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Harambee Stars striker Masoud Juma has reportedly left Algerian club Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie.

Juma had signed for the top-flight side in July 2019 and reports have now emerged he has ended the association with the club, although he had signed a three-year contract with them.

According to unconfirmed reports, Kabylie’s head coach Yamen Zelfani is not impressed with Juma’s performance and has sanctioned his departure in order to create room for a new striker.

Juma signed for Kabylie months after he had ended his contract with Al-Nasr of Libya. The former Bandari striker had cited an unfavourable political environment as the main reason he had decided to leave Libya.

Juma had joined the Benghazi-based side in Northern Libya in February 2019 in a deal which was reportedly expected to last for 18 months. 

Juma, who won the Golden Boot with Kariobangi Sharks in the 2017 Kenyan Premier League (KPL) season with 17 goals, has played for a number of clubs, locally and abroad.

The towering striker launched his football career at Isiolo Barracks Secondary Scholl before joining Isiolo Youth FC. In 2014, he joined Shabana before being signed by Bandari in the same year.

In 10 appearances he scored eight goals for the Dockers before signing for Sony Sugar from 2016 to 2017. In 28 appearances, he scored 15 goals for the Millers.

He joined Kariobangi Sharks for the 2017-2018 season, where he managed 24 goals across all competitions.

In June 2017, Juma trained with Swedish clubs AIK and Jonkopings Sodra, followed by South African side Bidvest Wits in July, but he was signed by Cape Town City in January 2018.

On September 22, Juma signed for Dibba Al Fujairah before he left to join Libyan champions Al-Nasr Benghazi.

Juma made his senior international debut for Kenya in June 2017, when he was named in the starting XI of a 2019 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying match against Sierra Leone.

He earned his second cap during a friendly against Mauritania two months later, where he scored with a 58th-minute header. The 23-year-old has nine Harambee Stars caps under his belt.

Juma’s inclusion, especially during the Stanley Okumbi’s Harambee Stars rein, always generated intense online debates as some fans felt he did not deserve the call-ups.

Since joining Kabylie, Juma has not been heavily linked with any club since.

Pitso Mosimane wouldn't have let George Maluleka leave for Mamelodi Sundowns before the end of the season if he was the head coach at Kaizer Chiefs. 

According to the Brazilians manager, Amakhosi missed Maluleka in the final eight matches of the season because of his danger from set-pieces and the combination he had with the likes of Lebogang Manyama and Willard Katsande. 

However, Mosimane admitted some decisions are beyond the coach's control as the club bosses sometimes make decisions. 

"George was important on set-pieces and in that diamond shape with Lebo Manyama and Katsande. He passed the ball well and he really works hard. In my opinion, they [Chiefs] missed him," Mosimane told reporters. 

"If I was a coach at Chiefs, I'd have kept him. Why not? But sometimes it's beyond you as a coach - it's the club owners that decide."  

Mosimane doesn't think Maluleka would have deliberately cost Chiefs had the club decided to keep him for the 2019-20 season, saying the players are professionals and won't do anything to taint their integrity. 

"Do you you think a credible player like George Maluleka would score an own goal for us? No, these guys are professionals," said Mosimane. 

"Your integrity has been there for eight years. Would you want to spoil your integrity? You don't want that. If he does that, we'd also ask questions about his integrity."

Furthermore, the 56-year-old mentor revealed that Sundowns didn't take Maluleka from Chiefs. 

He said the Tembisa-born midfielder wanted to play fpr Sundowns and all he said was that he should come if he wants to win trophies after asking him if he was guaranteed silverware at Chiefs.  

"People say we took Maluleka but the guy wanted to play for us. I told him, 'if you want to win trophies come here. Are you guaranteed that side?'," added Mosimane.     

Maluleka is among the many players that Sundowns have signed ahead of next season, including Lesedi Kapinga and Ricardo Goss as confirmed by Goal on Monday. 

