Chelsea have been told to attack Arsenal’s full-backs and force them away from their preferred central positions when the two sides meet in Sunday’s Premier League derby at Emirates Stadium.

Both teams have made perfect starts to the 2026/27 season, with Chelsea and defending champions Arsenal each winning their opening two matches. However, former Chelsea captain John Terry believes Arsenal’s defensive strength could be tested if Xabi Alonso’s side can exploit the space in wide areas.

Arsenal have kept clean sheets in victories over Coventry City and Aston Villa, while Mikel Arteta has selected the same back four for both matches. William Saliba remains injured, and Arteta is expected to retain that defensive line against Alonso, who is an old friend of the Arsenal manager.

Chelsea have not been as convincing defensively in their opening fixtures. Alonso’s side conceded twice against Fulham before securing victory and then allowed Brighton & Hove Albion to score three times at Stamford Bridge. Despite those concerns, Chelsea also came through both matches with maximum points.

Terry believes Chelsea should avoid becoming frustrated by Arsenal’s organisation and instead use their pace and attacking movement to draw Ben White and Riccardo Calafiori into unfamiliar areas.

"How do you expose these centre halves? Down the channels and down the outside, where I think we’re really strong in terms of Neto, Estevao and Morgan Rogers. I think is going to be real key.

"If you get to 60, 70 minutes, you want to drag the centre backs out of those central positions where they’re really comfortable and protected.

"As soon as you get pulled into those wide areas, it feels very alien and you feel a little bit more exposed.

"The more we do that on the counter attack, I think we give ourselves a chance because Ben White and Calafiori both attack and end up in those kinds of inverted pockets.

"I think the space where they can expose them is going to be going forward high and wide."

The former England defender’s assessment centres on Chelsea’s potential threat on the flanks, with Neto, Estevao and Morgan Rogers identified as players capable of attacking the spaces outside Arsenal’s central defenders.

Terry also suggested Chelsea could become more dangerous as the match develops. If Arsenal’s defenders are repeatedly pulled away from their central positions, particularly during counter-attacks, their usual protection and compactness could be weakened.

White and Calafiori are also expected to contribute aggressively when Arsenal have possession, moving forward and occupying inverted positions. Terry believes that attacking instinct may leave room for Chelsea to exploit behind or around them.

The match brings together two sides who have both begun the campaign with a 100% winning record, but with contrasting defensive narratives. Arsenal’s early form has been built on clean sheets, while Chelsea have collected victories despite conceding goals.

For Alonso’s team, the challenge will be to turn Terry’s tactical suggestion into an effective game plan against an Arsenal side that has so far remained unbeaten and defensively disciplined.

Mamadou Kone scored his first Ligue 1 goal as Lorient secured a surprise 1-0 victory at Lens, giving manager Alexandre Dujeux his first competitive win in charge of Les Merlus.

The result was Lorient’s first win of the new season and their first head-to-head away victory against Lens in seven years. It also lifted them above their opponents in the Ligue 1 table.

The visitors made a cautious start at Stade Bollaert-Delelis, although both sides created promising openings shortly before the half-hour mark.

Kone was given room inside the penalty area to shoot, but he failed to generate enough power to seriously test Lens goalkeeper Robin Risser.

Risser dealt comfortably with the attempt and immediately launched an attack by releasing the ball quickly. Lens worked their way forward patiently before Florian Thauvin headed wide from Abdallah Sima’s inviting cross.

Lorient found the breakthrough less than 10 minutes into the second half after Lens carelessly surrendered possession in their own half.

Noah Mbamba took advantage of the mistake and supplied Panos Katseris, who advanced down the right before sending a low cross across the face of goal. Kone arrived in the right position and guided the ball home from close range.

The goal gave Lorient control of the match and they came close to extending their advantage on the hour.

Jean-Victor Makengo was left unmarked as he met Arsene Kouassi’s pullback, but he lifted his effort over the crossbar when a second goal appeared to be there for the taking.

With the prospect of suffering consecutive defeats, Dino Toppmoller’s Lens side responded by increasing the pressure. They pushed Lorient deeper and began to spend longer periods around the visitors’ penalty area.

Lens almost found an equaliser when Michael Cuisance struck a technically excellent volley from the edge of the box. Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo reacted superbly, stretching to keep the effort out.

Mvogo was called into action again soon afterwards. He had to deal with an awkward attempt from Thauvin, whose mishit effort threatened to creep beneath the crossbar.

Despite their late pressure, Lens were unable to find a way through a determined Lorient defence. Their frustration was underlined in stoppage time when Souleymane Sagnan was sent off.

Sagnan received a second yellow card for a cynical challenge, leaving Lens to finish the match with 10 players.

Lorient held on to claim a notable away win and celebrate the first competitive success of Dujeux’s tenure. For Lens, the defeat marked a disappointing result after they had failed to turn their second-half dominance into an equaliser.

Flashscore named Lorient’s Nathaniel Adjei as the Man of the Match. Full match statistics are available via Flashscore.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique says there is “no reason to be concerned” despite the club’s worst start to a Ligue 1 season for 19 years.

PSG remain without a win after three league matches following Friday’s 2-1 home defeat by Monaco. The result leaves the reigning champions with two points, seven behind the early pace-setters.

The disappointing opening comes just days before PSG begin their defence of the Champions League title. Despite the poor domestic form, the club have extended Luis Enrique’s contract until 2030.

The Spanish manager remained positive after his side surrendered a half-time lead against Monaco and conceded twice after the interval.

“There is no reason to be concerned. I say that honestly. How many shots on target did Monaco have? Two. How many goals? Two. We’ll see at the end of the season whether things balance out,” he said.

Luis Enrique argued that the match should not be judged solely by the final score, pointing to PSG’s performance without possession as evidence that their results could soon improve.

“What I want to get across is that you shouldn’t look only at the result. We pressed sensationally, much better than in many matches when we did not concede a goal. But luck was not on our side,” he added.

PSG had been ahead at the break but could not hold on, allowing Monaco to turn the match around in the second half. Luis Enrique believes the defeat was an unusual outcome rather than a sign of a deeper problem.

“Monaco know that if they play against us like this 10 times, we win eight, there’d be one draw and we’d lose once. This was that one defeat,” he insisted.

