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Edinson Cavani has the potential to be Manchester United’s new Zlatan Ibrahimovic, says Andy Cole, with the experienced striker a risk worth taking for the Red Devils.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is understood to be closing in on a deal for the proven frontman, who is a free agent since severing ties with Paris Saint-Germain.

La Liga giants Atletico Madrid appeared to be leading the chase for his signature at one stage, with an offer on the table, but no agreement has been pushed through and United are ready to pounce.

Questions have been asked of whether the Red Devils need to be landing a 33-year-old on a lucrative contract, but a similar gamble was taken on Ibrahimovic in 2016.

The Swede made a telling contribution at Old Trafford, winning three trophies, and Cole believes Cavani is capable of making the same kind of impact.

The former United striker told talkSPORT: “He’s 33, he’s won trophies, big trophies, he’ll go there and I think he’ll really look forward to playing for Manchester United.

“Hopefully he’ll work out like a Zlatan. Zlatan was unbelievable, not just around the place but as a person. I spent a bit of time with him, what a funny guy he is. He always believes in himself but also tries to bring the rest of the team on as well.

“If you look at Cavani’s record, he’s an individual who will get the little tap-ins, he can pick the ball up and take on a couple of players and put it in the top bin. He has those qualities.

“If you watch him over his career, wherever he has gone – I watched him numerous times at PSG – some of the goals he gets are really good quality striker goals, and that’s what Manchester United need.

“Yeah, we can say they need a centre-half, they need a left-back, a midfielder, the list could be endless, but now they’ve got a proven goalscorer who you know can get goals in the Premier League.

“[Anthony] Martial is still a baby, he’s still learning his job. We all know how good a player he is, but on the flip side of that he can be a little bit inconsistent. A lot of Man United fans want to see him do it week in, week out.

“Someone like Cavani coming in, we know what we’re going to get – proven goalscorer, he works extremely hard, he’ll score all types of goals. Man United love an individual who can score goals.”

United saw their current No 9, France international Martial, collect a red card in a 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Tottenham, so cover in the central striking berth is going to have to be provided when domestic action resumes after the international break.

Jamie Carragher admits Liverpool’s defending in their stunning 7-2 defeat at Aston Villa was laughable, with the Reds needing to address issues that could become an unwelcome “trend”.

The Reds have always played with a high line under Jurgen Klopp, delivering considerable success including Champions League and Premier League triumphs.

That approach does, however, carry a considerable degree of risk, with there a fine line between dynamism and disaster. Defending Premier League champions Liverpool slipped into the latter of those two categories on Sunday when suffering a humbling reversal at Villa Park.

Alisson’s absence in goal did little to aid their cause, with Adrian enduring an evening to forget, but a number of those who are usually so reliable – such as Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold – also allowed their standards to slip.

Carragher concedes that everything went wrong for the Reds in the West Midlands, but he feels leaks at the back have been coming for some time and need to be plugged before one “freak” result becomes a familiar source of concern.

The Liverpool legend told Sky Sports: “ was almost laughing. I couldn't believe what I was seeing. You don't really associate this with this Liverpool team. It's a shocking result and performance. Certainly the worst under Jurgen Klopp no doubt about that.

“It seemed very early on Liverpool did not start this game well. In the first few minutes there was danger there for them and it was interesting listening to Ollie Watkins saying they worked on Liverpool's high line.

“For me, even though Liverpool have got a good defensive record, I don't like them trying to catch teams offside. I don't agree with it.

“Being a defender and having played that position myself, this team play a lot higher up the pitch. They almost sacrifice one big chance a game with the opposition going through on goal.

“When someone beats your press around midfield and they're not far from your back four, you've got to get ready to go back. I just couldn't believe that it was Virgil van Dijk at the back to actually say 'listen boys the game's gone, it's 5-2, let's just step back. Let's not make this any worse'. It did get worse.

“They were fortunate it wasn't eight or nine. You think of the chances [Ross] Barkley had in the first half, Watkins hit the bar in the second half.

“Listen, you can't be too critical of what this team have done and Jurgen Klopp - it was one of those mad results that happen - but I think you go back to the first game [a 4-3 win over Leeds], conceding goals.

"They started conceding goals at the restart at the end of last season - we put that down to having already won the championship so I just think in the next couple of weeks we come back to the Merseyside derby.

“Big game, Everton top of the league and I think you can really look at that and ask is it a freak or more of a trend that's been happening over the last 10 to 15 games.”

