Glasgow Rangers progressed through to the next round of qualifying for the league phase of the Champions League with an aggregate win over Panathinaikos earlier this week.

The Light Blues won 2-0 in the first leg at Ibrox last week before they travelled to Greece to secure a 1-1 draw, winning the tie 3-1 on aggregate to book a meeting with Viktoria Plzen later this month.

Djeidi Gassama scored in both legs, firing in the equaliser on Wednesday night, and has made an incredibly impressive start to life with the Scottish Premiership giants.

Not all of the club’s new signings have hit the ground running under Russell Martin, though, as Thelo Aasgaard has been missing through injury and Emmanuel Fernandez is yet to feature.

Joe Rothwell has provided a calming and assured presence at the base of the midfield for the Gers, having signed from Bournemouth on a permanent deal, but the club’s other signing from the Cherries has not had as much luck.

Martin brought Aarons, whom he trained with as a player during their time together at Norwich City, on loan from the Premier League side and has played him at left-back in the last two games.

How the Max Aarons experiment has gone

It is fair to say that the English defender has looked uncomfortable in his first two competitive outings in a Rangers shirt, playing on the opposite side to the one he is used to playing.

Aarons had only started nine times as a left-back in his club career, including youth level, before the two games against Panathinaikos, compared to 258 starts as a right-back, and his lack of experience in that role was evident in his performances.

All too often, the former Norwich defender seemed confused as to where to position himself or how to shape his body to defend balls over the top or through balls to stop wingers from getting in behind, or to stop players from taking the ball off him.

It was almost very costly in the second leg when he failed to deal with a through ball and fell over trying to shield it from the attacker, but he was bailed out by a brilliant one-versus-one save by Jack Butland.

As you can see in the table above, Jefte offered more in 17 minutes, as a naturally left-footed player, than Aarons did in 90 minutes in Greece on Wednesday night, as he attempted more crosses and made more tackles and interceptions combined.

The Brazilian’s cameo highlighted the benefits of having a left-footed left-back who is comfortable in that role, which is why the Aarons experiment could be ended by the club’s interest in another left-back.

Rangers in the race to sign new left-back

According to Foot Mercato, Rangers are one of a number of sides eyeing up a potential deal to sign AS Monaco full-back Kassoum Ouattara this summer.

The report claims that the Light Blues have made contact with the player’s representatives to discuss a potential transfer to Ibrox, but they are not the only team to have done that.

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Celtic, Augsburg, Toulouse, PSV, and Metz have all also had a touchpoint with his agent, as they all compete to land his signature for the 2025/26 campaign, and potentially beyond.

Foot Mercato adds that Monaco are not looking to loan the defender out, though, as they would prefer to cash in on the player to sell him permanently.

However, the report does not state how much they would want in return, or whether or not Rangers would be willing to do a permanent deal for him.

Why Rangers should sign Kassoum Ouattara

The Scottish giants should push to win the race for the 20-year-old left-back in the coming days and weeks because he would end the Max Aarons experiment.

Ouattara is a naturally left-footed left-back who could slot into the side on the left to compete with Jefte for a starting spot, allowing the English full-back to compete with James Tavernier at right-back.

This would mean that Martin would not have to play Aarons out of position, to the detriment of the team, on his weaker foot, as he would have another potentially quality option to call upon on the left flank.

Ouattara, who scored against Torino in pre-season earlier this week, is still finding his way in first-team football, at the age of 20, but he has shown a lot of promise in his short career to date.

The France U20 international played 12 times and started five matches in Ligue 1 for Monaco in the 2024/25 campaign, and caught the eye with his attacking contributions, as he is a left-footed player who can bomb on down the left to create chances for his side.

As you can see in the table above, Ouatarra thrived as an attacking force down the left flank for Monaco in the French top-flight, ranking highly among his positional peers in a host of creative statistics.

This suggests that he has the potential to be a huge offensive weapon for Martin on the left if he hands him the chance to play regular first-team football, starting week-in-week-out in the Premiership.

Ouatarra, who has been described as a “very offensive” full-back by writer Kai Watson, also showcased the defensive side of his game in Ligue 2 with Amiens in the 2023/24 campaign.

The 20-year-old talent averaged 3.3 tackles and interceptions per game, whilst Aarons made just one on Wednesday night, and helped his team keep four clean sheets in ten appearances in the division.

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These statistics suggest that he has the potential to be a well-rounded left-back who can offer quality offensively and defensively, which is why Ouattara could come in to end the Aarons experiment by arriving as a starting-calibre, natural, left-back option for the manager.

أعلن الموقع الرسمي لنادي ليفربول عن قائمة الأهداف المرشحة للفوز بجائزة هدف الشهر خلال شهر سبتمبر الماضي.

