Browsing: Palmer

Chelsea have been without Cole Palmer for more of this season than they would have liked.

The nonchalant 23-year-old was the Blues’ talisman last season, netting 18 goals and providing 14 assists across 52 appearances in all competitions.

But this season hasn’t gone to plan for the England international, slowed by a groin injury lay-off, with his absence then extended by a freak accident at home, fracturing his toe in a supposedly EA FC-related incident.

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Is Cole Palmer injured for Chelsea’s visit to Bournemouth?

Palmer has been a huge miss for the Blues, given his exploits last season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Chelsea’s need for a fit and fighting Palmer was laid bare in their trip to face Leeds United, where they were undone in a 3-1 loss to the recently promoted side.

Thankfully, however, there was at least one positive to take from Elland Road.

Palmer was brought on by Enzo Maresca as a second-half substitute (Image credit: Getty Images)

That was the return of Palmer, whose last minutes came towards the end of September against Manchester United.

He had been an unused substitute against Arsenal last weekend, but made it onto the pitch against Leeds, playing almost 30 minutes.

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“Probably it’s the only good news of the night,” Enzo Maresca admitted after the final whistle. “I’m happy for him, he’s back, now he needs to build a little bit the physical condition and he will be important for us, for sure.

“He’s getting better, but he needs to play minutes. Last night, he had more or less half an hour; hopefully, we can give him more in the next game.”

The next logical step would see Palmer get around an hour, so barring another freak incident, we could see the attacker start against Bournemouth.

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Palmer has been away from the pitch for over two months now (Image credit: Getty Images)

In FourFourTwo‘s opinion, this is massive news for Chelsea, a positive to cling onto as the Leeds result threatens to throw them slightly off course.

The Blues have threatened Premier League title chasers Arsenal and Manchester City this season, even without Palmer for the most part.

He has performed miracles in poorer Chelsea teams than this, so if he can get up to speed with the current iteration of the side, Maresca’s men could become a real force.

Palmer is worth €120m, according to Transfermarkt. Chelsea next face Bournemouth, when Premier League action returns this weekend.

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Nov 28, 2025, 09:05 AM ET

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Cole Palmer is fit and will be available to start for Chelsea against Arsenal on Sunday, manager Enzo Maresca confirmed on Friday.

Palmer missed Chelsea’s trip to Burnley last week and their mid-week UEFA Champions League win over Barcelona after he fractured his toe in an accident at home.

Maresca had said he thought Palmer would miss the clash with league leaders and London rivals Arsenal, but confirmed on Friday their star midfielder will be available.

“He is available. Everyone is happy. The teammates are happy, we are all happy,” Maresca told a news conference.

Cole Palmer is set to return for Chelsea against Arsenal. Visionhaus/Getty Images

“The most important thing is that Cole is happy, he needs to play games.

“He’s probably our best player. We are happy he is back. We need to give him time to make sure he’s 100% fit. He has done fantastic in the past and there is no doubt he will do fantastic in the future.”

– Laurens’ weekend preview: Chelsea-Arsenal headline Europe’s best
– Are Chelsea title contenders? Arsenal clash will give answer
– Chelsea vs. Arsenal: How to watch, latest news

Palmer has not played since sustaining a groin injury in Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United in September.

He had been nearing a return before he injured his toe last week.

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Ben Fisher

Nottâ€m Forest v Brighton (Sunday, 2.05pm)

Big boost for Nottingham Forest, Morgan Gibbs-White is expected to return from injury against Brighton on Sunday. The Forest and England midfielder missed Thursdayâ€s 3-0 victory over Malmö with a back problem but Sean Dyche is optimistic Gibbs-White will be available:

Weâ€re hopeful heâ€ll be all right for the weekendWhen we got in, I just said: go and play. I just wanted him to play with a smile again, because there had been a lot of [transfer] noise in the summer and it can carry a bit of weight.

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Cole Palmer available to start against Arsenal

Chelsea v Arsenal (Sunday 4.30pm)

As reported by Jacob Steinberg earlier, Cole Palmer is ready to return for Chelseaâ€s big London clash with Arsenal on Sunday. Confirming the news, Enzo Maresca said:

[Palmer] is available for both [to start and to play]. Everyone is happy.

The teammates are happy, we are all happy. The most important thing is that Cole is happy, he needs to play games.

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Crystal Palace v Man Utd (Sunday, midday)

Injury updates coming out of Manchester United, Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Harry Maguire will miss the game against Crystal Palace. Here are Ruben Amorimâ€s words:

Sesko a little bit more time. Harry [Maguire] the same. Matheus the next one [game], not this one.

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Hi everyone, Iâ€ll be keeping you across the big stuff in football for the next couple of hours. Coming up soon we have Enzo Marescaâ€s press conference ahead of Chelseaâ€s meeting with Arsenal.

But first, a bit of news from Barcelona. Hansi Flickâ€s side lost to Chelsea in midweek but are starting to get to get back their key players after a bit of an injury crisis. The return of Raphinha, who has now made two appearances as a second-half substitute after missing nearly two months with a hamstring injury, is key, while Pedri and defender Ronald Araujo are also on the comeback trail. Hereâ€s what Flick said:

I missed him [Raphinha]. I see him as one of the most important players in our team … he also has the hunger and the will to show how good he really is.

I really appreciate what I see in training. Weâ€re focused, we have a lot of quality. And of course, players coming back now, Pedri is back … Raphinha, Marcus [Rashford] from the cold he had. We nearly have everyone.

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Updated at 08.34 EST

Itâ€s time for me to hand over to Tom Bassam, who will hopefully squeeze a bit more juice from the news cycle. Ta-ra!

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Manchester City v Leeds (Saturday, 3pm)

Leeds are on a poor run of five defeats in six, but their head coach Daniel Farke is calm. Calmer than you are.

We are fully concentrated and focused. Iâ€m confident and Iâ€m also fully convinced. To be honest, myself and my players were fully prepared for such a situation that this would happen.

We know for which club weâ€re working and thereâ€s always outside noise. There was in the past even after our best season in our history (points-wise) last season.

We fully expected that this would also happen this season. When we started, the goal was to finish 17th or above and to finish 17th would be a great success. We want to stay in this league. I didnâ€t expect it would be an easy ride.

We had to work with limited resources in the summer with profit and sustainability rules, we had challenges also in the summer transfer window and it was always clear there would be a period where not all performances and results go our way.

I see what the lads are doing, how they train, how tight they are together and when I judge the objective data, it gives me lots of confidence that we have enough to succeed. Iâ€m fully confident and fully convinced.

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Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has been reflecting on last nightâ€s defeat to Strasbourg.

Maybe like the late defeat at Everton, it just feels that it was completely unnecessary and it is our fault. On the other side, we have to accept it. The effort was there but it is a game we shouldnâ€t definitely lose, at least getting a goal, but like always, we try to learn from it.

It just shows how much it means for this club and then of course everybody is playing on their top level, highly motivated. We always have to match this motivation, because the small margins decide it, and yesterday it looked like we didnâ€t match the motivation on the same level, maybe a few percentage less, and thatâ€s why we lost at the end.

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Full time: Ukraine 1-1 Scotland

The debutant Maria McAneny scored a 96th-minute equaliser to give Scotland Women a draw in their friendly in Jerez. Scotland trailed from the 38th minute, when Roksolana Kravchuk put Ukraine ahead, but the Celtic midfielder McAneny – who came off the bench in the second half to win her first cap – scored with almost the last kick of the game.

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Updated at 08.00 EST

On this day in 2007… Liverpool give Porto a doing, and Scott Murray launches THE GUARDIAN UNLIMITED PATENTED RAFA BENITEZ TANTRUM-O-METER®. Hereâ€s the proof.

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Updated at 07.50 EST

Rodri to miss Cityâ€s match with Leeds

Pep Guardiola is talking to the press ahead of Manchester Cityâ€s game at home to Leeds tomorrow. This is the news on Rodri.

No Rodri. Not far off. Hamstring.

Six words, eight syllables: you canâ€t get much more efficient than that.

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How about another plug for Suzanne Wrackâ€s story on the UK bid to host the 2035 Womenâ€s World Cup?

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77 min: Ukraine 1-0 Scotland

Still 1-0 to Ukraine in Jerez. I donâ€t know what else to tell you.

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On this day in 1992… the leaders Norwich win a thriller away to title rivals Aston Villa.

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Scotland Women are playing Ukraine in a friendly in Jerez. Itâ€s just past the hour and Ukraine lead through a goal from Roksolana Kravchuk.

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On this day in 2022…“One of the wilder matches of the World Cup group stage was Cameroon v Serbia,†writes Kári Tulinius. “While the match did peter out a bit towards the end, it was an absolute rollercoaster until then, featuring an outrageous goal by Vincent Aboubakar, and a liquid team goal from Serbia.â€

And hereâ€s the proof.

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On this day in 1998…a gorgeous goal from West Hamâ€s Trevor Sinclair against Spurs.

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On this day in 1993… Ruben Sosaâ€s injury-time penalty earns Internazionale a 2-2 draw against Juventus. Check out the foul (sic) on Dennis Bergkamp that led to the penalty.

