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Barcelona completed the loan move for Marcus Rashford from Manchester United earlier this week, and the England winger has already made his debut for Hansi Flick's side. Rashford came on as a substitute in the Catalan side's 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe in Japan, and the 27-year-old loanee has received loads of love from cules for his strong showing off the ball.

• Rashford makes debut for Barcelona
• Plays 33 minutes against Vissel Kobe
• Receives love from Barcelona fans

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  Rashford's fallout with Manchester United boss Ruben Amorim early this year has ultimately resulted in the 27-year-old getting the ability to complete his 'dream' move to Barcelona, albeit on loan. The England international made his unofficial debut for the Blaugrana in a 3-1 win over Vissel Kobe as he came on as a substitute for Brazilian superstar Raphinha before being subbed off for Pedro 'Dro' Fernandez 33 minutes later. However, Barcelona fans are already showing Rashford the love he seemed to lack at Old Trafford over the last few years.

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• WHAT THE FANS ARE SAYING

  Barcelona fan @frdrjpi wrote on X: "Rashford looks so sharp, man! It’s just the fine margins with the end product right now."

  @kvng__niel added: "Who else saw Rashford pressing and tracking back? I thought United fans said he is lazy?"

  @Hoeslovmitch said: "I love players like Rashford, man. They’ll always try something out and not just pass back. Excited for the new season icl."

  @OlogeOluwasegun wrote: "Manchester United wanted us to believe that he was washed. Man pulled a good performance on his debut and was key to our second goal. And those passes and runs? Rashford is up for a massive season at Barca."

  @maleeking_ concluded: "Rashford’s build-up play that led to the second goal."

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Barcelona, who are paying Rashford his full salary and have the option to purchase him for £30.3 million next summer, have offered the 27-year-old the famous No. 14 shirt that was once worn by Johan Cruyff and Thierry Henry. In contrast to the Brazilian, who frequently slipped inside and assisted Barça in forming a box midfield to overwhelm Vissel Kobe centrally, the Englishman tended to hug the touchline.

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  WHAT NEXT FOR RASHFORD?

  Barcelona will be up against FC Seoul in their second pre-season friendly of the summer on Thursday, July 31. It is possible that Rashford may have another stint on the field as a substitute as he continues to get up to full fitness after not being involved in Manchester United's pre-season.

da cassino online： With Newcastle United still chasing a deal to sign Anthony Elanga, Nottingham Forest have reportedly set their sights on signing a young Premier League gem who could replace the Swede.

Nottingham Forest battling to keep Elanga

da mrbet： Those in the Midlands managed to keep hold of Elanga last summer and that victory quickly paid dividends in an excellent season at the City Ground. The interest in the winger hasn’t gone away, however, and this time Newcastle have money to spend. The Magpies have already reportedly made an enquiry about signing the former Manchester United man and Forest face another fight to keep hold of one of their star players.

Elanga, himself, chose to remain coy when asked about his Nottingham Forest future whilst on international duty with Sweden recently, telling reporters: “There’s a lot of talk. I’m focusing on what I can do and my focus today was on the game. In football there are always rumors. The most important thing is that I focus on what I can control.”

After missing out on the Champions League even after a fantastic campaign, there may be some concern around the City Ground that Nuno Espirito Santo could lose his top players this summer.

Related Nottingham Forest submit bid to sign "brilliant" £13m ace from Norwich

Nottingham Forest have now made an official bid to sign a player from the Championship.

Posts ByBrett Worthington Jun 12, 2025

As ever, Evangelos Marinakis has already set his sights on incomings of his own, though. The Greek owner and Nottingham Forest have recently been linked with moves for the likes of Igor Jesus and Real Valladolid star Raul Moro. What’s more, the Tricky Trees are also reportedly interested in signing an impressive Premier League gem if Elanga chooses to leave the club in favour of Newcastle this summer.

Nottingham Forest assessing Oscar Bobb move

According to Football Insider’s Mick Brown, Marinakis is now assessing a Nottingham Forest move to sign Oscar Bobb from Manchester City this summer. The young winger returned from a lengthy spell on the sidelines towards the end of last season and will be desperate to get up to speed with some much-needed game time.

