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Tanzania Mainland League leaders Azam FC dropped points for the second consecutive game after being held to a 1-1 draw by JKT Tanzania at Azam Complex in Chamazi.

The Ice-cream Makers had suffered a 1-0 loss, their only defeat in the league this season, against Mtibwa Sugar in their last outing and were keen to bounce back. However, it was not going to be an easy outing on Friday against the administrative side who had defeated Mwadui FC 6-1 just a week ago.

It took the visitors 43 minutes to open the scoring when Michael Aidan finished a swift move.

After the break, the 2014 champions came back stronger hoping to get a draw and probably get the winning goal.

Getting a win became more likely after midfielder Salum Abubakar managed to put the two teams into level terms in the 78th minute. The last 12 minutes were the longest for JKT, as Azam pushed forward aiming at getting a win. 

However, the visitors held on to get a vital point away.

In an earlier match, Gwambina FC suffered a 3-0 loss in the hands of their visitors KMC.

The Kinondoni-based team had suffered a 2-1 loss when they played their last match at home to Yanga SC and were desperate for a positive outing.

KMC had to wait until the 44th minute to open the scoring. The hosts conceded a free kick in a good area and Israel Patrick managed to find Lusajo Mwaikenda, and the defender made no mistake from about six yards, heading the ball past the goalkeeper.

Gwambina fought bravely hoping to get an equalizer and get at least a point. Concentration lapses at the back allowed Reliants Lusajo to score the second goal for the visitors and lower the pressure.

The third goal came in stoppage time when the unmarked David Bryson scored from about 16 yards after sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 

After Friday's games, Azam remain on top with 22 points from nine matches, three more than second-placed Yanga SC who have played seven. JKT Tanzania moved to 12th with nine points.

KMC moved fourth on the table with 14 points while Gwambina are 14th on nine points.

In the United States, college sports have a reputation for almost being as entertaining as professional sports.

The college athletic program is complex and intricate, and while a handful of student athletes go on to become professional once they graduate, this usually isn't the case.

How much do U.S. college soccer players get paid?

U.S. college soccer players do not get paid.

It is against NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) rules for men's and women's college athletes - not just soccer players - to receive direct compensation from their institution or get money from endorsements or appearances related to their sport. 

Instead, college athletes are often awarded with full or partial scholarships to their school.

Why don't U.S. college soccer players get paid?

The NCAA does not let student athletes get paid because they require them to remain as amateur players during their time in college.

To be an amateur player, you are not allowed to receive monetary payments for playing for your university.

They are also not allowed to be granted money for choosing a college to play for, though most U.S. soccer players get compensated for their efforts by being awarded a scholarship.

The scholarship would ensure that they would have most, if not all, of their school expenses paid for, as well as free room and board on campus.

If colleges and universities are found to be paying their student athletes, they would be in danger of losing their official NCAA status.

Families of student athletes are also not allowed to be paid for helping their child choose a school.

Those who are found to break the rules face a punishment of being suspended from sports for the rest of their time at college.

The fact that NCAA athletes do not get paid has been a source of controversy within the world of college sport and beyond, with many feeling that these athletes deserve to be awarded compensation - especially with college athletics being such a lucrative industry.

Will U.S. college soccer players get paid in the future?

In April 2020, the NCAA's highest governing body signalled their support of a rule change that would allow student athletes to earn money from their name, image and likeness starting from the beginning of the 2021-22 school year - as long as their college or university does not pay them directly.

The NCAA's Board of Governors stated it supports allowing "student-athletes to receive compensation for third-party endorsements both related to and separate from athletics".

This means that players will be able to earn money from their social media sponsorships as well as business they have created.

“Throughout our efforts to enhance support for college athletes, the NCAA has relied upon considerable feedback from and the engagement of our members, including numerous student-athletes, from all three divisions,” said Michael V. Drake, chair of the board and president of Ohio State.

“Allowing promotions and third-party endorsements is uncharted territory.”

Many have criticised the inability of student athletes to be paid in light of the NCAA's annual revenues passing the $1 billion threshold due to television contracts and marketing deals.

California Governor Gavin Newsom passed a bill in September 2019 that enabled college athletes to pen their own endorsement deals and hire their own agents.

Newsom described the bill as "the beginning of a national movement - one that transcends geographic and partisan lines."

