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Mido says he is intrigued to see how Ronald Koeman reacts to public criticism of Barcelona by Lionel Messi, saying that the Dutchman effectively ended his career at Ajax following his own outspoken attacks on the club.

Messi publicly admonished Barcelona on Friday following their decision to sell Luis Suarez to Atletico Madrid.

Koeman deemed Suarez to be surplus to requirements shortly after being announced as successor to ousted coach Quique Setien. The Uruguayan striker is now crossing the Liga divide to link up with Atletico, with a memorable six-year spell with Barca being ended.

Messi posted on Instagram: “I had already begun to imagine it but today I went into the dressing room and it truly dawned on me. It's going to be so difficult to not continue to share every day with you both on the pitches and away from them.

“We're going to miss you so much. We spent many years together, many lunches and many dinners. So many things we will never forget, all the time we spent together.

“It will be strange to see you in another shirt and much more to come up against you on the pitch. You deserved a farewell that fit with who you are: one of the most important players in the history of the club. Someone who achieved great things for the team and on an individual level.

“You did not deserve for them to throw you out like they did, but the truth is that at this stage nothing surprises me anymore.”

Mido wonders how noted disciplinarian Koeman will regard the club being so publicly attacked by their own player, saying the Dutch manager was unforgiving when he criticised Ajax - but appeared to indicate that he does not think Messi, as a major star, will be treated in the same way he was as a young player.

Mido wrote on Twitter: "I want to see Koeman's response to Messi's words about Suarez. Koeman slaughtered me and ordered Ajax to sell me because I talked in the media about the team, although I was just 18. Of course, I'm not comparing myself to Messi, but today's move will prove to me a lot of things I wished time would".

Koeman and Mido fell out in 2003, resulting in the Egyptian being sold to Marseille. The striker had previously complained of being played despite having injuries and had said he wanted to leave the club before changing his mind, while the manager was unhappy with the player's effort during training and matches.

After a loan at Celta Vigo, Mido moved to Marseille, and later spent a nomadic career with Roma, Tottenham, Middlesbrough, Wigan and West Ham United, among others.

Thiago Alcantara is not the kind of player that Liverpool could have signed prior to Jurgen Klopp’s arrival at Anfield, says Neil Mellor, with the Reds now shopping in the market for “world-class” talent.

The last change in the dugout on Merseyside was made back in October 2015.

Brendan Rodgers had been ushered through the exits as major silverware remained elusive, paving the way for former Borussia Dortmund boss Klopp to be appointed.

A highly-rated German tactician has been given the time and funds required to get Liverpool back on top of domestic and continental games, with Champions League and Premier League crowns captured.

Considerable value has been found in the transfer market along the way, with Spain international playmaker Thiago among the latest to have been snapped up.

He was prised from Bayern Munich’s clutches on the back of a treble-winning 2019-20 campaign for the German giants, with that deal proving how attractive Liverpool have become.

Former Reds striker Mellor told Gentingbet, with an exciting new addition having made an eye-catching debut off the bench in a 2-0 victory over Chelsea: “Thiago is a super signing. It had been spoken about for a while and you wondered whether it would get over the line but where you have to give him and the manager credit is how he settled in so quickly.

“The manager made the decision that he should come on at half time and he had a big impact on the game. He was always available, he made the record for the most passes in Premier League football in one half - he was always available, whether on the right, left or in the middle of the park, he was always available for the pass.

“He gives them something different to what they have had in midfield previously. Whenever he got the ball, it was one or two touch, everything was done very quickly. He did really well, especially considering that was his first bit of football since the Champions League final.

“In terms of pushing Liverpool on to the next level, I’m not quite sure what the next level for the club would be! However, he is a world-class player who is around other world-class players. So, they will all thrive off each other.

“It adds competition for places in midfield and it allows Liverpool to freshen things up with the amount of games they will be playing. 

“Liverpool are one of the best teams in Europe but before Klopp came, they wouldn’t have been able to bring in players of this quality. That’s credit to the football that is being played but also the standard that Liverpool now have that a player like Thiago wants to come and play for them and I’m sure he will add quality over the season.”

Liverpool backed up their capture of Thiago with a £41 million ($52m) deal for Portuguese forward Diogo Jota, and Mellor admits there may be more arrivals to come as the Reds face calls to bring another commanding centre-half into their squad.

“While the transfer window is open, there will always be players linked to Liverpool,” Mellor added.

“You don’t know what is around the corner, there could be a possible injury where they then need to strengthen in that area.

“There have been conversations about Liverpool defensively, I thought Fabinho did brilliantly filling in at centre-half [against Chelsea] but Joe Gomez will be fit for the Arsenal game which will be a boost.

“So, with it being a short window until the transfer window opens again in January, I’m not too convinced there will be too much more activity but the Jota transfer came from nowhere, so if Liverpool find the right target, they will certainly look to bring them in.”

Arsenal should have been looking to beat Manchester United to the signing of Donny van de Beek, claims Ian Wright, with the Dutchman warned the presence of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes at Old Trafford will make it difficult for him to make the desired impact.

A £35 million ($46m) deal has seen Netherlands international midfielder swap life in his homeland at Ajax for that in the Premier League.

