European Leagues

Mbappe tension overshadows PSG’s crunch Champions League date

Kylian Mbappe says his now former club, PSG, made it clear that he would be playing less after it became obvious he would be joining Real

Paris Saint-Germain’s preparations for Tuesday’s Champions League last-16 second leg away to Real Sociedad have been overshadowed by coach Luis Enrique’s handling of star man Kylian Mbappe.

PSG have suffered numerous humiliating defeats at this stage of the Champions League in recent years but they are ideally placed to advance to the quarter-finals this time after winning 2-0 at home to the Basque side in last month’s first leg.

Mbappe scored the opening goal in that game but the following day the superstar striker informed PSG of his intention to leave when his contract expires at the end of the campaign.

Luis Enrique might have been expected to make the most of being able to call on Mbappe until then, but instead he has made a point of reducing his top scorer’s playing time.

Mbappe was left on the bench for PSG’s next game at Nantes, although he came on to score a penalty in a 2-0 win.

A week later he started as captain at home against Rennes, but was substituted on 65 minutes. His replacement Goncalo Ramos went on to score the equaliser in a 1-1 draw.

Mbappe has made almost 300 appearances for PSG since arriving from Monaco in 2017, but he had only previously been taken off earlier in a game either due to injury or with PSG already winning.

Yet last Friday he was hooked at half-time in a 0-0 draw at Monaco, and once again there was no question of him being injured or even of Luis Enrique trying to save his superstar for the Champions League.

“Sooner or later we are going to have to play without him, so I am trying to find the best way of doing so,” the coach said.

His comments came after he pointedly declared in a press conference last week that PSG would have “a much better team” next season, by which time Mbappe is expected to be playing for Real Madrid.

Mbappe, who is PSG’s all-time top scorer with 244 goals, appeared eager to make a point that there was nothing wrong with him in Monaco as he emerged from the dressing room after half-time.

Having changed into a tracksuit, he walked around the pitch waving to fans and then took a seat in the stand beside his mother, rather than on the bench next to his teammates.

PSG can afford to experiment in Ligue 1 given they lead the table by nine points from Brest with 10 games left.

However, Luis Enrique’s decision to handle Mbappe in this way ahead of such an important European date has been questioned.

“I don’t understand. I get the impression that ever since he told the club he was leaving he has been punished by the coach, or maybe the punishment has been imposed by the directors,” said Alain Roche, a former PSG defender and sporting director now working as a pundit for broadcaster Canal Plus.

“I think it is inappropriate to create such a controversy four days before a game as important as the second leg against La Real.”

Mbappe has scored 32 goals in 33 games for his club this season, including four in the Champions League.

No other PSG player has reached double figures and Mbappe will surely start in San Sebastian as the French champions look to finish the job.

They have a comfortable lead against opponents who lie seventh in La Liga and have won only once in nine games.

Then again the Parisians are all too familiar with dramatic collapses in Champions League knockout ties.

Two of their most notorious defeats came on Spanish soil in last-16 ties after they had won at home in the first leg.

Two years ago they beat Madrid 1-0 in Paris and then went ahead in the return thanks to Mbappe, only to concede three times in the second half and go out.

In 2017 they hammered Barcelona 4-0 at home only to cave in and lose 6-1 at the Camp Nou.

Another exit this time, against weaker opposition and given Luis Enrique’s handling of Mbappe, would be disastrous for coach and club.

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Related Topics:Kylian Mbappe Luis Enrique PSG

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European Leagues

Palace Demoted From Europa League To Conference League

Crystal Palace have been demoted from the Europa League to the Conference League next season, Uefa have ruled.

The governing body’s decision stems from Palace breaching its multi-club ownership rules and Uefa said the Eagles could appeal its ruling with the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Nottingham Forest, who finished seventh in the Premier League last season, could replace FA Cup winners Palace in the Europa League.

Eagle Football Holdings – owned by American businessman John Textor – holds stakes in Palace and Lyon, with Uefa rules stating that clubs owned, to a certain threshold of influence, by the same person or entity cannot compete in the same European competition.

Uefa’s rules set a deadline of 1 March 2025 to show proof of multi-club ownership restructuring – a deadline which Palace missed.

Palace argued Textor does not hold any decisive influence at the club, but Uefa have not accepted the Premier League side’s defence.

Lyon, who also qualified for next season’s Europa League, take precedence over Palace because of their higher league position.

The seven-time French champions finished sixth in Ligue 1, with Palace 12th in the Premier League but qualifying for European competition by winning the FA Cup.

Earlier this week Lyon won their appeal against relegation from Ligue 1 after they were demoted for financial reasons, which affected Palace’s chances of playing in the Europa League.

