Palmer signs new Chelsea contract until 2034

Cole Palmer has been involved in six goals in seven matches for Chelsea in the early part of the season

Cole Palmer has signed a new Chelsea contract on improved terms until 2034.

The England international, 24, was already under contract until 2033 but is being rewarded for his performances following his emergence as one of Chelsea’s key attacking players.

He is also increasingly viewed as a dressing-room leader behind the scenes.

The deal leaves Palmer on one of the longest contracts in the Premier League, with only Manchester City’s Erling Haaland and Chelsea team-mates Joao Pedro and Geovany Quenda also contracted to 2034.

Palmer signed his previous contract only two years ago having joined in a £42.5m move from Manchester City in 2023.

The renewal is the latest in a series of contract extensions at Chelsea designed to reward established and emerging players while maintaining the club’s wage structure.

Joao Pedro also signed a new contract until 2034 in August, followed by Pedro Neto signing a new six-year contract last month.

Palmer has developed a strong understanding with the Brazil forward, while also rekindling his on-pitch partnership with his “best friend in football”, Morgan Rogers, during the early stages of Xabi Alonso’s reign as manager.

He was one of the few people privy to Chelsea’s negotiations to sign Rogers from Aston Villa for a club-record £117m fee this summer.

Palmer has scored four goals and provided two assists in seven matches this season.

It represents a return to form for Palmer after suffering a niggling groin issue throughout last season, when he admitted he had played through the problem even though he “probably shouldn’t have done”.

Ultimately, his lack of availability led to his omission from England’s World Cup squad over the summer, having previously sought specialist advice on whether surgery was required.

Palmer has played more minutes than any Chelsea player this season but missed England’s recent international break, prompting Thomas Tuchel to say he “misses too many opportunities”.

Alonso confirmed Palmer is expected to be available for Saturday’s game against Bournemouth and insisted he remains committed to playing for England.

“Absolutely. He’s committed, but he needs to be fully fit to play,” Alonso said.

“And when he’s fully fit, he will enjoy his minutes. We need him in that moment. The club and the national team.

“He trained over the past week and has been feeling better, but we didn’t want to rush him.”

Alonso’s side are 10th in the table after five matches, having conceded 12 goals.

Raphinha's brilliant Barcelona start interrupted by injury concerns

Raphinha has made a phenomenal start to the season for Barcelona, cementing his status as one of Europe’s most formidable attackers.

The 29-year-old has scored 14 times and provided three assists as the Spanish champions have racked up eight successive wins in all competitions.

His performances have been so impressive that his omission from the 30-man Ballon d’Or shortlist prompted debate, with some arguing his form warranted greater recognition among the game’s elite.

Yet, just as Raphinha appeared ready to take his game to another level, injury concerns have interrupted his momentum and he looks set to miss Barcelona’s next two fixtures.

Facing a demanding run of fixtures, including meetings with Paris St-Germain and Real Madrid this month in the Champions League and La Liga, keeping the Brazilian fit could prove just as important as making the most of his remarkable goalscoring form.

Raphinha withdrew from international duty with a right thigh injury after he was substituted at half-time in Brazil’s match against Australia.

“The tests show something,” Barcelona boss Hansi Flick told the media.

“It’s not a serious injury, but we have to be careful because he had three injuries last year, and we have to take care of him.”

Flick defended Raphinha’s decision to want to play for Brazil.

“It’s the national team and everyone wants to play for their national team,” he said. “That’s Raphinha’s mentality. Always give 100%.”

Although the setback does not appear to be major, the timing has not been ideal.

“We must reflect on whether it was necessary for him to play in Australia, travelling so many thousands of kilometres,” added Flick. “It’s incredible. They have to choose friendly matches and in Europe it is not possible because of the Nations League.”

With tough tests to come, Flick will want all his leading attackers available and hope even a short spell on the sidelines won’t disrupt Raphinha’s rhythm.

The situation has also presented Flick with a familiar dilemma. At the start of the season, there were concerns Barcelona had no established number nine after veteran Poland striker Robert Lewandowski left the club.

Raphinha has mainly been playing as a false nine this season, rather than his usual role on the wing and the team have looked unstoppable.

