The New York Yankees have acquired Chicago White Sox outfielder Austin Slater in exchange for right handed pitcher Gage Ziehl. Ken Rosenthal of was first on the trade, and 's Bob Nightengale was first on the return.

Slater was one of several outfield names that the Yankees were considering ahead of the trade deadline amid the elbow injury to star slugger Aaron Judge. The Yankees were considering a reunion with former outfielder Harrison Bader, but Slater proved most palatable for New York.

Slater has hit .236 this season with five home runs and 11 RBI.

Dilara Akter, Jannatul Ferdus and Ishma Tanjim have been left out

Mohammad Isam23-Aug-2025Bangladesh have brought two teenagers into their squad for the Women’s World Cup, which the BCB announced on Saturday. They are Nishita Akter, the 17-year-old offspinner, and the 19-year-old batter Sumaiya Akter. Both were part of Bangladesh’s team at the Women’s Under-19 T20 World Cup in Malaysia in February.Bangladesh have also picked the 28-year-old keeper-batter Rubya Haider, who has played six T20Is but is yet to make her ODI debut.Between them, these three relative new faces have played three ODIs and seven T20Is, and none of them has played for the senior Bangladesh side in 2025.Related

WI's historic chase ends in heartbreak as Bangladesh seal World Cup spot

The selectors have offloaded Dilara Akter, Jannatul Ferdus and Ishma Tanjim from Bangladesh’s most recent squad, which played in the World Cup Qualifier in April. Bangladesh qualified from that tournament ahead of West Indies by a net-run-rate margin of just 0.013, but they haven’t played any international matches since then.Recently, the squad has played a number of matches against Bangladesh’s Under-15 boys side as preparation for the World Cup.Women’s chief selector Sajjad Ahmed was excited by the addition of the three young players. He said Rubya, who has played six T20Is, will be the squad’s back-up opener and wicketkeeper behind captain Nigar Sultana.”Rubya has earned her place through sheer hard work,” he said. “Her development over the last six months has been outstanding. We see her as a valuable option both as a reserve keeper and a back-up opener.”Nishita is still young, but she bowls with great maturity. She is consistent, calm under pressure and her ability to contain left-handers gave her an edge. We believe this experience will serve her well and add depth to our spin attack.”Sajjad added that Sumaiya’s patience would be an asset to the side, and her fielding a bonus. “Sumaiya has been knocking on the door for some time. She brings the ability to occupy the crease and accelerate when needed. With her skillset and fielding standards, she gives us an all-round option in the top order.”Apart from these three, the squad wears a familiar look with Nahida Akter as vice-captain to Nigar, and the likes of Fargana Hoque, Fahima Khatun and Marufa Akter bringing the experience that Bangladesh hope will cover for their recent lack of match practice.Bangladesh are scheduled to open their World Cup campaign against Pakistan in Colombo on October 2. India are the hosts of the tournament, with Colombo hosting all of Pakistan’s matches.Bangladesh squad for Women’s World Cup 2025Nigar Sultana (capt), Nahida Akter, Fargana Hoque, Rubya Haider, Sharmin Akhter, Sobhana Mostary, Ritu Moni, Shorna Akter, Fahima Khatun, Rabeya Khan, Marufa Akter, Fariha Trisna, Sanjida Akter, Nishita Akter, Sumaiya Akter.
IN: Rubya Haider, Nishita Akter, Sumaiya Akter
OUT: Dilara Akter (wk), Jannatul Ferdus, Ishma Tanjim

Bangladesh have also had the luxury of rotating their fast bowlers, which Litton said helps with workload management

Mohammad Isam25-Jul-2025Having all their first-choice players available helped Bangladesh turn around their six-match losing streak and seal their maiden T20I series wins against Sri Lanka and Pakistan, captain Litton Das has said.Bangladesh’s 2-1 series win against Pakistan at home came on the back of an away series win in Sri Lanka, with the same margin.”We were facing a [players] crisis in the UAE and Pakistan [in May],” Litton said after winning the recent series against Pakistan. “I didn’t get my best players during those two series. Taskin [Ahmed] wasn’t available. Mustafizur [Rahman] had left for the IPL. We are well aware of Mustafiz’s capability and how dangerous he can be for the opposition. We also had some players unavailable in Pakistan. Those who were there didn’t play up to the mark. I think we had the full set-up against Sri Lanka and Pakistan [this time]. We have to continue playing in such a manner.”Related

