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England need to win a major tournament to truly be considered among the world’s best, forward Nikita Parris believes.

The Lionesses reached the semi-finals at the 2017 Euros and the World Cup in 2019 and on Monday, Baroness Sue Campbell, the FA's director of women's football, said it would be a failure if they didn’t win the home Euros in 2022 or the World Cup in 2023.

Parris, who left Manchester City for European champions Lyon last summer, shares that ambition, saying England need a major trophy to be considered among the likes of the USA and Germany – the latter due to take on the Lionesses in a friendly next week.

“I believe England now need to have that pressure of having to win a major tournament,” Parris said. “I think in the past we've said that we'll go into win, but. We're going to win, but. There’s always a but. As Sue clearly stated yesterday, it's about winning a major tournament for England now and nothing less will be good enough.

“I was truly, truly disappointed in the World Cup when we lost against America, because I really thought that was our time, but now we have to build on the momentum of getting to semi-finals and not quite having enough to go to get to the final to win. Now, that's not good enough.

“Now, we have to train and get our mindset right because winning a major tournament is the only way forward for England. Not just the World Cup [either], because we've got an Olympic Games and we've got a home Euros.

“The home Euros will be an unbelievable time to really push women's football in England on.

“The Women’s Super League (WSL) is a great advertisement for clubs worldwide, players worldwide, to really look at look at the league and see where it's going.

“It's a fantastic league, even me being abroad and watching as many games as I can, I think that the league has really pushed on, but in order for England to really reach those heights in the eyes of the those who are at the very top of women's football, we have to win a major tournament.”

Huge progress made by the WSL has only enhanced the reputation of England in the women’s football world off the back of the national team’s success.

Its fully professional status and ability to attract star names is putting it in the conversation for the best league in the world, with it certainly having the potential to be that.

Parris, meanwhile, is plying her trade in France with Lyon, with whom she won the Champions League in the summer. The 26-year-old is hopeful that her experience in winning trophies with the best club in Europe can help England achieve their goals.

“Lyon have a great mindset and winning mentality. They know how to find a way to win, regardless of the situation or circumstances in which we find ourselves in,” she said. “That mindset is relentless it's something that happens each and every day in training. You learn to adapt, then it becomes who you are and that's what I why I moved to Lyon.

“I wanted to understand in those moments what it takes, whether it's just one player, a team effort, a change in formation, what's the change of mindset, that was for me, why I wanted to go out there and really test myself in the big occasions in the big games.”

Ligue 1 outfit Dijon on Tuesday evening confirmed the arrival of Senegal international forward Moussa Konate from Amiens.

The 27-year-old penned a three-year contract with the Owls for an undisclosed fee as manager Stephane Jobard made a final reinforcement to his team due to their stuttering start to their 2020-21 French elite division campaign.

With this, he becomes the 12th African in the Dijon squad after Ngonda Muzinga (DR Congo), Pape Diop (Senegal), Roger Assale (Cote d’Ivoire), Yassine Benzia (Algeria), Fouad Chafik (Morocco), Bruno Ecuele Manga (Gabon), Didier Ndong (Gabon), Ahmad Ngouyamsa (Cameroon), Wilitty Younoussa (Cameroon), Mama Balde (Guinea Bissau) and Saturnin Allagbe (Benin Republic).

Konate had joined Amiens on a four-year contract from Swiss top-flight side Sion in 2017. There, he scored 22 goals and delivered five assists in 72 French top-flight games over three seasons with the Unicorns, who were demoted to Ligue 2 last season.

According to former France international Peguy Luyindula  - who is Dijon’s strategic advisor - the Teranaga Lions star fits perfectly into the profile sought after by Jobard’s squad.

"Moussa is a striker who knows how to score and who has a good sense of purpose,” he told the club website.

“He has already proved it in Ligue 1 in previous years. He's a player who was on our radar and we're very happy to have him with us today."

Konate, who will be wearing jersey number 11 during his spell, is pleased to make the move while looking forward to commencing "the new project".

"I decided to join DFCO because we have joint projects. Like the DFCO, I am someone who always wants to move forward. I am very excited to start this new project" the ex- Maccabi Tel Aviv, Kuban Krasnodar, Genoa star said.

Barring any issues, he is expected to make his debut against Thomas Tuchel's Paris Saint-Germain in Saturday’s league game.

Dijon are eyeing their first win of the new season after seven games. They sit at the base of the log after garnering just two points so far.

