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Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted at a possible return to international football with Sweden in a cryptic tweet to his followers on Monday.

Ibrahimovic announced his retirement from the international stage in 2016, after becoming his country's all-time record scorer with 62 goals in 116 appearances.

The 39-year-old led the line for Sweden at the 2006 World Cup and also appeared in four European Championships, but never made it beyond the quarter-finals of the competition.

Janne Andersson led the squad to the 2018 World Cup quarter-finals in Ibrahimovic's absence, and has since overseen a successful Euro 2020 qualifying campaign, but the tournament has been pushed back a year due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Sweden will be busy until then with a series of friendlies and UEFA Nations League commitments, and Ibrahimovic has seemingly opened the door to a return to the squad with a mysterious message on social media at the start of the week.

The AC Milan striker has posted an image of himself wearing his country's No.10 shirt on Twitter, with the caption: "Long time no see."

Supporters will hope that Ibrahimovic intends to make himself available for selection ahead of the latest round of international matches, with Sweden scheduled to take on Denmark in a friendly clash on November 11 before a Nations League double-header against Croatia and France.

The veteran forward's last goals for the Yellow and Blues came in a 2-2 Euro 2016 qualifying play-off draw against Denmark, with his brace sending the team through to the finals 4-3 on aggregate.

Ibrahimovic's chances of making his way back into the Sweden squad will be boosted by his impressive exploits in front of goal for Milan at the start of the new season.

He has hit seven goals in his last four Serie A outings, with his latest effort helping the Rossoneri beat Udinese 2-1 to extend their lead at the top of the table to two points.

Ibrahimovic will be back in contention for a place in Stefano Pioli's line-up when Milan play host to Lille in the Europa League on Thursday night.

Joel Matip is poised to hand Liverpool a timely fitness boost as they navigate their way through a centre-half injury crisis, but Thiago Alcantara is yet to return to full training.

The Reds have seen their options at the back decimated by a series of untimely knocks.

Virgil van Dijk is the biggest miss for the defending Premier League champions, with the Dutch defender having been forced to undergo knee ligament surgery.

Matip is among the cover options to have been forced onto the treatment table, along with makeshift defender Fabinho. Jurgen Klopp has had to get creative as a result, with Nat Phillips making his Premier League debut in the 2-1 victory over West Ham.

It could be that the 23-year-old drops straight back out for the midweek Champions League action, with Matip coming back into contention for the meeting with Atalanta on Tuesday.

Naby Keita could also figure in that contest, having shaken off a knock of his own, but playmaker Thiago may be forced to miss out as Liverpool seek to avoid taking any unnecessary risks.

Klopp told the Reds’ official website: “Naby and Joel trained yesterday [Sunday] with the team, full, Thiago didn’t. So, that’s the situation.

“I have really no idea what I do with this information in the moment because yes, they trained, that’s good, it’s better than if they don’t train, but we have to see what we do with it.

“We have another day to make these decisions. A lot of players will be on the plane hopefully, and so decisions will be made late, late, late.”

Klopp added when asked if there is any further fitness news: “A lot, [but] I’m not sure about a new one. We have to see.

“Yesterday was recovery for some and normal training for the others, so now we have to see how the boys feel today. It’s pretty early now and I have not all the information, but I hope nothing serious.”

Liverpool will be wary of taking any gambles against Atalanta, having already opened their European campaign for 2020-21 in positive style, with it possible that key men will be held back for a crucial Premier League clash with fellow title hopefuls Manchester City on Sunday.

Former Juventus centre-back Medhi Benatia has rated Inter Milan defender Achraf Hakimi as one of the five strongest full-backs in Europe at the moment.

According to the 33-year-old who currently plies his trade in the Qatar Stars League with Al Duhail, Liverpool right-back Trent Alexander-Arnold is at the top of the ranking but he backed his compatriot to upstage the England international in a matter of time.

Following his permanent switch from Real Madrid in the summer, Hakimi heralded his arrival in Serie A in style by producing two assists and a goal in his first two matches for Antonio Conte’s side.

Benatia who played with the 21-year-old in the Moroccan national team before his retirement in October 2019, also described the two-time Caf Youth Player of the Year as the leading light of talents the North African country is developing.

“Hakimi is perhaps the spearhead of the generation of talent that is growing up in Morocco,” Benatia told Calciomercato.

“Already now he is among the five strongest full-backs in Europe, in a couple of years he will compete for the first place on the podium with Liverpool’s Alexander-Arnold.

“Right now, but only at this moment, the Englishman is a little bit stronger.”

