Phil Haigh

Manchester City manager Enzo Maresca says 17-year-old winger Jeremy Monga made the right decision by joining City rather than Arsenal after leaving Leicester City in a £10 million transfer. Monga said City's success and clearer pathway to first-team football influenced his choice. He has appeared in pre-season, while Maresca urged him to work hard without pressure. Maresca also praised new £116 million midfielder Elliot Anderson, who joined from Nottingham Forest, for his ability and character.

Ronald Araujo has joined Liverpool from Barcelona on a season-long loan with a €55 million buy option. The Uruguay defender said he grew up watching Luis Suarez play for Liverpool and received a good-luck message from his fellow countryman. Araujo described the move as the right decision at this stage of his career and is expected to compete for a centre-back role alongside Virgil van Dijk as Liverpool rebuild their defence.

Fikayo Tomori could leave AC Milan this summer with less than a year remaining on his contract. Liverpool and Newcastle are reportedly interested in the England defender as they rebuild their defences, while newly promoted Coventry City are also pursuing him, with manager Frank Lampard’s previous work with Tomori at Derby and Chelsea potentially helping their bid.

Club Brugge have set an asking price of €35 million (£30 million) for 21-year-old Belgium international left-back Joaquin Seys, who is attracting interest from Manchester United, Arsenal, Newcastle United, Aston Villa, Porto and Benfica. Seys has made 97 senior appearances, including 23 in the Champions League, and remains under contract until 2029. Manchester United and Arsenal have made enquiries, but both have existing left-back options and may initially view him as competition rather than an automatic starter. Aston Villa are also considering defensive reinforcements following Lucas Digne's move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Besiktas have approached Arsenal about signing Gabriel Jesus after completing a deal for Leandro Trossard. Arsenal reportedly want £20 million for Jesus and prefer a permanent transfer, with Napoli also interested. Galatasaray have separately inquired about Gabriel Martinelli, whose departure would depend on Arsenal signing a replacement after Trossard’s exit. Arsenal are linked with several attacking targets, including Kenan Yıldız, Eli Kroupi Jr and Julián Álvarez.

West Ham United are rebuilding for life in the Championship under Nuno Espírito Santo and are pursuing AZ striker Troy Parrott and Arsenal winger Reiss Nelson. West Ham have reportedly bid about £15 million for Parrott, who has impressed in the Netherlands but has suggested he is not eager to return to England. Nelson, who has made only one Arsenal appearance in the past two seasons and spent the last two campaigns on loan, is also being considered, with Fulham and Benfica reportedly interested.

Chelsea midfielder Dario Essugo said he was surprised and pleased to captain the team at 21 during a 3-3 pre-season draw with Johor Darul Ta’zim in Jakarta. He believes the honour reflects maturity rather than age and could inspire other young players. Signed from Sporting CP for £18.5 million, Essugo made only three Premier League appearances last season but hopes Xabi Alonso’s faith during pre-season leads to more first-team opportunities. Alonso said Chelsea are working with multiple formations to remain versatile and unpredictable before facing Real Sociedad and then Fulham in the Premier League opener.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta said William Saliba remains in a rest-and-rehabilitation phase for a back injury and is expected to take significant time to recover. Jurrien Timber is back on the pitch and progressing, but is still weeks away from playing. Neither defender is likely to feature in Arsenal’s upcoming friendlies, the Community Shield against Manchester City or the start of their Premier League title defence. Arteta described both players as major losses but said Arsenal must improve with the squad already available rather than indicating that a new defender is the immediate priority.

Chelsea goalkeeper Robert Sanchez believes the club can challenge strongly in the Premier League after missing out on European football. He says the lighter schedule will allow Chelsea to focus on one league match a week and praises new manager Xabi Alonso for bringing calm, clarity and confidence to the squad. Chelsea finished 10th last season but have shown encouraging pre-season form, beating AC Milan 3–0 and drawing 3–3 with Johor Darul Ta'zim.

