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Jurgen Klopp admits he was delighted to see Roberto Firmino back among the goals for Liverpool last weekend.

But the Reds boss once more reiterated that the Brazilian will remain a central figure for his team, whether scoring or not.

Firmino’s late header put the seal on the champions’ 3-0 win over Leicester at Anfield on Sunday evening, and capped an impressive personal performance from the 29-year-old.

It may only have been his second club goal of the season, but speaking at a press conference ahead of Liverpool’s Champions League clash with Atalanta on Wednesday night, Klopp underlined Firmino’s importance to the Merseysiders.

He told reporters: “Scoring was always important for Bobby. But Bobby is a complete footballer. 

“A football team is like an orchestra, you have different people for different instruments. And some of them are louder than others, but they are all important for the rhythm.

“Bobby plays like 12 instruments in our orchestra! He’s very important for our rhythm. We can play well without him as well, but I certainly want him on the pitch and if you look at the numbers, I like it a lot having him on the pitch. Really awesome.”

Klopp admitted that he had been delighted to see his No.9 back on the scoresheet, and said that recent questions over Firmino’s form had impacted some of his team-mates, who celebrated the goal with extra feeling. 

He added: “I’m not concerned about anything with Bobby, but I know from time to time it happens that he scores a goal!

“This goal was very important, and what I loved most was the reaction of the boys. You saw the celebration. We always celebrate goals, but this was really emotional. 

"Obviously the players read newspapers, unfortunately, and they saw there was some criticism, so they were really happy for him to score.”

Klopp also addressed a question about another Reds forward, Takumi Minamino, who has managed only one minute of competitive action in the last month.

“There is no dip in form,” he said. “Taki is training well, yesterday he was exceptional for example. It’s just a strong team, and offensively – thank God – we didn’t have the same problems as the other positions. It’s hard to get in this team, that’s how it is. 

“But no dip in form, just a challenge. But Taki is a sensational boy and a great player, so he will face that challenge. His time will come, no doubt.”

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson admits to being a rarity in 2020 as he has “fond memories” of a year that has been written off for many.

The ongoing impact of a coronavirus pandemic has had far-reaching consequences across the globe.

Society as a whole has been hit hard, but elite sportspeople have been freed to continue life in a new form of normal.

Premier League stars at Anfield have made the most of that opportunity, with a first English top-flight crown in 30 years wrapped up by those on Merseyside.

No supporters were in attendance to celebrate that achievement, but Jurgen Klopp’s squad are rightly proud of their efforts.

Robertson played an important role in that triumph, while he has also captained Scotland to qualification for next summer’s European Championship.

With there plenty of highs to look back on as we approach the end of a testing calendar year, the Liverpool left-back admits that he is in a more fortunate position than most.

"I can’t help but look back at 2020 with fond memories," Robertson told Sky Sports.

"I ended a 30-year wait with this incredible bunch to win the title for this great club.

"And I managed to help end a 23-year wait for my country. It is the most emotional I have ever been after a game, in terms of coming close to tears.

"We have been through a lot as a country, us and the fans and it has been a long, long wait.

“We have been hit hard by injuries so far this season and some of them have been nasty ones and long-term ones. That is unfortunate but I suppose that is why we have a big squad because we need to call on them."

Liverpool are in the process of trying to defend the Premier League crown that they secured in record-breaking style last season.

A battle for domestic supremacy looks like being much closer fought this time around, but Robertson is setting lofty targets for a side that remains determined to stay on the trophy trail.

He added: "We don’t set ourselves a points total but it would be lovely to get 99 again (like last season).

"But I do think this season will be a lot tighter.

"I think teams have improved. You see Tottenham, you see Leicester, you see Chelsea - they have all improved so much."

Liverpool eased past Leicester 3-0 in their most recent fixture, despite having a number of absences to contend with, and have a Champions League outing against Atalanta and Premier League trip to Brighton to take in this week.

Liverpool will welcome back Mohamed Salah for their Champions League clash with Atalanta on Wednesday night.