Brown, a former Premier League scout, told Football Insider: “A Premier League loan move is exactly what Bobb needs. After the injury he had, he has to prove to everybody that he is still capable at this level.

“It’s difficult to come back from something like that, he has some proving to do, but he has to be playing regularly to do it. If you take him out of that Man City side and put him in another Premier League team, a Crystal Palace or a Nottingham Forest, it will show where he’s at. Palace and Forest are both clubs I’ve heard are having a look at the deal.

The 21-year-old is a player who Pep Guardiola believes has “incredible potential”, but his short-term future could lie at the City Ground. It’s there that he could step into Elanga’s role and discover his best form following a frustrating injury setback.

Relive one of the great comeback stories in cricket, lovely cricket, with ESPNcricinfo’s ball-by-ball updates

Sidharth Monga27-Sep-2020A day in the life of TewatiaRahul Tewatia has been promoted to No. 4. He is the only left-hand batsman in this line-up. They want to line up the leggies now. And [KL] Rahul responds by giving the ball to the offie, Glenn Maxwell. Cat and mouse.Tewatia reminds me of the time when Jadeja was promoted by India in the 2009 T20 World Cup. He couldn’t hit, he couldn’t get out. Here is Bishnoi.I feel for Tewatia, I really do, because he will become the villain of the match, and he is an earnest cricketer who loves to do whatever he can for the team, but he has been put in an impossible position by the management who have over-estimated his batting drastically. He is watching the ball well, but he doesn’t seem to have the shots.13.3
Neesham to Tewatia, no run, oh the walls seem to be closing in. He tries the sweep off Neesham and is hit on the pad. Doesn’t get out, doesn’t get off strike. Tewatia 5 off 1413.4
Neesham to Tewatia, 1 run, slower ball, really full, drilled to long-on for one. Tewatia 6 off 15I know you are debating the retire-out. It is a compassionate move, yes, but not a new debate. Let’s focus on the struggle and see what he can do here13.6
Neesham to Tewatia, 1 run, the worst result. he has hit one in air, but there is no power behind it, and long-off is straight enough to keep them to one. Tewatia 7 off 16Oh Rahul, it is a cruel world14.1
Ravi Bishnoi to Tewatia, 1 run, and the poor guy is trying everything. Reverse hit goes to extra cover for one. Tewatia 8 off 17It [the required rate] is getting close to three a ball. Cameras panning to the dugout. Awful awful feeling if you are Tewatia14.5
Ravi Bishnoi to Tewatia, SIX, relief. Sweet relief. But he needs more to feel better. Jumps at him, goes down the ground, and gets a straight six14.6
Ravi Bishnoi to Tewatia, no run, oh why the reverse just after hitting one down the ground? Beaten again15.3
Maxwell to Samson, no run, and now Samson has refused the single. That will make it more awful for Tewatia, but I think he wants to take the toll on Maxwell15.4
Maxwell to Samson, 2 runs, Maxwell goes back of a length, worked behind square for a coupleImportant for Samson to communicate to Tewatia15.5
Maxwell to Samson, SIX runs, his batting is communicating to KXIP all right. Maxwell gets into the slot again, and he smashes it over midwicket for six more. That’s 20 for the over15.6
Maxwell to Samson, 1 run, drilled down the ground for a single to long-off. A good result if it is not a six. At least he has the strike”Hey stop blaming Tewatia! There are more Tewatias in real life than Samsons.”17 an over. You still won’t rule a side out in Sharjah with dew around. Rahul you still have a chance to turn this around. Come on, turn this into a fairytale of redemption17.1
Cottrell to Tewatia, SIX, it is a small six but it is a six nonetheless. Hang in there, Rahul. Keep swinging. Cottrell follows him with a bouncer, but he manages to get inside the line to pull him flat over long leg17.2
