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Tanzania Football Federation media liaison officer Clifford Ndimbo has revealed how the Ramadan regulations will affect the Kariakoo Derby pitting Simba SC and Yanga SC.

Ndimbo revealed the players will be allowed to shortly observe the regulations of Ramadan. The evening prayer will be conducted at 6:34 pm when the May 8 match will be ongoing - as Muslims break their fast.

“We understand that some of the players are in Ramadan and we will accordingly give them a short break to pray when the time comes,” explained Ndimbo. “So, people should not be surprised by the unusual act of giving players time to obey the obligations of their faith.”

Another change of tradition will see fans barred from entering the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium one hour to kick-off. Fans have also been advised to head to the stadium using Taifa Road as other roads will not be accessible.

“We have always witnessed fans streaming into the stadium when the match has already started. There is going to be an end to that tradition on Saturday and the gates shall be closed at 4:00 pm,” added the official.

“The exception will be applied to those who will be in the line already but anyone who will not be around there will not be allowed entry thereafter.”

Ndimbo further added that officials who are not part of the technical bench will not be allowed in the dressing room as has been the case before.

“There have always been the officials who visit dressing rooms after the game and that will not be allowed this time around,” he concluded. “We all know that there are members of the technical bench that are allowed to enter the dressing rooms.”

The Kariakoo Derby has been played 105 times since 1965 and Yanga would be keen to beat Simba and maintain their dominance in the derby since they have won 37 games compared to Wekundu wa Msimbazi’s 31.

37 draws have been registered between the sides while Simba have kept 32 clean sheets and Yanga have registered 43 of them. A win for the Wekundu wa Msimbazi will help them widen the gap against Timu ya Wananchi to seven points.

Kaizer Chiefs have stated they will meet next week to discuss threats by fans on social media to march to Naturena in protest against poor Premier Soccer League results.

According to posters on social media, May 14 is the suggested date for the protest under the hashtags #KaizerChiefsProtest, #KaizerChiefsSupportersProtest and #KaizerChiefsMarch.

“No reaction. We have a meeting about it next week, so I don’t have anything to share with you at the moment,” said Maphosa as per Sowetan Live.  

“I don’t want to engage on it. I haven’t got a directive to engage on it until we meet on it next week. We will comment after that meeting. We are saying we are aware of it.” 

Chiefs are currently ninth on the Premier Soccer League table with three points off the top half. 

They have failed to win their last three league games against relegation-threatened sides Chippa United and Bloemfontein Celtic, before Tuesday’s defeat by Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila which ended many of their fans' patience. 

With four league games remaining, the Soweto giants have what looks like a difficult remainder of their campaign as they continue with their top-eight bid. 

They host Swallows FC next Wednesday, before traveling to basement side Black Leopards who are fighting against relegation. 

In-form Golden Arrows will then be up next before they visit TS Galaxy for their final match of the season.

Nuri Sahin has tipped Erling Haaland to remain at Borussia Dortmund for at least one more year, and believes the Norwegian star has the potential and mentality to match Robert Lewandowski’s achievements in the game.

Haaland’s future has been the subject of much debate, with the 20-year-old having enjoyed an incredible first year in Germany.

Since joining Dortmund from Salzburg in January 2020, he has scored 53 goals in 56 appearances. Little wonder he has been linked with the likes of Real Madrid and Manchester City, then. 

His agent, Mino Raiola, caused a stir recently when suggesting that Dortmund would be tempted to sell this summer, but the stance from the club is that Haaland will be going nowhere until at least 2022. 

And Sahin, who made more than 200 appearances across two spells at Signal Iduna Park, believes Dortmund will stick to their guns.

What’s been said? 

Speaking exclusively to Goal, the Turkey international said: “As a fan of Dortmund, I hope he will stay! But it’s his decision. There are many people around him who are speaking and helping, showing him the pros and cons of staying at Dortmund, but in the end he will decide if he will stay or not.

“He still has a contract for a few more years, and if Dortmund don’t want to let him go, they will make that clear.

