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• Oliver Glasner anticipates ‘something special’ as Crystal Palace dominates Fiorentina 3-0 in Conference League tie

  Crystal Palace moved a massive step closer to a continental semi-final with a commanding 3-0 victory over Italian side Fiorentina, marking a dream start to their first-ever European quarter-final. ​Oliver Glasner hailed a “special atmosphere” at Selhurst Park as the Eagles dismantled the Viola in the Conference League first leg. Goals from a returning Jean-Philippe Mateta, Tyrick Mitchell, and a late Ismaila Sarr header provided a perfect cushion for the trip to Florence. Glasner noted the shift in energy, stating, “Today I could feel that there was something special, and I think it was a special atmosphere and a special performance.” ​The victory was anchored by Mateta’s first-half penalty and a clinical defensive display that frustrated the visitors. Despite January tensions regarding his fitness and transfer rumors, Mateta left the pitch to a standing ovation. Looking ahead to the domestic clash with Newcastle, Glasner admitted, “I think he will need to rest,” as the club balances their historic European journey with Premier League duties.

• Luciano Spalletti set to sign Juventus contract extension ahead of Atalanta clash

  Juventus Head Coach Luciano Spalletti is expected to sign a contract extension through 2028, potentially finalizing the deal before this weekend’s crucial Serie A trip to Bergamo.

  ​Luciano Spalletti is reportedly on the verge of committing his future to Juventus with a new long-term deal.

  According to La Gazzetta dello Sport, terms are largely settled for an extension that would keep the veteran manager in Turin until 2028.

  The agreement is expected to see Spalletti earn upwards of €6 million per season, placing him among the highest-paid tacticians in the Italian top flight.

  ​While Sporting Director Marco Ottolini previously suggested there was “no rush” to finalize the paperwork, reports indicate an announcement could arrive before Saturday’s match against Atalanta.

  The club’s hierarchy, including Giorgio Chiellini and Damien Comolli, has consistently backed Spalletti to lead the project.

  Talks are described as being at an “advanced stage” as Juventus focuses on a strong finish to the season.

• Italy fans turn on Federico Chiesa after winger is passed fit for Liverpool

  Liverpool winger Federico Chiesa has sparked outrage among Italian supporters after being declared fit for his club’s FA Cup tie against Manchester City, despite pulling out of Italy’s unsuccessful World Cup play-off just two weeks ago.

  ​Federico Chiesa is facing intense criticism in Italy after Liverpool manager Arne Slot confirmed the winger is available for today’s clash with Manchester City.

  The 28-year-old withdrew from the Azzurri squad before their devastating play-off defeat to Bosnia and Herzegovina, citing fitness concerns.

  However, his immediate return to club action has led fans to question his commitment to the national team.

  ​The controversy deepened following comments from former Italy boss Gennaro Gattuso, who resigned after the qualifying failure.

  Gattuso noted that while Chiesa was not fully fit, the player “once again didn’t feel ready to play for the national team.”

  This marks a difficult period for the former Juventus star, who has not featured for his country since the 2024 European Championships.

• How much does representing England actually pay?

  The prestige of pulling on the white shirt of England is a dream nurtured in the muddy parks of Sunday league and the high-pressure environments of elite academies.

  For the 35 men recently selected by Thomas Tuchel for the March international break, that dream is a reality.

  However, in an era where the Premier League is awash with television gold and astronomical transfer fees, the question of what players actually “earn” for their country remains a fascinating, often misunderstood topic.

  ​The Charity Tradition

  ​Representing England is, financially speaking, a world away from the weekly grind of club football. While Thomas Tuchel himself reportedly earns a cool £5 million per year to navigate the tactical nuances of international football, his players operate under a different fiscal code.

  ​The financial side of representing the Three Lions is somewhat shrouded in secrecy, but historical data and insights from former players provide a clear picture.

  Former Manchester United and England goalkeeper Ben Foster recently pulled back the curtain on his podcast, The Fozcast.

  ​Foster, who earned eight caps and traveled to the 2014 World Cup, explained that while match fees exist, they aren’t exactly “life-changing” for players already earning millions.

  “The way England works is you get a match fee for playing the game – it’s nothing major in broader football terms,” Foster revealed. “You might be talking £2,000 per game or something.”