He is set to make his official debut for the Tshwane giants next season as he couldn't play for Mosimane's club due to the extension of the previous season.  

Just like their first team the night before, the young Selangor reserve team played well enough in their Malaysia Premier League match against Negeri Sembilan on Saturday, to dominate possession and control the game.

When their sole foreign player, Bajram Nebihi was introduced at the start of the second half when the scoreline was tied at 1-1, he helped them control the middle of the park better and caused the hosts to be pinned in their own half for much of the game.

Unfortunately, just like their first team the night before in the Malaysia Super League, who could only come away with an unimpressive 1-1 draw at home against Melaka United, Selangor 2 were not able on the many chances they created, and the result they surely had wanted eluded them instead. 

With three minutes remaining on the clock, a rare Negeri incursion into the Selangor 2 penalty box resulted in the ball being knocked into a defender's arm. Referee Fitri Maskon, who had earlier been the target of the Selangor 2 bench remonstrations for his calls, duly blew his whistle for a penalty, and Almir Neto converted the spot kick for the late winner.

Speaking to the press after the match, Selangor 2 head coach and club technical director Michael Feichtenbeiner was nevertheless satisfied with his young charges' performance in the encounter at the Tuanku Abdul Rahman Stadium, Seremban.

Michael Feichtenbeiner. Photo by Andreas Schlichter/Getty Images/DFB

"I must say that my players did really well, the only thing we can blame ourselves for is that we didn't put away our chances. We had so many of them, we dominated the game. It's not easy for young players to keep pressing, combine, play high in the opponent's half and for very young local defenders to guard against long balls and good foreign strikers...But I'm totally happy with my team. They couldn't have played much better. From the start of the second half, Negeri couldn't play.

"I'm also not happy with the referee today; if we want to play transititonal football, more modern football, he must let the game play out instead of repeatedly blowing his whistle. I need to review the video, but I think we should have been awarded a penalty too, which maybe would have allowed us to win the match. But yes, my young boys were good, really good in their second half," he explained.

The German however acknowledged that scoring was their main weakness when asked by Goal, but explained that it was an expected situation when fielding young local forwards.

"This of course has to be improved upon, but this happens with every team in the world. Any coach would want his team to create chances first and my young players need more experience in this situation. Scoring a goal is the most difficult thing in football. If you don't have a Lewandowski, a Ronaldo or Messi, you will always run into this kind of problem. You can create chances, but you need a Messi to convert the chances.

"Even PSG and Pep Guardiola at Manchester City run into this trouble every now and then. But we must keep on working on it so that hopefully in the future, Danial [Asri], Ashraf [Nasir] or Aliff Haiqal will be able to take their chances. Aliff for example had two chances tonight, but it was only his third senior level match after joining us from the President's Cup squad. I don't want to blame him, but we will learn from it.

"To [have players who can] score goals, you need a lot of small-sided games in training and not just shooting practice without opponents. I prefer small-sided games that focus on finishing for our players. Hopefully they will be better in one year. We had scored in earlier matches, but not tonight, and this is our problem, not something that we can blame on others," noted the former MPPJ FC head coach.

The match was also Nebihi's first competitive action in almost half a year, due to the Covid-19 competitions suspension, as well as Feichtenbeiner's insistence on giving the club's local youngsters playing minutes.

"We (reserve teams in the Premier League) can't be relegated [this season], so we want to use the chance to improve our young players." said the 60-year old trainer. "I had signed Bajram early in the season because I was afraid that by playing with only local players, we would end up relegated, which would jeopardise this whole project. 

"The players however improved after the first few matches and I became confident that we can avoid relegation without foreign players. He then went to train with the first team for the past three months, but with the return of the first team foreigners, he too was returned to my team. I explained to him that I want to work on the local players. He's not really happy because he wants to start all the games, but he understands that the project is to develop players for our Super League team."

