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Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger believes that Antoine Griezmann is unable to express himself with Barcelona because he is overshadowed by Lionel Messi.

Griezmann joined Barca from Atletico Madrid in the summer of 2019, having established himself as one of the world's best forwards while winning the World Cup with France.

After firing at least 20 goals in each of the last six seasons, Griezmann scored just 15 times in 48 games in his first season for Barca, a disappointing haul given the €120m (£107m/$134m) fee required to bring him to the club.

The forward has yet to score in four appearances for Barca this season, all in La Liga, but Wenger says that he believes Griezmann still has his star quality.

However, having largely been played out of position since joining Barca, Griezmann is unable to shine, Wenger says, as he is forced to defer to Messi.

"Not playing at his position is complicated in the long term," Wenger told beIN Sports. "At the start, the guy accepts it but, if he does not meet his needs in the long term and he feels that the position does not allow him to express his qualities, he will become discouraged.

"Today, he is a player who must play in the centre because he has a great work rate, a precision in his passes. He can be dangerous with the last pass and by scoring goals, but there is congestion because he is in the range of play of Messi."

The Frenchman recently praised his national team boss, Didier Deschamps, for playing him in the right position during a  hard-fought win over Croatia in a World Cup final rematch.

Griezmann remained on the bench in Tuesday's victory over Ferencvaros, with manager Ronald Koeman turning to Messi, Ansu Fati, Philippe Coutinho and Francisco Trincao in attack.

Sergio Busquets, Pedri, Ronald Araujo, Ousmane Dembele and Junior Firpo, meanwhile, were brought off the bench as Koeman used all five of his substitutes without turning to the former Atletico Madrid man.

After that match, Koeman stressed patience while adding that Griezmann could be involved Saturday when Barca take on rivals Real Madrid in El Clasico.
 

Arsenal's decision to drop Mesut Ozil from their 25-man Premier League squad is a "big gamble", according to Paul Merson.

The German midfielder has not played for the Gunners since before lockdown, and on Tuesday the club confirmed he would not be in their Premier League squad for the 2020-21 season.

Ozil was also left out of the squad for the Europa League group stage, meaning he can't play for the Gunners until February at the earliest. 

With his contract set to expire at the end of the current season, it is possible that the playmaker has played his final game for Arsenal. 

On Wednesday, Ozil reacted to the club's decision by claiming "loyalty is hard to come by" in a post on social media. 

Although Ozil has not featured for the Gunners since March, Merson still believes he could have contributed to the cause this season.

"He’s an absolute talent. So, to keep him out of the squad, completely out of the squad, it's a big gamble by Arsenal," Merson told Sky Sports. "He’s on massive wages, no doubting that. He gets fortunes. I'm surprised, it shocked me. When I was told that he’d been left out of the squad I was shocked if I'm being honest, because I am one of his biggest fans."

Merson also pointed out that Ozil has been a recent contributor for the Gunners, having started 10 straight Premier League matches between December and March of last season.

"I think when he's on song, he can play and you've got to remember just before lockdown, he was playing," the former Arsenal star added.

"He was playing in Arteta’s team so for him to come back and then not be in the team and not even get a squad place, yeah I'm quite surprised."

Ozil is the club’s highest-paid player, earning £350,000 ($453,000) a week, but Merson said that the German won't be happy to just sit back and collect his wages.

"It’s a shame. It’s a sad day for Arsenal. It’s a sad day for him if I’m being honest," Merson said. "People go, ‘Oh yeah but he's on 350 grand, what does he care?’ You want to play football. You know when you get to my age and you're not playing football anymore. It soon goes."

Christabel Oduro opened her Maltese goal account with a treble for Birkirkara as they claimed a massive 12-0 triumph over Raiders Luxol in a BOV Women's League game on Tuesday night.

The 27-year-old striker moved to Malta from Swedish outfit Kalmar this summer and has started to prove her mettle for Melania Bajada's side.

The Canadian-born Ghanaian was handed her second start of the season by manager Bajada and she gave a good account of herself in front of goal in their first home match, against Raiders.

The Yellows made a fine start to the contest as Alishia Sultana opened the scoring inside the first minute, before Veronique Mifsud doubled the lead for the champions on 14 minutes.

Oduro broke her duck and hit a third for her side three minutes later before she bagged her brace in a matter of a minute and Sultana netted her second and the hosts' fifth in the 24th minute.

Raina Giusti and Stephania Farrugia bagged the sixth and seventh of the match for Birkirkara, three minutes from the half-time break.

