James Benge
@jamesbenge.bsky.social
Football Correspondent, CBS
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Had time to kill on the train so, to the indifference of thousands, here we go.
Send me your recs for something I might have missed
Send me your recs for something I might have missed
December 23, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Had time to kill on the train so, to the indifference of thousands, here we go.
Send me your recs for something I might have missed
Send me your recs for something I might have missed
My "will not attack EU or NATO" legal document has people asking a lot of questions already answered by my legal document.
RUSSIA'S RYABKOV: RUSSIA IS NOT GOING TO ATTACK EU OR NATO AND IS READY TO PUT IT DOWN IN A LEGAL DOCUMENT - RIA
December 22, 2025 at 1:34 PM
My "will not attack EU or NATO" legal document has people asking a lot of questions already answered by my legal document.
Morgan Rogers saw you saying all he’s doing is scoring bangers from outside the area.
December 21, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Morgan Rogers saw you saying all he’s doing is scoring bangers from outside the area.
Didn't get to see all that game but fully absorbed by the last 15 and that was a much better defence of a one goal lead. 76 passes completed to Everton's 10 from 80th onwards. Carried attacking threat but not cavalier.
Ideally you don't need to defend a 1-0 but that's how to.
Ideally you don't need to defend a 1-0 but that's how to.
December 20, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Didn't get to see all that game but fully absorbed by the last 15 and that was a much better defence of a one goal lead. 76 passes completed to Everton's 10 from 80th onwards. Carried attacking threat but not cavalier.
Ideally you don't need to defend a 1-0 but that's how to.
Ideally you don't need to defend a 1-0 but that's how to.
Isak going through one on one drills with Liverpool coach at half time. Have to assume he'll be on soon given how inept the attack has looked so far.
December 20, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Isak going through one on one drills with Liverpool coach at half time. Have to assume he'll be on soon given how inept the attack has looked so far.
Some bright moments for Tottenham, Simons making a lot of good calls in advanced positions. If, however, the only thing you knew about these two teams before kick off was they were midtable there'd be precious little here to surprise you.
December 20, 2025 at 5:59 PM
Some bright moments for Tottenham, Simons making a lot of good calls in advanced positions. If, however, the only thing you knew about these two teams before kick off was they were midtable there'd be precious little here to surprise you.
North London vs. Merseyside: underperformers edition
December 20, 2025 at 4:27 PM
North London vs. Merseyside: underperformers edition
Jeremy Doku set to miss the remainder of City's games in 2025. That's not many and they're not difficult but they won't be any easier without such an effective forward.
Jeremy Doku injury: Why Man City's winger is irreplaceable
Pep Guardiola revealed that the winger is set to return in early January for Man City
www.cbssports.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Jeremy Doku set to miss the remainder of City's games in 2025. That's not many and they're not difficult but they won't be any easier without such an effective forward.
Pep Guardiola has “the feeling” of an improving Manchester City. Maybe the only thing you can say with confidence about this team right now is the vibes look very good. The performances aren’t always so easy to assess. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
www.cbssports.com
December 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Pep Guardiola has “the feeling” of an improving Manchester City. Maybe the only thing you can say with confidence about this team right now is the vibes look very good. The performances aren’t always so easy to assess. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
One title contender had a +13 shot differential and was nearly an xG better than their opponent in a bad display.
One title contender had a -9 shot differential and was nearly an xG worse than their opponent in a bad display (with a penalty).
You’d never guess which is which.
One title contender had a -9 shot differential and was nearly an xG worse than their opponent in a bad display (with a penalty).
You’d never guess which is which.
December 14, 2025 at 5:27 PM
One title contender had a +13 shot differential and was nearly an xG better than their opponent in a bad display.
One title contender had a -9 shot differential and was nearly an xG worse than their opponent in a bad display (with a penalty).
You’d never guess which is which.
One title contender had a -9 shot differential and was nearly an xG worse than their opponent in a bad display (with a penalty).
You’d never guess which is which.
Over 20 minutes played and Mateta has more touches in the City box than City have in the Palace box. Glasner has this team so well organised, they're finding it pretty comfortable both defending their box and getting to City's on the break.
December 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Over 20 minutes played and Mateta has more touches in the City box than City have in the Palace box. Glasner has this team so well organised, they're finding it pretty comfortable both defending their box and getting to City's on the break.
Reposted by James Benge
Arsenal had a run of four consecutive games where they kept clean sheets in October/November.
From the Sunderland game onwards, Arsenal have fielded six different back fours in six matches, kept one clean sheet and conceded seven times.
From the Sunderland game onwards, Arsenal have fielded six different back fours in six matches, kept one clean sheet and conceded seven times.
December 14, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Arsenal had a run of four consecutive games where they kept clean sheets in October/November.
From the Sunderland game onwards, Arsenal have fielded six different back fours in six matches, kept one clean sheet and conceded seven times.
From the Sunderland game onwards, Arsenal have fielded six different back fours in six matches, kept one clean sheet and conceded seven times.
I'm at Selhurst Park. Jeremy Doku isn't.
Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Cherki, Haaland
Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Cherki, Haaland
December 14, 2025 at 12:51 PM
I'm at Selhurst Park. Jeremy Doku isn't.
Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Cherki, Haaland
Palace XI: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Clyne, Wharton, Kamada, Mitchell; Sarr, Pino; Mateta
City XI: Donnarumma; Nunes, Dias, Gvardiol, O’Reilly; Gonzalez, Silva, Reijnders; Foden, Cherki, Haaland
How to manage Gabriel Jesus' minutes over the next six-ish months
December 13, 2025 at 9:58 PM
How to manage Gabriel Jesus' minutes over the next six-ish months
Since arriving at Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi has nearly tripped his expected assists per 90. No wonder Mikel Arteta is so impressed, even if Zubimendi himself is not.
