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Barcelona are still trying to convince Lionel Messi to stay at the club and expect him to attend training when sessions resume, according to sporting director Ramon Planes.

Messi rocked Barcelona on Tuesday when it emerged the six-time Ballon d'Or winner informed the club he would like to leave.

The 33-year-old reportedly intends to activate a clause in his contract that would allow him to unilaterally terminate their agreement following the 2019-20 season and join another club.

While it was required to be activated before the end of May, Messi told the club he still intends to make use of it as the season was extended into August due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Planes, promoted to his role following Eric Abidal's dismissal last week, says Barca have not given up hope of continuing their association with Messi.

Although Planes was speaking as Barca presented new signing Francisco Trincao to the media, unsurprisingly the focus was not on the young Portuguese winger.

"It was important news about Messi, but what we feel and have said many times is that we think of Messi as a Barca player," Planes said.

"Today Trincao arrives and we hope that he will triumph alongside Messi. Barca has rebuilt itself many times throughout its history and has always come back strong. Our idea is to do it around the best player in the world.

"You have to have enormous respect for Leo because of what he is and because of his history. We are not thinking about any contractual clause.

"Messi's marriage to Barca has given both parties a lot, much joy to the fans and internally we are working to convince Messi, to find the best solution for Barca and for Messi.

"We are making additions like Pedri and Trincao to make a winning and young team, all clubs are regenerating.

"It is not a dispute between Messi and Barcelona, ​​neither deserve it. We are working to make a winning Barca."

A number of top European clubs have been linked with Messi in the wake of the reports coming out of Camp Nou, including Italian giants Inter and Champions League finalists Paris Saint-Germain.

However, Manchester City has been mooted as the most likely next destination for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner, and Goal has learned that Pep Guardiola has already been in contact with the Argentine over a potential move.

Guardiola was the man who initially unlocked Messi's full potential at Camp Nou, and he is eager to arrange a reunion ahead of the 2020-21 season.

Real Madrid outcast James Rodriguez is closing in on a €35 million (£31m/$41m) move to Everton.

Goal has learned that Goodison Park is the most likely next destination for James, with Carlo Ancelotti eager to bring the 29-year-old to Goodison Park ahead of the new season.

The David Beckham-owned MLS franchise Inter Miami had previously submitted an offer for the Colombia international, but he is now expected to embark on the next stage of his career in the Premier League.

James dropped a major hint over his future earlier in August, admitting that a move to England holds great appeal to him during an interview with Mexican motivational speaker Daniel Habif.

"I've already been in several good leagues and the only thing missing is Serie A and the Premier League, you have to see where I want to go or where they want me to go," he said.

"Going to England would be a good thing, it's a top league."

Ancelotti was the man who convinced the experienced midfielder to join Madrid in 2014, when he completed a £71m ($93m) move to Santiago Bernabeu from Monaco following a stellar showing at the World Cup finals in Brazil.

However, the Italian head coach was relieved of his managerial duties a year later, and James quickly fell out of favour under Ancelotti's successor, Zinedine Zidane.

James was eventually sent out on loan to Bayern Munich, where he spent two seasons before returning to the Spanish capital last summer.

But he was unable to force his way back into the Madrid team last term, with a lack of regular opportunities restricting him to just 14 appearances for the club across all competitions.

Rumours of a rift between the former Monaco star and Zidane have swirled throughout the 2020-21 campaign, which ended in La Liga glory for the Blancos.

James has now picked up a total of nine major honours during in his time at the Bernabeu, but he wasn't happy with his limited contribution to Madrid's latest title charge, as he told the 'Realeza del Fútbol Latino' podcast: "I know I have the conditions to always play, but because of other people, I cannot do it.

"If I were a bad player, I would accept it, but I'm a person who wants to win and always play."

The playmaker also revealed that he was denied a permanent move away from the club in 2019, adding: "When you see you don't have the same opportunities as your team-mates, it's hard. I wanted to leave but the club wouldn't let me."

Chelsea have agreed to sign Malang Sarr on a five-year deal after his contract with Nice expired but are expected to immediately send the France Under-21 international out on loan.

The 21-year-old will complete a medical this week ahead of his move to west London, meaning Bayer Leverkusen, Schalke and unnamed Italian clubs will miss out on the central defender.

It is understood that Arsenal had also been tracking Sarr, but opted not to offer him a contract upon the completion of his previous deal with Nice.

The Blues could make it six completed summer deals by the end of the week, with Thiago Silva expected to join after leaving Paris Saint-Germain following their 1-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Champions League final.

Leicester City's Ben Chilwell has also been given the all-clear to complete a move to Stamford Bridge after medical tests eased concerns around his current heel injury. Chelsea will pay £50 million ($66m) for the full-back.

