Phil Foden Faces Uncertain Future in England’s World Cup Squad
Phil Foden’s chances of securing a spot in England’s World Cup squad are under scrutiny, according to manager Thomas Tuchel. The 25-year-old has been the only player to start England’s recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, but his performance has been lackluster. This comes after a period where Foden has struggled to find consistent game time with Manchester City.
Tuchel acknowledged Foden’s efforts during training, stating, “He tried everything. I would say he was excellent in camp but he struggles to show it on the pitch.” Despite his hard work, Foden’s inability to translate his performances into results on the field has raised concerns about his inclusion in the World Cup squad.
Arsenal Edge Past Chelsea in Women’s Champions League
Arsenal have taken a significant step toward defending their Women’s Champions League title by defeating Chelsea in the quarter-finals. The Gunners secured a 3-2 aggregate win despite losing the second leg 1-0 at Stamford Bridge. Chelsea’s missed opportunities proved costly as Sjoeke Nusken’s late goal was not enough to overturn the deficit.
Nusken had several chances early in the match, while Alyssa Thompson and Sam Kerr also threatened. However, Daphne van Domselaar made crucial saves to keep the Blues at bay. Arsenal’s Stina Blackstenius had a header ruled out for offside, and Chelsea’s Veerle Buurman hit the post. Van Domselaar then denied another Nusken header, showcasing her importance to the team.
In stoppage time, Nusken finally found the back of the net, but it was too late. Chelsea manager Sonia Bompastor was sent off as tensions flared, adding to the frustration of the Blues’ exit.
Manchester United Exit Champions League After Defeat to Bayern Munich
Manchester United’s journey in the Women’s Champions League came to an end after a 2-1 defeat to Bayern Munich, resulting in a 5-3 aggregate loss. The German side advanced to the semi-finals with a strong second-half performance.
Melvine Malard equalized for United in the first half, but Bayern quickly took control. Glodis Viggosdottir and Linda Dallmann both scored in the final 10 minutes, sealing the victory. United manager Marc Skinner admitted that fatigue played a role in their downfall, stating, “We’ve got 45 minutes of really high-level football then the second half it’s just down to fatigue and tiredness.”
Chelsea Report Record Losses
Chelsea have announced a record pre-tax loss of £262.4 million for the year ending June 30, 2025. This figure surpasses the previous record set by Manchester City in the 2010-11 season. The loss is attributed to higher operating costs compared to the 2023-24 season.
The news coincided with the Football Association revealing that Chelsea spent significantly more on agents’ fees—£65.1 million—than any other English club this season. Aston Villa were the next highest spenders with £38.4 million, while English top-flight clubs collectively spent £460.3 million on agent fees.
What’s on Today?
Today’s sporting schedule includes the conclusion of the remaining Women’s Champions League quarter-finals. Barcelona will face Real Madrid in the second leg with a 6-2 aggregate lead, while Wolfsburg travels to Lyon with a 1-0 advantage.
In the EFL, Wigan will take on Leyton Orient in a crucial relegation battle, and promotion-chasing Cambridge will face Swindon in a key League Two clash.
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