Paul Scholes might be of the bizarre opinion that he “takes too many touches”, but is there truly any reason to suggest why Arsenal’s Declan Rice isn’t one of the top five midfielders in the world right now?

There really isn’t anything that the Englishman can’t do, be it from whipping in a delicious corner, or rifling home a free-kick from range, having also been an ever-present fixture this season, prior to missing the trip to Bruges through illness.

He’s always up and at ’em, tearing from box-to-box in almost a Steven Gerrard, Roy Keane style of yesteryear. The true all-round midfielder.

It does boggle the mind that this was once a player shackled to a centre-back role in his youth at West Ham, before emerging as something of a safe and steady defensive-minded midfielder under David Moyes – scoring just 15 times in 245 games for the Hammers.

In the red and white of Arsenal, however, the 26-year-old has been a man unleashed, with Mikel Arteta’s handling of the all-action star proving to be something of a masterstroke.

Declan Rice's record as a No.6 vs a No.8

For all the attention surrounding West Ham’s Conference League captain, having emerged as a leading target for both Manchester clubs prior to 2023, there were still eyebrows raised at the £105m figure that the Gunners forked out to get their man just over two years ago.

Indeed, as already stated, the Three Lions star had only provided 28 goals and assists in total at the London Stadium, with the aforementioned Keane one of the more vocal sceptics at the time:

A solid, albeit unspectacular, debut season followed in north London, with 31 of Rice’s 51 games in all competitions coming in a number six role, as per Transfermarkt, with Arteta experimenting with Kai Havertz in the first half of the season in that left-sided number eight role.

Those 31 games yielded just three goals and four assists, although with the likes of Jorginho and Thomas Partey deployed more frequently heading into 2024, Rice’s 19 games as more of a box-to-box central midfielder saw him register ten goals and assists.

Indeed, that shift became something of a permanent one in 2024/25, with the one-time Chelsea youth man registering 16 goals and assists from his 37 games as a central midfielder, while providing just three goal involvements from 15 games in his deep-lying berth.

Central midfield

Games

69

Goals & Assists

13 & 17

Defensive midfield

Games

55

Goals & Assists

5 & 9

Centre-back

Games

1

Goals & Assists

0 & 0

Total

Games

125

Goals & Assists

18 % 26

Of course, shifting into a more attacking role has aided that increase in final third contributions, although plaudits should fall to Arteta for spotting his attacking potential from the off.

Perhaps, a similar scenario could lie in store for Rice’s midfield colleague, Martin Zubimendi…

Arsenal's new Declan Rice

Part of the Gunners’ success again this term has been the continued deployment of Rice as a number eight, with the arrival of an orthodox midfield metronome, in the form of Zubimendi, bringing real balance to Arteta’s midfield unit.

Signed for a fee of around £60m from Real Sociedad, following prior interest from Liverpool, the Spaniard has taken to Premier League life like a duck to water, starting every league game to date this season.

As Rice has said himself, his new teammate is “so easy to play with”, with the pair seemingly hitting it off right from the start, rather than needing any period of adaptation.

Sitting in that role in front of the back four, Zubimendi is a master at pulling the strings, both for club and country, currently ranking in the top 11% of Premier League midfielders for pass completion, as well as in the top 9% for attempted passes per 90, as per FBref.

Also ranked in the top 16% for aerial duels won, the 26-year-old mops up so effectively in the centre of the park, rubberstamping the opinion that he is something of a ‘Rodri clone’, in the view of Spanish football expert, Graham Hunter.

Like 2023 Champions League final goalscorer, Rodri – and like Rice too – might there be more to Zubimendi’s game than just prioritising his defensive work? Could Arteta also get a tune out of him in an attacking sense, too?

Indeed, Zubimendi’s midweek performance away in Bruges showed flashes of what he can do in the final third, having provided two assists in Arsenal’s comfortable 3-0 victory.

Of course, with Rice already the all-action figure in the midfield, it’s not as Zubimendi would suddenly join him in bombing forward at every opportunity, albeit with Wednesday highlighting that Arteta should allow his compatriot to let the handbrake off on occasion.

While his first assist for Noni Madueke was nothing to shout about, the new man’s second was far more eye-catching, bursting down the left wing before producing a delightful back-post cross on his weaker foot.