PSG will now turn their attention to Europe, with Slovan Bratislava due to visit on Wednesday for their first Champions League group game. The French club are seeking a third successive European title.

Their current league record is their poorest since the 2007-08 campaign, when Paul Le Guen’s team came close to relegation. PSG did not win until their sixth league match that season and eventually finished 16th, only three points clear of the relegation places.

Luis Enrique is confident this season’s deficit can be recovered, despite PSG already trailing the leaders by seven points.

“It is incredible motivation for my players, for the team and for the club. If you want to bet on who will be champions at the end of the season, we can place a bet. Seven points? OK, we will try to make up that deficit as quickly as possible,” the coach said.

Ernest Nuamah scored and created another goal as Lyon beat AJ Auxerre 3-1 at the Groupama Stadium to maintain their 100% start to the Ligue 1 season and move to the top of the table, at least temporarily.

Paulo Fonseca’s side made the stronger start and were awarded no penalty when Lois Openda went down inside the Auxerre area during the opening stages.

Openda remained central to the action during an eventful first 20 minutes. The Belgium international missed a major opportunity from close range before having a goal disallowed for offside. He had applied the finishing touch to a defence-splitting pass from Nuamah, but the effort did not stand.

Auxerre thought they had taken the lead midway through the first half when Cameron Archer produced an excellent finish. However, the goal was ruled out because of a foul in the build-up.

Lyon continued to apply pressure and eventually found the breakthrough shortly before the half-hour mark. Felix Bacher rose highest to meet a corner delivered by Nuamah, sending a header beyond Auxerre goalkeeper Mamadou Diop.

The hosts doubled their advantage only three minutes later. Zachary Athekame received the ball on the edge of the penalty area and sent a low shot beyond Diop to put Lyon firmly in control.

Lyon pushed for a third and Mads Bidstrup came close as they looked to settle the contest before the interval. Instead, Auxerre reduced the deficit on the stroke of half-time.

Archer created space for himself with a series of twists and turns before placing his finish into the bottom corner. It was his first goal for Auxerre and gave the visitors renewed hope before the break.

Lyon restored their two-goal cushion soon after the restart, with Nuamah again at the heart of the move. The forward cut inside before unleashing a superb strike that found the net.

The goal was particularly significant for Nuamah, as it was his first for Lyon in two years. After also supplying the assist for Bacher’s opener, the Ghana international will hope the performance marks the beginning of an extended run of form.

Auxerre manager Will Still responded by making several substitutions midway through the second half as he attempted to change the course of the match.

Archer was presented with an opportunity to score again and set up a tense finish, but he was unable to direct his header on target from Rayan Mandengue’s cross. Lyon also struck the woodwork late on through Kail Boudache.

Auxerre lacked the necessary quality in the final third to mount a sustained comeback and remain without a win after the opening three rounds of the Ligue 1 campaign.

For Lyon, the result represents a strong response to their disappointing UEFA Champions League play-off defeat by Fenerbahce. Fonseca’s team will now aim to maintain its momentum in the weeks ahead.

Nuamah was named the Flashscore Player of the Match.

Monaco came from behind to beat Paris Saint-Germain 2-1 at the Parc des Princes, extending their perfect start to three Ligue 1 matches and five victories in all competitions under Filipe Luis. The result leaves the champions still searching for their first league win of the new campaign.

PSG had recovered from losing positions to draw 2-2 in each of their opening two matches, continuing a recent pattern of slow starts. They had led at half-time in only one of their previous six Ligue 1 games before hosting Monaco.

Luis Enrique’s side began with greater attacking intent and should have taken the lead after 12 minutes. Desire Doue found Achraf Hakimi with a pass behind the defence, but Hakimi’s shot was blocked and the rebound fell back to Doue. His second attempt was kept out by Lukas Hradecky, before Khvicha Kvaratskhelia fired the loose ball over the crossbar.

Doue had already tested Hradecky earlier in the match, while Monaco showed little resemblance to the team that had won their first two league fixtures without conceding.

PSG eventually broke through shortly after the half-hour mark. A patient move down the left ended with Kvaratskhelia sending a cross into the area, where Marquinhos diverted the ball into the net with his chest.

Kvaratskhelia almost doubled the hosts’ advantage soon afterwards, but Hradecky made an excellent save to keep out his low, powerful effort. Monaco did not register their first shot until stoppage time in the opening period, when Paris Brunner sent a well-constructed attack wide of the post.

Having beaten PSG twice last season, Monaco appeared unlikely to complete a third successive head-to-head victory as the hosts continued to dominate the early stages after the interval. Maghnes Akliouche, who had moved from the principality club, tried to catch out his former team-mate Hradecky by flicking a free-kick towards goal, but the goalkeeper read the attempt.

Against the run of play, Monaco equalised just before the hour. Jordan Teze delivered a floated cross and Nazinho headed it past the goalkeeper with the visitors’ first shot on target.

PSG continued to create the stronger pressure and looked the more likely side to score next. Instead, Monaco produced another decisive moment with 18 minutes remaining.

Aleksandr Golovin shaped as if he was about to shoot from distance, but instead threaded a pass towards Stanis Idumbo. Despite having little room on the left side of the penalty area, Idumbo struck the ball powerfully and beat Matvey Safonov at his near post.

PSG appeared to have rescued a third successive 2-2 draw late on when Ferran Torres found the net, but the goal was disallowed for offside.

Monaco held on to become the first team to beat PSG in three consecutive Ligue 1 meetings since the club’s Qatari takeover. The result also means the European champions have gone four league matches without a victory for the first time since 2023.

Lukas Hradecky was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match.

Coventry have completed the signing of Toulouse winger Yann Gboho after FIFA ratified the deal submitted before Tuesday’s transfer deadline.

The move, reported to be worth £10.3m, had been agreed by Frank Lampard’s side before the paperwork was lodged. However, the transfer could not be confirmed immediately because it required approval from FIFA.

That ratification has now been granted, leaving the deal subject to UK visa approval. Once that process is completed, Gboho will formally join Coventry as their 12th signing of the summer.

The 25-year-old arrives after an outstanding 2025-26 campaign with Toulouse. He scored 10 goals and created three assists across 36 appearances for the Ligue 1 club, performances which helped convince newly promoted Coventry to make a significant investment in the winger.

