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Ronald Koeman has claimed it will make no difference to Lionel Messi's Barcelona future whether Mauricio Pochettino takes over at Paris Saint-Germain.

Messi has been linked with a move away from Camp Nou ever since he expressed a desire to leave the club in August 2020, only to exclusively reveal to Goal that he had decided to stay until at least the end of this season when his contract expires having been unable to force a transfer.

In a recent interview with Spanish television channel La Sexta, the Argentina forward said he "did not know" what he was going to do but suggested he would like to play in the United States at some point.

With former Tottenham boss and compatriot Pochettino heavily tipped to become the new coach at PSG, it has been suggested Messi and the Ligue 1 club could be a good fit, particularly with Neymar keen to reunite with his old team-mate, but Barcelona head coach Koeman does not think there is an automatic correlation between the two.

"I do not know if it is true about Pochettino to PSG," Koeman told a media conference on Monday. "If Messi decides his future, it will not depend on a coach.

"I did not see the [Messi] interview live, but I have seen it. I have always been calm with Messi and I will not be calmer because he said that he will decide at the end of the season.

"We'll see what can happen. I appreciate Messi's words because he is a very important player for the club and for football. Anyone likes to speak well of oneself. I'm still the same. I try to move the team forward, it is a year of transition and Messi is key to this process."

Barca are enduring a difficult season in La Liga and are in fifth spot, eight points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.

Messi will miss his side's Liga clash with Eibar on Tuesday while he completes treatment on an ankle injury but Koeman expects him to return from a Christmas break as planned before they face Huesca on January 3.

"Leo had ankle discomfort, that's why we have given him two more days of vacation," Koeman explained. "The doctor has said that after a week without training he will be fine. Not having a Messi is big loss due to his quality and effectiveness. We lose a great player."

Kai Havertz has "huge potential" according to Mateo Kovacic, who insists he has "no fear" for the "elegant" midfielder despite the struggles he has endured at the start of his Chelsea career.

Chelsea invested £70 million ($95m) in Havertz's talents during the summer transfer window. The Germany international committed to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge after leaving Bayer Leverkusen where he had established himself as one of the most exciting young playmakers in Europe.

The 21-year-old has been unable to build on that reputation in the first half of the 2020-21 campaign. Havertz has only recorded four goals and four assists in his 19 apperances for the Blues to date and was dropped to the bench for the club's last two Premier League fixtures.

Kovacic started ahead of the ex-Leverkusen star during Chelsea's 3-1 defeat at Arsenal over the weekend with Frank Lampard now facing another selection dilemma ahead of a tough home fixture against Aston Villa on Monday.

Havertz is in line for a recall with Lampard set to ring the changes in the wake of his side's fourth defeat of the season, and Kovacic has backed his new team-mate to prove his doubters wrong once he adjusts to the demands of English football.

"I like Kai Havertz a lot," the Croatian midfielder told Chelsea's official website. "He is such a talented player. He is a great signing for Chelsea. He will be a huge player for Chelsea and for world football, I’m sure of that. 

"He has huge potential. He is such an elegant player. He just needs to learn to play in the Premier League, that’s all. It’s a difficult league with a huge tempo, and he will get used to it. Game by game he is getting better so I have no fear for Kai."

Kovacic also reserved special praise for Mason Mount, who has become one of the most important members of Lampard's squad during his first 18 months in charge at Stamford Bridge.

Mount and Havertz are both five years younger than Kovacic but he says he is eager to learn from the Chelsea duo as he seeks to advance his own career.

"Mason has a great desire to work, his attitude is great and he is very talented," he added. "It’s a normal thing he is doing so good because I saw last year his talent.  We like to talk. They can give me tips as well. They are both better goalscorers than me so I can look to them.

"It’s not about the age. Every player has his attributes. We talk and we can learn off each other. For me, I want to become better every game. I can still improve and be better in some parts of games which I’m trying to do. I can improve a lot and I’m sure I will be even better as the season goes on."

India’s Union Minister for External Affairs, Shri Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, visited the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Qatar - a 2022 World Cup venue built by an Indian firm - on Monday evening. He was accompanied by Dr. Deepak Mittal, the Indian Ambassador in Qatar. 

His Excellency Hassan Al Thawadi and Nasser Al Khater, Chairman and CEO respectively of the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 LLC met the ministerial delegation at the stadium and took them through a full tour of the facilities including the pitch, competition areas and VVIP seating areas. 

Dr. Jaishankar is on a two-day official visit to the Middle-East nation. 

The high-ranking Qatari officials discussed with the Indian minister the sustainability features of the stadium and the working of the Advanced Cooling System which controls the ambient temperatures inside venue. 

Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium was inaugurated recently on December 18, 2020, when it hosted the Amir Cup final between Al Sadd and Al Arabi in a high profile event on Qatar National Day attended by several dignitaries including FIFA President Gianni Infantino and All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Praful Patel.

The 40,000-capacity stadium will host seven matches till the Round of 16 stage during the 2022 World Cup and will function as the home of Qatar Stars League (QSL) outfit Al Rayyan. 

The stadium’s façade is glowing and is composed of patterns that symbolise different aspects of Qatar - the importance of family, the beauty of the desert, native flora and fauna, and local and international trade. 

Interestingly, Qatar has a significant Indian expatriate presence with almost 25 per cent of the Middle-East nation’s population being Indians. 

“We were extremely pleased to host the Minister for External Affairs of the Government of India, H.E. Subrahmanyam Jaishanker at Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium in Al Rayyan,” His Excellency Hassan Al Thawadi, who is also the Secretary General of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy (SC), said after Dr. Jaishankar’s visit. 

“As with all FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 stadium projects, the launch of the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium is a shining example of how we are continuing to deliver our vision for the tournament, through sustainability, health and safety, creating new economic opportunities for Qatari companies by forging global partnerships, and ultimately uniting Asia around the second FIFA World Cup™️ hosted on the continent.”

It must also be noted that SC, the organisation responsible for the delivery of the World Cup, had entrusted the task of building the Ahmad Bin Ali stadium to a Qatari-Indian Joint Venture between Qatar's Al Balagh Trading & Contracting, and India's biggest construction firm - Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T). 

This was the first time ever that an Indian firm has been involved in any capacity whatsoever when it comes to building infrastructure for a FIFA World Cup. 

“Qatar and India have shared a close relationship for centuries, through trade, culture, and people-to-people ties, and the Ahmad Bin Ali Stadium, built by Larsen & Toubro, is a symbol of this relationship and our shared history,” Al Thawadi further stated. 

“The stadium is also a representation of modern, cosmopolitan Qatar, where the Indian community is the single largest resident expatriate group and is an important contributor toward Qatar’s rapid economic development.”

Frank Lampard has credited John Terry for his role in Aston Villa's "big uplift" in form as the ex-Chelsea team-mates prepare to meet in the Premier League.

Villa have emerged as surprise contenders for a spot in Europe after narrowly avoiding relegation last season. Dean Smith's side have won eight of their 13 matches at the start of the 2020-21 campaign, and currently sit seven points behind first-placed Liverpool with two games in hand.

Their next test will see them take on Chelsea at Stamford Bridge with Lampard set for a reunion with Terry, who has served as Smith's assistant coach since October 2018.

The former Blues duo won three Premier League titles and the Champions League together as players, while also forming part of England's 'Golden Generation' at international level.

Lampard is certain that Terry's experience at the highest level has rubbed off on Villa's squad in recent months, and told Chelsea's official website: "I am sure John has an influence because he is in my opinion one of the greatest centre-backs to have played in the Premier League and for England, and in the world for a long period of time.

"He has an absolute wealth of knowledge of the game so his input will be invaluable to Dean Smith and all the staff. Their team are working hard and you have seen a real big uplift in them, and I am sure there is a lot work behind the scenes through John and all the staff there."

The 42-year-old tactician added on the threat Villa will pose his Chelsea team on Monday night: "They obviously added to their squad in a very good way in the off season.

"They have a good manager, good coaches and a good team with very good individual players who are playing well. They are in a really good time at the moment and I am not completely surprised by it, and it will be a tough match."

The Blues slipped to eighth in the top-flight standings after losing 3-1 against Arsenal at Emirates Stadium last time out but could move back into the Champions League places if they pick up a much-needed victory over Villa.

Lampard will start preparing his side for another top of the table clash afterwards, with Manchester City set to arrive at Stamford Bridge on January 3.

Mikel Arteta says he felt responsible for Arsenal's "draining, frustrating and painful" poor form, admitting he questioned himself every day during their recent winless run. 

Arsenal beat London rivals Chelsea 3-1 on Saturday to ease some of the growing pressure on Arteta, who recently celebrated a full year in charge. 

That followed a streak of seven Premier League games without a victory, with the Gunners' return of 14 points from 14 games their worst return at that stage of a season since 1974-75 when converted to three points for a win. 

Arteta's side still sit just six points above the relegation zone and the Spaniard has opened up on the mental anguish of going eight weeks between league victories. 

"Since I arrived here, first of all I had to analyse really well what was happening, what we can and cannot do. Obviously, results-wise, in the last few weeks we have all been suffering, I have been suffering. I feel very responsible for that," he told the media ahead of Arsenal's trip to Brighton on Tuesday.

