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Tanzania head coach Kim Poulsen has named the Taifa Stars squad that will face Kenya in two friendly games in Nairobi.

Poulsen has named a squad without Simba SC goalkeeper Aishi Manula who has been the preferred first choice for the previous engagements. Manula is currently with the club as they prepare for a Caf Champions League tie against Al-Merrikh on March 16, a side they drew 0-0 with in the first game in Sudan.

Yanga SC's Metacha Mnata and experienced Juma Kaseja are the two goalkeepers who have been selected for the friendly against Harambee Stars instead.

Nickson Kibabage, who plays for Youssufia in Morocco, Kelvin John of Brook House College in England, and Nassor Saadun Hamoud of MFK in the Czech Republic are the players who are foreign-based in a squad that is dominated by local stars.

ENPPI SC midfielder Himid Mao is among the foreign-based stars that have already linked up with the rest ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Equatorial Guinea and Libya. Mao, however, has not been named among the midfielders set to play Kenya in Nairobi in mid-March.

Poulsen has only named five midfielders for the two friendlies and they include Feisal Salum, Baraka Majogoro, Salum Abubakar, Farid Mussa and Iddi 'Nado' Suleiman.

Yanga's Ditram Nchimbi, despite reduced playtime with the Mainland Premier League side, is largely expected to lead the attack on Monday as John Bocco of Simba has not been selected. Deus Kaseke, Abdoul Suleiman and Meshack Abraham are the other strikers selected.

Apart from missing Simba stars, Namungo's players have also been exempted from the national commitments since they have a Confederation Cup assignment coming up.

Taifa Stars have been conducting training sessions at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium ahead of the friendly games against Kenya as well as the upcoming Afcon qualifiers.

Harambee Stars will also face South Sudan on Saturday before playing Taifa Stars and that is part of the preparations for their respective Afcon qualifiers against Egypt and Togo in late March.

Tanzania travelling squad:

Goalkeepers: Metacha Mnata (Yanga SC), Juma Kaseja (KMC).

Defenders: Hassan Kessy (Mtibwa Sugar), Israel Mwenda, Nickson Kibabage (Youssufia FC/Morocco), David Bryson (KMC), Yassin Mustapha (Yanga SC), Edward Manyama (Ruvu Shooting), Dickson Job (Yanga SC), Bakari Mwamnyeto (Yanga SC), Kelvin Yondan (Polisi Tanzania), and Laurent Alfred (Azam FC).

Midfielders: Feisal Salum (Yanga SC), Baraka Majogoro (Mtibwa Sugar), Salum Abubakar (Azam FC), Farid Mussa (Yanga SC) Iddi Suleiman ‘Nado’ (Azam FC).

Forwards: Ditram Nchimbi (Yanga SC), Deus Kaseke (Yanga SC), Abdul Suleiman (Coastal Union), Kelvin John (Brook House College/England), Nassor Saadun Hamoud (MFK/Czech), and Meshack Abraham (Gwambina FC).

AC Milan left-back Theo Hernandez says Zlatan Ibrahimovic told him off for being overweight on his return from holiday.

The 23-year-old has been a key player for the San Siro side this season, making 33 appearances in all competitions.

But Hernandez says he was not in the best shape when he reported back to the club after a break and the extra weight did not escape the Swedish striker's attention.

What has been said?

He told Sportweek : "He gave us courage, gives us lots of advice and sometimes even scolds us - but always to motivate us.

"When I came back from vacation, he told me: 'Where are you going with 90 kilos here?' I was a bit fatter...

"But he also told me that I am strong and that I have to become the best, but that I have to work hard.

"We follow him, and in training we give everything, always. All together. It has been an incredible year, we are having an incredible year. And the credit belongs to everyone."

Ibra's impact this season

Ibrahimovic has been crucial in Milan's fight for the Serie A title this year.

The 39-year-old has scored 14 goals in as many games in the Italian top-flight for Stefano Pioli's team.

