Rayan Cherki, 23, is a French attacking midfielder for Lyon. He’s known for creativity, goals and early first-team impact in Ligue 1.
Nicolas Jackson scores twice as Aston Villa beat Manchester City 2-1 at Villa Park, ending City’s perfect start. Erling Haaland levels, but Jackson’s second seals the win. Villa’s form improves under Unai Emery as City’s defence shows vulnerabilities amid off-field troubles.
Nicolas Jackson scores twice to seal Aston Villa’s 3-1 win over Manchester City at Villa Park, ending City’s seven-game winning start. Gianluigi Donnarumma has a difficult afternoon at the back, with Villa’s finishing proving decisive. Emery’s side shows resilience after summer upheaval, while City face questions over defensive robustness heading into a packed fixture list.
The French Football Federation has announced Zinedine Zidane as the new coach of the France national team. Zidane has not coached since 2021 and signs a four-year contract. He succeeds Didier Deschamps, who has stepped down after the 2026 World Cup. Zidane says he is ready to lead the team to further glory.
Celtic has secured a four-year deal with Haissem Hassan, a 24-year-old winger from Oviedo, with an option for a fifth year and add-ons totalling around £9m. The signing follows late-season interest and signals a broader transfer push as Mika Baur negotiations continue. Liverpool and Barca-linked moves also shape the summer, with new options for squads across the Premier League and La Liga.
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.
Arsenal and Manchester City prepare for the Community Shield in Cardiff as Enzo Maresca begins life in charge at City and Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal seek to defend their title amid transfer chatter and squad transitions. The match will offer clues about hunger and cohesion ahead of the new season, though it remains ceremonial with real lessons to be drawn later.
Fernandes has broken the Premier League assists record with 21 assists and scored nine goals as Manchester United finish third. Shaw has top-scored for City with 21 goals as they win the Women’s Super League. The awards are decided by the Football Writers’ Association and PFA, with additional honours for players across Arsenal, City and United. The teams also celebrate multiple winners and a host of youth awards.
Lyon winger Bradley Barcola has become a PSG-alarm story reward. Liverpool have agreed a £100m deal to sign Barcola after a rapid rise from Lyon’s reserves to Ligue 1 champion and France international. The transfer follows his breakout season and a blockbuster move that fueled PSG’s departures, marking the culmination of a high-speed rise.
Manchester City has maintained early-season momentum with a 4-1 win at Crystal Palace, led by Rayan Cherki’s two goals and Erling Haaland’s brace. Enzo Maresca’s side shows attacking fluency under the new manager, with Cherki delivering a Player of the Match performance and Haaland hitting form in back-to-back fixtures.
Bruno Fernandes scores a hat-trick and adds an assist as Manchester United overturn a first-half deficit to beat Ipswich 5-2. Kobbie Mainoo is hailed as world-class by Luke Shaw, and new signing Baleba waits in the wings.
A look at how early-season form across the Championship, League One and League Two is shaping expectations, with Charlton, Swansea, Swansea and Wolves noted for brisk starts and Derby’s ownership saga continuing to unfold.
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.
Scotland’s Bowie has not represented his country since last October but is hoping to impress new Belgium coach Pocognoli ahead of an imminent squad announcement. He starred for Sassuolo in a dramatic win over Juventus, scoring late to swing a 2-1 result in a performance that could boost his international chances.
Manchester City have won a dramatic Manchester derby, extending their lead at the top as United push hard but fall short. A red card for Phil Foden opened a chaotic half, with Enzo Fernandez offside controversy and Haaland finishing late to seal the result.
France's captain Kylian Mbappé has sustained a knee issue after overextending in a shot, prompting his substitution. France has been forced to replace him with Désiré Doué, with Zidane stating the forward will return to Real Madrid for treatment. Belgium also beats Italy; Northern Ireland claim a dramatic win in Tbilisi.
France and Italy play to a 1-1 draw in Paris as Olise nets a late winner for France in a tense Nations League clash; Donnarumma and Bastoni rescue Italy with key saves and a late Upamecano red card alters the game.
Manchester City has been found guilty of serious breaches of Premier League financial rules stretching from 2009-10 to 2017-18. The independent commission has ruled that the club artificially inflated revenues and reduced costs through sham contracts and disguised funding, with sanctions to be decided at a separate hearing. City denies wrongdoing and plans to appeal.
France's teenager-turned-star Olise delivers a breathtaking display, scoring twice and laying on an assist as France beats Belgium 4-2 in a high-tempo Nations League clash. Doué and Cherki contribute, signaling a potent future for the French attack.
City’s appeal against a landmark financial ruling remains central as they chase results on the field. Enzo Maresca’s side have won 3-0 in a dramatic return to action, while pressure mounts around ongoing charges and the potential seismic penalties.
Al-Hilal defeats Al-Ittihad 3-2 in a Saudi Clasico, Ollie Watkins stars with two goals, while Ronaldo leads Al-Nassr to a 3-0 victory; the results shake up the league table as teams chase top position.
Manchester City arrives at Anfield for a league clash amid ongoing hearings over 114 Premier League charges. A 3-0 win is recorded, but sanctions and an appeal hang over the club, coloring the result with doubt. Fans clash with narratives of cheating and sporting punishment, while manager Enzo Maresca keeps focus on the game.
PSG dominates the opening 35 minutes with goals from Doue, Dembele and Vitinha, while City fights back in the second half with Haaland scoring twice and Akliouche adding PSG’s third. The match comes amid City’s ongoing sanctions due to a financial impropriety ruling, casting doubt on a decade and a half of trophies as PSG reaffirms title credentials.
Manchester City faces renewed scrutiny as fans express defiance after being found guilty of Premier League financial rule breaches. The club’s appeal is ongoing, with supporters’ displays signalling solidarity with the team; critics warn of potential sanctions that could reshape English football.