Victory last night means Real Madrid have reached the halfway stage of La Liga as league leaders on goal difference. But in terms of stability, resources and recruitment they look miles ahead of everyone else in Spain - and most clubs across Europe. So with the future of manager Carlo Ancelotti secured, overseeing a clutch of talented youngsters in their redeveloped iconic stadium what, if anything, do they need to do to improve? Apart from adding Kylian Mbappe... Adam Leventhal is joined by The Athletic's La Liga writer Dermot Corrigan and Junior Spain Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero to discuss Madrid's season so far as well as analyse the ongoing chase to sign Mbappe. Produced by Guy Clarke Additional Production by Jay Beale Executive Producer: Adey Moorhead Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Totally Football Show European Edition returns with Jimbo, James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romeo in The Athletic studio. With the transfer window open, it looks like a return to Dortmund for Jadon Sancho is on the cards. Will Stuttgart sensation Serhou Guirassy be leaving the Bundesliga? Carlo Ancelotti signs a new contract with Real Madrid, great news for Leverkusen in their bid to hang on to Xabi Alonso. Serie A is still in full swing with Juventus closing the gap on Inter at the top. Meanwhile Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis is looking to repair the damage to their season in January. And we look ahead to a magical weekend in store in the Coupe De France, with all eyes on Revel and Golden Lion. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Restaurants of the week (02.00) • PART 2: Serie A round-up - busy January for Napoli? (09.45) • PART 3: Sancho back to Dortmund? Guirassy leaving Stuttgart? (23.00) • PART 4: La Liga returns as Barca buy a striker (35.00) • PART 5: Coupe De France preview (42.00) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £2 A MONTH FOR 12 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With only a week to go before The Overhaul Suj and James discuss all the latest talking points for Sky Fantasy Football and for many tonight feels like the last night to invest. And that means a final look at Chelsea and Manchester City players, but which offer the best investment? Is it too early to punt on Christopher Nkunku? What should managers do if Erling Haaland suddenly returns tonight or on Saturday? Plus, remaining captaincies discussed, Gameweek data learnings, listener questions and notes for after Overhaul, including which Salah and Sonny might need to wait until March and there will be some ugly single gamedays Tomorrow on Planet FPL: Clash of the Correspondents, West Ham v Brighton with Chris Stone and Sam Murray Today on Patreon: The Patreon Q'N'A and there's a Watchalong with James tonight from 7pm BST for all the Wednesday night football For the full Planet FPL schedule this week, including our offering on Patreon view this post: https://www.patreon.com/posts/content-dec-24th-95233013 Want to become a member of our FPL and SkyFF community and support the Podcast? Join us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/planetfpl Follow James on Twitter: https://twitter.com/PlanetFPLPod Follow Suj on Twitter: https://twitter.com/sujanshah Follow Clayton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/claytsAFC Subscribe to our YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PlanetFPL Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/planetfpl Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/planetfpl #SkyFF #SkyFantasy #SkyFantasyFootball Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

For the last time in 2023, Jimbo, James Horncastle, Julien Laurens, Raphael Honigstein and Alvaro Romeo discuss all the continental happenings in the world of football. The draw for the last 16 of the Champions League throws up some intriguing encounters - Simeone back at Inter, Bosz back at Dortmund, Kane versus Immobile. Harry continues to score but Bayer Leverkusen continue to win. Could AFCON be the thing that scuppers their incredible season? Speaking of incredible seasons, Girona stay top of La Liga, Bellingham scores again and Sevilla make yet another managerial change. PSG slip up late at Lille with Kylian Mbappe seemingly starting to get unhappy with how things are going. But Bologna fans are definitely happy with life as they move into the top 4. Plus Wirtz, David and the prospect of Roma v Feyenoord again. