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The IPL Governing Council will meet on August 1 to finalise the schedule and other key arrangements necessary for the tournament to be conducted in the UAE. Recently the IPL Governing Council chairman Brijesh Patel announced the tournament would be played in the UAE between September 19 and November 10.It is understood that the Governing Council is likely to discuss the dates, venues, training facilities, the quarantine measures along with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) that would be necessary for the event which comprises eight teams to play 60 matches over 50 days.Other than Patel, the meeting would also be attended by the BCCI’s office bearers including president Sourav Ganguly, secretary Jay Shah and treasurer Arun Dhumal. Incidentally, both Ganguly and Shah have finished their six-year tenures as office bearers and are supposed to undergo a three-year cooling-off period as per the BCCI constitution. However, the BCCI has sought amendments to the constitution including tweaking the cooling-off period in a plea with the Supreme Court, which has scheduled the hearing for August 17.Earlier on Monday, the Emirates Cricket Board (ECB) said that it had received a letter of intent from the BCCI to conduct the IPL in the UAE. That letter is understood to be signed by IPL’s chief operating officer Hemang Amin, who also is doubling up as the BCCI’s interim chief executive officer.The ECB said it was looking forward to hosting the IPL, but a “final deal” would be inked after the Indian government had given BCCI the permission to shift the tournament to the UAE.

Pakistan opened their T20 World Cup campaign with a comprehensive win against a sloppy West Indies at Manuka Oval in Canberra, only their second win over the opponents in the format. Diana Baig and Nida Dar did the job first up, rattling the West Indies’ line-up to restrict them to 124 for 7. It was then chased down with ten balls to spare as Javeria Khan and Bismah Maroof hits 30s.Pakistan got off to a flying start in their chase with Javeria and Muneeba Ali knocking off nearly half the runs within the first eight overs. But a couple of quick wickets and a slowdown in the middle made it seem like we were in for a close finish, but captain Bismah and Nida, with the help of some poor West Indies fielding, took Pakistan over the line with enough to spare. The win also means that four out of the five teams in Group B are now tied at two points with one win each.Slow and steady wins the day for Pakistan
Openers Javeria Khan and Muneeba Ali made 48 in the powerplay, scoring at eight an over at that stage, and it looked like it would be a quick and easy finish. Stafanie Taylor introduced herself in the eighth over and immediately made an impact, striking Javeria, who was attempting a sweep, on the pads. The wicket led to Pakistan slowing down a bit, with Bismah and Muneeba avoiding any risky shots and taking to a more cautious approach, but not quite hitting the panic button.Muneeba’s wicket saw Nida joining Bismah at the crease, and the two seamlessly rotated the strike from then on, finding boundaries occasionally as they kept a watch on the asking rate. From needing a run a ball at the end of 14 overs, they brought down the equation to six runs needed off three overs, bringing West Indies’ hopes to a halt. The 18th over, which saw a dropped catch off Nida at the boundary and a missed run-out chance, further underscored West Indies’ woeful day on the field. Bismah ensured the opponents did not get any more of those chances, hitting a boundary in the second ball of the 19th over and sealing it for Pakistan.Shakera Selman reacts on the field•Getty Images

Diana, Nida keep West Indies quiet
It was a start to forget for West Indies after they opted to bat first. Hayley Matthews was given lbw first ball and didn’t review before the DRS timer expired, and it was later confirmed that the ball indeed was pitching outside leg. Her opening partner, Lee Ann Kirby was able to find the gaps a few times in the next three overs but then hit one straight to cover point in the first ball of the fourth over to give Diana her second wicket. Their powerplay score read 28 for 2, and Deandra Dottin’s entry would not turn it much for them as she departing for 1 after giving away a simple catch off Nida to Iram Javed at long-on.It was captain Taylor and Shemaine Campbelle who ensured West Indies avoided a below-par total, but the rest of the line-up collapsed around them to a disciplined Pakistan bowling performance.But Pakistan, too, had a few lapses in the field – Aiman Anwer dropped Kirby and a missed run-out chance let Taylor off when she was on 23.Taylor, Campbelle the only bright spots
With little to no help from the rest of the batters, Taylor and Campbelle took on the task of putting up a decent total on board after a dim start. The two were cautious most of the time in the middle, even avoiding using their feet against Bismah’s slow-tossed legbreaks.The first big hit of the match came in the 15th over with Campbelle charged down the track to hit Nida over midwicket, and she would go on to hit another six and a four in the next over off Diana. But in the next over, she fell for a 36-ball 43, lbw to Anam Amin trying a reverse sweep. Taylor smote two sixes in the next few overs before holing out on a 47-ball 43. They were the only bright spots on the day when everything seemed to be going wrong for West Indies.

