Sports
Impressive win for Man City provides more doubts on Alonso’s future at Madrid
Manchester City piled the pressure on Real Madrid boss Xabi Alonso with a 2-1 win on Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League.
Speculation about Alonso’s future dominated the build-up to the game, and there was no respite for the former Spain midfielder as City came back from a goal down to win at the Santiago Bernabéu. After Real Madrid saw an early penalty overturned by VAR, Rodrygo opened the scoring in the 28th minute when the Brazilian finished off a well-worked move which began deep in the home side’s half.
But City recovered from a slow start to score twice in eight minutes at the end of the first half.
First, Nico O’Reilly tapped in from close range after Thibaut Courtois slipped Josko Gvardiol‘s header from a corner. And then referee Clement Turpin was back at the screen to award City a penalty for a clumsy challenge from Antonio Rüdiger on Erling Haaland.
Haaland tucked away the penalty and although Real Madrid created plenty of pressure in the second half, they couldn’t find a way through as they slumped to a second home defeat in the space of four days. It’s now just two wins from eight games for Alonso’s team, with his position seemingly hanging by a thread. — Rob Dawson
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Madrid competed, but is it enough to save Alonso?
Pep Guardiola had one piece of advice for Alonso in his Tuesday news conference: do things your way.
A day later at the Bernabéu, in the biggest game of Real Madrid’s season so far, Alonso did exactly that. If Alonso is to lose his job as Real Madrid coach, he might as well do so by picking a team he believes in and playing the football he wants to play, without compromise. That meant Gonzalo García, Alonso’s FIFA Club World Cup favorite, coming in for the injured Kylian Mbappé. It meant Federico Valverde playing as a reluctant right back, whether he likes it or not.
It meant Dani Ceballos coming into the midfield, with Arda Güler benched. And on the wing, Alonso kept faith in Rodrygo, despite his 32-game goalless streak. For much of this defeat, the players at least appeared to be playing for their coach, although it probably helped that it was a Champions League night, against a big name in annual rivals City, and facing Madrid’s public enemy number one, Guardiola.
Right from the start, there was a noticeable, crowd-pleasing effort to work hard out of possession, pressing City, and looking to win the ball high up the pitch, an Alonso trademark which had been seemingly forgotten — whether by accident or design — in Madrid’s slump in form in recent weeks.
After just two minutes, Madrid won a free kick on the edge of the box — initially given as a penalty — which sprung from Jude Bellingham winning the ball in a dangerous position. Three minutes later, as City broke forward, Valverde raced back to cover. Four minutes after that, it was Bellingham working to dispossess Bernardo Silva.
Then came the first-half flurry of goals, as Madrid’s lead was cancelled out. The second half started with Madrid looking bright, although there were worrying opportunities for City, too.
The reaction from the Bernabéu crowd to Alonso’s substitutions suggested the fans have doubts about the coach. His first change, after an hour, withdrawing fan favorite Garcia for midfielder Güler, was met with a bemused, questioning silence, with the team chasing a goal.
The noise when Ceballos was withdrawn for Brahim Díaz was similarly subdued. Only when Endrick was thrown on for a defender, Raúl Asencio, with 10 minutes left, did the Bernabéu roar. Madrid pushed for an equaliser to the end. They competed with City. This was a defeat, but it wasn’t an embarrassing one. And that might just be enough to keep Alonso in his job, at least for the time being.— Alex Kirland
City prove Pep’s point
Guardiola said at his news conference in Madrid on Tuesday that City are “in a little bit of transition.” You can understand why.
So often for big games in the Bernabéu, he’s had Éderson, Kyle Walker, Ilkay Gündogan and Kevin De Bruyne. Now, they’ve all moved on.
Only three players who started the Champions League final in 2023 — Haaland, Silva and Rúben Dias — also started against Real Madrid on Wednesday. This is a new-look team and ahead of the game, Guardiola said he wanted his players to “prove” they could perform on the big stage.
They answered with City’s first win here since 2020.
