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Phil Foden has failed to match the high levels of performance he produced for Manchester City last season, resulting in a decrease in game time over the last few months.

The England international notched a total of 39 combined goals and assists in his 53 appearances across all competitions, subsequently claiming the PFA Player of the Year award.

However, this time around, he’s currently only on 15 goal contributions, undoubtedly a contributing factor to the club’s drop in the Premier League, which has seen them struggle in large periods.

Pep Guardiola is tasked with the challenge of helping the 24-year-old return to the levels he’s previously demonstrated at the Etihad over the last couple of years.

He certainly will face more responsibility in the North West next season, especially after the news that emerged out of the squad earlier on this afternoon.

Kevin de Bruyne announces his City departure

It was confirmed earlier today that Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne would be departing City at the end of the season when his current contract expires.

The 33-year-old became the club’s record signing back in 2015 after joining in a £54m deal from German side Wolfsburg – with the former Chelsea ace excelling beyond all expectations.

He’s racked up over 400 appearances in his decade as a Citizens player, scoring 106 times and registering 159 assists, cementing himself as one of the best midfielders to ever grace England’s top flight.

De Bruyne has been known for his phenomenal passing ability, but has unfortunately declined over the last couple of months, with injuries plaguing his final couple of seasons in Manchester.

However, his departure leaves Guardiola with the huge task of replacing the talent at the Etihad, something which may appear to be a tricky quest given his time at the club.

The player who could be City’s perfect KDB replacement

Whilst Foden would undoubtedly be the first choice to replace the Belgian in the current first-team squad, his form over the last couple of months could cast doubt over his ability to fill the void.

There’s no denying his quality, as seen by the numbers he produced last season, but he’s been unable to achieve such heights on a consistent basis.

Such form could allow fellow academy graduate James McAtee to stake his claim for a regular starting role – building on the progress he’s made over the last couple of months in 2024/25.

After multiple loan spells at Sheffield United over the last couple of years, Guardiola decided to keep the 22-year-old within his side, handing him frequent opportunities to impress – something which he has taken with both hands.

He’s made 23 appearances to date, scoring six times across all competitions, including two goals in the Premier League during his first year at such a level.

McAtee, who’s been labelled “superb” by one analyst, is yet to start a single league outing this campaign, but given his output and underlying stats produced in 2024/25, he’s more than deserving of a consistent run next season.

Games played

11

Goals & assists

2

Conversion rate

29%

Pass accuracy

86%

Duels won

63%

Goals per game

0.2

Expected goals (xG)

1.37

De Bruyne’s place in the squad could free up the youngster to gain more valuable minutes to continue his upward trajectory, enabling him to showcase his talents further.

Whilst Foden will likely fill the void vacated by the Belgian, Guardiola must give McAtee a fair chance to stake his claim to make the position as his own – potentially saving the Citizens millions of pounds in the process.

The youngster has previously been subject to interest from various sides for his signature over the last couple of months, but it’s pivotal that the hierarchy stand firm and keep hold of the star who’s destined for big things in the future.

Move over Nunes: Man City begin work on signing the new Joao Cancelo

Manchester City could land their next Joao Cancelo in this attack-oriented defender.

ByKelan Sarson Apr 2, 2025

Cricket Australia said he is due to resume bowling next week but it will impact his timeline for a Test return

Alex Malcolm05-Dec-2025Josh Hazlewood’s hopes of playing a part in the Ashes series have suffered another setback after he reported Achilles soreness during the early stages of his return from a hamstring injury.Hazlewood had been due to join the Test squad in Brisbane to continue his recovery but that trip has been shelved. He had returned to bowling off a few paces in Sydney last week having been ruled out of the start of the series after picking up the hamstring injury against Victoria last month.”Josh Hazlewood reported achilles soreness this week during his rehabilitation from recent hamstring injury,” a Cricket Australia statement said. “It is a low-grade issue and he is expected to recommence running and bowling next week.”Related

Hazlewood returns to training, Cummins arms himself with pink ball

Hazlewood set to miss Brisbane, Cummins pushes hard for return

Hazlewood out of Ashes opener with hamstring injury

Hazlewood was never a realistic prospect of featuring in Adelaide but now could face a race to feature in Melbourne or Sydney.It continues a running theme with Hazlewood in recent years of other injuries flaring in the immediate aftermath of a significant injury, and a continuation of calf and Achilles issues.In 2022-23 he suffered a side strain in the first home Test of the summer and missed three Tests before returning. He then suffered ongoing Achilles soreness after his first Test back in early January and missed the entire tour of India in early 2023 and was not selected in the World Test Championship final in June as he was slightly underdone in his recovery.Last summer, Hazlewood suffered a side strain in the opening Test against India and missed the second Test in Adelaide. But after rushing back for the third Test in Brisbane he strained a calf and missed the final two matches of the summer, the tour of Sri Lanka and the Champions Trophy before finally returning midway through the IPL.He had an uninterrupted run from there playing in the IPL, the WTC final, three Tests in the Caribbean and the five white-ball series, including different formats, against South Africa, New Zealand and India, until his only Sheffield Shield game of the summer in the lead-in to the Ashes.He strained his hamstring playing for New South Wales against Victoria, which a scan did not initially detect, and there were concerns about a tendon issue. However, Australia coach Andrew McDonald was confident he could still play a part later in the series. But a delay in his running and bowling loads due to Achilles soreness will narrow his chances to appear in either of those Tests.Australia’s pace-bowling depth has been tested in the early stages of the Ashes with Sean Abbott also sidelined by a hamstring injury. Pat Cummins was close to a return at the Gabba but has been held back until Adelaide.

