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Mexico spectacularly turned around a half-time deficit as they scored three goals inside four minutes to record a 3-2 victory over South Korea in Austria. 

Hwang Ui-jo opened the scoring when he scuffed in a volley from Son Heung-min's cross for South Korea, who only had 19 players available for the friendly fixture following further positive COVID-19 cases within coach Paulo Bento's squad. 

Mexico managed 12 shots in the first half but their frustrations were over when they produced a sensational treble to seize command of the contest at Stadion Wiener Neustadt. 

Raul Jimenez turned in a low cross to equalise, while a depleted South Korea were stunned again within a minute when Uriel Antuna provided the finish to fellow substitute Orbelin Pineda's throughball. 

Carlos Salcedo then made it 3-1 in the 70th minute with a crisp, half-volleyed finish and while Kwon Kyung-won pulled a goal back late on, Mexico were deserved winners in the end.

Gerardo Martino's side are back in action again on Tuesday, taking on Japan in Graz. South Korea, meanwhile, go up against Qatar, also on Austrian soil.

West Ham United star Sebastien Haller said he does not regret ditching France to pledge his international allegiance to the Ivory Coast.

Earlier this month, the France youth star who was born to an Ivorian mother, received his debut invitation to the Elephants' set-up for their double-header 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar.

Haller made an instant impact on his debut appearance for the Ivory Coast, after replacing injured Jonathan Kodjia and he scored the second goal that sealed their 2-1 win in Abidjan on Thursday.

When asked if it was difficult for him to leave France after playing for their U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U21 teams, the 26-year-old told France Football; “No since I'm not giving up anything, I haven't been anywhere. I did not go to the A-team and I do not regret this choice at all.

“If I haven't been there, it's because there are reasons, it's life, it's career. I'm glad I didn't go because, otherwise, I wouldn't have been able to reach Cote d'Ivoire. Didier Deschamps? Everyone makes their choices as they see fit. Everyone makes their way in relation to themselves. You can't blame something that didn't happen. If it didn't happen, it must have been like this.

“I try to avoid looking back or trying to regret things that might have happened. Today, you have to move forward, look ahead, take the opportunities, focus on them and be positive.”

Haller narrated how Ivory Coast coach Patrice Beaumelle convinced him to join his project in the West African country.

“Honestly, he (Patrice Beaumelle) came to see me a few months ago about this. I always had the choice of Ivory Coast in the back of my mind when I started football,” he said.

“It has always been relevant in the sense that I have both nationalities. For a while, it's true that the next logical step was to go to France because I had known the youth categories and had grown up in France. But we mature, we reflect, a lot of things are happening. There are also contexts which allow a choice to be oriented.

“Today, if I made this choice, it is because I am reaching an age where I do not really want to play on I do not know what uncertainty. I wanted to take what there was to take and really indulge myself. That you trust me and return that trust.

“I'm 26 years old, I want to be important for this Ivory Coast team and not be just an extra and come for two or three selections. I want to try to register for this duration. And I like it. The coach made me want to join the selection and I took the decision.”

Spain head coach Luis Enrique has jumped to the defence of record-breaker Sergio Ramos, who missed a pair of penalties in Spain's 1-1 draw with Switzerland on Saturday. 

On a night when Ramos passed Gianluigi Buffon to become the most-capped player in European football history, the Real Madrid captain saw two second-half penalties saved by Switzerland keeper Yann Sommer.

Remo Freuler opened the scoring for the Swiss in the 26th minute, before Gerard Moreno spared Ramos' blushes with an 89th-minute equaliser in the UEFA Nations League match at St. Jakob-Park in Basel.

Ramos had scored a remarkable 25 straight penalties for club and country before missing two in the span of 23 minutes, and his head coach said that record means he is in no danger of losing his status as Spain's top penalty-taker. 

"Sergio Ramos' record with penalties is up there with the very best," Luis Enrique said after the game. "It would be very unfair to take him off because he's missed one, two, three.

"If there were another penalty, he would've taken it...if he misses two, to take him off penalty duties would be a joke. There's a list of penalty takers and Sergio Ramos is at the top."

Gerard also backed up his coach's words on a night when Ramos reached his 177th international appearance. 

