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Glen Hoddle has ripped Tottenham apart for their "diabolical" collapse against Dinamo Zagreb, insisting "they lost the plot and lost their heart".

Spurs crashed out of the Europa League at the round of 16 stage after losing 3-0 to Dinamo at the Maksimir Stadium on Thursday night.

The Croatian club progressed to the quarter-finals 3-2 on aggregate, with Hoddle left questioning the desire and quality of Jose Mourinho's players after the final whistle.

What's been said?

"Spurs were diabolical tonight. Mentally they have got it wrong right through the game. I said, if Zagreb score I am expecting a reaction," the former Tottenham star told BT Sport.

"That is Spurs chance to respond but they went backwards. They went downhill instead of fighting. They should have upped the gears but they didn't.

"There is not enough quality in the team. Everyone was looking at each other. When it happens it is a disaster for a team. Hojbjerg not playing shows you what they need.

"A massive miss. He is one who leads and is always talking and demanding. They lost the plot but they also lost their heart."

Tottenham's spectacular collapse

Spurs were heavy favourites to reach the last eight of Europe's elite competition after beating Dinamo 2-0 on home soil last week, but started the second leg in lethargic fashion as the hosts set about getting back into the tie.

Dinamo were eventually rewarded for their efforts when Mislav Orsic produced an unstoppable strike from the edge of the box just after the hour mark, and he went on to double his account and level the contest on aggregate in the 82nd minute.

Orsic's expert finish from an Iyayi Atiemwen's cross ultimately forced extra time, and he completed his hat-trick in stunning fashion after the first 15 minutes of the additional time produced no goals.

Tottenham defenders will guilty of giving Orsic too much room as he drove through midfield before firing another unstoppable effort past Hugo Lloris, sparking wild scenes of celebration in the Dinamo dugout.

Guinea coach Didier Six has revealed details of his negotiations with Liverpool after the Premier League club agreed to release Naby Keita for one of the country’s two upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Guinea captain Keita has been cleared to play Group A leaders Mali in Conakry on March 24, with Guinea currently two points behind Mohamed Magassouba's in second.

However, under the terms of agreement with Liverpool the 26-year-old will then return to Merseyside and miss the trip to Namibia the following weekend, ensuring he will not miss any games for the Reds because of coronavirus quarantine restrictions.

What did Six say?

"We negotiated with Liverpool, which is one of the biggest clubs in the world, to have Naby Keita for the first game," Six told AFP.

"After that we put him on the plane immediately and he will be available for the [Premier League] restart after seven days in isolation, during which time he can train.

"I made a proposal to the clubs so that we could be as strong as possible for the first match.

"It takes diplomacy, there's no point in yelling."

The bigger picture

The ongoing coronavirus pandemic, and resultant quarantine rules, has caused chaos for international managers as they attempt to gather their squads together from across the globe.

Governing body FIFA has said clubs do not have to release players for international duty if they would subsequently be without them due to coronavirus protocols.

Two rounds of South American qualifiers have been postponed for this reason, with countries such as Argentina and Brazil on the United Kingdom's restricted travel list, which stipulates that travellers from the nations must complete a lengthy isolation period before being allowed to circulate.

Namibia is also on the restricted travel list, meaning Keita would have had to quarantine for 10 days on his return to the UK had he played in that game.

That would have ruled him out for the Premier League trip to Arsenal on April 4 and the first leg of Champions League quarter-final three days later. However, the agreement with Guinea means the midfielder will return home and be available for when the Reds return to action.

Further reading

Mikel Arteta was relieved to see his "unstable" Arsenal side survive a scare against Olympiacos in the Europa League, admitting "we were near the levels in which we can perform".

Arsenal progressed to the quarter-finals of the competition 3-2 on aggregate despite losing to the Greek side 1-0 at Emirates Stadium on Thursday night.

Arteta was disappointed with how his team played in the second leg tie but he's confident they will improve heading into the business end of the season.

What's been said?

"Really happy to be through. We had a tough opponent, so happy to be through," The Gunners boss told BT Sport post-match.

"Sometimes we have to be fair with ourselves - we were nowhere near the levels we could be.

"We were unstable with the ball and we gave it away. It's impossible when you give the ball away to have any structure. We created enough chances to win but were nowhere near the levels in which we can perform.

"We can't use any excuses. We had fresh players in the side. We started the game really well but then we had lack of stability. We need to keep the ball and play some passes together and not just keep giving the ball away in transitions.

"When we conceded, we did get better and got more control but with their goal, we gave them some belief, which you cannot give to the opponent. We'll get better. When it comes to decision-making and execution, it's a little bit more difficult.

"We need another win in the Premier League and it's a big chance after the international break to get a run together."

A night to forget at the Emirates for Arsenal

Olympiacos took the game to Arsenal right from the off in north London as they sought to avenge their 3-1 defeat in Greece last week, with Youssef El-Arabi's proving to be a constant menace for the home defence.

The Morrocan striker eventually made the breakthrough six minutes after half-time as his deflected effort found its way past Bernd Leno and into the net after Dani Ceballos was dispossessed cheaply in midfield.