“I don’t see a big problem, to be honest. I think Dortmund will get the Champions League and Haaland will stay at least one more year, and then everyone will be happy!”

‘He can get to Lewandowski’s level’

Sahin, of course, played alongside another great Dortmund striker in Lewandowski, watching in awe as the Poland star established himself as one of the world’s best.

And the 32-year-old says the signs are that Haaland has what it takes to reach a similar kind of level in the future.

He said: “He can get there. But the thing is not to get there, but to stay there. This is what Lewandowski has done. 

“Let’s speak about the last 10 years; there was [Luis] Suarez, [Sergio] Aguero, Harry Kane, Lewy and [Karim] Benzema, and they stayed at that level. 

“Haaland can make it, for sure. He has huge potential, and what I heard from Dortmund is that he is training really well, that he’s very professional. 

“That mentality is key. People at Dortmund say they never saw a guy as professional since Lewandowski. I don’t know Haaland, but I saw Lewy, and every day you could see in his eyes that this guy wants to win everything. 

“If Haaland has that, then he can absolutely make it.”

‘Sancho is like Mbappe and Neymar – you’d pay to watch him’

Sahin also spoke glowingly about another in-demand Dortmund prospect, Jadon Sancho, whom he played with as a 17-year-old.

“He’s a player you would pay to watch,” he said. “You watch him in these 1v3 situations, and he comes out with the ball! He’s a joy.

“He’s the same as Neymar and [Kylian] Mbappe. These kind of players make the fans pay for the tickets, make the kids want to have them on their shirt. 

“He came to Dortmund at 17, and it was crazy to see his ability. It was a brave decision from him, but Jadon and his family thought that it was the best thing for him to leave his comfort zone, and it worked for him.

“He hasn’t had the most spectacular season, maybe, but his numbers are still there. It is normal at this age to have ups and downs. He had a crazy year last year, and people naturally will always want to see that level, but he is back now. 

“I watched a few minutes of the last match, and he is back!”

Further reading

Tshakuma Tsha Madzivhandila coach Dylan Kerr has called on his players to put up a good show as they did against Kaizer Chiefs when they face Chippa United in the final of the Nedbank Cup on Saturday.

The former Gor Mahia tactician will lead his side at the Free State Stadium and the final comes after they defeated Kaizer Chiefs 2-1 in a midweek Premier Soccer League clash.

While admitting Cup games are different from league matches, the British tactician has called on his players to put up a fight in the final and also confirmed they don’t have injury concerns heading into the clash.

“I hope we can replicate or surpass our performance against Chiefs in the cup final. I told the players it is about winning the trophy and not financial gain. It is a cup final, so league form goes out the window,” Kerr told Citizen.

“The players are excited and want to impress. This week we have had training sessions with no injures, which is almost unheard of. It is an important game for the club and players, it could be the one and only chance for these players to reach a cup final. Our opponents have got a couple of good results behind them and have a new coach in Vladislav [Heric].”

Kerr has also admitted they have not trained enough for the fixture owing to their involvement in the league but maintained they have a food chance to win the final.

“We have the disadvantage of one day’s fewer training because we played on Tuesday but we have put in a good performance, which was very successful,” Kerr continued.

“We must look forward to the game and create history. I think this is the first time the Nedbank Cup would have been won by a team in the Limpopo province.

“I know how some people are going to feel on Friday night when I announce the team but at the same time I am hoping that those who are going to be picked will appreciate being in the line-up against a team that has not done as well in the league as we are.”

TTM stunned overwhelming favourites Mamelodi Sundowns on penalties in the semi-final to earn the right to take on Chippa‚ who overcame GladAfrica Championship side, Pretoria Callies, in the other semi-final.

Dennis Oliech has revealed he is not interested in following the coaching path like Arsenal icon Thierry Henry and his counterpart, Italy legend Andrea Pirlo.