In all, in the absence of Rice, the £60m man registered six key passes in total on the night, while creating three big chances, as per Sofascore, indicating that he can emulate the Englishman, if and when he is needed.

Already, he looks like the greatest success story of the Gunners’ summer recruitment, with Viktor Gyokeres scoring just four league goals, while Eberechi Eze was notably hooked at the break against Aston Villa, following arguably his poorest display to date.

That viewpoint is reinforced by his rising market value too, with Zubimendi now deemed to be €75m (£66m), according to Transfermarkt, while Gyokeres and Eze are deemed to be valued at €70m (£61m) and €65m (£57m), respectively.

Unlike that attack-minded pairing, the Euro 2024 winner has hit the ground running at the Emirates. As Wednesday indicated, however, there’s plenty more to his game still be discovered.

£45m star who plays a "bit like Henry" could end Gyokeres' Arsenal career

The incredibly talented Arsenal star could spell trouble for Gyokeres.

ByJack Salveson Holmes 4 days ago

It’s fair to say that Arsenal are making this Champions League lark look rather straightforward, as Mikel Arteta’s depleted side breezed past Club Brugge on Wednesday night.

Even while forced to resort to deploying Christian Norgaard at centre-back, the Gunners still secured a fifth clean sheet from six outings in this year’s edition, having conceded just once to date.

David Raya, as ever, was almost impenetrable in the sticks away in Belgium, although the major talking point was the away side’s attacking flair, as summer signing Noni Madueke notched a brace in stunning fashion.

On the opposite flank too, Gabriel Martinelli maintained his rampant Champions League form with his fifth goal on what was just his third start in the competition in 2025/26, cutting in onto his right foot before unleashing an exquisite effort into the far corner.

The Brazilian is leading the charge in Europe, albeit while having scored just once back in Premier League action, yet to truly nail down that left-sided berth.

Hopes of finally becoming a regular fixture on that flank will only be hampered further if the north London side are to do business in January…

Latest on Arsenal's search for a left winger

While Martinelli has dazzled in midweek action, Leandro Trossard remains the go-to man domestically, netting four times – alongside providing three assists – in the Premier League.

It wasn’t too long ago that the 31-year-old Belgian looked destined to depart over the summer, however, while with his newly-signed deal still set to expire in 2027, he hardly represents a long-term solution.

Indeed, with Eberechi Eze also looking somewhat lost in that role in the defeat to Aston Villa last weekend, a new addition still appears to be on the agenda heading into 2026.

According to Caught Offside, one of the targets who is ‘most high up on Arsenal’s list’ is AC Milan sensation, Rafael Leao, with the Portugal international viewed as a ‘long-term target’ in attack.

The reports suggests that despite Viktor Gyokeres’ initial teething problems, there is no desire at the Emirates to sign another striker, with a more versatile figure, like Leao, being prioritised instead.

Transfer Focus

Mega money deals, controversial moves and big-name flops. This is the home of transfer news and opinion across Football FanCast.

While no price tag is mentioned in relation to the 26-year-old, it was reported by the same outlet last month that the Serie A side would be looking for a figure in the region of €85m (£75m), were they to cash in.

Why 'Henry 2.0' could spell bad news for Martinelli

Martinelli’s glorious effort in Brugge, to maintain his Champions League hot streak, has showcased just what he can do when at his best, having notably secured a valuable point against Manchester City earlier in the campaign.

There is a wow factor about the long-serving talent, although that nagging sense of inconsistency has yet to be shaken off, with the 24-year-old registering just a solitary goal involvement from 11 league appearances to date.

A true upgrade, unfortunately, is needed in that department, with Leao seemingly the perfect fit, with ex-Milan boss Stefano Pioli previously suggesting that he reminds him of an “early Thierry Henry”, due to his knack for drifting inside from his wide role.

Indeed, like Arsenal’s beloved Frenchman, there is an effortlessness to Leao’s game, with the former Lille man able to glide his way up the pitch in that left channel, while possessing the end product to boot.

While not quite at his scintillating best this season, the £75m man has still enjoyed a far superior record to Martinelli in league action, scoring five goals from his ten Serie A appearances, while chipping in with one assist.

That record, as per Sofascore, has also seen him create five ‘big chances’, while averaging 0.5 successful dribbles per game.

For comparison, Martinelli is yet to create a single ‘big chance’, while averaging just 0.2 for that latter metric in the Premier League.