Real Madrid were humbled by bottom-of-the-table Celta Vigo, finished the match with nine men and failed to close the four point gap on league leaders Barcelona following a shock 2-0 defeat at the Bernabeu. Xabi Alonso’s side went behind midway through the second half courtesy of a stunning finish from Williot Swedberg, Fran Garcia and Alvaro Carreras were both shown red cards before Swedberg scored another in time added on to a chorus of boos as the match ended in chaotic scenes.

Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham and Vinicius Junior all delivered diabolical performances on a night when they were needed at their best in a defeat which could have huge ramifications in the title race. The Bernabeu was stunned into silence after Real went behind to a stunning finish from 21-year-old Sweden international Swedberg. Real’s defence was caught napping as Swedberg dropped off inside the box and found a yard of space to fire home with an audacious flick of his right boot which found the bottom corner of the net. 

And there was worse to come for Los Blancos as Fran Garcia was sent off following two yellow cards in the space of a couple of second-half minutes for two impetuous fouls. Real were rocked and the crowd responded, reminding their players what was at stake and the need for three points to close the gap on league leaders Barcelona. 

But the embarrassment was completed in the closing stages when Alvaro Carreras was handed his marching orders after receiving two yellow cards and in a final act, Swedberg walked the ball around the shocked Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois to seal the victory and end an awful night for Alonso's side. 

GOAL rates Real Madrid's players from the Bernabeu…

Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence

Thibaut Courtois (6/10):

Started off as a relatively quiet evening for him, and could do nothing about the two goals. Will be sorely disappointed about his defence. 

Raul Asencio (4/10):

Was left red-faced after a slip early in the first-half opened the door for Celta to attack, would have been relieved the visitors failed to capitalise. 

Eder Militao (6/10):

Lasted just 20 minutes after pulling up with what looked like a nasty hamstring injury, replaced by Rudiger. Really bad news for Alonso as Militao has been in excellent form for Los Blancos. 

Alvaro Carreras (2/10):

Shambles of an evening. Two quick-fire yellow cards for playground-level incidents and was shown a straight red card. 

Fran Garcia (3/10):

Ridiculous behaviour in two mad minutes in the second-half, picking up two yellow cards for wholly unnecessary challenges to leave his team down to ten men. Referee had no option on either and was right to show the red card. 

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMidfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (4/10):

Endured a poor evening, which was summed up by his effort from 20 yards out which sailed miles over the bar to a chorus of boos from the home crowd. 

Arda Guler (5/10):

Squandered a wonderful opportunity to open the scoring in the 40th minute, but fired wide from just a few yards out.

Federico Valverde (5/10):

Was a busy running all evening, but like his team-mates, failed to create a moment of quality worth mentioning. 

Getty Images SportAttack

Jude Bellingham (3/10):

Took a hefty whack to his right eye in the second-half, which left blood pouring from a small cut. In truth it was a terrible night for Bellingham who failed to create anything in front of goal after an early headed chance was saved. 

Kylian Mbappe (3/10):

Thought his moment had come in the 74th minute but his delightful control and chip over the on-rushing goalkeeper landed just over the cross bar on the roof of the net. Below par in every department on a woeful night for the France superstar. 

Vinicius Junior (3/10):

Made all the recent talk of big money moves seem a little premature after putting in a performance that was high in effort, but low in quality. Now hasn't scored in 11 games for Real. 

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Getty Images SportSubs & Manager

Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

Brought on in the 24th minute, replacing the injured Militao. Had plenty of covering to do as Real Madrid pushed up searching for an equaliser and did well to out-muscle Swedberg in the final moments. 

Gonzalo Garcia (4/10):

Replaced Guler in the 75th minute, plenty of running but not enough time on the pitch to influence the match

Xabi Alonso (3/10):

Thoroughly frustrating evening for the boss who deployed his star players and watched them all flop against the league's bottom side. His evening summed up by being shown a yellow card after complaining too vociferously to the referee. Has plenty to ponder after a terrible night for his team's title hopes. 

The 2025 MLB playoffs are heating up as teams battle for a shot at the World Series title.

While 12 teams entered the postseason bracket, 18 went home early. Of those teams on the outside looking in, eight are in search of new managers. What follows is a look at all the available managerial openings across the league, ranking them by their attractiveness to potential applicants.

8. Colorado Rockies

There is not much here to love, and manager Bud Black was mercifully let go in the middle of the season.

The Rockies lost 119 games in 2025 and had the worst run differential (-424) MLB has seen since 1899. The team has lost 100-plus games in three straight seasons and has a .356 winning percentage over the past four years. The bad part? The Rockies haven't taken advantage of their awful play to build for the future. MLB Pipeline ranks their farm system 24th in baseball, meaning there isn't much help on the way.