The 36-year-old has not been actively involved in the game since hanging his boots in 2019. There have been calls from several quarters for the former Harambee Star to go for his coaching licenses, but that is not in his mind.

"I do not want to be a coach, I want to be working in the federation to stand a chance of helping upcoming footballers through youth programs," Oliech said.

"You can be a coach but without facilities, you will fail. Look at former renowned footballers, they don't make it as coaches. Bigger percentages fail; recent examples being [Thierry Henry] and current Juventus coach [Andrea] Pirlo. They are struggling."

If it is coaching, the former Gor Mahia and Mathare United player has stated it will be about helping youngsters. 

"Well, if coaching is the only alternative, maybe under 14 or 16; but for a senior team no, maybe being a manager alongside the likes of Musa [Otieno] and maybe Jamal [Mohamed]," Oliech continued.

"We do not have active under-19, under-17, or even under-16 national teams in the country.

"It is what I want to do, to help set youth structures to help the country have that set-up. I am hopeful we can do better with the right structures, it is the only way to make football better in the country."

In a recent interview, Oliech revealed he made a grave mistake by leaving French side AC Ajaccio for Dubai CSC in the United Arab Emirates.

The Kenyan made 50 appearances for the Bears between 2013 and 2015, scoring eight goals in the process. When Dubai came calling, he grabbed the offer and made a move, something he regrets to date.

"I made a mistake when I moved from Ajjacio to Dubai, and that is how my career ended.

"It was a grave mistake that pushed me to retirement. If I would have stayed in Europe then I would still be playing at 35 or 36 like [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic. I still regret it but I am thankful for what I have managed to achieve." 

Kenya international Joseph Okumu has suffered an injury setback that will see him miss IF Elfsborg action in Sweden for the next two weeks.

According to Elfsborg team doctor Matilda Lundblad, the towering defender, who was in his best form for the Swedish top-tier side, suffered a small injury in the membrane around the calf muscle and he will be out for the next two weeks.

In a statement published on the club’s official website, Lundblad stated: “Joseph [Okumu] has a small injury in the membrane around the calf muscle. He is expected to be partially available for games in just over two weeks.

“Rasmus Alm did an MRI examination yesterday [Friday] which showed muscle strain in the back of the thigh and his return to full play is estimated to take about three weeks after the injury.

“We wish Rasmus and Okumu a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing them both on the pitch again.”

The injury to Okumu will sound like a big blow to the player, who in recent weeks had attracted interest from Scottish giants Rangers FC with Daily Record reporting the player had stated this week he’s keen to take the “next step” in his career.

And Elfsborg's sporting director also stated Okumu could be the best defender the Allsvenskan has ever seen, ahead of even the likes of Filip Helander and Olof Mellberg.

Stefan Andreasson said: “Okumu has been talked about a lot since he came to us.

“We understood that this was a very good player, then he showed maybe the whole of Sweden last year, and also Europe. It is clear that Okumu is one of the best.

“I have said it once before, that he is the best centre-back that has ever been in the Allsvenskan - you can say that sometimes. He is destined to have a career outside Scandinavia, which is positive. We must enjoy him as long as he's here.”

Apart from his links to Ibrox, Harambee Stars coach Jacob ‘Ghost’ Mulee will recover in time in readiness for the World Cup qualifying matches which were postponed to September.

The Arabian Gulf League is set for an exciting finale on May 11th as Al Jazira and Baniyas are separated by a mere point.

After having drawn their games after the re-start of the league earlier this month, the top two teams picked up comfortable wins with Baniyas thumping Al Dafra 5-0 while Al Jazira registering a 2-0 victory over Al Ain.

Al Jazira took the lead in the 33rd minute through star striker Ali Mabkhout. However, Al Ain could have equalized in the second half, but goalkeeper Ali Khaseif pulled off a save to deny Kodjo Laba from the spot. Full points were secured in the 80th minute when Milos Kosanovic scored a sublime free-kick to make it 2-0.

Al Jazira will be up against 10th placed Khor Fakkan on the final matchday as they will look to seal the Arabian Gulf League title.

