Looking for Soccer News?

Kaizer Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt brushed aside and laughed off a question on whether the vacant Bafana Bafana coaching job was on his mind.

Chiefs are in action today against Wydad Casablanca in a Caf Champions League encounter, just days after the South African Football Association (Safa) announced it decided to terminate the contract of Bafana Bafana coach Molefi Ntseki after failing to qualify for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations.

Given his success at club level, Hunt's name has always been among those who are thrown into the hat whenever the Bafana coaching post has been vacant.

But the highly decorated and experienced coach previously revealed that he has lost all hopes of ever coaching the country’s national team. And when he was asked if it was something on his mind now that the post is vacant, the four-time league-winning coach wasn't optimistic.

“How many times have we been down this road?” Hunt chuckled during his pre-match press conference.

“Nowhere near. My mind is on Wydad on Saturday. That’s the most important game for me.”

Chiefs are at home at FNB Stadium against Wydad - who thumped them 4-0 in the first round and are much aware that victory against the weakened Reds side would give their hopes of progressing to the knockout stages a major boost.

Hunt also bared good news for Amakhosi's faithful, revealing that long-term casualty Khama Billiat is back and available for selection. 

Billiat is back in full training as he returns from a fractured leg that has sidelined him since January.

“Billiat’s training again so he will certainly come into the reckoning, and Castro’s also fit again,” Hunt said in his pre-match press conference.

“So, it’ll give us certainly a bit more. In the derby [against Orlando Pirates] we had a bit more on the bench, so it was difficult for us.

“But they are back now and it’ll make a big difference in the team. They'll give us a little bit more.''

Leonardo Castro is also back in full training and available for selection.  

Simba SC midfielder Larry Bwalya has explained how he turned down an offer to sign for rivals Yanga SC.

The star was signed by Simba before the start of the 2020-21 Mainland Premier League season on a two-year deal from Power Dynamos in the Zambian Premier League.

The left-footed Zambian player has revealed how he landed at the Msimbazi giants despite their Jangwani rivals Yanga tabling an offer for his services saying the two teams battled for his services, how he sought sufficient information about the two giants and Simba got the most votes.

“I had to agree with Simba and sign a contract, at that time Yanga were in the process of following me to Zambia to sign me as they had also tabled an offer,” Bwalya told MwanaSpoti as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“I told Yanga the truth there is one team I have agreed with and I am going to sign a contract, but they did not want to understand and instead followed me to Zambia, but it happened I was also on my way to Tanzania to sign for Simba.

“We crossed each other on the way, as they arrived in Zambia to talk to me, myself and Chris [Mugalu] had already landed in Tanzania and imagine I was in the same plane with Mugalu but didn’t notice until we arrived and were received at the airport is when I realised I was with Mugalu in the same plane.”

On some of the players who helped him to join Simba, Bwalya said: “I set aside time to follow Simba based on the information I received from my various sources, but I spoke to midfielder [Clatous] Chama who assured me that it was the right team to play for.

“I knew [Chama] very well, I have known him for many years because we have played together in Zambia and we are also together in the national team, so I had to listen to him, and then I agreed to land Simba."

I am proud of that decision as Simba is one of the teams with the biggest goals that can always lift any player.”

On the Tanzanian league: Bwalya said: “The Tanzania Premier League is growing fast every year and is very competitive regardless of whether the smaller teams meet or others outnumber each other.

“Every time you look at any match the team that wins must fight hard as everyone has a goal to win but the one that gets the best on that day is the one that wins.

“If you look at the size of Simba and the quality of our squad, we have had some difficult matches in which we have drawn and we have lost two more at home and away.”

On his best match so far in the Tanzanian league, Bwalya explained: “The JKT Tanzania match played in Dodoma was a good start for me to do well in the league as I played top-class football as well as helping my team win 4-0.

“I remember the match despite playing well I gave the last pass to Meddie [Kagere], who also used it well by scoring one of the four goals.”

Bwalya will be in action as Simba takes on AS Vita Club of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in their third Group A match of the Caf Champions League on Saturday.

South Africa women's national team will face Zambia, Botswana in the first build-up to the 2022 Africa Women's Cup of Nations qualifiers, with Desiree Ellis inviting 26 plyers for the April camp.

Banyana Banyana had regrouped for the first time with a local squad in March since November's 2020 Cosafa Women's Cup success - a feat achieved predominately by domestic players. 

In a quest to launch preparations for the 2022 Awcon and Cosafa Cup, Ellis will have the full complement of her side for the first time since the Olympic qualifying loss to Botswana in 2019.