Everton and Crystal Palace have held talks about a possible swap involving Dwight McNeil and Brennan Johnson. A straight exchange is considered unlikely because Palace value Johnson, who joined from Tottenham for £35 million eight months ago, significantly higher than McNeil, who is entering the final year of his Everton contract. Separate transfers, with Everton paying an additional fee for Johnson, could still be explored. Johnson has struggled for Palace, while McNeil failed to score in 25 appearances last season. The report also revisits the collapse of McNeil's proposed January move to Palace and criticism from his partner, Megan Sharpley, over the emotional impact and lack of communication surrounding the deal.

Commentators Steven Hallworth and Dave Hendon believe Ronnie O'Sullivan remains capable of winning major snooker tournaments but no longer intimidates opponents as he once did. At 50, O'Sullivan continues to produce extraordinary scoring bursts, including three consecutive centuries and multiple recent maximum breaks, yet his opponents now recover rather than collapse under pressure. His recent defeats by Kyren Wilson and John Higgins also suggest greater vulnerability. O'Sullivan will seek to return to winning form at the China Open against Jackson Page.

Arsenal and Manchester United are reportedly monitoring Shakhtar Donetsk striker Kaua Elias after scouts watched him score a hat-trick in a 5–1 Ukrainian Premier League win over Kudrivka. AC Milan and Porto are also said to be interested, while Shakhtar may consider offers of around £30 million. The 20-year-old Brazilian joined from Fluminense in 2025 and scored 11 goals in 36 appearances last season. Elias also praised manager Arda Turan’s leadership and coaching approach.

Riccardo Calafiori says Arsenal need elite additions to improve on a season in which they won the Premier League and reached the Champions League final. Bruno Guimaraes is close to joining from Newcastle United for a reported £75 million, while Arsenal are also pursuing Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr, although Madrid's improved contract offer has made that move more difficult. Calafiori also warns that Arsenal could make a difficult start to the season because several key players are returning late from the World Cup, with the Community Shield against Manchester City approaching.

Ferran Torres has left open the possibility of leaving Barcelona this summer, with Paris Saint-Germain reportedly leading interest and Arsenal and Tottenham also linked. Torres says he will return to Barcelona training on August 12 but is prepared for any change and wants to choose the option that best suits him and his family. He has urged Barcelona to demonstrate that it wants to retain him, while manager Hansi Flick says the club's attacking plans will depend partly on Torres's situation.

Arsenal have been urged by former midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong to hijack Liverpool's pursuit of Paris Saint-Germain forward Bradley Barcola. Frimpong believes Barcola would complement a potential signing of Newcastle United midfielder Bruno Guimaraes and help Arsenal strengthen their squad after winning the Premier League. Liverpool are reportedly in club-to-club talks with PSG and willing to exceed €100 million, while PSG are said to want approximately €170 million for Barcola, whose preference is reportedly a move to Anfield.

Jordan Henderson explains that Chelsea’s stature, manager Xabi Alonso and the owners’ ambition persuaded him to join from Brentford on a free transfer on a two-year deal. The 36-year-old midfielder says he remains hungry to succeed and hopes his experience will benefit younger teammates. Chelsea have also signed Danny Welbeck from Brighton, while investing heavily in other players, as Alonso adds Premier League experience to the squad. Henderson recently impressed for Brentford and earned a place in England’s World Cup squad despite suffering a forearm injury during the tournament.

Manchester United have made 18-year-old striker Chido Obi available for a possible loan move after he failed to secure regular first-team opportunities under Michael Carrick. Clubs in England and abroad are reportedly showing massive interest, but United will only sanction a temporary transfer if it guarantees suitable playing time and development. The club may instead retain Obi because of its busy schedule and European commitments. Obi remains highly rated after scoring 19 goals in 40 Under-21 appearances last season, while United’s senior attacking options include Benjamin Sesko, Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo; Joshua Zirkzee and Marcus Rashford face uncertain futures.

Nicolas Jackson is interested in leaving Chelsea for Aston Villa to reunite with Unai Emery after returning from a loan at Bayern Munich. Villa are open to the move, but Chelsea’s £65m valuation is a significant obstacle. Jackson seeks regular playing time that Chelsea cannot guarantee, while Villa can offer Champions League football but strong competition for minutes.