The Rossoneri sit second in the table but trail leaders and city rivals Inter by six points.

What next for Milan?

Milan are still in contention for the Europa League, having drawn 1-1 with Manchester United in the first leg of the last-16 tie on Thursday.

Pioli's team face sixth-place Napoli in Serie A on Sunday before they face United in the return fixture on March 18.

Further reading

Former Kenya international Charles Okwemba has openly claimed it will be disappointing if struggling Gor Mahia end up being crowned the FKF Premier League champions again.

K’Ogalo have had a difficult campaign in the 2020-21 season that has seen them lose five matches from 13 matches played so far.

Their recent match saw them lose 2-0 against KCB and it was a result that left the club faithful questioning the abilities of new Portuguese coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto to handle the team.

The record Kenyan champions have dominated the local scene in recent years claiming seven titles in the last eight seasons but according to Okwemba, who also played for AFC Leopards in the top-tier, it will be disappointing if they win the title again.

“Teams have not been turning up in the last few seasons making it so easy for Gor Mahia to win the titles,” Okwemba said as quoted by Standard Sports. “But the current Gor Mahia struggles give other teams an opportunity to end their dominance.

“Based on what is happening at Gor Mahia, it would be very disappointing if they win the league again this season. We need to have a competitive league and not a predetermined league."

Okwemba, who retired from active football in 2018, has also tipped Tusker, KCB, and AFC Leopards to end Gor Mahia’s dominance in the league this season.

“Though it is still too early to call, I feel Tusker, AFC Leopards, and KCB have positioned themselves better for this season’s title,” Okwemba continued.

“But I will strongly consider them as favourites if only they maintain their form until their first five matches into the second leg. There are debates Gor Mahia have always been assisted to win the league but I think they deservedly won them due to the quality they had."

Gor Mahia are currently lying eight on the 18-team table with 19 points from 13 matches, 16 fewer table-toppers Tusker, who have 35 points, though K’Ogalo have played two matches less.

KCB are second on 29 points from 14 matches while AFC Leopards are third on 28 points from 13 matches.

Bani Yas 3-2 Al Nasr

Bani Yas edged out Al Nasr 3-2 at home in the Arabian Gulf League (AGL) to reclaim the second spot in the league table on Friday. 

It was an even start to the match with both teams giving their all to dominate possession in midfield. Goal scoring opportunities were scarce as the game lacked creative imagination in the attacking third. 

At the stroke of half-time, Mehdi Abeid opened the scoring for Al Nasr and went into the tunnel with their noses in front. However, the hosts levelled in the 58th minute when Joao Pedro scored the equaliser. But Al Nasr restored their lead through Toze in the 69th minute. 

The ball kept swinging from one post to another and this time it was Bani Yas' Sultan Alshamsi who brought his team back into the game with a goal. They kept mounting the pressure and their efforts reaped dividends when Fawaz Awana netted deep into injury time to score the winner. 

After the win, Daniel Isaila's men are just two points adrift of table-toppers Al Jazira who are on 44. Meanwhile, Al Nasr continue to be in 4th place with 36. 

Al Ain 4-0 Al Wahda

Meanwhile, Al Ain registered a comfortable 4-0 win over Al Wahda at the Al Nahyan Stadium, courtesy of a brace from Laba Kodjo.  They raced to a 3-0 lead at half time with Kodjo netting within just 10 minutes into the match and Caio Canedo doubling the lead five minutes later. 

Khalid Al Blooshi got his name on the scoresheet just after the 30th-minute mark to pile further misery on Al Wahda. Things got further complicated for the trailing team when Ahmed Rashid was sent off for a second booking in the 74th minute. With two minutes left on the clock, Kodjo completed his brace to end the night on a high. Al Ain are sixth in the table with 34 points while Wahda remain in the eighth position with 29. 

