James Benge
@jamesbenge.bsky.social
Football Correspondent, CBS
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Last year's match week eight, where there was legitimate jeopardy for multiple mega teams, is probably going to be the exception rather than the norm for the league phase. But next week should be fun. If nothing else, there's eight teams separated only by goal difference in race for top eight.
January 21, 2026 at 10:15 PM
Last year's match week eight, where there was legitimate jeopardy for multiple mega teams, is probably going to be the exception rather than the norm for the league phase. But next week should be fun. If nothing else, there's eight teams separated only by goal difference in race for top eight.
Arne Slot, since November-ish:
January 21, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Arne Slot, since November-ish:
It might be too late to change much but last night Tottenham delivered the sort of performance that made the case for Thomas Frank at a richer club.
How Tottenham finally delivered the ideal Frank performance
A decisive Champions League win over Borussia Dortmund offers a glimpse of what Frank's Spurs could be, but is it coming too late?
www.cbssports.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:57 AM
It might be too late to change much but last night Tottenham delivered the sort of performance that made the case for Thomas Frank at a richer club.
It is good for the sport as a whole when more people can have more interesting conversations about it.
I don’t think anyone comes to soccer for the data but I’m certain it engages some fans more deeply. And that is really what any entertainment product needs in 2026.
I don’t think anyone comes to soccer for the data but I’m certain it engages some fans more deeply. And that is really what any entertainment product needs in 2026.
RIP fbref. That’s some messed up shit from opta.
January 20, 2026 at 11:42 PM
It is good for the sport as a whole when more people can have more interesting conversations about it.
I don’t think anyone comes to soccer for the data but I’m certain it engages some fans more deeply. And that is really what any entertainment product needs in 2026.
I don’t think anyone comes to soccer for the data but I’m certain it engages some fans more deeply. And that is really what any entertainment product needs in 2026.
Nothing factually wrong with this post but reading this you probably wouldn't think he'd played 372 minutes over those 10 games.
Still, you can't deny he played a minute at PSV and came on late when PSG were already beaten.
Still, you can't deny he played a minute at PSV and came on late when PSG were already beaten.
After failing to score in his last 10 Champions League matches, Gabriel Jesus has his second at San Siro to restore Arsenal’s lead.
It's his first start of the season in the competition.
He now has the same number of Champions League goals this season as Viktor Gyokeres - in two fewer appearances.
It's his first start of the season in the competition.
He now has the same number of Champions League goals this season as Viktor Gyokeres - in two fewer appearances.
January 20, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Nothing factually wrong with this post but reading this you probably wouldn't think he'd played 372 minutes over those 10 games.
Still, you can't deny he played a minute at PSV and came on late when PSG were already beaten.
Still, you can't deny he played a minute at PSV and came on late when PSG were already beaten.
Inswingers are so obviously better
The team with the most deadly inswingers in the sport vs. the outswinging experts. Gabriel vs. Thuram. England’s Set Piece FC vs. Italy’s.
Inter vs. Arsenal could truly be the game for the 2025-26 season.
Inter vs. Arsenal could truly be the game for the 2025-26 season.
Champions League questions: Inter-Arsenal set pieces and more
Also, is this struggling Thomas Frank's last Tottenham ride?
www.cbssports.com
January 20, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Inswingers are so obviously better
As far as I can tell (and I will delete this if I'm wrong), Manchester City's defeat to Bodo/Glimt means Arsenal are guaranteed a top eight spot and a bye to the Champions League round of 16.
January 20, 2026 at 7:36 PM
As far as I can tell (and I will delete this if I'm wrong), Manchester City's defeat to Bodo/Glimt means Arsenal are guaranteed a top eight spot and a bye to the Champions League round of 16.
Reposted by James Benge
Everyone asking what happens when City get on a run. They already did.
January 20, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Everyone asking what happens when City get on a run. They already did.
Outpaced the Dortmund team bus from Seven Sisters station to here. Suspect these won’t be the last progression issues we see tonight.
January 20, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Outpaced the Dortmund team bus from Seven Sisters station to here. Suspect these won’t be the last progression issues we see tonight.
Everyone asking what happens when City get on a run. They already did.
January 20, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Everyone asking what happens when City get on a run. They already did.
The team with the most deadly inswingers in the sport vs. the outswinging experts. Gabriel vs. Thuram. England’s Set Piece FC vs. Italy’s.
Inter vs. Arsenal could truly be the game for the 2025-26 season.
Inter vs. Arsenal could truly be the game for the 2025-26 season.
Champions League questions: Inter-Arsenal set pieces and more
Also, is this struggling Thomas Frank's last Tottenham ride?
www.cbssports.com
January 19, 2026 at 7:49 PM
The team with the most deadly inswingers in the sport vs. the outswinging experts. Gabriel vs. Thuram. England’s Set Piece FC vs. Italy’s.
Inter vs. Arsenal could truly be the game for the 2025-26 season.