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On this day in 2025…not much is happening, Iâ€m afraid. Iâ€m sure weâ€ll have some hardcore news after lunch. In the meantime, hereâ€s another plug for our piece on tomorrowâ€s Copa Libertadores final.

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On this day in 2004…Neil Mellor stuns Arsenalâ€s Invincibles in a match of three gorgeous goals.

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Updated at 07.02 EST

On this day in 1987…an imperious Liverpool continue their march to the title.

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On this day in 1990… Lee Sharpe scored a hat-trick, Danny Wallace played like Romario and Manchester United took Arsenal to the cleaners at Highbury.

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Updated at 06.52 EST

Yoane Wissa has trained with Newcastleâ€s for the first time since joining the club. Wissa suffered a knee injury on international duty straight after signing for Newcastle in September.

“He is doing well, he trained with us for the first time on Wednesday so I was really pleased with how he looked,†said Eddie Howe. “Thatâ€s his first time competitively with the group. Letâ€s see how he responds today.

“Weâ€ve got (a return date) in mind, but itâ€s probably best if I keep that to myself. We donâ€t want to disappoint anyone. Of course, we want to involve him as soon as possible.â€

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Lionesses v China (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Weâ€ve got some quotes from the England camp ahead of tomorrowâ€s game.

Sarina Wiegman

We have four friendlies. It gives opportunities to players to show themselves. We want to experiment a little bit and see players, try out things and thatâ€s exactly what we are doing tomorrow. We want to play countries from different continents because they challenge us in different ways. We know China are disciplined and have good structure.

Itâ€s a natural thing with retirements and injuries. We can see where they are at and we have players in the squad that are already competing for a starting position and more minutes. Itâ€s good to give opportunities and I think players are getting those opportunities because they deserve it with good performances.

[On the UK bid to host the 2035 Womenâ€s World Cup]

“It is really exciting. I would have never dreamed we would be here where we are now. But we have a long way to go. This opportunity in 10 years†time and what it will bring and boost will be exciting.

Itâ€s not done yet but it is exciting to see what it would look like. The womenâ€s game is growing and we want to keep pushing.

Keira Walsh (who will captain the side in the absence of Leah Williamson)

It is really special. Leah is England captain and she does an incredible job at that. The competitions we have won she has been monumental in those moments for us.

I could never step into Leahâ€s shoes in that sense but I think it is really special and for my family as well, to captain your country there is not many better moments in football than that.

Iâ€ve been getting a lot of stick from the girls in this camp, theyâ€ve been calling me skipper all the time. Captains do tend to be a bit older. Itâ€s a nice moment to be captain but doesnâ€t change me as a person or how I play. Itâ€s nice to have a bit more responsibility.

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Two arrests made at Aston Villa v Young Boys

Two people have been arrested after police were assaulted by away supporters during Aston Villaâ€s Europa League win over Young Boys at Villa Park.

Supporters of the Swiss side threw items, including broken seats and coins, at Villa players and police officers, with Dutch forward Donyell Malen being struck on the head.

The disorder broke out during the first half of the tie, which Villa won 2-1. Officers said two away fans were arrested on suspicion of affray and assaulting a police officer.

Superintendent Paul Minor said: “We wonâ€t tolerate violence of any kind at football matches. The majority of the crowd was in good spirit, but unfortunately, a small minority of away fans caused violence and disrupted the game.

“An investigation has been launched, and officers are reviewing body-worn video and CCTV from the stadium of the disorder.â€

The violence broke out in the lower tier of the Doug Ellis Stand when Villa took the lead and dozens of police officers were deployed in riot gear.

Young Boys were fined 28,250 euros (£24,729) for similar issues involving their supporters at Manchester City two years ago and around 18,000 euros (£15,756) for the use of pyrotechnics at Celtic in February.

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Updated at 06.36 EST

Estudiantes president Juan Sebastian Veron – youse remember him – has been banned for six months by thr AFA after refusing to form a guard of honour for the new champions Rosario Central.

The Estudiantes players turned their backs on the Rosario Central team ahead of a match on Sunday. Veron has received “a six-month suspension from all football-related activitiesâ€. The players who “engaged in the reprehensible conduct†have been suspended for two matches.

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Updated at 06.17 EST

Joey Lynch

Match report: Australia 5-0 New Zealand

In the 26th minute of the Matildas†5-0 win over New Zealand, Australia already leading 2-0, an Amy Sayer shot bounced off the post and out to Ellie Carpenter, who had come forward from her post at right-back to be the most advanced player on the park. As she does. Her resulting shot sailed over the bar but rather than grimace, she jogged back with a big grin splashed across her face. And given how easily the Matildas were doing it, and with how much fun they looked to be having, you could hardly blame her.

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The first leg of the Womenâ€s Nations League final betwen Germany and Spain takes place tonight in Kaiserslautern, with the second leg in Madrid on Tuesday. Hereâ€s Sophie Downeyâ€s preview.

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On Tuesday night Pep Guardiola was contrite after his 10-man reshuffle of Manchester City backfired in the dire 2-0 defeat by Bayer Leverkusen. Expect, then, Erling Haaland, Phil Foden, Gianluigi Donnarumma, Rúben Dias and other frontline acts to be restored against visitors who won 2-1 at the Etihad Stadium in April 2021 but have lost the four games since by a 16-2 combined margin. Leeds arrive third-bottom with 11 points from 12 games and City, despite losing two in a row for a second time this term after last weekendâ€s 2-1 defeat at Newcastle, really should win. If not then their title credentials really will be questioned.

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Everton v Newcastle (Saturday, 5.30pm)

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe has been talking about the form of Nick Pope, who made errors in recent defeats at West Ham, Brentford and Marseille and is under pressure from Aaron Ramsdale for his place.

Thereâ€s always two sides, isnâ€t there? I actually think his goalkeeping has been very good. His shot-stopping has been incredible. He has made some great saves and a lot of those saves are underrated and go under the radar. Because he delivers so many of them, itâ€s almost expected.

The life of a goalkeeper is always on a knife edge. Youâ€re judged on a couple of moments and sometimes you get no reprieve. Thereâ€s no-one to save you the other way. I think Nick knows that. Heâ€s been in the game long enough. Itâ€s nothing new to him. Itâ€s been a very strong [season] apart from a couple of high-profile moments.

Changing a goalkeeper is possible, of course, but itâ€s a big call to make. Depending on the style of goalkeeper, a lot changes and defenders in front get used to a style. Thatâ€s something for me to consider. Certainly rotating the goalkeeper position isnâ€t something I want to do.

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Keir Starmer his chimed in on the UKâ€s bid to host the 2035 Womenâ€s World Cup.

Our bid to host the 2035 FIFA Womenâ€s World Cup shows the UKâ€s passion for football.
The Lionesses†success has inspired girls across our country, and weâ€ll build on that momentum by welcoming millions of football fans from around the world to a tournament that will benefit communities and businesses in host cities up and down the UK. With significant investment in school sport and grassroots facilities through our Plan for Change, weâ€re creating opportunities for girls to play for their national team.

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Manchester United have confirmed their ambition to have the clubâ€s proposed new stadium constructed in time to host Womenâ€s World Cup 2035 matches.

Collette Roche, the chief operating officer, said: “We are proud to be part of the rich sporting and cultural fabric of Trafford and the Fifa Womenâ€s World Cup 2035 is a brilliant opportunity for us to showcase our home to the rest of the world. Our ambition is to build a new 100,000-seater stadium fit to host the biggest international football games. This will be part of a wider regeneration of the area around Old Trafford, with far-reaching benefits for the local community, Greater Manchester and surrounding region.

“We also want to be a leader in the growth of womenâ€s football, in our own neighbourhood and around the world. All these objectives come together in Traffordâ€s bid to be a host city for the FIFA Womenâ€s World Cup 2035.â€

United are yet to firm up any plans regarding the new facility.

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Chelsea v Arsenal (Sunday, 4.30pm)

Noni Madueke has said he ignored criticism on social media over his move to Arsenal and gained confidence from the reception he has received from supporters.

The England forward scored his first Arsenal goal in Wednesdayâ€s impressive 3-1 win over Bayern Munich in the Champions League in his second appearance since returning from a knee injury sustained in September. Madueke said that the injury was “horrible timing†given his good start after joining from Chelsea for £48.5m plus up to £3.5m in bonuses.

Some supporters voiced opposition online to his arrival and a petition entitled #NOTOMADUEKE was launched. That garnered only 5,000 signatures and the 23-year-old insisted he had “taken it all in his strideâ€.

“You are in the public eye, people can say whatever they want about you,†he said. “But being in the stadium, and how the fans have taken to me in the stadium, is unbelievable. I am not really worried about all of that. It is in the distant past. The last game versus Tottenham was incredible and that gives me such a boost. I play on the side of the pitch, I can feel them [the fans], I can hear them. When they are that positive about me it gives me a massive boost. Honestly, I am made up about it.â€

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The Guardian has kicked off a new chapter in puzzles with the launch of its first daily football game, On the ball. It is now live in the app for both iOS and Android … so what are you waiting for?