United’s approach for the 23-year-old came out of the blue, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer already well stocked for creative playmakers.

Another has been added to the pot, with Van de Beek opening his goal account for the Red Devils on his debut as he stepped off the bench in a 3-1 defeat to Crystal Palace.

Plenty are suggesting that he can thrive in Manchester, but Wright believes that north London would have been a better landing spot.

The Arsenal icon told the Kelly & Wrighty Show: “He's somebody that I wish that someone like Arsenal could have taken.

“When you look at Pogba, what he's doing, and you look at Bruno Fernandes, that is Donny van de Beek's position.

“People are thinking they are going to see Van de Beek, Fernandes and Pogba - I don't think that's going to happen.

“As much as he can play the No.6, that's not his preferred position to play.

“So again, spend the money, yeah he's a great player and yeah take him, but you've still got to look for the players that you know are going to improve your team.

“Listen, Donny van de Beek will be a good player for Man United as time goes by because he's a quality player. Is he what they need right now? But I'm delighted for him.”

Van de Beek’s agent, Sjaak Swart, has revealed that Arsenal were initially in the running for Van de Beek’s signature, but struggles to find the required fee allowed United to swoop in.

Swart told Showtime: “Yes, they really wanted him. But they just couldn’t get the money for a transfer.

“Even the biggest clubs struggle. Arsenal is a great club, but Manchester United will certainly be an interesting adventure.

“There were more clubs with interest, such as Real Madrid, FC Barcelona, Juventus and Arsenal. There were six in total.”

Sofapaka president Elly Kalekwa has acknowledged they have to accept and move on after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) refused to extend the contract with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL).

The contract between the two bodies came to an end on Thursday, September 24, 2020, and with FKF boss Nick Mwendwa already stating they will not renew it, Kalekwa, who sits in one of the committees of the KPL, has now said they have to accept and move on.

“If the contract has ended and FKF are not ready to renew, what else can we do?” Kalekwa posed a question to Goal. “We have to accept and move, we don’t have any powers to ask them to renew, they have already made up their mind.

“It is beyond us, they have decided and we don’t have anything we can do, there is nothing we can do.”

On whether the KPL deserved to be handed a contract extension, Kalekwa said: “We did a good a job despite the challenges, we tried our best, we did our best and I am happy with what we did at KPL.”

On Thursday, Kakamega Homeboyz chairman Cleophas Shimanyula also waded into the issue, saying the KPL had done a good job and deserved a contract extension.

“KPL did a good job and I sincerely do not think anyone can match their good job. They had a good management structure, were well-organised, and also brought sponsors on board,” Shimanyula told Goal on Thursday.

“I am saying they should have completely remained because KPL Limited was run by a board that was not answerable to anyone else.

“They were very independent, unlike a scenario where the office bearers are nominated by the FKF president. In such a case, there is no independence because the president can dictate to the nominees what to do thereby manipulating the office and influencing decisions.”

The KPL was operated and run as a private limited company which was formed under the Companies Act of Kenya and was fully owned and managed by the 18 member clubs, with each being a shareholder.

It was affiliated to the FKF, who was also a shareholder and voting member of the KPL Board of Directors, with non-voting members including the Kenya Football Coaches Association and Kenya Football Referees Association.

Muhoroni Youth FC chairman Moses Adagala has warned that Kenyan football is headed in the wrong direction after the exit of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Limited.

The KPL has been running the top-tier in the last 15 years but their contract officially came to an end on September 24 after the Football Kenya Federation (FKF) failed to renew the deal.

Adagala, who is a known critic of Nick Mwendwa’s office, said the gains made by the KPL will be reversed in a big way.

“It is a sad state of affairs for our country's football; handing over the running of the league from KPL to FKF is unfathomable and a curse to our beloved game. 'It will end in premium tears' summarises the whole circus,” Adagala stated in a Facebook post.

“May I remind you that KPL has done a lot to bring the league to where it is right now. We are ranked among the top professionally run leagues in Africa courtesy of this body that we are dumping like hot charcoal.

“At least show some courtesy to appreciate KPL for the work they have done. The future of our game is now oblique thanks to your efforts.

“I am sure that KPL was the best thing to happen to our game and my conscience is clear that withdrawing from it is a mistake that will hit us below the belt. It might take us a decade or more to be back where we are right now.

“Time shall vindicate me and other like-minded football lovers. A decision has already been made, we shall live by it and face whatever comes our way.”

The administrator – who is also Chemelil Sugar’s chair – criticised fellow chairmen who have supported the transition of the league management from the KPL to the FKF.

“Football is believed to be made in Nyanza and Luhya lands but I'm saddened by the actions of some of the chairmen originating from these areas,” Adagala continued.

“The likes of Erick Oloo of Ulinzi Stars, Ken Ochieng of Zoo FC and Western Stima’s Laban Jobita; you have decided to bury the game by supporting the heinous act of this transfer.

“I wish to warn all those who played a role in this that when the time comes your names will be written in history books and all football lovers will judge you harshly.

“You will have nowhere to hide or put your heads. It is through such horrendous actions that we chased SuperSport as the league sponsor when our league was receiving the much-needed sponsorship and viewership beyond the borders.