Fulham manager Scott Parker has showered encomium on Ademola Lookman after his standout performance in their 1-0 loss against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Sunday’s Premier League game.

The 22-year-old teamed up with the Cottagers in September on loan from Bundesliga club RB Leipzig and was afforded his second appearance at Molineux Stadium.

The forward made an impressive cameo appearance for his new club after replacing Ivan Cavaleiro, although his effort was not enough to help his side avoid defeat as Pedro Neto’s 65th-minute effort denied them a share of the points.

Parker is confident in the ability of the Nigerian winger and believes he will be a good addition to his side in the 2020-21 campaign.

“Ademola looked another level up. He has big quality, but we knew that at the start of the window,” Parker told the club website.

“He was the main one I wanted in. I was calling for him and you’ve seen in such a short space of time at Brentford and now today - he has the unbelievable quality and he’ll be a big plus for us this year.”

Parker also expressed his displeasure with French-born Senegalese forward Aboubakar Kamara, who missed a glorious opportunity to equalize for his side against Wolves.

“We have a massive chance with Kamara which probably needs to go in and then from there a draw is a fair result,” he added.

Lookman started his professional career with Waterloo before joining Charlton Athletic, where he made more than 45 league appearances.

The forward teamed up with Everton in 2017 but struggled to establish himself at the Premier League side during his two-year stay.

Lookman then moved to Germany, joining RB Leipzig on loan before he permanently signed for the club in the summer of 2019.

The forward has previously represented England at U19, U20 and U21 levels but has now switched his allegiance to Nigeria, where his parents hail from. 

Lookman will hope to continue his fine performances for Fulham to boost his chances of receiving a call-up to the Super Eagles.

Reims played to a 2-2 draw with Rennes in Sunday’s French elite division clash with Morocco’s Yunis Abdelhamid and Senegal senior national team invitee Boulaye Dia finding the net.

Heading to the Roazhon Park, the Red and Whites were outstanding underdogs having lost their last four league encounters, however, they picked up a point against the current league leaders.

They took the initiative against Julien Stephan’s men in the 11th minute courtesy of Abdelhamid’s strike. He headed home a well-taken corner kick from Arber Zeneli.

Nevertheless, the lead did not last long as the hosts levelled matters through Raphinha in the 24th minute. The Brazilian midfielder slotted the ball past goalkeeper Predrag Rajkovic to complete a one-two move with Guinea prospect Serhou Guirassy.

Having erased their deficit, Rennes played with more confidence and made some fine attacking moves. That paid off in the 37th minute as Damien Da Silva put them ahead for the first time through a header.

The hosts could have sealed the win comfortably but missed clear cut chances, which was their major undoing. Guirassy, Eduardo Camavinga and on loan AS Roma star Steven Nzonzi missed begging chances.

In the 66th minute, Dia ensured the game ended on a no winner, no vanquished note after capitalising on a defensive mishap from Rennes.

Jean-Pierre Caillot’s men held their nerves to deny the hosts a chance of securing a late win.

While captain Abdelhamid featured from start to finish alongside Zimbabwe’s Marshall Munetsi, Dia was replaced eight minutes to full time by Kaj Sierhuis.

Cote d'Ivoire's Ghislain Konan, Cameroon's Tristan Dingome, Guinea Bissau's Moreto Cassama and Senegal's Dialy N'Diaye played no part in the encounter.

For Rennes, Morocco's Nayef Aguerd and Mali's Hamari Traore saw every minute of the action with M'Baye Niang and DR Congo's Pepe Bonet not considered for selection.

Even with this result, Rennais remain at the summit of the French top-flight with 14 points from six games, while Reims are just one point above Dijon who sit at the base of the log.

Born in Oyonnax, France to Senegalese parents, 23-year-old Dia was handed his maiden Teranga Lions call-up for October friendlies against Morocco and Mauritania.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) president Nick Mwendwa and Sam Nwamweya have mourned the death of former Harambee Starlets goalkeeper Rosemary Kadondi.

Although he did not reveal the cause of Kadondi’s death, Mwendwa stated the former kit manager passed away on Sunday.

“A sad day for football, we have lost former Starlets goalkeeper and current kit manager Rosemary Kadondi 'Mara',” Nick Mwendwa, who is seeking a second term in office, tweeted.

“I wish her family, friends and the Starlets solace during this time of mourning. May her soul rest in eternal peace.”

Nyamweya, Mwendwa’s predecessor, described Kadondi as a veteran Harambee Starlet adding her death had robbed the country of a gem.