"The worst feeling is because I want to do so well for this football club and at the moment we are in, I want to bring all my passion, the knowledge that I have, the right intentions to move as quickly as we possibly can as a football club. 

"In order to do that we need to win football matches, to be stable and win some time. When I don't, I feel like I am letting the club down and the people that work for us, and obviously our fans." 

Arsenal picked up just five points between the start of November and their weekend win over Chelsea, a run that included four successive defeats at Emirates Stadium. 

That equalled the north London side's worst top-flight run at home since 1959 and Arteta is grateful for the support he received during the concerning dip. 

"It is draining, it is frustrating and it is painful," he said. "At the same time, I know we have to fight our way back.  

"In difficult moments is when you see the right people, they give me a lot of encouragement because I see people that are willing to fight with me, with the people that we have here. It gives me energy every day to carry on doing it. 

"It is a 24/7 job. As well a lot of things externally, very challenging. A lot of issues and then when results hit you like that you can sometimes not find the right reasons to understand why we are losing football matches, when we produce what we produce. 

"It is a big headache. But as well it is the beauty of this game, to find ways of doing things in a different way. 

"My responsibility is to motivate the players as much as possible, to keep them united, to keep the team spirit alive, even when you are not winning matches.

"When you are frustrated and sad, you have to find all the time somewhere to do that.  

"My way has been my family and all the people that are here with me at the club, the board, [technical director] Edu, they have all been super supportive and that has helped me a lot." 

Arteta won seven club trophies during his playing days, including the FA Cup twice with Arsenal, before moving into coaching alongside Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in 2016. 

The 38-year-old was appointed as Unai Emery's successor in December 2019, winning the FA Cup at the end of his first season in charge and the Community Shield at the start of the 2020-21 campaign. 

Asked whether he has found management more tiring than being a player, Arteta said: "The simple answer is managing. 

"Because you have a lot of people around you that you have to take care of. I always say you have 70 hearts in the training ground and stadium that you have to look after every day. 

"Every decision you make has an impact on their lives, their mood and the next day. So you are very aware of that and you get attached emotionally to them and I’m attached emotionally to this football club."

Anderlecht coach Vincent Kompany has dropped the biggest hint yet that Percy Tau could be set to return to parent club Brighton and Hove Albion in January.

Tau is on loan at Anderlecht from the Premier League strugglers, who have confirmed plans to bring the attacking midfielder back for the second half of the season.

As the Seagulls are currently flirting with relegation, manager Graham Potter sees Tau as a potential answer to their troubles, and Kompany appears resigned to losing one of the key performers in his Anderlecht squad next month.

“Yes, he could leave, and it will be up to the remaining players, and others, to make up for that departure,” said Kompany, as per Walfoot.

“Am I leaving the door open for him to stay?" the ex-Belgium centre-back laughed. "Even if there is a one percent chance that he will not leave, yes I will leave the door open.

"Anything can happen with the Covid, especially administratively, we know."

Kompany also moved to praise the forward's commitment despite the ongoing rumours surrounding his future.

"I did not hesitate for a second to start him," he continued, "because I know very well that he always gives everything." 

If Brighton recall Tau, it would be the former Mamelodi Sundowns star’s first time to play in the Premier League after previous loan stints at Union Saint-Gilloise and Club Brugge.

The 26-year-old has already demonstrated that he deserves a run at the Seagulls after impressive outings during the three loan stints in Belgium.

He's scored four goals and weighed in with an assist in 14 league appearances so far.

His only assist came in Sunday’s 2-0 win over Beerschot, leaving Kompany lauding the Bafana Bafana man, who lasted for 84 minutes.

“Percy gave everything and worked well, I saw a good relationship between the attacking players," Kompany said. "Ok, he didn't score today, that's how it is."

Since Steven Pienaar left Sunderland in 2017, South Africa has had no interntional turning out for a Premier League side.

The Premier League match between Everton and Manchester City has been postponed due to a coronavirus outbreak.

The Toffees were due to play host to Pep Guardiola's team at Goodison Park on Monday night.

However, the contest has now been called off due to a number of positive Covid-19 tests in the City camp. The match will be rescheduled, but it has not yet been decided when it will go ahead.

"Manchester City FC can confirm that this evening’s Premier League fixture at Everton has been postponed," a statement on City's website read.

"After the latest round of Covid-19 testing, the club returned a number of positive cases, in addition to the four already reported on Christmas Day. 

"With the security of the bubble compromised, there posed a risk that the virus could spread further amongst the squad, the staff and potentially beyond.