Hakimi has played in every of Inter Milan's Serie A matches so far, and they are placed sixth in the league table with 11 points after six games.

He played for 78 minutes in their 2-2 draw against Parma on Saturday and he is in contention to feature when the Nerazzurri travel to Spain to battle his former club Real Madrid in a Champions League fixture on Tuesday.

Eder Militao will miss Real Madrid's Champions League clash with Inter after testing positive for coronavirus.

Militao has been diagnosed with Covid-19 after the club's latest round of medical checks, having played the full 90 minutes of a 4-1 victory over Huesca on Saturday.

The 22-year-old will now be forced to self-isolate for the next 10 days, but Madrid have confirmed that he is the only member of the first-team squad to have contracted the illness.

"Real Madrid CF announces that our player Eder Militao has given a positive result in the Covid-19 tests carried out yesterday Sunday morning," a statement on the Blancos' official website reads.

"All the other players and the coaching staff of the first team, as well as all the club employees who work directly with them, gave negative results in that same test. 

"Likewise, it is confirmed once again that all of them, with the exception of Eder Militao, have given negative results in the antigen tests carried out this morning."

Militao will also sit out Madrid's trip to the Mestalla to face Valencia on Sunday, and will have to post a negative test before their next La Liga clash against Villarreal on November 21 in order to return to Zinedine Zidane's line-up at El Madrigal.

The reigning Spanish champions paid £44 million ($57m) to sign the Brazilian defender from Porto in the summer of 2019, tying him down to a six-year contract.

He has since struggled to hold down a regular place in Zidane's starting XI, with Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos still the Frenchman's first-choice centre-back pairing, but he produced a solid display against Huesca at the weekend.

Madrid are second in the Liga standings after their latest victory, one point behind leaders Real Sociedad having played a game less, but will have to make do without Militao when they resume their latest European campaign on Tuesday.

Zidane has seen his side drop to the bottom of Group B after losing at home to Shakhtar Donetsk and drawing away at Borussia Monchengladbach, but they can move into second if they beat Inter at Santiago Bernabeu.

The Italian giants are also still looking for their first win in this season's Champions League, and have been struggling for form in Serie A, with a 2-2 draw against Parma last time out leaving them sixth in the table.

World football governing body Fifa, African football's governing body Caf and African music icon Sarkodie are among a host of top entities to celebrate Asamoah Gyan's return to Ghana's domestic football after 17 years away.

The 34-year-old, Africa's highest scorer at the World Cup as well as Ghana's most-capped player and all-time top scorer, signed for Premier League (GPL) side Legon Cities on local Transfer Deadline Day on Saturday.

He joined The Royals on a one-year deal and will be expected to make his debut when the club faces Berekum Chelsea on matchweek one of the 2020-21 GPL season on November 14.

"Here we go. I’m back home to continue my career with Legon Cities FC. I’m happy to join this club because they have a future plan for Ghana football. Don’t blink when the season starts. Follow my new club for every detail of the club. Thanks for your support," Gyan posted on Twitter on Sunday.

Ghanaian rapper and BET award winner Sarkodie quote-tweeted the striker's post,  saying: "Ou! It’s true !!!!! Big up my brother, congrats on this one .... really respect you for this ... now our local games are gonna be exciting".

Fifa also quote-tweeted Gyan's post with well-wishes: "The highest scoring African in World Cup history has returned to Ghana. Good luck at Legon Cities FC, Asamoah."

Caf, meanwhile, kept it simple, quote-tweeting a photo of Gyan in Ghana colours with the tag "Bay Jet is coming home!"

Caf deputy general secretary and former Ghana international Anthony Baffoe was not left out.

"Asamoah Gyan congratulations. I pray this will be a stepping stone for something big in the GPL! Well done Legon Cities FC and good luck Capitano Asamoah Gyan. It always seems impossible until it’s done," the ex-Fortuna Dusseldorf man posted.

Gyan returns to the Ghana Premier League for the first time since leaving Liberty Professionals for Italian Serie A side Udinese in 2003. In his time away, he also played for French outfit Stade Rennais, Sunderland in the Premier League, Al Ain and Al Ahli Dubai in the UAE, Shanghai SIPG in China, Turkish side Kayserispor and most recently NorthEast United in India.

Before joining Legon, he was highly linked to Ghanaian giants Asante Kotoko for whom he holds a personal desire to line up before calling time on his professional career. 

The Tanzania Premier League Board (TPLB) has banned the use of seven stadiums owing to their sub-standard nature.

The Board has been cracking the whip on bad pitches this season as it aims at providing better playing facilities for the players. Recent communication has seen several pitches suspended until they are renovated.

