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East Bengal coach Robbie Fowler is looking forward to leading the team to its first-ever Kolkata derby in the Indian Super League (ISL).

After Mohun Bagan merged with ATK to enter the ISL as a new entity ATK Mohun Bagan, East Bengal followed suit by roping in Shree Cement as their investors. In what could be termed as a statement signing, the Red and Golds moved quickly to bring in Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler as their head coach.

In a virtual presser on Saturday, Fowler said, "In football rivalry is healthy. It drives the players and it drives the football clubs to achieve the very best. Myself and Tony (Anthony Grant, assistant coach)), we have been involved in various such games in our football career and various derbies which are huge," said Fowler. 

"We know what it means to the fans and the football club. It is a relatively new club in terms of coming into the ISL but we know about the history between East Bengal and Mohun Bagan in the I-League. It is something the club should try and use to our advantage. We know how important the rivalry is for the fans and we will get accustomed to it."

The former Brisbane Roar coach suggested that his partnership with Grant can help improve the ISL. 

"I have been following the ISL. Myself and Tony, we are football people and we follow football all around the world. The ISL is a relatively new league and it has got better every single season. Hopefully now, with our entry, we can make the competition a little bit more successful. Our aim is to be successful as much as we can."

Although East Bengal will have a shorter pre-season compared to the rest of the ISL clubs, Fowler has accepted the challenge. 

"In football, it is always hard work in terms of building teams. I think we have had a history of building a team who struggled and make them successful over in Australia. We know we can do it. It is a challenge we have accepted and it is a challenge we want to do really well. It is about doing the preparation right, methods and ethics into the player and we will be doing that. We can’t wait to get started.

"No doubt it will be a challenge. For football in the world to sort of get going again in certain situations and certain circumstances, we need to adapt to it. We know what we need to expect. We the coaching staff have to create an environment where the players can enjoy. We are going to be sensible in our approach. What we fundamentally need to know is we are put here to work. The players need to know that we are to do a job, we are here to do the very best we can. We will do everything to make the players comfortable as much as possible," he vouched.

Ex-Mamelodi Sundowns defender James Mayinga has explained believes it could well be a boost for his former side to open their 2020/21 campaign against rivals Kaizer Chiefs.

A blockbuster clash between the two Gauteng giants is set to headline matchday one of the new Premier Soccer League season on October 24.

They were the top two teams in the PSL in the recent 2019/20 season as Chiefs finished as runners-up after being beaten to the league title by Sundowns on the last day of the campaign. 

Mayinga believes that an early clash between Amakhosi and the Brazilians will give the coaches a true reflection of what their teams are capable of.

“They are currently working on their teams and sharpening them,” Mayinga told The Citizen. “So, if you start with smaller fixtures it can get you to believe that you have got things right and when you get to a big fixture in the middle of your campaign, and you lose it, it then cripples you big time.

“However, if you play this big fixture now and you lose it, it gives you a real indication of where you still need to fix and you get to do that early while you have more time regroup and get back on track,” he explained.

Mayinga was part of the Sundowns team which finished second in the league in the 2009/10 season and he went on to play for Moroka Swallows and Bidvest Wits, before retiring from professional football in 2013.

Mayinga also backed new Chiefs coach Gavin Hunt, as he believes the accomplished tactician can turn things around at the Naturena-based giants. 

“We all know what Gavin has achieved and what he is capable of," the 42-year-old added. "He is the right man to get Chiefs back on track. Hunt replaced Ernst Middendorp who was fired by Amakhosi." 

Hunt won major trophies with his last three clubs, Swallows, SuperSport United and Wits, and he will be hoping to end Chiefs' five-year trophy drought.

Amakhosi will start the new season with the MTN8 quarter-final encounter against Maritzburg United at the 2010 Fifa World Cup final venue, FNB Stadium on October 18.

Erling Haaland’s fondness for Leeds United stretches as far as singing ‘Marching On Together’ when swapping shirts with those who represent the Whites, Stuart Dallas has revealed.

The highly-rated frontman, who is currently plying his trade for Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund, has never shied away from the fact that he will always have a soft spot for those at Elland Road.

That is because he was born in Yorkshire during his father Alf Inge’s time in the Premier League.

Haaland junior grew up supporting Leeds and still has a special place for them in his heart.

Marcelo Bielsa has lifted a fallen giant back to its feet over the last two seasons, with the Whites strutting their stuff on a Premier League stage once more.

Dallas forms part of their squad and recently crossed paths with Haaland in an international friendly.

Northern Ireland suffered a 5-1 defeat to Norway at Windsor Park, but Dallas still ended the night with a smile on his face.

That is because Haaland went out of his way to swap jerseys while airing his allegiance to Leeds at the same time.

Dallas revealed to talkSPORT: “I’m not one for swapping shirts. I like to keep my own shirt, no matter who I play against.