O’Reilly, only 20, was superb at left back up against Rodrygo, who had a good game. Jérémy Doku, 23, was a constant menace on the left wing and caused Valverde, stepping in at right back for Real Madrid, a lot of problems, particularly in the second half. Guardiola’s feeling is that the Bernabéu is a great test of a team, and City passed the examination. — Dawson
No Mbappé, but Rodrygo belatedly steps up
Mbappé was on the bench, but speaking prematch, Alonso made it clear there was little chance of him making an impact tonight. “Kylian isn’t fit to play,” Alonso told Spanish television. “There’s a risk.”
Without him and his nine Champions League goals this season, Madrid’s prospects of finding the back of Gianluigi Donnarumma‘s net looked slim. Rodrygo hadn’t scored in nine months going into Wednesday’s game. Garcia hadn’t scored in five months. Even Vinícius Júnior hadn’t scored in two months.
But if Rodrygo — who has looked completely lost in recent weeks — was going to score against any team, it had to be City. He’s always found another level in the Champions League, scoring twice as frequently in the competition as he does in LaLiga, and he’s scored more goals against City than any other side, with two goals when the teams met in 2022, and another two in 2024.
Now add 2025 to the list. His goal was a vintage Rodrygo finish, struck low across goal from the right-hand side, a position he personally doesn’t enjoy. A 32-game drought over, you could see the relief in his celebration. There was a hug for Alonso too, a recognition that the coach had kept faith, when few others had.
But the goal didn’t disguise Madrid’s lack of attacking threat. Garcia’s all-around play was good, but he had no shots in his hour on the pitch. Rodrygo had two shots, and Vinícius had four. This was nothing like the volume of chances that Mbappé usually guarantees.
Madrid looked most dangerous in the last few minutes, with Endrick on the pitch — his header hitting the bar — but it wasn’t enough. Any team would miss Mbappé’s quality, and Madrid here were no exception. — Kirkland
Set pieces taking the pressure off Haaland
It was a slow start for City’s new set-piece coach, James French, who arrived from Liverpool in the summer. There was a point at the start of November when City were the only Premier League team not to have scored from a set-piece, but that’s all changed in the last few weeks.
When Josko Gvardiol headed in Phil Foden‘s corner against Sunderland on Saturday, Guardiola immediately turned and pointed to his coaches on the bench with a beaming smile.
The goal against Real Madrid wasn’t quite as clean, but they all count. It was Gvardiol again who won his header from Rayan Cherki‘s corner and O’Reilly was in the right place at the right time to finish it off after the ball had come back off Courtois.
Courtois should have done better, but Guardiola and French won’t care.
City have now scored four goals from set-pieces in their last four games. It’s a big bonus for Guardiola, who admitted earlier in the season that his team had to find ways to take some of the pressure to score goals off Haaland’s shoulders. — Dawson
Madrid pay for defensive injury list
You can’t criticize Madrid’s defending in this game — which was often found wanting, with Courtois getting them out of trouble, making six saves — without mentioning the absentees. And it’s a long, long list.
Dani Carvajal, Éder Militão, Dean Huijsen and Ferland Mendy would be an elite first-choice back four, and that’s without mentioning Trent Alexander-Arnold and David Alaba. Of Madrid’s starting backline, only Álvaro Carreras was expected to be a weekly starter at the beginning of the season.
That said, Rudiger is still a vastly experienced, international defender. Valverde can be an exceptional stand-in right back, and Asencio has mostly performed adequately when called upon. And here, they had to deal with Haaland, plus the pace and trickery of Doku and Cherki.
Of the four, Carreras excelled, delivering one of the most impressive performances of his Madrid career to date, offering composure on the ball and helping the team progress up the pitch when he wasn’t focused on defending. Valverde did his job, and Asencio just about coped. But Rudiger committed a characteristically needless foul on Haaland, for the penalty that ultimately cost Madrid the result.
City had 12 shots, creating two “big chances”, for an xG of 2.54. Given Madrid’s injuries, perhaps that isn’t really too bad a showing. And they’ve relied on Courtois to get them out of trouble in even bigger, more consequential games than this. — Kirkland
City still looking for defensive stability
There’s no question that this City team is capable of scoring goals. They’re the Premier League’s top scorers with 35 and have found the net 13 times in their last four games in all competitions.
The problem they’ve got is keeping them out at the other end.
Guardiola’s team have kept just two clean sheets in their last 11 games. They kept out Sunderland on Saturday — despite some shaky moments early in the second half — but Manchester United are the only team in the top six who have conceded more than City’s 16.
