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Cape Town City have announced the appointment of Aaron Mokoena as assistant coach to Jan Olde Riekerink.

The 40-year-old former Bafana Bafana captain replaced Vasili Manousakis, who is reportedly on his way to join AmaZulu as Benni McCarthy’s assistant coach.

“The club is delighted to confirm the appointment of Aaron Mokoena as Cape Town City Football Club assistant coach. The most capped player in South African history, officially a Citizen. Welcome Mbazo,” City announced on Monday.

The Boipatong-born retired defender spent 13 years playing in Europe, highlighted by a stint in the Premier League where he turned out for Blackburn Rovers and Portsmouth.

He also played in Germany for Germinal Beerschot and the Belgian top-flight for Genk.

Since winding up his playing career at Bidvest Wits in 2013, Mokoena's only big job was a spell as Bafana Bafana team assistant manager in 2017 and the City job would be his first-ever coaching role.

He is reunited with Riekerink, who coached him at the Ajax Amsterdam reserve side in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

“I always felt that Cape Town is like Europe and I have been in Europe for half of my life,” Mokoena told Cape Town City’s media.

“I am from the dusty streets. I played armature football in Boipatong. I am the most capped footballer in the history South African football. It’s not easy to play abroad. One thing that is frustrating in Europe is not to play. That’s why we find a lot of South African players coming back home.

“I would love to guide them. Coming to join such a massive club, the relationship that I had with my ex-coach Jan Olde Riekerink in the days at Ajax Amsterdam makes me already feel at home.”

Mokoena joined City, who are currently placed fourth on the Premier Soccer League standings, six points behind leaders Mamelodi Sundowns.

City have, however, played a game fewer than the defending champions.

Having started work on Monday, the former South Africa skipper is expected to be on the bench in Tuesday's league match away at second-placed Swallows FC. 

John Terry was open to the idea of joining Liverpool in 2003 claims Phil Thompson, with the Reds ready to do a deal before Roman Abramovich completed his takeover at Stamford Bridge and scuppered their plans.

Modern day history in the Premier League could have been very different had the Russian billionaire not rolled into west London and set about changing the face of English football.

Terry certainly would not have been ‘Captain, Leader, Legend’ at Chelsea had there not been sweeping changes in the Blues’ boardroom some 17-and-a-half years ago.

Back then, a man who went on to claim 17 major honours as captain of a European superpower was an emerging 22-year-old whose contract was running down.

Cash was in short supply at Stamford Bridge and sales appeared to be on the cards, with Liverpool ready to take advantage of that after playing host to Chelsea in the final game of the 2002-03 campaign.

Then-Reds boss Gerard Houllier took a liking to Terry and had sounded him out over a switch to Anfield, before Abramovich intervened.

Liverpool legend Thompson, who was Houllier’s assistant at the time, told Paddy Power’s From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast: “In the final game of the 2002-03 season, it was a shoot-out between Liverpool and Chelsea for the last Champions League place.

“This was just before Roman Abramovich came in. We’d heard Chelsea were in dire straits, and they weren’t going to offer Frank Lampard or John Terry a contract.

“After the game, as Chelsea were doing a lap of honour, Gerard Houllier said to me that Terry was a bit of a player. I agreed, adding I didn’t think they’d offered him a contract. So Houllier went and shook John Terry’s hand and asked ‘how would you like to play for Liverpool?’ and John said: ‘I’d love to, Mr Houllier’.

“After, we sent one of our coaches in to the players’ lounge and asked John for his agent’s phone number. John said: ‘I’ll do more than that, here’s my personal telephone number, ask him to give us a call’.

“A couple of weeks later, Abramovich took over, and his first dealings were signing Terry and Frank Lampard to big contracts – so we were that far away from getting him.”

Terry went on to take in 717 appearances for Chelsea, many of them as captain, and helped the Blues to five Premier League titles, five FA Cup wins, three League Cup successes, a Champions League crown and Europa League triumph.

He retired in 2018 after seeing out his playing days at Aston Villa and, amid talk of returning to Stamford Bridge at some stage in the future in a managerial capacity, is currently working as Dean Smith’s assistant at Villa Park.

Liverpool forward Liam Millar is set to join Charlton on loan.

