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Spain and Como midfielder Jesus Rodriguez praised Barcelona teenager Lamine Yamal as “the best player in the world” after joining the national team setup. Speaking about his development under Cesc Fabregas and adapting between Serie A and La Liga, the 19-year-old said Yamal’s talent in training surprised him and called him a “role model” for young players.

• From Como to Spain’s senior squad

  Rodriguez addressed the press at Ciudad del Futbol after being called up to Spain’s senior squad for the upcoming World Cup qualifying matches. “The reception has been exceptional,” said the Como midfielder. “Alvaro [Morata] helped me a lot with the group. He told me he’ll keep working to get his next opportunity. He’s a role model.”

  Rodriguez admitted it took time to believe his call-up was real. “It was hard for me to believe I’d be here, but I took it calmly and quietly. What I did was keep working and hope for the second opportunity to come.”

  He also spoke about the leap from club football to the national setup, where his interaction with Barcelona’s Yamal left a deep impression.

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  Rodriguez claims Lamine Yamal is the best in the world

  Rodriguez described Yamal as the most impressive player he has trained with. The Spaniard further explains how training with him makes you want to improve yourself and your game.

  “He's the player who has surprised me the most. He's very capable in training. For me, he's the best player in the world; he'll surely achieve many things. I always try to learn as much as possible from him. He's a role model,” he said.

• Rise of Rodriguez from Betis to Como

  A product of Real Betis' youth academy, Rodriguez was signed by Como this summer after just one year featuring for Betis' first-team, in which he played 44 games, scoring five goals and registering four assists. The 19-year-old winger has started seven games for the Serie A side, scoring two goals and two assists across all competitions.

  “The truth is that La Liga changes a lot. It’s more tactical, more about touch. Italy is more defensive, more physical,” he explained when asked about the differences between the leagues. “I’ll adapt and keep improving. I hope to reach my best level there soon.”

  The player says it's the Como manager's trust in him and that he has been given the freedom to express himself on the pitch that he's got the national team call-up.

  "He's an incredible coach, very approachable. Cesc told me to make myself known, to be bold. That's why they called me, and if I do what I do here, I'll have a chance to keep coming back.”

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  Rodriguez is eager to seize the opportunity

  The Como midfielder is determined to make an impact in Spain’s senior squad and catch the eye of coach de la Fuente. “I always give it my all. I imagine he’ll like me because I’ve been doing things well. I always try to repay the trust he’s placed in me,” said the 19-year-old.

  With Yamal sidelined by injury, Rodriguez sees a chance to establish himself and is focused on performing at his best in training and matches, hoping to secure future call-ups and grow within the national setup.

Ousmane Dembele has asked Paris Saint-Germain for a new contract and a pay rise worthy of his new status as a Ballon d’Or winner. The French winger, currently earning €18 million per year and tied to the club until 2028, wants a salary that reflects his global standing, but PSG are unwilling to return to the extravagant wage structure of the Neymar, Kylian Mbappe and Lionel Messi era.

• Dembele demands new deal after Ballon d’Or triumph

  Fresh off winning the 2025 Ballon d’Or, Dembele believes his performances merit a significant contract upgrade. The PSG star’s representatives have already approached the club to renegotiate terms, arguing that his current €18m (£15m/$19m) annual salary no longer matches his world-beating form. Under contract until 2028, Dembele remains calm but expects recognition for his new status.

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  No Ballon d’Or clause, but big ambitions

  As with his Borussia Dortmund and Barcelona contracts, Dembele demanded a his PSG deal include a clause that would entitle him to a pay rise should he win the Ballon d’Or clause. While the French side deny such an agreement, reports that it is indeed in the contract and his entourage are now pushing the club to honour it. They believe the forward’s individual success and Champions League-winning exploits justify higher pay. PSG, however, have responded cautiously, open to negotiation but unwilling to mirror the financial excesses of the past.

• PSG stand firm after lessons from the past

  Inside the PSG hierarchy, there is firm resistance to repeating the mistakes of the Neymar-Mbappe-Messi era. Club president Nasser Al-Khelaifi and sporting director Luis Campos have established a stricter financial policy, with a focus on sustainability and team balance. Although the accounts are back in the black after a record year, the club's room for manoeuvre remains limited, particularly due to the drastic drop in television rights, reports. PSG are constrained by financial fair play and does not want to fall back into its old ways. PSG recognise that Dembele’s current salary does not reflect his new status, but they do not intend to break the bank. The club’s financial fair play obligations also make them cautious.