Gabriel Kyeremateng scored all four goals as Stoke City U23 humiliated rivals Leeds United U23 4-0 in an incredible display in Monday’s Premier League 2 opener.

Stoke showed no mercy at Clayton Wood, where Kevin Russell’s team led 2-0 at half-time thanks to Kyeremateng’s brace.

The Potters were ruthless from the onset, with the German born striker of Ghanaian descent breaking the deadlock after just 60 seconds.

A well-taken corner kick on the left fell into the path of the teenager who acrobatically fired home from little more than three yards out.

In the 26th minute, he made it 2-0 from the penalty mark after teammate Douglas Taylor was brought down inside Leeds’ goal area.

Stoke City were thankful to Cameroon goalkeeper Blondy Nna Noukeu to thank before the half-time break, as his well-calculated dive kept out Joe Gelhardt’s penalty – and that proved to be the visitors’ best chance at goal.

Despite their fine exchange of passes, they lacked the killer instinct in the final third.

The hosts continued from where they stopped in the first-half as their attacking forays kept the Whites in their own half.

Nevertheless, Kyeremateng completed his treble on the hour mark after beating the offside trap and firing past the opposing goalkeeper.

The Germany youth international was not done yet as he powered home his fourth of the night after coming one-on-ne with the opposing goalie.

In the closing stages of the game, Nna Noukeu pulled off an excellent save from point-blank range to keep his clean sheet intact as the West Yorkshire outfit returned home with heads bowed low.

This victory represents a strong start to the new campaign for the U23s who will be hoping to once again be challenging for a play-off place in Division 2.

The 21-year-old had featured for Germany at U16 and U19 levels, albeit, he is eligible to represent the Black Stars at senior level.

They face Middlesbrough U23 in their next game on September 13 at the Rockliffe Park. Boro played a 2-2 draw against Newcastle United in their opening game of the season.

Sevilla lifted the Europa League a record sixth time when they defeated Inter in the 2019-20 final.

The Spanish side will not be able to defend their title unless they finish third in the Champions League group stage, therefore dropping down to the Europa League.

A host of big-name sides such as Arsenal, Roma and Napoli will all be vying to earn the crown of Europa League champion.

As the play-off phase approaches, Goal has everything you need to know about this season's Europa League group stage draw, including when and where it will take place, which teams will be participating, their seeding pots and more.

Contents

When is the Europa League 20-21 group stage draw?

The Europa League 2020-21 group stage draw will take place on Friday October 2, 2020.

It will be held at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland after being moved from the original venue of Athens, Greece due to safety measures taken regarding the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Draw proceedings will commence at 12pm BST (7am ET).

Which teams are involved in the Europa League 20-21 group stage?

KEY:
*Could end up in Pot 2 or Pot 3.
**Could end up in Pot 3 or Pot 4.
***Could end up in Pot 3 or 4.

The Europa League draw stage will be comprised of 48 teams in total.

Eighteen teams enter in the group stage stage, the 21 winners of the play-off round (eight from Champions Path, thirteen from League Path), the six losers of the 2020–21 Champions League play-off round (four from Champions Path, two from League Path), and the three League Path losers of the 2020–21 Champions League third qualifying round.

The likes of Arsenal, Roma and Napoli have been placed into Pot 1, with Leicester city ending up in either Pot 2 or 3, as with Feyenoord and Real Sociedad.

You can view the confirmed teams that will be part of the group draw in the table above.

When does the Europa League 20-21 group stage start?

The Europa League 2020-21 group stage will begin on Thursday, October 22.

There will be a total of six gameweeks in the group stage, with the final day of group stage matches taking place on Saturday, December 12.

How can I watch the Europa League group stage draw?

UEFA's official website will broadcast the draw ceremony live, as with the Champions League group stage draw the day before.

Oeygarden FK silenced KFUM 3-1 in Monday’s Division 1 game with Peter Michael scoring two goals.

