Football News LIVE: Dembele wins Ballon dand#8217;Or, Liverpool to secure Gravenberch future, Reds and Chelsea in Carabao Cup action
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In the Ballon d'Or, it was glory for Ousmane Dembele as he just about held off Lamine Yamal to claim the most coveted individual prize in world football.
It came after the Frenchman played a key role in Paris Saint-Germain's first-ever Champions League title, plus three other domestic trophies.
The Women's Ballon d'Or went to Aitana Bonmati, who became just the third player in history to win three in a row after Lionel Messi and Michel Platini.
Meanwhile, talkSPORT's chief football correspondent, Alex Crook, has the latest from Liverpool and Manchester United in his transfer notebook.
18 minutes agoBy Joe Brophy
More from Tottenham boss Thomas Frank on his approach for the game tomorrow: "I don't know any coach or manager or player that doesn't want to compete and try to win.
"It's not tomorrow, but hopefully it's not too far away."
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Today, 14:03By Joe Brophy
It has been a troubling start to the season for Aston Villa, with the departure of transfer chief Monchi the latest upheaval for manager Unai Emery.
Emery has been visibly frustrated in the opening weeks of the campaign and hit out at his own players after they failed to beat ten-man Sunderland on Sunday.
While senior Villa sources insist Emery’s job is not under threat despite their run of zero wins from their first five games, there are some concerns within the club that the Spaniard could consider his own future, reports talkSPORT’s chief football correspondent, Alex Crook.
Monchi was basically hand-picked by Emery two years ago and was a key boardroom ally.
Emery also faces the threat of losing more players due to Villa’s ongoing PSR issues having failed to qualify for the Champions League this season.
Morgan Rogers, who has been surprisingly below-par so far this season, remains on the radar of the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal, while Youri Tielemans is in the sights of several European clubs.
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Today, 13:28By Joe Brophy
Pep Guardiola claimed that becoming a father for the second time is the only thing in the future of midfielder Kalvin Phillips right now.
He was asked about the former England star's availability ahead of Man City's Carabao Cup third-round clash at Huddersfield Town.
Guardiola said: "Today he is in London because he is going to become a father for a second time.
"I have the feeling every season he is there, he's close, because of the good keeper that he is to the individual awards."
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Today, 12:26By Joe Brophy
Aston Villa have agreed a deal in principle to appoint Roberto Olabe as their new president of football operations, talkSPORT understands.
TalkSPORT reported last night that Monchi will leave his role, with a move announcing his replacement expected within 24-48 hours.
Monchi is departing just two years after he joined from Sevilla as Villa begins to feel the effects of a difficult summer transfer window.
His exit also comes amid a dreadful start to the 2025/26 season.
Unai Emery's side are 18th and winless in the Premier League following their 1-1 draw away at ten-man Sunderland on Sunday.
Sources close to Monchi suggest that he felt he took Villa as far as he could due to the financial constraints at the club.
Monchi is also understood to have wanted more financial support to sign Marcus Rashford and Marco Asensio on permanent deals.
Olabe, meanwhile, exited Real Sociedad at the end of last season and was thought to be on Villa's radar before they hired Monchi.
His tenure at the Spanish club saw him play an important role in the development of current Premier League stars Alexander Isak, Mikel Merino, Martin Odegaard, and Martin Zubimendi.
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Today, 12:06By Joe Brophy
Liverpool are ready to reward man-of-the-moment Ryan Gravenberch with a new long-term deal, talkSPORT understands.
Gravenberch played a starring role in Liverpool’s unexpected Premier League title win last season.
The Dutch international has made an amazing start to this season, crowned by his superb strike in Saturday’s Merseyside derby victory at home to Everton.
Gravenberch, who only turned 23 in May and who cost a bargain £35m from Bayern Munich, is under contract until the summer of 2028.
While the need to tie him down is not urgent, any extension would be a reflection of his importance to the team.
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Today, 11:40By Joe Brophy
Chelsea could face competition from Manchester United in their pursuit of AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan.
The Blues are considering reviving their interest in Maignan after failing with a £25 million bid in the summer.