In addition, the Blues have made a breakthrough in talks for Leverkusen's Kai Havertz, with Frank Lampard's side having agreed to pay the German side's full asking price of £90m ($118m), though negotiations are still ongoing regarding payment in instalments.

The attacking midfielder will cost an initial £72m ($95m) with a further £18m ($24m) coming in team performance-related add-ons, while Hakim Ziyech and Timo Werner have already finalised moves to the Premier League club.

With so many incomings, Chelsea are looking to get players out ahead of the new season and Inter are in talks for Emerson Palmieri after the Blues set a £26m ($34m) asking price.

Furthermore, a host of loanees are currently training under Lampard at Cobham but are expected to seal temporary moves elsewhere, with Marc Guehi set to re-sign with Swansea City after travelling to complete the move on Wednesday.

Jake Clarke-Salter looks set for another loan in the Championship, with Derby County, Huddersfield Town, Birmingham City and Sheffield Wednesday showing an interest in him.

Alongside that, West Brom could be another option as Chelsea assess which club would be best for his development following a good year at Birmingham last season.

Injury-hit defender Baba Rahman is currently fit and targeting another loan. However, a permanent move away isn't off the table in his case, with clubs in Germany considering giving him a chance to rebuild his career.

Matt Miazga is gaining interest from a host of different leagues and looks set for another loan away, while Nathan Baxter and Dujon Sterling are also picking up offers.

Conor Gallagher and Ethan Ampadu are among those training at Cobham under Lampard in a bid to impress their manager, but could well end up on loan as new signings reduce the space in the squad.

Chelsea are in advanced talks with AC Milan about sending Tiemoue Bakayoko out on loan again but are keen to turn an option to buy into an obligation to buy at around £20m ($26m).

Meanwhile, Rennes have offered Fikayo Tomori a loan move, with Everton still tracking the homegrown defender who broke through last season.

Georginio Wijnaldum has described Rhian Brewster's finishing ability as "unbelievable", but insists he is "not impressed" by the Liverpool starlet's recent flurry of goals.

Brewster netted both of Liverpool's goals in a 2-2 draw with Red Bull Salzburg on Tuesday after coming on as a second-half substitute.

The 20-year-old has now hit three goals in two pre-season appearances, having also found the net in a 3-0 win over Stuttgart at the weekend.

Jurgen Klopp has welcomed the England U21 international back into his squad following a successful spell at Swansea last season, during which the youngster hit 11 goals in 22 appearances.

Wijnaldum has worked closely alongside Brewster at Anfield over the past three years, and has not been surprised to see him stake a strong claim for a regular spot in the first team ahead of the 2020-21 campaign.

Asked to assess the forward's recent performances, the Dutch midfielder told Liverpool's official website: “I’m not ‘impressed’, because I know already which kind of quality he has.

“We trained together for a few years and he showed also in training that his finishing is unbelievable, so I’m not really impressed!”

The Reds battled back from two goals down against Salzburg in Austria, with James Milner, Takumi Minamino and Curtis Jones all introduced to the action after the interval.

The likes of Ki-Jana Hoever, Marko Grujic and Harvey Elliott were also given run-outs in the second 45, and Wijnaldum talked up the importance of squad depth after the final whistle.

"That’s how it should be. Now we have the fixtures we all know it’s going to be a really difficult season with a lot of games, so a lot of players will play a lot of games," he said.

“So if you have a lot of players who can bring quality to the pitch, it makes it even better for the team. We are really happy that the guys who came in, the young players, made the difference today.”

Liverpool will now look ahead to a Community Shield final meeting with Arsenal on Saturday, and Wijnaldum is happy with how preparations have unfolded during their latest training camp.

The Reds playmaker added: "I think every training camp is a good one, I think especially now because we only had a little bit more than two weeks to prepare for the Community Shield.

“It is always good if you have good preparation in pre-season because this is basically the pre-season for the start of the season.

"It went quite well, we had to deal with some circumstances but also that we did good, so it was a good training camp.”

Manchester United talisman Bruno Fernandes has revealed that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told him not to make so many runs during matches, but he says that he "can't control" his urge to get forward.

Fernandes inspired United to a third-place Premer League finish last season, having made a €55 million (£49m/$65m) switch from Sporting CP to Old Trafford on January 30.

The 25-year-old contributed 12 goals and eight assists to the Red Devils' cause in all competitions, as Solskjaer's men also reached the semi-finals of both the FA Cup and Europa League.

Fernandes has injected a much-needed spark into a side previously short on creativity, while also taking on leadership responsibilities and helping to raise the performance levels of his new team-mates.

In addition to his brilliance in possession, the Portuguese has proven to be quite the workhorse off the ball, and is often seen bursting into the penalty area when the chance to open up the opposition defence presents itself.

Solskjaer has instructed Fernandes to temper his enthusiasm slightly in order to reserve energy, but the ex-Sporting starlet claims that his "instinct" takes over when he steps out onto the pitch.