Leao’s greater prowess when it comes to driving his side up the pitch is also seen in how he edges the Arsenal man with regard to both progressive carries (4.29 v 4.07) and successful take-ons (1.75 vs 1.36) per 90 across the last 365 days, as per FBref, ensuring he could represent an even more menacing attacking weapon for Arteta to wield.

In all, the Portuguese’s 272 games at San Siro have yielded 76 goals and 63 assists, as per Transfermart, while in the case of Martinelli, his 242 appearances in all competitions have seen him chip in with just 57 goals and 30 assists.

An Henry-esque talent, who is already proven in one of Europe’s top five leagues, Leao surely represents the left-wing upgrade that the Gunners have long been crying out for.

Arsenal flop who looks like he belongs in the Emery era must be dropped

Things are not looking great for the Arsenal star this season.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

3 days ago

The upturn in form for Leeds United has shown they have what it takes to stay in the Premier League. The Whites have now gone unbeaten in their last two games, against two of the so-called ‘big six’ sides.

During the round of midweek top-flight fixtures, Daniel Farke’s side toppled Chelsea at Elland Road, securing an outstanding 3-1 victory against the Club World Cup champions.

On Saturday night, once again at a raucous Elland Road, they secured a late draw with champions Liverpool, with Ao Tanaka scoring in the 96th minute.

It has been a brilliant week for Leeds, with a change in Farke’s system certainly helping the Whites.

How Farke has got the best out of Leeds

For most of the season, Leeds, who find themselves in 16th place in the Premier League, two points clear of the drop, have deployed a 4-3-3 system.

However, the German manager switched things up in the second half against Manchester City, a game which they lost in stoppage time.

Instead, the West Yorkshire side played a 3-5-2 system, aiming to offer more defensive solidity and an issue for opponents in the final third with two strikers and a threat from the high and wide wingbacks.

It is fair to say that Leeds have managed to adapt to this system very well. Of course, they beat Chelsea and drew against Liverpool.

In those games, they had less possession each time, but were dangerous in transition and looked to be direct and bring their two strikers into play.

Someone who praised Farke’s side for the way they have taken to this system is Gary Neville. He said, “it looks to be a blueprint” for the club, praising the “legs in the middle of the pitch” who really make things tick.

Indeed, one of those men in midfield has become a key player for Farke.

The Leeds midfielder showing shades of Klich & Dallas

Since moving to the back three system, Farke has rotated a little bit in midfield with Sean Longstaff on the sideline. Tanaka started against Chelsea, and Ilia Gruev played from the start against the Merseysiders.

Club captain Ethan Ampadu has been a consistent starter, as has Anton Stach. The German joined in the summer and has nailed down a place in the middle of the park next to the Wales international.

The two-cap German national team player, who has previously been described as a “ball-winning monster” by Yorkshire Evening Post journalist Kyle Newbould, has shone for Farke’s side.

Stach has made 13 appearances in the Premier League this term, chipping in with two goals and two assists.

The numbers behind Stach’s success in midfield for the Whites this season are impressive.

The German is currently averaging 1.98 key passes and 1.71 progressive carries per 90 minutes, placing him in the top 6% and 22% of Premier League midfielders this season, respectively.

Key passes

1.98

94th

Goal-creating actions

0.72

99th

Progressive carries

1.71

78th

Aerial duel win rate

81.8%

99th

Stach’s game certainly has shades of one former Leeds midfield duo. Mateusz Klich, who played 195 times for the club, and Stuart Dallas, who made 267 appearances, were both key players during the Marcelo Bielsa era.

Described as an “industrious” pair, they offered lots of legs in the middle of the park, just like Stach does, as Neville pointed out. They also posed a threat in the final third, with Dallas bagging 28 times and Klich 24 in that famous White shirt.

Given how Bielsa’s team played, a high-octane brand of football with plenty of running, it is no surprise that Stach has shades of the midfield duo from that era.

As Como scout Ben Mattinson pointed out, he “covers a lot of ground” just as the former Leeds duo were required to do under the former manager.

Stach could certainly be considered undroppable under Farke. His performances this season have been impressive, and he has been a key man since they changed to a back three.

The midfielder is a bit of an “all-rounder” according to Mattinson, and with shades of Klich and Dallas in his game, could quickly become a fan favourite.