"Sergio is a born winner. Today he couldn't score the two penalties but he's played many games – many defeats, many victories. He has a lot of experience," Gerard said.

"Today the penalties didn't go in but I don't know how many he's made before that. It's not something we should worry about. I'm sure if there's another penalty he's going to take it and he's going to score.

"We are all calm. Sergio is also calm. I haven't been able to talk with him yet but I'm very calm that the next penalty Sergio takes he's going to score."

With the draw on Saturday, Spain fell to second place in Group 4 of League A, one point behind Germany. La Roja will take on Germany on Tuesday at the Estadio La Cartuja in Seville. 

Spain head coach Luis Enrique appeared to be unaware his side played the final portion of Saturday's match against Switzerland with a man advantage.

La Roja required a last-minute goal from Gerard Moreno to snatch a 1-1 draw in Saturday's Nations League clash with the Swiss.

Spain were heading for successive Group A4 defeats before substitute Gerard struck to cancel out Remo Freuler's first-half opener in a game that saw Sergio Ramos miss two penalties.

Nico Elvedi fouled Alvaro Morata in the box to give Ramos his second penalty attempt in the 80th minute, with the defender shown a second yellow card for the infraction. 

However, when Luis Enrique was quizzed about his side's numerical advantage by Marca after the game, the head coach turned to a staff member and appeared to ask "what sending off?" before answering the question.

Having started with Gerard and Alvaro Morata in Wednesday's 1-1 friendly draw with the Netherlands, Luis Enrique reverted back to his striker-less system at St Jakob-Park by recalling Dani Olmo to lead the line.

It was ultimately Villarreal striker Gerard who made the difference for Spain as he got on the end of Sergio Reguilon's left-sided cross and clinically converted from seven yards out – one of 20 shots the visitors attempted.

Luis Enrique's side have scored three goals in their past five games but the coach has stood by his decision to leave out the likes of Morata and Gerard in Basel until the second half.

"Soccer can be like this," he said. "It is a wonderful game but sometimes it does not do justice. A lot of things happened and we tried to play our style. 

"We felt that a number nine was not going to be necessary in the first half. We lacked a bit of freshness but I think Switzerland were good.

"We lacked when it came to the most difficult thing – scoring. On the basis of the first half we deserved to win, and on the basis of the second as well. It is easy to say after the game that Morata had to play or Gerard should have played."

Spain have taken one point from their past two Group A4 matches, having lost 1-0 to Ukraine last month, and now face Germany – one point better off after beating Ukraine 3-1 on Saturday – in a final-game shootout for top spot on Tuesday.

"I already have a plan for the Germany game," Luis Enrique added. "We will have to see how the players recover and take that into account.

"But we now know that we need to win or be out, as if it was a knockout game in the European Championship."

Arguably the biggest selection call of all, however, was Luis Enrique's decision to bring in Unai Simon over benched pair David de Gea and Kepa Arrizabalaga in goal for the second match running.

Simon made two saves but was well beaten for Freuler's opener and was caught out in the second half when racing way off his line and failing to get the ball, with Ramos getting back to block Haris Seferovic's shot on the line.

Asked to explain his goalkeeping pecking order, Luis Enrique said: "I have always declared that I am happy with all three of them.

"I will keep calling on them. Unai has been very good."

Liverpool will enter the January transfer market for an “A-list centre-half”, says Don Hutchison, with the Reds expected to set their sights on the likes of Dayot Upamecano and Kalidou Koulibaly.

Two star turns currently plying their trade for RB Leipzig and Napoli respectively have been heavily linked with moves to Merseyside.

That is because Jurgen Klopp finds himself alarmingly short on defensive options.

A spate of injuries at Anfield has left the likes of Joe Gomez, Virgil van Dijk, Fabinho and Trent Alexander-Arnold on the treatment table.

Liverpool are expected to counter that misfortune by exploring all of the options available to them in the winter window.

Hutchison believes money will be spent, as the Reds are down to the bare bones, and that another proven performer for the present and future will be acquired.

The former Liverpool midfielder told ESPN FC: “[Klopp will] come up with a game plan and he may give one of the rookie centre-halves a chance to stake a claim because it might dent their confidence if they see Jordan Henderson or James Milner go and play in their position.