"TPLB has suspended [seven stadiums] from hosting any competitive matches owing to their poor maintenance as required by the law on the state of stadiums in the country," read a statement from the Board obtained by Goal.

"The stadiums that have been suspended are Majimaji Stadium in Songea, Njombe's Sabasaba Stadium, Ali Hassan Mwinyi stadium based in Tabora, Mkwakwani Stadium in Tanga, Mbeya's Kipija Stadium.

"Other stadiums that have been locked out are Mtwara's Nangwanda Sijaona and Jamhuri which is based in Dodoma."

TPLB has communicated to respective managements to make their stadiums eligible to be used again in the near future.

"Renovations should be done on the playing surface, the technical bench area, and the dressing rooms.

"The TPLB Licensing Board will assess the stadiums once renovations are done to determine whether the suspension will be lifted."

Meanwhile, Yanga SC moved joint top of the league table after defeating Biashara Mara United by a solitary goal last weekend.

It was not an easy task for either side in the first 45 minutes. The hosts defended with zeal and tried to attack the 27-time champions through counter-attacks. However, they could not find a way past the defenders.

Cedric Kaze's charges came back stronger in the second half in their bid to get the opening goal. Their push for a goal paid dividends in the 68th minute when Ghanaian Sarpong, who joined the team at the beginning of the season from Rayon Sports of Rwanda, managed to find the back of the net.

A good cross from the right found the towering striker in a good area, and he rose highest to head the ball in.

It was the only goal the former champions needed to record their seventh successive win in the league.

Wananchi are now level with Azam FC, who are on 22 points, but with a superior goal difference. However, the Ice-cream Makers have played a game more. Simba are third on 16 points.

Arsenal have ended any debate regarding their away record against fellow members of the Premier League’s ‘Big Six’, says Ian Wright, with Mikel Arteta considered to have ushered in a “different era”.

The Gunners have seen their efforts undermined by struggles on the road for a long time. Prior to their meeting with Manchester United at Old Trafford on Sunday, the north London outfit had gone five years without success on the road against another English top-flight heavyweight.

That run was finally snapped at the 29th time of asking, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s second-half penalty securing a narrow 1-0 win.

Arsenal have shown that they are capable of collecting notable scalps away from Emirates Stadium, with some shrewd transfer business making them a different proposition in 2020-21.

Wright expects positive progress to continue under Arteta’s guidance, with the Spanish tactician having offered plenty of cause for optimism during the first year of his tenure.

“It’s a massive win for Arsenal,” Gunners great Wright told Premier League Productions after seeing United downed in their own backyard. “The thing is that since Mikel has been there, there has been progress.

“He has got the players he’s got to work with and it’s changed in terms of defensively, intensity, the culture and what he’s trying to do.

“We saw as well with some of the players – Gabriel, on a booking in the first half and the way he played was brilliant, [Thomas] Partey as well. He’s slowly going to integrate the players he wants to play the system he wants to play.

“What we’ve seen is the organisation of Arsenal, something that people have spoken about when it comes to a lack of intensity and lack of drive. We aren’t seeing that anymore.

“People can say whatever they want about the big six and the records, but under Mikel I haven’t got a problem now playing any of them because we are more organised and know what we’re doing.

“We have got a guy up front [Aubameyang] who if he gets chances will finish them and it’s a whole different structure at Arsenal. They can talk about not beating that top six as much as they want, we are going into a different era.”

Consistency has still been an issue for Arsenal in 2020-21, despite the signs of progress, with the Gunners yet to record back-to-back victories in the Premier League since opening the season with wins over Fulham and West Ham.

Simba SC head coach Sven Vandenbroeck has revealed striker Meddie Kagere and midfielder Gerson Fraga will miss the Mainland Premier League tie against rivals Yanga SC.

Yanga will host Wekundu wa Msimbazi on November 7 for the first 2020/21 Premier League Kariakoo Derby at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium as the league champions have serious injury concerns to worry about.

Kagere is expected to be missed due to a knee problem while the Brazilian midfielder will be out for over six months due to a knee issue too.

“It is sad to miss [Meddie] Kagere but even sadder news that I have is the team will also miss Fraga as he is expected to be out of the field for no less than six months,” Vandenbroeck told Mwanaspoti. “So, that means they will not be part of the squad that will play Yanga.

“We are also waiting for medical answers on [Chris] Mugalu and for now we are not sure whether he will be ready for Yanga or he is going to miss out like Kagere and Fraga.

