All posts by n8rngtd.top

Liverpool and Manchester United are two of many teams throughout Europe who are set to benefit after FIFA revealed those involved will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week before jetting off for the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations. Mohamed Salah and Bryan Mbeumo are among the Premier League's top forwards but will leave their sides to represent Egypt and Cameroon when the tournament kicks off in Morocco later this month.

• Liverpool and Man Utd receive much-needed boost

  Clubs around Europe will have to make do without some of their key players during the hectic winter months of December and January due to the 2025 AFCON. Stars like Salah and Mbeumo are set to miss a significant number of matches for Liverpool and United when they travel across the world to represent their countries at Africa's biggest stage. Players had previously been required to show up for international duty by December 8 at the latest, leaving some English clubs particularly short during what is always a fixture-filled time of the year. However, FIFA has now amended its rules, meaning clubs around Europe will be able to call upon their African stars for another week.

Advertisement

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What FIFA said about clubs releasing players for AFCON

  In a statement released on Wednesday, FIFA outlined its decision: "Following fruitful consultations led by FIFA with key stakeholders and, thanks to the spirit of solidarity demonstrated by CAF to reduce the impact on various parties, the Bureau of the Council has taken a decision in relation to the mandatory release of players for the CAF Africa Cup of Nations 2025, which will take place in Morocco from 21 December 2025 to 18 January 2026. 

  "In line with the same principle used for the FIFA World Cup 2022™, the release period will be reduced by seven days and start on Monday, 15 December 2025. 

  "It was also determined that Member Associations participating in the CAF AFCON 2025 and clubs releasing players who would be playing in continental competitions during the release period be encouraged to hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions. 

  "In cases where there continues to be a dispute over the release of players subsequent to such bilateral discussions, FIFA will, in mediating between both parties, apply guidelines that take into account the circumstances of each case, including factors related to the timing of matches of affected competitions, the stage of these competitions, the historical and planned involvement of the players in the matches in question, as well as any other pertinent factors."

• Some Premier League teams set to struggle

  It's not just Mbeumo who United will be missing for the better part of a month even after FIFA's ruling. Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are set to represent the Ivory Coast and Morocco, while Sunderland appear set to suffer majorly with seven of their players projected to be involved in the tournament, including Bertrand Traore, Reinildo, Simon Adingra and Habib Diarra. 

  Manchester City will lose both Omar Marmoush and Rayan Ait-Nouri, though neither the Egyptian nor the Algerian have been particularly prominent in Pep Guardiola's starting XI so far this season. Tottenham will be without a pair of midfielders in Pape Matar Sarr and Yves Bissouma, but will retain the services of winger Mohammed Kudus after Ghana failed to qualify. Relegation candidates Wolves are also expected to lose five players to AFCON. 

  However, there is better news for others. Premier League leaders Arsenal, their London rivals Chelsea and Leeds United will be unaffected for the period. Liverpool, meanwhile, will only lose Salah, with manager Arne Slot previously revealing the Reds would be able to keep the struggling winger until mid-December.

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty Images Sport
  

  What comes next?

  There are now just under two weeks before clubs throughout Europe say goodbye to the African players who will be present at AFCON. The tournament looks set to be an exciting one with Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal among the favourites to lift the trophy – which will add to an already packed winter of soccer.

  There's a disappointing lack of Premier League action on Boxing Day this year, with United's evening clash with Newcastle the only fixture of the day, but supporters will be able to see Salah's Egypt battle South Africa that afternoon.

Mikel Arteta is currently in the process of building something of a super team at Arsenal.

While the current crop may have been decimated by injuries, notably in defence, the squad depth that Berta and, indeed Andrea Berta have built in recent years has to be admired.

Berta was ruthless in the summer. It looked as though Arsenal’s business was done but the Italian was not satisfied. Late in the day the Gunners swooped for Eberechi Eze, pipping fierce rivals Tottenham Hotspur to the attacking midfielder. They also welcomed Piero Hincapie in the late stages, just as well considering the current injury crisis at the back.