The Reds’ top scorer is available after missing Sunday’s Premier League win over Leicester following a positive coronavirus test while on international duty with Egypt.

Jurgen Klopp confirmed on Tuesday that the 28-year-old had tested negative and was able to return to full training with Liverpool’s squad at Kirkby. 

Salah could now go straight back into the starting XI as the English champions look to secure progression to the Champions League knockout stages, which they can achieve with a victory at Anfield on Wednesday evening.

Klopp told reporters: “Mo trained with the team yesterday and looked really good. All the tests were negative so now, if nothing changes, he’s available, which is good. 

“Now we have to see what we do, because he was quarantined until three days ago.”

Liverpool will, however, be without a host of first-teamers for the game against the Serie A outfit. 

Captain Jordan Henderson (groin) will miss out, as will defender Trent Alexander-Arnold (calf). 

Virgil van Dijk and Joe Gomez, of course, are sidelined for the long term with knee injuries, while it looks unlikely that Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain or Thiago Alcantara will be ready to return for this game.

In addition, Naby Keita picked up a hamstring issue against Leicester, while Xherdan Shaqiri missed out entirely due to an unspecified muscle complaint. Neither are expected to be part of Klopp’s squad against Atalanta.

“All the rest, no news,” Klopp said. “One looks closer, the other not so close, that’s how the situation is. We will see who is available. 

“I don’t want to speak too much about it because I have no idea who Atalanta can bring, so why should we give any kind of information to them?”

Liverpool won 5-0 when the sides met in Bergamo earlier this month, but Klopp is expecting a tougher assignment on Merseyside.

“Atalanta would be a threat without a point to prove, to be honest,” he said. “The night in Atalanta was really special, we played exceptionally well, and pretty much everything was right. Things came together and we won the game the way we won it.

“We know that this game has nothing to do with the game tomorrow night. We know that we have to be ready again. Atalanta are a top team with a special way to play. We did well at Atalanta, but we need to do well again otherwise we will have problems. 

“I expect problems, to be honest, because it’s always like this. But we try to work on the solutions in the short period of time we have.”

He added: “It’s all on the table, it’s clear that if we win then some problems will be sorted. But we have to play, be ready to work really, really hard against them. 

“This man-marking system is really difficult to play, that’s why they were so successful in the past years. They will not change, they will play in a similar way. We will see who we can line up tomorrow and try to make the best of situation.”

Real Madrid outcast Isco “wants to try another league”, says his father and agent Paco Alarcon, with the Spain international ready to explore his options during the January transfer window.

The 28-year-old playmaker finds himself out of favour under Zinedine Zidane at Santiago Bernabeu.

He has taken in seven appearances in La Liga this season, but only three of those outings have come from the start and he is yet to complete a full 90 minutes.

Frustration in the Spanish capital is starting to get the better of Isco, with there a desire on his part to see more regular game time during what should be the peak years of his career.

Several potential landing spots have already been mooted, with a number of teams in the Premier League said to be closely monitoring goings on in Madrid.

It could be that Isco follows the lead of former Blancos team-mates Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez in swapping life in the shadows at Real for a more prominent role in England.

Bale, who endured similar struggles under Zidane, is now back at Tottenham on a season-long loan, while Colombian midfielder James is working with Carlo Ancelotti again at Everton.

The Toffees boss has sought to play down talk of another raid being launched on the Bernabeu for Isco, but that stance could change when the winter window opens.

Any bids are set to be considered by the Isco camp, with his representative revealing to El Larguero: “Right now we have not received offers, but he wants to try another league.”

It could be that efforts to push for the exits over the winter are blocked off, with financial issues during the coronavirus pandemic making it difficult for even the richest of clubs to do business.

That has been the case for Real, who may decide to keep their current squad intact through to the end of the season.

Isco would have no issue with that if forced to stay put, but a man tied to terms until the summer of 2022 is readying himself for a new challenge.

Alarcon added: “Staying [until the summer] would not be a problem.”

Real are due to be in Champions League action away at Inter on Wednesday, before returning to domestic duty in a home date with Alaves on Saturday.