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Nicolas Pepe both missed good chances to equalise before Olympiacos has Ousseynou Ba sent off late on, with Arsenal ultimately settling for a narrow defeat thereafter to book their spot in the quarter-finals.

What's next?

Arteta will now start preparing his players for a Premier League meeting with West Ham at the London Stadium on Sunday.

The international break will come into effect after that fixture, with the Gunners not due back in action again until April 4 against Liverpool.

Further reading

AC Milan midfielder Refiloe Jane has explained why her Serie A side bowed 2-1 to rivals Inter Milan in a tense Coppa Italia showdown.

The 28-year-old, who moved to Italy in September 2019, has continued to impress in her second season, having joined the club since ending her enterprising spell with Australian side Canberra.

In her maiden campaign, she netted twice in 15 outings for the Italian outfit but they missed out on a Champions League spot following the league's cancellation due to the coronavirus outbreak.

This term, the South Africa international has continued to excel for Maurizio Ganz's side, scoring once in 11 outings but she is disappointed with not rescuing her side from a 2-1 Cup defeat to Inter. 

“The previous two games didn’t go our way. Every time we go out, we go out to win and to represent Milan and to play our best," Jane told AC Milan TV. 

"And with the defeats that we’ve got, we need to stay positive, regroup and focus on the next game. Take it one game at a time. 

"In my opinion, in the previous games that we lost, especially also in the derby, they didn’t go our way. 

"We need to also give credit to Inter as they are a good team and also we are an equally good team.

"So when we played and played to win, it’s just unfortunate that the results didn’t go our way.”

Despite being ruled out by injury for a few weeks earlier this season, Jane has not let down her side since her return as she kept up her top shape in 11 games this term.

The Banyana Banyana vice-captain has reflected over the privilege to play for the Serie A giants as well as gracing the famous San Siro pitch for the first time against Inter.

“Personally, I feel honoured to be with Milan for the second season," she continued.

"We’ve been working as a group and I know the efforts that the technical team has put in and the task that they have in the team. And I feel very blessed to be a part of Milan also in the second half of the season.

“Playing at the San Siro has always been my dream, and I know it’s every footballer’s dream to play in such an iconic stadium. And despite the results that we got against Juventus, I think we played well as a team.

“And those memories will stay with us, despite the defeat. We always want to play in the best stadiums. We always want to play in the best countries, and given that opportunity by Milan, we’ll always be grateful.”

Despite the title setback from a 4-0 loss to Juventus, Milan will hope to bounce back to winning ways against Empoli in their next fixture.

And Jane, who coincidentally scored her only goal of the season against Empoli, hopes they will get back on the winning track. 

 “With the game against Empoli, it is also going to be a difficult one. We know they are also a good team like any other team in the league," she continued. 

"So it’s a good chance for us to redeem ourselves as a team and to focus on the positives that we are going out there to get.”

With Milan's sights set on clinching a Women's Champions League ticket this season, Ganz will count on Jane's good form.

Crystal Palace striker Christian Benteke reveals he pushes himself to the limit each time in his bid to beat off competition from teammate Jordan Ayew.

They two men, together with on-loan Chelsea star Michy Batshuayi, Cote d'Ivoire ace Wilfried Zaha and new Palace signing Jean Philippe Mateta, are in a fierce competition for the first team striking spot at Selhurst Park.

Benteke appears to be living his dream as he has been rewarded with a starting place in the club's games in recent times.

“[There is] competition with Jordan [Ayew] and Wilf [Zaha], so with Mateta being a new addition, it doesn’t change the way in which I challenge myself every game, every training session," the former Liverpool striker, who has five Premier League goals to his name so far this term, told Palace's official website.

“It is something good as it gives me many options but at the same time, you have to perform to maintain a stable place.

“I think [our aim is] to finish as high as we can because we’ve got the talent, we’ve got the group, we’ve got the experience and we’ve got the players.

“So now, it is up to us. [Personally], I want us to finish strong and to try to do my best, possibly go to the Euros with the Belgium team.”

Ayew has recently lost his role as Palace's first-choice striker but should be happy with being offered a place in the starting XI on the wings.

It has not been the best of seasons for the Ghana star who has so far netted just once in 25 league appearances involving 18 starts so far.

His solitary strike came in a 4-1 win over Leeds United in November.

Last season, the 29-year-old registered nine goals in 37 Premier League outings for The Eagles.

His haul saw him finish the term as the club's top scorer and adjudged the Most Valuable Player.

Despite his struggles in front of goal this season, the former Marseille man is expected to be named in Ghana’s squad for the upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations games against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe on March 25 and 28 respectively.

Borussia Dortmund have announced the signing of teenage centre-back Soumaila Coulibaly on a long-term contract from French side Paris Saint-Germain.

Born in Montfermeil, France to Malian parents, the 17-year-old joined the Parisians youth academy in the summer of 2019.

The following year, he was invited to train with the club’s first team under former boss Thomas Tuchel. Even after the exit of the German tactician, he continued to practice under new manager Mauricio Pochettino who took charge in early 2021.

Sadly, an anterior cruciate ligament injury in mid-February meant that the towering player’s season was over, although when he returns to the pitch, he would be playing for the Westfalenstadion giants.