“He walked behind me and asked about swapping shirts. It probably wasn’t the smartest thing to do, because we’d just been beaten 5-1 and I’m laughing on camera.

“It probably didn’t look too good. I thought he meant inside, but he shouted at me and asked to do it now.

“We did it and then he leaned into me and said, ‘Marching on together!’

“It was a bit strange. I’ve known the Leeds connection with his father and it’s nice that he wanted my shirt.”

It has been suggested that Haaland may look to follow in his father’s footsteps by heading to Elland Road at some stage in his career.

He has already sparked talk of interest from the Premier League, with Manchester United keen on securing his signature before a switch to Germany was completed in January 2020.

Dallas hopes Leeds can pull quite the coup in a future transfer window, with Haaland in the process of establishing a reputation as one of the most fearsome frontmen in world football.

“What a player he is and hopefully we see him in the Premier League one day with Leeds,” said Dallas.

Bayer Leverkusen head coach Peter Bosz has claimed that Mario Gotze wanted to join his side, but the club turned down the chance to sign the former Germany international.

Gotze, who left Borussia Dortmund as a free agent at the end of last season, recently signed with Dutch outfit PSV on a two-year deal.

The 28-year-old was linked with several teams across Europe and in Germany, with Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin confirming their interest last month.

Bosz, who managed Gotze at Dortmund in 2017, has said that the midfielder wanted to link up with his side but they preferred to give more playing time to highly rated teenager Florian Wirtz instead.

"He wanted to move to Leverkusen," Bosz told De Telegraaf of Gotze.

"We already have Florian Wirtz for this position. The club has the firm intention to develop him further."

Bosz also expressed his surprise that Gotze chose to move to his home country of the Netherlands, saying he expected the midfielder to opt for a bigger league. 

"You'd expect someone like Mario Gotze on the big football stage at a big club. PSV is a big club, but in a smaller football country," the 56-year-old said.

Gotze spent four seasons with Borussia Dortmund between 2016 and 2020, eventually falling out of favour under Lucien Favre last season. 

The midfielder made just 21 appearances in all competitions for Favre's side in 2019-20, announcing near the end of the season that he would be leaving as a free agent at the conclusion of the campaign.

After several months without a club Gotze said upon arriving at PSV that he was looking forward to the challenge of playing outside of Germany for the first time in his career.

“I had a lot of offers this summer but I am a man of feeling and make my own decisions," Gotze told PSV's official website.

"I feel I am ready for a very different challenge and I am confident that this should be a very comfortable transition for me.”

Following the international break, Gotze could be in line to make his PSV debut in an Eredivisie match against PEC Zwolle on October 18.

Jadon Sancho and Tammy Abraham are back in England contention again after missing Thursday's friendly win over Wales due to breaching coronavirus protocols.

Sancho, Abraham and Ben Chilwell were left out of the squad for the 3-0 victory after it emerged earlier in the week they had attended a party last Saturday.

The trio were filmed attending Abraham's 23rd birthday party at his home in London on Saturday, in clear violation of the "rule of six" designed to contain the spread of coronavirus across the country.

All three players have since issued an apology, with Southgate confirming the trio would be missing for at least the Wales friendly.

Southgate said their availability to face Belgium in Sunday's Nations League encounter depended on them passing UEFA-mandated coronavirus tests two days before, and they were given the go-ahead to return to training on Saturday.

"Tammy and Jadon both trained this morning, so everyone is available," Southgate told reporters.

"They've obviously missed a bit of training, so that's a bit of a concern in terms of their load through the week but no, it [the punishment] is done, that situation is done.

"They are back with the group and we move forward."

Chilwell remains a doubt for Sunday's match, however, as he was unable to take the UEFA test on Friday due to a non-coronavirus related illness.

"Ben will be tested today and we have to wait for the results of that test tomorrow and then we can make a decision from there medically on that," Southgate added.

A player who impressed in Sancho's absence on Thursday was Jack Grealish, who set up Dominic Calvert-Lewin's opener on his first England start.

But Southgate was eager to calm comparisons between Aston Villa playmaker Grealish and Three Lions great Paul Gascoigne.

"I'm very conscious, I don't want to be dampening the enthusiasm for Jack, I always answer honestly about people, but when you talk about Gascoigne, there's not a player in English history at that level, in my opinion," he said.

"But I don't want that to be seen as a criticism of Jack. In many ways, Gascoigne was unique, such an incredible player, it's a bit like talking about Bobby Moore.

"I think what we have to say is, young players who come through, we shouldn't burden them with comparing them to someone else, their own talents are unique.

"I kind of understood some of the comparison, but I think Gascoigne was on another level to anyone else I played with."

Barcelona made a mistake in not landing a replacement for Luis Suarez in the summer transfer window, says Rivaldo, with the Liga giants warned “it is too late to complain” now.