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1: Moment of the weekend (02.45) • PART 2: Champions League last 16 draw reaction (08.30) • PART 3: Leverkusen and Bayern both win 3-0 in the Bundesliga (25.00) • PART 4: Sanchez Flores in at Sevilla as Girona stay top (36.00) • PART 5: Tension rising for Mbappe and PSG (51.00) • PART 6: Motta’s Bologna up into the top 4 (62.00) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £19.99 FOR 12 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Soccer Sharps were a Kylian-Mbappe-disallowed-goal away from a winning show this midweek, but ultimately, they ended up going 2-2 with their Official Plays, and so, their middling December continues. As always, though, Devin and Jordan are prepared to go again! The brothers have come up with 6 Official Plays for weekend action in the Netherlands, Italy, Germany, and England. Matches discussed: - AZ Alkmaar v PSV Eindhoven (2:26) - Lazio v Inter (4:55) - Bayern Munich v VfB Stuttgart (8:56) - Brentford v Aston Villa (15:28) - Newcastle Utd v Fulham (19:35) - Burnley v Everton (25:45) For additional leans and last-minute Official Plays, JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER; it's the best way to ensure you don't miss anything from us. Invite link: https://discord.gg/cx7WJKWabQ THANK YOU FOR LISTENING! If you're making money with our advice, please consider taking a moment to leave us a 5-Star review wherever you're listening to our show. It really helps us out!We appreciate your help in growing this podcast. We want as many people as possible to be making money with us, so please share our episodes!JOIN OUR DISCORD SERVER: https://discord.gg/cx7WJKWabQFOLLOW US:Twitter: @TheSoccerSharps Instagram: @TheSoccerSharpsCURRENT SEASON P&L SPREADSHEET: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1HzJuaiy_-Hv0gaidKQiU_b9706lEbvTu_OOiNgeQJ_c/edit?usp=sharingP&L SPEADSHEETS FROM PREVIOUS SEASONS: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1jca0dVIW7FumZ27VEcyhdre0Ke5gh7C6?usp=sharing Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jude Bellingham can currently introduce himself the another most high-end Footballer in the planet. Thanks to an expansion in his Estimated Transfer Value( ETV), the Real Madrid midfielder is currently worth€ 135 million. He has bettered Kylian Mbappe and currently just has Erling Haaland ahead of him. Bellingham transferred from Borussia Dortmund to Real Madrid last summer for a price tag of€ 103m. With his scores in both LaLiga and the Champions League, the English National team has earlier proven his value to Los Blancos. In LaLiga, Bellingham has 12 goals and two assists after 14 matches. He has also been historic in the group standings of the Champions League. The midfielder has formed four goals and delivered another two assists in four matches. With his scoring capability, he's one of the biggest exposures of this season. Bellingham surpasses Mbappe His excellent form in the Real Madrid shirt have an effect on his ETV. When he transferred from Dortmund to the Santiago Bernabéu last summer, he was worth€ 110m. That volume has risen smartly in recent months, touching a record high of€ 135m this month. With his current value, Bellingham has stormed past Kylian Mbappe. The Paris Saint- Germain striker saw his price drop this month from€ 136m to€ 133m. This striking weakening can not be unlinked from Mbappe's ending contract. PSG have consequently far crashed to extend his deal, and he can move on a free transfer after thisseason., which inherently does not advantage his ETV. Erling Haaland tops the list Mbappe has currently been caught up by Bellingham, who in turn has to allow only Erling Haaland in ahead of him. Manchester City's Norwegian striker still has the top ETV of any Footballer in the world. exactly like last month, his value has been settled at€144.2m. Haaland bring City' only'€ 60m in the summer of 2022 due to a clause in his contract with Dortmund. now his worth is slightly below that. The top three most high-end footballers in the world stand head and shoulders above the rest. Harry Kane is ranked four in the list at quite a distance with an ETV of€108.5 m. The Bayern Munich striker remains just front of his countryman Bukayo Saka. The gunner forward has a worth of€104.5m price tag. How PSG Champions League elimination will impact Mbappe's Real Madrid call With PSG on the point of group- stage elimination, French news media has cast about to worry that Kylian Mbappe's tomorrow isn't tied to the Champions League. The Frenchman has still not made a decision on his PSG future despite January being only a many weeks down. In the forthcoming transfer window, Mbappe will be free to negotiate with any interested club as his