  ​However, the defining characteristic of the England squad is what they do with that money. For decades, the squad has collectively agreed to donate these match fees to the England Footballers Foundation, supporting various charities.

  While it is occasionally debated whether every modern iteration of the squad maintains this 100% donation rate, the precedent remains a core pillar of the team’s identity.

  ​The Commercial Pot

  ​If the match fees are donated, how do players see any financial return for the weeks spent in international camps? The answer lies in commercial rights. England is a massive global brand, and the players are its faces.

  ​“Every single player’s match fee has always been signed off to charity,” Foster added. “What you do get is a percentage of the sponsorship.

  Every company that sponsors an international team, everybody that sponsors England – whether it’s McDonald’s, Carlsberg or Heineken – all of that goes into a big pot.”

  ​This pot is then distributed among the squad on a pro rata basis. It’s a system that ensures that while the direct “pay-per-game” goes to good causes, the players are fairly compensated for the use of their image and the commercial value they bring to the FA.

  ​The Club Context: The 2026 Earnings Hierarchy

  ​To understand why a £2,000 match fee is viewed as nominal, one only needs to look at the club salaries of Tuchel’s current 35-man squad.

  The gap between the top earners and the emerging youngsters is vast, reflecting the diverse stages of their careers.

  ​At the top of the mountain sits the captain. Harry Kane’s move to Bayern Munich didn’t just bring goals; it brought a staggering weekly wage of £414,509. Close behind is Real Madrid’s Jude Bellingham, who commands £345,369 per week.

  ​The rest of the squad follows a hierarchy of Premier League dominance:

  ​John Stones & Marc Guehi: £250,000

  ​Declan Rice: £240,000

  ​Marcus Rashford: £232,125

  ​Phil Foden: £225,000

  ​Bukayo Saka: £195,000

  ​Harry Maguire: £190,000

  ​Eberechi Eze: £175,000

  ​Pickford, Madueke, Gordon, & Bowen: £150,000

  ​Dominic Solanke: £140,000

  ​Cole Palmer: £130,000

  ​Aaron Ramsdale: £120,000

  ​Henderson & Calvert-Lewin: £100,000

  ​James Garner: £80,000

  ​Trafford, Konsa, Rogers, & Jordan Henderson: £75,000

  ​Fikayo Tomori: £74,731

  ​Dan Burn: £70,000

  ​Jarrell Quansah: £62,508

  ​Tino Livramento: £50,000

  ​Lewis Hall: £45,000

  ​Spence & Anderson: £40,000

  ​Adam Wharton: £35,000

  ​Nico O’Reilly: £30,000

  ​Kobbie Mainoo: £25,000

  ​Jason Steele: £20,000

  ​While England fans obsess over these figures, fans across the English Channel have been watching a different financial experiment.

  ​Ultimately, for the 35 men in Tuchel’s squad, the money is a byproduct of their talent at the club level. When they step out at Wembley, the £2,000 fee is a footnote—the real value is in the legacy they leave behind.

• Gennaro Gattuso drops five stars in Italy squad to face Northern Ireland in WC playoff

  Gennaro Gattuso has finalized his matchday squad for tonight’s World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland, notably omitting Juventus defender Andrea Cambiaso and the injured Gianluca Scamacca.

  ​Italy manager Gennaro Gattuso has dropped five players ahead of tonight’s high-stakes World Cup play-off semifinal against Northern Ireland.

  Atalanta striker Gianluca Scamacca misses out due to injury, while Juventus’ Andrea Cambiaso is a surprise tactical omission.

  Also cut from the final list are goalkeeper Elia Caprile, defender Diego Coppola, and winger Nicolò Cambiaghi, as the Azzurri fight to secure their place in the 2026 tournament.

  ​The squad features a first senior call-up for 21-year-old Marco Palestra, who provides cover on the right flank in Cambiaso’s absence.

  Following Federico Chiesa’s earlier withdrawal, the pressure shifts to the remaining attackers, including Retegui and Kean.

  Notably, the final selection contains zero AC Milan players, a point of contention among fans as Italy enters this critical knockout stage under Gattuso’s leadership at the Coverciano training base.