• Jaker-Mahedi and Shoriful-Tanzim give Bangladesh first T20I series win against Pakistan

• Jaker Ali: 'I only count match-winning runs, the rest doesn't register'

Mustafizur was at his miserly best against Pakistan, conceding at just 2.86 in two games. Taskin took a total of six wickets, while spinners Mahedi Hasan and Rishad Hossain were crucial in the wins in Sri Lanka. Mustafizur had missed two matches in the UAE, while Taskin had missed the series against UAE and Pakistan due to an ankle injury.Left-arm quick Shoriful Islam wasn’t available for the series against Pakistan in May due to an injury, while Bangladesh couldn’t field Rishad and Nahid Rana in a game against UAE due to visa issues, and Rana skipped the Pakistan tour on personal grounds.Litton credited his bowlers for the victories against Pakistan, who were bowled out for low totals in the first two games of the series. “The bowlers definitely had a huge role in this series win,” he said. “They bowled out Pakistan for 110 runs [in the first T20I]. Then we defended 133 runs [in the second T20I]. Those were big challenges. We bowled well even today.”In Sri Lanka, Bangladesh lost the first T20I but turned it around to win the last two to seal the series. Litton said that the Bangladesh bowlers corrected their execution in the next game, to go on and win the last two T20Is.Mustafizur Rahman was at his miserly best in the Pakistan series•BCB

“I think we didn’t score enough in that game in Kandy, where 180 was a par score,” Litton said. “Sri Lanka were in attacking mode that day. I think we were behind on the execution of our plans. We didn’t bowl where we wanted to bowl at the Sri Lankan batters. We followed the same plan and came back into the series (against Sri Lanka).”Bangladesh’s pace bowlers have combined to take 51 wickets, which is 60.71% of all wickets Bangladesh have taken this year in T20Is. What has also impressed is the size of the pace attack. They have used eight pace bowlers this year, accommodating injuries, but in the last two series, Bangladesh have also had the luxury of rotating their fast bowlers.Litton said workload management will be considered going forward, but they are also looking at a bowler’s skillset to determine their selection. “We are fortunate to have some more really good bowlers,” he said. “We don’t want to lose them early. We want to give them enough opportunities, but we also want to consider their health.”Taskin is returning to cricket after a long injury break. We all know that he will have a high chance of more injuries if he plays continually. Shoriful is the same. He had a groin injury in Pakistan. He also had a similar problem in Sri Lanka. We have to determine who plays when and where.”

Fast bowler deserves happy ending to mighty 16-year career, but form is a concern for NZ