Meanwhile, Baniyas were in sublime form as well as they had five different goal-scorers, namely Joao Pedro, Gastón Suarez, Amer Abdulrahman, Nicolas Gimenez and Ahmed Abunamous, against Al Dafra.

Being just a point behind Al Jazira, they will be up against eighth-placed Al Wahda, who are coming off their AFC Champions League campaign where they made it into the knockout stages.

If there is one overarching ideology that has characterized Chelsea’s rise to superclub status, it is the aversion to standing still.

So it is that, even with a Champions League final in view, the transfer rumour mill continues to churn. The most recent reports have flagged up a link to Brazil international Gabriel Menino, who plays for Palmeiras and has been nicknamed, improbably, the Brazilian Yaya Toure.

The 20-year-old is reportedly a favourite of Selecao manager Tite, who handed him a maiden senior national team call-up in 2020 and is said to consider him the long-term successor to Dani Alves.

Capable of playing both in midfield and at right-back, and brimming with dynamism, there is no shortage of suitors for the Guarani youth product, with the likes of Juventus also linked.

Of course, it was not very long ago that Chelsea were interested in signing the original Yaya Toure. In a recent interview with the Daily Mail , the legendary Ivorian revealed that, prior to joining Manchester City in 2010, he nearly opted for a move to London instead.

“I was close to joining Chelsea,” he said. “Chelsea would have been easy because they already had a story as a great club. Didier Drogba was there as well, but I was thinking in my mind to get to a club where people can see me.

"At Barcelona I was surrounded by great players – Xavi, Iniesta, Messi – and that meant people thought it was easy for me to play with them. After I moved to City, people started to realise how capable I was.”

Come the summer of 2012, Roman Abramovich’s Blues were once rebuffed in their bid to prise the midfield powerhouse away from the Etihad, with Toure telling L’Equipe: “I am quite sure the day will come that I will be an old man and [Manchester City fans] will still go on talking about me here. Is that why I refused to talk with Real or Chelsea last summer? Yes, because City's history is to be made now, and I thank God for that.”

Clearly, it was that desire to write his own legend that ultimately dictated his choices, and with Toure at the head of their charge, the Citizens upstaged their city rivals United and kickstarted an era of success that carries through to this day.

It is tempting to wonder, however, what might have happened had Toure in fact chosen to move over to Stamford Bridge.

The 2010/11 season saw Chelsea finish in second place in the Premier League, nine points behind eventual champions Manchester United.

However, in doing so, they gave up 15 points and a whopping 25 goals (despite shattering the British transfer record to add Fernando Torres to the striker pool in the January transfer window) from their title-winning campaign the season prior, even while the ‘Goals Against’ column was barely altered.

The losses of Deco and Michael Ballack were crucial in this regard.

Both were released at the start of the 2010/11 season, with only tireless midfielder Ramires signed as a replacement from Benfica.

While the Portuguese maestro only featured sparingly, Ballack was a mainstay within the squad, allying technical quality with energy and winning mentality; shorn of these two, Chelsea were a shadow of their dominant selves, and not only failed to hit their attacking heights, but also wilted in key moments during the season.

It is easy to see then why Toure was a legitimate target for the Blues, and also the impact he would have had right away: he would have kept Chelsea competitive, while replacing their departed German midfield general to even more devastating attacking effect.

Ramires no doubt holds a special place in the hearts of Chelsea fans for his Camp Nou heroics the following year, but his lack of discipline in their Champions League quarter-final exit at the hands of Manchester United buttressed the drop-off from one season to the next.

Just days after the Blues struggled for inspiration and ultimately fell short against the Red Devils, Toure tore through them in that year’s FA Cup semi-final, netting a famous winner to push City over the line despite being second-best for the opening period.

In league play, Chelsea effectively stood still and paid for it, while a Toure-powered Manchester City pulled off a 19-point swing to tie the Blues on points in 2010/11, before winning the title outright the following season.

