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Glasgow Rangers have endured a frustrating start to the Scottish Premiership campaign under Russell Martin, drawing both of their matches so far.

The Light Blues were held to a 1-1 draw by Dundee at Ibrox on Saturday and needed a stoppage-time penalty from James Tavernier to even rescue a point.

The Light Blues know that they need to improve, as they are already four points off the top of the table after two games, and are putting in work behind the scenes to add new players to the group.

According to reports on the continent, Rangers have agreed a deal to sign Real Betis central defender for a fee that is worth around £2.6m.

The reporter adds that the 20-year-old talent will have his medical in Scotland on Wednesday before officially completing his transfer to Ibrox.

Real Betis will also have a 20% sell-on clause as part of the deal, which means that they will get 20% of any future profit Rangers may make on the £2.6m that they are set to pay for Mendy.

What Nobel Mendy could bring to Rangers

This is an interesting move by the Scottish giants and it is a difficult one to judge because he has not been exposed to a lot of first-team football in his career so far.

Mendy has only played 107 minutes of football in LaLiga for Real Betis, starting one game, to date, and spent most of the 2024/25 campaign playing for Real Betis B.

This means that it is hard to judge how he will adapt to playing in the Premiership for Rangers because he has not been in a senior environment for a significant period of time.

What we do know about Mendy, though, is that he is a left-footed centre-back and that is something that Martin does not currently have in his first-team squad, because Clinton Nsiala and Ben Davies have not been a part of the set-up so far this season.

This means that he could provide good balance to the way the team builds out from the back by being able to comfortably pass the ball down the left side on his preferred foot.

However, as you can see in the table above, the youngster did lose 59% of his duels for Real Betis B over 13 games at league level last season, which suggests that he may not yet be up for the physicality of playing senior football week-in-week-out.

This means that the Light Blues may have to be patient with Mendy, instead of rushing him into the side, as he does not appear to be ready to step in and make an instant impact in the first-team.

Rangers lining up move for Championship star

Meanwhile, the Scottish giants are reportedly looking at signing another young talent who could come in as an even better addition than Mendy.

Transfer Focus

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

According to journalist Alan Nixon, via his Patreon, as relayed by GIVEMESPORT, Rangers are one of the teams in the race to sign Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Pierce Charles.

The reporter claims that the EFL Championship outfit have listed the Northern Ireland international up for sale and are set to demand a fee in the region of £8m for his services.

Rangers, who signed Djeidi Gassama from the Owls earlier this summer, are now lining up a potential swoop for the shot-stopper, although they have yet to bid for his services.

The outlet adds that the Gers may only make their move if the asking price drops from the £8m that Wednesday are currently demanding for the 20-year-old talent.

Why Rangers should sign Pierce Charles

Rangers should push to get a deal done for the Northern Irish titan before the end of the summer transfer window if he becomes available at a price that is affordable for the club.

The Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper, dubbed “amazing” by Anthony Elanga, is the same age as Mendy, 20, but would arrive as an even better signing because his experience in senior football suggests that he can make an instant impact at Ibrox.

Unlike the Betis youngster, who struggled with the physicality of B team football last term, Charles has produced impressive performances in a first-team environment.

The Northern Ireland international has only conceded 15 goals in 13 games for Sheffield Wednesday since the start of the 2024/25 campaign, despite their struggles, and made a staggering 11 saves in their first match of this season against Leicester City, per Sofascore.

As you can see in the table above, his performances in the Championship for the Owls were even more impressive than Jack Butland’s were in the Premiership for the Gers.

Despite a couple of strong showings in Champions League qualifiers, Butland has not had the best start to the Premiership season. He has conceded 0.66 more than expected, after letting in 0.72 more than expected last term, per FotMob.

Meanwhile, Charles prevented 0.90 xG against Leicester and prevented 2.14 xG across eight outings in the Championship last term, which suggests that he could arrive at Ibrox as a player who could step in and make an instant impact as an upgrade on Butland as a shot-stopper.

It is not only his shot-stopping that is impressive, though, as the £8m-rated star is also excellent with the ball at his feet, which is backed up by his far superior long pass percentage in comparison to the current Gers number one.

