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Paul Horton almost led Lancashire to their first Twenty20 title this summer but will sit out the first two matches of their campaign next season after being suspended for dissent.

ESPNcricinfo staff05-Sep-2014Paul Horton almost led Lancashire to their first Twenty20 title this summer but will sit out the first two matches of their campaign next season after being suspended for dissent.Horton, the Lancashire captain, appeared to refuse to leave the crease after being given out caught behind in the NatWest T20 Blast Final at Edgbaston, which Lancashire lost to Warwickshire.Attempting to pull a delivery from Jeetan Patel, Horton was adjudged to have gloved the delivery through to Warwickshire wicketkeeper Tim Ambrose.He was visibly unhappy with the decision and gestured with outstretched arms towards the umpire.Horton was charged with a Level Two offence under the ECB’s disciplinary code – showing serious dissent at an umpire’s decision by word or action – earning him three penalty points.But the Cricket Discipline Commission decided further action was necessary in accordance with summary procedure regulations 5 and 6.Given the high profile of the event and the level of dissent shown – Michael Atherton described it as the worst since Chris Broad in the late 1980s – the commission handed down a two-match ban, which Horton accepted.”I apologise to the umpires for my actions,” Horton said. “I realise that these were unacceptable, particularly given the high profile nature of the match, watched by millions around the world on TV and a full house at Edgbaston. As players we must be aware of our responsibilities as role models, none more so than the captain.”

David Collier is leaving the ECB after a decade as chief executive. Appointed in October 2004, he is expected to remain in place until the end of the season though an interim appointment is expected to be made shortly.

George Dobell12-Jul-2014David Collier is leaving the ECB after a decade as chief executive.Collier, 59, was appointed in October 2004 and will remain in place until the end of the season though an interim appointment is expected to be made shortly.The ECB confirmed the announcement on Sunday although no mention of the plans for Collier’s successor were made.*Richard Gould, the Surrey chief executive, and Brian Havill, the ECB’s finance director since 2000, are the likely candidates to succeed the post.While Collier, a quiet man happiest working behind the scenes, never developed a significant public profile, he has been involved in some highly significant developments in English cricket.He was part of the management group that brought vast amounts of new money into the game, though the decision to sell live television rights to a subscription broadcaster remains controversial.Giles Clarke, the ECB chairman, said: “When we reflect on the past 10 years we will all recognise the huge debt of gratitude which is owed by cricket in England and Wales to David Collier and the management teams he has built and revitalised during that period.”Benefiting from the increased funds, England achieved several key ambitions. They won their first Ashes series for almost 20 years in 2005 and their first global limited-overs trophy in 2010. They also rose to No. 1 in the Test rankings. Collier was also involved in the development of the women’s game and disability cricket in the UK.The decision to sign a deal with Allen Stanford will certainly be remembered less favourably, with the Texan later sentenced to a 110-year prison sentence for fraud. Not all the counties will mourn his departure, either. They are unhappy that, while they fight for their financial survival, the ECB have amassed reserves of around £40 million.Collier’s departure will leave the ECB with an inexperienced look. They have already lost Hugh Morris as managing director, Andy Flower as head coach and Andrew Strauss as Test captain in recent months, while commercial director John Perera has also announced his decision to retire.It is understood Collier had been keen to leave some time ago, but was persuaded to stay on to provide some level of continuity. In May 2012, he was interviewed for the position of ICC CEO but missed out to Dave Richardson and he has also been linked to several other high-profile positions in recent months.Collier said: “After 10 years at ECB I believe it is the right time to step aside and retire from the position of chief executive as I shall turn 60 in the spring and I do believe the time is right for a new CEO to open the batting.”I am immensely proud of the achievements and the enormous strides forward which cricket in England and Wales has made during the past decade.”He was previously chief executive at Gloucestershire (1983-86), Leicestershire (1996-99) and Nottinghamshire (1999-2004) after a spell as assistant secretary at Essex (1980-83).Collier has also worked in the travel and leisure industries. He was senior vice-president of American Airlines and president of AMR Services from 1988-95 and managing director of Servisair PLC from 1995-96.A Loughborough University graduate and former captain of British Universities cricket and hockey teams; he is an independent director of Great Britain Hockey and a former international class one hockey umpire.*1.30pm, July 13: This story was updated when the ECB made the news official

The Angel Gabriel is a hard-working, versatile, big game player who can answer the Gunners' prayers…

Arsenal are set to land four-time Premier League winner Gabriel Jesus after agreeing a £45 million ($55m) deal with Manchester City.