Ittihad Kalba 2-1 Al Dhafra

In the third match of the evening, Ittihad Kalba came back from behind to trounce Al Dhafra 2-1. Makhete Diop made the most of a defensive lapse to score the first goal of the match just before the halftime break.

Kalba's Romulo Dos Santos scored in the 64th minute to level the scores and when Dhafra's Pedro Conde turned the ball into his own net in the 84th minute, there was little doubt that the hosts would leave the ground with three points in their kitty. 

Ittihad Kalba are now on 29 points and Dhafra remain on 20 to be in the 10th position. 

Uganda Revenue Authority FC midfielder Ivan Sserubiri has explained why their Premier League encounter against Vipers SC will be critical.

The Tax Collectors will host the Venoms at the Arena of Visions in Ndejje University for a clash that will determine who will top the table after matchday 14.

Both URA and Vipers have 30 points and a win for either side will be critical in the first round that has only two games remaining.

"It is a hard and tricky game because whoever wins it stands a huge chance of finishing on top after the first round. These are the games that each player wants to play," Sserubiri said as was quoted by the club's portal.

"We beat them last time out so we want to do our best and do the same."

Sam Ssimbwa's side has won the last five games and that represents the best run in the Premier League so far. They have also won five of the six games that they have played away from the Arena of Visions.

As they welcome the champions, the Tax Collectors must be aware of their home record that has seen them win four of the seven games held there. They lost to Express FC and drew against Wakiso Giants and Bright Stars. The 30 points have been won from 13 games which is the best starting record under the former Sofapaka head coach Ssimbwa.

Fred Kajoba's team is expected to offer URA a tougher test given that they have won six of their last seven games played. The defeat to Mbarara City saw their 11-game unbeaten run, which started from last season when they were crowned champions, stretch to 11 games. 

The Venoms reclaimed the first position on the table after seeing off record Premier League champions SC Villa 3-0 in their last engagement. They, however, must overcome a recent wanting record that has seen them drop points against both Kyetume FC and Express. 

The Venoms' attackers will also need to be extra competitive as they will come up against a side that has kept clean sheets on the last four occasions. The Tax Collectors will also be buoyed by a recent outing against the Kitende club whom they have defeated in three of their four games since 2018.

Ssimbwa will have three players missing as they welcome Kajoba's outfit who are their direct title challengers.

"Players to miss for URAFC include Ojera Joackiam and Alionzi Nafian who continue to nurse injuries sustained in our recent matches. Nunda Jackson continues to be out following a long term injury," the club announced.

The game will kick-off at 13:00 EAT.

Wazito FC head coach Francis Kimanzi has lauded his team stating they are special since they are ready to learn and give everything on the pitch.

The Nairobi-based charges are enjoying their best-ever start in the Football Kenya Federation Premier League and the tactician, who took over from Fred Ambani, has been lauded for it. However, the 44-year-old has insisted his players should be lauded for their good run.

"I am not special; the group I have been working with turns to be special in between. This is because the players are ready to learn and to give everything on the pitch," Kimanzi told Goal.

"We have been pushing and to see if we can have a good start especially in having good results. We are building a team and also trying to learn a lot together; from players and the technical bench as well with the intentions of picking positives."

The 2018/19 National Super League champions are currently placed sixth on the top-tier table after 14 games. They have managed seven wins, three draws, and four losses, scoring 13 goals and conceding 12. 

Despite having a decent run and collecting 24 points, the immediate former Harambee Stars coach explains why it has not been a walk in the park for his charges.

"We started [the season] badly, but we knew we would get results, that we were not far from the way we were playing other teams," Kimanzi continued. 

"Sometimes it might turn out to be the opposite, you give your best and not get rewarded but on most occasions, when you work harder you get rewarded. It is special for me when a group trusts in whatever you are building. It is the motivation any coach needs."  

Kimanzi further insisted Tusker FC look like the team to beat in the ongoing campaign.