Birkirkara continued from where they left off in the second half as Giusti bagged her second and their eighth in the 58th minute before hitting her third and fourth of the game before the 67th minute.

Oduro netted her third of the contest nine minutes later before Sultana wrapped up the victory for her side with her third of the encounter three minutes from time.

Oduro, who is a cousin of Ghana youth international Dominic Oduro, is eligible to represent the West Africans after only featuring at youth level and in non-competitive games for Canada.

Besides lasting the duration of the match, she has now scored three goals for Birkirkara in two appearances so far this season.

The result saw Birkirkara moved to the top of the log on goal difference with six points after two games despite being tied on points with second Mgarr United and third-placed Swieqi United.

They will continue the campaign to defend their title against second-placed Mgarr in their next fixture at home scheduled for October 27.

Acting Safa CEO Tebogo Motlanthe says the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) could be taking long to make a ruling on Kaizer Chiefs' transfer ban appeal because the parties involved are from different countries.

Amakhosi were in February 2020 slapped with sanctions by world governing body Fifa, forbidding them from participating in the transfer market for two registration periods after being found guilty of a transfer offence.

This emanated from the 2018 illegal acquisition and registering of Andriamirado ‘Dax’ Andrianarimanana from Madagascan club Fosa Juniors.

After Chiefs lodged an appeal with CAS on September 9, the outcome of their petition is yet to be released as the close of the transfer window is edging closer.

The club recently said CAS is taking long to make a ruling on their transfer ban appeal due to the voluminous nature of the evidence they filed.

But Motlanthe, who is a former legal head at Safa, says the delay could be due to the fact that the case involves team from different countries.

"Look one will not be certain but of course every case is dealt with on its merits. When South Africa last had a case with CAS it was when Thanda Royal Zulu went to the court‚" said Motlanthe as per Sowetan Live.

"And CAS did it here in South Africa and the decision went out quite fast‚ because the judges came from Switzerland and did the case in South Africa. Look‚ it was strictly South African case [with Thanda]. Remember in some cases they are dealing with teams or members from different countries‚ so that's the other challenge."

The Thanda Royal Zulu case saw the club approaching CAS, arguing that some 2013/14 National First Division boycotted matches should be played after an alleged agreed strike by clubs.

This was after Safa had dismissed Thanda Royal Zulu's application which was backed by Chippa United, prompting them to approach Zurich.

CAS officials flew into Johannesburg to hear evidence from both Thanda Royal Zulu and Chippa United and Motlanthe says that is what makes this case different from Chiefs'.

"With the Chiefs matter‚ my participation has been very limited. At some stage Chiefs had to send the contract [to CAS] which the player signed with Chiefs. It involved a lot of things‚ like hand-writing experts," Motlanthe said.

"And then different laws for different countries create problems too. I will be open‚ it's difficult to say. Especially when you are not involved with the case. Our involvement was that they [Fosa Juniors] just sent a contract‚ which we allowed Chiefs' lawyers to come and view‚ and then we returned it to them.

"It's difficult because you don't know how far CAS are with the case. Chiefs' lawyers will know exactly where they are."

As Amakhosi anxiously await word from Zurich, new coach Gavin Hunt is helplessly watching as their PSL rivals are in the thick of transfer business preparing for the upcoming season.

Achraf Hakimi has tested positive for the coronavirus and faces a spell out of action for Serie A giants Inter Milan.

He is expected to miss Wednesday’s Champions League clash with Borussia Monchengladbach at San Siro.

“Achraf Hakimi has tested positive in the latest round of Uefa checks [required by hygiene protocols] undertaken ahead of tonight's game against Borussia Monchengladbach,” a statement from the San Siro giants read.

“The Inter full-back is totally asymptomatic and will now follow the procedure set out by the health protocol.”

After completing a two-year loan spell at Borussia Dortmund, the Morocco international joined Antonio Conte’s side on a five-contract, for a reported fee of around €40 million.

The 22-year-old opened his Italian top-flight goal account with a first-half strike in their 5-2 victory over Benevento on September 30, 2020.

This development is another setback for Conte’s squad who are still without Roberto Gagliardini, Andrei Radu, Milan Skriniar and Ashely Young due to the virus.

Although Hakimi is still completely asymptomatic, nevertheless, he will have to observe all the isolation procedures provided for by the health protocols.

Apart from the game against the Germans, the former Real Madrid star will also miss games against Genoa and Shakhtar Donetsk, as Inter Milan will have to rely on Parma loanee Matteo Darmian until he recovers fully.

