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Wilfried Zaha believes his brilliant goal against Chelsea changed the mentality of the Crystal Palace team, unfortunately, they could not take any points in Tuesday’s Premier League clash.

The Blues took a 2-0 lead in the opening 27 minutes via former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and in-form United States international Christian Pulisic.

Zaha then pulled one back in the 34th minute with a piledriver from almost 25 yards that gave Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance.

Nigerian turned England international Tammy Abraham then extended Frank Lampard’s charges' lead in the 71st minute for his 14th Premier League goal of the season, before Christian Benteke reduced the deficit to 3-2 not long after.

Palace tried to score a late leveller but the Chelsea defence held firm.

"I’m disappointed with the loss because we shouldn’t have lost today,” Zaha told Palace TV after the match.

“We deserved a point at least. Or all three. That’s how the game goes, but I’m very happy with how we played today, I’m happy with the team. Going forward, if we play like that, we’ll win more than we lose.

"I’m just happy to score really and help the team. Scoring at that specific time spurred us on a bit. When things aren’t going your way and [you're] 2-0 down before you know it, I feel like that [goal] changed everyone’s mentality and kept us in the game.

"It shows our resilience. We’re losing but it’s not over until the final whistle blows. We showed we can carry on until the end. It’s unfortunate we lost but I’m very happy with our performance today."

Zaha’s goal was his fourth in the Premier League this season and his first in 2020, his last strike coming in a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on December 16, 2019.

His other goals were back-to-back in a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool and a 2-0 win at Burnley. The 27-year-old has also provided five assists.

Crystal Palace are now winless in their last four top-flight games having resumed with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on June 20.

The South London club have dropped down to 14th as a result, but look very safe with 15 points separating them from the relegation zone and with four games left to conclude the campaign.

Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt says he is "very satisfied" that Katie Hopkins has been suspended from Twitter, after the footballer was involved in a series of social media spats with the right-wing provocateur.

Hopkins, a former columnist for The Sun and Mail Online, was permanently banned from Twitter last month due to "hateful conduct", having previously caused outrage on a regular basis for her offensive comments on a range of subjects.

Shortly before being banned, she criticised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his campaign to provide free school meals for children during the summer holidays, claiming this was promoting laziness among parents - at which point Van Aanholt intervened.

The Netherlands international told Hopkins that Rashford "had done more in 24 hours than you have in your entire life. Bow before a king", before asking his followers who the former Apprentice contestant is.

Hopkins replied: "I am a white Christian conservative. You may kneel and kiss my ring," to which van Aanholt responded: "I am Dutch black, I am also Christian (not that colour or religion has anything to do with it). As for your ring you are welcome to come to Selhurst and kiss my big toe. I'll wait."

Speaking to beIN SPORTS, van Aanholt said of his exchange with Hopkins: "I think I’m very satisfied, not just me, but everyone on Twitter because it’s 2020 and people are still getting racist abuse, where does this come from? It’s just crazy. So that’s why I called her out.

"Obviously, at first I didn’t know who she was, and I called my agent and I was like, ‘who is Katie Hopkins?’. So I sat down with my agent and talked to him about it, I said, ‘listen, I’m going to reply to her because I’m not having this’. He was like, ‘are you sure?’, and I was like, ‘yeah’, so we did it.

"She got banned and blocked on Twitter, so I’m happy with that. I’ve done everyone a favour by calling her out and replying to her and getting her shut down.

"I think everybody agreed with him [Rashford] on this one. I think what he did was right and what she did was wrong, so that’s why I called her out and she finally got blocked on Twitter.

"I think we all stick together and that’s what we did. Everybody liked Marcus for what he did and everybody responded to that, so I think we all came together and it’s a good thing, we all made a statement."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done an "amazing job of sifting out players that don't belong" at Manchester United, according to Peter Schmeichel.

Solskjaer has overseen a 16-match unbeaten run in 2020 which has allowed United to re-emerge as a major force in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have won their last four matches in all competitions, including an impressive 5-2 home win over Bournemouth last time out, and are now within sight of Champions League qualification.

Such an achievement seemed a long way off for United at Christmas, as Solskjaer's men were unable to string a sequence of meaningful results together in the first half of the season.

The Norwegian took the bold decision to let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez move to Inter last summer as he began a squad rebuild, with Ashley Young joining the pair at San Siro in January.

He has also been unafraid to axe household names from his squad since being appointed the club's permanent manager in March 2019, instead choosing to place his faith in younger players with the drive to work hard and improve.