The clips in the post above illustrate why Charles could be a vital signing for the way that Martin wants his team to play, because he is composed under pressure and has a terrific technique with both long and short passes.

This suggests that the Owls star would be a perfect fit for what the manager is looking for with his style of play, whilst also potentially being an upgrade on Butland as an out-and-out shot-stopper.

Great news for Gassama: Rangers in talks to sell £5m star who's "suspect"

Rangers are reportedly in talks to cash in on a player whose exit could be good news for Djeidi Gassama.

2

By
Dan Emery

Aug 11, 2025

That is why Charles would be an even better signing than Mendy because he has shown that he has the quality to deliver quality performances at first-team level in the here and now, whilst it remains to be seen where the defender is at in his development.

Juventus boss Igor Tudor has hailed Andrea Cambiaso as a ‘top-notch’ full-back capable of playing for elite clubs like Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Liverpool. The versatile Italy international, who can also slot into midfield, is seen as a key asset as Juve return home to face Atalanta this weekend. Tudor stressed consistency will be key for the 25-year-old to reach his full potential.

• Tudor hails Cambiaso’s versatility

  Juve boss Tudor has been effusive in his praise for Italian starlet Cambiaso, highlighting the defender’s adaptability and technical skill. “Can he be deployed in other roles? Yes, he can also play as a midfielder. As a full-back or a wing-back, he sees things like a midfielder, occasionally dropping into the middle. I give him that freedom on the pitch. He’s a top-notch player, he needs to be more consistent in his performances, but that’s up to him. He can play for Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Liverpool,” Tudor explained a press conference.

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  Cambiaso’s potential and past transfer links

  Cambiaso’s qualities have drawn attention from Europe’s top clubs, with City and Liverpool reportedly monitoring him during the January transfer window. While the move did not materialise, Tudor believes the full-back possesses the technical and physical attributes to succeed at the very highest level. Juventus’ history of nurturing and exporting talent to elite sides adds weight to Tudor’s claim, and Cambiaso’s ability to contribute both defensively and in midfield positions underlines his versatility. “He’s potentially a player for the best club in the world, but he has to decide for himself,” Tudor said.

• Squad context and Conceicao's fitness update

  Juve’s preparations for the Atalanta clash are tempered by minor fitness concerns, with Conceicao, who returned to action in the 1-1 draw at Verona, is not fully fit and his availability remains uncertain, also reportedly missed training recently. Juve, under Tudor, are building momentum with 10 points from the opening four Serie A matches, remaining undefeated across all competitions. The squad’s mix of experience and youthful talent, combined with Tudor’s tactical flexibility, provides Juventus with multiple options to manage both the attacking and defensive phases effectively.

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  Juventus return to action vs Atalanta

  After a draw at Verona that left a trail of controversy, Juve return to Allianz Stadium to face Atalanta in Serie A’s fifth round. The Bianconeri remain undefeated this season and are leading the table, having posted convincing wins against Lecce and Torino. However, Atalanta have shown immense resilience on the road, with just one defeat in their last 18 away Serie A games.

  The upcoming fixture represents both a test and an opportunity for Juventus. Securing a home win will reinforce Juve’s dominance at Allianz Stadium while keeping pace in Serie A’s early table standings. For Cambiaso, consistent performances against strong opposition will be vital in showcasing why Tudor rates him among the best full-backs in Europe. 

Chelsea have now received a response after submitting a £43m offer for a defender who’s “as good as Van Dijk and Saliba”, according to a report.

Blues looking to strengthen at centre-back

Although his side were unable to pick up all three points against Crystal Palace on Sunday, Enzo Maresca will be pleased that his side managed to keep a clean sheet, with the centre-back partnership of Josh Acheampong and Trevoh Chalobah holding firm.

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The duo made a combined 17 defensive actions to keep Palace at bay, with both players also showcasing their ability in possession of the ball, averaging pass-completion rates of over 90%.

However, there may be some doubts over whether the Blues’ defence is good enough to mount a serious Premier League title challenge, with Acheampong still only 19-years-old, while Chalobah remains relatively inexperienced at the top level.

Their own Eze: £61m superstar now "only wants" to sign for Chelsea

The incredible international could be an Eze-like signing for Chelsea and Enzo Maresca.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Aug 18, 2025

With Levi Colwill also sidelined for the foreseeable future due to an ACL injury, it would make sense to get another centre-back through the door, and an offer has been made for a Serie A defender.