"At the moment, Tusker are the best team in the league; they are more fluent and have been winning without struggle," the tactician said earlier on.

"Despite them losing a game recently [against Bidco United] they have a very good team balance and are fluent in whatever they want in a game.

"It seems they have discovered something that is working for them and especially in bringing in players who can help the team get results when they are struggling."

Express FC coach Wasswa Bbosa has revealed his game plan when they take on Kyetume FC in a Ugandan Premier League match on Saturday.

The Red Eagles will hope to return to winning ways when they return to Wankulukuku Stadium, and the game comes just three days after they saw their 12-match unbeaten run in the top-tier ended by UPDF FC in a 1-0 defeat.

The defeat at Bombo Military Stadium courtesy of Alex Kitata's header in the 17th minute also meant the Red Eagles had surrendered their top spot in the 16-team table to URA FC while Vipers SC are second.

Ahead of the fixture on Sunday, Bbosa has promised a different game plan saying they have worked on mistakes that denied them a win against UPDF and they were looking forward to a different approach.

“Based on the last game we had [a loss to UPDF], we have been trying to correct the mistakes, defending set-pieces very well and also converting chances has been the main focus,” Bbosa said as quoted by the club’s official website.

“We respect Kyetume but we’re focused on taking maximum points and I am sure we shall have a different performance altogether.”

On his part, forward Mustapha Kiragga said: “It was very unfortunate to pick up our first loss of the league away to UPDF in our last league game.

“I would say we had a bad day at the office but we’ve been correcting the mistakes like defending the set pieces very well and also we forwards trying to convert as many chances, against Kyetume I am sure we shall put up a decent performance.”

Bbosa will miss the services of left-back Arthur Kiggundu and forward George Senkaaba, who are still in the treatment room while the rest of the squad is fit and available for selection.

The two sides have met once in the history of the league and Express won the battle 1-0 with winger Frank Ssenyondo scoring the winning goal.

Kyetume, who are lying 13th on the table, are winless in their last eight league outings managing only two draws in the process and have also recently appointed Alex Isabirye as head coach.

Stellenbosch FC are set to play hosts to Mamelodi Sundowns at the Danie Craven Stadium in a PSL encounter on Saturday afternoon.

Stellies are brimming with confidence having recorded their second successive victory in the league when they claimed a 3-1 win over Baroka FC away in midweek.

The victory boosted Stelllenbosch's hopes of finishing in the top eight this season as they are placed ninth on the league standings - four points behind eighth-placed Cape Town City.

Coach Steve Barker's side will be up against an in-form Sundowns team that has won eight games in a row across all competitions including Wednesday's 4-0 win over Polokwane City in the Nedbank Cup Last 16 game.

Masandawana's gap at the top of the league standings has been reduced to one point by joint second-placed Lamontville Golden Arrows and Orlando Pirates, but Sundowns have three games in hand.

Barker's counterpart, Manqoba Mngqithi will be determined to ensure Masandawana maintain their unbeaten record in the league this weekend.

TV Channel, Live Score & How To Watch

The game will be shown live on SuperSport TV channel 202

Squads & Team News

Stellenbosch have not reported any injuries in their camp ahead of their clash with Sundowns and they do not have suspension concerns.

Barker will once again look to in-form forward Ashley Du Preez, who has scored in his last two league matches against Cape Town City and Baroka.

A victory over Sundowns will see Stellies remain ninth on the league standings, but they will be a point behind eighth-placed City.

Meanwhile, Sundowns are expected to be without defender Brian Mandela, who is still injured and the Chloorkop-based club doesn't have suspension concerns.

Mngqithi will pin Masandawana's hopes of securing a win in Stellenbosch on red-hot striker Peter Shalulile, who has scored in each of his last four games for the Tshwane giants.

The Brazilians will open a four points gap at the top of the league standings if they secure a victory over Stellies.

Match Preview

Stellenbosch have collected nine points from eight home matches in the league this term and their last result as hosts was a 3-1 defeat to Lamontville Golden Arrows last month.