“Simba will miss the three players but our ultimate goal is to get three points from Yanga. Getting those points will help us bridge the gap that they extended when we lost two consecutive matches.”

The club’s doctor Yassin Gembe said they are working hard to ensure Kagere and Fraga are getting proper medication for quicker recovery.

“The two are now undergoing intensive medication so that we can have them ready within the recommended time,” Gembe told Mwanaspoti too. “Having them all recovered will be great because we need them to resume their normal duties.”

Simba will face Yanga sitting third with three fewer points after losing against Tanzania Prisons and Ruvu Shooting. Vandebroeck stated their main objective was to beat Mwadui in the last match in order to lessen pressure.

Simba went on to record a 5-0 win against Mwadui on Saturday.

“We all agreed it was more important to beat Mwadui than anything else and that was evident even in the way we played,” the coach concluded.

“We played with discipline in order to make sure we were not losing as we did in the previous two matches. I am happy for the players because they did exactly what I had asked them to.”

The last time the Kariakoo rivals met was during the Azam Shield Cup semi-final tie which Simba won 4-1.

Former Premier League star Jamie Redknapp said Thomas Partey reminds him of some great midfielders who played at Arsenal after his man-of-the-match performance in the Gunners' 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford.

The Black Stars midfielder was a strong force in Arsenal's midfield on Sunday with the most dribbles (4) in the match, and he completed the joint-second highest tackles (4) with Alexandre Lacazette.

After praising the Gunners’ overall display in Manchester which earned them their first league win against a ‘big six’ club since January 2015, the former Liverpool and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder described Partey as an ‘incredible signing’ who can do everything.

"He's a bit of a throwback. I don't look at him as just a No. 6, a No. 8 or a defensive midfielder, I just think of him as a really good midfield player that can do everything,” Redknapp told Sky Sports .

“I think back to the likes of Patrick Viera and Emmanuel Petit - that was the golden era.

“Arsenal had a desire and energy to get the ball back. They were better in every department. Gabriel was magnificent and Partey was the best player on the pitch. He looks like an incredible signing."

Partey has featured in three Premier League games and one Europa League match since he joined Mikel Arteta’s side on a four-year deal with the option of an additional year in October.

In his assessment of Partey's performance, Keane likened his displays to Arsenal legend Patrick Vieira and tipped him to match the Frenchman’s feats at the club.

“He was outstanding. He's obviously no mug having played in big games,” Keane said. “When you watch a player live that's when you can judge a player and the more I look at him the more I wish he was in the United midfield.

“He's big, strong and aggressive - and he can pass it forward. He can deal with the ball.

"I had my battles with Vieira and I think this kid has got a chance of matching what Patrick used to do."

Diogo Jota has become a serious threat to Roberto Firmino’s place in Liverpool’s starting XI, says Peter Crouch.

A Brazil international forward has been virtually untouchable throughout Jurgen Klopp’s reign at Anfield.

Firmino embodies what his manager is all about, with tireless running and a willingness to sacrifice his own end product for the good of a collective cause marking him out as a key man.

Few have been able to emulate the South American when it comes to leading the line on Merseyside.

Summer signing Jota has, however, offered enough through the early weeks of his spell at Liverpool to suggest that he could do a similar job.

The Portuguese is also outperforming Firmino at present when it comes to making a telling contribution.

Jota has registered four goals through nine appearances, including a run of three in as many outings of late, with match-winning efforts recorded in meetings with Sheffield United and West Ham.

As a new arrival flourishes, an established part of the fold is floundering.

Firmino has just one goal to his name this season, and only two in his last 19 games across all competitions, with his position as Liverpool’s go-to No.9 no longer as secure as it was once.

Former Reds striker Crouch admits as much, telling the Daily Mail of a selection poser that Jota is now posing: “I was of the opinion Firmino was one player who would never be dropped by Jurgen Klopp but, given their respective form, there is now a big decision for Liverpool's manager.

“I have been so impressed by Jota. He took his goal brilliantly against West Ham and looks like he will make a difference every time he is on the pitch.

“He has given them an element of unpredictability and has made his transfer fee look very shrewd business.

“He warrants a start in a game of that magnitude against City but I wouldn't forget about all Firmino has done. It would be a big, big shout if he didn't start next Sunday.”

Liverpool have a Champions League meeting with Atalanta to take in on Tuesday before returning to domestic action.

Attention will, however, be starting to drift towards a crucial clash with Manchester City at the Etihad Stadium and the big decisions that may need to be made in that contest.

Kalidou Koulibaly has called on his Napoli teammates to aim to win their upcoming games after they fell to a 2-0 defeat against Sassuolo in Sunday’s Serie A fixture.