This alteration to how student athletes are compensated could be a hint at further changes to the system in the future.

Michael Essien believes that Thomas Partey is a great signing for Arsenal, arguing that his fellow Ghanaian is precisely the kind of player the club has needed since the tail end of the Arsene Wenger era.

The Gunners signed Partey from Atletico Madrid for £45m ($58m) just before the close of the summer transfer window and the 27-year-old has impressed in his first three performances for Mikel Arteta's struggling side.

Essien is not in the least bit surprised that his compatriot already looks at home at the Emirates, as the former Chelsea ace says Partey is the kind of all-round talent that Arsenal have long lacked in midfield.

"I know him, I have seen him play a couple of times and we do talk now and then," the 37-year-old Essien revealed in an interview with Goal. "If he has any questions, he can always contact me for my thoughts – except when he plays Chelsea.

"But I wish him well and I am looking forward to seeing him do very well for Arsenal. They have made a great signing by bringing my countryman to take on the Premier League.

"He is more of a typical No.6 than me. He is very good on the ball, wins duels, has good speed, reads the danger well and he is a very complete midfielder.

"When I arrived in England, Arsenal were very tough, with Gilberto Silva and a great midfield, so it was a tough team to play against. But I think the Arsenal I played towards the end of my career could have done with a player like Thomas Partey.

"I think it is a great move for him too, though. Arsenal is a great club. The Premier League is also brilliant, so it will help him to improve his game as well."

Partey is expected to make his third consecutive start in all competitions when Arsenal travel to Old Trafford on Saturday to face Manchester United on Sunday.

Essien, of course, enjoyed many great battles with the Red Devils during his time on Chelsea's books between August 2005 and January 2014.

However, the former Ghana international could have been on the other side of one of the fiercest rivalries of the Premier League era had he not been blocked from making an even earlier move to England.

"I had the chance to go to Manchester United when I was 17," he explained. "I went twice for trials and I passed them. But I couldn't get the work permit.

"I went to France instead and when I came to Chelsea, I had Man United after me as well, but only Chelsea could afford me in the end.

"So, that's what happened and Jose Mourinho was very persuasive in the end, anyway!"

Essien enjoyed an excellent working relationship with former Chelsea boss Mourinho, who brought him to Stamford Bridge before later taking him on loan during his time in charge of Real Madrid.

However, Essien also played under the likes of Guus Hiddink and Carlo Ancelotti, so perhaps it is no surprise that he is now taking his first steps into the world of coaching as a player-assistant at Danish Superliga outfit FC Nordsjaelland.

He no longer gets as much time to watch as much Premier League football as he used to but he continues to keep a close eye on some of the managers plying their trade in England's top flight.

"I played a lot against Mikel Arteta when he was at PSG and I know him quite well," he added. "So far, he is doing a good job at Arsenal, he needs to keep going and it is good for the game to see good young managers like him.

"I don't watch a lot of football nowadays, as I am busy learning the job and a new league myself.

"But Liverpool have a great coach in Jurgen Klopp and I love seeing what my former manager Carlo Ancelotti is doing with Everton."

Diego Maradona turned 60 on Friday, and there have been plenty of tributes from across the football world for a true legend of the game.

Maradona's two most famous goals with Argentina came in the same game: a 2-1 win over England in the 1986 World Cup quarter-final. 

The playmaker scored his infamous "Hand of God" goal against the Three Lions, which was quickly followed by his incredible solo run and finish that is considered among the greatest goals ever scored.

But Maradona, of course, scored plenty more goals for Argentina than just those two. In total, he would score 34 times across 90 appearances for the Albiceleste.

To help celebrate Maradona's milestone birthday, Goal brings you a host of the legend's best goals in an Argentina shirt.

Striker Dickson Raila has revealed his main objectives after he signed for the Kenyan Premier League giants Gor Mahia.

Terming K’Ogalo as the biggest club in the region, Raila hopes that the stage will help him grow into a better footballer as he aims to sign for a top club in future.

“I am very glad to join Gor Mahia since it has been my dream to join the best team in East Africa. Joining Gor Mahia will open my ways because I want to play up to the top level in football,” Raila told the club’s Online TV.

“As a striker, my main job is to score goals and that will of course market me so well. To me every chance that I will be given, although it is going to be very competitive, I will take it and keep competing for the best.”