“To date, we have not recovered from the fallout.”

Adagala vied and lost the Kisumu chairman’s post in the recently held FKF county elections.

Liverpool still need to be looking at bringing in another centre-half, says Steve Nicol, but the Reds have been warned against paying “silly money” for Napoli star Kalidou Koulibaly.

A Senegal international currently plying his trade in Serie A is considered to be a perfect fit for the Premier League champions.

With Virgil van Dijk already a colossus at the heart of their back four, adding another commanding presence alongside the Dutchman would make Jurgen Klopp’s side even stronger.

Napoli, though, have made it clear that they will not be dropping their asking price for Koulibaly amid coronavirus-enforced financial difficulties for many clubs around the world.

With reports suggesting that it will take upwards of €100 million (£91m/$117m) to put a deal for the 29-year-old in place, Nicol is not convinced that Liverpool should be narrowing their focus on one player.

The former Reds defender told ESPN FC: “If the money is right [it’s a no-brainer]. But clearly, they’re asking for silly money.

“The chairman at Napoli is well known for being tough to deal with. 

“If it’s silly money it won’t happen, but I’d like to see it happen. 

“The guy is absolutely in the prime of his career, he’s a great centre-back. Any team on the planet would like to have this guy, but it depends on the money.

“I think Napoli will be asking for too much money, so I don’t think it’ll happen. But it would be nice if it did.” 

Klopp has stepped up his recruitment business at Anfield of late, bringing in Thiago Alcantara and Diogo Jota from Bayern Munich and Wolves respectively.

Greek left-back Kostas Tsimikas is the other fresh face on Merseyside and Nicol hopes one more deal will be pushed through before the next deadline passes on October 5.

The Scot added: “The only real question mark is at centre-back.

“Joe Gomez hasn’t started the season particularly well, Van Dijk didn’t start the season particularly well.

“If there’s a wish list, it would be another Van Dijk-esque type player, a dominant centre-back who can play but is hard-nosed as well. That would be the wish list, but to be honest, we shouldn’t complain, Liverpool are not in a bad position.” 

Liverpool opened 2020-21 with defeat to Arsenal in the Community Shield, but have since rattled off wins over Leeds, Chelsea and Lincoln across Premier League and Carabao Cup competition as Klopp’s side start to hit their stride.

Orlando Pirates are set to part ways with Austin Muwowo ahead of the new season, Goal can exclusively reveal.

According to a source within the Sea Robbers camp, the Zambia international is on the list of players coach Josef Zinnbauer has indicated are not in his plans for the upcoming campaign. 

"He's on the list of players likely to leave the club," the source told Goal.

"The only thing that the club is weighing up is whether he should be released or be sold.

"As things stand, no team has shown interest in him and that alone could force the club to terminate his contract."

Muwowo joined the Buccaneers at the start of the 2019-20 season with high expectations but he struggled to break into the starting line-up under both Rhulani Mokwena and Zinnbauer. 

He was limited to just two appearances all-season, with both coming in the league and amounting to 18 minutes after coming from the bench. 

The left-footer was seen as somebody who can challenge the likes of Luvuyo Memela, Vincent Pule, Paseka Mako and Kabelo Dlamini for a place in the starting line-up.

However, things turned out differently as Zinnbauer stuck with the tried and tested upon his arrival in December 2019. 

Now, with the arrival of Deon Hotto, the technical team has some tough decisions to make before the closing of the transfer window in November, and Muwowo could be forced out of the club. 

Muwowo still has two more years on his contract with the Soweto giants, and should the club opt to terminate it if they can't sell him to another club, then the former Nkana FC man will have to negotiate his exit package with the management. 

The Buccaneers are in the process of rebuilding the team, having brought in four new players to increase competition for places in the starting line-up. 

Collins Makgaka, Terrence Dzvukamanja, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Hotto all joined the club this week. 

And more players are expected to join ahead of the 2020-21 season, especially in the attack and goalkeeping department where they have looked thin. 

As things stand, Wayne Sandilands is the club's No.1 while Joris Delle is considered the club's second-choice goalkeeper. 

Mikel Arteta and Edu will “get it done” for Arsenal before the summer transfer window closes, says Kevin Campbell, with Houssem Aouar and Thomas Partey expected to end up at the Emirates Stadium.

The Gunners have been able to welcome fresh faces into their ranks since the 2019-20 campaign came to a close, with Willian and Gabriel Magalhaes among those snapped up.

Talismanic club captain Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang has also signed a new contract, leading to plenty of cause for optimism in north London.

Arsenal are now working on finalising their recruitment plans, with a number of comings and goings still being mooted.

Lyon playmaker Aouar and Atletico Madrid midfielder Partey have been long-standing targets for the Gunners and Campbell believes deals will be pushed through before October 5.

The former Arsenal striker told Gentingbet: “Central midfield is the key area for Arsenal and there’s talk of Thomas Partey and Houssem Aouar, from Lyon, and I think they’re the two key positions.

“Thomas Partey is a defensive type midfielder, but he's got so much to his game, he can go box to box and, really, he can do it all.

“Aouar is a creative player who can play numerous positions across midfield and even across the front.