“So he might give Nat Phillips a start, who's very, very good in the air, I think Rhys Williams is a little bit quicker over the ground, so he might play him [against Leicester] looking at the Jamie Vardy factor.

“But it's important that whoever plays, and I think Fabinho's going to be fit, but I think whoever fills this void in the short term tries to get Liverpool through the next few games, the next period, to try and get them to January.

“I think Upamecano's buyout clause at Leipzig is £40 million [next summer], so that's not a huge amount of money for such a young talent.

“Koulibaly is still at Napoli, who was valued at about £60m, so I think what it does is it really pushes Liverpool into the transfer market to go and buy an A-list centre-half, and when Joe Gomez is back and when Virgil van Dijk is back, they've still got that quality.

“The squad from there will only be stronger.”

Liverpool will be back in Premier League action on November 21 when they play host to Leicester, with the reigning champions facing 11 games across all competitions through to the end of the calendar year and the opening of another recruitment opportunity.

South Korea will take the field for Saturday's friendly against Mexico despite seeing a host of players test positive for Covid-19, the Korean Football Association has confirmed. 

The KFA revealed that screening for the virus carried out on Thursday had yielded four positive cases among the squad as well as a further instance in the nation's coaching staff. 

Forward Lee Dong-jun, midfielders Kwon Chang-hoon and Hwang In-beom, goalkeeper Jo Hyeon-woo, and an unidentified staffer were the confirmed cases according to the association. 

The KFA additionally noted that in a second round of tests conducted on Saturday morning in Austria, two further players, Kim Moon-hwan and Na Sang-ho, returned positives and were also separated from the squad.

The outbreak in Austrian capital Vienna had put Korea's friendly clash in the Stadion Wiener Neustadt due to the risks of further infection. 

But the KFA insists that the situation is under control and that the game would not be abandoned.

"KFA announced on November 14 that it has decided to continue the match between Korea and Mexico as a result of a meeting with officials from the Mexico Football Association and Austrian Football Association," the association signalled in a statement released on Saturday.

"The Mexico Football Association and the Austrian Football Association hoped to play the match based on the FIFA/UEFA rules and following the precedents set in October and November, while the KFA also accepted the request of the two associations in consideration of various conditions.

"According to the rules of FIFA and UEFA, if there are 13 or more players (including one goalkeeper) eligible to play (with negative Covid-19 tests), the game can be played.

"Currently, four of the 25 national team players, including Kwon Chang-hoon, Lee Dong-jun, Jo Hyun-woo, and Hwang In-beom, have tested positive. The number of people who can participate in the game is 19.

"Ahead of the match between Japan and Panama, which took place in Graz, Austria on [November] 13th, just before the game with Mexico, two Covid-19 confirmed cases came out from the Panama squad, but the match was held excluding the two players.

"In October, a similar situation was produced, but the match was not cancelled. At the time, Cristiano Ronaldo (Portugal) tested positive for Covid-19 ahead of the match, but the international was normally held without Ronaldo.

"The match kicks off on November 14 at 9pm. Only players and staff who have tested negative in the Covid-19 PCR test conducted will participate. Players and staff who are currently testing positive will be quarantined locally for 10 days. After that, the quarantine will end only after a Covid-19 diagnostic test is conducted again and a negative test is obtained.

"Meanwhile, the national team's squad and coaching staff conducted a PCR test within 72 hours of travelling to Austria, and all negatives were confirmed. In addition, according to the FIFA rules, a second inspection was conducted at 5pm on the 12th, two days before the game, and Kwon Chang-hoon, Lee Dong-jun, Jo Hyun-woo, Hwang In-beom and one staff member were positive.

"At 8am on the 14th, all the members who were negative in the second round were retested. The 19 people who were negative as a result of the test will compete today. The positive responders, Kim Moon-hwan and Na Sang-ho, are excluded from the squad list and will undergo a reconfirmation process for body odor samples."

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have come out to assure their fans that midfielder Mukoko Tonombe will not leave the club.

Tonombe, who signed for the Jangwani giants in the just concluded transfer window has been linked with a move to rivals Simba SC, a day after it emerged Yanga had also shown interest to Clatous Chama from the league champions.