The Canada international, who has captained the Reds’ Under-23 side this term, will join the League One outfit until the end of the season. Millar, 21, is expected to sign an improved contract before heading out, with the move likely to be confirmed in the next 24 hours.

He could now make his Addicks debut on Friday, when Lee Bowyer’s men host Accrington Stanley.

Millar, who can play as a No.9 but has performed best on the left flank, made his senior debut for Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round replay against Shrewsbury back in February – a game for which Jurgen Klopp and his entire first-team squad were absent.

He led the line as a young Reds side won 1-0, and had been expected to secure a loan move in the summer.

Charlton, Millwall and Sunderland all expressed interest, but none were able to put together a formal deal. Millar has since impressed at U23 level, earning the captain’s armband from coach Barry Lewtas and twice being nominated for the Premier League 2 Player of the Month award. He also featured in all three of his side’s Football League Trophy fixtures.

This will not be his first loan spell. He made 36 appearances across two stints with Scottish Premiership side Kilmarnock, scoring twice.

Millar spoke exclusively to Goal back in July, discussing, among other things, his friendship with Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies, his Liverpool debut and his dream of being part of the first Canada side to qualify for a World Cup since 1986.

“To be the first Canadian to play for Liverpool, it was a big thing, something I’ll never forget,” he said.

“If any generation is going to get us to a World Cup, it’s this one. We have a lot of really good players. We all want to reach a World Cup. For a Canada team to do that, it’s the dream.”

Liverpool will consider loan offers for another U23 player, Dutch defender Sepp van den Berg, with a number of Championship clubs having expressed an interest in the 19-year-old.

Van den Berg joined from Eredivisie side PEC Zwolle in the summer of 2019, and made four appearances in cup competitions for the Reds last season.

But he has found himself overtaken by two more teenagers, Rhys Williams and Billy Koumetio, plus Nat Phillips, in the pecking order this season, and it is felt that a temporary switch would be best for his development. 

With Morgan Boyes recalled from a spell with League One side Fleetwood, Van den Berg will be allowed to head out on loan later this month.

Jose Mourinho considers Tottenham's Carabao Cup semi-final against Brentford on Tuesday their biggest game since he joined the club. 

Spurs take on the Bees at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium after overcoming Stoke City in the last eight almost a fortnight ago. 

The club are now just two wins away from a first major trophy since they won the same competition in 2008, beating Chelsea 2-1 through Jonathan Woodgate's extra-time goal. 

Mourinho has won the League Cup four times – three with Chelsea and one with Manchester United – and is looking to become just the third manager to reach the final with three different clubs after Ron Atkinson (United, Sheffield Wednesday and Aston Villa) and Ron Saunders (Norwich City, Manchester City and Villa).

But he will have his work cut out against a Brentford side who have already eliminated four Premier League teams in this season's competition in Southampton, West Brom, Fulham and Newcastle.

Indeed, the Bees are only the second non-Premier League side to achieve that feat in a season after Bristol City in 2017-18.

Mourinho, who has won 15 of his 17 home Carabao Cup and FA Cup matches against teams from outside the top flight, knows only too well the confidence boost a trophy triumph would bring and is determined to end Spurs' drought. 

Asked at a media conference if it was the biggest game since he took over at Spurs in November 2019, Mourinho responded: "I think so, in the perspective that the club has been chasing silverware for many years. 

"We had a match at Crystal Palace [last season] which gave us participation in the Europa League and that match was important. The only thing more important is finals.

"For me, every competition is important. I won the [League] Cup in my first season [in England in 2004-05], so for me, every competition is important; it doesn't matter where you are or what your ambitions are. 

"Especially for a club without silverware for more than a decade. If we win two matches, we win the trophy, which would be a very good thing for the club and players.

"It is not about me winning it five times with two or three clubs. It's about the players that want trophies and fans that want trophies. We just need two victories. 

"We have to look to this semi-final with this ambition and respect a very good team."

Mourinho confirmed Erik Lamela would not feature against Brentford but did not reveal if his absence was due to his breach of coronavirus regulations. 

Pictures circulated on social media of Lamela alongside Spurs team-mates Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso at a festive gathering, with West Ham's Manuel Lanzini also in attendance.