Their squad depth is widely thought to be the main reason that Arteta’s side sit at the top of the Premier League table. While some players look a bit tired – notably Declan Rice and Martin Zubimendi – it has allowed more rotation.

Bukayo Saka has been one to benefit from that.

Has Bukayo Saka been quieter in 2025/26?

A few weeks ago, Arsenal took on Bayern Munich. The score as the game approached its late phases was 1-1.

Arteta made a bold call to substitute Saka. In the last few years, the Spaniard would not even dare to take off his talisman but such is their improved depth, he could afford to do so.

It paid dividends immediately. Riccardo Calafiori – another sub in that game – raced to the byline and delivered an inch-perfect cross for Noni Madueke to tuck away. Arsenal went on to win the game.

Madueke delivered another fine performance in Europe this week, scoring twice, including one rasping long-range effort as the north Londoners defeated Club Brugge 3-0.

The former Chelsea man was given a grilling when he first moved across London but it’s safe to say he’s proven people wrong.

Saka, on the other hand, continues to thrive, although he’s perhaps been quieter than normal. The Hale Ender is still the club’s top scorer this term with seven goals to his name. Yet, after bouncing back from a hamstring injury last term, you sense there is more to come in Arsenal red and white from their star man.

Usually so creative and effervescent, Saka’s assist for Mikel Merino’s headed goal against Chelsea at the end of November was his first Premier League assist for a year.

Now, for a man who created more chances per 90 minutes than any player in the top-flight last term, that is a worry.

That said, the England winger remains one of their most important players. If Arsenal are going to win supreme in Europe and domestically this term, they will need Saka to boost those numbers.

He could do with taking a leaf out of another Hale Ender’s book.

Big-money star is better than Saka 15 years after leaving

The Hale End production line has felt like an endless pool of talent in recent years. From that man Saka to Emile Smith Rowe, Arteta’s first few years were dominated by the two virtuoso attackers.

Smith Rowe may have moved on to pastures new but in the present era he has Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman at his disposal. Both players, certainly Dowman, are the best in their age group in the country. 16-year-old Marli Salmon even made his debut against Brugge this week.

Yet, there are some to have bitten the dust far too soon. Think Harry Kane, once of the Arsenal academy. He’s now a Spurs and England legend, plying his trade for Bayern Munich.

He’s not the only former Gunner playing under Vincent Kompany’s wing in the German capital. There is, of course, Serge Gnabry and also Michael Olise.

While Gnabry’s tale will be more familiar to those of an Arsenal persuasion, Olise’s may not be.

Where Are They Now

Like his former Crystal Palace teammate in Eberechi Eze, the winger had to take the long way round to get to where he is now.

Olise was on the books of the Arsenal academy all the way back in 2009, but he ultimately ended up across London in the west where he played in the Chelsea youth system.

Former Chelsea coach Sean Conlon recalled the story back in 2022: “Michael was also training with Arsenal at the time because before you move into the U9s, you’re allowed to train with multiple teams,” he said.

“But he probably lived closer to Chelsea and they obviously have a great academy so he ended up signing for them.”

The spritely forward ended up trading Chelsea for Manchester City and then finally found a home in Berkshire with Reading.

It was with the EFL club that he became a genuine star of the Football League, moving to Crystal Palace in a deal worth just £8m. That turned out to be a bargain. After dazzling Premier League defenders, notably scoring ten goals and registering six assists in just 19 matches during an injury-hit 2023/24, Bayern came calling.

He moved to the Bundesliga in a deal worth around £51m and the rest is history. Now regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Gnabry, he’s amassed some truly awe-inspiring numbers under Kompany.

In Bayern colours, the French trickster has scored 29 goals and supplied 37 assists in 78 outings. In 2025/26 to date, the 23-year-old has netted on nine occasions, posting 14 assists.

He’s truly an elite winger and some might say he’s now better than Saka. Based on the data above, Olise is streets ahead as far as goalscoring and chance creation is concerned this season.

The former Palace sensation has also been far more prolific when it comes to take-ons and progressing the ball forward.

