Real Madrid-Manchester City.
Habitual European champions find a way to get it done.
#MCIRMA

Nuno on James Maddison evading a first-half red card: ‘It didn’t ‘look like he punched him’; he punched him. I was surprised VAR didn’t tell to Simon to review it better because…Maddison loses his composure and it’s a punch to the stomach of Yates. It should have been reviewed.’

Chelsea prepared to sell Reece James and Connor Gallagher this summer.
• Accelerated transfer of homegrown England internationals aimed at avoiding financial fair play breach.
thetimes.co.uk/sport/football…

Two years since we lost Ian.
Gone far too young. Never, ever forgotten.

Remarkable that Pep Guardiola felt it necessary to talk to an angered Kevin De Bruyne on the bench rather than concentrate all his attention on a potential title deciding match at Anfield.
#LIVMCI

Enzo Fernandez disinterestedly wandering back towards goal as Brentford counterattack to equalise after the Argentine failed to win an aerial ball with a half-hearted challenge epitomises Clearlake’s Chelsea.
#BRECHE

Mauricio Pochettino still trophyless in English football more than 11 years after he first coached in the Premier League.
Has just two significant trophies to show for his entire managerial career - a Ligue 1 title and a Coupe de France at PSG.
#CHELIV

Imagine Manchester City’s ‘Elite Development Squad’ being allowed to join the Football League.
Would you be happy with them being drawn against City’s first team in the FA or League Cup? Or being drawn against City’s potential next-round opponents in those cups?
If they rose

In Portugal and Spain the most powerful clubs have strong B teams national leagues.
Their B teams cannot be promoted to the top division and they are not allowed to compete in major national cup competitions. Full stop.
This is done to avoid exactly the kind of issues raised by

Neil Mulvey Huzayfa Dadabhay Two clubs from same ownership group meet in a European semi-final. Ownership group decides strongest of the two will play in the final, allowing them to play the two legs without fear of injury and at reduced physical and mental effort.
Do you think their opponents in the final

The idea that the problem of clubs from the same multi-club ownership group meeting in Europe would be resolved if UEFA only allowed them to be drawn together in the knockout rounds is bizarre.
Imagine, for example, Manchester United meeting Nice in a Champions League semi. Are

One of football’s most accomplished coaches, Rui Faria, has started sharing his ideas on Insta.
You can follow him @ruifaria_rf

Paris Saint-Germain include Marcus Rashford on shortlist of potential replacements for Kylian Mbappe.
thetimes.co.uk/article/marcus…

Early January.

Jurgen Klopp on blue cards and IFAB:
‘Doesn't sound like a fantastic idea in the first moment. But actually I can't remember when the last fantastic idea came from these guys - if they've ever had one. IFAB.
‘No. I’m 56. Never.’
widget.spreaker.com/player?episode…

Blue cards.
At what point do FIFA et al realise that experimenting with the Laws of the Game every single season damages the sport they are supposed to be promoting?
x.com/DuncanCastles/…

Duncan Castles The Transfer Window podcast Sunday Times Sport Official SSC Napoli AS Roma Roshn Saudi League FC Porto Chelsea FC Inter Premier League Portugal I can hear the late great Ian McGarry's hearty laugh as he announces with enthusiasm...' Big Sam is fuelling up the Granada !' For Liverpool fans ! 😎👍

Jose Mourinho targets immediate return to management.
• Preference to remain in Serie A following shock Roma sacking.
• Expects to meet Napoli this week.
thetimes.co.uk/article/jose-m…

Understand that Jose Mourinho flew to Barcelona today on personal business.
As detailed below, preference for his next job is to continue in Italian football. thetimes.co.uk/article/jose-m…

Remember when Dean Henderson was being hailed as the present and future of Manchester United and England?
#ARSCRY