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Saturday, April 25, 2026
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Robert Lewandowski’s move to Chicago Fire has stalled after the MLS side reportedly shifted their priorities, according to World Soccer Talk citing The Athletic. The 37‑year‑old’s Barcelona contract expires in June, but Chicago “cooled” their pursuit despite earlier interest. “Club’s priorities have shifted at least for the moment,” MLS insider Tom Bogert wrote. Lewandowski now appears more likely to join Juventus or AC Milan, with Barcelona offering only a reduced‑role extension
Manchester City are reportedly confident of signing Nottingham Forest midfielder Elliot Anderson this summer, dealing a major blow to Manchester United, who regard the 23-year-old as their ideal midfield target. Sky Sports reports City are now in ‘pole position’ for the England international. Anderson is expected to leave the City Ground regardless of Forest’s relegation fate. City are prepared to pay up to £100 million for the former Newcastle man, who has established himself as one of the Premier League’s finest young midfielders.
Paris Saint-Germain have joined Manchester United, Arsenal and Chelsea as the most genuine suitors for Aston Villa’s Morgan Rogers, with sources indicating the 23-year-old England international is open to a move abroad and holds admiration for PSG coach Luis Enrique. Aston Villa could be willing to sell for anything north of £80 million, with some reports suggesting the fee could approach £100 million, potentially triggering one of the summer’s biggest transfer bidding wars.
19-Apr-2026
“It was a good advert for the Premier League.
“They don’t allow you to go through the process, they’re so aggressive. They are good in the duels and one of the most competitive teams I ever faced in my career in terms of duels and one against one, long balls with Havertz and Rice, second balls – fantastic.
“We had momentum, they had momentum, we had chances, they had chances. At the end in these type of games, it is little margins.”
On quality of the game: “Absolutely, both teams are good – really top managers! And really top players for both sides.
“I’ve been so demanding but the reality is, it’s just one game. They are top of the league with one goal difference [better than City].
“We have to enjoy it, celebrate it, take the good things but don’t lose the focus. The focus is in three days, we go to Burnley.”
On Arsenal adjustments from cup final: “Maybe they played more direct than at Wembley.”
Ball sticks more with Havertz up front? “Yeah but Gyokeres is also strong and, especially the second balls, they are so good. It’s good delivery from Raya.
“But we know the speed that they have and the set pieces. When we concede a lot of corners, free-kicks and they are top. They had four or five strikers and Gabriel at the end, and good delivery as well.
“Sometimes it is difficult to control because we are tired. At the end I’m happy because we can extend the hope and, maybe until the end, we will try.”
The Man City bottle guy sticking it to Arsenal again after 1-2 loss to Citypic.twitter.com/lTYGDyO7oh
— Rifnote Sports (@Rifnotefootball) April 19, 2026
He first did it when City thrashed Chelsea last weekend at Stamford Bridge:
A message to Bottlers FC from a Man City fan 😂😂
This Man City Fan brought an Arsenal bottle to the stadium to remind Arsenal they are bottlers 😭, this is elite BANTER! pic.twitter.com/WbdwNxc722— V.I.C👨💻 (@VIC_kutz) April 12, 2026
Premier League odds on MARCH 19th:
📈91% Arsenal
📉9% Man CityPremier League odds on APRIL 19th:
📈56% Man City
📉44% Arsenal pic.twitter.com/0agd0zlVzd— Polymarket Sports (@PolymarketSport) April 19, 2026
18-Apr-2026
Manchester United bolstered their Champions League qualification hopes with a 1-0 victory over a struggling Chelsea side that has now failed to score in four consecutive Premier League defeats.
Manchester United secured a pivotal 1-0 win at Stamford Bridge, moving closer to a Champions League return thanks to a clinical first-half strike from Matheus Cunha. The goal was engineered by captain Bruno Fernandes, whose cut-back provided his 18th league assist of the season leaving him just two shy of the all-time Premier League record. United manager Michael Carrick guided his side to victory despite a defensive injury crisis that forced him to utilize a makeshift center-back pairing of 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and Noussair Mazraoui, a performance described as possessing “all the togetherness, solidity and determination needed in a run-in.”
In contrast, Chelsea’s season continued its downward spiral as they suffered a fourth consecutive Premier League defeat for only the second time this century. Despite dominating possession and hitting the woodwork three times through Estevao, Liam Delap, and Wesley Fofana, the Blues have now gone nearly six and a half hours without scoring a goal. The frustration of the home support was palpable, as fans broke into chants of “we want our Chelsea back” and booed former United winger Alejandro Garnacho on his first appearance against his old club since his £40m move.
The defeat further intensifies the pressure on Chelsea’s ownership and manager Liam Rosenior, as the club’s once-potent attack has completely stalled at a critical juncture. The squad’s struggles were compounded by injuries to Joao Pedro and Estevao, while high-profile players like Cole Palmer and Pedro Neto extended their own goal droughts. As the team was booed off at the final whistle, the outlook remains bleak for the Premier League’s youngest squad, with analysts noting that “what was once Chelsea’s main strength – scoring goals – has become their biggest weakness at the most critical stage of the season.”
Brentford’s hopes of European qualification suffered a setback after a goalless draw with Fulham extended their winless run.
Brentford were held to a 0-0 draw by Fulham at the Gtech Community Stadium, missing the chance to climb into sixth place in the Premier League. The stalemate marked Brentford’s fifth consecutive draw, leaving them seventh with 48 points, while Fulham remain 12th after a match lacking clear-cut opportunities.
Brentford created the better chances, with Igor Thiago heading wide early and Keane Lewis-Potter firing over before half-time. Fulham, despite enjoying more possession, failed to register a shot on target, with Bernd Leno producing key saves to preserve the draw.
Late efforts from Dango Ouattara and Mathias Jensen failed to break the deadlock as Brentford’s frustration grew. The result dents their push for European qualification, while Fulham leave with a hard-earned point after a disciplined defensive display.
Here is the current ranking of the highest-paid football (soccer) coaches in the world in 2026, based on estimated annual base salaries:
1- Diego Simeone – Atletico Madrid – $35 million
2- Simone Inzaghi – Al Hilal – $34.3 million
3- Pep Guardiola – Manchester City – $28 million
4- Mikel Arteta – Arsenal – $21.1 million
5- David Moyes – Everton – $16.9 million
6- Jorge Jesus – Al Nassr – $14.1 million
7- Luis Enrique – PSG – $13 million
8- Matthias Jaissle – Al Ahli – $13 million
9- Carlo Ancelotti – Brazil – $11.3 million
10- Unai Emery – Aston Villa – $11.2 million
The Spanish FA and La Liga will introduce referee-mounted cameras and microphones at this weekend’s Copa del Rey final, with the ‘RefCam’ system expanding to selected La Liga matches including the May 10 Clásico between Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The Spanish FA and La Liga will introduce referee-mounted cameras to Spanish football for the first time at this weekend’s Copa del Rey final between Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad at La Cartuja Stadium.
The final will serve as the launch point for ‘RefCam’, a system that provides live video and audio from the referee’s perspective. Referee Javier Alberola Rojas will wear a headset-mounted camera and microphone, with the feed integrated into the host broadcast produced by RTVE.
Under the agreement, the technology will be introduced into selected La Liga fixtures from April 22 onwards, initially at one match per round. High-profile games earmarked for inclusion include fixtures involving FC Barcelona, Real Madrid and Valencia CF, including an upcoming Clásico on May 10. The system captures both live match footage and referee audio, creating new material for highlights and analysis.