He also explained the genesis of his second name that resembles the name of the former Prime Minister, Raila Odinga.

“I was given the name by my father because he loved Raila and that is the only reason I carry the name. I have also been given the nicknames that Raila has like Agwambo, Tinga, and Amollo they are so many indeed,” he added.

“I really enjoy having the names.”

The forward also explained how he started his football journey and what the Gor Mahia move means to him.

“Football is in my blood and when I was between five and 10 years I had already started playing with older people,” he explained.

“I was not afraid and they actually valued me so much because of the commitment even though I was so small and young.

“The move is a big step that I have made and so far I cannot say the time with Gor Mahia is bad but I am going to try my best by working hard and showing commitment.

“Where I am now, is all about the determination and God’s care. I hope I will go far.”

On his part, midfielder Nicholas Omondi stated what the K’Ogalo fans should expect from him.

“I shot from the sub-county football to the National Super League and I can only describe it as a good journey so far,” Omondi told the club’s Online TV in a separate interview.

“People have not seen me a lot but as time goes by let them expect big things. The competition is good since it is helping me become better and better.

“The presence of Kenneth Muguna and others give me the motivation that I need to work even harder. I have got to where I wanted by joining the biggest team in the Premier League.”

The two are among 14 players that were signed by the local heavyweights.

Ghana coach CK Akonnor reveals he has handed a recall to FC Metz centre-back John Boye because of his experience at international level.

The 34-year-old centre-back was listed among 23 players for next month’s 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against Sudan.

He has been summoned for international duty for the first since playing for the Black Stars at the 2019 Afcon tournament in Egypt, where Ghana exited the tournament at the Round of 16 stage. Germany U20 winger Jamie Leweling has also been called up.

“John Boye is again an old guy; all this is because of the fact that we want immediate solutions and therefore it is needed for us to deal with the experience and those who have been in such surroundings before,” Akonnor explained, the Ghana Football Association (GFA) website reports.

“They have the experience, been around the terrain before and know what it takes to play qualification and so I thought it wise to bring someone who’s doing well in Europe.

“People have talked about him and I think he deserves that chance and that’s why he’s here to support the team.”

Like Boye, Chelsea left-back Abdul Rahman Baba has been called up for the first time since playing at the Afcon tournament. Interestingly, he has been frozen out of the Blues’ first team to the second team.

“Baba Rahman was once a regular player here; due to injury, he was taken out,” Akonnor revealed.

“Now he is back, he is fit, he is playing very well with his team. Unfortunately, he has not had the chance to play in the first team. But he has had a couple of friendly matches since August, September and even recently 24th October, which he played against Liverpool’s second team.

“And these matches, he has played 90 minutes, some are 90 minutes, a lot of 90 minutes and of course 70 minutes.

“So, we have taken a lot of consideration, looking at the fact that we have a little bit of weakness within that area, the full backs so I thought it necessary to bring him to compete with Gideon on that side.”

There were more surprised in Akonnor’s latest call-up as Columbus Crew right-back Harrison Afull has also been summoned back for national duty. He last played for the Black Stars against Ethiopia in 2018.

“For me, I am looking for immediate solutions and if you want to do that you don’t want to play around, you want to go straight to the point and therefore the immediate solutions are those guys,” Akonnor said on the USA-based fullback.  

“Again, on the right side, just recently, this young gentleman, Benson, who did very well.

“But he needs support, he needs the old guys to be around, to learn from them and therefore I thought it wise to bring around none other person than Harrison Afful, to back him up and of course support him and that is why Harrison is also there.”

Ghana are set to host Uganda for the first of the double-header in Cape Coast on November 12.

Anthony Nwakaeme bagged a brace while Bengali-Fode Koita scored the winning goal in Kasimpasa’s 4-3 victory over Trabzonspor in Friday’s Turkish Super Lig game.  

Nwakaeme was afforded his sixth league appearance and gave a good account of himself but his effort was not enough to help his side to halt their winless run.

Trabzonspor have gone four games without a victory, including losing their last two matches in the Turkish top-flight.

The Black Sea Storm started the game on the back foot allowing Kasimpasa to dictate the pace and duly opened the scoring in the eighth minute through Mickael Tirpan.

Trabzonspor seemed to be awoken after conceding the goal and pressed for an equalizer which came in the 23rd minute when Serkan Asan fired home past goalkeeper Ramazan Kose.

