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Enzo Fernández was left out of Chelsea's Carabao Cup win, reigniting talk of a Manchester City move priced at £120m. Arsenal's Mikel Arteta remains content but hints at interest in Julián Alvarez, while Atlético negotiates a £128m swap involving Gabriel Jesus.
Newcastle, Arsenal, Brentford, Everton, Leeds, Coventry, Aston Villa, Hull and Ipswich have each added fresh faces to their squads, promising to inject energy into the top flight. Newcastle, meanwhile, target a 20‑year‑old left‑winger from Hoffenheim as a possible replacement for Anthony Gordon.
Celtic seemed in control after Callum McGregor’s early strike gave them a four‑goal aggregate advantage over Lask, yet they folded, conceding five unanswered goals and suffering a historic European embarrassment. The loss eclipses their previous humiliation by Kairat Almaty last August.
Dom Ballard’s audacious backheel volley for Bristol City against Birmingham in Championship week two has ignited a discussion about the earliest goal that could claim goal‑of‑the‑season honours. The Guardian also notes quirky season stories, from player‑managers earning caps to goalkeepers sent off out of position.
Barcelona icon Xavi Hernández, newly appointed head coach of the Dutch national team, likened his new role to studying at a football university. He aims to revive Johan Cruyff's total‑football ideals, drawing on deep ties to the Netherlands from his La Masia days.
Cartoonist David Squires reflects on the Premier League’s comeback, spotlighting the season’s biggest storylines and the fresh visual motifs that have emerged. He also promotes his favourite works and his new book, Chaos in the Box.
After a 2-2 stalemate with Villarreal, Atlético Madrid's Julián Álvarez left the pitch in silence, surrounded by jeering fans and a tense atmosphere. The episode underscores the Argentine striker's precarious position amid Barcelona interest and growing hostility at the Metropolitano.
Amazon’s four‑part documentary A Beautiful Obsession offers an unvarnished view of Pep Guardiola’s last two seasons at Manchester City, covering his personal divorce, strained relations with the hierarchy and the bleak 2024‑25 run that yielded nine defeats in thirteen games.
Manchester United have spent the summer hunting a left‑back to push Luke Shaw, yet credible options remain elusive as the window closes. The club's earlier brag about scouting 804 right‑backs now feels out of step with a stalled left‑side search, sparking talk of missed chances.
Max Rushden reflects on a recent trip to see Cambridge United, recalling a historic 6‑0 win over Hartlepool in 1989 and an amusing encounter with travelling fans. He wonders whether his passion lies in attending matches or simply cherishing the idea of football.
For the first time since 1961, Lincoln’s Imps stepped onto the Championship stage, only to fall 3-1 to Portsmouth. Yet the sunny Saturday atmosphere at Sincil Bank, framed by the cathedral, left supporters beaming with optimism.
Eighteen‑year‑old Moroccan midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi has arrived at Manchester City after an €100m transfer, already a university student and a chess enthusiast. He passed his school exams early and now faces the task of succeeding the world’s top central midfielder in the Premier League.
The Guardian’s Leander Schaerlaeckens questions whether NBC’s 14‑year run covering the Premier League leans too heavily on British personalities. He notes the familiar lineup of Rebecca Lowe, veteran pundits and even Tim Howard, while wondering if a more distinctly American approach could ever earn equal praise.
Rennes applied a ceaseless high‑press that left Paris Saint‑Germain scrambling, prompting Luis Enrique to introduce Ferran Torres and other costly attackers. The French side’s early dominance highlighted their claim as the league’s top challenger.
After announcing a temporary break to attend to personal matters in Spain, Gotham striker Esther González signed with Saudi side Al Qadsiah within weeks. The unexpected move has ignited discussions about professionalism and the safety of LGBTQ+ players in a country where same‑sex relations are illegal.
Jonathan Liew argues that despite a new coach, fresh leadership and over a third of a billion pounds spent, Spurs still lack the spine to overturn a pattern of panic. Since a 4-1 win over Aston Villa in late 2024, they have fallen behind 44 times and never recovered.
In the latest Football Weekly episode, Max Rushden and his panel discuss Spurs securing their first home victory of the season, Celtic’s disastrous European elimination, and growing concerns around Aston Villa. The conversation blends match analysis with broader club issues.
A Guardian analysis notes that Premier League coaches are now predominantly in their forties, turning the dugout into a demanding treadmill for older figures. The piece explores whether the shift reflects a broader cultural change or the sport’s relentless pace.
Following a 1‑0 loss to Spain in the World Cup final, Argentine players Leandro Paredes and Nahuel Molina were seen striking Spanish opponents, prompting a red card for Paredes after he choked Eric García and brought Gavi to the ground. British analysts Joe Hart and Gary Neville condemned the behaviour as disgusting and disgraceful.
Kylian Mbappé netted three times as Real Madrid defeated Real Sociedad 4‑1 at the Bernabéu, marking José Mourinho's first home fixture back. The French striker opened the scoring, restored the lead after an equaliser and capped the win with a late goal, while home supporters voiced their displeasure throughout the match.
MLS side Inter Miami, struggling through a five‑match winless run, have hired former Argentina international Cristian “Kily” González as their new head coach, ending the interim tenure of Guillermo Hoyos. Hoyos was also suspended for one game after repeated late‑kickoff violations.
Barney Ronay likens Chelsea forward Cole Palmer to a unicorn, calling him perhaps the only truly creative English player today. The piece also touches on Central Cee’s new Premier League anthem, "The Team," and its quirky Coca‑Cola launch.
Chelsea's Lucy Bronze reflects on a summer spent with Colombian refugees and argues now is the moment for footballers to use their platforms. She also opens up about her recent ADHD and autism diagnoses and how they shape her training and activism.
Aston Villa’s Europa League triumph and fourth‑place finish did not protect its squad from rapid deterioration, while Tottenham, despite a 17th‑place finish and £35 million lower merit payment, spent £322 million on transfers. The contrasting fortunes raise questions about the fairness of current financial regulations.
