FIFA GIVES CLUBS AN EXTRA WEEK BEFORE RELEASING AFCON STARS

Liverpool could be without Egyptian forward Mohamed for several English Premier League matches during the Africa Cup of Nations tournament (PETER POWELL)

Star players such as Mohamed Salah, Bryan Mbeumo and Achraf Hakimi will be able to play for their clubs for an extra week until December 15 before joining their national teams at the Africa Cup of Nations, FIFA said on Wednesday.

Top European clubs such as Salah's Liverpool, Mbeumo's Manchester United and Hakimi's Paris Saint-Germain face losing key players for up to five weeks for the 24-nation tournament in Morocco from December 21 to January 18.

But they had feared it could be even longer until FIFA amended its rules to soften the blow for clubs by delaying the release date by a week.

The decision came after "fruitful consultations led by FIFA with key stakeholders and thanks to the spirit of solidarity demonstrated by CAF to reduce the impact on various parties," FIFA said in a statement, referring to the tournament organisers, the Confederation of African Football.

"It was also decided to encourage member associations participating in the 2025 AFCON and clubs releasing players... to engage in good faith bilateral discussions in order to find appropriate individual solutions," FIFA added.

Before FIFA's ruling, players had been required to show up for international duty by December 8, meaning that English Premier League clubs could have been without vital players for up to seven or even eight league matches during a particularly busy part of the season.

The competition falls at an awkward moment for the likes of high-flying Sunderland and rock-bottom Wolverhampton Wanderers who could be without up to seven and five players respectively.

Liverpool will be without Egypt forward Salah, Manchester City will have to do without his international team-mate Omar Marmoush and Algeria's left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri, while United will lose Cameroon's Mbeumo, Ivory Coast winger Amad Diallo and Morocco full-back Noussair Mazraoui.

On the other hand, league leaders Arsenal, Chelsea and Leeds will be unaffected.

French and European champions PSG will lose Hakimi, the reigning African player of the year, but other European giants such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan and Juventus will not see any players involved.

Bayern Munich's Senegal forward Nicolas Jackson, on loan from Chelsea, will be at the tournament but will not miss many Bundesliga games as the league will be on its winter break from December 22 to January 8.

Morocco, Egypt, Algeria and Senegal are amongst the tournament favourites.

- AFP

CHELSEA SUFFER TRANSFER BLOW WITH NICOLAS JACKSON SET FOR SHOCK RETURN FROM BAYERN MÜNCHEN

Nicolas Jackson left Chelsea to join Byern Munich on loan (Picture: Bayern Munich)

Bayern Munich chief Uli Hoeness says Nicolas Jackson will return to Chelsea next summer and will ‘definitely not’ sign a permanent contract with the German champions.

Jackson’s Chelsea career appeared to be over after he joined Bayern Munich on transfer deadline day on an initial loan deal.

Bayern reportedly paid an initial £14m to sign Jackson on loan for the rest of the 2025-26 season, and would sign him permanently next summer for £56m if he made a set number of appearances.

That looked like superb business for Chelsea, who signed Jackson for £32m two summers ago and were open to offers following the signings of Joao Pedro and Liam Delap.

But Bayern chief Hoeness has revealed Jackson needs to start 40 games to earn a permanent move to Munich, something he says ‘will never happen’.

‘The player and his agent contribute for €3m, so we pay €13.5m loan fee,’ he told German TV channel SPORT1.

Bayern Munich’ chief Uli Hoeness (Picture: Getty)

‘There will definitely not be a permanent contract. That only happens if he plays 40 games from the start, it will never happen.’

Jackson is not expected to start for Bayern Munich this summer and will play back-up to England captain Harry Kane.

Following his departure from Chelsea, Jackson said: ‘I’m really happy to now be part of this great club. Bayern is one of the best clubs in the world.

‘Everyone knows the names of the legends who’ve played here and knows that this club stands for the greatest success.

