chelsea target, as reported by Simon Phillips, so it may be that Iraola has instead decided to take a gamble on managing Palace.

Could snubbing Chelsea and United be a masterstroke by Andoni Iraola?

In truth, there are big problems at Stamford Bridge and Old Trafford, so perhaps Iraola is right not to jump into one of those jobs.

Were there to be vacancies at better-run sides like Manchester City, Liverpool, or Arsenal, then perhaps the situation would be different.

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But Iraola will perhaps have looked at how exciting up-and-coming coaches like Enzo Maresca, Liam Rosenior, and Ruben Amorim have struggled at those clubs in recent times and decided he doesn’t want to risk his reputation like that.

Still, it’s also a big surprise that a top coach like Iraola is also prepared to leave 6th placed Bournemouth for 15th placed Palace.

The post Chelsea & Man Utd target Andoni Iraola “willing to accept” tempting project with big financial offer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Chelsea are reportedly one of the clubs keeping an eye on Darwin Nunez’s situation at Al Hilal, as we previously reported here.

The Uruguay international, who left Liverpool for the move to the Saudi Pro League last summer, looks likely to be on the move again this year after falling down the pecking order.

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According to the Daily Star, this has Chelsea and Newcastle United monitoring developments with Nunez, who could make sense as a tempting target if he’s available on loan or for a relatively cheap fee.

Nunez didn’t have the best scoring record at Liverpool, but he showed moments of real quality and could make sense as a squad player for top Premier League sides.

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Should Chelsea take a gamble on Darwin Nunez transfer?

Chelsea could definitely do with a signing or two up front this summer after the poor form of Liam Delap this season, while Nicolas Jackson will also surely leave after struggling to impress at Stamford Bridge, or whilst out on loan at Bayern Munich.

Still, is Nunez the answer? We previously ran this through our Transfer Fit rating system and his score isn’t great…

This is the lower end of medium, so it might make sense as a bargain option to add depth in a problem area for CFC, but it’s not the kind of deal that will really lift them to a new level.

Chelsea have had a disappointing season and they can’t afford another poor transfer window after so many of last summer’s deals proved to be flops.

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Only Joao Pedro looks like a success, with vast sums spent on the likes of Alejandro Garnacho and Jamie Gittens, who just haven’t performed.

Nunez is surely not good enough, as he showed at Liverpool, so Blues fans will hope their club shows a bit more ambition than this.

The post Report confirms Chelsea are monitoring striker ahead of surprise transfer appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Real Madrid midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni has broken his silence on his reported fight with Federico Valverde with a statement on Instagram.

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The France international did not directly address Valverde in his social media post, but mainly focused on apologising to Real Madrid fans for the incident in the club’s locker room.

Valverde released a statement of his own, suggesting there had also been some rumours overplaying what took place, though Marca and others have all reported on a physical altercation that led to the Uruguay international needing hospital treatment.

Tchouameni now seems keen to move on and focus on the future, with the 26-year-old making it clear that he wanted to say sorry to the club’s supporters, making it clear that he knows what happened was unacceptable.

Aurelien Tchouameni statement in full

“What happened this week in training is unacceptable – I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school. No matter who is right or wrong, we should always look for the calmest solution to resolve a conflict,” he said.

“Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club. I know the fans, the staff, my teammates, the management, everyone is deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded. But frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any dressing room, are not worthy of Real Madrid. Especially since Real Madrid is the most talked-about club in the world.

“Anyway, now is no longer the time to figure out who did what, who said what, or who was right or wrong. I acknowledge the club’s sanction and I accept it.We remain family, with disagreements at times but we must always put our objectives above everything else. I apologized to the group and I also want to extend my apologies to all Madridistas.”

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What next for Real Madrid?

While the Tchouameni and Valverde row may be behind us, it’s clear there are big problems at Real Madrid this season.

Xabi Alonso didn’t last long as manager, and interim Alvaro Arbeloa has seemingly struggled with a lack of authority over these players, Spanish football expert Ruairidh Barlow told CaughtOffside.

“The Valverde-Tchouameni tension is not something that we have heard about before this week, but it is symptomatic of a volcanic dressing room right now,” the Football Espana editor said.

“In that specific incident, after a fight on Wednesday, Valverde reportedly refused to shake Tchouameni’s hand, which led to another training session of intense tackles, and culminated in the fight.

“More widely, it’s just the latest incident in a number of feuds ongoing. As many as six players are supposedly not talking to manager Alvaro Arbeloa. Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio and Dani Carvajal have all fallen out with Arbeloa, and the latter’s frustration led to an injury to a youth player after a rash tackle.

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“In the past week, we’ve heard about Kylian Mbappe getting angry at a member of the coaching staff, and Antonio Rudiger getting physical with Alvaro Carreras too.

“On the whole, the consensus is that this is the product of a dressing room that has been without leaders for some time, and without a manager to impose authority. With President Florentino Perez backing his stars over managers, and doing little to curb their behaviour himself, the lack of discipline has descended into the chaos we’re seeing this week.”

It seems clear that a major cultural change is needed at the Bernabeu, and that this is not just about a one-off incident between individuals.

The post “Unacceptable…” – Real Madrid star breaks silence on locker room fight appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot was clearly not too happy with comments made by Mohamed Salah about standards at the club dropping once he leaves this summer.

It’s been a difficult season for the Reds, who have dropped down to fourth place and who are set to finish without any silverware despite spending huge sums of money in the transfer window last year.

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The dip in form of a star name like Salah has been part of the problem, and it seems there’s also no love lost between Slot and the Egypt international.

The pair clearly had their differences earlier this season, leading to Salah being dropped and then publicly slamming his manager before the issues eventually seemed to be resolved as the player returned to the team.

Arne Slot swipes back at Mohamed Salah’s standards comments

Now, however, a report from the Times has looked into how badly Slot seemed to react to comments made by Salah about standards slipping at Anfield next season.

The Dutch tactician reacted like a nerve had been touched, saying: “I did not hear him say that the standards are not OK now. Did you? If he goes all of a sudden [they will drop]… OK, as I just said… I’m not worried about it. At all.

“I’m not worried that the standards will be lower next season than they were this season, last season or the season before. No. I’m not worried. At all.”

He also added a line that supposedly ‘lingered’ in the press conference, as he made the pointed dig: “The standards are not only important in the gym.”

This sounds like Slot surely suggesting Salah’s own standards on the pitch have not been good enough this season, even if his fitness levels remain good.

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Slot might be better off without Salah

Slot started well at Liverpool, winning the Premier League title in his first season in charge, but his second season has proven a huge challenge.

In fairness, it may be that this summer will represent a welcome fresh start for Slot at LFC, with the former Feyenoord manager perhaps better able to get his ideas across with more of his own players.

Slot largely inherited Jurgen Klopp’s team when he took over, and while that meant he had a world class set of players to work with, it perhaps also made it harder for him to assert his authority once things started to go wrong.

Salah is also a big ego and perhaps a difficult character, even if some might argue there’s some justification in that as he’s one of the greatest Premier League players of all time.

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We saw with Mikel Arteta and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang at Arsenal that sometimes talent alone isn’t enough for a winning project – the Spanish tactician took a gamble when he decided to let his star striker go, but it ended up being for the best.

Perhaps Slot’s frustration here is a sign that he and Salah simply don’t click in the way that’s necessary for a project at a top club to succeed, so Liverpool fans can perhaps have some cause for optimism once everyone starts with a clean slate next season.

The post “I’m not worried” – Slot aims swipe back at Salah. Here’s why it could be a big moment for Liverpool… appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Manchester United are looking to sign the West Ham United defender El Hadji Malick Diouf.

The 21-year-old left back has excelled in the Premier League since joining the London club, and he impressed in the AFCON as well. There is no doubt he has the quality to play for Manchester United, and the Red Devils believe that he “ticks a lot of boxes” for them. 

Chelsea is also interested in signing Diouf.

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Can Man United sign El Hadji Malick Diouf?

According to Football Insider, they are looking to capitalise on West Ham United’s struggles and sign the player. They are fighting for relegation, and they could end up in the championship soon. They will struggle to keep their best players in that case. The 21-year-old will want to compete in the Premier League, and Manchester United will be an attractive destination.

Manchester United need more quality in the left-back department. They need a long-term replacement for Luke Shaw, and Diouf would be ideal. He could compete with Patrick Dorgu for the starting spot. He has been a reliable performer for West Ham United despite their struggles this season. He could improve further when playing on a better team alongside quality players.

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Man United move would be ideal for Diouf

Manchester United could help him further develop and fulfil his potential. Champions League exposure could accelerate the development of the 21-year-old defender. It will be interesting to see if they can agree on a deal with West Ham in the coming weeks.

Manchester United have done well to return to the Champions League, and they will look to fight for trophies next year. They need to plug the weaknesses in their team during the summer transfer window. Apart from a quality left back, they should look to invest in a defensive midfielder and a central midfielder as well.

The post Manchester United target impressive 21-year-old PL starlet who “ticks a lot of boxes” appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Last Wednesday, Paris Saint-Germain reached the Champions League final after drawing with Bayern Munich, thanks to a goal from Ousmane Dembélé, who was replaced early. Toni Kroos used him as an example while criticizing modern stars on his podcast.

Kroos said: “Luis Enrique substitutes the best player in the world at 65 minutes and he leaves, that’s correct. He high-fives the manager and then he cheers for his teammates from the bench. There are certainly many counterexamples.”

Those were not the only compliments Kroos had to make: “You see how he screams for his teammates from the bench, unlike 90% of the rest who think they are the stars of their teams, making gestures on the field while walking off and then sitting on the bench with a bad expression on their face.”

Kroos on Luis Enrique

The former midfielder also spoke highly of the manager, pointing to Dembélé’s reaction when he was replaced by Bradley Barcola in a match that was still far from over. For the German, the respect Luis Enrique commands is important because he had strong managers throughout his career.

Choosing to keep Desiré Doué and Khvicha Kvaratskhelia on the field while taking off the player who was crowned best last year was clearly a decision that could have made a difference, and that is what led to Kroos’ praise.

Kroos said: “Why did he take Dembélé out? Because the manager saw he was tired and that Doué and Kvaratskhelia were better that day, so he took him out. Period. Nobody complains. That shows the respect they have for the manager.”

Kroos also praised Kvaratskhelia

The other player he praised was the Georgian, for his talent combined with effort. Kvaratskhelia made a huge play in Paris Saint-Germain’s goal, carrying the ball half the field before providing an easy assist for his teammate: “He works like crazy, and he is still a world-class player.”

Robert Lewandowski’s future at Barcelona remains uncertain, as his contract expires in June. There are plenty of clubs interested in a player of his caliber, even at 37 years old. While there had been reports that a move to MLS had cooled, Chicago Fire sporting director Gregg Broughton confirmed in an interview with TalkSport that he is still interested in him.

Broughton said: “Lewandowski is a player that MLS is interested in. It’s important to remember that in MLS, players belong to the league, not directly to the clubs. We have shown our interest in trying to bring a player of that caliber to Chicago. Robert is still a Barcelona player, and it wouldn’t be right to talk too much about a player who is under contract with another club.”

Lewandowski has shown that he can still be important in the biggest matches. Injuries have limited him a bit recently, but they have not been a recurring problem throughout his career. What could ultimately decide his departure from Barcelona is whether he agrees to lower his salary, something the club is expected to ask him to do.

Juventus and Milan are also interested

Lewandowski’s suitors could come from several places, with MLS facing strong competition from Saudi Arabia if the forward wants more money. However, those are not the only possible options.

If the Polish striker decides he still wants to continue at the highest competitive level after leaving his current club, Italy is the main country showing interest, with several big clubs already talking to his agent.

Those clubs are Juventus and Milan, both of which could offer a much lower salary than other markets. Barcelona representative Deco is set to meet with the player’s agent, Pini Zahavi, according to Sport. Until Lewandowski decides whether or not to stay, interested clubs will have to wait.

Lewandowski’s numbers

Lewandowski is finishing the season with his weakest numbers since his first year at Borussia Dortmund, when he scored nine goals, well below his usual standard. Barcelona have only used him in 42 matches this season and he has scored 18 goals.