A “magician” – according to Bayern teammate Dayot Upamecano – he is truly one of the most captivating forwards on the planet. Now worth £123m according to reports, there will be regret on Arsenal’s end that he didn’t stick around at Hale End all those years ago.

Arsenal make "generational" £87m Saka & Rodrygo hybrid a priority target

The incredible attacker, who is a lot like Saka and Rodrygo, could be a game-changing signing for Arsenal.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

5 days ago

Bruno Fernandes has been brutally compared to a “one-year-old”, with the Manchester United captain being told that high energy, goals and assists mask his flaws. Ex-Red Devils defender Paul Parker has been discussing the Portuguese playmaker with GOAL and believes that a talismanic presence at Old Trafford can both help and hinder the collective cause.

• Fernandes' Man Utd record: Appearances and goals

  Fernandes has been on United’s books since January 2020, when a transfer from Sporting was completed. He has gone on to make over 300 appearances for the Premier League heavyweights, scoring 102 goals. He has also teed up many more efforts for grateful team-mates.

  The enigmatic 31-year-old has taken plenty of lessons from fellow countryman Cristiano Ronaldo down the years, with nothing but the best being demanded of himself and those playing by his side. His occasionally petulant character can rub people up the wrong way at times.

  There is, however, no questioning his value to United. He is a leader on and off the field, with the Red Devils and their loyal fan base often looking to the man with the armband for inspiration. He has delivered on countless occasions in times of need.

Advertisement

• Getty
  

  Too much: Fernandes wants to be everywhere

  Fernandes does, however, stand accused of trying to do too much. Speaking in association with gambling portal British Gambler, former Red Devils star Parker told GOAL when asked about United’s engine room: “When you look in the middle, Casemiro does a great job. He is about the players around him. You put him in more consistent sides in the Premier League, he would look a different player. He would be respected and sort the tempo out.

  “At Manchester United he is playing next to someone that doesn’t stand still. He [Fernandes] is like my one-year-old, you leave them somewhere but they are not going to stay there, you put your head down and he’s gone. When he’s gone, he doesn’t leave you a note behind about where he’s going to be. That’s the thing with Bruno, he is going to score a goal or do an assist and the rest is all forgotten.”

• Captain material: Fernandes fills Man Utd armband

  Parker is not the first ex-United full-back to deliver that assessment of Fernandes. Patrice Evra, another title winner with the Red Devils, has also told GOAL: “It’s always sensitive to talk about Bruno. It depends what people call a real captain. With a captain, sometimes you can have someone like Roy Keane or a different one. Bruno is giving assists and scoring goals, this has never been the issue. The issue for me is for him to control the team and the tempo when he gets the ball.

  “You couldn't tell me where he's playing because he's everywhere. So sometimes maybe as a captain, you want to do extra, you want to do too much. And at the end, you're not even at your right position. But United wouldn't be where they are in the table if Bruno wasn't playing.”

  Evra added on Fernandes’ role as skipper: “I don't question the fact about Bruno being a captain – he deserves to be captain because [Ruben] Amorim has chosen him. Look at what's happening to [Harry] Maguire. They got rid of the armband and he now plays like a United player. You saw how people were bullying him on social media or whatever. But he said, I'm staying here.”

ENJOYED THIS STORY?

Add GOAL.com as a preferred source on Google to see more of our reporting

• Getty
  

  Transfer talk: Move being mooted for 2026

  While commanding centre-half Maguire has stayed put, it remains to be seen whether Fernandes will do likewise. Questions are being asked of his future heading towards 2026 – when he will have just one year remaining on his contract, as United retain a 12-month extension option.

  Leading teams across Europe, including reigning La Liga champions Barcelona, have been credited with interest. Rumours of admiring glances from the Saudi Pro League are never far away either, with it being suggested on a regular basis that Fernandes could follow five-time Ballon d’Or winner Ronaldo – who is still going strong with Al-Nassr at 40 years of age – to the Middle East.

The Houston Astros have been without star slugger Yordan Alvarez since early May as he's been sidelined with a small fracture in his hand.