واصل منتخب مصر، بقيادة حسام حسن تدريباته على ملعب استاد الدفاع الجوى استعداداً لمباراة الرأس الأخضر، المقرر لها الجمعة المقبل، في تصفيات كأس أمم إفريقيا.

ويلتقي منتخب مصر مع الرأس الأخضر، في الجولة الخامسة من عمر التصفيات الإفريقية المؤهلة إلى نهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا التي تقام بالمغرب 2025.

وخاض منتخب مصر، مكتمل الصفوف بتواجد جميع اللاعبين الذي تم استدعاؤهم من قبل الجهاز الفني للفراعنة.

طالع.. خاص | قناعات حسام وإبراهيم حسن تحسم بديل محمد هاني في منتخب مصر أمام الرأس الأخضر

وشهد مران منتخب مصر، إحماءات بدنية وجمل فنية بين اللاعبين، بالإضافة إلى تسديد على المرمى.

حضر مران منتخب مصر كل من، جمال علام رئيس مجلس إدارة اتحاد الكرة وحلمي مشهور عضو اتحاد الكرة.

يذكر، أن منتخب مصر حسم تأهله إلى نهائيات كأس أمم إفريقيا التي ستقام في المغرب، بعد الفوز في الـ4 جولات الأولى من التصفيات، حيث يتصدر مجموعته برصيد 12 نقطة.

ومن المقرر أن تغادر بعثة منتخب مصر، على متن طائرة خاصة إلي الرأس الأخضر، غدًا الأربعاء، لخوض مواجهة منتخب بلادها في رحلة ستسغرق 10 ساعات.

Whilst Liverpool's main goal is to hand Jurgen Klopp the perfect farewell by winning the Premier League this season, Michael Edwards and Richard Hughes have still turned their focus towards the summer, with scouts sent to Portugal in pursuit of one transfer target.

Liverpool transfer news

Before the possibility of any incomings, however, the Reds must find their replacement for Klopp. After Xabi Alonso revealed that he would be staying at Bayer Leverkusen for another season, that replacement looks likely to be Sporting CP's Ruben Amorim, with the 39-year-old reportedly reaching a verbal agreement with Liverpool ahead of potentially becoming the man with the impossible task of replacing a legend.

Amorim appears to be one of the most impressive young managers around, with his Sporting side sitting top of Liga Portugal in search of their second title during his tenure. His time in Portugal could also only benefit Liverpool, who have reportedly set their sights on a midfielder that Amorim will know all too well.

Reliable journalist: Liverpool are "keeping tabs" on "amazing" 23 year-old

He could be part of a “reshuffle” in a key position this summer.

ByHenry Jackson Apr 10, 2024

According to O Jogo, FSG and Liverpool sent scouts to watch Alan Varela in Porto's last league game against Vitoria ahead of a potential deal this summer. Earlier reports indicated that the Reds had made an enquiry about the price of Valera ahead of the summer, with his €70m (£60m) release clause representing a hefty fee. Now, their interest is clear once more, having sent scouts on a rare trip to the Estadio do Dragao.

Varela, still just 22 years old, is a player Amorim has seen up close due to Sporting and Porto's title rivalry in Portugal. Now, however, in some twist, they could be part of the same team this summer.