“France's central defender Soumaila Coulibaly will play for Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund from the 2021/2022 season,” a statement on the German top-flight website read.

“The 17-year-old is regarded as one of the most promising players in the young talent academy of the French first division club Paris Saint-Germain.

“Coulibaly has not played in the senior leagues, but has trained regularly with PSG's professional squad this season and is a member of the French U18 national team. He is currently recovering from a knee injury.”

In his first interview, Coulibaly expressed his delight teaming up with the eight-time Bundesliga kings, while showing his gratitude to PSG for giving him the platform.

"I am absolutely delighted to be able to play for such a traditional club in the future,” he told the club website.

“I am grateful for the training I have enjoyed at Paris Saint-Germain, but I believe that this change is now the best step for me.

"I had offers from other clubs, but when I first spoke to the BVB managers, I knew directly that this was the right club for me. I can't wait to start at my new club.”

The suspension of the France junior leagues as well as the Uefa Youth League, owing to the outbreak of Covid-19, has severely restricted Coulibaly's time on the pitch in competitive games since the start of the 2019-20 campaign.

He is a member of France U18 squad, nevertheless, he is eligible to represent Mali in future.

Morocco will be without full-back Achraf Hakimi for their final two Africa Cup of Nations qualifying fixtures after he was included in Vahid Halilhodzic's 24-man squad on Wednesday.

Inter Milan announced moments later that none of their players will be honouring national team invitations this month after Stefan de Vrij and Matias Vecino tested positive for the coronavirus.

Hakimi was expected to be in the eight-man defence selected by Halilhodzic and also reunite with Chelsea’s Hakim Ziyech, Olympiacos' Youssef El-Arabi and Sevilla's Youssef En-Nesyri when they face Mauritania on March 26 and Burundi four days later.

The restriction comes less than 24 hours after French Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs banned their players from travelling out of Europe during the forthcoming international break.

Hakimi has played a key part in helping Morocco cruise to the top of Group E having picked up 10 points from four unbeaten games.

The 22-year-old also has two goals to his name in the qualifying stage which came in their 3-0 thumping of Burundi in November 2019 and their 4-1 hammering of Central African Republic last November.

“FC Internazionale Milano have announced that Stefan de Vrij and Matias Vecino have tested positive for Covid-19 following tests that were taken yesterday. The two Nerazzurri are both already in quarantine in their homes,” the club statement read.

“Having been informed of the new positive cases, the ATS of Milan has decided on the following actions:

“Immediate suspension of any type of team activity for four days, including Sunday 21 March; Inter vs. Sassuolo, scheduled for Saturday 20 March 2021, is to be postponed; Players are prohibited from fulfilling any call-ups to their respective national teams.

“On Monday 22 March, the whole team will be re-swabbed and tested before the eventual resumption of activities.”

In the Serie A, the Morocco international has contributed six goals and four assists in helping Inter Milan climb to the summit of the league table.

With four players in isolation, Inter Milan's Serie A game against Sassuolo which was initially fixed for Saturday has been postponed to a later date.

Antonio Conte’s side has 65 points from 27 matches and they hold a nine-point lead above city rivals AC Milan.

Watford have revealed Ismaila Sarr will be assessed ahead of their Championship game against Birmingham City on Saturday.

Senegal international Sarr could not complete his side’s 4-1 victory over Rotherham United on Tuesday evening after suffering an injury and was replaced by Jeremy Ngakia.

The forward will be examined to ascertain his fitness before the Hornets take on Lee Bowyer‘s men at Vicarage Road.

“Ismaila Sarr is being assessed after leaving the pitch early in the second half at Rotherham United on Tuesday evening,” read a statement from the club website.

Nigeria midfielder Tom Dele-Bashiru is not ready to return for action as he is still recovering from his hamstring injury.

The forward suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury against Reading in October and underwent surgery which made him spend time away from the club during his rehabilitation.

Dele-Bashiru has fully returned to Vicarage Road and is gradually stepping up his comeback to action.

“Tom Dele-Bashiru is now based full-time at the training ground and continues to work back from his October ACL injury. The midfielder began running outside this week,” the statement continued.

Dele-Bashiru teamed up with the Hornets in the summer of 2019 from Premier League side Manchester City.

The Nigeria U23 star has only made two appearances for Watford in this campaign due to his injury problems.  

Sarr, meanwhile, has been in fine form for the Hornets this season, scoring nine goals and providing nine assists in 33 league appearances.

His effort ensured Watford’s second place on the Championship table after gathering 72 points from 37 games, 10 points behind leaders Norwich City.

Sarr has been with the Vicarage Road outfit since the summer of 2019 when he joined the side from French club Rennes.

The 23-year-old forward impressed in his debut season for the Hornets but could not help them to avoid relegation at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

Former Nigeria forward Peter Ijeh has slammed Gernot Rohr for the late invitation of Paul Onuachu despite his fine goalscoring form in the Belgian First Division A this season.

The 26-year-old stands as the highest scoring Nigerian player in Europe this season after scoring 27 goals across all competitions for Genk.

