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Ghana international Abdul Rahman Baba has revealed the reason he settled to play for EFL Championship side Reading on loan from Chelsea.

The 27-year-old left-back will feature for the Royals at Madejski Stadium for the entire 2021-22 campaign after Chelsea extended his contract but decided to loan him out, his fifth loan deal away from Stamford Bridge.

Baba, who will play alongside Ghanaian compatriot and international colleague Andy Yiadom at Reading, has come out to explain how Royal’s manager Veljko Paunovic played a big part in bringing him to the Championship.

“I’m very happy to finally be here,” said Baba told the club’s official website during his first interview. “There has been a bit of back and forth, but I’m excited to be here now

“My agent mentioned the interest to me; I know Reading from over the years, and it’s a big club with a great history. So I was delighted.

“This league is really competitive. When I spoke with the manager about the project that is coming on, I was really interested. That’s the main reason why I’m here.

“When he mentioned the project and the targets of the club, I was really happy. That was a big interest for me straight away.

“As I see on TV, this is a physical league! I am really hoping to get going really quickly. And I would like this club to push for promotion, to try to get to where it belongs.”

In a recent interview, Paunovic revealed why he moved to sign by Baba by stating: “It is no secret that recruiting an experienced left-back was a priority for us this summer, so I am delighted that we have managed to do this deal to bring Baba to Reading.

“He is a quick, strong, physical footballer who has a lot to offer to the club and the players around him. Baba was really keen to be part of our project and to test himself in this tough division and I am excited to see him playing for us.”

Baba was lined up to debut for the Royals on Saturday but he was missing in action as they suffered a 4-0 defeat against Huddersfield Town at John Smith’s Stadium.

After a gap of 12 years, Cristiano Ronaldo has returned to Manchester United leaving Serie A giants Juventus. The Red Devils made a bid to bring the 36-year-old back to Old Trafford, where he played between 2003 and 2009, for an initial £13 million (€15m/$18m) with add-ons of up to £7m (€8m/$9m). 

During his last stint at Man United, Ronaldo won three Premier Leagues, one FA Cup, two League Cups and a Champions League title. He also won a host of individual awards namely the Ballon D'Or and the FIFA World Player of the Year award.

Now with Ronaldo in their ranks, Manchester United will hope to end their city rivals Manchester City's dominance in the Premier League in recent times. Since former FC Barcelona manager Pep Guardiola joined them, the Cityzens have won three Premier League titles in the last five seasons, four League Cups and one FA Cup.

Being a Real Madrid player from 2009 to 2017, Ronaldo has a long history of facing Pep Guardiola who used to coach Madrid's fierce rivals FC Barcelona from 2008 to 2012. The Portuguese talisman faced the Spanish mastermind on several occasions in Spain and also met him twice in the Champions League when Guardiola managed Bayern Munich.

In fact, the very first time Ronaldo and Guardiola came face-to-face was in Ronaldo's last match in his first stint at Manchester United. The English giants had faced Guardiola's Barcelona in the final of the 2008/09 Champions League and lost 0-2.

One of the best players in the world, Ronaldo has an incredible record against almost any opposition he has faced in his long career, but when it comes to facing Guardiola, the star player does not enjoy a great record. So far in his career, Ronaldo has faced a Guardiola on 16 occasions and has managed to win just four times and has lost on eight occasions. In those 16 matches, he has managed to score seven times.

The two Manchester rivals are set to meet each other for the first time in the ongoing 2021/22 season on November 6 at the Old Trafford and Ronaldo will look to better his record against Pep Guardiola.

Real Madrid star Dani Carvajal is hopeful that he will be able to welcome Kylian Mbappe to the club before the summer transfer window closes. 

Los Blancos squeezed past Betis on Saturday with the help of a Carvajal volley to bounce back from their 3-3 draw against Levante last weekend.

And their chances of regaining the Primera Division might improve further should they succeed in landing the Paris Saint-Germain forward in the coming days.