Nwakaeme then gave the Black Sea Storm the lead for the first time in the encounter when he found the back of the net moments after the half-hour mark.

The Nigeria international then completed his brace seven minutes later when he hit the ball past Kose after he was set up by Abdulkadir Omur.

Moments before the half-time break, Yusuf Erdogan reduced the deficit for Kasimpasa to inspire the comeback.

Two minutes before full-time, Edgar Ie turned the ball into his own net as the Apaches levelled proceedings before Guinea international Koita scored the match-winning goal at the death.

Nwakaeme, who featured for the duration of the game, has now scored three goals in the current campaign for Trabzonspor.

The 31-year-old forward scored 11 league goals in 29 appearances last season to help Trabzonspor finish as runner-up.

Nwakaeme will be expected to continue his impressive performances for his club when they face Alanyaspor on November 7.

Koita, meanwhile, will be expected to feature when Kasimpasa square off against Antalyaspor in their next league game.

England World Cup winner and former Manchester United player Nobby Stiles has died at the age of 78.

Stiles' family confirmed that the one-time midfielder passed away peacefully on Friday after a long illness.

A statement issued by his family said: "The Stiles family are sad to announce that Nobby Stiles passed away peacefully today surrounded by his family after a long illness.

"The family kindly ask for privacy at this sad time."

Manchester-born Stiles earned 28 caps for England and was a big part of the squad that won the World Cup in 1966.

Two years later, he was part of the United side that became the first English club to win the European Cup.

He made almost 400 appearances for United in all competitions across an 11-year spell at Old Trafford and went on to play for Middlesbrough and Preston North End, before hanging up his boots in 1975.

A statement from United read: "We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles MBE.

"An integral part of our first-ever European Cup-winning side, Nobby was a titan of the club's history, cherished for his heart and personality on and off the pitch. He will be sorely missed by us all."

The England national team Twitter account posted: "We're incredibly saddened to learn of the passing of Nobby Stiles, a key member of our World Cup-winning squad, at the age of 78. All of our thoughts are with Nobby's loved ones."

Former England striker Gary Lineker was also among those to pay tribute to Stiles on social media, tweeting: "Saddened to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away.

"Another of our 1966 World Cup winning heroes leaves us. He had a heart that was even bigger than the gap in his teeth. RIP Nobby."

Danny Higginbotham, who came up through the youth ranks at Man Utd, also posted a tribute on Twitter.

"Such sad news to hear that Nobby Stiles has passed away," Higginbotham wrote. "I know he was ill for a while but doesn’t take away the shock. He was my coach as a kid @ManUtd and what an unbelievably humble human being. A massive influence on myself as a youngster. Thoughts and love with his family."

Arsenal’s rivalry with Manchester United has “lost its cutting edge” because neither side is able to sign the best talent available and have tumbled down the Premier League pecking order as a result, says Nigel Winterburn.

Meetings between the Gunners and Red Devils were once the standout fixtures on an English top-flight schedule.

The outcome of contests that pitted Arsene Wenger and Sir Alex Ferguson into tactical battle would often determine the destination of a domestic crown.

That is no longer the case, with those on the red halves of north London and Manchester having endured humbling falls from grace.

Passion has ebbed away from both camps, with Mikel Arteta and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer taking on sizeable rebuilding projects in their respective posts.

They will lock coaching horns at Old Trafford on Sunday, but Winterburn feels both teams are lacking a spark and cannot see either forcing their way back into title contention any time soon.

The former Arsenal defender told FreeSuperTips: “Manchester United and Arsenal has lost its cutting edge as the game is not as physical as it once was, and both teams are no longer feared in the Premier League like they were when I was playing.

“When I was coming through, Manchester United were the team that everyone in the Premier League was desperate to beat. 

“At Arsenal, you always felt that if you beat Manchester United in the league, then you would finish ahead of them and have a great chance of winning the title. 

“Those games, you had added intensity because of the history and incidents that would happen that made those games so special, and as a player you wanted to be a part of those games.

“They are still two huge clubs, but they’re not teams that are fighting for the title and have both fallen down the pecking order when it comes to signing the best players. 

“Arsenal were always going head-to-head with Manchester United for league titles, and that is where the intensity stemmed from and where they have both fell off in recent years, the game has lost its edge.