Kylian Mbappe’s second season at Real Madrid has turned into far more than a soccer story on the pitch. Jose Mourinho’s name is suddenly back at the center of discussions around the club, while Alvaro Arbeloa’s future appears increasingly uncertain as tensions continue to rise behind the scenes at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The atmosphere around the Spanish giant has reportedly become chaotic in recent weeks. From dressing-room disputes to disagreements involving senior stars, Real Madrid is now facing one of its most turbulent periods in years as the club searches for answers before next season begins.

The situation escalated dramatically following reports of a physical altercation between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni during training. According to multiple reports from Diario AS, COPE, and OndaCero, Valverde was later taken to hospital after suffering a head injury during the incident.

The conflict reportedly exposed deeper fractures inside the dressing room. Several players are said to have stopped speaking to Alvaro Arbeloa, while the squad has allegedly split into different groups following a difficult campaign without major trophies.

Arbeloa, who replaced Xabi Alonso earlier in the season after Zinedine Zidane declined a return, has come under increasing pressure. Fabrizio Romano reported that the former defender has “less than 10% chances to stay” at the end of the season, with the club already preparing for change.

Arbeloa blamed as Mbappe becomes part of the growing controversy

The former Real Madrid defender initially arrived with hopes of calming the squad and rebuilding harmony. Instead, reports claim the board has become frustrated with his handling of the dressing room, particularly after the Valverde-Tchouameni incident.

“Arbeloa didn’t intervene at all during yesterday’s fight — Real Madrid board are aware of that,” El Mundo stated. That detail reportedly angered figures inside the club hierarchy, who now view the manager as unable to control the situation.

According to Diario AS, at least six players have effectively fallen out with Arbeloa. Dani Carvajal, Dani Ceballos, Raul Asencio, and Alvaro Carreras were all mentioned in reports surrounding internal disagreements with the coach.

Mbappe’s arrival in the summer of 2024 was initially viewed as the beginning of a new golden era. Instead, several reports now claim that his signing unintentionally accelerated tensions inside the squad. There are also claims that the Frenchman frustrated teammates after travelling to Italy during a difficult stretch of the season rather than remaining closer to the squad.

Mourinho talks intensify behind the scenes as Madrid’s key decision emerges

As the crisis deepened, Mourinho’s name quickly re-emerged as a serious candidate for the job. Reports from The Athletic and Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Real Madrid has already opened discussions with the Portuguese manager’s representatives.

The final decision on Mourinho’s return now rests with Florentino Perez, who is personally driving the process behind the scenes. Fabrizio Romano revealed on X (formerly Twitter): “Operation Mourinho has started at Real Madrid.” He also noted that “it depends on Madrid. Up to Florentino Perez: he will decide if Mourinho returns or not.”

The implication is clear: the structure of the club is weighing a decisive shift in leadership direction. The Portuguese boss reportedly remains open to returning to the Bernabeu despite currently managing Benfica. His contract supposedly includes a release clause worth around $3.5 million, a figure Real Madrid could easily activate if Perez chooses to move forward in a bid to reset control.

Christian Pulisic has found himself under a brighter spotlight than ever before as the 2026 World Cup approaches on home soil for the USMNT. The Milan forward remains one of the biggest faces in American soccer, but questions surrounding his recent form have followed him into the final stretch of the season.

Pulisic entered 2026 in excellent form after a brilliant first half of the campaign with Milan. Before the turn of the year, he had already scored 10 goals across competitions and was widely considered one of the club’s most consistent attacking players.

However, the months that followed brought a rare drought for the American star. Pulisic has failed to score for either Milan or the United States throughout 2026 so far, leading to growing criticism from supporters and pundits alike. According to ESPN, it is the longest goal drought of his club career.

The attention around his form became even louder because of the timing. The United States is preparing to co-host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, with Pulisic expected to carry the national team as its leading figure.

The pressure surrounding Pulisic grew even more after he appeared on the cover of TIME magazine. The feature described him as “already the most influential American men’s soccer player in the country’s 250-year history.”

Pulisic finally reveals his response to critics

While many questioned how he planned to escape the slump, Pulisic delivered a blunt answer that quickly went viral. The Milan star’s plan to silence critics is simple: score goals again. “I plan on scoring goals. Such bad questions. I’m not concerned about it, man,” Pulisic told TIME when asked about his drought.

The American also explained why criticism frustrates him more during periods away from matches. “That time was difficult for me, because normally I can shut people up with my play. That’s what I’ve done my whole career,” he admitted. “I’m in my offseason, so people are just talking about me, and I can’t just go freaking score and shut them up.”

Those comments reflected a player who still believes fully in his ability despite the outside noise. Pulisic has built much of his career on responding during difficult moments, whether at Borussia Dortmund, Chelsea, or now Milan.

The World Cup dream still drives him

Throughout the interviews, one theme continued to emerge: Pulisic’s belief in the USMNT’s potential at the World Cup. Even after recent defeats in friendlies and growing criticism around the squad, he refuses to lower expectations.

“That’s just not how I work,” Pulisic said when asked about making promises for the tournament. “But I can sit in my bed at night and picture holding up the World Cup trophy. I did that as a kid. I’m not going to stop. You have to believe. Why not?”

His longtime teammate Weston McKennie also backed him strongly during the difficult stretch. “I don’t think any of us are worried whether he’s going to be firing on all cylinders,” McKennie said. “It may not be clicking for him right now. But I have no doubt it will be at the World Cup.”

The connection between these players keeps growing, as they are among the most talented to emerge in years. Lionel Messi has always praised the Barcelona star whenever he gets the chance, and this time he chose Lamine Yamal as the player who looks the most like him during an Adidas event.

Messi said: “There’s a new generation of players that’s very good and has many years ahead, but if I have to choose one for his age, for what he has done so far and for the future he could have, it’s Yamal. There’s no doubt, he’s the best.”

Even if these two have not faced each other on the field since the cancellation of the Finalissima, the respect between them is clear as Messi has consistently supported Barcelona’s young heir.

Messi compared to Yamal

Longevity may be a major advantage for Messi, since he is still making a difference 20 years after his debut. But the comparison goes the other way when you look at the start of their careers, where Yamal has been far more productive early on.

Yamal turns 19 in July, but he will not play another match for Barcelona before then, so his current club record stands at 151 appearances and 49 goals. He was also last year’s Ballon d’Or runner-up.

Messi was expected to be great from a young age, but he did not become a regular first-team player until the 2006-07 season, after his 19th birthday. At the same age Yamal is now, Messi had played 34 matches and scored nine goals.

More differences with their respective countries

The gap in club appearances is significant, but it is even larger at international level. Yamal was called up to Spain’s senior team at 16 years and 50 days, and even in a very strong national side he became decisive in their 2024 European Championship title run. Messi was part of Argentina’s 2006 World Cup squad as a substitute, and had played six matches at age 19.

Final preparations are being made for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which will begin in just over a month, and more details about the tournament plans are gradually emerging. Since this will be the first edition of the competition hosted by three countries — Mexico, Canada, and the United States — it will feature several unique elements compared to previous tournaments.

“FIFA are planning to hold opening ceremonies at each of the first games of the World Cup featuring host nations this summer, as well as special ceremonies to mark America’s 250th anniversary at games in Houston and Philadelphia on July 4,” journalist Adam Crafton reported Friday in The Athletic.

The first match of the World Cup will take place on Thursday, June 11, at Estadio Azteca, where Mexico and South Africa will open Group A. “This will feature performances from the multi-Grammy-award winning Mexican rock band Mana, as well as popstar Alejandro Fernandez and singer Belinda,” the report states. Los Angeles Azules and Tyla are also reportedly expected to participate.

One day later, Group B action will begin at BMO Field in Toronto, where Canada will face Bosnia and Herzegovina. The hosts are also expected to have their own pregame show. According to The Athletic, Canadian singers Michael Buble, Alanis Morissette, and Alessia Cara are among the stars set to perform at the event.

The United States to host multiple special events

Like Mexico and Canada, the United States will also have its own opening ceremony when the USMNT make their World Cup debut against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles on Friday, June 12.

“Katy Perry is lined up as the headliner. Other American talent signed up by FIFA includes the rapper Future, as well as Bangladeshi-American Sanjoy, who is a Los Angeles-based DJ,” Adam Crafton reported. In addition, South Korean girl group Blackpink and Paraguayan artist Marilina Bogado have also reportedly been hired by FIFA.

But that will not be the only special occasion for the United States. During the World Cup, the country will also celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Because of that, the matches played on July 4 will include special celebrations, although few details have been revealed so far.

The teams participating in those two matches have not yet been determined, since both games belong to the Round of 16. The first will take place at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia and could feature France and Germany if both teams finish first in their groups and then advance through the Round of 32, although there is also a chance the USMNT could be involved. The other match will be held at NRG Stadium in Houston, with Mexico, Canada, Brazil, and the Netherlands among the potential participants.

Cristiano Ronaldo once again found himself at the center of Saudi Pro League drama after a decisive performance against Al-Shabab, while Ali Al-Bulayhi became the subject of intense scrutiny following a provocative goal celebration involving Al-Hilal. The match carried extra tension because of Al-Nassr’s ongoing title fight with its direct rival club. Behind the scenes, however, the aftermath of that celebration would soon take a far more serious turn for Al-Bulayhi, even as Ronaldo’s side walked away with another crucial victory.

The Portuguese superstar played a key role in Al-Nassr’s 4-2 victory over Al-Shabab, scoring a second-half goal that restored control during a tense period of the match. The win helped the club extend its lead over Al-Hilal at the top of the Saudi league table.

Joao Felix stole headlines with a hat-trick, but Ronaldo’s contribution carried major weight in the title race. His finish came at a stage when Al-Shabab had begun to threaten a comeback, making the goal even more significant in context. The match took a dramatic turn when Ali Al-Bulayhi, playing against Al-Nassr while on loan at Al-Shabab, scored to bring the scoreline to 3-2.

What followed quickly became one of the most talked-about incidents of the season. After finding the net, loanee Al-Bulayhi pulled out a shin guard displaying the crest of Al-Hilal and kissed it in front of the cameras. The gesture was widely interpreted as a bold reference to his parent club, which is also locked in a fierce title race with Al-Nassr.

The celebration divided opinion immediately. Some saw it as harmless loyalty to his parent club, while others viewed it as disrespectful toward Al-Shabab, the club he was representing at the time.

Al-Shabab makes strong internal decision

The situation escalated quickly after the match, with reports confirming a severe reaction from within Al-Shabab. Apparently, Ali Al-Bulayhi has now been removed from the squad following the controversy surrounding his celebration, as revealed by Shabab1World on X (formerly Twitter). The club views the incident as disrespectful toward the institution.

The removal effectively sidelines the defender from the upcoming three fixtures, against Neom, Al-Ittihad, and the Saudi Pro League final matchday, against Al-Najma. What initially looked like a bold act of defiance toward Ronaldo and Al-Nassr suddenly became a moment that could seriously damage the defender’s standing at his current club.

The reports created even more tension because Al-Bulayhi’s goal had briefly threatened to reopen the title race. Had Al-Shabab found an equalizer, Al-Hilal would have gained a massive psychological advantage heading into the upcoming derby against Al-Nassr. Instead, the Knight of Najd survived the scare and sealed the victory deep into stoppage time when Joao Felix converted a penalty to complete his hat-trick.

What did Al-Bulayhi say?

Former Saudi international Fahad Al Harifi also criticised the gesture, insisting that “professionalism and respect should always come first, regardless of loan situations or previous club affiliations.”

As criticism intensified, the 36-year-old released a public apology addressing both the club and its supporters. He insisted that the celebration was spontaneous and not intended to offend anyone. “I present my apology to the historic Al-Shabab club and its loyal supporters… my expression of joy was spontaneous, without any intention of offense,” he said in a statement.

Cristiano Ronaldo and Al-Nassr are preparing for what could become the biggest match of the Saudi Pro League season, but attention has suddenly shifted toward Karim Benzema’s Al-Hilal teammate Theo Hernandez after an injury scare in the King’s Cup final. The timing could hardly be more dramatic: with the Riyadh derby only days away, concern has started to grow around one of Al-Hilal’s most influential recent arrivals.

Al-Hilal lifted the King’s Cup after defeating Al-Kholood 2-1 in a dramatic final. Simone Inzaghi secured his first trophy since arriving in Saudi Arabia, continuing a remarkable run that has seen his side lose only once in 50 matches. Nevertheless, the evening started badly for the Blue Waves after Ramiro Enrique stunned the crowd with an early opener for Al-Kholood.