According to Safa, Banyana will face the Copper Queens and the Zebras on Saturday, 10 April and Tuesday, 13 April respectively, with the games taking place at Bidvest Wits Stadium.

In the 26-player list, Spain based trio Thembi Kgatlana, Noko Matlou and Amanda Mthandi are expected, while captain Janine Van Wyk and assistant Refiloe Jane will miss out on the squad.

Kholosa Biyana, Hildah Magaia, Linda Motlhalo, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Karabo Dhlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe and Rhoda Mulaudzi were also among the notable absentees.

Commenting on the doubleheader and roster, Ellis lamented the unfortunate impact of Covid-19 restrictions on the unavailability of some of the foreign players in the team's build-up.

“We have a program for the year that we need to stick to, to ensure that we are ready for our qualifiers once the draw comes out," she told the Safa website. 

"The past year has been very difficult for us with no football permitted to play, but we need to look forward and ensure that we reach our goals.

“We are still faced with challenges due to the pandemic but we cannot let that demoralise us.

"We had called up some of our players plying their trade abroad, but they could not be released for these friendly matches due to Covid-19 restrictions. 

"We have to soldier on and perhaps start planning around a few locally-based players to stabilise the team.”

South Africa open camp on Monday, April 5 in Johannesburg, five days from their first warm-up encounter against Bruce Mwape's side. 

There might not be a public admission but Gennaro Gattuso probably had an eye on Nigeria’s two Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Benin and Lesotho, owing to star striker Victor Osimhen being in action for the Super Eagles.

Having had little game time with Napoli before the international break, the young forward thrived for the West African giants and ended joint top scorer in qualifying with five goals and he set up Oghenekaro Etebo vs Lesotho to take his assists tally to five.

However, it wasn’t without initial resistance and difficulty. Osimhen saw an early second-half effort come back off the post, a late header saved by Saturnin Allagbe and a close-range effort blocked on the line with almost the last kick of the game.

While Paul Onuachu eventually netted after Osimhen’s shot was blocked, there may have been frustration on the part of the striker at his misfortune in front of goal. Rather than be affected badly by events in Porto-Novo, however, the Napoli striker put in a man of the match performance in Tuesday’s 3-0 success over the bottom side in the group.

The goal, only his second this year, and assist aside, the former Lille striker was tenacious as ever as he essentially led the Super Eagles’ press, ran the channels effectively and was a thorn in the side of the visiting side all game.

Given his struggles for form and sharpness before the international break, the 22-year-old’s reaction on Nigeria duty had to be music to Gattuso’s ears, with the AC Milan icon hoping he can now count on his star striker for the business end of the campaign.

Napoli’s big summer signing hasn’t had the maiden year he’d have desired after his move from Lille, with injury and coronavirus disrupting a season that may not have produced goals but had, pre-November at least, witnessed promising performances in his first few months in Naples.

His layoff understandably slowed him down, with showings since his return from injury in January largely underwhelming.

As a consequence, the Azzurri’s return to form to throw their hat into the ring for Champions League qualification has been despite Osimhen, rather than with him playing a prominent role.

From that perspective, owing to the huge outlay for his services, the Nigeria star has had a miserable campaign in every sense. Napoli’s recent wins have come without the 22-year-old playing a leading role, evidenced by victories over AC Milan and Roma where he played 30 and 24 minutes respectively, a situation that wasn’t the intention when he was signed.

Not even a goal against Bologna, his first in four months since scoring against the same opponents in early November, did enough to convince Gattuso the tenacious frontman was ready to be thrown back in after another brief injury.

Be that as it may, the fact Osimhen was brought in for the long term means he’ll become a mainstay in the team sooner or later, due to his current ability, potential and the club’s astronomical outlay.

While the young forward hardly looks forlorn, his confidence will be given a world of good if he’s trusted to lead the line against Crotone, the cellar-dwelling side in Serie A.

The Pythagoreans’ struggles are strange when you consider they’ve got one of the division’s top scorers on their roster. Simy’s 13 league goals are outdone by only six players in the whole league, but Serse Cosmi’s team have let in a staggering 70 goals, 16 more than 19th-placed Parma.

When you consider that all six of the aforementioned sextet play for teams occupying the top seven spots in the league, the towering striker’s return is all the more impressive. Crotone’s last loss, a 3-2 defeat by Bologna, was a real kick in the teeth and a microcosm of the issues Cosmi inherited in Calabria and what could undermine Simy’s exploits in front of goal.

The Pythagoreans led 2-0 at half-time, the second netted by the team’s top scorer, and held on to that advantage until a collapse in the last half-hour saw the hosts throw away what looked to be an unassailable advantage, to Cosmi’s bemusement.