Cottrell to Tewatia, SIX, whoa whoa whoa cricket you beauty. You keep fighting, the tide can turn. He gets a short of a length ball, stands his ground and swings to leg. Not off the absolute middle of the bat but enough to clear the short square boundary and onto the road17.3
Cottrell to Tewatia, SIX, make it three times. Sing your redemption songs. Cottrell pitches up, and he goes over wide long-off. Strike rate of 135 now. Game is onAnd now KXIP are having conferences17.4
Cottrell to Tewatia, SIX, well, Rahul, what a player. You are a champion. You have fought through the worst of times. Give yourself something to celebrate. Gees across, shuffles early gets a wide low full toss, and sweeps it over midwicket for another flat sixOh the joy of struggle and redemption. How fortunate to be calling this17.5
Cottrell to Tewatia, no run, goes for the fifth. Slower length ball wide outside off, and he goes across the lines. Beaten17.6
Cottrell to Tewatia, SIX, wow Rahul bloody Tewatia. This is a story for the ages, son. What redemption. Now Uthappa has to give him strike. He has smacked a wide length ball over midwicket for another six. Now only 21 required in two oversCricket, lovely cricket. That is all I can say right nowCome on Rahul Tewatia. You have taken us on a roller-coaster. Now finish it off. Hang on, boys and girls and others. [And with Uthappa out] they have promoted Archer now. Uthappa didn’t even hand over the strike …18.2
Mohammed Shami to Archer, SIX, which is just as well because Archer has hit the first ball for six. Short ball, on pace, and Archer loves him some on-pace short bowling. Over wicket for six18.3
Mohammed Shami to Archer, SIX, golf swing. This is a great day at the cricket. Nine off nine now. Amid this euphoria, this is pretty abysmal death bowling, I am sorry. Length ball, in the slot, on pace, and Archer ain’t no Uthappa to be chipping it sweetly18.4
Mohammed Shami to Archer, 1 run, goes for the yorker, dug out for a single to deep pointCan do it in singles now. Last 10 balls: 43 runs, one wicket. Rahul Tewatia, you beautiful beautiful cricketer18.5
Mohammed Shami to Tewatia, SIX, oh he has reached fifty. Minutes ago, they were all asking for a compassion dismissal for him. This, right here, is the importance of keeping on fighting. Keep kicking. Short ball, outside off, and he has upper-cut it for a six. Well played, RT18.6
Mohammed Shami to Tewatia, OUT, oh man, the greatest 40 minutes of commentary have come to an end. Tewatia has found deep midwicket with the pull, but he has made sure they win the match. Fifty-three off 31 after everybody wanted him thrown into the Gulf. Take a bloody bow, sir. You are a beautiful beautiful player. Storytellers kill for guys like you.Now we can breathe. Tewatia is knocking fists with others here. Don’t tell to me not get carried away. This is among the greatest days of commentary I have been through. If you have ever backed an underdog, if you have ever felt awful for a guy giving it his best and not getting anywhere, if you have ever been in that situation yourself, this day is such sweet joy.Let me tell you a story from a Stephen Fleming interview. I told him you should look to pull guys back if they are unable to hit. He didn’t like the idea. He said the struggle is the beauty of the game. His exact words: “That’s the beauty of it, isn’t it? Not let someone get away with it just because they can tap out. ‘Not my day today, I am out.'” What words. You have to really love this sport to think like that when you are under so much pressure to win. Guess what, Rahul Tewatia didn’t tap out. For all the frustrations of watching Jadeja get stuck in quick sand, and Yuvraj and Vijay Shankar, perhaps it is true that you just don’t tap out.