The party went against Covid-19 rules put in place by the UK government as those present ignored social-distancing guidelines.

Reguilon was an unused substitute for Spurs' 3-0 Premier League win over Leeds United on Saturday, but there was no place in the squad for Lamela. Lo Celso remains out injured.

Asked if Lamela would be available, Mourinho said: "Not for me to tell you. Just to tell you that against Brentford he cannot play."

Alvaro Morata is set to sit out Juventus’ crunch Serie A clash with AC Milan on Wednesday on account of injury.

Morata was a surprise absentee from Juve’s clash with Udinese on Sunday, with coach Andrea Pirlo reporting he picked up a knock in training.

The absence of their key forward was not felt by Juve, who ran out 4-1 winners over Udinese to keep pace with Milan at the top of the table.

Juventus trail the Rossoneri by 10 points, albeit with a game in hand, and they will in probability take on Milan without Morata who is struggling to shake off the thigh complaint.

“He had a problem in his last training session; we will have to evaluate him in the coming days,” Pirlo said. “He is unlikely to be available on Wednesday.”

Paulo Dybala stepped in to lead the line against Udinese and was rewarded with his second goal in three outings.

The Argentina international appears to be hitting form at a good time for Juve, and his performance impressed Pirlo.

“We need Dybala, he needs us,” Pirlo said. “He worked very well during the week in training; we could tell during the match that he was in better physical condition and we kept him on to the end because we hoped he would score that goal.”

While Dybala put in an impressive performance against Udinese, he is not a true No.9 and Pirlo may look to push for a striker in the January transfer window to ease the pressure on Morata.

Chelsea forward Olivier Giroud has emerged as a target, and Pirlo confirmed his interest in the France international.

When asked about a possible move for Giroud, Pirlo said to DAZN: “He'd be handy!

“The window opens tomorrow, we already discussed with the club what we want to do and if there are any opportunities. Maybe a striker that can rotate with our strikers.”

Chelsea’s defeat to Manchester City left their title hopes on rocky ground, and Giroud may be tempted by a move to Turin - particularly if he can gain more playing time to bolster his chances of booking his place in the France squad for this summer's European Championship.

Gwambina FC have fired head coach Fulgence Novatus and his deputy Athuman Bilal after a series of inconsistent results in the Tanzania Mainland League.

The club confirmed the exit of the duo after 17 top tier games where they managed to collect 19 points.

The Mwanza-based side have further revealed their immediate plans as they embark on the process of searching for a new tactician to lead the team.

"The Gwambina management has fired the club's entire technical bench made of head coach Fulgence Novatus and his assistant Athuman Bilal for unsatisfying results," read a statement from the club and obtained by Goal.

"Khassain Salum and Seleman Kisendi will head the technical bench on an interim basis alongside the remaining officials. 

"We take this opportunity to thank [Novatus and Bilal] for their time and services at the club and for helping us reach our current level. 

"We also wish them the best in their future endeavours."

The club, which was only founded a year ago, earned promotion with two matches to spare as they had accumulated 44 points from 20 matches.

Gwambina won 13 games, drew five and lost in two other matches. 

Gwambina were promoted alongside Ihefu and Dodoma Jiji while Mbao FC were relegated alongside Alliance FC, Lipuli FC, Ndanda FC, and Singida United. 

The team went on to sign 12 players in preparations for life in the Tanzanian top tier.

Those signed were goalkeepers Mohamed Makaka from Ruvu Shooting and Stali Nyambe from Buildcon FC of Zambia, while the defenders signed were Aron Lulambo from KMC, Moric Mahela from Stand United­ and Baraka Mtui 'Popa' from Ruvu Shooting FC.

Others signed were Novartus Lufunga who played for Lipuli, Said Mkange from Sahare FC, Paul Nonga from Lipuli, Lameck Daniel from Biashara United, Japhet Makalai from Kagera Sugar and Miraji Saleh, who formerly were on the books off Stand United.

The club also received a huge boost with key players renewing their contracts, among them Mohamed Hussein, Isihaka Ibrahim, Revocatus Richard, Salum Kipaga, Hamad Nassor, Anthony Matogolo, Yusuph Kagoma,Yusuph Lwenge, Salim Sheshe, Rajab Athuman, Jacob Massawe, Meshack Abraham, Jimmyson Steven, and Kapama Kibadeni.