Gboho is also the cousin of Paris Saint-Germain forward Desire Doue. His arrival represents another major step in Coventry’s recruitment programme since promotion, with the club having spent more than £100m during the summer transfer window.

The transfer was confirmed after Coventry had already submitted the required documentation ahead of deadline day. The need for FIFA ratification meant supporters had to wait for the club to announce the signing, despite the agreement having been reached before the cut-off.

Gboho’s arrival also adds to the attacking options available to Lampard as Coventry prepare for their third match of the campaign. The team have taken no points from their opening two games, leaving them looking for a response when they travel to face Manchester City on Saturday, 5 September.

That match will see Coventry come up against a Manchester City side managed by Enzo Maresca. It will be Gboho’s new club’s first opportunity to respond to their difficult start since winning promotion, although the winger’s availability will depend on the completion of his visa process.

Coventry’s decision to invest heavily in the squad reflects the scale of their ambitions following promotion. The addition of Gboho takes their total number of summer arrivals to 12, while the reported £10.3m fee makes the Toulouse winger another sizeable part of the club’s recruitment plans.

For Toulouse, the move brings an end to Gboho’s spell after his productive season in Ligue 1. For Coventry, it provides Lampard with a player who contributed 13 goals and assists in 36 matches during the 2025-26 campaign, and whose transfer has now cleared the FIFA hurdle that delayed its official confirmation.

Paris Saint-Germain have generated a European-record €400.4m from player sales during the 2026-27 summer transfer window, completing a remarkable change in strategy nine years after spending heavily to sign Neymar Jr and Kylian Mbappe.

In 2017, PSG transformed the transfer market by paying Neymar’s €222m release clause to Barcelona. The Brazil forward was then the most marketable player in the world behind Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

Soon afterwards, club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi secured the signing of France international Kylian Mbappe from Real Madrid’s grasp. The deal initially took the form of a loan with a mandatory purchase option worth €180m.

At that time, Al-Khelaifi was football’s biggest spender, before Premier League clubs moved ahead. Since then, PSG have adopted a markedly different recruitment model, helped by the arrival of sporting director Luis Campos and manager Luis Enrique, as well as the club finally achieving its long-held ambition of winning the Champions League.

That change has been reflected in this summer’s business. PSG finished as Europe’s biggest sellers, with €400.4m in income from departures. Aston Villa ranked second with €360m, while Manchester City generated €336m.

It is the highest transfer revenue ever recorded by a club in a single summer window. No side had previously exceeded €400m.

Only three clubs had passed the €300m mark before PSG’s achievement: Chelsea, with €337m in 2025-26; Atletico Madrid, with €315m in 2018-19; and Monaco, with €365m in 2017-18.

PSG now sit third in Europe for transfer income over the past five summer windows, having collected €815m. They trail Chelsea on €1.15bn and Manchester City on €845m.

The figures underline how the Paris club have developed a model based not only on attracting elite talent but also on developing players and selling them at a significant profit. That approach has brought greater financial discipline and patience in the market.

PSG allowed Gianluigi Donnarumma to leave despite criticism, then won the Champions League immediately afterwards. They waited six months before signing Khvicha Kvaratskhelia for half the price, chose not to pursue Zion Suzuki or Yan Diomande, and brought back Xavi Simons before selling him on for a substantial profit.

This summer’s deals provide clear examples. Bradley Barcola joined Liverpool for €145m after PSG had signed him for €45m. Academy graduate Ibrahim Mbaye left for €60m, while fellow youth product Noham Kamara moved for €4.1m.

Kang-In Lee joined Atletico Madrid for €40m, having arrived for €22m. From the Randal Kolo Muani deal, PSG recovered €64m in total: €50m from the transfer, €8m from a previous loan to Tottenham and €6m from Juventus.

Goncalo Ramos moved to AC Milan for €75m plus €15m in bonuses. PSG had signed him for €65m plus €10m in potential bonuses, although those additional payments were never reached.

“The biggest transfer window for substitutes in history,” is how PSG describe the work carried out by the leadership trio of Al-Khelaifi, Campos and Enrique.

The club’s strategy shows that sporting success and transfer profits can coexist. PSG continue to build a squad capable of competing for major honours while increasing the value of their players.

The stability between president, sporting director and head coach has been central to that policy, producing success both on the pitch and in the boardroom - a combination rarely seen in PSG’s recent history.

According to information obtained by the source, Al-Khelaifi played a decisive role in five deals this summer through his network and relationships.

Liverpool’s move for Barcola was negotiated with Billy Hogan and Mike Gordon, with the personal relationship between Al-Khelaifi and John Henry also helping. For Kolo Muani’s transfer to Juventus, Al-Khelaifi negotiated directly with John Elkann.

Talks over Ramos were held with Gerry Cardinale, who also owns Toulouse. Miguel Angel Gil, Atletico Madrid’s contact for the Kang-In Lee transfer, was involved, while negotiations over Mbaye and Aston Villa were conducted with Nassef Sawiris, with whom Al-Khelaifi also has a strong relationship.

Liverpool have confirmed a £4.3m deal to sign France Under-20 international Djylian N'Guessan from St-Etienne, but the teenager’s proposed loan move to Brest could depend on the club freeing up space in their overseas loan allocation.

N'Guessan will officially become a Liverpool player in January. The 18-year-old is then expected to spend the remainder of the 2026/27 season with Ligue 1 side Brest.

However, Premier League rules allow clubs to loan a maximum of six players to overseas teams during a single season. Liverpool have already reached that limit, meaning they must make a change to their existing arrangements before N'Guessan can move to France.

The six players currently occupying Liverpool’s overseas loan places are Harvey Elliott, who is at Valencia, Lucca Brughmans at Genk, Ifeanyi Ndukwe at Levante, Armin Pecsi at TSV Hartberg, Calvin Ramsay at St Mirren and Amara Nallo at HJK Helsinki.

Liverpool hold an option to bring either Brughmans or Ndukwe back from their loans in January. Exercising that option would create an available place and allow N'Guessan to join Brest as planned.

N'Guessan has emerged from St-Etienne’s highly regarded academy and made his senior debut in January 2025. He went on to make 13 first-team appearances for the club, scoring once.