Catcher Hunter Goodman had an excellent season, so there's a plus, and former first-rounder Charlie Condon isn't too far away. But this year's first-rounder, Ethan Holliday, is just 18 and likely years from the big leagues, and the team's ownership doesn't seem interested in spending to improve the current roster. This isn't quite a dead-end job, but any manager taking it would be smart to get long-term job security.

7. Minnesota Twins

The Twins sold hard at the deadline and wound up finishing 70-92, and looking like a team trending in the wrong direction. Rocco Baldelli was fired following the season, but, honestly, this was not his fault.

There isn't much to be excited about here. Byron Buxton hit 35 home runs, Luke Keaschall had a nice debut season, and Joe Ryan has become a real frontline starter. Top prospect and former No. 5 overall pick Walker Jenkins is in Triple-A and clearly not far from making his debut. Beyond that, the Twins do have a deep farm system ranked No. 2 in baseball, but it will take time to see that come to fruition.

The biggest issue here is the unstable ownership situation. The Pohlad family tried to sell the franchise for about a year, then all of a sudden flipped a switch and opted to keep it. Instead, they took on minority owners in an attempt to pay down more than $425 million in debt. The roster might be better in the future, but right now things up and down the franchise look bleak.

6. Los Angeles Angels

The Angels are this high simply because the other two spots are abysmal right now. Ron Washington is out after a 72-90 season, but he didn't have much to work with. Owner Arte Morenos's club has one of the worst farm systems in baseball, the worst contract in the sport, and already has $126.9 million committed for 2026 for a roster that isn't any good.

The Angels had a bad season, and don't have much to be excited about. Mike Trout had the worst year of his career, Taylor Ward hit 36 home runs but doesn't offer much upside, and Rendon is still an active major leaguer and will make $38.6 million in 2026 to essentially be an empty uniform. Fans can get excited about 24-year-old shortstop Zach Neto, but… yeah, that's about it.

Moreno's franchise needs a complete overhaul from top to bottom.

5. Washington Nationals

The Nationals aren't close to winning a title, but there are a lot of solid building blocks in place. Washington should have been better than 66-96, which is why Dave Martinez lost his job in July.

James Wood, C.J. Abrams, and Dylan Crews can create the core to a really nice middle of the order, third baseman Brady House should hit once he's adjusted to the bigs, and with the right guidance, MacKenzie Gore could turn into a legit No. 1 starter. Meanwhile, righty Travis Sykora and shortstop Seaver King should supplement that group soon.

On top of that, the team only has $47.2 million in payroll committed for 2026, but $32.8 million of that is going to Stephen Strasburg, who retired in August of last year. Yikes. They currently only have $14.4 million committed to their active roster, which is the lowest in baseball. There's plenty of room to add here.

4. San Francisco Giants

The Giants looked like a playoff team for a chunk of the 2025 season, then they traded for Rafael Devers and fell apart. A late-season run almost got them into the postseason, but it didn't save Bob Melvin's job. There's some good stuff here. Devers, Matt Chapman, Willy Adames, and youngster Bryce Eldridge fill out what can be a dangerous lineup, while Logan Webb and Robbie Ray are expensive, but can still get it done on the mound.

The issue here is depth: San Francisco doesn't have it. With Eldridge moving to the big leagues, the team's best prospects are all years away from joining him. The franchise has money and isn't afraid to spend, which means free agency could be the route to contention.

3. Texas Rangers

This job has been filled by Skip Schumaker, but it's worth going over the positives here. This is a team ready to compete now, but the future doesn't look great. The Rangers won the World Series in 2023, but have struggled to a .491 winning percentage over the past two seasons. Bruce Bochy parted ways with the franchise after the 2025 season.

The lineup boasts some juice with Corey Seager, youngster Wyatt Langford, and Marcus Semien, while the rotation is led by Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom. Evan Carter and Jack Leiter are both young talents who could emerge more consistently as well.

The downside here is that the Rangers' system boasts the No. 6 prospect in baseball, Sebastian Walcott, and not much else. The future third baseman or corner outfielder could reach the big leagues next season, but 2027 is more likely. Other than that, help is most definitely not on the way, so Texas will need to look outside the franchise to find the help it needs.

2. Baltimore Orioles

The Orioles were the most disappointing team in baseball during the 2025 season, which is why Brandon Hyde was fired in May. Despite a rough season that ended with a 75-87 record, there's a reason expectations were so high.

Gunnar Henderson, Adley Rutschman, Jackson Holliday, Colton Cowser, Coby Mayo, and uber-prospect Samuel Basallo combine to create the best young core in the game. On the mound, Trevor Rogers, Dean Kremer, Grayson Rodriguez, and Kyle Bradish front a crop of excellent starters. Talent is not the problem here.

It's also worth noting, new owner David Rubenstein seems willing to spend to win, which should come in handy when the team needs to supplement its roster. Don't be shocked if Baltimore is active this offseason.