“I have learnt with deep sorrow and grief the demise of Rosemary Aluoch Kadondi, famously known as Mara, who reportedly passed on after a short illness,” the former FKF president said in a statement obtained by Goal.

“Mara was a veteran Kenyan national women's football team goalkeeper who rose to become one of the finest female football coaches and team manager of her generation.

“Following her death, the football fraternity has been robbed of a gem of a leader and manager of the female game at a time the country needed her services and experience the most.”

Nyamweya also revealed how personal the loss is, given that he worked with Kadondi when he was the president of the local FA.

“It is a personal loss to me, having been in charge of Football Kenya Federation when it gave the chance to Mara and others for them to ascend to team management after their many years of service to women's football as players,” he added.

“Indeed, it is very painful yet the loss is one that we must all accept because God gave us Mara and has taken her from among us at his appointed time by way of death.

“May the almighty God strengthen her immediate family, the Harambee Starlets family and the larger football fraternity and the Kenyan nation as a whole.

“Her name shall forever be etched in women's football history books in Kenya.”

Kadondi’s demise comes two days after the country lost Mohammed Omar who passed away on Friday morning in Mombasa.

Omar was a well-known FKF official from Mombasa, having served the region for close to a decade and was also a Confederation of African Football (Caf) Match Commissioner.

Philippe Coutinho is determined to “achieve big things” at Barcelona after being offered a clean slate at Camp Nou.

The Brazil international appeared destined to be heading for a future away from Catalunya after being sent out on loan to Bayern Munich in 2019-20.

Having failed to find a spark on the back of a big-money move from Liverpool, the South American playmaker slipped out of sight and mind.

Various landing spots were mooted for him, with Bayern opting against seeking a permanent deal of their own, and the current transfer window was expected to see another agreement pushed through.

Barca were, however, to find themselves backed into a corner that required big decisions to be made on their part.

Ronald Koeman was drafted in as the club’s new coach, and the Dutchman has brought outcasts back in from the cold while making bold calls to part with established stars such as Luis Suarez.

Fresh starts have worked in Coutinho’s favour, with the 28-year-old making the most of his second chance to catch the eye in pre-season and open the 2020-21 campaign with a goal and two assists through three appearances.

Confidence has returned to his game, with the Brazilian telling reporters after finding the target in a 1-1 draw with Sevilla: “I've got a lot of hunger to work and achieve big things.

“It was a tough and difficult game [but] we knew that already. It ended up being like that.

“We've got a point and now we're going into the international break. When we return, it's about continuing to work.”

Barcelona dropped points for the first time this season when being held by Sevilla, but they have offered cause for optimism through their early outings and Coutinho is confident that they can kick on when returning to action on October 18 against Getafe.

He added: “We've had a difficult first three games, but we're just getting started.

“We're used to this and we'll keep working.

“Sevilla played very well. There were a lot of Sevilla players in the centre of midfield and that's why we struggled a bit. We have to correct that.”

Marcus Rashford said there is "no hiding" and promised Manchester United "will do better" in an emotional apology to the club's fans in the wake of the 6-1 hiding against Tottenham.

Jose Mourinho enjoyed a day to remember on his return to Old Trafford as Harry Kane and Son Heung-min both scored twice in a rout that represented United's joint-worst defeat in a home Premier League game.

Tanguy Ndombele and Serge Aurier also got on the scoresheet for the visitors, with Bruno Fernandes' second-minute penalty ultimately proving to be nothing more than a false dawn for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side.

Anthony Martial was controversially sent off with Spurs 2-1 up, with Erik Lamela perhaps fortunate to escape punishment having seemingly swung an elbow at the forward that drew a retaliatory raising of the hand to the winger's throat.

But the dismissal was no excuse for United's abject defending throughout and Solskjaer said the defeat showed "the worst you can get" from the Red Devils.

"It's a horrible feeling, the worst day I've had as a Manchester United manager and player," the Norwegian boss told BBC Radio 5 Live post-match.

"We can't accept performances like this. I hold my hands up, I'm in charge and I'm responsible for this."

United forward Rashford took to social media to say sorry to the club's global fan base and said it was important he fronted up after a demoralising loss for the club.

"First and foremost I'm a United fan," Rashford wrote on Twitter. 

"This is my club. I'm so proud to wear this shirt but there are no excuses, it's just not good enough and to every single fan around the world that tuned in today, I'm just so sorry.

