Trending: Premier League's 'big six' trying to claim bigger TV cash share
Wednesday's UCL action wrapped up with Man United, PSG, and Chelsea all having earned crucial wins in their respective groups.
Atletico Madrid rarely concede at home, which makes Chelsea's 2-1 away win all the more impressive to the FC crew
ESPN FC's Steve Nicol believes Man United deserve credit for not taking their opposition lightly so far in Group A.
ESPN FC's Julien Laurens believes PSG's victory over Bayern shows they are serious UCL contenders.
Thursday's latest stories from the world of football in ESPN FC's What's Trending ...
PREMIER LEAGUE: The Premier League's six biggest clubs are trying to get a bigger share of television revenue, but the move is being blocked by the majority of the division's remaining 14 clubs, according to widespread reports in British newspapers.
MAN UNITED: Striker Romelu Lukaku continued his remarkable scoring run with two goals as Manchester United swept aside CSKA Moscow 4-1 in Russia.
Ilkay Gundogan has warned champions Chelsea that Manchester City are ready for them this weekend.
City have made a superb start to the season and head to Stamford Bridge on Saturday on the back of emphatic wins over Liverpool (5-0), Watford (6-0) and Crystal Palace (5-0).
Those results have taken City to the top of the Premier League -- albeit only on goal difference from Manchester United -- and confidence is high.
Midfielder Gundogan, 26, said: "It's a huge game and it's away, so it's even more...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3215226/ilkay-gundogan-manchester-city-have-something-to-prove-vs-chelsea
Ederson the key to Man City's form?
With a slew of outstanding results of late, Ale Moreno dismisses the idea that Ederson is the catalyst for City's success.
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3214752/ederson-the-key-to-man-citys-form
Wenger risks stunting Nelson's growth by playing him at wing-back
The ESPN FC crew answer your tweets on Arsenal and their preference in midfield between Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.
Stewart Robson and the FC crew discuss Alexis Sanchez's role in the Arsenal squad and why he must be in the XI at Chelsea.
Don Hutchison and Alison Bender delve into the differing coaching styles ahead of Chelsea's clash with Arsenal.
Steve Nicol and Shaka Hislop question how much Arsenal's win over Cologne will help them heading into their clash against Chelsea.
Arsene Wenger praised Arsenal's second-half performance and spoke about the delay caused by travelling Cologne fans.
The beneficiary of Arsene Wenger's greatest act of positional alchemy was unimpressed with the manager's most recent.
"It was a shame not to see him start in his best position," Thierry Henry wrote in The Sun. "He is a No. 10 or a winger and he played as a wing-back."
The "him" in question was 17-year-old Reiss Nelson, and an unpromising experiment may well continue on Thursday night when Arsenal travel to BATE Borisov in the Europa League.
Henry was referring to Nelson's full debut for Arsenal...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/arsenal/359/blog/post/3214682/wenger-risks-stunting-nelsons-growth-by-playing-him-at-wing-back
Rooney, Sigurdsson and Klaassen conundrum for Koeman and Everton
Ronald Koeman hailed Everton's resolve following their comeback against Bournemouth.
Still nursing the one-sided 3-0 defeat to Atalanta in the opening round of group stage fixtures, Everton resume their Europa League campaign needing to bounce back with three points at home to Apollon Limassol on Thursday. Back-to-back wins against Sunderland and Bournemouth should boost confidence with this the third of four successive home games in all competitions.
Yet the need for an effective setup and players in positions suited to them remain high on the priority list. The toughest decisions...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/club/everton/368/blog/post/3214661/rooney-sigurdsson-and-klaassen-conundrum-for-koeman-and-everton
Brighton striker Tomer Hemed banned for stamp on DeAndre Yedlin
Brighton's Tomer Hemed stamped on Newcastle's DeAndre Yedlin, but the incident went unnoticed by the referee.
Chris Hughton reiterates the importance of Brighton making the Amex a tough environment after their 1-0 win over Newcastle.
Brighton striker Tomer Hemed has been banned for three matches after being found guilty of violent conduct in Sunday's home win over Newcastle.
Hemed, who scored the winner in a 1-0 Brighton victory, will serve a three-match ban after a retrospective violent conduct charge by the Football Association was found proven.
The Israel international was involved in a coming together with Newcastle's United States defender DeAndre Yedlin after 88 minutes, appearing to stamp on his leg.