The response, however, showed exactly why the club remains one of the dominant forces in Saudi soccer. Nasser Al-Dawsari equalized shortly before halftime with a thunderous strike that reignited the atmosphere inside the stadium. Moments later, Theo Hernandez completed the comeback with a powerful low finish from outside the area after receiving a pass from Karim Benzema.

The French defender delivered one of his best performances since joining Al-Hilal. He recorded a goal, a key pass, five duel wins, and maintained a 90 percent passing accuracy while constantly threatening down the left flank. According to Sofascore’s post-match statistics, the Frenchman completed 54 of his 60 passes and remained heavily involved throughout the final. His display helped Al-Hilal secure its 10th King’s Cup title, reinforcing the growing belief that the club can still turn the league race around.

Hernandez’s injury concern suddenly changed the mood

The celebrations did not last long without concern, though. During the second half, Hernandez appeared uncomfortable and was eventually forced off after suffering a calf issue. At first, there was uncertainty regarding the severity of the problem. The sight of the defender walking off without assistance offered some encouragement, but medical analysis later suggested the situation may still require close monitoring.

Saudi physical therapist specialist Thamer Al-Shahrani later explained the nature of the injury. According to his assessment on X (formerly Twitter), Hernandez suffered “a calf muscle injury caused by a minor sprain, which could lead to sudden internal tightening of the muscle.”

The specialist also revealed two possible scenarios. “Best case scenario: just a strain and he could be available for the match against Al-Nassr,” he explained. However, the warning attached to the second possibility immediately raised concern inside Al-Hilal circles. “Worst case scenario: a muscle tear, even if minor, which would rule him out of the Al-Nassr match.”

Al-Nassr waits as the title race reaches boiling point

Naturally, the developments surrounding Hernandez are being watched closely by Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. Next Tuesday’s showdown between the Riyadh rivals could ultimately decide the destination of the Saudi Pro League trophy.

Al-Nassr currently sits five points clear at the top of the table, although Al-Hilal still holds a game in hand. Victory for Ronaldo’s side would virtually secure the championship and end the club’s long wait for another league crown.

The pressure surrounding the match has only intensified because of Ronaldo’s own recent form. The Portuguese superstar reached 100 Saudi Pro League goals during the 4-2 victory against Al-Shabab, continuing a remarkable campaign at the age of 41.

For Ronaldo, winning the Saudi Pro League would represent one of the defining achievements of his move to the Middle East. Since arriving in Riyadh in late 2022, he has transformed the global perception of Saudi soccer while helping attract some of the sport’s biggest stars to the league.

Despite the tournament being just around the corner, it is still unclear whether Neymar will be part of Brazil’s squad. Carlo Ancelotti has made it clear that he will consider the forward only if he is in perfect physical condition, making every match crucial in that pursuit. Lionel Messi and Ronaldinho, both former teammates of Ney, recently shared their thoughts on the matter.

“Does Neymar have to go to the World Cup?” Messi was asked during a recent interview on Lo Del Pollo. “I can’t be objective. Neymar is a friend, and obviously I would love for him to be at the World Cup and for good things to happen to him. He deserves it because of the kind of person he is,” the Argentine forward began.

“It would be great to see him at the World Cup because of what he means to Brazil and to soccer. Hopefully he can be there,” Messi later added. The Argentine star played alongside Neymar at Barcelona between 2013 and 2017, and later at Paris Saint-Germain from 2021 to 2023.

“At the World Cup, we want the best players to be there, and Ney, no matter what condition he’s in, will always be one of them,” Leo said, dismissing the doubts many have raised because of Neymar’s physical problems in recent years. “I can’t be objective because for me he always has to be there.”

Messi discusses his relationship with Neymar

After spending six years together in Spain and France, and also facing each other several times internationally in matches between Argentina and Brazil, Neymar and Lionel Messi built a friendship that remains strong to this day, despite no longer seeing each other regularly.

“We talk from time to time, and we have a friendship that goes back many years,” Messi explained in the same interview. “He has a very special charisma. He doesn’t pretend to be someone he’s not. He lives his life exactly as he is and acts according to what he feels and thinks, without caring about the repercussions. He lives his life, he’s happy, and he’s very genuine.”

Ronaldinho also pushes for Neymar

Almost simultaneously with Lionel Messi’s comments, another soccer legend also expressed support for Neymar’s return to the Brazil national team ahead of the World Cup. “It would be crazy,” Ronaldinho said about the possibility of Neymar being left out of Carlo Ancelotti’s 26-man squad for North America 2026 during a conversation with Denilson shared by GeGlobo.

“The only way I would understand it is if there’s some injury issue,” added the 2005 Ballon d’Or winner. “But if he’s healthy, there’s no way he shouldn’t go, right? With all due respect to everyone else, in my opinion, he’s the best of them all.”

It was an unusual week for Real Madrid as they prepare for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. The scandal involving Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni drew most of the attention, but Kylian Mbappe was already on the fans’ radar before that. For club icon Guti, his personal life is not an issue, as he said on Radio Marca.

Guti said when asked about the French forward: “What I care about is that Mbappe, Vinicius, Bellingham, Carreras, Lunin do things well on the field. Outside of that, I don’t care what they do. It’s their personal life and each person does what they want with their time off. When they are on the field and they are not doing things correctly, let’s criticize them. But when they are out of it, let’s leave them alone.”

These comments came after the controversy surrounding Mbappe’s arrival in Spain at almost the same time his teammates were about to kick off the match against Espanyol, a game that could have decided La Liga. His recent trips with his reported girlfriend angered some supporters, especially as he has been dealing with an injury.

Guti would like Vitinha at Real Madrid

While he was not as famous as some of his teammates during the Galácticos era, Guti was always a respected figure in the dressing room. Coming through the club’s youth system gave him a connection to Real Madrid that others did not have.

His style of play also fit what the club likes to see in its players, as the midfielder had a flair with his left foot that few could match. That makes him a natural person to weigh in on who the best midfielder for Real Madrid might be right now.

Guti said: “In Spain, Pedri is above everybody. If it’s around the world, I think there are other players at his level like Vitinha. He’s a great player. He’s one of the most complete players in the world. Arda Guler is going to grow too. Vitinha at Real Madrid wouldn’t be bad. Great players should be there, he’s the best at his position.”

Guti’s record with Real Madrid

Guti played almost his entire career at Real Madrid. Injuries kept him from reaching his full potential, but he still managed to contribute to the club from 1995 to 2010. He played 542 matches and scored 77 goals while winning 15 titles. His final year as a player was with Besiktas before he retired in 2011.

The 2025-26 Serie B season has drawn to a close, and Frosinone now know that they will be joining Venezia in Serie A in 2026-27, confirming a second-place finish with an emphatic 5-0 win over Mantova on Friday night. 

Confirmed: Venezia and Frosinone promoted to Serie A after one year

Venezia were promoted last weekend, with one round of fixtures left to play, and they have now been confirmed as champions of Serie B for 2025-26. Giovanni Stroppa’s side closed the season with a 2-0 win at home against Palermo on Friday night. 

Venezia will be joined in Serie A by Frosinone, who finished the campaign on 81 points after 38 matches, one shy of the league champions. 

Both Venezia and Frosinone were relegated from Serie A at the end of the 2024-25 campaign and have earned promotion at the first time of asking. 

The Serie B play-offs have now been set as well. 

Monza and Palermo finished the season in third and fourth place respectively, which means that they are guaranteed a spot in the play-off semi-finals. 

Catanzaro finished in fifth, Modena in sixth, Juve Stabia in seventh and Avellino in eighth, and they will all contest in the preliminary round of the play-offs. 

Catanzaro (fifth) will take on Avellino (eighth), and Modena (sixth) will take on Juve Stabia (seventh) in a one-legged play-off match on Tuesday, May 12. 

The play-off semi-finals will be played over two legs, home and away, on Saturday, May 16 and Sunday, May 17, with the return legs set for May 19 and May 20. The play-off final is also a two-legged affair and will take place on Sunday, May 24 and Friday, May 29.

Meanwhile, at the bottom of the Serie B table, it has been confirmed that Pescara, Spezia and Reggiana have been relegated and Bari and Sudtirol will take part in the relegation play-out.

Sassuolo claimed a second-half lead away against Torino in Serie A on Friday evening, but the hosts struck back with two goals within the space of four minutes to extend the team’s unbeaten home run to five matches: Kristjan Thorstvedt, Giovanni Simeone and Marcus Holmgren Pedersen with the goals.

Torino were coming in off the back of a 2-0 defeat against Udinese and decided to make two changes to their starting line-up on Friday evening. Despite beating Milan 2-0 last weekend, Fabio Grosso changed half of his outfielders, with the likes of Andrea Pinamonti, Cristian Volpato and Luca Lipani returning to the starting XI. 

Click here to read more about how tonight’s teams lined up.

Pinamonti registered the first shot on target less than two minutes in after being slipped into the area by Cristian Volpato. Pinamonti tried to find the far corner of the net, but Alberto Paleari was well positioned to make the save. 

Gvidas Gineitis had to improvise for Torino’s first attempt on target 10 minutes in, but Arijanet Muric was able to get down to his left to prevent what turned out to be a relatively tame effort. 

Alieu Njie came within inches of opening the scoring when his header bounced off the crossbar twice from Gineitis’s corner. Part of the ball had crossed the goalline, but importantly, not all of it. 

Down at the other end, Lipani was allowed to dribble his way as far as the corner of the six-yard box, but he then found himself at a difficult angle, and Paleari had come out to narrow the angle. 

The deadlock was finally broken five minutes after the re-start. Nemanja Matic’s shot from the edge of the area was blocked, but fell kindly into the path of Lipani, who managed to squeeze in a cross from the right byline and Thorstvedt was on hand to finish it off in the middle of the six-yard box. 

It took a quarter of an hour for Torino to come up with a response. Ebosse whipped in a perfect deep cross from the left flank and Simeone pulled out a trademark centre-forward’s header, drilled into the floor and bouncing into the corner past Muric.

Simeone has now scored in each of his last five home matches in Serie A. 

It turned out to be a quickfire turnaround for the Granata. Duvan Zapata clipped in a cross from the left-hand side of the penalty area, and Pedersen raced to meet it at the far post. This was the Norwegian’s first goal in Serie A, coming in his 84th appearance. 

Tonight’s result means that Torino jump up one position in the Serie A table into 12th, while Sassuolo keep hold of 10th place.

Torino 2-1 Sassuolo

Thorstvedt (S) 51′, Simeone (T) 66′, Pedersen (T) 70′.

08-05-2026 19:45

MatchDay 36

Olympic Grande Torino Stadium

Torino

Sassuolo

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

38'

Luca Lipani

2nd half

Luca Marianucci		51'
		51'		Kristian Thorstvedt (Assist: Luca Lipani)
Matteo Prati		63'
Giovanni Simeone (Assist: Enzo Ebosse)		66'
Marcus Pedersen		70'
		86'		Kristian Thorstvedt
Niels Nkounkou		89'
Gvidas Gineitis		90+3'

Match statistic

48

Possession %

52

18

Total shots

14

4

Shots on target

7

10

Shots off target

4

4

Blocked shots

3

7

Corners

5

13

Fouls

9

Torino

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

86'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

59'

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

4

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

67'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

59'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

86'

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

3

Josh Doig

Defender

75'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

63'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

63'

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

84'

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

76'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

Substitutes

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

79

Zanos Savva

Attacker

84

Tommaso Gabellini

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

59'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

59'

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

67'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

86'

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

86'

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

33

Christian Frangella

Midfielder

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

63'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

63'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

75'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

76'

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

84'

Crysencio Summerville joined West Ham United from Leeds United at the start of the season, and he has been linked with top clubs recently.

According to a report from The Telegraph, the Netherlands winger is on the radar of unnamed Premier League clubs, and it remains to be seen whether he moves on in the summer.

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Leeds to benefit from Crysencio Summerville sale?

Leeds United could receive a percentage of West Ham’s profit under a clause in the deal, and it remains to be seen how the situation develops. West Ham paid around £25 million to sign the player, and they would have to sell him for a substantial profit in order for Leeds United to earn anything meaningful from the clause.