What was said? 

"Hopefully Mbappe can join us before the window closes, he's a great player and would be some reinforcement," the right-back explained after the final whistle. 

As well as Carvajal, Madrid director Emilio Butragueno and coach Carlo Ancelotti also spoke out on the Mbappe situation, although both men preferred not to directly address the pursuit. 

"We understand that the fans are expectant, all the media are talking about it, but we have nothing to say," Butragueno stated. 

Ancelotti added: "Let's talk about the game, the rest is an issue for the club."

The bigger picture

While Mbappe is a long-term transfer target for Madrid, the Spanish giants have stepped up their pursuit since Lionel Messi completed his blockbuster move to PSG. 

Goal understands that the club have tabled a €170 million (£146m/$200m) bid for the forward, a tempting figure for his current employers given that he is out of contract next June. 

The departure of Alvaro Odriozola on loan to Fiorentina has freed up squad space for his potential arrival, while Eden Hazard has also been put up for sale in order to fund the hefty transfer fee. 

PSG boss Mauricio Pochettino, though, continues to harbour hope that his star striker will stay and form a scintillating partnership with Neymar and Messi. 

"He hasn't told me anything about wanting to leave PSG," the Argentine told reporters when quizzed on Mbappe's future, while assuring that he was in line to play in Sunday's Ligue 1 clash with Reims. 

Further reading 

Borussia Dortmund are interested in signing Chelsea's Callum Hudson-Odoi on loan - but the Blues are currently refusing to let the England international head through the exit door, Goal understands.

The winger, a thrice-capped Three Lions starlet, has struggled to nail down a starting spot under Thomas Tuchel, having previously impressed under predecessor Frank Lampard.

It had appeared that the 20-year-old was set to remain at Stamford Bridge across the 2021-22 campaign, but now a spate of new suitors have emerged for his signature as the transfer window deadline looms.

What has happened?

Though no formal approach has been made, Bundesliga heavyweights Dortmund are the latest major European side to show an overt interest in bringing Hudson-Odoi into their ranks.

Marco Rose's side are thought to be at the top of a list of potential suitors vying to turn the winger's head as the final few days of the summer window tick down.

But any bid is likely to be met with fierce resistance, with Tuchel of the opinion that he should stay in west London with the Blues.

Hudson-Odoi snubs Young Lions call

Tuchel has been left further bemused by - though respectful of - the decision by the 20-year-old to refuse the call to represent England's under-21 side during the international break.

Having won his last cap for the senior side in 2019, Hudson-Odoi has been passed over again by Gareth Southgate for September's Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers. 

Just how the choice to pull out of Lee Carsley's plans will alter his relationship with the Three Lions set-up remains to be seen, though there are fears that it could strain his future.

The bigger picture

Chelsea's determination to keep Hudson-Odoi suggests their belief that he has a key part to play as they go in search of further silverware under Tuchel this term.

Having already claimed the Super Cup in a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Villarreal, the Blues will be focused on domestic and European concerns - plus the Club World Cup - over the 2021-22 campaign.

They have made few purchases across the summer, with Romelu Lukaku the headline new recruit, with the lack of activity volume speaking to their satisfaction with players such as Hudson-Odoi already in their ranks.

Further reading

Fatih Karagumruk’s impressive start in the 2021-22 Turkish Super Lig season came to an end following a 1-0 defeat to Besiktas on Saturday night.

Parading Nigeria’s Ahmed Musa and Morocco’s Medhi Benatia, the Black Red were unable to overcome Sergen Yalcin’s men - who played with ten men for majority of the second half.

Both teams came into the game having settled for 0-0 draws their last time out. For Karagumruk, they travelled to Istanbul’s Vodafone Park – hoping to extend their unbeaten run.

However, it was the hosts who imposed their authority from the blast of referee Cuneyt Cakir’s whistle.