 U.S. men's national team goalkeeper Ethan Horvath says he "just needed to let it out" after breaking down in tears while celebrating Club Brugge's Champions League victory on Tuesday.

The 25-year-old shot-stopper started Club Brugge's 2-1 victory over Zenit Saint Petersburg on Tuesday, which saw the Belgian side claim victory thanks to a 93rd-minute goal from Charles De Ketelaere.

It was Horvath's first start since September 2019, with the American brought in to replace former Liverpool star Simon Mignolet who missed out after testing positive for the coronavirus.

Horvath was on the unfortunate end of an own goal in the second half after a Dejan Lovren striker cannoned off the post, hit the goalkeeper and went in, but the American did make two vital saves to keep Club Brugge in the match.

After the game, Horvath was in tears as he celebrated with teammates, and he later explained that he was simply overcome by the moment given the events of the past year both on and off the field.

"I haven't played for such a long time," he said, "so to be able to contribute to the team's victory with what's going on with the pandemic, come December it will be one year since I've seen my mom and dad, so it was just a whole bunch of emotions. The fact that we won, it was the cherry on top, so I just needed to let it out."

Horvath's performance made an impression on Belgium national team manager Roberto Martinez, who was serving as a pundit for CBS Sports.

While watching a match featuring some players in his national team pool, Martinez says he was left impressed by Horvath's standout effort in goal.

"I thought he was commanding. I thought the way he controlled his back four was excellent. You can see the reactions. Overall, it was never in danger," Martinez said on CBS.

"The way the teammates care for him at the end of the game, he was so relieved that the team won because they deserved to win. He hasn't played for a long time. It's very difficult.

"He's 25 so he needs to play constantly, but that moment, winning the game, it makes a big big difference. He'll be delighted and you can see he's a very popular boy in that dressing room."

Club Brugge, who currently sit atop the Belgian Pro League, were drawn into a group with Zenit as well as Lazio and Borussia Dortmund, with the Italian side taking down the German contenders on Wednesday to join Horvath and co on top of the group.

Horvath, who has earned four caps for the USMNT, believes that his side is being overlooked, even after Tuesday's vital victory.

He said: "A lot of teams, and probably or opponents, count Brugge as a weaker opponent, but I think this was a perfect start to show that you should not underestimate Brugge."

Mamelodi Sundowns attacking midfielder Themba Zwane is eager to win the PSL Footballer of the Season award.

The Bafana Bafana international was one of the most outstanding players in the 2019/20 season and he has been nominated for three accolades at Thursday night's PSL Awards ceremony. 

Zwane could walk away with a whopping R500,000 if he wins the Footballer of the Season, Players' Player of the Season and Midfielder of the Season accolades.

The 30-year-old revealed that he would be thankful to his Sundowns teammates, family and sponsors if he scooped the prizes. 

"I will feel happy [to be nominated] and obviously more than happy [if I win] because it shows that hard work pays," Zwane told the media. 

"If I win these awards I would like to thank my teammates, my family, my sponsors PUMA and the whole Mamelodi Sundowns family. Thank you so much for the support, I really appreciate it."

Zwane was named South African Football Journalists' Association (SAFJA) Footballer of the Season last month.

This was after he played an instrumental role in helping Masandawana clinch a domestic treble with the team after they lifted the Telkom Knockout Cup, Nedbank Cup and PSL title.

Zwane is up against Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic and his Sundowns teammates Peter Shalulile and Gaston Sirino for the Footballer of the Season award.

The Tembisa-born player explained that it would mean a lot to him if he is named Footballer of the Season as the accolade is more important to him. 

"I have been nominated for the Footballer of the Season, Midfielder of the Season and Players' Player of the Season," he added.  

"For me all [the awards] are important but the most important one is the Footballer of the Season award."

Zwane has been nominated for the Players' Player of the Season accolade along with his teammate Hlompho Kekana and Chiefs playmaker Lebogang Manyama.

He is also up against Manyama and Cape Town City captain Thabo Nodada for the Midfielder of the Season award.

Orlando Pirates winger Thembinkosi Lorch won the 2018/19 PSL Footballer of the Season and Players' Player of the Season accolades, while Kekana scooped the Midfielder of the Season award.

President Uhuru Kenyatta has donated a 62-seater team bus to Shabana FC just a day after they beat AFC Leopards 1-0 in a match to celebrate Mashujaa Day.

The Kisii-based ‘Glamour Boys’, who are struggling financially and also featuring in the National Super League (NSL), shocked many as they beat the FKF Premier League side by a solitary goal at Gusii Stadium on Tuesday.