A Viduka repeat: Leeds open initial talks to sign midfield "machine"

Leeds United are eyeing up a player from Scotland who could be their next Mark Viduka-type signing.

ByDan Emery 5 days ago

Marsh fell for 4 as WA slumped to 98 for 4 on a day when only 30 overs were bowled due to rain

AAP06-Dec-2025

Mitchell Marsh’s Test audition has failed, dismissed cheaply for the second time in Western Australia’s Sheffield Shield clash with Victoria at the MCG.In his first red-ball game since being dropped by Australia following last year’s Boxing Day Test, Marsh made just 4 in WA’s second innings on Saturday after managing 9 on day one.Related

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He lasted just six balls as he fell to Victorian seamer Sam Elliott, who is enjoying one of the best games of his first-class career.Marsh, who last played a Shield match in October 2024, had been touted as a potential shock factor at the top of Australia’s order in this summer’s Ashes.But another Test call-up seems unlikely with Travis Head and Jake Weatherald making a promising start to their opening combination for Australia.Marsh had to wait more than half a day on Saturday to get an opportunity to bat, with no play possible until midway through the second session due to rain in Melbourne.With WA starting day three on 5 for 1, Marsh was quickly in the game after nightwatchman Corey Rocchiccioli was trapped lbw by Elliott.The visitors crumbled to 17 for 3 when Marsh exited, before captain Sam Whitemanand fellow veteran Hilton Cartwright rallied.The pair got WA to 75 for 4, a lead of 14, when bad light stopped play midway through the final session. But play was able to resume again, with WA getting to 98 for 4 at stumps and Whiteman unbeaten on 56.With the weather likely to be fine on Sunday, Victoria will still fancy their chances of running through WA and securing an outright win.

Mark Wood has cast doubt on his availability for the third Ashes Test and admitted concerns that, at 35, his body is no longer coping with the rigours of bowling 90mph/145kph.Wood had surgery on his left knee after hobbling out of England’s Champions Trophy campaign in February, and the series opener in Perth was his first Test match in 15 months. He bowled 11 wicketless overs across the match but was sent to a specialist after reporting more pain and has been wearing a knee brace since arriving in Brisbane.Speaking to Channel 7 at the tea break during the second Test at the Gabba, Wood suggested he was unlikely to be in contention for the Adelaide Test, which starts on December 17: “I think there’s a chance there, but more realistically, it’s probably more Melbourne and then [Sydney] after that… I need to get out of this [brace] first to get moving around.”Related

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• The world where Lyon doesn't play at the Gabba

Wood said that he has had painkilling injections in his knee since the first Test, and suggested that age is catching up with him. “Throughout my career, I’ve tried to show resilience and keep coming back and keep trying to push it where I can bowl faster and faster, but I’m getting older now.”I don’t know if my body’s not coping with it as well [as it used to] but I’ll keep trying. That’s something I pride myself on, to keep running in for the team and be a good team man. I’m hoping I can get this right and can charge in again.”I’m trying to just get through day-to-day at the minute. Later in the series is what I’m aiming for, but I can’t do that much at the minute. I’ve had a couple of injections, resting up, and slowly but surely, running [will] start soon, then back into bowling.”It’s more mentally difficult than physically. You’ve got to try and build it back up and come back again, and that’s probably the more difficult thing.”Ben Stokes, England’s captain, said on the eve of the Brisbane Test that Wood would do “everything” possible to remain in contention for selection in this series: “We’ve got a lot more time to go on this tour, and we’ll just see how things play out with that.”

MatériaMais Notícias

A Copa América, que começará no próximo dia 20 de junho, anunciou a renovação de seu principal patrocinador. A TCL, marca de televisores, continuará no posto que já ocupa há três edições do torneio. A marca também patrocina a Libertadores.