"Wonderful" Varela can become Endo successor

As much of a revelation as Wataru Endo has been for Liverpool this season, the defensive midfielder is already 31 years of age and, therefore, may not have much longer at the top of his game. This creates the need for a replacement, potentially allowing Varela to step up in perfect fashion. The Argentine may also get the chance to link up with compatriot Alexis Mac Allister in what would be one of the strongest midfield duos in the Premier League next season.

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If Liverpool want to kick off a new era with a bang, then welcoming a player of Varela's calibre and potential could be the way to do it. The Argentine may prove to be a statement signing and one that Football Talent Scout's Jacek Kulig will be keeping an eye on this summer, having previously posted on X:

As the summer approaches, Valera is certainly one that Liverpool should look towards, especially if their next manager is to be Amorim in the coming months.

Leeds United may have just been handed a major boost on the personnel front with one man ready to commit his future to Elland Road, as per the latest reports, and lilywhites boss Daniel Farke has to take plenty of the credit.

Leeds keep up winning ways

Another Championship win on Friday night, this time a 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough, kept Leeds in the hunt for automatic promotion in their first season out of the Premier League.

Goals from Patrick Bamford and Wilfried Gnonto ensured that Leeds leapfrogged Ipswich Town into second place, with the Tractor Boys then falling to a dramatic 2-1 deafeat at Cardiff City on Saturday afternoon.

Leeds United top goalscorers 23/24

Crysencio Summerville

16

Dan James

11

Joel Piroe

11

Patrick Bamford

8

Georginio Rutter

7

Wilfried Gnonto

7

Sat on 79 points with nine games still to play, it is looking likely that a record points tally will be required to ensure automatic promotion from the English second tier this season, with 93 points the previous record to make it into the Premier League in second place.

Leeds' fortunes in the coming months will have a major effect on their transfer business, but there is one man that they may well be picking up regardless of which division they begin 2024/25 in.

Rodon makes decision on Leeds future

TeamTalk report that Joe Rodon has been 'advised' by Spurs boss Ange Postecoglou that he has no future in north London. Valued by the Lilywhites at around £15m, they add that Leeds are seemingly ready to make a move for the Welshman irrespective of whether or not they manage to secure a return to the English top flight come the end of the campaign.

Rodon is out of contract in 2025, which will only further Leeds' hopes of landing their star defender on a permanent basis at a cut-price fee. Most importantly, the player himself is said to be very happy in Yorkshire and keen to sign a long-term deal, regardless of what division they are in, due largely to how much he is loving life under Farke.

Arriving at Elland Road for the 2023/24 campaign, Rodon has been a star for Leeds United. Appearing 34 times already this season, he has been a major part of a Leeds side that boasts the meanest defence in the division, conceding just 28 goals all season. He played another 90 minutes in their impressive 2-0 win over Sheffield Wednesday on Friday night and is a firm favourite in west Yorkshire.

Earlier in the campaign, ex-Leeds man Jon Newsome hailed Rodon as 'outstanding' following a 3-0 win over Millwall.

"Outstanding. Absolutely outstanding. Joe Rodon was man of the match for me. He got his head on everything. He was a different class, he really, really was", he eulogised of the Welshman.

Leeds chasing last-gasp move to sign Joe Rodon 2.0

The Whites are reportedly battling it out to sign the Premier League defender.

ByDan Emery Jan 31, 2024

Despite his impressive campaign, however, Rodon's future appears to lie away from parent club Tottenham. In the months since Postecoglou has arrived at the club, he has already signed two new central defenders (Micky van de Ven and Radu Dragusin) and Rodon is now further down the pecking order than ever in north London, opening the door for a long-term switch to Leeds.

Glasgow Rangers have had success with player trading in recent seasons as they have brought in young talent and sold them on for profit further down the line.

Nathan Patterson came through the academy before his move to Everton and Joe Aribo arrived from League One Charlton and was eventually sold to Premier League side Southampton.

The best example in recent years, however, has been Calvin Bassey as the versatile defender arrived on a free transfer from Leicester City before being sold to Dutch giants Ajax for a club-record fee in the summer of 2022.