Dusan Tadic believes Ajax would have had a "larger chance" to beat Liverpool than Tottenham did in the 2019 Champions League final.

The Reds claimed a 2-0 win against Spurs at the Wanda Metropolitano in Madrid to lift their sixth European cup, after the Londoners earned the right to compete in the decider after defeating Ajax in the semi-final via Lucas Moura's 96th-minute winner.

Ahead of this season's Champions League opener between his Ajax side and Liverpool in Amsterdam, Tadic says he wishes the two teams had squared off in that European decider - adding that the Eredivisie side would have put up a bigger fight than Tottenham.

"It would have been nice to play against [Liverpool] in the [2019 Champions League] final," Tadic said. "It is difficult to play against them (but) a larger chance than Tottenham for sure.

"I played against Liverpool too often, it was always difficult. They put on a lot of pressure with fast football, they are a big team but it will be a great game to play."

Premier League champions Liverpool have had an inconsistent start to their title defence, enduring a 7-2 thrashing at the hands of Aston Villa and drawing with Merseyside rivals Everton, although they still sit third on the standings.

Reds superstar Virgil van Dijk will be missing after suffering a long-term knee injury in the match against the Toffees, but Ajax boss Erik ten Haag was cautious to reveal confidence at the Netherlands international's absence.

"At the end of the day it is about who is still playing," Ten Haag said. "It’s not going to be a different Liverpool, they always play the same. The quality of Man A can switch to Man B, the whole team won’t change because Virgil Van Dijk isn’t present.

"Of course, they are currently the best team in the world, if you win the Champions League and Premier League within two years you are a strong contender for the Champions League title."

Ajax are currently second in the Eredivisie with a single defeat against Groningen contributing to the one-point gap behind leaders PSV.

Chelsea left-back Ben Chilwell says his side's clean sheet in the stalemate with Sevilla in the Champions League was "important" in the wake of a 3-3 draw with Southampton. 

Frank Lampard's side let leads slip twice against the Saints at the weekend as the Blues' defensive struggles continued. 

In the Premier League this season, Chelsea have kept just one clean sheet from five matches but they added another to their overall tally in Europe on Tuesday night against Sevilla. 

Despite boasting slightly less possession against their La Liga opponents, Edouard Mendy was rarely threatened in the Blues' goal as they held out for a 0-0 draw. 

Though an underwhelming start to their Champions League campaign, Chilwell believes the clean sheet itself was vital and the draw a solid result to build on. 

"The important thing is the clean sheet. We knew people would be looking at us after conceding three goals at the weekend. We were solid defensively against a good team and didn't give them many chances so we'll take a draw and a clean sheet," Chilwell told BT Sport post-match.

"In general as a team it was, I won't say comfortable because we were under pressure at times, but we were organised as a team. I thought defensively we were very good.

"We are a top team and when you're playing for Chelsea you expect clean sheets and if you concede goals you will get criticism. We've been working hard on the training pitch and we've showed that we're a strong outfit defensively.

"It was disappointing to have no fans but as a team the motivation was there regardless of that, especially for people like me who are new to it all."

After conceding an injury-time equaliser against Southampton, Lampard was delighted to see his side maintain their defensive composure across the full 90 minutes. 

"It feels good to get the clean sheet, it's something you always strive for," Lampard told BT Sport. "Thiago Silva was excellent, he has experience and quality. Edouard Mendy had one save to make and he made a good save, he was good with his feet. Against a good team, it was a very organised performance from us.

"Both teams seemed happy with the point I think. We conceded a goal in the last minute the other day so when you have that feeling fresh in your mind it's not nice. So this game will give us confidence but we haven't had the personnel in training regularly and the more we have that the better we will get."

Barcelona have confirmed that Gerard Pique, Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Frenkie de Jong and Clement Lenglet have all signed contract extensions with the club.

The Blaugrana announced the deals immediately after their 2020-21 Champions League opener on Tuesday, with Ronald Koeman's men cruising to a 5-1 win over Ferencvaros.

Pique was sent off in the second half against the Hungarian side but following the match, the veteran defender saw his contract extended through 2024. 

The 33-year-old's extension will be subject to playing a certain amount of games in the 2021-22 season. Pique, who is in his 13th season with the club, will have a buy-out clause of €500 million (£457m/$591m).

Barca have been working on an extension for Ter Stegen for months now , with the Germany international's previous deal set to expire in 2022 after he originally joined in 2014 from Borussia Monchengladbach.