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  Comparing the numbers, and the message

  At €18m per year, Dembele is already PSG’s highest earner, tet the figure pales compared to Neymar’s €30m or the staggering €70m Mbappe once earned. Dembele isn’t asking for those sums, but wants a deal reflecting his image, consistency, and leadership. PSG, though, fear that raising his wages could spark a ripple effect in the dressing room, reopening old wounds from the club’s spendthrift years.

Nuno Espírito Santo’s spell at Tottenham Hotspur was certainly one to forget for the manager and the supporters after the dismal form endured during his tenure.

In the 17 matches he was in charge of the Lilywhites, the 51-year-old only won 52% of the matches he was in charge of – subsequently only being in the role for a total of four months.

Such an appointment raised eyebrows at the time, with the former Wolves boss tasked with the responsibility of taking the side to the next level after José Mourinho’s tenure.

The aforementioned period may not have been enough to make the desired changes, with Daniel Levy arguably making a harsh decision in cutting ties so early into his spell in North London.

The decision allowed the former Portuguese goalkeeper to make an impact elsewhere in the Premier League – subsequently making himself a success at Nottingham Forest.

Morgan Gibbs-White’s time under Nuno at Forest

Nuno joined Forest back in December 2023, leading the club back to European football for the first time in 30 years – but was handed his marching orders earlier this week after a fall-out with owner Evangelos Marinakis.

He was overseeing the progress of attacking midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White at the City Ground, once again linking up with the Englishman after their previous spell together at Wolves.

The 25-year-old enjoyed an incredible campaign throughout 2024/25, subsequently registering his highest tally of combined goals and assists in the Premier League under Nuno’s guidance.

He ended the year with 15 goal contributions, a tally which saw the Lilywhites even make a £60m bid for his services during the recent summer transfer window.

Such a deal was agreed between all parties for Gibbs-White to join Thomas Frank’s side, but Marinakis voiced his displeasure at the transfer and publicly threatened legal action against the club.

As a result, a deal hit a stumbling block, leading to the Englishman penning a new three-year contract at the City Ground and putting a deal off until January at the earliest.

There’s no denying that the failure to secure his signature would’ve been a disappointment to the fanbase, but they needn’t worry, given the talent already on their books in North London.

The Spurs star who’s a bigger talent than Gibbs-White

Whilst Nuno was only in the role for a short period of time, he managed to have a positive impact that has been showcased in recent months – arguably laying some of the foundations for the recent Europa League triumph.

He oversaw the arrival of centre-back Cristian Romero, with the Argentine now a key member of the first-team squad four years on from his switch to England from Atalanta.

The 27-year-old has been named the club captain in recent months, highlighting the importance to the side, with Frank putting huge faith in the defender to lead the club forward.

However, he wasn’t the only first-team member brought in during Nuno’s tenure, with midfielder Pape Matar Sarr also making the move to North London in the summer of 2021.

Whilst he spent his first year back out on loan at Metz, the Senegalese international has established himself as a key member of the side over the last couple of months.

The 22-year-old has started all three of the Lilywhites’ Premier League outings this campaign, showcasing the backing he has from Frank to make an impact in their quest for added success.

Sarr’s importance is further highlighted by his tally of 55 appearances in all competitions last campaign, starting and playing the vast majority of the Europa League final in Bilbao.

Despite being a deeper-lying option than Gibbs-White, he’s also operated in a number ten role in recent months – even managing to outperform him in numerous areas, subsequently making him a bigger talent at present.

Sarr, who’s been labelled “incredible” by journalist Umir Irfan, managed to post a higher shot on target accuracy rate (38%) than Gibbs-White in the Premier League last season.

Such a tally showcases the threat the youngster possesses in attacking areas, arguably making him more of a goal threat when in possession of the ball in attacking areas.

The main responsibility of a number ten is creativity, but Sarr managed to complete more passes into the final third per 90 (4.2), along with a higher tally of carries into the final third per 90 (1.7).