Their tenacity paid off on the half hour mark courtesy of new signing Alex Teixeira. The 31-year-old Brazilian fired an unstoppable shot past goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano from outside the goal area.

Fuelled by their lead, Besiktas probed further in search of their second goal but they bungled several scoring opportunities despite creating numerous chances.

Three minutes into the second half, their lead suffered a massive setback as Salih Ucan was given the marching orders for a second cautionable offence.

Playing with just ten men, manager Yalcin had to change tactics and opted for a more defensive play.

Even at that, the visiting side failed to get the equaliser in the remaining minutes of the match as the Black Eagles ran out will all three points at stake.

Super Eagles captain Musa and Morocco international Benatia were on parade from start to finish for Francesco Farioli’s team.

For Besiktas, Algeria international Rachid Ghezzal saw every minute of action while Congolese defender Fabrice Nsakala – who collapsed against Gaziantep FK – was not dressed for action by manager Yalcin.

With this defeat, Karagumruk dropped to tenth in the Turkish elite division log after accruing just four points in three games, while Besiktas occupy the summit with seven points from the same number games.

Musa is expected to join the rest of Gernot Rohr’s squad for September’s 2022 World Cup qualifiers as Nigeria try Liberia and Cape Verde for size.

Fatih Karagumruk would be aiming to bounce back to winning ways when they square up against Adana Demirspor on September 11.

Reece James has become the youngest Chelsea player after John Obi Mikel to see red in a Premier League encounter.

The England international was given the marching orders as the Blues settled for a 1-1 draw with Liverpool at Anfield Stadium.

A goalmouth scramble resulted in the right-back using his arm to keep out Sadio Mane’s effort.

Although referee Anthony Taylor missed the incident, he was instructed by the VAR to have a look at his pitchside monitor and review.

He did and showed James the way out while awarding a penalty to Jurgen Klopp’s men which was converted by Mohamed Salah after sending Edouard Mendy the wrong direction.

Not only did the Englishman (21y 263d) become the first Chelsea player to be sent off at Anfield in the EPL since Frank Lampard in 2009, he became the second youngest Blues player to be sent off.

Obi Mikel (20y 154d) is the club’s youngest player to see red against Manchester United in 2007.

Notwithstanding their numerical disadvantage, the Stamford Bridge giants picked up an away point to continue their unbeaten run in the 2021-22 campaign.

In his post-match reaction, manager Thomas Tuchel claimed that the combination of the conceding a goal and going down to 10 men was a tough pill to swallow.

“Double punishment is always super hard and it was a bit of a spoiler, but I think it’s the rule now if the referee says he denies a clear goal with his hand,” he told the club website.

“I don’t like these early red cards in general, not just when it’s us but when I’m watching on TV, because for me it spoils the game.

“Nobody wants to see that for 45 minutes; they want to see a high-level game.

“The situation itself, I can understand the decision and I’m not saying it’s a wrong decision, but I did not like the way the referee checked it.

“He checked only the image which showed the contact and then it was a clear decision.

“On the bench we saw also the whole movement and you saw it was a deflection at short distance, it comes off his hip to his arm, the arm is not in a super unnatural arm position.”

Chelsea take on Aston Villa in their next league game on September 11.

Bayern Munich midfielder Thomas Muller has admitted that he would have loved to have seen Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo play together across the final years of their career.

The Argentine and Portuguese have both made sport-shaking moves in recent weeks, with long-term Barcelona favourite Messi making the switch to Paris Saint-Germain, while Juventus star Ronaldo has sealed an already famous homecoming to Manchester United.

The prospect of the two playing alongside each other however did appear credible at one point following the former's move to Paris and amid talk the latter wished to leave Turin - and now Germany star Muller has stated that it would have only been a boon for the sport.

What has been said?

"If Kylian Mbappe is still going [from PSG], then I would have liked to see Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi play toegether," the 31-year-old told Sky Sports following his side's 5-0 win over Hertha BSC on Saturday.