Onuachu was called from the standby list on Wednesday to replace Nantes’ Moses Simon who has been barred from leaving France due to Covid-19 restrictions as Nigeria prepare to face Benin and Lesotho for their final Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers next week.

But Ijeh suggested the late consideration of the Genk star could affect his morale.

“The late invitation of Paul Onuachu first as a standby and now invited because another player opted out is so disheartening psychologically,” Ijeh wrote on his social media page.

“I wish he performs, but psychologically it is demoralising to be called up in the format with duress, pressure and not of value and consistency.

“If you watch the patterns written so far in the Super Eagles, it looks like the team is already decided without following the players' club consistency.

“Though I respect all coaches and their philosophies. But you don't run a national team with the same philosophy of a club.”

Onuachu has struggled to find the back of the net in Gernot Rohr's team and has only scored a goal for the Super Eagles which came in his debut outing against Egypt in March 2019.

Ijeh wants better service for the 26-year-old to replicate his club’s goalscoring form at the national team.

“The question now is not if he can perform. The main question is if he can get supply,” the ex- Malmo and Copenhagen forward added.

“As it is today, in Europe today, he is no. 1 finisher with 27 goals. So it is the job of the technical crew to find that missing link or be regarded as incompetent.

“If he is a European, they would celebrate him every day and build around him to contest for European Player of the Year. But when Nigeria devalue such, I wonder where the next generation of players will be?”

Uganda head coach Abdallah Mubiru has revealed how special returning players are for them ahead of their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Five stars were called up before the Burkina Faso and Malawi qualifiers and the Police head coach believes their abilities will come in handy during the games scheduled to be played in March.

"Players like Murushid Juuko, Yunus Ssentamu, Abdul Lumala, Mathias Kigonya, and Daniel Isiagi and others are back in the national team set up after some period away," explained Mubiru on the Fufa website.

"They have been part of the national team and happy to be back in the setup. This is good news for the players as everyone knows the abilities of these players. The entire Cranes group has a special bond and has always had the spirit to work together."

Although Mubiru accepted Khalid Aucho will be missed due to suspension, he stated they have got enough men to replace the former Gor Mahia midfielder.

"It is very sad that midfielder [Khalid] Aucho will not play against Burkina Faso because of suspension," explained Mubiru. "He is a good player for the team and we shall miss him. We have able replacements like Moses Waiswa, Taddeo Lwanga and others."

He also urged the players to ensure they win at home against Burkina Faso after they were last frustrated by South Sudan at St Mary's Stadium in Kitende.

"As I have already said, winning at home remains very pertinent and important," said the Ugandan. "Winning against Burkina Faso at home will give us confidence and this will motivate the team heading into the away contest against Malawi.

"Both matches are very important for the country, team, players and the technical team. We need to get results from both games. I know, it will not be an easy game against Burkina Faso but we have the potential to get positive results. 

"The winning spirit of playing at home needs to be back. This was not visible in the last game played against South Sudan."

The Cranes will host Burkina Faso on March 24 before playing Malawi on March 29.

MLS NEXT, the league's recently-created series of youth leagues, has announced a series of initiatives aimed at combating racism and discrimination in youth soccer.

These initiatives include the introduction of an Equity Action Committee (EAC) that includes players, coaches and directors across the boys and girls soccer landscape.

In addition, the league will provide educational sessions and guided discussions in an effort to prevent discrimination of any form at youth level.

What was said?

“We are committed to creating lasting change in youth soccer and continuing to build a platform that does not tolerate racism or other discriminatory language or behavior in any context,” said Fred Lipka, MLS NEXT Technical Director.

“MLS NEXT will reach tens of thousands of young athletes during a critical time in their life and educating all participants on the value of diversity from the moment they enter our platform is a top priority as we continue to build the sport for a new North America.”

What will MLS NEXT do to combat discrimination?

The EAC, which includes nine members headlined by Toronto FC star and Black Players for Change executive board member Justin Morrow,  includes men and women across the youth game, not just at MLS-affiliated clubs.

The league is set to hold a series of anti-racism seminars with the aim of implementing inclusive principles throughout the youth game, while MLS NEXT will also work closely with Girls Academy to ensure that these principles are not just limited to the boys game.

Diversity in club leadership has been added as an admission criterion for MLS NEXT expansion clubs and the league says it is looking to help coaches from underrepresented backgrounds get their start with admission into the Elite Formation Coaching License program.

What is MLS NEXT?

MLS Next is the league's new youth soccer initiative introduced in 2020 and serves as the successor to the now-defunct U.S. Soccer Development Academy.

The system includes clubs from the U13 all the way to the U19 age groups and features 118 clubs, 521 teams and over 11,000 players across the U.S. and Canada.

Further reading

Tottenham midfielder Tanguy Ndombele has been rewarded for his upturn in form with a recall to the France squad for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers.

The 24-year-old hasn’t featured for Les Bleus since the summer of 2019 but now has the chance to add to his six international caps in matches against Ukraine, Kazakhstan and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Other notable returnees include Atletico Madrid’s Thomas Lemar, who hasn’t featured since November 2019, while Barcelona forward Ousmane Dembele, a member of their 2018 World Cup-winning squad, is back for the first time in two-and-a-half years.