They were fortunate to get away with the penalty incident in the opening two minutes — overturned by VAR — after both Gvardiol and Silva were caught on the ball in the same passage of play.
Rodrygo’s goal was poor, too. It started when Silva lost out to Carreras in the corner before Real Madrid were able to work the ball from back to front without City making a challenge.
City deserve credit for withstanding Real Madrid pressure at the end, but Guardiola will want to cut out the sloppiness which was on show for the first 30 minutes. — Dawson
Manchester City are expected to seek talks with Rodri this summer before pushing ahead with negotiations over a new contract, sources have told ESPN.
Rodri has a year left on his current deal and, as things stand, could leave the Etihad Stadium as a free agent in 2027.
The 2024 Ballon d’Or winner said on Thursday that “you can’t rule out the best clubs in the world” when asked about potential interest from Real Madrid, opening the door to a possible move.
City are keen to keep the Spain international, who is a central part of Pep Guardiola’s team.
Plans to discuss a new contract were paused after Rodri suffered a serious knee injury in September 2024 in order to let the midfielder focus on his recovery and rehabilitation.
The 29-year-old has been able to play more regularly during the second half of the season and has started nine of City’s last 11 games, including the Carabao Cup victory over Arsenal at Wembley.
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Now approaching full fitness, City are keen to sit down with Rodri’s representatives to see if he’s open to extending his stay.
Sources have told ESPN that City have been aware for a while that Rodri is open to returning to Spain to end his career in La Liga.
He moved to the Etihad from Atlético Madrid in 2019 and has won 11 major trophies in seven years at the club.
Rodri is one of two contract priorities for City along with Phil Foden, who is also set to enter the final year of his deal. Nathan Aké and Mateo Kovacic are two others set to be out of contract in 2027.
Bernardo Silva is expected to leave at the end of the season and City are monitoring players to bolster their midfield ahead of the summer window, regardless of Rodri’s future.
Nottingham Forest‘s Elliot Anderson is one target, although the England international is also attracting interest from Manchester United.
The biggest moves from the 2026 NFL free agency cycle have nearly all been made, as 82 of our top 100 free agents have new contracts. And we can already start to think about next year’s class.
It’s important to remember that most top players primed for free agency in 2027 will sign contract extensions long before we reach next March. Players can also be franchise-tagged. But for now, let’s size up the potential of the 2027 class with the best players who are at least currently slated to hit the open market.
Age, positional value, expected future production and scheme versatility are all factors in making the list. We also included three players who received franchise tags this season and some 2023 first-round picks who are eligible for a fifth-year option in 2027.
Let’s get started with the quarterbacks, led by last season’s MVP.
More on 2026 free agency:
Top 100 | Best remaining free agents
Grading top deals | Overreactions
Jump to a 2027 position group:
QB | RB | WR | TE | OL
Edge | DT | LB | CB | S
Tags | Fifth-year options
Quarterbacks
Stafford led the NFL with 4,707 passing yards and 46 touchdowns last season, and won his first MVP award. A master of pocket movement, he can throw fastballs to every level in coach Sean McVay’s system. Stafford will turn 39 next February, and if he continues to play, the tape tells us he can still produce at a high level.
Mayfield pairs his aggressive throwing mentality with the ability to scramble and make plays outside of structure. His numbers dipped last season despite a strong start, but he threw for 4,500 yards and 41 touchdowns in 2024. Mayfield’s savvy play style is contagious — he battles.
If Murray wins the starting job in Minnesota over J.J. McCarthy, there is major opportunity here for him in coach Kevin O’Connell’s system. With a game plan built around Murray’s dual-threat ability (five seasons of 400-plus rushing yards), defined throws and play-action shots, he could cash in after his one-year deal is up.
Tagovailoa is coming off a rough 2024 season in Miami, with 20 touchdown passes and 15 interceptions before he was officially benched ahead of Week 16. But he now joins new coach Kevin Stefanski on a one-year deal in Atlanta. If Tagovailoa is named the starter over Michael Penix Jr., look for Stefanski to lean on his leveled play-action concepts and cater to the quarterback’s timing-and-rhythm style.