Vithushan Ehantharajah07-Dec-2024The cheers were loud. Too loud considering the on-field celebrations were muted.Tim Southee’s four-over spell before tea had seen off Jacob Bethell and Ben Duckett as both rounded on centuries. Steady into the nineties, they found themselves on the wrong end of a veteran seamer who has made a healthy career out of ending dreams on a fourth-stump line. Shifty positions on the crease from around the wicket felt like a throwback. The only thing missing was joy from the man responsible.In the stands and on the grassbanks they hooted and hollered rather than roared: more for Southee, in his final appearance at the Basin Reserve, than the situation. England had taken care of New Zealand’s first innings quick enough to begin their second innings at 11:54am with a lead of 155. They were 366 in front when Duckett, on 92, lazily guided Southee onto his stumps when aiming down to third. Bethell’s earlier push-drive looked borne out of nerves on 96 – a new personal best – one shot away from his first century in professional cricket.Southee’s disposition throughout was distinctly Danny Glover. One match away from retirement, tired and, aged 35 with the creak of over 23,000 deliveries in his joints, finally too old for this for this s***.The ignominy of being the final skittle of Gus Atkinson’s hat-trick felt unbecoming, especially in only the second of 153 innings as a No.11. His own imperfect hat-trick duly followed; opening up England’s second innings and seeing the first two deliveries blazed through cover for successive boundaries by Zak Crawley. Crawley, a man averaging 9.44 in New Zealand, who just over 24 hours earlier had hit a six in the first over of the Test when he sent Southee back over his head.When Southee announced this series was to be his last, there was a romanticism about calling time against the same side he faced on debut back in March 2008. The reality has been far from idyllic. An awkward nightmarish mix of politeness and brutality.England have targeted Southee – as well as every other Kiwi bowler, to be fair – after he troubled them on day two of the first Test, in seam-friendly conditions. Since taking 2 for 85 in the first innings at Hagley Oval, Southee had gone 0 for 136 runs in the 22.5 overs up to Bethell’s dismissal. Should he not add to the two wickets he currently has – for 72 runs so far in 14 overs – it will be 24 innings since he last took three or more wickets (against Sri Lanka in February 2023).His bowling average has now crept the wrong side of 30. His pace, naturally, is down to 128kph in this Test. The conclusion of the farewell tour in Hamilton next week will be Southee’s 11th Test of 2024. It has been the busiest year of his Test career, one in which he also relinquished the Test captaincy. With just 15 wickets at 61.66, it is also comfortably his worst.There is no denying this has been a grizzly final stanza to a genuinely great career. But great things do not always have great endings.Related

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Williamson lauds Southee's longevity amid NZ's changing of the guard

New Zealand in need of another fightback at scene of epic one-run win

France’s legendary footballer Zinedine Zidane bowed out too literally, sent off after burying his head into the chest of Marco Materazzi in the 2006 World Cup Final, which Italy went on to win. See also: Don Bradman’s duck in his final knock. And the last season of Test careers, in particular, are tricky to end. It was only five months ago that James Anderson, now sitting on the England balcony as a bowling consultant, was bumped off, forced to call it a day after a one-Test finale at the start of the summer. The game’s most productive seamer, an artist, discarded then repurposed like scrap metal.At the end other end of the spectrum was Stuart Broad’s note-perfect walk into the sunset at the end of the 2023 summer. A rare combination of pageantry and high drama, Broad was celebrated for the last two days of the Oval Test, before finishing it off with the last Australian wicket with his final delivery, earning his side a 2-2 draw in the Ashes.Whisper it, but Southee’s retirement parade is feeling a lot like more like Anderson’s when the desire would have been Broad’s. Inevitable yet no less emotional, but with a nagging sense the time to move on might have already passed.Anderson has spoken since about wanting to cling on, largely because the decision came against his will. Southee at least has the comfort of personal closure. “I’ve really loved working with these exciting young bowlers and watching them perform at the highest level,” he said last month. “Now it’s their turn to take this team forward and they know I’ll always be there to support, from near or far.”Truth be told, it should have been “their turn” here in Wellington. The sentimentality of this series is weighted heavily on that final Test at Seddon Park, Southee’s home ground. Resting for this second Test would have been the smart play on a number of fronts, though Black Caps skipper Tom Latham said pre-match that the thought of parking Southee was never entertained.With three matches back-to-back, it was always going to be a stretch, physically, to make it through intact. Now the issue is seemingly on merit.Not that New Zealand will make that decision. That would be wildly out of sync with how the current set-up operates and the deserved last rites of a legend.But it is hard to shake the fact that Southee’s situation represents a wider stasis with the team. A chastening Saturday highlighted that, with New Zealand already out of this second Test with three days still to play. Likewise the continued absence of Will Young, player of the series in a 3-0 victory over India that looks more and more like an outlier each day.On the flip side, no amount of revisionism can dull what Southee has achieved, regardless of how the next three days here play out. But he would certainly wish his final weeks as a Test cricketer were more enjoyable than this.

Corinthians’ financial troubles have reached a breaking point, with unpaid wages, heavy debts and over €2.5 million already drained from club accounts this season. In a gesture of solidarity, Dutch star Memphis Depay has offered to give up his €40,000-a-month hotel suite to help the club reduce expenses. This comes after there were reports that the club had asked the forward to cut-back on his finances and move to a cheaper accommodation.