While Sundowns have accumulated 15 points from seven away matches in the league this season and they edged out Black Leopards 2-1 in their last game on the road two months ago.

In head-to-head stats since the 2019/20 campaign, Stellenbosch and Sundowns have clashed in three league matches.

Masandawana boast an undefeated record against Stellies having registered three victories against the Western Cape side. 

Sundowns thrashed Stellies 3-0 in the first round league encounter in Tshwane in November 2020.

The two teams also met in the Nedbank Cup Last 32 game in early February 2021 and Masandawana emerged 3-2 winners in extra-time. 

Given the nature of football during the pandemic to throw up unexpected scenarios, the closely-contested race for automatic promotion in the Championship has demonstrated that some things just never change.

Watford currently sit second behind runaway leaders Norwich City on 66 points after 35 games played, level with a Swansea City side that have a game outstanding. Both teams have taken advantage of Brentford’s February wobble to sit third and fourth respectively with the Bees’ run of four defeats in seven seeing them temporarily lose their spot in the top three ahead of Friday evening's victory.

Leading Watford’s charge is Ismaila Sarr, the Hertfordshire outfit’s top contributor in the final third. The Senegal attacker has been involved in 12 goals and assists for Xisco’s team, scoring eight times and setting up four more to account for 26 percent of the team’s return.

There was always a feeling that the 23-year-old deserved top tier football given his performances for the side who went down post-lockdown in July despite a late revival. Sarr’s speed and trickery has proven to be an asset for the Vicarage Road outfit, completing 1.9 dribbles per game—third behind Ovie Ejaria (2.7) and Bright Osayi-Samuel (2.8), who’s since departed for Fenerbahce in January.

No player has won more penalties than the springy West African (four) and his 10 big chances created is only outdone by Norwich’s talismanic playmaker Emiliano Buendia (13) and Harvey Elliott (11).

If Sarr’s importance to Watford’s cause is known, Andre Ayew’s prominence in Swansea’s run of results in recent weeks has to be praised to high heaven. He’s been involved in 16 goals so far, placing him seventh in the Championship after 14 goals and two assists.

There’ll be the immediate inclination to point out five of the Ghana forward’s strikes have come from the spot, but the timing of those spot-kicks put a different context on the incidents.

While Ayew has netted a penalty in each of his last four outings for the Swans, two, in particular, stand out: he scored a 96th-minute spot-kick in the 2-1 win over Stoke City on March 3 before keeping his composure to win the game against Middlesbrough at the death three days later.

The significance of that 97th-minute effort against Boro was laid bare after the visitors thought they’d picked up a point after Sam Morsy levelled in the first minute of second-half stoppage time. The subsequent Neil Warnock protestations further emphasised the agony of the away side at the Liberty Stadium.

Now 31, the West African last played Premier League football in 2017/18 and may not get a better chance to right the wrongs of last year’s semi-final playoff defeat by Brentford. Ayew was thwarted by visiting goalkeeper David Raya in the first-leg and, despite netting with nine minutes to play, the fine margins of that tie meant the Welsh side were beaten 3-2 on aggregate.

Swansea boss Steve Cooper has been delighted with the forward, whose recent success from 12 yards has won the side five points in their last three games, praising his overall dependability in the big moments.

“Andre’s always been an important player for us," Cooper said ahead of his side's trip to Luton Town on Saturday, Walesonline reports. “The type of player who he is and the difference he can make in games is and has been important to us. He’s only focused on keeping it going.

“He's getting a few goals from penalties, but he’s got to be there to score them and he’s a player for big moments. Hopefully, we can create a few more big moments for him and he's there to make the most of them, whether that's creating or scoring goals because that's what he does among some other things.”

Only Watford’s Troy Deeney (six) has scored more penalties than Ayew’s five, and the frequency with which the Swans have won spot-kicks has bothered Luton Town boss Nathan Jones, who questioned the decisions.