"Based on strong medical advice the Premier League, in consultation with both clubs, have decided to postpone the fixture.

"All positive cases involving players and staff will observe a period of self-isolation in accordance with Premier League and UK Government protocol on quarantine. The first team training ground at City Football Academy will close for an indeterminate period, with the squad and associated bubble undergoing testing before any decision is made for training to resume."

The Premier League confirmed the news with a post on its website, which added: "This rise [in Covid-19 cases] has created uncertainty and the Premier League Board received medical advice that the match should be postponed.

"The Board agreed to rearrange the game as a precaution, and further testing will now take place tomorrow.

"The decision has been taken with the health of players and staff the priority.

"The Premier League continues to have full confidence in its protocols and rules, and the way in which all clubs are implementing them."

Everton are second in the top-flight after 15 matches and sit three points behind leaders Liverpool. City, meanwhile, are sixth having played 14 times and six adrift of the Reds.

Kelechi Iheanacho missed a penalty in Leicester City’s Premier League game against Crystal Palace on Monday.

The centre-forward was handed his second league start of the campaign against Roy Hodgson’s men but missed an opportunity to give the Foxes the lead.

The King Power Stadium outfit were awarded a penalty in the 19th minute of the encounter after James Tomkins brought down Luke Thomas in the box.

Iheanacho was given the opportunity to take the penalty but the Nigeria international missed the glorious chance, failing to fire his effort past goalkeeper Vicente Guaita.

Ola Aina is comfortable and enjoying the new centre-back role he is playing at Fulham as they remain unbeaten in their last four Premier League games.

The 24-year-old, who primarily plays as a right wing-back, has been moved to the centre of the Cottagers’ defence where he partners Anglo-Nigerian centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo and Joachim Andersen in Scott Parker's new formation.

With 12 league games under his belt so far this campaign, Aina – who returned to London on a season-long loan from Torino in September – said he is ready to continue helping Parker’s team wherever he is positioned.

“Normally I would be playing a bit wider, a bit further up the pitch, but I’ve always said that I’ll put a shift in wherever I’m placed,” Aina told the club website. “I’m in a back three at the minute and I’m really enjoying it. 

"I feel really comfortable there.”

Despite their fine defensive run, Fulham still find themselves in the relegation zone with 11 points after 15 games, however, the Nigeria star thinks they are improving in every department.

“We all know how it was at the beginning of the season, so from that point to now, it just shows the hard work that we’re putting in, as well as the togetherness that we have,” he added. "I don’t think it’s only the backline you know, it goes throughout the team, it starts from the top.

“If it didn’t start at the top, then the opposition would get more chances on our goal, so the whole team has done well to get us these clean sheets.”

After avoiding defeat in their last four league matches, Aina also expressed his belief that Saturday’s goalless draw with Southampton is a decent result for them ahead of their next league outing against Tottenham Hotspur on Tuesday.

They will be targeting their first win in exactly a month, when they defeated Leicester City 2-1.

Aina concluded: “There were a couple of VAR decisions that went in our favour, but it was just one of those afternoons with a lot of buts and ifs, like you said, but it’s good to get the clean sheet and build on from that.

“It’s big for us to be getting clean sheets, it shows we’re working well.”

Kevin Campbell thinks selling Hector Bellerin would be "good business" for Arsenal.

Bellerin began his professional career at Arsenal in 2013, having been snapped up from Barcelona's La Masia academy two years earlier. The Spanish left-back has since racked up 220 appearances for the Gunners across all competitions, scoring eight goals and laying on 29 assists, while getting his hands on the FA Cup three times.

The 25-year-old has, however, struggled for consistency at Emirates Stadium amid persistent fitness issues, with many supporters losing patience with him amid the club's poor start to the 2020-21 season.

Bellerin silenced some of his doubters with a solid display during Arsenal's 3-1 home win over Chelsea in the London derby clash at the weekend but speculation over his future continues to rage ahead of the January transfer window.

A return to Barcelona has been mooted for the enigmatic defender in 2021, a scenario which has been welcomed by Campbell, who thinks Ainsley Maitland-Niles deserves a starting spot ahead of him.

“Bellerin, by his own admission, has not been ripping trees up. He was getting exposed at times," the former Gunners striker told Football Insider. “Maitland-Niles really sured up the right-hand side when he came in earlier this month. The performances were a lot more solid, especially on that right-hand side.

“There is a question to be asked of Bellerin and a lot of fans are asking it. Will the club sell him?

“There is rumours of Barcelona’s interest. It is his boyhood club, the club he loves and maybe that would be a good bit of business.”