Fred Nyakundi scored the all-important goal for Shabana in the 40th minute after receiving a cross from Ashif Obwaka, and they held on to win the battle and the Mashujaa Day bragging rights.

A statement from Kenyatta’s media team confirmed: “President Uhuru Kenyatta has donated a 62-seater bus to Shabana. The bus was requested by Kisii leaders during a recent meeting with the Head of State at State House, Nairobi.”

After the friendly, Kakamega Homeboyz Chairman Cleophas Shimanyula also promised to donate new set of uniforms and five balls to Shabana for beating Ingwe.

“Shabana have done wonders, they have ashamed a team with a new bus, new uniform, new sponsors and new players,” Shimanyula told Goal after the match.

“I will give the team a new uniform for the entire playing unit and also five balls, and will also ask that we play a friendly against them at the same venue before the new league kicks-offs, I want to donate my pledge to them during the friendly.

“Kudos to Shabana for making us proud, we now know that AFC Leopards is the same team as from last year and nothing will change this season, it is a shame they lost even after parading their new team bus.

“I think if it was Shabana with all the financial support that AFC have been accorded then they would have won even 7-0.”

Before the match, AFC Leopards unveiled their third signing - Bienvenue Shaka from Tunisian top division side Etoile Sportif du Sahel

According to the fixtures released for the 2020-21 campaign, AFC Leopards will first host Western Stima, who are expected to have a relatively new-look team after Gor Mahia and Wazito FC raided their first team, on November 20.

On November 28, the former champions will be away to league debutants Bidco United. The Thika-based club has moved to strengthen their squad with players including experienced Piston Mutamba and Stephen Waruru.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa has described the hiring of Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee as the Harambee Stars coach as "a special gift" to Kenyans.

The 52-year-old tactician was handed the mantle to handle the team on a three-year contract following the exit of Francis Kimanzi, whom the Federation claims they parted with on mutual agreement on Tuesday.

Mwendwa has now told Goal he settled for ‘Ghost’ to take charge of the team because he has been there before and knows what it takes to qualify a team to the Africa Cup of Nations finals.

"‘Ghost’ is Kenyan, he knows Kenyan football, he had been there, he has done it before, he has won the league, he has won different cups, he has won Cecafa, he had been to the Afcon before, and now he has the chance once again to take us there,” Mwendwa told Goal on Wednesday.

“I am 100 percent sure that he will use that knowledge we got in the last Afcon and when he was there to try and do better in the Afcon, we want to be there all the time and he now have the chance to do that with us, and I strongly believe he will succeed.

“He will be there for a contract of three years and if he qualifies for the 2022 Afcon and the World Cup then we can extend it so we find stability with our boys and motivate them, we can find something special, and that is what I have brought to you, a special gift.”

On unveiling ‘Ghost’, the last local coach to take Kenya to the 2004 Afcon finals held in Tunis, Tunisia, Mwendwa explained: “We are done with elections and now it is all about football and today [Wednesday] I am happy, in a new chapter, in our new beginning, in our next notch for Kenyan football to introduce to you a change in our national team bench, that will pave the way to the work we want to do to head to the Afcon 2022 in Cameroon.

“It will also help us for Afcon and the World Cup in Qatar, I have spoken many times and many years the last four years about going to the World Cup and today we start laying down the framework to find ways of competing against Mali, Uganda and Rwanda from June next year.

“But before that is to compete against Comoros on November 11 and 15 and then play against Togo away in March and Egypt in Kenya in March as well, we have four matches to go for Afcon qualification, we have two points and we need more points to be back at Afcon again.

“We are starting our new term only two days into it and we found it necessary [having discussed it for a while], to make a change in the bench and so I want to bring you Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee, who everybody knows, who is the last coach to take Kenya to take the Afcon finals in 2004, and who is a household name in Kenya, once again to spur on our team, energise our team, to play and hunting for qualification for both the Afcon and the World Cup.

“I know it is not a simple job. We want to support him, we want to find something special in the team, I also ask you to support him, let us give it life, let us push the boys across the finishing line so that we can join the elite nations of African football.”

Kenya started their campaign in the Afcon qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Egypt away in Cairo before getting another 1-1 draw, against Togo at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

South Sudan head coach Cyprian Ashu Bessong has named Bright Stars' 37-man provisional squad ahead of their clash against Uganda in November.

Bright Stars will face the Cranes in two African Cup of Nations qualifiers and the summoned players are expected to speed up the preparations towards the double-header.