ونشر الموقع الرسمي لنادي ليفربول: “حان وقت التصويت لهدف ليفربول المفضل لشهر سبتمبر”.

وقد تم اختيار قائمة مختصرة تضم 12 هدفًا من فرق الرجال والسيدات والأكاديميات لإجراء تصويت عليها من جانب مشجعي ليفربول واختيار الهدف الأفضل.

اقرأ أيضاً.. يعادل محمد صلاح.. ثنائية هالاند تطارد الهدافين التاريخيين لدوري أبطال أوروبا 

12 🔝 contenders 😍

It’s time to cast your vote for our @EASPORTSFC Goal of the Month for September 🗳️ #Ad — Liverpool FC (@LFC) October 2, 2025

ويدخل محمد صلاح وكريم أحمد ضمن قائمة الأهداف المتنافسة على جائزة هدف الشهر مع ليفربول، حيث ينافس صلاح بهدفه ضد أتلتيكو مدريد في دوري أبطال أوروبا.

ويعد كريم أحمد النجم المصري الشاب من بين المرشحين للفوز بجائزة هدف الشهر بالهدف الذي سجله ضد جالطة سراي في دوري أبطال أوروبا للشباب.

ويتنافس أيضاً على الجائزة هوجو إيكتيكي بهدفين ضد ساوثهامبتون وإيفرتون، وينافس ألكسندر إيزاك بهدفه ضد ساوثهامبتون، وتأتي رأسية فيرجيل فان دايك ضد أتلتيكو مدريد من ضمن الأهداف المرشحة للفوز بجائزة هدف الشهر بجانب هدف ريان جرافنبيرخ ضد إيفرتون والذي يتصدر التصويت حالياً بنسبة 60%.

Family reunions in New Zealand help England captain find his equilibrium after turbulent month

Vithushan Ehantharajah26-Nov-2024Since Ben Stokes became Test captain in 2022, he has made a note of addressing his England squad ahead of each series.His first that summer was an array of individual chats which took place St George’s Park, England’s national football centre, where the team had gathered for medical screenings, outlining his vision. Ever since, they have taken the form of speeches to the whole group – usually a refresher on the values and ethos that have been cultivated (and challenged) over the last two years.This time, however, Stokes took a different tack. With the team congregating in Queenstown ahead of Thursday’s series opener against New Zealand at the Hagley Oval, the captain stood up and, in his words, “cleared the air with the lads”.Perhaps for the first time, it was more for him than them. Stokes wanted to relay how unhappy he was with his conduct on the recent Pakistan tour. He had gone into the series still recovering from the hamstring tear that ruled him out of the Sri Lanka series at the end of the home summer. And though he was able to return to action for the second and third Tests in Multan and Rawalpindi after nine weeks out, he was not his best self, as England succumbed to a 2-1 defeat.He let his frustrations get the better of him on the field in Multan after an array of dropped catches and misfields, which he apologised for at the time. Then came a lax display of captaincy in the decisive third Test, compounded by two failures with the bat.Those around Stokes at the time noted something was off, and it soon emerged that his house had been burgled during the second Test, understandably taking his thoughts elsewhere. He wanted to return home to support his family, who were in the house at the time of the break-in, but stayed on in Pakistan at the insistence of his wife, Clare.Even with that mitigating factor, the weeks back home allowed Stokes to reflect that the image and negative energy he had projected was at odds with the leader he wants to be. The drive to regain fitness and his visible exasperations were, in his mind, selfish – counter-productive to the calm dressing-room environment he regards as a key pillar for an England side still working itself out.”It was one of my hardest trips,” said Stokes. “But also one that I’ve hugely benefited from.Related