The former Nigeria U17 and Nigeria U20 forward found the net twice in the second-half as relegation-threatened Bryant Lazaro’s team secured their third win of the season.

Following their 6-1 obliteration at Ullensaker/Kisa, Oeygarden came into the clash with the ambition of ending their awful streak as languish in relegation water.

After a tight 35 minutes, Juba Massinissa Moula put the visitors ahead in the 38th minute thanks to Stian Sortevik’s assist as they took a slim 1-0 lead into the half-time break.

However, the hosts fought like a wounded animal to secure all points at stake. First, Nigeria’s Charles Ezeh levelled matters in the 72nd minute after his shot beat goalkeeper Alexander Pedersen.

That strike was the midfielder’s maiden goal in professional football since he commenced at Lillestrom in 2017.

Two minutes later, Michael doubled the lead after converting Aune Heggeboe’s assist that was unstoppable by the opposing goalie.

He guaranteed victory for his team in the 77th minute. This time, Peter Nergaard was credited for giving the former Nigeria youth international the finish pass.

Ezeh was replaced by Mathias Abelsen with three minutes left to play, while two-goal hero Michael was in action from start to finish, while his compatriots Ikenna Ikedi and Christopher Udeh played no part in the encounter staged at the Agotnes Stadium.

For KFUM, one-cap Gambia international Dadi Gaye was not listed for the tie alongside Nigeria prospect Abdul-Basit Agouda.

Even at this result, Oeygarden remain in the relegation zone - sitting in the 14th position of the 16-team league after accruing 14 points from 15 outings. KFUM stay 11th with 17 points from the same number of matches.

Michael who has now scored six goals this term would be eyeing more goals when Oeygarden try Asane for size on September 21.

Former Cote d’Ivoire and Chelsea star Salomon Kalou reminisced on his late father’s life lessons after bagging a university degree.

The 35-year-old is preparing for life after the beautiful game as he was awarded a degree in Business Administration from Lyon’s Business School.

Nevertheless, the Champions League and Africa Cup of Nations winner took to social media to relive his late father’s teachings. Kalou’s dad Antoine passed away in 2016.

“Everything my dad taught me « embraced the knowledge. appreciate it. If you keep your fists closed, nothing can come in. You got what you got, but you can’t get any more. But You wanna see what happens if your hands are open » to that I say Amen. Wherever you at,” he tweeted.

The forward joined Brasileirao Serie A side Botafogo as a free agent after announcing his departure from Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin after a six-year spell.

Before leaving the Olympiastadion, Kalou was punished for posting a video showing him disobeying many of the German football league's (DFL) safety measures upon his return to training with Hertha. 

He began his professional career at Feyenoord before moving to Chelsea after three seasons in the Eredivisie.

In England, he enjoyed a trophy-laden spell – winning the Champions League, one Premier League title, four FA Cups, a League Cup and the FA Community Shield.

On the international scene, he marked his debut in a 1–0 friendly win over Guinea on 6 February 2007 and went a step further scoring 28 times in 97 appearances for the Elephants.

Frank Lampard has given his backing to Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga after his side's 3-1 win against Brighton on Monday.

The 25-year-old was caught out when Leandro Trossard fired in the equaliser for Brighton from outside the box.

The Spain international has faced heavy criticism for his performances for the Blues and Trossard's goal was the 19th he has conceded from outside the box - more than any other Premier League goalkeeper in the last two years.

But Lampard says he is happy with the performances of the world's most expensive goalkeeper and has confidence in him.

"I am happy with Kepa, I saw confidence in him," he told Sky Sports. "He is here, he is our 'keeper and I am happy with him."

Shortly after Trossard made it 1-1, Reece James restored his side's lead when he blasted into the top corner from long range. 

"Reece James' goal, it had me off my seat and we needed it, we weren't at our best in that period," Lampard said. 

"Reece has got that in him, he is a player of such quality. You try and get him in areas where he can be a threat."