"You deserve so much better than that. I would have stayed away from social media tonight but you deserve to hear from me during the highs and the lows, there is no hiding.

"I feel horrible but I promise you we will do better."

The international break will give the Red Devils the chance to reflect on a painful result against a top-four rival before preparations begin for a crucial away clash against Newcastle on October 17.

Solskjaer's men are 16th in the Premier League standings after losing two of their opening three fixtures, with nine points already separating them and early pace-setters Everton, who have played a game more.

Graeme Souness blamed Liverpool's poor performance against Aston Villa in part on the grass, insisting all top sides want to play on a "fast pitch".

Liverpool were handed their first defeat of the 2020-21 campaign at Villa Park on Sunday.

Villa ran out 7-2 winners against the reigning Premier League champions, who looked way below their best and a shadow of the team that won the title by 18 points last season.

Ollie Watkins hit a superb hat-trick for the hosts, while Jack Grealish grabbed a brace and John McGinn and Chelsea loanee Ross Barkley also got in on the act.

The Reds' two consolation goals came from Mohamed Salah on a night which saw them outplayed in almost every department, with worrying defensive flaws exposed ruthlessly by Dean Smith's men.

However, Souness suggested Liverpool were struggling to play their normal game due to the state of the pitch after seeing his old club head in at the interval 4-1 down.

The Anfield legend told Sky Sports: "What I would say, Villa, and it's the same for both teams, I think they've left the grass longer than normal to slow Liverpool's movement.

"I did say it's the same for both teams but all the top teams want short grass, fast pitch.

"That doesn't look like a fast pitch to me tonight."

Klopp was in no mood to offer any excuses for his side's display though, as he played down the significance of Alisson and Sadio Mane's absence post-match.

"There is no need for one excuse, absolutely not," he said. "Whatever team we could have lined up tonight, I wouldn’t expect to lose 7-2, to be honest – 100 per cent.

"It’s not necessary, it’s absolutely not necessary. I said it in the beginning and it’s true, Aston Villa did really, really well, but we helped as well."

Liverpool will now look ahead to a crucial Merseyside derby meeting with league leaders Everton on October 17.

The Toffees now hold a three-point advantage over their arch-rivals at the top of the table, and the Reds can ill-afford to lose more ground when they make the short trip to Goodison Park after the international break.

Harry Kane would be a Manchester United player if the Red Devils were still in a position to attract “the best players in the world” onto their books, says former Tottenham boss Tim Sherwood.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has spent much of the summer chasing down additions that he believes would raise collective standards at Old Trafford.

Landing top targets has proved tricky, though, with a long-running saga involving Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho delivering no end result as the deadline looms.

United have also faced calls to bolster their ranks in defence and up front, but creative midfielder Donny van de Beek remains their only signing as things stand.

Fresh faces may be secured before the latest window closes, with former Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani said to have an agreement in place, but the Red Devils are scratching around for deals.

That was not the case when Sir Alex Ferguson made them a dominant force in English and European football, with Spurs star Kane the kind of player that he would have had his eye on.

Sherwood believes the England captain would have been lured to Manchester in days gone by, but United have slipped so far off the pace – as shown by their 6-1 humbling at the hands of Tottenham on Sunday – that they are no longer able to snap up players of that profile.

“We’ve listened to Man United fans, and quite rightly so, saying they need signings and they need this player and that player,” former Spurs player and coach Sherwood told Premier League Productions.  

“You don’t need any players to beat Tottenham. You don’t need any players to beat Crystal Palace. You don’t need any players to beat Brighton. 

“But, you need a team that has an idea, and an identity of how to play in possession and out of possession. 

“At the moment, they’re relying on world-class players – which they have in abundance – like last week at Brighton with [Marcus] Rashford breaking away and scoring that magnificent goal. 

“You need a plan. Against evenly-matched teams like Tottenham, you need a plan. 

“Yes, everyone wants them to go and make signings, Man United fans want them to sign the best players in the world. 

“They’re not in that market anymore, because that No.10 for Tottenham – if United were in that market, he’d be wearing a Man United shirt. 

“Harry Kane would be wearing a Man United shirt if they were in that market anymore, unfortunately, they’re not there. They’re not at that table anymore. 

“They need to get the best out of what they’ve got, and they’re not making the best out of it.”

Scott McTominay has insisted everyone in the Manchester United dressing room is "very hurt" and that "something will be done" after their thrashing at the hands of Tottenham.