Chelsea have added free agent John Stones to their list of defensive targets as they reshape their squad under Xabi Alonso. Stones, who has left Manchester City after a decade of success and featured prominently in England’s World Cup campaign, is drawing interest from several major clubs including Arsenal, Bayern Munich and Inter Milan. Chelsea have already secured a £117m deal for Morgan Rogers and are pursuing further reinforcements, including Maxence Lacroix, while also seeing a bid rejected for veteran midfielder Granit Xhaka.

Lautaro Martinez expressed frustration at being left on the bench during Argentina’s World Cup final loss to Spain despite scoring in the semi‑final. Argentina struggled after Enzo Fernandez was sent off and Lisandro Martinez was injured, eventually losing 1‑0 in extra time to a Ferran Torres goal. Martinez posted that he wished he could have helped on the pitch, while manager Lionel Scaloni hinted he may leave his role when his contract expires in December.

Jack Lisowski and Luca Brecel each rank the greatest snooker players of all time, both placing Ronnie O’Sullivan at the top. Brecel lists Judd Trump second, followed by John Higgins, Mark Selby and Stephen Hendry, arguing that modern standards make Trump superior to earlier champions. Lisowski includes Judd Trump and John Higgins high in his expanded list, also highlighting rising talent Wu Yize while later adding Stephen Hendry. Ken Doherty offers his own top five, placing O’Sullivan first and emphasizing Hendry’s historic dominance.

FIFA appointed a disciplinary prosecutor to investigate post‑match violence involving several Argentina players and staff following their World Cup final defeat to Spain. Confrontations included clashes initiated by Nahuel Molina and Leandro Paredes, as well as Argentina coach Roberto Ayala punching Dani Olmo. Spain controlled the match, winning 1–0 in extra time through Ferran Torres, while Lionel Messi was noted for maintaining composure. Former goalkeeper Joe Hart condemned Argentina’s behaviour as unacceptable.

Lionel Messi described the ‘immense pain’ of Argentina’s World Cup final defeat to Spain, reflecting on a tournament in which Argentina struggled but reached consecutive finals. Spain won 1-0 with a Ferran Torres goal in extra-time after Argentina failed to register a shot on target. Messi thanked supporters, praised his team’s resilience, and congratulated Spain, while leaving his international future open after an eight‑goal World Cup campaign.

Como president Mirwan Suwarso signaled openness to offers for midfielder Martin Baturina but stressed the club will not accept undervalued bids, noting they previously rejected major offers for other players. Baturina, under contract until 2030 after a strong season and growing international profile, has drawn interest from several Premier League clubs and Bayern Munich. Como’s leadership remains committed to keeping their squad competitive as they prepare for Champions League participation.

FIFA is selling limited‑edition World Cup Champions Rings and fragments of the New Jersey final pitch, with prices ranging from hundreds to thousands of pounds. The commercial move has drawn criticism from New Jersey Assembly member Mike Inganamort, who argues that the pitch was funded by state taxpayers and cannot legally be sold without permission. He contends the sale violates rules governing state property and fails to benefit taxpayers who financed stadium upgrades. The criticism adds to broader concerns over FIFA’s handling of World Cup resources and revenue.

Alan Shearer predicts Argentina will beat Spain in the World Cup final, citing their resilience and ability to overcome difficult situations, strengthened by Lionel Messi’s form. While acknowledging Spain’s strong performances and technical control, he believes Argentina’s determination gives them an edge. Reflecting on the tournament, he praises standout stories such as Cape Verde’s performances but criticises hydration breaks and some officiating decisions, concluding that the World Cup has been a generally positive event.

Joe Hart predicts Argentina will defeat Spain in the World Cup final, citing the team’s resilience and Lionel Messi’s exceptional influence. Spain enter as favourites after a dominant semi-final performance, while Argentina have progressed through dramatic wins. Ronaldo strongly disagrees, forecasting an easy victory for Spain due to their controlled, possession-based style. Chris Sutton expects a tight match but leans toward Spain, suggesting their calm approach will prevail despite Argentina’s unpredictability.