United are also keeping tabs on Maignan, with Ruben Amorim pushing for a more experienced number one than new signing Senne Lammens.
French international Maignan, 30, is an appealing option with his Milan contract due to expire at the end of the season.
Chelsea’s goalkeeping issues were once again highlighted by Robert Sanchez’s early red card in Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at Old Trafford.
United’s former number one, Andre Onana, has made it clear he does not want to return to the club after joining Trabzonspor on loan.
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Today, 11:11By Joe Brophy
West Ham manager Graham Potter is set to be given a state of execution, reports talkSPORT's chief football correspondent, Alex Crook.
Potter is battling to save his job after a nightmare start to the season, with the Hammers hierarchy already sounding out potential replacements.
As exclusively revealed by talkSPORT last week, these options include former West Ham player and manager Slaven Bilic, sacked Nottingham Forest chief Nuno Espirito Santo and Gary O'Neil.
However, with West Ham facing tough away games at Everton and Arsenal back-to-back, chairman David is likely to bide his time before making a change in the upcoming October international break.
Another heavy defeat at Everton may accelerate that decision, and if Bilic does get the job, he plans to bring in fellow Hammers legend James Collins and potentially Mark Noble among his backroom team.
Bilic would also be willing to accept a short-term deal until the end of the season, which is Sullivan's preference.
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Today, 10:43By Joe Brophy
More from Eddie Howe, who was asked whether Nick Woltemade should be judged more on Alexander Isak's first season at Newcastle rather than his latter two on Tyneside.
He said: "I don't think any comparison to Alex is favourable to any player because I wouldn't do that in other positions.
"We're looking the other side of the international break and hoping he'll be fit and available for that first game."
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Today, 09:33By Joe Brophy
Sunderland have been handed a massive blow with confirmation that midfielder Habib Diarra will be sidelined until December.
The 21-year-old, who joined from RC Strasbourg in July, sustained a groin injury in training ahead of the 1-1 draw with Aston Villa.
Diarra underwent successful surgery on Monday, Sunderland announced, and will now begin a period of rehabilitation.
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Today, 09:09By Joe Brophy
Ousmane Dembele broke down in tears as he accepted the 2025 Ballon d'Or award.
The Paris Saint-Germain star was presented with football's ultimate individual prize by Brazil icon Ronaldinho at a star-studded awards ceremony in Paris on Monday.
Dembele was heavily tipped to take home the prestigious Golden Ball award, despite facing stiff competition from Barcelona wonderkid Lamine Yamal.
In the end, the France international, who enjoyed a quadruple-winning 2024/25 season, emerged the worthy winner.
And the 27-year-old cut a very emotional figure on stage as he paid tribute to his family for their unwavering support during his career.
He broke down in tears when referencing his mum, Fatiamata, who was subsequently invited on the stage once his speech concluded.
Ousmane Dembele wins Ballon d'OrCopied
22nd Sept 2025, 22:44By Jack Cunningham
Aston Villa sporting director Monchi is set to leave the club, according to The Athletic.
They report the Spaniard will be departing Villa Park in the near future.
He joined the club in 2023 from Sevilla, but after a poor summer transfer window and start to the season, there is set to be a change.
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22nd Sept 2025, 22:27By Jack Cunningham
Ousmane Dembele's translated quotes have now emerged after his Ballon d'Or win.
The Frenchman was rewarded for his stellar season at Paris Saint-Germain, and he was very gracious in victory.
He said: "It's been an incredible year with PSG.
"The Ballon d'Or wasn't a goal in my career but it's exceptional to win.
I worked for the team to win the Champions League, and to be thanked with a trophy like the Ballon d'Or makes me very happy tonight."
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22nd Sept 2025, 22:01By Jack Cunningham
Well, isn't that what it is all about?
In his thank you speech, Ousmane Dembele gets emotional when speaking about his mother.
Host Kate Abdo then invites her onto the stage to watch his many highlights from last season.
It is a beautiful moment for the duo, who get to share in the glory together.
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22nd Sept 2025, 21:51By Jack Cunningham
OUSMANE DEMBELE IS THE MEN'S BALLON D'OR WINNER FOR 2025!