The 28-year-old has been rehabbing his ailing hand in Florida, but has suffered a setback in his recovery. According to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Alvarez's rehab has been shut down and he's now set to visit a specialist in order to determine the best course of action.

Alvarez reportedly felt soreness while swinging a bat on Monday, prompting the team to shut him down.

Alvarez last played for the Astros on May 2. He'd been struggling at the plate all season, looking like a shell of his usual self throughout his first 29 games. Alvarez had a .210 batting average with a 82 OPS+ and just three home runs and 18 RBIs prior to landing on the IL.

The team expects to know more about his injury after his visit with the specialist, but this setback is certainly a cause for concern among fans, who were hoping to have Alvarez return to the lineup for the second half of the season.

New York Mets relief pitcher Edwin Diaz wants to pitch in the World Baseball Classic again. Diaz pitched for Puerto Rico in 2023, but his first appearance in the WBC came to an abrupt end when he tore his patellar tendon in his right knee while celebrating Puerto Rico's victory over the Dominican Republic.

One could understand, then, if Diaz was feeling a bit leery about pitching in the event in 2026. But that's not the case at all.

"As of now I would play if I had the chance," Diaz said last week according to the . “I didn’t get hurt pitching. That’s something that could happen at my house or wherever. If I was pitching maybe I’d be a little bit scared—but I just want to go and represent my country and have fun."

While it's true that Diaz's injury did not occur while he was pitching, it's likely that the Mets aren't too keen about seeing their closer taking part in the WBC again, if Diaz picks up his contract option and returns to New York in '26.

Diaz, a three-time All-Star, has pitched to a 1.55 ERA with 61 strikeouts in 40 2/3 innings piched for New York in 2025. The Puerto Rican team is headlined by Diaz's Mets teammate Francisco Lindor, who is the club's captain. The WBC begins on March 5 next year.

Under Roman Abramovich and now Todd Boehly, Chelsea have spent big over the last 20 years on a number of new signings, but how have the Blues fared when it comes to departures?

Those at Stamford Bridge have cashed in on a number of stars, with a plethora of players moving to the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Here’s a look at Chelsea’s most expensive sales in their history, as per news reports and Transfermarkt, with a detailed look at the top 10.

Here’s a detailed look at Chelsea’s 10 most expensive sales…

10

Juan Mata

£37.1m to Man Utd, 2014

Like Nemanja Matic, attacking midfielder Juan Mata also swapped Stamford Bridge for Old Trafford, but did so three years prior in 2014.

The Spaniard joined Chelsea from Valencia in 2011 and starred in the Premier League, but Jose Mourinho who had recently returned for a second stint at the club, was happy to cash in midway through the 2013/14 campaign, bringing in just over £37m.

9

Nemanja Matic

£40m to Man Utd, 2017

Matic had two spells at Chelsea, returning to Stamford Bridge in 2014 from Benfica in a deal worth £21m.

The Serbian was a regular over the next three years and the Blues went on to make a tidy profit when selling him to Manchester United and Jose Mourinho in 2017, with their former boss shelling out £40m to prise him from the champions.

8

Noni Madueke

£48.5m to Arsenal, 2025

Noni Madueke spent two-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge after arriving from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, with the Blues making a profit when selling him to rivals Arsenal in 2025.

It looked to be a reasonable decision from Chelsea chiefs, however, Madueke’s start to life at the Emirates shows it could actually prove to be a call the club live to regret.

7

David Luiz

£50m to PSG, 2014

Brazilian centre-back David Luiz made an immediate impact after joining Chelsea from Benfica for £21.3m in 2011 and was a regular for the next two and a half years.

Luiz was then sold to Paris Saint-Germain for big money in 2014 as the French giants swooped for a mind-boggling £50m, but two years on, Chelsea would buy the defender back, with Luiz picking up Premier League, FA Cup and Europa League titles during his second stint.

6

Mason Mount

£55m to Man Utd, 2023

Chelsea chiefs did brilliantly to bring in an initial £55m for Mason Mount back in 2023, as the midfielder was heading into the final 12 months of his Stamford Bridge contract.