His progress has also been recognised by France at international level. N'Guessan played seven matches at the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup and was selected in the team of the tournament at last summer’s UEFA European Under-17 Championship.

The agreement gives Liverpool a deal for one of France’s promising young players while leaving the next stage of his development tied to the Premier League’s loan regulations. Although the transfer itself has been confirmed, his temporary move to Brest cannot go ahead unless Liverpool reduce their number of players loaned to clubs outside England.

The decision over Brughmans or Ndukwe therefore has a direct bearing on N'Guessan’s immediate plans. If Liverpool end one of those two loans in January, the French forward will be able to spend the rest of the campaign gaining experience in Ligue 1 with Brest.

For now, N'Guessan remains a St-Etienne player until the January transfer is completed. Liverpool have secured the transfer agreement, while the final practical step of placing him at Brest depends on their overseas loan places becoming available.

Record spending by Premier League clubs has provided a crucial source of income for French teams, which are increasingly being forced to sell their leading young players to remain financially stable.

English clubs spent about 800m euros (£687m) on players from Ligue 1 during the summer transfer window. That represented roughly one-fifth of the Premier League’s total expenditure of 4.1bn euros (£3.5bn).

More than 20 players moved from France to England, according to figures compiled by Transfermarkt, including five transfers worth more than 50m euros. The two most prominent deals saw Morocco midfielder Ayyoub Bouaddi move from Lille to Manchester City for 100m euros (£85.6m), while France winger Bradley Barcola joined Liverpool from Paris Saint-Germain for a total of 145m euros (£124m).

There was also a steady stream of less-publicised transfers, underlining how Ligue 1 continues to develop talented players before selling them to wealthier clubs abroad.

Qatar-owned Paris Saint-Germain, ranked the fourth-richest club in the world in this year’s Deloitte Football Money League, remain the notable exception to the trend.

PSG coach Luis Enrique said Barcola had left because “he wanted to have more importance in the team, and that is something you have to earn in training. I can't guarantee that to any player”.

For most other French clubs, however, major sales have become essential to balancing their finances.

Mali midfielder Mamadou Sangare moved from Lens to Brentford for 48m euros (£42.9m), just below the 50m-euro threshold. Jeremy Jacquet’s transfer from Rennes to Liverpool was agreed in January before being completed in July, while Belgium forward Matias Fernandez-Pardo joined Newcastle United from Lille.

Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye left PSG for Aston Villa. The age of many of the players involved was particularly striking: Mbaye and Bouaddi are both 18, Jacquet and Fernandez-Pardo are 21, while Barcola is a comparatively experienced 24-year-old.

French clubs have long been willing to give opportunities to young players. Bouaddi was named player of the match for Lille in a Champions League victory over Real Madrid on his 17th birthday.

Players have been leaving France for more glamorous neighbouring leagues for decades. But whereas Lyon were once able to retain Karim Benzema until he had made almost 150 appearances before selling him to Real Madrid, clubs now often have to cash in much earlier. Jacquet had made only 33 appearances for Rennes before departing.

The pressure is being driven not only by the attraction of the Premier League but also by the worsening financial position of French football.

Ligue 1 is home to back-to-back Champions League winners PSG. By selling Barcola, the club recouped the money it had already invested in three new forwards, including Spain World Cup-winner Ferran Torres.

Across the rest of the division, revenues have fallen sharply following the collapse of Ligue 1’s domestic television deal. With broadcasters unwilling to pay enough for the rights, the league launched its own streaming service last year.

Reports suggest the total television revenue distributed among all 18 Ligue 1 clubs last season was about 200m euros (£172m). That was approximately the same amount as Arsenal, last season’s Premier League champions, received on their own, according to The Athletic.

“We are waiting for there to be more money flowing down to the clubs,” said Lille president Olivier Letang. “At the moment there is very little and I, like my colleagues, am very worried about that.”

Several of France’s traditional powers were left trying to manage the consequences. Lyon sold Malick Fofana to Sunderland after failing to qualify for the Champions League.

Marseille made no new signings because of their financial position, while Monaco were frustrated when an anticipated major transfer to England fell through.

Monaco abandoned plans to sell Senegal midfielder Lamine Camara to Chelsea when it appeared Folarin Balogun was about to join Everton for £40m. The United States striker subsequently changed his mind.

“We needed to reduce our wage bill by around 20 per cent, so we still need to find solutions,” said Monaco managing director Thiago Scuro.

For French football, keeping the books balanced has become more important than ever, with Premier League spending offering both a valuable lifeline and a stark reminder of the financial gap between the two leagues.

Bryan Mbeumo believes Marcus Rashford can make a significant contribution for Manchester United after ending a lengthy absence from his boyhood club.

The England international returned to competitive action in United’s opening-day 2-0 defeat by Hull City, making his first appearance for the Red Devils in more than a year.

Rashford’s comeback at Old Trafford has been welcomed by Mbeumo, who says the forward’s ability and influence can provide a major boost to the team. Mbeumo was speaking after Manchester United’s emphatic victory over Ipswich, when he was asked about the prospect of playing alongside Rashford.

“It's really good to have him back. We know his quality and impact for the club. He looks happy to be with us. Everyone is really part of the good links and he's part of this,” Mbeumo told Sky Sports.

The comments underline Mbeumo’s confidence in what Rashford can offer following his return to Manchester United. Rather than focusing solely on the forward’s absence, Mbeumo highlighted the quality he continues to bring and the positive effect he can have within the squad.

Rashford spent the previous period of his career at Barcelona, where he recorded 14 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances across all competitions.

He also played an important role during Barcelona’s successful campaign as the club secured the La Liga title and Supercopa de Espana. Those performances have strengthened expectations that Rashford can have a major influence after returning to United.

His competitive comeback came in a difficult result for Manchester United, with Hull City winning 2-0 on the opening day. However, the match marked an important personal milestone for Rashford, who had not represented the club in more than 12 months.

Mbeumo’s assessment followed United’s emphatic victory over Ipswich and reflects the belief that Rashford’s return can add further quality to the team. The Manchester United forward described Rashford as someone whose contribution is already part of the links developing within the group.

