Bundesliga

XABI ALONSO will leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the season, according to reports.The Spaniard has been attracting interest from some of the biggest clubs in Europe.Xabi Alonso will reportedly leave Bayer Leverkusen at the end of the seasonCredit: GettyHe led Bayer Leverkusen to their first Bundesliga title ever, going unbeaten in all 34 games.Alonso also reached the Europa League final, losing to Atalanta, and soon after he was linked to the vacant job at Liverpool.He ruled himself out of the running for that role but he is now set to leave Leverkusen at the end of the season, report Eurosport Spain.Alonso, 42, is under contract until 2026 but could fancy a different challenge.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLAnother former club Real Madrid has been mooted as a potential option, but Carlo Ancelotti also has a deal until 2026.Alonso was asked why he turned down Liverpool and was cagey when discussing his future, prior to his side’s 4-0 thrashing at Anfield last month.He said: “At that time I was focused, I had a big thing with the players and we were really focused on that.”Let’s talk about the game tomorrow, it’s more interesting than my future.”Most read in BundesligaBEST FREE BET SIGN UP OFFERS FOR UK BOOKMAKERSOne job that could be available in the summer is Manchester City, and the club reportedly like the look of Alonso as a successor to Pep Guardiola, whose contract expires at the end of the season.Reports have claimed Leverkusen have begun their search for a new successor with Stuttgart boss Sebastian Hoeness and Germany assistant manager Sandro Wagner being considered.Roy Keane fumes Man Utd ‘wouldn’t have tolerated’ Xabi Alonso’s behaviour More

MAINZ goalkeeper Robin Zentner has called out Harry Kane after a sickening on-field collision. The 30-year-old needed treatment on the field after a challenge from the England striker on Wednesday night. Harry Kane has been called out for leaving his boot in on Mainz goalkeeper Robin ZentnerCredit: GettyThe 30-year-old required lengthy treatment during Mainz’s 4-0 loss to Bayern on WednesdayCredit: GettyZentner was able to continue following the collisionCredit: ReutersKane drew a rare blank as Bayern Munich romped to a 4-0 DFB-Pokal win at the MEWA Arena. The former Tottenham forward came close on several occasions, twice turning provider for Jamal Musiala as the youngster struck a brilliant hat-trick. But it was an incident in the 15th minute that had Mainz fans – and Zentner – incensed. Kane burst into the box with one of his trademark late runs, looking to find the opening goal.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe slid in to try and beat Zentner to the loose ball, with the goal gaping.But the goalkeeper got there first, resulting in Kane’s studs raking down the side of Zentner’s face.The game was halted for several minutes while the former Kiel keeper was attended by medical staff.He was eventually given the green light to continue with a bandage above his right eye.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSFollowing the loss, Zentner hit out at Kane and accused the England star of going for a ball he was never likely to make.He told Bild: “I think you can blame him. Rodri and Harry Kane lead footy stars and Wags arriving for lavish Ballon d’Or ceremony despite Real Madrid ‘boycott'”He sees relatively early on that he can’t get to the ball. “He might as well just stay away.’ Kane joined Munich in the summer of 2023 for a deal worth £104million. The veteran keeper saw out the game with a mark above his right eyeCredit: GettyHarry Kane reveals his favourite England goalsHARRY KANE is already England’s all-time record goalscorer.But the Three Lions skipper will NOT be stopping there.To mark his 100th cap for his country, Kane spoke to SunSport’s CHARLIE WYETT about some of his special England goals….FIRST ENGLAND GOAL“My debut v Lithuania. March 2015.”There was a lot of talk in the build-up to that camp because I was playing well for Spurs.“I got a great reception and within a couple of minutes I scored a goal.“I don’t think I could have dreamed it any better.“My friends and family were there. That was a really special night.”FAVOURITE ENGLAND GOAL“It’s between two, for me.“Against Germany, the one at Wembley in Euro 2020.“Also, the header against Tunisia at the World Cup in 2018.“That moment of scoring a last-minute winner at my first World Cup was special.”BEST ENGLAND GOAL“The one I scored in Poland away in a World Cup qualifier in 2021. It was from 25 yards.”(Kane picked up the ball from Kyle Walker, advanced towards goal and put his foot through it.)“It kind of drifted away and it was a good strike, probably my furthest-out goal for England.”He has since scored a remarkable 45 goals in 40 games across all competitions. So far this season, the former Spurs star has bagged nine goals in eight, as well as five assists. Bayern are setting the early pace in the Bundesliga, top of the table with 20 points from 6 games. More