“It must be said that the rivalry is not what it was, but it is still a huge game which the players should be able to motivate themselves for.”  

If Arsenal are to start turning the tide, then they need to dramatically improve their record on the road against fellow members of the so-called ‘Big Six’.

It could be that they are running into United at the perfect time as, despite their impressive results in Europe, the Red Devils have also looked out-of-sorts this season and are yet to win a Premier League home game in 2020-21.

Lyon boss Rudi Garcia has joked that he wants to "tackle" Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman in order to prevent the Catalan club from snatching away in-form attacker Memphis Depay in a mid-season transfer raid.

The Netherlands international, who joined Lyon in 2017, has been in excellent form for his club in Ligue 1 so far this term, notching five goals and three assists to put him in the upper bracket of player performances over the opening weeks of the 2020-21 campaign.

The highly rated 26-year-old and club skipper was linked during the transfer window with a move to join his former national team boss Koeman at Barcelona. But despite the lack of European football at Parc Olympique Lyonnais this season, Depay stayed put for at least the first half of the campaign.

Fears that Depay may still join Barca when the transfer window opens again in January, however, remain arguably well-founded, with the lure of Camp Nou and a reunion with his countryman in La Liga possibly set to prove too much to resist for the ex-Manchester United man.

Speaking ahead of his side's trip to his former club Lille on Sunday, Garcia made reference to the Blaugrana's interest in his prized player and joked that he might have to employ some more physical measures against his opposing number to keep the attacker at the club

"[It] makes me think about putting a tackle on Koeman when the time is right," the 56-year-old quipped. "But when the time is right, I will do it."

Garcia was quick to praise Depay's form too, noting that the lack of additional midweek competition in Europe has helped the forward rediscover his best form at a more measurable pace this season.

"I'm not surprised [that he has started well]," Garcia added. "He does what he says is good at. He needed time after his long injury layoff.

"He didn't have 90 minutes in his legs previously. At the start of the season, we hoped that he could deliver what he is doing now. He plays the role of captain excellently. He's very important to me as a coach."

Badou Ndiaye scored twice while Alassane Ndao found the back of the net as Fatih Karagumruk demolished Erzurum BB 5-1 in Friday’s Turkish Super Lig game.

Ndiaye teamed up with the Ataturk Olympic Stadium outfit this summer on a season-long loan from Championship club Stoke City.

The midfielder was handed his third league appearance against Mehmet Ozdilek’s men and opened his account for the Kara Kırmızı in the encounter.

Ndiaye put his side in front as early as the 11th minute after receiving a timely assist from his compatriot Ndao.

Lucas Biglia doubled Fatih Karagumruk’s lead from the penalty spot in the 28th minute and moments before the half-time break, Ndiaye completed his brace.

Senol Can’s men continued to dominate proceedings after the restart and Ndao scored a goal of his own in the 71st minute.

Erik Sabo sealed the victory at the death to render Ricardo Gomes’ strike a mere consolation and ensure the Kara Kırmızı secure their third win of the season. 

Ndiaye featured for 79 minutes before making way for Zeki Yildirim while Ndao played for 84 minutes in the encounter.  

The victory ensured Fatih Karagumruk moved to third in the Super Lig with 11 points from seven games behind leaders Alanyaspor and Fenerbahce.

The Senegal stars will hope to continue their productive partnership when Can’s side take on Nevsehir Belediyespor in a Cup tie on November 4.

Ndiaye has previously played for Osmanlıspor, Galatasaray and Trabzonspor in Turkey before returning to the country in August to join Fatih Karagumruk.

The midfielder will be expected to replicate his impressive club performances for Senegal in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

Ronald Koeman has vowed he will not let Barcelona's club elections distract him from the challenge of winning trophies at Camp Nou.

The Dutchman walked into a club in crisis in August when he left the Netherlands job to return to Barcelona, with whom he had already enjoyed a highly successful six-year playing spell.

It means the head coach can hardly raise any protest amid the turmoil that continues to encircle the Catalan giants, whose president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned this week.

Bartomeu's leadership was facing heavy criticism, with star man Lionel Messi so disenchanted that he attempted to leave the club during the close season.

Now several months of electioneering are firmly under way, and Koeman will be doing well if he can keep his mind away from talk of what each candidate has in mind for the future.