The United boss has been rewarded for his no-nonsense approach this year, and his doubters have been silenced as the team have gradually gelled together to start challenging the best sides again.

The likes of Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been reduced to bit-part roles over the course of the transition.

Former United goalkeeper Schmeichel has been pleased with how Solskjaer has gone about restructuring the squad, and appeared to reference Lingard and his 'J-Lingz' clothing label when discussing those still on the books at Old Trafford.

Schmeichel told MUTV: “I’m on record for saying this a long, long time, since Ole came, that his most important job is not really to sign players, it’s to get rid of players.

“There’s a few players in the squad that we absolutely do not want there.

“They’re not there to play for the badge. They’re there to create a profile for themselves.

“I was reading about one player trying to make themself a brand like Beckham which is shocking really. But there are players there that do not belong in the dressing room.

“And I think Ole has done really well in kind of sifting them out of the picture really, so we only get reminded that they’re there in a chat like this, or reading about the squad. I think he’s done an amazing job.”

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki wants to see Bafana Bafana players in top European leagues like the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga.

Bafana had the likes of Lucas Radebe, Shaun Bartlett, Benni McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Nasif Morris, Tsepo Masilela and Quinton Fortune playing in top European leagues in the past.

Ntseki believes the national team will benefit from having players competing in such leagues when international football resumes, having been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since March.

“If we can export more of our players to the European market, they will share the experience that they have acquired while playing abroad,” Ntseki told IOL.

“When I watched the La Liga recently as they came back after the coronavirus [break], I saw a number of north African players playing for Spanish teams.

"It was also the same when I watched the English Premier League. I saw more West African players."

Current Bafana players Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, and Lebo Mothiba are plying their trades in Ligue 1 which is amongst the top five European leagues.

“But when I look at players who are of South African origin, we don’t have any, and this is a very big concern for me," the former South Africa under-17 head coach added.

"We need players playing regularly in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga.”

South Africa youth internationals Siphesihle Mdlalose, 21, and Khanya Leshabela, 20, have both signed their maiden professional contracts with Southampton and Leicester City, respectively.

However, Mdlalose and Leshabela are yet to make their first-team debuts for the Premier League clubs.

“For any team to do well, they need consistent players. We also need committed players who will come to the national team and work very hard for each other and their country and make sure that we qualify for Afcon and the World Cup," he said.

"A big Bafana pool made up of consistent performers will make us strong. Again, if we can have more players exposed to the (European) continental club competitions, it will be very easy for them to adapt for Bafana at a national level.”

The Afcon finals have been postponed to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are future world stars, according to Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has described the talented duo as "different class".

Saka graduated to Arsenal's senior squad in 2018 after making his way through the club's academy ranks, but was made to wait for his chance to shine.

Unai Emery began including the 18-year-old in his starting line up at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, and he has since been able to retain a place in the team under the Spaniard's successor Mikel Arteta.

Saka has contributed four goals to Arsenal's cause in 36 appearances this term, along with an impressive total of 11 assists, the latest of which came as he set up Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to score in a 1-1 draw with Leicester on Tuesday.

The Gunners tied the English winger down to a new four-year contract last week in light of his recent performances, and he looks set for a key role in Arteta's set-up in the coming years.

Martinelli, meanwhile, arrived at Emirates Stadium from Brazilian outfit Ituano for a fee of £8 million ($10m) last summer, with a view to continuing his development in the reserves before competing for a place in Arsenal's starting XI.

However the 19-year-old has seized every opportunity to prove himself with both hands, scoring 10 goals in 26 outings to establish himself as a more than capable backup striker behind Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

Martinelli also committed his long-term future to Arsenal after Saka's fresh terms were confirmed, and Martinez thinks that both men are destined to reach the very top of the game if they continue on their current trajectory.

“I’m telling you, Saka and Martinelli are the future stars, not just for the Arsenal, but in the Premier League and in the world,” the Gunners shot-stopper told Talksport.

“They’re willing to listen, they do extra work away from the training ground, they get on with everyone in the club and when they’re on the field they do different stuff.

“They are different class. If they put it in their mind that they can be the best, they can reach that."

Martinez added on how quickly Saka is progressing at the Emirates: “Saka can be in the England team already, he’s the kind of player you need in your team. It’s not just about how much he gives you [on the pitch], he’s very positive and even with the top, experienced players that have been around, there are not many players like him.

“He’s a team player. I could give him my gloves and he would perform in goal, that’s Saka. I’m a bit worried, actually!”