Ronald Koeman took the bold decision to part with a prolific frontman when taking the managerial reins at Camp Nou.

Suarez was informed that he did not figure in the long-term plans of the Dutch coach, freeing him to find another club.

Atletico Madrid presented the Uruguayan with an opportunity to remain in Spain, meaning that he will be lining up against Barca in 2020-21.

A familiar face could come back to haunt the Blaugrana, as could the decision not to splash out on another proven goalscorer.

Martin Braithwaite has been handed Suarez’s No.9 shirt, with no attacking reinforcements made by Koeman despite links to the likes of Inter frontman Lautaro Martinez and Lyon star Memphis Depay.

Rivaldo told Betfair of transfer dealings in Catalunya: “Barcelona should have made more of an effort to sign a new striker to replace Suarez, especially since they have allowed a player to leave who is still extraordinary and who clearly has the qualities to still be key.

“I'm sure that in many league games, Barcelona have a team that is well ahead of the rest of the teams in the competition. But he [Suarez] will be sorely missed in the Champions League or in those tough matches against Real Madrid, Atletico [Madrid], Sevilla.

“But now it is too late to complain, because the market is closed.”

Barca did spend much of the summer window exploring striking options, but money was always in short supply at Camp Nou.

Departures were required in order to free up funds, and there was not enough movement for incoming deals to get done before the deadline passed.

The Liga giants also faced the unwelcome distraction of talismanic captain Lionel Messi pushing for the exits at one stage, only to then shelve his departure plans and agree to honour his contract.

The Argentine has helped Barca to make a positive start to the 2020-21 campaign, with there still plenty of firepower alongside him in the likes of World Cup Antoine Griezmann and exciting teenager Ansu Fati.

The much-anticipated for the release of FIFA 21 ended on October 9 , when the latest iteration of the popular video game series was launched.

A smattering of new features were added, including improved gameplay and a smoother in-game experience.

With Lionel Messi being named as the best-rated men's player, beating Cristiano Ronaldo with a rating of 93, here's what you need to know about which women's teams you can play with on FIFA 21.

Which women's teams can you play with on FIFA 21?

Unfortunately, female footballers are unplayable in Ultimate Team, and domestic women's clubs are not available to play with on FIFA 21 just yet.

The only way you can play with female footballers is with international matches - so the World Cup-winning U.S. Women's National Team, the Lionesses and the France women's team are all playable - but you will be unable to play with women's club teams such as Lyon.

There were initial concerns that the latest iterations of FIFA wouldn't include any women's teams at all, but EA have remained consistent with keeping the women's game on their platforms.

The list of playable international women's teams are below.

FIFA 21 best women's players

Megan Rapinoe was named the top-rated women’s player in FIFA 21 , beating the likes of Sam Kerr and Wendie Renard.

Despite Rapinoe's status as an obvious World Cup winner with the USWNT and her efforts with her national team, Rapinoe's rating prompted several questions from the football community, who felt she was undeserving of the honour at the current time.

After all, she made her last club appearance in October 2019, foregoing the NWSL’s Challenge Cup and Fall Series - making just six appearances for OL Reign.

Her ranking raised questions about the FIFA ratings system, with Rapinoe herself even admitting that she did not agree with being the best-ranked women's player  and usign the opportunity as a way to invite more care and attention into the women's game.

"Yes! I agree," she said on Twitter.

"I am not the best (1 of them tho) this is another example of the underinvestment, resourcing, and attention paid to women’s football. We need more games on TV, bigger budgets, and fairer coverage by the media. #equality."

Netherlands star Vivianne Miedema placed fourth, while USWNT stars Tobin Heath and Alex Morgan are 10th and 11th in the rankings, respectively.

Adam Lallana has revealed that his long goodbye at Liverpool lasted nine months, with Jurgen Klopp deciding that he was free to move on in October 2019.

The England international initially expected to hang around at Anfield until May, at which point he would reach the end of his contract.

Serious complications caused by the coronavirus pandemic were, however, to extend the 2020-21 campaign towards the 12-month mark.

It was July before Lallana finally severed ties with Liverpool, with a move to Brighton made on the back of a Premier League title triumph.

The 32-year-old enjoyed six productive years on Merseyside, making it hard to walk away, but he had been given plenty of notice when it came to piecing together future plans.

Discussing his departure with BBC Radio 5 Live, Lallana said: “To give you a bit of an insight, I spoke to Jurgen in October of last year and just sat down and had an open conversation.

“We have a great relationship and I just said ‘what's it looking like for me next year? I know I'm out of contract and I know I'm not playing regularly’.

“Although I had a pretty big role in the squad around the team, I wanted a bit of honesty. He basically said to me in October, ‘get your agent to start looking for another club’.