One of those who looks set to stand, Toni Freixa, has backed Koeman to continue in his post, but rival Victor Font has made no secret of his intention to appoint Xavi in a senior capacity, and also floated the idea of Pep Guardiola returning.

Asked about Freixa's comments and his own future, Koeman said in a news conference on Friday: "I don't like to speak individually about the candidates, we'll see what can happen. My job is not to be happy or unhappy if someone wants to change things or not. I am here for the club and to win things and the most important thing is to win tomorrow."

Koeman's Barcelona travel to face Alaves on Saturday, having won 5-0 at Mendizorrotza in their final La Liga game of last season, by which time Real Madrid had eclipsed them to land the title.

They were under the charge of Quique Setien for that game, which saw Lionel Messi score twice and provide an assist.

Messi has struck 10 times in his nine La Liga games against Alaves, as if his value to Barcelona needed any fresh emphasising.

Barcelona have won their past seven La Liga meetings with Alaves, keeping a clean sheet in five of those and scoring an average of 3.4 goals per game.

They were last beaten by the Vitoria-Gasteiz side in September 2016, slipping to a 2-1 defeat that day as coach Luis Enrique began the game with Messi and Luis Suarez on the bench.

This time Barcelona are looking to bounce back from two successive La Liga defeats, to Getafe and Madrid, having not lost three in a row in the league since April 2016 – another low point in the Luis Enrique era.

At least a midweek Champions League win over Juventus showed Barcelona are capable of finding focus amid the circus that surrounds them.

The players do not appear nearly as vulnerable as Koeman to regime change, yet there will be a sense of relief when the focus can all be directed towards matters on the pitch.

Questions about the presidency will keep coming for Koeman, who stressed on Friday: "It is not in my hands. I am a coach of this club and I work hard to move the team forward, achieve good results and win titles.

"It is what the coach and the players have to do. I am not nervous and I am involved in my work. That's how it is. From today until the elections there are candidates who will speak, who say things about their projects, and we will see who will be the president in the future."

Andile Dlamini has reacted to growing concerns about the fitness of Banyana Banyana players for the upcoming Cosafa Women's Cup next month, assuring that "they are working on that".

Banyana had resumed camp about a week ago in preparation for a title defence on home soil and have been drawn against Angola, Eswatini and Comoros in Group A.

Fears that players could be struggling with fitness emerged following an uninspiring 1-0 victory over Bantwana in a friendly at the Safa National Technical Centre in Johannesburg earlier this week.

While hailing her side's display, Ellis, who is relying solely upon domestic players, opened up on her major worries, saying: "It looked better but we can still do more fitness-wise". 

However, Dlamini, who led Mamelodi Sundowns to a maiden Safa National Women's League triumph, is confident they will be ready for the event, while appealing for fans' support in Port Elizabeth.

"Camp has been amazing and everyone is adjusting quite well," Dlamini, who doubles as the team's acting captain, told Safa's media team.

"Since we are all players from the local leagues playing in the [Safa National Women's League and Sasol League], everything has just adjusted itself really well.

"When it comes to fitness, we have been working on that since we've got to camp and the coaches and the technical crew knows what to do regarding that.

"We are looking forward to her first game on November 3 and we urge all to support us and show their love."

Banyana Banyana are in contention for a fourth title in a row and seventh overall at this year's Cosafa Women's Cup in Nelson Mandela Bay, beginning from November 3 to 15.

They will open their campaign against Angola on November 3 at the Wolfson Stadium before a date with Eswatini on November 6 and clash with Comoros three days later.

Pep Guardiola says he is happy in Manchester after Barcelona presidential candidate Victor Font said he wanted to bring him back to Camp Nou.

The Manchester City manager is in his final year of his contract at Etihad Stadium and has not yet confirmed a decision on his long-term future.

After Barca president Josep Maria Bartomeu resigned and the entire board stepped down from their posts, Font has become the favourite to take over the role and said he wants to reunite Guardiola and Lionel Messi at the club.

Guardiola is in his fifth season at City, more than his previous periods in charge at Barca and Bayern Munich, but insists he is happy at the club.

"I'm incredibly happy here, delighted to be in Manchester and hopefully I can do a good job this season to stay longer,” he said when asked about the link with his former club.

Guardiola has said he will sign an extension if his players continue to respond his coaching techniques, but he has made his worst ever start to a season as a coach after injuries and illness disrupted his squad.