West Ham are fighting for survival in the Premier League, and it remains to be seen whether they can stay up. They are already lacking in quality in the attacking unit, and keeping Summerville at the club would be ideal for them. It seems unlikely that they will sanction his departure.

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Can West Ham keep Summerville?

If they do go down at the end of the season, it will be difficult for them to keep their best players. The former Leeds United attacker will want to move on and join a Premier League club. He is too good to play in the Championship, and he will not want to continue with West Ham United if they are relegated.

Meanwhile, Leeds are well placed to secure safety in the Premier League this season, and they need to keep improving the team in order to sustain their place in the top flight regularly. It will be interesting to see if they can bring in the right players during the summer transfer window and improve on this season.

The post Leeds could benefit from West Ham relegation due to Summerville clause appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Leicester City are looking to bring in a new manager at the end of the season after their relegation to League One.

They are looking at multiple candidates, and Gary Rowett is currently in charge on a short-term basis. He will move on eventually, and several names are under consideration as the Foxes look to rebuild the team and bounce back next season.

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Darren Ferguson is open to the Leicester job

They have been linked with a move for the former Manchester United player Darren Ferguson in recent weeks. Ferguson is the son of Sir Alex Ferguson, and Leicester City have recently contacted the 54-year-old.

According to a report from talkSPORT, he is open to taking the Leicester City job following their relegation, and it remains to be seen whether all parties can finalise an agreement quickly.

The manager was recently shown the door by Peterborough United after a run of results. He will be hoping for another opportunity to showcase his managerial qualities, and Leicester City could be an interesting option. Ferguson guided Peterborough to an EFL Trophy final win over Birmingham last season.

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Can Ferguson revive the Foxes?

The Foxes will be desperate to bounce back strongly next season. A club of their stature will not want to compete in League One for the long term. They will look to get back up quickly.

They will need to get the managerial decision spot on in the summer. They have quality players at their disposal, and the right manager can bring out the best in them and help them push for promotion.

They are preparing for a crucial new chapter in their history, and it remains to be seen whether Ferguson is the right man to guide them back to the Championship next season.

Report: Leicester City prepared to sanction sale of their best player this summer amid financial crisis

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Sunderland are expected to part ways with Dan Cameron at the end of the season.

According to a report from Sunderland Echo, the 20-year-old will be out of contract at the end of the season, and Sunderland have decided to let him move on. They will not trigger the extension clause in his deal.

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Dan Cameron set for summer exit

Cameron signed a professional contract with Sunderland in 2024, and his contract runs out in the summer. He is yet to make a senior appearance for the club, and it is no surprise that Sunderland have decided to let him leave.

It will be interesting to see if he can find a suitable destination for himself. The talented goalkeeper has a bright future, but he needs to join the right team where he can play regularly. He has been on loan at Hebburn Town in recent months and has kept 8 clean sheets. Regular football could bring out the best in him.

It appears that multiple League Two clubs are monitoring his development. It remains to be seen where he ends up.

Regis Le Bris fires brutal dig at Tottenham after Sunderland win

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Sunderland need better players than Cameron

Meanwhile, it has been an impressive season for Sunderland so far, and they will be hoping to finish in the mid-table positions. They need to keep improving the team if they want to establish themselves as regulars in the Premier League.

They need to keep their best players and add more quality in the summer. Players like Cameron will not be able to help them improve in the Premier League, and it makes sense for the club to let them move on and bring in upgrades.

The 20-year-old will look to fulfil his potential with regular football at another club.

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Matias Fernandez-Pardo has been linked with a move away from LOSC Lille at the end of the season.

The 21-year-old attacker has done quite well for the French outfit, and he is a target for Arsenal and Manchester City.

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Matias Fernandez-Pardo would be a handy option

Fernandez-Pardo can operate as a forward as well as a winger. He could prove to be an excellent acquisition for the two Premier League clubs. They need more creativity and goals in the final third, and the 21-year-old could be a handy option.

According to a report from Sports Boom, the young attacker is the perfect combination of speed, technique and physicality. It will be interesting to see where he ends up. The French outfit does not want to lose a player, but will not turn down a massive offer in the summer. The Spanish under-21 international has a contract with Lille until 2029.

Andrea Berta a huge admirer of 26-year-old Liverpool and Man United target

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Can Arsenal sign Fernandez-Pardo?

It remains to be seen whether Arsenal is prepared to break the bank for him. They need to find an upgrade on Noni Madueke. The versatile 21-year-old could be the ideal acquisition. The player could cost around €55 million, and Arsenal certainly have the financial resources to get the deal done.

They are closing in on the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League trophy. Adding more quality to the team will help them sustain their current run form. The 21-year-old attacker would be a superb long-term investment.

Manchester City are looking to add more cutting-edge in the final third as well, and it will be interesting to see if they can beat Arsenal to the signing of Fernandez-Pardo.

The 21-year-old attacker has eight goals and seven assists this season. His numbers could improve when he’s playing alongside top-quality players at Arsenal or Manchester City next season.

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Arsenal are interested in signing the Atalanta midfielder Ederson Dos Santos. 

The player has been heavily linked with a move to the Premier League in recent months, and Arsenal will face competition from Manchester United and Liverpool.

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Ederson has been linked with Arsenal

The 26-year-old has done quite well for the Italian outfit, and he could be an excellent acquisition for Arsenal. They need more technical ability, control, and composure in the middle of the park, and the Brazilian could help them improve. The report from TEAMtalk claims Arsenal sporting director Andrea Berta is a huge admirer of the South American.

Manchester United and Liverpool are also interested in the player. Manchester United will look to control games better in the upcoming season, and they need a reliable central midfielder. The Brazilian will certainly help Manchester United dominate midfield contests.

Similarly, he will add control and composure in the middle of the park for Liverpool as well. They have struggled in the middle of the park this season, and the Brazilian could help solve that problem.

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Ederson could fancy an Arsenal move

The 26-year-old is at the peak of his career, and this is the right time for him to take on a new challenge and join a big club. Arsenal are closing in on the Premier League title and the UEFA Champions League. The opportunity to play for them will be quite exciting for the Brazilian.

It will be interesting to see if Arsenal can beat Manchester United and Liverpool to his signature. Other clubs from across Europe are also monitoring the Brazilian midfielder’s situation. It remains to be seen where he ends up eventually.

The post Andrea Berta a huge admirer of 26-year-old Liverpool and Man United target appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Real Madrid’s week was expected to revolve around Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona. Instead, an internal clash drew all the attention. Amid the reported dispute between Aurelien Tchouameni and Federico Valverde, and the club’s subsequent 500.000 euros fine, the French midfielder posted a long message.

Tchouameni said: “I am sorry for the image we projected of the club. I know the fans, the staff, my teammates, the management, everyone is deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded. But frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any dressing room, are not worthy of Real Madrid. Especially since Real Madrid is the most talked-about club in the world.”

That comes as no surprise, with Valverde and the club already having expressed their views this way. While Tchouameni could still play at Camp Nou this weekend, the dressing room will need to stay united, since even a draw would crown their rivals.

Aurelien Tchouameni’s full message

What happened this week in training is unacceptable.

I say this while thinking about the example we are expected to set for young people, whether in football or at school. No matter who is right or wrong, we should always look for the calmest solution to resolve a conflict.

Above all, I am sorry for the image we projected of the club. I know the fans, the staff, my teammates, the management, everyone is deeply disappointed by the way this season has unfolded. But frustration cannot excuse everything. These incidents, even if they can happen in any dressing room, are not worthy of Real Madrid. Especially since Real Madrid is the most talked-about club in the world.

The internet loves to invent the wildest stories for the buzz so don’t believe everything that’s being said or the false narrative.

Anyway, now is no longer the time to figure out who did what, who said what, or who was right or wrong. I acknowledge the club’s sanction and I accept it. We remain a family, with disagreements at times, but we must always put our objectives above everything else. I have apologized to the group, and I also want to extend my apologies to all Madridistas.

Now it is time to move forward, and all our focus is on El Clásico and on the season ahead, to bring the club back to the top, where it belongs.

Valverde to miss time

Tchouameni came out of the incident in the best position. Even though Valverde said there was no fight, he was the one who ended up hurt. The Uruguayan needed stitches and will be unavailable for 10 to 14 days.

Reactions around the world were strongly critical of the incident, mainly because they had also had a disagreement the day before and were unable to move past it, leaving the club under pressure.

Real Madrid ultimately chose to hand down a clear warning by fining both players to set an example of what the club will not accept. Sporting sanctions were not applied, so both players can still be available for selection.

Alarm bells rang in Canada on Friday after it was confirmed that Alphonso Davies suffered an injury while playing for Bayern Munich. The issue will require several weeks of recovery, putting his return date dangerously close to the start of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

“Alphonso Davies suffered a muscle injury in his left hamstring during Wednesday’s Champions League semifinal second leg against Paris Saint-Germain, as confirmed by an examination by the FC Bayern medical unit,” the German side announced in a statement published on its official website on Friday.

The left-back had started the match against PSG on the bench and entered in the 67th minute in place of Josip Stanisic. Shortly after coming on, he assisted Harry Kane for Bayern Munich’s equalizer, although it was not enough to prevent elimination. During his nearly half-hour on the field, Davies also picked up the injury that has now sidelined him.

“The Canada international will therefore be out of action for several weeks,” the statement added. While that does not provide an exact timetable for Davies’ return, it does offer some indication of what could happen in the near future.

Bayern Munich still have two Bundesliga matches remaining this season, although they carry little significance with the title already secured. The situation is different for the May 23 clash against Stuttgart, where Bayern will compete for the DFB-Pokal title. However, it seems difficult to imagine Davies being fully recovered in time for that match.

Canada respond to Alphonso Davies injury

News of Davies’ injury resonated not only in Germany, but naturally in Canada as well. “We’re behind you, Captain,” began the message shared by the national team Friday on its official X account. “We are in close contact with Alphonso and remain in touch with Bayern’s medical team following his recent setback.”

Regarding the next steps, Canada explained: “Our focus is on supporting his recovery and providing every available resource, including specialized soft tissue expertise, to give him the best possible pathway back to full fitness ahead of the FIFA World Cup.”

Canada will open their 2026 World Cup campaign on Friday, June 12, against Bosnia and Herzegovina in the first Group B match at BMO Field in Toronto. That gives Alphonso Davies more than a month to regain full fitness and arrive at the tournament in optimal condition.

Reports in Italy claim that Premier League side Chelsea could be poised to make a move for Milan defender Strahinja Pavlovic in the coming summer transfer window, but they are not the only club interested in a deal for the Serbia international. 

Chelsea and Manchester United interested in Milan’s Pavlovic

Pavlovic has spent the last two seasons in San Siro, joining in a deal worth €18m plus add-ons from RB Salzburg in the summer of 2024. 

He had to wait until the end of the 2024-25 season to become a regular starter for the Rossoneri, but has since gone on to make a strong impression in 2025-26 with four goals and an assist to his name from 31 appearances in the Italian top flight.  

His performances from the left side of Milan’s back three have begun to attract the attention of several Premier League clubs, including Manchester United and most recently Chelsea according to reports from Calciomercato.com. Several Saudi Pro League clubs are also said to be interested. 

Calciomercato claims that it is Chelsea who have shown the most interest in signing Pavlovic this summer, though. 

Milan are reportedly keen to keep hold of Pavlovic for the 2026-27 campaign, but it is unlikely that the Rossoneri would block a move away from San Siro if an enticing offer were to come in, as has been the case with Malick Thiaw, Tijjani Reijnders and Sandro Tonali in recent seasons. 

Milan reportedly value Pavlovic in the region of €50m, which would not be out of the question for a club with Chelsea’s resources. 

Chelsea, meanwhile, are likely to move on centre-back Benoit Badiashile this summer, who has previously been linked with a move to Milan, however, the Rossoneri are not interested in including part-exchange players in a potential deal for Pavlovic, reports Calciomercato. 

Instead, Milan are said to be interested in a deal for Lazio’s Mario Gila, and a sale of Pavlovic may provide the funds to pull that move off. 

Torino and Sassuolo have made a handful of alterations each as the 36th round of 2025-26 Serie A fixtures gets underway on Friday night. 

Torino began April in encouraging form with wins against Pisa and Hellas Verona, before recording back-to-back draws against Cremonese and newly-crowned champions Inter, but slipped to a 2-0 defeat away against Udinese last weekend.