The FA charged him...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/brighton-and-hove-albion/story/3214657/brighton-striker-tomer-hemed-banned-for-stamp-on-deandre-yedlin
Am I Wrong? Aguero is better than Kane
Layla Anna-Lee believes Manchester City's Sergio Aguero is a better striker than Spurs' Harry Kane. Is she wrong?
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3214607/am-i-wrong-aguero-is-better-than-kane
Man United face competition to sign Sarpsborg midfielder Krepin Diatta
Jose Mourinho insists his team will still have plenty of midfield quality for their Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow.
As Manchester United fans revel in the rumours surrounding Antoine Griezmann, Steve Nicol argues those stories could unsettle the players.
Manchester United face competition from Europe's biggest clubs for highly-rated midfielder Krepin Diatta, according to Sarpsborg 08.
Sources have told ESPN FC that United sent scouts to watch the 18-year-old in action for Sarpsborg against Odd in Norway on Monday night.
But Sarpsborg sporting director Thomas Berntsen insists Jose Mourinho's team were not the only European heavyweights represented at Sarpsborg Stadion this week.
"What I can say is that there are many clubs watching Diatta," Berntsen...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/story/3214592/man-united-face-competition-to-sign-sarpsborg-midfielder-krepin-diatta
Don't laugh at Harry Kane for wanting to match Lionel Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo
After a standout UCL performance, the FC panel look at if Harry Kane is worthy of an elite club, or if he still needs to grow.
Harry Kane has declared that he wants to emulate Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, and if you think that's funny, you might want to pause for thought. The Tottenham striker is scoring goals at an astonishing rate. Three more against Apoel Nicosia on Tuesday night brought his season's tally to 11 for club and country. Not bad, especially when you consider that he didn't score once in August.
The man derided as a one season wonder after hitting 21 league goals in the 2014-15 campaign has since added...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/blog/post/3214584/dont-laugh-at-harry-kane-for-wanting-to-match-lionel-messi-cristiano-ronaldo
Pochettino's 'Little Iniesta' Winks stakes a claim in Tottenham midfield
The ESPN FC crew discuss Harry Kane following his hat trick heroics in the Champions League.
Earlier this month, there were concerns about Harry Winks, who was still feeling pain in his ankle five months after his ligament injury at Burnley.
But he was finally able to complete 90 minutes for the first time against Barnsley last week and in Cyprus on Tuesday, it was as if the lay-off had never happened.
He delivered the kind of energetic, positive performance that had been his hallmark in a breakthrough season before he was taken off on a stretcher in agony at Turf Moor on April 1.
APOEL...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/club/tottenham-hotspur/367/blog/post/3214553/pochettino-little-iniesta-winks-stakes-a-claim-in-tottenham-midfield
Manchester United's Marcus Rashford will 'go right to the top' - Ryan Giggs
Paul Mariner and Alexis Nunes debate the future of Marcus Rashford as the United starlet continues to impress.
As Manchester United fans revel in the rumours surrounding Antoine Griezmann, Steve Nicol argues those stories could unsettle the players.
Jose Mourinho insists his team will still have plenty of midfield quality for their Champions League clash against CSKA Moscow.
With a number of injuries in the midfield, Craig Burley examines how Man United might cope when they visit CSKA Moscow.
Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford is destined to become one of the best players in the world, according to club legend Ryan Giggs.
Former United player Giggs was assistant manager to Louis van Gaal when Rashford broke into the first team in February 2016.
Still only 19-years-old, England international Rashford has scored 24 goals in 80 games for United, collecting winners' medals in the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League in the process.
Giggs knows better than most what it is like to come...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-united/story/3214541/manchester-uniteds-marcus-rashford-will-go-right-to-the-top-ryan-giggs
West Ham and Spurs charged by FA over melee in London Stadium derby
Stewart Robson breaks down Tottenham's win over West Ham. The Football Association has charged West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur with failing to control their players during Saturday's Premier League match at the London Stadium.
Spurs won 3-2, having led by three goals at one stage, but finished a feisty London derby with 10 men after Serge Aurier picked up two second-half bookings for fouls on the home side's Andy Carroll.