Ferencvaros star Marcel Heister says Juventus striker Cristiano Ronaldo rejected a shirt-swap offer after their Champions League clash because he was "p*ssed off".

Ronaldo played the full 90 minutes of Juve's 4-1 win over Ferencvaros in Hungary on November 4, which saw Andrea Pirlo's men move one step closer to qualifying from Group G.

Two goals from Alvaro Morata and a Paulo Dybala effort gave the Bianconeri a 3-0 lead before a Lasha Dvali own goal put the visitors out of sight. The hosts did, however, manage to score a late consolation goal via Franck Boli.

Ronaldo set up Morata's second goal but was otherwise off his game in the final third of the pitch, and Heister says the Portuguese was visibly frustrated with himself after the final whistle.

The German defender claims the 35-year-old turned him away when he asked for his shirt, as he told Goal and SPOX: "He seemed to me to be a bit p*ssed off and angry.

"He just waved off disparagingly when asked about [swapping] his shirt. Maybe it's because he didn't score a goal against us.

"Or maybe because I took the ball from him when he tried to dribble. There was a photograph of it, I posted it on Instagram. It was the most beautiful experience of my life!"

Heister, who is currently preparing with the rest of the Ferencvaros squad for a trip to the Allianz Stadium on Tuesday, went on to describe his experience of playing against Barcelona at Camp Nou on matchday one.

Serhiy Rebrov's side lost the match 5-1, but the 28-year-old full-back was delighted to come up against household names like Lionel Messi and Ousmane Dembele, having previously only seen them on his TV screen while playing video games.

"I was totally excited and couldn't wait until we finally got into this huge stadium on matchday. Suddenly, I was standing there next to the stars I always play with on FIFA on the Playstation," said Heister.

"I remember once watching Messi talking to Dembele and falling into a kind of daydream! Other people would do anything to be close to Messi or Ronaldo.

"And I stood with them in the square and had to make sure they don't give me a Panna! I am totally happy to be part of all this."

Asked if he attempted to get Messi's shirt after the game, the Ferencvaros talisman added: "I would have liked to have had it but since it was clear that everyone wanted it, I wisely held back completely.

"He signalled to the others that he would hand it over in the tunnel but then he disappeared straight away."

Tammy Abraham believes added competition for places at Chelsea is making him a better player, with the challenge posed by Timo Werner and Co being embraced by the ambitious striker.

It appeared over the summer as though the England international would find himself knocked down the pecking order at Stamford Bridge.

That proved to the case early on in the 2020-21 campaign, but Abraham has worked his way back into favour and form.

Injuries to others are aiding his cause, with Chelsea waiting to welcome the likes of Christian Pulisic and Kai Havertz back into their attacking plans.

Abraham is, however, making the most of his opportunity, with the target found in each of his last three appearances.

The 23-year-old has been handed a central role by Frank Lampard, as Werner is shifted into a wider post, and Chelsea have hit a purple patch.

Keeping his place will not be easy for Abraham, despite his recent efforts, with the Blues having invested heavily over the summer in bolstering their ranks.

All of those already at Stamford Bridge have had to raise their level in order to earn regular game time, with Abraham among those looking to lift individual standards to never before seen heights.

“I have always believed in myself, so I told myself I’ve got to get back in that team, work hard every day and improve,” academy graduate Abraham, who netted 18 times across all competitions last season, told reporters.

“When your chance comes, grab it with your two hands and that’s what I feel like I’m doing.

“Every time I step out there, I always know there is competition and that I have to be at my best - 100 per cent.

“So that’s the way I look at it. We drive one another. You have to put on a performance every single time.”

Werner teed up Abraham for his well-taken goal against Newcastle, with that effort wrapping up another three points for Chelsea at St James’ Park.

They are now up to third in the Premier League table, having briefly hit top spot during the last round of fixtures, and are preparing to turn their attention back to Champions League matters and a trip to Rennes on Tuesday.

Andy Delort has revealed Montpellier have gained a lot of confident following their recent form in Ligue 1.

The 29-year-old attacker helped the Paillade secure their third consecutive victory in the French elite division against Strasbourg on Sunday.