“So, I think those are the two players who have been heavily linked to the club and are in talks of coming in. I think Arteta and Edu will get it done, in the end.

“I'm not sure how quick it will be and it might be right up to the deadline date, but I think Arsenal will get it done.”

It has been suggested that Arsenal could explore the option of part-exchange deals in order to land top targets, with Lucas Torreira and Alexandre Lacazette being linked with moves to Atletico.

Campbell hopes to see the latter stay put, with the former frontman of the opinion that the France international still has plenty to offer.

He added: “I don’t follow rumours, but losing Lacazette would be a big blow for Arsenal, there’s no one else in the squad who can do what he does for the team.

“Lacazette is an integral part of what Arsenal do and I do think he’s committed to the club. He also has a really good relationship with Aubameyang and it’s a relationship that Arsenal really should be looking to utilise on the pitch.

“They've looked really good when they have played together and I don't really see Lacazette leaving to be a progressive move from Arsenal.”

Michaela Abam hit a treble for Real Betis as they trashed Hispalis 10-0 in Thursday's Andalusian Women's Cup quarterfinal encounter.

Despite featuring in 15 matches for Betis, the Cameroon international managed only three goals before the league's cancellation in May due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Abam starred and Equatorial Guinea's Dorine Chuigoue made her debut in Betis' 2-0 win over Granada in their first friendly on Sunday.

The Cameroonian opened the scoring inside the first minute for Betis at the El Pinar Football Field before Lucia Mendez netted the second three minutes later for a comfortable first-half lead.

After the break, Rosa Otermin scored the third in the 55th minute to ensure the rampant Spanish Primera Iberdrola side increased the tally before María Benjumea netted the fourth eight minutes later.

Abam bagged her second of the match and Betis' fifth in the 65th minute before hitting a treble to make it 6-0 six minutes later.

Mosa Marquez scored the seventh in the 79th minute before Oriana Altuve netted twice in the 83rd and 85th minute and Marquez bagged her second two minutes from time to complete the rout.

Abam was in action for the entire duration of the match, while Chuigoue featured for 72 minutes before she was replaced by manager Pier Luigi Cherubino.

The massive victory handed Betis a semi-final spot in the knockout competition and they will take on Cordoba, who edged past Pozoalbense, at the Municipal Stadium Los Manantiales.

Enzo Zidane, the eldest son of Real Madrid legend and manager Zinedine Zidane, is hoping to join Botola Pro 1 side Wydad Casablanca, according to his agent Roberto Carlos.

The midfielder played for Juventus, Liceo Frances, San Jose before joining the Blancos youth team in 2004 and spent 10 years in the academy.

Zidane featured for Real Madrid teams C and B, before he made his first-team debut in 2016 in a Copa del Rey clash against Cultural Leonesa.

The 25-year-old then teamed up with Deportivo Alaves, after leaving the Santiago Bernabeu, but featured sparingly.

His quest to enjoy more game time saw him move to the Swiss Super League, teaming up with Lausanne-Sport and he spent a season with the side, including a loan spell at Rayo Majadahonda.

In the summer of 2019, he moved to Portugal, joining Aves but struggled to make an impact with the side before returning to Spain with Almeria in January.

Zidane is now hoping to continue his development in Africa with Carlos discussing a possible transfer.

“Greetings President Naciri, it is a great pleasure for me to be able to speak with you,” Carlos said in a video posted to Twitter.

“I hope to close the deal for Enzo Zidane, a very good player, with Wydad, a great club from Casablanca.”

The Wydad al Oumma are one of the most successful clubs on the continent, having won the Moroccan professional league title 20 times.

They are also the current champions of the Botola Pro 1 and have won the Caf Champions League twice, in 1992 and 2017.

Wydad Casablanca also secured the Caf Super Cup title in 2018 and were runners up in the competition in 1993 and 2003.

The Moroccan club has featured four times in the Caf Confederation Cup.

Should the deal be successful, Zidane will be the sixth foreign player in the club after Nigeria international Michael Babatunde, the Democratic Republic of the Congo’s Kazadi Kasengu, Uganda’s Joel Madondo and Ivory Coast duo Gbagbo Junior Magbi and Cheick Comara.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has declared the club only have 13 fit players as he looks to giving their academy players a chance to step up. 

A youthful City side beat Bournemouth 2-1 on Thursday in the Carabao Cup with 17-year-old Liam Delap opening the scoring on debut. 

Phil Foden set up the opener for Guardiola's side before sealing the game with a goal of his own in the 75th minute. 

With a number of senior players stuck on the sidelines and others in need of a rest, City named a starting side boasting youngsters like Adrian Bernabe, Thomas Doyle, Taylor Harwood-Bellis and Delap.

Guardiola liked what he saw from the academy products and revealed he may need to use them more in coming weeks. 

"It was a good game, but all our young players played at a high level, Tommy, Taylor, Liam. All of them were really good," Guardiola said post-match.

"At 17 years old, Liam is a different striker to what we have in terms of physicality. We see in training how good a finisher he is. Now is the time to be calm and keep working. We are delighted with his performance. He played really well.