Wout Weghorst has suggested he could leave Wolfsburg this summer by saying he has "ambitions" to play and succeed at the "highest level".

The 27-year-old Dutch striker impressed in the 2019-20 season, with a one-in-two strike rate in the Bundesliga as he scored 16 goals in 32 league appearances.

He helped the club qualify for the Europa League next season with a seventh-place league finish, but feels he has shown that he is capable of reaching even bigger goals in the future.

Weghorst told Sport Bild: "Nobody has to be afraid. It's good for a club to get a lot of money again after investing in a player. 

"I have ambitions and I want to achieve at the highest level. In the past two years I have been able to show that I can deliver at that level and that there is more to come from me."

The target man, standing at 6'5", said there had been plans for him to sit down with the Wolfsburg management and talk about his future, but the disruption caused by coronavirus had put those plans on hold.

Weghorst, while he is ambitious and would be open to a move, admitted he is nevertheless happy in Wolfsburg and settled in his private life, while also appreciating his position as a key player and talisman for his current club.

He said: “We discussed that we should sit down if something exciting came up for me, but because of corona, we have a strange market.

"I get a lot of recognition in Wolfsburg, I play an important role in sport and in human terms. I feel good, my family too. It is also important to me whether Wolfsburg will do everything possible to win titles in the future, but I have confidence in the sporting leadership.”

He has recently been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle, however, Weghorst himself is a Liverpool fan who admits to getting goosebumps whenever he hears the signature song performed by fans of the Premier League champions before every game.

“I always found Liverpool very special,” he told Goal and DAZN in an exclusive interview last May. “I still get goosebumps from ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. There are other great English clubs too, and I always liked Milan because so many Dutchmen played there.

“I am ambitious and want to get ahead. Maybe at some point play at another club, whether in Germany or in England? At the moment it is still far away. I feel good and will try to achieve the maximum here.”

Kagera Sugar coach Mecky Maxime has sensationally claimed they have what it takes to complete a Mainland Premier League double over Young Africans (Yanga SC) on Wednesday.

The two clubs will square off in the second-round meeting at the Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba and Maxime believes his side have the ability to repeat what they did in the reverse fixture when they won 3-0 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“My charges are in top form and have been training hard for the match,” Maxime is quoted by Daily News.

“We are well prepared to face Yanga. Football fans should turn up in thousands to cheer our team. “We promise them to see a well-balanced match.

“We expect it will be a tough match but we are confident of emerging victorious. Our target is to finish among the best three teams at the end of the league season.”

Despite winning the first-round match, the two sides met in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where Yanga managed to turn the tables and beat Kagera 2-1 to reach the semis, where they have been drawn to face rivals Simba SC on Sunday.

The first-round defeat somewhat hurt Yanga coach Luc Eymael, who had just arrived to take over at the club and he has also promised to go for revenge in the reverse fixture.

“We play against Kagera next, a side which beat us 3-0 in the first round fixture, it was my first match in charge of Yanga and they showed me no mercy,” Eymael told Goal on Wednesday.

“I will definitely want my players to revenge again for me, we beat them a week ago in the domestic Cup and we must make sure we get maximum points from them, they are a good side, with a solid display but we managed to beat them in the FA Cup and we can also beat them in the league.”

Yanga will miss the services of midfielder Haruna Niyonzima, who was stretchered off during the match against Biashara United after twisting his ankle.

“[Niyonzima] will definitely not play, he is currently under the care of the doctors and we don’t know when he can return, I also think he will not be able to play against Simba on Sunday, it is very painful for him to use his leg for now.”

Yanga are third on the 20-team log with 60 points while Azam FC are second on 61 points.

Jack Grealish's agent Jonathan Barnett has responded to rumours linking the Aston Villa playmaker with a move to Manchester United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying to assemble a squad of young, homegrown talent at Old Trafford since being handed a three-year contract in March 2019.

Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James were all brought in last summer, before a slight shift in the Norwegian's transfer policy saw Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes join the club from Sporting CP in January.

United are beginning to emerge as a major force again after the successful integration of recent signings, but more reinforcements are expected to walk through the door at the end of the season.

Grealish is reportedly top of Solskjaer's list of summer targets, with the 24-year-old currently plying his trade with Dean Smith's struggling Villa side.

Villa look destined for relegation at the moment, having slipped four points adrift of safety with only five fixtures left to play, the latest of which will see them come up against Solskjaer's in-form Red Devils on Thursday.

It has been suggested that United will snap up Grealish if Villa fail to avoid the drop, but Barnett insists his client is not yet thinking about his future.