And with West Ham pushing for an equaliser in injury time, defender Winston Reid clashed with Fernando Llorente, sparking a melee...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/story/3214529/west-ham-and-spurs-charged-by-fa-over-melee-in-london-stadium-derby
Ederson key as Man City 'win ugly' for the first time vs. Shakhtar
With a slew of outstanding results of late, Ale Moreno dismisses the idea that Ederson is the catalyst for City's success.
Kevin De Bruyne and Fabian Delph talk after their nervy 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk.
Despite Manchester City's huge wins in recent weeks, where Pep Guardiola's team managed 22 goals in five games with only one in reply -- and that was against the second-string side -- questions have still been asked about their defensive quality.
Somehow, quite ridiculously, many have witnessed the club's free-flowing attacking displays and concluded they've still looked a little shaky at the back, even as opponents have been blown away and the clean sheets have been stacking up.
With the 2-0 victory...
Source: http://www.espnfc.com/club/manchester-city/382/blog/post/3214527/ederson-key-as-man-city-win-ugly-for-the-first-time-vs-shakhtar
Man City's Benjamin Mendy out 'longer than we expected' - Pep Guardiola
Steve Nicol assesses how Man City should proceed if Benjamin Mendy misses an extended period of time with a knee injury.
MANCHESTER -- Pep Guardiola fears Benjamin Mendy's knee injury looks more serious than expected and hinted Manchester City may consider signing a new left-back in the January transfer window.
The French defender, who was at the Etihad Stadium for the 2-0 win over Shakhtar Donetsk, will fly to Barcelona later this week for more tests on his knee.
Mendy is the only out-and-out left back at the club and if he is ruled out for a significant amount of time, Guardiola insists he does have options for...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/manchester-city/story/3214322/man-citys-benjamin-mendy-out-longer-than-we-expected-pep-guardiola
Diego Costa officially completes move to Atletico Madrid from Chelsea
Diego Costa speaks of his eagerness to return to Atletico, but remains grateful to Chelsea. Diego Costa has officially completed his move from Chelsea to Atletico Madrid, the clubs announced on Tuesday evening.
After Costa fell out of favour at Stamford Bridge last season, a deal was agreed last week to allow Costa to return his former club.
And Costa has now agreed personal terms with Atletico and can join training before he's registered to play at the opening of the next transfer window on Jan. 1.
"I am very happy to be returning home," Costa told Atletico's website. "I have always said...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/story/3213952/diego-costa-officially-completes-move-to-atletico-madrid-from-chelsea
How will Man City cope without Mendy?
Steve Nicol assesses how Man City should proceed if Benjamin Mendy misses an extended period of time with a knee injury.
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3213771/how-will-man-city-cope-without-mendy
Nicol: Griezmann stories could unsettle United
As Manchester United fans revel in the rumours surrounding Antoine Griezmann, Steve Nicol argues those stories could unsettle the players.
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/video/3213768/nicol-griezmann-stories-could-unsettle-united
Sead Kolasinac and Petr Cech behind Arsenal's defensive revival
The ESPN FC crew answer your tweets on Arsenal and their preference in midfield between Kevin De Bruyne and David Silva.
So much for Arsenal's defensive crisis. Monday's 2-0 win over West Brom was the Gunners' third straight clean sheet in the Premier League since they shipped four goals at Liverpool and everyone was calling on Arsene Wenger to scrap his back-three experiment.
Wenger himself even seemed to entertain that notion, with Arsenal having conceded eight times in the opening three matches of the season. But he resisted any urge to switch formations and since then they've allowed just one goal in five games...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/club/arsenal/359/blog/post/3213704/sead-kolasinac-and-petr-cech-behind-arsenals-defensive-revival
Watford's Nathaniel Chalobah to have knee surgery after training injury
Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah insists it was the right decision to leave Chelsea.
Watford midfielder Nathaniel Chalobah will undergo surgery on a knee injury he suffered in training last week, the club have confirmed.
Chalobah completed a £5.5 million move from Chelsea in the summer and impressed in the opening matches of the new Premier League season.
However, Watford performance director Gavin Benjafield confirmed that the 22-year-old, called up to the senior England squad for the most recent World Cup qualifiers, now faced a spell on the sidelines.
"Whilst we can't put...
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/watford/story/3213735/watfords-nathaniel-chalobah-to-have-knee-surgery-after-training-injury
Source:
http://www.espnfc.com/english-premier-league/23/index