• Depay’s offer to help Corinthians

  Depay’s career has been defined by flair, self-expression, and a strong sense of identity. But in Sao Paulo, it’s empathy that’s making headlines. The Dutch attacker, who joined Corinthians in 2024, has reportedly offered to give up his €40,000-per-month luxury hotel suite to ease the club’s growing financial burden.

  According to , the suite which is located in one of Sao Paulo’s top hotels, costs the club around 250,000 Brazilian reais monthly and includes premium services like room service, laundry, a chauffeur, and 24-hour concierge support. Since his arrival, Corinthians have already spent over €405,000 on his accommodation alone.

  Depay’s willingness to forgo this contractual privilege is seen as a commendable gesture at a time when Corinthians’ finances are stretched thin. Despite his €11 million annual salary (which could rise to €19m with bonuses), the forward has acknowledged the club’s fragile situation and expressed readiness to help reduce costs.

  So far, Depay has scored nine goals and registered 10 assists in 44 games for Corinthians this season.

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  Corinthians can't afford Depay's luxurious lifestyle

  Depay's stance in the Corinthian's case marks a shift in tone for a player long known for his confidence and occasional controversies. In early 2025, the Dutch player clashed with the Brazilian club officials over his unpaid $1m in debt. The forward further notified the club that if the situation is not resolved quickly he would not fulfil his contractual obligations. He also missed a few training sessions in a bid to boycott the club. The situation was resolved after he met the club's president, Augusto Melo.

  Corinthians, one of Brazil’s most historic football institutions, is currently navigating one of its worst financial crises in decades. The club’s debt has reportedly ballooned to R$2.7 billion (around €500 million), driven by mismanagement, inflated contracts, and unpaid transfer fees.

  Amid this turmoil, Depay’s luxurious living arrangement became a symbol of excess. Reports suggest that club executives recently approached the Dutchman to discuss ending the deal or asking him to bear part of the costs. While the suite was part of his signed agreement, the club can no longer sustain such high non-sporting expenses.

  At first, sources claimed Depay was reluctant to change terms, arguing the club must honour its contract. But in a surprising turn, the 31-year-old forward later expressed a willingness to help.

• Corinthians’ mounting debt and the struggle to survive

  Corinthians’ financial crisis runs deep. The club has faced wage delays, transfer bans from FIFA and threats of point deductions due to unpaid fees. Over the past two years, their debt has climbed to around half a billion euros, a figure that dwarfs even some European clubs.

  Sponsorship disputes and heavy spending on marquee signings like Depay have worsened the situation. The club has been forced to cut costs drastically, delay transfers, and renegotiate contracts.

  This economic strain has already impacted results. Corinthians have struggled in both domestic and continental competitions, unable to strengthen their squad or retain key players. Local media reports suggest that morale inside the camp is low, with several foreign players frustrated by delayed payments.

  Depay’s offer to ease the burden comes as a rare positive in an otherwise grim narrative. It also highlights a wider conversation in football: whether players and clubs can find balance between contractual rights and moral responsibility in times of crisis.

  The Brasileiro-side currently stands 10th in the league table after 32 games.

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  Depay remains a complicated figure in Brazil

  Depay’s time at Corinthians has been anything but quiet. Beyond the financial headlines, he has been at the centre of both brilliance and controversy. On the pitch, his flair and goal-scoring instinct made him a key figure; off it, his personality, high-profile disputes, and rumoured personal scandals have kept him in the spotlight.

  The forward has been facing pregnancy claims by Brazilian influencer Lary Simoes after she publicly claimed that Depay got her pregnant and then ghosted her. Multiple reports also confirm that the Dutch footballer had received a four-month suspended prison sentence for a drunk driving offense that occurred in Monaco in 2024.

  However, Corinthians are reportedly looking to extend Depay's current contract after they are done with their current financial obligations. His recent action has also come as a relief for the club, giving more hope to the club for a renewed bond but the road to recovery is still a long one for the club and to manage to personality like Depay will take a lot of toll on the club. 

