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Manchester United playmaker Bruno Fernandes has been named Premier League Player of the Month for December - breaking an English record in the process.

Fernandes becomes the first footballer in the English top flight to be named Player of the Month four times in a single calendar year. He also picked up the award in February, May and November.

The Portugal international has emerged as a key figure at Old Trafford ever since he joined from Sporting CP 12 months ago. His arrival has added class and creativity to the United midfield, and he has been central in their rise to the top of the Premier League this season.

His performances in December included an assist after coming on as a half-time substitute in the comeback 3-1 win over West Ham, two goals in the 6-2 thrashing of Leeds, and involvement in strikes against Leicester and Wolves.

Fernandes has been essential in United moving three points clear at the top of the Premier League - a lead they could extend when they play rivals, champions and current second-place side Liverpool on Sunday.

"Three goals and four assists was a complete month," Fernandes told the Premier League website after receiving the award. "Scoring and assisting your team-mates is perfect. I want to achieve other trophies and awards but I’m really happy to make history.

"It’s a long way before we can start talking about being champions. We have to keep working. We play against one of the best teams in England and we know what it means to the fans, but the main point is the same: three points.”

Fernandes came top of an eight-man shortlist which included his Manchester United team-mate Marcus Rashford. Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah and Manchester City defender John Stones.

Aston Villa duo Anwar El Ghazi and Emi Martinez, Burnley defender Ben Mee and West Ham midfielder Tomas Soucek were also nominated.

Fernandes becomes the first man this season to win Premier League Player of the Month back-to-back, after Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin and Tottenham forward Son Heung-min picked up the gongs for September and October respectively.

Leah Galton has said that the arrival of USWNT stars Christen Press and Tobin Heath has brought a new mentality to Manchester United, with Casey Stoney's high-fliers set to take on second-placed Chelsea in a top-of-the-table clash on Sunday.

United have been in the Women's Super League since the 2019-20 season, having only been formed in 2018 and gaining promotion from the Championship in their second season as a club.

And while the Red Devils managed to quickly find their feet in the women's top flight, they have more recently established themselves as title contenders, sitting at the summit of the table ahead of a Chelsea side that have a game in hand.

The confidence already within the squad only increased when Press and Heath rocked up, however, and Galton feels that – despite often being moved more centrally to accommodate the Americans – their presence has been pivotal in United's race to the top.

“Christen Press and Tobin Heath have changed minds and our mindset,” Galton said in an interview with The Guardian.

“They’ve brought a different, much more positive, mentality. They’ve given us belief and the confidence to keep pushing forward, to create and to take more chances. They’ve given me the confidence to shoot from outside the area.”

Galton had almost fallen out of love with football after an ill-fated spell at Bayern Munich, but current boss Stoney has revitalised the forward, who claims her first trip to the manager's office saw her enter “as one person and leaving another”.

“I've never had a manager that believes in me as much as Casey,” Galton said, “She’s made me so much more confident on the pitch. And because she’s so recently been a player she knows how you feel.”

“Sometimes in training she’ll join in and help us to figure out situations, she’s even marked me occasionally! If you need extra help, she’ll stay on and keep working with you after training.”

Stoney may be a fine manager of the mental side of things, but it is the physical aspect of a packed fixture schedule that the boss has to navigate if United are to become champions. Galton, however, believes she is part of a squad with the necessary depth to handle the busy calendar.

“Our squad’s got the necessary depth to keep challenging,” she said. “Even if we end up having to play three times a week, we can cope; we’ve got an incredibly strong togetherness.”

Looking ahead to Sunday's match-up, the 26-year-old added: “I’ve played with a few of the Chelsea girls in the past, but we’re obviously enemies for the day on Sunday.”

Manchester United should be considering a raid on Leicester for Wesley Fofana, says Paul Scholes, with the Red Devils legend admitting to still having a “worry” about Old Gunnar Solskjaer’s back four.

Those at Old Trafford have stumbled upon a winning formula in 2020-21, with long-awaited consistency allowing them to hit top spot in the Premier League table.

A settled defensive unit has been aiding the collective cause, with the likes of Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka slotting in ahead of long-serving goalkeeper David de Gea.

Victor Lindelof has often filled United’s second centre-half berth, but Eric Bailly has rediscovered form and fitness of late to put himself in contention for regular game time.

While encouraged by recent performances from the Red Devils, Scholes feels there is still room for improvement and believes another big-money offer to Leicester – on the back of a record-setting £80 million ($109m) move for Maguire in 2019 – could deliver more value in the transfer market.

“As a back-four, I worry about how good they really are,” Scholes told ESPN ahead of United’s crunch clash with Liverpool at Anfield on Sunday.

“At full-back, Aaron Wan-Bissaka is just about defending, which is fine for a game at Liverpool, but I'm not sure what Luke Shaw brings to the team.

“In the middle, Ole still has to find Harry Maguire's best partner. Eric Bailly has pace, but he is rash and picks up too many injuries. Victor Lindelof plays the position better and seems to be Ole's preferred option, but again, he is not totally convincing.