Fernandes told United's official website: “I talk already with the manager and he says to me a lot of times ‘sometimes you do so many runs and some runs aren’t for you – you need to shout someone else to run, because after you are tired and, when you take the ball, you will not be fresh.’

“But it’s instinct, it’s part of my game. I can’t control this. I’m like this and I want to help the team every time.

“In the game, you don’t think, you just run. For me, that’s enough.

“I think the most important thing is to help the team and if you help the team it’s okay.”

Fernandes added on his role as a creator in the middle of the park: “It’s important to be in the goals, whether it’s doing assists or scoring, so, for me, it’s the same.

“Of course, I enjoy assisting my team-mates because playing no.10 is the position you have to serve your team-mates.

“Sometimes, I look too much for them when I have the chance to shoot but I try always to serve them, because, normally, the strikers are there to score. For their confidence, scoring is important.

“A No.10 doesn’t need to score a lot to be confident. For them, it’s important.

“Since I arrived in Manchester, I try to serve more than score – but I have more goals than assists. That’s true!”

Pep Guardiola has recently held talks with Lionel Messi and would be delighted to be reunited with the wantaway Barcelona star at Manchester City, Goal can reveal.

The six-time Ballon d’Or winner has stunned the Camp Nou side by handing in a transfer request and asking to activate a clause in his contract that would allow him to leave for free.

Barcelona, though, insist he still has a €700 million (£630m/$825m) release clause in his contract, which runs until 2021, and that is set to be a contentious issue regarding his demand to leave.

His discontent stems from a disappointing campaign that saw Barca lose their grip on the Spanish title to Real Madrid and crash out of the Champions League in humiliating style to Bayern Munich as they suffered an 8-2 defeat.

In the aftermath of that loss, head coach Quique Setien was sacked but that was not enough to placate Messi, who subsequently had contact with Guardiola before indicating to the club his desire to leave.

Guardiola is very interested in signing the 33-year-old and City are one of the few clubs with the financial muscle capable of absorbing the Argentina international’s wage.

The relationship between the two men remains very close, having worked previously together at Barca, where Messi has spent the entire duration of his senior career after first moving to the club in 2001.

Guardiola cut his teeth in coaching with the Catalans and enjoyed incredible success during his spell in the dugout with their first team, which lasted from 2008 through until 2012. He won the treble in his first season in charge, with six major honours arriving in 2009 alone. Six more would follow before his departure. 

That Barcelona generation is widely considered to be one of the greatest that the game has ever seen, and it was Messi who spearheaded the attack, tallying an incredible 73 goals during the 2011-12 campaign, which was Guardiola’s last before stepping down to take a sabbatical year.

Having enjoyed arguably their greatest successes together, Messi is keen to reunite with the coach following a season that saw him score a comparatively disappointing 31 times – the fewest goals he has netted in a campaign since 2007-08.

The prospect of playing alongside his friend and compatriot Sergio Aguero at the Etihad, along with the chance to remain playing at high level in the Premier League, is also said to appeal to Messi.

There has been no firm offer from City and any deal for Messi would be extremely complex given the financial details involved in such a transfer. 

Manchester United, Inter and Paris Saint-Germain are among the other clubs credited with a serious interest in the attacker, who has previously said that he would one day like to return to play with Newell’s Old Boys in his homeland before he retires from the game.

The Football Kenya Federation (FKF) has started nominations and the verification exercise ahead of the upcoming football elections in the country.

The Electoral Board led by Kentice Tikolo has already set October 17 as the date for the national elections which will be preceded by grassroots polls held across the 47 counties on September 19.

“Football Kenya Federation's Electoral Board has on Tuesday, August 25, 2020, started receiving nomination forms from aspirants seeking elective positions at the county level,” read the statement from the board obtained by Goal.

“The Board received forms from aspirants from Mombasa, West Pokot, Nairobi East, Taita Taveta, and Trans Nzoia counties on day one. The exercise ends tomorrow, Wednesday, August 26, 2020.

“Aspirants seeking elective positions at the national level will submit their papers on August 31, 2020.”

On Saturday, the Electoral Board continued with the process of holding elections after they published the official register for voters who will take part in the exercise.

“FKF Electoral Board has published the final list of clubs eligible to vote at both county and national level in the upcoming FKF elections,” revealed the statement obtained by Goal.

“This comes after the lapse of a disputes’ resolution window last week, by the Electoral Board. The Board will on Wednesday, August 26, 2020, publish the final register of delegates eligible to vote at both levels.”

It will be the third time in a year that the FKF will be holding elections.

The previous two exercises were nullified by the Sports Disputes Tribunal (SDT) last December and in March this year, with SDT chairman John Ohaga ruling the rules of engagement were flouted on both occasions.

On setting the guidelines for the exercise, Tikolo insisted the FKF Electoral Code, which has been the contentious issue with most presidential candidates saying it should be changed, will remain in force.