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➡️ Vai dar Brasil? Aposte no Lance! Betting e fature com a Copa América

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Highlights from round four of the Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy 2025-26

Shashank Kishore02-Dec-2025Hardik returns from injury in styleReturning to competitive cricket for the first time since injuring (left quadricep) himself ahead of the Asia Cup final in September, Hardik Pandya struck an unbeaten 77 off 42 balls to power Baroda home in a tall chase of 223 against Punjab.Hardik put together a crucial third-wicket partnership of 101 with Shivalik Sharma, who was tactically retired out on 47 off 32. This allowed Jitesh Sharma, Baroda’s new recruit, to join Hardik with the side needing 30 off 15 balls. Baroda needed just nine more balls to seal victory.Hardik’s batting performance somewhat made up for his underwhelming returns with the ball. He finished with figures of 4-0-52-1, with much of his early damage caused by Punjab captain Abhishek Sharma who waltzed to an 18-ball 50, before being dismissed off the following delivery.Punjab’s innings went into overdrive courtesy Anmolpreet Singh (69 off 32) and Naman Dhir (39 off 28). Yet, they found the target easily razed down in the end, with Baroda winning by seven wickets.Both sides have two wins in as many matches in Group C, which is currently led by Gujarat, who have three wins in four matches.Shaw’s rapid 66 trumps Suryavanshi tonAfter scores of 14, 13 and 5 in his first three knocks, Bihar’s Vaibhav Suryavanshi, set to be India’s opener at next month’s Under-19 World Cup, made heads turn with an unbeaten 61-ball 108. In the process, he became the youngest player (14 years) to hit a ton in the tournament.Vaibhav Suryavanshi became the youngest batter to score a century in Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy•PTI Suryavanshi hit seven fours and seven sixes in Bihar’s 176 for 3. Suryavanshi’s three centuries are the joint-most by an Indian in 2025, along with Abhishek Sharma. Ayush Mhatre and Ishan Kishan have two hundreds each.Suryavanshi’s knock, however, wasn’t enough in the face of an opening onslaught from Maharashtra captain Prithvi Shaw. Hoping to attract the attention of IPL franchises after going unsold for IPL 2025, Shaw laid the foundation of Maharashtra’s chase with a 30-ball 66 at the top of the order. Maharashtra eventually got home by three wickets in hand with one over to spare.This was Maharashtra’s second win in four games, while Bihar continued to remain winless.Sarfaraz slams maiden ton as Mumbai remain unbeatenSarfaraz Khan slammed his maiden T20 century, an unbeaten 47-ball 100, in Mumbai’s 98-run win over Assam. This was their fourth win, which puts them at the top of Group A.The other contributions in Mumbai’s 220 for 4 were Ajinkya Rahane, who made a 33-ball 42 opening the innings; Ayush Mhatre made 21, fresh off two consecutive centuries; the end of the innings also received a finishing kick courtesy Sairaj Patil, who slammed an unbeaten 9-ball 25. In response, Assam were bundled out for 120; Riyan Parag, the captain, bagged a two-ball duck. Shardul Thakur, the Mumbai captain, picked 5 for 23Padikkal century crushes TNDevdutt Padikkal struck his fourth T20 century – an unbeaten 46-ball 102 – as Karnataka bounced back from two back-to-back losses to trounce Tamil Nadu by 145 runs. This is their second win in four matches that keeps their chances of making the Super Fours alive.Sent in to bat, Karnataka raced to a 69-run opening stand between Mayank Agarwal and BR Sharath (53 off 23), before Padikkal took centrestage. He hit 10 fours and six sixes in his innings. The in-form R Smaran, who has made quite an impression so far this season, made 46 not out. TN captain Varun Chakravarthy conceded 47 off four wicketless overs.TN’s chase never got going; they were eventually bowled out for 100 in 14.2 overs with N Jagadeesan’s 21 being the top score. B Sai Sudharsan managed just 8. Karnataka’s legspinning duo of Shreyas Gopal and Pravin Dubey picked up three wickets apiece.Related

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The result puts TN in the bottom half of Group D, with their domestic season going from bad to worse. After finishing the first half of the Ranji season winless and going through a coaching reshuffle for the white-ball leg, they’ve now managed just one win in four matches and are in danger of not progressing beyond the group stages.Bishnoi, Tendulkar make an impressionReleased by Lucknow Super Giants ahead of IPL 2026, Ravi Bishnoi offered a timely reminder of his quality with a three-for in Gujarat’s emphatic win over Puducherry. The result – their third in four games – keeps Gujarat well-placed for a Super Four berth. Bishnoi now has six wickets in four outings, at an economy of 7.62.File photo: Ravi Bishnoi goes through his bowling drills•PTI Choosing to bowl first, Gujarat skittled Puducherry for just 83 in 13.1 overs before cantering to the target in nine overs. Opener Aarya Desai sealed the chase with an unbeaten 53 off 30 balls. The defeat was Puducherry’s second in four matches.Freshly traded to LSG, Arjun Tendulkar starred in Goa’s impressive win over a formidable Madhya Pradesh side. Tendulkar returned figures of 3 for 36, including the late wicket of Venkatesh Iyer for 5 to restrict MP to 170 for 6.Goa then cruised through the chase, sealing victory with seven wickets in hand and nine balls to spare. Abhinav Tejrana’s brisk 55 off 33 and Suyash Prabhudessai’s composed, unbeaten 75 off 50 ensured there were no hiccups along the way.Both MP and Goa have two wins in four games in Group B.

