Bayern Munich veteran figurehead Uli Hoeneß has pushed back after his remarks about Nicolas Jackson’s loan terms were widely interpreted as a sign of distrust. Hoeneß says his intention was to clarify the mathematical likelihood of the obligation to buy being triggered, and to defend the club’s sporting director.

“What annoyed me a lot is the stupidity of some journalists,” Hoeneß told Sky Sports Germany . “They interpreted my words as if I had something against Jackson.

“These [journalists] didn’t pay attention in maths because I said he won’t play 40 games from the start. We still have 32 Bundesliga games. If we reach the Champions League final, which we hope we will, that adds 13 games. The total is 45 games. The DFB Pokal games do not count. So he would have to start all these games.

“He will go to the Africa Cup of Nations in January, so he can’t start 40 games, that’s what I said. What I wanted was to help Max [Eberl, sporting director], because he was accused of granting this [obligation to buy].

“The same goes for the fact that the player and his agent contributed to the deal. That’s something positive, because it took the loan fee down to €13.5 million. Those are positive things.”

The club calculation Hoeneß described rests on the available fixtures this season: 32 Bundesliga games and up to 13 Champions League matches if Bayern reached the final, a total of 45 matches excluding DFB Pokal. The Africa Cup of Nations runs from Dec. 21 to Jan. 18, a period the draft notes covers three Bundesliga games for Bayern, not including a fixture currently scheduled for Dec. 20. Vincent Kompany’s side are back in Champions League action on Jan. 21.

As Eberl points out, Jackson could miss as many as five games if Senegal enjoy a deep run at the Africa Cup of Nations, meaning the striker may have to start every single match for Bayern to even have a chance of triggering a €65 million (£56.2 million, $76.1 million) permanent departure from Chelsea.

Thomas Tuchel publicly commended Marc Guéhi’s response after Crystal Palace refused to sanction the defender’s late move to Liverpool. Palace were unable to find an adequate replacement on deadline day and elected to keep Guéhi, who will be available on a free transfer next summer. The 25-year-old was reportedly furious at the decision, but his behaviour since has won praise.

Tuchel singled out Guéhi after England’s 5–0 win over Serbia, a match in which the centre back scored his first senior international goal. “It’s the example of how the boys were in this camp, exactly like this.” the German coach said after the game. “They put their personal interests aside.

“He was the best teammate possible and a fantastic performance. Very strong for Crystal Palace and showed it today on the pitch.”

Guéhi also provided an assist and helped England keep a clean sheet in Belgrade. He declined to dwell on transfer matters after the final whistle and celebrated opening his England account. “I’m just over the moon,” he said. “It’s a fantastic feeling. You work really hard growing up, so to score a goal for your country is the best feeling.

“It’s been great. It’s always easy coming here, such a good group of players, good group of staff. We are all working towards one goal.”

England’s victory ensured they kept a perfect record after five matches in Group K of 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifying, and moved seven points clear of second-placed Albania. For Palace the immediate consequence is the retention of a key defender for the remainder of the season, even as the club faces the prospect of losing him on a free transfer next summer. Tuchel’s public praise framed Guéhi’s performance as an example of club loyalty giving way to national team unity.

Manchester City midfielder Rodri has made a clear call on the Ballon d’Or discussion, identifying Paris Saint-Germain’s Ousmane Dembélé and Vitinha as his picks after a season in which PSG dominated.

Rodri’s view arrives amid a wider conversation about an open Ballon d’Or race, a contrast with years dominated by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo. His preference, though, is unambiguous.

“The Ballon d’Or is difficult,” Rodri acknowledged. “PSG has been the team of the season, and it would be hard not to give it to someone from that team. I’m happy for [the club’s manager] Luis Enrique.

“I’d like to see it go to Lamine or Pedri, but on sporting merit, it’s Dembélé or Vitinha.”

Dembélé emerges in Rodri’s assessment as the leading candidate after a dramatic year in attack. The France international is credited with 35 goals and 16 assists across all competitions, having shifted from a career on the wing into a central striker role as PSG sought to maximise his goalscoring output.

Vitinha’s case is less about headline numbers and more about control and influence. He played a deeper, more understated role for PSG, pulling the strings in midfield, and he also contributed to Portugal’s international success by helping to steer his country to Nations League glory with what has been described as a sensational eye for a pass.

Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal is likely to attract plenty of attention and votes after establishing himself as the club’s talisman at just 18 years old, but Rodri suggested the teenager may have to wait a little longer before claiming football’s top individual prize.

Rodri’s comments underline a season in which PSG’s collective achievements have bolstered the personal cases of their standout performers.