Had the club hierarchy replaced like for like and brought in the Ivorian to take Ballack’s place, there is a strong chance they would have retained their title, and that might have been enough to keep Carlo Ancelotti in work at Stamford Bridge.

It would also, crucially, have delayed City’s rise just that little bit longer.

Chelsea’s loss was very much Manchester City’s gain.

The Chelsea Supporters' Trust has requested that UEFA move the upcoming Champions League final after Turkey was added to England's travel red list on Friday.

Chelsea are set to take on Manchester City in Istanbul in the tournament finale, having taken down Real Madrid while Pep Guardiola's side moved past Paris Saint-Germain to earn their first spot in a Champions League final.

However, Turkey has now been added to England's red list, with Transport secretary Grant Shapps saying that countries on that list  "should not be visited except in the most extreme circumstances".

What was said?

“Turkey has been added to the red list and therefore no #CFC supporters can travel to watch the #UCL final,” the CST tweeted on Friday.

“We are meeting with the @UEFA president this week & will request that the fixture is moved to the UK.”

Potential solutions

Shapps says that the government is open to staging the game in the UK, which would be safe for both teams while also allowing supporters to travel and watch their team compete in the final.

He added that the Football Association has held talks with UEFA about switching the game, but that the decision is in the federation's hands.

"The UK has a successful track record of hosting matches with spectators so we are well placed to do it," he said.

"So we are very open to it, but it is actually in the end a decision for UEFA to make. But given it is two English clubs in the final, we look forward to hearing what they have to say."

The host city

Istanbul was scheduled to host last season's Champions League final before the tournament was rescheduled due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The closing rounds of the 2019-20 tournament were held in Portugal instead, with Istanbul then promised the 2020-21 final instead.

Istanbul has not hosted a Champions League final since Liverpool's famous triumph over AC Milan in 2005.

Further reading

Matteo Guendouzi's season is over after Hertha Berlin confirmed that the midfielder suffered a fractured metatarsal.

Guedouzi's injury occurred in Thursday's win over Freiburg, with the French midfielder forced out of the game in the 39th minute.

The 22-year-old midfielder has been on loan from Arsenal, having joined Hertha Berlin in October.

What did the club have to say?

"Scans on Friday morning confirmed the fears that Mattéo Guendouzi has suffered a fractured metatarsal," the club said in a statement. "The 22-year-old won’t play again this season for Hertha BSC.

"The midfielder got injured during Thursday’s home win over SC Freiburg, and although he tried to play on, had to come off in the 39th minute."

Guendouzi's stay in Germany

Guendouzi made a total of 24 appearances for the club, scoring twice while also adding three assists.

Hertha were originally convinced to sign the midfielder due to a recommendation from Per Mertesacker, with sporting director Arne Friedrich saying in December that Guendouzi was "worth every penny".

The Frenchman is currently going through football "puberty", according to coach Pal Dardai, who said the Arsenal loanee has a "rebellious" streak.

It was that rebellious streak that led to his loan in the first place, as Guendouzi fell out of favour with Mikel Arteta amid questions about his attitude.

Guendouzi originally joined Arsenal from Lorient in 2018 and was a regular with the first team until December 2019, making 82 first-team appearances before being loaned out.

Guendouzi is contracted to the north London side until 2022, however, and has said that he remains committed to the club.

Further reading

Mikel Arteta has said that Arsenal's overhaul must be "ruthless" as one of the club's most disappointing seasons in recent memory nears an end.

Arsenal were eliminated from the Europa League by Villarreal on Thursday, falling in the semi-final to nearly ensure the Gunners will miss out on Europe entirely next season.

Winning the Europa League would have given Arsenal a spot in next season's Champions League but, sitting in ninth place in the Premier League, European football is now all but out of reach.

What was said?

“This year is not year one," Arsenal boss Arteta said of the club's project. "I think a project has its phases and I am telling you we are in a much better position today to be where we want to be very soon, if we do what we have to do. But we have to be ruthless.