Manchester United were happy to splash the cash on the Englishman, but his first year at Old Trafford was hampered by injury, making the cash brought in for his services a shrewd decision by the Blues.

5

Diego Costa

£57m to Atletico Madrid, 2017

Arguably Chelsea’s best striker since Didier Drogba, Diego Costa was signed from and sold to Atletico Madrid in 2014 and 2017 respectively.

During his time in west London, Costa shone with his power and finishing ability, scoring 59 goals in 120 appearances and winning two Premier League titles.

Upon his departure following a reported falling-out with manager Antonio Conte, Chelsea managed to recoup some £57m as Atleti came calling for their former forward.

4

Alvaro Morata

£58.3m to Atletico Madrid, 2020

Chelsea received the extremely handsome sum of £58.3m when selling Alvaro Morata to Atletico Madrid back in 2020. The Blues sold him on loan at the start of the 2019/20 season, with the La Liga giants obligated to buy the Spaniard in the following summer.

It meant that Chelsea almost broke even having bought the striker in the summer of 2017 for around £60m from Atleti’s city rivals, Real Madrid.

Considering things didn’t quite work out for Morata at Stamford Bridge, it was a pretty impressive deal from a financial point of view.

Todd Boehly's worst transfers at Chelsea… so far

There are plenty to choose from, but who has been Boehly’s biggest mistake at Stamford Bridge?

2

By
Stephan Georgiou

Aug 23, 2024

3

Oscar

£60m to Shanghai SIPG

Oscar was one of several Brazilians sold for big money by Chelsea, with the midfielder spending five years at Stamford Bridge from 2012 before a £60m switch at the height of the Chinese Super League boom.

He won four major honours with the Blues and made more than 200 appearances before moving to China with Shanghai SIPG. Oscar recently sealed a move back to his native Brazil with a January switch to former club Sao Paulo.

2

Kai Havertz

£65m to Arsenal, 2023

Scorer of the winner in the 2021 Champions League final against Manchester City, Kai Havertz was sold to London rivals Arsenal in 2023.

Three years prior, the German forward was signed from Bayer Leverkusen, but struggled to find a starring role at Chelsea, resulting in him joining Mikel Arteta’s side, where he has impressed since his £65m move.

1

Eden Hazard

£89m to Real Madrid, 2019

Top of the charts is winger Eden Hazard, who starred for Chelsea between 2012 and 2019, resulting in Real Madrid swooping in a record deal.

The Belgian made more than 350 appearances for the Blues, scoring 110 times, providing 85 assists and winning six major honours. Those at the Bernabeu made Hazard a Galactico, but things didn’t go to plan for him in Madrid, with injuries limiting him to just seven goals in 76 appearances.

Reports stated that his transfer fee could have topped £150m, but Chelsea had to settle for a €100m (£89m) windfall following his departure.

Ranking Eden Hazard's 10 best career performances & moments

The former Chelsea and Belgium star enjoyed a fabulous career before retiring at the age of 32.

By
Freddie Taylor

Oct 13, 2023

The Mets struck first in their critical Thursday night matchup against the Cubs, thanks to a rather unusual play in the top of the opening frame. Mark Vientos hit a pop up into foul territory, which was pursued by Dansby Swanson.

Swanson made an incredible play on the ball, securing it in his mitt as he crashed into the stands. Unfortunately for Chicago, because Swanson ended up fully in the first row, all of New York's baserunners were awarded a free base. Thus, the runner on third, Francisco Lindor, scored.

Per MLB rules, if a player makes a catch in the stands, the play is ruled dead and all active baserunners are awarded one base. So, despite Swanson's incredible effort, his catch enabled the Mets to take an early 1–0 lead.

New York would tack on another run to end the first inning up 2–0.

The Cubs, of course, have clinched a playoff berth already, though the Mets are still fighting for the final wild-card spot in the National League. The Reds won against the Pirates earlier Thursday, so the onus is on the Mets to make sure they get the job done at Wrigley Field.

Happy Hump Day!