Campbell is not the only Arsenal legend to have singled Bellerin out for criticism this season, with Tony Adams insisting he needs to "learn how to be a good defender" after the 2-0 defeat to local rivals Tottenham on December 6.

"You’ve got Cedric in from Southampton, what’s that recruitment going on? You need someone who is better than Hector," said the former Gunners captain.

Bellerin will be back in contention for a place in Arteta's line up when Arsenal travel to Amex Stadium to face Brighton on Tuesday night.

Malaysia forward Mohamadou Sumareh is set to return to Malaysia before the start of the 2021 Super League season, reported the Thai edition of Goal.

According to the report, his current club, Thai League 1's Police Tero will not extend his short-term playing contract beyond December.

He had joined Tero back in September, having left Pahang acrimoniously due to a pay dispute.

READ: Mohamadou Sumareh joins Dominic Tan at Police Tero

However, at Tero the 26-year old struggled to be fully fit and has not started regularly for them. He has only played four times for them for a total of 111 minutes, only once as a starter, scoring no goal.

It is yet unknown who the Gambian-born star will join when he returns to Malaysia.

Egyptian giants Al Ahly are still tracking Mamelodi Sundowns playmaker Gaston Sirino, a club representative has confirmed.

Ahead of the closing of the transfer window at the start of December, there had been a lot of speculation that Sirino was to join former Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane at Al Ahly.

The 29-year-old player himself admitted that he was keen to join the Cairo team, however, the failure of the two clubs to come to a transfer agreement saw the move fall through.

Now, according to Egyptian publication King Fut, there have been 'fresh' reports that the Egyptian league champions are still harbouring ambitions of signing the Uruguayan forward.

“Sirino has always been a transfer target for Al Ahly,” Al Ahly’s head of transfers Amir Tawfik, was quoted as saying.

“There has been contact before, and if anything happens, the club will officially announce it.

“We are talking with the Sundowns officials, and if any serious development occurs, we will begin negotiations with the player then."

Sirino has played 100 matches for Masandawana and has scored 29 goals and registered 24 assists, winning the Telkom Knockout, Nedbank Cup and three league titles in the three seasons he's been in Pretoria.

He has played only once for Sundowns this season, in their opening match of the season, a quarter-final defeat against Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 competition.

The South American has reportedly been nursing a hamstring injury and towards the end of November it was revealed by coach Manqoba Mngqithi that Sirino was recovering well but would not be rushed back into action.

Sundowns are currently top of the league standings at the Christmas break in South Africa.

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) announced earlier this month that the second transfer window of the 2020/ 21 season will start on January 18, 2021 and run until February 15, 2021.

Mosimane, meanwhile, recently guided Al Ahly to a treble success, winning the Caf Champions League, as well as the domestic league and cup titles.

Liverpool were guilty of complacency against West Brom, according to Stephen Warnock, who says the Reds "stepped off the gas".

Jurgen Klopp's side missed the chance to open a five-point lead at the top of the Premier League table after being held to a 1-1 draw by struggling West Brom on Sunday.

Liverpool took the lead after just 12 minutes at Anfield, with Sadio Mane volleying home after controlling a powerful pass from Joel Matip.

Reds supporters would have expected the floodgates to open after that goal, having seen the Reds dismantle Crystal Palace 7-0 in their previous fixture, but the Baggies defended well to stay in the match.

Sam Allardyce, who was drafted in to replace Slaven Billic at the Hawthorns earlier this month, set up with six players at the back to keep the reigning English champions at bay, which ultimately proved to be a masterstroke.

West Brom waited for their chance on the break as Liverpool grew more and more frustrated, and were eventually rewarded when Semi Ajayi headed home with just eight minutes left.

The visitors held on for a point which boosts their chances of climbing out of the relegation zone, with Warnock left questioning the mentality of Klopp's squad in the second period.

“They all stepped off the gas and thought the game was won. They all thought it was too easy and they had to do more," the former Reds defender said on Match of the Day 2. “I think the standards that we expect from Liverpool dropped in the second half.”

Warnock added: “It almost felt too easy for them, didn’t it? It was like a training game in the first half. It was wave after wave of attack. West Brom didn’t really give anything back as they were smothered. You still, though, felt Liverpool had to give more.

“With the way West Brom kept their game plan, even after going a goal down, that was the impressive thing about it. Even when you go a goal down you ask yourself whether you believe in what you are doing.

“They were very brave in what they did.”

The ex-England international went on to credit the Baggies for restricing Mane, Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino's influence in the final third by sticking to a tight defensive shape.

“What it is all about when you go to Anfield is that you know you are going to have to give up possession," said Warnock. “Liverpool had 78% of the possession and West Brom had 22%, but they were so organised and set traps.

