Real Madrid were offered a chance to sign Kyle Walker in January but they kept Manchester City waiting as the defender went to AC Milan.

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Man City offered Walker to MadridMadrid did not respond Walker went on to join AC Milan on loanFollow GOAL on WhatsApp! 🟢📱WHAT HAPPENED?

Six-time Premier League winner Kyle Walker left Manchester City on loan in January after falling out of favour under Pep Guardiola. The English full-back headed to Italy to join AC Milan on a temporary deal. But before his move to Milan got confirmed, the Cityzens reportedly approached Real Madrid and offered the veteran defender to them, however, the Spanish champions ignored the query, according to The Athletic.

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Madrid required a defender in the middle of the 2024-25 campaign as Dani Carvajal was ruled out with an ACL tear and Lucas Vazquez was constantly plagued with injuries. Yet, they did not feel the need to respond to City's offer. Madrid eventually crashed out of the Champions League quarter-final after losing 5-1 to Arsenal over two legs. They then lost to Barcelona in the Copa del Rey final and are now on the verge of losing the La Liga title to the Blaugrana.

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Walker can stay in Milan beyond the 2024-25 campaign as the Rossoneri have an option of buying the veteran defender for €5 million (£4m/$6m), but the Italian giants are reportedly asking for a discount as they are willing to pay only €3.5m, according to .

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MANCHESTER CITY?

Pep Guardiola's side will aim to end a dismal 2024-25 campaign on a high as they face Crystal Palace in the final of the FA Cup at Wembley this Saturday.

This will be Rahane’s second stint in County Championship after 2019 when he represented Hampshire

ESPNcricinfo staff31-Jan-2023India batter Ajinkya Rahane is set to join Leicestershire for the English summer and will play eight County Championship matches and is available for the entirety of the One-Day Cup 50-over competition.He joins Leicestershire’s overseas signings list for 2023, which has South Africa allrounder Wiaan Mulder, who has rejoined for all three formats, and Afghanistan quick Naveen-ul-Haq, who has signed for a third consecutive Vitality Blast campaign.The club said that Rahane is expected to arrive in June following his IPL stint with Chennai Super Kings.Related

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Rahane not giving up hope of an India comeback

“I’m really happy to be joining Leicestershire for the upcoming season,” Rahane said in a statement. “I can’t wait to play alongside my new teammates and explore the vibrant city of Leicester.”Rahane previously had a stint in county with Hampshire in 2019 where he scored a century on county debut against Nottinghamshire.Having last played a Test match in January 2022, Rahane said recently that he wasn’t giving up hope of a comeback for India. In this season’s Ranji Trophy, the country’s premier first-class competition, Rahane has amassed 634 runs in seven matches, including a double hundred, averaging 57.63.”I’m extremely excited to welcome Ajinkya to Leicestershire,” the club’s director of cricket Claude Henderson said. “He comes with a lot of experience and a tremendous work ethic. It’s a great opportunity for us to tap into that.”I had conversations with [assistant coach] Alfonso Thomas and [head coach] Paul Nixon, who had eyed Ajinkya in the past, so he was always on our radar. It was a case of seeing what the team needed, which was definitely a senior overseas batsman, so we are delighted to have secured someone of Ajinkya’s calibre.”

Ever wondered why England have only ever won one major international trophy despite having so many superstars? We've got you covered!

After 1966, the England men's national team hasn't managed to lift an international trophy, despite periods of real promise and moments where fans genuinely believed 'football's coming home.'

But with each major tournament, the same cycle of hope, excitement, and ultimately, disappointment repeats itself. But why is that? Is it a lack of talent? Poor management? Or perhaps something more deeply ingrained in the culture surrounding the team?

This article explores the factors that continue to plague the Three Lions and prevent them from achieving international glory.

• The golden generation's unfulfilled promise: A tale of WAGs and missed penalties

  The early 2000s were supposed to be England's era. With a squad boasting names like Beckham, Gerrard, Lampard, Rooney, and Ferdinand, the "Golden Generation" promised unprecedented success. However, this potential never materialized.

  One key factor was the team's fractured dynamic. As Rio Ferdinand admitted, a club rivalry between the Manchester United, Liverpool and Chelsea players created a sense of division rather than unity within the squad. The players were more concerned with avoiding giving their rivals a competitive edge than building a cohesive national team.

