The Premier League continues to serve drama on and off the pitch, with developments ranging from player bans to injury setbacks, managerial challenges, and contract negotiations. Here’s a detailed look at the latest happenings across English football.
1. Mejbri handed four-match ban and fine
Burnley midfielder Hannibal Mejbri has received a four-match suspension and a £15,000 fine following an incident in their October clash against Leeds United. The disciplinary action comes after Mejbri was referred to an independent regulatory commission for spitting in the direction of visiting fans at Turf Moor around the 67th minute during Burnley's 2-0 victory.
An FA statement confirmed: “An independent Regulatory Commission has sanctioned Burnley’s Hannibal Mejbri for misconduct during their Premier League match against Leeds on 18 October. It was alleged that the player acted in breach of the laws of the game and/or in an improper manner and/or used abusive and/or indecent behaviour by spitting at or in the direction of Leeds United supporters around the 67th minute.
“Mejbri subsequently admitted the charge, and the Regulatory Commission imposed a four-match suspension and £15,000 fine following a hearing. The Regulatory Commission’s written reasons for its decisions will be published in due course.”
Burnley, currently 19th in the table, have lost five consecutive matches and will look to improve when they visit 12th-placed Newcastle on Saturday.
2. Maresca raises concerns over Chelsea rotation policy
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca has openly admitted that the quality of his side suffers when he rotates players, questioning whether his squad can truly compete for the Premier League title. The limitations of this approach were evident when a rotated Chelsea side lost 3-1 to Leeds, falling nine points behind Arsenal.
Maresca said: “I try always to be honest with you. But in football, in life, in any job, there is a level. Andrey unfortunately is not Moi. Tosin is not Wes. They have different skills. They are different. If I say to you that Andrey is like Moi, you can understand for yourself that I am a liar. There is a level. Like me. Plenty of managers are better than me. Some not. But there is a level at all jobs. For me it is the reality. Even the players know they are all different.”
In the Leeds defeat, Maresca made five changes, including starting Andrey Santos in midfield for the suspended Moisés Caicedo, Tosin Adarabioyo and Benoît Badiashile in central defense, and Jamie Gittens and Liam Delap in attack. The performance prompted debate over Chelsea’s squad depth.
Maresca also addressed player fitness concerns: “I love all the players that I have. But if I play players that have a high risk of injury, that means that I don’t want them or love them, because I would want them to be injured and out for a long time.”
Looking ahead to Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth, Maresca hopes that resting key players such as Reece James, Wesley Fofana, and Pedro Neto will pay dividends. Cole Palmer is fit but unlikely to start a full 90 minutes, while Caicedo remains suspended.
Maresca dismissed claims that a lack of experience contributed to the loss: “We always talk about experience when we drop points. The reason why we didn’t win against Leeds is not because of experience. Who is the oldest one for us in the pitch? Tosin. Did he play good? So, it’s not about experience.”
3. Rodri’s Manchester City return delayed
Pep Guardiola confirmed that Manchester City midfielder Rodri will be sidelined for a “few weeks” as he recovers from a hamstring injury. Rodri’s absence has been felt as City have conceded six goals in their last two matches, including a 4-0 defeat to Fulham and a 2-0 loss to Leeds.
Guardiola said: “The process of recovery is going well. He starts to make training sessions on the pitch. Hopefully in a few weeks, it can start [return].” He highlighted Rodri’s influence: “Do you know what it means to play without the best player in the world? Rodri is another level of player. If Rodri came on in the last 20 minutes against Fulham, put right in the middle, do you know the effect? Not even touching the ball? The other 10 players feel safe. They play better.”
Rodri is recovering from a hamstring injury as well as an earlier ACL setback in September 2024. Guardiola emphasized the need for a cautious return: “When he comes back, he has to make a pre-season. He cannot play 90 minutes, 90 minutes, 90 minutes. When you injure your ACL, your body is completely different.”
4. Newcastle prioritizes Livramento and Botman contract talks
Newcastle United sporting director Ross Wilson has prioritized contract extensions for defenders Tino Livramento and Sven Botman following reassurance over Sandro Tonali’s long-term deal. Wilson joined from Nottingham Forest in October and quickly focused on retaining key defensive assets.
“My first three or four days in the job was when I found that Sandro’s contract situation as significantly better than the one I was expecting. But it’s no secret that we would want to extend Tino’s contract and we would want to extend Sven Botman’s too. Those discussions are ongoing. Some discussions are more difficult than others, but the desire would be to keep those players. Will they agree those contracts? At the moment, I think it’s too early to say.”
Manager Eddie Howe will be without Botman against Burnley, while Yoane Wissa could make his debut after recovering from a knee injury sustained on international duty.
5. Paquetá to return for West Ham
West Ham manager Nuno Espírito Santo confirmed Lucas Paquetá will start against Brighton after serving a suspension: “It is in the past. I am positive it will not happen again because he personally admitted his mistake. We spoke about it in the dressing room. I am positive it is over and it will not be repeated.”
With West Ham 18th, Nuno emphasized the need to face reality: “We cannot avoid it. It is a reality. We have to face it. We are fighting for survival. We cannot hide it. The results of other teams we cannot control. It is up to us.”
Injury updates include Crysencio Summerville and Oliver Scarles, who are expected to return soon. The Hammers will also lose Aaron Wan-Bissaka and El Hadji Malick Diouf to AFCON duty starting 21 December.
6. Moyes keen to keep Grealish at Everton
David Moyes wants Jack Grealish to remain at Everton despite the £50 million price tag. The midfielder has been impressive on loan from Manchester City, scoring Everton’s winning goal in the recent 1-0 victory at Bournemouth.
Moyes said: “Yes I do. I am still giving him the electric prod – keep going – and making sure I am getting more out of him every week. He is not too old but he is getting to the wrong age. He has to keep showing what he is capable of. The biggest thing for me is that he has been getting through the games. I have not been feeling like I need to take him off.”
Acknowledging the prohibitive transfer fee, Moyes added: “I’m sure we would have to alter that [£50m fee]. I don’t think we would be in that ball game and, let’s be fair, adding everything into it, such as his age, it would be very difficult to pay that sort of money.”
Grealish’s strong rapport with Moyes and Everton fans could influence his decision: “Sometimes you have to make brave decisions. It is easy to say the grass isn’t always greener but it is only when you get older that you think: ‘What did I do that move for? Why did I not stay and enjoy it?’ They are lording Jack here and I am sure they do at Manchester City as well but maybe in a different way. He certainly was at Aston Villa. But he is enjoying it and the connection he has got with the supporters is fantastic. It is helping with the rebuild of the club here.”
From bans and rotation struggles to injuries, contract talks, and managerial strategies, the Premier League continues to deliver suspense, drama, and tactical intrigue as the season progresses.