France defender Jules Kounde criticised the World Cup third‑place play‑off after France’s 6‑4 defeat to England, arguing the match is difficult to play following semi‑final elimination. England dominated the first half with goals from Declan Rice, Ezri Konsa and a Bukayo Saka double, before France surged back through Kylian Mbappe and Bradley Barcola. Saka completed a hat‑trick, with Ousmane Dembele and Jude Bellingham adding late goals. The match marked Didier Deschamps’ final game as France coach, with Kounde noting the team’s disappointment and Deschamps’ emotional farewell.

Gary Lineker sharply criticised Thomas Tuchel’s defensive substitutions and approach during England’s 2-1 World Cup semi‑final loss to Argentina, arguing the tactics contradicted earlier promises of attacking play and allowed Lionel Messi the space to create both late goals. England took the lead through Anthony Gordon but withdrew into a deep defensive block, enabling Argentina to dominate possession and score twice in the final minutes. Tuchel accepted responsibility for the changes but said the team became too passive after scoring and failed to cope with sustained pressure.

Argentina’s coaching staff, including former players Walter Samuel, Pablo Aimar and Roberto Ayala, approach the World Cup semifinal against England with memories of past clashes, particularly the 2002 defeat decided by a David Beckham penalty. Manager Lionel Scaloni downplays talk of revenge, while figures such as Diego Maradona Jr emphasize the emotional and historical weight of the rivalry. Both teams prepare for a high-stakes match in Atlanta, with the winner set to face Spain in the final.

Thomas Tuchel played down suggestions of tension with Jude Bellingham after comments made following England’s World Cup win over Norway, explaining that the midfielder had only heard selective criticism and not the praise also given. Tuchel said he reiterated his message to the squad and quickly shifted focus to the upcoming semi-final against Argentina. Harry Kane supported the view that Bellingham’s reaction was normal after a demanding match, stressing the team’s unity as England prepare for the next stage.

The Championship League Snooker tournament has been narrowed from 128 players to eight ahead of the final day, with four contenders still seeking their first ranking title. Two four-player groups will compete on Wednesday before a final between the group winners for a £33,000 prize. Several players remain unbeaten across earlier stages, including Hossein Vafaei, Zhang Anda, Elliot Slessor and Dylan Emery. Although some top‑16 players entered, none progressed to the final day, leaving Slessor as the highest-ranked remaining competitor. Broadcast details and prize breakdowns accompany the tournament schedule.

Argentina manager Lionel Scaloni downplays the rivalry with England ahead of their World Cup semi-final, calling it just a football match, a view strongly rejected by Diego Maradona Jr., who argues the history between the nations and his father's legacy make the clash far from ordinary. Referencing the Falklands conflict and Diego Maradona’s iconic 1986 performance, he describes the match as emotionally charged for Argentines. England captain Harry Kane echoes Scaloni’s focus on treating the game normally, emphasising tactical preparation against the reigning champions.

Mikael Silvestre believes England should beat Argentina in the World Cup semi‑final but warns that controlling Lionel Messi is essential. He argues Argentina’s ageing squad is less formidable than in 2022 despite its experience in managing key moments. Silvestre emphasises communication within England’s defence to track Messi’s movements, noting his ability to create decisive bursts of play. He sees England as slight favourites due to Argentina’s limited rotation and accumulated fatigue.

Alan Shearer believes Noni Madueke has dropped to England’s third-choice right-wing option after an underwhelming display against Norway, with Bukayo Saka likely to start against Argentina if fit. He suggests Morgan Rogers could also be considered due to his impact and Madueke’s lack of end product. Shearer warns that despite Argentina’s defensive vulnerabilities, England must contend with Lionel Messi’s exceptional form alongside other key Argentine players ahead of the World Cup semi-final.

Jack Lisowski reflects on the relief and confidence gained from securing his first ranking title at the 2025 Northern Ireland Open, achieved during an emotionally difficult period. He discusses misconceptions about his playing style and work ethic, acknowledges constructive criticism from Stephen Hendry, and describes the challenges of maintaining performance consistency. Lisowski notes the rapid rise of talented Chinese players and draws inspiration from the attacking styles of Wu Yize and Zhao Xintong. With renewed belief from his breakthrough win, he hopes to convert more opportunities into future success.