The goalkeeper has now signed on through 2025 and will also have a buy-out clause set at €500m. 

Lenglet has impressed since arriving from Sevilla in 2018, with the 25-year-old becoming a starter and making a total of 89 appearances in a Barca shirt. 

The Frenchman has signed on through 2026 and has a buy-out clause of €300 million (£274m/$355m).

De Jong, meanwhile, has yet to hit the heights expected since his arrival from Ajax in 2019. 

But the Dutch international is still just 23 and big things are expected from a player who is still tipped to become one of the world's top central midfielders. 

De Jong has signed an extension through 2026 and has a buy-out clause of €400 million (£366m/$473m).

It is possible that the flurry of renewals will be one of Josep Bartomeu's final acts as Barcelona president as his position comes under further scrutiny. 

A vote of no confidence against Bartomeu is set to go ahead after club members reached the required amount of signatures for the motion to go through.

Rather than go through with the vote, Bartomeu could resign as soon as next week as the pressure builds after a season that saw Barca fail to win any trophies and then suffer through a transfer saga with their most iconic player, Lionel Messi.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer hailed his Manchester United heroes after they beat Paris Saint-Germain in their opening Champions League group game.

The United manager joked that Axel Tuanzebe surprised them with his ability, as the centre-back didn’t put a foot wrong in his first appearance for 10 months, and also praised Scott McTominay and Fred for laying the foundations for another impressive win in Paris.

“Axel did fantastic, he’s been out for 10 months so to put in a performance like this against Neymar and Mbappe almost surprised us as well,” Solskjaer said. "We know he’s a good player, but to do it on a night like this is fantastic.

“It’s a better performance this time than last even though last time we won 3-1. I think the performance this time showed we had developed.

"Scott and Fred were outstanding. They are in good form now and played really well against Newcastle and they laid the foundations for the win that game and today as well. Scotty played the first half with only one eye, that was the most impressive thing, because he lost his contact lens.”

Tuanzebe could get another chance to impress at the weekend should Solskjaer deploy a similar three at the back as they welcome Chelsea to Old Trafford.

Harry Maguire missed the game through injury and the United boss confirmed Eric Bailly is expected to be out for a month.

“You might see this system again,” Solskjaer said. “When you win games and perform well you get confidence. We’re going to go into that [Chelsea] game confident.”

After a slow start to the season where questions have been raised about the strength of the squad, Solskjaer believes they made a statement in Paris and it puts them in good stead for the next few weeks.

“I think we have shown today we have a squad that can play different ways and different systems,” he said.

“We played well against Newcastle and Alex (Telles) was very very good in his debut. His delivery was fantastic and we’ve got players back home with Harry (Maguire), Edinson (Cavani), Jesse (Lingard), Eric (Bailly), Mason (Greenwood), so I’m looking forward to the next few months.”

El Clasico, the most-watched club game in world football, is back, with Barcelona set to host Real Madrid at the Camp Nou on Saturday, October  24th at 16:00. An unpredictable, live-action drama shown all over the world by over 100 La Liga partners and now into its 90th season – a feat unprecedented in the entertainment world. The La Liga El Clasico saga has gifted us a stream of incredible storylines over the years, including the greatness of legends such as Johan Cruyff, Alfredo Di Stefano and more recently Ronaldinho, Sergio Ramos and Lionel Messi, unforgettable moments of both showmanship and sportsmanship, and technological and broadcast landmarks.

The first El Clasico of the Covid-19 era

Enjoying El Clasico, or La Liga football in general, seemed unlikely just months ago, with the world in lockdown in the midst of the global Covid-19 pandemic. But La Liga’s comprehensive #BackToWin strategy – which laid out an extensive multi-phase plan to restart the season with regular Covid-19 testing covering personal behaviour away from training facilities, in homes and daily lives – ensured not only that the 2019/20 La Liga Santander season could be completed in the space of just 39 days without a single positive case but also that the 2020/21 season started on time in early September. 

Over 100 El Clasico-themed actions organised all over the world

Though governmental health restrictions mean fans won’t be in the Camp Nou stands for this first ever El Clasico behind closed doors, La Liga has ensured that fans around the world will still be able to come together for the greatest show in club football.