“That doesn't mean you're not in my plans or he isn't going to use me. Four days later he brought me on at Old Trafford and I scored the equaliser [in a 1-1 draw with Manchester United] and I think that shows what type of person Jurgen is. He's very honest.

“He said to me I deserve to be playing more and I deserve more game time and to be playing more. He couldn't offer that to me so from then I had his blessing the club's blessing to give my agent the go-ahead to speak to other clubs about next season, which is now this season.”

Taking the decision to part ways was difficult for all concerned, with Klopp having spoken in glowing terms of Lallana since he linked up with a Premier League rival.

The German tactician said: “For now, if you ask me about it, I miss already everything about him. He is one of the most influential players on the training quality I have ever had in my life. He is an incredible professional.

“So he is one of the most important players of the time since I am here so I wish him only the best for the future.

“From my point of view he is already a legend here, so he can become a legend somewhere else from next season on.”

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki has fired a warning to their rivals Zambia ahead of their clash on Sunday.

The two Southern African giants are set to square off in an international match at Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Rustenburg.

Bafana Bafana will be looking to return to winning ways after being held to a 1-1 draw by their neighbours Namibia in a friendly game on Thursday.

Ntseki explained that it is important for his side to secure a win over Chipolopolo, who are wounded as they succumbed to a 2-1 defeat to Kenya in a friendly match on Friday.

“We will go out guns blazing tomorrow as we need to get the result to boost our confidence before our qualifiers," Ntseki told Safa's official website. 

‘’Against Namibia, we rested a few senior players who will be given a run tomorrow as we continue looking at different combinations."

Bafana's key players Percy Tau, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Themba Zwane were rested against Namibia with Thibang Phete, Thabo Nodada and Siyethemba Sithebe being handed their international debuts. 

Ntseki is using the friendly matches as preparation for next month's back-to-back 2022 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) qualifiers against Sao Tome and Principe.

“I believe the debutants did well under the circumstances in the match against Namibia and the more senior players will have to do even better tomorrow against Zambia as we continue to prepare for our Afcon qualifiers," he continued. 

‘’We are hoping for an improved performance against Zambia because they are a different team. Their approach, physicality and strengths are different from what we faced on Thursday. We are hoping to give our best against such a strong opponent."

Ntseki made it clear that he is not bothered by Zambia's defeat to Kenya as Sunday's encounter will be a different ball game altogether.

“Their past results do not mean much to us. They are also in preparation mode just like us," the former South Africa under-17 head coach added. 

‘’Everyone knows that South Africa versus Zambia is a derby match and this is where we will draw strength from. We will rest some players and some will get a run.

"Our most important areas of focus tomorrow will be the technical, tactical and mental approach to the game." 

Chiamaka Nnadozie finally made her debut in the French D1 Arkema as Paris defeated Issy 4-0 on Saturday.

Following a record-breaking display at the Women's World Cup last year, the Nigeria international joined the French top-flight outfit on an 18-month deal from Nigerian side Rivers Angels in January.

Since she arrived at the Stade Robert Bobin outfit, the 19-year-old had waited for her competitive debut after a fantastic pre-season outing.

However, her wait came to an end as coach Sandrine Soubeyrand handed her a place in the starting XI ahead of first-choice Natascha Honegger at home against Issy on Saturday.

Following a recent 2-1 defeat at Montpellier, the Nigerian was eager to inspire her side's return to winning ways against the visitors.

The hosts made a strong start to the match as Mateo fired home a rebound after goalkeeper Pauline Moitrel denied Evelyne Viens' effort off Julie Soyer's cross from the right in the fifth minute.

A minute from the half time break, Viens doubled the lead from another rebound after the crossbar denied Mateo's attempt. 

After the break, Gaetane Thiney sent in a fine cross from the right for Viens to bag her brace and the visitors' third of the match with her header in the second half of the contest.

Six minutes later, Daphne Corboz provided a through ball from the left for Viens to tap in from 12 metres, becoming her hat-trick and Paris' fifth.

On the brink of regulation time, Thiney gained her second assist of the day as she set up Linda Sallstrom from the right to wrap up the clinical victory for the home team.

Nnadozie lasted the duration of the match on her debut for Paris as her side claimed their second win of the season in style. 

The win moved Paris to fifth spot in the French log with seven points from five games and they visit Fleury 91 for their next league outing on October 17.

France head coach Didier Deschamps has said both Cristiano Ronaldo and Kylian Mbappe can decide matches on their own ahead of his side's UEFA Nations League match against Portugal on Sunday. 

The two sides will meet at Stade de France in a rematch of the Euro 2016 final, which Portugal won 1-0 thanks to an extra-time goal from substitute Eder.

Much of the focus in this year's contest will be on star figures Mbappe and Ronaldo, who are set to lead France and Portugal respectively on Sunday.

