With the extended international break finally in the rearview mirror, theScore's Caio Miari, Gord Brunt, and Jamie Johnstone debate soccer's biggest storylines as major European leagues get ready to resume club action.
What should Man City's punishment be?
Manchester City have been found guilty of more than 100 serious breaches of the Premier League's financial regulations over a nine-year period.
Points deduction, transfer ban, fine: Based on the language in the Premier League's ruling, Manchester City should expect a severe punishment. The word "sham" appeared eight times in the 40-page document, which detailed how the club misrepresented contracts with commercial partners and overstated revenue. A hefty points deduction spread across multiple seasons would prevent City from immediately returning to the Champions League, while a lengthy transfer ban and substantial fines - potentially distributed to other clubs - should reflect the scale of the breaches. Titles won between 2009-18 could also be stripped and left vacant. - Johnstone
20 points per season over five years: Deducting points in multiple seasons is the best way to punish Man City. While taking 100 points from the Citizens at once would serve as a de facto relegation and have a bigger immediate impact, it would realistically punish City for only a couple of seasons. They'd likely return as a Premier League powerhouse a year or two afterward. If they start each year with minus-20 points for five consecutive campaigns, that's half a decade without a league title or (likely) even a Champions League berth. - Miari
Owners forced to sell: After years of deception and lies, City's owner, the Abu Dhabi United Group, is facing the heat like never before. Although the hammer needs to come down hard on the club, the punishment should be designed to have as little impact on City's lifelong supporters as possible. After all, they were lied to, as well. Along with a multi-year points deduction for one of the Premier League's most dominant squads, City's ownership group should be forced to sell the team and be formally booted from the league. - Brunt
Who deserves the Ballon d'Or?
This year's Ballon d'Or will be awarded on Oct. 26. It encompasses everything from the start of the 2025-26 club season through the 2026 World Cup.
Harry Kane: He had one of the most dominant individual seasons for a striker in recent history, scoring 73 goals in 65 matches for club and country during the 2025-26 campaign. Kane claimed the European Golden Shoe and helped Bayern Munich add more domestic silverware, including another Bundesliga title. Then, the 33-year-old scored six World Cup goals and captained England to a third-place finish, the nation's best result at the marquee tournament since its lone title in 1966. While Bayern fell short of Champions League glory, no other Ballon d'Or contender was as productive and consistent as Kane last season. - Miari
Erling Haaland: Haaland solidified his status as one of soccer's most prolific scorers with another epic season for club and country. Although the striker failed to lead Man City to glory in the Premier League or the Champions League, he again scored at an absurd rate, netting 38 goals in 51 games in all competitions at club level. He also helped deliver some silverware, hoisting both the League Cup and FA Cup. However, his performance with Norway might've been his most notable achievement. Haaland, who became a beloved social media sensation during the 2026 World Cup, led the Scandinavian side to the quarterfinals for the first time in the country's history after scoring seven times on the sport's grandest stage. - Brunt
Lamine Yamal: He's built a compelling Ballon d'Or case through a season defined by trophies, production, and influence. The Barcelona winger scored 24 goals and added 17 assists in 45 appearances in 2025-26, helping his club retain La Liga and win the Spanish Super Cup. His prowess goes well beyond the numbers: Yamal regularly draws multiple defenders, opens space, and creates chances for teammates. He carried that influence to Spain, playing a key role in its World Cup triumph. At 19, Yamal has paired elite production with major trophies to strengthen his claim. His very public campaigning for the award probably didn't hurt in the eyes of the voters, either. - Johnstone
Which top-flight coach is feeling the most heat?
Several coaches at marquee clubs are already under intense pressure as attention shifts back to the club game.