The Brazilian was Mikel Arteta's priority attacking target and there is, quite rightly, plenty of excitement around his imminent arrival at the Emirates.

So, below, GOAL looks at what can the Gunners expect from a player that became a sensation when he joined City as a teenager and then dazzled, but occasionally frustrated, in the intervening years…

GettyFlexibility

Jesus has been deployed all across the front three during his time at the Etihad Stadium because of his excellent all-round game.

Whether tasked with being a ball-carrier, a battler or a box of tricks, Jesus has nearly always delivered exactly what Pep Guardiola has asked of him.

Even as a No.9 there was a malleability to his game, whether he was charged with primarily playing as a six-yard box predator, a spearhead against teams trying to press high or dropping deep as a false nine, creating space for midfielders.

Similarly, he has been effective in different roles when playing wide. He has delivered as an old-school winger, hugging the touchline, an inside forward playing off a central striker or as an attacker charged with supplementing the midfield.

His time at City can be characterised by an unselfishness that has always put the team ahead of any personal glory.

AdvertisementGettyWork-rate

Ever since his first start in a 3-0 victory over Crystal Palace in January 2017, Jesus' hard work has stood out as a key attribute.

Guardiola has wanted his team to press opponents high up the pitch and that starts with the striker putting central defenders under pressure.

Jesus, to his credit, instinctively knew what was required and that immediately put the place of legendary striker Sergio Aguero under threat.

The Argentinian came alive when City had the ball, but he was not always the most effective when the opponents were controlling possession.

Aguero learned from his young team-mate, though, and his increased work-rate, coupled with his incredible strike rate, meant that he remained City's first-choice centre forward, although Jesus still got the call when hard graft was essential, as in the stunning Champions League win over Real Madrid in 2020.

Getty ImagesBig-game player

Guardiola has often turned to Jesus for big games and has been rewarded with important performances and goals.

The victory over Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu was a landmark moment for City's rise in the Champions League, beating one of the elite on their own patch, with Jesus instrumental, scoring an equaliser in a breathless performance.

Last season, he started the early double-header against Chelsea and Liverpool, scoring at Stamford Bridge and providing an assist for Phil Foden at Anfield.

Jesus didn't start a Premier League game for three months after New Year, partly because of injury, but was recalled for the crucial Premier League clash with Liverpool in April and scored the opener.

It's also telling that as City continued their pursuit of their Champions League dream, he started both semi-final legs against Real, scoring at the Etihad and leading the line in Spain.

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Getty ImagesPotential

Still only 25, Jesus is moving into his prime years and can get even better.

At City, he was always fighting to be in the starting line-up and was never able to truly convince fans that he belonged in the strongest XI.

The move to Arsenal could give him more freedom and the close attention of a coach like Arteta, who knows him well from his time at the Etihad as Guardiola's assistant, could make him feel even more loved.

Technically, Jesus has everything in his game to be a star: quick feet, pace, strength, good movement and the ability to play either side.

On top of that, he has the experience of working in a winning environment and he can bring some of that mentality to the Emirates and thrive in a hungry, young squad.

The Pakistan Cricket Board has decided not to extend the contracts of head coach Moin Khan, fielding coach Shoaib Mohammad and batting consultant Zaheer Abbas, and has invited applications for their positions

Umar Farooq18-Apr-2014The PCB has decided to not extend the contracts of head coach Moin Khan, fielding coach Shoaib Mohammad and batting consultant Zaheer Abbas, and has invited applications for their positions.This is the second time since the start of 2014 that PCB has sought new coaching staff. In February, the current coaching team was appointed on the recommendations of Wasim Akram, Intikhab Alam and Javed Miandad. However, the board seemed unsatisfied with their performance in the Asia Cup and the World T20, and has set an 18-day deadline for applicants. It has also invited names for the roles of spin-bowling consultant, sports physiotherapist, and strength and conditioning coach.Since the exit of Dav Whatmore and Julien Fountain, Pakistan has failed to find a stable coaching panel. The uncertainty in the PCB’s leadership has also contributed to this. Najam Sethi, who was reinstated as interim PCB chief in February, had chosen to back Moin as head coach over Waqar Younis, who was also a contender.ESPNcricinfo also understands that the PCB has a preference for former Pakistan players as head coach, and foreign applicants will be considered for the support staff, including the fielding coach.Waqar, who was Pakistan’s coach between March 2010 and September 2011, is considered to be a strong candidate, and is reportedly keen to take up the job. Moin is likely to be given another role within the PCB, which may be the head of the selection committee. Moin had recently met the PCB management committee, where he presented a list of 30 players for the forthcoming summer camp.