On the ball on the Guardian app Photograph: The GuardianShare

So anyway, the race for the golden boot is hotting up.

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Sports quiz of the week

I think thereâ€s a mistake in this as it refers to an Ashes Test?!?!?!

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UK submit bid to host 2035 Women’s World Cup

Suzanne Wrack

England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales have submitted their bid to host the 2035 Womenâ€s World Cup as the largest single-sport event staged in the UK.

The Lionesses†leading goalscorer, Ellen White, described the bid as “really special†and compared it to her experience of the 2012 Olympics as a part of Team GB.

“We felt it in the Olympics in 2012, that exposure, that amazing sense of togetherness,†she said. “The whole worldwide captivation was really special. Seeing all the different nations, the cultures, the diversity, the inclusivity, was really special to be involved with. The fact that itâ€s a World Cup [means] it is worldwide and all eyes will be on us and people will want to come and be a part of it.â€

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Updated at 05.17 EST

“One of the problems for Arne Slot is that heâ€s building a post-Salah side with Salah still in it,†writes Tim Woods. “And while he almost certainly didnâ€t listen to them, the resounding view from pundits just a few months back was that Liverpool should ‘pay Salah what he wantsâ€. Personally I think it would be utter madness to even think of sacking Slot, and to the (growing number of) Liverpool fans who claim he only won the title with Kloppâ€s team: well, he won it is as often as Klopp did with that team.â€

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Nectarios Triantis made his Greece debut last week after switching allegiances from Australia. The midfielder, who left Sunderland for Minnesota United is already causing a stir in Greece, leading to interest from Panathinaikos becoming very interested in the 22-year-old who was wanted by a number of clubs in the UK in the summer. He has impressed in his first season in MLS, scoring a goal from the halfway line on his debut.

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Europa League: Aston Villa 2-1 Young Boys

Donyell Malen has a cut to the head and two more goals to his name after leading Aston Villa to the verge of automatic qualification for the last 16 of the Europa League against a backdrop of more crowd violence from Young Boys supporters.

The Netherlands striker exemplifies Villaâ€s strength in depth but this 10th win in 12 games was marred by visiting fans ripping up seats, throwing missiles at stewards and Villa players – one striking Malen – and fighting with police.

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Europa League: Nottm Forest 3-0 Malmo

“Champions of Europe, youâ€ll never sing that,†came the chant as Nottingham Forest supporters, not for the first time, enjoyed getting one over on Malmö. A lot has happened since Trevor Francisâ€s stooping header clinched the European Cup in Munich in 1979 but Forest still, rightfully, cherish those days. A lot has also changed in the five weeks since Sean Dyche took the reins, Forest reinvigorated and another comfortable win, this time courtesy of goals from Ryan Yates, Arnaud Kalimuendo and Nikola Milenkovic, enhanced their hopes of qualifying for the Europa League knockout phase.

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Palmeiras and Flamengo meet in the Copa Libertadores final on Saturday night (9pm BST). Caio Carrieri explains how the two became the envy of South American football.

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Updated at 04.52 EST

Cole Palmer set to return against Arsenal

Jacob Steinberg

Enzo Maresca will address the media later today and all being well he should have some good news for Chelsea fans on Cole Palmer. Assuming heâ€s not bumped into any more doors in the night the Chelsea attacker should be fit to return from a broken toe against Arsenal on Sunday. Palmer has been out since September with a groin injury and his return was delayed by a freak accident at home last week, but heâ€s been in training and it sounds as if he is making good progress. Of course, there could always be a surprise from Maresca…

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Arne Slot: ‘Every small mistake is leading to a goal’

Liverpool manager Arne Slot has been speaking ahead of their must-win/musnâ€t-lose match at West Ham on Sunday.

It would also be nice if we would reward ourselves in the moments we play well because people are very focused, and correctly, about the parts we donâ€t play well.
There are definitely large parts of the games that we do play well and do create a lot of chances – we tend to forget to reward ourselves in those moments. Every small mistake, or small error, immediately leads to us conceding a goal.

I donâ€t see it (confidence) being low when we start the game. I didnâ€t even see it being low after we conceded (the first goal in Wednesdayâ€s 4-1 defeat to PSV Eindhoven). Even when we conceded the 2-1 and again had a disappointment we were able to generate enough chances but after they scored the 3-1 I could see it hurt the players and that wasnâ€t the period where our fighting spirit was the best in the game, to say it mildly.

After the 3-1 it is very difficult to get a message across when Iâ€m on the sideline but before (the game) and during half-time I think the message comes across to them. If I see how we create our chances it is a lot of the things we train on and what is in the meeting but unfortunately it doesnâ€t lead to goals and that is difficult for them, for me, for everyone. But the message that comes across is very clear from me from the way we generate our chances.â€

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Updated at 04.39 EST

“Hi Rob,†writes Krishnamoorthy V. “Talking about confused metaphors or twisted aphorisms, there is some sound advice to Arne Slot. Donâ€t just do something, simply stand there.â€

Are you saying all you have to do is nothing?

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The Lionesses are in action this weekend; they play China at Wembley tomorrow evening. And as I type, Australia are playing New Zealand in a friendly in Gosford – the first major sport of any kind to take place in Australia in ages. You can follow the action with Jo Khan.

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Chelsea v Arsenal (Sunday, 4.30pm)

Hereâ€s a good one from the archive, Scott Murray on six classic Chelsea/Arsenal matches.

Chelsea won their first and only pre-Mourinho championship in 1954-55 under the auspices of Ted Drake, but a series of mid-table finishes, and a slow start in 1961-62, saw the former Arsenal legend sacked and replaced by Tommy Docherty. The Docâ€s first game in charge was a 4-0 tonking at Blackpool, and at the end of the season Chelsea were relegated. But they bounced straight back with a side built around Peter Bonetti, Ron Harris, Terry Venables, and their young captain Bobby Tambling.

Their first season back in the top flight was, for such a young team, a triumph. The standout result was a 4-2 win at Highbury, Tambling scoring all four goals on a mudbath, capitalising on three mistakes by Ian Ure, the other a delicious lob. Before the game, Arsenal – built around the attacking talents of George Eastham, Joe Baker and George Armstrong, had held faint hopes of sustaining a title challenge, but theyâ€d been found out. The result seemed to set both teams down very different roads. Chelsea finished in fifth, three places ahead of out-of-puff Arsenal. Dochertyâ€s side were instantly anointed as one of the teams of the decade. Tambling scored in their victorious League Cup final against Leicester in 1965, and the 1967 FA Cup final defeat to Spurs. And the club would round off the decade with their first FA Cup win in 1969-70. Arsenal meanwhile …

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Europa League: Feyenoord 1-3 Celtic

Feyenoord manager Robin van Persie said his decision to give son Shaqueel a senior debut in their Europa League game against Celtic was made in his role as his coach, not his father, after the Dutch side lost 3-1 at home on Thursday.

The 19-year-old signed his first professional contract with the Dutch club in 2022 and was an unused substitute in Sundayâ€s Eredivisie defeat by NEC Nijmegen after being called up to the first-team squad for the first time.

The forwardâ€s senior debut came four days later against Celtic when he came on to replace defender Jordan Lotomba in the 81st minute, with Feyenoord trailing by two goals.

“I made that call as a coach, not as a dad because we needed a goal,†former Arsenal and Manchester United forward Van Persie said. “Shaqueel is a player who can score a goal from all angles. That was the reason I brought him on.â€

The substitution did not have the desired effect as Feyenoord conceded a third just a minute later, Benjamin Nygrenâ€s goal sealing the win for the Glasgow side.

“From a fatherâ€s point of view, when your son makes his debut that is always a special moment,†the coach said. “But I wasnâ€t that busy with enjoying that moment, I was doing my work like Shaqueel was.â€

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Updated at 04.23 EST

Preamble

Hello, good morning and welcome to our Friday football blog. Think of it as the guy behind the guy, the other guy being the actual football that takes place over the weekend. And the football that was played last night, to which weâ€ll have reaction and comment. So maybe itâ€s the guy between the guys.

Enough of the confused metaphors. Hereâ€s a full list of this weekendâ€s Premier League fixtures

Saturday (3pm unless stated)

Sunday (2.05pm unless stated)

Ten games, ten whole things to look out for.

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Chelsea are still awaiting the return of key forward Cole Palmer.

Palmer, 23, has been out of action for the Blues since September, last featuring for Enzo Maresca’s side in their 2-1 defeat against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The England international was recently snapped in first-team training at Cobham with fans still waiting with bated breath for his return to action.

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Will Cole Palmer play against Arsenal?

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer has played just four times so far this season (Image credit: Getty Images)

Mustering only four appearances for Chelsea so far this season, Palmer will be desperate to get back to action, especially with time running out for him to stake a claim in Thomas Tuchel’s England plans.

The Three Lions boss has shown a willingness to reward those players who are featuring week in, week out for their clubs so far, and the 23-year-old will have to fix up and look sharp (pardon the pun) if he wants to be included on that plane journey to the USA in the summer.