“I’m sure things even themselves out over a season, but in the last four or five games [Swansea] have had four penalties,” Jones pointed out before Saturday’s clash with the Swans. “Sometimes the wind blows your way, but we’ll be hoping that no poor decisions are made by our players and anyone else in the stadium.

“But you can’t plan not to give a penalty away. You’ve just got to defend well and hope that the right decision has been made on the day.”

Those concerns are unlikely to deter Ayew who can be relied on to dispatch any penalty regardless of the timing if it means Swansea eventually end up playing PL football next season.

Expect Sarr to not surrender without a fight, though, and the race to finish second is likely to throw up more twists and turns in the final weeks of the ever-exciting Championship.

West Ham manager David Moyes has said he is hopeful the Hammers can make Jesse Lingard's loan move permanent at the end of the season.

After failing to make a single Premier League appearance in 2020-21 with Manchester United, Lingard has hit the ground running with the Champions League-chasing Hammers. 

The 28-year-old has four goals and two assists in six appearances with West Ham thus far.

What has been said?

“I hope we’re going to be in a position to attract many players in the future, because of our league position, because we’re a club with stature, we’re in London, we have a 60,000-plus stadium which will be full every week. I think all those things go in our favour,” Moyes said.

“Jesse wanted to come here, right from the start. When I was talking to him he wanted to come to West Ham. He saw it as a really good place for him. I think he’ll have seen what we’re trying to do.

“He’s joined a good group of players as well. We’ve got international players and I’m hoping we can add to that in the coming transfer window.  The job is to try to add to that.

“But I would hope Jesse sees this as a good place if it’s possible to be done, and if we think that we want to do it at the end of the season.”

Will Lingard join West Ham permanently?

When Lingard joined West Ham in January, United triggered a one-year extension on his contract which keeps him at the club until the summer of 2022.

Upon Lingard's departure, United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said he was expecting the England midfielder to return in 2021-22.

"We want Jesse to come back here revitalised and having shown at West Ham how good a player he is," Solskjaer said in January. 

But, having tasted success in London after a difficult past year in Manchester, Lingard could push for a permanent move at the end of the season.

What's next for West Ham?

West Ham, who currently sit fifth in the Premier League, will face second-place Man Utd at Old Trafford on Sunday. 

Under the conditions of his loan, Lingard will not be eligible to play in the match against his parent club. 

Further reading

The Premier League is hoping to allow fans back into stadiums this season for the final two rounds of fixtures, says chief executive Richard Masters.

Matches have largely been played behind closed doors for the past year because of UK government coronavirus restrictions.

However, with those restrictions slowly beginning to ease, Masters is hopeful every club will be able to play in front of their own supporters before the end of the campaign.

A year since the Premier League shutdown

This week marked exactly a year since a Premier League game was played in front of a capacity crowd - Leicester's 4-0 win against Aston Villa at the King Power Stadium on March 9, 2020.

The competition was postponed shortly afterwards and did not return until June’s Project Restart, with all games behind closed doors.

Restrictions were briefly eased in certain areas of the country in December, meaning some clubs were allowed to play in front of 2,000 socially distanced supporters.

However, another surge in cases saw the country placed in full lockdown again and fans locked out of grounds once more.

When will fans return to Premier League stadiums?

Under the government's road map out of lockdown, 10,000 supporters or 25 per cent of total capacity - whichever is lower - will be able to return to stadiums from Monday, May 17.

The final round of Premier League matches is scheduled for May 22. So to ensure every team has a home game with fans another round of matches will need to be rescheduled for May 18-20.

That could be matchweek 37, due to take place the previous weekend, or matchweek 36, which is scheduled for May 11 and 12.

Provided cases continued to fall and the vaccination roll-out continues to go as planned, all restrictions are scheduled to be eased by June 21.