That is according to a report from Gazzetta, which states Chelsea have tabled a €50m (£43m) bid for Inter Milan defender Alessandro Bastoni, which was ‘politely declined’ by the Italian.

The Blues are not the only Premier League club to have expressed an interest in Bastoni, with Newcastle United also coming forward over a potential deal, but the defender remains focused on Inter’s upcoming campaign.

That said, another approach from one of the interested English clubs isn’t ruled out, suggesting that a deal could still be possible later in the window.

Bastoni could be on Van Dijk and Saliba's level

The 26-year-old is held in very high regard by presenter and analyst Nieve Petruzziello, who claimed he was “as good as Van Dijk and Saliba” last season.

The Italy international is also extremely comfortable in possession of the ball, as showcased by his passing and dribbling ability, which has regularly been on display over the course of the past year.

The Inter star’s passing ability, coupled with the fact he is used to playing in a back three, could make him an ideal addition to Maresca’s squad, given that the Chelsea boss often implements a three-at-the-back system.

As such, it is disappointing the Blues’ opening offer was rejected, but a move later in the window has not been ruled out, and it could be worth submitting an improved bid for the centre-back.

It’s probably fair to say Newcastle United fans expected their club’s transfer window to have gone a little differently, but the undertone across the off-season period has been one of disappointment and frustration.

Eddie Howe’s trophy-winning outfit, after all, proved themselves to be capable of permanently shattering the ‘big six’ hegemony in the Premier League, having now qualified for the Champions League across two of the past three seasons, winning the Carabao Cup final against Liverpool in March to boot.

But more is needed, and no mistake. Anthony Elanga adds an injection of pace down the right flank, making 23 sprints on his debut against Aston Villa on Saturday, clocking a top speed of 32.7km, as per Sofascore, making him the second-fastest player on the pitch, only behind his electric teammate Anthony Gordon.

However, Alexander Isak was glaringly absent at centre-forward as the interminable saga rumbles on for the Liverpool-linked star. It needs sorting, but Newcastle would be ignorant to keep 100% of their focus on number nine with other areas in need of redress.

Luckily, they haven’t, with Jacob Ramsey marking an astute piece of business.

Why Newcastle signed Jacob Ramsey

Having signed Ramsey from Aston Villa for an initial £39m fee at the weekend, Newcastle have now signed across the park; Malick Thiaw had strengthened the defence, while loanee Aaron Ramsdale adds quality and depth between the sticks and the aforementioned Elanga blistering pace to the right flank.

The English attacking midfielder cited Howe’s “track record of developing players” as one of the key reasons behind his move to St. James’ Park, and indeed, the player’s quality and industriousness suggests he could dovetail right into the squad’s make-up.

With Sean Longstaff having left for Leeds United earlier in the window, Ramsey adds crucial depth but also dynamism to the central ranks, easing the burden on Howe’s trusted midfield triumvirate.

The 24-year-old’s creativity and energy could prove invaluable if given rise within Howe’s tactical remit. The manager’s track record, indeed, bespeaks the reasoning behind completing the signing, and it might end up proving a blinder, should Ramsey find himself combining with Newcastle’s top attacking transfer target.

Newcastle resume talks for Premier League forward

According to the reliable Craig Hope of the Daily Mail, Newcastle resumed talks with Brentford on Monday as they look to complete a deal for Yoane Wissa.

Despite recent reports suggesting that the Bees have raised their asking price for the 28-year-old striker from £50m to £60m, the Magpies remain focused on getting a move over the line.

However, there is little intention of forking out £50m for the DR Congo international, let alone paying north of that. Hope believes the hours ahead will be crucial in how this saga plays out.

What Yoane Wissa would bring to Newcastle

Of course, there is an elephant in the room in that failure to sign Wissa would reduce the chances of losing Isak significantly, but it’s hard to envisage a repaired relationship with the wantaway Sweden star, who has no intention of accepting reintegration.

And Wissa is a proven Premier League star sure to bring goals to a fluent Magpies side in need of a clinical outlet.

Hailed for his “sensational” finishing by Sky Sports’ Mark McAdam, Wissa notched 20 goals for Brentford last season, including 19 in the Premier League.