Najam Sethi, the PCB chairman, has said the Pakistan board is inviting Sri Lanka over for a series, asserting that Pakistan is “ready” to host international cricket in the country once again

Umar Farooq22-May-2014Najam Sethi, the PCB chairman, has said the Pakistan board is inviting Sri Lanka over for a series, asserting that Pakistan is “ready” to host international cricket in the country once again.The PCB’s invite follows Sri Lanka President Mahinda Rajapaksa’s statement on Tuesday, when, on the sidelines of a summit in China, he said that his cricket team “must go to Pakistan and play there”. The PCB decided to write Sri Lanka Cricket, offering its team a series in Pakistan.Pakistan has been a no-go zone for major international cricket since March 2009, when terrorists attacked the Sri Lanka team bus on its way to Gaddafi Stadium on the third morning of a Test. Several cricketers were injured in the attack, including Mahela Jayawardene, Kumar Sangakkara, Ajantha Mendis, Thilan Samaraweera and Tharanga Paravitarana. Six security men and two civilians were killed.”We must go and play there also,” President Rajapaksa said during a meeting with Pakistan President Mamnoon Hussain. “We can’t allow the terrorists to have control.”Responding swiftly to the statement, Sethi said: “We are very much concerned about being isolated, without major international cricket in Pakistan. We have heard the positive statement by the president of Sri Lanka and we are writing them and offering them a home series in Pakistan.”We are writing them that there is no security problem and you are welcome and we will provide you the maximum security with the help of the Punjab Government.”We are ready to host them and will chalk out a suitable window for them. Our top priority is to host an international team and we are making efforts to do that.”This is not the first time the Sri Lanka government has hinted at having intentions to help Pakistan in breaking their isolation, but the discussions never bred anything concrete previously. The PCB also tried hard to negotiate home series’ with the Bangladesh Cricket Board, but the series never happened, with Bangladesh twice withdrawing after seemingly having committed.The PCB had tried to win back the confidence of players by organising a lucrative Twenty20 league, offering top players from around the world a chance to earn over $100,000, tax-free, in 10 days. But the plan was hit by logistical problems, and the board had to postpone it indefinitely.Pakistan is set to tour Sri Lanka in August to play two Tests and three one-day internationals. They will then host Australia and New Zealand in the UAE, from October 3 to December 19.

Chris Jordan hopes to play for England in his native Barbados in the first of three T20Is on Sunday but it could have all turned out so differently

ESPNcricinfo staff07-Mar-2014If Bill Athey, the former England batsman, had not gone on a reconnaissance trip to Barbados to seek out a potential cricketer for a scholarship at Dulwich College, Chris Jordan might conceivably have been lining up for West Indies against England in Barbados on Sunday.Kensington Oval, after all, was where Jordan watched from the stands, played on the outfield in front of the old media box and even took part in the first match after the ground had been refurbished in time for the 2007 World Cup.But Athey liked what he saw and Jordan found himself living among the unaccustomed splendour of Dulwich College, an independent school in South East London which is approaching its 400th anniversary, where England and Sri Lanka trained during the Champions Trophy last summer, and where there are comfortably more artificial outdoor cricket pitches than any county ground in the land.At 25, and with the best year of his career behind him, Jordan is strong enough to cope with the inevitable consequence of his change of allegiance, knowing that, if he wins a place in the final XI in the first of three Twenty20 internationals on Sunday, for every well-wisher there could be a partisan West Indies who will be happy to see him fall flat on his face.But his task in the three Twenty20 internationals at Kensington Oval is to get his preparations for World Twenty20 in Bangladesh right on track and contribute to the lifting of morale in an England side that has gained some release with a 2-1 ODI series win in Antigua, but which few people regard as serious challengers in World Twenty20.Jordan waved aside the crowd reaction he might face as “pretty irrelevant really,” adding “As long as my friends and my family are backing me, that’s honestly all that matters. It doesn’t matter who I play for at the end of the day, my family and friends will back me 100 per cent and that’s all that matters.”Jordan still returns regularly to Barbados to look up old friends and old haunts. After he practiced at Kensington Oval, he recalled: “I used to sit down in the old press box – and as these kids are doing now, I used to go on the field at lunchtimes and have little games. I really do remember it.”The ground had quite a makeover for the World Cup, turning from a homely ground with a stirring tradition to a sports stadium. As the renovations took place, Jordan himself was among those who first experienced the changing atmosphere from the middle. “It has changed so much,” he said.For all the stirred memories, he says he remains proud of his return with England to his native land. “I’m very proud actually,” he said. “Obviously I grew up here … but I went to England and learned most of my trade there. I’m more than happy with the decision I’ve made.”Injury problems disrupted his development in England, and only when he moved from Surrey to Sussex for the 2013 season did he really make a breakthrough. In that phase of his career, he had better fortune for Barbados – but by then he was classified as an overseas player. There would be no thoughts of going back.