Lamine Yamal comes close, but it is the Frenchman who claims the prize after a remarkable season.
The forward played a massive role in Paris Saint-Germain's first Champions League title in their history.
In the knockout stages of the competition, Dembele scored four goals and set up a further five, including two in the 5-0 rout of Inter Milan in the final.
Overall, he scored 35 goals and set up a further 16 across the season for PSG as they claimed a historic quadruple.
Dembele is the sixth Frenchman to win the award and the first since Karim Benzema in 2022.
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22nd Sept 2025, 21:49By Jack Cunningham
The final ten for the Men's Ballon d'Or has been revealed, and it is close but no cigar for the Premier League stars.
Cole Palmer takes eighth place after a stellar year for Chelsea, while Mohamed Salah finishes fourth.
The Egyptian just misses out on the top three, with Vitinha pipping him to it.
That leaves a straight shootout between Ousmane Dembele and Lamine Yamal...
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22nd Sept 2025, 21:38By Jack Cunningham
The final ten is revealed, with four English players making it, including Alessia Russo who finishes third.
But in the end, it comes down to Aitana Bonmati and her Spanish teammate Mariona Caldenty.
It's Arsenal vs Barcelona like the Champions League final, and this time, it is Barcelona who come out on top again.
Bonmati claims the prize for the third time as she continues to be the standout player in women's football.
Andreas Iniesta hands her award, and she delivers her victory speech in Spanish.
She becomes only the third player to win three Ballon d'Ors in a row, along with Lionel Messi and Michel Platini.
On that she said: "It's incredible to be here and to make history.
"When I was a kid, I never imagined this was possible when watching Xavi and Iniesta."
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22nd Sept 2025, 21:15By Jack Cunningham
As to be expected, Paris Saint-Germain are named the Men's Club of the Year.
Strangely, none of the PSG players who are there go up to collect the award.
Instead, it is Nasser Al-Khelaifi who picks up the trophy and speaks to the crowd.
It's very odd that the likes of Ousmane Dembele haven't even gone on stage.
But it's a deserved win for PSG after making history by winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.
They also won the three other trophies on offer in France.
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22nd Sept 2025, 21:05By Jack Cunningham
Arsenal's Women's team are crowned the Female Club of the Year.
It follows an unprecedented season for the women's team winning the Champions League for the first time in their history.
Arsenal managed to beat Barcelona in the final, managing to be unbeaten across the whole competition.
So, it was an incredible year for the Gunners, and they deservedly win this award.
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22nd Sept 2025, 20:57By Jack Cunningham
Well, not exactly, but Viktor Gyokeres has won the Gerd Muller award for the 2024/25 season.
This award goes to the striker with the most goals for club and country.
Of course, this used to be the calendar year, but it's not anymore, and after 63 goals last year for Sweden and Sporting Lisbon, the Gunners forward takes the prize.
Arsenal fans will hope he's on the stage this time next year collecting the exact same award because that will mean he's had a sensational year in north London.
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22nd Sept 2025, 20:53By Jack Cunningham
After a strange delay and ad break, the Lev Yashin Award for the Women's Goalkeeper of the Year goes to Hannah Hampton.
The Chelsea and England goalkeeper enjoyed a stellar season for club and country.
She helped the Blues win the WSL and the FA Cup before she then played a key role in the Lionesses winning the Women's European Championships.
Hampton was the hero in the penalty shootout between Spain and England.
Interestingly, it is Mary Earps who hands her award, the woman she replaced in goal for England.
The Men's Award goes to Gianluigi Donnarumma for helping PSG win their first Champions League trophy.
However, he must be the first player in history to win an award like this and not be at the same club in the same year after being thrown out by PSG.
He is at Manchester City now, of course.
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22nd Sept 2025, 20:34By Jack Cunningham
There could only be one winner here as well, as Luis Enrique takes the crown.
The Spaniard finally ended Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League drought by claiming the top prize with a stunning 5-0 win over Inter Milan.
PSG were better than everyone else in UEFA's top competition, and Enrique was the man behind it.
He isn't in Paris this evening as PSG are playing against Marseille in Ligue 1, and he's recovering from a broken collarbone.
So, he recorded his message from home.
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