"That would have been a very interesting combination, especially for me as a fan of the sport. You need players who are good on the ball and who are well off the ball.

"Cristiano has become a very strong final player. He doesn't need the ball that deep anymore. Messi and Neymar could have walked through midfield. That would have been interesting."

The bigger picture

Muller will avoid an immediate encounter with either Messi or Ronaldo when he returns from international duty with Germany, having been named to Hansi Flick's first squad for the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualifiers.

Bayern have been drawn in Group E of this season's Champions League, alongside Barcelona, Benfica and Dynamo Kyiv, while Messi and PSG will face Manchester City, RB Leipzig and Club Brugge.

Ronaldo and United meanwhile will face trips to Europa League holders Villarreal - who beat the Red Devils in last year's final - alongside Atalanta and Young Boys.

Further reading

Thomas Tuchel has revealed that N'Golo Kante's early exit against Liverpool on Saturday came due to the same ankle injury that kept him out of the Blues' previous Premier League clash with Arsenal.

The France midfielder started against the Reds but was replaced at half-time, following a chaotic first-half that saw the 10-men Blues hold on for a 1-1 draw at Anfield.

A challenge from Sadio Mane felled Kante, forcing an early exit, and now Tuchel has confirmed that he was removed after aggravating an existing knock.

What has been said?

"He is injured, he had to go out," the Tuchel explained in his post-match press conference. "He missed the Arsenal game because of pain in his ankle and a little bit of inflammation

"[It's] nothing serious because he was back in training and, as you could see, he started today. In winning the ball in this situation, the opponent fell on his ankle, [and] twisted it again.

"He immediately had the same pain as before the Arsenal game when he missed it. He was lacking the force to accelerate and we had to take him off.

"Can there be any harder challenges than going one man down, taking off N'Golo Kante at half time, and having Liverpool play towards the Kop? But we did excellently and we are super happy with what we did. We deserved the point."

The bigger picture

A standout for both club and country ever since he helped Les Bleus to the World Cup at Russia 2018, Kante has been a cornerstone of Chelsea's success in recent years, culminating in last term's Champions League triumph.

His injury threatens his inclusion in France's Qatar 2022 qualifiers next month, but it could also have longer-reaching consequences for the Blues as they prepare to defend their European crown.

Chelsea will face Aston Villa in the Premier League in a fortnight, before their continental campaign gets underway against Zenit.

Further reading

West Ham United have completed the signing of Chelsea and France defender Kurt Zouma, the Hammers confirmed on Saturday. 

Zouma, 26, was left out of the Blues' squad for the weekend clash against Liverpool as his move across London drew nearer. 

And he has now been confirmed as the Hammers' latest arrival after signing a four-year deal at the club, leaving the door open for more transfer activity back at Stamford Bridge. 

What was said? 

"West Ham United is delighted to announce the signing of France international Kurt Zouma until the summer of 2025," West Ham affirmed on their official website on Saturday.

"The 26-year-old central defender joins for an undisclosed fee from Chelsea, where he accumulated two Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions’ League winner's medal and one EFL Cup winner's medal during a seven-year career.

"A prodigious talent who boasts great pace, strength, technical proficiency and the experience of 165 Premier League and 27 top-level European appearances, Zouma further strengthens manager David Moyes’ top-of-the-table West Ham team ahead of their first-ever venture into the Europa League group stages."

Speaking to the Hammers' official website, Zouma said: “I’m very happy and very proud.

“My conversation with the manager went very fast. I just felt like he really wanted me to come and join the team, especially a good team that’s started the season very, very well.

“With the great season that West Ham had last year, that gave the team a lot of confidence to improve this year – and I want to help the team do that.”

Manager David Moyes added: “I am delighted to welcome Kurt to West Ham United. He is a player we have tracked for some time, and we have taken great care and diligence to make the transfer happen. He was always our first choice and I am very happy that he is now our player.