Roberto D’Aversa’s side find themselves in 13th place ahead of kick-off. 

Sassuolo have been in decent form over their last six matches. They have only lost once in that period, are currently three games unbeaten and have picked up encouraging results against Juventus, Como and most recently, a 2-0 win over Milan.

Fabio Grosso’s side are 10th in the league in their first season back in the top flight after promotion. 

Torino have opted to make a handful of personnel changes: Cesare Casadei and Emirhan Ilkhan dropping out of the line-up to make way for Matteo Prati and Alieu Njie. 

Despite their victory over Milan last weekend, Sassuolo have also made changes with Jay Idzes, Ulisses Garcia, Ismael Kone, Domenico Berardi and Mbala Nzola dropping out of the side. Woyo Coulibaly, Josh Doig, Luca Lipani, Christian Volpato and Andrea Pinamonti are all brought back into tonight’s starting XI. 

Kick-off is due at 19.45 BST.

Torino vs. Sassuolo: Confirmed line-ups 

Torino (3-5-2): Paleari; Coco, Marianucci, Ebosse; Lazaro, Prati, Gineitis, Vlasic, Obrador; Njie, Simeone. 

Sassuolo (4-3-3): Muric; Coulibaly, Muharemovic, Walukiewicz, Doig; Lipani, Matic, Thorstvedt; Volpato, Pinamonti, Lauriente. 

08-05-2026 19:45

MatchDay 36

Olympic Grande Torino Stadium

Torino

Sassuolo

2 - 1

Player statistic

1st half

38'

Luca Lipani

2nd half

Luca Marianucci		51'
		51'		Kristian Thorstvedt (Assist: Luca Lipani)
Matteo Prati		63'
Giovanni Simeone (Assist: Enzo Ebosse)		66'
Marcus Pedersen		70'
		86'		Kristian Thorstvedt
Niels Nkounkou		89'
Gvidas Gineitis		90+3'

Match statistic

48

Possession %

52

18

Total shots

14

4

Shots on target

7

10

Shots off target

4

4

Blocked shots

3

7

Corners

5

13

Fouls

9

Torino

Sassuolo

Starting lineups

1

Alberto Paleari

Goalkeeper

77

Enzo Ebosse

Defender

35

Luca Marianucci

Defender

33

Rafa Obrador

Defender

86'

23

Saúl Coco

Defender

20

Valentino Lazaro

Defender

59'

66

Gvidas Gineitis

Midfielder

4

Matteo Prati

Midfielder

67'

10

Nikola Vlasic

Midfielder

92

Alieu Njie

Attacker

59'

18

Giovanni Simeone

Attacker

86'

49

Arijanet Muric

Goalkeeper

3

Josh Doig

Defender

75'

6

Sebastian Walukiewicz

Defender

80

Tarik Muharemovic

Defender

25

Woyo Coulibaly

Defender

7

Cristian Volpato

Midfielder

63'

42

Kristian Thorstvedt

Midfielder

35

Luca Lipani

Midfielder

63'

18

Nemanja Matic

Midfielder

84'

99

Andrea Pinamonti

Attacker

76'

45

Armand Lauriente

Attacker

Substitutes

34

Cristiano Biraghi

Defender

81

Franco Israel

Goalkeeper

61

Adrien Tameze

Midfielder

8

Ivan Ilić

Midfielder

13

Guillermo Maripán

Defender

19

Ché Adams

Attacker

22

Cesare Casadei

Midfielder

79

Zanos Savva

Attacker

84

Tommaso Gabellini

Attacker

99

Lapo Siviero

Goalkeeper

91

Duván Zapata

Attacker

59'

16

Marcus Pedersen

Defender

59'

6

Emirhan Ilkhan

Midfielder

67'

17

Sandro Kulenovic

Attacker

86'

25

Niels Nkounkou

Defender

86'

19

Filippo Romagna

Defender

12

Giacomo Satalino

Goalkeeper

16

Gioele Zacchi

Goalkeeper

24

Luca Moro

Attacker

44

Edoardo Iannoni

Midfielder

40

Aster Vranckx

Midfielder

66

Pedro Felipe

Defender

33

Christian Frangella

Midfielder

10

Domenico Berardi

Attacker

63'

90

Ismaël Koné

Midfielder

63'

23

Ulisses Garcia

Defender

75'

8

M’Bala Nzola

Attacker

76'

50

Darryl Bakola

Midfielder

84'

Argentina are 39 days away from making their debut at the 2026 FIFA World Cup against Algeria on June 16 at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Lionel Messi recently discussed the national team’s chances in the tournament.

“We have to believe, just like Argentinians always do whenever there’s an official competition, whether it’s the Copa America or the World Cup, but also understand that there are other favorites ahead of us who are arriving in better form as a group,” Leo said during an interview on Lo Del Pollo.

“It’s a World Cup, and we know it’s always complicated because of the quality of the national teams involved,” Messi added before going into detail about the opponents he considers strongest. “France are looking very good again, and they have a lot of top-level players. Spain too.”

Continuing his analysis, the 38-year-old star mentioned a South American powerhouse. “Brazil, even though they haven’t been at their best lately, are always contenders and have the players to compete in every major tournament.”

Finally, Messi pointed to “the powers” that are traditionally among the favorites because of their history and talent. “Then there are the usual ones, Germany and England,” Leo said. He added another team as well: “And Portugal, who also have a very competitive national team.” He also acknowledged that underdogs are always possible. “Then there’s always some surprise team, strange things you don’t expect beforehand. There are a lot of national teams at a high level.”

Which opponents have eliminated Argentina during the Messi era?

Lionel Messi’s cautious approach when discussing the 2026 FIFA World Cup comes from personal experience. Before becoming world champions in Qatar 2022 and winning back-to-back Copa America titles in 2021 and 2024, Argentina suffered several painful defeats in major tournaments that left a mark on Leo and gave him a clear understanding of what it means to compete at the highest level.

In three of the four unsuccessful World Cup campaigns he took part in, Messi experienced Germany’s superiority firsthand. Argentina lost to them in the quarterfinals of Germany 2006 and South Africa 2010, before later falling again in the final of Brazil 2014. Four years later in Russia, it was France who eliminated La Albiceleste in the memorable 4-3 Round of 16 clash.

At the continental level, Messi also endured difficult defeats against regional rivals. Brazil beat Argentina in the 2007 Copa America final and again in the 2019 semifinals. Chile eliminated Leo twice as well, defeating Argentina in the finals of 2015 and 2016, while Uruguay knocked them out in 2011.

Messi believes in his teammates

Despite the caution he expressed, Lionel Messi also showed confidence that he and his teammates will give everything they have to achieve success at the 2026 World Cup. “The national team are doing well. Right now, several players are dealing with injuries or a lack of rhythm, but Argentina will always compete and give everything, just like this group have done ever since they came together,” the forward said in the same interview.

Cristiano Ronaldo has reached another extraordinary milestone in Saudi Arabia, continuing a remarkable chapter of his legendary career with Al-Nassr. The Portuguese icon brought up his 100th Saudi Pro League goal during a dramatic victory over Al-Shabab, further cementing his influence on the title race and the league itself.

The goal carried enormous weight for both Ronaldo and Al-Nassr. With the Saudi Pro League season entering its decisive stage, the strike helped the club move another step closer toward lifting the title, while also adding a historic personal achievement to Ronaldo’s already unmatched résumé.

At 41 years old, the Portuguese superstar continues to perform with astonishing consistency. His latest milestone arrived in just 105 league appearances, a goalscoring rate that few forwards in world soccer history have maintained across such a sustained period.

Ronaldo’s landmark strike came during Al-Nassr’s tense 4-2 win over Al-Shabab. The victory over Al-Shabab carried major importance for the Saudi Pro League title race. Jorge Jesus and his players moved five points clear at the top of the table, placing additional pressure on rival Al-Hilal ahead of a potentially decisive Riyadh derby.

Al-Nassr started the match aggressively and quickly established control through Joao Felix, who scored twice in the opening stages. Al-Shabab responded through Yannick Carrasco and later threatened another comeback, but Ronaldo’s second-half goal steadied the situation before Felix completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot.

All Saudi clubs Ronaldo has scored against, and his favorite opponent revealed

Once the celebrations had settled, attention quickly shifted toward the incredible spread of Ronaldo’s goals. According to statistical breakdowns confirmed by Sofascore, Ronaldo has now scored against every Saudi Pro League opponent during the 2025-26 campaign.

The achievement made Ronaldo the first player in Saudi Pro League history to score against all 17 opponents in one single season. It also marked the second time in his career he managed the feat in a top-flight league campaign after previously doing so with Real Madrid during the 2011-12 La Liga season.

Among all of his favorite opponents in the Kingdom, Al-Wehda sits at the top of the list after conceding 10 goals to Ronaldo. Behind Al-Wehda comes Al-Fateh with nine goals conceded, while Al-Shabab, Damac, and Al-Okhdood each allowed seven goals against the Al-Nassr captain.

The 41-year-old veteran also built impressive records against Al-Ittihad, Al-Khaleej, Al-Riyadh, and several others during his time in Saudi Arabia. The numbers reveal how consistently he has dominated nearly every defense in the league since arriving in Riyadh in early 2023.

How Ronaldo scored his 100 goals

The breakdown behind Ronaldo’s century of Saudi Pro League goals reveals the complete nature of his finishing ability. Official Saudi Pro League graphics confirmed the exact distribution of his goals.

Out of his 100 league goals, Ronaldo scored:

• 70 with his right foot
• 18 with his left foot
• 11 headers
• 1 goal scored in unusual fashion with his back

The final category immediately caught supporters’ attention online. The unusual goal reportedly arrived after a Joao Felix effort deflected off Ronaldo’s back during a league match earlier in the season. The milestone also placed him into another exclusive category. He became the first player in soccer history to score 100 or more league goals in three different major leagues.

Those leagues are:

• Premier League with Manchester United
• La Liga with Real Madrid
• Saudi Pro League with Al-Nassr

Cristiano Ronaldo continues to rewrite soccer history at an age when most players have already retired. The Al-Nassr superstar once again delivered on the big stage during his side’s dramatic 4-2 victory over Al-Shabab, but the result only told part of the story surrounding another astonishing milestone in his legendary career.

With the Saudi Pro League title race reaching its decisive stretch, the Portuguese icon produced yet another performance that reminded everyone why he remains one of the sport’s most relentless competitors. While Joao Felix grabbed headlines with a hat-trick, the superstar forward quietly achieved something no player in Saudi Pro League history had ever managed before.

The match itself was far from comfortable for Al-Nassr despite the eventual scoreline. The club stormed into an early lead thanks to Joao Felix, who scored twice within the opening 10 minutes and immediately placed Al-Shabab under enormous pressure.

Al-Shabab fought back bravely after Yannick Carrasco reduced the deficit in the first half, and the game remained tense deep into the second period. Ronaldo eventually restored breathing room in the 75th minute when he fired home a first-time finish after excellent work inside the box.

Even then, the contest refused to settle completely. Al-Shabab found another goal shortly afterward before Felix completed his hat-trick from the penalty spot in stoppage time to seal a crucial victory for Al-Nassr. The result pushed Al-Nassr five points clear of Al-Hilal at the top of the table, placing the club in a commanding position as the season approaches its conclusion.

The historic record nobody had ever achieved in Saudi soccer

As impressive as the victory was, the real attention quickly shifted toward Ronaldo’s latest achievement. According to Sofascore’s data, Ronaldo became the first player in Saudi Pro League history to score against every single opponent in one league season. The goal against Al-Shabab completed the remarkable set.

Across the 2025-26 campaign, Ronaldo found the net against all 17 opposing clubs in the league, a feat that had never previously been recorded in Saudi Arabian soccer. The achievement becomes even more extraordinary considering he is now playing at 40 and 41 years old during the campaign.

Many elite forwards struggle to remain consistent at that stage of their careers, yet the Portuguese striker has continued scoring with astonishing regularity. As confirmed by the club, “He has now scored against all 17 teams he has faced in the Saudi Pro League this season, becoming the first player to score against every opponent in a single campaign.”

The list itself reads like a season-long tour of destruction. Ronaldo scored against Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, Al-Ahli, Al-Shabab, Al-Ettifaq, Al-Qadisiyah, Damac, Al-Fateh, Al-Riyadh, Al-Fayha, and every other opponent placed in front of him during the campaign.

