Tottenham manager Thomas Frank has offered his thoughts on Xavi Simons and his performances in training, while addressing the decision to bench him in Spurs’ last four matches.

Thomas Frank set for Brentford reunion amid poor Spurs run

Spurs welcome Brentford to north London on Saturday, desperately needing to end a dismal run that has seen them plummet to 11th in the Premier League table with just 19 points from 14 games.

Frank’s side approach this clash winless in their last five league outings, including three defeats.

Cristian Romero’s dramatic late overhead kick salvaged a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their last match, with a controversial VAR penalty to Newcastle denying them all three points.

Their home form has completely collapsed too, with the club now going six consecutive league matches at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium without a single victory.

16. Burnley

2

1

4

7

-2

17. Nottingham Forest

2

1

4

7

-5

18. West Ham

2

0

5

6

-9

19. Tottenham

1

2

4

5

-1

20. Wolves

0

1

6

1

-11

That shocking run includes 10 home defeats throughout the entire calendar year of 2025, matching the club’s worst-ever records for home losses in a single year.

Most concerning was their last appearance on home soil, where Fulham raced into a two-goal lead within the opening six minutes before securing a 2-1 victory.

The final whistle brought a cacophony of boos ringing around the stadium, aimed squarely at Frank and his struggling squad.

The ghosts of their 4-1 capitulation at Arsenal last month continue to haunt the team. During that humbling derby defeat, Tottenham managed an expected goals figure of just 0.07, one of their lowest outputs this season, highlighting their serious lack of creativity which has become a concern.

Injury problems compound Frank’s difficulties.

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Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski remain sidelined, robbing Spurs of crucial attacking impetus, with James Maddison not expected back until the new year. Meanwhile, Yves Bissouma also has no set return date yet.

The Lilywhites really need Simons to step up right now after his marquee £55 million move from RB Leipzig, but the Dutchman has scarcely been given a chance lately.

Simons’ highlights in a Spurs jersey are few and far between, with the ex-PSG sensation putting in a Player of the Match display against FC Copenhagen in the Champions League and notching an assist against West Ham way back in September.

That is, however, the sum of his contribution this season, with the ex-Eredivisie starlet attracting criticism.

Thomas Frank makes Xavi Simons training claim in response to Tottenham snubs

Simons could end up costing the club £125 million when factoring in wages, agent’s fees and other add-ons over a potential seven-year contract, but to be fair to him, it’s hard to justify that price with limited game time.

Speaking in his latest press conference, Frank addressed why he hasn’t been starting for Simons for Tottenham lately — claiming it is down to a matter of form with alternatives and different personnel for contrasting matches.

The Dane also shared how Simons has been impressing in Tottenham training lately, so it is absolutely not a question of work ethic.

With the pressure on Simons to perform, Saturday sets the perfect stage, and he could become a hero by helping to arrest the club’s barren home form through a convincing display against Frank’s former club.

When Arne Slot spoke in his pre-match press conference ahead of Liverpool’s trip to Elland Road to face Leeds United, it was pretty sobering for the head coach to suggest that the focus is on securing a place in next year’s Champions League proper, and not battling to defend their hard-won Premier League title.

Slot’s right, of course, with Liverpool so far removed from last year’s indomitable success that talk of mounting a challenge against high-flying Arsenal would be scoffed at by even the most ardent supporters.

Among Liverpool’s biggest problems this season has been a struggle in the build-up, especially on the right side. Trent Alexander-Arnold’s absence is keenly felt, and sporting director Richard Hughes is looking to replace the former vice-captain’s creativity.

Liverpool looking to replace Alexander-Arnold

Liverpool have technically replaced Alexander-Arnold already, signing Jeremie Frimpong for £29.5m this summer. However, neither Frimpong or Conor Bradley boast the same playmaking ability as the 27-year-old, who plies his craft for Real Madrid after leaving Anfield at the end of his contract in June.

The £116m signing of Florian Wirtz was meant to help the passing of the creative torch, but Wirtz’s struggles have been well-documented this season, and, as analyst Raj Chohan puts it, “the build-up combination is horrible” on Liverpool’s right-hand side this season.

Those around him know Wirtz has world-class potential in the Premier League and could become a superstar playmaker, a poster boy. However, he doesn’t really operate down the right lane, and this is where Slot and Hughes need to fix Liverpool’s progressive passing.