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Running backs
One of the league’s premier runners, Taylor combines power, vision and home run juice to rack up big-time production. He led the league with 323 carries and 18 rushing touchdowns last season; his 1,585 rushing yards ranked third. Plus, Taylor can produce as an outlet/underneath target in the passing game (46 receptions in 2025).
Swift boosted his value last season in coach Ben Johnson’s offense. He rushed for a career-high 1,087 yards and nine touchdowns, while adding 34 receptions. Part of a backfield rotation, he fits best in zone-heavy scheme where he can press the ball to daylight and contribute to the pass game.
Wide receivers
London fits the profile of a No. 1 receiver with the versatility to line up inside or outside. In 12 games last season, he caught 68 passes for 919 yards with seven touchdowns.
London creates conflicts for opposing defenses in scoring position. He has 19 red-zone touchdown grabs since entering the league in 2022 (eighth most in that time span).
Olave had 100 receptions, 1,163 yards and nine scores in 2025 (all career highs). He’s a three-level glider who can easily create his own separation. Olave has a history with concussions, including several in the 2024 season, but he answered availability questions in 2025 with 16 starts.
Still one of the league’s best at shaking press coverage, Adams led the league with 14 touchdown receptions last season (league-high 12 in the red zone). He will turn 34 years old in December, but his ability to make himself available to the quarterback from perimeter alignments brings value to any offensive system.
Rice has played in only 12 games over the past two seasons due to injuries and a suspension. When on the field, however, he can operate as a volume target on catch-and-run throws. In three seasons, 69.8% of Rice’s 1,794 receiving yards have come after the catch. Plus, he has the ball skills to win over the top.
Since entering the league in 2022, Watson has never played a full season due to injuries. But the 2025 tape tells us the arrow could be pointing up for him. With the 4.3 speed and vertical ability to threaten defenses, Watson is a proven target on the boundary who has averaged 17.3 yards per catch over his career.
Tight ends
A back injury limited LaPorta to nine games last season. However, he had 146 catches and 17 receiving touchdowns over his first two NFL seasons. Those marks ranked fourth most and second most among tight ends, respectively.
With the ability to stretch the seams and create favorable matchups from multiple alignments, LaPorta is a top-five tight end when healthy.
Kraft was amid a breakout season in 2025 before an ACL injury in Week 9. At that point, he had 32 receptions for 489 yards and six touchdowns. At 6-foot-5, 259 pounds, Kraft is a physical target in the route tree who can rumble after the catch.
A knee injury in 2024 cut Hockenson’s season short, and sub-par QB play in 2025 reduced his total production. At his best, Hockenson should be viewed as a rugged, three-down tight end who can win in the middle of the field or on seams and corner routes. He had a career-best 95 receptions in 2023.
Goedert is a multilevel target who can produce on manufactured touches in the low red zone. In 2025, his 11 touchdowns were tied for second most in the league despite only 15 appearances.
Kelce is back in Kansas City for this upcoming season after catching 76 passes in 2025. His production and overall play speed has declined, but Kelce can still uncover due to his high-level field awareness. We’ll see if he continues to play in 2027.
Offensive linemen
Williams will turn 38 years old this summer, but he still has ideal tools for an NFL left tackle. He has the power and mobility to win matchups on the edges in both the run and pass game. Williams allowed just three sacks last season; his 79.5% run block win rate ranked sixth among offensive tackles.
Nelson’s tone-setting play demeanor would be a fit for any O-line room in the league, and he’s still producing high-level tape. His 95.5% pass block win rate ranked seventh among guards last season. Plus, he can easily displace defenders in the run game.
A durable interior presence, Brewer has the foot quickness to match defensive tackles in pass protection and operate in a zone run scheme. Last season, his 96.0% pass block win rate ranked sixth among centers.
Edge rushers
Walker battled through a wrist injury last season, leading to a decline in his pass-rush production (3.5 sacks). However, he had at least 10 sacks and 40 pressures in both the 2023 and 2024 seasons. If Walker can stay healthy in 2026, the former No. 1 overall pick could be a problem off the edges.
After 11.5 sacks in 2024, Van Ginkel recorded 7.5 in 12 games last season. His skill set fits best in a defense that schemes one-on-one matchups and stunts for him off the edges as an outside linebacker.
