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  Strasbourg fans are growing increasingly frustrated with the club’s multi-club ownership structure with Chelsea, particularly following Liam Rosenior’s move to Stamford Bridge. The situation highlights the potential downsides of MCOs, where clubs can feel like ‘feeder’ teams for larger entities.
  

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• Can Antoine Semenyo play for Man City in Carabao Cup semi-final? Rules explained

  Manchester City’s new signing, Antoine Semenyo, is eligible to play in the Carabao Cup semi-final against Newcastle United thanks to a recent rule change allowing players to represent two clubs in the same competition during a single season. He previously featured for Bournemouth in the earlier rounds but won’t be cup-tied.

  Yes, Antoine Semenyo is eligible to play for Manchester City in the Carabao Cup semi-final first leg against Newcastle United on Tuesday, January 13. Despite playing for Bournemouth earlier in this season’s competition, he is not “cup-tied” due to a recent rule change.

  Rule change: A new EFL rule (Rule 6.4) introduced for the 2025/26 season allows a player to represent up to two clubs in the competition in a single season, removing the traditional “cup-tied” restriction.

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• Man City Player Ratings vs Brighton: Foden and Reijnders 5/10s struggle in Brighton draw

  Manchester City dropped points for the third consecutive game, drawing 1-1 with Brighton.

  Despite an early lead through an Erling Haaland penalty, a weary City side, missing nine key players, were forced to settle for a point after Kaoru Mitoma’s equalizer, leaving Pep Guardiola’s men five points adrift of league leaders Arsenal.

  Man City Player Ratings vs Brighton

  Donnarumma: The goalkeeper endured some frantic moments between the posts, but he stepped up with several vital interventions when his backline left him unprotected. Despite the chaos in front of him, he held firm. 6

  Nunes: After a decent start, the defender seemed to run out of steam as the match progressed into the second half. A lapse in concentration proved costly when he allowed the ball to sail over him, gifting Mitoma the chance to level. 6

  Khusanov: While his approach to sliding challenges can be somewhat predictable, his recovery speed was essential in neutralizing the threat posed by the Brighton attackers throughout the evening. 7

  Alleyne: In a composed first-team introduction, the debutant looked remarkably at ease alongside his more experienced peers. He showed great maturity in his distribution and looked comfortable driving forward from the back. 7

  Ake: The opposition frequently attempted to exploit his lack of top-end speed, occasionally finding success on the flanks. However, for the most part, he managed to hold his ground without facing overwhelming pressure. 6

  Gonzalez: Returning to the lineup following a layoff, he lacked his usual sharpness and physical intensity. It was clear he was tiring long before the bench finally decided to swap him for Rodri. 6

  Silva: A frustrating night for the midfielder, highlighted by a massive second-half miss that likely would have killed the game. Aside from that wasted opportunity, he failed to provide his typical creative spark. 6

  Foden: The playmaker appeared physically exhausted, with his execution failing to match his vision. He struggled to impact the flow of the game as his tired legs hampered his overall performance. 5

  Reijnders: He found it difficult to leave his mark on the proceedings, often struggling to retain possession or progress the ball effectively against a disciplined Brighton setup. 5

  Doku: Standing out as the most energetic member of the front line, he provided much-needed pace. While he could have been more clinical with his final ball, his directness earned the penalty for City’s only goal. 7

  Haaland: The striker was clinical from the penalty spot and held his own in several bruising physical encounters, though he will be disappointed not to have converted a late chance that could have secured the win. 6

• Mohamed Salah’s AFCON form gives Liverpool hope

  Mohamed Salah’s stunning 30-yard winner against Benin has sent Egypt to the AFCON quarterfinals and signaled a return to form that provides a major boost for both his national team and Liverpool.

  Mohamed Salah has propelled Egypt into the Africa Cup of Nations quarterfinals after scoring a decisive goal in their round-of-16 victory over Benin.

  Deep into stoppage time, the Liverpool forward capitalized on a cleared long throw-in, sprinting from his own half to execute a 30-yard outside-of-the-boot finish.

  The goal secured Egypt’s progression and showcased a player who appears to have rediscovered his signature spark on the international stage.

  The Egyptian captain’s renewed joy stands in stark contrast to a difficult first half of the Premier League season under Arne Slot.

  After being benched following a dip in form—netting only five goals in 20 appearances—Salah now has three goals in three games at AFCON.

  Reflecting on his commitment, the forward expressed the honor he feels representing his nation, appearing unburdened by the recent complications of club soccer and transfer speculation.

  While Salah will miss Liverpool’s upcoming matches against Arsenal and Barnsley due to Egypt’s deep tournament run, his resurgence is a welcome sight for the Reds.

  Liverpool has struggled for attacking consistency in his absence, but his form in Morocco suggests he will return at his peak.

  As Egypt prepares for Saturday’s quarterfinal, supporters on both continents are hopeful that Salah’s “spark” will lead to a successful 2026.

• Liam Rosenior explains the style football to expect at Chelsea

  Liam Rosenior has pledged to implement an aggressive, “wave after wave” attacking style to restore intensity and consistency to Stamford Bridge.

  Newly appointed Chelsea head coach Liam Rosenior has outlined a bold vision for his tenure, promising to bring high-intensity, “front-foot” football back to Stamford Bridge.

  Speaking to the club’s media, Rosenior emphasized his desire to leverage the squad’s youthful energy to create an intimidating atmosphere for visiting teams.

  He aims to shift the tactical focus toward a more aggressive style that keeps supporters engaged from the opening whistle.  

  Reflecting on his philosophy, Rosenior highlighted the advantages of working with a young, fit roster.

  “I want the fans at home to be off their seat in the first ten minutes and feel like it’s wave after wave,” Rosenior stated.

  He drew inspiration from the club’s golden era, noting, “When I played against the likes of Essien, Lampard, Drogba, Arjen Robben, Joe Cole, you felt… it was going to be a really difficult day.”

  The incoming manager takes over a side currently ranked fourth in Premier League scoring with 33 goals, yet his primary challenge lies in defensive stability and game management.

  While Chelsea frequently take the lead, they have dropped points six times this season after scoring first. Rosenior believes a proactive mindset is the solution, stating, “I want us to be intense, I want us to be brave and fearless.”

  By succeeding Enzo Maresca mid-season, Rosenior is prioritizing excitement over a conservative “safety-first” approach.

  He intends to transform Stamford Bridge into a fortress through sheer physical application and tactical bravery.

  “If we do all of those things, we can have a really good time together,” Rosenior concluded, signaling a new era focused on relentless attacking pressure and consistent results for the London club.