Curiously, he only scored ten of his 19 top-flight goals with his preferred right foot, also bagging five with his left and a further four goals with his head, bespeaking an aerial presence that the likes of Gordon and Elanga would relish.

And Ramsey would pounce at the chance of playing with Wissa too.

Ramsey’s versatility makes him an easy sell for a suitor like Newastle, for he is efficient out on the left too. He notched 17 goals and 19 assists for the Villans, and though struggling through injuries over the past few years, showcased his talents in 2022/23, hitting 13 goal involvements across that Premier League season as a promising up-and-comer.

The energetic approach lends itself to Howe’s focus on sharp transitional play, and with someone like Wissa as the focal point to finish off these slick moves, there’s every chance Newcastle will be able to match last season’s success in reclaiming their place in the Champions League.

Below, you will see Ramsey ploughing through West Ham United’s defence to score a well-worked goal for Aston Villa.

Utilising Wissa’s hold-up play, this could become a frequent and productive combination for Newcastle, especially as data-driven platform FBref revealed the Brentford star produced tactically similar results to Isak last year, both clinical and effective on the ball, crisp with his passing.

Similarly, Ramsey is more than capable of returning the favour, having registered five Premier League assists last year despite only starting 19 matches. Sofascore record that he completed 87% of his passes and created five big chances besides.

Having also won 59% of his ground duels, Ramsey embodies what it means to be a top-performing star in a Howe system, and if careful management of minutes ensures an avoidance of injury setbacks, the Englishman could become a star, linking up with Wissa to redefine Newcastle’s frontline while maintaining a semblance of continuity from the successful attack of recent years.

And Wissa? The experienced talisman comes with the assurance of goals and the promise of fluent performances. He forged an iconic partnership with Bryan Mbeumo at the Gtech Community Stadium, with Thomas Frank even describing the partnership as being “unplayable” at times.

Though the 2024/25 campaign stands out as the magnum opus of Wissa’s career thus far, the best may still be to come if he completes a move to Newcastle in the coming weeks.

Howe has spun a web of players all bearing different qualities, yet a sense of coherence in their tactical intelligence, and their dynamic, athletic approach to their play.

With Wissa stepping in to replace, potentially, Isak as the spearhead, there’s every chance that this coming year could be one of even more illustrious success.

Shades of Ekitike: Newcastle given "encouragement" to sign £56m striker

Newcastle United are still interested in securing a £56m deal for this striker who is similar to Hugo Ekitike.

By
Kelan Sarson

Aug 18, 2025

Bayern Munich sporting director Max Eberl says keeping Harry Kane beyond 2027 is “absolutely conceivable" after the striker suggested he is open to discussing a contract extension with the club. Alongside him, Bayern are also working on Dayot Upamecano’s extension to protect the squad’s core amid their perfect start to the new season.

• Kane’s contract becomes Bayern’s priority

  Kane may still have two years left on his Bayern deal, but the Bavarians are eager to avoid uncertainty. The England captain’s contract runs until 2027, with a reported release clause of around €65 million (£55m/$76m) becoming active in 2026. While that clause has fuelled speculation of a Premier League return, particularly with Tottenham holding first refusal, Bayern are determined to tie their star striker down well before then.

  Kane has been nothing short of transformational since joining in 2023. He won the European Golden Shoe in his debut season, became the fastest player to hit 50 Bundesliga goals, and recently helped Bayern reclaim the league title. On Saturday, he netted his 100th Bundesliga goal after 104 matches, breaking a top-flight record shared by Cristiano Ronaldo and Erling Haaland.

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  Max Eberl praises Kane’s leadership

  Speaking ahead of Bayern’s Champions League trip to Cyprus, sporting director Eberl was asked about Kane’s long-term future. His response left little room for doubt.

  “A collaboration beyond 2027 is absolutely conceivable,” he said. “That’s why we will discuss the next steps with him in a relaxed manner. He’s an absolute leader — it would be awesome to win titles with him, and he said that too. We want to do that with him for a long time to come.”

  Eberl’s words echoed Kane’s own comments earlier in the season when he admitted he was “really happy” in Munich and open to staying beyond 2027. With 18 goal involvements already this campaign, Kane remains the heartbeat of Vincent Kompany’s attack, and Bayern view his future as central to their success.