Masters is optimistic therefore that stadiums will be back to full capacity in time for the start of next season.

"Hopefully the final two fixtures of our season will have up to 10,000 supporters in them all," he told premierleague.com.

"We've got to go past those first initial steps in the government's roadmap to get there, so hopefully that will be a fantastic finale to end the season.

"Beyond that, from the beginning of next season, our goal is to have full stadia and the government’s roadmap offers us that opportunity.

"There’s a lot of water to pass under the bridge before that can happen but that’s our ultimate goal: the return of full vibrant Premier League stadia and a return to the normal Premier League."

Further reading

Mikel Arteta admitted Thomas Partey has struggled at times during his first season at Arsenal, as injuries have interrupted the midfielder's rhythm. 

Partey missed nearly a month with a thigh injury before making his return in December, only to suffer a new injury and be forced out another month. 

Arteta, though, believes Partey is now close to his best after returning from his injury struggles.

What was said?

Asked if he thought Partey was getting close to his best, Arteta said: “I think so.

“Rhythm-wise he has struggled a little bit in the last few weeks because he hasn’t had enough training sessions or enough preparation because the league is so demanding.

“But you can see his quality, you can see the presence and the special qualities he provides to the team when he is on the pitch.

“I think it is just a fact of playing more games, getting some chemistry and understanding with his team-mates and getting as fit as he possibly can.”

The bigger picture

Partey joined the Gunners from Atletico Madrid for £45 million ($62m) on transfer deadline day in October, and was expected to be a key part of Arteta's midfield.

Due to his aforementioned injury issues, however, the 27-year-old has started just 10 of the team's 23 Premier League games since he joined. 

Arsenal have failed to live up to expectations in 2020-21, currently sitting in 10th place in the league. 

Arteta's side have also advanced to the Europa League last 16, where they hold a 3-1 advantage over Olimpiacos after the first leg. 

What's next for Arsenal?

Arsenal will take on their north London rivals Tottenham on Sunday before facing Olimpiacos on Thursday in their last-16 second leg. 

Further reading

Chelsea head coach Thomas Tuchel has explained why he told Timo Werner off in German during Chelsea's 2-0 win over Everton on Monday.

During the first half, Tuchel was caught on the broadcast shouting: "Timo, Timo, for how long are you still going to play on the left? You must play on the right! You have been playing on the left for a quarter of an hour now. Don't you understand it?"

Tuchel would again shout at Werner in the second half regarding positioning around the overlapping wing-back Reece James. Ahead of a trip to face Marcelo Bielsa's Leeds on Saturday, Tuchel emphasised that he did not mean to be harsh on Werner.

What Tuchel said about shouting at Werner

"It was very direct, and at the moment without spectators, things like this can get out there," Tuchel told reporters at Cobham Training Centre. "I was aware [of the video] because people around me showed me.

"We reminded Timo to rejoin his position on the right because he was on the left too long. Switching positions is not a problem but we wanted Callum [Hudson-Odoi] on the left and Timo on the right side to make things easier for him. We reminded him but it was not an insult or aggressive. It was direct.

"I know what you mean but in the end, if it is respectful and not insulting each other [it is fine]. I have no problem with the players being direct to me and sometimes on the sideline, the coaches are in a game mode where things are direct and meant to be clear.

"Sometimes things are not pronounced in the most friendly or nice way. I agree but me and the players are in a game mode. I have the feeling that no one takes it too personally. It is about passing information. This is it."

Is this an isolated incident or typical of Tuchel?

Tuchel has a reputation for being ruthless and intense as a coach from his time working at PSG, Dortmund and Mainz.

Since joining Chelsea, Tuchel has already made first-half substitutions and has also taken Hudson-Odoi off just 31 minutes after bringing him on from the bench.

Indeed, the Blues manager was particularly vocal around refereeing decisions in the matches against Manchester United and Liverpool, but he says he has since calmed down.