Over 100 El Clasico-themed actions are being organised across the world, among them a public viewing for up to 700 fans in Shanghai, watch parties in Vietnam, Dubai, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and other locations across the African continent. Over in Latin America, meanwhile, fans will be able to enjoy the action from the comfort of their own cars in a series of drive-in cinema locations across Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador and Argentina. LaLiga will also celebrate the ‘premiere’ of its flagship show by lining red carpets at well-known landmarks in the United States, United Kingdom, India, Australia, Senegal, Colombia and Tajikistan to remind fans that ElClasico offers entertainment like no other.

An unrivalled broadcast and digital experience

No matter their location in the world, a potential audience of 650 million fans will be able to watch El Clasico like never before. New match broadcast graphics and statistics powered by cutting-edge Artificial Intelligence and Augmented Reality now provide fans with a more complete viewing experience than ever before, and pioneering virtualised crowd and audio technology complements the on-field action while fans are yet to return to La Liga stadiums. With 14 La Liga Santander stadiums kitted out with aerial cameras and aerial drones now capturing new and exclusive angles, the action never looked so good on a screen. El Clasico will be shown live in Kenya on SuperSport and StarTimes.

La Liga’s 22 international social media channels publishing exciting content in the week leading up match as well livestreaming the all-important pre-match buildup in the two hours before kick-off to over 120 million followers around the world. A special online Fan Zone will be created giving fans a chance to win replica shirts of their favourite clubs, while a brand new mobile game, Score Words La Liga, will be launched in line with the match offering fun challenges and online gameplay. In short, fans’ second screens will also be as busy and engaging as ever.

The stars of El Clasico

As always, the greatest stars in world football will be on show for the millions of viewers around the globe. Superstars such as all-time ElClasico top scorer and six-time Ballon d’Or winner Messi and Ramos, the man with the most El Clasico appearances in history, are back this season, as are established international stars like Luka Modric, Gerard Pique, Karim Benzema, Frenkie de Jong and Thibaut Courtois.

A key talking point of El Clasico Season 90 will also be the plethora of exciting new faces on show. Dutch coach and former Barça legend Ronald Koeman returned to the Camp Nou this summer charged with leading an ambitious wholescale rebuilding project and has made some of the most talked about moves in this summer’s European transfer market, welcoming the likes of Sergino Dest – the first American to ever represent Barcelona in La Liga – Trincao and Miralem Pjanic to the Catalan capital. On the other side of the El Clasico divide, Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane – like Koeman, one of the most iconic players in his club’s history and in the El Clasico story – leads a mostly unchanged squad to that which steamrolled its way to the LaLiga Santander title after the break forced by Covid-19 last season.

Add in the fact that this season’s El Clasico boasts some of the most exciting young talents in world football under the age of 21, among them teenage prodigy Ansu Fati – Barcelona’s youngest-ever goalscorer – the aforementioned Dest, and at Real Madrid Norwegian wonderkid Martin Odegaard and Vinicius Jr, and this El Clasico is shaping up to be one of the most thrilling and intriguing clashes between the two sides in recent memory.

Everything is in place for the return of El Clasico, the best footballers in the world and the best fan experience possible.

Thomas Tuchel has admitted he had a strange feeling in the dressing room before PSG's 2-1 home defeat against Manchester United in the Champions League on Tuesday.

The Red Devils took a first-half lead at Parc des Princes as Bruno Fernandes scored from the spot after his original penalty was saved by Keylor Navas, but was then ordered to be retaken due to the goalkeeper's encroachment.

Anthony Martial's own goal in the second half levelled the match, but Marcus Rashford scored a dramatic winner in the 87th minute to help lift the pressure on manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

In his press conference after the game, PSG manager Tuchel said he felt his side were "a little too calm" ahead of their Group H opener.

"The mood in the locker room was a little too calm before the game," Tuchel said. "I had a weird feeling. Usually we listen to music at a very loud volume. I had the impression that it was too calm.

"As for half-time, it was not the time to be angry. We had to improve, but we clearly said that we lacked intensity and aggressiveness. It was necessary to show another attitude."

Speaking to RMC Sport, Tuchel said that he hardly recognised the team that he saw on Tuesday after winning five straight Ligue 1 matches.

"We missed a lot of things, offensively and defensively. It was not a match at our level, not at all, whether in the offensive or defensive phases, technically, tactically, in our intensity and against pressing," Tuchel said.

"It wasn't us, clearly. Now is not the time to be mad and lose our mind. We have to be very honest with ourselves and be critics as always. It was a very hard start for us."

Tuchel added that he was hoping his side could control the match better at home, but Solskjaer's men made that task too difficult for them.