ESPNcricinfo previews Derbyshire’s prospects for the 2014 English season

George Dobell24-Mar-2014Last year8th (relegated), CC Div 1; Group stage, FLt20; 6th in Group B, YB40.2013 in a nutshellAny season that ends in relegation and the appointment of new coaching staff can only be considered a disappointment. Certainly Derbyshire’s lack of progress in limited-overs cricket was frustrating and it might be tempting to conclude that, for all the talk and all the investment, their brief appearance in Division One was nothing but a blip.But there were some encouraging signs along the way: Derbyshire won three Championship matches – more than Surrey or Nottinghamshire and as many as Somerset – and, in an impressive late-season run of three wins in four games, demonstrated admirable fight and character. It was telling that, central to most of their better performances, the batting of Wayne Madsen – the only man to pass 1,000 Championship runs or average 40 – and the bowling of Tim Groenewald were to the fore.That it all turned out to be in vain was due, largely, to the batting. Only four times did they make 300 in the Championship and only twice did they go on to pass 400. Six times they failed to pass 120 with none of Wes Durston, Jon Clare, Dan Redfern, Ben Slater or Billy Godleman averaging more than 18. Karl Krikken might consider himself particularly unfortunate to pay the price for Derbyshire’s relegation. Having taken the coaching role with the club in chaos and overseen a swift improvement that culminated in promotion, he might have expected a little more time to get things right.Instead he was asked – and declined – to reapply for a rebranded role as “elite cricket performance director”. His qualities – loyalty, commitment that stretched way beyond the norm, knowledge of the club and the players, and a quiet good humour that ensured calm on good days and bad – might not have been as eye-catching as some, but they were valuable nevertheless and will prove hard to replace. County cricket becomes more like football by the moment.2014 prospectsWith a strong seam bowling attack, Derbyshire should be able to challenge for promotion once again. The weakness of the batting remains a concern, though, and far more will be required of Shivnarine Chanderpaul and the likes of Godleman if they are to prosper. It might be a worry, too, that while the club has lost the services of Ross Whiteley and Dan Redfern, two of the more talented young players at the start of 2013, they have attempted to mask it with the recruitment of 33-year-old Stephen Moore whose recent form is hardly overwhelming. Long-term, the club remain reliant on the success of their home-grown players, but there is a doubt whether many are ready to take-up key first-team positions at present. But if the change in the coaching positions such one thing at Derbyshire it is this: after years when mediocrity was accepted as inevitable at Derbyshire, there are now expectations and demands at the club. That has to be a good thing.Key playerThat Madsen, the first man in the country to 1,000 Championship runs in 2013 and the winner of the Championship Player of the Season award, has been at the heart of everything good in Derbyshire cricket over the last few years is obvious. Whether he can continue to mask the deficiencies in the rest of the team is less clear. It is hard to think of another side in the land that are so reliant upon one man for their runs. The club can, at least, take comfort in the knowledge that, in the face of interest from other counties, he signed a long-term deal to keep him with the club until the end of 2016.Bright young thingChesney Hughes has long been admired for his talent and style with the bat. But, aged 23, it is time to start delivering on his promise. It is telling that not far short of half his first-class runs in 2013 (636) came in one innings of 270. Greater consistency is required. Perhaps surgery to his shoulder, successfully carried out during the winter, will help. It will certainly allow him to bowl more often. Tom Poynton, a fine keeper, is worth keeping an eye out for as well.Captain/coachGraeme Welch, the new director of cricket, forged a fine reputation as bowling (and then assistant) coach at Warwickshire, but will find himself with more responsibility and fewer resources at Derbyshire. He should be more than capable of leading an improvement at all levels of the club, though he may require more time than was given to his predecessor. Madsen will continue to lead from the front and there is no reason to suspect the pair will not form a fine working relationship. Perhaps the key man at the club remains the chairman, Chris Grant, though. It has been his energy that has been behind the boost in recent times, but it is likely that his long-term patience and persistence will also be tested in due course.ESPNcricinfo verdictWhile promotion might prove just out of grasp, a position outside the top four in Division Two would be considered bitterly disappointing. A team full of all-rounders should be able to improve significantly in limited-overs cricket, though a place in the knock-out stages should be deemed a success.

Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan were the big names missing in India’s list of 30 probables for the World Twenty20 to be played in March and April of this year

ESPNcricinfo staff17-Jan-2014Gautam Gambhir, Irfan Pathan and Yusuf Pathan were the big names missing in India’s list of 30 probables for the World Twenty20 to be played in March and April of this year. Virender Sehwag didn’t make it either, but with his abysmal form in the domestic season it was more or less expected. Cheteshwar Pujara and M Vijay missed out too, which is a clear sign the selectors look at them as Test specialists. Yuvraj Singh, who has been dropped from the ODI side, continued to be part of India’s Twenty20 plans.Gambhir last played for India in the ODI against England on January 27, 2013. After being dropped, Gambhir was a part of the India A squad in the series against West Indies A, during which he scored a century. He also scored a Ranji century just before India’s squad for South Africa was picked, but that wasn’t deemed enough to earn the team’s favour back. MS Dhoni even remarked before India left for South Africa that Gambhir continues to be the third-best Test opener in India but this selection shows he faces a long road back into the side.The Pathan brothers have been out since 2012, but are always considered important because of the dearth of allrounders in India. Irfan, though, had just come back from injury as the Ranji season ended, and got to play three matches, that too as a batsman alone. Yusuf put in one of his better Ranji seasons, averaging nearly 34 with the bat and 15 with the ball. Like his IPL franchise, Kolkata Knight Riders, who chose to not retain him, India have also decided against him.Harbhajan Singh, who has been retained by Mumbai Indians, will be encouraged he is part of the 30. Other significant non-regulars given hope were Sanju Samson, Rajat Bhatia, Kedar Jadhav, Unmukt Chand, Mandeep Singh, Parthiv Patel, Shahbaz Nadeem and Karn Sharma.India probables (men) Shikhar Dhawan, Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, Suresh Raina, Ajinkya Rahane, Ambati Rayudu, MS Dhoni, Dinesh Karthik, Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Mohammed Shami, Ishant Sharma, Vinay Kumar, Stuart Binny, Mohit Sharma, Kedar Jadhav, Yuvraj Singh, Amit Mishra, Rajat Bhatia, Sanju Samson, Ishwar Pandey, Umesh Yadav, Unmukt Chand, Mandeep Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Varun Aaron, Shahbaz Nadeem, Parthiv Patel, Karn SharmaIndia probable (women) Mithali Raj, Harmanpreet Kaur, Karuna Jain, Smriti Mandhana, Amita Sharma, Poonam Raut, Jhulan Goswami, Nagarajan Niranjana, Shubhlakshmi Sharma, Rajeshwari Gaikwad, Veda Krishnamurthy, Ekta Bist, Sonia Dabir, VR Vanita, Anagha Deshpande, Gouhar Sultana, Archana Das, Sneh Rana, Snehal Pradhan, Shwetha Jadhav, Sushma Verma, Shika Pandey, Madhuri Mehta, Thirush Kamini, Saika Ishaque, Neetu Jaiswal, Meghna Singh, Anita Lodhi, Ritu Dhrub, Asha Joy

Ryan McLaren has much to do if he is to secure a place in the South African team for the Champions Trophy