Jackson spent two seasons at Stamford Bridge (Picture: Getty)

‘I’ve got big goals and dreams here and will give my all to help Bayern win further titles.’

Jackson enjoyed a promising first season at Stamford Bridge, scoring 17 goals in all competitions, but went backwards last term.

Chelsea were willing to sanction his summer move after signing Brazilian forward Pedro from Brighton and English striker Delap from Ipswich Town.

The Blues briefly considered blocking Jackson’s departure after Delap’s recent injury but eventually sanctioned his deadline-day move to Bayern Munich.

Jackson admitted he was ‘a little sad’ to leave Chelsea despite signing for ‘one of the biggest clubs in the world’.

‘I was simply very happy to sign for one of the biggest clubs in the world, to discover another league and other great players,’ he said.

‘At the same time, I was a little sad to leave Chelsea, my teammates, and the fans. I experienced so many strong emotions there: we won the Conference League and the Club World Cup.

‘Now I’m 100% focused on my new project and I can’t wait to experience the incredible atmosphere at the Allianz Arena.’

- Louis Sealey

JAMAL MUSIALA NAMED IN BAYERN MUNICH'S UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE SQUAD

Jamal Musiala has not played for Bayern Munich since suffering a serious leg injury on 5 July. - © IMAGO/Teresa Kröger /M.i.S.

Bayern Munich have included injured star Jamal Musiala in their squad for the league phase of the 2025/26 UEFA Champions League.

Musiala, who has been out of action since suffering a serious leg and ankle break against Paris Saint-Germain at the FIFA Club World Cup in July, is among the 23 players selected by Vincent Kompany for the league phase of the tournament, which gets under way later this month.

The 22-year-old told Sport Bild earlier this week that he is aiming to return to first-team action with Bayern before the end of the calendar year.

His return has now moved one step closer after his inclusion in Kompany's squad, which also features new signings Tom Bischof, Luis Díaz, Nicolas Jackson and Jonathan Tah as well as the usual suspects such as Harry Kane, Joshua Kimmich and captain Manuel Neuer.

“The healing process is going according to plan,” he said. “I no longer need crutches. “I don’t want to specify a date, but given the progress I’ve made so far, I’d say I want to be playing competitive matches with Bayern in 2025.”

The reigning Bundesliga champions, who have started the 2025/26 season with four wins in all competitions, kick-off their Champions League campaign at home to English Premier League side Chelsea at the Allianz Arena on 17 September. 

They will then face Paris Saint-Germain (A), Club Brugge (H), Arsenal (A), Sporting Lisbon (H), PSV Eindhoven (A), Union Saint-Gilloise (H), and Pafos (A) in the league stage.

Bayern’s Champions League squad in full:

Goalkeepers

Manuel Neuer, Sven Ulreich, Jonas Urbig

Defenders

Dayot Upamecano, Minjae Kim, Jonathan Tah, Hiroki Ito, Raphaël Guerreiro, Sacha Boey, Cassiano Kiala, Josip Stanišić

Midfielders

Joshua Kimmich, Leon Goretzka, Jamal Musiala, Michael Olise, Alphonso Davies, Tom Bischof, Konrad Laimer, Aleksandar Pavlović

Forwards

Serge Gnabry, Harry Kane, Nicolas Jackson, Luis Díaz

- Bundesliga

ROMANO REVEALS WORLD RECORD 'DEAL AGREED' AS BLUES MAKE 'DIRECT CALL' FOR £78M STAR

Fabrizio Romano with the latest Chelsea transfer updates.

Chelsea have reached an astonishing agreement with Bayern Munich for Nicolas Jackson as Fabrizio Romano reveals the Blues held a ‘direct call’ over a new playmaker after signing Facundo Buonanotte from Brighton on Friday.

The Blues have signed both Joao Pedro and Liam Delap as new strikers this summer which pushed Jackson down he pecking order, and although Chelsea preferred his permanent sale, Bayern have agreed to pay €15m [£13m] to take him for the season, which amount to a world record fee for a loan.