What did Deschamps say?

This represents Ndombele's first international call up since his club-record €60 million (£54m/$68m) move from Lyon to Tottenham.

The Frenchman arrived in north London with a reputation as an all-action midfielder but struggled to adapt to the demands of English football during his first season in the Premier League, with manager Jose Mourinho publicly questioning Ndombele's fitness levels at one stage.

However, the player knuckled down and has been rewarded with a much improved 2020-21 campaign, with his displays now also catching the eye of his international manager.

Speaking at a news conference announcing the squad, boss Didier Deschamps said Ndombele, Lemar and Dembele deserved their recalls after a string of impressive recent performances.

“Thomas, for several weeks now, he has been more consistent,” he said. “His performance level is a lot better, just like Tanguy. Tanguy’s performances are coming close to the ones he showed at Lyon.”

On Dembele, Deschamps added: "For several weeks, he has been playing consistently and he has regained his athletic abilities.

"He is playing and scoring goals, even if he could score more. He was greatly hampered by repeated injuries. He is gradually gaining in maturity.

"What he is able to do today he has been able to do for several years, which is why he was part of the squad of world champions."

Who else is in the France squad?

Manchester United forward Anthony Martial is also named in the squad despite currently being sidelined with a groin injury along with team-mate Paul Pogba, who has only just returned to training after missing six weeks with a thigh problem.

Alphonse Areola, Hugo Lloris, Kurt Zouma, N'Golo Kante, Moussa Sissoko and Olivier Giroud are also included in an expanded 26-man squad. 

However, there is no place for the likes of Steven N’Zonzi, Marcus Thuram, Corentin Tolisso and Theo Hernandez.

France squad in full:

Goalkeepers: Alphonse Areola (Fulham, on loan from Paris Saint-Germain), Hugo Lloris (Tottenham), Steve Mandanda (Marseille), Mike Maignan (Lille)

Defenders: Lucas Digne (Everton), Leo Dubois (Lyon), Lucas Hernandez (Bayern Munich), Presnel Kimpembe (Paris Saint-Germain), Clement Lenglet (Barcelona), Ferland Mendy (Real Madrid), Benjamin Pavard (Bayern), Raphael Varane (Real Madrid), Kurt Zouma (Chelsea)

Midfielders: N'Golo Kante (Chelsea), Tanguy Ndombele (Tottenham), Paul Pogba (Manchester United), Adrien Rabiot (Juventus), Moussa Sissoko (Tottenham)

Forwards: Wissam Ben Yedder (Monaco), Kingsley Coman (Bayern), Ousmane Dembele (Barcelona), Olivier Giroud (Chelsea), Antoine Griezmann (Barcelona), Thomas Lemar (Atletico Madrid), Anthony Martial (Manchester United), Kylian Mbappe (Paris Saint-Germain)

Further reading

Gareth Southgate has explained why he has recalled Jesse Lingard, Luke Shaw and John Stones to his England squad.

Southgate named his final squad for this month's 2022 World Cup qualifiers on Thursday, drafting an in-form trio back into the fold while leaving out several high profile names .

Lingard has enjoyed a resurgence since joining West Ham on loan from Manchester United, while Shaw has shone at Old Trafford this season and Stones has helped City fight for the quadruple, with Southgate certain all three men can transfer their form to the international stage.

What's been said?

"There has never been any question in my mind about the quality of all three players. All have had difficulties mainly because of injury," the Three Lions boss told reporters after unveiling his squad.

"Jesse, of the three, is a bit more fortunate to be in. Luke and John have performed over a period of time. We have got injuries in that area that have opened up an opportunity for Jesse.

"I have to say that his performances for West Ham have been excellent. He has four goals in six games. We know he can perform at the level.

"We know he has been a really good member of our squad, both in terms of his general link up play and he has scored goals as well.

"There is no doubting quality. Ideally, you say you need to do it for a little bit longer. But that's not been the option this time around.

"We lost the likes of Jack Grealish, Jadon Sancho, Harvey Barnes and James Maddison. There is a space there and we trust Jesse and think he can play a big part in the next few games."

When did Lingard, Shaw & Stones last play for England?

Lingard hasn't played for his country since June 2019, with a lack of regular minutes at United costing him his place in Southgate's set-up.

Stones' last appearance for the Three Lions came in November of the same year, while Shaw's last call-up came way back in September 2018.

Both men fell out of favour amid struggles for form and fitness at club level, but have rediscovered their best form in the 2020-21 campaign.

Lingard's bright start to life at West Ham

Lingard's international career appeared to be over in 2020 as the midfielder fell way down the squad pecking order at Old Trafford, with the Red Devils eventually deciding to send him out on loan to West Ham in the winter transfer window.

However, the 28-year-old has played his way back into contention since joining the Hammers, scoring four goals and recording two assists in his first six Premier League appearances for the club.

Southgate added on Lingard's return to form at the London Stadium: "We weren't sure how it would work out. We were able to give Jesse a great reference in terms of experience with him.

"We were just relieved he was back playing football. I think it is one of those moves that has worked for everyone.

