Soham Mukherjee

A raging Hansi Flick labelled FIFA's The Best XI a "joke" after Raphinha was left out of the team. The Barcelona forward's exclusion cut particularly deep, given the scale of his output after helping Barcelona win three trophies last term. He had been shortlisted among the final 26-man list, yet failed to secure a place in the ultimate team at FIFA’s annual awards.

Lamine Yamal has been advised to get a girlfriend, as the Barcelona wonderkid is tipped to become the best in the world. The teenage winger had been linked with influencer Alex Padilla and, more prominently, Argentine pop star Nicki Nicole. What initially looked like a blooming love story, especially with the latter, has now fizzled out, with Yamal confirming that the pair are no longer together.

Alexander Isak has spoken out on his Liverpool struggles after a controversial £125 million ($167m) transfer from Newcastle in the summer. The forward has so far failed to find his form at Merseyside and hence failed to meet expectations, which rose to unprecedented levels as the Reds paid a record sum to the Tyneside club to bring their talismanic forward to Anfield.

Tottenham Hotspur are reportedly not preparing to enter the January transfer market in search of a new goalkeeper, despite a testing run of form for Guglielmo Vicario and growing scrutiny from sections of the fanbase. Internally, there remains confidence in the Italian international, even after a season in which individual mistakes have been magnified amid mixed results.

Wolverhampton Wanderers' executive chairman Jeff Shi stepped down from his operational role, bringing an end to nearly a decade at the helm during which fortunes have swung dramatically. The 48-year-old departs with the club rooted to the bottom of the Premier League, winless and stranded on just two points, while the spectre of relegation looms large.

Cristiano Ronaldo's Al-Nassr have been slapped with a transfer ban by FIFA ahead of the January window. The governing body updated its official register on Friday, listing the Saudi Pro League side among clubs prohibited from registering new players. December 19 has been cited as the start date of the sanction, though no conclusion has been provided.

Wrexham manager Phil Parkinson offered an emphatic defence of goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo after a late mistake proved decisive in a pulsating 2-1 Championship defeat away to Swansea City. In a fixture loaded with history and emotion, Wrexham’s hopes of claiming a valuable derby point were undone in the closing stages, leaving Parkinson’s side ruing what might have been.

Leicester City have found themselves in uncomfortable territory off the pitch after being forced to apologise to staff over a late change to their December pay schedule. For the first time in several years, employees were informed that their salaries would not arrive until after Christmas, breaking with a long-standing club tradition designed to ease financial pressures during the festive period.

Barcelona are reportedly on the verge of completing a move for 15-year-old Norwich City forward Ajay Tavares. The highly-rated attacker has been tracked by a host of leading European clubs ahead of the January window, but the Catalan giants are now expected to win the race for his signature.

Manchester United have been told to sign Borussia Dortmund star Karim Adeyemi to replace Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo during their Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) absence. The Red Devils are bracing themselves for a difficult festive period as the AFCON threatens to strip Ruben Amorim of a crucial spine on the right side of his team. With the tournament in Morocco beginning over Christmas and running until mid-January, the absences of three key squad members, including Noussair Mazraoui, are expected to leave a significant dent in their resources.

Manchester United to advance with Antoine Semenyo interest after Patrick Dorgu was left "ruined" by tough Old Trafford experience. It is another effort in Ruben Amorim’s recalibrated recruitment strategy, with the club increasingly determined to fix a problem position that has undermined their consistency this season.

Mikel Arteta has warned Viktor Gyokeres that he must experience the Arsenal doubters following the "global impact" of his summer transfer. The Sweden international arrived in north London last summer in a deal worth up to £63.5 million ($85m), fuelled by staggering numbers at Sporting CP, where he struck 97 goals in 102 appearances. That reputation ensured his transfer landed with global fanfare, but it also guaranteed that every performance would be under intense scrutiny.

Sir Alex Ferguson has delivered a stark assessment of Manchester United’s long road back to the summit of English football, suggesting the club could face another decade without a league title despite early signs of progress under Ruben Amorim. Speaking during a visit to Bahrain, the legendary former manager offered a realistic prediction of the future, acknowledging the scale of the task at hand while urging patience in a demanding era.

Aston Villa are keeping a close watch on Brennan Johnson’s situation at Tottenham Hotspur, with the Midlands club expected to weigh up a potential move should the Wales international become available in 2026. While no formal approach has been made, TEAMtalk reports that Villa would be prepared to assess a deal if Spurs show a genuine willingness to part ways with a player who has slipped down the pecking order under Thomas Frank.

Arsenal have identified Real Madrid teenager Victor Valdepenas as a serious long-term target, with plans reportedly forming for a move in 2026 that could test the resolve of the Spanish giants. Mikel Arteta and sporting director Andrea Berta view the 19-year-old defender as an ideal fit for their evolving squad, with the north London club prepared to play the long game in their pursuit.

Thierry Henry has revealed his "love" for Liverpool fans' reaction to Mohamed Salah's falling out with Arne Slot. The former Arsenal striker admitted he was struck by the maturity and balance shown by the fanbase, who chose unity over division at a delicate moment in the club’s season.

Adidas have chosen a fitting moment to celebrate one of football’s most recognisable figures, unveiling a special-edition F50 boot created in honour of Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations. The release, titled the F50 Salah, is designed to reflect both the winger’s extraordinary impact on the modern game.

Manchester City are reportedly closing in on an 18-year-old Troyes wonderkid, Mathys Detourbet, after rolling out the red carpet for the teenager. The 18-year-old has rapidly risen through the ranks in Ligue 2 and is now firmly on the radar of several major European clubs, but City appear well-placed in a competitive race.