“They remained nice and narrow and allowed Liverpool no space to break through and get balls into the likes of Roberto Firmino and Curtis Jones. They stopped the intricate play of the front three and did it perfectly. They made it so difficult.”

Csaba Laszlo stands firm behind under-fire striker Jakub Sylvestr ahead of Chennaiyin's Indian Super League (ISL) encounter against ATK Mohun Bagan on Tuesday.

The Slovakian forward has just one goal to his name in seven appearances but to the relief of the manager, there have been others who have been stepping up at the right moments to do the job. Lallianzuala Chhangte became the team's sixth different goal scorer against East Bengal and the manager is happy that his team is not reliant on anyone goal-scorer. 

"Jakub Sylvestr is very different. You can say that he is missing chances but he is always involved in goals. He has been creating chances and given two assists. Isma (Esmael Goncalves) has also missed one or two very good chances. I don't talk about new signings because I am really hoping that Isma comes back (from injury) physically and mentally stronger.

"Normally, every big team has not just one goal scorer - you also have players helping from the right, left and even from the centre. This is also our strategy and on the other side, we have missed a lot of chances. It's incredible the number of chances we create but I'm happy for the Indian goal scorers like Ali, Chhangte and [Anirudh] Thapa.

"We are working in different directions. We don't think about the position of players. Even from set-pieces, we had some good opportunities for Eli (Sabia) and [Enes] Sepovic. I hope they score in the next games. Generally, it's important to have different goal scorers," the Hungarian coach explained.

Chennaiyin have been creating chances but their conversion rate has been dismal. They have attempted 103 shots but only seven of them have nestled into the net. Chhangte has been getting into good goal scoring positions but is not being able to convert and Laszlo is working with the forward to improve his finishing. 

"Sometimes it is up to the player's ability to make decisions. It's not easy to create chances, especially at the highest level. You need to take risks in many cases and every team wants to score.

"In the beginning, I have seen that in every game, Chhangte comes in positions to score so I began to work with him individually. I told him basic things like 'You have to keep your head up, you don't need to focus on the ball'. After scoring in the last match, Chhangte came to me and said 'thank you'. I thought this was the biggest compliment for me in my time in India. Even with Ali or Thapa, these players need not just confidence but to know how to make decisions."

The Chennaiyin tactician wants to use young players like Rahim Ali and Deepak Tangri more in the first team as he is impressed by their quality on the field. 

"Rahim is a player who I think, he doesn't know how talented he is. He needs a lot of guidance. I have worked with many players who have talent but my biggest part is to try to lift him and explore his talent.

"He (Tangri) can be a very important piece of the puzzle. I was surprised by him and Ali in training and slowly they will be introduced more and more into the team. They are very close to be in the team all the time."

Laszlo agreed that Roy Krishna can change the complexion of a match single-handedly and Chenaiyin will have to remain on their toes to contain the striker. 

"I had a similar question [asked] before the game against Goa (on the kind of threat Igor Angulo would pose). I try to prepare the team against the opponent and not one or two players but it's true that we have to keep our eyes open for the most dangerous players. He (Krishna) is one of them but generally ATK [Mohun Bagan] is a very compact team allowing the other team to dominate the game because they have good offensive players who know how to score goals.

"It's a question if we play a little bit deeper or play a bit more out. Generally, we have to find the right mix but for me it's also important for my team to play very close to each other. This is what we try to do all the time. Every game you make some mistakes or, one or two players miss chances but the other [player] must be ready to help each other because together you can win a game.

"Even we have individual like Rafa (Rafael Crivellaro), Chhangte, Thapa, I hope also the strikers like Jakub or Ali who are capable to change the game in a positive way for us. On the other side, they have gaps that we need to close but with Deepak and Memo we have players who are capable of this," he explained. 

Chennaiyin will be playing two matches in four days and the 56-year old coach is concerned about the recovery of his players. 

"The biggest problem for me is time. After the game against East Bengal (on Sunday), we don't even have a complete day for training. We had a recovering day, maybe a small training for tactics and the next day you have to play. So you don't even have two or three days. So for this reason, ATK [Mohun Bagan] for example have an advantage because this team has been staying together (core of players retained) with the same coach and same ideology," he observed.

Frank Lampard is under more pressure than Mikel Arteta, according to Tony Cascarino, who says the Chelsea boss has a "real problem" on his hands after investing £220 million ($298m) in the squad during the summer transfer window.

Chelsea sought to build on a promising fourth place Premier League finish last season by bolstering their ranks in a number of key areas.