Hersi Said, GSM’S Investment Director, has now rubbished the claims that Tonombe will leave for Simba saying the player is happy to serve Yanga.

“What is being said on social media platforms concerning Mukoko is just propaganda by a certain fraction of people who do not wish Yanga well and have run out of ideas,” Said said as quoted by Daily News.

“The truth is Mukoko signed a two-year extension contract to serve at our club as such, people should not be misguided from what they see on social media outlets since he is our legal player.”

He further revealed that already Yanga have completed payments of transfer and signing fees of Mukoko from his former club AS Vita hence the two parties have nothing to worry about.

“As you know, Tonombe is the third captain in our team and I can assure you that he is happy to serve Yanga,” Said continued.

His statement comes just a day after Simba CEO Barbara Gonzalez stated there is no way they are going to let midfielder Chama join Yanga.

“Simba are a big brand who know what to do so that the fans might not end up regretting their support for the club,” Gonzalez told Mwanaspoti.

“On matters Chama, we have had some negotiations with him which are ongoing and in a direction we like but for now we have not come close to an agreement. What I can tell fans is that soon, they will know the answer to the questions surrounding the midfielder and his future.

“Talking of Simba, they are the biggest club in the country and in no way can be compared to Yanga. I can state categorically, Chama will never join Yanga and if their fans were waiting for that to happen, let them prepare their minds to see him turn out in Simba’s jersey for long.

“During transfer seasons, anything can be said about any player but we know what to do and how to help Tanzanian soccer grow even better. As Simba, we want to be a good example to other teams.”

Simba signed Chama from Lusaka Dynamos in 2018 on a one-year deal which was later extended by two years. The contract is expected to expire at the end of the season.

Simba SC attacking midfielder Clatous Chama has revealed why he has respect for Young Africans (Yanga SC) as speculation mounts on his future.

Goal understands the Zambian is engaging Simba for a possible new two-year deal as his current contract is expected to collapse at the end of the season.

Yanga have been open suitors for Chama but the midfielder has revealed why he would not be joining Simba’s rivals although he has total respect for them.

“I respect Yanga a lot because they are a big team who have very good players and officials who are very experienced in soccer administration,” the former Lusaka Dynamos star told Mwanaspoti.

“Taking into account the kind of competition and rivalry Simba and Yanga have had, it would be hard for me to join them because that would hurt the officials who brought me here.

“That will also hurt the fans who have been supportive regardless of my situation since I came.

“Football is an adventure that is run by money and that helps the players have some good lives for themselves and those who depend on them. And that is why I respect Yanga for putting enough money as they recognise that fact.”

In a separate interview, Chama had revealed why he was optimistic the negotiations with Simba and gave an indication they will strike common ground soon.

“Negotiations between me and Simba are taking a good direction and there are a few demands I have made, before I can extend the contract with the club,” the Zambian star revealed. “But I can confirm the talks are going on well.

“If we continue with the talks as we have done and because I believe Simba officials are going to agree with me, then I am going to sign a new contract in the next few days.

“Let me give Simba fans some hope, the chances of signing a new contract now stands at 80% and in the end, I believe I am going to remain at this place for two more years.

“But if the talks are going to collapse, I will not play for another team here in Tanzania.”

Chama has been an influential first-teamer since he signed for Simba in 2018.

Gareth Bale’s penchant for golf continues to receive the full backing from those around him in the Wales camp, with Chris Gunter pointing out that the Tottenham loanee is not the only one keeping a close eye on The Masters.

A man who faced plenty of criticism for his interests outside of football during his time at Real Madrid continues to fall under the spotlight.

Bale was not involved in Wales’ 0-0 draw with the United States in a friendly encounter on Thursday, leaving him watching on from the stands.

He was caught on camera glued to a laptop screen while his fellow countryman faced the USA, with many quick to suggest that he was keeping up to date with goings on at Augusta.

Caretaker Wales coach Robert Page claims to have no issue with Bale’s extracurricular activities, with Gunter claiming that mindset is shared across the entire camp.

“Who doesn’t keep an eye on The Masters? It’s one of the best sporting events of the year,” Gunter, who has spent many years playing alongside Bale for Wales, told reporters.

“It’s something really good to watch in the hotel over the next few days.”

