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At this very moment in time, FC Barcelona are still mainly occupied with their registration dilemma concerning Dani Olmo and Pau Victor. Both of their summer signings currently remain unregistered with La Liga and are unable to feature for the club. However, with important games fast approaching, Barcelona must resolve this issue as soon as possible.

Currently, the Catalan club is waiting on the final verdict to arrive from the Royal Spanish Football Federation (RFEF) in regards to the new licenses that were requested by Barcelona for their two players. However, with both the RFEF and La Liga still working things out, La Blaugrana may not be too patient about this.
According to Mundo Deportivo, Barcelona is willing to proceed with legal action and taking matters to the Civil Court to request an injunction. The aim of the club is to secure said injunction in order to allow both Dani Olmo and Pau Victor to continue playing for the team while the matter gets resolved.
Simultaneously, the club will look to challenge the regulation that imposed the 31st December deadline for Financial Fairplay compliance. The reason behind this is that the club believes that the deadline should align with the closure of the January transfer window rather than the end of December, as clubs are able to make transfers and effectively alter their salary cap during January.

However, MD reports that if Barcelona are to end up proceeding with the injunction, both of the two unregistered players will likely have to miss the next two games. This would mean that they would miss the Copa del Rey clash against UD Barbastro, as well as the Spanish Super Cup encounter against Athletic Club in Saudi Arabia.

While they could be back in time for a hypothetical final if Barcelona manages to overcome Athletic Club, it remains to be seen if matters even progress to that point. For now, there is optimism in regards to the club’s ability to resolve the matter as soon as possible either way.

Thomas Tuchel will watch Tottenham’s clash with Newcastle this weekend in one of his first duties as the new England boss.

Tuchel officially started his new role this week – and is on a mission to watch as many top flight games as possible in the coming weeks. His first port of call will be the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium tomorrow for the lunchtime clash between Spurs and Eddie Howe’s men.

The German is keen to run the rule over the likes of James Maddison, Anthony Gordon and Lewis Hall. Tuchel agreed to take charge of the Three Lions following Gareth Southgate’s decision to stand down last summer.

And he has raided a number of clubs to poach staff to become part of his backroom team. Along with assistant coach Anthony Barry, who was announced in October, Tuchel will be immediately joined by Henrique Hilário, Nicolas Mayer and James Melbourne.

Hilário joins as goalkeeping coach from Chelsea, where he has held a similar position since 2016. The former international goalkeeper made nearly 300 appearances during a 20-year playing career that spanned Portugal and England, notably eight seasons in the Premier League with Chelsea.

Mayer is a performance coach who has previously worked with Tuchel at Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich. While analyst Melbourne also arrives from Chelsea, after a spell of almost 20 years that included a host of domestic and continental honours.

Tuchel will travel to St George’s Park for the first time next week to hold introductory meetings with various FA staff. Tuchel and his support team are already preparing for England’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying campaign.

The Three Lions’ start 2025 with qualifiers against Albania and Latvia in March, which both take place at Wembley. Former interim boss Lee Carsley, meanwhile, has retuned to his role as U21 head coach, ahead of this summer’s UEFA U21 European Championship in Slovakia.

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (AP) – Defending Serie A champion Inter Milan extended its recent dominance over current leader Atalanta with a 2-0 victory in the Italian Super Cup semifinals on Thursday.

Denzel Dumfries scored two second-half goals for the Nerazzurri, which have now won seven straight against Atalanta.
Juventus will face AC Milan on Friday in the other semifinal match, with Sergio Conceicao making his debut as Milan coach after Paulo Fonseca was fired.

The final of the four-team tournament in Saudi Arabia is scheduled for Monday.
Inter is aiming to win the Super Cup for the fourth straight year.
Dumfries scored first with an acrobatic overhead kick from close range then finished off a counterattack with a long-range strike.

Inter also threatened several times in the first half but was consistently denied by difficult saves from Atalanta goalkeeper Marco Carnesecchi.

Atalanta surprisingly kept Ademola Lookman, Charles De Ketelaere and Ederson on the bench at the start. The three players came on near the hour mark and Ederson had a potential goal waved off for offside after a VAR check.
Inter beat Atalanta 4-0 twice in Serie A last year, in February and August.
This season, Atalanta and Napoli currently hold a one-point lead over Inter, which has a game in hand.

The only negative note for Inter was that Marcus Thuram exited with an apparent left thigh issue at halftime.