“If I was Ole and could sign a defender this month, I'd go for Wesley Fofana at Leicester. He's only 20, but he has been outstanding and he has the potential to be anything he wants to be.

“United have done OK at the back this season, but they have been exposed when playing against the big teams, and that's another problem they need to solve.”

United will head to Merseyside this weekend with belief surging their ranks once more, with Scholes of the opinion that a title challenge can be sustained by a side that few predicted to be in the mix.

The Red Devils icon added: “It feels strange to say it, but I actually do think United can win the league because it's been such a weird season. But it's all about winning the big games now.

“They haven't done that yet. People can say they won at Leicester on the final day of last season to qualify for the Champions League, but that wasn't a big game like going to City, Liverpool or Chelsea and winning when it matters.

“United have lost four successive semi-finals and were knocked out the Champions League with a really bad defeat against RB Leipzig. That failure to win big games has to change if they are to win anything, but there's no better place to start than at Anfield.”

Liverpool must sign a new central defender in order to stay competitive in the Premier League title race this season, says Reds legend Robbie Fowler.

Jurgen Klopp has had to use all his managerial acumen this season in handling an injury crisis at Liverpool, which has seen them lose senior defenders Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, with youngsters like Rhys Williams and inexperienced players such as Nat Phillips having to step up.

Fowler thinks that Liverpool are playing well and have upped their game in order to defend their crown in the face of strengthened opposition, but feels a new defender is essential if they are to stay at the top of the English top flight.

Speaking exclusively to Goal on whether Liverpool should enter the January transfer market, Fowler said: "I think, ideally, yes - because of injuries.

"I won't say they are struggling because they are right there. They are still progressing. To win the Premier League is always the toughest. Arsene Wenger, Jose Mourinho, managers who have won the Premier League have always said that the next year is always the hardest.

"People always want to beat the champions. Therefore, they work that little bit harder, run that little bit harder.

"Liverpool are in a great space and they are playing unbelievable football. Eventually, the results will be a little bit better. The championship is still Liverpool's to lose. They are the team to catch.

"Manchester City will run them close - but they probably need someone to come in. For a supporter point of you want your team to be the very best. Jurgen and his staff are certainly looking into it."

Fowler is looking back to his old club for inspiration when it comes to his own managerial career.

He is currently coaching in India, at the helm of Indian Super League (ISL) side East Bengal, and names his former Reds manager Roy Evans as one of his role models - while current Liverpool boss Klopp is another.

Fowler said: "I have grown and got my education in Liverpool. I was a big fan of Roy Evans, who was the manager under whom I played most games. He was a great man-manager. I am big into man-management.

"But if I want to develop my game on now, it would be certainly Jurgen Klopp. I think he ticks every box. He is a manager that you want to be. He is that man because technically and tactically he's excellent. His man-management and demeanour are brilliant as well.

"He is someone that anyone who is a manager now, trying to grow in the game, he is certainly someone who you should certainly aspire to become for what he is and what he has achieved. I am no different. I want my team to play as his teams do."

Former England international Fowler says he still has the hunger and competitive streak from his playing days, which he brings both into management and into his personal life.

He said: "I am ambitious. I am exactly the same that I was as a player. I want to be the very best. I want to compete and win lots of trophies. I wanted to be No.1 in everything. Even when I am playing football with my son, I want to beat him. I want to beat him in ping pong, darts and everything. That is my ethos.

"I am prepared to do anything to be No.1. You need a build a good team and a staff around me. I am happy with the way it is going."

Former France international Jean-Michel Larque has laid into Kylian Mbappe for his recent performances, insisting the World Cup winner “has no place at PSG right now” as he is more interested in humiliating his opponents than playing productive football.

New head coach Mauricio Pochettino lifted his first piece of silverware on Thursday after replacing Thomas Tuchel in the Parc des Princes dugout, with goals from Mauro Icardi and Neymar securing a 2-1 victory in which Mbappe received only a late yellow card for his efforts.

Larque, who represented PSG as both a player and a coach, has called for radical changes to be made to Mbappe's game if he is to continue being counted amongst the best players in world football.

“Kylian Mbappe has no place at Paris Saint-Germain right now,” Larque told RMC Sport's Top of the Foot show. “I'm not going to drill a hole in his skull and find out what's in there, but he's complicating things. He's complicating everything he does. Why is doing rabonas? Why is he doing twelve stepovers if he's just staying in the same place?

“The boy needs a detoxification, a cure for his football which is totally polluted with unnecessary moves. What gives a boy like his his strength is his speed, but we're not seeing that anymore.”

That cure could come from Pochettino, according to Larque, who is hoping the Argentine boss has more sway over Mbappe than his predecessor and can get the 22-year-old back to his brilliant best.

“I'm going to see if Pochettino has more courage than Tuchel, or more of a hold of Mbappe,” he said. “I don't know the little secrets of Camp des Loges, I don't know if it was Tuchel who commanded Mbappe or the other way around.