MatériaMais Notícias

Tite concedeu entrevista coletiva após o empate em 0 a 0 do Flamengo diante do Fluminense neste sábado (16), no Maracanã, pelo Carioca. O treinador rubro-negro analisou o desempenho da equipe na partida e disse que não irá escolher adversário para final. Vasco e Nova Iguaçu se enfrentam no domingo (17) pela outra vaga na decisão.

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➡️ Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso canal Lance! Flamengo

– Os dois fizeram por merecer. Eu vou sentar e não vou torcer para ninguém. O padrão de análise é independente do tamanho de adversário. Independente de quem for, a gente vai analisar o que acontece dentro de campo e tentar anular e aproveitar o que oferecerem para gente – comentou Tite, ao lado do auxiliar e filho Matheus.

– Uma equipe consistente, com Rossi batendo essas marcas e que fez gols em todos os jogos, hoje passou em branco, contra o Vasco também. É um trabalho em conjunto. Nós passamos uma semana com muita dificuldade. Aquele jogo que a gente fez exigiu muito. Tivemos uma série de subsituições que fizemos por conta do desgaste. Faltou um pouco de finesse para atacarmos os espaços, para ter um pouco mais de consistências nas ações ofensivas – comento o treinador do Flamengo.

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Tite também falou sobre a sequência sem jogos antes da final do Campeonato Carioca. O jogo de ida da decisão está marcado para 31 de março, daqui 15 dias. Até lá, o calendário sofre uma pausa por conta da Data Fifa. O técnico analisou o que o Flamengo tem a melhorar neste período.

– O primeiro aspcecto é manutenção e evolução. Se pegar parâmetros, o jogo anterior do Fluminense é a referência. Esse é o componente, tem um componente físico, uma pegada extraordinária. A gente sentiu muito ao longo da semana. O Nico ficou um dia sem treinar, o Erick voltou a treinar na quinta, o Ayrton também. A gente recuperou o Allan, ele ficou quinze dias para pegar uma condição física. Esses compnentes todos. Em termos táticos, a referência é o jogo anterior, em termos físicos é a recuperação. É ficar torcendo para ninguém machucar agora – afirmou.

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➡️ Rossi se torna goleiro com mais tempo sem levar gol na história do Flamengo

Confira outras respostas de Fernando Diniz durante a entrevista coletiva pós-jogo contra o Fluminense:

– Temos dois zagueiros que estão jogando muito, que são selecionáveis (para a Seleção Brasileira), para mim. E temos o David Luiz, que todas as vezes que entrou jogou demais. É difícil (Léo Ortiz chegar jogando).

– Eu falo da primeira parte do lado humano. Matheus é meu auxiliar desde os 8, 9 anos de idade. O pai dele gravava todos os jogos em fita cassete, aqueles que não conseguia ver, para analisar. Teve uma vez que eu saí, cheguei em casa e ele trouxe uma fita ‘aqui pai, gravei para você’. Não era um jogo entre equipes top. Assim como pais médicos que tem filhos que seguem o mesmo caminho e de outras profissões. Eu tive sorte de ter um filho que segue na mesma carreira.

– A gente não falava sem ter uma base. Quando falávamos que acreditavam nos três (laterais-direitos) é porque a gente acredita no dia a dia o que ele mostra para nós. É nosso trabalho fazer com que eles mostrem em campo o que fazem no dia a dia. Tenho certeza que aos poucos vão crescer. O Wesley tem 20 anos e vai evoluir muito.

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Florian Wirtz signed for Liverpool for a fee which could rise to £116m, but his social media sensation girlfriend is stealing the spotlight after the Germany star’s move to England.

Wirtz, 22, penned a five-year deal on Merseyside which will keep him at Liverpool until at least 2030. The former Bayer Leverkusen playmaker makes £200,000-a-week at Liverpool, placing him among Liverpool’s top earners behind Virgil van Dijk and Mohamed Salah.