  The 2006 World Cup in Germany became a symbol of this era's failure. The antics of the WAGs (wives and girlfriends) dominated the headlines, overshadowing the team's performances on the pitch. From lavish shopping sprees to alleged drug use, their behavior was seen as a distraction that contributed to the team's downfall.

  Tactical issues also plagued the Golden Generation. Manager Sven-Göran Eriksson struggled to find the right system to accommodate all his star players. The rigid 4-4-2 formation stifled creativity and failed to maximize the team's attacking potential. Eriksson was also criticized for questionable decisions, such as taking Theo Walcott and leaving Jermaine Defoe. Ultimately, England crashed out of the tournament against Portugal in a penalty shootout, and in this match Rooney received a red card for stamping Ricardo Carvalho. This loss cemented the Golden Generation's reputation as a group of talented individuals unable to come together as a successful team.

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  Southgate's stumbling blocks: Defensive tactics and unmet expectations

  Fast forward to 2016, and Gareth Southgate took the helm. After the Iceland debacle at Euro 2016, England needed a steady hand. Southgate initially delivered, leading the team to a surprising semi-final appearance at the 2018 World Cup and then to the final of Euro 2020.

  While Southgate's achievements cannot be dismissed, he has increasingly faced criticism for his pragmatic and often defensive tactical approach. Many fans and pundits argue that he fails to fully exploit the attacking riches at his disposal. He prioritises stability and risk aversion over unleashing the full potential of players like Harry Kane, Bukayo Saka, Phil Foden, and Jude Bellingham.

  After failing to win the Euros final against Italy on penalties, Southgate's critics grew louder. He's been accused of being too cautious and lacking the tactical flexibility to adapt to different opponents or in-game situations. The England squad had a tough time at the Euro's 2024 and the fans voiced their displeasure at Southgate's tactics. The inability to translate individual brilliance into collective success has become a defining feature of Southgate's era.

• The pressure cooker: Media scrutiny and sky-high expectations

  The English media plays a significant role in shaping the narrative around the national team. While passionate support is vital, the relentless scrutiny and often unrealistic expectations can create a pressure cooker environment for players and managers alike. The media can build teams up to be unbeatable, only to tear them down at the first sign of failure. This constant pressure can weigh heavily on players, particularly in high-stakes tournaments. The negative coverage during the 2006 World Cup with the WAGs is one example of the extreme media scrutiny on the England team. 

  The heightened expectations also come from the fact that the Premier League has developed into the best and biggest league in the world with the largest pool of talent. Fans feel that with a wealth of English talent, that a major trophy should be won.

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• Breaking the cycle: A path to future success

  So, what needs to change for England to finally break the trophy curse? Here are some potential paths forward.

  Managerial Evolution

  Whether it's new boss Thomas Tuchel or any other manager in the future, England needs someone who can unlock the team's full attacking potential and create a cohesive, confident unit.

  Player Mentality

  Cultivating a winning mentality and fostering a stronger sense of camaraderie within the squad is crucial. Players need to believe in each other and play with a fearless, attacking mindset.

  Media Management

  The media needs to adopt a more balanced approach, providing constructive criticism while acknowledging the challenges and pressures faced by the team.

  Realistic Expectations

  While ambition is important, fans need to be realistic about the level of competition and the inherent unpredictability of football.

  Ultimately, breaking England's trophy curse will require a combination of tactical innovation, mental fortitude, and a more supportive environment. The talent is there, but whether the Three Lions can finally find the right formula for success remains to be seen.

Young batters Ashley Chandrasinghe and Campbell Kellaway face a winter of developing their skills

Tristan Lavalette26-Mar-2023

On the resumption of the Sheffield Shield season last month, an inexperienced Victoria didn’t set outlandish goals or plot a barnstorming title run.Boasting just one win from their first six matches, Victoria were content with backing youth in a bid to mould together a talented core who could help build a foundation for sustained success.”When we came back after the BBL we spoke about how we’re on a journey. We didn’t talk about playing in the Shield final,” Victoria coach Chris Rogers said.Surprising their own modest expectations, with skipper Peter Handscomb and frontline spinner Todd Murphy on Australia’s Test tour of India, Victoria led by 23-year-old stand-in captain Will Sutherland got on a roll.Related

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Chandrasinghe bats the day for an unbeaten 46 against disciplined WA