Firdose Moonda08-Mar-2013Barring a few minor tweaks, the squad Gary Kirsten has for the current series against Pakistan is the one that will represent South Africa in the Champions Trophy in June. As a result, almost everyone in that unit knows they are not playing for their place but to enhance their skills and accumulate match practice. Almost.Ryan McLaren is one of those who is not.As the current first-choice allrounder, McLaren is likely to compete with Jacques Kallis for a spot in a major tournament XI and it does not take a rocket scientist to know who will win that battle. It puts McLaren in a tricky position because, although it may not be as harsh as him clinging on by his fingernails, it could get there.Kallis does not play bilateral one-day series anymore as part of his management programme. Kirsten said after 18 years of service that is a more than acceptable concession. But Kallis wants an ICC medal as much as the next South African cricketer, so management remain “in negotiation” with him for the Champions Trophy and the World Cup.Whether he will be at either of those events will depend on his fitness after the IPL and his own willingness. If he makes himself available and his body agrees, Kallis will definitely be part of the squad. McLaren will not be discarded completely but he may be an understudy. He remains the ODI all-rounder and all indications are that he will be given a fair run.Like Robin Peterson did when he was offered an extended rope, McLaren will have to do something with that to keep ahead of the likes of Chris Morris, who is emerging as another option at bay. Currently, one of the only things to choose between them is experience and McLaren’s is more valuable in time than numbers.His international record reads like that of a bit-part all-rounder. Ideally, he would like his batting and bowling statistics swapped around. In 16 matches over the last four years, McLaren averages 10.66 with willow and 32.52 with leather. His most memorable performance was probably only one moment long – the one in which he hit James Franklin for six off the last ball to win the third ODI against New Zealand in January in a series that South Africa had already lost.Domestically, McLaren has enjoyed far greater success. In 132 List A matches, he has scored eight half-centuries and averages 32.57. He has taken 157 wickets at 27.56 and is known for his dependability above everything.Noble a quality as that is, it is also forgettable because it is overshadowed by exciting talents who produce dramatic performances. McLaren knows that he has to come with a few of those in this series. “We know that when we go to the Champions Trophy, we will try and take the strongest squad available so there are a few guys in this team that want to try and cement a place in the side and put their hand up to make sure they go along,” he said, distancing himself from the obviousness of who those players are.Batting at No.7 and bowling behind the likes of Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Lonwabo Tsotsobe and Kyle Abbott may not give McLaren much opportunity but there will be a role for him to play. South Africa’s middle order is notoriously soft and often leaves it to the end for something to happen. A quickfire 15 or 20 runs are not immediately classed as valuable but when they prove the difference between two sides, they are exactly that.To that end, McLaren has been preparing for ways to break free with the bat, especially against the Pakistan attack. “Their strength is in their spinners and our preparation has been specifically focused on how we are going to play their spinners,” he said.In the bowling department, South Africa have lacked at the death but also appear to freeze when confronted with a batsman who has had the confidence to take control. Martin Guptill in the festive Twenty20 against New Zealand and Kane Williamson in the ODI series which followed are classic examples, as is Mohammad Hafeez’s 86 in the Centurion T20.For much of Hafeez’s innings it looked as though the better he got, the more South Africa’s bowlers allowed themselves to shrink away. No-one could come up with the breakthrough and it took a bizarre of hit wicket to end his knock. Guptill and Williamson were both unbeaten because South Africa could not apply sufficient pressure.McLaren said there has been much introspection from the attack in the aftermath. “There has been reflection. As bowlers, we got together and had a chat about what we learnt and what we felt we could improve on. It’s an on-going process, every game is about building for the Champions Trophy.” And for McLaren, it will be about ensuring he is part of the group that travels there.

Carlo Ancelotti has dismissed suggestions that Real Madrid have been affected by the speculation surrounding a possible summer move for Kylian Mbappe.

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Madrid held to 1-1 draw at Rayo VallecanoSlip-up comes days after Mbappe decisionAncelotti explained why his team struggledWHAT HAPPENED?

La Liga leaders Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw against Rayo Vallecano on Sunday despite taking an early lead through Joselu. The home team pulled level through a penalty in the first half and the capital club even saw Dani Carvajal sent off at the end of the match.

Asked if his team have lost focus this week following the news that Mbappe could be on his way to Santiago Bernabeu, Ancelotti explained why his team's performance was rather unusual.

AdvertisementGetty ImagesWHAT ANCELOTTI SAID

He told reporters: "When is the team not focused? We are always focused, today too. It's very difficult to reproach the team for anything this season. It's not easy to win here. You have to play a different game, the pitch is small, you have to adapt."

THE BIGGER PICTURE

The media is abuzz with speculation about where Mbappe will be playing now that he has informed Paris Saint-Germain that he will leave this summer. Madrid are still the favourites to sign him, having been linked with him constantly for the last few years, but it has been reported that Manchester City held talks with a representative of the forward, too.

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GettyWHAT NEXT FOR MADRID?

Before they can wrap up a deal and welcome Mbappe to the Spanish capital, Madrid will hope to wrap up the Spanish league title. Their draw at Rayo gives nearest challengers Girona the chance to move three points behind them at the top of the table. Ancelotti's team are also pushing for a place in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, having beaten RB Leipzig 1-0 in the first leg of their last-16 tie.