Wirtz revealed he chose Liverpool because he believes they are one of the top three clubs in the world, and said his family took little convincing.

He is joined on Merseyside by his partner Aaliyah Cloßen, who is a model and social media influencer with over 100,000 followers on TikTok.

Who is Florian Wirtz's girlfriend?

Aaliyah Cloßen, known by her TikTok username simply as Aaliyah (@aaliyahcl), has reportedly been dating Wirtz since 2022. The pair have kept their private lives relatively quiet, but have been photographed together several times, most notably celebrating Leverkusen’s Bundesliga title in 2024.

Born in the early 2000s, she is a similar age to Wirtz, and is thought to be from the Cologne region of Germany.

Although not much is known about her professional activities, she rose to fame on TikTok, where she now has over 115,000 followers and 2.5 million likes thanks to her ‘get ready with me’ content, displaying her fashion, lifestyle and make-up.

She is also involved in modeling, and has worked with Cologne-based photographer Jonas Herrlein.

Aaliyah is regularly spotted in the stands watching Wirtz in action, and is thought to have a great relationship with his parents, father Hans-Joachim and mother Karin, as the trio were often seated alongside each other at Leverkusen and Germany matches.

She posted a video during Wirtz’s transfer saga with the song I Follow Rivers by Lykke Li, in which the lyrics repeat “I follow you”. One hopeful Bayern Munich fan commented on the post: “Munich is better than Liverpool is all I’m saying.”

Wirtz and Liverpool have had a poor start to the season, as the midfielder had to wait until mid October for his first goal contributions in a red shirt, assisting twice in a 5-1 win against Eintracht Frankfurt in the Champions League.

The sum is significantly less than the R815 million from last year

Firdose Moonda20-Sep-2025

Hosting India for a four-match T20I series boosted CSA’s coffers•AFP/Getty Images

Cricket South Africa has reported a profit for a second successive financial year after three previous years of losses at their AGM on Saturday. They announced a profit of R238 million (approx US$13.7 million), significantly less than the R815 million from last year (approx US$ 45.6 million) but substantial after a season in which their only profitable incoming tour was four T20Is against India.Last summer, CSA also hosted Sri Lanka and Pakistan, which are typically loss-making series, but generated revenue from a combination of broadcast income, ICC disbursements and the addition of seven new sponsors.They also boasted increased interest in South African cricket with viewership of matches at one billion in 107 countries, earning CSA R707 million (approx US$40 million). The rest of their income was derived from R378 million in ICC distributions (approx US$21 million) and R125 million in sponsorships (approx US$7.2 million). Income from the SA20 was not itemised in this year’s report.Their biggest expense was the running of professional cricket including players salaries, hosting matches and upkeep of facilities which amounted to R1.3 billion (approx US$75 million). CSA maintains reserves of R1.42 billion (approx US$82 million) which their integrated report said will “provide a stable foundation for the future.”The report also included details of the country’s stadiums, which are being upgraded for the 2027 World Cup. Among the more notable developments so far is that The Wanderers and SuperSport Park have new high-definition LED floodlights while George’s Park has refurbished seating and a new scoreboard.Drop-in pitches are also still in development around the country. “The upcoming 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup represents an extraordinary opportunity to showcase the best of South African cricket. Preparations are already well underway,” Pearl Maphoshe, chairperson of the board of directors, said in a statement. “This tournament must be more than a sporting event. We are focused on ensuring it leaves a meaningful legacy through infrastructure improvements, youth development, environmental accountability and shared national pride.”With 2027 preparations underway, South Africa do not host any Tests this summer but will begin their World Test Championship (WTC) title defence on a full tour to Pakistan next month. That will be followed by an all-format tour of India before the SA20 kicks off on Boxing Day. The only men’s international cricket this summer will be five T20Is against West Indies in January-February 2026. In the absence of any Test fixtures, the mace will be taken on a country-wide trophy tour next week.

Xabi Alonso has offered a robust defence of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s fitness, form, and future at Real Madrid, as the English defender prepares to make only his third league start of the season in Sunday’s away trip to Elche. The 27-year-old’s transfer from Liverpool has not yet ignited in the Spanish capital, with recurring injuries limiting him to brief cameo appearances and only two starts in La Liga.