1. Atlanta Braves

Injuries played a big part in the Braves flopping to a 76-86 record in 2025, but the team never seemed to get off the ground, even when healthy. Brian Snitker retired at the end of the season and will move into an advisory role as a result.

Still, with a rotation fronted by Spencer Strider, backed up by Chris Sale, Spencer Schwellenbach, Hurston Waldrep, and Grant Holmes, good things should be coming in the near future. On offense, Matt Olson remains an All-Star slugger, rookie catcher Drake Baldwin looks like a cornerstone, and the team still has Ronald Acuna Jr. and Austin Riley.

While that all sounds great, there are some downsides. One is the $214 million in payroll already committed for 2026, which likely limits the team's ability to build. The 28th-ranked farm system in baseball is also a drag on the organization. But any manager taking this job knows he has an excellent general manager in Alex Anthopoulos. This is a job where a new hire could win quickly.

Four members of RCB’s title-winning side in the XII, but who else make the cut?

Yash Jha05-Jun-202514:45

IPL 2025: Do both Pandya brothers get picked in the team of the tournament?

Sai SudharsanInns 15 | Runs 759 | SR 156.17 | Ave 54.21 | 1×100/6×50Sai Sudharsan was comfortably clear atop the run-scoring charts, with only Suryakumar Yadav coming within 50 runs of his tally. His consistency was second only to Suryakumar – he scored at least 30 in 12 of his 15 innings, seven of them scores of 50 or more – and he did all that while having his fastest-scoring season: Sai Sudharsan’s strike rate of 156.17 was well ahead of his previous best mark of 141.40 in 2023.Virat KohliInns 15 | Runs 657 | SR 144.71 | Ave 54.75 | 8×50The season where he finally got his hands on the IPL trophy was a quintessentially prolific one for Virat Kohli – he topped 600 runs for the third straight campaign – but it’s the impact on results that saw him tower over the field. Each of Kohli’s eight fifties resulted in RCB wins; no other batter had more than four scores of 50+ in victories. Kohli tallied 584 runs in RCB’s 11 wins; no other batter had 450 runs in victories this season.Related

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Kohli, after all this time, just for this moment

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Jos ButtlerInns 13 | Runs 538 | SR 163.03 | Ave 59.77 | 5×50Jos Buttler thrived in his new role as No. 3 to complete Gujarat’s titanic trinity. This was his fastest-scoring IPL campaign, clearing the strike rate of 155.24 he achieved in 2018. Eight of Buttler’s 13 innings came in GT wins, and he crossed 30 in seven of them. Four of his five fifties in IPL 2025 came at a strike above 170 – including a 54-ball 97 not out to close out a 204-run chase versus Delhi Capitals.Suryakumar YadavInns 16 | Runs 717 | SR 167.91 | Ave 65.18 | 5×50Coming into the season on the back of a rare lean patch in T20Is, Suryakumar Yadav redefined consistency, scoring at least 25 in all 16 innings (a world record in men’s T20s). It’s no stretch to say he carried the Mumbai Indians batting – their second-highest run-getter, Rohit Sharma, was 299 runs behind Suryakumar. He finished with the most impact points for a player in IPL 2025; among 11 batters with 500+ runs this season, only two had a better strike rate.Shreyas Iyer (c)Inns 17 | Runs 604 | SR 175.07 | Ave 50.33 | 6×50While Shreyas Iyer the captain transformed Punjab Kings’ fortunes, Shreyas Iyer the batter was a man on a mission, piling on an all-timer campaign – only two batters have scored 600+ runs in a season at a higher strike rate (Chris Gayle in 2011, Suryakumar Yadav in 2023). He was responsible for two of the best knocks of the season, both at Ahmedabad: 97* off 42 against Gujarat Titans to start the season, and 87* off 41 versus Mumbai Indians to take Punjab through to the final.2:28

Aaron: Kohli has been king of the castle for 18 years

Hardik PandyaMat 15 | Runs 224 | SR 163.50 | Wkts 14 | Econ 9.77This wasn’t really a season for allrounders: only three players tallied 200+ runs and 10+ wickets, and two of them – Sunil Narine and Ravindra Jadeja – didn’t have many wins to show. Hardik shouldered bowling responsibility early in the season in Jasprit Bumrah’s absence, taking 10 wickets in his first four outings. His batting role was limited to being a finisher, and he chipped in with some cameos: 42 off 15 vs RCB, 48* off 23 vs RR and 22* off 9 in the Eliminator vs GT.Jitesh Sharma (wk)Mat 15 | Runs 261 | SR 176.35 | Ct/St 19/1Jitesh Sharma may not have been the most destructive finisher in IPL 2025, but when he blew hot, he really caught fire. His 40* off 19 took RCB beyond 200 and set up their first win over Mumbai Indians at Wankhede in a decade; he scripted the heist that ensured RCB’s top-two finish with an 85* off 33 versus LSG; his 10-ball 24 was pivotal in the title clash with Punjab Kings. He also had the most dismissals for any wicketkeeper.Krunal PandyaMat 15 | Wkts 17 | Econ 8.23 | Runs 109 | SR 126.74Krunal Pandya started IPL 2025 with 3 for 29 against defending champions Kolkata Knight Riders, and ended it with 2 for 17 to clinch the final versus Punjab Kings. He was player of the match on both occasions. He also took 4 for 45 in RCB’s thrilling win over Mumbai Indians. Wickets, economy, impact – Krunal ticked all boxes. And while his batting wasn’t called upon much, he did hit a match-winning 73* against Delhi Capitals.2:13