WA's trophy surge continues with back-to-back Sheffield Shield titles

Talk of a dynasty unavoidable for Western Australia's cricket powerhouse

They won four straight matches to leapfrog into second-place and book a spot in the final against defending champions Western Australia.In a rematch of last year’s decider at the WACA, Victoria had their moments in a see-saw but couldn’t quite get the job done in an eventual nine-wicket defeat.Rather than be battle-scarred, they are hoping to take heed of the adversity experienced amid the cauldron as Victoria aims to chip away at WA’s stranglehold of the domestic competition.”The challenge is to reach the top of the mountain and get past WA. That’s the challenge for everyone,” Rogers said. “With a bit more experience…[we] might have been able to hang in a bit longer. It’s a young group and I think they’ll learn a lot out of it.”As Victoria stared down the barrel heading into day four, Rogers had a frank conversation with 20-year-old batter Campbell Kellaway who had helped spark Victoria’s season turnaround with a half-century against New South Wales in a comeback 69-run victory.His breakout season has him on the radar of the national selectors with Kellaway selected in the Australia A tour of New Zealand next month. But promoted to No.3 in the final, Kellaway was particularly scratchy on a green-tinged surface against WA’s strong attack as he mustered 6 off 23 balls in the first innings before looking somewhat overwhelmed late on day three in a painstaking 7 off 63 balls.”I spent a good 45 minutes with him, talking about these experiences,” Rogers said. “He’s figuring out answers to questions. He tried too hard this game. He was fighting so hard that he wasn’t giving himself a chance to score. He’s going to be a really important player for us for a number of years.”Ashley Chandrasinghe carried his bat for 46 off 280 balls: ‘It’s an extraordinary effort and he’s got attributes to build on’•Getty Images

In similar fashion to Kellaway, 21-year-old opener Ashley Chandrasinghe carried his bat in the first innings in a remarkable 280-ball stonewall worth 46 runs.It was a rearguard that polarised the public but made more meritorious with Chandrasinghe, in his Shield debut season, only making the line-up after veteran opener Travis Dean suffered an injury on the day before the match.Chandrasinghe received little support from his more senior players and also copped mocking applause from the typically rowdy WACA faithful. But he remained unruffled to produce an indefatigable batting effort that he can build on in the off-season.”There’s room for improvement in his game,” Rogers said. “He doesn’t want to play that style of cricket, he wants to be scoring runs.”It’s a measure of the man that he can bat a whole day. It’s an extraordinary effort and he’s got attributes to build on. That determination and to never quit is something in-built. I’m so proud of him.”A gallant Victoria remained in the contest largely due to a lionhearted allround performance from Sutherland, who further enhanced his growing reputation with a five-wicket haul and an aggressive 83 in the second innings. But it ultimately wasn’t enough although there is the sense that something is percolating within this emerging team.”It still bloody hurts we lost another final. I don’t want that to be a habit but we’re heading in the right direction,” Rogers said. “To win five games on the bounce is quite exceptional. They’ve played with discipline beyond their years and they had a lot of fun doing it. We are going to get better.”

GOAL ranks the greatest USMNT kits of all time, from 1950 to present day, with some design twists and turns along the way

U.S. Soccer recently released their 2025 national team kits, introducing Heartbeat, a lifestyle shirt with unique pinstriping that's reminiscent of streetwear, and Brilliant, a white jersey which will only be worn by the USWNT.

As is often the case, the shirts have caused a bit of a stir, with some loving them, others not so much. For the USMNT, notably, their new thread will only be worn through the remainder of the calendar year – meaning a new jersey is set to arrive for the program ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Home of some of the most iconic looks in USMNT history, the World Cup presents U.S. Soccer with an opportunity to launch the best shirt in program history. It's a can't miss moment. When Nike announced the 2022 World Cup kits for Qatar, it's safe to say the response was, well… not good.

Don't do that again.

There's plenty of designs on which to base the 2026 shirt, dating back to 1950. including some unforgettable releases.

GOAL takes a look at the greatest USMNT kits.

Hulton Archive101950 USA kit

There are very few people left who remember this shirt. Heck, it was 75 years ago. It was a moment, though – it was the of the men's game on the international stage. The U.S. defeated England at the World Cup in this kit, a white jersey with a sash and the American crest. It wasn't the most visually pleasing of shirts, but it was memorable for the statement it made.

