Barcelona midfielder Frenkie de Jong voiced his dissatisfaction with the plan to host their upcoming La Liga fixture against Villarreal in the United States. The Dutch midfielder believes that it is unfair to make the players travel so far for a match in order to boost the commercial profile of Spanish clubs and La Liga.
Chelsea made a surprisingly sloppy start to their Women's Champions League campaign on Wednesday night, dropping two points away to a Twente side that featured just one senior international in its starting line-up. The Blues are expected to be one of the main contenders for the trophy this season but they didn't look like it here, as Sonia Bompastor's much-changed team was made to work, and work hard, for a 1-1 draw in the Netherlands.
Joshua Zirkzee is reportedly desperate to exit Old Trafford in the January transfer window as his 'frustration has escalated significantly' over his lack of game time under Ruben Amorim this season. The Dutch attacker has featured in just three Premier League games in 2025-26 and is yet to start in any of their matches. His total accumulated game time is 82 minutes.
Bruno Guimaraes and Joelinton have been delayed in reporting for Brazil international duty, as the plane carrying the two Newcastle team-mates was forced to turn around due to a broken window. Both players are part of Carlo Ancelotti's squad to face South Korea and Japan and were expected to report in time for a training session this afternoon in Seoul.
Former Southampton winger Eljero Elia, 38, was lucky to walk away unscathed after being involved in a horror motorway smash which wrecked the £270,000 ($364k) Lamborghini Urus he was driving. Elia was travelling in his native Netherlands when the crash occurred but, fortunately, no one was injured.
Chelsea's perfect start to the new Women's Super League season came to an end on Friday night, as the Blues were held to a stalemate by Manchester United in a 1-1 draw. Sonia Bompastor's side began their title defence in winning fashion through each of the first four weeks of the season but that run was stopped by the Red Devils, who avoided defeat for just the second time in 12 meetings with the London club.
Barcelona are in the process of renewing Frenkie de Jong's contract at the club, with an official announcement set to be made by the Spanish champions. Sporting director Deco confirmed last week that a contract renewal with De Jong will soon be secured, with the Dutch midfielder set to commit to the Catalan club until 2029.
Crystal Palace are ready to compete with Manchester United and Real Madrid in the transfer market to sign Dutch wonderkid Kees Smit from AZ Alkmaar as the Eagles plot an ambitious swoop. Smit came into the limelight in 2023 after he scored from 50 yards against Barcelona in the UEFA Youth League and then helped Netherlands win the European U19 Championship last summer.
Manchester United forward Joshua Zirkzee could be on the move this January, with Serie A side Como reportedly exploring a deal for the Dutchman. Manager Cesc Fabregas’ ambitious project is said to view Zirkzee as an ideal attacking addition, and United are open to either a loan or permanent transfer midway through the current Premier League season.
