France further cemented their status as the 2026 World Cup favourites with a comfortable 3-0 win over Sweden in the Round of 32 on Tuesday – but an eyebrow-raising incident between head coach Didier Deschamps and one of his players has gone viral on social media.

Kylian Mbappe produced another inspired performance as Les Bleus booked their place in the last 16, where they will face Paraguay at the Philadelphia Stadium on Saturday.

The Real Madrid superstar scored two more goals and now sits level with Argentina’s Lionel Messi on six goals in the race for the Golden Boot award. He also improved his chances of winning his first ever Ballon d’Or award as he moved two goals clear of Germany legend Miroslav Klose in all-time World Cup top scorer charts.

Only Messi (19 goals) currently has more World Cup goals to his name than Mbappe (18 goals), who has been in scintillating form since the tournament began last month.

Cherki Appears to Blank Deschamps

Reuters/Caean Couto

With so many top players at his disposal, though, Deschamps has a battle on his hands to keep everyone happy – including several stars who haven’t had much playing time.

One of those star players is Manchester City’s Rayan Cherki, the mercurial playmaker who only came on for the final five minutes against Sweden.

Despite the fact the tie had effectively been wrapped up when Mbappe made it 3-0 in the 74th minute, Deschamps waited 11 more minutes before bringing on Cherki and Jean-Philippe Mateta for Michael Olise and Mbappe, respectively.

Post-match footage, recorded from the stands, appears to show Cherki blanking Deschamps as his manager approached him. Watch the clip below:

Why Cherki Might be Frustrated With His Manager

Reuters/Caean Couto

Football fans on social media believe the footage is clear evidence that Cherki is frustrated with his lack of playing time at this summer’s showpiece tournament.

“Damn, Cherki hates Deschamps,” one fan wrote on X (Twitter). “I don’t even blame him, he’s treated him horribly.”

Cherki, 22, played the final 25 minutes in France’s 4-1 win over Norway. In the game before that, against Iraq, the former Lyon star came on in the 68th minute. And in the opening match against Senegal, Cherki replaced Desire Doue in the 87th minute.

The numbers don’t lie. It’s clear that Cherki is lower down Deschamps’ pecking order than France’s other attacking stars.

However, the Man City ace – who is one of six contenders to win the coveted Men’s Players’ Player of the Year award following an excellent debut campaign in the Premier League – couldn’t hide his frustration after the Sweden game and will be hoping for more minutes in the next game against Paraguay.

Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea may find themselves going after the same striker this transfer window, according to a recent report.

The fierce rivals will both be looking for improved fortunes this season after the London pair failed to qualify for European football in dismal respective seasons.

Admittedly, Spurs fans will say they had it worse as the Lilywhites narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League, while Chelsea did manage to reach the FA Cup final.

However, both have made managerial changes in recent months with Tottenham hiring Roberto De Zerbi in March and Chelsea bringing in Xabi Alonso once last season had officially concluded.

Both will be looking to lead vast improvement at their respective clubs.

Tottenham and Chelsea interested in Folarin Balogun

Both Tottenham and Chelsea are interested in a move for Monaco and USA striker Folarin Balogun, according to journalist Santi Aouna, with PSG also credited as a club targeting the 24-year-old.

The Parisians are looking to replace the outgoing Goncalo Ramos, who is headed to AC Milan, but Spurs are offering “heavy competition”, while Chelsea “are also interested”. The report states that Spurs have made Balogun a “priority” signing this summer.

Balogun came through the youth ranks at Arsenal and even made 10 senior appearances for the Gunners. He also had loan spells at Middlesbrough and Stade Reims before joining Monaco in 2023.

Since, the USA international has recorded 31 goals and 13 assists in 91 appearances for the French side and now looks likely to move on this summer.

Return to London would make sense

Matthew Childs via Reuters

Having grown up in London despite his allegiance to the USMNT, Balogun joining Tottenham or Chelsea would certainly be interesting given his Arsenal upbringing.

The striker was never given a proper opportunity to test himself at Premier League level with most of his appearances for the Gunners’ first-team coming in the Europa League.

Now though, the 24-year-old’s stock as one of Europe’s hottest strikers is growing and may compound further following the World Cup. According to Caught Offside, the striker is being valued at around €55million.

Balogun scored twice for the USA in their opening World Cup match, a 4-1 victory over Paraguay, which has directed eyes around the world on the forward.

However, a move to PSG would also make sense for the Monaco man, with the Parisians Europe’s top club at this moment in time on the back of lifting back-to-back Champions Leagues.

Regardless of what happens over the remainder of the summer, it seems unlikely that Balogun will still be representing Monaco when the transfer window closes.

Everton will be looking to go one step further this season and bring European football to the Hill Dickinson Stadium after narrowly missing out on European qualification last season.

David Moyes’ side, at one point, looked on course to secure at least a Europa Conference League place, but ended the season in 13th place, four points off eighth-placed Brighton and Hove Albion who took the final European spot.

The Toffees are now starting to get active in the transfer window. A deal has reportedly been agreed with Middlesbrough for attacking midfielder Hayden Hackney, and now it looks as though Everton will be completing a double swoop from Chelsea.

Everton set for double Chelsea swoop

According to BBC Sport, Everton are closing in on a permanent deal for winger Tyrique George, who spent four months on loan with the Toffees last season. Additionally, Fabrizio Romano has reported that they are also set to complete a move for Chelsea academy product Arthur Barratt with a “fee agreed”.

George made 11 appearances for the Toffees in the second half of last season but failed to register a goal or an assist.

The England Under-21 international has played 37 times for Chelsea’s first team, scoring six times and providing another six assists, but is expected to be have been deemed surplus to requirements by new boss Xabi Alonso.

At 20, George still boasts plenty of potential and Blues fans will be hoping to see more from the young wide man in an Everton shirt than they did during his loan spell.

Meanwhile, 16-year-old midfielder Barratt is expected to be a signing for the future but is highly rated at Cobham and was subject to interest from other Premier League clubs. The teenager is likely to be a replacement for young midfielder Demi Akarakiri, who is set to join Serie A side Cagliari.

Everton making a mark in the transfer window

It’s been a slow start to the summer in the transfer market, particularly with the World Cup currently ongoing. However, it now looks as though Everton are ready to start making some moves.

Out of the three pending additions, fans are likely going to be most excited by the arrival of Hackney, who was one of the best midfielders in the Championship last season.

The 23-year-old scored six goals and registered eight assists as Boro were beaten in the play-off final by Hull City and is now set for his dream Premier League move.

Meanwhile, after a mixed loan spell last season, George’s arrival may not be the statement signing Everton fans are hoping for. However, the winger has plenty of potential and could develop into a valuable forward for Moyes’ team.

As for Barratt, the teenage midfielder will be one for the future, but certainly a player to keep tabs on.