Gor Mahia striker Tito Okello and John Kuol of Kariobangi Sharks are among the players called up. Makueth Kuol and Ivan Wani, of Mbarara City and Busoga United, respectively, are in the provisional squad as well.

AFC Leopards’ Saad Musa has also been included whereas there is no place for David Majak of Tusker.

South Sudan are without a win in Group B which also consist of Malawi and Burkina Faso. They have played two friendlies against Cameroon and drew in both encounters and another against Zambia has been planned for already.

Full Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ramadan John Mayik (Malakia FC Juba, South Sudan), Robert Joseph (Al Salam Wau, South Sudan), Michael Marko (Amarat United FC, South Sudan), Majak Maling Mawith (Melbourne City, Australia)

Defenders: Peter Maker Manyang (Amarat United, South Sudan), Mutwakil Abdelkarim (Atlabara FC Juba, South Sudan), Rahan Angier (Munuki FC Juba, South Sudan), Omot Sebit (Al Merrikh Juba, South Sudan), Peter Nhial Wilson Deng (Heidelberg United, Australia), Mathiang Matur (Brunswick City, Australia), Godfrey Okello (Atlona City, Australia), John Koul Chol (Kariobangi Sharks, Kenya), Ruon Tongyik (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Hasoon James Martin (Al Hilal Kadougli, Sudan), Salah Abubakar (Al Salam, South Sudan), Majok Bak Mathiang (Amarat FC, South Sudan).

Midfielders: Koang Thok Kerjok (Al Hilal Kadougli, Sudan), Wani Ivan Adebo (Busoga United, Uganda), Asad Musa Abdallah (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Dominic Angelo (Munuki FC Juba, South Sudan), Stephen Pawaar (Munuki FC, South Sudan), Emmanuel Thomas Lumeri (Amarat United, South Sudan), Jackson Obede Morgan (Perth SC, Australia), Chok Daniel Dau (FC Vysocina, Czech Republic), Denis Yongule Daluri (Geelong SC, Australia), Manumow Achol (Eastern Suburbs, New Zealand), Tingba Justin John (Super Eagles, South Sudan), Jimmy Michael Omar (Atlabara, South Sudan), Dominic Abui (Al Khartoum FC, Sudan)

Strikers: Majok Abraham (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Yuel Kauch (Western Union, Australia), Kenjok Wal Athiu (Unattached), Kuol Alou Mawien (Central Coast Mariners, Australia), Tito Okello (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Makueth Wol Akeen (Mbarara City, Uganda), Jose Kuch Nyuar (Amarat United, South Sudan), Aluk Akech Mabior (Al Atlabara, Sudan).

Barcelona have invited the club's players into negotiations regarding a blanket wage reduction for all staff members, but the players are not expected to attend as they await an entirely separate meeting.

It has been reported that Barca are looking to reduce all salaries, club-wide, by around 30 per cent, but the club's players are not on board with that pay cut.

The players have stated that they will reject any proposal made by the club as they had not been given the chance to sit in on negotiations on Wednesday.

In response, the players are expected to resort to legal recourse if their demands are not met. They believe playing staff contracts should be treated separately to the board of directors and all other non-playing staff employees.

That stance has since been backed by the Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE), who said the process so far "suffers from serious formal defects".

On Wednesday, Barcelona announced that they would like to bring players into the discussions as they look to meet this season's budget.

"The constitution of this labour negotiation is part of this package of measures that the club has already been implementing in recent months, and which have helped reduce management costs and the sports payroll of all professional sports," the statement read.

"The aim of the club is to reach an agreement with the entire workforce of the club, which will go through a joint solution of temporary, gradual, proportional, and specific salary adjustment for each of the groups.

"Given the importance of the decisions that must be taken to ensure the sustainability of the club during the impact of the pandemic we are experiencing, the club remains open to the incorporation of the representation of players in this negotiation, which meets the requirements established in accordance with Article 41.4 of the Workers' Statute. 

"The configuration of these negotiations, which must be unique, will allow the adoption of decisions according to the specificities of each group, a will already shared with professional players.  

"All of this will surely contribute to meeting this season's budget and, at the same time, to laying the foundations for tackling the great challenges that will come with the best guarantees, once this global health crisis has been overcome."

Barcelona kicked off their Champions League campaign on Tuesday, taking down Hungarian side Ferencvaros 5-1.

Next up for the Catalan club is El Clasico this weekend as they host Real Madrid in the two giants' first clash this season.

Frank Onyeka has been included in Midtjylland’s squad to tackle Atalanta in Wednesday’s Champions League encounter.