Sky Sports reported that it was a deal that could rise to £23m – making it the biggest fee received in Rangers history. Yet, if you adjust for football inflation, it is not the biggest sale the club have ever made, as they raked in a huge fee for Giovanni van Bronckhorst in the 2000s.

How much Rangers paid for Giovanni van Bronckhorst

The Light Blues reportedly splashed out a fee of £5m to sign the versatile midfield star from Dutch side Feyenoord ahead of the 1998/99 campaign.

Van Bronckhorst hit the ground running in Scotland with a fantastic return of eight goals and eight assists in 35 Scottish Premiership matches in his debut season.

The terrific Dutchman, who could play at left-back, in holding midfield, or in central midfield, went on to rack up 21 goals and ten assists in 107 appearances for the Glasgow giants in all competitions.

His superb form for Rangers across his three years in Scottish football convinced English and Premier League giants Arsenal to swoop in for his signature in the summer of 2001.

Giovanni van Bronckhorst's transfer value in 2024 money

As per the Totally Money index, the Gunners paid an initial fee of £12.15m at the time to take him to London, which represented more than £7m in actual profit for the Gers, who had paid £5m to Feyenoord to sign him three years earlier.

However, in 2024 money – which Totally Money has adjusted for footballing inflation through the years – it's suggested that fee of £12.15m would now be worth a staggering £27.4m, which is more than £3m more than the deal Ajax agreed with the Light Blues to snap up Bassey in 2022.

This shows that Rangers struck gold with the signing of van Bronckhorst from Feyenoord in 1998 as they went on to make a staggering profit on the left-footed powerhouse, whose move to Arsenal was for a significant fee that would have been a club-record fee in 2024 money.

Rangers

Arsenal

2001

£12.15m (£27.4m in 2024 money)

Arsenal

Barcelona

2004

Free

Barcelona

Feyenoord

2007

Free

Feyenoord

Retired

2010

N/A

As you can see in the table above, the Netherlands international, who – of course – went on to manage at Ibrox, was never sold for more than Rangers raked in for his services as Arsenal and Barcelona both allowed him to leave on a free transfer after three years with each club respectively.

Therefore, the Scottish giants seemingly maximised his value when they decided to sell him in the summer of 2001, which further illustrates how much of a blinder the Light Blues played with his sale.

Fran Kirby has signed for Brighton on a three-year deal after leaving Chelsea this summer.

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Kirby joins BrightonLeft Chelsea at end of seasonWon five WSL titles with BluesWHAT HAPPENED?

Kirby left Chelsea at the end of the season and has now completed a move to Brighton and Hove Albion. The England international has spent her entire career in the south of England and will be able to remain close to home after switching to the Blues' WSL rivals.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Brighton finished ninth in the WSL this season and Kirby's arrival is a huge coup. The England international won Euro 2022 with the Lionesses, and also played a key role in the Blues winning five consecutive WSL titles.

DID YOU KNOW?

Brighton are targeting a top-four finish next season and Kirby's acquisition could prove pivotal to their chances. She has scored 63 goals in 114 WSL games throughout her career.

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Brighton are aiming to establish themselves as a top WSL team, and the arrival of the experienced Kirby will go on a long way to achieving that.

The club's managing director of women’s and girls’ football Zoe Johnson said: "We’re absolutely thrilled to welcome Fran to the club. She arrives as one of the most decorated English footballers of all time, playing an integral role in Chelsea's recent dominance, as well as on the international stage having been a part of England’s EURO 2022 win.

"Her experience on the pitch will be just as important off it and we have no doubt that she will help us take a significant step towards our long-term targets."