Big money was spent on Hakim Ziyech, Timo Werner, Kai Havertz, Ben Chiwell and Edouard Mendy ahead of the 2020-21 campaign, but Lampard has only had mixed success in trying to gel a new-look team together.

The 42-year-old head coach recieved widespread praise for overseeing a 17-match unbeaten run earlier this term which saw the Blues emerge as potential title contenders while also advancing to the Champions League knockout stages.

However, a 1-0 defeat at Everton on December 12 brought the west London outfit crashing back down to earth, with subsequent losses at Wolves and Arsenal raising question marks over their trophy-winning credentials.

Chelsea have slipped to eighth in the top-flight standings following their recent dip in form, with Cascarino left fearing the worst for Lampard after the 3-1 reversal at Emirates Stadium on Sunday.

Arsenal were being tipped to axe Arteta before he masterminded that London derby victory, but a former Blues striker thinks the man who stood in the opposing dugout is now at greater risk of losing his job than the Spaniard.

“Frank has got a real problem at the football club,” Cascarino told talkSPORT. “I’m not convinced by the people that say Arteta is seriously under pressure; I think Frank is under every bit as much, and even more pressure.

“Think of the history of the club, think of the owner and how he’s sacked people quite confidently, think that he’s spent £220m, think that he’s brought in a young lad from Germany [Havertz] who is not even in the team and struggled, think of Timo Werner where they spent a lot investing and he’s struggled.

“You are under pressure as a Chelsea manager to challenge, because when you are given £220m I guarantee you that conversation before the start of the season would have been, ‘what do you need to challenge Liverpool and Man City?’. That conversation would have happened.”

Lionel Messi is still upset about Luis Suarez’s departure from Barcelona, describing it as a 'crazy' decision.

Suarez was deemed surplus to requirements by new Barca coach Ronald Koeman and allowed to head away from the club.

His destination was Atletico Madrid, following a failed bid to join Juventus in Serie A, and the Uruguayan is playing his part as Diego Simeone’s side push for the La Liga title.

Atletico are level with Real Madrid at the top of the table, with two games in hand, while Barca languish eight points adrift.

Messi has questioned the decision to not only let his close friend go, but sanction the departure to one of their major rivals for silverware.

"I had thought about it before Luis Suarez [left], but that was crazy," Messi said in a wide-ranging interview with La Sexta in which he talked about his future, former team-mate Neymar and great rival Cristiano Ronaldo.

"I didn't like the way he left. I didn't think he deserved to leave like that. 

“He went for free to a team that is fighting for the same things as us."

Messi remains in regular dialogue with Suarez and Neymar, the latter of whom he will face in the Champions League in February.

"We speak from time to time," Messi said of the upcoming clash with Paris Saint-Germain. "Recently, we - Messi and Neymar - have spoken about facing each other in the Champions League.

"I didn't like it [the draw] because we have to face a strong team, and neither does Ney because even though we aren't at our best now, we can improve.

"I speak to Luis almost every day, and between the three of us, we have a very good relationship."

Messi’s production rate has been below his usual standards so far this term. 

The Argentina international is having to adjust to the style of a new manager, but Barca could still challenge for the title if Messi hits form in the second half of the season.

Barca return to La Liga action at home to Eibar on Tuesday, and they will go into the game without their talisman - who has an ankle injury. The aim is for the 33-year-old to return to the fold against Huesca on January 3.

Defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns issued a statement on Monday saying they have terminated discussions with Al Ahly over the potential sale of Uruguay forward Gaston Sirino.

Speculation has been ongoing for several months that the player wants to leave Sundowns after three seasons with the club, in which he scored 29 goals and added 24 assists while winning the Telkom Knockout, Nedbank Cup and three league titles.

Looking to bring an end to the distraction and to try and get Sirino focused on his job, Masandawana released the following statement:

"Mamelodi Sundowns FC today [Monday 28 December] announced that it has terminated discussions with Al Ahly SC as the two clubs are too far from each other on the transfer fee for Gaston Sirino.

"The good relations between the President of Al Ahly, Mr Mahmoud El Khatib and the President of Mamelodi Sundowns, Dr Patrice Motsepe will continue as well as the good relations between Mamelodi Sundowns and Al Ahly but there is no point or purpose in continuing the discussions on Gaston Sirino.

"Mamelodi Sundowns will continue releasing players to European, African and other football countries like it did for Percy Tau, Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, Ivorian International Siaka Tiéné and other players but the transfer fee must be competitive as Mamelodi Sundowns is consistently paying high and internationally competitive transfer fees for the players that it acquires.

"Gaston Sirino must now focus on his football and compete for a starting position at Mamelodi Sundowns."