“We cannot be crying and stuck on what we don’t have. We have to see what we do have and maximise it to get what we want.

“I want to share the pain that we are all feeling. [The fans] have been incredible with the team and incredible with me since I arrived and I have to show my appreciation first of all.

“I know their disappointment. We are here to give them joy, to give them moments where they can feel proud of what we do. We were able to do that last season and we haven’t this season.

“We are the ones who have to give them something to cheer about. I don’t think it is time for us to demand anything from them.”

What's next for the Gunners?

Arsenal finished eighth in the Premier League last season, their lowest finish since 1995, and this season they sit ninth with just four games remaining.

Barring a miracle turnaround, Arsenal now look certain to miss out on European qualification for the first time in 25 years. 

It has left Arteta under a huge amount of pressure as he nears the end of his first full season in charge.

Though Arsenal won the FA Cup last season, they took a big step backwards this term and the Spaniard will have to improve results quickly to stay in his job.

Further reading

Kelechi Iheanacho scored for Leicester City in their 4-2 defeat to Newcastle United on Friday to close in on Crotone’s Simy Nwankwo feat.

The Super Eagles forward bagged a late effort as the King Power Stadium outfit attempted to come back into the game, with Marc Albrighton reducing the deficit after already down by 4-0.

Iheanacho thus took his tally to 10 league goals this season, which were all scored between March to May, becoming the most lethal attacker in the English top-flight over this period.

The effort also ranked him as the second most prolific attacker in Europe's top five leagues with only his compatriot Simy having more goals than him during this time.

The lanky forward has 12 Serie A goals but his effort has not been able to help Crotone maintain their status in the Italian top-flight, having confirmed their relegation.

Iheanacho has been in terrific form this season after struggling in the past to establish himself at King Power Stadium since teaming up with the side in 2017 from Manchester City.

The forward won the Premier League Player of the Month award for March and he is in line to scoop the individual accolade for the second consecutive time, having been nominated for the prize.

He is also in contention for the Goal of the Month award for April, underlining his eye-catching displays for the Foxes this season.

Iheanacho has now bagged 18 goals and provided seven assists in 34 appearances across all competitions this season.

His form has helped Leicester City maintain their second spot on the Premier League table after gathering 63 points from 35 games.

Iheanacho will hope to help Leicester return to winning ways when they take on Manchester United on May 11.

The striker recently extended his stay with the King Power Stadium outfit, signing a new deal to end the speculations surrounding him.

He is also a key member of the Nigeria national team and recently contributed to the Super Eagles qualification for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations in Cameroon.

Jurgen Klopp has backed Roberto Firmino to overcome a difficult campaign and prove his worth to Liverpool once again.

The Brazilian’s form has been the subject of much debate among supporters, with his record of six goals in 43 appearances this season hardly befitting a man wearing the No.9 jersey at Anfield.

Klopp, though, remains the 29-year-old’s biggest advocate, and dismissed suggestions the former Hoffenheim man is in decline. Instead, he sees Firmino’s struggles as a natural product of Liverpool’s lack of stability and consistency throughout a miserable campaign. 

What’s been said?

Klopp told reporters: "It [Firmino’s form] is a mixture of the season, 100 per cent, but as well, when the boys up front don't score as often as we're used to then that doesn't help!

"But anyway, we are not in dreamland, so you can go through these periods. But, of course, it is temporary and not forever. There is no doubt about that. 

“Bobby is not old or tired or lost everything, not at all. We see everything in training, but we need to make sure we bring that more often on the pitch. That is not only for Bobby either, but you asked about him. That is a general thing for us.

“The season is not one where we got into a proper flow and things were clicking game after game. We had to work incredibly hard and when you have to work incredibly hard you think about different things. 

“So let me say it like this, when we lost our defence and stability a bit because of injuries, everybody had to play differently to protect the defence. That means you play a yard further back, or two, or five, or 10. That keeps your focus away from an offensive situation because you would think already that when you lose the ball you have to get it back.