Perhaps that’s why FSG are showing an interest in signing Bayern Munich winger Michael Olise, having shortlisted the France international this week, according to German outlet BILD.

Olise, 23, has only gone from strength to strength since swapping Crystal Palace for the Allianz Arena in 2024, and if Liverpool want to secure his signature, ostensibly as Mohamed Salah’s long-term replacement, they will need to pay over £100m.

BILD believe that Liverpool have placed Olise back onto their shortlist despite Bayern’s not-for-sale stance.

What Olise would bring to Liverpool

Alexander-Arnold’s influence at Liverpool cannot be understated. Quite simply, he is a one-of-a-kind type of player, and his departure to Santiago Bernabeu was always going to be more than just a blow to the Anfield side’s pride.

All-time Most PL Assists by a Defender
Rank	Player	Assists
1	Trent Alexander-Arnold	64
2	Andy Robertson	60
3	Leighton Baines	53
4	Graeme Le Saux	44
5	Kieran Trippier	38
Stats via Premier League

Olise might not be a right-back, but he would prove the perfect Salah replacement at right wing in that he would not try to mimic the Egyptian’s clinical output, and instead bring his own flavour to Merseyside.

At Bayern, the former Palace star has posted 29 goals and 34 assists across 76 matches. He is regarded as “one of the best players in the world” by teammate Serge Gnabry.

Physical and athletic, Olise is also near matchless when it comes to creating for his peers, setting up passing patterns and adding pressure in the final third with unplayable passing.

As per FBref, he ranks among the top 1% of attacking midfielders and wingers across Europe’s top five leagues over the past year for assists and shot-creating actions, the top 4% for progressive passes, the top 12% for progressive carries and the top 5% for successful take-ons per 90.

That is not to say he’s a one-trick pony, with fearsome ball-striking qualities that the Premier League’s many defenders and goalkeepers know only too well.

He has proven himself to be a superstar in the English game, and since levelling up in Germany, Olise has fostered the playmaking brilliance that would see him reinvent Slot’s right flank and rekindle the presence of Trent at Anfield.

Huge Gakpo upgrade: £70m "superstar" now keen to join Liverpool in January

Arne Slot’s Liverpool frontline is not quite right this season.

1

By
Angus Sinclair

Dec 5, 2025

MatériaMais Notícias

Eleito melhor em campo na vitória do Flamengo sobre o Pyramids neste sábado (13), Jorge Carrascal afirmou que a equipe soube explorar os pontos frágeis do adversário. Ele destacou a bola parada como fator decisivo para o título da Copa Challenger, semifinal da Copa Intercontinental.

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➡️ Veja os gols de Flamengo x Pyramids: Léo Pereira e Danilo marcam de cabeça

O meio-campista ressaltou o grau de dificuldade do confronto e lembrou que o adversário chegou à partida como atual campeão africano. Segundo Carrascal, o Flamengo entrou em campo ciente do desafio, manteve a concentração ao longo do jogo e conseguiu construir a vitória a partir do esforço coletivo, mesmo em um duelo considerado físico e equilibrado em vários momentos.

— Sim, sabemos que seria um jogo duro, um jogo complicado. Não existem partidas fáceis. Eles são os campeões da África, então o time entrou com essa confiança, com essa energia. A verdade é que conseguimos encontrar os pontos fracos deles. Hoje conseguimos vencer com a bola parada, algo que às vezes acontece no jogo, e acredito que a equipe fez um grande esforço, deu o máximo para vencer essa semifinal — declarou o colombiano ao “Sportv”.

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Com o resultado, o Rubro-Negro garantiu vaga na final do torneio e vai enfrentar o PSG na quarta-feira (17), em Doha, no Catar.

— Agora é hora de se recuperar. Sabemos que vem um jogo muito bonito, que envolve muitas emoções, porque vamos enfrentar uma grande equipe, e nós também somos uma grande equipe. Então, o momento agora é descansar, relaxar a mente e se preparar para essa partida — completou Carrascal.

Ainda projetando a decisão contra o PSG, o camisa 15 evitou declarar o adversário como favorito. O jogador destacou o momento vivido pelo elenco rubro-negro e disse que a equipe chega confiante para a final, após a sequência de resultados positivos no torneio.

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— Acho que isso é algo que se resolve dentro de campo. Em cada disputa, em cada bola, aparece quem tem mais energia, e tudo se decide ali, dentro do jogo. Eles são uma grande equipe, um time grande, e nós também somos um time grande. Chegamos com confiança, com alegria por tudo o que estamos vivendo. A verdade é que estamos vivendo um momento muito bom — concluiu.