The aforementioned tallies once again highlight the quality the youngster possesses in dangerous areas – something which will develop further given his tender age.

Many supporters will have been bitterly disappointed by the failure to land Gibbs-White, but it’s clear they already have a top-level talent on the books with the Senegalese international.

Nuno’s time at the club may have been one to forget, but the fanbase certainly must be thankful for his dealings in the market, which have given the Lilywhites the chance to compete with Europe’s elite once again.

Worth more than Kudus: Spurs have hit the jackpot on Postecoglou signing

Tottenham Hotspur’s excellent work in the market has previously been evident during Ange Postecoglou’s reign.

By
Ethan Lamb

Sep 11, 2025

It is always nice to see an academy player make their breakthrough and impress at first-team level, at any club, and that is why Colby Donovan’s recent emergence at Celtic has been enjoyable.

Injuries to Alistair Johnston and Anthony Ralston left Brendan Rodgers in a difficult position, facing the possibility of playing a player out of position to cover in that position.

Instead of going with a makeshift right-back, the Hoops boss dipped into the academy to provide 19-year-old Donovan with a chance to impress in the first-team in recent weeks.

The Scottish youngster made his first three appearances for the first-team in games against Kilmarnock, Partick Thistle, and Red Star Belgrade, starting all three matches, before being an unused substitute against Hibernian last weekend.

Donovan did not look out of place in those senior outings for the Scottish giants, winning five of his six ground duels without being dribbled past a single time against Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League, per Sofascore.

The teenage full-back will now be hoping to kick on and establish himself in the senior side, as his fellow full-back Kieran Tierney once did when he first broke through.

Celtic's best Scottish talents since Kieran Tierney

The Scotland international first broke through into the first-team in the 2014/15 campaign, having come up through the academy ranks, and he went on to play 170 matches for the club in all competitions.

Tierney, as shown in the graphic above, enjoyed a terrific first spell with Celtic before his £25m move to Arsenal in the summer of 2019, winning five Scottish Premiership titles in the process.

Unfortunately, quality Scottish academy talents have been few and far between since the left-back’s initial emergence in the first-team for Celtic over a decade ago.

As you can see in the table above, Tierney is still the most valuable former academy star to have made at least one start for the club, whilst Callum McGregor, who came through before the defender, is the only other one who is worth more than £3m.

Ben Doak is valued at £14m, per Transfermarkt, but he only played 25 minutes as a substitute for the Hoops before his move to Liverpool, which meant that the Scottish giants did not get to experience much of his talent on the pitch.

To say that Mikey Johnston, a Glasgow-born player who has 17 caps for Ireland, is the most valuable academy graduate since Tierney at just £2.6m is slightly concerning.

Whilst Donovan will be hoping to kick on and be worth way more than Johnston, Celtic may have their biggest Scottish and academy talent since Tierney in a star who is out on loan.

In The Pipeline

Football FanCast’s In the Pipeline series aims to uncover the very best youth players in world football.

Jude Bonnar is currently on loan in the Championship with Ayr United until the end of the season, gaining vital development and experience that he could bring to the first-team at Parkhead next term.

Why Bonnar may be the best Scottish talent at Celtic since Tierney

As aforementioned, Celtic have not had much success with Scottish talents coming through their academy system to emerge as regular starters in the first-team since Tierney, but Bonnar has the potential to change that.

The Hamilton-born starlet made his senior debut for Celtic in a 5-1 win over Aberdeen in the Scottish Premiership in February of this year, completing 100% (4/4) of his passes in a ten-minute cameo, per Sofascore.

His impressive performances as an attack-minded central midfielder for the B team earned him a chance in the senior side, after a return of ten goals in 55 Lowland League matches in the 2023/24 and 2024/25 campaigns combined, per Transfermarkt.

The teenage whiz, who was described as a “dangerous” player by writer John McGinley, also came back from his loan spell with Ayr to score and grab an assist in a Challenge Cup game against Alloa Athletic for the B team last month.

That performance and his overall form at youth level for Celtic show that he has developed a reputation for being a technical and attack-minded midfielder throughout his development in Glasgow.

However, the 19-year-old star’s loan move to the Championship with Ayr United has provided him with an opportunity to show that there is more to his game in the middle of the park.