Thibodeaux had 11.5 sacks in 2023, but he has missed 12 games over the past two seasons, getting just 8.5 sacks during that time. He lacks elite bend on the edges, but he should still grade out as a solid starter next free agency.
Defensive tackles
Williams has the versatility and frame (6-foot-5, 310 pounds) to play multiple spots on the defensive front. A physical pass rusher and run defender, Williams has 18 sacks and a run stop win rate of 39.2% over the past two seasons.
At 6-foot-4, 347 pounds, Vea is an athletic plugger in the run game. And on pass plays, he provides an interior push to dent the pocket. In eight seasons with the Bucs, Vea has 35 sacks and 154 solo tackles.
Buckner’s sack totals and pass rush win rate have slipped over the past two seasons in Indianapolis. However, he can fit in a variety of NFL fronts with his powerful traits and 6-foot-7, 295-pound frame.
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Linebackers
Al-Shaair is an urgent run stopper who racked up over 100 tackles in Houston last season. Plus, he showed up in the pass defense with two interceptions and six pass breakups. He should be viewed as a productive three-down defender in free agency.
The scheme fit will be key for Luvu if he makes it to free agency, as he’s a stack linebacker — inside linebacker or 4-3 outside linebacker — who can be set up as a pass rusher or blitzer. With the foot quickness to shake blockers or wrap to the quarterback in tight quarters, Luvu had 11 sacks over the past two seasons.
Queen has the run-and-chase ability to track the ball on the perimeter and hunt down screens. Plus, he can slice into the backfield on blitzes to make splash plays. Queen could improve against the run game at the point of attack, but he has had over 100 tackles in four straight seasons.
Cornerbacks
Humphrey has 10 interceptions over his past two seasons, and his physicality in coverage still shows up nine years into his NFL career. Plus, he is willing to set the edges of the defense in the run game. Humphrey should be viewed as a scheme versatile corner if he reaches free agency.
After signing a one-year deal in Philadelphia, Woolen can boost his free agent value in 2026 under coordinator Vic Fangio. Woolen must show improved eye discipline and more consistent tackling to match his elite length and speed. He has the tools of a top cover corner.
More of a ball disruptor than playmaker (three career interceptions), Porter’s 12 pass breakups in 2025 tied for the fifth most in the league. He has 25 over his three seasons in Pittsburgh. Porter has the play demeanor to challenge in press coverage, plus the vision to locate the ball in zone coverage.
Safeties
A three-level playmaker, James is one of the best at the position. At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, he can blitz, match in coverage or patrol the deep zones of the field. He produced three interceptions, two sacks, 13 pressures and 94 tackles in 2025.
It’s hard to find safeties who consistently make plays on the ball from the third level of the field. Bates checks that box with 13 interceptions over his past three seasons in Atlanta, and a total of 27 in his career.
An Achilles injury limited Branch to 12 games in 2025. When healthy, he can play over the top, cover the slot and impact the game near the line of scrimmage. He has difference-making ability.
Franchise tags
With 22 receptions of 20 or more yards (fourth most in the league), Pickens has the explosiveness to flip the field. Plus, he finished third with 1,429 receiving yards. Splash plays pay in free agency. Pickens also improved with his route running at all three levels in Dallas, which boosts his free-agent profile even more.
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Hall has 188 receptions in his career and averages 90 scrimmage yards per game. He also has 87 rushes of 10 or more yards over four seasons. A three-down back with big-play juice, Hall should be in line to receive a multiyear deal in 2027.
Pitts plays tight end like a wide receiver, and his numbers were up in 2025. He caught 88 passes (career high) for 928 yards and five touchdowns, showing that he has the tools to thrive from a variety of alignments.
Fifth-year option candidates
Young threw for 3,011 yards and 23 touchdowns in 2025, both career highs. Plus, he delivered the ball with better location and timing in his second season under coach Dave Canales. In January, general manager Dan Morgan said the team plans on picking up his fifth-year option.
Stroud completed a career-best 64.5% of his throws last season in 14 games. An upgraded Texans offensive line, plus the trade for running back David Montgomery, should create more balance and better passing opportunities for Stroud in 2026.