They sit top of La Liga, five points clear of Atletico Madrid and Real Betis, with Real Madrid a point further back in fourth place, and thrashed Feyenoord 5-1 in their Champions League opener. With 36 goals scored and eight conceded, they’ve been dominant at both ends of the pitch.

For now, fellow Brazilian Gabriel Jesus - a deadline-day arrival from Arsenal in September - is likely to cover Raphinha’s absence for the next two matches against Getafe on Saturday and then the European trip to Galatasaray.

Flick, though, has huge depth in his Barcelona squad, and Anthony Gordon, Dani Olmo and Karim Adeyemi could all play as a false nine if necessary.

Raphinha’s numbers tell an impressive story, but his contribution to Barcelona extends beyond the stats.

He is the team captain and has become a central figure in their aggressive, high-intensity approach, combining direct attacking play with relentless pressing and a willingness to work for the team.

His finishing has become a defining feature of his game. Rather than relying on creating chances for others, Raphinha has developed into a consistent source of goals himself and Barcelona’s performances so far have reflected that influence.

The former Leeds United player has been a key factor in why Flick’s side have looked so threatening in the final third and could equal the 2013-14 record for the best start to a La Liga season if they beat Getafe for an eighth straight league win.

Raphinha, though, will be determined to avoid a repeat of last season, which demonstrated how quickly fitness problems can complicate the club’s plans and ambition.

He was restricted to 33 appearances, with recurring fitness issues and a hamstring injury contributing to his absences.

Raphinha played seven times in the Champions League but, crucially, was missing as his side went out in the quarter-finals with defeat by Atletico Madrid.

His tally of 21 goals helped deliver the league title and he scored twice in a standout performance in the Spanish Super Cup final against Real Madrid.

Given his importance, the temptation for Flick to rush Raphinha back will be understandable and Barca will hope this is a brief interruption rather than the beginning of another frustrating injury cycle.

Arteta's conscience clear over Man City charges

Mikel Arteta says his conscience is clear over Manchester City’s Premier League rule breaches during a period when he was assistant manager at the club.

The Arsenal boss worked under Pep Guardiola between 2016 and 2019, which overlapped with the nine seasons during which City have been found to have broken rules and disguised secret funding of more than £830m.

In his first news conference since the ruling - which the club has appealed - Arteta attempted to bat away questions, saying he wanted to “respect” the ongoing process.

However, towards the end of more than half an hour of questioning, he was asked: “You were at City for three and a half years, is your conscience clear? You had a senior position there, is your conscience clear?”

Arteta answered: “Yes”.

His answer was one word, but it was arguably the most revealing part of the whole interaction.

It was the only occasion where the Spaniard did not in some way revert to his messaging about not giving opinions on the case until such a time as there is a resolution.

Arteta was at no point combative, but it was clear he arrived at Arsenal’s training ground with a response he was determined to stick to.

Asked if he had spoken to Guardiola, he added: “I prefer not to answer those questions.”

Arteta was asked for his reaction to the damning report from the independent commission, which found City had arranged “sham contracts” with a number of commercial partners to disguise earnings.

He said: “I fully understand the question, but obviously I think it’s very important that we respect the process, the timelines, and it’s still an ongoing process that is not resolved because it’s been appealed. My position, and I think the club’s position, is not to make any further comments until this is fully resolved.”

When asked if he thought, that to preserve the integrity of the Premier League, the appeal and sanction needed to be resolved this season, he replied: “The people are responsible to manage this process and to come to the right conclusions and I’m sure it will be done and it will be resolved in the right way. We have to trust that.”

Arteta also added he “100%” believed the Premier League remains the best in the world.

Arsenal, who sit three points behind league leaders City, face fifth-placed Leeds on Saturday at Emirates Stadium.

How do Spanish clubs become 'Real' or 'royal'?

Real Madrid went from Madrid Football Club to Real Madrid in 1920 after King Alfonso XIII granted the club the right to use the title ‘Real’

You will have heard the names of Spanish clubs like Real Madrid, Real Sociedad and Real Betis.

But what does the word ‘Real’ actually mean?

