English professional football club, Sky Blues, top-tier ambitions
A wave of new football kit designs is hitting top Scottish and European clubs as the 2026-27 season approaches. BBC Business collects notable releases from AC Milan to Celtic and Wales, with reactions ranging from praise for heritage-inspired designs to criticism of bold, modern looks.
Real Madrid have completed a €125m upfront fee plus €15m in add-ons to sign Yan Diomande from RB Leipzig, making him the club’s sixth summer arrival under Jose Mourinho. The 19-year-old Ivory Coast winger starred at the World Cup and becomes Madrid’s answer to long-term talent priorities.
The Carabao Cup second round has been drawn, with Chelsea and Tottenham entering the competition alongside other Premier League clubs not in Europe. The draw is sectional (north and south) and ties will be played the week of 24 August. The nine top-flight teams in Europe this season join in the third round.
Arsenal have added Bruno Guimarães to the midfield and introduced him in a warm-up with Como, where a 1-1 draw led to a 4-3 shootout win. Myles-Skelly has started to cement his midfield role, while the club’s transfer activity remains high ahead of the season.
Manchester United has strengthened its squad with midfield additions Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans, plus back-up goalkeeper Karl Darlow, while Marcus Rashford has returned from a Barcelona loan. Manager Carrick says more signings are needed to challenge for the title and sustain Champions League contention.
Nine Premier League clubs start the 2026-27 season with new coaches, including Manchester United’s Carrick and Tottenham’s De Zerbi. Arsenal look to defend their title under Arteta as City begin under Enzo Maresca. World Cup fatigue, transfer chatter, and European commitments shape early form and squad strategies.
Arsenal have begun their title defence with a convincing 3-0 win over Manchester City in Cardiff, with Christos Tzolis contributing two assists and Kai Havertz scoring. Declan Rice and Martin Ødegaard anchored the midfield as the Gunners dominated from early in the second half.
Arsenal have begun the season with a string of wins, including a hard-fought Champions League victory over Napoli decided late by Martin Odegaard, and sit among early title favourites. Manchester United have opened their Champions League campaign with a 4-0 win at Old Trafford, while Manchester City, Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain have also taken strong early European results.
The Premier League has introduced five-second countdowns for throw-ins and goal-kicks to curb time-wasting, increasing injury-required replacements to one minute, and expanding VAR powers to overturn certain decisions. A record nine new managers will begin the season, with Arsenal set as defending champions.
Leicester City is under pressure as owner King Power seeks to sell amid a poor start to the season, a heavy losses year, and managerial scrutiny. The club has drawn 1-1 and lost 2-1 in its opening League One fixtures, while questions mount over funding, strategy and future ownership.
The Scotsman and Independent describe early optimism for Fantasy Premier League strategies as Arsenal prepare to host newly promoted Sky Blues, with multiple signings shaping selection debates and 100m budgets guiding decision-making.
Arsenal, boosted by new signings Bruno Guimaraes, Christos Tzolis and Ezri Konsa, hosts Coventry in their Premier League opener as they defend their title. Saka and Rice return to fitness; Saliba and Timber remain out. Coventry look to repeat last season’s Championship success against a reigning champion.
Nottingham Forest are moving toward signing Liam Delap from Chelsea for about £50m, with Oliver Glasner eyeing a price‑raising deal. Chelsea have signalled openness to selling, while Forest are seeking additional targets before deadline day. Chelsea have already added forwards Emegha and Welbeck, and Forest have strengthened with Diomande and Schlager.
Pogačar has extended his overall lead at the Vuelta while stages in Andorra and Gruissan faced cancellations or delays due to hail and severe weather. Stage results across multiple days show the Slovenian maintaining the red jersey as contenders clash for stage wins and GC positions ahead of Granada’s finish.
English clubs Bournemouth, Sunderland and Crystal Palace are set for European action this season after the Europa League draw placed them in pots with Juventus, Milan and Olympiacos among others. The field features Celtic, Real Sociedad and Marseille as the tournament grows more competitive. The draw determines fixtures for the group phase, with teams facing two from each of four pots and hosting half the matches.
A collection of footballers who have impressed fantasy managers this week, including Cole Palmer, Yoane Wissa, James Trafford, Savio and Christos Tzolis, with attention turning to upcoming fixtures for Brighton, Tottenham, Newcastle and Arsenal.