Those three points would have placed Simy and co. five points from safety, but the damaging 21st defeat of the campaign leaves them eight adrift of 17th-placed Cagliari with 10 games to play. A win in Naples, unforeseen as it seems, woulc be the perfect tonic for a struggling side looking to avoid immediate relegation after last year’s promotion from Serie B.

However, only Inter Milan’s form betters Napoli’s 13 points from a possible 15 in the last five games, and Gattuso’s fifth-place team (53 points) are in a battle with AC Milan (59), Juventus and Atalanta (both tied on 55 points) for the three remaining top four slots in Serie A.

The Azzurri face inconsistent Juve in their outstanding game to be held in Turin, where a victory makes things even more intriguing in the final stretch of the 2020/21 campaign.

Surely, the final 10 games will obviously be drama-filled, and Osimhen and Simy will strive to play pivotal roles for their sides looking to meet respective targets after mostly topsy-turvy campaigns.

The European Championship will be available in ultra high definition for the first time in Malaysia! As the official broadcaster, Astro will be providing the best coverage of the Euro 2020 with all 51 matches not only being shown LIVE but will also be available via two dedicated UHD channels.

Portugal will be out defending the title they won in 2016, a full year later than they would have had the global pandemic not forced UEFA's hands to postpone the tournament and subscribers to Astro will have the opportunity to catch every single moment of the competition from start to finish.

Subscribers to the Sports Pack on Astro will be getting complimentary access to Euro 2020 with the two dedicated HD channels and two UHD channels. Selected on demand content are also available to those not on Sports Pack. There will also be a selected number of matches that will be made available on Astro Arena

Kicking off the run-up to the tournament that will begin on June 12, Astro's launch on Thursday evening also included a special appearance by former Liverpool and England star, Michael Owen. Chatting via video call, Owen answered questions regarding the tournament and was already eyeing three potential winners.

"I can see there being a surprised underdog maybe being able to reach the quarterfinals but on the teams who can lift the trophy, I can't see past one of the big teams. Portugal has got a fantastic team and you have to put England in there. France are looking very strong once again as well. If there's one youngster who can make a name for himself in this tournament, it has to be Jude Bellingham," he said.

Owen is likely to return to Malaysian screens during the course of Euro 2020 as a pundit as Astro lines up big names to head their cast of experts during the pre-show as well as analysis show that will provide a great compliment to each and every single of the live coverage.

Astro will also be making the matches available to be streamed via their Astro Go mobile application which will arguably be a big benefit for those unable to catch the match at home with cloud recording available for those who missed the early morning matches.

"We've being doing the European Championships and World Cups since 1998, if you look at it, it's more than just the 90 minutes of matches. We have studio shows with guest star pundits that will drive all our supporting programs throughout the tournaments where we will have analysis, highlights and more," explained CK Lee, the Head of Sports at Astro.

Adding to the fanfare surrounding the tournament, Astro will also initiate activities at local businesses such as cafes, pubs, bars and local eateries by putting up signages and such to drive customers towards those establishments to catch the latest live Euro 2020 live matches. Astro will also be giving away 51 4K television to further increase fan's excitement.

"It's about bringing different ways to consume the Astro content. You can watch via the Astro box at home, and you can also go out there and watch it with your friends over 'teh tarik'. It's important for our content to be omnipresent whether that's at home or out of home. That's why we are very committed to our commercial establishments, we want to make sure we are there for the on-ground initiatives," said Azlin Arshad, Commercial Director of Astro.

Paul Scholes says that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deserves a new contract at Manchester United, but has also sounded a trophy warning as the club nears a fourth successive season without silverware.

Solskjaer is reportedly in line for a new three-year deal at Old Trafford, with his current contract due to expire in June 2022.

Scholes thinks the Norwegian has done enough to earn a renewal, but is slightly worried that his ex-team-mate has yet to deliver any tangible success, and has questioned whether he has enough strength in depth at his disposal to take the next step.

What's been said?

"I think he probably deserves it. There's been progress from the manager before," the United legend said on the Webby & O'Neill YouTube channel.

"I think the team looks a lot better, it's much more exciting, there's goals in the team - which you always expect from a United team, anyway.

"I think the only problem is: win something. It's a little bit of a worry. Losing the [FA Cup] quarter-final to Leicester, it wasn't good.

"For fans especially, the Europa League was tough in Milan, I thought players looked a little bit jaded - [Bruno] Fernandes especially.

"He probably did need the rest against Leicester, but on the other hand, I don't think United are in a position to rest people for the big games.

"I think they have 12 or 13 players that are good enough to go and win a lot of games. Is the squad then deep enough when you're leaving these big players out to go on and win the bigger games?"