John Higgins argues that Ronnie O'Sullivan uses an outdated chalk to unsettle opponents, claiming it increases kicks and creates difficult playing conditions, though O'Sullivan maintains it provides better cue‑ball grip. Neil Robertson also criticised the chalk and called for it to be banned, although he does not believe O'Sullivan uses it to distract rivals. Higgins, who beat O'Sullivan at the Crucible, says the chalk gives the sport's top player an advantage by exploiting his superior cue‑ball control.

Alan Shearer predicts England will beat Norway 2–1 in their World Cup quarter-final, backing Harry Kane and Anthony Gordon to score. He highlights the challenge of containing Erling Haaland but expresses strong confidence in England’s form and Thomas Tuchel’s leadership. Shearer expects all four favourites to advance, forecasting semi-finals of Spain vs France and England vs Argentina.

Chelsea forward Jesse Derry has signed a new contract and secured a season-long loan move to Sporting CP, attracting interest from major clubs including Bayern Munich, Bournemouth, Nottingham Forest and Coventry City. The 19-year-old, praised by Rio Ferdinand as one of the Premier League’s brightest young prospects, will gain Champions League experience after Sporting’s second-place Primeira Liga finish. Derry, formerly of Crystal Palace and capped by England at Under-19 level, continues his rapid rise following his senior debut last season.

The World Nineball Tour has secured a major streaming partnership with ESPN, bringing the US Open and Mosconi Cup to the platform as part of efforts to elevate nineball as a mainstream professional sport. Matchroom Multi Sport CEO Emily Frazer highlights broadcast exposure and sponsorship as the key challenges the sport faces, citing the new deal as a significant step toward increasing visibility and creating demand, particularly in the US market. Drawing inspiration from the growth of professional darts, Frazer emphasizes ambitions to expand audience engagement and build momentum for major events across the United States and Europe.

Michael Owen warns England not to overrate their World Cup win over Mexico, arguing that true bravery comes from composure and possession under pressure rather than physical sacrifice. He insists England must improve to beat stronger opponents such as France, Spain or Argentina. Des Walker offers a more sympathetic view, calling the Mexico victory one of England’s great away wins and praising the team’s resilience in difficult conditions.

Wayne Rooney criticised England’s exuberant celebrations after their 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico, arguing it was too early to be partying despite the team securing a quarter-final spot. While Cesar Azpilicueta supported the players’ right to enjoy the moment, Rooney expressed discomfort with the scenes shown from the dressing room. Thomas Tuchel defended the celebrations, calling the victory a special achievement given the match’s adversity. England now prepare for their quarter-final against Norway with a longer rest period than some other teams.

Jordan Henderson will miss the remainder of the World Cup after suffering a serious wrist injury during England’s post‑match celebrations following their 3‑2 win over Mexico. The midfielder required hospital treatment and will undergo surgery, reducing Thomas Tuchel’s squad options ahead of the quarter‑final against Norway. England already face selection challenges with Reece James injured and Jarell Quansah suspended. Tuchel expressed mixed emotions, celebrating the victory while acknowledging the severity of Henderson’s accident.

Rio Ferdinand clarified that his initial positive reaction to Folarin Balogun’s overturned World Cup suspension was driven by wanting top players available rather than agreement with FIFA’s decision. Balogun’s ban was revoked after White House intervention, prompting strong criticism from UEFA, the Belgian federation and figures such as Gary Neville and Rudi Garcia, who questioned the integrity and consistency of FIFA’s disciplinary process. Comparisons were made to Cristiano Ronaldo’s reduced ban, raising concerns over whether player stature influences rulings.

Anthony Gordon is praised by Troy Deeney for his defensive and attacking efforts in England's 3-2 World Cup win over Mexico, despite others receiving more credit. Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane scored key goals as England survived a tense second half after going down to ten men. Gordon and teammates highlight the match as one of England's great victories, citing hard work, resilience, and strong team mentality. The win secures England a quarter‑final matchup against Norway.