World Cup squads could be increased to 30 players – so which England internationals are now in with making the cut?https://t.co/I7v7sImbBpNovember 25, 2025

Asked on Monday ahead of the Blues’ 3-0 win over Barcelona this week, manager Maresca admitted Palmer featuring against Arsenal later this week may come a tad too soon.

“We don’t know when, but for sure it will be soon,” Maresca told a news conference on Monday. “He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball and the feeling is good.

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“We are here for tomorrow’s game that is Champions League and then after that we start to think about Arsenal.”

Pushed on whether he Palmer could play, Maresca replied: “I don’t think so at the moment.”

It’s now over two months since we last saw the former Manchester City man in action for Chelsea, but his team-mates have coped pretty well without him all things considered.

Chelsea star Cole Palmer has really struggled with injury issues (Image credit: Getty Images)

Estevao’s goal against Barcelona in midweek has quickly seen many draw comparisons between him and Lamine Yamal, whilst Liam Delap also found the net to help ease the pressure on his performances as of late.

Alejandro Garnacho is also starting to come into his own, whilst Pedro Neto has quietly gone about his business too when required, as the Blues prepare for a huge home clash against Arsenal in the Premier League this weekend.

Who comes out in that one? Will Chelsea record a vital victory, or will the Gunners extend their gap at the top of the table? Let us know in the comments…

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Chelsea forward Cole Palmer is said to have broken his toe while playing popular video game EA FC, formerly known as FIFA.

The England international hasn’t played for the Blues since September, after being brought off against Manchester United in their 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.

With the World Cup now in sight, Palmer is desperate to get back to first-team action as the festive period approaches, but Enzo Maresca says the 23-year-old will now have to wait a little longer.

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Cole Palmer suffers freak injury when playing FIFA

Chelsea forward Cole Palmer (Image credit: Getty Images)

With a hectic schedule approaching, Palmer’s absence has been covered for relatively well given the recent form of fellow forwards Estevao and Alejandro Garnacho.

But when asked why his No.10 had not been seen in and around training as of late, Maresca revealed Palmer is set for another spell on the sidelines.

Chelsea head coach Enzo Maresca (Image credit: Getty Images)

“He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure, or Arsenal for sure,” he began. “Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe.

“It is nothing important, but he won’t be back in the next week. I wake up many times during the night – I hit my head, my legs, my everything – so it can happen.”

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But ahead of a crucial clash against Barcelona this week, the former Leicester boss provided a more positive update on the Three Lions international.

“Yes, Cole is wearing a [protective] boot. We don’t know when he will be back but for sure it will be soon. He’s already on the pitch, he’s already touching the ball and the feeling [for him] is good,” said Maresca.

“At the moment, we are only looking at tomorrow’s game. It’s a Champions League game against Barcelona, that is our focus and then we will look ahead to Arsenal. I don’t think he will be available for these two games, but he is doing well.”

Marc Cucurella on how Cole Palmer injured his toe: “To be fair, I don’t know. He’s running because I think he lost a FIFA game or something like this. I think!” pic.twitter.com/oHn8yoAw6nNovember 24, 2025

Fellow Chelsea team-mate Marc Cucurella also couldn’t hide his laughter when he was quizzed on the former Manchester City man’s latest setback.

“To be fair, I don’t believe it. It is true that these things can sometimes happen. I have had this a couple of times but I’m stronger than them, so I don’t feel anything. It’s a big upset for us because he’s getting closer to playing with us, to train with us, and then now he needs to rest. But this is part of life, a part of footballers’ lives, we have personal lives, and we have these kinds of problems, so hopefully he can recover fast.”

When asked what Palmer was doing, Cucurella replied: “I don’t know. He’s running because I think he lost a FIFA game or something like this, I think!”

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Cole Palmer will miss a huge week in Chelsea’s season after suffering a fractured toe in an accident at home.

The 23-year-old was closing in on a return to action from a groin problem but has now been ruled out of the club’s next three matches, starting with Saturday’s Premier League trip to Burnley before a midweek Champions League visit of Barcelona and next Sunday’s home clash with Arsenal.

Speaking on Friday morning, boss Enzo Maresca said: “He is not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure, Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately he had an accident at home two days ago and he hit his toe but it is nothing important. But for sure he is not back.

“It is fractured, yes. The only thing we know is he is not available for this week, next week. It can happen. I wake up many times during the night to go to the toilet, I hit my head, my leg, my everything so it can happen.”

Cole Palmer’s latest inury comes after he has missed two months of action with a groin issue. Alex Livesey/Getty Images

Palmer has not played since been substituted in September’s 2-1 defeat to Manchester United but had been nearing a comeback prior to this latest setback.

“It was very close [to Palmer returning],” Maresca continued.

“He was back with us almost with the groin and it was very good news. And then again he had this small problem and hopefully he has nothing important.”

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Chelsea have only lost twice in all competitions since Palmer’s last outing, climbing to third in the table but Maresca rejected any suggestion the Blues were improved without their star playmaker.

“The teammates are better players with Cole playing,” he said. “I feel much better when Cole is inside the pitch and we all want Cole inside the pitch.

“At the same time, when Cole is not on the pitch, we need to find solutions. The team is doing very well, also I think for any manager it is nice when you miss a player but the team still plays as we want to play. But again, we are a better team with Cole.”

Maresca confirmed Benoît Badiashile (muscular problem), Enzo Fernández (knee) and Pedro Neto (groin) will all be available to face Burnley.

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Here is a bit more from todayâ€s fiery Celtic AGM, with details from a pre-prepared video made by chairman Peter Lawwell, chief finance officer Chris McKay and chief executive Michael Nicholson now coming to light. The trio have been at the centre of demands for change from supporters groups following discontent over summer transfer business and failure to qualify for the Champions League.

Fans have grown increasingly frustrated over the clubâ€s ambition and transfer strategy and departed manager Brendan Rodgers did not hide his dissatisfaction with the speed of new arrivals during the summer.

McKay defended the clubâ€s summer cash reserve position of £77m as he stressed they had broken their transfer record twice in the 2024 summer window with the purchase of Adam Idah and Arne Engels.

The year-end cash figure was a consequence of a very successful year in terms of Champions League performance and player trading,†said McKay. “But itâ€s important to note thatâ€s a point of time, 30 June, which also happens to coincide with our cash high point in the year. But since then, weâ€ve invested in major infrastructure projects, weâ€ve been through a transfer window, and weâ€ve dropped to the Europa League this year. And all of that has an impact on cash, so the position today looks different. We would never be so presumptuous to assume that we would be in the Champions League every year, because history tells you something different.

Over the last year we invested the highest sums of money ever in the history of the club in the transfer window. We broke our transfer record twice. We had the highest first-team cost in the history of the club. We had the highest squad-carrying value in the history of the club. Thatâ€s not lack of ambition. Thatâ€s a willingness to back a football department and progress our team, and thatâ€s exactly what we did.

The summer transfer window was absolutely nothing to do with the sums of money we had in the bank. We indeed wanted to spend more, but for circumstances which weâ€ve covered elsewhere, we were unable to deliver on that.†PA Media

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Hello everyone! Given those injuries to Gabriel and Calafiori, who will line up, then, for Arsenal in the north London derby? Left back seems an easy fix, with Myles Lewis-Skelly waiting in the wings. The teenager will be eager to impress, not only so he can stay in Artetaâ€s starting XI, but also so he can force his way back into the England reckoning by the time the next international break (in late March!) rolls around.

Replacing Gabriel is not as straightforward, and not just because the Brazilian has been one of the standout defenders in world football this season. Arteta will choose between Cristhian Mosquera and Piero Hincapié, their two summer arrivals who were signed for exactly this sort of crisis hiccup (this is not a crisis). Arsenal fans, who would you prefer to start, and why?

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With that, I shall pass over to Michael Butler.

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Arsenal: Mikel Arteta has been talking about the derby atmosphere as Tottenham cross town to the Emirates.

“When you have everybody playing with that passion and emotion with the team in every single ball, it makes a difference. Weâ€re privileged with the way our fans have been with us at the Emirates. It is a game that emotionally requires something else. You cannot be too hot but the game demands that in every action you have to be at it a bit more than in any other game.â€

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Quiz, quiz, quiz: I got 15/17 though flubbed a football question.

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Arteta issues Gabriel update – ‘out for weeks’

Arsenal: Not good – or certain – news for Gunners. The star centre back got hurt when Brazil played Senegal, and thereâ€s another injured defender.

Mikel Arteta: “Yeah, Gabi unfortunately picked up an injury and heâ€s going to be out for weeks. We need to have another scan next Wednesday and we will have the timeline much more clear.â€

Riccardo Calafiori has a knock, too, after Italy duty: “Yeah he wasnâ€t available, heâ€s been carrying a few things and we had to bring him back. He hasnâ€t trained yet, we have a session tomorrow so we will see.â€

There may be some returnees: “We have put in a lot of energy to bring them back as quick as possible. Tomorrow we will have more clarity. I am hopeful that we will take another step tomorrow.â€

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Celtic: Martin Oâ€Neill, the interim manager, has been speaking after that stormy club AGM meeting was abandoned.