United were beaten 6-1 by Spurs at Old Trafford on Sunday , and now find themselves down in 16th in the Premier League table heading into the international break.

The Red Devils opened their latest campaign with a 3-1 defeat against Crystal Palace before stealing an undeserved victory at Brighton, and produced another poor performance against Jose Mourinho's team.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer saw his side take the lead via a Bruno Fernandes penalty with just two minutes on the clock, but Tanguy Ndombele equalised moments later after capitalising on poor defending from Harry Maguire and Luke Shaw.

Heung-min Son gave the visitors the lead in the seventh minute, producing an expert finish after a quick free-kick from Harry Kane, and United's hopes of a comeback were dashed when Anthony Martial was sent off following an exchange with Eric Lamela just before the half-hour mark.

Spurs made their numerical advantage count instantly, with Kane getting his name on the scoresheet after being teed up by Son, who then added his second to give Mourinho's men a 4-1 advantage at the break.

A Serge Aurier strike and a Kane penalty rounded off an emphatic victory for the north Londoners in the second half, with United left to contemplate a shocking display which leaves them playing catch-up in the league table once again.

McTominay offered an insight into the downbeat mood among the squad in the aftermath of the defeat, while promising that changes will be made before the Red Devils return to action after the international break.

“You get these shock results that come around, hopefully never again in your career," the Scottish midfielder told MUTV . "Everybody in that dressing room I can assure you is very, very hurt and we know it’s not about speaking to people and listening to what other people say. It’s about focusing on ourselves.

"This football club is absolutely massive and for us to play and perform like that is nowhere near good enough. Believe me, something will be done about that when we get back.

"Everyone will be firmly focused on what we have to do going into the remaining part of the first stage of the season.”

McTominay added on how he will personally deal with the heaviest loss of his career to date: “We have to be so dialled into everything we do. The Premier League is so strong now, you see that, and for us, a result like that it hurts massively.

"That’s the first time I’ve been on the end of a result like that and believe me, inside, it’s the worst feeling I’ve ever had. That’s football. 

"You have to accept it, you have to move on, keep your chest up and don’t duck out the way of responsibility on the pitch. You have to take the responsibility front on and try and move forward.”

Harambee Stars' training has been pushed from morning to the evening after the Sports Ministry requested Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to sort out “a few stuff.”

According to FKF President Nick Mwendwa, the team which reported to camp on Sunday and all the players were tested for Covid-19, will now start training on Monday at 4 pm ahead of their friendly against Zambia on October 10.

“We had planned to start training on Monday morning and my players were also ready to go to training but the Ministry of Sports has requested us to wait before we start training,” Mwendwa told Goal on Monday.

“The Sports Permanent Secretary has told us that they are trying to work out a few things with the Ministry of Health before they can allow us to use Kasarani Stadium for training and probably for the match.

“We have now postponed the morning training session and we will start training in the evening at 4 pm, we hope they will have sorted their issues by then and they can give us the green light to go ahead with training in readiness for the friendly.”

On Sunday, Mwendwa told Goal they were ready for the friendly after testing local-based players for Covid-19 though the Ministry of Sports was yet to clear the same to be played.

“We have all the local-based players named by the coach already in camp and they have all undergone Covid-19 tests,” Mwendwa told Goal. “We want to start training tomorrow [Monday] at Kasarani but we have not heard from the Ministry yet on the way forward.

“I only got a call from an official from Kasarani who told me he will give us a letter allowing the team to use the venue for training but we have not received any response yet as far as our request to the Ministry of Sports in regards to the build-up is concerned.

“We don’t know why the government is taking long to give us a go-ahead and they are the ones who said international assignments will be given first priority, we have done our part, we wrote to them as they requested but now the time is running out.

“I will make sure the team starts training on Monday as planned at Kasarani, we don’t have time to waste as we only have a month remaining before we play the Afcon match against Comoros.”

Kenya started their campaign for the 2021 Afcon, to be held in Cameroon, with an impressive 1-1 draw away to Egypt. They followed it up with another draw, by the same margin, in Nairobi against Togo.

In Group G, Comoros, who started their campaign with a 1-0 win against Togo before settling for a goalless draw against the Pharaohs, lead with four points.

Final Squad; Goalkeepers; Ian Otieno (Zesco United, Zambia), and Timothy Odhiambo (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).

Defenders: Brian Mandela (Unattached), Johnstone Omurwa (Wazito, Kenya), Joash Onyango (Simba, Tanzania), Joseph Okumu (Elfsborg, Sweden), Clarke Oduor (Barnsley, England), David Owino (Mathare United, Kenya), Philemon Otieno (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Badi Baraka (KCB, Kenya).