“He needs to go clear his mind and watch some videos where he plays one-twos or drops deep for the ball. Today he wants the ball at his feet so he can ridicule his opponent. Obviously with his burst of speed he can get past opponents, but he will lose the ball in behind. I don't have the stats, but against OM he lost an incredible number of balls.”

PSG return to Ligue 1 action with a trip to Angers on Saturday.

Mumbai City coach Sergio Lobera expects a tough challenge against Hyderabad FC when the two sides go up against each other in the ongoing Indian Super League (ISL) season on Saturday. 

The Islanders had defeated Manuel Marquez's side 2-0 courtesy of strikes by Vignesh Dakshinamurthy and Adam le Fondre when they met in the reverse fixture earlier this season. However, ever since, Hyderabad have seen injured players like Lluis Sastre and Joel Chianese come back into the side. They have since gone on to amass two more wins and are well within the mix for a top four finish.

"I'm sure it's going to be a good game. They play a similar style (to ours). They have very good Indian players and also very experienced foreign players. It's going to be a different game (from the first leg) because they have recovered a lot of players and have a full squad now. But the most important thing for us is to focus on our style of play and to keep possession of the ball will be very important for us," Lobera pointed out.

The former FC Goa coach went on to praise his side after picking up a record 25 points from 10 games. However, he insisted that his team still needs to improve.

"I am very happy with the results so far. It's very difficult to win eight games in 10 games. It's very difficult to keep this situation but the most important thing for us is not on the table but on improving our performance. We need to understand that there is a lot of work to do in the next few months," he said.

"I'm very happy and proud of my players. It's not easy to implement our style of play in a short time at a new club with 24 new players. The level of Indian players is very important if you want to achieve something. They are improving day by day and want to learn every day. If we want to win trophies, the level of our Indian players has to be high throughout the season."

Lobera has a selection headache that every coach would love to have. The performances of players like Vignesh and Bartholomew Ogbeche whenever called upon has been impressive. The Nigerian forward, in particular, scored his fourth goal of the season against ATK Mohun Bagan last time out as Mumbai opened a five-point lead at the top.

Ogbeche maintained, "Even though I didn't play in every game, I prepare as if I am starting. The team's goal is more than the individual goals. So I'm always ready and you can always count on me."

"After 10 games, it's been a great experience but we are no different from the other teams in terms of the preseason that we had. But in the short time we had, we have shown a lot of progress with respect to the style of play the coach (Lobera) wants us to play. The most exciting part for me is that there is a lot of room for improvement," he added.

Uche Ikpeazu’s manager at Wycombe Wanderers Gareth Ainsworth has insisted he would rather stay in the Championship than win the FA Cup.

Wanderers progressed in the FA Cup after a 4-1 win over Preston North End on January 9 and will face Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur at Adams Park in the following round.

They are at the bottom of the Championship table and Ainsworth has explained why he prefers remaining in the competition over winning the FA Cup.

“All the focus is on Queens Park Rangers – that’s the big one,” the manager said in his pre-match press conference. “If you asked me to choose, I’d rather stay in the Championship than win the FA Cup.

“The Tottenham tie is brilliant for us, but it’s all eyes on going to the Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium and we can’t wait for it to come around.”

The tactician watched QPR collect a first win since November at Luton in mid-week, and he spoke highly of their next opponents.

“I was fortunate enough to be at the game at Luton in midweek; as manager of an upcoming opponent you’re allowed to go to these games and I thought QPR seemed to have a little bounce about them, maybe because of Charlie Austin going back there and giving them something extra,” he said.

“We’ve got to be on it. They’re a decent side; I thought we had the better of them at Adams Park but didn’t stick the ball in the net enough and only got a point from it. Mark Warburton is a fantastic guy and a really good manager, and they’ve changed system recently which we’ll need to combat, but we’re looking forward to it.”

Uganda international Ikpeazu is expected to feature again since he returned after a long period on the sidelines injured. The forward scored the only goal when Wanderers went down 3-1 to Middlesbrough in their last Championship game.

The injury kept him out of the African Cup of Nations qualifiers against Sudan in November as he was set to make his debut after he had been initially called by head coach Johnathan McKinstry.

Cape Town City coach Jan Olde Riekerink is taking nothing for granted as the Premier Soccer League side prepare to host strugglers Kaizer Chiefs, with Samir Nurkovic's impact a notable concern for him.

City failed to win any of their last two outings —a 3-2 loss to Swallows FC and a 2-2 draw against Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila— while Chiefs recorded a morale-boosting 1-0 win over AmaZulu in midweek.

Prior to that, the Cape Town side had been unbeaten in five consecutive league matches and had been outside favourites for the PSL title.

Regardless of the huge difference in the form of the two teams, Riekerink is particularly wary of the threat posed by Nurkovic, with City set to be without centre-backs Taariq Fielies (due to suspension) and Abbubaker Mobara (due to a hamstring injury) for Saturday's game at the Cape Town Stadium.

''It's a top club, a top team in South Africa [Chiefs], so it doesn't matter which position they are in the league, at the end they will come back,'' Riekerink told the media.