It will remain to be seen how focused Sirino will be as he has previously made clear his desire to join his former coach Pitso Mosimane at Egyptian giants Al Ahly.

The South American has played only once for Sundowns this season, in their opening game of the season, a quarter-final defeat against Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8.

The 29-year-old forward has reportedly been out with a hamstring injury and last month it was revealed by Downs coach Manqoba Mngqithi that Sirino was recovering well but would not be rushed back into action.

The Tshwane team are top of the league standings at the Christmas break in South Africa.

Mosimane recently guided Al Ahly to a treble success, winning the Caf Champions League, as well as the domestic league and cup titles.

Tottenham’s alarming failure to see out games reared its head again against Wolves.

Spurs led early on through Tanguy Ndombele on Sunday but failed to press home their advantage, and were pegged back when Romain Saiss headed home four minutes from time.

Saiss’ effort meant Tottenham had to settle for a point, and continued a worrying trend for Jose Mourinho’s side.

According to Opta, Spurs have dropped nine points in 2020-21 with goals conceded in the last 10 minutes of matches, the most of any side in the Premier League.

The 1-1 draw with Wolves left Tottenham down in fifth in the table, six points adrift of leaders Liverpool.

Commenting on the performance to the club’s official website, Mourinho was satisfied with everything apart from their failure to kill off the game  which left them open to a late blow.

“We’re frustrated with the result,” Mourinho said. “We had control of the game.

“I think it was a solid performance from the defensive point of view. To play against Wolves, I don’t remember Hugo [Lloris] making an important save that meant a lot, but when you score in the first minute you have 89 minutes to score more goals, we didn’t, and we weren’t even close to scoring many more goals.

"I must give some credit to Wolves, of course, as by losing they put some pressure on us, pressure that we coped quite well with, controlling the game very, very well, but we didn't have that ambition and desire to go for more."

Spurs lost their lengthy unbeaten run on the domestic front against Liverpool on December 16, with Roberto Firmino popping up with a goal in the final minute to seal a 2-1 win for the champions.

Prior to that, a goal from Jeffrey Schlupp on 81 minutes saw Spurs drop two points against Crystal Palace, while in October Mourinho's charges inexplicably conceded three times in the final 10 minutes to surrender a 3-0 lead to draw 3-3 with West Ham.

Against Newcastle in September, a Callum Wilson penalty in the 90th minute denied Tottenham a win.

Tottenham have taken only two points from their last four games and are in danger of losing touch with the Reds.

Spurs now have back-to-back home games against Fulham and Leeds - on December 30 and January 2 respectively - and Mourinho will want to see his side demonstrate greater attacking thrust.

Following the games with Fulham and Leeds, Spurs can turn their attentions away from the league as they have a Carabao Cup semi-final with Brentford followed by an FA Cup third-round clash with Marine.

Ghana target Tariq Lamptey is set to miss a second consecutive Premier League game for Brighton and Hove Albion, the club have confirmed.

The 20-year-old sat out Sunday's 2-2 draw with West Ham United due to a hamstring problem and has been confirmed as unavailable for Tuesday's matchday 16 clash with Arsenal at the American Express Community Stadium.

It will be his fifth missed game of the season, having made 11 appearances so far.

"Graham Potter provided an update on Tariq Lamptey when he spoke to the media after Sunday's game with West Ham United," Brighton wrote in their team news on their official website on Monday.

"The boss confirmed that the defender would miss the match because of a hamstring injury and would also likely remain absent for the match with Wolves on Saturday.

"Adam Lallana came off with a groin problem at half-time and his fitness will be assessed ahead of the match."

Lamptey joined Brighton from Chelsea in January after struggling for first team opportunities at Stamford Bridge where he developed through the youth ranks.

“It [injury] is not serious, it's just a slight problem with his hamstring," Potter said ahead of Sunday's game.

"The nature of how he plays, you have to be careful because you don't want him to be out for a number of weeks. So I am expecting him to be back pretty soon. He's recovering well.

“We haven't got a like-for-like replacement for Tariq, so you have to adjust as a team for another person coming into the team.

"The player that comes in for him will have different attributes and qualities. It's then up to us as a team to understand that and play to those."

Among the breakout stars of the season, Lamptey has been linked to Atletico Madrid and Bayern Munich.

The latest reports on Monday say the full-back has interested Arsenal who are planning a swoop should Hector Bellerin leave for Barcelona as highly speculated.

The Hillingdon-born has also gained the attention of Ghana football officials who are keen to see the defender represent the country of his parents at international level.

He currently plays for England at U21 level.

Possible future international teammate Thomas Partey, who plays for Arsenal, will also miss Tuesday's Premier League game due to injury.