Rodgers wants well-rounded midfielders who can provide physicality off the ball as well as technical quality in possession, as shown by the types of midfielders who play regularly for him at the moment: Benjamin Nygren, Reo Hatate, and Callum McGregor.

Bonnar’s last two outings in the Scottish Championship for Ayr United show that the versatile star, who can play in midfield or out on the flank, has added bite to his performances in the middle of the park.

As you can see in the table above, the teenage prospect has won six of his 11 ground duels and three of his five aerial duels, without being dribbled past a single time, in the last two matches.

Bonnar is currently being managed by Celtic legend Scott Brown, who knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a number eight for the Hoops, and he appears to be already developing the physical side of his game under the former Scotland international.

It looks as though sending him out on loan to the Championship to be managed by the ex-Celtic captain was a brilliant decision by the club, because the Scotland U21 international is adding physicality to go with his technical quality.

This is why Bonnar, who has delivered one goal and one assist for Ayr United so far this season, could go on to be the club’s biggest and most valuable Scottish talent since Tierney.

Not Kenny: Celtic's "lightning quick" teen could replace Iheanacho

Celtic have a potential replacement for Kelechi Iheanacho in their academy, and it is not Johnny Kenny.

1

By
Dan Emery

Sep 30, 2025

The teenage talent already has the technical skills, as shown by his goal record for the B team, but his loan spell shows that he is becoming a complete central midfielder, which could make him an option for Rodgers to integrate into the senior team next season.

It will then be down to Bonnar to produce consistent performances in midfield to show that he is the biggest talent to come through the academy since Tierney.

West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen has launched a scathing critique of his side after they fell to yet another defeat in the Premier League. The Hammers were second best as they lost 2-1 away to fellow strugglers Leeds United at Elland Road and, after the game, the England winger did not hold back in his assessment of the team. With just four points in nine games, West Ham are in crisis.

• Leeds punish feeble West Ham

  West Ham were 1-0 down after just three minutes in Yorkshire when Brenden Aaronson was quickest to react to an Alphonse Areola stop that landed in the six-yard area. The USMNT star fired home to send the home fans wild and just 12 minutes later, they had doubled their lead. Taking full advantage of the Hammers’ frailties at set-pieces this season, Joe Rodon rose highest to knock in a header from a corner and all-but wrap up the game for Leeds.

  As he so often has done the last few seasons, Bowen was on a one-man mission to come up with the goods for the Hammers. The skipper fashioned a number of chances out of nothing for him and his team-mates, but until the 90th minute, they failed to beat Lucas Perri. Producing a deft flick from Bowen’s whipped cross, Mateus Fernandes was able to glance into the corner and create a few jitters around the ground.

  The Leeds faithful needn’t have worried, though, as it was too little, too late. West Ham were on the losing end of another Premier League game, their seventh from nine game this season, and they remain deep in relegation trouble. Only Wolves have accrued fewer points than the Hammers this season, and could leave Bowen’s team rooted to the bottom of the table should they win their game in hand against Burnley on Saturday.

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  Bowen slams feeble Hammers performance

  Speaking to Sky Sports, via the, after the game, Bowen shared his grievances about the performance which, he said, was "not good enough". The winger was frustrated that they had once again conceded from a corner and slammed the feeble defending.

  He was open and honest at the state of the atmosphere at the club, and laid bare the worrying state West Ham find themselves in.

  "A dressing room when you're second bottom of the league is low. The only way this will change is if we step up and show some fight. We need more of that. It's easy to hide and be scared almost. It's easier said and harder to do sometimes," Bowen said. "You have to face up to the reality of where we are and we're in trouble now."

  The West Ham skipper continued to admit that they were not playing, but insisted that "we're the only ones that can change it".

  "We've talked as a group, but it's down to the players as well. We speak to each other, but there's only so much. It's got to come from within. We haven't been great at home, but now is the time to roll your sleeves up."

• No new manager bounce for Nuno

  The defeat also spells the fourth game without a win for new manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The Portuguese coach was hurried through the door shortly after his questionable dismissal at Nottingham Forest to replace the outgoing Graham Potter.

  Yet, if the Hammers’ hierarchy were expecting to get a new manager bounce, those hopes have fallen flat fast. Aside from a 1-1 draw away at Everton in Nuno's first game in charge, the club have not won a single point since August.