"We lacked rhythm and intensity," the German said. "We were nevertheless well prepared.

"[Am I] angry? No because these are the same players who have done good things in the last games and months. It was difficult today, I don't know why but that's how it was.

"It wasn't difficult to play a better second half [than first half], but it was too open. We didn't have the capacity to control the game." 

PSG defender Presnel Kimpembe echoed his coach's disappointment that his side weren't in top gear on Tuesday.

“There's no explanation, we just weren't good," Kimpembe said. "We weren't in the duels and were behind on the defensive run-backs.

"We can only blame ourselves. We weren't surprised by their starting XI. It's just that we weren't good. We didn't approach the game well, and did not finish it well. It's a shame to lose points like that, we'll have to chin up."

Chelsea manager Frank Lampard would have no problem in fielding Petr Cech between the posts after the retired goalkeeper made a shock appearance in the Blues' 2020-21 Premier League squad. 

Cech, 38, retired from professional football at the end of the 2018-19 season after 15 years of sterling service in English football for Chelsea and later Arsenal, which included four Premier League title triumphs as well as victory in the 2011-12 Champions League. 

But on Tuesday the Czech legend appeared in Chelsea's 25-man squad for the current campaign, prompting speculation that the Premier League had initially made a mistake in including his name alongside Edouard Mendy, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Willy Caballero as one of the Blues' four goalkeepers. 

Chelsea, though, clarified that Cech had been called up in exceptional circumstances as a non-contract player, and Lampard went on to reveal that the veteran has been active in club training for some time prior to the decision to take him out of retirement.

"Petr has been training with the goalkeepers for a little while now. He has been training a lot of days with them which is valuable for experience [of the other goalkeepers] and that he is passing on that quality to them," the manager explained to reporters following Tuesday's 0-0 Champions League draw with Sevilla at Stamford Bridge.

"We had that space in the squad and we know this year, it looks like no other because of Covid and isolation so it was a very easy one. Pete still does his day job and he is there if we need him.

“He is fit, very fit. He is still relatively young. He finished playing when he possibly could have carried on. He has taken on his role at Chelsea very well and he has been very helpful to me and we work closely together. He trains fairly regularly and he is fit." 

Lampard admitted that he does not expect to have to draw on Cech's services over the course of the season, but that he would have no doubts over fielding him should he need to.

"Whether we will see him much this season, I am not sure. Has I mentioned before, it depends on how the season goes with COVID and isolation. We felt it was a no-brainer to have Pete in the squad for that reason and it helps me training every day," he added.

"When he is in such good form it can only help the goalkeepers we have to see one of the world’s best in the modern era amongst us.

“It is definitely not done for the romance. Pete certainly enjoys the training because that is how he is. I would enjoy training more if my calves didn’t go tight every time I tried to sprint these days. With Pete I wouldn’t expect to happen this year.

"But I do know with the way he is and how fit he is that if we are in crisis times then you couldn’t ask for much better than having Petr Cech around. I don’t expect it, but nobody expected what we have seen in the last six or seven months around the world.”

Chelsea's defensive frailty has been widely highlighted under Lampard, with the Blues conceding nine goals in their opening five Premier League clashes. 

Tuesday marked only their third clean sheet of 2020-21, one of which came against Championship side Barnsley; but Lampard was encouraged with what he saw from new signing Mendy.

“I think the way he has played in the three games since being here, he has played very well. Made a good save today, two clean sheets," he said when asked if the ex-Rennes No. 1 was now his first choice in goal.

"So at the minute, yes. I said when he came in it was good for competition. We knew his qualities and he is showing them already. So as it stands, yes it is. But that always remains something that is up for grabs, so that is why you have competition at clubs. The way he is playing I am very happy.”

Manchester United's victory against PSG in the Champions League has seen the club win 10 consecutive away games for the first time in their history.

A late winner from Marcus Rashford saw the Red Devils win 2-1 against the Parisians at the Parc des Princes - the scene of their famous Champions League win versus PSG in 2019.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side have now won their last 10 matches on the road, dating back to the 2-1 extra-time win against Norwich City in the FA Cup on June 27.

Since Harry Maguire's 118th minute to sink the Canaries, United have beaten Brighton (three times), Aston Villa, Crystal Palace, Leicester City, Luton Town, Newcastle United and now PSG.

The victory against PSG was arguably the best performance of the Red Devils' streak, with United having more shots on target than PSG (six to five) despite only having 39 percent possession.