Sergio Aguero and Benjamin Mendy are definitely out of Saturday’s trip to Sheffield United, but the City boss hopes to have some players back soon with Gabriel Jesus and Nathan Ake returning to training.

“Gabriel and Ake are getting better, Mendy is not,” the City boss confirmed. “We’ll see how they feel at training. They need to be with the team and it’s coming so it’s good to have as many as possible. This season everyone will be important.”

With at least two games a week until the New Year, Guardiola is having to carefully monitor the fitness of his players, and he said the Premier League made a mistake when they didn't continue to allow five substitutes as they did during Project Restart and is being used across Europe and the Champions League.

"Definitely they should [have], they should 100%," he added. "It’s not about one club.

"There are statistics that they don’t deny - that in the Premier League players have 47 per cent more muscular injuries than the previous season. Due to no preparation for most of the teams and the amount of games.

"All the leagues - Germany, Spain, everywhere - is five substitutions to protect the players, not to protect one team.

"They should [reconsider], hopefully they can reconsider and do what the rest of the world does because we have to adjust to the pandemic situation and other things. The reality is completely different now to before. Intelligent people adjust to the situation in the world – football is about the players."

Jose Mourinho believes Tottenham must accept Gareth Bale is "a different player" to the wing wizard that Real Madrid prised away from north London seven years ago.

Bale is back at Spurs for a second spell and Mourinho says it cannot be assumed the loanee will make the same impact second time around.

He related the Welshman's situation to those of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who have made subtle changes to their styles of play over the years to remain formidable forces.

Mourinho hopes Bale can add plenty to Tottenham too, but at the age of 31 it may not be as the explosive wide man of years gone by.

Changes could be plentiful for Tottenham in Sunday's clash with Brighton and Hove Albion, given how unimpressed Mourinho was by the performance in Thursday's Europa League defeat at Antwerp.

Asked after that game how his team for Brighton would look, Mourinho said: "Do you want me to start with the same team as tonight? You are an intelligent guy, you know my answer."

When addressing the matter of Bale, who had two shots – neither of which were on target – before being substituted after 58 minutes in Antwerp, Mourinho said: "I repeat, seven years is a long gap. Which player in the world is the same as he was seven years ago? Sometimes they are just different players.

"You look for example at Ronaldo and Messi and compare them to seven years ago. I think it happens with the majority of players. For sure, he is a different player."

Whether Bale faces Brighton remains to be seen. "He is working very hard. He is improving," Mourinho said. "He didn't miss one single minute of any training session. To play 90 minutes it's still hard, but he is improving. Hopefully he'll be back to a better level soon."

Tottenham have home advantage for the Brighton game and sit fifth in the Premier League heading into the weekend.

Mourinho is a tough taskmaster and will want an improvement on recent home form, Spurs having achieved all three of their Premier League wins away from the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium this season.

At home they have drawn twice and lost once, against Everton in their season opener. The last time they failed to win in four consecutive top-flight home games was in the 2013-14 season.

Their record against Brighton bodes well for that sequence to end, having won all three of their previous Premier League home clashes with the Seagulls - and there was good news from Mourinho as he forecast Eric Dier and Tanguy Ndombele should be fit for the game after physical ailments.

Having Ndombele back provides cheer for Mourinho, who said: "We missed him because he gives speed to the team, thinking quick, moving the ball fast. We miss him."

Tolu Arokodare is developing well at Koln but he needs to refine his skills at Bundesliga level, according to the club general manager Horst Heldt.

The 19-year-old striker joined Markus Gisdol's side on a season-long loan from Latvian club Valmiera in the summer and he has been involved in two league matches.

Arokodare made his Bundesliga debut as a 76th-minute substitute after replacing Sebastian Andersson in Koln's 1-0 defeat to Arminia Bielefeld on September 26.

A week later, he was thrown into the fray in the 77th minute as Borussia Monchengladbach beat the Billy Goats 3-1.

In his assessment, Heldt is confident the Lagos-born attacker will add quality to the team as they currently occupy the 16th spot on the league table with two points after five matches.

“Tolu [Arokodare] is learning a lot at the moment, it has to be said,” Heldt told Goal.

“He caused a furore in Latvia, rising from the ashes like a Phoenix and causing us to take notice. He is still a young player at 19 and he has the qualities to develop.