“In consonance with the directive from Fifa and in the spirit of progression, the FKF electoral process shall be predicated upon the FKF Statutes, the FKF Electoral Code currently in force and/or the Fifa Statutes/guidelines where required or where applicable,” Tikolo said.

“The electoral process shall begin at the county level in accordance with article 27 of the FKF (2017) Constitution.”

FKF presidential aspirants Sam Nyamweya, Twaha Mbarak, Nicholas Musonye, have strongly opposed the decision to use the Code and have already moved to court to have the exercise stopped.

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has revealed that Cristiano Ronaldo regularly asks how things are at his former club when the pair chat.

Ronaldo turned out for the Old Trafford side from 2003-2009 and picked up the first of his five Ballon d’Or titles while playing for United. 

After a storied spell at Real Madrid, where he shattered club records, the 35-year-old is now with Juventus, although there have been reports that he could be looking for a way out in the summer after their disappointing Champions League performance.

Fernandes, who is the present darling of the Red Devils, having arrived in January and made a profound impact on their fortunes, has said that his compatriot continues to keep close tabs on United.

“It was my dream to play in the Premier League,” the playmaker told the club’s official website. “I have the choice to come to Manchester United and it was two dreams in one. It was perfect.

“Of course, I spoke with Cristiano after and he spoke very well about the club. I spoke with him some days ago, again.

“Every time I speak with him, he asks me how Manchester is and if everything is okay. Everyone knows he spent a lot of time in Manchester and he has consideration for the club. He likes the club, I think he won his first Ballon d’Or here, so it’s a club who’ve marked him, for sure.”

While the pair are in regular contact, Fernandes did not discuss his winter switch with Ronaldo because he didn’t need any convincing that the move was the right one.

“I spoke with him after, not before. I said before - Manchester, for me, was the dream team,” he revealed.

“I always wanted to play for this team and it doesn’t matter who can talk about it – bad or good, I will come.”

Fernandes, who will celebrate his 26th birthday at the beginning of September, has played 22 times for United and has found the net on 12 occasions, including scoring all of the eight penalties he has taken. In addition, he has eight assists to his name.

The government through Sports registrar Rose Wasike has petitioned to have the recently held Gor Mahia elections nullified.

In court papers filed before the Sports Dispute Tribunal (SDT), Wasike wants the elections to be repeated after two months.

The papers seen by Goal cite the club’s Electoral Board for various malpractices during the exercise which saw Ambrose Rachier re-elected unopposed as chairman.

Among the illegalities cited by Wasike is a failure by Gor Mahia to use the Institute of Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) online voting system and failure to properly vet candidates who contested in the elections.

Wasike said in the document obtained by Goal: “Only three of the contestants were able to provide the required documents needed for them to contest in the elections.”

Surprisingly according to the registrar, even club chairman Ambrose Rachier failed to give a clearance certificate from Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) and the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB) as well as the certificate of clearance from the Directorate of Criminal Investigation.

“In view of the above, the sports registrar requests the SDT to nullify the recently held elections and the same be held after two months,” added Wasike.

Wasike also blamed the club for the late submission of its new constitution to her office and asked the club to be compelled to undertake the exercise afresh after the club elections.

During the exercise held via electronic voting on August 8, Rachier and club secretary Sam Ochola were elected unopposed while veteran Gor Mahia official Francis Wasuna beat outgoing treasurer Sally Bolo in a heated contest to retain the vice-chairperson post.

Wasuna garnered 226 votes out of a possible 389 to beat Bolo who managed 163 votes while Dolphina Odhiambo of Gor Mahia Augmentin Fund was elected the treasurer after getting 286 votes to floor Chrispine Okoth who got a paltry 103.

Bolo later refused to accept the outcome terming it as a flawed process.

“The Electoral Board managing the Gor Mahia polls have miserably failed in this noble task and now leave this great club at the behest of the SDT where a section of members and officials had filed a preemptive suit that will not only subject the club to long, winding and unnecessarily tedious battles but also bring it into disrepute,” Bolo said in a signed statement obtained by Goal after the polls.

“This is not acceptable at all and we shall not concede defeat if this blatant fraud is left to stand. What was touted as being an open and transparent process has actually been marred by shameful rigging and vote theft. It is disgraceful and very appalling that we still have to deal with archaic behaviour such as this.”

Kenyan Premier League (KPL) giants AFC Leopards are set to unveil Fabrice Kakule Mugheni soon as their new foreign player.

According to reports reaching Goal, the Democratic Republic of Congo midfielder has already touched down in the country and is at the club’s headquarters finalising the last details of his deal.

“The boy is in town. The club and the player are already in agreement that the deal should last for two years,” a source close to the development told Goal on Wednesday.