Gor Mahia have been boosted by the return of captain Kenneth Muguna ahead of the crucial Caf Champions League game against CR Belouizdad at Nyayo Stadium on Wednesday. 

The former Western Stima player missed the first leg of the competition owing to a rib injury. But he has now healed and ready to help his team against the Great Chabab.

"It is a plus to me as a coach to have all the best players because it will make me prepare well for the game," stand-in coach Sammy Omollo told Goal on Monday after training.

"We welcome Muguna back, we all know he is our captain and having him back to the team is motivation. The preparations are going on well and we hope to play better against our North Africa opponents."

South Sudanese striker Tito Okello, midfielders Earnest Wendo and Bernard Ondiek and winger Nicholas Kipkirui were the only absentees.

Omalla is in school while seemingly, Ondiek has not healed from his ankle injury. Kipkirui has not yet reported back and rumours are rife that he is contemplating leaving in the current transfer window. 

K'Ogalo are on a tough mission of overturning the 6-0 loss suffered in the first leg in Algeria to make it to the group stage of the competition.

Football Kenya Federation (FKF) have confirmed no fans will be allowed to enter the venue of the Caf Champions League clash pitting Gor Mahia against CR Belouizdad on Wednesday.

The two teams will face off in the return leg at Nyayo Stadium with the Algerian giants carrying a 6-0 advantage from the first meet in Algiers.

FKF CEO Barry Otieno has confirmed to Goal like it was the case when Gor Mahia faced APR of Rwanda in the first round of the competition, no fans will be allowed to the venue as per Caf rules on Covid-19 pandemic.

"We will not have fans for the match at Nyayo Stadium and this is because Caf have requested for the same," Otieno told Goal on Monday.

Gor Mahia opponents CR Belouizdad arrived in the country on Sunday ahead of the fixture and will train at the match venue on Tuesday at 3 pm.

Mozambique forward Lucia Jose grabbed a goal for Ovarense as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Clube Condeixa in a Portuguese Liga BPI tie on Sunday.

Before the festive break, Jose had scored twice for Ovarense in eight outings in the Portuguese topflight this season, with the two in her last appearances against Maritime and Amora.

Having gone three matches without a win, the 27-year-old was aiming to help her side return to winning ways and also clinch a top-four spot but her lone effort was not enough at Condeixa.

The Mozambican striker opened the scoring for the visitors with her superb finish after just 12 minutes in the encounter at Estádio Municipal de Condeixa.

After the restart, Ovarense held on to their narrow lead in the second half until they conceded a late penalty on the brink of full time.

The hosts, however, left it late to break the resilience of the visitors after they were gifted a chance and Catarina Lopes converted in style to force a stalemate. 

Jose lasted the entire duration of the match for the third time in three successive matches and has now scored three goals in nine appearances for Ovarense this season.

The draw means Ovarense are now without a win in four matches and are sixth on the southern log with 12 points from nine matches.  

Having finished in the bottom six, they will now feature in the 12-team playoff competition to preserve their topflight status.

Sevilla midfielder Joan Jordan has sparked talk of interest from Arsenal, but a man with a £55 million ($75m) release clause claims to feel “super comfortable” in his current surroundings.

The Gunners are said to be in the market for another creative midfielder after struggling for consistency in 2020-21.

Mesut Ozil has been frozen out of Mikel Arteta’s plans and 20-year-old academy graduate Emile Smith Rowe has only recently been given the chance to stake a serious claim for a regular role.

His form could see Arteta shelve any plans to acquire more playmaking talent, but options continue to be weighed up in north London.

Jordan is among those said to be on the recruitment radar at Emirates Stadium, with the 26-year-old impressing in La Liga and during the successful Europa League run for Sevilla in 2019-20.

It has been suggested that his signature could be secured for less than the asking price set out in his contract, but the Catalan native will not be pushing for a switch any time soon.

He told Estadio Deportivo when quizzed on transfer talk: “In the end, these are just things that come out, like the many things that were said, the rumours, when I was at Eibar.

“I have always been very clear about the present, the future does not feed me, it takes away from me and does not give me the energy I need.