"[I switch it off] pretty much the minute after the whistle," he said. "In terms of my emotions on the sideline, you should have seen me 10 years ago! It was double and triple.

"I was totally sucked into the match, I was sweating all over, attacking the fourth official and the referees all the time. When I was on the bench, no one was safe so I calmed down a lot which is always necessary because it is not always right to express your feelings all the time and right away."

Further reading

Everton manager Carlo Ancelotti has urged Alex Iwobi to discuss with him face-to-face his preferred position after a complaint on Instagram.

The versatile forward has featured in a number of roles since teaming up with the Goodison Park outfit in the summer of 2019 from Arsenal and recently he was deployed to a wingback position.

The forward has, however, often play as an attacking midfielder for the Nigeria national team and reacted to his call-up for the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers later this month by stating he hopes to play in his preferred position.

Ancelotti confirmed he read Iwobi’s post and urged the forward to tell him his best position, citing an example of Andrea Pirlo who was deployed to the midfield at his request during his time at AC Milan.

“I read the post. I want to speak to him, of course. I want to know his preferred position because usually, I want to put a player on the pitch where they are comfortable to play, not where they are uncomfortable to play,” Ancelotti said, as per the Guardian.

“If he has an idea of where he prefers to play I have to know, I want to know. I would be delighted to know his preferred position and I’ll put him in his preferred position for sure, no doubt.

“I am going to tell him: ‘Tell me, I am your manager, tell me where you want to play. When I thought to put Pirlo as a holding midfielder I asked him: ‘Do you like to play there or not?’. ‘Yes’, he said to me, ‘I’d love to play there’ and so I put him there.

“If he wants to play number 10 or number nine I’ll put him at number 10 or number nine no problem. I can adapt the system.”

Iwobi has enjoyed a very campaign with the Toffees so far, having featured in 29 games across all competitions, scoring two goals and providing three assists.

The versatile forward will hope to feature when Everton take on Burnley in a Premier League game on Saturday.

The Goodison Park outfit will look to return to winning ways in the encounter after losing to Chelsea last time out.

Everton are currently sixth on the Premier League table after gathering 46 points from 27 games and a win against the Clarets could see them move into the top five.

Iwobi spent more than a decade at Arsenal before joining the Toffees. He is left with three years on his current contract with the Goodison Park outfit and will be expected to see out the deal.

Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane has admitted he is unsure what the future holds for club captain Sergio Ramos. 

Ramos will see his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expire at the end of the current season and has yet to agree terms on an extension. 

The 34-year-old could see a 16-year association with Madrid end after originally joining from Sevilla in 2005. 

What was said?

Speaking at a press conference, Zidane said: "I want to be honest and I have to say I don't know what's going to happen with him.

"We want him to stay here. He's always going to be an important player and I want him to remain here, that's what I'll say as a coach.

"Will Ramos play until he’s 40? That is what Sergio has said. He is a special player. His intention is already good because he wants to continue playing.

“Every year he will know if he is in good shape and, if he is like he is now, of course he can play until he is 40, if he wants."

What has Ramos said?

Speaking on Thursday, Ramos admitted there have been no new developments on the contract front, and added that he wants to play another five years.

"I wish I could say something, but everything remains the same," Ramos said of his contract situation.

"I can play five more years at the highest level. If injuries are not too bad, my mentality will help me."

The bigger picture

Ramos is a Madrid icon and is still vital to his team's cause, meaning his departure would be a blow for the Blancos.

Several of Europe's biggest sides have been linked with a move for the Spain international, showing he still has plenty left to give at age 34. 

Madrid may be making contingency plans in case Ramos leaves, as Goal has learned Zidane’s side are monitoring Villarreal defender Pau Torres.

There has also been talk that another Madrid centre-half, Raphael Varane, is seeking a move away.

Zidane tried to play down those rumours on Friday, saying of the 27-year-old: “I don't think he thinks about clubs other than Real Madrid."

Further reading