• Dayot Upamecano’s uncertain future draws suitors

  While Kane’s renewal looks promising, the same cannot yet be said of Upamecano. The French defender’s contract runs until 2026, but talks over an extension have stalled in recent weeks. With Bayern hesitant to match his wage demands, several European giants have started circling.

  Liverpool are reportedly leading the chase, viewing Upamecano as a potential successor to Ibrahima Konate, while Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain are also monitoring the situation. If no extension is agreed by January 2026, the 26-year-old will be free to negotiate a pre-contract with clubs abroad.

  For Bayern, losing Upamecano on a free transfer would be a bitter blow, especially after seeing Leroy Sane depart in similar fashion. The defender has been a cornerstone under Kompany, featuring in over 200 games since joining from RB Leipzig, and his departure would leave a glaring hole in Bayern’s backline.

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  Bayern focus on core players to maintain winning momentum

  Eberl has made it clear that securing the futures of Kane and Upamecano will define Bayern’s long-term planning. The club cannot afford to repeat past mistakes of letting top talent walk away without compensation, and both players are seen as essential pillars of Kompany’s project. At the same time, Bayern know they must balance ambition with realism. Kane’s contract talks will likely be straightforward given his public commitment and the club’s desire to build around him. Upamecano’s case, however, may require tougher negotiations, with rival clubs offering lucrative packages. 

Glasgow Rangers head coach Russell Martin has admitted that Hamza Igamane was unable to come on against St Mirren after informing the manager that he was unfit to play.

Speaking after the game, the Gers boss said: “I turned around to him at 60 minutes and Hamza told me he’s injured. I have to trust him, but we’ll see.”

“The issue is that the window is still open and there are people with one eye out and one eye in We had a bid this week for Hamza that we rejected. There are too many people uncertain and we have to make sure we have people that want to be here. I’m calm about it.”

Igamane was called to come off the bench in the second half, with the Gers 1-0 down to St Mirren, but declined the call, citing injury, and these comments from Martin do not suggest that an injury was the only factor at play.

The “we’ll see” and the talk of rejecting a bid for the striker, as well as players who are “uncertain” about their future seems to suggest that a possible move away from Ibrox may have influenced the decision.

Hopefully, that was not the case, and it was purely an injury concern and only that, but the window is still open for another week and the possibility that Igamane moves on from the club remains a real one.

Why losing Hamza Igamane would be a blow for Rangers

Cashing in on the Morocco international before the end of the summer transfer window would be a blow for the Light Blues because he is an exciting young talent who has the quality to deliver at the top end of the pitch.

The 22-year-old star enjoyed a terrific first season in Glasgow after his move to Ibrox last summer, scoring 16 goals in 46 appearances in all competitions for the Scottish giants, per Transfermarkt.

His output in the Scottish Premiership, in particular, was impressive. The Moroccan star showed that he can be a clinical finisher whilst also providing a creative presence in the centre-forward position, or out wide on the left.

As you can see in the table above, Igamane outperformed his xG by around three goals and was let down by his teammates in front of goal, as they failed to make the most of the high-quality chances that he created for them.

An xA tally of 4.85 suggests that he should have had way more than one assist in the top-flight, and shows that he has the creativity and quality to open up opposition defences fairly regularly.

Losing Igamane would be a big blow, therefore, for Martin because of his quality in the final third, but the Gers are reportedly keen on a star who could allow the club to sanction an exit before the deadline.

Rangers eyeing move for LaLiga forward

According to the Daily Mail, Glasgow Rangers are lining up a move to bring Girona centre-forward Bojan Miovski to Ibrox before the end of the window.

The report claims that the Macedonia international is out of favour at Girona, 12 months on from his transfer from Aberdeen for a fee of £6.8m, and could be on his way out of the Spanish side in the coming days.

Transfer Focus

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

It adds that Martin is a known admirer of the striker, who he wanted to sign during his time at Swansea and Southampton in Wales and England, and would like to snap him up to bolster his attack at Ibrox.

The Daily Mail reveals that the player and Girona would prefer a permanent deal to allow him to leave, but that Rangers cannot afford a permanent move for the star who cost around £7m last year.