I thought it was a really sad, sad morning, really sad morning. I just wonder what the great Jock Stein would have thought of it all, who preached unity at the football club, said that a club not united would never be successful. Itâ€s as sad a morning as Iâ€ve seen. I mean Iâ€ve been to a few of these AGMs before and I suppose because weâ€ve been doing well at the time that it was nice. Not even sure I was ever asked a question in them at the time. But that was rather raucous.

There were people who would have wanted to ask questions and the board have said that theyâ€ve made mistakes. Thereâ€s only so many times that you can apologise and then you have to get on with things again. So weâ€ll start again and hopefully that will start when the new manager comes in. A united Celtic will be far better equipped to compete and try and win again.

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Tottenham: Thomas Frank has been speaking

“Pape (Sarr) trained today, ready and available. Lucas (Bergvall) trained today and is available. Kolo Muani, yes trained today, available – of course he has a mask he needs to play with…Dom [Solanke] is not ready yet. We are very aware that when we put him out there, we want to be as sure as we can that there will be no setback going forward. I am comfortable he will soon be ready.â€

Defenders Ben Davies and Kota Takai also returned to training this week and centre-back Radu Dragusin took part in a behind-closed-doors friendly earlier this month to step up his recovery after he sustained anterior cruciate ligament damage in January.

Archie Gray is another back and Mohammed Kudus, who missed international duty with Ghana, has also returned to training in a further boost for Frank. James Maddison, Yves Bissouma and Dejan Kulusevski

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Via PA Media: “The Premier League announced details of the 2026-27 season on Friday, and it is understood that commitment to a greater number of Boxing Day matches remains.

“The league has pledged that no two match rounds will take place within 60 hours over the Christmas and New Year period, in keeping with commitments made to clubs to address the congested festive schedule within the expanded international calendar.

“The season will kick off on 20 August, 2026 – 33 days on from the 2026 World Cup final.
The league said the 2026-27 season would conclude on Sunday, 30 May, 2027, ahead of the Champions League final which will be played on June 5, 2027.

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Manchester United: Good news for Ruben Amorim on Benjamin Seskoâ€s injury. “Itâ€s not that serious. Have to be careful. In a few weeks, expect to have him.â€

He hopes Sesko will be back by the time Amad Diallo and Bryan Mbeumo take off to the AfCon. He also thinks Lisandro Martinez might return to play in a midfield position.

Itâ€s a year since Amorim was appointed, and heâ€s been reflecting on that.

“It was everything going really fast. The first thinking was the environment was different in the Premier League and I was excited with that. Right away I knew that we would struggle with some things but there was a feeling that yes, it was the best league and best club in the world. But at the same time it was a big job and it is going to take a lot of work.

“We are showing that [improvements] but the important thing is that it doesnâ€t matter what we did in the recent games we cannot forget that we still started in that point and suffered a lot last year and we have to take that into account. We have to play every game like it is the last one or the first one. But if you ask me, I expect a team with more control and more dominance, playing better football and the most important thing that we are more competitive in every way.â€

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More Fulham: These quotes from Marco Silva are not exactly fully committed to staying on at the Cottage.

“Not many things to share. First of all, grateful for the interest from the club. Even last season, we had some conversations. I am in permanent contract with the owner, but more with our CEO every single day. I was with Mr Khan a month ago when he showed again the interest to renew.

“We had some meeting like we normally have, not just about the contract but about the next man, the situation about Rodrigo [Muniz], the situation about what we want to do, and what will come in December and January for us and for us to be ready for it.

“They know I love to be in the football club, the Premier League is very hard, I am not an easy guy to deal with sometimes because I am very ambitious. And after almost five years with me to show the interest to keep me with the project going with the same person here is a very good sign.

“With myself, they should never worry. I never let them in this situation. Football is about results, about progressing, developing things. We know and they know, I know what the club needs to progress and develop. The feedback is there.’â€

Iâ€d be worried if I was a Fulham fan. Silva has done a fine job.

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Fulham: Marco Silva, with talk heâ€s been offered a new contract this week, has been short of firepower all season. Now, his best striker Rodrigo Muniz, has broken down in his recovery from injury.

Magic Marco. “Sad news for us, for [Rodrigo] Muniz. Painful for himself, a player that has big aims for the season to improve his numbers. Itâ€s always difficult when you see a player has taken a long time to come back, to recover from the injuries, and has a setback that obligates him to go for surgery and sort it out. The middle of February could be the time for him.â€

Fulham play Sunderland tomorrow at Craven Cottage. Thereâ€s been wild rumours Silva could be replaced by Brendan Rodgers.

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Wolves: A bit more Rob Edwards here, hitting the cliches pretty hard.

“Not looking at the table right now, just next session and game. Iâ€ll be clear with players this is what we are going to do and how to win games of football and get points. Itâ€s going to come from hard work.â€

When do managers start looking at the table?

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Liverpool: Interesting line from Arne Slot on Alexander Isak and Dominik Szoboszlai from earlier: “Alexander Isak with Sweden have 1 point out of 6 games in their group, and they still have a chance to reach the World Cup because they won Group ‘C†of the Nations League. Meanwhile Szoboszlaiâ€s Hungary played 2 good years of football, picking up quite a lot of points, but has no chance to qualify anymore. But luckily heâ€s used to disappointments lately here with this club [laughs].â€

Seems Szob may be in for a new contract soon. He deserves one on current form.

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Wolves: Ahead of his first game as manager, Rob Edwards has been speaking. “I did not want there to come a moment in 10/20 years where I look back and turned down this job,†he says. His team face Crystal Palace tomorrow, and need to start winning at home or he will be back in the Championship. “Feels amazing to be back. Really proud. Genuinely proud. I told staff and the players that. I will not lie, it has been an aim of mine since I got the under 18s job. It is something Iâ€ve always wanted to do. I want some clarity and to get to know the players. Interesting week with international break. Trying to get our messages across with as much clarity as possible, while trying to get to learn the lads. Thereâ€s no perfect job in football. I know the scale of the task. But also really excited by the challenge as well and got full belief in group.â€

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Handover: John Brewin is here to take up the cudgels, while I go for a lie-down.

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Andoni Iraola: Semenyo will continue to be our player

Bournemouth:Andoni Iraola endured a rather miserable international break, losing his Scottish winger Ben Gannon-Doak to a serious hamstring tear and his Dutch forward Justin Kluivert to an adductor muscle injury. Bournemouthâ€s Spanish head coach has also had to listen to – or try to ignore – no end of gossip linking Antoine Semenyo with a January move to a dizzying array of other clubs at home and abroad.

“We are in November,†he told reporters ahead of tomorrowâ€s match against West Ham at the Vitality Stadium. “Antoine is our player, he will continue to be our player. In January, you can ask me about the market but right now, I am not worried about the next market. I am not worried about the situation. In January, we will talk about whatever happened, the players we need.â€

In slightly better news for Iraola and Bournemouth fans, both Adam Smith and Tyler Adams have been cleared to play tomorrow after undergoing concussion protocols that curtailed their training schedules during the international break.

Bournemouth head coach Andoni Iraola has little or no appetite for discussing transfer rumours linking Antoine Semenyo to other clubs. Photograph: Matthew Childs/Action Images/ReutersShare

Updated at 08.30 EST

Paul Pogba set to return after 811 days out

Ligue 1:Paul Pogba is expected to return to action for the first time in 811 days when he is named in Monacoâ€s squad to face Rennes in the French top flight tomorrow. The 32-year-old midfielder joined the Ligue1 club during the summer after having a four-year doping ban reduced to 19 months upon taking his case to the Court of Aribitration for Sport (CAS). He has spent the intervening months working on his fitness.

Pogbaâ€s last competitive appearance was for Juventus in a Serie A match against Empoli in September 2023. The World Cup-winning France international and former Manchester United midfielder was due to make his Monaco debut against Lens just before the international break but had to delay his return due to an ankle injury. Monaco currently sit in sixth place in the French top flight, seven points behind leaders Paris Saint-Germain. Should Pogba get a run-out tomorrow, he will make his Ligue1 debut.

Paul Pogba poses with his new Monaco jersey after signing a two-year deal with the club in July. Photograph: Frederic Dides/AFP/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 07.49 EST

Brighton: On the eve of his 50th Premier League game in charge (P49 W20 D17 L12) of the club, Fabian Hurzeler has been talking about what an honour it is to manage Brighton. “Iâ€ve always emphasised that being the head coach of Brighton is a privilege,†he told reporters this morning. “So, I am really proud and really proud of working with really good staff members, really good experts that drive a really good culture.

“I am really privileged that I work with great leaders, great personalities as players, with a really great group, a group that drives the togetherness and tries to get better every day, no matter the circumstances or adversity that they face. The biggest thing I really love about the job is to see a team developing, an individual developing, and all these kinds of things, I really enjoy doing it.

“I always emphasised that this club is special, this club has a great identity, and I think identity is the most important. We are going to keep on trying and working hard. We are known for our great values, but we want to be known for success.â€

Brighton host Brentford tomorrow and ahead of the game, Hurzeler revealed that it isd “not easy to predict†when Karou Mitoma will return from the ankle injury that has kept him out since the end of September. Solly March, Adam Webster and James Milner all remain out. Jack Hinshelwood has recovered from ankle ligament damage and should be among Brightonâ€s substitutes after being sidelined for over two months.