Second-half goals from Manuel Locatelli and Maxime Lopez did the damage for Sassuolo at the Stadio San Paolo as the hosts suffered their second loss in the Italian top-flight this season – the first being a 3-0 forfeit for not honouring their away game against Juventus in October.

Gennaro Gattuso's side created the most chances in the encounter but they were unlucky not to find the back of the net for the first time in a league match in this campaign.

Koulibaly who played the entire duration – his fifth league appearance, apologised for Sunday's loss and urged the Parthenopeans to shift their focus to Thursday's Europa League away match against Croatian club Rijeka and their next Serie A trip to Bologna on November 8.

“Tonight, we wanted to win but we didn’t. We’re sorry for the defeat. If we stop at this defeat, we won’t improve,” Koulibaly was quoted by Football Italia.

“We can’t use last Thursday’s game as an alibi. We need to think about winning this Thursday’s game against Rijeka and on Sunday in the League against Bologna, let’s think big.

“We created many opportunities to score, but we didn’t grab them.”

Napoli dropped to fifth in the Serie A table after the loss with 11 points after six games.

Nigeria striker Victor Osimhen also played the entire duration on Sunday, but he won’t be available for selection in the Europa League on Thursday after he received his first career red card in their 1-0 win over Real Sociedad last week.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must be given time to fulfil the potential he has shown at Manchester United, according to Mark Bosnich, who has urged the Red Devils to publicly back the under-fire manager.

United have endured their worst start to a Premier League season since David Moyes' failed 10-month reign at Old Trafford in 2013-14, with only seven points recorded from a possible 18 to date.

Solskjaer has yet to see his side pick up a home victory, with a 1-0 defeat to Arsenal on Sunday marking their third defeat of the campaign.

Crystal Palace and Tottenham have also recorded comfortable wins at United, while Chelsea earned a point in Manchester last week, with the Red Devils' only victories coming away at Brighton and Newcastle.

They now find themselves down in 15th in the Premier League standings, nine points behind reigning champions and current pace-setters Liverpool, who have played one game more.

United have picked up two impressive wins in the Champions League over Paris Saint-Germain and RB Leipzig, but domestic woes are undermining their efforts in Europe at the moment, with a tough trip to Everton up next on November 7.

Rumours of former Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino being lined up as Solskjaer's replacement have resurfaced in recent weeks, but Bosnich thinks his old club would be wrong to make such a drastic change at this stage.

The former Red Devils goalkeeper believes the Norwegian has had a positive effect on the squad since his return to the club in December 2018, and has called for patience from the board and supporters, with the current season still very much in its infancy.

"You're always going to get talk surrounding the manager when things don't go well. As far as the club is concerned, I'd come out and say he's our man it's simple as that," Bosnich told Sky Sports.

"We've backed him in the transfer market as much as we possibly can and we're going to back him now in terms of giving him time.

"You can't keep chopping and changing managers every couple of seasons and expect things to go nice and smooth. I don't really know from the angle where these people are coming from saying get rid of him right now. 

"If you're going to bring someone else in, he'll have his own clear-out and will take another one to two years to make his own team, then still there's doubt over if they can reach the next level.

"At least Ole's been there for a period of time and he knows the club inside out, he's putting together a good squad.

"You've got to give him that time to fulfil the potential he's shown in his first 18 months, two years [in charge]."

Bernd Leno admits Arsenal have spent “too long” toiling against the ‘Big Six’ away from home, with the hope being that a 1-0 victory over Manchester United will act as a springboard for the Gunners.

An unfortunate run stretching back to 2015 was finally brought to a close at the 30th time of asking on Sunday, with Mikel Arteta’s side collecting a narrow win on their latest visit to Old Trafford.

That venue has not been a happy hunting ground for the Gunners in recent times, with their last triumph on the red half of Manchester coming way back in September 2006.

With that sequence snapped, along with the struggles endured against fellow members of the Premier League elite, optimism is building again in north London.

Consistency will be required if Arsenal are to hit their ultimate targets, with those at Emirates Stadium determined to force their way back into the top four, but Leno sees signs of progress as the Gunners become a tougher nut to crack.

The German goalkeeper told the club’s official website on the back of a welcome clean sheet and three much-needed points against United: “First of all it was a very important win for us when you look at the table.

“It's been a long time since we won away against a team from the big six, and as well at Old Trafford. It's been 14 years I think, so too long but finally we've done the job.