contract expires in the summer. PSG naturally want to tie their star man down, while Real Madrid still want to grab him, especially after steadfastly defying the temptation to shell out on him during his brief exile in the summer. In recent months, media reports have claimed that Mbappe will not make a decision on a implicit move to Real Madrid until the spring of 2024, commodity that Los Blancos are said to not be happy with as they want to resolve the matter in January. The pivotal issue for Mbappe, according to these reports, would be PSG's performance in the titleholdersLeague.However, it would increase their chances of keeping the 24- year-old, If the Parisians were to do well. Were they to crash out at an early stage, he'd depart. Now, still, the tune is changing. Ahead of PSG's potentially season- defining clash with Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League,L'Equipe is stressing that Mbappe's future doesn't depend on the Ligue 1 side's performance in Europe. Indeed if they were to crash out in the group stage by failing to beat Dortmund, Mbappe could stay. The French outlet asserts that it's further about' the design' than immediate results forMbappe.However, the megastar could yet again rebuff Real Madrid- and this time for good because his French club are trying to tie him down long- term, If PSG can move him that they're going in the right direction. The report claims that rather than signing yet another two- year contract, Mbappe could instead pen a lengthy deal with PSG, likely dashing any possibilities Real Madrid had of signing him for the foreseeable future, or maybe ever as Florentino Perez and company will simply move on from him. There's a possibility that 2024 is the last chance Los Blancos will have of welcoming Mbappe.

FRENCH SUPERSTAR ANTOINE GRIEZMANN IS ACTUALLY...URUGUAYAN?? Atletico Madrid's man of 1000 haircuts is also a man of seemingly more nationalities. The flashy forward was born in France to German and Portuguese parents before coming of footballing age in Spain. But on this episode of European Nights with Rory Smith, Rog and Rory explain how it may be Uruguay that Griezmann is most culturally connected to... Then, Rog and Rory deep dive into the incredible, harrowing story of Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk, a team that has been in exile since the 2014 invasion of its home city by Russian separatists. Now, due to the ongoing war in Ukraine, the team is playing its Champions League home games 10 hours away in Hamburg, Germany. And despite it all, the Miners are only one win away from punching their ticket to the knockout stage... All this and more on the latest European Nights with Rory Smith, presented by New Balance. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jimbo and the Euro crew of James Horncastle, Raphael Honigstein, Julien Laurens and Alvaro Romeo are back to assess another red hot weekend across the continent. Serie A leaders Inter score a huge win at champions Napoli as Calhanoglu and Thuram impress again. But don’t bank on Allegri’s Juventus dropping out of the title race any time soon. Barcelona see off Atletico with loanee Joao Felix scoring the winner. Can he perform consistently enough to secure a permanent move away from Atleti? It’s honours even between Leverkusen and Dortmund in the Bundesliga while we witness one of the worst own goals ever in the Bundesliga II. Donnarumma sees red for PSG and Nice lose for the first time this season. But it’s the death of a Nantes fan that has people discussing the need for a blanket ban on away fans in Ligue 1. We discuss the Euro 2024 draw and why Germany are feeling relieved. Plus PSV’s record-breaking season, Moise Kean’s new single and Francesco Totti’s ex-wife’s new documentary. Produced by Charlie Jones. RUNNING ORDER: • PART 1a: Euro 2024 draw reaction (01.00) • PART 1b: Moment of the weekend (08.00) • PART 2: Italy - Inter impress and Juve hang in there (13.00) • PART 3: France - more fan violence plus a Donnarumma nightmare (24.00) • PART 4: Spain - Felix downs Atleti (37.00) • PART 5: Germany - Leverkusen drop points, Hamburg drop a clanger (49.00) • PART 6: The new Ilary Blasi documentary (58.00) SIGN UP TO THE ATHLETIC TODAY FOR £19.99 FOR 12 MONTHS • theathletic.com/totally Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