"With the situation we have right now, we need players from the academy. We have just 13 players fit. With the problems we have up front, he will stay with us. We will use him.

"We cannot forget, like with Phil, he is only 17 years-old. He has a lot of things to improve. We cannot anticipate the progress of every young player.

"We’ve had Phil, Eric, Liam and we have Cole Palmer, who will be an exceptional player.

"We congratulate the academy. I am the last step, but before there are a lot of people in the club working for this and it is a big success for them. Jason Wilcox is the academy boss who helps us have these players. That’s why you have the Academy. When you need players we can use it. It depends on the quality of the player.

"When they have desire, work ethic and the quality is good, they will have chances. Tommy played incredibly well as a holding midfield. Taylor as well. These guys did not play one game of the last three months.

"This was the first 90 minutes. They played a team who were in the Premier League last season and top of the Championship right now.

"I would say congratulations to the club for providing these players for us."

Manchester City next face Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday at the Etihad. 

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp described Takumi Minamino's performance against Lincoln City as "absolutely outstanding" as the Japanese attacker struck twice in a 7-2 win. 

Still finding his feet at Anfield after sealing a move from RB Salzburg, Minamino showed his hunger on Thursday night as he pushed the Reds to a big victory.

The 25-year-old struck in the 18th and 46th minute for Liverpool, while he also claimed the assist for Divock Origi's late goal. 

Playing in the No.10 role against Lincoln, Minamino clearly impressed Klopp, who praised the Japanese star's desire to get involved.  

"I loved Taki’s game tonight, to be honest – it was absolutely outstanding and involved in so many situations," Klopp said post-match.

"More and more, I think we all realise where his qualities are. Wherever he will play in the end, he will end up in the centre: if he plays on the left wing or the right wing, he will play in the half-spaces or the centre because that’s where he has his real strength.

"He looked really well. The opponent had to kick off seven times [after our goals] and the first guy who chased the opponent again when they received the pass was Taki. He set the rhythm for all these pressing and counter-pressing situations, so I really, really liked the game tonight."

Xherdan Shaqiri opened the scoring for the Reds with a fine free-kick early on against Lincoln as he made the most of a rare start.

The Switzerland international has struggled for minutes at Anfield over the past year but Klopp was quick to praise him and suggested his situation at the club still "looks promising". 

"First of all it was a super game; a super game from Shaq in a quite, I’m not sure, unfamiliar position – slightly deeper in midfield," Klopp said of the Swiss star.

"He did it really, really well. It was my fault [he was substituted] – he was completely fine, he twisted his ankle slightly but it was absolutely nothing. He touched it twice and I thought it was his calf, but it is nothing. I think it was anyway good to take him off then, but he played a really, really good game.

"The set-pieces were outstanding – the free-kick he scored with, what a goal that was!

"There is no doubt about Shaq’s quality, there was never [any doubt] and in the moment everything looks really, really good, it looks promising and we will see."

Barcelona midfielder Miralem Pjanic said the La Liga giants want revenge this season following their Champions League embarrassment.

An 8-2 humiliation against Bayern Munich in the Champions League quarter-finals capped a forgettable and trophy-less 2019-20 campaign for Barca.

Barca were also dethroned by bitter rivals Real Madrid in La Liga, prompting the embattled Catalan powerhouse to sack head coach Quique Setien and appoint Ronald Koeman.

Superstar captain and six-time Ballon d'Or winner Lionel Messi also handed in a transfer request before opting to stay at Camp Nou.

Now preparing for Sunday's season opener against Villarreal, recruit Pjanic told Sport: "This team wants to take revenge for what happened in Lisbon and show that it was a huge accident.

"Our goal is to go step by step: starting with the league, which will not be easy. And in the Champions League, there will be five or six candidates to win the trophy.

"Starting in March, a new season will begin within the season itself, with the knockout stages of the Champions League and the decisive stretch of the league championship; that's where we have to be at full throttle.

"These players have already earned the respect of the football world and I don't think they have to prove anything to anyone. But in football there are accidents, and I don't think there is a Barca player who doesn't want to show that 8-2 was just that, an accident.

"I do not have any doubt. I have spoken with some of them and they have not lost an ounce of self-confidence. Last year was not easy for anyone, but I am sure that this year we will have a good season, because we have good players.

"Nothing is easy in today's game. We know that Barca is undergoing changes, perhaps the newcomers will need some time to adapt, but we will succeed."

Pjanic swapped Serie A champions Juventus for Barca as Arthur moved in the opposite direction and the Bosnia-Herzegovina star added: "It is never a bad moment to come to Barca. Barca are a team designed to win everything. It may be that last year was not a good season and that it ended badly.

"Things did not turn out as they had imagined, but think about all the teams that each year are built to win, and logically not all of them can win. It is not easy to win titles.

"It was a strange season for everyone, with the coronavirus: we were unemployed for several months, then we had to start almost suddenly, with a strange calendar and no fans at the grounds."

It was never about playing in the I-League or Indian Super League (ISL) when he signed for East Bengal, says Gurtej Singh.

The six-foot tall defender admitted to Goal that he had an offer from Hyderabad FC when he signed for the Red and Golds toward the end of March this year.