RB Leipzig chief Oliver Mintzlaff has admitted that Timo Werner is "not an easy person" to manage, revealing that all of his previous coaches have struggled with the striker. However, he defended the forward's character amid his current exile under new manager Ole Werner, while the former Chelsea man reportedly eyes a move to MLS to join Inter Miami.

• Mintzlaff offers blunt assessment

  Werner finds himself completely frozen out of the first-team picture this season. The striker, who remains the club's all-time leading goalscorer, has failed to secure any significant minutes in the current campaign, leading to intense speculation regarding his future. Amidst this backdrop, Oliver Mintzlaff, the CEO of Corporate Projects and Investments at Red Bull, has offered a candid insight into the player's personality and his standing within the club.

  Speaking to the , Mintzlaff addressed the awkward situation surrounding the 29-year-old. While expressing sympathy for Werner's lack of game time, the club chief conceded that the forward requires a specific type of management that can be taxing for the coaching staff. He admitted that even the managers who extracted the best football from Werner found him difficult to handle at times.

  "I have a special, close, and good relationship with Timo Werner. Therefore, I'm probably not entirely objective," Mintzlaff stated. "I would have thought there might have been a way to give him a few minutes, especially since he had a decent preseason. But that's the coach's decision, that's what performance decides.

  "Timo Werner is certainly not an easy person, undoubtedly not an easy character, but an extremely fine guy to whom we owe a great deal. Every coach has had his problems with Timo Werner, whether Ralf Rangnick or Julian Nagelsmann, but they've all played him."

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• AFP
  

  Struggles under Ole Werner

  While Rangnick and Nagelsmann navigated the complexities of Timo Werner's character to unlock his prolific goal-scoring ability, current head coach Ole Werner has seemingly decided that the output no longer justifies the effort. Since taking charge in the summer, the new manager has been ruthless in his team selection, leaving the club legend watching from the sidelines.

  The 2025-26 campaign has been particularly brutal for the former Chelsea forward. Despite being fit and available, he has played just one minute of competitive football this term, watching on as Leipzig compete in the Bundesliga and the Champions League. The "decent preseason" alluded to by Mintzlaff has not translated into competitive opportunities, signalling a complete breakdown in trust between the player and the current technical staff. It is a far cry from his first spell at the club, where his electric pace and finishing made him one of the most feared attackers in European football.

• Failed MLS move and the Messi dream

  Werner's isolation has inevitably led to him seeking an exit route, a process that began in earnest during the summer transfer window. It has been reported that the striker is keen to leave European football behind for a fresh start in the United States. However, a potential move to Major League Soccer (MLS) collapsed in the summer, leaving him in limbo in Saxony.

  According to recent reports, Werner turned down a concrete approach from the New York Red Bulls. The rejection was reportedly due to the salary on offer, with the German on a healthy package in Leipzig. Instead, the striker has set his sights on a glamorous switch to Inter Miami.

  Werner is reportedly enamoured with the idea of partnering Lionel Messi in Florida. The prospect of linking up with the Argentine legend and fellow former Barcelona star Luis Suarez appeals to Werner as the ideal environment to rediscover his love for the game. However, facilitating such a move is complex given the MLS salary cap regulations and Inter Miami's star-studded roster.

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• AFP
  

  What next for the Leipzig legend?

  For now, Werner remains an RB Leipzig player, albeit in name only on matchdays. His contract runs until the summer of 2026, presenting a financial headache for the Bundesliga club who are paying significant wages to a player who is not contributing on the pitch. Mintzlaff's comments highlight the respect the hierarchy still holds for Werner's past achievements, but they also underscore the reality that his time at the top level with Leipzig appears to be over.