Wales are due to be back in action on Sunday when they face the Republic of Ireland in their latest UEFA Nations League fixture.

That contest will coincide with the final round of The Masters, with Gunter adding: “It would certainly be nice if we can get a good result at the weekend.

“And then if anybody has a pound or two on any of the players then hopefully they can do well too.

“Most important thing for us is the football — but it is something nice to watch in the next few days in the hotel.”

Bale is expected to be involved against the Irish, as his workload continues to be carefully managed by Spurs and Wales, with Gunter seeing a spark back in the 31-year-old after his struggles in Spain.

The experienced full-back said: “The way he’s been this week is the way he’s been any time I’ve been with Wales. He’s the exact same, regardless of any situation. He just loves coming away and is fully excited.

“He’s always in good shape, that’s your job as a footballer.

“It would be disrespectful to say he’s in the best shape now, because of his professionalism since he started breaking in for club and country.

“Whenever he comes away with Wales he performs to an extremely high level.

“I haven’t noticed any different. He’s the exact same guy when we started playing together in the Under-17s.

“We’re lucky to have him and hopefully he can do over the next week what he’s been doing for many years for us.”

The majority of the United States - and the rest of the world - collectively breathed a sigh of relief when former vice president Joe Biden won the 2020 presidential election, defeating Donald Trump and ending four years of a tumultuous term.

Biden's presidency will be a positive step forward, shifting away from the dangerous and exclusionary rhetoric that Trump would engage in while in office.

So is the Democrat a soccer fan, and if so, what soccer team does Biden support? Goal takes a look.

Donald Trump vs Joe Biden: Where do U.S. presidential race 2020 candidates stand on soccer issues?

While Biden has never pledged his affiliation to any club soccer team in the United States in Europe, he is obviously an ardent supporter of the U.S. national teams.

He has, however, been photographed at a game between D.C. United and Philadelphia Union in 2010.

Biden been supportive of both the U.S. Men's National Team and the U.S. Women's Team especially, voicing his support for the women's team to be granted equal pay.

The former vice-president, along with his wife Jill Biden, has been pictures at several soccer games, and supported the United States' bid to host the 2022 World Cup before it was eventually awarded to Qatar.

Biden congratulated the USWNT immediately after their World Cup success in 2019 in France, writing on his Twitter: "USWNT, congratulations on the big win and thank you for the jersey!

"Your talent, heart and advocacy for equal pay represents the best of America and serves as an inspiration for all."

He has consistently called for the USWNT to be paid the same as their male counterparts, and even threatened to withdraw funding for the 2026 World Cup as president should the gender pay gap issue not be resolved.

"To USWNT: don't give up this fight," he said on Twitter. "This is not over yet.

"To U.S. Soccer: equal pay, now. Or else when I'm president, you can go elsewhere for World Cup funding."

A number of current and former USWNT athletes have also publicly endorsed Biden for president, with Megan Rapinoe and Alex Morgan all supportive of him.

"Congratulations Joe Biden," Rapinoe wrote on Twitter. "#46 and has to be said, historic day for @KamalaHarris and for Women, for Black Women, for South Asian Women. LFG!"

Rapinoe has often spoken out against Trump, calling the outgoing president a "white nationalist" and refusing an invitation to the White House should the USWNT win the World Cup - which led to a social media sparring war from Trump.

The USWNT star also jokingly hinted that Biden should nominate her for vice-president prior to him choosing Kamala Harris in an Instagram live video: "I don't want to put you on the spot – I think I could still play soccer and do this," Rapinoe told Biden.

"But if you need a vice-president, I'm just saying I'm available for an interview. We can talk logistics and the details. Put it on your list. No pressure."

While Biden does not seem to follow club soccer closely, he is an all-around sports fan - a supporter of the Philadelphia Phillies in baseball and Philadelphia Eagles in NFL.

He is also known to have a soft spot for the New York Yankees due to his grandfather's ties to the team.

Luis Figo claims to see shades of himself in Barcelona winger Ousmane Dembele, with the France international still considered to be a player that boasts “enormous potential”.

The Blaugrana have not seen enough of that potential since investing heavily in the 23-year-old during the summer of 2017.

After offloading Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain in a record-breaking deal, part of that €222 million (£200m/$262m) transfer package was reinvested in luring Dembele away from Borussia Dortmund.