Can United still win a trophy this term?

The only piece of silverware still available to the Red Devils heading into the business end of the 2020-21 campaign is the Europa League, which they last won under Jose Mourinho in 2017.

Solskjaer's side will take on La Liga outfit Granada in the quarter-finals of the competition, with the first leg of the tie set to take place in Spain on April 8.

United are also still playing for a runners-up spot in the Premier League behind runaway leaders Manchester City, with a home fixture against Brighton up next this weekend.

Solskjaer's record as manager

Solskjaer was a popular appointment when he came back to Old Trafford to succeed Mourinho two years ago, and has had a positive effect in the dressing room while making some shrewd signings in the transfer market.

The 48-year-old has overseen 137 games including his brief caretaker spell in charge, recording 77 wins, 31 draws and 30 losses - guiding United to their second-highest Premier League finish in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era and four semi-finals.

Further reading

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed Jean-Philippe Gbamin will be available for selection when his side take on Crystal Palace in Monday’s Premier League game.

The midfielder teamed up with the Goodison Park outfit in the summer of 2019 from Bundesliga side Mainz 05 on a five-year deal.

The Ivory Coast international has only made two appearances since joining the club after suffering two-career threatening injuries.

Gbamin suffered a thigh injury in 2019 and underwent surgery which was expected to rule him out for eight weeks but just as he was about to bounce back from the setback, he damaged his Achilles tendon in training in November 2020.

The midfielder has since been struggling with the problems but Ancelotti has now affirmed the 25-year-old has fully recovered and ready for his first game since 2019.

"Gbamin is really good news. He trained this week and last week and did well and feels comfortable,” Ancelotti said in a pre-match press conference.

"He is in a good condition, the medical staff did a fantastic job on him. He is ready to play but of course, we have to consider he did not play for a year and a half.

"His last game was in 2019 but we can say he is back. I don't know if he is going to play on Monday but for sure he will be involved, he will be available."

Gbamin played consistently for Mainz 05 during his three-year stay, featuring in 86 league games and his impressive performances for the club made Everton pay £25 million to secure his signature.

The Ivory Coast star will hope to replicate the consistency with Everton when he returns from his injury woes.

Everton are currently four places below the top five in the Premier League, sitting eighth after gathering 46 points from 28 games.

The Toffees will hope the return of Gbamin will help them end their recent unimpressive run of results, having lost their last three games against Chelsea, Burnley and Manchester City.

On the international scene, Gbamin has 11 caps for Ivory Cost since switching his allegiance to the West African country in 2017.

The midfielder previously played for France U18, U19, U20 and U21 teams and will be expected to continue to make his contribution to the Elephants after his return to action.

Sergio Aguero would be a "coup" for Barcelona, according to Rivaldo, who says the Manchester City star's arrival at Camp Nou might convince Lionel Messi to stay put.

Aguero will bring the curtain down on his illustrious 10-year career at Etihad Stadium when his contract expires in June.

Barca are among the clubs being tipped to sign the Argentine on a free transfer when he leaves City, and Rivaldo thinks he could help Messi make a final decision on his own future if he links up with his compatriot in Catalonia.

What's been said?

"Signing Aguero on a free transfer could be a coup for Barcelona," the former Blaugrana playmaker told Betfair.

"He has a good relationship with Lionel Messi and, with Barca missing Luis Suarez this season, Aguero would probably go straight into the starting 11.

"His arrival could also [help] new club president Joan Laporta persuade Messi to stay at the club.

"Memphis Depay and possibly Erling Haaland are said to be in conversations with the club.

"But those players will cost big fees, so [head coach Ronald] Koeman should carefully weigh up the options before rejecting them, especially when we are talking about a player of Kun Aguero's quality."

Messi's contract situation

Messi has just entered the final three months of his current deal at Camp Nou, having promised to wait until the end of the season before making his mind up regarding his next move.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner saw a transfer request rejected last summer, but the likes of Paris Saint-Germain and City are still reportedly keeping a close eye on his situation with a view to signing him on a free at the end of June.

Laporta's re-election as club president has given fresh hope to supporters that Messi will sign an extension, though, with the Argentine having potentially voted for the Spaniard after enjoying great success during his first term in charge.

Why are City letting Aguero go?

Aguero wasn't offered a renewal at City amid another injury-ravaged season which has seen him fail to put a significant run of games together.

The 32-year-old has only appeared in 14 games in all competitions in 2020-21, and Pep Guardiola's side have flourished in his absence, with a potential quadruple still on the cards heading into the final stretch of the campaign.