Midfielders: Kenneth Muguna (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Francis Kahata (Simba, Tanzania), Eric Johanna (Jonkoping’s Sodra IF, Sweden), Cliff Nyakeya (Masr FC, Egypt), Antony Akumu (Kaiser Chief, South Africa), Hassan Abdallah (Bandari FC, Kenya), Lawrence Juma (Gor Mahia, Kenya), Katana Mohamed (Isloch, Belarus), Austin Otieno (AFC Leopards, Kenya).

Forwards: Elvis Rupia (AFC Leopards, Kenya), Masud Juma (JS Kabylie, Algeria), Timothy Otieno (NAPSA Stars, Zambia), Oscar Wamalwa (Ulinzi Stars, Kenya).

Simba SC coach Sven Vandenbroeck has called on referees in the Mainland Premier League to protect his players from unnecessary injuries after their 4-0 win against JKT Tanzania on Sunday.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi registered their third straight win, their fourth league win from five matches at Jamhuri Stadium in Dodoma after they managed to pump in four goals past the law enforcers in the one-sided battle.

However, the Belgian tactician was not a happy man at the end of the match as he accused JKT Tanzania's players of using force and hard tackles which he said could have injured his players.

“We have to protect some offensive players and not to allow them to be hit and be kicked around, football is enjoyable and not to play with the intention to injure your opponent,” Vandenbroeck told reporters after the match.

“But I am very happy with how we played today [Sunday] and also very happy that we managed to keep another clean sheet, it was the best result for us for a very long time at the difficult pitch and I am happy for my players they did the job convincingly.”

Meanwhile, JKT Tanzania coach Mohammed Abdallah conceded defeat saying Simba were stronger than his side.

“It was our own mistake which allowed us to lose, we did not deserve anything from this match, we committed some mistakes and you know you cannot play like this against the champions, if you commit a mistake they will punish you and that is what they did,” Abdallah told reporters.

“We also conceded very early in the match, two quick goals in the first 10 minutes, and it was a free header, we allowed their striker to roam alone inside the box to score, it is our own mistake and we must work on them before our next league match.”

During the match, Meddie Kagere, Chrispine Mugalu, and Luis Miquissone scored to ensure Simba maintained their winning run in the top-flight.

Kagere just took three minutes to score his third league goal of the season as he made another start in the absence of John Bocco while Mugalu, who has also been another source of goals for Simba since getting regular playtime, scored the second for the champions three minutes later.

Just five minutes before the half-time whistle, Kagere returned and marked his name on the scoresheet once more as he earned a brace before Luis Miquissone found the back of the net with a long-range strike launched from the right-wing in the 54th minute for the fourth goal. 

Simba will now focus on the next match against Tanzania Prisons while JKT will entertain Ruvu Shooting on October 10.

English defender Peter Hartley is excited to make his debut in the Indian Super League (ISL) in the upcoming 2020-21 season with Jamshedpur FC. 

The former Sunderland player was all praises for his new teammates as well as the coach Owen Coyle as he suggested that he is really looking forward to joining the team.

“Nerijus Valskis’ record speaks for itself,” the English defender told Goal. "He won the Golden Boot last season. Then there is Alex Lima. I don’t know him personally but our manager speaks very highly of him. Obviously (Stephen) Eze, my centre-half partner, he comes with a good pedigree. He is an international footballer.

“We also have really fantastic Indian boys. I am really looking forward to meeting the whole team and training really hard. We got to be together and help each other in difficult situations. Also working with a manager like Owen Coyle, he is very positive. He has ambition. I am really looking forward to working together as a team. It is going to be a really exciting season.”

Hartley mentioned that he is already in touch with central defence partner and Nigerian defender Stephen Eze. He also explained why he believes that their partnership at the heart of the Jamshedpur FC defence would do well this season.

“It is something I have done all my career with regards to reaching out to players. I also contacted the other players before Stephen’s signing. So when he was announced, I reached out directly and sent a message to welcome him.

“I told him that I am really looking forward to playing with him and partnering him in defence. I am really excited to play with him because he is very tall and physical and my attributes are communication. I am very good at being proactive and anticipating where danger will be. I really think together as a partnership we could complement each other,” said the central defender.

The former Motherwell FC skipper suggested that playing in a shorter league like ISL is extremely challenging as there are no margins for errors and he is looking forward to it. 