Offspinner has made steady progress this summer but is a long-term investment

George Dobell at the Ageas Bowl24-Aug-2020In another era, an era before white-ball cricket dominated the middle of England’s domestic season, Dom Bess would probably be playing for his county now.He might even be playing for his county’s second XI. Either way, he would be learning his trade away from the unrelenting scrutiny that goes with the territory of playing international cricket and away from the expectation that comes with being his country’s first-choice spinner.But the world has changed. The production line that once saw a decent pair of spinners required by every county has all but ground to a halt. Young spinners emerging now usually have to learn to contribute in white-ball cricket if they are to entertain realistic hopes of sustaining a career. With first-class games squeezed into spring and autumn, they win few opportunities to learn their red-ball craft. Several talented hopefuls have drifted away from the professional game.So Bess, the talented young man that he is, has been asked to learn on the job. Instead of using all his skills and experience to ensnare batsmen, he’s at the stage of his career – aged 23 and with fewer than 50 first-class appearances – where he is still searching for a reliable stock ball and experimenting with his variations. He is, in short, a promising young cricketer who has been given accelerated promotion to fill the void left by England’s flawed domestic scheduling. It’s exactly the situation Moeen Ali found himself in at the start of the 2014 summer.Bess has bowled perfectly respectably here. On a painfully slow wicket that would have thwarted plenty of more experienced spinners and against admirably determined batsmen who would have done the same, he demanded respect and conceded fewer than two runs per over. Later in the day, when he settled on a line outside off stump, he even troubled the batsmen a few times. He did, by any realistic expectations, just fine.The problem is that at this stage it’s not obvious what Bess’ weapons are. He doesn’t gain the drift of Moeen, or the dip of Graeme Swann. He doesn’t have the pace of Monty Panesar, or the consistency of Jack Leach. As he showed in South Africa, he can provide control and prove dangerous given some assistance, but it is asking a huge amount – an unreasonable amount, really – to expect him to lead his country’s spin attack at this stage of his career.ALSO READ: Spinners thriving in Bob Willis TrophySo, why did England take a punt on Bess? There are two or three young, England-qualified spinners doing nicely in the Bob Willis Trophy this season, after all. But neither Amar Virdi nor Mason Crane has many pretensions with the bat and Matt Critchley goes for more than four an over across his first-class career. That would make it tough for him to play the holding role England are sometimes sure to require.Right now, Leach might well be a better bowler than Bess. He certainly warrants selection for Somerset ahead of him. So if England go to Sri Lanka and India this winter, Leach should play a significant role. On pitches offering assistance to spin, he has the tools to trouble batsmen. He was, you may remember, the equal top wicket-taker (with Moeen) when England won in Sri Lanka in 2018.There is, incidentally, a lesson here. It is clear that both Bess and Leach have – just as Swann and Panesar did at Northants in the early 2000s – enjoyed an accelerated development thanks to the spin-friendly pitches prepared for them at Taunton in recent years. If England are serious about developing more spin bowlers, they have to allow conditions – and a schedule – which encourage them.Either way, England prefer Bess as a long-term investment for a couple of reasons. For a start, he can bat. And brave though Leach was in his memorable one not out at Leeds and incredible though he was in his unlikely 92 against Ireland at Lord’s, those innings are considered somewhat aberrational. A bottom four of James Anderson, Stuart Broad, Jofra Archer and Leach would leave England with a dangerously long tail.Equally, England feel that on pitches offering little, Bess may find a way to contribute a bit more – if not with the ball, then with the bat or in the field. And in Australia, where the batsmen are certain to come after him and Leach, they feel he may have more tools to cope.Dom Bess is currently England’s first-choice spinner•Gareth Copley/Getty ImagesNot least among these tools is his positive attitude. Bess’ enthusiasm, his willingness to learn on the job, his apparent resilience in the face of adversity, are seen to render him suitable for the challenges ahead. There will, no doubt, be some long and tough days in India and Australia. England want a man in the side who can shrug those days off, come back for more and keep improving.It is a shame that there is currently no specialist coach with the squad to work with him. England had planned for Jeetan Patel, the former New Zealand offspinner, to join them in the bio-secure bubble, but visa regulations prevent him working as a coach. As a consequence, Bess is, for now, having to find his own way through the challenges ahead of him.You might also wonder how Moeen might have fared had he benefited from the same patience extended to the likes of Jos Buttler or Joe Denly. Moeen was, you may recall, the highest wicket-taker in the world in Test cricket over the previous 12 months at the time he was dropped.And while that decision was perfectly reasonable – it looked as if Moeen needed some time out of the firing line to decompress – the subsequent to decision not to offer him a red-ball central contract seemed to push him away from the squad just when he needed to feel embraced and valued. Again, the thought occurs that England may have coaxed more out of Moeen with better treatment. His best ball is still probably better than the best ball of any other red-ball spinner in England. And he has made five Test centuries.But you can see why England like Bess. And, by most reasonable judgements, he’s progressing nicely. We just have to be realistic in what we expect from him.

