The 2025/26 season is hitting its fever pitch, and this week provided everything from record-breaking brilliance in the WSL to a brutal reality check at Cobham. As the international break looms, managers are scrambling to fix tactical leaks while boardroom politics continue to dictate the headlines.
Khadija Shaw's record-breaking week
Manchester City’s march toward the WSL title looks increasingly inevitable, and Khadija Shaw is the primary engine behind their dominance. Her 13-minute hat-trick against Tottenham this week wasn't just a clinical display; it was the fastest in the history of the competition. As The Guardian reported, the 5-2 victory at the Joie Stadium leaves Chelsea playing catch-up after their own stumble against London City.
City’s form makes them look untouchable, but the WSL faces a broader challenge regarding the governance of the game. With FIFA pushing for new requirements regarding female coaches, the league is currently under the microscope to see if its internal structures can keep pace with these top-down mandates.
Chelsea's week from hell
Liam Rosenior has enjoyed a short honeymoon at Stamford Bridge, but the last seven days have been a stark introduction to the volatility of life at Chelsea. Following a humiliating defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, the atmosphere at Cobham has been described as deeply uncomfortable. Reports from the Daily Mail highlight that Rosenior is already forced to manage internal friction, including a high-stakes summit with Enzo Fernandez regarding transfer speculation.
The club’s decision-making process remains a glaring weakness. While the manager is clearly attempting to stamp his authority on the squad, the external noise surrounding potential departures suggests that the hierarchy is struggling to provide the stability required to compete at the highest level.
Michael Carrick hits a wall
Manchester United’s 2-2 draw with Bournemouth was a messy affair that left Michael Carrick openly venting about officiating. The frustration on the touchline was palpable, with Carrick pointing to inconsistent refereeing as the primary reason his side dropped points. Given United’s current position, these are the types of dropped points that turn a decent season into a complete disappointment.
Arne Slot's Liverpool pressure
Arne Slot is finally feeling the heat after Liverpool’s latest setback at Brighton. The manager has spent the week defending the club’s spending record, but the math is becoming unforgiving. According to The Guardian, missing out on the top five would be a financial and sporting disaster for the club at this stage of the campaign.
Slot’s defensive stance in press conferences is a tell-tale sign that he knows his future is tied to Champions League qualification. When a manager starts citing spending records to justify poor results on the pitch, he is usually running out of excuses.
Joan Laporta's Barcelona return
In Spain, Joan Laporta has secured his re-election as Barcelona president with the kind of theatrical flair that has defined his career. He literally walked his players to the polling station, cementing his role as the ultimate club insider. Whether this populist approach can resolve the club’s long-term fiscal structural issues remains the biggest question for the supporters.
Looking Ahead
With the international break arriving, the focus shifts to how coaches like Thomas Tuchel prepare their national squads. Tuchel’s experimental approach to the England camp is a gamble, but with the World Cup looming, it is a necessary one. We will see if these tactical tweaks hold up when the domestic leagues resume in April.