Rashford’s record at Barcelona provides the clearest indication of the attacking output United will hope he can reproduce. His 14 goals and 15 assists in 49 appearances, together with his role in Barcelona’s La Liga and Supercopa de Espana triumphs, have raised expectations around his next spell at Old Trafford.

For now, his return has begun with a defeat by Hull City, but Mbeumo remains positive about the value of having the England international back in the Manchester United squad.

UEFA has opened disciplinary proceedings against Mason Greenwood, Matteo Guendouzi and Fenerbahce following the Turkish club’s Champions League play-off tie against Lyon.

Fenerbahce confirmed the investigation in a statement released on Thursday, saying it would submit its defence to UEFA and seek to protect the interests of both players and the club.

The proceedings follow a 2-1 victory over Ligue 1 side Lyon last month, a result which secured Fenerbahce’s place in the Champions League for the first time since the 2008-09 season.

The match ended in disorder, with several members of the Lyon support attempting to enter the pitch as the Fenerbahce players celebrated their win. A confrontation also developed between players from the two teams, with a major brawl breaking out after the final whistle.

Guendouzi was reported to have provoked the home supporters during the match. The midfielder has a reputation for antagonising opposing crowds and was said to have angered Lyon fans who were already frustrated with his actions.

The France international later said he had been subjected to sustained abuse by supporters inside the stadium, including insults directed at members of his family.

“You know, when you've got 60,000 people insulting your family, your mum, your children, even before the match - and nobody from the refereeing team tells the stadium to be quiet.

“Because I know that in France, when this sort of thing happens, there comes a point where they'll speak to the supporters and the match might be stopped. For 90 minutes - even longer if you count the warm-up - they were insulting my family.”

Greenwood was also involved in the incidents which followed the match. UEFA’s disciplinary action now includes the former Manchester United forward, Guendouzi and Fenerbahce itself.

In its statement, Fenerbahce said: “Following the UEFA Champions League Play-Off Round second leg match, UEFA has initiated disciplinary proceedings against our players Matteo Guendouzi and Mason Greenwood, as well as against our club.

“Our club will present the necessary defences before the relevant UEFA bodies to protect the rights and interests of our players and Fenerbahce. All necessary information, documents, and defences will be submitted to UEFA, and developments are being closely monitored by our club. We inform the public accordingly.”

The club did not disclose the specific charges brought against the players or the potential sanctions they could face. However, both Greenwood and Guendouzi could be punished for their involvement in the scenes after the game.

The pair could miss Fenerbahce’s opening European fixture, which is due to take place in one week’s time as the club begins its Champions League campaign. Fenerbahce’s return to the competition represents its first appearance in the Champions League since 2008-09, making the UEFA investigation an immediate concern for the Turkish side as it prepares for its next match.

UEFA’s proceedings will determine whether either player is suspended and whether any further action is taken against Fenerbahce following the trouble involving the club’s players and the Lyon supporters.

Ayase Ueda’s late finish gave LOSC Lille a 1-0 victory at Toulouse, extending their unbeaten start to the Ligue 1 season and leaving Toulouse manager Jens Berthel Askou still waiting for his first win in charge.

Toulouse created the clearer chances for much of the match but were punished for failing to convert them. The defeat was their second in a row at home, a run they had not suffered since April 2025.

The hosts began with confidence despite a poor opening to the campaign that had seen them record their joint-lowest points return after two games of a top-flight season this century.

Cristian Casseres came close to rewarding their aggressive approach inside the opening five minutes, striking the crossbar with a long-range effort.

Lille goalkeeper Berke Ozer was then called into action midway through the first half when Santiago Hidalgo unleashed a powerful left-footed shot from 25 yards. Ozer produced an excellent one-handed save to keep the score level.

Lille had struggled to impose themselves but almost benefited from a moment of fortune when Nathan Ngoy appeared to handle the ball inside his own penalty area while under pressure from Jacen Russell-Rowe.

After a lengthy review of the pitchside monitor, referee Mathieu Vernice decided the incident did not warrant a penalty, giving Lille a significant reprieve.

Toulouse continued to press and should have gone ahead before the break. Ozer made another important intervention to deny Hidalgo from close range, before the Lille keeper stood up well to prevent Russell-Rowe from scoring after the forward had gone through one-on-one.

Lille manager Davide Ancelotti responded by making two substitutions at half-time. The changes did little to help the visitors take control, but they did slow Toulouse’s attacking momentum.

Neither side was able to build sustained pressure after the interval, although Toulouse remained the more threatening team. Rasmus Nicolaisen came close in the middle of the second half when he rose highest in the penalty area but headed over from an outswinging corner.

Lille finally found the breakthrough just over 15 minutes before the end. Romain Perraud’s cross reached Ueda at the near post, and the forward converted at the second attempt.

Toulouse had an immediate opportunity to equalise. Casper Tengstedt, Ueda’s former Feyenoord team-mate from last season, raced clear and attempted to lift the ball over Ozer, but his effort went over the crossbar.

That was Toulouse’s final realistic chance to rescue a point. Lille held on for a fifth consecutive head-to-head victory against Toulouse and remain unbeaten in Ligue 1 this season.

Ozer was named Flashscore’s Man of the Match for his decisive performance in the Lille goal.

Mika Godts says he feels no additional pressure after completing a €55m move from Ajax to Paris Saint-Germain, insisting he has joined the French champions to improve and play wherever manager Luis Enrique chooses.

The 20-year-old Belgium winger moved to the two-time Champions League winners on 15 August after attracting interest from leading European clubs with 30 goal contributions in the Eredivisie last season.

Speaking to Flashscore’s Julie Marchetti during Paris Saint-Germain’s media day on Thursday, Godts said he had quickly settled into life at his new club and was pleased with how his opening days had gone.

"I'm really happy to be at Paris Saint-Germain. The last few days have gone well with playing my first two games," Godts told Flashscore's Julie Marchetti.

Godts made his debut for Paris Saint-Germain one week after joining from Ajax, featuring for 45 minutes in the match against Stade Rennais. He then appeared as a substitute for 27 minutes against Lille, providing an assist during the French champions’ dramatic 2-2 draw.

The Belgian said he had not required much persuasion from technical director Luis Campos before deciding to move to Paris. Campos spoke to him in Porto about the club and its sporting project, but did not offer any specific guarantees.