Asked if the midfielder is closing in on a big-money transfer away from Villa Park, his agent told Stretty News: “Absolutely no deal has been done with anybody.

“I don’t think they’re [Aston Villa] looking at the Championship themselves, they believe that, hopefully, they’ll get out of the trouble they’re in.

“Jack believes it, he’s fighting hard, as hard as he can to stop that. That’s all that is on his mind at the moment.

“He’s not interested in anything else other than fighting to get Aston Villa out of any trouble.”

Barnett did, however, concede that Grealish would benefit from playing Champions League football whenever he does embark on the next stage of his fledgling career.

He added: “On the other hand, I think as far as his career is concerned, it would be great for him to play in the Champions League and develop his great skills and I’m not sure in which country or where that will be.

“But that conversation won’t happen now because all he wants to do is fight and help Aston Villa.”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has revealed his main target for the season is to make sure they finish second in the Mainland Premier League table and also lift the FA Cup.

The Jangwani Street-based giants lost the second spot on the 20-team table last Sunday after Azam FC hammered Singida United 7-0 to move to 61 points, one more than Yanga.

However, with four matches remaining to the end of the season, the Belgian coach has stressed the importance of finishing second, insisting it is the target he has set for his players and they must strive to achieve it.

“My target for the season still remains the same, we must finish second behind Simba and there is no short cut about that,” Eymael told Goal on Wednesday as they prepare for their league match against Kagera Sugar on Thursday.

“I am not asking too much from the players because when I joined the team, Simba SC had already opened a huge gap which no team could have breached, even if we fought and fought the gap was too huge, but now we have managed to move close, last week we were in position two before dropping points against Biashara United.

“We managed a draw from Biashara but the pitch was also not good for my players, they struggled to play the kind of game we would love to play and again tomorrow [Thursday] we face Kagera in another tough pitch but my prayers is we get a win from the match.

“The other target, of course, is to make sure we reach the final of the domestic Cup and lift the trophy, but first things first, we play against Kagera next, a side which beat us 3-0 in the first round fixture, it was my first match in charge of Yanga and they showed me no mercy.

“I will definitely want my players to revenge again for me, we beat them a week ago in the domestic Cup and we must make sure we get maximum points from them, they are a good side, with a solid display but we managed to beat them in the FA Cup and we can also beat them in the league.”

Asked on whether returning player Bernard Morrison will face Kagera, Eymael said: “I will know before the match, but he has trained with us very well and he wants to play, I will look at him again before I make the decision.”

Yanga will then face rivals Simba SC in the semi-finals of the domestic Cup at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Police FC have unveiled their second signing ahead of the new season after sealing the transfer of Hassan Muhamood from Onduparaka FC.

Muhamood is arriving at the ‘Cops’ just a day after the club secured the services of former Uganda Cranes midfielder Tony Mawejje on a two-year contract.

“We are pleased to announce the signing of defender Hassan Muhamood from Onduparaka on a two-year deal,” Police confirmed on their social media pages.

“He becomes our second signing of the ongoing transfer window after Tony Mawejje returned at the club.”

Speaking after unveiling the player, club chairman Asan Kasingye said: “Muhamood brings energy to boost our defence and we are excited to have him. We are rebuilding our club to make sure that we become a formidable force like we used to.

“We sorted out technical issues and now we are engaging all our efforts to make sure we have a good team.”

Kasingye further called upon the club fraternity to remain together as one family as they strive to do better in the new season.

“We call upon our fans and the team to remain together as we continue doing everything possible to make sure we compete at the highest level,” Kasingye continued.

“This is the time to build structures and reclaim our glory.”

On signing for the Law Enforcers, Muhamood said: “I am so happy to join Police. It’s a new challenge for me as a player and I am going to do my best so we go back at the top. I am looking forward to meeting the players and coaches.”

Before joining Police, Muhamood had also featured for UPL giants Express FC and SC Villa.

On Tuesday, after unveiling Mawejje, chairman Kasingye promised to beef up the squad that will be able to challenge for top honours in Uganda.

 “We no longer just want to compete; we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big,” Kasingye said earlier.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

VP Suhair is set to be signed by Indian Super League (ISL) outfit NorthEast United, Goal can confirm. 

The forward was an integral member of Kibu Vicuna's Mohun Bagan that went on to lift the I-League title. He made 16 appearances for the Mariners, notching up 1273 minutes during the campaign. He scored twice and assisted on two other occassions.  