“It was a very collective, strong performance from us. Our players were brilliant and I think everybody had the right attitude and mentality to win. It was very hard for Man United to create chances.
 
“At the end of the day, this is the key. The collective performance and defensive work were really important and I think we've worked on that. You can already see that it's much more impressive than it was one or two years ago.
 
“It's a long, long process and we still have a lot of work ahead of us. We need consistency. This season we've had a lot of good games but also some games where we could have done better. We'll keep working on that though.
 
“We're all doing a great job and the most important thing is that we stay grounded, we know where we come from and hopefully it goes in the same direction.”

Arsenal will be back in Europa League action on Thursday against Molde, before then playing host to Aston Villa in their next domestic fixture.

KMC FC striker Relliants Lusajo has set a target of 15 goals in the 2020/21 Tanzania Mainland League.

The forward has already scored three goals in the current campaign out of the five games he has been involved in. The forward, who joined KMC from Namungo FC, finished the previous game with 13 goals.

"My target this season is to score as many goals as possible," Lusajo told the Sports Extra.

"I do not want to set a target of finishing as the season's top scorer but I want to ensure I have scored more than 15 goals. If I get to score that number of goals, then I am sure my team will finish in a good position."

The striker has also explained why he is expecting stiff competition in the current campaign especially in the race for the Golden Boot.

"There will be a tough competition especially among the strikers from most of the teams," Lusajo continued.

"There is an increase in the number of strikers in the top-tier who are hungry for goals. They might not have scored but soon, they will be doing that, so it will not be easy for anyone." 

The forward was among the players who were on the scoresheet as the Kinondoni charges defeated Gwambina FC 3-0 in their last top-tier outing played on Friday, October 30.

The Kinondoni-based team had suffered a 2-1 loss when they played their last match at home to Yanga SC and were desperate for a positive outing. 

KMC had to wait until the 44th minute to open the scoring. The hosts conceded a free kick in a good area and Israel Patrick managed to find Lusajo Mwaikenda, and the defender made no mistake from about six yards, heading the ball past the goalkeeper. 

Gwambina fought bravely hoping to get an equalizer and get at least a point. Concentration lapses at the back allowed Reliants Lusajo to score the second goal for the visitors and lower the pressure.  

The third goal came in stoppage time when the unmarked David Bryson scored from about 16 yards after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way.  

Kai Havertz needs to be offering more to the Chelsea cause, says Frank Leboeuf, with the £70 million ($90m) playmaker told he “disappears” too often when the Blues need him most.

Big money was invested in the talented 21-year-old during the summer transfer window.

Given the interest he had attracted from leading sides across Europe, Frank Lampard was considered to have pulled off quite the coup in luring Havertz to Stamford Bridge.

There have been flashes of what he is capable of, including a Carabao Cup hat-trick, but an adjustment period in west London is taking longer than many anticipated.

Havertz is yet to find consistency on a Premier League stage, with the youngster continuing to drift in and out of English top-flight fixtures.

Leboeuf is among those calling on a player with undoubted ability to raise his game, with fellow new recruit Hakim Ziyech having shown in a 3-0 victory over Burnley that a telling contribution can be made when adopting the right mindset.

“I think it’s getting better, some players are getting better,” former Blues defender Leboeuf told ESPN FC when assessing Chelsea as a whole.

“I’m very pleased for Ziyech, getting fit and giving his best. But I’m still not convinced about Havertz, I still want more from him.

“I want more impact from him where I think he disappears. I’m sure Frank is still not completely happy with the way they worked together.

“Sometimes it seemed like they were looking for each other like they don’t really know each other.

“I’m looking for something better, much better from Chelsea. With the players they have, they’re capable of giving much more than we saw.

“Even though they got the win, the clean sheet, everything was going their way, but I can’t be happy with the performance 100 per cent.”

Victory at Turf Moor has lifted Chelsea back into the Premier League’s top six, with the Blues still looking for the spark that they hope will allow them to mount a potential title challenge.

Their next outing will see them return to a Champions League stage on Wednesday against Rennes, before then playing host to Sheffield United as they go in search of more precious points domestically.

Ex-Tottenham striker Peter Crouch has picked out the area that Gareth Bale has improved the most following his return from Real Madrid.

Bale made his way back to north London on a season-long loan from Madrid in September, having spent the last seven years of his career in La Liga.

The Wales international became a cult figure among Spurs fans during his first spell at the club, but they were powerless to prevent him leaving in 2013 when the Blancos came calling with a world-record bid.

Bale has since picked up four Champions Leagues and two Liga titles with Madrid while scoring over 100 goals, joining the list of Britain's greatest footballing exports in the process.