The attacker scored a brace in the encounter as Montpellier managed to edge the Stade de la Mosson outfit.

The victory saw Michel Der Zakarian’s men climb to the fourth spot on the league table with 20 points from 11 games.

The Paillade have now won six games, drawn two and lost three in the current campaign and Delort has urged his side to continue their new-found form.

 “There are those away games that are good too. We've gained a lot of confidence lately. We must stay on this good dynamic, go on and take as many points as possible,” Delort told the club website.

Delort also explained how Montpellier manager Der Zakarian propelled them to victory against Strasbourg after they surrendered a two-goal lead at the end of the first half.

“On the pitch, it was a bit complicated. We had the impression from the start that we had killed the match. But we make small mistakes. There was this situation with the VAR,” he continued.

 “It's true that he [Michel Der Zakarian] gave us a bit of a pep talk at half-time. The coach moved us well. We spoke well.

“Mentally, these matches when you win them you feel good because it was not easy. Our morale was down at the end of the first half and we were able to come back. It is proof of the character of our team."

Delort has now bagged six league goals and provided three assists in 10 league games in the campaign, amid other dazzling performances.

The forward will be expected to continue his fine form in front of goal when Montpellier take on Lorient in their next league game on November 29.

Gor Mahia chairman Ambrose Rachier has contested the letter from the club to Football Kenya Federation (FKF) Premier League partners StartTimes stating the club has agreed on terms allowing them to broadcast their matches.

Goal exclusively reported K'Ogalo had finally caved in and signed the undertaking to start the 2020-21 FKF Premier League season. 

"We Gor Mahia FC, members of FKF, are cognizant that on September 29, 2020, FKF entered into a media rights and commercial rights agreement [the agreement] with StarTimes [Kenya] Company Limited to be the exclusive broadcaster of the FKF Premier League for seven seasons [2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27]," read a letter from the club signed by Secretary-General Sam Ocholla.

However, Rachier has stated the letter is not from the club and has already contested it with another one which is 'officially' from the club. 

"The letter was written without our authority and the Secretary-General [Sam Ocholla] knows our stand," the veteran administrator told Goal on Tuesday.

"Now he has gone into hiding, you cannot get him on the phone. The letter has no authority from the club and I have written to StarTimes to contest the same."

Rumours have also been circulating that the experienced lawyer is contemplating resigning his post as the club's chairman because of the current issue.

"We have external forces pushing me to resign from my post," Rachier continued.

"At this moment, that is not important, the important issue is ensuring our rights are not interfered with. I am dealing with it and later on, I will focus on other issues."

Earlier on, the four rebel clubs, Gor Mahia, Mathare United, Ulinzi Stars, and Zoo FC, had vowed not to sign the deal, with a source intimating to Goal they are ready to play in the league.

"Both clubs are willing and ready to compete in the league which starts on Saturday, they have vowed not to sign the broadcast deal, they don’t want to give in and sign the document," a source, from one of the clubs and who did not want to be named, told Goal on Tuesday.

"As clubs, we don’t want to lose our broadcast rights, the rights were for the clubs even during the KPL era and what FKF are doing is to snatch what belongs to the clubs, it will not be possible, we will not give in, we will not sign the document but one thing I can assure you, we are ready to play in the league.

The new season will kick-off on November 28, 2020, with eight matches in card.

Paris Saint-Germain assistant Zsolt Low has offered an explanation for Neymar's theatrics on the pitch, claiming the Brazilian star suffers "extreme pain" when fouled and "has extremely sensitive feet".

Neymar is widely regarded as one of the best players of his generation, having scored 247 career goals across successful spells at Santos, Barcelona and PSG.

The Brazil international has also got his hands on 22 trophies, including two La Liga titles, three Ligue 1 crowns and the Champions League, while also scoring 64 goals in 103 appearances for his country on the international stage.

The 28-year-old had arguably his best season yet on an individual level in 2019-20, as he inspired PSG to a domestic treble and their first-ever European Cup final, but fitness issues have prevented him from kicking on at the start of the new season.