In fact, he started all the I-League game under Kibu Vicuna at Bagan. Suhair was linked with a potential move to Kerala Blasters but NorthEast assistant coach Khalid Jamil has moved to secure the services of the striker.

Overall he made more than 30 appearances for Bagan including the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and Durand Cup. 

Suhair started his career with the SBT (State Bank of Travancore) team and then joined Gokulam Kerala after playing in the Santosh Trophy team for South Indian state. 

After representing Kerala in the Santosh Trophy, he joined United SC in the second division. While at the West Bengal club, he scored against East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League (CFL). Subsequently, he joined the Red and Golds in 2017. 

NorthEast United have already signed Ponif Vaz, Gurjinder Kumar, Lalkhawpuimawia & Rochharzela for the 2020-21 season. 

Daniel James will not be sent out on loan next season, according to his agent Jonathan Barnett, who says the Welsh winger is now a "major part" of Manchester United.

James became Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first signing as United's permanent head coach in June 2019.

The Red Devils paid £15 million ($19m) to secure his services from Swansea, where he had emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the Championship.

The 22-year-old committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford and hit the ground running in the Premier League, scoring on his debut as Solskjaer's men earned a 4-0 victory against Chelsea at the start of the new season.

James scored two more goals in his next three outings for United, before a frustrating scoreless run spanning the next six months.

The Wales international's last goal came during a 5-0 Europa League win over LASK in March, which marked the Red Devils' final outing before the coronavirus-enforced break in the campaign.

James has been reduced to a bit-part role in Solskjaer's squad since the top flight's resumption last month, with Mason Greenwood emerging as the Norwegian's first choice on the right of a front three.

It has been suggested that the former Swansea ace could secure a temporary move away from Manchester this summer for regular minutes, but Barnett is adamant he will be staying put.

Asked if there is any chance of James being loaned out when the transfer window reopens, his agent told Stretty News: “No. He’s a major part of Man United’s team. I see him playing for Man United.”

Barnett went on to insist that the Welshman has the "character" to fight for a place in United's line up, and that he is still developing at a "normal" rate despite a recent loss of form.

He added: "I think if you don’t have that character you shouldn’t go to Man United. We as a company have a responsibility to help them and point these things out and in Dan’s case, it was obvious he has that character.

“I think if you asked generally the people at Manchester United and I am presuming, I haven’t spoken to them but they would be very pleased with his progress.

“It’s very normal with a young player that he has a little dip in his form at the same time that the other guys have done extremely well, so he’ll have to wait his chance and when he gets it, he’ll take it.”

Rafael van der Vaart has advised compatriot Donny van de Beek to join Borussia Dortmund or Bayern Munich, should he leave Ajax this summer.

The midfielder has been heavily linked with Manchester United and Real Madrid, however, Van der Vaart would prefer to see him ply his trade in Germany.

"In my opinion, Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund would be great clubs for him," said Van der Vaart in the Amsterdam daily newspaper Trouw.

There has been no suggestion of concrete interest in Van de Beek from either of the Bundesliga giants, while there were reports in the Netherlands before the coronavirus crisis that Real Madrid had agreed a €55 million (£50m/$62m) fee with Ajax for the 23-year-old playmaker.

Van der Vaart, who played for Real Madrid during a career which also included spells with Hamburg and Tottenham, admits that when the Spanish giants come calling it is hard to turn them down.

"If Real knocks, what should you wait for? If the club really wants you, it will get you too," he said

"Many people advise him [Van de Beek] to stay with Ajax for another year and play a good European Championship with the national team. None of them understand how difficult it is to turn down a club like Real Madrid."

However Van der Vaart warned that the pressure of expectation will be much bigger on Van de Beek at Madrid than it currently is in Amsterdam, and used a Dutch international team-mate of the young star as a warning example.

He said: "The only thing that counts in Spain is winning a title. That brings a lot of pressure and you also need a bit of luck. We also thought that Frenkie de Jong was perfect for Barcelona, and at the moment it doesn't look that way anymore."

De Jong moved to Barcelona from Ajax last summer in a much-hyped €75m (£68m/$85m) move, but has not produced his best form at Camp Nou in a turbulent season at the Catalan club.

Van de Beek scored eight goals and provided six assists in 23 Eredivisie matches for Ajax in 2019-20, before the season was abandoned with no champion declared because of coronavirus.

Lothar Matthaus says it is possible for Kai Havertz to complete a move to Bayern Munich this summer, but only if Thiago Alcantara and David Alaba are moved on.

Bayern have been heavily linked with Bayer Leverkusen's talismanic playmaker throughout the 2019-20 campaign.