He was considered to be one of Europe’s hottest prospects at the time, but has endured “bad luck” on the injury front since arriving at Camp Nou, according to Figo.

Questions have also been asked of Dembele’s attitude at times, as he has been restricted to 82 appearances across three full seasons and the opening months of the 2020-21 campaign.

Figo, though, believes that there is a top talent there and that Barca should keep the faith.

The Portuguese is also expecting big things from Ansu Fati in Catalunya, with the talented teenager currently laid low with an unfortunate knee injury.

Figo told Marca of those in the modern era that conjure up memories of his own efforts: “If you have to ask me for a player that reminds me of the way I played, I'll say that I really like Dembele.

“He's had bad luck with injuries, but he has enormous potential.

“Then there are others like [Serge] Gnabry at Bayern Munich; he's very good, young. They play as a winger and I like their self-confidence when it comes to one-v-ones.

“Ansu Fati has also started like that. They're players that I like because they like to take risks and they have no fear. And that's important for teams that play with wingers.

“I also like [Cristian] Portu at Real Sociedad.”

Barca tied Dembele to a five-year contract when snapping him up from Dortmund, with those terms due to run through to the summer of 2022.

No extension has been agreed as yet, which has led to speculation surfacing regarding a potential move elsewhere.

The likes of Manchester United and Paris Saint-Germain have been linked with the Frenchman in the recent past and the Blaugrana are under pressure to sell before they splash the cash on further incomings.

Thomas Partey’s untimely injury, which has come on the back of a bright start to life in England, should come as no surprise, says Kevin Campbell, with such issues considered to be “an Arsenal thing”.

The Gunners moved late in the summer transfer window to snap up a midfielder that had been registering on their recruitment radar for some time.

Patience in north London finally paid off when a £45 million ($59m) deal was done with Atletico Madrid on deadline day.

Partey was tipped by many to make an immediate impact at Emirates Stadium, with his obvious qualities earning comparisons to Arsenal icons from the past such as Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva.

The Ghana international has delivered on that big billing, slotting seamlessly into the fold.

Early optimism has, however, been countered by an unfortunate knock.

He lasted just 45 minutes in a 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa before being forced from the field with a thigh complaint.

Partey has been denied the opportunity to link up with his country during the November break in domestic duty as a result, with the 27-year-old taking in a much-needed rest.

Campbell believes such setbacks are typical for Arsenal, with the Gunners still scratching around for a reversal in fortune after handing their managerial reins to Mikel Arteta.

Partey appears capable of playing a leading role in a bid to bring the good times back to Emirates Stadium, but he will be disappointed and frustrated at recent goings on.

“These things happen in football, sadly,” Campbell told Football Insider of events on and off the field at Arsenal.

“I am sure Thomas Partey would have been shocked by the performance against Aston Villa.

“The frustrating thing is that this guy was virtually ever-present at Atletico. He rarely suffered injury but the Premier League is a different kettle of fish and this is something Arsenal have to deal with.

“It’s an Arsenal thing – you have just signed a top player, he plays well and he gets injured.”  

Arsenal are still waiting to discover whether Partey will be ready to step back into their side when they take in a trip to Leeds on November 22.

Tanzania claimed the Cosafa U17 Women's Cup for the first time after defeating Zambia 4-3 on penalties following a tightly contested 90-minute 1-1 draw in Port Elizabeth, South Africa.

The young Twiga Stars finished second in their round-robin with nine points from four matches, while the Copper Princesses ended at the top with 12 points from the same matches to reach the final.

Having won the maiden Cosafa U20 tourney last year, the East Africans eyed another success but made a false start as Comfort Selemani gave Zambia the lead after just 18 minutes of action.

Inside injury time, the Twiga Stars were gifted a penalty and Aisha Masaka wasted no chance to convert her 10th goal of the tournament from the spot to force a stalemate in regulation time.

In the penalty shoot-out, Zambia's search for a first regional title hit the rock as Tanzania converted from the spot to claim the crown.

The result saw the Twiga Stars become the second East African side to celebrate a Cosafa age-grade glory following Uganda's triumph at the inaugural U17 event title in Mauritius last year.

