Maresca arrives this week, €20m deal done
It is happening. Chelsea and Manchester City have agreed compensation, and Enzo Maresca will sign a three-year contract this week to succeed Pep Guardiola (1) (6). The fee is significantly above £10m, with some reports putting it close to €20m, making him one of the most expensive managerial hires in football history (7). Maresca is expected in Manchester to finalise the deal. Ruben Dias is already lined up to become club captain under the new regime, a move designed to keep Real Madrid away from your best defender.
Haaland drags Norway into the knockouts
Erling Haaland scored twice as Norway beat Senegal 3–2 to reach the World Cup knockout rounds (2) (4) (5). Big-game player, no surprises. Norway went to the World Cup and Haaland delivered. The second goal was typical, the kind of finish you have seen a hundred times. Marca called them the Vikings, and they are not wrong: Norway keep rowing without pause (5).
Doku missed Belgium game, became a father
Jérémy Doku missed Belgium's World Cup group match against Iran due to a virus, then made a quick trip to London for something bigger, the birth of his son (8). He has since returned to the Belgium camp. No word yet on his availability for the next match.
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City Women season tickets on general sale
Manchester City Women have opened general sale for season tickets, with Beth Mead fronting the push for the new campaign (3). If you have been waiting to commit, the window is now.
Rodri turns 30
Rodri celebrated his 30th birthday in the Spain camp, and Mikel Merino shared the day. Marca captured the traditional birthday tunnel of slaps, and Rodri took the worst of it, as usual (9).
Fan reactions
The Maresca news is splitting opinion. Some City fans see the compensation figure as a statement of intent from the club; others are already looking back at last summer's business and debating whether Rayan Cherki was the signing of the 2025/26 season, a steal who opened chances for Haaland from day one. Read the full thread