Anderson had 12 sacks and 53 pressures in 2025; his 22.7% pass rush win rate ranked fourth in the league. He’s a game-wrecker who can win with power, speed and counter moves.
Robinson should be viewed as an offensive playmaker with the speed and splash-play chops to stress defenses. Last season, he had 2,298 scrimmage yards, 11 touchdowns and 36 rushes of 10 or more yards (tied for third most in the league).
In 11 games last season, Carter had three sacks and 21 pressures. At his best, he is a disruptive defensive tackle who can take over games.
A powerful mauler who can displace defenders in the run game, Wright had his best season as a pass protector in 2025. His 95.2% pass block win rate ranked fourth among tackles. He’s an ascending player who can lock down the right side of the line.
Skoronski’s 96.0% pass block win rate ranked fourth among guards, and he has the run-blocking ability to thrive in any scheme. He could develop into one of the league’s blue-chip guards.
A dual-threat back with big-time acceleration ability, Gibbs had 77 receptions last season and 1,839 scrimmage yards (fifth most in the NFL). On tape, it looks like Gibbs is playing at a different speed than his opponents.
With his long frame and pass-rushing range, McDonald has the physical traits to disrupt the pocket. He had eight sacks in 2025 after 10.5 in 2024.
Gonzalez didn’t record an interception in 2025 but had nine pass breakups as the anchor of New England’s secondary. I see the tools of a high-level cover corner on tape.
A catch-and-run maestro, Flowers caught 86 passes for 1,211 yards in 2025 (both career highs). Flowers is dynamic in space, while playcallers can get him to make splash plays on manufactured touches.
Smith missed five games last season due to a triceps injury, finishing with three sacks and 19 pressures. He was much more productive in a healthy 2024 season, with 6.5 sacks, one forced fumble and 4.5 run stuffs.
Defending champions Lahore Qalandars secured a commanding 69-run victory over Hyderabad Kingsmen in the Pakistan Super League’s (PSL) opener, powered by Fakhar Zaman’s fluent fifty and a disciplined bowling performance at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on Thursday.
Set to chase a daunting 200-run target in their maiden PSL appearance, the Kingsmen’s batting unit faltered and could accumulate 130 before getting bowled out in 20 overs.
Captain Marnus Labuschagne remained the top-scorer for the Kingsmen with a cautious 26 off 22 deliveries, followed by No.9 batter Riley Meredith, who made an unbeaten 19 off 25 deliveries.
Besides them, opener Saim Ayub (17), experienced all-rounder Hammad Azam, and tailender Mohammad Ali, 10 each, were the only other batters to amass double figures.
For the Qalandars, Haris Rauf, Sikandar Raza and Ubaid Shah bagged two wickets each, while Mustafizur Rahman and captain Shaheen Shah Afridi chipped in with one scalp apiece.
Qalandars captain Shaheen Shah Afridi’s decision to bat first paid dividends as the holders racked up 199/6 in their 20 overs despite a brief top-order collapse.
The three-time champions made a flamboyant start to their innings, courtesy of an 84-run partnership between their openers, Fakhar and Mohammad Naeem.
The crucial partnership was eventually broken by Hassan Khan on the second delivery of the ninth over when he got Naeem caught at long-on by Rizwan Mehmood. The right-handed opener walked back after scoring a 19-ball 30, comprising four fours and a six.
Qalandars then lost two more wickets in the next two overs as top-order batter Abdullah Shafique (four) got run out, while Fakhar fell victim to Hassan shortly after bringing up his half-century.
The left-handed opener remained the top-scorer for the Qalandars with 53 off 39 deliveries, studded with nine fours.
Following the back-to-back setbacks, Haseebullah Khan and Parvez Hossain Emon (14) put together an anchoring 37-run partnership for the fourth wicket, which culminated with the latter’s dismissal in the 16th over.
Haseebullah was then involved in a brisk 45-run partnership with all-rounder Sikandar Raza, who played a quickfire 24-run cameo off just 10 deliveries, featuring two sixes and as many fours.
The wicketkeeper batter remained unbeaten with a 28-ball 40, while Asif Ali and captain Shaheen made handy contributions at the backend, scoring nine and 12 not out, respectively.
For the Kingsmen, Riley Meredith and Hassan picked up two wickets each, while Mohammad Ali made one scalp.
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