France are commonly appearing frightening onetime again, England surely hold the talent to wrap up their hold on for a 1st international trophy since 1966, while Portugal are absolutely winging under new trainer Roberto Martinez. Obviously, Spain and Belgium will dream their casualties, too, but what about the hosts, Germany- can Julian Nagelsmann recharge a squad has been in weakening for some time now? Below, thing species and rates the top contenders to triumph at Euro 2024 ahead of the group- stage draw on Saturday, December 2. 10. Netherlands ⇑ A 4- 0 beating in Paris and a 2- 1 loss at home to a Kylian Mbappe- encouraged France have beat home the actuality that this isn't a retro Netherlands side, and cast respectable reservation on whether convincing Ronald Koeman back for a alternate spell as trainer was truly the exact call. At the end of the day, however, qualification was the direct object, and it was realised with one game to spare thanks to a 1- 0 win over Ireland. The Dutch aren't low on strenght- Cody Gakpo was unsettled at the World Cup, Xavi Simons is one of the most supercharged talents to come out of Netherlands in the last 10 years, while captain Virgil van Dijk looks back to individual coming up his talent better. But if you are depending on Wout Weghorst for score, all is certainly not easy, so we'll simply find out in Germany where they are covering to be a third- seed squad- if Koeman's hand are genuinely suitable of combining it with the big giants. 9. Albania ⇑ Arguably the feeling-good short story of the qualification stage, Albania picked up the point they demanded in Moldova to the reach the European Championship finals for the just the 2nd time in their lifetime. What is remarkable is that the Eagles, who are guided by ex Arsenal and Barcelona full- back Sylvinho, were defeat in their 1st game, defeating 1- 0 to Poland. still, they also gained 15 points from a achievable 21, with a sensational 3- 0 rout of Czech Republic the undoubted highlight of a major seven- game unbeaten drift in GroupE. Quietly, while Albania similarly beat Poland at home in the qualifiers, and boast some ethical Serie A players, like as Etrit Berisha, Elseid Hysaj, Berat Gjimshiti and Nedim Bajrami, it would be a huge surprise to see them form the knockout stages in Germany. 8. Turkey ⇑ Turkey's opportunities of passing a third successive Euros showed up in real threat of covering up in steam after a 1- 1 tie with Armenia. still, the judgment to sack Stefan Kuntz as trainer after a 4- 2 friendly defeat to Japan documented a masterstroke, with Vincenzo Montella guiding his new squad to a heavy 1- 0 win over Croatia in Osijek the latter's earliest- ever home beating in a Euro qualifier. Turkey followed that upward with a 4- 0 rout of Latvia that looked them progress through with one game left, as Montella turned the first foreign trainer to qualify the country for a major competition, and a 3- 2 friendly victory over Germany in Berlin has just hardened the uncertainty that Turkey might exactly set in a surprise or two at Euro 2024. 7. Hungary ⇑ They may have rather slipped over the finishing range, but there is no rejecting the unbelievable process Hungary have formed since skipping out on the 2022 World Cup. Marco Rossi's men nailed qualification for a third straight European Championship by picturing 2- 2 in Bulgaria thanks to a last- minute own goal from Alex Petkov. Still, star player Dominik Szoboszlai rolled on the manner in his homeland's final group match, with the elegant Liverpool midfielder scoring two times in a 3- 1 victory over Montenegro that put the seal on an unbeaten movement. Hungary surely do not have the hardest team, but home- and- away wins over Serbia proved that they should not be underrated. 6. Austria ⇔ After a hard beginning to life under Ralf Rangnick that contained deportation to the 2nd tier of the Nations League, Austria have grow an entirely dissimilar lookout under the ex Manchester United boss and picked qualification for a third successive Euros in October by beating Azerbaijan 1- 0 thanks to a penalty from Marcel Sabitzer. The Austrians, who are bossed by Real Madrid's David Alaba, purely gained one point from their two matches against Belgium, which suggests that they are doubtful to be title expectants in Germany. still, right now, Rangnick is being cracked up for not only the results he has gained, but the provoking and broad approach he has embraced, which has performed in the fans fallin back in passion with a squad they had raised bored of eyeing under ex boss Franco Foda. 5. Belgium ⇔ Belgium's 2022 World Cup Tournament was a grand tragedy, with star player Kevin De Bruyne causing quite the difference by effectively bouncing some of his squad- mates as too old before the competition started. The unescapable dressing- room divide sported a big part in the Red Devils' humiliating group- standings elimination- as did Romelu Lukaku's weak finishing, in beauty. Still, the Roma striker is fitted and firing again, with Lukaku scoring a history- breaking 14 goals in qualifying. New trainer Domenico Tedesco is also doing a fine job of refreshing the team, with the Belgians unbeaten since he delivered Roberto Martinez after the Qatar tragedy. All effects counted, De Bruyne might truly enjoy returning to the national- squad set- up once he recovers from a long- term hamstring injury. 