Arsenal has started the new season by winning games and sitting top, with key players like Odegaard and Havertz contributing. Chelsea and Villa confront heavy spending and shifting lineups as the window closed, while Arsenal maintains momentum through a mix of old and new faces.
Arsenal has started the season with three straight wins, signaling a strong title challenge as City face pressure to respond. Hull City is making a surprise early statement under Jakirovic, taking seven points from three games and challenging expectations in the Premier League.
Manchester City’s new midfield trio—Enzo Fernandez, Elliot Anderson and Ayyoub Bouaddi—have arrived as part of a high-spending window, with City aiming to rebuild after core departures. Dias has been named captain as the club seeks to sustain its winning culture under Maresca.
Liverpool travels to Ipswich Town as Bradley Barcola could make his competitive debut off the bench after joining from Paris Saint-Germain. Ipswich, fresh from a 5-2 loss to Manchester United, aims to build on its strong home form with Julio Enciso and Abdul Fatawu leading the attack.
City maintains a perfect start with a 1-0 win over Coventry. Haaland scores, Enzo Fernandez provides a timely debut assist, and Gianluigi Donnarumma makes crucial saves to preserve the lead. Coventry pressure intensifies but cannot find a leveller, leaving Lampard's side still searching for a first top-flight goal this season.
Arsenal and Chelsea share a 2-2 draw as Ødegaard’s late goal helps Arsenal avoid defeat; Havertz and Tzolis feature with flurries of midfield and attack, while Chelsea’s defending is questioned.
Crystal Palace beat Fulham 3-2 at Craven Cottage as Ben Chilwell’s stoppage-time volley seals the win after Tyrick Mitchell equalised twice. Fulham had led twice but injuries and a late goal cost Arbeloa’s side; Palace take momentum into the next fixtures.
Harry Parrott has quickly made his mark at Real Betis, scoring twice in two starts and seizing opportunities after a challenging start to his La Liga spell.
A weekend of dramatic results has reshaped the early-season landscape. Arsenal, Manchester City, and Liverpool all feature in standout performances as results ripple through the table ahead of the international break.
Arsenal travel issues from a technical air-traffic disruption have delayed their Napoli trip as they prepare for a Champions League clash. Jurrien Timber is nearing a return, while Napoli announce Scott McTominay’s ablation procedure and rest. Arsenal sign teenager Mylo Bernard for their academy intake.
Manchester United are enduring a painful start to the season, with a 2-2 draw after an own goal by Lisandro Martinez and late leveller by Cunha. The club sits mid-table after five matches, and manager Michael Carrick faces mounting scrutiny as results fail to meet expectations.
Forest have clinched a 2-1 victory at Aston Villa in a dramatic Premier League fixture, with Delap’s early second-half strike and Igor Jesus’s late winner securing the points for Oliver Glasner’s side as Villa fail to win in the league this season.
Neom defeats Al-Hilal 2-0, ending Hilal’s 47-game league unbeaten run. Neom’s win follows a string of strong performances that emphasize youth development and sustainable growth in Saudi football.
Brighton pressurises Arsenal and dominates, while Coventry City end a losing run with a hard-fought win as Premier League progress continues amid chaos for others.
The Carabao Cup ties see Manchester City and Norwich facing each other after City, the holders, may rest stars. Fleetwood and Liverpool advance to round four, with further ties shaping the fourth-round draw. Everton and Newcastle, Fulham and Palace, and Bournemouth and Villa also progress, setting up a busy slate of matches.
Brighton & Hove Albion defeat Premier League champions Arsenal 3-0 at the Amex, in a performance described as relentless by Fabian Hurzeler. Pascal Gross and Charalampos Kostoulas score early, with Chema Andres adding a late header from Gross’s corner. Arsenal’s recent form is under scrutiny after a challenging display, while Brighton celebrate a landmark anniversary.
Andros Townsend has avoided serious injuries after a Thai pitch roller ran over his leg during warm-ups for PT Prachuap’s Thai League 1 match against Pattani. The 35-year-old former England winger has described the moment as terrifying but has continued to play, coming on as a late substitute in a 3-0 victory.
The early Premier League campaign shows Arsenal leading in xG difference, with City close behind; Manchester United and Newcastle face underwhelming starts. Brighton and Hull Ipswich show solid starts among promoted sides. Newcastle’s high finishing belies a modest xG; several teams underperform relative to chances created.