Moody: Ridiculous how far ahead of the rest Bumrah is

Noor AhmadInns 14 | Wkts 24 | Econ 8.2 | Ave 17.0The specialist spinner’s spot is the only one taken by a player whose team didn’t make it to the playoffs. Noor Ahmad was streets ahead of the competition: five wickets ahead of the next-most prolific spinner, and just one shy of the Purple Cap. Only three bowlers with 10 or more wickets struck more frequently than Noor, who took at least two wickets on six occasions.Jasprit BumrahInns 12 | Wkts 18 | Econ 6.67 | Ave 17.55Best economy for a bowler with 5+ overs this season. An economy of *7.5* at the death (no bowler with 10+ overs in the phase went at less than 8.8 per over). Seven innings where he went at less than six per over. Five hauls of at least two wickets. It’s no coincidence that MI’s season turned out the moment Jasprit Bumrah was back. If he’d played the entire season, the Purple Cap couldn’t have been too far away.3:15

IPL 2025 review: MI may need to get a good Indian spinner next season

Prasidh KrishnaInns 15 | Wkts 25 | Econ 8.27 | Ave 19.52The Purple Cap went to Prasidh Krishna, who marked his return to the IPL after three years with a statement season. He had nine hauls of two or more wickets, and eight spells at less than seven per over. He took 11 middle-overs wickets, the most for a pacer. Prasidh also induced a higher percentage of false shots (41%) than any other pacer in IPL 2025. He made the most of the hard lengths but wasn’t a one-trick pony, as KL Rahul found out with one of the deliveries of the tournament.Josh HazlewoodCompleting our pace attack is the serial winner who was the architect of RCB’s bowling transformation. Josh Hazlewood was one of only two bowlers to take at least five wickets in all three phases; he was metronomic in the powerplay (economy 7.27), probing through the middle (wicket every 10 balls), and delivered at the death (think 19th over of the chase at Wankhede). He exhibited his big-game chops in Qualifier 1, picking up 3 for 21 – in his first game in over a month.

Losing Robert Lewandowski to Barcelona in the summer of 2022 was a bitter blow for Bayern Munich. The Pole had scored 344 goals in just 375 appearances for the club, after all. Replacing him was never going to be easy, but it ended up taking Bayern more than a year to find a worthy successor, as Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting rather unsurprisingly didn't exactly prove himself up to the task.

It's funny to think about it now, but there were those that questioned the decision to sign Harry Kane to belatedly fill the considerable hole left by Lewandowski in the Bayern attack. Club legend Lothar Matthaus felt that the €100 million signing from Tottenham, who had just turned 30, was "too old and too expensive". Now, though, the German says he doesn't "see a better striker in the world".

It, therefore, shouldn't come as that much of a shock to learn that Barcelona have come to the same conclusion as Bayern two years ago: that there isn't a better Lewandowski replacement on the market right now than Kane.

Getty Images SportHaaland too costly

Back in 2023, it was rumoured that part of the reason why Lewandowski wanted out of the Allianz Arena was Bayern's alleged attempt to convince Erling Haaland to move to Munich rather than Manchester that same summer. Lewandowski insisted that Norwegian No.9 had absolutely nothing to do with his desire to swap Bavaria for Barcelona, but it's nonetheless amusing to read reports that Blaugrana president Joan Laporta is 'obsessed' with signing Haaland.

It's obviously not going to happen – at least not yet. It's going to take at least another year for lever-pulling Laporta to balance the Blaugrana's books – let alone put them back in a position to sign the most valuable players on the planet. With a little more creative accounting, though, Barca could well be in a position to land Kane at the end of the season.

According to , the England captain has a €65m (£57m/$76m) buyout clause in his contract that can be activated next summer provided the striker notifies Bayern of his desire to leave by the end of January. The Bundesliga champions are, however, reportedly relaxed about the situation for the simple fact that Kane is currently content, on and off the field at the Allianz Arena.

AdvertisementAFPBest team in Europe

From a purely sporting perspective, things certainly couldn't be going any better for Kane and his club. Unbeaten Bayern have made a record-breaking start to their 2025-26 campaign and are presently top of both the Bundesliga and the Champions League. Kane is the principal reason why, having scored an utterly ludicrous 24 goals in just 18 appearances in all competitions – more than any other player in Europe's 'Big Five' leagues.

The man himself may have had understandable misgivings about the size of Vincent Kompany's squad at the start of the season – but they've made light of the absence of Jamal Musiala through injury thanks to the exciting emergence of 17-year-old sensation Lennart Karl, Luis Diaz's incredible impact since joining from Liverpool and Michael Olise elevating his game to an even higher level after a wonderful debut season in Germany.