Havertz has enjoyed another superb individual season at Bay Arena, helping Peter Bosz's side finish fifth in the Bundesliga while also reaching the DFB-Pokal final.

The 21-year-old scored against the Bavarians last time out but couldn't prevent Leverkusen from falling to a 4-2 defeat in the final domestic clash of the season.

That outing could also end up being Havertz's last game for the club, should he decide to leave when the summer transfer window reopens.

Indeed, as reported by Goal, Chelsea are in pole position to sign the German, with a number of rival suitors put off by the €100 million (£90m/$112m) price tag being placed on him.

Bayern, meanwhile, have a history of poaching the best young talent from their Bundesliga rivals and Thomas Muller has already publicly endorsed a potential transfer for his fellow countryman.

And Matthaus expects Havertz to leave if a "bigger club" comes in for him, with Leverkusen seemingly open to selling should they receive the fee they want.

The Bayern legend told Sky Germany: "If an even bigger club than Leverkusen puts the money on the table that [Rudi] Voller and the Leverkusen team want for Havertz, then this summer is certain for me (for Havertz to leave), because the boy understandably wants to take the next step." 

The German champions have already forked out €60 million (£54m/$68m) to lure Leroy Sane to Allianz Arena from Manchester City.

Matthaus says Bayern CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge is well aware that funds for another big-money coup will be limited after the Sane deal, but that the club's finances could be boosted if Thiago and David Alaba are sold - amid rumoured interest from a host of Premier League clubs.

"He (Rummenigge) knows exactly what (any deal for Havertz) would cost - and that is not possible now after the Sane transfer," Matthaus added.

"If Thiago and David Alaba should leave the club, Bayern would get high transfer fees and save on the salaries of both of them. Then maybe it could be enough to acquire a mega-talent."

Javi Martinez is yet to discuss his future with Bayern Munich ahead of his contract expiring in 2021, Goal can confirm.

Reports in Germany have suggested the 31-year-old Spanish midfielder, who has spent the last eight seasons with the Bundesliga champions, had agreed to leave the club this summer.

However, Goal and SPOX can confirm that no talks have taken place and that no decision has been made over his future.

It would mean Bayern, should they not want to offer an extended contract to a player now in his 30s, would have to sell Martinez this summer if they wish to receive a transfer fee.

The player himself is not pushing for an exit despite playing a reduced role this campaign as Bayern claimed an unprecedented eighth successive German league title.

It is understood that Martinez is enjoying working with Bayern head coach Hansi Flick, and if fellow Spanish midfielder Thiago Alcantara leaves the club this summer, a first-team berth could open up for him again.

It has been claimed that Thiago may be seeking a new challenge away from Bavaria, and has been heavily linked with a move to Premier League champions Liverpool.

Martinez made just six Bundesliga starts in the 2019-20 campaign as Flick's side won the title by a sizeable 13-point margin.

He has suffered with injuries in the past year, most recently missing Bayern's DFB-Pokal final victory over Bayer Leverkusen because of a gastrointestinal infection.

In spite of a reduced role in the last year, Martinez has enjoyed a hugely successful eight-year spell with Munich since joining from Athletic Club in 2012 for €40 million (£35m/$45m), winning 19 major trophies.

Martinez spoke to Marca about his future in June, claiming he was in no rush to leave Bayern: "What I have experienced here was great. We have to wait because there is a lot of uncertainty.

"We do not know whether there will be a transfer market or whether the Champions League will be played [due to the coronavirus pandemic]."

He did, however, admit to considering his options and said he would be open to a return to his old club: "I am open to everything that fulfils me personally and physically. I could live and play in the USA, in Australia, or return to Spain.

"I had six unbelievable years in Bilbao. Of course it is an option."

Malaysia U-19 midfielder Umar Hakeem Suhar Rezwan is elated at the chance to return to team training with the team, following the suspension of all footballing activities in the country due to the global Covid-19 pandemic.

Ahead of the 2020 AFC U-19 Championship finals in October later this year, the Young Tigers have begun their first centralised training, on Monday, July 6, albeit in a non-contact manner as stipulated by the country's health ministry.

"I'm thankful that I can train again after months of inactivity, and that I get to meet my teammates again.

"It brought back memories of our times in previous AFC (Asian Football Confederation) and AFF (ASEAN Football Federation), but I have to focus on the task at hand," noted the Mokhtar Dahari Academy graduate in an interview published by the Malaysian FA.

When asked about his main area focus for the time being, the Johor Darul Ta'zim (JDT) youth player responded that it is the team's mental strength.