📲Tudo sobre o Mengão agora no WhatsApp. Siga o nosso novo canal Lance! Flamengo

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Copa IntercontinentalFlamengoPSG

Nottinghamshire head coach favourite to step up, with Adam Voges in talks to join as assistant

Matt Roller10-Nov-2025

Nottinghamshire’s Peter Moores is also coach of Melbourne Stars in the BBL•Getty Images

Peter Moores is in line to become men’s head coach at Trent Rockets in the Hundred, with Adam Voges in talks to join the franchise as his assistant.Andy Flower had coached Rockets’ men since the Hundred’s first season but left his role to take up a lucrative job offer from London Spirit. Andrew Flintoff and Stephen Fleming were both candidates to take over from him, but ESPNcricinfo has learned that Moores is now the favourite to take charge in 2026, adding to his role as Nottinghamshire’s head coach.Rockets are operating under new ownership, after private equity firms Cain and Ares bought a 49% stake earlier this year. They will run the franchise jointly with host county Notts, who will retain operational control as majority shareholders, and confirmed Chris Read’s appointment as women’s head coach on Thursday.Moores spent this season – in which Rockets were losing finalists – working as one of Flower’s assistants, and recently signed a three-year contract extension with Notts. He has previous experience in franchise cricket with Melbourne Stars and Karachi Kings, and oversaw Notts’ County Championship triumph last season.Related

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Voges has not previously worked in the Hundred but has established himself as a highly-rated coach after success with Western Australia and Perth Scorchers. He has a long-standing connection with Nottinghamshire, spending five years as one of their overseas players from 2008-12, and has also worked as an assistant coach for Lucknow Super Giants in the IPL.Three men’s coaches for the Hundred’s 2026 season have been publicly confirmed: Flower (Spirit), Mike Hussey (Welsh Fire) and Shane Bond (Birmingham Phoenix), with Daniel Vettori set to join the newly-renamed Sunrisers Leeds.Justin Langer is a potential contender to take charge at Manchester Originals (soon to become Super Giants) after he left Spirit, with Tom Moody becoming the franchise’s global director of cricket. Simon Katich has coached Originals’ men since inception.Southern Brave are yet to confirm a successor to Adi Birrell, with Delhi Capitals head coach Hemang Badani believed to be a contender for the role, while defending champions Oval Invincibles (who will become MI London shortly) are also on the hunt for a new men’s coach after Moody’s departure.Surrey’s deal with Reliance Industries Limited to become co-owners of the Invincibles franchise is the only outstanding paperwork in the Hundred’s privatisation process. It has still not been officially completed, but an announcement is anticipated shortly.

Further work required, particularly at senior leadership levels, according to Sport Structures report

ESPNcricinfo staff13-Nov-2025A new independent assessment of cricket in England and Wales says that “genuine progress” has been made in the sport’s bid to address its long-standing issues of inclusion and equity – but adds that further work is needed in several areas, including at senior leadership level.The State of Equity in Cricket Report, published by Sport Structures, had been commissioned by the ECB as a follow-up to the damning 2023 report by the Independent Commission for Equity in Cricket (ICEC), which found that racism, classism, sexism and elitism were “widespread” in the sport.That original report had concluded with 44 recommendations to the ECB, one of which was to publish a “full State of Equity Report every three years”. This latest document, 53 pages long, has been delivered a year ahead of schedule, with Richard Gould, the ECB chief executive, stating that it was intended to “hold us to account” as cricket seeks to become the most inclusive team sport in England and Wales.”Cricket is not yet where it aspires to be, but the tone has changed,” Kate Percival, Sport Structures’ CEO, said in a statement. “Inclusion is now seen as central to the game’s health and future.”The report outlined several “notable areas of progress”, including improved access to talent pathways, and a doubling of the number of women’s and girl’s teams since 2021, backed up by significant increases in the number of professional women’s players and their pay.The establishment of a new independent Cricket Regulator, ring-fenced from the rest of the ECB, was also noted in the report, along with a £50 million investment in facilities since 2023, particularly in urban areas including two all-weather cricket domes in Bradford and Darwen.However, despite improved representation at board level – with female non-executives at 37% compared to 11% in 2019, and 18% ethnically diverse non-executives compared to 5% in 2019 – the report stated that “further action” was required at senior level, with a particular lack of Black representation.Dame Sarah Storey is the only female chair at a first-class county•Lancashire CCCDame Sarah Storey, who is currently interim chair at Lancashire, remains the only female chair at any of the 18 first-class counties, while the resignation of Essex chair Anu Mohindru – who was found to have lied on his CV – means the ethnic diversity among county chairs and chief executives remains at 6%.Coaching course data showed that more diversity is required in the Specialist programme which feeds the professional game, while Disability cricket requires “deeper integration” within county and club systems. The recreational game, meanwhile, requires further “capacity and expertise” to deal with discrimination issues, although a newly-formed Recreational Discipline Panel of independent experts is in place to hear the most serious and complex cases.”The State of Equity in Cricket Report holds us to account in relation to our ambitions to become the most inclusive team sport,” Gould said. “It shows us some areas of excellent work and progress, as well as where we need to go further.”The extensive work to open up the talent pathway to young people from every background is a great example of the changes that can be made when cricketing organisations join forces to break down barriers and deliver systemic change.”We know there is still a great deal of work to do, and a number of areas where more action is needed to address structural issues. We said from the start there could be no quick fix, but we committed to delivering meaningful and lasting change, and that will remain our absolute focus in the months and years ahead as we build on the progress we are setting out today.”