However, Zinedine Zidane was happy to sanction the 31-year-old's departure last month after exiling the winger from his first-team squad, with Jose Mourinho now hoping he can rediscover his best form to help Tottenham fight for major honours.

Bale re-opened his account for the Lilywhites when he directed a header past Brighton goalkeeper Robert Sanchez to seal a 2-1 home victory after coming off the bench as a second-half substitute in the Premier League clash on Sunday.

Crouch has been generally impressed with the Madrid loanee's aerial prowess in his first four outings for Mourinho's side, and thinks he is a far more well-rounded player now than he was when he departed for Santiago Bernabeu.

“He’s definitely improved with his heading, I have to say," the former Spurs striker said on the BBC’s Match of the Day 2 programme. “He wasn’t a great header of the ball when I played with him. He started at left-back, has worked on his game and turned into a world-class player at Madrid.

“I think he’s realised he’s 6ft-plus, he’s big, strong and his technique is good – it was a fantastic header.

“It’s definitely something he’s worked on at Madrid. He’s definitely improved.

“He was always scoring goals from outside the box and he wanted to get maybe more scruffy goals. He’s definitely a different player now than the player who left to go to Madrid.”

Mourinho was very pleased with Bale's latest performance, and the ex-Madrid manager couldn't resist aiming a dig at his former employers over their treatment of the winger in his post-match interview.

"He deserves that [the goal]. When I have five minutes I'm going on Safari to look at the Madrid websites to see what they say about him," he said. "He knows that we care about him and he cares about the club. I think he's a perfect fit. He's very calm, very intelligent. I'm very pleased for him to score the winning goal."

Uganda assistant coach Abdalla Mubiru has claimed Tony Mawejje still has something to offer to the national team despite a long period of absence.

Mawejje was summoned alongside other 21 local players ahead of the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against South Sudan and Mubiru believes the midfielder can be of great help despite being out for over three years.

The Police FC new midfielder was last called up for international duty in September 2017 and Mubiru – who is also the Police head coach – said he held talks with national team coach Johnathan McKinstry over the need to bring back Mawejje.

“Mawejje still has a lot to offer the national team,” Mubiru told Football256.

“Before he even trained with us at Police I realised we had got a great and experienced player who’s going to add a lot to our team.”

“And since training commenced, I’ve been seeing an exceptional player who still has the ability irrespective of his age.

“I know it was some time since he had been selected for national duty but when I discussed with my boss [Johnathan McKinstry] he wished to see him hence his summoning.

“The rest lies in the hands of the head coach because he’s the main man to take a final decision but I think he still has the potential to play for the Uganda Cranes.”

The 33-yeard has played for Cranes in 83 matches since making his debut 12 years ago against Mauritius when they picked up a 3-1 win away and was also part of the 2017 Afcon squad.

The Cranes contingent arrived for the training camp at Paradise Hotel in Kisasi on Sunday in order to start the preparations for the South Sudan qualifier.

McKinstry will lead his charges against their northern neighbours on November 12 at St Mary’s Stadium in Kitende before the second game on November 18.

The second qualifier will be held at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi given the security concerns in Juba.

Uganda are at the top of Group B after a draw against Burkina Faso, a win over Malawi and a victory against the Bright Stars will be a big boost in their pursuit to get a third straight Afcon slot.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is at a loss to explain Manchester United’s “strange” form, with the Red Devils “winning every game away from home and can’t get a result at Old Trafford”.

That unfortunate sequence continued on Sunday as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side slipped to a 1-0 defeat against Arsenal.

A Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang penalty proved to be the difference on the day, but the Gunners left the North West with a sense that their success could have been more emphatic.

United once again struggled to find a spark on home soil, with an alarming lack of creativity holding Solskjaer’s side back.

The Red Devils have shown in 2020-21 that they can mix it with the elite, both on the road and in Champions League competition, but find themselves stuck in a serious rut at Old Trafford.

Wan-Bisska is among those left baffled by failings in familiar surroundings, telling MUTV on the back of a narrow defeat to the Gunners: “It’s strange we’re winning every game away from home and we can’t get a result at Old Trafford.

“The performance was different [to Leipzig in Europe], but as you could see in the second half, we came out with a different mentality and we wanted to create chances. It’s just about taking them.

“Getting clear chances isn’t easy for both sides. It’s just about making them and taking them.”

United did improve after the break against Arsenal, but there remain a number of issues for Solskjaer to address.

Wan-Bissaka added: “It’s a disappointing result. To come out on the pitch second half and put all that effort in and not to come out with a result.