"So there are a lot of complex things that have happened this year and so far it was why this is the season we saw. There are absolutely no excuses, and I hope that is clear, but it is a description.

"Bobby is a good example of that but he is in a good moment, he trains really well and that is good.”

What happens if Liverpool miss out on the Champions League?

Klopp admitted on Friday that it “doesn’t look likely” that Liverpool will finish in the top four of the Premier League this season.

That will naturally impact on the club financially, and would affect their ability to strengthen their squad as they wish to in the summer.

But Klopp says that there will be no period of mourning at Anfield next season, with the focus firmly on recovery and improvement.

He said: "It's not a problem. We are not kids in a candy shop who are not getting the candies and so we just stand there.

"We are responsible for the situation we are in and nobody will watch next season's Champions League in front of the television, crying because we are not involved.

"That is football and it is completely normal. So that will not be a challenge. If someone was struggling with that, hopefully, I would see that and realise it early to sort it. I am pretty sure I would recognise it early! 

“Again, the good things we did in the last few years we did together and this season we did together as well. And the reaction to this season we will show together as well, that is clear.”

Further reading

Jurgen Klopp insists Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain still has a future at Liverpool, and has explained why he expects the midfielder to play a bigger role at Anfield next season.

Oxlade-Chamberlain has found opportunities hard to come by in this campaign, featuring only 14 times in all competitions for the Reds, and making only two starts. It has led, naturally, to suggestions the 27-year-old, who arrived on Merseyside from Arsenal 2017, may look to move clubs in the summer.

Klopp, though, says that is unlikely, and has outlined the reasons why Oxlade-Chamberlain has not featured as much as he would have liked this season.

What’s been said?

Klopp told reporters: “The summer is important for all of us, and for Ox it’s exactly the same. 

“When you don’t start games, then you have to use each training session and each minute on the pitch in a game to convince. I don’t have to be convinced, to be honest, but it’s about showing up in these kind of situations.

“Oxlade had really good moments. He trains really well. These situations are not easy; for Naby [Keita] it is not easy, for Shaq [Xherdan Shaqiri] it is not easy, for some other players as well. I know that.

“But during the season, a lot of things happened. The one thing we tried to get, and when we got it we tried to keep it, was balance and rhythm, stability. That means that you don’t change these positions too often. That’s it, pretty much.

“With always having a different defence, the midfield needed to be different to other times, when we were much more settled, much more stable. That’s the reason why some players don’t have enough minutes. 

“That will hopefully change completely next season because if you have that stability in the last line, then you can be more flexible in the formation, further up the pitch.”

Asked if he was still counting on Oxlade-Chamberlain for next season, and if his faith in the former Arsenal man had ever wavered, Klopp smiled: “Yes, and no!”

‘We will see the best of Thiago’

Klopp was also asked about another midfielder, Thiago Alcantara, who has endured a testing first season in the Premier League following his move from Bayern Munich last September.

“Thiago, in a really difficult season, has become a very important player for us,” he said. “That is the most important thing you can say about him.

"He started really well, then got a bad injury and an annoying one as well because it took really long [to heal] then he came back into the team that is not really clicking.

"As a football player, he works a lot and is a good, hard-working guy, but he comes rather from the technical side and was used to different patterns at Bayern Munich and all these kinds of things, so it is not a year where a new signing just shines, especially in midfield.

"For Diogo [Jota] it was a little easier in situations, even though he had an injury as well, because he finished chances and was not so much involved in creating. 

"But creating is the moment where a lot of things have to come together and that is why it was difficult for Thiago.

“But we are completely happy with him. We will see the best of him. I don't think we saw it already, but that is not a problem. We are 100 per cent convinced we will get the best out of him because he is a world-class player."

Further reading

Thomas Tuchel has spoken about the circumstances that saw Kevin De Bruyne leave Chelsea in 2014 but insists that Kai Havertz or Timo Werner won't need similar departures.