Fabrizio Romano took to X to reveal the astonishing deal: ‘EXCL: Nicolas Jackson to Bayern, here we go! Deal agreed with Chelsea on initial loan move. €15m loan fee for one season plus buy option clause not mandatory for €80m package and sell-on clause. Jackson, set to fly to Bavaria with his agent Ali Barat from Epic Sports.’

The move pushes Chelsea into the black this summer, with their net spend almost exactly zero once Alejandro Garnacho’s been officially confirmed as a new player after joining from Manchester United, with Christopher Nkunku’s sale to AC Milan offsetting that cost.

They’ve been targeting further attacking players, and after Tottenham beat them to the signing of Xavi Simons, Romano revealed on Friday that they’ve bolstered their ranks with Buonanotte, who impressed on loan at Leicester from Brighton last season.

Romano wrote on X: BREAKING: ‘Facundo Buonanotte to Chelsea, here we go! Deal in place with loan move and there’s no buy option clause included. Understand Chelsea will have chance to match future bids and get Buonanotte if they can agree with Brighton. Exclusive story, confirmed.’

But despite reports to the contrary, the 20-year-old’s signing has not caused Chelsea to walk away from a possible deal for Barcelona’s Fermin Lopez.

Spanish outlet Mundo Deportivo claim the Blues ‘will go all out’ to sign the Spain international – who’s valued at €90m [£78m] by Barcelona – in what remains of the transfer window, with their resolve strengthened having missed out on Simons.

And Romano confirmed on Friday evening that Chelsea held further talks with Fermin’s representatives after landing Buonanotte and wait for the midfielder’s decision.

“Even after signing Facundo Buonanotte, Chelsea had a new direct call with the agents of Fermin Lopez to try to understand the situation,” Romano said on his YouTube channel.

“But Chelsea and Barca are both waiting to see what Fermin Lopez wants to do.

“In Spain, the media said he would release a statement on Friday clarifying his future but he didn’t do that, let’s see what happens on Saturday. Club-to-club talks will only advance when their is an indication from the player.

“Barcelona maintain belief that Fermin will not go”

PAUL MERSON SAYS CHELSEA ARE MAKING £65M TRANSFER MISTAKE THAT 'COULD COMEBACK AND HAUNT THEM'

Nicolas Jackson is in talks to leave Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

Paul Merson has warned Chelsea that they may live to regret putting Nicolas Jackson up for sale, with both Aston Villa and Newcastle exploring a transfer move for the striker this summer.

Jackson, 24, has blown hot and cold across his two-year spell with Chelsea – following a £32million switch from Villarreal – and now finds himself on the periphery, searching for a new club.

While there have been glimpses of undoubted quality throughout Jackson’s stay in west London, the forward’s temperament has often been questioned and he has faced repeated criticism from fans for a lack of composure in front of goal.

The addition of Joao Pedro, Liam Delap, Estevao and Jamie Gittens across a busy transfer window at Stamford Bridge has only raised further questions surrounding Jackson’s standing under Maresca.

Chelsea’s hierarchy had reportedly slapped an eye-watering asking price of £80m asking price on Jackson at the start of the summer, telling the Senegalese he could leave should he find a suitor willing to stump up the required cash.

But the Club World Cup winners have slashed their valuation down to £65m, alerting both Villa and Newcastle to a potential agreement – with both clubs scouring the market for attacking reinforcements before the deadline.

Villa Park has emerged as the most likely destination for Jackson and Unai Emery – who managed the forward at Villarreal – is pushing to get a deal over the line after losing Leon Bailey and Jacob Ramsey to Roma and Newcastle respectively in recent days.

.

The Senegal forward did not feature in Chelsea’s opening match with Palace (Picture: Getty)

‘I like him. He’s a bit messy and sometimes he’ll go through and his touch will be poor, but I’d love to play with him,’ Merson – a lifelong Chelsea fan – told Sky Sports News when quizzed on the rumours surrounding Jackson.