  The fear of relegation will continue to grow at the London Stadium for as long as this poor run of form continues. Concerns will not be eased by the performances of the newly-promoted teams, with Sunderland (14 points), Leeds (11) and Burnley (7) already proving far stiffer competition than recent new arrivals in the division.

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  What comes next?

  West Ham are joined in the relegation zone by two of Nuno's former clubs. Wolves prop up the table, but could leapfrog the Hammers by the end of the weekend, and Forest, now managed by Sean Dyche, will be determined to add to their victory over Porto in midweek.

  The tests keep coming for West Ham, too, with Newcastle visiting east London next weekend before they face a must-win game against Burnley. Relegation could become a real possibility, and the impact of such humiliation would be costly.

The Seattle Mariners and Cleveland Guardians are set to begin a three-game series between two division-leading teams. The Guardians, who have been one of the most surprising teams in 2024, hold a 5.0 game lead in the AL Central while the Mariners have a commanding 9.0 game lead on the AL West.

In this article, I'm going to dive into everything you need to know to bet on today's series opener.

Mariners vs. Guardians Odds, Run Line, and Total

Run Line:

• Mariners -1.5 (+168)
• Guardians +1.5 (-205)

Moneyline:

• Mariners +106
• Guardians -124

Total:

• 8.5 (Over -104/Under -115)

Mariners vs. Guardians Probable Pitchers

• Seattle: Bryce Miller (5-5, 3.48 ERA)
• Cleveland: Triston McKenzie (3-3, 4.10 ERA)

Mariners vs. Guardians How to Watch

• Date: Tuesday, June 18
• Time: 6:40 p.m. EST
• Venue: Progressive Field
• How to watch (TV): ROOTNW, Bally Sports Great Lakes
• Mariners record: 43-31
• Guardians record: 44-25

Mariners vs. Guardians Key Players to Watch

Seattle Mariners

Cal Raleigh: The Mariners' catcher may not have a great batting average at .202, but the guy knows how to hit dingers. He leads the team in both home runs (12) and RBIs (43), while ranking third in WAR (1.5). He may be the most underrated part of the Mariners success this season.

Cleveland Guardians

Jose Ramirez: The Guardians' third baseman leads the team in virtually every single stat including batting average (.269), home runs (18), RBIs (62), on base percentage (.330), and hits (71). You're going to want to pay attention when he steps into the batters box.

Mariners vs. Guardians Prediction and Pick

I believe regression is coming for the Mariners this season. Their offensive numbers haven't been good enough to support their record. For example, they're just 25th in the Majors in OPS this season at .667. The Guardians have been batting at a far more sustainable rate, clocking in at .717 which ranks 12th.

The starting pitching matchup in this game is largely a wash, but Cleveland has a significant advantage when it comes to the bullpen.

The Guardians have the best bullpen in the Majors, especially of late, sporting a bullpen ERA of 1.94 over the last 30 days. The Mariners' bullpen sits 16th in that time frame at 4.06, so even if Cleveland gets down early, they'll never be out of it.

I'll back the Guardians to get the job done at home.

Chelsea are now believed to be very keen on signing a player who Man City boss Pep Guardiola seriously rates behind-the-scenes, with a new report suggesting they’re pressing for a deal.

Chelsea prepare for Premier League return against Nottingham Forest

On the field, Enzo Maresca is gearing up for a crucial Premier League clash against Nottingham Forest — a match which serves a few intriguing narratives.

As Chelsea prepare to take on Ange Postecoglou’s struggling side, the Blues are sweating over the fitness of a few stars.

Injuries continue to plague Chelsea, with several key players already unavailable for selection. Dario Essugo remains sidelined with a long-term injury and won’t return until early next year, while Cole Palmer, who is Maresca’s star man, remains out with a niggling groin problem.

Adding to Chelsea’s woes upfront, number nine Liam Delap continues to nurse his hamstring, with reports suggesting the summer signing won’t be back until around November/December time.

Delap’s physical presence and goal-scoring instinct have been missed, and his absence limits Maresca’s striker depth at a time when goals are desperately needed.

Defensively, Levi Colwill, won’t be back until next year after he suffered an ACL tear in pre-season, leaving Maresca with Trevoh Chalobah, Josh Acheampong, Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo as his only centre-back options right now.