Inter vs. Arsenal could truly be the game for the 2025-26 season.
In retrospect Martin *probably* should have stuck to his guns and jumped forward five years after Storm of Swords. King's Landing becomes a challenge but too many other characters -- Jon, Dany, Arya, Bran -- have spent two books/decades discovering that learning is hard.
I sort of feel sorry for Martin, who talked a huge game about fantasy and other people’s world-building, but who has embarked on what is visibly a project too ambitious for anyone to actually ever finish.
January 19, 2026 at 2:28 PM
In retrospect Martin *probably* should have stuck to his guns and jumped forward five years after Storm of Swords. King's Landing becomes a challenge but too many other characters -- Jon, Dany, Arya, Bran -- have spent two books/decades discovering that learning is hard.
Reposted by James Benge
Not generally a double y axis guy.
[Extremely Stephen A Smith voice] HOWEVER
[Extremely Stephen A Smith voice] HOWEVER
January 19, 2026 at 12:35 PM
Not generally a double y axis guy.
[Extremely Stephen A Smith voice] HOWEVER
[Extremely Stephen A Smith voice] HOWEVER
One goal, a penalty, since Christmas for Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola rightly oriented his side around his No.9 at the start of the season and it might work.
This is what it looks like when he doesn't get the service and when a player with 2478 minutes (perhaps) looks a bit tired.
This is what it looks like when he doesn't get the service and when a player with 2478 minutes (perhaps) looks a bit tired.
Haaland's slump continues as Man City lose at Man United
The superstar striker has been in a slump since Christmas, and as goes Haaland, so goes City
www.cbssports.com
January 17, 2026 at 4:49 PM
One goal, a penalty, since Christmas for Erling Haaland. Pep Guardiola rightly oriented his side around his No.9 at the start of the season and it might work.
This is what it looks like when he doesn't get the service and when a player with 2478 minutes (perhaps) looks a bit tired.
This is what it looks like when he doesn't get the service and when a player with 2478 minutes (perhaps) looks a bit tired.
Michael Carrick, a good fit for a good (?) team
Man United vs. Man City live stream: Where to watch Carrick debut online
The Manchester United man sought to temper expectations ahead of his side's battle with Pep Guardiola's Manchester City
www.cbssports.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:25 PM
Michael Carrick, a good fit for a good (?) team
You ever watch Arsenal lately and think "what's Martin Zubimendi doing in that position?" Me too.
Since December, Arsenal have unlocked an attacking force from their defensive midfielder and it's enabling Martin Odegaard to play his way too.
Since December, Arsenal have unlocked an attacking force from their defensive midfielder and it's enabling Martin Odegaard to play his way too.
How Zubimendi is turning into an attacking threat for Arsenal
Zubimendi's goal in Arsenal's 3-2 in over Chelsea was just the latest example of his increasing attacking presence
www.cbssports.com
January 15, 2026 at 12:48 PM
You ever watch Arsenal lately and think "what's Martin Zubimendi doing in that position?" Me too.
Since December, Arsenal have unlocked an attacking force from their defensive midfielder and it's enabling Martin Odegaard to play his way too.
Since December, Arsenal have unlocked an attacking force from their defensive midfielder and it's enabling Martin Odegaard to play his way too.
FT Chelsea 2, Arsenal 3 - Maybe closer than it ought to have been but a very impressive display by the visitors. Always felt like they had the ability to push clear when needed, a little bit more experience and edge than their hosts.
January 14, 2026 at 9:56 PM
FT Chelsea 2, Arsenal 3 - Maybe closer than it ought to have been but a very impressive display by the visitors. Always felt like they had the ability to push clear when needed, a little bit more experience and edge than their hosts.
I can't read minds but Kai Havertz has the look of someone who quite fancies getting on for a bit of this. That's if the almost manic way he was bouncing on his seat, waiting to get out for his warm up, is anything to go on.
January 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I can't read minds but Kai Havertz has the look of someone who quite fancies getting on for a bit of this. That's if the almost manic way he was bouncing on his seat, waiting to get out for his warm up, is anything to go on.
HT Chelsea 0, Arsenal 1 - I enjoyed that half quite a lot. Arsenal look the stronger but they have a weakness and maybe that LB spot is just the thermal exhaust port of this team. Chelsea and Estevao keep firing missiles in that direction. Yet to get a hit.
January 14, 2026 at 8:50 PM
HT Chelsea 0, Arsenal 1 - I enjoyed that half quite a lot. Arsenal look the stronger but they have a weakness and maybe that LB spot is just the thermal exhaust port of this team. Chelsea and Estevao keep firing missiles in that direction. Yet to get a hit.
Break My Soul and Heartless played back to back at Stamford Bridge. Good 4 U earlier too. Is Enzo Maresca on PA duty tonight?
January 14, 2026 at 7:17 PM
Break My Soul and Heartless played back to back at Stamford Bridge. Good 4 U earlier too. Is Enzo Maresca on PA duty tonight?