The net result is that Bayern are the best team in Europe at the moment – as they underlined by maintaining their 100 percent in the Champions League with a mightily impressive 2-1 victory over titleholders Paris Saint-Germain at Parc des Princes during which they showcased both their attacking prowess and defensive diligence.

Getty Images SportSettled in Munich

Crucially, Kane's family are also loving life right now – and not just because he's enjoying the most prolific spell of his stellar career.

When he first made the move from his native London to Munich, there were external concerns over how Kane and his family would deal with the change of city, country and culture. However, Kane has repeatedly brought up just how "comfortable" he, his wife Kate and their children feel in Germany, where they are reportedly afforded more privacy than they were back in England.

"The way the people here welcomed us was extraordinary," the striker said earlier this year. "It touched us deeply as a family – not just me, but all of us. We love it. We truly appreciate every second."

In that context, one cannot but take Kane at his word when he says that he's even open to extending a contract that expires in 2027.

"We can certainly talk about that," he said in September. "I have almost two years left, so it's not like I'm in the final year of my contract and anyone is panicking. I'm fine. The club is fine. I think they're happy with me, and I'm happy with them. Those discussions can take place."

He doubled down on that when directly questioned about the Barcelona links ahead of his return to north London with Bayern on Wednesday when they face Arsenal in the Champions League, telling : "I haven't had any contact with anyone, nobody has contacted me. I feel very comfortable in the current situation, even though we haven't yet discussed my situation with Bayern. There’s no rush. I'm really happy in Munich. You can see that in the way I'm playing. If there’s contact, then we'll see. But I'm not thinking about the new season yet. First up is the World Cup in the summer. And it’s very unlikely that anything will change after this season."

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Getty Images SportEdging towards the exit

There's no denying, though, that Kane would give serious consideration to a serious bid from Barca, who, for all of their financial troubles, retain an almost mythical status even among elite-level footballers. There are few more attractive destinations on the planet, and what No.9 wouldn't want to play in the same forward line as Lamine Yamal? All things considered, Kane would find an offer from Barca very difficult to turn down, particularly if they resolve their registration problems in 2026.

It's also clear that the Blaugrana are going to have to replace Lewandowski sooner rather than later. The Poland international is still scoring goals – no Barca player has scored more in La Liga this season (eight) – but he's 37 now and he's had three muscular issues since April, suggesting that his body is starting to betray him.

It certainly feels significant that talks have yet to begin over a new deal for Lewandowski, who will be out of contract at the end of the current campaign and free to talk to other clubs from January 1.

When asked about his next move while on Poland duty last week, Lewandowski admitted to reporters, "I still don’t know the answer. That’s why I’m not in a hurry. I’m at peace with myself, and that is the most important thing. Even if, for example, the club contacted me now, I still wouldn’t answer that question, because I also have to feel what’s best for me. But, for now, I’m calm, I’m not in a hurry and, at the moment, I don’t expect anything else."

Jurgen Klopp has already delivered his verdict on completing a return to Liverpool, who endured yet another disastrous afternoon in the Premier League as Nottingham Forest secured a dominant victory.

It’s hard to believe that the Reds were Premier League champions in May, and impressive ones at that. Arne Slot arrived and quickly conquered to shock the rest of English football. It looked like Michael Edwards had performed another act of recruitment genius, but now uncomfortable questions are beginning to emerge.

Liverpool have lost five of their last eight games and now sit in the bottom-half after 12 league games, all but ending their title defence before January has even arrived. After breaking their transfer record twice to welcome Florian Wirtz and Alexander Isak, it is a run of form that no one saw coming.

It’s now up to Slot to prove his credentials in a crisis. Victory over Real Madrid and Aston Villa proved that there is still plenty of quality in this Liverpool side, it’s just a question of when that quality will be on show.

Just how long Slot will have to turn things around is also a big question. Liverpool have never rushed managerial decisions and Slot has much more credit in the bank than others have done in the past, but the current run of results needs to end – especially if they come at Anfield.

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With the pressure building, Liverpool are set to play host to PSV Eindhoven in the Champions League on Wednesday. Defeat there would certainly do further damage to the credit that Slot banked last season and perhaps send a timely reminder about Klopp’s answer about if he’d ever make a shock return.

Klopp's seven-word answer when asked if he was returning to Liverpool

Just before leaving the club, Klopp was asked if he’d ever make a return to the Anfield dugout if Liverpool needed him.

At the time and certainly for the entirety of last season, it was simply a throw-away answer and one that looked unlikely to rear its head again. Now, however, those at Anfield could do with their iconic manager’s energy more than ever.

They won’t and shouldn’t panic about Slot’s current run, but Liverpool should ensure that the Dutchman channels his very own version of Klopp. When Klopp’s sides were up against it, he had that unique ability to pull off what many still deem miracles to this day. He turned doubters to believers to champions. Slot must now remind his very own champions just who they are in similar fashion.

Meanwhile, if the manager’s run continues then Edwards could yet turn back towards one of the best managers in the club’s history for a stunning second stint.

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A statistic has cropped up online in recent weeks regarding Liverpool’s running in the Premier League this season – or lack thereof.