“At 19 he still needs time though. We tend to play with one man up front, so his challenge is to put himself in a position to be given more playing time. I just spoke about Sebastian [Andersson], who is developing well. Tolu has to do the same.

“He has played already and I am sure that if he keeps working as hard as he has been then he will add something to our side.”

Heldt also reserved praise for some rare qualities Arokodare has shown in training.

He continued: "He has qualities that aren’t easy to find; he is strong in the air and hard to dispossess.

“He has to refine those skills at Bundesliga level, but that is the kind of normal process that players adjust to through working hard in training and getting time on the pitch. He is doing that, he is eager to learn and I am sure he will develop well.”

Arokodare and his compatriot Kingsley Ehizibue are in contention to play a part when Koln welcome Bayern Munich to the RheinEnergieStadion for their next Bundesliga fixture on Saturday.

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar has been ruled out of action until after the November international break after sustaining a groin injury.

The 28-year-old received treatment on the issue during his side’s 2-0 Champions League victory over Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday but was eventually forced to succumb to the problem with the game still scoreless.

A couple of Moise Kean strikes ultimately saw the Parisians over the line in Turkey, and head coach Thomas Tuchel is now set to have to lean on the on-loan Everton man further after confirmation that Neymar is set for a couple of weeks on the sidelines due to the issue.

"We're sad," the coach said. "He's got a small injury to his adductor. He'll be back after the break. I don't think he can play for Brazil. The information that we have is that he'll be back after the break."

PSG have three games to play before the international recess, beginning with a Ligue 1 encounter against Nantes on Saturday then continuing with a critical Champions League match away to RB Leipzig and then a home encounter against in-form Rennes next Saturday.

It is hoped, however, that the Brazil star, who became the world’s most expensive player when he joined the Parc des Princes side from Barcelona in 2017, will be back in action by the time Tuchel takes his side to Monaco in another Ligue 1 match on November 20.

The news is broadly along the lines of what was anticipated when Tuchel spoke of the problem in the aftermath of the midweek game.

"It was necessary to take him off," he told RMC Sport. "We now have to wait for a diagnosis. It was not serious pain, but he felt uncomfortable. Because of the tight schedule, it might cost him a few games, though I cannot be sure at this point."

Neymar has endured a stop-start beginning to the season, having missed the opening defeat to Lens due to coronavirus, then fixtures against Metz and Nice after he was sent off in a 1-0 loss to Marseille.

Additionally, he was not present when PSG won 4-0 in Nantes immediately after the previous international break as he had not returned from South America in sufficient time to play to his capacity.

When he has been on the field, however, he has excelled, scoring two goals and creating four more in six appearances.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has criticised the idea of a European Super League, saying it would be "one of the most boring projects in the world".

Outgoing Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu says the club have already agreed to proposals for a league that would consist of Europe’s top sides and replace the Champions League.

The idea has faced heavy criticism since Bartomeu’s announcement, with UEFA voicing its strong opposition to any such project while FIFA president Gianni Infantino said he is “not interested”.

La Liga chief Javier Tebas criticised the people behind the proposals, saying they have shown "total ignorance of the organisation and customs of European and world football”.

Ceferin has added his voice to the growing list of critics of the super league plans and says there are no serious discussions taking place.

“There’s a strong cooperation between us and the Leagues. The positive thing in this situation is the dialogue and solidarity,” he told SportLab, created by Corriere dello Sport and Tuttosport.

“The so-called Super League is an invention of some clubs and some Italian media, not our proposal.

“It would be one of the most boring projects in the world. Two or three clubs talk about it, who believe they deserve more than others but who actually win little and believe that they could be winners in a Super League.

“It’s not a serious discussion, these kinds of ideas would kill football. I’m strongly against a Super League and the Superchampions is mainly invented by Italian press.”

Current and former managers have also lambasted the idea of a European league being introduced at the expense of the Champions League.

Ex-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has denounced it as a plot to tackle the "superiority" of the Premier League, while Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp also hopes that it will "never happen" as he feels it would not be as exciting as the Champions League.

"For me, the Champions League is the Super League, in which you do not always end up playing against the same teams," he said. "Of course, it is economically important, but why should we create a system where Liverpool faces Real Madrid for 10 straight years? Who wants to see that every year?"