CHELSEA fans are hopeful Richard Olise can emulate his older brother and become a Prem star. The 20-year-old caught the eye in a 3-0 defeat to Charlton in the EFL Trophy on Wednesday. Chelsea youngster Richard Olise has caught the eye this seasonCredit: GettyThe 20-year-old featured during the under-21s defeat at Charlton on WednesdayCredit: RexHe is the younger brother of Bayern Munich star Michael OliseCredit: EPARichard is the younger brother of former Crystal Palace winger Michael Olise.Michael, 22, joined Bayern Munich for £49.5million in the summer and has already netted five goals in eight games. And the future looks bright for his sibling, a right-sided defender in the mould of Reese James.Olise joined the Chelsea youth setup at the age of just 8.READ MORE ON FOOTBALLHe has progressed through the academy and has been involved in England’s Under-18s.Olise picked up a valuable 90 minutes against the Addicks, almost setting up Jimmy-Jay Morgan with some neat interplay down the wing. It could be a pivotal year for the fullback, who signed a one-year contract extension at Stamford Bridge this summer. He is contracted with the Blues until next May, with the club having an option for a further year.Most read in FootballFOOTBALL FREE BETS AND SIGN UP DEALSBlues fans are desperate for the 20-year-old to kick on this season in the Premier League 2.He has made four appearances so far this term, scoring against Fulham earlier this month. Chelsea vs Newcastle: Player RatingsOne fan wrote on X after Wednesday’s game: “Another Olise…Hope he will become as good as Michael.”Another said: “Richard Olise [is] having a great start to the season in a system that functions in a similar way to the first teams.”While a third commented: “Wasn’t sure Olise was gonna make the step up but this year, he’s been immense.”Richard hopes to emulate his brother’s remarkable rise from the EFL to the Champions League. Chelsea ratings vs NewcastleCHELSEA were dumped out the Carabao Cup by Newcastle.The 2-0 loss came after the Blues made 11 changes to their starting line-up.SunSport’s Craig Mahood reveals which players might have done enough to keep their place next time.Filip Jorgensen – 6Nervy start when flapping at an early cross and a couple of wayward kicks going out.Struggled in parts with the ball at his feet including a pass straight to Tonali in the first half. Not much to do in the second half.Axel Disasi – 6Looked uncomfortable for large spells at right-back in duels with Joelinton in the first half and couldn’t sort his feet out when scoring an own goal.Didn’t have much defending to do after the break but offered little in attack.Tosin Adarabioyo – 6Best of the back line but not a difficult task. Looks like a player is there if he can get more minutes as marshalled Isak well for much of the contest.Benoit Badiashile – 5Shocker of a pass to Veiga for Newcastle’s opener before being booked for a foul on Krafth.Terrible touch right on half time let Gordon clear and fortunate Willock missed from close range.Marc Cucurella – 6Huffed and puffed down the left-hand side and defended reasonably well against Gordon for most of the night.Tried to link with Mudryk but a frustrating night meant he didn’t get as involved.Enzo Fernandez – 6Chelsea skipper saw plenty of the ball but didn’t create much of note on it.Looked to be missing the creative spark that would normally play alongside him in there.Renato Veiga – 6Largely anonymous in the middle as kept possession moving but was caught on it for the opening Newcastle goal, though not really his fault.Stung the palms of Pope late on but didn’t create much in that position.Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – 5Should’ve scored in opening 90 seconds with glorious chance.On the fringes of the game throughout and struggled to get involved. Hooked before the hour.Mykhailo Mudryk – 7Quiet first half hour before bursting clear of Krafth later in half. Appeared to gainconfidence in the second half and was a threat when he did get the ball on the left.His final ball missing a few times but would’ve had an assist or two on another evening. Chelsea will be hoping this isn’t a flash in the pan.Joao Felix – 5Another one that showed very, very brief flashes. Should’ve scored when clean through with 15 minutes to go which might’ve changed the game.Frustrations of a difficult night shown when booked for dissent in closing stages.SubsNoni Madueke – 6Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour.Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block.Replaced ineffective Dewsbury-Hall for the final half hour.Claimed for a penalty when pushed over by Gordon. Was a threat when in possession but struggled against Newcastle’s low block.Michael spent three years at Selhurst Park after signing from League One side Reading in 2021.During that time, the winger scored 16 goals and provided 25 assists in 90 appearances.In a club statement following his big-money move to Germany, Palace chairman Steve Parish said: “We are hugely proud of what Michael has achieved at Crystal Palace, a club where he has developed greatly as a player.READ MORE SUN STORIES”We respect his desire to further test himself at the highest level of world football.”I would like to personally wish him the very best for his next adventure with Bayern Munich in Germany which I’m sure we will all follow closely.” More