To make matters more complicated, Enzo Fernández, Chelsea’s influential attacking midfielder, could be a doubt to play Forest after withdrawing from international duty. Fernandez pulled out of Argentina’s squad citing knee inflammation, raising some concerns about his fitness ahead of the trip up north.

Reece James, Moises Caicedo and Joao Pedro didn’t travel to represent their countries due to knocks, and while all three could return to face Forest, alongside Andrey Santos and Tosin, the latter pair haven’t been spotted in Cobham training this week.

Postecoglou, meanwhile, will be looking to exploit Chelsea’s injury woes and secure vital points, with the Australian’s job reportedly on the line after a torrid start to life at the City Ground.

Chelsea’s lack of depth in certain areas has been exposed due to injury, and particularly their lack of experience.

Maresca fielded the youngest ever Premier League side on average last season (24 years, 36 days), and their starting eleven to play Benfica was Chelsea’s most youthful team in Champions League history.

Chelsea arguably need more experience in their side if they’re to become Premier League title challengers, so it makes sense that BlueCo hold an interest in the likes of AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan to solve that problem.

Now, according to reports from Italy, Chelsea could turn to another quality veteran in ex-Lazio star Sergej Milinkovic-Savic.

Chelsea "pushing" to sign Sergej Milinkovic-Savic on free transfer

As per Corriere dello Sport, the Al-Hilal midfielder, who earns a whopping £418,000-per-week in the Gulf, could return to Europe next year once his contract expires, even if the Saudi Pro League side want to extend it.

Milinkovic-Savic is attracting serious interest from England, Turkey, La Liga and Serie A, with “half of Europe” considering the 30-year-old on a free transfer.

Maresca’s side are among the pack, and it is believed that Chelsea are pushing to sign Milinkovic-Savic as the West Londoners “like him a lot”.

Interestingly, Guardiola is said to hold the Serbia international — who racked up over 340 appearances for Lazio as a general of their midfield — in “high regard”.

Milinkovic-Savic chipped in with 69 goals and 58 assists during his time in Rome, and hasn’t wavered in the Middle East with 30 goals and 26 assists under his belt for Al-Hilal.

The Serb’s proven creativity and ingenuity in the engine room could be attractive for Chelsea, and he could provide serious competition for Fernandez, who plays a very similar role.

On a free transfer, the appeal is obvious, but Milinkovic-Savic would almost certainly have to take a pay cut given Chelsea’s wage structure.

Xabi Alonso addressed the latest injury to Real Madrid captain Dani Carvajal, with the setback set to rule the full-back out for the rest of the year. The Madrid head coach stated that "it was a surprise to receive that call from the doctor" the morning after he oversaw his side's dramatic 2-1 win over arch-rivals El Clasico. This is already the second time Carvajal has suffered an injury this season.

• Carvajal suffers another injury

  Carvajal marked his return to the field during the 2-1 win over arch-rivals Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday, coming on as a substitute for the final 20 minutes of the encounter. While he helped Real Madrid maintain their slender one-goal lead over the defending La Liga champions, his display will be remembered for his verbal exchange with fellow Spain team-mate and Barca teenage superstar Lamine Yamal. 

  On Monday, the night after Madrid broke their four-game losing streak against the Catalans, the club posted a shocking medical statement regarding Carvajal after reports that he felt discomfort following the Clasico. “Following tests carried out on our captain Dani Carvajal by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a loose joint in his right knee. Carvajal will undergo arthroscopy," the statement read. 

  The captain underwent successful arthroscopic surgery but has been ruled out of action until January 2026. It will be another test of mental endurance for Carvajal, who spent the majority of the 2024-25 action on the sidelines after suffering an anterior cruciate injury. The Clasico also marked his first appearance since the muscle injury he suffered during the derby against Atletico Madrid in September, which saw him miss five games. 

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  Alonso waiting for Carvajal for the second half of the season

  Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Alonso said: "Carva played 20 minutes, he did very well, he competed… and on Monday morning it was a surprise to receive that call from the doctor. We'll definitely miss him. And since it seemed we'd be counting on him… We think [he will be sidelined for] seven or eight weeks. We're waiting for him."