Matt Renshaw’s golden summer continued with a magnificent 112 in front of Australia selector Tony Dodemaide at the Gabba.His innings drove Queensland to 352 for 7 at stumps on day two of the top-of-the-table Sheffield Shield clash after Victoria had declared late on the opening day.Renshaw had made scores of 128, 29, 101 and 51 in the Shield before Sunday’s knock. He also had a consistent ODI series against India which included an accomplished 56 in Sydney.Related

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Runs are runs and Renshaw has filled his cup with them. The 29-year-old doesn’t have to do anything more to convince Australia selectors that he is ready for a return to the Test arena. All he needs is an opportunity.”I’m just keeping it really simple and having a lot of fun out there and having good intent,” Renshaw told AAP. “It’s been a good start and hopefully it amounts to something at the end of March. I will keep trying to put in performances to help win games for Queensland. I’m just concentrating on what I can control and that is trying to do my job for the team.”There is doubt over who will open in the second Test of the Ashes series at the Gabba, which starts on Thursday-week.Usman Khawaja’s back spasms in the first Test have put him in some doubt while Travis Head’s blistering century as opener has also put him in the frame to stay at the top of the order alongside Perth debutant Jake Weatherald.Renshaw now has 421 Shield runs for the summer, putting him on top of the aggregate list with 19 runs more than Marnus Labuschagne.He was patient early in his innings against Victoria before finding a more aggressive tempo and his drives down the ground were exquisite. Once Renshaw reached his half-century the runs started to flow all around the ground.He brought up his century with a controlled cut for three off spinner Todd Murphy. A healthy contingent at the Vulture St end of the ground gave him a rapturous reception, realising what a vital innings it was in the context of the summer.His stay ended when he nicked a delivery that just moved away from Fergus O’Neill, who toiled manfully all day with his tight lines.Renshaw received solid support from Angus Lovell in an 88-run opening stand and Hugh Weibgen.Former Australia Under-19 captain Weibgen, playing his second Shield match, looks a promising prospect with his classy strokeplay and composure. The tall 21-year-old will play for the Prime Minister’s XI against an England XI in a two-day, pink-ball match that starts on November 29 in Canberra.He was caught in a juggling effort by Mitchell Perry trying to loft Murphy over the long-on boundary.Lachie Hearne (47) continued the momentum until he was brilliantly caught on the deep midwicket boundary by Campbell Kellaway.

Aurelio De Laurentiis has launched a passionate defence of Jose Mourinho following Napoli's Champions League defeat to Benfica. The Napoli president slammed critics who believe the Portuguese tactician is 'finished', claiming that European football culture seeks to 'bury' winners out of envy, whereas they would be celebrated as icons in the United States.

De Laurentiis defends the Special One

Napoli's hopes of securing automatic qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League suffered a significant blow this week as they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Benfica. The result has complicated the Italian side's path to the last 16, forcing them into a precarious position heading into the final matchdays of the league phase. However, rather than criticising his own players or manager Conte, De Laurentiis chose to heap praise on the architect of his team's downfall.