“Kurt will join a squad full of players who are hungry and ambitious. He will provide competition to our squad. He is a strong, powerful player with great experience in the Premier League while he is also at a good age for a centre-back."

The bigger picture

Zouma is West Ham's third major signing of the summer window, having previously captured Watford defender Craig Dawson and Paris Saint-Germain goalkeeper Alphonse Areola. 

He joins a team on the up, with the Hammers currently unbeaten in the Premier League and tied for first place after three games, having clinched sixth last season with 65 points - the club's best-ever haul since the competition changed its name in 1992-93. 

His exit, meanwhile, opens the door for Chelsea to continue their pursuit of Sevilla star Jules Kounde, who the club hope to land for a fee in the region of €60-€65m (£51m/$56m).

Further reading 

It will be hard for any team in the Premier League to defeat Chelsea this season, according to Inhulets Petrove star Stephen Gopey.

The Blues settled for a 1-1 draw in Saturday’s English elite division showing against Liverpool at Anfield Stadium.

They took a 22nd-minute lead through Kai Havertz, however, Jurgen Klopp’s men leveled matters courtesy of Mohammed Salah’s penalty following a handball by Reece James – who was given his marching orders by referee Anthony Taylor.

Despite playing with a man down, Thomas Tuchel’s side held their nerves to pick a point away from home to continue their unbeaten run in the 2021-22 season.

Lifted by the reigning European champions’ performance against the Reds, the former Wikki Tourists star reveals that it would be hard for any team to break Chelsea in the race for the English elite division diadem.

“A big kudos to Thomas Tuchel for building a solid Chelsea team within a year. Personally, I feel it would be difficult for any team in the Premier League to stop them at the moment,” Gopey told Goal.

“Despite playing with a man down, they never gave up as they stopped Liverpool’s rampaging forward line from scoring the winner. That shows they have strong character and that’s how champions do.

“Well, it is too early to say that they would remain unbeaten for the rest of the season. However, with the way they are playing they look like a strong contender to win the Premier League title.”

He also reserved special praise for goalkeeper Edouard Mendy who made crucial saves to deny Liverpool.

“A big well done to goalkeeper Mendy for his crucial saves,” he added.

“That was a brave performance against a team that posses one of the best attacking line-ups in Europe at the moment.

“He continues to prove why he is Chelsea’s number 1 ahead of Spaniard Kepa Kepa Arrizabalaga.”

After the international break, Chelsea resume their league campaign with a home fixture against Aston Villa on September 9.

Three days later, they host Russian Premier League outfit Zenit as they begin their Champions League campaign.

Edouard Mendy recorded a personal best as Chelsea settled for a 1-1 draw with Liverpool in Saturday’s Premier League encounter.

The goalkeeper was called upon to make six saves against Jurgen Klopp’s men, the most in a single appearance since teaming up with the Blues in any competition.

Kai Havertz put his team ahead in the 22nd minute having been assisted by Reece James, nevertheless, the hosts restored parity through Mohamed Salah before the half-time break.

The dismissal of James gave the Reds a numerical advantage, albeit, they were denied the opportunity to score the winner thanks to the former Rennes goalkeeper’s heroics.

Before his move to the Premier League giants, the 29-year-old was relatively unknown as he starred for Ligue 1 side, Rennes.

However, he shot into the limelight having joined Chelsea in a £22m ($31m) deal as Tuchel’s men sought to find greater solidity between the sticks as costly errors had sneaked into Kepa Arrizabalaga’s game.

He has since proven to be one of the bargain signings, making crucial saves for the Londoners who finished fourth in the 2020-21 league campaign.

The Senegal international also played a key role in Chelsea’s Champions League success – featuring in 12 games and not conceding a goal on nine occasions – a feat that earned him Europe's Goalkeeper of the Year Award.

In a recent interview, former Sunshine Stars player Olumide Akinroyeje believes Mendy will remain Chelsea’s number one goalkeeper despite Arrizabalaga’s superb display against Villarreal in the Uefa Super Cup.