• A rocky start in Spain for TAA

  Alexander-Arnold were limited to just nine minutes in Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League defeat at Anfield, where he was loudly booed by the home crowd, followed by a seven-minute appearance in the goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano. His stuttering start drew criticism in the Spanish press, adding further pressure to a player navigating a major change in club and tactical demands. His limited involvement played a major part in England boss Thomas Tuchel omitting him from the latest national squad. However, Alonso has assured that the right-back is now physically ready and mentally refreshed after two weeks of intensive work during the international break at Valdebebas.    

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  Alonso puts his weight behind TAA

  Alonso told reporters: "In this [international] break, we've worked with Trent, collectively and individually, after the injuries he had. Trent being in better form gives us more options in that position, and we have other players, too. Fede [Valverde] is still there. [Eder] Militao played right-back with Brazil the other day, and Raul [Asencio] can play there too."  

• Madrid's attack under the scanner

  While Alexander-Arnold’s absence has contributed to a lack of balance, Madrid’s bigger issue in recent weeks has been goals, or the lack of them. Los Blancos failed to score against Liverpool or Vallecano, and Kylian Mbappe did not record a single shot on target across both matches. However, Alonso refused to single out his star forward.

  "We didn't score at Liverpool or in Vallecas, but it isn't just about Kylian, it's about the team," Alonso said. "When we don't score we have to look for alternatives: the wingers, the midfielders, set pieces… The goals will return, I have no doubts."

  However, Mbappe has faced fresh criticism after he flew to Dubai during the international break following his exclusion from Les Bleus squad by the French Football Federation (FFF) due to an "inflammation in his right ankle, which requires further examination." His sudden trip to Dubai without visiting the medical facilities in Madrid had raised questions about his professionalism. 

  Speaking to, France coach Didier Deschamps explained: "He has almost chronic inflammation because he's had this ankle problem for a while now. Even if it doesn't prevent him from playing. I believe there's no risk to take given that we've already qualified, and I've made him available to Real Madrid." 

  Whereas, the president of the FFF, Philippe Diallo, shed further light on Mbappe's condition and added, "He is currently going through a delicate sporting moment. When he is the best player in the world, he becomes an irreplaceable asset for the French national team. My only wish is for him to return to his best and rejoin us in March for the next call-up, bringing everything he has always given us."

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  Defence boost as Rudiger nears return

  There was some good news defensively after Eder Militao picked up a minor injury while on Brazil duty. Alonso confirmed that although the centre-back will miss the Elche match, his recovery is progressing well. More importantly, Antonio Rudiger is nearing a return. 

  "It's very good news that [Rudiger] is close," Alonso said. "Probably not for tomorrow, but we'll see for Athens [against Olimpiacos]. With his level, and his personality, it's important to have him. Militao's injury isn't serious but we'll miss him, and having Toni as soon as possible is very good news.

  "We know where we are, the demands at Real Madrid. We're demanding of ourselves after every game. We don't have to give it any more weight than that."  

  Barcelona’s victory over Athletic Club on Saturday temporarily lifted them back to the top of the table, drawing level with Los Blancos on points. Real Madrid, winners of 10 of their 12 league matches so far, now must secure three points away to 11th-placed Elche to reclaim first place.

Glasgow Rangers head coach Danny Rohl has won his first three Scottish Premiership matches in charge of the club, after Russell Martin failed to string back-to-back wins together.

The Gers beat Dundee 3-0 at Dens Park on Sunday in the last game before the international break, and there was a first league goal for winger Djeidi Gassama.

He cut in from the left wing to curl a brilliant finish into the far corner, as show in the clip above, after he had failed to score in his first ten appearances in the division after his move from Sheffield Wednesday in the summer.

Gassama has now scored six goals in all competitions for the Light Blues, having scored four goals in the Champions League qualifiers and one in th Europa League, per Transfermarkt, after a £2.2m move from the Owls.