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“I had my hamstring injury, and as soon as I could get going again, I had a focus on a date to get back. I worked incredibly hard for a very, very long period of time. And then when we got out to Pakistan, obviously pushing and pushing and pushing myself to get ready for that first Test, made a late call and then tried to get myself ready for the second Test.”I’ve been pretty honest with myself and pretty honest with Baz and the team as well, that I got so individually focused on myself over a long period of time of trying to get back from injury.”I actually I did physically drain and ruin myself, which definitely had some kind of mental impact on me. I sort of almost worked myself too hard to get back to fitness, and then all of a sudden, I was out in a Test match.”It’s made me realise that me being a captain, me being the leader of this team, I can’t take myself into that sort of area ever again – focusing on myself so much as an individual. And there’s no doubt that my frustration was showing when things weren’t quite going our way.”That definitely has an impact on, not only the players around me, but also the group and the management around you as well. Because everyone’s walking on eggshells around you, because they can sense it. But it wasn’t till I got home that I realised that then, obviously, with the robbery happening, that made more of everything for me out there.”Ben Stokes has a hongi with a Ngāi Tahu member at Hagley Oval•Getty ImagesStokes’ words in Queenstown were understood to be well received, with an encouraging sense that no such apology was necessary, but appreciated nonetheless. So much of Stokes’ captaincy is about looking out for others, whether diverting praise their way or shielding them from criticism.In a year in which England have lost as many Tests as they have won (seven), along with a destabilising injury and home invasion, falling short of those high standards is only human. Nevertheless, the drive for improvement is admirable ahead of what will be a challenging three-match series against the Blackcaps.”It was a realisation for me that, right, okay, if I ever find myself in this situation again, I need to maybe take a step back and think about what’s best for the team,” he added. “Because I feel like when you’re in a position that I’m in, you always need to be focused on that, as opposed to yourself, if that makes sense.”It was nice to get home, relax, chill out … you know, assess Pakistan, individually, which I think should hopefully help the team go forward again. I think it’s another step forward for me as a leader, as well as understanding certain things where I need to be better.”If Stokes is keen to re-ground himself, he could not have picked a better spot. He was, of course, born here in Christchurch before moving to Cumbria at the age of 12.He tends to bristle when his New Zealand roots are brought up, mostly through cynicism that his background is often used to discredit his Englishness. But Stokes remains fiercely proud of his Kiwi roots. That was particularly evident when he and Blackcaps skipper Tom Latham led their sides in the Mihi Whakatau – a traditional Māori welcoming ceremony – on the Hagley Oval outfield.England know not to expect as warm a welcome on the field, having failed to land a series win in four consecutive visits since 2008, but things are a little different for Stokes. Family connections remain strong in the South Island’s largest city, led by his mother, Deborah. And while Stokes’ motivation to drive England forward remains strong, the setting adds a unique emotional layer for England’s captain.”This is a great place to tour for the team, but obviously for myself, it’s more than that,” he said. “It’s a chance to see family, catch up with family who I don’t get to see. You know, pretty much the whole of the Stokes family is in Christchurch. They’re coming down to the Test match this week.”I came out earlier than the team did to surprise my family. Only a couple of them knew. They managed to keep it secret. So this tour, obviously, is more than just cricket for me. I try and enjoy this country as much as I possibly can. It’s a great place to tour, but, yeah, it’s great for me to be able to see people who I don’t get to see that often. And so there’s more to it for me than there is for everyone else here.”

It will be inaugurated ahead of the India vs England men’s T20I in Kolkata on January 22

Edited PTI copy21-Nov-2024

Jhulan Goswami, the former India and Bengal fast bowler, will have a stand named in her honour in the ‘B’ Block of Eden Gardens in Kolkata, following a proposal by the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB).A proposal to rename the ‘B’ Block in honour of the highest ODI wicket-taker in women’s cricket has been placed before the apex body of the CAB. It is expected to be unveiled during the India-England men’s T20I on January 22 next year.”I never imagined something like this would come to fruition. I would definitely love to watch a match from there,” Goswami said. “For any cricketer, the ultimate dream is to represent her district, state or country, but receiving an honour like this is truly monumental.”A dedicated stand is a huge, significant honour, and it’s only possible because of the CAB’s vision to promote women’s cricket. Words can’t do justice to this recognition.”Goswami finished her international career with 44 wickets in 12 Tests, a world-record 255 wickets in 204 ODIs, and recorded another 56 dismissals in 68 T20Is. With 355 wickets, she also has the record for the most wickets in women’s international cricket.Eden Gardens also has stands named after former India captain Sourav Ganguly, and former international cricketer Pankaj Roy. There are also stands named for two former BCCI presidents, Jagmohan Dalmiya and Biswanath Dutt.

Chelsea are now preparing a £43m offer for a “world-class” Real Madrid target, who could be brought in as a replacement for Levi Colwill, according to a report.

Blues readying bid for centre-back after Colwill blow

There were always concerns that competing in the Club World Cup may have a negative knock-on effect going into the new season, and the Blues have already suffered a major injury blow, with Colwill set to miss most of the campaign due to an ACL injury.

Since then, Enzo Maresca has hinted that another centre-back could be brought in to account for the loss of the 22-year-old, with the manager saying: “It depends – we will wait and see.

“You know in our way, how important Levi has been. I spoke with him yesterday and I told him that if we achieve what we achieved last year, it is also because of him – and he was a main player for us.”

It has since been revealed that the west Londoners are expected to make a bid for Barcelona defender Ronald Araujo imminently, but a Premier League centre-back has also now entered the frame as a potential option…

That is according to reports in Spain, which state Chelsea are now preparing a €50m (£43m) offer for Liverpool defender Ibrahima Konate, who is also being targeted by Spanish heavyweights Real Madrid.

Madrid are confident about securing Konate’s signature on a free transfer next summer, upon the expiration of his contract, but the Blues have now entered the race, and they are willing to pay the exact amount Liverpool are looking for.