United enjoyed a stroke of fortune to open the scoring, with Bruno Fernandes seeing his penalty saved after Anthony Martial was fouled but converting the retake after VAR correctly ruled PSG goalkeeper Keylor Navas had left his line early to block the first spot kick.

PSG came out all guns blazing the second half and eventually forced a deserved equaliser when Martial headed a corner into his own net 10 minutes after the restart.

But Solskjaer's team continued to dig in and started to create several chances on the break as PSG poured numbers forward looking for a winner.

Rashford provided the decisive moment in the match on 87 minutes, taking Paul Pogba's pass and rifling a low shot in off the post from outside the area.

"Of course it's a nice feeling," Rashford told BT Sport of his winning goal. "More importantly, we won the game.

"We're in a strong position now in the group but it's the first game. The concentration levels we showed today we have to take forward into the next game.

"For me, they were both opportunities to win the game. As a striker, in the game late on, that's the mentality. You might only get one chance. It gets us the three points.

"It's a good performance but also one where we have a lot to build on. I always believe in the team.

"As players it's important to believe in the system that the manager chooses to play. We did that fantastically. It was tough but we kept the intensity high. We had to defend very deep at times."

Maritzburg United have moved swiftly to find a replacement for Ghana international Richard Ofori.

The Team of Choice sold the towering goalkeeper to Orlando Pirates on Tuesday and he has been replaced by Sebastian Mwange at the KwaZulu-based side.

Mwange has joined Maritzburg on a two-year deal with the option for a further two years on his contract.

"Maritzburg United have announced the signing of Zambia number-one goalkeeper Sebastian Mwange," a club statement read. 

"The 28-year-old has signed a two-year deal at the Harry Gwala Stadium, with the option for a further two years on his contract."

Mwange has joined the Team of Choice from Zambian Super League side Green Eagles. 

The experienced keeper, who has also played for Nchanga Rangers in the Zambian Super League, was part of the Eagles team which eliminated Pirates from the 2019/20 Caf Champions League.

Mwange also stood in goal for Zambia's Chipolopolo when they beat Bafana Bafana 2-1 in an international friendly match just over a week ago in Rustenburg.

The lanky shot-stopper impressed with some excellent saves including two to deny Bafana's key player Percy Tau.

Maritzburg chairman Farook Kadodia explained why the club snapped up the accomplished player, who won the 2019 Cosafa Cup Golden Glove award after helping Chipolopolo win the tournament.

"The Team of Choice are very pleased to have added a goalkeeper of Mwange's calibre to our squad," Kadodia said. 

"Our technical team and scouting network have worked tirelessly to identify Sebastian as a top-quality goalkeeper and a good fit for our club. We are all very pleased to have secured his services.

"We would like to extend a warm welcome for Sebastian to the KwaZulu-Natal capital city and are optimistic that his time here will prove to be fruitful.

"Maritzburg have shown that we have a solid record when it comes to bringing in players from the African continent and we expect Sebastian to continue this tradition and make a strong impact in South African football."

Mwange will compete with Jethro Barr and Bongani Mpandle in the Maritzburg goalkeeping department.

New Mamelodi Sundowns signing Kermit Erasmus says he is surrounded by “quality” players which makes it possible for him to smash records by scoring 30 Premier Soccer League (PSL) goals this season.

He arrived at Sundowns at the beginning of October, fresh from scoring 13 league goals last season which was his career-best in one campaign.

Most players have struggled to reach the 20-goal mark in the PSL era, but former Umtata Bush Bucks forward Wilfred Mugeyi managed 22 goals during the 1996/7 season, followed by Pollen Ndlanya’s 21 for Kaizer Chiefs in the 1998/99 campaign.

Then Collins Mbesuma struck 25 during the 2004/05 term, while Siyabonga Nomvete was the last one when he got 20, for Moroka Swallows in the 2011/12 season.

If Erasmus manages to score at least 25 goals, he would match Mbesuma’s tally which remains a record and surpassing that would see the Downs man making history.

“For me personally, [my wish] is to stay injury-free. That is the most important thing to me, if I can do that then I am sure we can achieve a lot as a team,” Erasmus told the Sundowns website.

“I also came here to win trophies, you know, compete with the best teams on the continent. I also want to break the record of being the top goalscorer by trying to score 30 goals. A lot of people might think I am in over my head but with the players around me here, it is possible.