The 22-year-old, alongside Guinea international Sory Kaba, are among Brian Priske’s 23-man squad as the Danish Superliga champions feature at the MCH Arena.

Onyeka was expected to miss the game following an injury picked up while on international duty with Nigeria during a training session ahead of the friendlies against Algeria and Tunisia.

That knock ensured he missed the Wolves’ 3-1 home triumph over OB Odense where goals from Kaba, Anders Dreyer and Pione Sisto helped Priske’s side to a comeback win.

Since joining the Danish top-flight side in January 2016 from FC Ebedei, Onyeka has established himself as an integral part of the squad after making his first-team debut in the Danish Cup.

Meanwhile, manager Priske said his team is ready to face Gian Piero Gasperini’s high-scoring squad on Wednesday as well as Liverpool and Ajax in Group D.

“From a club perspective and also from a squad perspective, everybody is looking forward to our first game in the Champions League. We've all been working hard for a game like this for many years,” he said during a pre-game conference.

“Everybody is fit and ready to perform. I think everybody knows we have a big job ahead of us.

“All six games in the group stages are going to be difficult; big opponents, big teams but everybody is fit and ready to deliver and hopefully, also give ourselves the opportunities to pick up points.

“They are big teams, as I said already, but we have big faith in our squad and in our players. At the end of the day, it’s going to be going to be 90 minutes on the grass that decides the results for us.”

Jose Mourinho has spoken out on Tottenham's 'Spursy' coverage after their capitulation against West Ham on Sunday, insisting they "just need to defend better from set-pieces".

Tottenham missed the chance to move up to third in the Premier League standings after throwing away a 3-0 advantage at home to the Hammers.

A Harry Kane brace and a Son Heung-min strike put Spurs out of sight in the first 16 minutes of the game as David Moyes' side struggled to cope with an in-form duo's movement in the final third.

Mourinho saw his side take their foot off the gas thereafter, and West Ham emerged in the second half with a renewed sense of purpose.

The visitors pushed to try and find a way back into the game with Tottenham seemingly content to rest on their laurels, and were eventually rewarded when Fabian Balbuena headed home in the 82nd minute.

A Davinson Sanchez own goal set up a tense finale moments later, and in the final minute of stoppage time, West Ham snatched an equaliser in spectacular fashion.

Substitute Manuel Lanzini struck an unstoppable shot into the top-right hand corner from 35 yards out after Spurs attempted to clear a late free kick, sparking wild celebrations on the away bench.

Questions over the mentality of Mourinho's squad were raised once again in the wake of the result, with Tottenham's reputation as a 'nearly' club often weighing them down in the modern era.

However, the Portuguese was quick to dismiss the 'Spursy' tag ahead of a Europa League group-stage meeting with LASK on Thursday, as he told a press conference: "I believe that winning 3-0 in minute 80 we can play 50 more matches and it's not going to happen again so I don't want to be sticking on this and no stories about 'Spursy' and this kind of thing.

"We just need to defend better from set-pieces. We've conceded just one goal from open play against Southampton."

Mourinho went on to discuss Danny Rose's omission from Tottenham's official 25-man Premier League squad, admitting that he is no longer in his plans after pushing for a move away from the club in the winter transfer window.

"Danny is not part of our squad. Danny wanted very, very much to leave in the January window last season. Why? Because he wanted to play and play and play," he said.

"Then he went to Newcastle and I immediately had the feeling of being a player of his dimension that, thinking about Euros, I thought our future would be Davies and Sessegnon.

"Then we had the possibility to get Reguilon and I thought that would be a good opportunity for Ryan to get game time and develop.

"With Danny, the players and agents make the market. If the agent didn't find a solution for Danny to move then it's a question you have to ask him."

Mourinho also explained why he moved to bring in Joe Roden from Swansea last week, with it his belief that the 22-year-old defender has a bright future ahead of him.

"We got him because we can see a future for him. Let's work and let's see the evolution and step by step he will be there," he said.

Angelino has drawn praise from his RB Leipzig manager Julian Nagelsmann, who claims the Spaniard has a winning character and is only unpleasant when left out of the side.

The former Manchester City man was deployed in a position on the left of midfield in RB Leipzig’s clash with Istanbul Basaksehir in the Champions League, and he stole the show with both goals in the 2-0 win at the Red Bull Arena on Tuesday evening.

In total Angelino scored from two of his three shots on goal and provided a key pass, while he also gained possession of the ball six times for a Leipzig side that actually had less possession. 