''We see it even from abroad, at Barcelona the first phase of the competition they struggled, but at the end, they will be at the place where the quality of the players is.

''So, it's going to be a challenging game for us, we have played two away games, it was a long trip. I think Swallows had a good team, I think TTM, we were 2-0 ahead and I think we gave it away by creating a penalty out of nothing, and TTM got their hope back and they finally scored the equalizer.

''We lost two points, but in the end, we are still in a good position. I hope we are ready although a few players are not available.

''And what impressed me the most [against AmaZulu] is the defensive organization of Chiefs, that improved a lot and of course that Nurkovic is back and he will be the guy to score the goals. A lot of times that's an important part of the game, the goalkeeper and striker help a lot.

''A striker is an important part of the team; you cannot deny that Ibrahimović sometimes decides the games. Haaland, we see in Germany, those guys, if you have a goalscorer it helps, it says not everything [does not solve everything] but it helps.

''If you have a good goalkeeper it helps also if you have one who stops and one who scores the balls it helps you win games.''

Riekerink is expected to field a depleted squad with Mobara compounding the Citizens' injury crisis.

''[Edmilson] Dove of course is a long-term injury, Aubrey [Ngoma] is long-term and we have suspended players,'' added the Dutch tactician.

''Tashreeq [Morris] is suspended, Tarra [Fielies] is suspended, and Mobara has a hamstring tear so I think that will take a few weeks to comebacks so we will have some changes in the team.

''We have to see [about the Covid-19 returnees Mpho Makola and Thabo Nodada].

''Obviously, they tested negative and have joined the group, but we have to see because some players struggle with the physical abilities because it affects some players more than other payers.

''So, players must be negative, but they must also be able to play, and that we will see in our last training.''

New signing Justin Shonga will also miss the encounter. 

Yanga SC coach Cedric Kaze has claimed Tanzania champions Simba SC are not as dangerous a team without midfield star Clatous Chama.

The Burundian tactician lifted his first trophy with the Jangwani giants after guiding them to a 4-3 win on penalties against the Wekundu wa Msimbazi in the final of the Mapinduzi Cup played at Amaan Stadium in Zanzibar on Wednesday night.

Both Simba and Yanga went into the derby final missing some of their key players, but it was the absence of Zambian midfielder Chama, who was given time off by his club, that caught the eye of Kaze.

“I see that Simba is a good team but it does not have the edge that is common if they don’t have Clatous [Chama] in the squad,” Kaze said as quoted by Sokalabongo.

“He has been deciding on how to control their midfield and also help strikers move forward at any time so I believe Simba are a good team but if they don't have Chama in their squad, then they are not very dangerous on the pitch.”

Apart from Chama, Simba faced their Kariakoo rivals without ten players - Luis Miquissone, Larry Bwalya, Jonas Mkude, Pascal Wawa, Charles Ilanfya, Aishi Manula, John Bocco, Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, and Said Ndemla.

On the other hand, Yanga paraded for the final without Carlos Carlinhos, Balama Mapinduzi, Lamine Moro, Yassin Mustapha, Deus Kaseke, Ditram Nchimbi, Feisal Salum, and Farid Mussa.

After a 0-0 draw at full-time, Simba managed to score their penalties through Francis Kahata, Chris Mugalu, and Gadiel Michael while Meddie Kagere was denied by the woodwork, and Joash Onyango’s effort was saved by keeper Farouk Shikhalo.

Yanga scored their penalties via Tuisila Kisinda, Shaibu Abdalla, Zawadi Mauya, and Saido Ntibazonkiza while Mukoko Tonombe was denied by Beno Kakolanya.

Both teams have now returned to Dar es Salaam to prepare for Mainland Premier League matches with Yanga still leading the table on 44 points from 18 matches, Simba are second on 35 points from 15 matches and Azam FC are third on 32 points from 17 outings.

Graeme Souness says “for the first time Liverpool will go into a game nervous” this weekend, with the defending Premier League champions preparing for a crunch clash with Manchester United.

Two old adversaries are due to lock horns at Anfield on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp, who brought a 30-year wait for title glory on Merseyside to a close last season, has his side back in the hunt for another top-flight crown. United, though, have hit the summit after 17 games of the 2020-21 campaign, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side overcoming early struggles to establish consistency and momentum.

With Liverpool still nursing their way through an injury crisis, Souness admits that the Reds may be in for a tough afternoon when they play host to the rejuvenated Red Devils.

The Liverpool legend told Sky Sports: “When you're a top team, you only worry about yourselves. That's been the case at Liverpool the last few years, but this season is difficult.

"Liverpool are huffing and puffing, that is a fact, it's not me picking a dramatic statement out of the sky. They are not the same team, not finding the same consistency, but they sit second in the league.

“They will think that even with them not being at it, they are still second and very much in the fight, but if there's one game United want to win, or one game Liverpool want to win, this is the one.

"The rivalry is enormous and has always been there; they are two monstrous football clubs with monstrous successes behind them.