The €60m (£50m) summer recruit from RB Leipzig has been at the epicentre of a public dispute between Barcelona and Spain’s top flight. La Liga’s strict financial regulations forced the Catalan giants to find a new source of income before they could register Olmo for the second half of the season.

Club president Joan Laporta appeared to have secured the necessary funds by selling the rights to Camp Nou’s VIP boxes for the next 20 years in a deal worth €120m, but the money behind that face-saving arrangement could not be guaranteed before the deadline of 31 December.

Barcelona’s appeals for an extension were rebuffed not once but twice and Olmo was removed from La Liga’s website. The worst case scenario is that he exerices his right to leave as a free agent, with Barcelona still obliged to pay him the full value of his contract and the outstanding transfer fee owed to Leipzig.

But Olmo has remained outwardly unfazed by the challenging situation. The first player out on the pitch for Barcelona’s public training session after the winter break, the Euro 2024 winner stopped to dish out autographs for fans. Offering a warm smile, Olmo claimed that “everything’s fine” in a brief interaction with supporters which was filmed.

The player’s agent has also stressed his client’s desire to stay at Barcelona. A product of the club’s famed academy, Olmo celebrated the new year by signing off a social media post with two heart emojis in Barcelona’s club colours.

Despite this public stance, a host of Premier League clubs are reportedly interested in the forward, who could soon became a free agent after the expiration of his registration. Olmo obtains a clause in his contract that would allow him to terminate his legal ties to Barcelona, who cannot solve this complex solution by loaning him out for the final six months of the campaign.

The Athletic claim that Barcelona remain confident that a resolution can be found – despite mounting evidence to the contrary. Mundo Deportivo name Friday 3 January as a new deadline for another last-ditch effort to force through Olmo, as this is the date when all the money from the VIP seating deal is expected to come through.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti refused to be drawn on the club’s pursuit of Liverpool defender Trent Alexander-Arnold.

The Champions League holders were rebuffed when they made an initial enquiry about the England right-back’s availability a few days ago.
Liverpool are determined to hang on to the 26-year-old, whose contract expires in the summer, and a reported potential second approach from the Spanish club, this time backed by a firm cash offer in the region of £20million, is unlikely to sway their resolve.

Ancelotti, asked about January signings, told a press conference: “It is difficult for me to talk about that in this context. But we are going to have to wait and see.

“We are focused on all these games in January and the game tomorrow (against Valencia) and I’ve got nothing more to say. It’s not sensible for me to speak about the market right now.
“I’m not going to speak about it because right now, here, is not the place to talk about it.

When Madrid first made contact it is understood they were told there was no inclination to sell Alexander-Arnold and and no intention of discussing the matter further as Liverpool are purely focused on the dual challenge of the Premier League and Champions League, both of which they currently top of the table in.
That stance will not change despite the inevitable increased speculation during the January transfer window, heightened by the fact the player is now free to sign a pre-contract agreement.
In fact, Liverpool are still hoping to broker a deal which keeps the academy graduate at the club.

Dialogue with the player and his representatives – his brother Tyler looks after his interests – over a new contract has been ongoing for several months and the club have been given no indication Alexander-Arnold would like to leave.

While team-mates Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk, also both out of contract in the summer, have spoken out about their personal situations in recent months, Alexander-Arnold has remained tight-lipped.

When asked about his future last month he said: “I have been at the club 20 years now and I have signed four or five contract extensions… and none of those have been played out in public. This one won’t be either.”
However, that will not stop the ongoing speculation or Madrid escalating their charm offensive.

Cristiano Ronaldo said that Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid deserved to win the Ballon d’Or over Rodri, attracting a reaction from the Manchester City CDM.

After five-time winner Cristiano Ronaldo openly claimed that Vinicius Junior of Real Madrid deserved to win the Ballon d’Or over Rodri, the Manchester City CDM broke his silence. The Spaniard said Cristiano Ronaldo should be well aware of how the Ballon d’Or winner is chosen and the Portuguese captain’s comment was a total surprise for him.

Al-Nassr FC forward Cristiano Ronaldo attended the Globe Soccer Awards in Dubai last Friday. During an interaction, the veteran lauded upcoming youngsters, including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid stars Vinicius Jr. and Jude Bellingham—all standout performers last season.