Either way, he’s setting an extremely high standard for fellow new arrivals.
Either way, he’s setting an extremely high standard for fellow new arrivals.
How Gyokeres and Zubimendii adapted differently at Arsenal
Mikel Arteta bet on Gyokeres to come good while pointing at Zubimendi's excellent debut season with the Gunners
www.cbssports.com
December 12, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Since arriving at Arsenal, Martin Zubimendi has nearly tripped his expected assists per 90. No wonder Mikel Arteta is so impressed, even if Zubimendi himself is not.
Either way, he’s setting an extremely high standard for fellow new arrivals.
Either way, he’s setting an extremely high standard for fellow new arrivals.
Arteta injury update
- Saliba "will be fit for Everton, tomorrow I don't know"
- Saliba issue came from ankle injury, "he looks better"
- Timber and Trossard "a matter of days"
- Rice "let's see how he is today"
Oh and Arteta says he wouldn't consider selling Jesus
- Saliba "will be fit for Everton, tomorrow I don't know"
- Saliba issue came from ankle injury, "he looks better"
- Timber and Trossard "a matter of days"
- Rice "let's see how he is today"
Oh and Arteta says he wouldn't consider selling Jesus
December 12, 2025 at 9:59 AM
Arteta injury update
- Saliba "will be fit for Everton, tomorrow I don't know"
- Saliba issue came from ankle injury, "he looks better"
- Timber and Trossard "a matter of days"
- Rice "let's see how he is today"
Oh and Arteta says he wouldn't consider selling Jesus
- Saliba "will be fit for Everton, tomorrow I don't know"
- Saliba issue came from ankle injury, "he looks better"
- Timber and Trossard "a matter of days"
- Rice "let's see how he is today"
Oh and Arteta says he wouldn't consider selling Jesus
Reposted by James Benge
PODCAST! I'm joined by @jamesbenge.bsky.social to chat about the 3-0 win over Club Brugge, bangers from Madueke and Martinelli, the class of Zubimendi, the return of Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal in Europe this season, the FA Cup draw and how to prioritise the cup comps, & LOADS more
p1r.es/arsecast857
p1r.es/arsecast857
December 11, 2025 at 12:22 PM
PODCAST! I'm joined by @jamesbenge.bsky.social to chat about the 3-0 win over Club Brugge, bangers from Madueke and Martinelli, the class of Zubimendi, the return of Gabriel Jesus, Arsenal in Europe this season, the FA Cup draw and how to prioritise the cup comps, & LOADS more
p1r.es/arsecast857
p1r.es/arsecast857
Everyone should be more Tyrone Mings
Do aliens exist? Premier League players weigh in—and their takes might surprise you. 👽
December 10, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Everyone should be more Tyrone Mings
There's a fair bit of "what were Chelsea doing selling Madueke" subtext in this piece and, well, he has vindicated that in a particularly unhelpful way
Chelsea might have lost last night because their defence buckled in the second half, but could their attack have given them more wiggle room?
Piece on a side who simply can't get into the box like they did last season
Piece on a side who simply can't get into the box like they did last season
Why Chelsea's attack faltered in Champions League loss
With no Cole Palmer, Chelsea are missing bite to go along with their prodigious possession ability
www.cbssports.com
December 10, 2025 at 8:28 PM
There's a fair bit of "what were Chelsea doing selling Madueke" subtext in this piece and, well, he has vindicated that in a particularly unhelpful way
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori suffered "really bad kicks" at the weekend. Timber not in the squad, Calafiori only on the bench.
December 10, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Mikel Arteta has confirmed that Jurrien Timber and Riccardo Calafiori suffered "really bad kicks" at the weekend. Timber not in the squad, Calafiori only on the bench.
Chelsea might have lost last night because their defence buckled in the second half, but could their attack have given them more wiggle room?
Piece on a side who simply can't get into the box like they did last season
Piece on a side who simply can't get into the box like they did last season
Why Chelsea's attack faltered in Champions League loss
With no Cole Palmer, Chelsea are missing bite to go along with their prodigious possession ability
www.cbssports.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Chelsea might have lost last night because their defence buckled in the second half, but could their attack have given them more wiggle room?
Piece on a side who simply can't get into the box like they did last season
Piece on a side who simply can't get into the box like they did last season
PIF would be prepared to place Mohamed Salah in the very highest echelon of earners in the Pro League (and by extension football). He'd get paid but Liverpool would have to accept a bargain basement deal if they conclude the end has to come.
Is Liverpool's Salah headed to Saudi Arabia in January transfer?
The superstar Egyptian winger's explosive comments about being thrown under the bus have sparked an avalanche of Saudi interest
www.cbssports.com
December 8, 2025 at 4:22 PM
PIF would be prepared to place Mohamed Salah in the very highest echelon of earners in the Pro League (and by extension football). He'd get paid but Liverpool would have to accept a bargain basement deal if they conclude the end has to come.
The sky isn’t falling in, Arsenal are just tired. The last five games weighed heavily on a trip to Aston Villa that probably became harder due to Mikel Arteta’s first half setup.
Exhausted Arsenal lose in stoppage time at Aston Villa
With the busy festive season starting Mikel Arteta's men are facing an energy crisis after a difficult stretch of the schedule
www.cbssports.com
December 6, 2025 at 4:40 PM
The sky isn’t falling in, Arsenal are just tired. The last five games weighed heavily on a trip to Aston Villa that probably became harder due to Mikel Arteta’s first half setup.
Arteta: Leo could only play a certain amount of minutes. We made a decision to do it early... that's why we had to change things.
December 6, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Arteta: Leo could only play a certain amount of minutes. We made a decision to do it early... that's why we had to change things.