“My impression of the league is that it is very challenging. In England or Scotland, there are 50, 60 games and can have spells where you may lose two or three games in a row and you can always make up for those points further down the line.

"I like the challenge of ISL where it is such a tight league and where every game is like a cup final. You need the points to be among the top four teams and then in the final. You need to fight for your life in every single game for the wins.

“You need to be organised, you need to be adaptable to different types of teams. There are also so many different players from so many countries and also the young Indian players. I am looking forward to working with the young Indian talent and help them grow,” said the Englishman.

Most footballers and coaches in the ISL have stated in the past that playing football amidst the pandemic in an empty stadium often affects the players’ mentality on the pitch.

Hartley reiterated a similar sentiment and suggested that the players need to prepare themselves well to overcome the challenges and have to remain focused on their goal.

“Of course, it is definitely going to affect the players mentally because there are moments in games when you might be losing 1-0 with 10 minutes to go and you are at home with your fans pushing you to get an equaliser and to go ahead and win the game,” said the Jamshedpur footballer.

“It can draw that little bit of excitement and adrenalin from you as a player but that is where we have got to come in as individuals. That is same for every single team. We just have to make sure that we are fully prepared before going into games. We know that there will be a lot of fans watching us in India and across the world. Hopefully, we can make the Jamshedpur FC fans proud.

“It will be a difficult challenge, not playing with fans, something I have never experienced. But ultimately there is an end goal which is to get into the play-offs and be successful. That is the only thing in my mind now.”

Indian goalkeeper Dheeraj Singh had travelled to Scotland back in 2018 after he had got a trial stint with Motherwell FC. He had trained with the club for two and a half months and had an opportunity to be a part of their first-team training.

Hartley recollected his meeting with the young Indian goalkeeper and suggested that he was extremely impressed by Singh’s dedication and quality.

“Yes, I had managed to meet him (Dheeraj Singh). I sat with him at the club canteen. We didn’t speak much about Indian football. He came over just once I believe. I remember seeing him a couple of times in training. He is a really nice boy and a good goalkeeper.

“I don’t know the situation why he didn’t stay. He was really enthusiastic, he worked really hard in training and he was very dedicated. He looked like he had a bright future. Ultimately it’s the manager’s decision and I don’t know the situation why he left the club,” said Hartley. 

Rahul KP played eight games and scored one goal for Kerala Blasters last season under Dutch coach Eelco Schattorie.

Although he was succeeded by Kibu Vicuna in the summer after the team finished seventh on the table, there were positives to take away for the Malayali winger. 

"Every coach has a different philosophy and style of play, although the basics of football are the same everywhere," Rahul told Goal. 

"From the very start, Eelco has always motivated me and pushed to bring out the best in myself on the field. I have learnt a lot from him during training and also through one-on-one sessions on how to improve my game and contribute in the best way for the team. I truly enjoyed my time under Eelco and wish him the very best in all his endeavours."

Rahul has earned a name for himself for being one of the quickest players in the Kerala Blasters squad. His former teammate Mohammed Rafi had said, "I have never seen a better speedster than him (Rahul KP). He is so fast. If he trains and is used well, he can be a really good player."

While acknowledging pace as one of his strengths, Rahul also wants to improve his finishing in front of goal. 

"I’m humbled by the words of Mohammed Rafi and truly appreciate the gesture. We used to race on the training pitch. He kept motivating me to make the best use of my strengths. 

"Speed has always been my biggest advantage and I have been blessed to be able to build on the same. I used to be an athlete when I was young and participate in sprints and relays. However, to be a better player, I need to understand the game in a more tactical way, to be able to control the game.

"I wish to be the best, uplift my game and style of play to be different and noticed on the field. I will do my part to work on my strengths and weaknesses, e.g. speed is my strength, but I need to improve my finishing too. I believe that a lot more game time and experience will teach me more and help me achieve my goals," he concluded. 

FIFA's technical development division has expressed its sincere appreciation of the work done by the All India Football Federation (AIFF) during the Coronavirus pandemic. 

As a token of gratitude, the global governing body of sport has sent football equipment to the Indian FA which can be distributed free of charge. 

In a letter dated September 29, 2020, Steven Martens, the technical director at FIFA, wrote:

We are grateful for the commitment, hard work and creativity that the All India Football Federation is demonstrating as we pivot and adjust to our new reality. Now is the time for us to come together as a team.