4. England ⇓ Is football eventually going to come' home'? Well, you clearly wouldn't go against Gareth Southgate's side winning in Germany coming year. They have got the genius and, at this stand, they have also got the skills, having played the final of the last Euros. Qualification was secured with two games to spare after a veritably emotional, come- from- behind palm over Italy at Wembley. still, after concluding their crusade with two dire performances, against Malta and North Macedoinia, and there are still some dubieties, substantially girding the director. Southgate has long been criticised for his felt die-hardism and he is allowed himself that they have not somewhat been at their high performed in 2023, which is reality of a concern given they boast arguably the most exciting crop of attackers in world football. There are also fears that Southgate's clashing picking policy might see in- form players like Raheem Sterling left out of the team for Euro 2024. Still, if England can keep Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane fit, anything feels possible for the Three Lions. 3. Spain ⇑ Enormous credit must go to Luis de la Fuente for the way in which he’s managed Spain’s qualifying movement. Some allies and scholars maintained that the ex Under- 21s trainer demanded the top- level skills to lead the country squad after a shock 2- 0 defeat at Scotland that Rodri and uncounted others didn't take well. still, after picking up the Nations League trophy in June, La Roja also went on a six- game winning band in Group A and accumulated qualification after growing payback over the Scots before winning 1- 0 in Norway. Self-confidence in De la Fuente has now been revived, and while the loss of Gavi to a season- ending injury is a disaster that could have fluently been escaped, Spain will still tour to Germany with an charged young side highlighting budding stars Pedri, Ansu Fati, Alejandro Balde and Lamine Yamal, the brilliant defensive midfielder Rodri and captain Alvaro Morata, who's adoring one of his purple patches up front. 2. Portugal ⇑ Effects could not be covering any more for Portugal after substituting Fernando Santos with Roberto Martinez succeeding a unfortunate World Cup movement that closed with the familiar presence of a frustrated and teary Cristiano Ronaldo bristling down a stadium gallery. Truly, the Seleccao won all 10 of their Euro 2024 qualifiers, scoring 36 goals( Ronaldo and Bruno Fernandes bagged 16 between them) and allowing only twice. Given their capital of attacking appliances, Portugal just have to be counted serious hopefuls to achievement in Germany coming summer. Still, it's worth pointing out that their qualifying group was absolutely awful, while it also remains to be seen if Martinez is honestly fit of delivering in a major competition, given the way in which he blew Belgium's' Golden Generation'. 1. France ⇔ The highest- placed European squad in the world right now- and with logical reason. France boast a verily ridiculously deep pool of players, a big blend of outrageously supercharged stars and evergreen stagers who have seen, suited and won it all. 1st- selectionNo. 9 Olivier Giroud may be turning on a bit but there are no simply imperfections in this team goalkeeper Mike Maignan is a phenomenon- hand, the defence is so good that William Saliba still is not a unspecified starter, an formerly fearful midfield has been boosted by the emergence of generational genius Warren Zaire- Emery, link- man Antoine Griezmann is in the shape of his life, while Kylian Mbappe is relatively just the most intimidating attacker in world football. Greece may have ruined France's hopes of finalizing with a perfect history in qualifying by holding a important- changed Bleus to a 2- 2 tie in Athens, but after exceeding Netherlands both home and away with impactful alleviation, the 2022 World Cup runners- up are genuinely much the squad to beat at Euro 2024.

Ste is here with the latest episode of Redmen Bitesize with the news that according to L'Equipe, Liverpool 'have a chance' to sign Kylian Mbappe in 2024! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.