“Kepa [Arrizabalaga] was brave to have saved two Villarreal penalties and that is not a pointer that he would stroll back as Chelsea’s first-choice,” Akinroyeje told Goal.

“As it stands [Edouard] Mendy remains the first choice at Stamford Bridge and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.

“Since his arrival from Rennes, he has brought consistency to the Chelsea backline line and played a key role in the team’s Champions League win. So, it would be irrational to have him not sit on the bench because someone saved two kicks.

“What this means is that Mendy should work harder in training so that he can be counted on when it comes to penalty situations.”

Mamelodi Sundowns co-head coach Rhulani Mokwena bemoaned the bad weather for his side from being able to play their usual passing game against Lamontville Golden Arrows on Saturday afternoon.

The Brazilians grabbed an important away goal through Pavol Safranko in their MTN8 semi-final first-leg encounter against Abafana Bes'thende which ended in a 1-1 draw at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Durban.

The rain-soaked match was played on a wet pitch and Arrows opened the scoring through Nqobeko Dlamini's sixth-minute goal as Abafana Bes'thende looked to return to winning ways having lost 3-1 to SuperSport United in a PSL game on Wednesday.

Mokwena praised the Tshwane giants for showing good resilience and character, while also lauding the team's tactical change which led to the fightback as their goalscorer Safranko was a substitute. 

"Difficult game against a very good side," Mokwena told SuperSport TV.

"A wounded side that lost against SuperSport. Good resilience from our team. Very good fight. Very good character and very important not to lose because it allows us to keep going and prepare for the second leg.

"We changed things a little bit. We went with [Thabiso] Kutumela and Pavol. We tried to change the structure slightly. It allowed us to keep them."

Sundowns resorted to playing crosses after finding it difficult to penetrate the Arrows defence with their passing game and Safranko scored after the hosts had failed to deal with Thapelo Morena's low cross.

Mokwena insisted that he was not using the bad weather as an excuse and stressed the importance of their away goal with Sundowns scheduled to host Arrows in the second-leg match in Pretoria on September 28.

"Also, the conditions didn't help much. We don't want to make excuses. We are a passing team. When you play against the wind, especially in the first half, your build-ups are a little bit compromised," he added.

"We got the equaliser and the away goal, which is very important and extremely crucial."

Sundowns are hoping to go all the way and win the MTN8 title for the first time since 2007 when the competition was still known as the SAA Supa 8 Cup. 

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted that Roberto Firmino is not in good shape after becoming an early casualty in his side's 1-1 draw against Chelsea on Saturday. 

Firmino completed just over 40 minutes of the Premier League clash before coming off for Diego Jota with the Reds trailing at Anfield. 

Mohamed Salah later restored parity from the penalty spot as Reece James saw red for handling on the line , but the hosts failed to press home their advantage and had to settle for a point as the 10-man Blues dug in after the break.

What was said? 

"Is Firmino okay? Not really. Probably a muscle. I hope it is not too big," the German explained to  Sky Sports  after the final whistle. 

The Brazilian had only recently returned to the starting line-up after coming off the bench in Liverpool's opening two Premier League clashes, having felt the effects of a busy summer of international football with the Selecao. 

In his absence Diego Jota proved an admirable replacement, scoring in back-to-back wins over Norwich City and Burnley; while the upcoming international break will afford Firmino a fortnight's recovery before Klopp's men return to league action. 

'Obviously deserved' 

The manner of Liverpool's equaliser caused some discussion, with doubt remaining over whether James intended to handle on the line. 

Klopp, though, is convinced that the right decision was made. 

"The goal we got was obviously very deserved. I think it is a clear penalty. We forced it in that situation," he added. 

"Second half everyone thinks 'come on'. There is a definite advantage in possession, you have to outnumber them and defend them really high, but the defensive structure changes in that case that they are only defending slightly deeper but they have eight players defending that area around the box so we couldn’t use that.