Had Lyon’s relegation been upheld, they had agreed with Uefa to be excluded from the Europa League, clearing the way for Palace to play in the competition.

English football has two allocated Europa League spots, with Aston Villa securing the other after finishing sixth in the Premier League.

Forest replace Palace in the Europa League after finishing seventh, with their Conference League spot going to the Eagles instead.

More to follow.

Bbc.com

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Premier League

Tosin Focused On FIFA Club World Cup Final

When Tosin Adarabioyo moved along the Thames to join Chelsea from Fulham in the summer of 2024, the defender issued the reasons explaining why he’d signed for the Blues.

Simply, he said he wanted to help the Blues move ‘in the direction we want to go’. To put it plainly, the defender wanted to add silverware to his CV.

Fast forward to May 2025 and Tosin was on the pitch in Wroclaw, Poland. A wide smile etched on his face, celebrating with his team-mates in front of the travelling Chelsea fans as we lifted the Conference League trophy. He’d delivered on his promise.

However, there’s still the opportunity for move silverware and as Tosin chats to us ahead of Sunday’s FIFA Club World Cup final, where we will face PSG, the defender is full of enthusiasm as he contemplates the thought of adding another trophy to his collection.

‘It’s fantastic to reach the final and we’re all looking forward to it,’ the Chelsea No.4 stated, with a beaming smile. ‘We’ve been focused throughout the tournament and we’ve got one huge game left to go now, which we’ll give our all for.

‘For us, it’s an amazing position to be in to play against teams all over the world. That’s what football’s about, bringing different countries all together and we’re happy to do that and be in the final.

‘This has been an amazing competition and it’s a big achievement for us to be in the final. But we know the work isn’t done yet and we’ll be giving it our all on Sunday.’

At 27, Tosin stands as one of the elder statesmen in Enzo Maresca’s squad. Saying that before he is even remotely close to hitting 30 feels slightly strange, but it’s a role the defender has embraced and understands he is required to be a ‘leader’ to his younger team-mates.

The former Fulham man has explained how he helps the other players in the squad, while also revealing one of the secrets to our success in the States – hard work combined with planned downtime and squad bonding.

‘It’s a strange one really!’ Tosin said of being one of the experienced heads in the dressing room. ‘I’m only 27, but I’m one of the most senior players in the team.

‘We’ve got a really talented young squad, with some amazing players and I just try to help and offer advice and guidance to the lads where I can.

‘Our minds have been set on getting to the final and the gaffer’s [Enzo Maresca] been great, giving us some downtime wherever we’ve been. We’ve done a lot of travelling in this tournament, so I think being able to do that has been really beneficial for us.

‘Joao’s settled in really well and we can see every day in training how talented he is.’

‘We’ve been able to have the right time to forget about football a little bit and just focus on enjoying our times together and that’s what we’ve done.’

Joao Pedro’s two goals in the semi-final against Fluminense on his full debut were what helped us secure our place in the final against the reigning Champions League holders, PSG, and Tosin spoke in glowing terms on how the Brazilian forward has settled in since completing his switch from Brighton.

‘Joao’s settled in really well and his two goals in the semi-final were both incredible,’ added the defender. ‘You can see that he’s got amazing quality and will really add something to the group.

‘We’re really pleased he’s here with us in America, helping the team and as I said he’s settled into the group so well already.’

With one step left to go, Tosin will hope victory on Sunday will ensure the celebrations in America eclipse those experienced in Poland.

Chelseafc.com

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Premier League

Gunners Close In On Chelsea’s Madueke

It is expected that England international Madueke will provide competition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s wide areas.

Chelsea forward Noni Madueke is on the brink of a £50million move to Arsenal – becoming Mikel Arteta’s fourth signing of the summer.

It is expected that England international Madueke will provide competition to Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli in Arsenal’s wide areas.

Madueke’s proposed move across London has been met with criticism by Arsenal supporters on social media.

However, the PA news agency has been told that a fee, which could exceed £50m with performance-related add-ons, has all but been agreed with Chelsea, while the 23-year-old is keen to make the move.

Madueke, who made the switch to Stamford Bridge from PSV Eindhoven in 2023, would follow Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi and goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga – who also joined from Chelsea – and Christian Norgaard in moving to the Emirates this summer.

Madueke scored 11 times for Chelsea across all competitions last season and was rewarded with his first senior international appearances under England interim manager Lee Carsley and his permanent successor Thomas Tuchel.

Arsenal are still in the market for a new striker, with Sporting Lisbon’s Viktor Gyokeres believed to be top of the list.

The PA news agency has approached Arsenal and Chelsea for comment.

Irishexaminer.com

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