“I think for the first time Liverpool will go into the game nervous. For the last two years it has been non-stop plaudits for them, and correctly so because the football has been magnificent, but that has not been there this season, consistently. That's why they've dropped points you wouldn't have imagined them to.

“When they are at their best they bully teams, especially high up the pitch, but I don't see that consistently this year.”

Souness added: “Liverpool are searching for consistency, and that was one word you'd have attached to them for the past three years. Their consistency levels have been fantastic, and that's why they've won some big trophies, but this year they are scratching around, and I think you can directly trace it back to losing Virgil van Dijk early on.

"They've lost Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, dropped Fabinho back in there, and the general disruption of what was a very set group of players.

“If you go back to the start of the season and you sat down with Jurgen Klopp and asked: 'Who is the one player you don't want to be injured for a lengthy time this season?'

“Some people might say [Sadio] Mane. Others might say [Mohamed] Salah. I think they've got goals in the team, but you haven't got anyone to replace Virgil van Dijk. He is the glue that keeps everyone together at the back.

“So going back in recent history, I don't think there has been a better time for United to be going to Anfield. This is as good as it will get for them. They will go there believing they can get a result.”

Paul Pogba admits that Manchester United cannot yet consider themselves to be on the same level as Liverpool until they win the Premier League, although the World Cup winner believes that the Red Devils can lift the title this season.

United find themselves at the summit of the English top flight after 17 games played, with a derby date against Jurgen Klopp's second-placed Reds on Sunday the most high-profile match-up of the season so far.

The clash at Anfield will provide a massive test of United's mettle, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side seeking to overcome a mental hurdle that has seen them lose in four separate semi-finals since the Norwegian set up shop in the Old Trafford dugout.

Victory on Merseyside would go a long way to instilling the type of confidence needed to lift titles, however, with Klopp's Reds unbeaten at home in the Premier League since a 2-1 loss to Crystal Palace all the way back in 2017.

And Pogba, who has returned to his best form lately, understands that, to be the best, you need to beat the best.

“We have improved a lot, we keep improving but we still have a very young team,” the France international told Sky Sports.

“Obviously we cannot say now we are at the same level as them because they won the Premier League and keep winning. So the day we win, that is when we say we are at the same level.

“If you want to be the best, you have to beat the best. We want to beat the Premier League winners. We know how good they have been playing over the last few years - we know their quality and how they play. It's always been a tough game.

“We know how difficult it will be and we just have to focus and try to stay at the top. I think we can win it if we keep our focus but there's a lot of teams that can win it - we are not there yet, we are still very far.”

Clarke Oduor’s manager at Barnsley, Valerien Ismael, has given an injury update ahead of their Saturday game against Swansea City.

Oduor has been used sparingly by the Championship side and the injury to defenders Liam Kitching and Jordan Williams could hand him a rare start.

“We have bad news with injuries to Kitching and Williams. It’s very frustrating, we feel desperate about Jordan especially because he’d just got back,” Ismael said in his pre-match presser.

“But we don’t think it’s long-term. We hope just two weeks, but I’m afraid to say things because we’ve been close to having him back on more than one occasion before. He’s such a good guy, important to us.

“Liam came with this small groin injury, and we are protecting him. But Aapo Halme is back, so that is good news.

“We have so many games that we can’t take risks with the players, so we must be careful.”

Barnsley will prepare to face Swansea with a good record in as far as Covid-19 tests are concerned after none of their players returned a positive test this week.

“Our Covid-19 tests this week showed more good news, we had no positive cases. It’s good for us because it shows we are all on the same page, all working to our rules in and out of the club,” he added.

"We have to respect the virus and follow our protocols.

“We have another round of testing [on Friday], but hopefully everyone will be negative and we then look forward to the game on Saturday night.”

Swansea emerged winners in their previous game against the Tykes, winning 2-0 in December, but Oduor’s manager isconfident his side has improved since then.

“I think we have improved since this game in Swansea. It was a strange one because of the pitch which was awful to play on,” Valerien explained.

“Swansea played a different kind of football that day which was a surprise. 

“It will be a tough game against a club who are going for the Premier League. But we now know more about them and we will be prepared, more ready on this occasion, however they decide to play.

“We’ll adapt if necessary.”

After struggling when the season started, Barnsley later on improved, especially after the appointment of Ismael, and are now ninth.

The Swansea game comes after Oduor and his teammates qualified for the fourth round of the FA Cup after seeing off Tranmere Rovers.

Diego Costa would add much-needed “character” to Arsenal’s squad if Mikel Arteta decided to make a move for the former Chelsea striker, says William Gallas, with a proven Spain international currently available as a free agent.

A man who has savoured title successes in La Liga and the Premier League has been released from the final months of his contract at Atletico Madrid.

Costa, who previously thrived in English football across three productive years at Stamford Bridge between 2014 and 2017, is now waiting on enticing offers.

Gallas believes that Arsenal could do worse than join the hunt for the fiery 32-year-old, with the Gunners having struggled for firepower at times in 2020-21.