It is said that, therefore, a loan deal for Miovski may be the route the Gers look to go down, and that the player could be tempted by the prospect of a return to Scotland.

Why this could be the end for Hamza Igamane at Rangers

Rangers have played with systems that either have one striker or none in all of their competitive matches so far, something which has been a theme for Martin throughout his career.

In their striker ranks, the Gers currently have Danilo, Cyriel Dessers, and Igamane at their disposal. This suggests that they would not be looking to add another centre-forward to the group unless they thought that one of them would move on.

Given what happened against St Mirren, what Martin said, and the interest in his services, Igamane could be the player who waves bye-bye to Ibrox before the window slams shut in order to open up the space for Miovski to join.

Losing the Moroccan sensation, as aforementioned, would be a blow to the Gers when taken in isolation, given what he achieved on the pitch in his first year at the club.

The signing of Miovski, a proven performer in the Premiership, would soften that blow because he could come in and hit the ground running as a huge goalscoring threat for Martin.

As you can see in the table above, Miovski was a clinical finisher – taking into account the xG on target versus xG – for Aberdeen on his road to scoring 32 goals in two Premiership seasons.

The left-footed star, who was described as a “complete number 9” by journalist Josh Bunting, only started 12 times in LaLiga for Girona last season, scoring twice, and did not really get a chance to build any rhythm or momentum in his performances.

Miovski is a proven performer in the Premiership, though, and his output for Aberdeen in two of the last three seasons suggests that he has the quality to hit the ground running as a lethal goalscorer for Rangers.

As well as Aarons: Martin must drop Rangers lightweight who lost 100% duels

Russell Martin must drop this Rangers lightweight as well as Max Aarons.

By
Dan Emery

Aug 24, 2025

This is why the club’s interest in the Girona outcast may suggest, along with Sunday’s events, that Igamane could be on his way out of Ibrox before the window shuts, and Miovski could be a dream replacement for him.

Chelsea have ended speculation surrounding Sjoeke Nusken’s future by confirming the Germany international has signed a new contract until 2027. The 24-year-old midfielder, who impressed in her debut season with 12 goals in all competitions, has committed her future to the Blues despite previous hints that she could look to explore options elsewhere.

• Nusken signs new extension with Chelsea

  Nusken has penned a new deal with Chelsea that will keep her at Kingsmeadow until the summer of 2027. The German international joined from Eintracht Frankfurt in 2023 and played a key role as the Blues lifted the WSL title last season.

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  'Very happy' – Nusken opens up on signing new deal

  "I'm very happy to have another year at Chelsea, to stay another year with my team,” Nusken told Chelsea's club media after signing the new deal. “We have a big year coming up, and hopefully, we can achieve the Champions League title. The team is so nice, and I love being here — that’s why I’ve always wanted to stay and win everything we can.”

  She continued: “The song the fans have for me is very special. Since day one, I’ve felt their support, and I try to give everything back that they give to me. As a team, we want to win the Champions League — that’s my personal goal too because we have such quality and can achieve it if we perform right on the pitch.”

• Nusken hinted at Chelsea exit earlier this year

  Just months ago, Nusken hinted that her Chelsea future was uncertain, admitting “a few doors” were open beyond this season. She had told Wa.de that she wanted to see how things developed before deciding whether to stay longer. Now, after a strong debut campaign and with a = growing bond with the club and fans, she’s put those doubts firmly to rest.

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  Nusken wants to help Chelsea finally win the UWCL

  With her future now secure, Nusken will look to build on her breakout debut season as Chelsea chase silverware on multiple fronts. The Blues’ midfield dynamo will play a central role as they target domestic dominance and the elusive Champions League crown. Her commitment also gives new boss Sonia Bompastor a vital cornerstone for the years ahead.

Premier League champions Liverpool have been dealt a blow after centre-back Ibrahima Konate was sent home from the France camp during the international break. Konate was called up by Les Bleus despite being forced off in the 56th minute of the Reds' 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. The Liverpool star made the bench against Azerbaijan but won't travel to Iceland next week.