"Whether in the I-League or ISL, I have signed for East Bengal club. Hyderabad were offering me an extension but I wanted to fulfil my dream of playing for East Bengal and for the trust that the officials showed in me," Singh said.

"East Bengal is such a big club. When I was a little boy, I used to go with my father to watch JCT's matches. Whenever we saw East Bengal visiting, it felt like a big club has come. From there itself I thought that I would love to play for East Bengal some day. I want to achieve a lot with East Bengal," he added.

The story of Gurtej making a come-back from the second division to the ISL could well continue with his current side's eminent entry in the ISL as East Bengal have picked up the bod papers to enter the ISL.

The 30-year-old has made 42 appearances in the ISL with FC Pune City (2017-2019) and Hyderabad FC (2019-20) and feels that his decision to quit from Bengaluru FC is the one that bore the fruits for him.

"My experience in the ISL has been very good so far. I have been playing continously (consistently) for three seasons now, with 42 appearances. Only at the beginning I was a bit nervous as I came directly from Fateh Hyderabad, from the second division. Eventually, with the experience and exposure, I got used to it. 

"I played a few AFC Cup matches at Bengaluru and (then coach) Ashley Westwood wanted to sign me again but I felt that I got very little game time over there. So I discussed with my father and decided that I rather play at a lower division club than signing (for Bengaluru) and sitting out for another season," he explained.

Having won the I-League title with both Churchill Brothers (2012-13) and Bengaluru FC (2013-14), the former JCT player also targets to break into the Indian national team.

"I want to give my best to break into the Indian national team and the same time achieve whatever I can with East Bengal," he signed off.

The importance of having a stable and dependable defence cannot be overstated in football, be it anywhere around the world. It is no different in the Indian Super League (ISL) as well.

A strong defence has been the hallmark of most of the champion sides in the ISL, as ATK will attest to in the previous season. A frugal defence meant that a swashbuckling Chennaiyin attack was muzzled to an extent by ATK in the final.

Chennaiyin FC this time around will be looking to build a strong rearguard as they hunt for their third ISL title in the upcoming season. After renewing the contract of Brazilian defender Eli Sabia, they have now roped in Bosnian Enes Sipovic to partner him in central defence.

Expectations will be high on the 30-year-old who is set to become the first-ever Bosnian to play in the ISL when season seven starts later this year in Goa. However, the ISL is not a new commodity for Sipovic who admits that he had been following the league ever since its inception in 2014.

India is a country that has always fascinated Sipovic and his family and he jumped at the chance of joining a club from the country. But the former Oțelul Galați (Romania) player is not coming on vacation. In his own words, he means business.

"Like I mentioned, I have been aware of the ISL and Chennaiyin FC from the very first season in 2014. And India as a country and the place has always fascinated me, my wife and my family. I am a big fan of the Indian culture, especially Bollywood already," Sipovic told Goal.

"But I am not coming to India as a tourist now. I am coming with an objective to help my team achieve success. I will work very hard to give the fans and the club all the joy that it deserves.

"And it is a tremendous honour for me to become the first player to represent Bosnia in the ISL."

In addition to his fascination with India, a conversation with head coach Csaba Laszlo also played a huge part in Sipovic deciding to try out his luck in India. He has evidently bought into Laszlo's plans for the club.

Of course, it would not have hurt that Lazlo was born in Romania where Sipovic spent a considerable amount of time in his early years as a player.

"My conversations with the coach have been very productive, and I can say that he is one of the main reasons for me to join Chennaiyin FC," he revealed. "He has explained to me what he expects of me, in terms of tactics and training. And I am very excited for the challenge.

"His plans are very clear, to help the club begin and finish the season on a high. And we as a team will do everything possible to achieve that vision."

To his credit, Sipovic is aware of the achievements of Chennaiyin FC in the past, including some of the star players who have played for the club.

"I have been aware of the club, especially since the first few seasons with legends like Marco Materazzi and Elano being a part of the club. There is a lot of success and history that the club has accumulated in a short period of time.

"So I am very happy to follow in the footsteps and become part of such a beautiful club, which is made so by it's wonderful fans. It is a pity we will not be able to play in front of them, in the city of Chennai. It is something that truly makes me sad, but it is what it is and we must respect the situation."

Standing tall at an impressive 6'6", Sipovic is certain to tower over opposition attackers in the Chennaiyin penalty box. Add to the fact that his partner Eli Sabia is also 6'2" tall, the Marina Machans will have an advantage when it comes to defending aerial balls and set-pieces.

Sipovic admits that heading and interceptions are his strengths and that he is looking forward to his partnership with Sabia.

"Headers, interceptions and football intelligence are my strengths as a defender, in my opinion. Football intelligence, especially, is the most important as a defender which is to anticipate the attacking strategy of the opponent.

"I am so happy that I will be playing alongside Eli Sabia. I have seen his videos, he is a great player. I believe we will strike a good partnership and go about our job efficiently," he assessed.

Interestingly, Sipovic is set to replace Romanian defender Lucian Goian at Chennaiyin this season. Sipovic had played against Goian during his time in Romania with Otelul Galati but doesn't think Goian would be remembering the episode.