"We had our shots from distance, I would have loved to have been a bit closer for the rebound but it was a good game."

Further reading 

Thomas Tuchel says that he does not know the rules surrounding red cards anymore after Reece James' first-half dismissal saw Chelsea hold on for a 1-1 draw with Liverpool on Saturday.

The Blues were reduced to 10 men when the England international was sent off by referee Anthony Taylor following a VAR check for a deliberate handball on the stroke of half-time, with the full-back having made contact with his upper arm after the ball deflected off his leg.

Tuchel's visitors managed to cling on for a point at Anfield, however, after Mohamed Salah's subsequent penalty cancelled out Kai Havertz' opener - but the manager says he remains perplexed as to the finer points of his defender's exit.

What has been said?

"The red card - I'm not even sure anymore if it's the rules or not the rules," the German told BBC Sport. "You have to accept the decision. He maybe would have changed his mind with moving pictures.

"In the end it maybe would have stayed the same. I don't like early red cards in general because it spoils the game. In the end it was a tough and hard fight. We showed great resilience and deserved the point.

"We decided to stay in a back five. We wanted to stay active and make it hard to create chances. The first 10 minutes seemed endless. The last five minutes I was actually praying we take what we deserved. It was a hard and a tough one, but a very strong second half defensively."

Azpilicueta: Chelsea 'doubly punished'

Blues captain Cesar Azpilicueta concurred with his coach that the call against James was a tough one, and added that he felt his side were hard done by, though he was quick to credit their resolve after they steadied their emotions in the second half.

"Harsh. I feel sorry for Reece. The referee got advice from VAR to give it. He went to the screen to watch one replay.

"We got the double punishment, red card and a penalty - and two yellow cards in the same action. We were angry. But you have to calm down and find a way to fight together as a team. I think the team fought and maybe we had the best two chances in the second half."

The bigger picture

With the spoils shared at Anfield, both Chelsea and Liverpool remain jointly sat atop the table in the Premier League, as they head into the September international break.

James, called up once more to Gareth Southgate's England squad following his Euro 2020 form, will look to put the difficulties of his trip to Merseyside behind him when he joins up with the Three Lions.

Tuchel meanwhile will be left to mull over the two-week break how he will cover for the right-back's likely absence amid a ban, with games against Aston Villa and Zenit on the agenda.

Further reading

New Tusker FC signing Charles Momanyi has appreciated the influence Gor Mahia had on him when it comes to coping with pressure and playing fearlessly.

The experienced defender joined the newly crowned Football Kenya Federation Premier League champions recently, signing a two-year deal. He believes the bond between the new players and the existing ones will be stronger as he aims at winning a league title with the Ruaraka-based side.

'It is all about teamwork'

"I feel good to join this great team, Tusker is a big team in Kenya which have won numerous trophies just like Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards," Momanyi told the club's media department.

"First I would like to thank Gor Mahia because they gave me a chance to play for a big team [from Kakamega Homeboyz]. Tusker are also a big team which is an advantage to me because I don't have any pressure nor fear.

"I know how to absorb any pressure that might come my way."

What is Momanyi's target in the Caf Champions League?

After securing the right to represent Kenya in the continental assignment, the Brewers' first assignment will be to get past AS Arta of Djibouti. What does the former K'Ogalo player want to achieve?

"Football is all about teamwork. Tusker have good players; those who have been there have won the league, and there are others who have just joined like me," Momanyi continued.

"So we will be joining hands, sharing the experience, and helping the team achieve the set targets. My main target is to win the league with Tusker. 

"Coming to the continental level we want to give our best although it will not be easy. Working together as a unit will help us go far in the competition."

Tusker have so far confirmed the signing of Patrick Matasi, Kalos Protus Kirenge, and Ibrahim Joshua. More signings are expected in the next couple of days.