In individual awards, Zambia’s Tisilile Lungu was named the Player of the Tournament and her compatriot goalkeeper Chitete Munsaka claimed the Golden Glove, with fewer conceded goals.

Also, Masaka of Tanzania won the Golden Boot award with her 10 goals, while second-placed Zambia claimed the Fair Play Award.

Italy will have to do without Leonardo Bonucci and Roberto Gagliardini for their upcoming Nations League games against Poland and Bosnia-Herzegovina.

Defender Bonucci is out with a muscular problem having revealed he had played on with an adductor injury during the second half of Juventus' 1-1 draw with Lazio prior to the international break.

The centre-back had not featured in Thursday's friendly against Estonia, a game the Azzurri won 4-0 to stretch their unbeaten run to 20 matches.

"I wanted to be there at all costs, but unfortunately I can't," Bonucci said in an interview with Rai Sport on Saturday.

"I pushed hard and gritted my teeth in the last 20 days, including against Lazio in the last half-hour when I felt discomfort. 

"Unfortunately it is a crescendo of pain, I am forced to stop. In Turin, we will evaluate the recovery times."

Gagliardini, meanwhile, has left the national squad ahead of the fixture against Poland in Reggio Emilia after returning an inconclusive result in Friday's Covid-19 tests.

The Inter midfielder tested positive at the start of October, though had seemingly recovered as he was cleared to return to action for his club.

After coming off the bench in Inter's 1-1 draw with Atalanta on November 8, the 26-year-old played the entire game for Italy against Estonia.

However, with the outcome of a second swab test taken on Saturday still not known, the Italian Football Federation announced Gagliardini is to return to Milan, meaning he will not be part of the travelling party for the trip to Sarajevo either.

"During yesterday's checks ahead of Italy vs. Poland, Roberto Gagliardini’s test results were inconclusive. He already had previously tested positive for Covid-19 at the beginning of October following swab tests with his club; however, he then recovered from the virus and returned a negative result," Italy confirmed on the FIGC's official website. 

"Since the test results are not always certain in their detection of Covid-19 in cured persons, a second swab was taken this morning, the outcome of which is expected in the evening.

"Taking into consideration the journey this morning to Reggio Emilia and the subsequent trip to Sarajevo on Tuesday, the player, although asymptomatic, will return to Milan as a precautionary measure."

Timo Werner is “already up there” with Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy when it comes to the most destructive strikers in the Premier League, claims Chelsea full-back Ben Chilwell.

The Blues won the race for a much-coveted signature during the summer transfer window.

Werner had been heavily linked with a switch to Liverpool, but Stamford Bridge ended up being his landing spot in the Premier League.

Frank Lampard's side invested £47.5 million ($63m) in the Germany international, with an impressive strike rate at RB Leipzig bringing him into the thoughts of leading sides across Europe.

Chelsea were convinced that they had landed a frontman tailor-made for the Premier League, with Werner’s versatility and work-rate marking him out as a useful asset.

Faith has been rewarded with eight goals through 12 appearances and fellow new boy Chilwell believes a prolific 24-year-old is comparable to Golden Boot winners on the books at Tottenham and Leicester.

“I’d already say he’s up there with them two [Kane and Vardy] and he can definitely go on to be absolutely world-class for a long time for the next 10 years or so,” Chilwell told Soccer AM.

“I think when you look at his age and how prolific he is in front of goal, even now his start at Chelsea he’s scored a lot of goals already. Just in front of goal he’s so good.

“He has similar characteristics to both Vardy and Harry to be fair. In terms of running the channels and how quick he is it’s similar to Vardy. With Harry his link-up play and his finishing is similar.

“He’s definitely in a category with them two.”

Werner has been backed to challenge for the Premier League top scorer prize in 2020-21, with Kurt Zouma saying of a predatory finisher: “He’s been scoring goals for fun in the German league.

“That’s why he has come here, to show himself in the Premier League. I think he can do it. He has the ability and he’s so quick.

“We have a great team. We don’t need to get too excited. We just need to be ready and keep confidence high.”

Werner has ground to make up if he is to land a prestigious individual prize, with his four-goal haul in the English top-flight leaving him four adrift of Vardy, Mohamed Salah, Heung-min Son and Dominic Calvert-Lewin at the top of the charts.