Opinion

According to reports, Anthony Martial wants to leave Manchester United. The French forward, 26, has struggled to game time this season – starting just two Premier League games.

On Tuesday night, Manchester City hammered Leeds 7-0 at the Etihad Stadium. The victory illustrated Pep Guardiola’s team at their attacking best, with the likes of Kevin De Bruyne and Phil Foden in top form.

You can be forgiven for not noticing the title race in the Eredivisie this season due to the other leagues around Europe throwing up some intriguing title fights. But the Dutch top flight cannot be overlooked for its excitement.

The leagues around Europe are heating up across the board as relegation battles take shape, while those competing for the title start to lay down their marker before 2022. Here are the fixtures to watch this weekend.

On Monday, the Champions League round of 16 draw took place at UEFA’s headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland. But not without controversy.

On Sunday night, Real Madrid recorded a 2-0 win against arch-rivals and league leaders Atletico Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.

On November 25, Sheffield United sacked manager Slavisa Jokanovic after a mere 22 matches in charge. Jokanovic had claimed an 8W-6D-8L record prior to being sacked.

Having signed a new contract in September 2020, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang agreed to extend his stay with Arsenal. The now 32 year old put pen to paper having scored in the opening match of the last season in the Premier League.

There are always players who will be out of contract come the end of the club professional football season in Europe. Some of the these will sign a deal to join a new team in January and leave their current club for free, whereas others will have to wait until their contract fully expires before agreeing a deal with a new team.

With the UEFA Champions League group stage in the books, it’s time to pay homage to the best players from the opening phase of the competition.

The El Derbi Madrileño is one of the biggest games in Spanish football as the 34-time kings of Spain meet with their arch rivals of a lesser status, Atletico Madrid, who despite their rise under Diego Simeone the past decade, still trail their nemesis most years.

On Monday night, Arsenal suffered a 2-1 defeat at Everton in the Premier League. The Gunners produced a lacklustre display and he could have been a worse result, but for VAR ruling out two Richarlison goals for offside.

Few would argue that Mohamed Salah is not the best player in the Premier League at the moment. In fact, the Liverpool forward is probably the greatest player on the planet.

Following a wretched start to the 2021-22 Serie A season, it feels like Juventus are finally starting to turn the corner under Max Allegri's watch.

RB Leipzig have dispensed with the services of Jesse Marsch less than six months after his appointment as Die Roten Bullen’s head coach.

After 15 matchdays, the Premier League title is being fought over by three clubs, Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea. While the top three is incredibly competitive and exciting, the Premier League’s fourth-place Champions League qualification place is wide open.

Everton problems run much deeper than just Rafa Benitez

During the summer, reigning Italian champions Inter suffered some major losses, as reportedly the club owners attempted to put the club back on a steadier financial footing.

Believe it or not, six Premier League managers have already lost their job this season. We haven’t even reached Christmas yet, but the managerial merry-go-round is in full swing.

On Monday night, Lionel Messi won a record seventh Ballon d’Or. Even at the ripe old age of 34, the Argentine is still viewed – by many – as the best player on the planet.