"We've all been away from serious practice for long and admittedly the practice we conducted at home was insufficient, so for now I want to focus on my endurance, as well as physical and mental strength. We can compete with boys from other countries in terms of abilities, but it's our mentality that usually makes our job harder. Those of us who tried training on our own at home during the lockdown period will have a slightly easier time in centralised training now.

"The inclusion of the new faces in the camp will also do well to ensure that the more-established squad members do not feel complacent. This competition for places on the final squad is something positive. Everyone will now work harder because they know that the new guys are here because they are good too," explained the 17-year old midfielder.

The 2020 AFC tournament will be held in Uzbekistan, with Malaysia drawn in Group D alongside Qatar, Tajikistan and Yemen.

Physically strong, tall and committed - retired Indian national team centre back Muttath Suresh left a lasting legacy in Kolkata with his performances for East Bengal. 

During a stint that lasted seven years, Suresh has been part of several memorable Kolkata derbies, success stories and emotional moments with the Red and Golds. He is part of a long list of talented footballers from Kerala to have done well at a place that is famously known as the 'Mecca of Indian Football'. 

The footballer, who grew up with the sport that his father also played, was vital for the defence of the India national team as well. Alongside his medals for National Football Championship (NFL), ASEAN Cup and Federation Cup wins with East Bengal is the proud honour of a South Asian Football Federation (SAFF) Cup victory with India in 2005. 

Throughout his professional career, Suresh was a rock-solid wall that strikers ran into. He was an imposing figure and knew how to lead his team from the back. He was one of those footballers who knew how to play out from the back. He also possessed a good left-foot.

His special traits were spotted early on by coaches when he played for the Calicut University team and then later for the state team in the Santosh Trophy. It didn't take long for the defender to get a call from Mohun Bagan, one of the oldest clubs in India. 

"I had only heard about how famous footballers who I liked spoke on how it is special to play in Kolkata. I was very happy when I got the chance to play there," Suresh, who is currently working in Kerala's health department, told Goal . 

The defender from Kasargod left Bagan after he received a better offer from Mahindra United but destiny took him straight back to Kolkata, this time to a region that boasted of different colours - the Red and Golds. After all these years, he still remembers how football is talked about in Kolkata and that is a result of undying passion and support for regional clubs that are not seen anywhere else in India. 

"I switched from Mohun Bagan to Mahindra (United). The fan atmosphere was different, we can really feel it. The people in Kolkata know you when you go outside. We didn't have mobiles back then but then they took autographs from you. 

"I played for EB in 7 years. When we play well, the reaction is great and they love you. But if we lose, they abuse and throw stones. It is like that," the defender said. 

One of the most anticipated showdowns in Indian football is the Kolkata derby, a fixture that Suresh has been fortunate enough to be a regular part of during his playing career. Suresh loved the derbies and enjoyed playing under pressure, thanks to his experience of playing Sevens football in Kerala. 

"The Salt Lake stadium is special and it adds to the atmosphere of a Kolkata derby. Only those who feel it will understand. I was amazed when I played in the derby for the first time. But playing Sevens football in Malappuram helped me deal with the pressure. It was easier to play in derbies for me. The atmosphere is electrifying, and it is an unforgettable moment in my life."

Suresh has been blessed with a lot of emotional and successful moments in his career but there were a few iconic moments that stood out. He captained East Bengal as they won the Federation Cup in 2007 and was part of the team that became ASEAN Cup champions in 2003. 

He was selected for the India national team after he performed well for the U-21 team and senior players were rested as the Blue Tigers travelled to the Maldives to play the MFF Golden Jubilee tournament in 2000. The centre-back scored a goal for the country in the Afro-Asian games in 2003 as hosts India defeated Rwanda 3-1 in the group stage.

Suresh reminisced, "I used to play for the U-21 India national team. I was selected for the senior team after the Santosh Trophy in Thrissur when senior players were rested for a tournament (MFF Golden Jubilee Tournament in 2000) in the Maldives. The moment when I scored for the national team is special for me. To score a goal for your country is a dream for all players."

Having played a lot of derbies with East Bengal, Suresh is hopeful that the long-standing tradition can continue despite Bagan merging with Indian Super League (ISL) club ATK to form a new entity ATK Mohun Bagan. A Kolkata derby in the ISL is what Suresh wants to watch.

"I wish to see East Bengal play in the ISL. We will miss Kolkata derby. People in Kolkata seem to be confident that East Bengal will play in the ISL. It will be good for the atmosphere."