"He didn't promise me anything. He talked to me a lot about the club, the coach, and all that. I'm very grateful to him."

Godts also held discussions with Luis Enrique, which helped him understand the manager’s approach and what would be expected of him at Paris Saint-Germain.

"He didn't say much. I was already convinced. He just talked a bit about his way of working and how we could do it together. After that, it was easy for me."

The transfer represents a significant step for a player who made his professional debut for Ajax in 2023. However, Godts said he was not viewing the move as a source of additional pressure, despite leaving the club where he had established himself and been named last season’s Eredivisie MVP.

"I came because it's a big club and I just want to learn a lot and play. There's no extra pressure for me. I'm calm. I came here to play and to learn."

Godts is also comfortable operating in several attacking positions. Rather than demanding a particular role, he said he was prepared to adapt to the manager’s plans.

"I can play anywhere. So on the right, as a number 9, as a number 10, on the left. I just want to play, so it's up to the coach."

His next opportunity could come at Parc des Princes, where Paris Saint-Germain are due to host Monaco in Paris on Friday, 4 September. That match would give Godts the chance to make his home debut for the club after his first two appearances came away from the stadium.

Mathys De Carvalho is expected to leave Olympique Lyon and join Saudi Arabian club Al-Diriyah, in a move that would see the 21-year-old midfielder become the latest player to depart the French side during the summer.

De Carvalho has attracted interest from a number of clubs in Saudi Arabia and Portugal, but reports say he has been persuaded by the project and ambitions outlined by Al-Diriyah coach Bruno Lage.

According to L’Equipe, De Carvalho will join a squad that already includes former Ligue 1 players Chancel Mbemba, Idrissa Gueye and Enzo Millot. Al-Diriyah have recently won promotion and are preparing for life at their new level of competition.

Lyon are expected to receive about €1m for De Carvalho, with the deal also including bonuses. The player is due to sign a contract running until 2029 once he arrives in Saudi Arabia.

The proposed transfer brings an end to De Carvalho’s time with Lyon after a brief senior career at the club. He was promoted to the professional squad by Paulo Fonseca and has made 22 appearances for the first team.

The Portugal Under-20 international has registered one assist during those outings. His move to Al-Diriyah would give him the opportunity to continue his development in Saudi Arabia, while providing Lyon with another departure as they work to reshape their squad.

De Carvalho’s exit would be Lyon’s 12th departure of the summer. The club are continuing to reduce the size of their squad and lower their wage bill, with the midfielder’s transfer contributing to those efforts.

Although several Saudi Arabian and Portuguese clubs had shown an interest in the player, the reported influence of Lage and the vision for Al-Diriyah’s project appear to have played a decisive role in his choice.

The move remains subject to De Carvalho completing his arrival in Saudi Arabia and finalising the contract expected to keep him at Al-Diriyah until 2029. If completed, he will join Mbemba, Gueye and Millot as part of the newly promoted club’s group of players with experience of Ligue 1.

For Lyon, the transfer represents the latest step in a summer of significant squad reduction. For Al-Diriyah, it would add a young Portugal international who has already gained first-team experience at one of France’s established clubs.

Paris Saint-Germain manager Luis Enrique says Bradley Barcola’s transfer to Liverpool was beneficial for everyone involved, despite the winger’s departure leaving the European champions without one of their most important players from the past two seasons.

“Everyone is a winner,” Luis Enrique told reporters on Thursday, a day before PSG host Monaco in Ligue 1.

Barcola joined Liverpool in a high-profile deal worth an initial €125m (£107m, $145m), with a further €20m available in bonuses. The 24-year-old had not played for PSG at the beginning of the new campaign and wanted a greater role elsewhere.

“He wanted to leave because he wanted to have more importance in the team. And that is something that you have to earn in training. I can't guarantee that to any player.

“He has been a very important player for us, and he is an incredible person. He was liked by his teammates. He still had two years left on his contract, but he decided to leave, and I wish him all the best. We have to accept it.”

Barcola scored 13 goals in 49 appearances across all competitions last season as PSG successfully defended both their UEFA Champions League and Ligue 1 titles. He also appeared in every match played by France at the World Cup.

However, his position in Luis Enrique’s starting line-up was not guaranteed, with Khvicha Kvaratskhelia also competing for a place on the wing.

PSG have responded to Barcola’s departure by signing three attacking players for a combined fee of about €150m. Spain World Cup final hero Ferran Torres has arrived from Barcelona, while Maghnes Akliouche has moved from Monaco and Mika Godts has joined from Ajax.

“I am happy with the three players we have brought in up front. We must not make comparisons. We will see what happens, but I am happy with the transfer window,” said Luis Enrique.

The former Barcelona and Spain manager has also overseen the departures of Portugal striker Goncalo Ramos, who has joined AC Milan, and Senegal winger Ibrahim Mbaye, who has moved to Aston Villa.

Luis Enrique stressed that the newcomers would need “time to adapt” as PSG attempt to find their rhythm domestically. They have drawn their opening two Ligue 1 fixtures against Rennes and Lille.

That uncertain start followed defeat by Lens in the French Champions Trophy. PSG had previously claimed the UEFA Super Cup by beating Aston Villa.

The Paris club will begin their defence of the Champions League at home to Slovan Bratislava next Wednesday. They are seeking a third consecutive triumph in Europe’s leading club competition.

“Our objectives are clear. I have said it many times. I want to win the most important trophies, and there is none bigger than the Champions League,” added Luis Enrique, who is entering his fourth season in charge of PSG.

The match against Monaco comes as the club continues to reshape its attack following Barcola’s move to Liverpool, with Luis Enrique confident the changes can eventually strengthen his squad rather than weaken it.

Follow PSG’s clash against Monaco with Flashscore.

Thierry Henry believes Liverpool must create one-on-one opportunities for new signing Bradley Barcola and avoid asking the France forward to spend too much time defending if they are to get the best from him.

Liverpool completed the signing of Barcola from Paris Saint-Germain this summer in a deal worth up to $123m, making him the club’s second-biggest signing behind Alexander Isak.