The former defender told PlayOJO of Costa: “He would bring character to the squad. He just wants to win games.

“If his team-mate doesn’t play well, he will shout at them during the game and sometimes I think this is good. Sometimes, when I’m watching Arsenal, they don’t show any reaction when they concede, and someone like Costa will shout to the guys ‘Wake up!’, which can boost the players.

“If he comes to Arsenal, he will cause a lot of problems for defenders but it might also mean Alexandre Lacazette going on the bench again.”

Arteta has seen a number of senior stars flatter to deceive this season, with club-record signing Nicolas Pepe among those left scratching around for form.

Gallas admits the Ivorian winger has disappointed, but says that is not entirely his fault, with the Frenchman adding: “Who put the money on the table for Pepe? It wasn’t Pepe. Arsenal decided to put £72m on the table.

“Football is crazy now. If you play well for a few games, your value goes up and clubs put crazy money on the table. Right now, Pepe isn’t convincing anyone so now I hope this is a lesson to football clubs not to spend crazy money on players. People were surprised when they saw £72m on the table for Pepe, but it wasn’t his fault. It was the fault of the club.”

Club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is another to have frustrated at times this season, scoring just six goals, with Gallas saying of a 31-year-old striker who is now tied to a lucrative new contract: “For the last few years, Aubameyang played very well for Arsenal, but at the moment, his performances haven’t been at the top.

“Maybe he is tired. As a striker you can change people’s mind very quickly, you just need to score then everyone will forget the poor performances.

“Since he signed the contract, his performances haven’t been the same. At the moment he’s not in good shape but I’m sure he will come back, so I say don’t be too hard on him.”

Gor Mahia head coach Carlos Manuel Vaz Pinto has stated he will not use age as a factor when picking players for duty.

The 47-year-old was in charge on Thursday as the champions defeated Mathare United 3-1 in a Football Kenya Federation Premier League match to end their four-match losing streak in all competitions.

Charles Momanyi, Kenneth Muguna, gave the hosts a healthy lead in the first half, but Dani Lual pulled one back for the Slum Boys with 15 minutes left, before Alphonse Onyango made the result safe for K'Ogalo with his late goal.

Speaking to Goal exclusively after the game, Pinto pointed out some areas he is working on while assessing the quality of the players at his disposal.

"We scored goals from set-pieces and in the last game [against Kariobangi Sharks] we conceded from set-pieces which shows some improvement but we need time to work," Pinto told Goal.

"For me, age is not important but the quality of the player. Even if you are a 16-year-old but with quality, I will play you. For me, the most important thing is the quality of the player.  

[Against Mathare], I gave an opportunity to [Alphonse Onyango]. He came, played well, and scored. It is good to give the upcoming players an opportunity to play because it will give them confidence and I believe they will be better in the future."

The Portuguese tactician hopes to have some new players to improve the team but has promised to work with the available ones if his wish is not granted.

"I have just started to know my team, my players; of course I have an idea of my model of the game," Pinto continued.

"If we can bring in some players to implement my idea about the game it will be very good. If not possible then I will have to work with the available players and ensure the team wins.  

"But if possible we can check and bring in new players who can give us a different character than the players we have."

Pinto further exuded confidence K'Ogalo will be crowned by the end of the season.

"We will play to win the league; of course Gor Mahia always play to win the league," he added. 

"It is a tough league, but is a marathon; we have played just four games and I believe in my team. I have just trained with the team for three days but I have felt very good, and I believe we will be champions."

Frank Lampard “is in danger” at Chelsea, admits William Gallas, with a £250 million ($342m) summer transfer splurge ramping up pressure on the Blues boss to deliver.

Roman Abramovich dusted off the chequebook at Stamford Bridge during the last window and backed his manager with a number of high-profile additions.

Thiago Silva, Edouard Mendy and Hakim Ziyech have settled quickly in new surroundings, but the jury is still out on German forwards Timo Werner and Kai Havertz.

Chelsea have struggled to find consistency with a new-look side, as Lampard maintains that he is working towards the hitting of long-term targets , but more change is being mooted in west London.

Gallas is not surprised by that, with the former Blues defender of the opinion that a Premier League title challenge should be expected in 2020-21.

He told PlayOJO : “I think Lampard’s position is in danger. He’s not in a good position right now as they’re not in the top three at the moment.

“They spent a lot of money so the board want to see Chelsea winning the Premier League. I thought this season that they had a great chance to win it, but at the moment I’m sure the board aren’t happy with the results which is why I’m sure Frank is in a dangerous position. He needs to try and finish in the top three or win the Premier League.”

Gallas added: “When you spend almost £250m on players, that means you want to win the Premier League and the moment Chelsea’s position isn’t good. They’re not performing against the big clubs.

“The pressure is on Frank and he needs to find the solution very quickly because as we know, when you are the manager of Chelsea you can be sacked very quickly. The pressure is on him and he has to find the right system.

“They bought Werner for a lot of money, which is why perhaps Frank is playing him in every game, but if the player isn’t showing the quality, maybe they have to change the players in the team. I hope Frank finds the solution as soon as possible because he’s a young manager, but I’m sure he will be a great manager in the future. He’s very passionate and he knows football very well.”