• Trent Alexander-Arnold's return couldn't have come at a better time

  Alonso will be concerned about not having the services of Carvajal. The 33-year-old is a serial winner and a true leader, a player who brings valuable experience as well as defensive solidity to the table. His absence will surely hamper the head coach's plans to an extent, as he was believed to be counting on Carvajal for the big occasions. 

  He will, however, be relieved about Trent Alexander-Arnold making a faster recovery than expected initially. The English international suffered an unfortunate hamstring injury on his Champions League debut for Madrid against Marseille in September, needing to be taken off within the first five minutes of the game. Since then, he has missed seven games due to the setback and remained an unused substitute in the defeat of Barca last weekend – his first call-up to the matchday squad since recovering.

  The upcoming fixtures also offer a prime opportunity for the 27-year-old right-back to cement his place as a regular in Alonso’s starting lineup. He is expected to feature against Valencia at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday, and if all goes well, Alexander-Arnold could earn a starting spot against his former club Liverpool when Los Blancos visit Anfield in the Champions League next week. The England international has made just five appearances this season, totalling only 151 minutes. A consistent run in the starting XI could help him rediscover his form and build valuable momentum heading into the second half of the 2025–26 campaign.

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  Alonso dealing with other injury issues

  Alonso’s project in the Spanish capital has got off to a flying start. Barring the 5-2 derby blemish against city rivals Atletico Madrid at the Metropolitano, Real Madrid have been nearly flawless. The team has shown renewed defensive solidity, while the attack, spearheaded by the unstoppable Kylian Mbappe, is clicking well and delivering in key moments, even if it hasn’t yet reached full throttle. Madrid have won 12 of their 13 matches this season, with their triumph over Barcelona finally breaking the club free from its big-game curse.

  However, injuries remain an uncontrollable factor, and one that could define how far Madrid go this season. They are currently missing the services of centre-back duo Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba, who are set to be unavailable for at least another month. The injury to Carvajal was also the 47th such instance of a defender getting injured in the past two seasons. 

  Fede Valverde has chipped in as a makeshift right-back in the absence of both Carvajal and Alexander-Arnold, and he has stepped up admirably. He, too, seemed to have been exhausted by the end of the Clasico, asking to be subbed off due to fatigue. The Uruguayan, one of the Madrid's cornerstones, hasn't been afforded enough rest. If he gets injured, the depth in midfield will be too thin. Even though rotation has been the name of the game for Alonso and his coaching staff, they will have to be extra careful in the coming weeks. The fitness condition key personnel could make or break Madrid's season.

Former Premier League star Troy Deeney believes Bournemouth sensation Antoine Semenyo has what it takes to reach the very top — even suggesting the Ghanaian forward could one day line up for Real Madrid. The Watford legend hailed the 25-year-old as one of the Premier League’s most underrated stars and challenged him to maintain his stunning early-season form to fulfil his world-class potential.

• Semenyo starts off 2025/26 with a bang for Bournemouth

  Former Watford striker Deeney has joined the growing list of admirers praising Bournemouth forward Semenyo, who has been one of the standout performers in the Premier League this season. The Ghana international’s explosive form has fired the Cherries to second place in the table, just four points behind leaders Arsenal, as he continues to shine under Andoni Iraola’s management.

  Semenyo’s numbers speak for themselves: six goals and three assists in his opening nine league matches, a tally bettered only by Manchester City’s Erling Haaland. The 25-year-old’s pace and precision in the final third have made him one of the league’s most dangerous attackers, helping Bournemouth maintain their strong start despite selling over £200 million worth of players in the summer.

  With major departures such as Milos Kerkez to Liverpool and Dean Huijsen’s £50m move to Real Madrid, the Cherries have relied heavily on Semenyo’s individual brilliance. His relentless performances have not only inspired Bournemouth’s rise but also attracted attention from top clubs across Europe — and Deeney believes that, if he keeps it up through the season, he could very well follow Huijsen to the Santiago Bernabeu.

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  Deeney set challenge for Semenyo and predicts Real Madrid move

  Speaking to talkSPORT, Troy Deeney described Semenyo as one of the Premier League’s “unsung heroes” this season and predicted a bright future for the Ghanaian star. “I just don’t know if Semenyo can keep it up — do you know what I mean?” Deeney said. “If he does, then my God — he’ll probably end up playing for Real Madrid. But I think he’s very good, very powerful, very direct. I just don’t know whether he’ll keep it up.” 