Speaking at the Gazzetta dello Sport Awards, the Napoli president insisted that losing to a team managed by Mourinho should not be seen as a disaster. De Laurentiis has long been an admirer of the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss, and he used the platform to fire back at pundits and fans who argue that the 62-year-old's powers are waning.

"We can't expect to win every game, also because Mourinho isn't simple to beat," De Laurentiis stated. "Who thinks he is finished says the usual nastiness that is poured against winners."

AdvertisementGetty Images SportMourinho 'buried by envy' in Europe

De Laurentiis went further, offering a cultural critique of how European football treats its aging legends compared to American sports. The film mogul, who spends significant time in the United States, believes there is a toxic culture of "envy" in Europe that seeks to tear down successful figures once they show signs of vulnerability.

He contrasted the treatment of Mourinho—who has faced intense scrutiny regarding his tactical approach and sideline antics in recent years – with the reverence shown to veteran coaches and athletes across the Atlantic.

"In America, the greats are held in the palm of a hand," De Laurentiis argued. "In Europe, they are buried by envy."

War of words

After Benfica's Champions League win against the Italian club in midweek, a spiky exchange unfolded when Conte blamed his side's sluggish performance on a congested schedule, noting Benfica had played on Friday while Napoli played Sunday.

"Saying Benfica were fresher physically feels like an excuse," Mourinho responded bluntly. "We interpreted the game well, I decided to play [Franjo] Ivanovic rather than [Vangelis] Pavlidis upfront and that changed the way we attack."

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AFPBenfica complicate Napoli's path

While De Laurentiis was gracious in defeat, the reality on the pitch is stark for Napoli. The loss to Benfica means Conte's side have little margin for error in their remaining European fixtures. The Partenopei have underwhelmed in the competition this season, registering just two wins from six matches. That record leaves them 23rd in the table and in danger of falling out of the competition if they stumble in their final two matches against Copenhagen and Chelsea in January. Having seen their winning run come to an end at five games this week, Napoli must now regroup quickly as they return to Serie A duties with an away game against Udinese on Sunday. They are second in the table, sitting level on points with AC Milan, who have a slightly superior goal difference. Meanwhile, Inter sit just a point behind while Roma have dropped to four behind after losing two games in a row.

Benfica, meanwhile, are in an even more difficult position. A point worse off than Napoli, they sit just outside of the play-off places in the Champions League after a hopeless start in which they lost their first four matches. They cannot afford to slip up when they head to Italy to face Juventus in January before rounding off the round with a home game against Real Madrid. Their domestic situation could be better, too, as they trail Liga Portugal leaders Porto by eight points after 13 games.

The New York Yankees are in a rut. After Saturday's 12-6 loss to the New York Mets the pinstripes have lost six straight games, including one sweep at the hands of the Toronto Blue Jays to lose their AL East lead. Sunday will bring an opportunity to snap the losing streak and avoid a Subway Series sweep.

After Saturday's loss reigning AL MVP Aaron Judge (who got beaned in the head by a teammate during the defeat) was asked by a reporter if the string of losses was having an impact on the locker room. He offered one blunt word in response: "No."

The Yankees started out the season strong but the last few weeks have been brutal for everybody. Judge has performed decently but has also obviously come back down to earth after a ridiculous start to the year. Through June 1 the MVP slugger was hitting .391 from the plate and mashed 21 home runs to go with 50 RBI. Since then, however, Judge has "only" hit 11 dingers and driven in 21 runs while batting .299. His production going from historic to merely very good has resulted in a much slimmer margin of error for New York and the consequences of that have been especially harsh lately.

The MLB season is long and it's important for locker rooms to stay steady throughout the peaks and valleys. Judge clearly believes his team is doing that right now despite the demoralizing stretch.

Barcelona legend Gerard Pique has singled out Marcus Rashford as the biggest surprise in La Liga so far this season following his move from Manchester United, though the former defender admitted that Real Madrid superstar Kylian Mbappe is currently operating "on another level" compared to the rest of the competition. The Frenchman has made a blistering start to the campaign in Spain, averaging a goal a game for Xabi Alonso's team.

• Mbappe and Rashford in fine form this season

  The current La Liga campaign has been defined by a fascinating battle between established superstars and fresh faces looking to make their mark. While Kylian Mbappe is now firmly entrenched as the face of Madrid following his move in 2024, the arrival of Rashford in Catalonia this summer has added a new dynamic to the title race.