Neymar is expected to return to Thomas Tuchel's line-up for a Champions League meeting with RB Leipzig on Tuesday , having spent the last few weeks on the sidelines with a groin problem.

Niggling injuries have significantly disrupted the forward's first three years at Parc des Princes, but he is regularly afforded little sympathy due to the way he reacts to being tackled.

The former Barcelona talisman has often been accused of diving to win free kicks or get other players sent off, with it suggested in some quarters that his legacy has already been tarnished by his penchant for unnecessary playacting.

However, Low insists Neymar's apparent over-the-top response to challenges stems from a physical condition which has affected him ever since he began playing football, as the PSG coach told Bild :  "Neymar has incredibly sensitive feet.

"If he is kicked, it gives him extreme pain."

Low added on Neymar being a target for opposition defenders because of his perceived egotistical playing style and lack of humility: "Neymar is a warm guy, very open.

"Of course it sometimes seems arrogant what he does on the pitch. But if he is fouled, then he tries to dribble past his opponent at the next opportunity.

"That is his way of responding to the harshness."

Asked if he expects Neymar to play a part against Leipzig in PSG's latest Group H outing: "He's not yet at 100 per cent. But we need him with his experience and his quality."

Matchday eight in Serie A closed out with the biggest game of the weekend between Napoli and AC Milan at Stadio San Paolo, with Gennaro Gattuso’s side aiming to do what no other Italian top flight side had achieved since March: beat the Rossoneri.

Aside from ending Milan’s unbeaten run in the league, the Azzurri needed a statement win over a top side to banish events of a recent defeat on home turf to Sassuolo.

In addition, that was how their non-appearance away at Juventus in early October saw the side from Naples lose out on the chance to lay down a marker for the 2020/21 season.

Admittedly, there was a huge victory over Atalanta in mid-October, which came when the La Dea were flying in the league, however, matches following that 4-1 hammering indicate Gian Piero Gasperini’s troops aren’t quite the same side they were last term.

On a personal front, Kalidou Koulibaly had the perfect opportunity to face off with in-form megastar, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, who’d scored in all five appearances in the league before Sunday. The Swede had netted eight times already, so the Senegal centre-back wasn’t going to have a straightforward time at the back.

Having also missed out on a possible face-off with Cristiano Ronaldo, Koulibaly vs Zlatan represented one of the principal sub-plots as Milan looked for their first win in Naples in a decade.

The opening minute indicated how tight the West African would be to the 39-year-old, who needed all his ingenuity to get the better of the central defender 10 years his junior. The one-time Serie A best defender got the better of Ibrahimovic in their first aerial due in the seventh minute, although events about 60 seconds later demonstrated the forward’s quick-wittedness.

After Franck Kessie intercepted an under-hit pass from Matteo Politano, Ante Rebic received the ball from the Ivorian, before laying it on for Hakan Calhanoglu.

As the Turkey playmaker received possession, Zlatan immediately dropped deep into the space vacated by Tiemoue Bakayoko — who’d been drawn out of position briefly by Alexis Saelemaekers’ inside run — leaving Koulibaly in two minds whether to go with the forward or stay in position.

He half-heartedly pushed up, leaving Kostas Manolas with no choice but to mark Saelemaekers, as the space opened up in the inside-left channel. Ibrahimovic spotted Rebic’s run into that channel and released the Croat whose eventual shot was tame.

Koulibaly wasn’t punished for this indistinct error but that moment was a prescient warning for the 29-year-old defender, who struggled with the smart positions taken up by the forward for the majority of proceedings.

Indeed, this was apparent in both goals scored by the experienced frontman. For the first after 20 minutes, the Senegal centre-back had no idea where Zlatan was as Theo Hernandez prepared to send a cross into the box.

It’s commonly stated that a defender’s in trouble once the attacking player has a clear sight of his jersey number...and so it proved in this case, as the forward beat the West African to the delivery to deservedly send the visitors 1-0 ahead early on.

Strangely, K2 didn’t seem to carry that lesson with him for the rest of the game going by the striker’s second.