Duo share opening stand worth 114 after Abbott’s 4 for 16 keeps hosts in check

ECB Media10-Aug-2024

Moeen Ali and Ben Duckett made classy half-centuries as Birmingham Phoenix claimed a five-wicket win at Sophia Gardens to end Welsh Fire’s hopes of reaching The Hundred Eliminator and push themselves up to third in the table.Chasing 147 for victory, the two England left-handers shared an opening stand of 114 in 73 deliveries, Moeen hitting eight fours and a six in his 46-ball 60, his highest ever score in The Hundred, before top-edging Matt Henry to David Payne.Moeen’s departure brought Jamie Smith to the crease and England’s Test keeper looked in sublime touch, making 12 from his first three deliveries, until he was clean bowled by a Haris Rauf inducker.Liam Livingstone, Dan Mousley and Jacob Bethell departed in quick succession as Phoenix looked to finish the game in a hurry and boost their net run-rate but Duckett, with an unbeaten 54 off 31 balls, held his nerve to steer his team to a crucial victory, Benny Howell hitting the winning runs with seven balls to spare.Earlier, Sean Abbott took 4 for 16 to star with the ball for Phoenix, the Australian allrounder collecting his second four-wicket haul of this season’s Hundred as Fire were restricted to 146 for 8.Stephen Eskinazi played nicely for his 21-ball 30 before being clean bowled by Mousley but the rest of Fire’s top-order struggled, with Luke Wells undone by an Adam Milne slower ball and Joe Clarke and Tom Abell falling victim to Abbott.Tom Kohler-Cadmore (54 from 32) injected some energy to the innings, hitting his first delivery for four and then dispatching Howell over the ropes. He hit five more fours in his rapid half-century – including three in succession off Tim Southee – until falling to Abbott, who then picked up his fourth when he had David Payne caught by Southee.Matt Henry struck two boundaries off his compatriot Milne in the final set of the innings but it proved to be in vain as Fire’s hopes of reaching the knockout stage were extinguished.Abbott, the Meerkat Match Hero, said: “It was a little bit tricky to sum up the conditions at first, but it was about going back to basics and trying to hit the top of the stumps with change-ups and then going from there.”It’s definitely a very relaxed vibe amongst the group and I feel like we portray that when we go out and play the game. We’re always trying to put pressure on the other team, no matter the situation, and we’ve done that pretty well the last couple of games. It feels like there’s a good balance at the moment and everyone’s playing their roles really well.”

Santos president Marcelo Teixeira claimed that he is hopeful that Neymar will extend his stay at the club beyond this summer.

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• Santos chief hopeful Neymar will sign new deal
• Neymar in talks with Champions League clubs
• Current Santos contract expires after June 30

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  Neymar's future is once again a subject of speculation after his father confirmed talks with Champions League clubs. It was earlier revealed that the Brazil icon wants to return to Europe once his short-term deal with Santos expires.

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• WHAT SANTOS CHIEF SAID

  Amid speculations over the 33-year-old's future, Santos president Teixeira told : "We are talking to Neymar’s team. It is a step forward, we are making a lot of progress in the new negotiations and we are very close to a new agreement to allow Neymar to stay for a new period.

  "We hope it happens as quickly as possible. It can't be rushed. It's not a case of, if Neymar doesn't renew, he won't play tomorrow or Sunday. That's not the case. We have no need for Neymar to play now or for the team to return to action. That's my impression. I'm very hopeful for a favourable outcome."

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  The club chief added: "It’s different from the recent period, but today, given the progress and the way we talked, I think it’s a good possibility. We’re not behind or too far ahead. I’m very honest: there was no displeasure or displeasure. We sat down at the table and made our position clear, as did NR. Look, this is the possibility, the chance. Our financial, legal and marketing teams, along with their team, are putting this in a direct and practical position. Is it possible that there will be a favourable outcome? Yes."

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  WHAT NEXT FOR NEYMAR?

  Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are also keen on signing the ex-Barcelona and Paris Saint-Germain star. The player's current deal expires after June 30 and it now remains to be seen if he will stay back at his boyhood club for a longer period.

With the season gradually coming to a close and Rangers’ managerial decision therefore approaching, Ibrox legend Ally McCoist has had his say on one candidate who he believes would make every game a “fight”.

Rangers' search for a permanent boss continues

This time last season it looked as though Philippe Clement had all the tools to become a successful manager at Rangers. He had pushed Celtic all the way without taking charge of a full campaign so, naturally, similar progress was expected at the start of his first full season in the Ibrox dugout. Fast-forward almost a year, however, and the Belgian is out of a job and Rangers have been out of the Scottish Premiership title race for some time.