Jack Hinshelwood will be on the Brighton bench tomorrow afternoon after missing his teamâ€s last nine games due to an ankle injury. Photograph: John Walton/PAShare

Premier League clubs reject top-to-bottom anchoring

Paul MacInnes

Explainer: Premier League clubs have voted overwhelmingly against the introduction of controversial anchoring plans but agreed a squad cost ratio system, as the top flight moved to a new era of financial regulation, writes Paul MacInnes.

Top-to-bottom anchoring (TBA) would have tied the spending of the leagueâ€s clubs to a multiple of the revenue earned by the divisionâ€s bottom-placed side the previous season in central payments passed on by the league. The plan has long been opposed by the top flightâ€s two Manchester clubs and a vote in London on Friday brought 12 votes against the measure and seven for, with Burnley abstaining.

The vote on squad cost ratios proved less divisive, with the necessary majority of 14 clubs voting in favour and six against. This means that from next season clubs will be limited to spending no more than 85% of their “football revenue†and “net profit/loss on player sales†on “on-pitch spendingâ€, which includes player transfer fees and wages.

A third measure, referred to as sustainability and systematic resilience (SSR), which will bring real-time monitoring of finances and the introduction of liquidity buffers, was approved unanimously.

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Updated at 07.31 EST

Brentford: The west London club announced last night that Fabio Carvalho has ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament, an injury that will rule the Portuguese winger out for the rest of the season and end any hopes he might have had of staking a claim for a place in the Portugal squad for next summerâ€s World Cup. Keith Andrews has been discussing the latest misfortune to befall the injury prone player.

“Itâ€s been a tough week for obvious reasons – itâ€s devastating for him,†he said. “He did it around a week ago in training, unfortunately. Devastating news for him. I feel for him. Heâ€s someone who I have a lot of respect for as a man. This season heâ€s not been given as much of an opportunity as I ideally wouldâ€ve liked. He knows that.

“We were in constant communication before the injury about his development as a player and ambitions. Unfortunately, thatâ€s been taken away from him for a period. Weâ€ll support him really well as we always do. Fabio knows heâ€ll get support from everybody at the football club during this difficult period.â€

Brentford winger Fabio Carvalho has suffered a season-ending knee injury. Photograph: Jordan Pettitt/PAShare

Updated at 07.03 EST

Premier League rejects top-to-bottom anchoring

Football finance: Premier League clubs have rejected the idea of introducing top-to-bottom anchoring (TBA), which would prevent any club from spending more than five times the money earned the previous season by the leagueâ€s last-placed side in central payments passed on by the league. They did, however, at a meeting on Friday agree to bring in squad cost ratio (SCR) and sustainability and systematic resilience (SSR) proposals.

A league statement said: “SCR will regulate clubs†on-pitch spending to 85% of their football revenue and net profit/loss on player sales. Clubs will have a multi-year allowance of 30% that they can use to spend in excess of the 85%. Utilising this allowance will incur a levy and once the allowance is exhausted, they will need to comply with 85% or face a sporting sanction. The new SCR rules are intended to promote opportunity for all clubs to aspire to greater success and brings the Leagueâ€s financial system close to Uefaâ€s existing SCR rules which operate at a threshold of 70%.â€

The Sustainability and Systemic Resilience rules assess a clubâ€s short, medium and long-term financial health through three tests – Working Capital Test, Liquidity Test and Positive Equity Test.

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Updated at 07.32 EST

Celtic AGM abandoned inside five minutes

Celtic: The clubâ€s annual general meeting was adjourned moments after it began when board members were jeered. Directors were met with boos and dozens of red cards from shareholders as they entered the Kerrydale Suite at Celtic Park.

Cries of “Out! Out! Out!†followed before there were cheers for interim manager Martin Oâ€Neill when he was introduced by chairman Peter Lawwell. As a season review video began to play on big screens, Celtic Trust vice-chair Jeanette Findlay approached the top table to ask that the meeting move immediately to questions. As more shouts and chants of “sack the board†came from shareholders, Lawwell said: “This disruptive behaviour is not on. Itâ€s got to stop. We have to have respect for everyone else in the room.â€

Amid shouts of “you respect usâ€, Lawwell called a 30-minute adjournment before the meeting resumed shortly after 11am. The board has been under major criticism from supporters†groups over the clubâ€s summer transfer business and failure to qualify for the Champions League. Principal shareholder Dermot Desmond was not present at the meeting, which took place in a packed Kerrydale Suite. Other fans watched via video link from another function suite.

The Celtic chief executive Peter Lawwell was the subject of chants of derision at a club AGM that was hastily adjourned. Photograph: Jeff Holmes/PAShare

Updated at 07.51 EST

Cole Palmer broken toe update:So it turns out he stubbed it on a door. Iâ€ve done it myself, pulling the door open over an uncovered big toe and while I managed to avoid breaking mine, it doesnâ€t half hurt!

If my experience is anything to go by, I suspect that the effing and jeffing emanating from chez Palmer at the exact moment the bottom edge of the door struck his toe and started removing the skin from the knuckle could be heard from miles around.

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Updated at 06.27 EST

Brighton: Fabian Hurzeler plans to celebrate his 50th match in charge of Brighton with the acquisition of three points, but wants more tangible success moving forward. The 32-year-old become the youngest permanent boss in Premier League history when he was hired in the summer of 2024 and after an eighth-placed finish last season, the Seagulls are 11th with 16 points after 11 games this term.

Brighton have often been talked up as one of the most innovative clubs in England for their ability to develop players and deal with constant changes to staff, but Hurzeler wants to be known for bringing success on the field. “I am really proud of being head coach and really proud of working with really good staff members,†he said ahead of tomorrowâ€s match against Brentford at the Amex Stadium.

“I think the biggest thing what I really love of the job is to see a team developing, to see an individual developing and all these things I really enjoy. I always emphasis that this club is special, it has a great identity and identity is the most important. We try to keep on driving and keep on working hard.

“On the one side, we are known for great values but on the other side we want to be known for success and this is really what we live for, what we work for and we have to keep pushing to achieve it.â€

Of the job being done by his opposite number, the Brentford boss Keith Andrews, Hurzeler had this to say: “Yeah, really impressed. I know him a little bit and he is a great person. He had a great start with Brentford and they really understand how to win games.â€

Fabian Hurzeler will oversee his 50th match in charge of Brighton tomrrow. Photograph: Jacques Feeney/Offside/Getty ImagesShare

Newcastle United: Having spat the dummy in a bid to get a move from Brentford to Newcastle during the summer transfer window, Yoane Wissa has yet to make his debut for his new club having missed pre-season before injuring his knee while on duty with DR Conga in the first international break of the season. Eddie Howe has been discussing the strikerâ€s fitness or lack thereof …

“I have not got a clear, defined return date for you,†he told reporters. “Heâ€s working well. Heâ€s not back training with us yet but heâ€s close. Heâ€s working with the sports science team and almost entering a pre-season with them currently.

“Heâ€s doing a lot of work, heâ€s looked good and looked better with every session. Heâ€s close to training with us but until he gets there, itâ€s very difficult to give you a return date.â€

Upon being asked if Wissa might be fit enough to go to play at Afcon, which kicks off on 21 Dec and ends on 18 January, Howe said:“Well, we will wait and see what happens.†DR Congo are also in the Global Intercontinental World Cup playoffs which are scheduled for March, when they will play either New Caledonai or Jamaica in Guadalajara for a place in next summerâ€s tournament.

The only sighting of Yoane Wissa wearing a Newcastle shirt was recorded at his unveiling almost three months ago. Photograph: Serena Taylor/Newcastle United/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 05.59 EST

Manchester City: Weâ€ve mentioned elsewhere that despite it only being November, Erling Haaland has already scored a phenomenal 32 goals for club and country this season. The 25-year-old banged in his most recent four for Norway in two World Cup qualifiers against Estonia and Italy during the international break to help his country qualify for next summerâ€s jamoree in North America. The City striker goes into tomorrowâ€s match against Newcastle having scored eight goals in his past five games.

“He has been incredible this season,†said Pep Guardiola. “He has broke all the records and is breaking a lot of personal and individual records in the Premier League and for Norway.

“Iâ€m happy for him and his national team. Many of the squad from Norway were not even born when they were last at the World Cup. They have had an incredible qualification, scoring lots of goals and playing very good. He is a world class player and deserves to play in the World Cup. He is the perfect age. I am so happy for him.â€

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Pep Guardiola: ‘The real season starts now’

Manchester City: Pep Guardiolaâ€s side begin the weekend four points behind Arsenal in the title race but will reduce the deficit to just one and ramp up the pressure on their rivals ahead of Sundayâ€s North London derby if they beat Newcastle tomorrow evening. Pep was asked for his thoughts on the strong start to the season enjoyed by Mikel Artetaâ€s side and how he thinks his own team is getting on.