“My mind is genuinely here in Sevilla. I am at a super ambitious club, and I have nothing more to say because I really am super comfortable here, like I was when I arrived here.

“Things can come out, but I tell you my mind today and the people that know me can back me up, it's not that I'm avoiding the question just that really, my mind is on the derby.”

Jordan’s latest outing for Sevilla came in their 1-1 derby draw with Andalusian neighbours Real Betis, with that result not enough to lift Julen Lopetegui’s side into La Liga’s top six.

Arsenal, meanwhile, have collected three successive victories in the Premier League and are now looking to move back into the top-half of the table.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic could be set to play his first game of the season for the Glamour Boys in a Caf Champions League first round, second leg clash against Primeiro de Agosto at the Estadio 11 de Novembro Stadium in Luanda on Tuesday.

Nurkovic was top scorer for Amakhosi last season with 13 league goals but has not played a single match this season.

The reason for his absence was initially due to an injury, although it also transpired in December that the player had been pushing for a move away from the club, with Egyptian giants Al Ahly thought to be his preference.

However, Chiefs have seemingly ironed out the issue and Nurkovic has been named in the squad for Tuesday's Champions League showdown in Angola.

And with Chiefs having endured such a poor start to the season (just three wins from 14), the hope will be that Nurkovic can transform their fortunes, although as Ramahlwe Mphahlele says, he should not be put under undue pressure.

"We know what Samir is capable of but we are not going to put pressure on him to say you are back now and you have to score goals for us‚” Mphahlele was quoted saying by the Sowetan

The Amakhosi defender says it's important that other players also take up the burden of goal scoring, which has however largely not been the case so far this season.

“He can come in and create for other guys to score like Khama Billiat‚ Leonardo Castro‚ Lazarous Kambole and Dumisani Zuma who are capable of scoring goals," Rama elaborated.

"Tower (Eric Mathoho) also is capable of scoring goals‚ so we are not going to put too much burden on him.

“We want to give him (Nurkovic) space because he has been out for too long and we are not expecting miracles from him. He has been doing well at training and I just hope he continues in that vein during the games."

Chiefs need a score draw or an outright victory to advance, following a 0-0 home draw against Primeiro de Agosto just before Christmas.

Christian Pulisic has admitted that Chelsea "need to show character" and be "smarter" without the ball after their loss to Manchester City.

Pulisic played the full 90 minutes of Chelsea's 3-1 defeat to City at Stamford Bridge on Sunday afternoon. Frank Lampard's side found themselves three goals down at the interval after a devastating first-half display from the visitors, who were back to their fluent best after seeing their previous fixture against Everton called off due to a rise in coronavirus cases.

Ilkay Gundogan's thunderous strike from just outside the box gave City the lead, before Phil Foden and Kevin de Bruyne produced a pair of classy finishes to leave Chelsea with a mountain to climb.

The hosts toiled in vain to get back into the game in the second period and eventually pulled a goal back through Callum Hudson-Odoi in stoppage time, but a gulf in class between the two teams was evident throughout the contest.

The Blues have slipped to eighth in the Premier League standings after suffering a fourth loss in their last six games, and Pulisic has issued a rallying ahead of the second half of the season with their title challenge now seemingly up in smoke.

"We’re in a tough period," the USMNT international told Chelsea TV. "It’s going to happen to everyone at times and we’ve been in these situations ourselves before.

"We have a game next week where we need to start turning it around because we do need to start getting results quickly. We’ll watch this game back, look at it as a team and see what we can improve on. It’s not going to be easy but we need to show character now.

"We have some games coming up where we need to turn it around quickly and start putting together a run of results."

Pulisic added on Chelsea's overall display against City: "We conceded goals with a lot of counter situations and we weren’t prepared to stop that so the first half really let us down.

"They were able to beat us on some transitions where we needed to defend better and be a little smarter and then we allowed them to dictate the tempo of the game.

"We had to go back out and show character. We’re never going to give up, we know we have talented guys and a good team but we just need to show it, which is what we did in the second half.

"It’s not easy to come back from three goals down but it’s happened before so we gave it everything and managed to get one back. Unfortunately, it was just too little, too late."

Bruno Fernandes “looks like a Manchester United captain” says Phil Neville, with the Portuguese midfielder being charged with the task of delivering major silverware to Old Trafford.