The bigger picture

Aguero might be a smart acquisition for Barca due to their current financial woes, and although he won't be a long-term fix for a club desperate to rediscover the glory days, he already has a solid understanding with Messi which could reap short-term benefits.

The pair have worked together at international level for Argentina since 2006 while also enjoying a close relationship away from the pitch, and they could also build up a strong partnership at Camp Nou if a deal can be reached in the coming months.

Further reading

Jose Mourinho says he is expecting a "strange" transfer window this summer as he searches for players that can improve his Tottenham squad.

Mourinho and Spurs are currently in pursuit of a top-four finish, and the Champions League place that would come with it, before turning attention towards summer signings.

But Mourinho did admit he expects the upcoming window to be "different" regardless of where Spurs finish in the Premier League.

What did Mourinho have to say?

"We are much more focused on now than what is next," Mourinho said. "But of course I have an idea [of what the club needs].

“Of course, we share our ideas. When I say 'we', I say myself and the [club's] structure including obviously the boss, [chairman Daniel Levy].

"So we know what we want. But at the same time we can all expect a strange summer. I believe that it will be a bit strange in the sense of a different transfer window than in previous seasons.

“But at the moment I don’t think it is about anyone fighting for his future. It is about everyone fighting for the points we need to finish the season the best that we can."

What is Mourinho looking for this summer?

Having signed Pierre-Emile Hojberg, Sergio Reguilon and Matt Doherty last year, Mourinho says the biggest thing he is looking for in players this summer is a confident streak that can lift Spurs' mentality.

Tottenham crashed out of the Europa League before the international break and, while he believes he has talent in his current squad, Mourinho is seeking new players that can bring a little extra to take them to the next level.

"For me, when people speak about talent and separate talent from professionalism, commitment and ambition, I think people are wrong," he said.

"For me, there is not talent and then these other qualities are a different thing. For me, everything is in the same package.

"So I believe a team needs players where the talent co-exists with all these other ingredients. And this is what gives teams the extra potential to do big things.

"And of course I was very happy with the reaction [of the team] in the Villa game. But, I keep saying the same, you shouldn’t be reactive, you should be always at the same level.

"Not in terms of performance level because that depends – your opponent can be better than you and you can have a negative day. But that package that you bring to the game has to be always there – that’s very important. Of course it’s a priority.

“I believe the more players you have with this mentality, the more they can influence the group’s state of mind, the group’s soul. It’s important going forward. Not just for us – I believe every team, every club has to think the same way. This profile of players are very important."

Further reading

Kansas City midfielder Lo’eau LaBonta has opened up on the toxic culture she and her team-mates experienced in Utah last season, calling it the "most absurd thing I’ve ever been through."

Following accusations of racism as well as fostering a toxic environment, Utah Royals owner Dell Loy Hansen sold the NWSL team, which relocated to Kansas City ahead of the 2021 season. 

Following her team's move back to Kansas City, LaBonta has spoken out about some of the many issues she and her team-mated dealt with in Utah.

What was said?

Speaking on the Sam's Army podcast, LaBonta said: "That last year I was there, because we were there for three seasons, was for sure the most absurd thing I’ve ever been through.

"You had to be there to truly understand but to put it into words, it was the most unprofessional, hostile, inhumane setting. People were treated very poorly. It was so disrespectful.

"We needed to do more in the community because this organization is so focused on being a part of white privilege. And we need to change that and change the narrative.

"We did it the best we could and we probably did it too well because they kicked us out and back to Kansas City."

LaBonta also spoke out against the club's former chief business officer Andy Carroll, saying he refused to promote players he didn't find physically attractive.

"For us, this female has gone over so many obstacles and broken so many boundaries, because you personally don’t think she’s pretty and you won’t market her? That was one of the most absurd things I’ve ever heard," she said.

The midfielder also said former head coach Craig Harrington created a "toxic environment" and forced players to study film during their free time.

"Our head coach maybe made a toxic environment for us, but our team would come together at our apartments and do film on our own," LaBonta added.

"The fact that we took our own personal time to do film and try to correct how we play to get better as a team, that just shows you how close and how much we respected each other."

The bigger picture

After Hansen publicly criticised Real Salt Lake players for protesting the police shooting of a Black man in Wisconsin by refusing to play a match, the owner found himself subject to several reports of fostering a toxic culture. 

Hansen, who owned the MLS side as well as the Royals, sold the latter while MLS took over RSL in January after Hansen failed to find a buyer ahead of a deadline.

The Royals were bought by new owners who moved the team back to Kansas City, where it originally played before moving to Utah in 2017.