Ronaldo, 35, has won the Ballon d'Or on five occasions and is generally considered one of the greatest players ever while Mbappe, 21, is well on his way to achieving a similar stature, having already won a World Cup among a host of other team and individual honours. 

When asked at a press conference about how the two players compare, Deschamps said they could both be decisive while also highlighting the age gap between the pair.

"I think Cristiano was and is the idol of a lot of young footballers," Deschamps said. "It's hard to compare them. They are not the same age.

"Rather, it will be necessary to make a comparison when Kylian is at the same age and compare all that he will have done.

"Cristiano has this ability to be decisive at all times. This is also the strength of Kylian, who is much younger, which places them both in the category of the world's top players."

France goalkeeper Hugo Lloris also had plenty of praise for Ronaldo, who led Juventus to their ninth consecutive Serie A crown last season.

"He is an ultra-complete player. He is able to do everything, he is decisive very often, even in all matches," Lloris said of the Portugal star. 

"I have a lot of admiration for the player, for his career. He is an extraordinary player. We will try to respond collectively and be efficient to win this match."

Lloris was in goal for the Euro 2016 final but has said his side aren't out for revenge on Sunday, having been lifted by winning the World Cup two years after losing the Euro final on home soil.

"There is no feeling of revenge. It's a painful memory, but it's a thing of the past," Lloris added. "It will be a whole different game, a whole different context with the challenge of finishing first in the pool.

"Portugal is the European champion and also the last winner of the Nations League. But we also won the World Cup after Euro 2016."

Former Charlton Athletic forward Jason Euell has given an account on how new Fulham signing Ademola Lookman had expressed his frustrations when things didn’t go his way in the past.

The 22-year-old Anglo-Nigerian – who is on loan from RB Leipzig, had struggled when he left Charlton for Everton in 2017.

After failing to be a regular at Goodison Park, he moved to Leipzig on loan during the second half of the 2017-18 season and after 11 appearances, five goals and four assists, the German outfit purchased him permanently for £16.2 million in the summer of 2019.

Things weren’t smooth again with just 13 appearances in all competitions, most of those were off the bench with no goals or assists and now he finds himself trying to redeem his career again, this time at Craven Cottage.

Euell who tutored Lookman as manager of the Charlton under-23 squad says Lookman has great talent but managing his frustration was one of his duties.

“He’s [Lookman] a very, very quiet, shy boy,” Euell told The Athletic. “What I had to manage with him was just his frustration. His performance or his moments in a performance, or the team’s performance, were just a frustrating thing for him. But you take that away, he’s got a smile on his face. That’s just him, he’s got one of those beaming smiles because he’s just a happy guy. He’s humble without a doubt. It was just frustration when he didn’t play well, you could just see a face on him straightaway.

“I got one of those faces in a pre-season game once. He played for me, against Dulwich Hamlet's first team, as a second-year scholar. He came on for 20-25 minutes. He came on and this is how he is as a player: the first thing he did was get the ball in the centre of the park, run across the pitch, play the ball out wide and we’ve gone on and scored from it. Five minutes later, he’s done the same thing, come across the pitch, nutmegged someone, and you hear the crowd go ‘oooh’, and then plays it simple.

“Then after that, he made a couple mistakes, you know… so what? But he came in after the game and his face was like he’s had the worst 25 minutes of a football match. It was because he dwelled on what he didn’t do well, rather than the things he did do well. So he overanalysed things. I told him that and said, ‘Why do you forget the things you did do well? The others, OK… next time, put it right’.

“But the face on him! He was like a 12-year-old that had been sent to bed! That’s just him, that’s just his personality. He wants to do well all the time.”

Lookman has already played two times for Fulham and Euell believes he’s more mature now in handling those frustrations. The 43-year-old Jamaican also asserts that Lookman’s hunger to prove a point will be of help to Fulham who have lost all their opening Premier League games so far following their promotion from the Championship last season.

“I’ve been speaking to him while he’s been out in Germany, where he’s been frustrated,” Euell continued. “He’s not playing football, that’s all he wants to do, just wants to play.

“If we go back a couple of years to when he was at St George’s Park, and I was with England at the time. I met up and had a chat with him and he wasn’t playing at Everton. We had a good chat then. I said, ‘Look, this is the first time you’re not playing regular football. Now you’re playing by coming away with England instead. So, you’ve got to get your game time in your training and with England here’. And I think that was the hardest moment for him because it had never happened before.

“Now that it’s happened again, being a bit older, he has more understanding of the game. I still believe he’s frustrated, like any player who wants to play. But it’s what you do from that. You’ve got someone who’s hungry to play, and getting him will be Fulham’s gain.”

Lookman will hope to play a pivotal role towards Fulham’s first Premier League win of the season when they travel to Sheffield United on October 18.