After Napoli lost the ball deep in the Milan half, as the visitors’ move developed with Calhanoglu driving forward, Koulibaly actually has Ibrahimovic in his sights when the Turk plays a smart through-ball into space for Rebic to run onto on the left-wing.

However, the smart Swede changed the trajectory of his run and positioned himself behind the centre-back and in front of left-back Mario Rui. Rebic then sent a brilliant cross to the forward who diverted the ball home with his right thigh to put the Rossoneri 2-0 up after 54 minutes.

Even though the Senegal centre-back could have done better, the striker’s cleverness to recognise the situation and station himself behind the two defenders was admirable, while Rebic’s delivery was top class.

Koulibaly had one of his less-impressive games of the season so far, losing four of five ground duels and five of seven aerial tussles. Zlatan had the beating of the Napoli man until his substitution with 11 minutes of normal time to play, whose odd weakness from corners especially was nearly exploited by the Swede and Simon Kjaer in the second half.

In the main, though, especially in possession, the centre-back thrived. He played six progressive passes — third-highest for the hosts — and completed 10 passes into the final third — only Fabian Ruiz with 13 successful passes played a higher volume.

He ranked third for ball-carrying towards the opposition goal while he sometimes moonlighted as a left-winger when the side struggled for an out ball in the opening 45 minutes.

Be that as it may, Koulibaly is paid to defend first and he seemed unable to cope with Ibrahimovic’s ingenuity at key moments on Sunday.

This ultimately led to Napoli’s second home loss on the trot as they finally surrendered a decade-long unbeaten run at San Paolo to the so-far irrepressible Milan.

All hands will be on deck towards making Padsoccer esports tournament a big event across Africa and beyond, according to organiser and sponsor.

With almost 300 gamers pruned to 32, the Lagos qualifiers staged at Akoka’s Game Evo Lounge saw the quartet of Akintoye Arogunmati, Deji Opoola, Imaji Faruna and Nonso Odiaka make the cut for the national finals billed to hold from December 13 and 14, 2020 in Asaba, Delta state.

In a chat with Goal, CEO of competition’s sponsor Chijioke John Odum of Rocket App by Chiji14xchange explained his company’s motive for funding the interactive football contest.

“Esports is majorly for the youths and we as a company are trying to buy into the adoption of cryptocurrency,” Odum told Goal.​

“We are trying to help usher Africa into the digital age, so we believe aligning ourselves with esports which is patronised by young people will bring us closer to our audience.

“I am a gamer also and even in the last competition, I wanted to participate but because there were fewer space, I had to withdraw to allow one other participant. So, putting our resources into this will enable us to get closer to our audience in Nigeria and Africa at large.”

Also, he revealed that his brand would keep associating with the tournament as they are keen on seeing it become a flagship event across Africa and beyond.

“We were part of the sponsors last year and that continued this year, so, we hope to keep associating ourselves with this to make it bigger and take it to the rest of Africa because Padsoccer is the biggest in Nigeria.”

In the same vein, an elated Padsoccer boss Paul Chinedu Ohachu opens up on what the future holds for the annual contest and how that would be accomplished.

“I feel really good because when you put up for a project and you see it get to the right expectations, you feel so very good,” said Ohachu.

“On the standard, what we are doing is improve on what we did last year. All of us are working towards e-sports development in Nigeria and we follow the international standard, so we are exploring the new instructions and new development in the game towards making this competition world class.

“We are working hard towards taking the centre stage in Africa. And from the feedback we are getting from the tournaments we have organised so far, we believe we will get there [international standard] very soon.”

Unlike the 2019 edition where the winner walked home with half a million naira, the champion this term will be a proud owner of PlayStation 5, a home video game console which was released to the rest of the world on November 19, 2020.

Manchester City are once again being linked with a move for Aston Villa playmaker Jack Grealish, but Danny Mills says any approach for the England international would be a “kick in the teeth” for Phil Foden.

Pep Guardiola is said to be in the process of piecing together plans for upcoming transfer windows.