"I can only reiterate that ideally you would see that over a longer period of time and I cannot dispute. We know the quality and level he can play at. He has got a great opportunity now."

Who will England face on their road to Qatar 2020?

England have been drawn in Group I for their latest World Cup qualifying campaign alongside Albania, Andorra, Hungary, Poland and San Marino.

Southgate's side will return to action with a home fixture against San Marino on March 25, before facing Albania three days later and wrapping up the month with a clash against Poland.

Further reading

Uganda Revenue Authority FC head coach Sam Ssimbwa has hailed his charges for an impressive away record after beating Onduparaka FC 3-0 in a Premier League contest on Wednesday.

Steven Mukwala scored a brace as Cromwell Rwothomio found the back of the net once to give the Tax Collectors yet another win to consolidate their position at the top. 

"The team played well and played under instructions. It has been our biggest win away from home,” Ssimbwa said as per Sports Nation.

"We did score three goals without conceding which was very good and I appreciate the away display of the team because ever since we started the league, out of the eight games we have managed to win seven and one draw which was against Mbarara City."

Mukwala tops the Premier League's scorers' chart with nine goals from 15 games while Rwothomio has scored six. Mukwala was signed from Maroons FC who were relegated in 2020 after he emerged the top scorer with 13 goals.

"I am very happy with Steven [Mukwala] and Cromwell [Rwothomio] because, after one or two games, they both score and it is a good thing for us in our upcoming games," added the former Sofapaka head coach.

The competition will enter its mid-season break and Ssimbwa spoke about what they will be up to during that time as none of the players was called up by the Cranes' coaches. Uganda will play against Malawi and Burkina Faso in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March as they hope to seal a slot in the continental competition for the third straight time.

“It will depend on our plan because they didn’t summon any player from my team for national duty," said the coach.

"So, we can arrange some good friendlies and good training and will be in a good position to resume again."

Ssimbwa once again talked about their pre-season targets which they have achieved given that URA are the best side before the second leg begins.

"In fact, we had set our goals and targets," concluded the Ugandan coach. "Our target was to be in the second place on the table and we had planned to start very well but because of Covid-19, we had seven of our players removed from the team which affected us but after that, we have been consistently doing well."

URA are ahead of Vipers, who defeated Kampala Capital City Authority 1-0, suggesting a tighter battle between the two sides in the next round. Express FC, with 32 points, are also deep in the title race.

Kitara FC who are 15th as well as bottom-placed Malaba Youth Development Association will resume their survival battle. 

Mathare United head coach Salim Ali believes Posta Rangers coach Stanley Okumbi is one of the best coaches in Kenya and that is the reason his team is on the upward trajectory.

The youthful tactician was appointed to head the Mailmen after the dismissal of the now Gor Mahia assistant coach Sammy 'Pamzo' Omollo. Prior to the one-week break, to allow Kenya to prepare and play friendly matches against South Sudan and Tanzania in preparations for the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Egypt and Togo respectively, Rangers had defeated K'Ogalo by a solitary goal.

The Slum Boys coach concedes his Friday opponents will be motivated and ready to give their best to get a positive outcome.

"Okumbi is one of the best coaches around with a lot of pedigree and it is no surprise he seems to have [Rangers] on the up," Ali said ahead of the game.

"The game tomorrow will be a tough one as Rangers will be even more motivated because of their recent results but I feel we have enough to push for and hopefully secure a win."

The soft-speaking tactician also shed light on the team's preparations considering the fact that they have been struggling in the league.

"The mood in the squad has been superb this past few days," Ali, who has also coached Ulinzi Stars continued.

"To not have to play every three or four days has helped in bringing the team together which can be difficult when you have a busy schedule like the one we’ve endured so far in the season.  

"We have tried to do one or two things differently to help improve on the spirit in the team and I can say that the players have really taken to it which is a huge plus. I feel we are going to see a much different team tomorrow."

The Slum Boys are second last on the table with nine points after just two wins, three draws, and eight losses in the 13 games played.

Their opponents are placed 14th on the table with as many points from 15 games and will be looking for their third win this season. 

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has confirmed he has held positive talks with Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta after being dropped against Tottenham last weekend.

Aubameyang had to watch on from the bench as Arsenal earned a 2-1 victory over Spurs in the north London derby on Sunday, with Arteta revealing before the game that he took the forward out of his starting XI due to a disciplinary breach.

The Spanish head coach insisted that the issue had been "resolved" ahead of the Gunners' Europa League round of 16 meeting with Olympiacos, where they will defend a 3-1 aggregate lead, and Aubameyang is eager to put the whole episode behind him.

What's been said?

The 31-year-old, who returned to Arsenal's starting XI for the second leg tie on Thursday, addressed the incident in his programme notes before discussing the importance of making progress in Europe's second-tier competition.

"On my own situation, I have spoken with the boss and it’s all done now – we move on," said Aubameyang. "I’m focused on the next game and it’s a big one for us. We fought so hard last Thursday to get in this position, so now it’s time to finish the job.

"There is still work to do. We know all about what happened against them [Olympiacos] last season. We were in a strong position then after the first leg that time, but we didn’t kill them off and we got punished badly for it.