AFC Leopards have been working silently in the transfer market so far and the only player to have confirmed a pre-contract arrangement with them is Peter Thiong’o from Kakamega Homeboyz.

Mugheni is one of the players that left Rwandan giants Rayon Sports in June as the club experienced a mass exodus.

He had joined the Blues for the second time towards the end of the 2017/18 season and played critical roles as they lifted the Rwandan Premier League title in the subsequent season.

The midfielder was the fifth star to leave Rayon Sports after his teammate and goalkeeper Yves Kimenyi and Eric Irambona who signed for rivals SC Kiyovu.

Eric Rutanga and Eric Iradukunda were the other stars who left the troubled giants and joined Police FC.

Mugheni had featured for Rayon Sports in 2015 and his stay through to 2017 helped the club win two titles. The first one was the Rwandan Peace Cup in 2016 before the league title in the 2016/17 season.

Mugheni’s imminent signing comes a day after credible reports linked Kenyan goalkeeper John Oyemba to the 13-time KPL winners.

Although AFC Leopards have so much hope on their Ugandan goalkeeper Benjamin Ochan, the technical bench is understood to have singled out the former Kariobangi Sharks custodian as a better back-up for Ochan.

Estone Esiye, who has featured for Premier League sides KCB and Kakamega Homeboyz, has also emerged as a primary target for Ingwe.

AFC Leopards lost all but one of their foreign players in the 2019/20 season because of the financial challenges. Coach Casa Mbungo led the exits as Vincent Habamahoro, Soter Kayumba, Ismail Diara, and Tresor Ndikumana all ditched the club after going for months without pay.

Vincent Oburu is the only star to have confirmed the departure from AFC Leopards thus far.

New Borussia Dortmund signing Reinier has rejected comparisons with Kaka, the Brazil star who won the Ballon d’Or while playing with AC Milan in 2007.

The 18-year-old arrived in Europe at Real Madrid from Flamengo in January and after failing to make an impression on the first team at the Bernabeu, has completed a two-year loan move to BVB, with a similar deal having proved beneficial to Achraf Hakimi.

He has started pre-season training with the Bundesliga outfit with a view to featuring in their squad when domestic action returns in Germany next month, and he is eager to carve a name out for himself on his own merits.

“I don’t want to be a Kaka, I want to be Reinier,” he told the media. “It’s a nice thing to be compared to such a player, but I want to show the football player I am.

“I want to be successful with the club, win titles if possible and give the fans a lot of joy.”

Meanwhile, he said he was quick to jump at the chance to move to Germany when the door opened.

“My family and I didn’t have to think twice,” he said. “This club is known for developing players. When this option appeared, we knew it was the right one.”

Asked about his favoured role, he said: “I can play anywhere up front. Wherever the coach needs me, I'm ready. I want to help the team and do my best for the team.”

The playmaker quickly gained a positive reputation in his homeland for his attacking qualities from midfield, turning out for Flamengo 14 times in Serie A and scoring six goals before his move to Spain.

Additionally, he has been a regular in Brazil’s youth teams, notably turning out regularly for the Under-23 side previously in 2020.

His qualities have in the past been talked up by Dortmund boss Lucien Favre, who explained: “From what I’ve seen, he’s very good offensively and a very, very good finisher.”

BVB will start the Bundesliga season with a clash against Borussia Monchengladbach on September 19, while they will have a DFB Pokal encounter with Duisburg on September 14.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have confirmed new coach Cedric Kaze will arrive at the end of this week to take over the reigns at the club.

The Jangwani giants are without a coach since they fired Belgian Luc Eymael at the end of the 2019-20 Mainland Premier League season.

Despite announcing, they had hired the Burundian tactician to replace Eymael, Yanga fans have been questioning when he will arrive to start coaching the side with only a few weeks remaining before the season kicks-off on September 6.

Yanga SC's partner GSM's investment director Hersi Said has now cooled down the nerves of the fans after confirming the coach will arrive in Dar es Salaam on Friday.

“We are also waiting for our coach to arrive, he has been in Canada, he is handing over to his former club Barcelona before embarking on a journey to Tanzania and we expect him in Dar es Salaam before Friday,” Said told Goal.

“We must be patient because he must hand over [to his former club], and he must also take a Covid-19 test prior to his journey here, so it is not that easy, but by the end of this week, he will be around.

“We are happy to have Kaze because he speaks all languages, he speaks Swahili, he speaks French and also English, and this will be good for the team because the players will now benefit straight away, sometimes it was bringing problems because we had to hire a translator and it is something we will not do this time around as the coach will be able to speak to the players directly.”

Yanga have been in the market looking for Eymael’s successor and during the launch of Mwananchi Day celebrations in Dodoma, club chairman Mshindo Msolla confirmed the Burundian had accepted their offer for the top job.

Yanga will also need to get a new assistant coach after Boniface Mkwasa left and joined rivals Ruvu Shooting as head coach.