Grealish, who the Catalan coach has admitted to being an admirer of in the past, is generating speculation when it comes to a possible £100 million ($134m) switch away from Villa Park.

The Etihad Stadium could be one potential landing spot for the highly-rated 25-year-old, with his qualities being showcased for club and country over recent weeks.

Mills can appreciate why City would be willing to buy into such ability, but he is not convinced that another creative influence is needed in Manchester – given the options already at the Blues’ disposal.

“My concern for Jack going to Man City is where does he fit into that system and where does he play?” former Blues defender Mills told talkSPORT.

“Sergio Aguero is going to be the number nine and if not it's going to be Gabriel Jesus and they've brought in Ferran Torres - he's doing OK.

“You've got Raheem Sterling on the other side and then you drop into the midfield area where you probably expect Jack to play.

“Would it be a kick in the teeth for Foden if that happens?

“For all we've heard about how great Foden is and Guardiola goes on about how he is one of the best young players he's ever seen and coached, he still isn't playing that much for how great he thinks he is.

“That's the only position I see him taking.

“If Grealish goes to City, does he start week-in, week-out? And that's a player in such great form that he is at the moment, do you leave your club for an outside chance that you're going to go and win the Premier League with the position City are in at the moment?

“Are they going to win the Champions League? It doesn't look like it but I understand it would be an opportunity he'd certainly have to look at.

“But also then add to that going there and thinking 'well, I might only make 20 or 25 starts', you start to think 'is that the right move for me?'”

Grealish was heavily linked with a move to Manchester United over the summer, while north London rivals Tottenham and Arsenal have been credited with interest, but he penned a new contract with Villa in September that is due to keep him in the West Midlands through to 2025.

Simba SC are seeking help from Azam FC, asking them to beat rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) in a Mainland Premier League match set for Wednesday.

The two Tanzanian giants will face off in a top of the bill clash at Azam Complex with both teams currently on top of the 18-team league table on 25 points from 11 matches with the winner moving clear at the summit.

It is the reason Simba have now turned to the Chamazi-based outfit to help beat Yanga and slow them down, with the club’s media officer Haji Manara confident one player – Abubakar ‘Sure Boy’ Salum – will help them to beat their rivals.

Manara has taken to his social media pages, calling on ‘Sure Boy’ to make sure he doesn’t disappoint the Azam and Simba family during the league match which will be played while Simba are away in Nigeria for their Caf Champions League fixture.

“Sure Boy’, ‘Sure Boy’, ‘Sure Boy’…”, Manara wrote on his social media pages. “I have called you three times brother, you know how I am attracted by your ability in the field and you know that you are my best midfielder, even if I mention my ten-eleven squad, you will not miss out.

“On Wednesday, my eye will be with you, if you get your performance by just fifty percent, they [Yanga] will not leave, they will definitely lose, I think we have understood each other.”

Unlike Simba, Yanga are currently unbeaten in the top-flight but nearly lost the record on Sunday after they battled to a 1-1 draw against Namungo FC at Benjamin Mkapa Stadium, with their keeper Metacha Mnata saving an 89th-minute penalty to save the day.

On the other hand, Simba have been less impressive this campaign, having lost two matches already – against Ruvu Shooting and Tanzania Prisons – and are currently third on the table with 23 points from 11 matches.

Azam will be seeking to bounce back against Yanga, having lost their last league match 1-0 to KMC FC.

The club’s media officer Zakaria Thabit has promised the fans an immediate response from the defeat.

“We really worked hard against KMC but could not get anything from the match,” Thabit is quoted by Sokaletu. “It was a battle of who could take his chances, and KMC used their one chance and finished us off.

“But we must now forget about the match and focus on our next assignment, it is the derby against Yanga, we know we will be playing at home but all we need is a quick bounce back.

“We must win the tie, we will do everything to win the match for the fans, we hope the coach will see some of the mistakes the boys committed against KMC and rectify them, we want to be ready and get the points against Yanga.”

The Chamazi-based giants suffered their first defeat of the season after going down 1-0 to Mtibwa Sugar at Jamhuri Stadium in Morogoro.