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  Konate forced off against Chelsea

  Liverpool were already worrying about Konate after he walked straight down the tunnel early in the second half of the 2-1 loss at Chelsea last weekend. With Geovanni Leoni a long-term absentee, Arne Slot opted to replace the Frenchman with Curtis Jones rather than Joe Gomez, which saw midfielder Ryan Gravenberch drop in alongside compatriot Virgil van Dijk at the heart of the defence.

  Even so, Konate linked with the France squad at the start of the week to be assessed by the national team doctors. However, having missed the 3-0 win over Azerbaijan on Friday night, the centre-back has been released back to his club earlier than expected.

  "Ibrahima Konate will not take part in France’s match against Iceland on Monday," a statement read on Liverpool's official website on Saturday.

  "The Liverpool centre-back missed ’ win over Azerbaijan on Friday and it has now been announced that he is not available for their next match in Reykjavik."

  Meanwhile, the official France website released the following on Konate's return to Merseyside: "Injured in the right quadriceps during his last match with Liverpool, Ibrahima Konate has followed a treatment and protocol since his arrival this Monday but will not be able to take his place against Iceland."

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• 'I don't know if it is a big injury'

  After appearing to limp while clutching at his thigh, Liverpool head coach Arne Slot made the decision to withdraw Konate as a precaution early in the second half at Chelsea last weekend. The Dutchman is hopeful that they caught the problem early and that it's nothing serious.

  "I don't know if it is a big injury, but what I do know is he limped a little bit and when I asked him he said he felt his quad a little bit. Then, for me, all alarm bells go off because in another sprint you never know if that is going to go good," Slot said of the decision to sub the centre-back off at Stamford Bridge.

  "It was also already a substitution I had in mind, maybe for a few minutes or a little bit later, because the right centre-back had a lot of ball possession and we needed to create from that position. We all know Ryan [Gravenberch] is quite good in that.

  "It might be OK that he went off early enough but it was clear I had to take him off because he was limping."

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  Konate absence another blow for France

  William Saliba started alongside Dayot Upamecano against Azerbaijan on Friday night and while the duo contained their attacking threat with ease, Konate's absence left Les Bleus at risk of being short of defensive quality for Monday's game against Iceland. As such, Marseille defender Benjamin Pavard has been called up as his replacement.

  However, France's comfortable home win against Azerbaijan came at a cost as captain Kylian Mbappe was forced off late on owing to an ankle injury. Mbappe was already carrying an ankle knock from Real Madrid's victory over Villarreal prior to the international break and walked off the Parc des Princes pitch gingerly, prompting concerns he'd miss the game against Iceland.

  "It's the same ankle he injured. The pain goes away when he rests," Deschamps initially said of the injury. "In a match, contact is inevitable. We will evaluate it. He has concerns that are not ideal for him."

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• Man Utd welcome up next for Liverpool

  Konate may have returned to Liverpool from international duty early but it remains to be seen when he'll next be available for Slot. Liverpool welcome rivals Manchester United in their first game back after the international break.

  The Reds take on Ruben Amorim's side as they look to bounce back following three successive defeats having lost at Crystal Palace and Galatasaray prior to last weekend's loss at Chelsea.

  The 26-year-old, who is out of contract next summer, has started all seven league games to date for the defending champions. Liverpool resume domestic duties one point behind league leaders Arsenal, while Gunners get their title push back underway with a trip to Fulham next weekend.

Virgil van Dijk is one of the best defenders of his generation. The Dutchman has won it all in English football and he has often done so without even breaking a sweat. But that doesn’t mean that he’s breezed through his time at Liverpool without squaring off against some incredibly difficult opponents.

The Premier League took a breath of anticipation when Erling Haaland and Van Dijk found themselves one-on-one at Anfield not so long ago in a battle that ended with the Norwegian’s wayward shot. Meanwhile, Cristiano Ronaldo has never even scored against the towering Liverpool captain and many others have ended afternoons to forget in his ruthless grasp.

Endless players have endured their toughest games against Van Dijk and that includes Manchester United’s Marcus Rashford, who is now on loan at Barcelona. The England international name-dropped his former Premier League rival when asked about the most difficult defender he’s faced.

Whilst so many have struggled to leave their mark against Van Dijk, however, the same can’t be said for Lionel Messi. When an immovable object met an unstoppable force, Van Dijk may have come away with a shock victory courtesy of Liverpool’s dramatic Champions League comeback, but Messi still had his moment at the Nou Camp – scoring twice.