Roberto De Zerbi: De Zerbi joined Tottenham late last season and guided the club to safety, but after passing his first major test, the honeymoon is over. Spurs sit bottom of the Premier League with two points from five games despite spending more than £300 million in the summer transfer market. His side has scored only twice, while defensive problems have made the expensive overhaul look increasingly disjointed. With matches against Man United and Chelsea on the horizon, De Zerbi must steady the ship quickly or risk losing his job before the end of the year. - Johnstone
Michael Carrick: Few coaches in Europe are under more pressure than Carrick. Like most Manchester United full-time bosses in recent years, Carrick hasn't managed to put the Red Devils near the top of the table to start the campaign. They sit 12th with only one win in their first five league matches. Carrick's seat got significantly hotter just before the international break, as United lost to rivals Man City and collapsed in a League Cup defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion by blowing a 2-0 lead, both at Old Trafford. Carrick and Co. also tied relegation-threatened Fulham before going on a break. Man United's schedule is unforgiving for the rest of the month, which could prolong the club's struggles and signal big trouble for Carrick. - Miari
Bruno Genesio: Genesio has already said he doesn't plan to resign as Marseille's manager, but his future will be out of his hands if the French side keeps toiling in the relegation zone. After guiding Lille to an impressive third-place finish last season - two spots above Marseille - Genesio was lured south to help Marseille close the gap on Paris Saint-Germain. Instead, the gap has turned into a canyon. Marseille sit 17th (out of 18 teams in Ligue 1) following a historically poor start, losing four of their first five games. Genesio's reign could be over if Marseille don't beat Troyes after the break. - Brunt
When will Spurs win a game?
Winless Tottenham are last in the Premier League after five matches despite spending over £300 million on new players this summer.
Oct. 10 (Man United): Tottenham's nightmare start to the 2026-27 Premier League season could change quickly if they start clicking under De Zerbi. Spurs have fared well against the Red Devils recently, winning four of the last six meetings dating back to 2024. Carrick's side, meanwhile, has shown its own inconsistencies, as outlined above. The international break offers Spurs a chance to reset before a pivotal test. A victory would finally end Spurs' wait for three points and ease pressure on De Zerbi, while another defeat could deepen the crisis. - Johnstone
Oct. 19 (Coventry): Tottenham fans couldn't stand to look at the standings during the three-week international break. A win at Old Trafford in their first match back would be a big statement, but we haven't seen anything from Spurs that suggests they can silence the Red Devils, even if the latter are also struggling. De Zerbi's men will have to wait another week for their tilt against Coventry to get into the win column. Frank Lampard's side has won just one game in its Premier League return thus far, and it's still in the relegation zone with three points. Coventry's minus-nine goal difference is the worst in England's top flight. - Miari
Oct. 31 (Crystal Palace): That date with Coventry City at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium is the ideal scenario for Spurs to register their first win of the season. It's Tottenham's most manageable home assignment to date after dropping points at home to Newcastle and Everton. But nothing is straightforward with this Spurs team. Instead, the Coventry game could be a trap and the end of the De Zerbi era if it results in anything but a Tottenham win. Assuming Tottenham draw or lose, look for the north London club to cut ties with De Zerbi before ending its nightmare streak with a victory over Crystal Palace on Halloween under a new tactician. - Brunt
Which current league leader will fall off?
Some surprising teams lead their respective domestic leagues. How many of those strong starts are just a mirage?
Borussia Dortmund: Dortmund have enjoyed a surprisingly perfect start to the new Bundesliga season, winning all four games - including three clean sheets - to top the table. Most of their new signings have already made an impact, and Dortmund are finally grinding out tight wins again. However, all of that still won't be enough to dethrone Bayern Munich, who've won 13 of the past 14 league titles. Vincent Kompany's side sits second after dropping points to Schalke, but it's already scored a league-high 14 goals, proving the club remains German soccer's most unstoppable force. Also, Dortmund's wins all came against teams in the bottom half of the table. Things will get tougher as the season progresses, and no Bundesliga club has enough star power, talent, and depth to keep up with Bayern. - Miari
AS Monaco: The best part about Paris Saint-Germain's slow start is the hope it gives other teams. Five games in, and a handful of clubs might just start believing they have a chance to usurp France's most dominant side - it won't last long. Monaco are just keeping the seat warm until PSG's inevitable surge up the table. Not to take anything away from a Monaco side that's won four of five games to start the campaign, but PSG's resources suggest that the 14-time Ligue 1 winners will find their form after the break - as they always do - and blast by the five teams currently ahead of them in the standings. - Brunt
AS Roma: Roma have looked terrific this season and sit top of Serie A on goal difference ahead of reigning champions Inter Milan. However, the depth gap between the clubs could eventually catch up with the Giallorossi. Gian Piero Gasperini's starting XI blends exciting young players (Matias Soule and Wesley Franca) with experienced veterans (Paulo Dybala and Bryan Cristante), but Roma's bench doesn't match Inter's quality. That difference can decide a long season, particularly with injuries, fatigue, and Champions League demands piling up. Inter's deeper squad better equips them to retain the title. - Johnstone