The Coronavirus pandemic has kept Suresh busy in recent months as he continues to work for the health department in Thrikkarippur but he remains as committed to football as he was when his first took the field. 

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) is decentralising youth leagues by handing over the responsibility to the state associations from the 2020-21 season. 

In a set of new directives to the state associations, the apex governing body of football in India has instructed them to set up a league committee which will be responsible for conducting the various youth leagues. The body will formulate the regulations for the league, deliberate and oversee the day to day operations and decide on any relevant issues.

The federation has also allowed unaccredited clubs/academies to participate in the preliminary rounds, which will result in an increase in the number of participating teams. Given the situation due to the Covid-19 pandemic, it must be noted that getting your accreditation done in time for the upcoming season might be a challenge.

Until the last season, the AIFF organised the preliminary round of the Sub-Junior, Junior, and Elite League by dividing the participating teams into various groups according to their state or city as it deemed fit. Subsequently, the group champions would qualify for the final round which would then be played at a central venue.

As per the new move, the onus will also be on the state associations to ensure and be a part of grassroots development - something that has been a concern in the recent few years.

With the implementation of the new guidelines, it would see each states organising their respective age-group leagues in a format decided by the newly formed league committee in every state. Each of the state champions will lock horns in a final round which will then be conducted by the Indian FA. 

"This is an extremely well thought-out move by the federation. You need to spread the sport across the length and breadth of the country. With unaccredited clubs also being allowed to participate in the league, the number of players getting competitive match time will also increase manifold," said an official of a state association. 

Only AIFF accredited teams can qualify for the final round, with the exception that should an unaccredited club/academy qualify for the final round on merit, a one-time exemption will be given to that team. But this exemption will not be applicable to any such participant who has any financial or de facto link to an existing club/academy already accredited with AIFF previously.

The guidelines also direct the associations to establish a Disciplinary Committee to deal with all matters related to the discipline on and off the field of play based on the association’s disciplinary code.

An Appeals Committee shall also be formed by the state association to hear appeals lodged against decisions passed by the state association’s disciplinary committee.

An additional slot may further be provided to the runner-up team of the state leagues based on the availability of slots in the play-offs to the final round of the concerned AIFF youth league.

Overseas players in youth leagues

A team participating in state youth leagues can register a maximum of three foreign/PIO (Players of Indian Origin) /OCI (Overseas Citizen of India) players.

It has also been made mandatory for all teams to register a minimum of six ‘home grown’ players out of their total list of thirty players in each category. A home grown player is defined as any player whose place of birth (State/UT, as per the birth certificate/passport) is the same as the location of the club/academy. If the participant fails to sign six players it will not be allowed to take part in the competition. 

Zlatan Ibrahimovic cheekily claimed Milan would have won Serie A had he signed at the start of the season as their upturn in form continued with a remarkable 4-2 win over Juventus.

Ibrahimovic returned to Milan – where he previously won the Scudetto in 2011 – as a free agent in January after leaving MLS and the LA Galaxy.

The 38-year-old striker is still having an impact in Italy's top flight and took his goal tally in his latest Milan stint to six when he scored from the penalty spot against Juve on Tuesday.

That strike halved a two-goal deficit after efforts from Adrien Rabiot and Cristiano Ronaldo and improbably propelled Milan to a come-from-behind success, with Franck Kessie, Rafael Leao and Ante Rebic also on target.

A three-goal flurry within five minutes helped shrink that deficit, with Rebic scoring the game's final goal to seal an 18-minute span of dominance for Milan.

With the victory, Milan are up to fifth and have beaten title rivals Lazio and Juve in consecutive matches, leading a grinning star veteran Ibrahimovic to make a typically outlandish declaration.

Ibrahimovic told DAZN: "If I was here from the beginning of the season, we would have won the Scudetto!"

Ibrahimovic has been hailed as a role model for his Milan team-mates and added: "I am president, coach and player, but they only pay me as a footballer."

The former Sweden international is out of contract at the end of the season, however, and he acknowledges he may not appear in front of a full San Siro again.

"There is still a month, so let's see," Ibrahimovic said amid growing speculation head coach Stefano Pioli will be replaced by Ralf Rangnick. "There are things that we cannot in control.

"Playing without fans is a pity, a strange situation. We do our job, we are professionals. It could have been the last time they have seen me live in San Siro." 

The forward's first stint with Milan came between 2011-12, where he scored 56 goals in 85 appearances before making the move to Paris Saint-Germain.

Up next for Milan is a visit to Napoli on Sunday.