To some, the circumstances around De Bruyne's exit remain a source of regret after he left in an £18 million ($25m) deal before going onto become one of the Premier League's best players at Manchester City.

Now, vice-captain at City, De Bruyne could lift the Premier League title for the third time if his side beat Chelsea on Saturday, with a Champions League final to come between the two teams later in the month. Tuchel is glad that De Bruyne reached his potential after a move but doesn't want history to repeat itself with Werner or Havertz.

What he said?

"I don't know; I wasn't there. I can just say that you can get caught up in the thoughts that it was a big mistake to let him go, but you never know. You don't know what would have happened if he would not have changed the club back to Germany from Chelsea and then back to England after that," Tuchel told reporters.

"Maybe he needed it at the time. A different league, a different challenge to be at his best level that he has maybe ever reached to be so influential at City and even be the captain for an amazing and such a successful team.

"You don't know; maybe it was for the best for him. Maybe he would have done the same route had he stayed and forced his way in here. It is hard to tell, hard to tell but what I can tell you is that this league here, because you draw a comparison to Timo and Kai's situation, the league here makes you either do it or don't do it.

"This league is the best here to challenge every player and coach at the highest level in football. You have two possibilities, you step up or you don't. If you don't, you don't make it in this league and that's why I am very happy that Timo and Kai both stepped out of their comfort zone and took this adventure, this huge challenge, come to England, go abroad in the hardest league and go to a club with a real winning mentality.

"A tough club that's not about second or third place; this is about winning. This is bravery and it is the right step for them to bring out their very best. This is very good because it is the league and challenge that demands it and sharpens their character.

"It's their mentality and this is what we can see. They are still on their way, we will boost them and this is always a process. For some, it is faster and for others, it is slower, but as long as they are all Chelsea's players, they get our full support."

How are Chelsea shaping up to end the season?

Chelsea are in need of the points on Saturday in their efforts to qualify for the Champions League through a top-four finish. They also have an FA Cup final to come against Leicester City next week.

They have only Mateo Kovacic out injured ahead of the trip to Man City. Pep Guardiola's side have only John Stones out through suspension.

Further reading

Kelechi  Iheanacho scored while  Wilfred Ndidi featured as Leicester City suffered a 4-2 defeat to Newcastle United in Friday’s Premier League game.

Iheanacho was handed his 14th league start of the campaign and utilized the opportunity to add to his tally but his effort was not enough to help the Foxes extend their unbeaten run.

The 24-year-old has been in fine form this season and last month he was named the winner for the Premier League Player of the Month award.

The attacker has again been nominated for the individual accolade following his blistering showings in April as well as been shortlisted for the best goal prize.

Iheanacho again partnered with Jamie Vardy in Leicester’s attack but they were overpowered by Steve Bruce’s men in the outing.

Ndidi also started the encounter, forming a four-man midfield along with Marc Albrighton, Youri Tielemans and Ricardo Pereira.

The Foxes began the game on the back foot, allowing the Magpies to dominate the opening proceedings and paid for it when Joseph Willock opened the scoring in the 22nd minute.

Paul Dummett then doubled Newcastle’s lead in the 34th minute from a brilliant assist from Matt Ritchie.

Iheanacho came close to reducing the deficit for his side in the 36th minute when he fired a fine shot towards goal but goalkeeper Martin Dubravka parried the effort away.

After the restart, the Magpies continued their domination and moments after the hour mark, Callum Wilson got the third for his side.

Wilson then completed his brace in the 74th minute which seemed to awake the Foxes as they attempted to launch a comeback into the game.

Vardy set up Albrighton to reduce the deficit in the 80th minute and with time ticking away, Iheanacho found the back of the net with a well-taken effort.

The Nigeria forward featured for the duration of the game while his compatriot Ndidi played for 63 minutes before making way for Ayoze Perez.

Despite the loss, Leicester remain in the third spot on the Premier League table after gathering 63 points from 35 games.

The Nigeria international will hope to help Leicester return to winning ways when they take on Manchester United on May 11.