"I have played against Lucian Goian at the start of my career. I was very young, around 18-19 years old. I don't think he remembers that game! I haven't had a chance to speak to him so far, about Chennaiyin FC and the ISL," he explained.

Having been a bit of a journeyman in his career, Sipovic has played in Morocco, Belgium, Saudi Arabia and most recently in Qatar before he took up Chennaiyin's offer. The 'all-weather' experiences will help him adapt better to India and the climate in the sub-continent, feels Sipovic.

"Yes, I do have experience of playing in Asia, especially the Gulf countries where the weather is extremely hot and harsh. I have played matches in 48 degrees in the previous season, and in Saudi Arabia. Same in Morocco, when I played in the African Champions League. It was very, very hot. I have coped with those conditions.

"Fortunately, my body is prepared for everything. In Romania, I have played in -10 degrees. So it doesn't matter, I adapt myself very fast!"

Such a battle-hardened attitude will be something that Chennaiyin FC will hope shines through in the Bosnian's maiden campaign in India.

Despite having started working on their privatisation process since 2019 and last month saying that the process would be completed by mid-September, Selangor were curiously absent from the list of 12 Malaysian teams that have completed the privatisation/separation process announced by the Malaysian FA (FAM) earlier this week.

According to the Red Giants secretary-general Johan Kamal Hamidon, their process has been held back by one minor yet bizarre matter; the 33-time Malaysia Cup champions haven't been able to come up with a permissible new crest.

FAM has stipulated that clubs formed out of the current football associations (FA) need to register a new crest, as required by Asian Football Confederation (AFC) regulations. Selangor however are adamant on using their current FA crest as the new football club (FC) crest.

"We've been delayed because we're still finalising the logo (crest), that's why we haven't completed the submission process," explained Johan to Goal via telephone call on Thursday. "The current [FA] crest is very valuable to us, and initially we negotiated to retain it. However, the AFC is very adamant on the crest change. 

"We only want to change a few minor things, but the problem is, we then can't register it as a new crest as it would be too similar to the parent logo. It would be like trying to trademark the Nike swoosh design as your own by simply changing the name to Niko or Niki." 

On top of needing a completely new crest, another issue that has bogged down their effort to retain their FA crest is that it includes the Selangor state government crest at the top of it, which requires their newly-formed FC to seek the state's approval. 

Current Selangor crest

Regardless of the last-minute snag, Johan insists that they will be able to complete their privatisation process before its September 30 due date. 

We've finalised our design, so it shouldn't be a problem. I'm not too concerned about it because we'll submit our documentations to FAM by today (Thursday, September 24) or tomorrow. We've found a solution, which is the most important thing, and the best solution is to preserve as much as we can from what we have now.

"Basically, the Selangor FA has agreed to hand over the rights to alter its logo to the new [club] company; the Red Giants FC. So now the rights to manage and alter the crest is with the FC, and the FC is currently working on passing the requirements stipulated by the AFC. To be honest, there won't be too many changes [on the crest]. It's still the old trademark, but with extended or minor alterations to the parent logo. We just need the AFC to decide that the changes are acceptable," he said.

Goal also asked the club official about the 'SFC' logo that the club have used this year on many of their merchandise.

"That was never intended as the new crest, it was just to signify the privatisation process."

However, he explained that the Red Giants are not against the idea of a crest change, only that they have their own plans for the move.

"We have our own timeline for the crest change, we want to do it at the right time and now is not, so that's why we've been reluctant to come up with a new crest now.

"The privatisation push has always been approached from top down. There's no right or wrong to it, but I believe that a crest change would be more suitable once Selangor achieve something more significant under its president; the Crown Prince [of Selangor, Tengku Amir Shah]. We want to unveil a new crest with the unveiling of a new Selangor," noted Johan.

Tottenham again made hard work of Europa League progress as a scrappy 3-1 win at Shkendija took Jose Mourinho's men into the play-off round.

Spurs had survived a major scare in the previous qualifying stage last week, coming from behind to beat nine-man Lokomotiv Plovdiv with two late goals in Bulgaria.

And the trip to North Macedonia threatened to prove similarly troublesome when Valmir Nafiu cancelled out Erik Lamela's fifth-minute strike.

A visiting team including debutant Joe Hart and the returning Dele Alli toiled for a time until Son Heung-min - fresh from a four-goal salvo at Southampton - restored the lead and then turned provider for Harry Kane, whose goal ensured a play-off with Maccabi Haifa.

Lamela's opener looked to have teed up a straightforward evening for Tottenham, found completely free by Son on the right side of the area to slide a calm finish inside the bottom-left corner.

Spurs dominated but did not threaten again until Toby Alderweireld headed narrowly wide in the 26th minute, with Kostadin Zahov then saving Alli's scruffy eight-yard effort.

Further Tottenham openings followed in the second half without causing Zahov undue concern and Shkendija were level against the run of play after 55 minutes.

Ljupco Doriev fizzed a pass right to Nafiu, who arrowed a sensational effort high past Hart into the top-right corner.

Kane, Giovani Lo Celso and then Lucas Moura were called from the Spurs bench, yet the England captain followed Lamela in squandering a big headed chance with the goal gaping.