The 26-year-old is doing all he can to rekindle former glories for the Red Devils with a regular stream of goals and assists since making his move to England from Sporting in January 2020.

Fernandes has been involved in 33 goals for United in just 30 Premier League appearances. Only former Red Devils striker Andy Cole can claim to have bettered that return after the same number of games at the start of a top-flight career in England, with the prolific frontman registering 37 involvements.

Fernandes sits above iconic names on that roll of honour, with the legendary Eric Cantona only managing to score or tee up 27 goals.

Neville thinks that the superstar playmaker has quickly become a “leader” for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, with the armband expected to come his way at some stage as United seek to get back on the trophy trail.

“Sensational,” was former United star Neville’s verdict on Fernandes when assessing his efforts for Premier League Productions. “I think the thing about that list [of most goal involvements] that stands out is the need to start winning trophies, to go along with those assists, that impact and those goals that he is scoring.

“Thinking back to when he joined 12 months ago, thinking that United were probably nowhere near Man City and Liverpool and even Chelsea, to now be joint-top of the Premier League, I think that’s a lot to do with him. That’s the impact he’s had.

“What I like about him is that he looks like a Man United captain. He talks like one, he is a leader on the pitch and he is keeping his feet firmly on the ground, which I think is really important.”

United have moved level on points with defending champions Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table and still have a game in hand, but their attention is about to shift to Carabao Cup and FA Cup matters as they prepare for meetings with Manchester City and Watford.

Manchester United have welcomed another familiar face into the first-team coaching ranks, with Darren Fletcher joining Michael Carrick in working alongside Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The Red Devils have had club legends in their dugout for some time, with Ryan Giggs being named interim manager when David Moyes was dismissed in 2014. He stayed on after the appointment of Louis van Gaal and has since become head coach of Wales.

In the wake of his departure from Old Trafford, ex-England international midfielder Carrick joined forces with Jose Mourinho. He took caretaker charge of the senior squad before 1999 Treble winner Solskjaer was returned to Manchester in December 2018.

Carrick has stayed on under the Norwegian and now has former team-mate Fletcher back at his side. The Scot, who made 342 appearances for United in his playing days, has been working with the Red Devils’ U16 side but will now fill a full-time role with the first team.

Fletcher, who won five Premier League titles and the Champions League after stepping out of United’s academy system told the club’s official website of his comeback to the senior ranks: “I am delighted to be returning to the club as a first-team coach.

“It’s a very exciting time for this young team and I am looking forward to taking the next steps in my coaching career by working with Ole and his staff.”

Solskjaer said of adding more experience to his backroom staff: “Darren has the United DNA running through his veins and he knows exactly what it takes to be a Manchester United player. He is at the start of his coaching career and his experience both on and off the pitch along with his winning mentality, commitment and hard work will be a great addition to the staff.”

As well as promoting Fletcher, United have also appointed Robin Sadler as their head of rehabilitation and physiotherapy. He has previously spent time working with Derby and Manchester City and will oversee duties for the first-team, academy and women’s teams at Old Trafford.

United are on a strong run in the Premier League, and are level on points with leaders and reigning champions Liverpool.

Frank Lampard must be given time at Chelsea says Glenn Hoddle, who hopes Roman Abramovich understands that the current team is a "work in progress".

Chelsea looked well placed to fight for major honours across all competitions after embarking on a 16-game unbeaten run earlier this season.

Lampard seemed to be getting a tune out of Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech, Ben Chilwell and Edouard Mendy, with the Blues having forked out over £200 million ($301m) to bring in the five players in the summer transfer window.

However, results took a turn for the worse over the Christmas period as Chelsea suffered losses against Everton, Wolves and Arsenal, which allowed Liverpool and Manchester United to start pulling away at the top of the Premier League table.

The west London outfit suffered their fifth defeat of the season at home to Manchester City on Sunday, and they may now have a fight on their hands to finish in Champions League places unless Lampard can oversee a swift turnaround in fortunes.

It has been suggested that Chelsea owner Abramovich will pull the trigger on a club legend, but Hoddle is adamant that his old club should stick with their current manager as he tries to piece together a successful squad.