Since appointing interim boss Barry Ferguson too, things haven’t got much better for the Scottish giants, who lost three consecutive top flight games at Ibrox before holding on for a draw against Athletic Bilbao in the Europa League.

Whether they advance past the La Liga side in the second leg or not though, Rangers look unlikely to hand Ferguson the job on a permanent basis.

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Instead, names such as Rafa Benitez and even Jose Mourinho have been mentioned as potential candidates in recent months. The latter, in particular, would certainly provide plenty of box office moments, but it remains to be seen whether the Gers can lure the so-called Special One away from Fenerbahce.

Away from two experienced candidates, meanwhile, Ally McCoist believes that one “interesting” manager who has not received many mentions would get Rangers fighting again.

McCoist: Sean Dyche would make Rangers "fight"

In an exclusive chat with Football FanCast, Rangers legend McCoist had his say on the Gers’ manager race, speaking highly of Sean Dyche in particular.

Out of a job since being shown the door at Everton in January, Dyche could certainly do with another opportunity to step into the dugout and one that is away from the troubles that the Toffees often had during his reign.

The Rangers job would undoubtedly be the biggest job of his career so far too, having previously taken charge of sides who were expected to scrap away in the bottom half of the Premier League.

Whilst Dyche’s Everton spell has mixed reviews, Rangers should look towards his time at Burnley, in which he took the Clarets into the Europa League on a minimal budget, as an example of what he is truly capable of.

Real Madrid head coach Xabi Alonso was full of praise for new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold and urged everyone to be patient with him.

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Alexander-Arnold grabbed his first assist for MadridSet up Garcia for the only goal in the CWC round of 16Alonso aware his adaptation will take timeFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Madrid head coach Alonso came to the defence of the team's newest full-back Alexander-Arnold after beating Juventus 1-0 in the round of 16 in the Club World Cup. The manager called for patience with the Englishman while praising his "trademark" cross that proved to be the difference on Tuesday.

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Alexander-Arnold left Liverpool upon the expiration of his contract and joined Real Madrid, with the 15-time European champions paying €10 million (£8.5m/$11.5m) to have him for the Club World Cup. He did not leave much of a mark on his debut for Real, with the Spanish media criticising his performance in the 1-1 draw against Al-Hilal last month. However, in the remaining two group stage games — against Pachuca and Red Bull Salzburg — the 26-year-old gradually improved. Against Juve, he looked a bit shy in the first half. Most of his long balls from deep or from his own half lacked the precision and intent we've come to expect from him during his time at Liverpool. However, in the second half, he found space at the edge of the area and delivered a pinpoint cross, which was met by the head of the impressive young marksman Gonzalo Garcia, who made it three goals in four games.

Watch every FIFA Club World Cup game free on DAZNStream nowWHAT XABI ALONSO SAID

Speaking to after the game, Alonso was asked if Alexander-Arnold was struggling a bit. The manager responded: "The cross to Gonzalo is his trademark; he's made 500 of those in his career. He placed it very carefully, in the right place. Although on the right we need an extra foot, because dribbling isn't his thing, but rather link-up play. But we're working on it. This is a challenge for him: Real Madrid, with almost no general training. Straight to the game. Everything takes time."

Asked if he struggles defensively, Alonso told reporters: "They took the lead there, we weren't balanced and we weren't helping him… He did too… everything takes time. It's a guarantee."

(C)Getty imagesWHAT NEXT FOR REAL MADRID?

Madrid will face Borussia Dortmund in the quarter-final on Saturday, July 5. However, the Bellingham brothers will not face each other as Jobe received a booking against Monterrey on Wednesday which means he'll be serving suspension.

Chelsea are now eager to sign a £40k-a-week full-back who’s “one of the best” in Europe, but there is set to be fierce competition from their Premier League rivals, according to a report.

Pressure building on Maresca

Fans are starting to lose patience with Enzo Maresca, given that performances have fallen way short of expectations in recent weeks, drawing 2-2 at home to Ipswich Town before suffering a 2-1 defeat against Legia Warsaw at Stamford Bridge.