Kaze will take charge of Yanga who are looking to end Simba SC’s dominance in the local scene. Simba won a treble last season and their league success means they have kept the title in three consecutive campaigns after taking it from their archrivals.

Kaze is an experienced African coach who holds a Caf A License. He started his coaching job as an assistant to Armas Niyamugambo at Prince Louis Rwagasore FC.

He was confirmed as the head coach for the 2005/06 season and his team finished second to Vital’O. He left and joined Atletico FC for the 2006/07 season and he helped the club remain among the top four sides in four seasons in charge.

Kaze was named Burundi’s coach of the season twice; in the 2008/09 and in 2011/12 seasons although his side finished second. He lifted the Ligue A title in the 2010/11 campaign.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane says he does “not know why people don’t like” Rivaldo Coetzee and they will start realising why he sometimes selects the utility player.

Coetzee has featured in 15 games across all competitions this season, including three after the season's restart.

But Mosimane who plays Coetzee either as a centre-back or defensive midfielder claims his player is less appreciated especially after he started deploying him in the middle of the park.

“Rivaldo is an unbelievable player – he doesn’t get the credit that he deserves,” Mosimane told journalists.

“Sometimes people don’t like him and I don’t know why they don’t like him. He is an accurate passer with the right and left foot and he wins headers in the midfield – brings the ball back. But it takes time, maybe people will start realising why we pick him sometimes.”

This season is Coetzee’s second full season playing for the Chloorkop side he joined from Ajax Cape Town.

He was a central defender while turning out for Ajax but Mosimane now uses him more as a defensive midfielder.

The player himself admits that he enjoys his new role in the centre of the park.

“Yes, I would say that the position grew on me and training in that position every day before the lockdown has helped me to adapt to it,” Coetzee told the Mamelodi Sundowns website.

“I actually enjoy playing midfield, I hope I can continue there and maybe have a future in that position. It was a bit tricky in the beginning, I wasn’t used to people pressing me from behind. I was used to seeing everything on the pitch and that made it easier for me to attack space.

“But in midfield you have to think quicker and always scan so you know what’s happening around you, and know what to do with the ball before you even receive it.”

It is yet to be seen if Mosimane would play Coetzee in Thursday’s top-of-the-table Premier Soccer League tie against leaders Kaizer Chiefs.

Ajax sporting director Marc Overmars said the club's chances of re-signing Barcelona star Luis Suarez are "quite small".

Suarez, 33, has reportedly been told he is not part of Barca's plans as new head coach Ronald Koeman tries to rebuild the embattled La Liga giants.

Ajax have emerged as a possible destination for Suarez, who spent four years playing for the Eredivisie champions before joining Liverpool in 2011.

Amid speculation Ajax are in talks to bring Suarez back to Amsterdam, Overmars addressed the rumours.

"Let me put it this way: the chance that he will come is quite small," Overmars told Ziggo Sport as Ajax defeated Hertha Berlin 1-0 in Tuesday's friendly.

"That's a straight answer, I think. Whether there has been any contact with him? We have that with several ex-Ajax players. That is logical, you also have to maintain that."

Suarez, who won the Eredivisie and KNVB Cup during his time at Ajax, has celebrated four La Liga titles and the Champions League among other honours since moving to Barca in 2014.

Overmars, meanwhile, was also asked about in-demand Ajax star Donny van de Beek.

Van de Beek has been linked to Manchester United and Real Madrid, though Barca are believed to be eyeing the Netherlands international following Koeman's appointment.

"No idea, at least that hasn't made it onto my plate yet," Overmars said when quizzed on Barca's rumoured interest.

Overmars added: "It's pretty quiet. I certainly think the market has yet to get going. That makes sense: the Champions League has only just ended, so that will start soon. 

"There is always interest for some players. A few players look good, one player has fairly serious interest. Who that is? That will show itself in the coming weeks."

The Dutch giants are currently preparing for the beginning of the new domestic season after the previous campaign was cancelled because of the coronavirus crisis.

The Amsterdam outfit are due to begin the term on September 19 with a trip to face Sparta Rotterdam, while a week later they will tackle RKC Waalwijk in what is slated as their first home game of the season.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender David Kannemeyer finds it difficult to make a call on who will win the Premier Soccer League (PSL) clash against Mamelodi Sundowns.

The retired left-back is tempted to believe Samir Nurkovic’s absence will not be a train smash for Amakhosi whilst saying it’s also difficult to say coach Pitso Mosimane’s troops have turned the corner following the win over Golden Arrows.

Amakhosi are leading the log table with 53 points and the reigning PSL champions have 50 points, the clash on Thursday is seen as crucial to settling the title.

“It’s in their [Chiefs] hands, and it depends on how much they want to win the league. It’s entirely up to Chiefs now if they want to throw it away or complete the job,” Kannemeyer told Goal.