“We come out every game with the mentality to win and put in a good performance but we’ve got to learn from it and put it right in the next game.

“It’s not easy after a goal goes in. The main thing is to stick together and keep going. That’s all we did.”

United have now suffered home defeats against Crystal Palace, Tottenham and Arsenal in the Premier League, while being held to a goalless draw by Chelsea.

Just two wins have been taken from six games in total, with a seven-point haul leaving them 15th in the table and reflecting on the club’s worst start to a top-flight campaign since the ill-fated reign of David Moyes in 2013-14.

AFC Leopards have confirmed Tomas Trucha as their new head coach ahead of the 2020-21 season.

“AFC Leopards are pleased to announce Tomas Trucha as our new head coach,” the club confirmed on their social media pages.

“The 47-year-old Czech Republic national is a Uefa PRO licensed coach. He will be assisted by Anthony Kimani who resumes his position after serving on a caretaker capacity.

“Join us in welcoming our newest member of the technical bench.”

Ingwe chairman Dan Shikanda welcomed the arrival of the new coach by telling Goal: “We wanted an experienced hand in the technical bench and Trucha is our best choice.

“We will give him all the support he needs to make sure that he succeeds because our main target for the season is to make sure that we start winning titles.”

The former Orapa United and Township Rollers tactician will take charge of the team following the exit of Rwandese coach Casa Mbungo, who left when the financial problems became unbearable at the Den forcing the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) heavyweights to appoint Kimani on an acting capacity.

Trucha, 49, is a Czech Republic citizen and his immediate target will be to guide the local heavyweights to success especially in the league where they have not been successful since 1998.

AFC Leopards’ Mashemeji rivals Gor Mahia have dominated the league scene where they have won the last four titles in consecutive fashion.

Apart from winning the title, AFC Leopards would also want to pick a Mashemeji Derby win as they are without one since 2016 and the new coach will be tasked to go for it under his rein.

Ingwe, who are targeting this season's league title, will start their campaign on November 20 at home against Western Stima.

On November 28, the former champions will be away to league debutants Bidco United, before they take on Zoo FC on December 4 at home in a game that will be expected to start at 18:30.

After facing Zoo, Leopards will play host to Nzoia Sugar on December 9. The Sugar Millers have always proved a tough opponent for Ingwe and the last time the two met at Sudi Stadium a 2-2 draw was recorded.

Harambee Stars local players have on Monday, October 2 undergone mandatory coronavirus tests to determine their health status before starting preparations for November's Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has ensured the exercise is done to avoid any risks ahead of the November double-header with Comoros. The Federation has confirmed the players who reported on Monday have been tested.

"Harambee Stars players and the members of their technical bench have on Monday, November 2, 2020, undergone mandatory Covid-19 tests as they checked into camp ahead of their two-legged Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Comoros," FKF confirmed on their official portal.

18 local-based players have already reported to camp, with the foreign-based players set to join them on Thursday, October 5.

Only 20 players will be included in the final squad to play Comoros.

The first match will be played at Kasarani on November 11 with the second one four days later away.

Kenya Provisional Squad

Goalkeepers: Arnold Origi (HIFK, Finland), Robert Mboya (Tusker, Kenya), Brian Bwire (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Defenders: Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Brian Mandela (Unattached), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Daniel Sakari (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya) Andrew Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Mike Kibwage (Sofapaka, Kenya), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Samuel Olwande (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Baraka Badi (KCB, Kenya), David Owino (Zesco United, Zambia), Hillary Wandera (Tusker, Kenya), Eric Ouma (AIK, Sweden), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Titus Achesa (Sofapaka, Kenya)

Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Victor Wanyama (Impact Montreal, Canada), Ismael Gonzalez (UD Las Palmas, Spain), Eric Johanna Omondi (Jonkoping’s Sodra, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa), Musa Masika (Wazito, Kenya), Bonface Muchiri (Tusker, Kenya) Lawrence Juma (Sofapaka, Kenya), Johanna Omolo (Cercle Brugge, Belgium), Ayub Timbe (Unattached), Peter Thion’go (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari, Kenya), Elli Asieche (Sofapaka, Kenya), Mathew Olake (Unattached), Moses Mudavadi (Kakamega Homeboyz, Kenya), Austin Odhiambo (AFC Leopards, Kenya)

Forwards: Michael Olunga (Kashiwa Reysol, Japan), Benson Omala (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), John Avire (Tanta FC, Egypt), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya)

Reserves: Dennis Sikhayi (Wazito, Kenya), James Kinyanjui (Mathare United, Kenya)