‘The position I used to play, I love players like that who want to run that way [forwards]. They open the game up.

Maresca has confirmed Jackson will not play against West Ham on Friday (Picture: Getty)

‘If he can get to Aston Villa or a Newcastle, I’d buy him all day long. I would buy him.

‘Newcastle have got a lot of pace and then you can get Bruno [Guimaraes] and [Sandro] Tonali, people like that, on the ball. He’s willing, I like him Even though he’s a little bit messy.’

Merson is ‘pretty shocked’ that Chelsea appear so ready and willing to let Jackson depart for a direct Premier League rival.

According to Merson, the Blues are leaving themselves open to the possibility of Jackson returning with a point to prove in the future.

‘He needs a little bit more coaching, but he’s got the potential… I don’t think there would be too many centre-backs going, “That was easy”, because he gives you a hard time and he’s always willing to run,’ the ex-Arsenal, Villa and England star added.

‘I’m pretty shocked with Chelsea. I thought he made Palmer and Palmer made Jackson, I thought they worked as a real pair and stretched the game and it got Palmer on the ball and let him do his stuff.

Merson fears selling Jackson could ‘come back to haunt’ Chelsea (Picture: Getty)

‘I know we’re only one game in but, all of a sudden, Palmer’s going further and further back to get the ball and you don’t want him there. You want him around the box where he can weave his magic because he has the X factor.

‘I don’t think this is a great move for Chelsea at all. I think so [they’re making a mistake]. In my opinion, I think Jackson could come back to haunt them, that could be a worry for me.

‘If he went to a Newcastle or a Villa, I think he could come back and haunt Chelsea by scoring a few goals because, as I say, he’s willing to run and playing where I played as a No.10 or in midfield, I’d have loved to have played with Jackson.’

The Blues are demanding a fee of £65m for Jackson (Picture: Getty)

Asked whether Jackson’s game would be better suited to Villa or Newcastle, Merson replied: ‘I think either one.

‘The way they play, they’ve both got good midfield players, and it’s a big pitch.’

Facing the media on Thursday, Enzo Maresca confirmed Jackson would miss Chelsea’s upcoming trip to West Ham while his future was still up in the air.

‘He is available but he is not going to be part of the squad,’ the Chelsea head coach told reporters.

‘As we already said, we have two strikers, two players in that position, and also we know that something can happen before the transfer window closes.

Pressed on whether a deal was close for Jackson, Maresca replied: ‘No idea to be honest, no idea.

‘You know already from last season that I prefer to be focused on the training sessions, preparing for the game and these kind of things. I don’t know.’

- Tom Olver

CHELSEA MAKE DECISION ON SELLING NICOLAS JACKSON AFTER LEAVING EN

Chelsea forward Nicolas Jackson had a moment to forget at the Club World Cup.

Nicolas Jackson was sent off in Chelsea's surprise defeat to Flamengo (Image: GETTY)

Chelsea are reportedly open to selling Nicolas Jackson after his nightmare cameo in their Club World Cup defeat to Flamengo. Enzo Maresca brought him off the bench in the second half, replacing Liam Delap as the Blues' main striker. It turned out to be an awful decision, with Jackson only lasting four minutes before he was given his marching orders.

A reckless challenge on Flamengo defender Ayrton Lucas left the referee with little choice but to brandish his red card. Jackson was heavily criticised after the final whistle, with former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel branding him 'stupid' in a furious rant. Now, it has emerged that Jackson could soon leave Stamford Bridge with two Italian clubs thought to be circling.

He is 'no longer untouchable' at Chelsea and the west Londoners are open to cashing in on his signature, according to Sky Sport Italia. It is claimed that senior figures are 'considering a future without' Jackson after Juventus and Napoli registered their interest.

Both clubs are said to have reached out to Jackson's representatives to gauge his interest in moving to Serie A. They have asked to be kept informed about the player's situation, with his future in the Premier League seemingly uncertain.