Angelino’s first goal was the standout effort, as he controlled the ball instantly before spinning and firing home a goal Nagelsmann described as “world class.”

The performance will almost certainly secure the 23-year-old an extended run in the side, which will come as a relief to both player and manager.

"Angelino is only unpleasant when he doesn't play, which only happened twice this year. That pretty much describes his character," Nagelsmann said.  

"I think Yussi [Yussuf Poulsen] agrees, that he only wants to win. He is like a child that just wants to play all the time. He is almost as bad as me. I'm always playing around with a ball.  

"But he just always wants to have the ball and you see him constantly shooting it. After training he wants to continue. He has a massive playing instinct and he just wants to win all the time and play around with a ball.”

Nagelsmann believes he inherited a player who had learned the tools of his trade at Manchester City, and the German feels a lot of credit must go to Pep Guardiola.

Angelino came through the youth ranks at City and spent time in the first team as well as going out on a spate of loan spells, the latest of which took him to Leipzig in January in a temporary deal that was extended for the 2020-21 season with a purchase option included. 

"I have to admit, he arrived after working under a great manager,” Nagelsmann said. “I can't just praise myself. He came as a well-developed player.  

"We haven't brought many players in from Pep Guardiola, yet, so we can't draw a comparison. But his adaption time was minimal, as he arrived from a great team and a great manager, who surely taught him something.  

"He is inquisitive, listens and implements things, as he is a great footballer with an instinct to play.  

"He wants to work all the time and Yussi is like that too. So you adapt and show great results. To score his first goal today is world class."

Bafana Bafana head coach Molefi Ntseki has received backing from South African Football Association (Safa) president Dr Danny Jordaan.

The 50-year-old tactician was slammed by supporters on social media after Bafana's two international friendlies against Namibia and Zambia in Rustenburg two weeks ago.

South Africa let a lead slip in their 1-1 draw against Namibia, before succumbing to a disappointing 2-1 defeat to an under-strength Zambia side. 

Legendary South African coach Clive Barker also questioned Safa's criteria when appointing Bafana coaches.

Jordaan has now pleaded with the fans to be patient with Ntseki and also compared him to former Bafana head coach Pitso Mosimane.

“Well, I think that it’s the life of coaches in this country," Jordaan told Sowetan.

"We’ve seen all coaches go through a rough patch and the same thing happened to our best coach Pitso Mosimane. 

"We gave Mosimane a chance to prove himself with Bafana, and we must do the same thing for Ntseki."

Mosimane is widely considered as one of the greatest South African football coaches, having won a record five Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles and Caf Champions League trophy.

The 56-year-old, who is currently in charge of the biggest football club on the African continent, Al Ahly of Egypt, served as Bafana coach between 2010 and 2012.

Jordaan is confident Ntseki will guide the 1996 African champions to back-to-back victories against Sao Tome and Principe in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers next month.

“Today, Pitso is celebrated as a national hero. Let us give coach Ntseki space and time to beat Sao Tome home and away and qualify for the Afcon finals, and then the fans will be happy again," he said.

"Ntseki is quite aware of the relationship between fans and coaches. I believe in him and know that he will help Bafana to qualify for the Cameroon tournament."

Ntseki has taken charge of six matches since he replaced British tactician Stuart Baxter as Bafana coach in August 2019.

The national team has recorded two wins, one draw and three defeats under the local tactician's guidance and he will be under pressure to secure two wins against Sao Tome and Principe. 

New Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee has assured Kenyans he still has the Mojo to take the team to the Africa Cup of Nations and World Cup finals after he was unveiled on Wednesday.

The 52-year-old tactician was handed the mantle to handle the team on a three-year contract following the exit of Francis Kimanzi, whom the Federation claims they parted with on mutual agreement on Tuesday.

Speaking exclusively to Goal after being unveiled on Wednesday, ‘Ghost’ who is well remembered to have steered Kenya to the 2004 Afcon finals held in Tunis, Tunisia, says he is ready to take up the challenge and believes he still has what it takes to succeed with the team.

“First of all, I want to thank the federation for again having faith that I can steer the team to the Afcon and World Cup,” Mulee told Goal. “We had a very lengthy discussion as to what the ambition of the federation is after the election and after seeing the working conditions are favourable, I said that I can give it a try.

“I know it is a good thing to handle a national team but at the same time a difficult task because we have two tough games coming up against Comoros, they are two very important games for Kenya, however, I believe that with the team that I saw against Zambia, the team that has played the first two qualifiers, there is a big possibility that we have a squad to take us to the Afcon.