Jones helps Loughborough cruise home after Sarah Glenn and Jenny Gunn take three wickets each to restrict Thunder to 122

ECB Reporters Network25-Aug-2019

Amy Jones plays a deft reverse-sweep•Getty Images

England wicketkeeper Amy Jones made her second half-century of the competition as Loughborough Lightning eased to an eight-wicket victory over Lancashire Thunder in their Kia Super League clash at Trent Bridge.Watched by a crowd of more than 3,000 ahead of Nottinghamshire Outlaws’ game against Yorkshire Vikings in the Vitality Blast, opener Jones hit eight fours and a six in her unbeaten 66 as Lightning, already through to next Sunday’s Finals Day at Hove, saw out a sixth win in seven matches with 23 balls to spare.Thunder, who have lost eight of their nine matches to finish bottom of the KSL table, have one more chance to register a first win when they take on Surrey Stars at Blackpool on Wednesday, having picked up their only points in a tie with Southern Vipers.Vipers provide Lightning with their final league stage opponents at the Ageas Bowl on Wednesday evening in which looks set to be a rehearsal of their likely semi-final meeting at Hove.”I’m pretty happy to have been able to contribute,” said Jones. “I’ve been a bit quiet since the first game so I’m so pleased to have scored some runs today.”It’s the first time I’ve played at Trent Bridge so it was pretty cool to make a score here. A lot of people came in early to watch, which was fantastic and it really felt like they were behind us. We’ve picked up some momentum going into the back end of the season and hopefully it holds us in good stead for Finals Day, so we’re really excited.”Legspinner Sarah Glenn and England allrounder Jenny Gunn finished with three wickets each as Thunder were bowled out for 122 inside 20 overs, Sophia Dunkley top-scoring with 29. South African Sune Luus made 27 but Thunder’s other overseas players, Tahlia McGrath and Harmanpreet Kaur, were out in single figures, the latter for a first-ball duck.Thunder had made a solid start after winning the toss and electing to bat, reaching 39 for one in the Powerplay overs. Glenn made a breakthrough for Lightning when she bowled Australian opener McGrath for five but Dunkley clubbed six and four off Jo Gardner’s medium pace in the sixth over.Luus, having picked up three fours while the fielding restrictions were in place, lofted Gunn over the short straight boundary but when she attempted something similar in the same over was well caught by Georgia Adams, who made good ground to get under the ball at long-on.Glenn then dealt Thunder a major blow when she bowled Indian star Harmanpreet for a golden duck and the Derby-born leggie claimed her third wicket when she held a return catch to dismiss Ellie Threlkeld to finish with 3 for 25 from her four overs, raising her tally in the tournament to nine wickets.Thunder needed Dunkley to add to her two sixes but when she lost her leg stump to Gunn for 29 in the 12th over to leave her side 70 for five in the 12th over, their best chance of posting a competitive total seemed to have gone, although a lively partnership between Alex Hartley and Natalie Brown added 25 for the last wicket before the latter was run out off the penultimate ball of the 20th over.The experienced Nottingham-born Gunn finished with three for 14 in front of her home crowd, while Gardner claimed her maiden KSL wicket when Ria Fackrell was stumped by Jones.It was Jones who then set the pace for the Lightning chase, hitting 23 off as many balls as the Loughborough side kept exactly in tune with what was required by taking 39 without loss in the powerplay.Thunder made a breakthrough in the 10th over, breaking the Jones-Atapattu partnership when offspinner Emma Lamb held a low return catch to dismiss the Sri Lankan for 26, but new batter Adams swept her first two balls for four and six as Lightning moved to 73 for one at the halfway stage.Adams was caught at deep midwicket in the next over as Hartley and Brown put a temporary brake on the scoring but Jones then profited from sweeping Lamb before completing a 44-ball half century in the 14th over with Lightning needing only 25 from 38 balls.Jones finished the match in style, lofting Hartley over long-on for six off the first ball of the 17th over.

Southampton are reportedly interested in completing the £15m signing of a "fantastic" player this summer, a fresh transfer update has claimed.

Southampton transfer news & promotion hopes

Saints are in a fantastic position at the moment, finding a rich vein of form that has sent them just outside the automatic promotion places in the Championship, two points behind Leeds United with a game in hand. Last Friday's 2-0 win away to West Brom was a statement victory by Russell Martin's side, who may feel as though they are the favourites to go straight up along with Leicester City come May.

Regardless of whether Southampton seal promotion to the Premier League this season or not, new signings will be needed this summer, as they continue to be linked with new players.

One individual who has been backed to seal a move to St Mary's at the end of the season is Sunderland winger Jack Clarke, who is arguably one of the best attacking players in the Championship currently, scoring 15 goals in 33 league appearances this season.