  With the January transfer window approaching, all parties will be eager to find a resolution. Whether Inter Miami can make the finances work, or if Werner will have to lower his sights to another MLS franchise or a different European club, remains to be seen. Until then, the "not easy character" must continue to train, waiting for an opportunity that Ole Werner seems unwilling to grant.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has offered some bizarre advice to under-fire Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso ahead of Wednesday's huge Champions League clash between the two sides at the Bernabeu. Alonso comes into the match fresh from a damaging La Liga defeat to Celta Vigo and with serious question marks over his future as manager.

Alonso under pressure in Madrid

Alonso has come under pressure just months into his tenure at Real Madrid after an underwhelming start to life in the Spanish capital. Sunday's defeat to Celta saw Madrid slip four points behind rivals Barcelona at the top of the table in Spain after having previously been five points ahead of their bitter rivals following victory in October's Clasico. There has also been speculation that high-profile stars such as Vinicius Jr and Jude Bellingham are unhappy with life at Madrid under Alonso and that Los Blancos are lining up former Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp as a potential replacement.

AdvertisementAFPGuardiola's advice to Alonso

Guardiola was asked if he had a message of support for Alonso ahead of Wednesday's match and told reporters: "He should pee on his own. I won't pee for him. You like that headline, right?"

The Manchester City boss went on to share his thoughts on Alonso's future, adding: "I wish Xabi all the best, but his future is an answer I don't know. You all know the situation better than I do; I'm far removed from it. I haven't spoken with Florentino, and he hasn't told me that tomorrow will be Xabi's last match. If you don't win big games, things get difficult. But Xabi is in control of the situation and knows what this whole thing is about. My concern is seeing what we've done well. To beat Real Madrid in this competition, it's not enough to be better; you have to be much better."

'Barca and Madrid are difficult to manage'

Guardiola also admitted he had sympathy for Alonso as he knows just how difficult it is to take on one of the biggest jobs in football. The City boss, who took a sabbatical after leaving Barcelona following four successful years, says the pressure can be immense.

"I empathise with him because we worked together and it was an incredible experience. We shared many things. Barca and Madrid are difficult to manage because of the pressure, the environment," he added. "He knows the reality and everything revolves around winning matches. It happened to us last season. He's capable of turning things around and he's capable of doing what's necessary."

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Alonso calls for calm

Alonso has seemed unflustered by the talk about his future before the match. The Real Madrid boss insisted he was only focused on playing Manchester City and aiming to bounce back from a disappointing result last time out.

He told reporters: "This is a team, and we're all in this together. When you are Real Madrid coach, you have to be prepared to face [difficult spells] with calm, unity, and composure. That's how I feel. I'm really looking forward to everything that's coming, starting [with this game against City].

"We know we can turn the anger [at recent results] into something positive. All we are thinking about is City and the Champions League. In football, for better or for worse, things can change quickly. My focus is on the team, on the pitch, and on the next match. That's what I can control, and that's what I'm focused on."

San Francisco Giants legend Barry Bonds may not have to wait much longer for his very own statue outside Oracle Park.

Giants president and CEO Larry Baer joined on Wednesday and candidly discussed the team's potential plans to honor Bonds in the future. Baer admitted there was "no disagreement" within the Giants organization on the topic of erecting a Bonds statue but didn't go into specifics.

"On the radar, I would say it's on the radar," Baer said. "Barry is deserving of a statue and I would say, should be next up. We don't have the exact location and the exact date and the exact timing, but you're saying things that we're totally in sync with.

"You probably notice, Barry's around a lot, more recently this year and last year as well … It's coming. All I can say is it's coming."

Bonds would be the sixth franchise icon to have his effigy sculpted outside Oracle Park, joining Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Orlando Cepeda, Juan Marichal and Gaylord Perry.

Bonds belted 586 home runs in his 15-year stint with the Giants—including his storied 73-homer-season—and few would argue against the once-unstoppable slugger getting immortalized alongside fellow Giants greats. Though the seven-time MVP and 14-time All-Star's illustrious career was tarnished by his steroid controversy, Bonds is an obvious choice and fitting candidate for the Giants' next historic statue—the only question is if it'll be built right outside the ballpark or around his favorite splash zone, McCovey Cove.