Let’s have some fun rooting for a pitcher’s duel in Chicago. Two pitchers with swing and miss stuff get the start today. Can they reward us with plus-money payouts? 

MLB Best Bets Today

Hunter Brown over 6.5 strikeouts (+125) at DraftKings

Yes, this K prop is high, but the Chicago White Sox have been striking out at a 26% clip vs. right-handed pitching since the first of June.

That’s the third-highest rate in MLB.

Even Framber Valdez, a lefty ground ball pitcher, fanned five last night.  Hunter Brown has been on fire lately, striking out seven or more in each of his last four starts. I’ll take the chance he makes it five in a row for this nice payout. 

Garrett Crochet over 6.5 strikeouts (+115) at DraftKings

I’m taking the over for Garrett Crochet on the other side of this game, too.

I’m expecting a low-scoring affair today. Crochet has been dominant all season, leading all of MLB with 12.67 strikeouts per nine innings.

The Astros are a very low K-rate team with a league-best 15.5% K-rate vs. left-handed pitching this season. However, this lineup is down Kyle Tucker and possibly Yordan Alvarez for the second day in a row. 

Jon Singleton, Yainer Diaz and Trey Cabbage will definitely whiff a few times, and Crochet has pitched through the sixth inning or longer in each of his last five starts. He also exceeded this prop in four of them. 

MLB on Tuesday announced that the ABS Challenge System will be implemented in 2026 spring training, regular season and postseason games after a vote by the Joint Competition Committee. MLB is entering the "robot umpire" age with the ABS system, which was tested in the minor leagues and during roughly 60% of 2025 spring training games. And, according to the numbers from the league's spring training test, one position could be crucial in the ABS Challenge System: catchers.

According to spring training data from MLB's official press release, catchers had a 56% overturn rate compared to 50% for hitters and 41% for pitchers, meaning backstops were the most successful of the three position groups at winning challenges.

While one of the catcher's most important duties, pitch framing, could be rendered somewhat obsolete with a full-on automated system for calling balls and strikes (in other words, only robot umpires), it will still be a factor with the system set to be implemented in 2026.

Each team will receive two challenges per game, and all successful challenges are retained. Only catchers, hitters and pitchers can challenge calls in the ABS System. Players can signal for a challenge by tapping on their hat, helmet or verbally indicating they'd like to challenge a ball or strike call. The home plate umpire then announces the challenge to the ballpark, and a graphic showing the pitch and the result of the challenge appears on the scoreboard and broadcast, a roughly 15-second process. The ABS strike zone is a two-dimensional rectangle set to the width of home plate, with the tops and bottoms adjusted based on each individual player's height.

Teams challenged just over four pitches per game, with a near-50% success rate, during spring training.

The AL East champion Blue Jays will officially be without their star shortstop Bo Bichette during their upcoming American League Division Series tilt with the Yankees.

Bichette hasn't played since Sept. 6 due to a left knee sprain. Should Toronto advance, he'd be eligible to return to their postseason roster for the American League Championship Series. The star shortstop led the 94-win Jays with a .311 batting average, plus 18 home runs and 94 RBIs in 139 games over the regular season.

Toronto will lean on Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and George Springer to power their lineup. Springer led the team with 32 homers this year as he slashed .309/.399/.560. Guerrero hit 23 homers and drove in 84 runs with a .292/.381/.467 slash line in the regular season.

On Friday, manager John Schneider mentioned Bichette was day-to-day still and his status for the ALDS was "coming right down to the wire." That sounds like a positive sign for the star shortstop's potential availability for the ALCS should the Blue Jays get past the Yankees.

The Blue Jays also left off pitchers Chris Bassitt and Max Scherzer off their ALDS roster. They made 31 and 17 starts, respectively, for Toronto over the regular season. Toronto decided to go for additional left-handed pitching as a matchup favor against New York's lefty-heavy lineup.

First pitch between the Blue Jays and Yankees' ALDS series is set for 4:08 p.m. ET Saturday, where righthander Kevin Gausman will toe the rubber at Rogers Centre. Righthander Luis Gil will start for the Yankees.