Asked if Lampard should be sacked ahead of the season half of the season, the former Blues player and coach told the Evening Standard: "I am not even going to contemplate that question. He has to be given time.

"It is a work in progress at Chelsea. They are falling short against the top teams and they have to find a way mentally to overcome that. They look better against the lesser teams but at the moment they look as if they are not quite ready to really win the league.

"They have talent in the squad but it is going to take some time, they are going to go through these rough patches. That is the process of building a side. You just hope the owner has that vision as well and understands that."

Chelsea will look to get back to winning ways when they take on Morecambe in an FA Cup third-round tie at the weekend, before their focus switches to a derby meeting with Fulham on January 15.

Sergio Ramos is free to speak to Premier League clubs while the January transfer window is open, with Real Madrid yet to offer their captain a new contract.

Ramos' status as a Madrid legend has long been assured, as the Spain international has helped the club win five La Liga titles and four European Cups since moving to Santiago Bernabeu from Sevilla back in 2005.

The centre-back has racked up 666 appearances for the Blancos, scoring a staggering 100 goals from defence, and despite the fact he will turn the ripe old age of 35 in March, he remains one of the first names on Zinedine Zidane's teamsheet.

However, Ramos has just entered the final six months of his contract, and it has been suggested that he could move onto a new challenge away from the Bernabeu at the end of the season.

Goal can confirm that the World Cup winner is still waiting for an extension offer from the club amid rumoured interest from Tottenham and Manchester United in the English top-flight.

With the winter market now open, Ramos is able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any potential suitors should he choose to do so, with Madrid at serious risk of losing a prized asset unless they get a move on with a renewal.

Luka Modric and Lucas Vazquez will also drop into the free agency pool in June as it stands, but Zidane expressed a desire to see the pair remain in the Spanish capital alongside Ramos for the foreseeable future during a press conference at the weekend.

"We all want [contracts to be signed]," the Frenchman told reporters before his team's 2-0 home win over Celta Vigo. "We want the situation to be sorted as quickly as possible.

"It's in everyone's interests, it would be good for everyone, so hopefully it can be sorted out quickly."

Ramos missed Madrid's latest La Liga victory after reportedly coming down with a stomach illness, but could be in line to return in time for a trip to Osasuna on January 9.

Zidane's side are currently sitting second in the league table, two points behind local rivals Atletico Madrid having played two games more.

Tottenham need to be bringing in another Christian Eriksen, says Glenn Hoddle, with James Ward-Prowse considered to fit the bill despite not being the kind of player that Jose Mourinho usually goes for.

Spurs saw a Danish playmaker depart north London during the winter transfer window of 2020.

Eriksen, after six-and-a-half productive years in England, decided against signing a new contract and opened himself up to a new challenge at Serie A heavyweights Inter.

That move has not gone to plan, with a return to the Premier League now being mooted, but a retracing of steps to Tottenham appears unlikely.

Hoddle believes Mourinho needs a player of that ilk, though, with Spurs lacking a ball-playing option to complement the combative enforcers in their engine room.

He believes that Southampton captain Ward-Prowse would tick useful boxes for a title-chasing outfit, but concedes that questions are unlikely to be asked of the Saints with another window open.

Quizzed by the Evening Standard on what Spurs need, club legend Hoddle said: “I would probably look at a player who can pick passes. Someone like Bruno Fernandes.

“When Christian Eriksen was on song for two-and-a-bit seasons, he could hit those passes to Dele Alli or Harry Kane or whoever made those runs.

“I am not sure if it Jose Mourinho’s style of player. They have some decent players there, but Giovani Lo Celso and Tanguy Ndombele are different, they run with the ball, they are holders of the ball. But someone who can hurt you with a pass, a real creative player.

“I have said it before, I do not think Jose would like him but the lad at Southampton, James Ward-Prowse, would be a major asset. Him and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg would be a nice balance.”

Ward-Prowse is a senior England international, having earned four caps for his country, and is still just 26 years of age despite being into a ninth top-flight campaign with the Saints.

He has also played alongside Hojbjerg in the past, with another Denmark international having made his way to Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in the summer of 2020.

Putting a reunion in place could work in Mourinho’s favour, especially as Ward-Prowse has established a reputation as a dead-ball specialist, but it remains to be seen if Spurs do any business before the next deadline passes.