While Liverpool have adopted a cooler approach since Arne Slot replaced Jurgen Klopp in the dugout over a year ago, it is inexcusable that the Reds are being outworked so often this term, emphasising a haggardness that is shaping this frustrating campaign.

Mohamed Salah’s work rate has been questioned this season, accentuated by the 33-year-old’s startling drop-off in front of goal, but he is only one part of a malfunctioning system, and it’s clear that something needs to change.

Slot has the tools to make it an internal fix, but with the January transfer window fast approaching, rumours have emerged concerning Liverpool’s desire to sign a robust new wide forward.

Liverpool's search for a new winger

With Cody Gakpo and Florian Wirtz both leaving something to be desired down the left channel this season, Liverpool may be interested in signing a more Luis Diaz-esque forward this winter.

This likely wasn’t pre-planned in the FSG offices, but desperate times call for desperate measures, and there’s no question that the Merseysiders are missing the Colombian’s energy and electric presence.

Salah is ageing, and so it’s understandable that he should lack his one-time athleticism. However, that does not alter the problem at hand for Slot and sporting director Richard Hughes.

Salah has always been conservative with his energy, though, and Liverpool actually need a profile tuned more toward that of Sadio Mane.

Well, they may have found their man, with Caught Offside revealing that Antoine Semenyo is right at the top of FSG’s shortlist. However, Liverpool will find thick competition in the shape of Manchester United, who are ready to pip their arch-rivals to the Ghanaian’s signature.

Semenyo, 26, would cost at least £65m to prise away from Bournemouth, though it’s felt that a more accurate figure falls toward the £80m ballpark.

Why Liverpool want to sign Semenyo

With six goals and three assists to his name in the Premier League this season, Semenyo has been one of the most in-form players around, his efforts leading content creator Liam Canning to praise his “world-class” technical ability.

Fast and furious and two-footed, this is a maverick of a forward who has sharpened his skills in the Premier League across the past several years and is now ready for a role at a team like Liverpool, with Semenyo actually described as “the closest you’ll find to peak Mane right now” by Reds analyst Josh Williams.

Indeed, Semenyo is really showing himself to be a superstar, ranking among the top 1% of positional peers in the Premier League this season for goals scored and the top 9% for ball recoveries per 90, as per FBref.

Such metrics show why he could be such a Mane-esque player for Liverpool, and looking at how he’s doing this term when such statistics are collated against the Senegalese’s final year under Klopp’s wing in the Premier League, you begin to see why Liverpool – and Man United – are so keen.

Matches (starts)

34 (32)

11 (11)

Goals

16

6

Assists

2

3

Shots (on target)*

2.9 (1.1)

2.1 (1.3)

Big chances missed

13

5

Accurate passes

23.6 (77%)

19.8 (77%)

Chances created*

1.3

1.0

Succ. dribbles*

1.4 (61%)

1.9 (46%)

Tackles*

1.0

1.6

Duels won*

4.7

6.5

Liverpool have missed Mane ever since selling him to Bayern Munich in 2022, and with Salah now getting on, Semenyo could provide the injection of energy and positivity that the club so clearly need.

The Anfield side might have won their opening-day clash against the Cherries, but Semenyo set his own tone with a stunning two-goal performance, causing Slot’s backline any number of issues throughout the evening.

Diaz was a fine player for Liverpool, but Mane was a cut above. There is a player profile that Liverpool dearly miss, and if they pull off a deal for Semenyo, they will sign a star with a similar skillset who could restore Liverpool’s equilibrium.

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Former England captain will set high standards as new head coach of ailing national side

Andrew Miller02-Apr-20251:27

Will Charlotte Edwards succeed as England Women’s head coach?

It seemed, on the face of it, to be a classic case of ECB miscommunication. At Lord’s on Tuesday afternoon, with literally minutes to go until the start of a board-hosted event to mark the start of the 2025 county season, a WhatsApp message pinged in the pockets of the invited journalists that drew the attention away from the assembled winners of last year’s eight domestic trophies, and onto rather more pressing matters.Charlotte Edwards, the Grand Dame of England Women’s cricket, had just been confirmed by the ECB’s media machine as their incoming head coach, and the fact that this was a surprise to literally no-one present was another reason to wonder why they couldn’t just let the planned event play out without distraction, and choose a less conflicting moment to divulge such an open secret.And yet, on reflection, Edwards’ unveiling was exactly the news required to tie a bow on the day’s events. For starters it allowed Richard Thompson, the ECB chair, to make mention of the appointment in his address to the assembled guests, but moreover, it leaned into the broader theme of the day, and indeed, the season: the launch of the new tiered structure for women’s county cricket, which is arguably a more significant stride towards gender parity than even the much-trumpeted Hundred.Related

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Charlotte Edwards named England Women head coach