However, CR7 didn’t stop there. He went on to add that he believed Vinicius Jr deserved to win the Ballon d’Or over Rodri. Having won the UEFA Champions League and scoring the final are no menial feats, he said. 
“It wasn’t fair, in my opinion. I’ll say that here in front of everybody. They gave it to Rodri. He deserved it, too… But I think they should have given it to Vinicius Jr because he won the Champions League and scored a goal in the final. The other issues for me are not important,” Cristiano Ronaldo was quoted as saying.

Rodri reacted to the Real Madrid legend’s statement while talking with Spanish media house AS. “Well, it was a surprise because he knows better than anyone how this award works and, above all, how the winner is chosen. This year, the journalists who vote have decided that I should win it. Probably, these same journalists were the ones who at some point voted for him to win it, and I imagine that then he would have agreed,” the Manchester City holding midfielder, who is out with an ACL injury said. 

Perhaps City’s most important player, what elevates Rodri beyond the rest of the world’s best defensive midfielders, is his involvement in open-play sequences resulting in shots. With 8.4 per 90 minutes, he was comfortably top of the league, outshining even attacking players such as Phil Foden (7.8), Martin Odegaard (7.7), Bukayo Saka (7.5), Dominik Szoboszlai (7.4), James Maddison (7.3) and Mohamed Salah (7.3). 

Gary Neville has been “shocked” at how “poor” four Man Utd summer arrivals have looked this season after their 2-0 loss to Newcastle.
The Red Devils were awful as the Magpies dominated them at Old Trafford with Alexander Isak and Joelinton grabbing the goals and Sandro Tonali coming close to making it three by hitting the post.

The defeat to Newcastle sees Man Utd remain in 14th position in the Premier League table but Ipswich Town’s 2-0 win over Chelsea sees them pull the Red Devils within seven points of the relegation zone.

Amorim is struggling to find consistency of performances or results since moving to Old Trafford from Sporting Lisbon in November with that their fourth loss in a row in all competitions.

On Amorim making too many changes, Man Utd legend Neville said on Sky Sports commentary: “He hasn’t settled on a team yet. Is it time to create some stability? The players haven’t picked up on his idea, but how much more difficult is it if the players haven’t got the pattern of playing together?”

When asked if there had been any positives under Amorim, Neville added: “They have gone backwards but hopefully that is backwards to go forwards.

“There are very slim pickings in terms of positives in the first few weeks.
“Maybe the most positive thing is that he has seen what these players really are and we are not getting the bounce which may have made him think they are better than they are.
“I think he thought it was a big job but it’s a massive job and he is finding that out early when his a position of power and strength.”

On the summer signings struggling at Man Utd, Neville continued: “What am l surprised about is that when in the summer Manchester United signed those three or four players, I didn’t hear anyone say ‘Manchester United have had a terrible transfer market’.

“I am shocked about how poor those players have been in their early months.
“I have said it before that this club has been a graveyard for players who have come with decent reputations. And it is happening again.
“I didn’t hear anyone say in the summer when Yoro, De Ligt, Ugarte, Zirkzee joined that United hadn’t signed half-decent players. The problem is that when you have seen them out here in a red shirt then Manchester United look a worse team. That’s the odd thing.”

BARCELONA, Spain (AP) – Barcelona will need to have another financial lever approved by the Spanish league in order to register playmaker Dani Olmo for the rest of the season after a judge ruled against the club on Monday.

It was the second consecutive court setback against Barcelona as it tries to register the player before the end-of-the-year deadline.
Without the court´s backing, Olmo’s contract can’t be registered beyond the end of 2024 unless Barcelona convinces the league that it will be able to make up enough salary cap room to register him in the squad. Olmo moved from Leipzig to Barcelona in August.

Spanish media reported that Barcelona is set to get approval from the league in time after it reached a deal to sell VIP seats at the renovated Camp Nou stadium for 100 million euros ($104 million). That would reportedly be enough to allow Barcelona to add Olmo and forward Pau Víctor to the squad.

Each Spanish league club has a salary cap which is calculated based on a series of factors that include revenues, costs and debts. It is proportional to roughly 70% of a club´s revenues.

Barcelona has endured difficulties registering some players recently because of its financial struggles. It has resorted to a series of financial levers in recent years, including the sale of future television rights. The club’s financial struggles led to the departure of Lionel Messi in 2021.

A one-time member of the midfield ranks at La Liga giants Barcelona has moved to hit back at Real Madrid legend Cristiano Ronaldo, over his recent comments regarding the standard of Ligue 1.