  The England international joined Hansi Flick's side on a season-long loan from Manchester United in July, looking to revitalise a career that had stalled at Old Trafford. His impact has been immediate, with his pace and direct running providing Barcelona with a different dimension in attack as well as six goals – two in La Liga and four in the Champions League. It is a transformation that has caught the eye of Pique, who knows exactly what it takes to succeed in Catalonia.

  Speaking in an interview with , the former Barcelona captain was asked to identify the players who have impressed him most this term. Pique wasted no time in highlighting the English forward's seamless adaptation to Spanish football.

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• AFP
  

  Barcelona legend hails English forward

  Asked who has surprised him most this season, Pique picked the 28-year-old Englishman, saying: "Rashford. I think he had a very good start, now let's see how he continues. He scored two goals in the match against Newcastle, he has contributed and helped a lot since the beginning."

  However, despite his allegiance to the Blaugrana, Pique could not ignore the elephant in the room. When discussing the absolute elite performers in the league, he conceded that Real Madrid's number nine sits alone at the top of the mountain. After all, the Frenchman won the league's top scorer prize on his debut season and has followed that up with a whopping 16 goals in as many La Liga games this term, despite Madrid struggling for consistency and falling behind Barcelona in the top-flight. He has also netted an incredible nine in just five Champions League matches.

  "Also Mbappe, he is on another level and not just in goals, but also in how he looks," Pique admitted. "I think he is sharper than ever."

  The former defender also tipped his cap to rivals Atletico Madrid, noting the contributions of their Argentine contingent. "Looking at other teams, in Atletico you have Giuliano Simeone, who is doing very well, Julian [Alvarez], who is a differential player," he added. "I think in La Liga there has not been any big surprise and that everything is being quite expected."

• Rashford's Spanish renaissance

  Pique’s comments validate what has been a rejuvenating few months for Rashford. There were significant doubts over whether the 28-year-old could adapt to the technical demands of La Liga, but he has answered his critics emphatically. Pique highlighted his pivotal Champions League performance earlier against Newcastle, in which he scored twice to seal a 2-1 win. He has also provided six assists in the domestic competition and a further one in Europe.

  For a player who looked lost at United under Ruben Amorim, Rashford has found a new lease of life under Flick. His versatility across the front line has been crucial for Barcelona, allowing them to rotate Lamine Yamal and Robert Lewandowski without a drop in quality.

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• Getty Images Sport
  

  Mbappe the benchmark

  While Rashford has been a pleasant surprise, Mbappe has been an inevitability. Now fully settled in his second season in Madrid, the Frenchman has evolved into the complete leader of the Los Blancos attack.

  Pique’s observation that he looks "sharper than ever" is a frightening prospect for defences across Europe. Having already lifted the Champions League in his debut season, Mbappe appears determined to chase down individual records this term. His dominance is such that even the staunchest Barcelona icons are forced to acknowledge his supremacy.

  For Rashford, the challenge is now consistency. As Pique noted, "let's see how he continues." With reports suggesting Barcelona have a purchase option in the region of €30 million for next summer, the Englishman is effectively playing for his long-term future. A strong second half of the season could seal a permanent exit from Old Trafford.

  Meanwhile, Mbappe and Real Madrid face a defining week with a Champions League clash against Manchester City. With the team suffering from a defensive injury crisis, the onus will once again be on their French superstar to provide the "differential" quality Pique so admires.

With the Minnesota Twins entering the All-Star break at 47-49 and in second place in the AL Central, there's reason to believe they'll decide against trying to contend for a title this season and instead look to trade away some pieces at the month's end.

One player who would certainly draw plenty of interest from teams across the league is superstar center fielder Byron Buxton, who is making his second All-Star appearance Tuesday night. Buxton issued a hands-off warning to teams that may be looking to inquire about his availability, however, kindly reminding everyone that he has a no-trade clause in his contract and he'd be more than willing to block any potential trades.

"I can't be traded. I gotta no-trade clause. I'm a Minnesota Twin for the rest of my life. So that's the best feeling in the world, knowing I get to walk into a clubhouse and it's going to say ‘Twins’ for the rest of my life," Buxton said while addressing the media at Monday's Home Run Derby.

Buxton made clear he doesn't pay any mind to the rumors that may come up involving his future in Minnesota, because as far as he's concerned, that's where his future will be.

Buxton, 31, is under contract through the 2028 season and is making $15.14 million per year. He'll be an unrestricted free agent in 2029, though he's made clear that he wants to remain with the Twins for the remainder of his career.