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At present, however, a move to Real Madrid is still the most likely outcome, given that the Reds are reluctant to strengthen one of their direct Premier League rivals, and the player himself is leaning towards a move to the Santiago Bernabéu.

"World-class" Konate would be major coup for Chelsea

In truth, it seems unlikely that the Blues will be able to get a deal done, considering the French defender has no reason to leave the reigning Premier League champions, and Liverpool are hesitant to let him move to Stamford Bridge.

However, the Reds are at risk of losing the 26-year-old on a free transfer if they don’t cash-in this summer, which means it could be tempting to sanction a sale, and he could be a fantastic acquisition for the Blues.

The France international played a major role in Liverpool’s 2024-25 Premier League title triumph, making 31 appearances, and journalist David Lynch believes he is now “world-class”.

Konate is clearly entering the prime of his career, and it would be a major coup if Chelsea were able to get a deal done, but it seems extremely unlikely that Arne Slot’s side will agree to a sale, given that they are already light on centre-back options.

Whilst Jose Mourinho earned the right to turn his self-proclaimed “Special One” nickname into an undeniable title during his time at Stamford Bridge, there’s no denying that he had some of Chelsea’s best-ever players at his disposal to achieve that success.

At the peak of Roman Abramovich’s West London empire, it was the Blues who were spending big as the likes of Manchester City continued to only fantasise about league titles. As such, even during Mourinho’s second spell when the Citizens had more than discovered spending habits of their own, Chelsea and their Portuguese manager still came away with a Premier League title to their name.

It was during that second stint from 2013 to 2015 that a certain Eden Hazard took English football by storm. The Belgian’s tricky feet remain some of the best that English football has arguably seen and the guidance of Mourinho only saw him reach new levels.

The Special One had nothing but special things to say about his star man during that time too. He even went as far as to say that Hazard was better than Cristiano Ronaldo in 2015, telling reporters: “Last season, yes [Hazard was better],” Mourinho said. “In spite of the fact that Ronaldo was fantastic. He was fantastic. He scored an incredible number of goals.

“I am not saying he is not fantastic. I am just saying that, in my personal view, every football player in the world should understand that a team has to be in front and no titles.”

Hazard under Mourinho

Stats

Appearances

125

Goals

36

Assists

26

With 62 goal involvements in 125 appearances under Mourinho, the praise that Hazard received should come as no surprise. But as impressed as the former Chelsea boss often was by the winger, he opted to pick another Stamford Bridge legend as the club’s best-ever signing.

Mourinho: Drogba is the "best" ever Chelsea signing

Before the days of Hazard running rings around Premier League defences, the Chelsea crown was Didier Drogba’s to wear and Mourinho quickly sent a timely reminder about that in 2015.

When speaking about the best signings and players in Chelsea’s history, the then-manager wasted no time before name-dropping the legendary striker.

Having scored a total of 88 Premier League goals before taking his place as one of the best that has led any frontline in English football, it’s fair to say that Mourinho may well be right about his verdict on Drogba’s time at Chelsea.

MatériaMais Notícias

Revelado pelo Internacional, de Porto Alegre, o zagueiro Fred Malveira falou sobre a expectativa de fazer uma boa temporada pelo Estrela Amadora, de Portugal. Nascido no Brasil, com nacionalidade portuguesa, o jovem vive a expectativa de fazer um grande ano.

– Sonho em jogar por grandes clubes europeus, conquistar títulos e assim ter uma oportunidade pela seleção. Esse é o meu maior sonho e quero trabalhar para isso – afirmou.

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A fresh twist in the 2025 Champions Trophy has thrown the ICC’s trophy tour into confusion, a day before it was supposed to begin in Pakistan, after the BCCI objected to the PCB’s plan of taking the tour to Muzaffarabad, which is the capital of Pakistan Administered Kashmir, a territory disputed by India and Pakistan.ESPNcricinfo has learned that the BCCI notified the ICC about its objection on Friday, a day after the PCB put out a post on X (formerly Twitter) announcing the dates and venues for the tour would be heading to.It could not be confirmed if the BCCI lodged its objection in writing or verbally. It is understood that no approval or rejection has been made yet and that the ICC is still in discussions on the final plan of the trophy tour.Related

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The PCB’s post did catch the ICC by surprise given that it is an ICC event, and such communication is usually announced through its channels.According to the PCB’s post, the tour is scheduled to start from November 16 but given the BCCI’s objection, it wasn’t clear at the time of writing whether it will now go ahead on that day. On their X post, the PCB said the trophy tour would also take in other popular tourist destinations including Skardu, Murree and Hunza.There is a possibility that the tour may begin in an initial phase by taking the trophy – of which Pakistan are the defending champions – to the venues that are to be used in the tournament – Lahore, Karachi and Rawalpindi – and then take in the other venues during a second phase of the tour.