Napoli are said to be eyeing several other attacking targets, including Liverpool forward Darwin Nunez and Udinese marksman Lorenzo Lucca. As a result, a concrete move for Jackson is more likely to come from Juventus.

Only time will tell if Jackson ends up leaving Chelsea over the coming weeks, with the 24-year-old having already issued a public apology for his red card against Flamengo.

On social media, he wrote: "To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down. Another red card... and honestly, I’m so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.

"I still don’t fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn’t intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way.

"No excuses. I take full responsibility. I’ll reflect, I’ll grow, and I’ll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry."

Maresca, meanwhile, took a diplomatic approach when asked if Jackson’s lack of discipline could see him permanently benched in favour of Delap.

"No, the red card has nothing to do with Nico’s future," said the Chelsea boss. "He had the first one against Newcastle when Liam was not even here and another one [against Flamengo].

"I’m not sure that it’s 100 per cent a red card, but the referee decided for that and Nico knows very well that in both situations [it] was not something good for the team."

- ARCHIE GRIGGS

CHELSEA: NICOLAS JACKSON ISSUES PUBLIC STATEMENT AFTER CLUB WORLD CUP RED CARD

Apology: Nicolas Jackson (AP)

Nicolas Jackson has issued an apology to “the club, the staff, my team-mates and all the fans” after being sent off during Chelsea’s loss to Flamengo in the Club World Cup.

Jackson, who was sent off against Newcastle in their third-last Premier League match, was brought on after after the hour mark with the scores level. Flamengo scored a second just one minute later and, three minutes after that Jackson raked his studs down the shin of Lucas Ayrton and was immediately dismissed.

Wallace Yan scored Flamengo’s third in a resounding display from the Brazilian giants, leaving the Blues needing a result against ES Tunis in their final Club World Cup group game.

It is the second time in weeks that Jackson has been shown a red card, having been dismissed against Newcastle in an important Premier League game in the race to qualify for the Champions League. Speaking on DAZN as a pundit, former Blues midfielder Mikel John Obi branded Jackson “stupid, stupid, stupid.”

The striker has now apologised. The statement read: “I want to say sorry. To the club, the staff, my teammates, and all the fans watching, I let you down.

“Another red card and honestly, I'm so angry at myself. I work hard every day to help the team not to put us in this kind of situation.

“I still don't fully understand how it happened. But one thing is clear: it wasn't intentional. Just a football moment that went the wrong way. No excuses. I take full responsibility.

“I'll reflect, I'll grow, and I'll come back stronger for the badge and for everyone who believes in me. Sorry. Sorry. Sorry.”

- Alex Young

CHELSEA MUST MANAGE GAMES BETTER DESPITE WIN - MARESCA

Chelsea must manage games better and learn to deal with stressful situations, manager Enzo Maresca said after Marc Cucurella was sent off at the end of Sunday's 2-1 home win against Brentford in the Premier League.

Cucurella and Nicolas Jackson scored as Chelsea secured their fifth consecutive league win to close the gap to leaders Liverpool to two points.

However, Chelsea conceded a goal in the final minute against Brentford, while Cucurella was shown a second yellow card following an altercation with forward Kevin Schade for "adopting an aggressive attitude."

Chelsea lead the league in yellow cards this season with 50.

"For sure the goal we concede, and the last part of the game, it is something we need to manage better," Maresca said.

"I think it's experience for the players to learn and to improve things.

"But overall, with the spirit of the team, we know that sometimes it can happen. With the second [yellow] one, it's probably not the correct thing to do, but these are things we need to improve."

The Italian praised Cucurella's contribution against Brentford both in and out of possession.

"Cucurella was top on and off the ball ... together with the other 10 [players], they were fantastic. We are happy, delighted with Marc's performance."

Maresca confirmed midfielder Romeo Lavia is expected to return from injury for next Sunday's trip to Everton while João Félix will also be available for their Conference League match against Shamrock Rovers on Thursday.

Defender Benoît Badiashile is likely to be out with an injury sustained in training, he added.

- Reuters