The Black Cats star is a wanted man, however, with Premier League clubs West Ham and Crystal Palace also believed to be in the mix to snap him up during the summer transfer window.

Southampton will be wanting to keep hold of important current players, too, but Paul Onuachu has been linked with a move away this summer, with Turkish side Trabzonspor keen on acquiring his signature.

Saints want £15m defender in permanent deal

According to journalist Alan Nixon on Patreon [via Football League World], Southampton want to complete the £15m signing of Taylor Harwood-Bellis this summer, snapping him up from Manchester City once and for all.

The 22-year-old is currently on loan from City, having completed a temporary move to the south coast last summer, and he has shone throughout the campaign, playing a key role in their promotion push. He has started 26 Championship matches this season, averaging 3.5 clearances per game and also chipping in with two assists.

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It makes complete sense for Southampton to make Harwood-Bellis' move a permanent one, and with City seemingly not seeing a future for him at the club, it would surely suit all parties.

Martin himself has heaped praise on the centre-back, showing why he would likely want to retain him, saying: "He's been fantastic. Let's get it right, we need to go up to keep a lot of our players".

Club ready to make offer to sign “athletic” Southampton player

The Saints could be set to lose their man.

ByTom Cunningham Feb 16, 2024

At 22, the Englishman's best years are still to come and if Saints could get into the Premier League ahead of next season, it could make the move to the south coast full-time appeal even more to him. Granted, it would be a lot of money to spend, but his long-term ceiling would make it worth the risk.

Los Blancos have now won six of the last 11 European titles available, and as their rivals head towards transition, they are only getting stronger

After Real Madrid hoisted their 15th European Cup on Saturday at Wembley, the club's veterans had one key piece of advice for 20-year-old first-timer Jude Bellingham. "Some of my team-mates have five or six titles, and they said enjoy your first as it's a feeling like no other when you reach the top of the mountain," he said following Los Blancos' 2-0 victory over Borussia Dortmund on Saturday.

It was certainly a memorable final. Madrid, as is the case so often in the Champions League, were second best for long stretches. But they rode their luck, and after a handful of crucial saves from Thibaut Courtois and the fortune of Niclas Fullkrug hitting the post, they came alive. It took a corner, converted by the 5'7 Dani Carvajal, to help them find their stride, and Madrid saw out the last 20 minutes as Vinicius Jr provided the finishing touch.

Yet, despite the Dortmund pressure and the lack of quality from an often erratic Madrid side, there was something all so predictable about the outcome. Real Madrid win; it's just what they do.

They have now claimed six Champions League titles across the last 10 years – only three other clubs (AC Milan, Bayern Munich and Liverpool) can claim to have won as many European Cups in their entire history. This is what sporting dominance looks like.

The concern for their rivals is that there are few signs that Los Blancos' run will stop any time soon either. What was supposed to be a period of rebuilding has become a measured renewal. Madrid's best players are all in their prime – or slightly short of it – and with arguably the most electric forward in world football soon to enter the ranks while other clubs enter transitions of their own, Saturday's win may well go down as the start of another decade of continental superiority at Santiago Bernabeu.

• Getty
  

  Magic moments

  Madrid and European success have always been intrinsically connected. Even as they have battled Barcelona for La Liga supremacy, Los Blancos have always managed to make deep runs in Europe's premier club competition. And these signature dramatic wins aren't a new concept, either. It's easy to recall Joselu's match-winning double against Bayern Munich at the Bernabeu just a month ago, but that unlikely brace was one of a glut of dramatic moments.

  Madrid's first title of the 21st century came back in 2001, when Zinedine Zidane powered a volley into the top corner to beat Bayer Leverkusen in the final at Hampden Park, but it wasn't until the generation spearheaded by Cristiano Ronaldo that won it four times in a span of five years that Los Blancos began to really produce moments of magic in the competition on a regular basis.

  In 2014, it was Sergio Ramos' last-minute header in the final against Atletico Madrid that sent the game to extra-time, where Madrid dominated to the tune of a 4-1 win to secure their 10th European title, and end their long wait to secure 'La Decima'.