It has been suggested that Chelsea could invest again in the winter market, with West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice having emerged as a top target for the Blues.

Gallas believes the versatile 22-year-old would be a useful addition, saying: “He’s a good player, for his age, he’s unbelievable. Very strong and technically, he’s almost got everything.

“For me, he has to leave West Ham to get to the next level because he could be a top-class player. To be a top-class player, he has to train every day alongside top-class players which is why for me he has to leave West Ham next season. He looks like he has a strong personality, I think he would be a good signing for Chelsea.”

Daniel Cardoso is seemingly Gavin Hunt's go-to man when he wants to mix things up a bit in terms of the Kaizer Chiefs formation.

Cardoso is a centre-back by trade but has played at left-back this season on a couple of occasions and most recently, against AmaZulu on Wednesday afternoon, was deployed in a central midfield role.

The former Free State Stars man had a good outing and helped limit Usuthu's efforts on goal; for the most part goalkeeper Daniel Akpeyi remained untested as Chiefs won 1-0, their first league win in eight games.

“I thought Cardoso did very well in the midfield. People think I am mad, but we don’t have anybody else. I had worked with him this week to play in midfield and he was brilliant," Hunt was quoted saying by the Sowetan.

What made Cardoso's appearance in the middle of the park slightly more surprising was that Anthony Agay, known to be a defensive midfielder, was the one who replaced Cardoso in the middle of the defence.

Agay played alongside captain Ramahlwe Mphahlele, while Eric Mathoho has been on compassionate leave following the death of his father.

Hunt has admitted that he's not entirely sure what the Kenyan's best position is

"I am trying to work out what he is. Is he a midfield player? Is a defender? I think long term he’d be better there, but that’s long term," said the four-time title-winning coach.

Amakhosi have a tough task against Cape Town City, away from home, on Saturday afternoon.

According to the same report, Willard Katsande and Lebogang Manyama could be ready to return to action.

Katsande could potentially occupy the central midfield role, though his lack of recent action would make it surprising if he started.

Youngster Darrel Matsheke has been employed as one of the two central midfielders for the past three games, while three other options for that role, Kearyn Baccus, Nkosingiphile Ngcobo and Njabulo Blom, all came off the bench in the AmaZulu match.

The match against fifth-placed City (16 points from 10 games) kicks off at 17:00. Chiefs are in 10th spot with 10 points from 10 matches.

The sixth edition of the African Nations Championship is set to begin on January 16 2021, with the tournament pushed back from its original start date in April 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The 16-team tournament consists of four groups of four, with two teams advancing from each, before quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

2018 winners Morocco will be there to defend their title, and are among the hot favourites for the tournament, which is a hotly anticipated return to continental competition following a quiet year of international football in 2020 due to coronavirus.

Goal takes a look at everything you need to know about the tournament.

What is the 2021 African Nations Championship?

The African Nations Championship is a biennial African football competition exclusively for players based in their home nations.

The competition was original planned to be hosted by Ethiopia, but will now be held in Cameroon after the Ethiopian federation pulled out of hosting.

However, the Central African nation have come under pressure due to the restrictions imposed by the coronavirus pandemic, and due to civil unrest in the South-West region, which is home to one of the host stadiums.

Indeed, reports of vehicles being destroyed on the stadium perimeter on Thursday, an act later claimed by a separatist group, is a worrying distraction only days before the tournament begins.

16 nations will contest the competition, with hosts Cameroon being joined by 15 qualifiers.

Unlike for the Africa Cup of Nations, qualification takes place on a regional basis, with Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa among the major teams to have missed out on the tournament. It's a particular disappointment for Nigeria's home-based Eagles, who were defeated finalists three years ago.

The competition began in 2009, with the Democratic Republic of Congo - with two titles - the most successful team in the tournament's history. The Leopards will again be in contention this time around.

Which teams qualified for 2021 African Nations Championship?

Cameroon (hosts)

Congo

DR Congo - Two time former champions (2006 & 2009)

Rwanda

Tanzania - Second ever appearance in the competition

Uganda

Libya - Champions in 2014

Morocco - Defending champions

Namibia - Quarter-finalists two years ago

Zambia

Zimbabwe

Guinea

Mali - Runners-up in 2016

Burkina Faso

Niger

Togo - Debutants

Which venues will be used for the 2021 African Nations Championship?

The tournament will be hosted in four stadiums in three separate cities in Cameroon. Douala boasts two stadiums - the 50,000 Japoma Stadium and the 30,000 Stade de la Reunification.

In the capital, Yaounde, players will take to the field at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo, while it is the choice of Limbe Stadium in Limbe - where the attack occured on Thursday - that has generated some controversy.

Three of the stadiums - with the exception of the Stade de la Reunification - have been pencilled in as venues for next year's Africa Cup of Nations.