The fact that one of this generation’s greatest defenders could not keep Messi quiet sums up just how other-wordly the Argentine icon is, more than it sums up Van Dijk’s own shortcomings on a difficult evening. But the Dutchman, to his credit, was not fooled twice by Messi’s magic and sent him crashing out of the Champions League in historic fashion in the second leg.

That Nou Camp thrashing courtesy of Messi will be one that Van Dijk remembers even to this day, but it wasn’t enough to make the Barcelona legend his toughest opponent. Instead, the central defender dropped an unexpected name.

Van Dijk names "annoying" Giroud as toughest opponent

Speaking to Gary Neville on The Overlap, Van Dijk named Olivier Giroud as his toughest opponent despite having squared off against the likes of Messi, Ronaldo and Haaland.

The Liverpool captain looked back on the Frenchman’s knack for a goal against the Reds before labeling him an “annoying” striker to play against.

Although Messi seems the obvious choice, the fact that Giroud has scored three goals in five games against Van Dijk throughout his career makes him a worthy candidate for his toughest opponent.

Spain coach Luis de la Fuente has again hit back at Barcelona boss Hansi Flick after the German accused the national team of mismanaging Lamine Yamal’s fitness. The teenager’s groin injury has sparked a public row between club and country, with De la Fuente insisting “everyone is condemned by their actions” as tensions escalate ahead of El Clasico.

• Flick vs De la Fuente: Tensions boil over

  The dispute began when Yamal returned to Barcelona from international duty in September with a groin injury. Flick openly accused Spain of “not taking care of the player”, suggesting that national team staff ignored his condition and overused him despite knowing he was in discomfort. His comments quickly went viral in Spain and Germany.

  La Roja's manager responded strongly during an appearance on , criticising Flick for forgetting his own past as a national team manager. He doubled down, saying: “everyone is condemned by their actions”, suggesting that the 60-year-old should reflect before criticising others.

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  De la Fuente responds to Barcelona boss

  Flick was unable to hide his frustration: "He went to the national team with pain and did not train. They gave him painkillers to play. They had at least a three-goal lead in each match, and he played 73 and 79 minutes, and between matches, he couldn’t train. That’s not taking care of the player. I think the Spanish national team has a great team, the best players in the world, but they haven't looked after their players and I’m very sad about this situation."

  De la Fuente did not hold back when asked about Flick’s criticism, he said: "I didn't understand it, because he was also a national team coach. In the end, everyone is condemned by their actions. I also sometimes don't understand the clubs' position. All footballers want to be in the national team.

  "There's a schedule where you know the number of matches you're going to be able to play. What's not fair is complaining in November and then saying everything's fine when the year starts again. There are a lot of matches, and for footballers, that's a challenge."

• Records, pressure and Spain’s 2026 World Cup dream

  Away from the drama, Spain are on the verge of history. Their 4-0 win over Bulgaria saw them equal the legendary 29-match unbeaten run under Vicente del Bosque. Their last defeat came in 2023 to Scotland. Since then, they’ve gone unbeaten through Euro 2024 and World Cup qualifying.

  They now chase a 30th game unbeaten when they face Georgia, led by Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. Victory would edge Spain closer to sealing automatic qualification for the 2026 World Cup in the USA, Canada and Mexico.

  Spain are among the favourites heading into that tournament, De la Fuente said: "We're going to be fighting for a very beautiful dream. I think success isn't just about achieving it; the most beautiful thing is the process, the journey."

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  Yamal’s response is on the pitch

  Despite the noise, Yamal has let his football speak. After returning from his groin injury, he assisted Pedri in Barcelona’s late win over Girona and played 60 minutes before being subbed off. In the Champions League, he started against Olympiacos and was outstanding, assisting Fermin Lopez’s opener before scoring a penalty in a 6-1 thrashing. It was a reminder of just how crucial he already is at 18 years old for the Catalan giants.

  Yamal now prepares for the ultimate test – away at the Santiago Bernabeu in El Clasico. He scored in his last visit during Barca’s 4-0 win and will be expected to deliver again with Barcelona still battling injuries to key attackers.