Brits abroad - An August roundup

Its difficult for fans to keep up to date with Brits playing abroad, with constant Sky Sports coverage of domestic leagues, the 3pm blackout, additional subscription fees to stream games. If only there was someone with nothing better to do with their time than watching endless football games…

Trent Alexander-Arnold has made three appearances in La Liga for his new side Real Madrid so far, but is yet to complete a game. He started his first and third game, making his second appearance as a substitute.

In his second game, a 3-0 victory away over Real Oviedo, Santi Cazorla’s newly promoted side, Trent only came on for three minutes before full time. Speculation has risen among English fans that his limited game time is related to his performances, speculation aided by his omission from the England camp for the international break.

However, this does not appear to be the case. In his opening game against Osasuna he had a good game, providing some good passes and seemed to show bright signs of good link up play with Mbappe, finding the forward in behind on a few occasions. It all indicates to Trent fitting into this team well.

Xabi Alonso has been subbing Trent off at the 70th minute mark. I believe this is more a reflection of Trent’s fitness, having played an intense season last year for Liverpool and not having any real break over the summer, featuring in the Club World Cup.

With each game the right back is looking increasingly match fit, and I believe his omission from the England squad is purely to give the man a break and let him rest. England are not playing particularly difficult games, and do not need their best players for this round.

Is there honestly any stopping Harry Kane? The Bundasliga has played a game less than the rest of the top five European leagues, yet already had five G/A on the season. Kane lit up the show on opening night in a 6-0 win over Leipzig, scoring a hat trick.

Kane, ever willing to prove he is not a one trick pony, notched two assists against Augsburg in Bayerns 3-2 win. Kane’s output has been miraculous, but what’s more impressive is the manner he is playing in.

Serge Gnabry has been played through the middle in an attacking midfield, shadow striker, role. The two wingers of Diaz and Olise make up an attacking trio which could all be interchangeable in position. Kane has had absolutely no problem dropping into pockets to collect the ball and feed his blistering quick teammates balls over the top for them to pounce on.

Defenders have a nightmare trying to defend the Englishman. If they give him space, he scores, if they close him down, he assists, and if they force him into the midfield, he tears their defence apart with passes.

In the DFB-Pokal and DFL-Supercup, Kane scored two goals and one goal respectively. He is yet to have a game this season without contributing to the scoreline.

Meanwhile in the Süper Lig, the Turkish league, Tammy Abraham got himself a goal in Besiktas’ opening game, a 2-1 victory over Eyüpspor, and played the full game in their 2-0 defeat against Alanyaspor.

He got four goals across a two-leg tie against St. Pat’s in the Conference league qualifiers, sending his side through to play Lausanne-Sport, eventually losing 2-1 over the tie. Abraham was unable to provide any goals or assists over the tie.

Jude Bellingham underwent surgery after the Club World Cup on his shoulder to solve a reoccurring injury, seeing him sidelined up to October or November, depending on how recovery goes. He is yet to feature for Madrid this season.