  When asked whether he considered Semenyo among the top performers in the league, Deeney replied: “Yeah — he’s a good shout, Semenyo.”

  Deeney’s comments come amid mounting excitement around the Bournemouth attacker’s development and his growing influence on Iraola’s team.

• Several Premier League heavyweights linked with Semenyo

  Since joining Bournemouth from Bristol City, the Ghanaian has become an indispensable part of Iraola’s system. His technical growth, particularly in decision-making and finishing, has seen him evolve from a promising talent into one of the most consistent forwards in England’s top flight.

  Semenyo’s form this season has reignited transfer speculation, with several elite clubs monitoring his progress earlier this year. Liverpool, Manchester United, and Tottenham Hotspur all reportedly explored potential deals in previous windows, while Real Madrid and Chelsea are now said to be keeping tabs on his performances. Bournemouth’s refusal to entertain offers reaching £50 million underlines just how valuable he has become to their project.

  The Ghanaian signed a new deal in July 2025, extending his stay until 2030, but reports suggest the contract includes a confidential release clause. While the exact figure remains undisclosed, it had previously been revealed that it’s lower than Bournemouth’s current £100m valuation. The club remains determined to keep their talisman, but should Europe’s heavyweights come knocking, Semenyo’s future could dominate the headlines.

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  Bidding war for Sememnyo in the summer of 2026

  For now, Semenyo’s focus remains firmly on Bournemouth and their unexpected title challenge under Iraola. His performances have made him the face of the Cherries’ new era, and with confidence soaring, he’ll be aiming to sustain his remarkable run deep into the campaign. Should his output continue, a bidding war could erupt by next summer, with Liverpool and Manchester United expected to reignite their interest depending on their attacking situations.

  For Bournemouth, keeping hold of Semenyo may prove increasingly difficult if the goals keep flowing. Additionally, with Ghana having secured their berth in the 2026 World Cup, a string of strong performances in North America could raise the demand for the Bournemouth forward even more.

  Deeney’s words may have been light-hearted, but they carry weight. The former Premier League striker has long been known for his straight-talking assessments, and his belief that Semenyo has the potential to play for one of football’s most prestigious clubs speaks volumes.

In surprising praise for his former rival, Steven Gerrard claimed that one Manchester United legend would now be the best in his position in the Premier League.

Gerrard has say on Man United rivalry

Gerrard’s Premier League title never quite arrived. Whether it was down to the sudden emergence of a beach ball in front of Pepe Reina or his own disastrous slip against Chelsea many years later is something that many at Anfield will still be thinking about, but it’s also worth considering the strength of Liverpool’s rivals in this era.

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This was Man United at their very best. For large parts of this era, they were unstoppable under Sir Alex Ferguson – winning 13 Premier League titles in total. Even Champions League miracle men at Anfield couldn’t stand in the Red Devils’ way and Gerrard has now had his say as to why those at Old Trafford had the edge and the part he played in the rivalry between Man United and Liverpool.

The rivalry was often so fierce that it arguably came to the detriment of England’s Golden Generation. Both camps failed to put their egos aside for the benefit of the Three Lions and ultimately failed as a result.

Now, years later, the respect is finally there in full and Gerrard has even gone as far as to say that one Man United legend would be the “best” in his position these days.

Gerrard: Scholes would be the "best" if he played now

Handing surprising praise to his old rival, Gerrard said that Paul Scholes would be the “best midfielder” in the Premier League nowadays with the technical aspects of his game standing out.

The Liverpool legend told Rio Ferdinand: “I think Scholesy if he played now would hands down be the best midfielder in the Premier League. That’s a fact.”

For so long, there has been a debate around who takes top spot between Frank Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes – a midfield three which somehow never worked for England – but Gerrard seems to believe that it would be the former United man in top spot if all three played in the modern game.

It’s some of the highest praise that Scholes could have received, given the talent in the Premier League these days. Gerrard even put him above Manchester City’s Rodri in what should please those at Old Trafford. And to say that Ruben Amorim could do with a player of Scholes’ calibre now would be an understatement.