Familiar story from Ronaldo’s career

What makes the record even more fascinating is that this is not the first time Ronaldo has accomplished something similar. Transfermarkt has highlighted that the Portuguese forward previously managed the same achievement during the 2011-12 La Liga season with Real Madrid.

Back then, CR7 finished the Spanish league season with an astonishing 46 goals. More than a decade later, he has repeated a similarly rare achievement in Saudi Arabia, once again demonstrating his extraordinary longevity.

The latest milestone also arrived alongside another major landmark. Ronaldo’s strike against Al-Shabab marked his 100th Saudi Pro League goal, reached in only 105 league appearances. Across all competitions for Al-Nassr, he has now produced 121 goals in 139 matches, numbers that would be remarkable for a player in his prime, let alone one approaching his mid-forties.

Former Roma and Juventus defender Medhi Benatia is reportedly among the options to replace Ricky Massara as Giallorossi sporting director according to the latest updates, but a clear first choice is already beginning to emerge. 

Benatia joins list of potential Massara replacements at Roma

Roma are widely expected to part company with sporting director Massara at the end of the season. The Giallorossi have recently decided to ‘side’ with head coach Gian Piero Gasperini after a public falling out with former senior advisor Claudio Ranieri, and it is likely that Massara will also depart in the near future. 

Several names have already been linked with the vacant position at the Stadio Olimpico. Reports on Thursday indicated that Roma had approached Inter’s Piero Ausilio, but he is highly unlikely to leave San Siro immediately after winning the Serie A title. 

Daniele Prade, formerly of Fiorentina, is also among the names linked with a move to Roma, as is former Napoli and Juventus man Cristiano Giuntoli and Atalanta’s Tony D’Amico. 

However, according to the latest updates, Napoli’s Giovanni Manna is the preferred option to replace Massara this summer. 

There is one another situation to keep an eye on, though. Benatia, who spent the 2013-14 season with Roma before joining Bayern Munich and later Juventus, could also be an option to replace Massara. 

The former Morocco international will leave his position as sporting director of Olympique de Marseille this summer after one season in the role. The 39-year-old has been part of the Marseille management since 2023. 

In fact, according to TMW, there is a potential scenario where Roma and Marseille end up ‘swapping’ directors, as Massara could potentially be an option to replace Benatia at the Stade Velodrome.

Manchester United are looking to agree on a new contract with Bruno Fernandes.

The 31-year-old Portuguese international has been outstanding for them this season, and he has been chosen as the Football Writers’ Association player of the year. He has 8 goals and 21 assists this season.

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Man United want a new deal for Bruno Fernandes

Manchester United do not want to lose the player at any cost, and they are hoping to agree a new deal with him before he leaves for the World Cup in the summer. According to a report from SportsBoom, Manchester United are currently in talks with their representatives over a contract extension.

It will be interesting to see whether all parties can reach an agreement quickly. He has been linked with clubs in Saudi Arabia and other top clubs, and the player has reportedly turned down a mega-money move to the Saudi Pro League in the recent past.

Manchester United have secured Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they will look to fight for trophies next season. It would not be a surprise if the Portuguese star is excited about the possibility of continuing with them. He will want to win major trophies with them. It makes sense for him to extend his stay at the club.

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Man United must keep Fernandes

Manchester United will need to keep their best players if they want to improve next season and close the gap with Arsenal and Manchester City. Fernandes is an indispensable asset for them, and losing him would be devastating for the club. They need quality players like him, as well as his leadership.

Manchester United have the finances to offer him a bumper contract, and they should look to wrap up the agreement quickly. The player currently has a £57 million release clause in his deal, and he wants the club to demonstrate their ambition before committing to a long-term deal.

The post Talks underway as Man United look to agree deal with £57m star after 29-G/A season appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal are interested in signing the Spanish defender Yarek Gasiorowski from PSV Eindhoven. 

According to reports via Fussball Daten, the 21-year-old defender could cost around €35-40 million.

He has impressed since he moved to the Netherlands, and he could prove to be a quality long-term investment for Arsenal. However, they are already well stocked in the defensive unit. They might struggle to offer him regular opportunities next season.

Gasiorowski has been on Arsenal’s radar for two years.

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Can Arsenal convince Yarek Gasiorowski?

Gasiorowski needs regular opportunities in order to continue his development. Sitting on the bench at a big club will not benefit him. He should look to join a club where he has a defined role in the starting lineup. It will be interesting to see if Arsenal can convince the player to join the club and accept the role of a squad player. 

They will be hoping to fight for the league title and the UEFA Champions League. They need a deeper squad with more quality. They are expected to sell Ben White in the summer. It remains to be seen whether they can sign the Spanish defender.

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Gasiorowski is a top talent

The 21-year-old can operate as a central defender or a left-back. He could be the ideal utility man for Arsenal. Gasiorowski has five goal contributions this season. However, with players like Riccardo Calafiori and Piero Hincapie at the club, game time will be hard to come by for the Spanish defender.

Arsenal certainly have the financial muscle to afford him, but they will need to convince the player as well.

Borussia Dortmund is also interested in signing the versatile defender. They will be able to provide him with regular opportunities, and it could help him improve further and fulfil his potential. It will be interesting to see where he ends up eventually.

The post Arsenal eye move for €40m defender as Dortmund enter transfer race appeared first on CaughtOffside.

According to Ben Jacobs, Atletico Madrid are close to an agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes. The fee is expected to be in the region of €45million, with four years left on his contract at the Molineux. Atletico initially targeted Gomes in January to replace Conor Gallagher, who left to join Tottenham Hotspur […]

The post Atletico Madrid close in on Joao Gomes appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Atletico Madrid close in on Joao Gomes appeared first on Soccer News.

According to Ben Jacobs, Atletico Madrid are close to an agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes. The fee is expected to be in the region of €45million, with four years left on his contract at the Molineux. Atletico initially targeted Gomes in January to replace Conor Gallagher, who left to join Tottenham Hotspur […]

The post Atletico Madrid close in on Joao Gomes appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Atletico Madrid close in on Joao Gomes appeared first on Soccer News.

According to Ben Jacobs, Atletico Madrid are close to an agreement to sign Wolverhampton Wanderers midfielder Joao Gomes. The fee is expected to be in the region of €45million, with four years left on his contract at the Molineux. Atletico initially targeted Gomes in January to replace Conor Gallagher, who left to join Tottenham Hotspur […]

The post Atletico Madrid close in on Joao Gomes appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Atletico Madrid close in on Joao Gomes appeared first on Soccer News.

In the middle of a turbulent week, the conflict between Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni took another turn on Friday. Real Madrid announced the financial sanctions that will be imposed on both players: fines of €500,000 (approximately $590,000) each.

“Real Madrid C. F. announces that, following the events that led to the disciplinary proceedings initiated yesterday against our players Federico Valverde and Aurelien Tchouameni, both appeared today before the investigator assigned to the case,” begins the statement published on the club’s official website.

“During their appearance, the players expressed their complete remorse for what happened and apologized to each other. Furthermore, they extended their apologies to the club, their teammates, the coaching staff, and the fans, and both have made themselves available to Real Madrid to accept whatever sanction the club deems appropriate,” Los Blancos added.

“Under these circumstances, Real Madrid has decided to impose a financial penalty of five hundred thousand euros on each player, thereby concluding the corresponding internal procedures,” the club announced, officially bringing the matter to a close.

The sporting situation for Valverde and Tchouameni

As made clear in the statement published by Real Madrid, the club consider the matter closed following the financial penalties imposed on both players. That means neither Federico Valverde nor Aurelien Tchouameni will face any sporting consequences.

However, the situation leaves both players in very different circumstances. As a result of the altercation, Valverde suffered a blow to the head that required hospitalization, and the injury will prevent him from being part of the squad for Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona.

Tchouameni, meanwhile, is in perfect physical condition and, with the possibility of a club-imposed suspension now ruled out, has a strong chance of being included in the squad traveling to Catalunya. Whether or not he features in the starting lineup will depend on the decision of head coach Alvaro Arbeloa.

Real Madrid injuries for clash against Barcelona

Federico Valverde is not the only player who will be unavailable for Sunday’s match against Barcelona. Due to physical issues, Daniel Carvajal, Eder Militao, Rodrygo Goes, Arda Guler, and Ferland Mendy will also miss the game. In addition, Kylian Mbappe is expected to arrive less than fully fit after dealing with muscular problems over the past week that kept him out of the squad for the win over Espanyol.

For nearly two decades, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have dominated world soccer, collecting countless trophies and individual awards along the way. Even now, as both players approach the final stages of their careers, they remain the sport’s biggest stars. The Argentine forward recently reflected on that rivalry.

During an interview on Lo Del Pollo, Messi was asked whether the constant comparisons with Ronaldo were a media creation or if there was actually bad blood between them. “Those comparisons or competitions are something natural in the world of soccer. It’s normal, just like it happens with clubs or national teams, but it was never anything beyond sports,” Leo began.

“I was at Barcelona and he was at Real Madrid, playing Clasicos, and we were competing for everything both collectively and individually, so people were always comparing us,” the Argentine star added, referring to the 2009-2018 period when both players dominated La Liga.

“What both of us achieved made the rivalry even bigger,” Messi admitted. Indeed, for a decade, he and Cristiano split the most prestigious individual awards in soccer. Ronaldo won his first Ballon d’Or in 2008, while Leo claimed his first the following year, and from then until 2018, no other player won the award until Luka Modric.

“We didn’t meet often except during matches or award ceremonies, where everyone was always watching to see whether he or I would win. But we were always on good terms,” explained the Inter Miami player. “Now we’re far away and at different stages of our lives, but what happened was a beautiful sporting rivalry.”

When was the last time Messi and Ronaldo faced each other?

To find the last meeting between Messi and Ronaldo, it is necessary to go back to January 2023. At the time, the Portuguese forward had just arrived in Saudi Arabia from Manchester United, and a friendly match was organized between Paris Saint-Germain and the Riyadh Season Team, a squad made up of players from Al Nassr and Al Hilal. PSG won the game 5-4.

However, the last official match between the two stars came much earlier. In the 2020-21 UEFA Champions League group stage, Juventus defeated Barcelona 3-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, just months before Messi was forced to leave the Catalan club for PSG.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup could be the final opportunity

Six and a half years after that last official match between Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, their careers have taken very different paths. Playing on different continents, an official meeting between Inter Miami and Al Nassr appears extremely unlikely. Because of that, international soccer may be the only remaining possibility.

Although neither player has confirmed it, the 2026 FIFA World Cup will almost certainly be the final major tournament for Messi and Ronaldo with their respective national teams. There, the possibility of Argentina and Portugal meeting is not entirely unrealistic.

The quickest path for that to happen would be for both teams to finish second in their respective groups — something unlikely given the quality of their opponents — which would set up a potential Round of 16 clash. In a more logical scenario, with Argentina and Portugal winning their groups and advancing through the knockout rounds, they could instead meet in the quarterfinals.

Trai Hume has been excellent for Sunderland in the Premier League this season, and Crystal Palace is hoping to secure his signature.

According to a report from Sports Boom, Crystal Palace are monitoring the player’s situation, and he could cost around £30 million. It remains to be seen whether Sunderland is prepared to sell a key player like him.

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Will Sunderland sell Trai Hume?

They have done well since promotion and secured safety in the Premier League. They will want to establish themselves as a regular in the top flight. They need to hold onto their best players if they want to survive in the Premier League. Selling Hume to Crystal Palace could prove to be a poor decision. It could send out the wrong message regarding their ambition.

Meanwhile, Brighton is also interested in the 24-year-old full-back. It will be interesting to see which of the two clubs decides to submit an offer in the coming weeks. He has a contract with Sunderland until 2030, and the Black Cats are under no pressure to sell Hume.

Andoni Iraola “close” to new club and it’s not Chelsea or Manchester United

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Palace and Brighton keen on Hume

Crystal Palace and Brighton will have to come forward with an attractive offer in order to get the deal done. £30 million could be an expensive proposition for the two clubs. They need to improve other areas of the squad as well, and spending that kind of money on a full-back might prove to be difficult. It remains to be seen how the situation develops over the next few weeks.

Crystal Palace is looking to win the UEFA Europa Conference League. It could help them secure a place in European football next season. Hume could be attracted to the idea of joining them. On the other hand, Brighton is also fighting for European qualification.