“The truth is the team as strong as Arsenal in the last season, they have been impeccable in many things,†he says. “The feeling that I have had in the past, where we have fought incredibly against Liverpool, I have had the feeling that we will not drop many points and if they can take a lot of distance it will be difficult to catch up with them.

“When the distance is too big it is more difficult but at the same time we are in November and in November, in this league, nothing is defined. What happens in February, March? Be careful. But now is the start of the season.

“Now, the international break is done, we have games every three or four days and the real season starts now. The important thing is to be there and to be close and after that, arrive at the end of the season with a chance that we can fight it. Winning tomorrow would be an important step for us.â€

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Updated at 05.39 EST

Newcastle: Eddie Howe on the threat Newcastle face tomorrow: “Manchester City have lots of threats from lots of different areas of their team so if you focus too much on one, I donâ€t think thatâ€s right,†he says. “But of course, Haaland is an outstanding goalscorer and can score all different types of goals so weâ€re going to have to defend really well.

“Thereâ€s not one way of doing it. If you press high thereâ€ll be weaknesses and if you drop low there will be weaknesses to that – you have to do what you think is right based on the players you have.â€

Weâ€re only in November but Manchester City striker Erling Haaland will be hoping to add to his tally of 32 goals for club and country this season when he visits St James†Park tomorrow. Photograph: Allstar Picture Library Ltd/Richard Sellers/Apl/SportsphotoShare

Updated at 05.24 EST

Manchester City: Pep Guardiola faces the press ahead of Manchester Cityâ€s trip to St James†Park to play Newcastle tomorrow. He says that all his players are fit and available for selection apart from Mateo Kovacic and Rodri. He also tells reports that “the real season starts hereâ€. Grrrr!

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Chelsea: It seems Palmerâ€s toe is broken. Jacob Steinberg has the latest from Enzo Marescaâ€s press conference: “Bad news for Chelsea fans, who have been left reeling by the revelation that Cole Palmerâ€s comeback from a groin injury has been delayed by the forward fracturing a toe in a freak accident at home,†he writes.

â€Speaking ahead of his sideâ€s trip to Burnley, Enzo Maresca said: ‘He is not available for tomorrow for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure. Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe but it is nothing important but he wonâ€t be back in the next week. Itâ€s fractured.†Iâ€m reminded of this …â€

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Updated at 05.20 EST

Domestic mishap delays Cole Palmer’s return …

Chelsea: Enzo Maresca has revealed that Cole Palmerâ€s eagerly awaited return to the Chelsea line-up following his recovery from a groin injury will be delayed because the midfielder has hurt his toe in some unspecified accident at home. The Chelsea head coach says he doesnâ€t know whether or not the little piggy in question is broken.

“I wake up many times in the night to go to the toilet,†he says. “I hit my head and leg and everything. It can happen. He was very close. He was back with us almost with the groin, which is very good news, but he has this small problem. We donâ€t know itâ€s fractured. The only thing we know he is not available for this week and next week.â€

Palmer will miss tomorrowâ€s match against Burnley, Chelseaâ€s midweek Champions League match against Barcelona and next weekendâ€s visit of Arsenal to Stamford Bridge.

Cole Palmer has been ruled out of Chelseaâ€s next three matches at least after injuring a toe in a possibly nocturnal domestic mishap. Photograph: John Walton/PAShare

Updated at 05.05 EST

Burnley: Scott Parker says forward Armando Broja “maybe dodged a bullet†with an ankle injury he suffered against England appearing to be less serious than first feared. Broja could yet face former club Chelsea on Saturday having trained since Wednesday but that certainly had not looked like being the case when he left Albaniaâ€s World Cup qualifier against England on a stretcher on Sunday.

The 24-year-oldâ€s reaction was understandable given the number of injury problems he has faced in recent seasons, but this time the news appears to be better. “It was his ankle,†Parker said. “I think maybe the mechanism of the injury, I think maybe there was an element of shock for him and obviously a bit of fear there because it looked like he rolled the ankle and felt it was on an ankle that heâ€s previously done as well.

“Iâ€m sure there was an element of, ‘Oh, Iâ€ve done something serious hereâ€. But while there was initial pain, it seems to have settled down really, really quickly. Thereâ€s an injury there, but itâ€s very, very, very minor and it looks like weâ€ve maybe dodged a bullet.â€

Burnley go into Saturdayâ€s game hovering above the relegation zone on goal difference, with Parker looking for his side to improve on a number of details in their game but generally happy with the progress shown. “Weâ€ve developed and definitely Iâ€ve seen a massive improvement from us,†he said. “Theyâ€re just little tiny bits at this present moment in time [we need to work on].â€

A visibly distraught Armando Broja left the field on a stretcher during Albaniaâ€s match against England in Tirana but could be fit to face Chelsea when they visit Turf Moor tomorrow. Photograph: Armando Babani/Getty ImagesShare

Updated at 04.51 EST

Newcastle: Eddie Howe is rocking the mic and has some injury updates. Anthony Gordon has “worked very hard over the break†to recover from his hip injury and is touch-and-go for tomorrowâ€s match against Manchester City. Tino Livramento is “very close†after recovering from the knee ligament injury that has kept him sidelined since the end of September and is also in contention for tomorrowâ€s game. Nick Pope is “fine†after undergoing concussion protocols, while Joelinton and Sandro Tonali are also both fit to face City.

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Liverpool: Slot has been asked about Liverpoolâ€s title chances and in light of Andy Robertsonâ€s heartbreaking post-match admission that he spent the day leading up to Scotlandâ€s win over Denmark thinking about and crying over the tragic summer loss of his good pal Diogo Jota, has also addressed the subject of grief.

““Iâ€ve said many times, at this moment in time we are not thinking or talking about it,†he says of Liverpoolâ€s hopes of retaining their title. “Same last season when we were top of the league, it is just about the next game. The best way to judge a league table is after 38 games. The next best, in my opinion, is after 19 games. Letâ€s see where we are then. For now, the only focus we have is on winning games of football.â€

On Robertsonâ€s interview: ““We are always judged, sometimes fair, sometimes not fair. But I saw the interview live and I know that it is an issue for us, which is completely normal. At this moment in time, I always think how must it feel for his wife and his children?

“Because it is so, so, so much harder for them than it is for us. But that we will miss the player and the person is completely clear. Now we play Nottingham Forest, last season there we were 1-0 down and it only took him [Jota] one minute to score the equaliser. So now I am talking about the player that we miss for sure. That we also miss him as a person is also clear.â€

On grief: “It is good for us to remember him [Jota] at all times it is possible because of the person and player he was. It is impossible to measure what it does to the players and to our results. The last thing I would do is use it as an excuse. I donâ€t know. What I do know is that we miss the player, that is 100% sure, and we miss the person, but I cannot measure the impact that has on our results. That is impossible for me to say and we will never use it as an excuse.â€

Diogo Jota celebrates scoring Liverpoolâ€s equaliser against Nottingham Forest at the City Ground in January. The Liverpool forward was killed alongside his brother, Andre Silva, in a car accident in July. Photograph: Liverpool FC/Getty ImagesShare

Bradley, Wirtz and Frimpong all out for Liverpool

Liverpool: Hurzeler and Howe must be watching the cricket, because itâ€s Arne Slot who is the first managerial cab off the rank. He comes bearing mixed tidings for Liverpool fans ahead of their match against Nottingham Forest at Anfield tomorrow.

A quick summary: Alisson has fully recovered from his hamstring injury, but Conor Bradley and Jeremie Frimpong will be out for at least three weeks. Florian Wirtz is also unavailable, while Joe Gomez missed training yesterday but should be OK for today. However, Slot is reluctant to risk him for 90 minutes. “Maybe one or two players have to play in positions they normally donâ€t do,†he says.

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Premier League press conferences: I donâ€t have todayâ€s schedule to hand but itâ€s normally a toss-up between early birds Fabian Hurzeler and Eddie Howe to see who is first out of the traps. Itâ€s a state of affairs that ensures football reporters on the Brighton and Newcastle beats have to be up with the lark on Friday mornings.

Brightonâ€s form this season has been up and down like an Eiffel Tower elevator but their home form is good, so youâ€d fancy their chances this weekend against a Brentford side who arenâ€t great on the road under Keith Andrews.

If you havenâ€t been paying close attention to Newcastle, it may come as a shock for you to learn they could finish this weekend in the relegation zone if they lose at home to Manchester City and results elsewhere donâ€t go their way. Itâ€s an unlikely scenario but not one thatâ€s totally inconceivable.

The omens for the Mags arenâ€t great because Howeâ€s record against Pep Guardiola in the Premier League is little short of dismal. In 18 attempts to mastermind a league win against him as Bournemouth or Newcastle manager, heâ€s drawn twice and lost 16 times.