Simba SC have scheduled two friendly matches to keep the team fit ahead of the resumption of the Mainland Premier League.

The Wekundu wa Msimbazi have organized two build-up matches against Ndanda FC on October 13 and Mlandege Zanzibar from Zanzibar on October 17 to gauge the players in camp after the league took a break for international matches.

Despite sending five players to the Tanzania national team, currently preparing to face Burundi in a friendly at the Benjamin Mkapa Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday, Simba still moved to residential camp to continue with training.

“I will use the matches to test the quality of the players in camp, so it is a good move to organize the matches,” Simba coach Sven Vandenbroeck told Goal on Saturday.

“I want the players to remain fit and it is prudent to be involved with friendlies, I requested for the office to give me two matches and I am happy they have done exactly that.”

Simba have started their title defence on a high note winning four matches from the five played, with one match ending in a 1-1 draw against Mtibwa Sugar.

They were also due to face their rivals Young Africans (Yanga SC) after the international break but the derby was pushed to November 7.

Meanwhile, Yanga have also explained why they are involved in friendly matches despite it being a Fifa international break.

Yanga official Antonio Nugaz has said they are working round the clock to build a strong side hence the decision to play friendly matches.

On Friday, Yanga played against Mwadui FC in a match they won 1-0 courtesy of a Michael Sarpong strike.

“We signed over 14 players after releasing the same number and it is better we keep the new players busy so that we can continue to build a strong team,” Nugaz is quoted by Sokaletu.

“We also want our fans to come in large numbers and watch the boys in friendly matches, it is a good chance for them [fans] to know and understand their new players.”

Like their rivals Simba, Yanga have also managed four wins from their first five matches with the other ending in a draw.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta has been given some tips on how to get the best out of Mesut Ozil by legendary ex-Gunners boss Arsene Wenger.

The former Germany international does not appear to fit into the Spaniard’s plans at the Emirates Stadium, with his high-profile omission from the Europa League squad the latest blow to his chances of breaking back into the thinking at the Emirates Stadium.

Wenger believes that the 31-year-old can still be effective, but he needs a certain structure in place around him to thrive.

Speaking to Der Speigel , Wenger said: “He wasn't exactly the one with the greatest discipline on the pitch. And playing the game without the ball wasn’t exactly his forte. But you can deal with that if you put some more defensively minded players by his side. The main thing is to get the balance between attack and defence right.”

Wenger did hint, however, that the way the game is played now is perhaps not to the liking of the former Real Madrid man.

“Players have lost their technical quality over the past 10 years,” Wenger argued. “Athleticism has become more important than technique and decision making. It's more about physical characteristics and intensity, about explosiveness. And it's also about being a showman.”

Ozil joined the Gunners when Wenger was still in charge in the summer of 2013 and in the 2015-16 season recorded 19 assists in the Premier League – the second most on record at the time behind Thierry Henry’s 20 in the 2002-03 season, a tally since matched by Kevin De Bruyne.

He was also the quickest player in Premier League history to 50 assists – although De Bruyne has since beaten that record – but he continues to hold the distinction of being the only player to top the assist charts in La Liga, the Bundesliga and the Premier League.

Despite this, Ozil has proven to be a polarising figure among the Arsenal support due to his perceived lack of work rate.

Arteta, meanwhile, has frozen him out of the first team while the player has insisted that he will not be moved on, much to the frustration of some supporters, who believe he is picking up a large wage for doing little.

Earlier this week, Ozil said he would pay the wages of Gunnersaurus after the mascot was let go by the club after 27 years of service.

Chelsea’s Kai Havertz says it may take him time to find his feet in the Premier League due to the difference between football in England and Germany.

The 21-year-old made a switch from Bayer Leverkusen in the summer and has played five games for his new club, notably starring as they romped to a 6-0 Carabao Cup victory over Barnsley, in which he netted a hat-trick.

He has yet to reach that level of excellence in the Premier League, despite playing Chelsea’s four matches in their entirety, notching a single assist in the stunning 3-3 comeback draw against WBA in September.

He believes, however, that his game will come together in time. 

“It was difficult for me, especially because the Premier League is a completely different league,” he explained to Chelsea’s official website. “It's more intense and I noticed that in the first few games.

“It has gone pretty well for me recently but I think there is also still a lot of potential upwards. I want to exploit that in the next few weeks and months.

“The hat-trick [against Barnsley] was good for me. The start was a little difficult because I only trained with the team for five or six days, then played the first game right away. It was also a very big step for me to leave my family and familiar surroundings. Of course, it takes time to get it right.”

The Germany international explained what the major differences are between life in the two divisions.

“The intensity in the duels and the runs is much higher,” he said. “It's a completely different league and the games are very exhausting.

“The Bundesliga isn't worse but I noticed differences. It seems to me like there aren't any average or bad players here – everybody is at a very high level.”