Crystal Palace move on from Iraola to eye up 38-year-old replacement for Glasner

The post Crystal Palace target Premier League-proven wide player in £30m summer move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Luka Vuskovic has been excellent during his loan. Spell at Hamburg and Barcelona are interested in signing the player.

However, Tottenham Hotspur have no intention of letting him leave, and they are preparing to offer him a new deal. The 19-year-old is one of the best young talents in Germany right now, and he has the potential to develop into a top-class defender.

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Spurs Luka Vuskovic plan revealed

Tottenham are ready to offer him an improved salary in order to keep him at the club for the long-term. The player joined Tottenham in 2025 and was sent out on loan to Hamburg to continue his development with regular football. He has been exceptional for them, and it is no surprise that top clubs are interested in him.

According to a report from TEAMtalk, Johan Lange has already travelled to Hamburg to hold talks with the player regarding his long-term future, and they are ready to offer him a bumper pay rise. He has a contract with Tottenham until 2030, and it remains to be seen whether all parties can come to an agreement quickly.

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Barcelona keen on Vuskovic

On the other hand, Barcelona is looking to add more quality to the defensive unit, and they have made fresh contact in recent days to sign the player. The opportunity to play for the Spanish champions can be quite attractive. Tottenham is fighting for survival in the Premier League, and the 19-year-old defender might feel he can fight for major trophies if he moves to the Spanish club.

However, Tottenham must do everything in their power to convince him to stay. He has the tools to develop into a top class player, and they cannot afford to lose someone of his calibre..

The post Barcelona pushing for rising star as Tottenham chief personally flies out for crunch talks appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Liverpool are interested in signing the Porto attacker Victor Froholdt.

According to a report from BOLD, they will face competition from Arsenal and Newcastle United for the talented attacker. The 20-year-old Danish sensation has done quite well for the Portuguese outfit, and he could prove to be an excellent long-term investment for Liverpool.

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Liverpool keen on Victor Froholdt

They need more quality in the final third, especially after the departure of Mohamed Salah. Liverpool chiefs are thought to be impressed with the 20-year-old, and they have been keeping tabs on his fantastic performances for Porto and the Denmark national team.

He has a £73.5 million release clause in his contract, and it will be interesting to see if Liverpool is willing to break the bank for him. Porto will not want to lose the player easily. They paid £19 million for him, and they will look to make a substantial profit.

The asking price is quite high, and it is unlikely that any club would be willing to pay that kind of money for him. Froholdt is an exceptional talent with a bright future, and he has contributed to 14 goals this season. However, he is still largely unproven at the highest level. Liverpool will want to sign him for a reasonable fee.

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Arsenal and Newcastle keen on Froholdt

On the other hand, Arsenal and Newcastle could use more creativity in the final third. Noni Madueke has been underwhelming since joining the club, and Newcastle have been overly dependent on Anthony Gordon.

The 20-year-old could prove to be a handy option for all three clubs. It remains to be seen where he ends up eventually. He should look to join a club where there is a defined role for him in the starting lineup.

The post Liverpool eye £73.5m Arsenal target as Salah successor search intensifies appeared first on CaughtOffside.

In what is a heavyweight Premier League showdown on Saturday lunchtime, Liverpool will welcome a struggling Chelsea to Anfield. Suffering real frustration last weekend as they eventually fell to a rollercoaster 3-2 defeat away at historic rivals Manchester United, Arne Slot’s side are seeking an immediate response when they return to the red half of […]

The post Liverpool vs Chelsea Bet Builder Tips – 5/1 Premier League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Liverpool vs Chelsea Bet Builder Tips – 5/1 Premier League Special, Analysis & Predictions appeared first on Soccer News.

Inter and Italy striker Pio Esposito says that Cristian Chivu has given him ‘unconditional confidence’ and has spoken about the relationship that he has enjoyed with the coach dating back to his time with the U14s, and says that captain Lautaro Martinez’s numbers speak for themselves. 

Esposito has won the Serie A title in his first full season with the Inter first team, chipping in with six goals and four assists from his 33 appearances in the league this term. Across all competitions, the 20-year-old has provided 15 goal involvements from 46 outings. 

The youngster, now a nailed on member of the Italy national team squad, spoke about his impressive breakthrough season in an interview with Cronache di spogliatoio. 

Esposito on Chivu relationship, first impressions with Inter and Lautaro Martinez insipration

For Esposito, the appointment of Chivu as head coach following the departure of Simone Inzaghi at the end of last season was fate. Chivu began his coaching career in the Nerazzurri youth ranks, where he crossed paths with Esposito on numerous occasions. 

“I’ve known him since I was with the U14s, it was his first ever year as a coach,” Esposito said (via Calciomercato). 

“He already had me playing, I immediately took a liking to him and a beautiful bond was born. I met him again in the Primavera and he started giving me the captain’s armband even if I was ‘underage’. The first time against Cagliari, I scored a hat-trick. 

“We continued to talk over the years and it was lucky that we got to meet again this year. His presence has been decisive. He’s given me unconditional confidence since day one.” 

It is easy to forget that Esposito’s senior debut with Inter came less than a year ago, during the FIFA Club World Cup in June, 2025. 

“I felt like I was in a movie when we flew to America,” Esposito recalled. “I was there with them, in the hotel, with the group, I worked alongside the champions I was used to watching on TV every Sunday.” 

Esposito also had nothing but positive things to say about his captain and fellow centre-forward Lautaro Martinez. 

“The numbers speak for themselves, and for us, seeing him never settle for anything in training is an inspiration. He returned after quite a long break against Roma and immediately made the difference.” 

• Read more: Agent warning : ‘Pio Esposito wants to stay at Inter for next 10 years’

The injured Francesco Pio Esposito and Hakan Calhanoglu have not made the trip to Rome, where their Inter side will visit Lazio on Saturday.

Italy international Pio Esposito and Turkey star Calhanoglu will not be available for Inter in their away game at Lazio on Saturday. As reported by Sky Sport Italia (via Calciomercato.com), neither player has made the trip to Rome.

Pio Esposito and Calhanoglu to miss Lazio vs. Inter

Pio Esposito is dealing with back pain, and Inter coach Cristian Chivu has decided to rest him ahead of next week’s Coppa Italia Final, also against Lazio.

On the other hand, Calhanoglu has been sidelined since the end of April with a soleus injury, which is expected to keep him out of action in next week’s Coppa Italia Final as well.

On the other hand, Brazilian winger Luis Henrique has recovered from an injury and will be available at the Stadio Olimpico tomorrow.

Inter have already won the Serie A title with three games to spare, while Lazio are four points below a Conference League placement.

Nerazzurri and Biancocelesti will meet again in the Coppa Italia Final on May 13.

The second Global State of Football report shows that Fiorentina, Atalanta and Napoli were the most financially stable Serie A clubs in 2024-25, while Gian Piero Gasperini was the most efficient coach in Italy’s top flight.

The study by world-leading AI technology PLAIER and the University of St. Gallen evaluated 226 clubs across 14 leagues in the 2024-25 season, assessing factors including squad quality, sporting director performance, coaching effectiveness, and financial stability.

The report not only highlights which clubs succeeded but also how they achieved success and the financial cost.

Fiorentina the most financially stable club in Serie A

Fiorentina emerged as the most financially stable club in Serie A, posting a 72% eqity ratio, followed by Atalanta and Napoli, second and third respectively.

Como resulted in the most efficient sports department, delivering the strongest results relative to the resources at its disposal. Napoli, who won the title last season, ranked third, while runners-up Inter placed 14th.

At the other end of the scale, Parma registered the weakest sporting department performance domestically, failing to translate their financial investments into on-pitch results entirely.

Last season, Parma secured survival under Cristian Chivu on the final matchday, but have had a quieter 2025-26 campaign under Carlos Cuesta, securing survival with several games to spare.

Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini, now at Roma, was identified as the coach most likely to select players and tactical line-ups capable of delivering positive outcomes in 2024-25.

Conversely, Monza coaches Alessandro Nesta and Salvatore Bocchetti, ranked lowest for team selection efficiency, with Milan sitting as the second-worst side in Italy on this metric under Paulo Fonseca and Sergio Conceiçao.

Cesc Fabregas (Como) ranked third from bottom.

Italy legend Alessandro Altobelli is ‘devastated’ to miss the funeral of his best friend, Evaristo Beccalossi, as he is stuck in Kuwait with no flights available to return to Italy.

Former Inter midfielder Beccalossi died on May 6, aged 69.

His funeral is being held today in his hometown of Brescia, with many other Nerazzurri legends present, including Beppe Bergomi.

Former Inter and Italy star Altobelli, a 1982 Italy World Cup winner, was one of Beccalossi’s closest friends but could not attend his beloved friend’s funeral.

Altobelli, who lives in Kuwait and works as a Serie A pundit for a local TV station, has been forced to miss Beccalossi’s funeral due to the lack of flights from the Middle East to Europe.

“I’m devastated,” he told Corriere della Sera.

“There are no flights. It had already taken me two days to return here [to Kuwait]. I spent eight hours in Istanbul during a layover, trying to rest on a chair. Now I’m stranded, and there are no solutions.

“He [Beccalossi] was my best friend,” concluded Altobelli.

“He was a champion and a second father to my sons. With him, a part of him has died too.”

Beccalossi and Altobelli together won the 1979-80 Serie A title with Inter.

Altobelli is the second-best scorer in the Nerazzurri’s history with 209 goals.

Cesc Fabregas reveals he might call up Italian midfielder Riccardo Cassano, 16, for Como’s away game at Hellas Verona on Sunday: ‘I can’t say he’s ready, but he understands the type of football we want to play here.’

Como U17 midfielder Cassano may be part of the senior squad travelling to Verona for a Serie A match on Sunday.

Fabregas: Cassano ‘understands the type of football’ Como play

Como have been impressive in Serie A this season and are still fighting for a Champions League spot. However, the Azzurri have also faced criticism for having used an Italian player for just one minute in league matches this term.

Nevertheless, Como have some promising Italian players in their youth squad, and one of them could travel with the first team over the weekend.

“I’m really happy. When we use all these players, it seems we create value. I mostly watch U17 and Primavera teams. If possible, Cassano of U17 will come with us,” Fabregas said at a press conference on Friday via TMW.

“He already trained with us last week, and I really liked it. He gave me great satisfaction. He is a playmaker. Yesterday, he played with us while [Maxi] Perrone broke his nose. The U17 have qualified for the play-off, but if I can take him with us, I’ll do it. I can’t say he’s ready, but he understands the type of football we want to play here. So many young players train with us during the week, but when we see a player who stands out, we are open. He is even from Como.”

Cassano, 16, is a central midfielder who has provided four assists in 25 games across all competitions with the Como U17 team this term.

Verona are already relegated, but held Como’s rivals Juventus to a 1-1 away draw last week.

“There is dignity. Nobody wants to lose games. You might be sad and disappointed because you got relegated, but nobody gives anything away,” Fabregas noted.

“They launched counterattacks while playing with a low block against Juventus, then defended for the rest of the game. We must be prepared for a similar match. Today, the most difficult thing is to score against a low block. We must have the desire to score, be proactive, and not go onto the field thinking it will be easy.

“I don’t really like to play at 12:30. We eat three hours earlier,” Fabregas concluded.

“When we play at 15:00 [CET], we have an activation session in the morning: players do stretching and mobility work, then two-against-two, and then they eat and rest. When the match is in the evening, they rest.”

Manchester United have made a definitive and ruthless call regarding one of English football’s top talents.

Despite widespread speculation and the player’s reported willingness to orchestrate a dream move to Old Trafford, the INEOS hierarchy has officially ruled out a summer swoop for Chelsea star Cole Palmer.

According to The Mirror, United’s top brass have firmly decided that financing a deal for the 24-year-old playmaker is simply not viable, opting instead to prioritise critical defensive and central midfield reinforcements.

The Manchester-born attacker grew up supporting the Red Devils and has reportedly been highly impressed by the club’s recent resurgence under interim manager Michael Carrick.

Palmer is open to a move to Old Trafford

Furthermore, Palmer has grown increasingly unsettled in West London following a deeply frustrating campaign.

A dramatic loss of form amidst Chelsea’s ongoing struggles has even cast doubt over his inclusion in Thomas Tuchel’s England squad for the upcoming World Cup.