2021 African Nations Championship fixtures to watch & dates

The tournament kicks off on January 16, at 17h local time, with a meeting between hosts Cameroon and dark horses Zimbabwe.

The other two teams in Group A - Mali and Burkina Faso - meet later that evening.

In Group B, the pick of the group-stage clashes is Sunday's showdown between neighbours DR Congo and Congo-Brazzaville, the former, in particular, are expected to deliver a strong showing in nearby Cameroon.

Morocco, the defending champions, are the team to watch in Group C, although they'll be tested by a tough First Round draw after being pitted against Uganda, Rwanda and Togo. The last of the quartet, making their first appearance at the competition, will be hoping to make a strong showing in light of the recent toil of the full senior men's team.

Group D looks open, with Namibia - one of the surprise packages three years ago - an intriguing prospect. Tanzania, Zambia and Guinea complete the group.

The final will take place in Yaounde on February 7.

Simba SC players will take a break of one week after losing the Mapinduzi Cup final to rivals Yanga SC on Wednesday night.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi failed to win the trophy in Zanzibar after they lost 4-3 on penalties at Amaan Stadium.

After a 0-0 draw at full-time, the game went to penalties with Francis Kahata, Chris Mugalu, and Gadiel Michael scoring for Simba as Meddie Kagere was denied by the woodwork while Joash Onyango’s effort was saved by Yanga keeper Farouk Shikhalo.

Yanga scored their penalties via Tuisila Kisinda, Shaibu Abdalla, Zawadi Mauya, and Saido Ntibazonkiza while Mukoko Tonombe was denied by Beno Kakolanya.

The Mainland champions have now returned to Dar es Salaam with assistant coach Selemani Matola confirming the players will take a one-week break before they resume training for upcoming assignments, which include attempting to retain the league and competing in the Caf Champions League, where they are in the group stage.

“We are now done with Mapinduzi Cup, we lost in the final, and I want us to focus on the future,” Matola told reporters after landing in Dar es Salaam from Zanzibar.

“The biggest thing for now is we have decided to give the players a one week off, and I think next week Friday we will resume training for our next matches, in the league and Caf Champions League.

“For now, I have to say we have given the players a break, to go home and relax, be with their families until next week.”

On the overall performance of his team in Zanzibar, Matola said: “I want to thank the players because they put up a great fight, they never gave up, we had a very good tournament in Zanzibar and we also missed our key players and played matches without a break, a match after the other and it was difficult for the players we had in camp.

“I don’t think the players are machines, you cannot play a match and don’t rest, that is not possible, but we are not crying now but it was evident in the final because fatigue was all over my players but we will check a few mistakes which we picked from the game and work on them when we resume training.

“I will also meet with Simba management on Friday and give out my report from the tournament, I want to put it open to them and we can work on it and focus on the next assignments.”

Yanga faced their Kariakoo rivals without nine players - Carlos Carlinhos, Balama Mapinduzi, Lamine Moro, Yassin Mustapha, Deus Kaseke, Ditram Nchimbi, Feisal Salum, and Farid Mussa.

On the other hand, Clatous Chama, Luis Miquissone, Larry Bwalya, Jonas Mkude, Pascal Wawa, Charles Ilanfya, Aishi Manula, John Bocco, Erasto Nyoni, Shomari Kapombe, and Said Ndemla were missing for Simba.

Azam FC have received a major boost after their striker Prince Dube resumed training with the rest of the squad members on Thursday.

The Zimbabwean star injured his ulnar of the left hand during their Mainland Premier League defeat to Yanga SC after just a quarter of an hour of the derby played at Chamazi Stadium in late November, and the club organised for him to undergo further treatment in South Africa.

After undergoing successful surgery in Cape Town, the club then ruled him out of action for six weeks and his injury affected the team’s performances, especially in the league, where they posted a run of six straight matches without a win and finally dropped from the top of the 18-team table.

Azam have now confirmed Dube has returned to training on their social media pages, with photos of the player training with the rest of the team.

“Our striker, Prince Dube, has officially started competitive training with his colleagues after recovering from his left-hand injury that put him out of action for six weeks,” read a statement on the club’s social media pages.

Dube had made a bright start to his career at Azam with six goals and four assists in the league and was also voted the Tanzania Mainland Premier League Player of the Month for September.

His absence was the main reason why coach George Lwandamina claimed he will have to sign a few players in the mini-transfer window if the team is to remain among the title contenders.

“There is nothing I will promise at the moment about the signing of new players but I will sit down with the directors of the club to find out what I will do during this transfer period,” Lwandamina told reporters in a previous interview.

“Every day there is a lot of competition which also contributes to the league being tough and good, and the Tanzanian league is now getting bigger as people are being reached with information wherever they are unlike in the past.

“So we must be actively involved to make sure we beef up the areas I feel need improvement; it will all depend with the club bosses but we need to improve a few areas [including the striking force] if we are to remain in title contention.”

Azam are currently placed third on the table after managing 32 points from 17 matches, 12 fewer than table-toppers Yanga, who have accumulated 44 from 18 matches, while Simba are third on 35 points from 15 outings.