The 24-year-old has agreed a five-year contract at Anfield and is expected to play an important role for manager Andoni Iraola as he attempts to restore an attacking identity to Liverpool.

Barcola could make his debut against Ipswich Town on Friday night. Before that fixture, former France forward Henry outlined the conditions he believes would allow the winger to have the greatest impact.

“A big thing about Barcola is it depends how you're going to play. Are you going to be able to put him in one-vs-one situations?” Henry asked.

Barcola is known for his acceleration and ability to carry the ball at speed, and Henry feels those qualities could be particularly valuable if Liverpool adopt a counter-attacking approach.

“What you have also is, if you want to play on the counter, he's fast as hell. But are you going to make him defend way more than he's going to attack? That may not be something he's very suitable for.

“The last thing I would say is he needs to finish a tiny bit better,” Henry added. “If he does that, a lot of teams will be in trouble with him.”

Barcola arrives at Liverpool after winning Ligue 1 three times and the Champions League twice. He scored 11 league goals in 29 appearances for Paris Saint-Germain last season, while his 2024-25 campaign produced 14 goals and 10 assists.

His arrival is part of a wider recruitment drive at Anfield. Victor Munoz and Ronald Araujo have also joined Liverpool, while Jeremy Jacquet arrived after being signed in January.

Barcola’s first appearance could come only days after completing his move, with Ipswich Town providing the opposition on Friday. The match will offer an early indication of how Iraola intends to use the forward and whether he is prepared to hand him an immediate introduction.

Henry’s assessment places particular emphasis on Liverpool giving Barcola freedom in advanced areas rather than expecting him to perform a defensive role for long periods. The former France captain also identified improved finishing as the main part of the winger’s game that still needs refining.

If Barcola can combine his pace and one-on-one ability with greater efficiency in front of goal, Henry believes opposition defences could face a difficult season against Liverpool’s new attacking option.

Monaco chief executive Thiago Scuro has defended the club’s conduct after deadline-day moves for Lamine Camara and Folarin Balogun both collapsed, saying Monaco were unfairly portrayed as “the bad guys in the room”.

The Ligue 1 club had been involved in two separate deals as the summer transfer window closed. Balogun was expected to join Everton, while Chelsea attempted to sign Camara after selling Enzo Fernandez.

Neither transfer was completed, leaving Monaco with two players who had appeared close to departing and prompting criticism of the club’s handling of the negotiations.

Scuro said Monaco had been under financial pressure to generate income because of regulations, but insisted their priority had always been to retain Camara. He added that the club was willing to consider selling Balogun.

"We needed to generate money, pushed by the regulations. We had two topics in mind (selling Lamine Camara or Flo Balogun). We made clear that our priority was to keep Lamine at the club. We were open to the transfer for Balogun.

"During the day, we had a clear agreement for Balogun to go to Everton. Balogun flew yesterday morning to go for his medical and sign a contract. Our plan worked very well in this moment..."

According to Scuro, Chelsea initially continued to explore whether Monaco might change their position on Camara after completing the sale of Enzo Fernandez.

"This was the situation until mid-afternoon. What happened is that Chelsea was always testing and trying. 'What about Lamine? What about Lamine?'

"Around 1600 yesterday, we got a contact from Chelsea. Okay, we sold a player in this position (Enzo Fernandez). Deal done. Is there any possibility that Monaco is open to selling Lamine? The answer was the same. No."

While Balogun was undergoing his medical in Liverpool, Everton raised concerns about the striker’s medical condition. Scuro said those concerns were considered unfounded by both Monaco’s medical team and the player’s own advisers.

"Balogun was in Liverpool undergoing his medical. Everything was going pretty well. Around 1900, we were contacted by Everton raising questions about Balogun’s medical which, for our medical staff, as well as for the player’s personal medical staff, made no sense at all."

Scuro said Chelsea then saw an opportunity to revive talks over Camara, believing Monaco might need to sell because the Everton deal for Balogun appeared to be in difficulty.

He said negotiations began at about 20:00 and that he personally spoke to Camara about the terms of a possible move to Chelsea, while discussions over Balogun’s medical continued.

However, Everton later confirmed they were ready to proceed with the Balogun transfer. Monaco therefore ended their discussions with Chelsea over Camara, according to Scuro.

"Because of this we become the bad guys in the room. People say 'Monaco is not fair, Monaco is not right.' It's too much."

Scuro said the Balogun deal then had only five minutes remaining when the paperwork was completed by Monaco and Everton. The transfer ultimately failed because the player chose not to sign the contract.

"And what happened was that around 2200, Everton realised that, 'OK, there is no problem'. We are ready to do it. Let’s sign the contract. As soon as we got the information, we came back to Chelsea and thought, 'OK, we have our deal there (with Everton). There is no deal on (with Chelsea).' It’s also fair to do this. It’s also part of the game.

"Then with Balogun, we had five minutes to spare (to finalise the deal). I signed the contract. Everton signed the contract. At the last moment, the player decided not to sign."

Scuro said Balogun felt uncomfortable committing to a long-term contract after the way he believed the club had treated him and after Everton’s medical department raised concerns about his health.

"Balogun’s allegation is, 'I’m not feeling well because of the way the club treated me. I’m not feeling well because Everton’s medical department raised doubts about my future or my health. I have nothing (no medical issues), so I’m not comfortable signing a long contract here'. And that’s how we finished our transfer window."

The United States international had been expected to complete a £40m move to Everton, replacing Iliman Ndiaye, who joined Manchester City.

Scuro said he did not want to create conflict with either Chelsea or Everton, but remained confident Camara would attract stronger proposals in future.

"I don’t want to create war with Chelsea, I don’t want to create war with Everton" but he said Camara "will have better options and offers than the one he had yesterday".

Arsenal turned down the opportunity to sign Malick Fofana this summer after manager Mikel Arteta raised concerns about whether the young winger could cope with the physical demands of the Premier League.

Lyon were prepared to sell Fofana to Arsenal for a fee of about €40m, but the proposed move did not progress. According to The Athletic, the French club offered the Gunners the chance to sign the 21-year-old after Sporting director Andrea Berta held discussions with Fofana’s representatives, Roc Nation Sports.