Further reading

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has lauded the performances of his former player Kelechi Iheanacho for Leicester City as well as his compatriot Wilfred Ndidi.

Iheanacho has been in terrific form for the Foxes recently, scoring seven goals in his last four games, including his second career hat-trick against Sheffield United. 

The centre-forward has found more game-time following the injuries suffered by James Maddison and Harvey Barnes and he is making the most of the opportunity.

The 24-year-old has earned rave reviews for his impressive showings and fine combination with Jamie Vardy and was recently named the Premier League Player of the Month for March, becoming the fourth Nigerian to clinch the individual accolades after Jay-Jay Okocha, Peter Odemwingie and Odion Ighalo.

Guardiola has praised the impact of the forward at Leicester and revealed the Super Eagles star was allowed to leave Manchester City in 2017 to enable him to secure more playing time.

"Incredible. The quality was there, he was a young player here and I believe, at that moment with Gabriel and Sergio we didn't have much space,” Guardiola said in a pre-match press conference.

“He is a fantastic person, we had a good relationship, and I'm delighted it's going well lately. He's playing for the injured Maddison and he links really well with the midfield.

“He's good in behind, he's fast and in the final third he has the right tempo, he is so clear in front of the goal."

Ahead of the Citizens’ encounter with the Foxes, Guardiola is wary of Brendan Rodgers’ men, including Ndidi, who he described as a quality player.

“You see all the players, they have quality. Ndidi is going well, [Youri] Tielemans is a top-class player,” he added.

The Citizens are 14 points clear on the Premier League table and victory over Leicester at King Power Stadium will see them further increase their lead.

Iheanacho spent two years with City, joining the club after his eye-catching performances for Nigeria at the 2013 U17 World Cup, where he helped the West Africans win the trophy.

The attacker had previously struggled to establish himself at the King Power Stadium outfit but he is arguably enjoying his best campaign with the club.

Iheanacho has made 28 appearances across all competitions for the Foxes this season, scoring 12 goals and providing five assists, amid other dazzling displays. 

Jurgen Klopp admits he “didn’t understand” Gareth Southgate’s decision to leave Trent Alexander-Arnold out of England’s latest squad.

The Liverpool defender was dropped for the recent World Cup qualifiers against San Marino, Albania and Poland, with Southgate suggesting the 22-year-old’s club form had fallen short of its usual standards this season.

With England winning all three games, Southgate will have felt vindicated in his decision, although he attracted criticism from the likes of Steven Gerrard, Robbie Fowler, Peter Crouch and Ian Wright for his reluctance to find a place for Alexander-Arnold, the current PFA Young Player of the Year and one of the stand-out full-backs in world football over the past three seasons.

What’s been said?

Klopp, speaking at a press conference to preview Liverpool’s Premier League trip to Arsenal, gave a long and impassioned answer about Alexander-Arnold’s omission, and Southgate’s decision.

The Liverpool boss said: “I am a manager myself. I make decisions every day, every weekend, every midweek about team selections and squad selections. We always make decisions that other people probably do not understand.

“I respect that Gareth makes his own decisions, of course, but I didn’t understand it because Trent Alexander-Arnold was in the last two seasons at least, let me say the season before and the season before that, the stand-out right-back in world football. That is the truth and at an unbelievable young age.

“I have no problem if my players get some criticism. They can get it from me, they can get it from other people, but that is the truth. He was the stand-out right-back in world football.

“Now he has started the season with Covid early on which is not good. You can imagine it took him a while to get into the season, but from that moment on he was one of our most consistent players and a stand-out player. Robbo [Andy Robertson] the same. He could play all the time, high level all these types of things.

“So that [form] cannot be the reason that he was not in the squad. If you compare Lionel Messi every year with his best season ever, then he is not performing now like he was performing in 2005 and 2006 maybe. But he is still the world’s best player.

“It is about how you want to play. That is the thing that Gareth has to make sure. He has [Kyle] Walker, an outstanding right-back who can play centre-back as well. Reece James - big talent, absolutely, [Aaron] Wan-Bissaka was not there as well and [Kieran] Trippier, who he knows better or longer, was.

“So that is the situation. It is his decision. It is about how you want to play. If you want to play against a deep defending side then, for sure, the crosses and the passes of Trent, I don’t know anybody who can do that like him. He defends on a really high level for us as well. It is not his first skill but it is not bad.”

Could Alexander-Arnold’s omission benefit Liverpool?

Klopp, asked specifically about that, added: “Of course. He was not with the national team, so he had time to train. He trained at an extremely high level and he showed a reaction when there is no need to do so. He was really ‘in’ the sessions so that was good. He enjoyed the sessions a lot."