The Indian FA has been working behind the scenes tirelessly to ensure the smooth functioning of its football leagues and the development of the sport in all the states. Last month, in a virtual meeting with representatives of all the state associations, AIFF president Praful Patel had announced a major financial relief package.

The Indian FA has sanctioned an amount of INR 3 crores as COVID solidarity fund for the state organisations so that they can conduct the scheduled leagues and tournaments without facing any cash crunch.

The AIFF also decided to waive off the CRS (Centralised Registration System) fees for all players – forgoing amounts to the tune of INR 1.32 crores and INR 34.5 lakhs which they would have received as Academy Accreditation fee for the 2020-21 season. 

Addressing all the representatives of the state associations, the AIFF president said, “I understand that the Covid-19 pandemic has made life difficult for all of us, not just for football but for all issues regarding our livelihood The sport has been very badly affected worldwide, and matches are being played behind closed doors."

The Indian football season is set to kick off with the I-League qualifiers from October 8 in West Bengal, the first sporting action in the country after the pandemic. 

Sky Sports were forced to apologise after Graeme Souness used a racial stereotype to criticise Tottenham attacker Erik Lamela.

Against Manchester United on Sunday, the Argentine was involved in a scrap with Anthony Martial and went down dramatically after the Frenchman touched his face. 

Martial was ultimately sent off for the incident with Spurs going on to win the match at Old Trafford 6-1. 

Souness was left livid by the Lamela's theatrics and ended up making a racist stereotype during a long-winded rant. 

"If Martial is going then Lamela has to go," he said on Sky Sports. "He raises his hands, Martial lashes out, it's like a tickle across your chops and he's gone down.

"It is pathetic. It's very Latin. If one goes, both have to go. It's pathetic. Is this what the English game is about? We, the Brits, do it differently. I've played in a Latin country, I've worked in Latin countries, I know how they see the game.

"Lamela will sleep well tonight thinking he has done a great piece of work for his team. That is not us."

Not long after Souness' comments, Sky Sports presenter Dave Jones chimed in with an apology as the broadcaster looked to avoid controversy. 

"Now I have to say before we go, earlier in the show we were critical of Erik Lamela's part in Anthony Martial's sending off in the Manchester United Spurs game," Jones said.

"We'd like to apologise for any offence that was caused and the stereotyping of the Latin culture."

While Souness took his criticism of Lamela too far, his actions also left Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer quite frustrated. 

"The red is no excuse.The boy might be having an operation on his throat though!," Solskjaer said. "It is a bad reaction from Anthony. But if that was one of my players I'd hang him out to dry going down like that. He shouldn't react like that."

Martial's sending off would prove decisive with Spurs going on to score five goals in his absence when scores were locked at 1-1 prior to his dismissal. 

The result leaves United sitting 16th in the Premier League with one win and two losses from their first three games. 

Malaysia Premier League side Kuching have produced a stunning achievement in their debut season; securing qualification to the Malaysia Cup.

Their 2-1 matchday 10 win over JDT II at home on Sunday only confirmed that they will finish the league campaign no lower than the eighth spot, but it was good enough to place them in the top five of non-reserve team outfits in the standings, and a place in the post-season competition.

It was a stupendous achievement that was won on the back of a sterling run by the East Malaysia side. Before the Covid-19 lockdown, they had recorded only three defeats and one draw. Just before the league resumed in late August, pandemic concerns hampered their preparations and ability to schedule friendly matches, leading to two more league defeats later.

But the Cats recovered soon, producing back to back wins against Sarawak United (2-1), Kelantan (2-0), Negeri Sembilan (4-2), and most recently JDT II, which was sufficient to secure them a Malaysia Cup spot in the truncated league season.

After their Sunday win, a jubilant Kuching assistant head coach Nurfaizal Patrick Abdullah spoke of the recipe for their achievement.

"I am so proud. Thanks to the players who worked hard and stayed disciplined in defending and attacking. Even after JDT II equalised, our players kept their heads up to keep attacking, before Yuta Suzuki found the winning goal soon after.

"Kuching FA are a team that work together from the management to the squad, and we constantly advise each other,. Every coach dreams of such an achievement, especially for league newcomers such as us, and we could only do it working together as a family. The management, staff and squad have all played a part in this success.

"We've gone up against big names such as Negeri Sembilan and JDT. The only we way we could have done this is by working hard; if other teams train twice, then we have to train three times, just as an example. And football is a physical and emotional game; we've succeeded by managing these two aspects," said the trainer of the club that will be known as Kuching City FC next season.