Desperate to secure Champions League football, Palmer viewed Old Trafford as an ideal escape route.

However, the potential financials simply does not align for Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his recruitment team.

Man United are not interested in attacking signings

Having heavily invested nearly £210 million last summer to revamp their attack, United are reluctant to sanction another massive attacking player.

Signing Palmer from Stamford Bridge would require a fee in the region of £90 million, heavily compounded by a lucrative £150,000-a-week contract that runs until 2033.

The Red Devils feel that other positions require their immediate attention, instead of signing a player like Palmer who is considered a luxury addition.

The decision to step away from Palmer shows a newfound pragmatism at Man United under the INEOS regime.

By rejecting the temptation to pursue a high-profile, sentimental signing in an already well-stocked attacking department, the Red Devils are signaling a disciplined, data-driven approach to their rebuild.

Just in: Man United and Chelsea lock horns in race for Germany’s next defensive wall 

The post Man United rule out move for rival star despite his inclination towards Old Trafford move appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has admitted to a “difficult” situation with the Jurrien Timber injury as it’s not clear if the right-back will play again this season.

The Spanish tactician says it looks like Timber’s rehabilitation has not been as smooth as he expected, with the Netherlands international being out for longer than it initially looked like he’d be.

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In a significant double update, Arteta also suggested it’s not clear if either Timber or Mikel Merino will play again for Arsenal this season.

See below for the Gunners boss’ comments, as quoted by journalist Simon Collings…

Arteta asked if Timber injury more complicated than expected:

"Yes. That has probably been the most difficult thing to manage with the player and myself. Because we did not expect it to take so long and at the moment he is not fit to play." https://t.co/pbYRpn3FCB

— Simon Collings (@sr_collings) May 8, 2026

When asked about Timber and Merino, Arteta said: “I don’t know, there is still a fair bit to do. Everything has to be so smooth and quick if they want to play any minutes.”

On Timber, he added: “That has probably been the most difficult thing to manage with the player and myself. Because we did not expect it to take so long and at the moment he is not fit to play.”

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Can Arsenal achieve best-ever season despite injury struggles?

Arsenal fans will no doubt hope that Timber and Merino can still have a role to play this season, with the club closing in on a memorable Premier League and Champions League double.

Timber in particular would normally be an automatic starter for the Gunners, even if Ben White has filled in well in his absence, while Merino is an underrated player who can make an impact off the bench.

It would undoubtedly help to have both of them available right now, especially as AFC could genuinely be at risk of picking up more injuries after losing key players for so much of the season.

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Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard have only recently returned to action, while Kai Havertz missed a large chunk of the campaign, while there have also been periods when other big names like Eberechi Eze and Gabriel Magalhaes weren’t available.

Arsenal have a bigger squad now than previously, which has helped, but they can’t afford more bad luck like this in the coming weeks or they could miss out on both big prizes.

The post “We did not expect…” – Arteta on “difficult” situation with Arsenal star as he provides double injury update appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Multiple sources in Italy claim that the futures of Massimiliano Allegri and Igli Tare at Milan are uncertain, regardless of whether the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League.

Allegri and Tare’s uncertain Milan future

Milan could be set for another summer of big changes as the futures of coach Allegri and director Tare are uncertain.

• Read more – Milan fans prepare Furlani protest, but Cardinale satisfied with record profit

Milan expert Carlo Pellegatti has reported that Allegri may not stay at San Siro beyond the summer due to strained relations with the club’s CEO, Giorgio Furlani.

Allegri’s contract expires in June 2027, but the deal includes an automatic extension to 2028 if the Rossoneri qualify for the Champions League this season.

Calciomercato.com also reports that the strained relationship with Furlani could lead to Allegri’s departure, regardless of Champions League qualification.

According to the report, Allegri and Furlani have already met several times in recent weeks to discuss the club’s long-term plans, but apparently, the pair don’t share the same view.

Tuttomercatoweb adds that even Tare is under scrutiny, as Milan’s major summer investments have not paid off, especially Christopher Nkunku and Ardon Jashari.

According to the report, Atalanta’s Tony D’Amico remains on Milan’s target after last summer’s interest, but La Dea is still reluctant to part ways with their sporting director.

Eusebio Di Francesco confirms Roma fans have sent him messages hoping to see his Lecce side beat Juventus: ‘They don’t even need to ask me…’

Lecce are preparing to host Juventus at the Stadio Via Del Mare on Saturday.

It’s a crucial fixture for both sides as the Giallorossi have a four-point lead over 18th-placed Cremonese, while Juventus have an advantage of just one point over fifth-placed Roma.

Di Francesco, a former Roma coach, has admitted that some of his friends and Roma fans in the capital have been texting him in recent days, hoping to boost Lecce’s motivation against the Old Lady.

Di Francesco: ‘Fundamental’ for Lecce to beat Juventus

“[They’ve texted] As always, but they first have to look to themselves,” Di Francesco told Sky Sport, smiling.

“They don’t even need to ask me because, for us, it is fundamental to take the three points home.”

Lecce are unbeaten in their last three league matches and grabbed a crucial win against already-relegated Pisa in the latest round.

“It’s been a positive week, as it often happens after a victory,” continued Di Francesco.

“Having scored from open play might have given us something extra, but Juventus are so strong. They drew against Verona because there are no games with a guaranteed outcome, but they have important numbers, especially under Spalletti.

“Juventus build up from the back. I know Spalletti well. I’ve been following him, and I know what he does. They’ll try to dominate proceedings, and we’ll have to be good at taking control instead.”

Juventus are fighting for a Champions League place and are unbeaten in their last 10 games across all competitions.

However, they get to the Lecce match after consecutive draws against Milan and Hellas Verona, which have reduced their advantage over Roma to just one point.

• Read more – Spalletti makes Vlahovic admission, warns Juventus about ‘mistake’ to avoid

Transfer expert Sacha Tavolieri reports that Bayern Munich have shown concrete interest in Atalanta star Charles De Ketelaere: the Belgian has already approved a potential transfer, and club-to-club talks will begin soon.

Atalanta star De Ketelaere has attracted interest from Bundesliga giants Bayern Munich.

Bayern Munich prepare for De Ketelaere talks with Atalanta

According to Sky Sport CH transfer expert Tavolieri, De Ketelaere has already given the green light to a potential move to the Allianz Arena in the summer, so an agreement on personal terms is not expected to be an issue.

Bayern Munich are expected to begin talks with Atalanta soon to determine if the Serie A club are willing to sell and at what price.

De Ketelaere, 25, has scored five goals and provided seven assists in 39 appearances across all competitions this season.

He is in his third season at Atalanta, having moved to Bergamo on a €3m loan deal from Milan in 2023 before making the transfer permanent the following year for circa €24m.

De Katelaere’s contract at the Gewiss Stadium runs out in June 2028.

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has provided an injury update as Alexander Isak and Giorgi Mamardashvili are back in training, while Mohamed Salah and Alisson Becker are still out.

The Reds are enduring a frustrating season, and injuries have been a big part of that, with Isak in particular struggling to make anywhere near the kind of impact expected of him due to ongoing fitness issues.

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Salah has also not been at his best and it won’t have helped him to have missed a lot of games, with there seemingly still being no sign of the Egypt international coming back, as reported in the X post below by Paul Joyce…

Arne Slot says Alexander Isak has returned to training as well as Giorgi Mamardashvili. Alisson and Mohamed Salah not in team training yet.

— paul joyce (@_pauljoyce) May 8, 2026

It sounds like a positive that Isak and Mamardashvili could return for Liverpool, but fans will hope that there can be further positive updates soon on Salah and Alisson.

Still, there’s not a huge amount left to play for for LFC in the final games of this season, as they can’t win any trophies and should just about be safe in terms of finishing in the Champions League qualification places.

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Liverpool left reeling after difficult season

Slot had a superb first season at Anfield when he guided Liverpool to the Premier League title, and they were many pundits’ favourites to do so again after spending big last summer.

However, Isak has been a particular disappointment, while Florian Wirtz and Jeremie Frimpong have also not lived up to expectations.

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Hugo Ekitike performed well until picking up a serious injury, but overall the recruitment just hasn’t been good enough by the Merseyside giants.

It will be interesting to see if Slot can overcome these current injury issues and end the season strongly, because if not he will surely be facing serious questions over his future as manager.

The post Arne Slot provides injury update on four important Liverpool players appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bournemouth have released a statement confirming that they’ve suspended Alex Jimenez and are investigating the player over messages to a 15-year-old.

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These messages have appeared online and certainly look pretty incriminating, as you can see from the pictures below…

Images of Bournemouth’s Rightback, Alex jimenez, supposedly messaging a 15yr old are currently doing the rounds…? pic.twitter.com/oQ9ToULLjS

— The 44 ?? (@The_Forty_Four) May 8, 2026

Bournemouth have released a statement on their official website confirming that Jimenez will not be involved in the squad for the upcoming game against Fulham as they look into this serious incident.

“AFC Bournemouth are aware of posts circulating on social media involving right-back, Álex Jiménez,” the club’s statement read.

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“The club understand the seriousness of the matter and it is currently being investigated.

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“As a result, Alex will not be included in the squad for tomorrow’s Premier League game against Fulham and the club will be making no further comment at this time.”

Who is Alex Jimenez?

Jimenez is a Spanish right-back who joined Bournemouth this season, initially on loan from AC Milan.

The 21-year-old has made 32 appearances for the Cherries this term, scoring one goal, and this news is a big blow for manager Andoni Iraola.

Jimenez started out in Real Madrid’s academy and has represented Spain at youth level, but not yet at senior international level.

It will be interesting to see what kind of action ends up being taken if these leaked messages really prove to be as bad as they appear.

The post Bournemouth suspend Alex Jimenez as player’s messages to 15-year-old leaked online appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Werder Bremen’s teenage sensation Karim Coulibaly is emerging as one of the continent’s most coveted defensive targets.

Premier League clubs are expected to have a busy summer transfer window and defensive additions are high on their agenda.

According to reports from Italian transfer expert Nicolo Schira, Premier League heavyweights Manchester United and Chelsea have heavily scouted the 18-year-old center-back, both identifying him as a foundational piece for their respective long-term defensive rebuilds.

With a host of elite clubs now circling, Coulibaly’s rapid rise from academy prospect to Bundesliga regular is turning heads across Europe.

Karim Coulibaly has been sensational this season

Coulibaly’s rise this season has been nothing short of spectacular. Earning 23 starts for Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, the 18-year-old has transitioned comfortably to top flight football.

Rather than looking out of his depth, the teenager has displayed the composure and tactical intelligence of a seasoned veteran.

His dominant club form was rightfully rewarded on the international stage this past March. Coulibaly was fast-tracked into the Germany Under-21 squad, making a highly impressive debut during a comprehensive 3-0 European Championship qualifying victory against Northern Ireland.

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May 8 2026, 18:00

Crystal Palace target Premier League-proven wide player in £30m summer move

May 8 2026, 17:30

Man United & Chelsea admire the young defender

For Man United and Chelsea, the intense interest in Coulibaly is rooted in his incredibly rare and highly sought-after profile.

Standing at an imposing 1.91m (6 ft 3 in), he possesses the physical dominance required to handle the brutal aerial demands of the Premier League. More importantly, he is a natural left-footed, ball-playing center-back.

Chelsea view him as an ideal anchor to solidify their long-term project at Stamford Bridge, while United, who are heavily rumoured to be revamping their entire defensive structure, see him as a generational talent capable of locking down the left side of their defense for the next decade.

With his valuation already rumored to be hovering around the €40 million to €50 million (£35m-£45m) mark, a fierce, high-stakes bidding war is expected to take place this summer.

Sources: Liverpool, Man United, & Aston Villa could have exciting €40m transfer opportunity

The post Just in: Man United and Chelsea lock horns in race for Germany’s next defensive wall appeared first on CaughtOffside.

Bayern Munich will be firm with the wage demands of Konrad Laimer, according to CFBayernInsider. Journalist Christian Falk wrote: “Bayern Munich have drawn a line in the sand over Konrad Laimer’s contract demands. “They’ve already paid a lot of money for Musiala, Davies, and Joshua Kimmich’s contract.  “They made him an improved offer on his […]

The post Bayern Munich take Konrad Laimer stance appeared first on Soccer News.

The post Bayern Munich take Konrad Laimer stance appeared first on Soccer News.