This comes, for those who may have missed it, after Ronaldo took firm aim at French football as a whole.

During an appearance at the Globe Soccer Awards on Friday, the Portuguese veteran made use of the opportunity to reveal his opinion that the Saudi Pro League is of a superior standard to Ligue 1:

“Saudi League is better than Ligue 1, of course. France only has PSG. The rest are finished. Try to sprint in 38, 39, 40 degree weather and see…”

Such comments caused quite a stir, culminating in widespread chatter and debate across the world of football.

Speaking during an appearance on French television this week, it therefore came as little surprise when precisely as much were put to Les Bleus icon Emmanuel Petit.
And, safe to say, the former Arsenal and Barcelona midfielder did not hold back in his response.

Accusing Ronaldo of seeking to look after his own best interests, Petit sniped:
“I’m not surprised. Since 2018 when Cristiano left Real Madrid, he has had more interviews than collective trophies. He has had very little impact on club and country. He is an ambassador of the Globe (Soccer) awards and I think he can’t deal with the fact that he is not the headliner of the biggest football awards (Ballon d’Or) anymore. His comments about Ligue 1 are baseless and are related to Messi and we all know that.”

Inter Milan midfielder Nicolo Barella paid a visit to sick children in hospital during his team’s visit to his hometown Cagliari.

This weekend, Inter travelled to Sardinia to face Cagliari in Serie A.
And for midfielder Barella, it was a special match.

Clashes with Cagliari always mean something a bit more for the 27-year-old. He is a native of Sardinia and came through the youth ranks at the Rossoblu.
Cagliari are the team for whom Barella initially broke through in Serie A.
And there will always be a feeling of connection between Barella and both the team and the city.

On the pitch, Barella had a starring role on Saturday. The Italian international capped off a fine performances with two assists on his return to Cagliari.

But off the pitch, Barella’s business in his hometown was not finished.
The Gazzetta report that the 27-year-old Inter midfielder also paid a visit to a local hospital.

There, Barella met with some sick children, in an event organized by the Make-A-Wish foundation.
Barella spent some time chatting with the children and their families.

The Italian international took selfies with them, as well as gifting them Inter shirts and autographs.

Julen Lopetegui admits his West Ham United side were taken apart by a Liverpool side he believes are “the best team in the world” at the moment. The Reds moved eight points clear at the Premier League summit with a 5-0 destruction of the Hammers at the London Stadium on Sunday evening.

Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Mohamed Salah struck in the first half before Trent Alexander-Arnold and substitute Diogo Jota notched after the break as Liverpool earned their 23rd win in 27 games under Arne Slot.

West Ham had gone into the game on a four-match unbeaten run but, missing a number of key players, were no match for the rampant visitors.

And Lopetegui said: “This has been a very disappointing day for us and our fans. We didn’t show a good face in front of our fans.

“We didn’t deserve any more today. We have to accept it. We have to look forward and to know we have things to improve in these kind of matches.
“Analysing the match, we had one clear situation early on and before then until they scored the first goal it was unlucky for us.
“After that we hit the post with (Mohammed) Kudus, and they scored their second goal (almost straight after). It was a key moment but we had to do more.

“We playing against at the current moment the best team in the world, but we have to do better.”
Lopetegui added: “We have to compete better in these matches and take advantage of the moments you have.
“We have been very far off them today. We were doing well in the last month but today was a tough day for us, we have to be honest. Being 3-0 down to Liverpool at half-time is very difficult.”

Liverpool extended their lead at the top of the Premier League table to eight points on Sunday night with a comfortable 5-0 away win against West Ham. It now means they are unbeaten in their last 23 matches in all competitions (W20 D3).

Mohamed Salah was once again heavily involved, setting up Liverpool’s second and fifth, plus scoring their third. With a goal and two assists he became the first Premier League player to both score and assist in eight different Premier League games in a season.

Luis Díaz opened the scoring after 30 minutes, lashing in from just inside the West Ham box. It was his eighth Premier League goal this season, his joint-best return in a campaign (also 8 in 2023-24).

Cody Gakpo doubled Liverpool’s lead moments later after Salah had somewhat fortuitously bundled the ball into his path. Salah then made it three just before half time, finishing smartly at the near post after he was afforded far too much room in the box.

Trent Alexander-Arnold added a fourth early in the second half, striking from range via a deflection off Max Kilman. Diogo Jota made it five late on, after Salah’s mazy run teed him up for a simple finish.