  Two years later, they completed a similar feat, overturning a 2-0 deficit against Wolfsburg in the quarter-finals, before beating Atleti on penalties in the final. The year after, it was an extra-time victory over Bayern that sent them on their way to the final. In 2018, a famous Ronaldo bicycle kick against Juventus got the job done. And in 2022, a series of comebacks, spearheaded by the Ballon d'Or-winning Karim Benzema, secured title number 14.

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  Trophy in transition

  That was all supposed to be put on hold this season. Benzema's departure in the summer was central to fears that Madrid wouldn't quite be the same animal in 2023-24, as the Frenchman left for Saudi Arabia in surprising circumstances. And with Madrid unwilling to spend big on Kylian Mbappe so as to try sign him on a free 12 months in the future, they went into the season with no top-class striker to speak of.

  Carlo Ancelotti, of course, made things work. Jude Bellingham became a No.10 whie Vinicius and Rodrygo pushed higher up the pitch. A midfield trio, led by a revitalised Toni Kroos, sat in behind them and controlled the tempo. Even injuries to David Alaba, Eder Militao and Thibaut Courtois could do little to slow them down.

  That said, Madrid really should have exited the Champions League on two occasions. Manchester City battered them for 120 minutes at the Etihad Stadium in the quarter-final, but Los Blancos held on to send the game to penalties – and never looked like losing once it got there. Bayern, meanwhile, should have put them away in the semi, but 33-year-old Joselu – a failed Madrid academy player who returned on loan in the summer – scored twice in the final five minutes to turn the tie on its head.

  In a season in which they were supposed to fall short, Madrid beat the two other best teams in the competition en route to the final.

• Getty Images
  

  Entering their prime

  Madrid now have a ridiculous array of talent at their disposal, and a frighteningly young squad to work with. Bellingham, of course, is the centre-piece, as he approaches his 21st birthday in June. Vinicius, who is now in pole position for the Ballon d'Or, is 23. Aurelien Tchouameni (24), Rodrygo (23) and Eduardo Camavinga (21) all have their best years in front of them, and make Federico Valverde and Militao look practically ancient at 25.

  And then there are the talents who may yet come into the fold. Arda Guler impressed in a series of brief cameos towards the end of the season, and scored six goals in 377 La Liga minutes to round out the campaign. Fran Garcia, too, may yet get his moment in the XI, and is still 23. Brahim Diaz's future is less certain – he is perhaps too good to sit on the bench for too much longer – but he is still shy of his 24th birthday.

  Piece it all together, and over half of Los Blancos' presumptive starting XI on the first day of the 2024-25 season will be under the age of 24.

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  More on the way

  Speaking to post-match at Wembley, Bellingham wouldn't quite confirm what the world already knew: that Mbappe would soon be joining him in the Madrid dressing room. But he did slyly acknowledge that there is perhaps a missing piece from this side: "We don’t know for sure if that will happen! But if it is the case, then it would be great… I think tonight we saw that the only thing we need is a real striker. I think if he came along and gave us that, it would take us to another level."

  It is a good thing, then, for Bellingham and co, that the move seems to be on the verge of completion. Madrid have orchestrated Mbappe's arrival perfectly, setting up a reportedly agreeable salary for the player, while spreading his handsome €150 million (£128m/$162m) signing bonus out over a five-year period.

  His arrival might not quite be perfect, as getting Mbappe into the team will require a tactical adjustment from everyone else. But this is a footballer who will quite comfortably score 30 goals in all competitions – and could easily hit 40. And if there ever was a manager to figure that all out while also keeping his current players happy, it's Ancelotti.

  Though he will likely make less of an immediate impactful, a similarly exciting development is the much-anticipated arrival of Brazilian teenager Endrick this summer. The Palmeiras star has been dubbed 'the next Pele' in his homeland, and while that would certainly seem an unfair label for a player with just four Brazil caps, he has shown enough for club and country to suggest that he could be impactful in Madrid white for years to come.