“My focus now is on how to deal with Comoros, it is those matches that we always refer to as dead rubbers. So it is a difficult match but I think if we can manage to win the first game at home, then we will be good to go.”

Asked whether he still has what it takes having been out of the coaching scene for more than five years, ‘Ghost’ told Goal: “I have been in the game since the last time I coached the team, for now, I cannot promise anything, a coaching job is difficult, you can have it today, play one game and get fired.

“But looking at the team in my disposal, I have confidence they will do well under my leadership, the office has promised us the support, and I know that we can do well, all we need to do is win our home matches.”

On whether he will make changes to the squad, ‘Ghost’ said: “As we speak now, my mind is already in the Comoros double-header and any good coach cannot change a winning team, they just beat Zambia a few days ago, I will stick with the team which played against Zambia.”

‘Ghost’, who has also handled Tusker in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), also confirmed he will name his technical bench in the next two days.

“I will have the names out in the next two days, I know the people I can work with but I need a few things sorted out to give out the names.”

Kenya started their campaign in the Afcon qualifiers with a 1-1 draw against Egypt away in Cairo before forcing another 1-1 draw, then against Togo at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi.

The Spanish Footballers' Association (AFE) has thrown its support behind Barcelona's playing staff, who were not present on Wednesday as club officials held a meeting to discuss a blanket wage reduction for all staff members.

It is reported that those in charge of the Catalan side are looking to reduce all salaries, club-wide, by around 30 per cent, but players have made it known via burofax that they will reject any proposal made by the club as they have not been given the chance to sit in on discussions.

The players want to be involved in the talks – which are set to culminate within 15 days – before any action is taken and will more than likely resort to legal recourse if their demands are not met.

Playing staff are of the opinion that their contracts should be treated separately to the board of directors and all other non-playing staff, a stance that has since been backed by the AFE.

A statement from the association reads: “This procedure, in our opinion, suffers from serious formal defects. A negotiating table has been set up to discuss the measures to be adopted and the players are not represented as they have not been eligible in the elections of the committee.

“It is our duty to request that the club reverse this process and initiate, if it is deemed necessary, a dialogue with the professional footballers through the established legal channels.

“Beyond the serious defects regarding the composition of the negotiating table, we ask that the club opt to negotiate these measures in two differentiated processes: One for workers with an ordinary employment contract and another for professional athletes subject to a special employment relationship.

“Only from the individualised analysis of a group such as professional footballers can an agreed solution emerge within the framework of this process.

“Finally, the club cannot fail to be aware that this process, if carried out with the terms set forth, will incur serious challenges, with a high risk of nullity, and the automatic right to the termination of employment contracts of the affected workers.

“We believe that the club must be frank with its members and assume that their current measures will lead to a very significant loss of FC Barcelona's assets.”

Luis Figo has called on "everyone" in football to oppose a potential European Premier League, saying the competition would "destroy football as we know it".

A Sky News report on Tuesday claimed Liverpool and Manchester United were among clubs in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain to hold talks over a breakaway competition.

Wall Street bank JP Morgan is said to have prepared a $6 billion (£4.6bn/€5.1bn) funding package, while FIFA was reported to have given its support to the proposals.

The alleged plan follows failed attempts from the same two elite Premier League clubs to push through Project Big Picture, which would have secured increased voting rights on matters in England for 'big six' clubs.

As with Project Big Picture, though, the mooted European Premier League has been met with opposition.

Former Barcelona, Real Madrid and Inter winger Figo, who briefly ran for FIFA presidency in 2015, has added his voice.

Responding to comments from ex-United captain Gary Neville, who described the idea as "another wound for football", Figo made his displeasure clear.

"What I read about this Super League idea will destroy football as we know it," said the 127-cap Portugal international, who retired at Inter in 2009 following a glittering career that saw him win the Ballon d'Or along with Champions League, Serie A and La Liga titles.

"It's all about greed and keeping the game for a few elite clubs, while killing the other clubs and leagues that fans love.

"Football should unite! Everyone should oppose it!"

Figo's decision not to continue with his pursuit of the FIFA presidency five years ago came due to his refusal to "go along with" a process that delivers "absolute power to one man".

European football's governing body and Champions League organisers UEFA had opposed a potential "super league" on Tuesday, saying the competition would "inevitably become boring".

The existing Champions League structure is set to be revamped after the 2023-24 campaign, with plenty of posturing around the elite club game in Europe focused upon what shape this might take, although the backers of the European Premier League purportedly have ambitions to launch as early as 2022.