49 h. ago Xabi Alonso relishes value of Valverde – with idol Gerrard his role model

Real Madrid head coach likens unfettered midfielder to former Liverpool teammate after Club World Cup heroicsFede Valverde once said that he could spend all day watching Steven Gerrard play; his coach sometimes feels like he still is, and no one is better placed to see it or make it so. Xabi Alonso had been in charge at Real Madrid for just two games when he said that the Uruguayan reminded him of his former partner in the Liverpool midfield. “ I haven’t seen many players with his physical performance,” he said. “I’m very happy to be coaching him. Every manager would like a Valverde on the team.”Coming from Alonso, it was quite the compliment. There was always something special between him and the Liverpool captain. Gerrard described the Spaniard as “pure quality, a class act on the pitch and a gentlemen off it,” and was “devastated” at his departure, writing: “I missed you every day from the moment you left.” Alonso said that Gerrard was the better player, the man with whom he won ...

Politics

69 h. ago Wimbledon 2025 order of play: Day four schedule with Novak Djokovic and Jack Draper in action

British No 1 Draper plays Marin Cilic on Court 1 while his Davis Cup teammate Dan Evans faces Novak Djokovic on Centre Court

Events

2 w. ago Gennaro Gattuso seeks ‘family’ ethos in bid to avoid World Cup unthinkable

Hero of 2006 World Cup was second choice behind Claudio Ranieri and has not had a successful career as managerGennaro Gattuso said all the things he was expected to say at his first appearance as Italy manager. He talked about the need to restore enthusiasm to an Azzurri side whose morale has been dented by recent setbacks, as well as that sense of shared purpose that bonded him to teammates in the World Cup-winning side of 2006.The word he kept coming back to was “family”, insisting: “That’s the most important thing, more than tactics or formations.” His is not a vision of paternalistic authority but of a group close enough to speak hard truths to each other’s faces. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago Mehdi Taremi to miss Club World Cup after Israeli strikes close Iran’s airports

Iranian forward remains in Tehran due to closed airspaceInter to start Club World Cup campaign on WednesdayThe Inter forward Mehdi Taremi will not be able to join his teammates at the Club World Cup in the United States as he is stuck in Tehran because of the escalating conflict between Iran and Israel.Flights from all Iranian airports have been grounded after an exchange of military strikes between Iran and Israel over the past two days. That meant the Iran international was unable to take his scheduled flight on Saturday to join his teammates in Los Angeles. Continue reading...

Politics

2 w. ago The Tijjani Reijnders trait that could help transform Man City midfield

Tijjani Reijnders is set to make his Manchester City debut during the Club World Cup and one of his teammates is already excited at what he will bring.

Politics

3 w. ago England navigate elite demands in bid to retain European Under

Lee Carsley’s new generation can seize the narrative in Slovakia in the face of the Club World Cup hubbubIt summed up the lot of an England Under-21s manager when Liam Delap confirmed he would compete for his new club, Chelsea, this summer rather than join his international teammates in Slovakia. The Club World Cup has provided a fresh headache for Lee Carsley, a further example of the barrelling dominance with which elite club football overcomes its alternatives. Something special may be required over the next two and a half weeks if his team are going to make any impression on the public consciousness.Fortunately, England and Carsley have a record of producing exactly that. They kick off their Uefa Under-21 Championship campaign as the title holders and, if anyone needs enthusing, a look back at their win against Spain in the final two years ago should have the right effect. James Trafford’s last‑minute penalty save in Batumi was a genuinely thrilling moment that broke 39&nbs...

Politics

3 w. ago US Open tee times: Thursday and Friday pairings as Rory McIlroy drawn with Ryder Cup teammates

McIlroy challenges Scottie Scheffler and Bryson DeChambeau with a difficult test awaiting the world’s best players at Oakmont Country Club

Politics