If, after all, the point of the policy is to create a pyramid for the women’s game that extends from the most under-appreciated grassroots all the way up to the England team itself, then it makes perfect sense to have in place a player-turned-coach at the apex who personifies that very journey.As Beth Barrett-Wild, the ECB’s Director of Women’s Professional Game, put it: “She really bridges that gap between where the women’s game has come from, from those early days of professionalisation back in 2014 – when she was one of our first England women’s cricketers to get a professional contract – and then on through to today. It’s incredibly exciting.”The timing, however, is fascinating. There was a time, nine now increasingly distant years ago, when it was said of Edwards that “nothing grew in her shade”, such was the daunting scope of her personal achievements – in terms of longevity, hunger, and sheer weight of statistics. These included more than 10,000 runs across international formats, a milestone that she was the first to reach globally, and which no England Women’s player has since come close to matching.What’s more incredible is that she achieved all of this from a handicapped start. As the classic anecdote goes, Edwards had to pay for her first England blazer as a 16-year-old in 1996, and had been so immersed in men’s cricket as her vehicle that she hadn’t even known that women’s international cricket was an attainable goal until England’s victory in the 1993 World Cup.And now she is back, just days after Heather Knight – her similarly long-toothed successor – received the same undignified heave-ho that Edwards herself was subjected to back in 2016.Charlotte Edwards has enjoyed huge success as a franchise coach•ECB via Getty ImagesIt’s hardly a surprise that Edwards’ standards have since been transferred to the teams she has overseen in her coaching career – eight trophies in five years, including two WPL titles with Mumbai Indians. But her story also hints at an unspoken gripe about the state of the team she’s about to oversee.Privately, there is a consensus that England’s current professional structure is too soft, perhaps inevitably so, given the change in emphasis from that old-school fight for recognition that Edwards’ generation was the last to truly embody, to the status quo, whereby the signing of that ECB contract – however small it may be compared to the men’s salaries – has inadvertently led to a sating of hunger. As the lack of turnover in Knight’s England teams showed, once the players were on the payroll, it was as hard to be dropped as it was to be selected from outside the bubble.There are perhaps shades in this narrative of the pressure – and jealousy – that West Indies’ players of the early T20 era felt from the generational greats that preceded them. And yet, when Alex Hartley made her comments about England’s fitness levels after their shock exit from the T20 World Cup, she was merely making a point that anyone with a set of eyes could have ascertained for themselves. England’s collapse in standards in that fateful Dubai match was so absolute that Jon Lewis, Edwards’ predecessor as head coach, was obliged to march onto the outfield at the end of West Indies’ riotous powerplay in a desperate bid to salvage their campaign.Heather Knight deals with the feeling of defeat•ICC/Getty ImagesClearly that intervention didn’t work, and nor Lewis’s exhortations throughout a dismal Ashes campaign, as shown when Sophie Ecclestone’s touchy response to Hartley’s interview request in Sydney caused those comments to resurface. Despite this, in his infamous “Bondi Beach” address at the end of the tour, Lewis still swore blind that he could not have asked more of his players’ work-rates.And, perhaps, he truly couldn’t. As the recent allegations of bullying in Britain’s cycling and swimming circles have shown, there is something a bit grim about male coaches beasting their female charges way beyond their comfort zones. It may chime with the requirements of professionalism, but it certainly doesn’t chime with the times.And so, we may finally have reached the moment when an elite woman has to take command of England’s elite women.”She definitely runs a very tight ship, and she will bring such authenticity to that role,” Barrett-Wild said. “She’ll be able to speak to it from not too long ago, when it was a very different landscape for the women’s game. It is a timely reminder of how fortunate the women’s game is now, but in a really positive, progressive way. She’s a perfect fit for that right now.”Edwards may have been England’s first professional female, but a total of 142 will feature in their domestic competitions this season. A significant number of those will be on relatively insubstantial £20,000 rookie contracts, but there is also a strong likelihood that 2025 will feature the first million-pound England women’s cricketer, when their earnings from all available competitions are compiled.You can bet that, with Edwards in the building, she’ll be obliged to earn every penny of that. And if not, there also exists – in the less-vaunted but no less significant Tiers 2 and 3 of the county structure – a potential groundswell of Edwards’ prototypes: girls who won’t be paid anything (beyond expenses) for their commitment to the game, but whose desire for that same recognition promises to be every bit as vital in driving the standards of the players above them.”Tier 2 brings strength and depth to our structure, and it creates that pathway,” Barrett-Wild said. “If we’re doing our jobs around growing the women’s game, we are going to need more than eight teams right at the top.”It’s also going to take an England team at the top of that pile that sets truly aspirational standards. Much like those of the woman whose own journey within that team has just been renewed.

Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh is carrying the hopes of a city starved for sports success on his back this summer—but on Monday, he won't carry them alone.

Reiterating previous statements, Raleigh told Fox's crew that he will involve two family members in his much-anticipated Home Run Derby appearance.

"I'm super excited. My dad's been throwing to me my whole life. My little brother, he's playing right now on the travel-ball circuit, and he's a catcher, so hopefully he doesn't clank any as well," Raleigh said. "It'll be a lot of fun."

Raleigh's father Todd coached Western Carolina and Tennessee in the collegiate ranks from 2000 to '11, while his brother Todd Jr., 15, is indeed a player on the travel circuit.

Cal has 38 home runs this season to go with 82 RBIs, and his Mariners currently occupy the American League's third wild-card position. His home runs Monday are likely to be the most-viewed of his season so far, but they will almost certainly not be his last.