The U.S. re-wore the shirt in 2003 to pay homage to the squad that defeated England in what is still considered one of the most important games un U.S. history.

AdvertisementAFP91998 USA away kit

There's something about a late '90s collar on a Nike shirt that hits different. It doesn't matter the country, if Nike was their sponsor, the collar was there – and it was beautiful.

Another red kit, the '98 shirt had a navy collar with a white-blue-white line across the chest that extended onto the sleeves and it was just so sleek. What really made the jersey, though, was the arm cuff. The blue and white ring around the edge of the sleeve that hugged the arm was perfect. Truly, it was a standout kit – it was just unfortunate that the '98 World Cup was nothing short of a catastrophe from a performance perspective.

Getty Images Sport82017 USA Gold Cup kit

It was a beautiful kit. Really, it was. However, it's long remembered as the precursor to the downfall of the U.S. in that 2018 World Cup Qualifying cycle. It debuted a new U.S. Soccer crest, and offered a sleek look with white stars across the shoulders – with those iconic stripes.

Many fans labeled it the "Reverse Waldo" (this will make sense further down the list), but it was a kit with which Nike really hit all the markers. It's unfortunate that a lot of fans associate it with that cycle – even though it's not the shirt they wore on that fateful night in Trinidad.

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AFP72008 USA home kit

Not many white kits made this list. This one, is hands-down, the best white kit in USMNT history. It had subtle narrow red stripes across it, along with a subtle V-neck on the collar – so simple and minimal. With navy blue shorts and white socks, it became a memorable look for both those on the pitch and fans in the stands. Nike hit it out of the park with this design after a lot of criticism for the 2006 home World Cup kit.

A football injury expert has warned Manchester City not to rush back talisman Rodri as he recovers from a serious knee injury.

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• Rodri suffers ACL injury
• Inching closer to comeback
• Man City sent Rodri warning

• WHAT HAPPENED?

  The Spain international suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury last September, and although he was initially expected to miss the season, the midfielder may yet play again this term. However, football injury expert Ben Dinnery believes Pep Guardiola's team need to be careful with the 28-year-old, citing how the risk of picking up a fresh injury during a player's rehab is a real possibility.

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  WHAT THE INJURY EXPERT SAID

  He told Instant Casino: “We’ve seen Rodri working on the training pitch. Sometimes we have to take what Pep Guardiola says with a pinch of salt. He can be very elusive when responding about a player’s recovery, but if we look at the facts, is a return this season without risk? Data would tell you there is a possibility of reinjury and further setbacks when returning within the nine-month period thereafter; that said, players have returned in those timelines and been fine. You have to look at the risk and reward of the situation. What are Manchester City pushing for?

  "If they secure that top-four position with games to go, you can probably forget about him returning in them. You certainly cannot rule out his return to the matchday squad for the FA Cup Final, but do I see him starting? Probably not. The current City squad have gained a bit of form, the pressure for Pep to take a chance on Rodri has decreased, so it’s difficult to say. There’s a handful of games left, but could he be involved? Absolutely.”

• THE BIGGER PICTURE

  It may be no coincidence that Rodri's injury has coincided with City having one of their worst seasons in many years. They have badly missed the Spaniard and the temptation to bring him back ahead of the FA Cup final may be a strong one.

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  WHAT NEXT?

  City are preparing for their biggest game of the season when they take on Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final at Wembley on Saturday. It remains to be seen if Rodri will be included in their matchday squad or not for that showpiece event.

Defending champions Oval Invincibles have kept the core of their 2022 squad together

ESPNcricinfo staff23-Mar-2023The first-ever women’s Hundred draft took place on Thursday evening, with each team making between four and six picks to fill out their squads having earlier retained between two and four players from their 2022 cohort.Welsh Fire, picking first, tried to sign Sophie Devine and Danni Wyatt, only to be thwarted by Birmingham Phoenix and Southern Brave respectively, who used their Right-To-Match cards to keep hold of their players. Eventually, they made Sophia Dunkley their first pick.Each team will fill out their squad in an open-market process before the tournament starts on August 1, with two teams – London Spirit and Birmingham Phoenix – both in the market for a third and final overseas player. Here is how the squads stack up for now.

Here are the women's squads after #TheHundredDraft, Powered by @sageuk

Who was the best pick? pic.twitter.com/fTtwtNy9eA

— The Hundred (@thehundred) March 23, 2023