Son was clinical when his chance came, though, controlling as Zahov parried Lucas' shot and firing into the roof of the net.

Kane created each of Son's four goals in their previous Premier League game, but the roles were reversed as Tottenham made sure of their place in the next round, a cross from the left met with a firm downward header.

What does it mean? Spurs forced to turn to stars

Having repeatedly bemoaned Tottenham's tough schedule, Mourinho would have been frustrated to see a team missing Kane, Lo Celso and Lucas fail to get the job done.

He was therefore forced to call on the rested trio just three days before the visit of Newcastle United. It paid dividends, but the starting XI - Son apart - did themselves and their coach few favours.

Son the Spurs star

Given the focus Mourinho is placing on the Europa League, Son's display here might even be considered more important than his stunning performance against Southampton.

His poise in the area had already prompted the breakthrough goal for Lamela, but two more telling contributions were required in the final 20 minutes to advance. The winger created four chances in all.

Dele disappoints

Mourinho said this week Alli - back in action for the first time since his half-time substitution in the defeat to Everton - held "99 per cent" of the responsibility for the improvement he required.

The coach did not appear overly enthused by this display, expressing his frustration with Alli on a couple of occasions, as the midfielder missed a big first-half chance and won just one of his six duels while failing to register a tackle or interception before he was replaced by Kane.

What's next?

Spurs must now travel back to London ahead of hosting Newcastle at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium on Sunday.

Jurgen Klopp has praised Liverpool's youngsters for their "exceptional attitude" during a 7-2 rout of Lincoln on Thursday night, while highlighting how important it is for the next generation coming through at Anfield to "wear the shirt and show who you are".

The Reds romped to a comprehensive victory over League one opposition at the LNER Stadium to book a spot in the fourth round of the Carabao Cup.

Klopp fielded a much-changed starting XI after Sunday's win over Chelsea, with out-of-favour winger Xherdan Shaqiri opening the scoring with a trademark free-kick in the ninth minute.

Takumi Minamino doubled the visitors' advantage with a stunning long-range effort nine minutes later, before Curtis Jones scored a quickfire double to put Klopp's side in full command of the contest.

Liverpool increased their lead to 5-0 when Minamino doubled his account shortly after the interval, but Tayo Edun managed to pull a goal back for Lincoln on the hour mark.

Marko Grujic fired home a sixth goal for the Reds only for the visitors to respond instantly via a Lewis Montsma header on a night where defensive discipline was in short supply at both ends of the pitch.

Divock Origi had the final say when he produced a cool finish to round off the scoring for Liverpool in the 89th minute, and Klopp described the performance of his second-string side as "easy on the eye" post-match.

Asked to assess the Reds' first League Cup outing of the 2020-21 campaign, the German head coach told reporters: “They deserved their two goals.

“We played a really good football game tonight. It was easy on the eye. We passed the ball and finished situations off. The boys wanted to play football and showed an exceptional attitude.

“That’s how it should be [Liverpool’s second XI playing like their first]. Wear the shirt and show who you are. I’m happy with everything.

"Two goals we conceded were not nice, but it's not a massive problem. You can have struggles in a game like this.”

Liverpool only have three days to prepare for their next Premier League fixture against Arsenal at Anfield on Monday, which will see both sides protecting a 100 per cent record after the first two rounds of matches.

Curtis Jones says he will give 100 per cent whenever Jurgen Klopp gives him the chance to play for Liverpool’s first team.

The 19-year-old scored twice as a second-string Reds XI demolished League One side Lincoln City 7-2 in the Carabao Cup third round on Thursday.

Xherdan Shaqiri, Takumi Minamino, Marko Grujic and Divock Origi shared the other goals, perhaps giving Klopp some extra food for thought as he considers Monday night’s Premier League clash with Arsenal.

It was Jones’ first appearance of the 2020-21 season bar a brief cameo from the bench in the Community Shield defeat to Arsenal, and the youngster made the most of the occasion .

He told Sky Sports : "We started well. Fair play to Lincoln, they turned up and gave us a great game.

"We were the better team on the night, seven good goals. I've always said I'll give 100% when called upon. I just wait for my turn."

The cup competitions could be important for Jones' development this season. Six of his 12 first-team outings for Liverpool came in the FA Cup or Carabao Cup last season, so he will be hoping his side can put together a run.

Jones has moved into the No.17 shirt, a number formerly worn by Steven Gerrard - but he says the homage is purely coincidental.

"It's a coincidence,” he said. “It's more to do with a family thing from when I was growing up and stuff - it's down to that."

Having at one point looked like being embarrassed on the night, Lincoln staged a minor fightback in the second half with two goals in six minutes from Tayo Edun and Lewis Montsma either side of Grujic’s strike.

Imps manager Michael Appleton praised Liverpool’s finishing on the night, though he suggested the final scoreline was a little unfair on his players.

"I thought in the first half we had our moments. It was a masterclass of finishing from Liverpool,” Appleton told Sky Sports .

"In the second half we created a lot of opportunities. I felt sorry for the boys because the idea at half-time was to try to win the second half - a simple message.

"We got punished by one or two errors. The difference in the first half was their finishing."