"We can’t let that happen again – we have to use our advantage, be wary of the opposition – but let’s play our game, go for the win and we’ll be through."

Aubameyang's thoughts on the north London derby

Aubameyang went on to single out the two players he felt made the difference for Arsenal during the win over Spurs, which saw Martin Odegaard and Alexandre Lazazette get on the scoresheet.

The Gabon international was pleased to see Odegaard deliver on his promise in the final third and hailed Keiran Tierney for adding an extra attacking dimension to Arteta's side in his absence.

"Odegaard deserved it, he worked so hard, we all know he’s got goals in his game so now he has got a couple, I’m sure he will keep getting more for us," Aubameyang added.

"He’s so clever, he knows when to arrive in the box and we know we have players from wide who can deliver quality – like Kieran did for the first goal.

"He was so dangerous again for us on Sunday – it’s like having another forward!"

How has Aubameyang performed for Arsenal in 2020-21?

Aubameyang has struggled to match the prolific form of his first two-and-a-half seasons at Emirates Stadium in 2020-21, having been shifted out wide on the left on a number of occasions as Arteta has experimented with different formations.

However, the experienced frontman has still managed to hit 14 goals in 29 games across all competitions, with his last effort coming in a 1-1 draw with Burnley on March 6.

Further reading

Swansea City top scorer Andre Ayew has been called up for Ghana's upcoming 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, the club has confirmed.

The availability of the 31-year-old for the upcoming double-header against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe on March 25 and 28 respectively has been unclear, owing to concerns of possibly missing a run of games for The Jack Army.

Due to coronavirus safety protocols, international arrivals into the United Kingdom ordinarily ought to quarantine for 10 days.

That Ghana's game with South Africa is an away fixture, has compounded issues as the latter are on the United Kingdom's red list of coronavirus risk, a situation which will require Ayew to undergo mandatory hotel quarantine for 10 days before joining up with the Swansea squad again.

"Swansea vice-captain Andre Ayew, meanwhile, has been called up by Ghana," the Jack Army wrote on their official website on Thursday.

Third-placed Swansea are currently in a good position to secure a return to the Premier League, a spot highly boosted by the Ghanaian who has so far registered 14 goals in 35 Championship matches involving 34 starts for Cooper's outfit.

Goal understands Swansea will only release Ayew to Ghana on condition that he is excused from the trip to South Africa and only joins the Black Stars for the home clash with Sao Tome.

The attacker has been highly influential for the Black Stars, having registered four goals in his last two appearances in all competitions.

“There's been some stuff written about some Premier League players. I’m not too sure exactly how that's going to look,” Cooper said on the dilemma of clubs concerning the upcoming international break during a presser earlier this month.

“We haven’t even had a call-up for Andre yet to say that he’s going. I imagine we would, with him being the captain of Ghana.

“But what the stance is going to be on that throughout football, I’m not too sure. But I know there are some decisions to be made going forward. We’ve got four games to play first before that, but I know that's coming.

“There have been games moved in the Champions League I would imagine for Covid restrictions.

"I haven’t given it much thought but I don’t think this situation is not just going to be about Andre and Swansea, I think there's going to be a whole host of players that represent countries outside of Europe and with the travel restrictions that are going to be in a similar boat, so I imagine football will take a bit of a lead on it and we can make a decision from there."

Ghana are currently top of Group C ahead of the last two rounds of matches.

Black Stars coach CK Akonnor is expected to announce his final squad for the upcoming fixtures on Friday. 

The transition from professional footballer to professional football pundit is a well worn path and it can certainly be a lucrative venture if done well.

Fans love to hear the analysis of ex-players and managers about the modern game and there is no shortage of vocal characters who have crossed over into the realm of the critic.

Whether it is the inevitable exasperation of Roy Keane and Graeme Souness, the interactive graphics of Gary Neville or the pun-laden presenting of Gary Lineker, it provides some entertainment.

So, how much are pundits paid for espousing their views in the television studio? Goal takes a look.

There is no set salary for a football pundit, so payment can be negotiated between a network and an individual.

A TV pundit can earn anywhere between hundreds of thousands to millions a year for giving their opinions. The level of their salary depends on a variety of factors, such as reputation, profile, seniority and ability.

It can be difficult to say exactly how much a particular pundit is paid, but, in the UK, we do know for sure how much BBC pundits are paid because the public broadcaster publishes the figures.

Gary Lineker is the long-standing presenter of BBC's famous Match of the Day Premier League highlights programme and earns £1.35 million ($1.8m) a year for his trouble.

The former England and Barcelona striker signed a new five-year contract with the network in 2020, which actually involved a 23 per cent reduction on his previous terms.

He had previously been on a salary of £1.75 million a year, so the pay cut amounts to £400,000 less.

Outside of Lineker, Alan Shearer is the highest-paid Match of the Day pundit on an annual salary of £395,000 ($550k) - down £50,000 from the previous rate of £445,000 a year.

Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas is paid between £200,000 and £205,000 ($278k - $285k), while ex-Arsenal forward Ian Wright's most recent MOTD salary stood at just under £150,000 ($210k) a year.