Eddie Howe will be hoping to mastermind his first Premier League win over Pep Guardiola this weekend at the 19th time of asking. Photograph: John Walton/PAShare

Updated at 04.12 EST

Not football: Theyâ€re still playing in the final session of the Ashes series opening day in Perth, where Englandâ€s seam bowlers have helped their team mount a stirring recovery following a depressingly chaotic and kamikaze first innings with bat in hand. The doyen of over-by-over reporting that is Rob Smyth has the latest from Western Australia, mate …

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Updated at 03.58 EST

Premier League fixtures

• Burnley v Chelsea (Sat 12.30pm GMT)

• Liverpool v Nottingham Forest (3pm)

• Bournemouth v West Ham (3pm)

• Wolves v Crystal Palace (3pm)

• Brighton v Brentford (3pm)

• Fulham v Sunderland (3pm)

• Newcastle v Man City (5.30pm)

• Leeds v Aston Villa (Sun 2pm)

• Arsenal v Tottenham Hotspur (4.30pm)

• Man United v Everton (Mon 8pm)

• View the Premier League table

Kyle Walker, Alexander Isak and Antoine Semenyo are all likely to be in action for their respective teams this weekend. Composite: Getty ImagesShare

Preamble

And just like that, a chaotic, emotionally charged and often wild international break is over. Selected highlights: Troy Parrott knocking Portugal and Hungary off their respective perches, Erling Haaland propelling Norway to the World Cup, a magnificent seven from Wales, and Scotland sealing their place in the tournament courtesy of a bonkers, late-night, six-goal Hampden Park thriller against Denmark.

After all that excitement itâ€s back to the weekly grind. The Premier League returns this weekend, kicking off its twelfth match-week with all the glorious, high-stakes drama we love. The big questions, as always: whose star players have survived the past fortnight unscathed.

Weâ€re here to filter through the noise so you donâ€t have to. The Guardianâ€s Friday Football blog is open for business, bringing you all the pithiest quotes, rambling monologues and pertinent team news from todayâ€s pre-match press conferences. Weâ€ll be flagging up every significant injury scare, tactical hint, and managerial mood swing ahead of kick-off tomorrow.

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Chelsea’s Cole Palmer will be absent for another week after he fractured his toe when he stubbed it on a door during the night.

The England forward was set to resume first-team training this week after two months out with a groin injury.

But the 23-year-old will remain out slightly longer having injured the small toe on his favoured left foot on Wednesday.

He will miss the Blues’ next three fixtures – Saturday’s Premier League game at Burnley, Tuesday’s Champions League fixture against Barcelona and next weekend’s match at home to Arsenal.

“He is probably not available for Saturday for sure, Barcelona for sure or Arsenal for sure,” said Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca.

“Unfortunately, he had an accident at home where he hit his toe. It is nothing important, but he won’t be back in the next week.

“I wake up many times during the night – I hit my head, my legs, my everything – so it can happen.”

Palmer’s most recent appearance was during Chelsea’s 2-1 defeat at Manchester United on 20 September.

The Blues have played 11 games in all competitions since then – winning eight and losing two – and sit third in the Premier League table.

“I think that his team-mates are better players with Cole playing,” added Maresca. “I feel much better when Cole is on the pitch, and we all want Cole on the pitch.

“At the same time, when Cole is not on the pitch, we need to find a solution. The team is doing very well but we are better with Cole. He was almost back with us.”

Enzo Fernandez, Pedro Neto and Benoit Badiashile are all available for the trip to Turf Moor.

Chelsea have Raheem Sterling and Axel Disasi in their so-called ‘bomb squad’ and Maresca confirmed nothing has changed with the pair, despite the defender’s involvement with the Under-21s and first-team training during the international break.

“Axel and Raheem are Chelsea players,” he said. “Axel is helping the second team, he’s helping the younger players.

“During the international break we had just five, six players here, so we needed some second-team players. Axel was part of some sessions with second-team players, but I think it was just one session with us.”

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If England are to finally end what will be 60 years of hurt next summer and win their second World Cup title, they will likely need an X-factor in North America.

Players who can up their game and make a difference on the biggest stage are few and far between, but in Cole Palmer, Three Lions boss Thomas Tuchel may just have one of those in his ranks.

An equalising goal three minutes after coming on in the Euro 2024 final suggests that Palmer has that big-game temperament and former England striker Teddy Sheringham is one of the 23-year-old chief cheerleaders, even suggesting that Palmer reminds him of one of his most iconic former team-mates.

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Teddy Sheringham on what Cole Palmer can bring to England

Teddy Sheringham celebrates after scoring for England against the Netherlands at Euro 96 (Image credit: Alamy)

“I love watching Palmer play,” former Spurs and Manchester United frontman Sheringham tells FourFourTwo. “He’s a smooth footballer that plays at his own pace and always has time on the ball. Saying that, is he a guaranteed starter? It’s not just about having the best players out there, it’s about a team that works together.

“We have a lot of others in those attacking midfield positions – Jude Bellingham, Ebere Eze, Phil Foden and Bukayo Saka. Harry Kane is the main striker, so it may come down to who supports him best.”

Cole Palmer reporting for England duty in 2024 (Image credit: Getty Images)

Injuries have meant that Palmer has played just once under Tuchel for England so far and Sheringham believes the Chelsea man can be a key player for the German when he returns to fitness.

“I don’t think we’ve really solved our attacking problems yet, at the last Euros or since Tuchel came in, and Palmer could well be the player to do that,” Sheringham adds. “I think he deserves a run in the side so that we can find out. Palmer does it in the big games. You have to factor that in when you’re a manager approaching a World Cup – it doesn’t get any bigger than that.

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“What’s more, he can be relied upon to score a penalty. Once you get to the tighter games in the knockout rounds, you’re going to be looking at potential shootouts – we’ve been through so many over the past 30 years. Having lads who are confident is invaluable.”

At the very least, Palmer’s carefree personality could prove a boon in the pressure cooker of a World Cup camp, much like another former England star.

“He’s a bit like Paul Gascoigne in that regard,” Sheringham continues. “Gazza had a way of just enjoying himself around the place, which is important when you’re away in that environment for up to six weeks.

Palmer reminds Sheringham of his former team-mate Paul Gascoigne (Image credit: Alamy)

“That relaxes others. Gazza was always mucking around and being the life and soul of the place but, when the football came around, he switched. He used to say, ‘Give the ball to me, lads’, no matter who he was up against.

“You can imagine Palmer saying that to his team-mates – ‘I don’t care who we’re facing, just give me the ball’. That’s the type of person and the type of player you want around the camp.”

Teddy Sheringham was speaking in association with Coin Poker

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When Chelsea shelled out £40 million to sign Cole Palmer from Manchester City at the start of the 2023/24 season, not everyone was convinced by the move.

Some baulked at the price tag for such a young player who had shown promise at City, but not been able to nail down a regular starting place, while others believed it was a risk worth taking.

Former Chelsea defender Tony Dorigo places himself in the latter camp and with Palmer netting 45 goals in his 101 appearances for the Blues so far, he can consider himself vindicated.

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Tony Dorigo on Cole Palmer’s throwback style

Tony Dorigo in action for England against Brazil in 1993 (Image credit: Getty Images)

“You looked at the players that had come out in City’s academy in the past – even those that had made their names elsewhere – and Palmer felt like a decent gamble,” former England left-back Tony Dorigo tells FourFourTwo. “Clearly, that’s why Chelsea bought him. Many people saw Palmer as a young player that could be introduced slowly, though.”

Palmer made a relatively slow start following his move to Stamford Bridge at the end of the summer 2023 window, with his first three Premier League appearances for the Blues coming from the bench, as the team picked up just one point without scoring a single goal.

Palmer joined from Manchester City in 2023 (Image credit: Getty Images)

“Not a dream introduction,” Dorigo admits. “Nobody could have foreseen the impact he was about to have.”

It wouldn’t take long for Palmer to establish himself, with the arrival of Enzo Maresca in 2024 – one of his former Manchester City coaches – helping him hit new heights. Part of Palmer’s success comes from his individuality on the pitch, Dorigo believes, with the 23-year-old something of a throwback.

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“In the ’80s and ’90s you could really be yourself,” Dorigo, who played for the Blues between 1987 and 1991, adds. “You could say or be whatever you wanted, without fear of backlash. Now you can’t.

“These kids get coached within an inch of their lives. Personally, I think he’s really refreshing. He reminds me a bit of my old Leeds team-mate David Batty, because Batts couldn’t give a hoot about what anybody else thought of him. I hope Cole never loses that, because it’s a bit of magic.”

By mid-January last season, Palmer had registered 20 goal involvements in 21 Premier League games, incredibly finding the net four times during the first half at home to Brighton. “Again, he’s a hark back to the good old days, where you’d have a creator-in-chief who was at the centre of everything,” reflects Dorigo.

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Palmer in action for England (Image credit: Getty Images)

“That old-school No.10, the player that everyone looks for, is a dying breed in the modern game, but Palmer is that player for Chelsea.”

However, Palmer’s form suffered a dip in the second half of last season, with some suggesting opposition sides had begun to figure out his game. “People are so quick to jump on stats or a few lacklustre displays and make a meal of it these days,” dismisses Dorigo.

“We’re talking about a player who’s still just 23. He’s a victim of his own success in a way, because people expect him to be brilliant all the time now.”

Tony Dorigo was talking on behalf of Best Betting Sites

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