“There’s nothing the coach and the supporters can do, it’s up to them. It’s very difficult to say Sundowns have turned the corner because everybody is looking for points now.

“So, I can’t say Sundowns have turned the corner but the players look very tired and we have to see them against Chiefs on how they turn up.”

On the absence of the Serbian hitman who is suspended and the possibility of not having Leonardo Castro for the clash at Dobsonville Stadium, the Cape Town-based legend says any player is good enough for Amakhosi.

“Look, to me the fact that Nurkovic or a certain player will not be available doesn’t matter at this stage because every player has to work hard to meet the demands of the game,” he added.

“Every player has a role to play and ensure they win the game. One player doesn’t make a team. So, whoever is thrown into the pack has to do the job at the end of the day.

“I don’t know if Zwane can be able to lead Sundowns, a team is all about a group of players and Zwane was instrumental for their win over Arrows and that’s how teams win championships. Coming from the bench and scoring a winning goal tells a lot about his character and importance at Sundowns.

“If you can have such players, it’s good, and that is what he did on Monday. I honestly can’t say who will win this one. It’s very difficult to call it but it depends on who wants it the most.”

On putting himself on Middendorp and Mosimane’s shoes, the former Bafana Bafana defender says it’s not easy to cheer up the players at this juncture, saying they are tired but mental strength is key.

“As a coach, there’s nothing much you can tell your players in terms of motivating them because it’s all about the mentality,” continued the legend.

“It doesn’t matter how much the players are fatigued or how much they have tried. The plans and all the preparations will go out of the window when it comes to the game.

“The players still have to go out there and do the job because they are tired and we all know they are supposed to be resting but they find themselves working now.

“So, it’s all about the mentality. I think the team that has a strong mentality will go all the way and lift the trophy. I think the fact that the players are in the bubble makes it difficult to refresh or see their families - it’s very difficult.” 

Chennaiyin FC's star midfielder Rafael Crivellaro was one of the huge reasons behind their run to the Indian Super League (ISL) final last season.

With seven goals and eight assists to his name, the Brazilian was a hit in his first season in the Chennaiyin blue. And he is set to continue as the club's poster boy in the upcoming 2020-21 season as well after penning a contract extension last week.

Chennaiyin had a poor start to the season last time out which saw John Gregory leaving his post as head coach and Owen Coyle succeeding him. However, Crivellaro and his teammates came into their own under Coyle and took the club to the final.

The Brazilian had felt that the reason Chennaiyin were slow to get off the blocks last time out was due to the fact that the entire foreign contingent was new, apart from many key Indian players like Lallianzuala Chhangte, Edwin Vanspaul and Vishal Kaith who had just come into the team. He had stated last season that the it took time for the squad to gel together and that was a huge factor behind their insipid start.

The 31-year-old, however, is optimistic of a better start to their 2020-21 campaign. Though Coyle and last year's topscorer Nerijus Valskis have left the Marina Machans, Crivellaro feels that core of the squad is still intact and that bodes well for the new season.

It must be noted that the likes of Anirudh Thapa, Germanpreet Singh, Edwin, Vishal Kaith, Eli Sabia apart from few other key players are all set to continue their association with the club.

"Yes, it is good that most of the core of our squad is intact. Players and coaches come and go, that is part and parcel of professional football. But we need to focus on the positives," Crivellaro told Goal.

"We have seen what we are capable of, in that amazing run of results last season. We need to derive motivation from that and retain the belief in ourselves. ISL is a very competitive league with games coming thick and fast.

"Hence, this time around we will have to be at our very best from the word go. The incredible quality of our Indian talent like Thapa, Chhangte, Edwin and others will make a huge difference."

Safe to say, the playmaker is confident ahead of the new season. The Brazilian is also counting on the incredible team spirit at Chennaiyin FC to hold them in good stead as they go into an ISL campaign that will be markedly different from the previous editions.

With Covid-19 pandemic throwing life out of gear across the world, the ISL will be held entirely in Goa behind closed doors. While this cuts down on travelling, there are other challenges for players including the lack of a crowd and the necessity to stay in a bio-secure bubble.

Crivellaro is focusing on only the positives.

"As professionals, we are used to staying together for long periods, say in hotels. In this case, the travel is negated but that comes with its own sets of pros and cons. We need to adapt as a team and keep our spirits up at all times.

"It is what it is and we need to try and make the best of the situation at hand," he added.

While admitting that 'normal life' as we knew it has been changed, Crivellaro is looking forward to getting back on the field and continue playing football. For being out on the field could be the only 'normal' in the coming campaign.

"The world is a much different place now than it was six months back. We have all had to adapt. I am just thankful that my family and I are safe and healthy, and I have the opportunity to continue doing what I love. I have been keeping myself fit back home, and I am excited about the new season."