Alexander-Arnold has won 12 caps for his country since making his senior debut in June 2018, but now faces an uphill battle to secure a place at this summer's European Championships.

“He is a very ambitious boy, so I am sure he wants to be in the England squad," Klopp added. "I know he wants to be in the England squad and he will try everything to be there again. 

“If Trent Alexander-Arnold is not in the squad of England then England must have an extremely good squad! Let me say it like this. 

“As a summary, I respect the decision. Of course I do. But I didn’t understand it.”

Further reading

Though Chelsea have been linked with Erling Haaland, Sergio Aguero and a host of defensive talent in recent weeks, Thomas Tuchel insists that he won't push for a major summer overhaul.

Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard as the Blues manager in January, after which the Blues managed to achieve a record-breaking 14 game unbeaten run in all competitions.

Even though that run has given Chelsea a chance at silverware and to finish in the top four again, some thoughts have already turned to the summer transfer window. However, Tuchel has urged caution ahead of the summer market opening. 

What was said?

"Honestly, if we have a transfer ban tomorrow, I would be a happy coach next season," Tuchel told reporters. "So we can push this team to the next limit and level, like we do. But I have ideas, of course, I have ideas how to improve this team maybe.

"It's very, very difficult because, first of all, we have a very strong group with a strong bond, which means that we need excellent characters. That is the most important thing because we have top guys in the dressing room, and I will not allow anybody to ruin that and have a bad influence in there.

"It's not like a puzzle where you take out a piece and put the next piece in. This is a complex situation, every transfer market. So I’m absolutely calm at the moment because of course, we have some ideas, some profiles, maybe which we think we could add to this group to make maybe even a bit more competitive, more options.

"It's another strange situation with the pandemic worldwide. It is necessary that we as a club need to adapt and be patient. Is there even a market? How does it look? What can we invest in? Are there even chances to generate money? Is there interest in our players?

"Do other clubs have the capacity to buy players from us? Are we able to buy and do we want to? So the situation is not clear and so for me, it's best to be patient and I agree with the club in this to not lose our head."

What about the contract situations of Chelsea's current players?

The Blues have looked at signing defenders like Bayern Munich duo David Alaba and Niklas Sule, with uncertainty around the contract situations of several of their own players on the backline.

Andreas Christensen, Antonio Rudiger, Cesar Azpilicueta and Thiago Silva all have contracts expiring in the next 15 months. In Silva's case, his deal expires in three months but the club have an option for another year.

The 36-year-old Brazilian's recent thigh injury hasn't changed Tuchel's opinion about activating the option in the coming months.

"He does not have to prove anything to me," he added. "I know him. He was my captain in Paris and he is an outstanding professional player. The first on the training pitch, the last to go. He takes care at home. I know what he is doing to be fit.

"His age doesn't play the biggest role in my judgement because he could be easily 28 or 29. He takes a lot of care that he can play on this kind of level. I think it was very brave to take this step at the end of his career, to take a step towards Chelsea at this stage of the career when some players take it a little easier.

"Once he gives the green light, you can be absolutely sure as a manager that it is a green light. He is ready for tomorrow and I expect nothing less than a top performance."

Further reading

Pep Guardiola says he has no concerns about John Stones being able to shake off his mistake for England after returning to Manchester City.

The defender has been in outstanding form for the Premier League leaders this season, re-establishing himself in Guardiola’s side to earn a first England cap in more than 14 months.

Stones, 26, was caught in possession to gift Poland an equaliser in the World Cup qualifier on Wednesday, but made amends when his headed assist to Harry Maguire helped secure a 2-1 win that moved England top of Group I.

What’s been said?

“It’s a good question about what he thought happened, but he made the winning goal,” Guardiola said ahead of City’s trip to Leicester on Saturday.

“He was there, and if you are not there – you don’t jump with this aggression – then his mind wasn’t in the right position.

“But I’m pretty sure his body language was good after what happened.”

What’s happened before?

Stones has lost some confidence after making high-profile mistakes in the past for both club and country.

A technically gifted defender, he has faced criticism for errors when over-playing from the back on several occasions.

But he has taken a huge leap forward this season, building a strong relationship with new centre-back partner Ruben Dias and has already played more minutes for City this season than the whole of the previous campaign.

Will he feature against Leicester?

Stones started all three games of the international break for Gareth Southgate’s side but is available to face the Foxes.

After a City career interrupted by muscle injury setbacks, Guardiola is not worried about playing Stones at the King Power Stadium, particularly with several key players unable to report for training until Friday afternoon because of coronavirus regulations.

“If I feel I have to use him I will use him,” the City boss added. “I’m pretty sure he’s ready for tomorrow. I’m so glad he played three games at a high level.”