Havertz will be seeking to win his ninth international cap against Ukraine on Saturday in the Nations League as he looks to add to the single goal he has scored for Joachim Low’s side. 

A match at home against Switzerland on Tuesday will follow before he returns to club duties.

West Ham vice-chairman Karren Brady has advocated a return of fans to stadiums, despite the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, citing an ability for cinemagoers to socially distance.

There have been no fans present in grounds around England since a halt to play was called in mid-March over the escalating health crisis.

Steps have been taken in many industries for some sense of normality to return, albeit at a dramatically reduced capacity, but football continues to be overlooked – a fact not lost on Brady.

She says it was “ridiculous” that fans were locked out of last weekend’s Premier League fixtures, including heavy defeats for Manchester United and Liverpool at the hands of Tottenham and Aston Villa respectively.

“Fans are missing a bonanza and while all of us are aware of the reasoning behind the Government’s position, the logic behind our locked turnstiles is distinctly wonky,” she claimed in The Sun.

“If cinemas are allowed to socially distance audiences, why not football or, for that matter, rugby clubs?

“It would be perfectly possible, as an example, to separate people in a portion of one spectator to four seats. At the London Stadium this would limit the attendance to about 15,000.

“Any range of further measures are available — plastic partitions, masks, temperature tests, sanitisers, stewarded queues, alcohol bans.

“At smaller grounds, it should be possible to set the bar lower, perhaps at 1-3 or 1-2.

“If the Government allowed the same percentage capacity as they have granted the 02 and the Royal Albert Hall there would be no need for a bailout of League One and Two as this amount of gate revenue would be enough to save them.

“Is there any logic in allowing indoor venues to have crowds but football stadiums not to? If there is, no one has explained it to me or to anyone else in football.”

Meanwhile, Brady is not deaf to pleas from supporters to support lower-league clubs but says the Premier League already props up the Football League.

“Not a lot of people realise the PL already give £110m a year to the EFL, which means every Championship club gets £4.5m, League One club £700k and League Two club almost £500k,” she pointed out.

“And not to forget the £190m PL clubs spent on buying players from the EFL so far in this window.”

The success enjoyed by Cristiano Ronaldo over the course of his career is “more impressive” than that taken in by Lionel Messi, says Iker Casillas.

Two iconic figures of the modern era have raised the bar when it comes to individual excellence.

Between them they have collected 11 Ballons d’Or, countless major honours and re-written the history books on a regular basis with their record-breaking exploits.

Both are assured of a place among the all-time greats, but debate as to who can be considered the best appears set to rage for as long as they remain at the top of their respective games.

For Casillas, a Real Madrid icon gets the nod over a Barcelona legend.

Given his strong ties to the Blancos, that should come as no surprise, although the World Cup-winning goalkeeper has sought to justify his decision.

Casillas told ESPN: “Cristiano always had huge desire to be the best, ever since he was a boy and I believe he has achieved that.

“If I have to compare him to Messi, what Cristiano has done is more impressive because we all know the talent Messi has, but Cristiano was determined and worked hard to be the best. 

“I feel we have been lucky to have been able to enjoy two phenomenal players. 

“For people that don't know Cristiano, he can appear to be cocky and arrogant, but it's totally the opposite.”

Casillas spent six years working alongside Ronaldo at Santiago Bernabeu before taking the tough decision to leave his roots in Madrid and head for Porto in 2015.

At 39 years of age, he has now headed into retirement.

That decision was forced upon him somewhat, with Casillas taking in a serious health scare back in May 2019.

A man capped on 167 occasions by Spain has recovered from a heart attack suffered during a training session in Portugal and counts his blessings every day that he still has so many fond memories to look back on.

Casillas added: “I was very fortunate with how things turned out, sadly it's not the case for everyone.

“It has changed me, you must do the things you like doing and live your life. 

“I have spoken to people that I had not spoken to for a long time. I now live day to day, focus on what I can do today and not worry about tomorrow or next week.”

Former Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger says that the “weak” state of Barcelona and Real Madrid has allowed Bayern Munich to become the best team in Europe.

The Allianz Arena side dominated the Final 8 of the Champions League during August. After easing through their last-16 second leg against Chelsea, they recorded resounding victories over Barcelona and Lyon before edging Paris Saint-Germain 1-0 in the final thanks to a header from Kingsley Coman.

The 8-2 victory over Barca was a particularly noteworthy result and led to the eventual departure of Quique Setien, who was unable to inspire the Catalan side to defend their domestic league title.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, were not even in Lisbon, having exited at the hands of Manchester City in the last-16 phase, adding weight to the FIFA chief of global football development’s argument.