The French winger will be hoping that his goal against Dundee will be a platform to build from for the rest of the season, as he looks to provide consistent quality at the top end of the pitch on the left flank.

Rangers will also be hoping that is the case so that they can mark him down as another successful attacking signing, of which there have been a few in recent seasons.

Ranking Rangers biggest talents since they last won the Premiership

Since the Gers won the Premiership title under Steven Gerrard in the 2020/21 campaign, the Scottish giants have not had too much success on the pitch or with managers.

A couple of domestic cup wins has not been enough to see continuity in the dugout, which is a cause for concern, but the Light Blues have had some exciting players to watch in the last few years.

It is hard to look past Vaclav Cerny and Hamza Igamane as being two of the biggest talents at the club since the last league win. Cerny provided 18 goals and nine assists in all competitions, whilst the Morocco international managed 16 goals and three assists.

Calvin Bassey, who was sold to Ajax for £19.6m, also has to be up there because he is the club’s most expensive sale of all time, and is currently playing consistently in the Premier League with Fulham.

Arguably the biggest talent Rangers have had since they last won the league, though, is attacking midfielder Malik Tillman, who was on loan from Bayern Munich in the 2023/24 campaign.

1

Malik Tillman

2

Hamza Igamane

3

Calvin Bassey

4

Vaclav Cerny

5

Abdallah Sima

The USA international provided 12 goals and five assists in all competitions for the club during his loan spell, per Transfermarkt, and provided many moments of quality for the supporters to enjoy.

On top of his excellent performances for Rangers, Tillman has gone on to enjoy a successful career away from Ibrox. He currently plays for German giants Bayer Leverkusen and is valued at £30m by Transfermarkt, which is more than any other player on that list.

It is, therefore, hard to argue against the goalscoring midfielder being the biggest talent Rangers have had since they last won the league, because he is currently the most valuable former or current Gers player, per Transfermarkt, from then to now.

Whilst Gassama will be hoping to follow in Tillman’s footsteps in the months and seasons to come, there is another Gers star who could be the club’s biggest talent since the American.

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Mikey Moore has not had the perfect start to his career at Ibrox, since signing on loan from Tottenham Hotspur, but recent performances suggest that he is turning a corner.

Why Mikey Moore could be the biggest Rangers talent since Malik Tillman

The England youth international failed to provide a goal or an assist for Russell Martin in five Premiership appearances, in what was a very difficult opening couple of months for him at the club.

Since Martin’s exit, though, Moore has scored one goal and provided one assist in four appearances in the division, matching Gassama’s tally from 11 league outings this season, per Sofascore.

Like the French forward, the Spurs loanee scored his first goal for the club in the 3-0 win at Dens Park on Sunday, as he picked up the ball in a central position and finished brilliantly into the bottom corner.

The 18-year-old starlet is still learning and developing each week as he gains vital first-team experience, and it is showing in his improved performances on the pitch, with two goal contributions in the last four league matches after none in the first five.

Moore is getting better each week, as evidenced by his improved form in front of goal, and that is an exciting prospect when you consider his form for Spurs at academy level.

The English forward scored 19 goals and provided 13 assists in 24 matches at U18 level for the Premier League side, per Transfermarkt, which shows the kind of output that he has the potential to offer if he can get to his very best.

Moore, who Como scout Ben Mattinson claimed has “superstar potential”, could develop into a brilliant forward for Rangers if he can add the consistency that was shown in his performances at academy level, after finally getting off the mark in the Premiership on Sunday.

Mikey Moore

£14m

Nicolas Raskin

£10m

Mohamed Diomande

£7m

Youssef Chermiti

£7m

Nasser Djiga

£7m

Valuations via Transfermarkt

As you can see in the table above, the Spurs loanee is currently the most valuable player in the Rangers squad, at £14m, and that is whilst he is also the youngest player in the team.

At the age of 18, Moore has so much time left ahead of him to progress and develop, and he is already showing signs of growth in his performances for the Gers.

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That is why the English winger could be the club’s biggest talent since Tillman because he is a future “superstar” who could go on to be worth as much, if not more, than the American star.