Every time Ritesh Perambra stepped onto the field in his Mumbai FC jersey, his younger brother Umesh's hopes of following his sibling's footsteps and making a mark at the top level increased manifold. 

Umesh started playing football when he was 10 years old but it wasn't until his college days that he was able to make an impact and be noticed among the people of the Indian football fraternity. 

A Reliance Foundation inter-college tournament brought out the best of footballer Umesh Perambra, whose match-winning displays caught the eye of the scouts of the All India Football Federation (AIFF). Weeks later, while watching TV in his room, he received a notification on his phone - a message from his friend letting him know that he has been selected by Stephen Constantine to attend the India U-23 national team camp ahead of the AFC U-23 qualifiers in 2017. 

"The Reliance Foundation (RF) tournament is a big thing to happen in my life. We were champions of Mumbai in their tournament and from there,  I got selected to Stephen Constantine's U-23 camp. RF was the best opportunity that I got," Umesh told Goal. 

He reminisced, "I got a message from a friend. I saw my name (on the list of selected players) and was like, WTF! I was speechless. I can't even put it into words, it was that special. When I first entered the camp, it was so great. It was amazing."

Since then, his professional career kicked into life with the U-19 team of the now-defunct Mumbai Football Club and the centre-back who can also play as a right-back soon signed his first major senior team contract for Ozone FC which played in the I-League 2nd division. 

"Football wasn't that hard when I played during college, I used to score goals. After signing for Mumbai, I found it hard and started working very hard. That's how I got into that team. 

"The experience with Ozone was also very good. I was not a regular starter but I was working very hard. I played under David Booth. And the experience was very important for me, I learned a lot from there."

While several players were lucky enough to make a direct jump into the Indian Super League (ISL) from state leagues and the second division, Umesh was progressing one step at a time. Last season, the 23-year-old defender who considers Anas Edathodika as his football role model, plied his trade at Jamshedpur reserves and took part in the I-League 2nd division. Next season, he is very likely to be playing for Kerala Blasters. 

"At Jamshedpur reserves, it was a young side so I was more experienced. The training sessions were good, I learned a lot. It was a good platform. 

"I wish to play in the ISL next season. It is any footballer's dream to play in the ISL. There is a lot of difference between ISL and 2nd division. The facilities, the training, everything in ISL is excellent."

Former Barcelona president Joan Gaspart insisted Lionel Messi cannot leave the embattled La Liga giants on a free transfer as he hit out at the six-time Ballon d'Or winner.

Messi has sensationally told Barca he wants to leave the club, who replaced Quique Setien with Ronald Koeman after they were dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga and humiliated by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals.

The 33-year-old's contract runs until June 2021 and is said to have a clause in his deal that allowed him to leave on a free transfer at the end of the 2019-20 campaign.

It was required to be activated before the end of May but, due to the season being extended into August amid the coronavirus pandemic, Messi has told the Catalan giants he still intends to make use of it.

However, Gaspart - who was president of Barca between 2000 and 2003 - told Marca: "[Messi] cannot leave. He will have to leave in 2021.

"I have seen the contract and it is very clear. The clause ended in June and there is no going back.

"I prefer him to leave next year for zero than to go now for less than €700 million.

"The club is in charge here, not the player. The club paid the players. And this is not a matter of money, there is a signed contract and that's it."

Having spent his entire professional career with Barca, Messi has been linked with a return to Argentina to play for boyhood club Newell's Old Boys in his hometown of Rosario.

A reunion with former Barca boss Pep Guardiola at Manchester City has also been mooted, while Inter have been long-term admirers. According to TyC Sports, a move to MLS could also be on the cards.

Messi is Barca's all-time leading scorer with 634 goals and 276 assists in 731 appearances in all competitions for the club.

The Argentina international made his first-team debut as a 17-year-old in 2004 and has won 34 trophies at Camp Nou.

"I love Messi very much, but I love Barcelona more," Gaspart said. "Let the clause be paid. They did it to me one night treacherously with [Luis] Figo and I did the same with Rivaldo, because I loved Barcelona.

"And here it's the same. There is a clause of €700m and the contracts are signed to fullfil them. I understand there is pressure from others for him to leave, but if I were the president of Barcelona then I wouldn't negotiate a euro.

"If Messi leaves for less than what his clause is worth it will be more humiliating than the 8-2 [defeat]. And Messi should not forget that the fans love Barcelona more than the player. And if Messi leaves next year, well, bad luck, he goes aged 34."

Gaspart added: "I don't understand why he is leaving Barcelona. Well, I do understand because I know these plays by football players well.

"We all want him to stay at Barcelona. Doesn't he want to stay? What's going on? Are the millions of club members who ask him to stay not worth it? Does he think that Barcelona have not helped him to be what he is?

"Messi is loved a lot and I hope he will enjoy one more year [at Barcelona]. I'd rather him go for free next year than this one for €699m."