“I don't mean to downplay the performance of the current team. Bayern are currently the best team in Europe. But that's also because there are no other big teams. Barcelona are weak. Real Madrid are weak,” he told Der Spiegel, explaining that he feels the side that won the title in 2013 were superior.

“Philipp Lahm, Franck Ribery, Arjen Robben, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Toni Kroos. They had top quality in every position.

“The current team can still develop. Maybe it will reach the top level of 2013, but they are not that good yet.”

Another player in the Bundesliga that Wenger does appreciate, meanwhile, is Borussia Dortmund striker Erling Haaland, who at 19 has already established himself a reputation for being one of the most dangerous finishers in the game.

The ex-Gunners boss added: “Haaland scores so many goals because that's just what he does. It's no coincidence. And he's a winner. You can see his desire on, his deep motivation. It must be interesting for BVB coach Lucien Favre to work with him, because a lot can come from him. And I think Favre can develop him very well.”

Meanwhile, Wenger is not planning a return to management.

“At the moment I am concentrating on my job at FIFA. I think this is how I can help football,” he confirmed.

Edinson Cavani is embracing the pressure of being Manchester United’s new No.7, with the Uruguayan eager to build on the legacy of iconic predecessors George Best, Eric Cantona, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo.

A legendary jersey has been handed to a new arrival at Old Trafford.

Fresh from being snapped up as a free agent, Cavani has been charged with the task of filling some sizeable boots at the Theatre of Dreams.

He is, at 33 years of age, experienced enough to take that challenge in his stride.

The former Napoli and Paris Saint-Germain star is confident that he can justify the faith shown in him, with Cavani intending to succeed where fellow South Americans Angel Di Maria and Alexis Sanchez failed.

“It’s a fantastic challenge, and an exciting responsibility too, which I’m accepting with the best will in the world, and like I said, I’ll be working really hard to perform at my very best so I can leave that number, that shirt, just how it was left by those players you just mentioned,” Cavani told United's official website of following in the footsteps of Beckham and co.

“It’s a great number, I got to wear it with the national team as well. But I honestly believe that the number you wear is more of an off-the-field thing. That’s where it counts for more.

“I know that once you’re out on the pitch, the number you have on your shirt has no influence.

“But when you get the chance to pull on the No.7 shirt at Manchester United, which has been worn by some top, top players who have been legends here in this country and at this club, it really is a nice responsibility to have.

“I enjoy challenges and, as I said to you, I hope that I can do it great justice and leave it in as high regard as the many great players who have worn this shirt before me.”

Cavani was acquired by United on transfer deadline day, despite having been in the free agent pool since severing ties with PSG in July.

He admits to having received several other offers, with Atletico Madrid seemingly leading the chase for his signature at one stage, but is delighted to be opening a new chapter in his distinguished career with a Premier League heavyweight.

“Yes, we did have a lot of different options, [even] at a time when things aren’t so easy, neither in sport nor in the world in general,” Cavani added.

“I was very attracted by the chance to play in English football, and what’s more, for Manchester United, so that was a really big attraction for me, and a huge motivation too, because I feel that I still have a big desire to compete, to work hard and to give the best of myself.

“Let’s hope that I can be up to the task and can represent this club, and along with everyone, help take it to the top.”

Legendary goalkeeper Iker Casillas has revealed that Jose Mourinho was one of the first people to call him after he suffered a heart attack in 2019.

Casillas, who retired from playing officially in the summer, was training with Porto in 2019 when he suffered the scare and spent five days in hospital in the aftermath.

He had worked previously with Mourinho at Real Madrid, where he had played the entirety of his career, but the pair struggled to see eye to eye and the Portuguese controversially offloaded the 167-time capped Spain international in 2015. 

Nevertheless, Mourinho showed his class by checking upon the wellbeing of the custodian in his moment of crisis.

“A lot of people don't know it but José Mourinho was one of the first people to call about me, to call me to find out how I was,” Casillas told ESPN.

Casillas was then spotted hugging Mourinho at the following FIFA congress, which the Spaniard admitted was an emotional occasion.

“I saw people I had not seen for a long time, it makes you appreciate the little things in life,” he said. “You live more from day to day, you stop just being in your own little world. 

“I was very lucky, other people don’t have that. 

“I felt that I was definitely going to die that day, and the circumstances forced me to reconsider everything. I'm a privileged person. If I can continue to play football, I will do that.”

Casillas will be remembered as one of the greatest goalkeepers of his generation, having turned out for the first team of Real Madrid, where he signed on in 1990, as a teenager in 1999 and remaining at the club through until his departure 16 years later.

He stands second in the club’s all-time appearance list behind Raul and won five La Liga titles and three Champions Leagues during his time at the Bernabeu. 

At Porto, he would go on and win one domestic title, while he would go on to achieve 57 Champions League clean sheets – a record that continues to stand. He was with the Portuguese side from 2015 until 2020.