It’s translated simply to ‘Royal’ and it is not just a decorative addition to a club’s name, or a title awarded to clubs for winning trophies.

It is a historic distinction connected to Spain’s monarchy and one that has been carried by some football clubs for more than a century.

The top two Spanish divisions currently feature 11 clubs who carry the royal designation in their names.

In La Liga, they are Real Madrid, Real Betis, Real Sociedad, Real Racing Club, Real Club Celta de Vigo, Real Club Deportivo Espanyol and Real Club Deportivo de A Coruna.

In the second tier, they are Real Club Deportivo Mallorca, Real Oviedo, Real Sporting de Gijon and Real Valladolid.

The story goes back to the reign of King Alfonso XIII, who took an interest in the rapidly developing sport of football.

The first Spanish football organisation to receive the distinction was Real Club Deportivo de A Coruna.

The club’s own history says Alfonso XIII granted it the title of ‘Real’ in 1909, while he also accepted the honorary presidency, which was the most direct way to earn the royal title.

A crown was added to the club’s badge providing a visible symbol of its new royal patronage.

Real Sociedad, based in San Sebastian, was the next to get the seal of approval, in 1910. The distinction carried particular significance in the city on the north west coast of Spain because it was where the royal family regularly spent their summers. The club is also known as ‘La Real’.

Espanyol received the honour in 1912, becoming Real Club Deportivo Espanyol and Real Sporting also traces its title to 1912, after Alfonso XIII accepted the honorary presidency of the Gijon club.

The practice continued through the early 20th century as football rapidly expanded across Spain.

As clubs became established in cities and regions around the country, royal patronage gave some extra prestige. Receiving the ‘Real’ title could strengthen their social standing while establishing a connection with the country’s monarchy.

And then came perhaps the most famous example of all.

Real Madrid was founded in 1902 as Madrid Football Club.

But in 1920, Alfonso XIII granted the club the right to use the title ‘Real’, with a letter from the monarch’s household formally giving the club permission to place the designation before its name. The royal crown was subsequently incorporated into its crest.

There is no sporting qualification needed to become ‘Real’. A club does not become ‘Real’ by winning La Liga, lifting the Copa del Rey, reaching Europe or being promoted to the top flight.

Historically, clubs sought royal patronage and the monarch could grant the designation. Modern examples show that some form of formal request and supporting case can still be made.

That process was demonstrated by Club Deportivo Gara in the small town of Garachico in Tenerife. They play in a league seven tiers below La Liga.

During its centenary celebrations in 2012, the club sought royal recognition. In June that year, the royal house granted the title, allowing the club to become Real Club Deportivo Gara.

Mourinho calls criticism of Mbappe 'ridiculous'

Mbappe is back in training with Real Madrid this week

Real Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has defended Kylian Mbappe over his activities during the international break - describing criticism as “ridiculous”.

France captain Mbappe withdrew from international duty after picking up an injury against Turkey on 25 September.

He later shared images on social media at a Paris Fashion Week event and also riding a bicycle - something Mourinho had previously said was against his rules.

“When it comes to Real Madrid, it’s always different,” he said.

“But all the players did exactly what they were supposed to during the break. And then you always want to look for more problems and issues.

“What I can promise is when a Real Madrid player doesn’t behave the way a Real Madrid player is supposed to and when he fails at that and he stops being a Real Madrid player for 24 hours, you will not see that player on the bench because he will be at home.”

He said an image of Mbappe riding a bike in Switzerland had been misrepresented, saying that bicycles were available for guests at his hotel complex to use for short journeys.

Asked if coverage of Mbappe was exaggerated he added: “Exaggerated, no - I think it was ridiculous.

“If Mbappe plays tomorrow, it’s because he hasn’t failed Real Madrid and he hasn’t failed to fulfil his obligations to the club,” he added.

Real are six points behind leaders Barcelona in the La Liga table after seven games.

Mbappe, 27, is one of the favourites to win this year’s Ballon d’Or. He scored 42 goals in 44 games for his club last season but they did not win any trophies.

He won the World Cup Golden Boot with 10 goals, taking his career tally at World Cups to a record 22 - although France finished fourth.