However, the manager is likely to have bought himself some more time with the 2-1 victory at Fulham on Sunday afternoon, with Tyrique George and Pedro Neto striking late to secure a comeback victory at Craven Cottage.

By and large, the Blues’ backline has not been the issue this season, retaining the joint-fourth best defensive record in the league, and Maresca is likely to be far more concerned by the performances of his strikers.

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After once again drawing a blank on Sunday afternoon, Nicolas Jackson is without a goal in his last 12 Premier League games, while Christopher Nkunku has just three league goals to his name all season.

As such, bringing in a new striker may be a priority for Chelsea this summer, but they are also keen to strengthen in defence, according to a report from Caught Offside, which has revealed they are now eager to sign Nottingham Forest right-back Ola Aina.

Aina’s performances this season have attracted serious interest from a whole host of Premier League clubs, with Liverpool, Newcastle United and Tottenham Hotspur also keen, and the latter two clubs are set to open agent talks soon.

Forest are eager to tie the full-back down to a new contract, which could see his £40k-a-week wages increased, but a free transfer is possible, should an agreement not be reached, with the 28-year-old’s contract set to expire this summer.

Aina enjoying impressive campaign at Forest

The Nigerian has been an indispensable member of the starting XI for Forest this season, making 30 Premier League appearances prior to recently sustaining a calf injury, and his side have gone on to lose both of the games he’s missed.

Having performed very well for the Tricky Trees, the London-born defender received high praise from Zach Lowy last month, with the journalist saying: “Ola Aina has genuinely been one of the best fullbacks in Europe this season. So effective going forward but above all, rarely drops anything less than a 7/10. Forest are lucky to have him.”

Not only has the former Chelsea man impressed on the front foot, but his ability to win back possession has also been on display regularly throughout the campaign.

That said, Chelsea are already well-stocked at right-back, with Reece James and Malo Gusto on the books, so Aina may not be a necessary signing unless one of Maresca’s current options moves on this summer.

West Ham United are now in pole position to sign a “phenomenal” midfielder, having moved ahead of rivals Tottenham Hotspur and a whole host of other Premier League clubs in the race for his signature, according to a report.

Hammers ramping up midfielder pursuit

As we approach the business end of the campaign, West Ham have little to play for, with Premier League safety more or less confirmed, which means they may have one eye on potential additions for the summer transfer window.

A new midfielder is of particular interest to the Hammers, who are now ramping up their pursuit of new options in the middle of the park, and they are ready to make a move for Lille’s Angel Gomes, with the Englishman set to be available on a free transfer.

Graham Potter is believed to be a big fan of the 24-year-old, but he is not the only English midfielder on the shortlist, with widespread recent reports linking the Irons with a move for Sunderland’s Chris Rigg.

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There has now been a promising new update on West Ham’s pursuit of Rigg, with Football Insider reporting they are now in pole position to sign the Sunderland midfielder, despite interest from rivals Tottenham.

Several clubs retain an interest in the 17-year-old, who is said to be destined to be a Premier League player next season, with the Black Cats likely being forced to cash-in if they fail to secure promotion from the Championship.

Everton and Manchester United are also named as potential suitors for the teenager, but the Hammers are leading the race, despite reports from elsewhere revealing Spurs have made a £38m bid.

West Ham United’s upcoming Premier League fixtures

Date

Wolverhampton Wanderers (a)

April 1st

AFC Bournemouth (h)

April 5th

Liverpool (a)

April 13th

Southampton (h)

April 19th

Brighton & Hove Albion (a)

April 26th

"Phenomenal" Rigg needs to take next step

It will probably be a difficult decision for the Sunderland-born midfielder to leave his hometown club, but if they remain a second tier side next season, it would probably be a wise decision to seek pastures new.

Freelance scout Ben Mattinson has spoken very highly of the starlet, describing him as “phenomenal”, while describing him as a “technically gifted midfielder capable of moments of brilliance”.

Earlier in the campaign, Mattinson also stated the youngster is capable of being a “game-changer”, which has been on display at times this season, with the Englishman bagging four goals in the Championship.

Rigg is showing signs he is ready to take the next step in his career by moving to the Premier League, so it is fantastic news that West Ham are well-positioned to win the race for his signature.