Further reading:

Mikel Arteta insists he is ‘not suspicious’ that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s drop off in form this season is linked to the new long-term contract he signed in September.

The Gabon international has been prolific for the Gunners since arriving from Borussia Dortmund in January, 2018 - winning the Premier League golden boot in his first full season in north London and finishing as the top flight’s second highest scorer in 2019/20.

But Aubameyang has found things much tougher in the current campaign, scoring just 14 goals in 31 appearances so far and his performances have come in for plenty of criticism with some suggesting that his motivation might have dipped since he was handed his lucrative new contract just a few days after Arsenal’s season opener against Fulham.

What has been said?

When asked about the link between Aubameyang’s form and his new contract, Arteta said: “It is easy to connect things like that, but I am not suspicious of that.

“I have seen, and we have had many conversations, about what he wanted to do from last year’s point of view to his near future in the next two years, and he was very ambitious with that.

“To maintain that level is really complicated but he is trying his best, he is trying hard. That is what he is aiming to do.”

Aubameyang’s importance

The Arsenal’s captain’s form has improved since the turn of the year, with the striker scoring nine times in his last 14 games.

It’s no surprise that Arsenal’s results have picked up during that time, with Arteta accepting that his team relies heavily on their skipper putting the ball in the net.

“We talked for months about the ratio of goals we need him to score to give us the best possible chance of being at the top,” he said.

“It has not been what it has been in recent years and it’s a factor that is contributed to by a lot of things that the team has to do on the pitch. It is not just his thing.

“But obviously we need Auba in a different form in the next games to give us our best chance to finish where we want to finish the season, that’s clear.

What’s Aubameyang’s best position?

The debate over where Aubameyang should play is one that rarely goes away.

Since switching to a 4-2-3-1 system during the second half of the season, Arteta has used the 31-year-old primarily as the central striker.

He has played on the left of the attack at times, however, and even started on the right when Arsenal drew 3-3 at West Ham immediately prior to the international break.

“He can play off the left, off the right, in the middle,” said Arteta, when asked what he thought Aubameyang’s best position was.

“When you look at his stats in the past, there is not a big difference.

“It depends how we play and how much we provide him, and how efficient he is when he has these chances and these movements.

“When he’s got this form of confidence when he is unstoppable. It is dependent on many factors.”

Further reading

Fabinho has admitted that he "didn't really enjoy" playing in defence for Liverpool at first, adding that he is glad to be back in his favoured midfield role.

Jurgen Klopp was forced to deploy Fabinho at centre-back earlier this season amid an unprecedented injury crisis that saw the likes of Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez ruled out with long-term issues.

The Brazilian slotted into a defensive role seamlessly, but the Reds suffered a major dip in form without him in the middle of the park, and he is relieved to have finally returned to his natural position.

What's been said?

"Playing as a centre-half, I learnt a lot," Fabinho told Sky Sports ahead of Liverpool's Premier League meeting with Arsenal on Saturday.

"I learnt to enjoy playing this position because at first I didn't really enjoy it!

"But then thanks to my team-mates I improved a lot and learnt some things about the position, about leadership as well because in this position you can see almost everything, so we had to try to organise the team as well."

The 27-year-old added: "In midfield, you touch the ball more and, in the offensive part, have a bigger importance than you can have at centre-half. But my focus first of all is always to try to protect the defence without the ball, to try to close the gaps.

"Then, when we have the ball and lose it, to try to recover it as quickly as possible."

How many games did Fabinho play in defence?

Fabinho has appeared in 21 Premier League matches this season, including 19 starts - 15 of which saw him deployed in the heart of Liverpool's defence.

The Reds only conceded 12 goals during those games while recording six clean sheets, but were far less solid at the back when he was missing through injury.

Klopp's side have kept two clean sheets and shipped 24 goals in the 14 top-flight fixtures they've played without Fabinho playing at centre-half, but did win their last fixture before the international break against RB Leipzig in the Champions League with him back in a midfield berth.

What can Liverpool still achieve in 2020-21?

Despite a turbulent campaign that has seen Liverpool fail to defend their Premier League crown or progress in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, they could still finish the season with some silverware.

The Reds are set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League quarter-finals next week, and they can still finish fourth in the top flight if they can put together a late run in their remaining nine domestic fixtures.

"Yes of course we believe [we can make the top four]. We have to be the first to believe it if we want to be there," Fabinho said of the Merseyside outfit's targets.

"And I think we can win this tie against Real Madrid - but we have to bring our best shape and best mood. We are Liverpool so we always try to win every competition."

Further reading