“When I look at the quality of players that are around me, the likes of KK [Hlompho Kekana], [Andile] Jali, Mshishi Themba Zwane], George [Maluleka], [Gaston] Sirino, I believe that the goal of 20 to 30 goals is achievable, and if I can stay injury-free, then why not?”

Erasmus’ quest for his targeted haul of goals begins on Saturday when Downs visit Kaizer Chiefs in their opening 2020/21 PSL game.

He already featured in last weekend’s 1-0 defeat by Bloemfontein Celtic in the MTN8 quarter-finals after coming on as a second-half substitute, but the 30-year-old is already enjoying life at his new home.

“It has been great and I am enjoying the vibe amongst the squad, everyone is free-spirited and that is how I am. I know most players from the national team and from other previous teams and that makes it easier to get along. I am very excited and happy to be here,” said Erasmus.

Bayern Munich head coach Hansi Flick thinks Alphonso Davies' form has "dropped" this season.

Davies took the footballing world by storm in 2019-20, developing into one of the world's best left-backs and helping Bayern capture the treble. 

The Canadian appears to be in a fight for his spot in the line-up this season though, as Lucas Hernandez started ahead of him in Saturday's 4-1 win over Arminia Bielefeld. Overall, Davies has made six appearances this season, four of which have been starts. 

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Bayern's Champions League opener against Atletico Madrid on Wednesday, Flick said that Davies has yet not reached the standard he set last season.

"Alphonso's form dropped a bit," Flick said. "But he gets all our support. We benefit from his pace, his energy. It's important he gets back on track. It's a bit normal to see a young player go through such a spell following an incredible season. We will support and help him."

Barcelona should target Borussia Dortmund wonderkid Youssoufa Moukoko as the long-term successor to Lionel Messi, according to Samuel Eto’o.

The 15-year-old has been included in BVB’s Champions League squad this season, even though he isn’t eligible to feature in Europe’s premier club competition until he turns 16 on November 20.

Despite not yet making his senior debut for Dortmund, Moukoko is the player Barca should be targeting as they look for a long-term successor to 33-year-old Messi according to the Argentine's former teammate Eto’o, who was twice a Champions League winner during five years at Camp Nou.

“[There’s] a young player who plays for Dortmund called Youssoufa Moukoko,” Eto’o told Goal when asked who he’d love to see as Barcelona’s next big signing. “[He’s] 15 years of age, and he’s the next top player, for me, after Messi.

“As Messi gets older, we could prepare the future of Barcelona very well.”

Eto’o believes that Moukoko could form a dream post-Messi front three alongside France duo Antoine Griezmann and current Paris Saint-Germain attacker Kylian Mbappe, who is another player he’d love to see move to the Camp Nou.

“With Antoine and Youssoufa [up front together], that team would go forward very well,” Eto’o concluded. “[I’d like to see] Kylian Mbappe at Barcelona also.”

Messi appeared close to an exit from Barcelona at one point this summer, having handed in a transfer request following a tumultuous 2019-20 season, which saw the Catalan heavyweights humiliated 8-2 by Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals and dethroned by Real Madrid in La Liga.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner ultimately opted to remain at the Camp Nou this term, despite reservations about the direction the club are heading in under Ronald Koeman.

Barca, who begin their Champions League campaign against Ferencvaros on Wednesday, are currently ninth in La Liga after four matches, having fallen to a 1-0 defeat at Getafe on Saturday.

German-Cameroonian forward Moukoko, who was ranked 44th in Goal’s NxGn 2020 list celebrating the 50 best wonderkids in football, is the youngest player to play and score in the Uefa Youth League.

He has already represented Germany at U-20 level, and has scored an eye-watering 134 goals in 86 appearances for Dortmund between U-17 and U-19 levels.

Andrea Pirlo claimed his first Champions League win as Juventus coach as Alvaro Morata's second-half double secured a 2-0 victory at Dynamo Kiev.

Juve have made an unconvincing start to life under the legendary former midfielder and are four points behind Serie A leaders Milan after four games. 

They were held to a 1-1 draw Crotone last time out but there was rarely any sign of a slip-up in their Group G opener, in which the Bianconeri, still without Cristiano Ronaldo, found little resistance from their hosts. 

Morata, on target at the weekend, earned the three points with a simple finish in the first minute of the second half and a header six minutes from time, with the only blot on Juve's performance an injury to captain Giorgio Chiellini.

Federico Chiesa was Juve's most dangerous player throughout the first half and his arrowing strike drew Georgi Bushchan into an impressive diving save in the 12th minute.