Arsenal were only willing to consider taking the Belgium international on loan, with the club also wary of moving too close to UEFA’s spending limits. However, the report says Arteta’s reservations about Fofana’s physicality were another significant factor in the deal failing to materialise.

Fofana is regarded as one of the most promising young Belgian wingers in Europe. He has built his reputation on explosive acceleration, progressive ball-carrying and his ability to create chances.

Those qualities had reportedly attracted Arsenal’s interest as they reshaped their attack following the sales of Gabriel Jesus and Gabriel Martinelli. The North London club ultimately decided against making a move for Fofana, who was viewed as a player with significant potential rather than an immediate solution.

The winger has since joined Premier League rivals Sunderland, who won the race to sign him ahead of Crystal Palace.

Arsenal have instead added left-sided attacker Christos Tzolis to their forward options after Leandro Trossard moved to Besiktas earlier in the transfer window. Fofana’s departure to Sunderland means Arsenal have missed their opportunity to pursue the Belgium international this summer, although the club had continued to monitor his progress.

The decision reflects the physical demands associated with the Premier League, widely considered the most demanding league in Europe. For Arsenal, the combination of financial restrictions and uncertainty over Fofana’s ability to adapt meant that a potential long-term investment did not become a permanent transfer.

Fofana had been available at a price Lyon considered acceptable, but Arsenal’s preference for a loan arrangement did not match the French club’s willingness to sell. With Arteta also unconvinced that the player was ready to withstand the intensity of English football, discussions ended without an agreement.

Sunderland have now secured the services of a player who was previously considered by Arsenal and Crystal Palace. For Arsenal, the focus has shifted to their existing attacking options, including Tzolis, as Arteta continues to develop his squad following the departures of Jesus, Martinelli and Trossard.

Chelsea and Alonso were left furious after Monaco withdrew from a £47.1m agreement for Lamine Camara in the final hours of the transfer window, with the collapse leaving Chelsea’s midfield short of cover.

The Premier League club had reached an agreement with Monaco on deadline day, but the Ligue 1 side ultimately refused to complete the transfer. The decision came at the same time as Monaco’s proposed move for Folarin Balogun to Everton also fell apart.

Chelsea believe Monaco behaved in a “deeply unprofessional” way and sources at the club described the decision to abandon the Camara deal as “extraordinary”, according to The Metro.

The agreement had been reached after Chelsea allowed Enzo Fernandez to move to rivals Manchester City in a £125m transfer. Camara’s proposed arrival was therefore intended to strengthen a midfield that has now been left exposed following the late collapse.

Transfer journalist Fabrizio Romano confirmed that Monaco cancelled the agreement with Chelsea as the French club instead continued working towards Balogun’s sale to Everton, a deal they believed would be completed.

The Sun reported that senior figures at Chelsea were astounded by the breakdown of the transfer, particularly because an agreement had already been reached so close to the deadline.

The circumstances have also prompted speculation about Liverpool’s possible influence on the situation. Transfer expert Ben Jacobs said Liverpool had contacted both Monaco and Camara’s representatives and urged them to wait until a later transfer window.

Jacobs said Liverpool did not want to sign Camara immediately because Alexis Mac Allister remained at the club, but suggested they could return for the player in 2027.

“Liverpool made a call this evening, and more than one I am told, to say the camp of Camara wait, and to say to Monaco wait, because Liverpool don’t want Lamine Camara now, Alexis Mac Allister is still at the club, Liverpool said to Monaco, ‘wait’, Liverpool said to Camara, ‘wait’.

“To be clear, so this is not taken out of context, we’re not saying Liverpool interfered in the deal relating to Chelsea, we are saying all day, Liverpool said to Monaco and Camara, ‘if you do not get your move, we will be back for you potentially in 2027.”

The comments suggest Liverpool’s interest may have encouraged Camara and Monaco not to rush into completing the move to Chelsea. However, Jacobs stressed that he was not claiming Liverpool had directly interfered with Chelsea’s negotiations.

Chelsea are now left without the midfield addition they had expected to make on deadline day, while Camara remains at Monaco after the French club took the decision to abandon the agreement.

Chelsea’s proposed £47m move for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara has reportedly fallen through after the Ligue 1 club reversed its decision at the final stage of negotiations.

Chelsea had reached a full written club-to-club agreement with Monaco for the 22-year-old, who had been identified as their preferred replacement for Enzo Fernandez. However, according to Fabrizio Romano, Monaco have now withdrawn from the deal while continuing with the sale of Folarin Balogun to Everton.

The development has left Chelsea furious, with the Premier League club understood to regard Monaco’s decision as a deeply unprofessional way to conduct transfer business. The agreement between the two clubs had reportedly been completed in writing before Monaco changed position.

Camara’s move had appeared to offer Chelsea a solution in midfield, particularly with Fernandez’s proposed £125m transfer to Man City expected to be confirmed imminently. Instead, Chelsea now face the prospect of losing their preferred replacement without having secured another player for the position.

The reported collapse comes at a difficult stage for Chelsea, who are now short of midfield options as they prepare for Fernandez’s expected departure. Xabi Alonso currently has Moises Caicedo, Valentin Barco, Jordan Henderson, Romeo Lavia and captain Reece James available in that area of the squad.

Camara had emerged as the player Chelsea wanted to bring in to fill the vacancy that would be created by Fernandez’s move. The reported £47m agreement with Monaco indicated that the clubs had progressed beyond preliminary discussions and into a formal arrangement.

That understanding is now no longer expected to lead to a transfer, with Monaco instead proceeding with Balogun’s sale to Everton. The change in approach has put Chelsea’s recruitment plans under renewed pressure, given the timing of Fernandez’s anticipated move to Man City.

Chelsea’s frustration is understood to centre not only on the failure to complete Camara’s transfer, but also on the fact that the two clubs had already reached a written agreement. Monaco’s decision to go back on that arrangement has left Chelsea needing to reassess their midfield plans.

For now, Caicedo, Barco, Henderson, Lavia and James remain the players listed as available to Alonso in midfield. But with Fernandez’s £125m transfer to Man City expected to be confirmed imminently, Chelsea had been relying on the agreement for Camara to provide continuity in the position.

The proposed move is therefore off, according to the latest report from Romano, leaving Chelsea without the player they had regarded as their preferred Enzo Fernandez replacement.