*Table shows BBC Match of the Day pundits only

However, while those figures are not to be sniffed at, the biggest paychecks appear to be handed out to those working for the pay-TV networks such as Sky Sports and BT Sport, which boast lucrative contracts for broadcasting the Premier League and Champions League among other competitions.

Manchester United-Liverpool double-act Gary Neville and Jamie Carragher earn around £1 million each a year for their contributions as pundits on Sky Sports, according to the Daily Express.

Before he moved into management, former Arsenal and France star Thierry Henry was one of the highest-paid pundits on TV, with the Daily Mail reporting that he was on a £4 million-a-year ($5.5m) deal.

Of course, like anything in business, not all networks work in the same way and the pay of a pundit can vary wildly, particularly for those who work on a freelance basis.

While some pundits may work on pro-rata contracts, meaning they are paid in full regardless of how many appearances they make, others will be paid per appearance.

Inter Miami would welcome Lionel Messi "with open arms", according to Gonzalo Higuain, who says he can see the Barcelona superstar joining him in MLS.

Speculation over Messi's future is intensifying with each passing day as his contract expiration date draws closer, with a number of possible next destinations being mooted for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi has even left the door open for a potential switch to the United States, and Higuain is excited by Inter Miami's reported links with a fellow Argentina international, but is not certain he will want to stop competing at the highest level in Europe.

What's been said?

"[Andrea] Pirlo came here [to MLS] when he was a world champion, so did [Thierry] Henry, [David] Villa and [Blaise] Matuidi," Higuain told ESPN.

"I see no reason why Lionel couldn't come here. If it would make him happy, we would welcome him with open arms.

"At some point, he will decide where he wants to play play and what is in his own best interests on a personal and sporting level, but in my opinion, he has the caliber  to continue competing for the Champions League."

What are Messi's other options?

The world's biggest clubs have been on alert since Messi's decision to hand in a transfer request at Camp Nou back in August, including Paris Saint-Germain, Manchester City and Inter Milan.

All three clubs have been tipped to submit lucrative contract offers for the Argentine, while it has also been suggested that a return to boyhood club Newell's Old Boys could hold great appeal to him.

Barca successfully blocked the 33-year-old's exit last summer but as it stands, he will become a free agent at the end of June.

Messi has said he will wait until the end of the 2020-21 campaign before deciding on his next move, with it still possible he could extend his stay in Catalunya following Joan Laporta's re-election as club president.

How has Messi performed for Barca this season?

Messi's status as the best active player in the game hasn't changed this season despite constant talk of him coming towards the end of his 16-year spell at Camp Nou.

The Blaugrana captain has scored 27 goals in 36 games in all competitions to date, including two in a 4-1 Liga win against Huesca on Monday.

Messi has also provided 12 assists for his team-mates while helping Barca compete for a league and cup double in Spain.

Further reading

Hansi Flick has admitted that he wanted three players currently at Chelsea to be added to his Bayern Munich squad, but maintains that he has suffered no falling out over transfers with sporting director Hasan Salihamidzic.

After seeing Callum Hudson-Odoi burst onto the scene at Stamford Bridge, every effort was made to take him to Germany, with interest rekindled in the England international during the summer of 2020.

The Bundesliga champions were in the market for attacking talent at that stage, with Timo Werner and Kai Havertz – domestic rivals at RB Leipzig and Bayer Leverkusen before heading to west London – among the others that Flick looked at before settling on luring Leroy Sane away from Manchester City.

What has been said?

Flick told Sky Deutschland amid reports that failure to land top targets has led to a strained relationship with Salihamidzic: “It is always said that Hudson-Odoi and [Serginho] Dest were my desired players, but they were our desired players.

“We decided that we wanted to add players for the wide areas and that is what we did. Havertz, Werner and Sane were mentioned, I would have loved to have all three, but we all decided on Sane. He’s a player who makes a difference.”

What happened with Hudson-Odoi?

Goal learned during the January window of 2019 that four bids from Allianz Arena were tabled for Hudson-Odoi, with the last coming in at £35 million ($45m).

All approaches were knocked back by Chelsea, who eventually tied the 20-year-old to a new long-term contract to 2024.

Bayern returned with a loan request in October 2020, as Hudson-Odoi struggled for regular time under Frank Lampard, but those efforts were also rebuffed.

How about Werner and Havertz?

Two leading lights in German football had been attracting plenty of interest prior to making big-money moves to England.

Bayern kept a close eye on proceedings but eventually found themselves priced out of the market.

Werner, who would have been aware of Robert Lewandowski’s prolific presence at Bayern, ended up seeing a £47.5m ($64m) clause in his contract triggered by Chelsea.

The Premier League heavyweights then splashed out a further £70m ($95m) on buying into the potential of 21-year-old playmaker Havertz.

How has Sane fared for Bayern?

All of that left Bayern pushing through a deal for Germany international winger Sane.

He had endured injury issues towards the end of his time at Manchester City and is still searching for a spark back in his homeland.

The 25-year-old has made 31 appearances across all competitions this season, registering eight goals and eight assists.

Further reading