Bushchan misjudged a corner soon after but Chiellini was unable to take advantage, drifting his header wide of the unguarded net.

Chiellini's evening was brought to a premature end when he limped off to be replaced by Merih Demiral, though Juve's rhythm was unaffected by that setback.

Indeed, Dynamo were grateful to Bushchan for maintaining parity 11 minutes before the interval as he kept out Dejan Kulusevski's flicked close-range finish after good work from Aaron Ramsey.

Ramsey and Kulusevski combined as Morata gave Juve the lead they deserved 49 seconds into the second half.

The former Real Madrid forward tapped in from point-blank range after Bushchan failed to handle Kulusevski's effort following neat build-up play from Ramsey.

Dynamo did attack with more energy in the closing stages but a scarcely deserved equaliser was not forthcoming and Morata made the game safe with a fine header from Juan Cuadrado's right-wing cross.

What does it mean? Pirlo defeats former boss Lucescu

In facing Dynamo, Pirlo was going up against the coach who gave him his professional debut as a player at Brescia, Mircea Lucescu.

Lucescu became the oldest coach to take charge of a match in this competition, aged 75 years and 83 days, but despite all that experience his side never looked like causing an upset, with Barcelona sure to provide sterner European opposition next week.

Ramsey helps ensure Ronaldo is not missed

Ronaldo is still self-isolating after returning a positive test for COVID-19 but his influence was not required as Ramsey played a significant role in helping Juve dictate matters.

The former Arsenal midfielder provided three key passes, including a critical one for Kulusevski in the lead-up to the opening goal.

Dynamo anything but dynamic

A long trip east to face a team enjoying what is nowadays a rare benefit of having home fans in the stands promised to make it a tough evening for Juve.

That never materialised as Dynamo offered precious little as an attacking force and, after producing two shots on target in the first half, did not have another until the 75th minute.

The fact forward Vladyslav Supriaha managed just 19 touches, having played the whole match, underlines the struggles the hosts had up top.

What's next?

Juve return to Serie A action with a home game against Hellas Verona. Dynamo host Oleksandriya in the Ukrainian Premier League.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has dismissed the prospect of a breakaway European Premier League, stating that such a proposal is a product of "ignorance".

According to reports that began to circulate on Tuesday, the prospective competition is backed by Wall Street giants JP Morgan as well as English clubs Liverpool and Manchester United and could come into being as soon as 2022. 

The EPL would bring together Europe's top clubs in a single tournament, which would ultimately replace the Champions League as the continent's top club prize. 

Tebas, however, is strongly against any such move while seriously doubting that the project is even a real possibility. 

"The authors of this idea, if they really exist because there is nobody actually defending it, not only show total ignorance of the organisation and customs of European and world football, but also a serious ignorance of the audiovisual rights markets," he explained to ESPN when asked about the reported plans.

"A project of this type will mean serious economic damage to the organisers themselves and to those entities that finance it, if they exist, because they're never official. These 'underground' projects only look good when drafted at a bar at 5 in the morning."

Former Liverpool star Jamie Carragher has also registered vehement opposition to the plan, replying to reports by exclaiming, "Oh, f*** off" on Twitter. 

Ex-Manchester United defender Gary Neville, who has lent his support to a group campaigning for greater transparency in English football, agrees with his former rival on the pitch that the proposed league would be a huge error. 

 "The big issue that I have with it, is that at this moment in time, in the middle of a pandemic and when football is on its knees at so many different levels, the idea that a $6bn package is being put together to set up a new league when lower clubs are scrambling around to pay wages and stay in existence," he told Sky Sports. 

"It's another wound for football. It doesn't feel like the right time to be talking about this.

"The leak probably doesn't suit Manchester United or Liverpool at this moment in time as they're seen as the big, bad bullies.

"There is a position, potentially, for a new European League and for an amazing Premier League, a fantastically competitive EFL and funded grassroots and non-league football. There is enough money.

"If they can pull $6bn together for a European league then they can pull together £150-200m to save the rest of football in this country. There is enough wealth in the game to look after all the key stakeholders.

"It's almost a tap-in for Manchester United, Liverpool and others to be able to say: 'There's £10m for non-league, there's a couple of hundred million rescue package for EFL clubs'. I don't get why we're not looking after the wider game, while having these discussions over $6bn debt packages with JP Morgan. It is obscene."

"I'm for progression of football, with new competitions and new formats, but we have got to look after the fabric of the game and what it means to the communities in this country."