He continued: "I thought we were OK. I liked the work ethic. If you analyse the fact that we've been together as a team for four days, to expect everything to click on day one is difficult. We showed determination and that is a game we might have dropped points in last year."

Chelsea made five signings ahead of the new season, but Timo Werner and Kai Havertz were the only new arrivals to feature in their opening game of the season. 

The coach is aware that he will have to experiment with the shape of his team as he looks for a way to get the best out of the new boys.

"I don't want to pin us down to one system. We have three or four players who want to play as a number 10 for us but I want us to be adaptable," he said.

"We have a lot of attacking players, I want us to be fluid, I want that movement. We weren't as fluid as we can be today but we will work on that.

"I liked Kai Havertz. It's not a game where you come away with some vintage moments and there's a lot on his shoulders but you saw glimpses of what he can do. Everything I have seen from him is spot on and his quality will come through. He's hugely talented.

"I loved the way that Timo Werner pops up in different areas, he has a hunger to score goals and be ruthless.

"We definitely want to close that gap to Liverpool, we have to have intentions to be up there even though it is a big ask to win it. We are behind, it's step by step. Hopefully we can make big strides."

Lampard continued to BBC Sport: "To come to Brighton and win is a tough ask. We've only had a few days so I didn't expect to see the kind of football we want to play. We had to do some of the more difficult things - resilience, throwing yourself in front of the ball, so I'm pleased.

"We've had a lot of quarantines, a lot of players who aren't match fit. That's how this season has started. There's a lot of strain on these players and hopefully wer'll get better and better."

David Alaba has hit back Uli Hoeness after the former Bayern Munich president said that the Austrian has a "greedy piranha for an agent".

Alaba has been at the club since joining the academy in 2008, becoming a vital part of the club's backline since originally breaking through with the first team in 2010.

The Austrian has made a total of 437 appearances for the club, claiming nine Bundesliga titles during his time in Bavaria.

However, Alaba's contract is set to expire in 2021, with the two sides in negotiations over a new deal.

Reports have stated that Alaba's representatives are asking for €25 million (£23m/$30m) per year, which would make him Bayern's best-paid player, with Hoeness laying the blame on Pini Zahavi, Alaba's agent who has previously courted controversy while representing Ashley Cole and Rio Ferdinand.

Alaba's father George reacted angrily to accusations that they are being greedy, accusing Hoeness of “spreading dirty lies”. 

And now Alaba has spoken out himself on the nature of negotiations.

“I would like my contractual situation not to be clarified in public,” Alaba told Bild. “Therefore, a few statements and reports over the last few weeks have surprised and hurt me.

“Many of the things that are being written and said at the moment are just not right and not true. I would like to spare everyone involved a public discussion, even if not all details are known.

“I have never really spoken out on this topic because I have only focused on our important tasks with FC Bayern. And that was a good thing because, in the end, we won the triple. That was all that has counted for the past few weeks and months. That I was able to actively help shape this unique story makes me proud every day.

“This club is not just any club for me, it is home and family. I've been wearing the iconic red jersey for 12 years, and I've done it every single day with dedication, pride and passion, and I still do. The well-being of this fantastic club is above all things and is also very important to me.

“I have taken every responsible person, every team-mate, every employee of the club to my heart. In a family, you may have a different opinion, you might argue, but it always stays within the family. I will continue to heed that.

“I very much hope that we can find a solution as soon as possible so that the club, those responsible, my team-mates and the fans know what is going on.”

Alaba made 42 appearances for Bayern last season, scoring two goals while primarily playing centrally with Alphonso Davies starring on the left side of the defence.

Bayern are set to face Schalke on Friday before facing off with Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.

Former Aston Villa striker Gabriel Agbonlahor has urged Arsenal to give Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang whatever he wants.

The 31-year-old has entered the final year of his contract at the Emirates Stadium but the club is yet to confirm whether the Gabon international has signed a new deal even though several reports claim he has agreed a three-year contract.

After Alexandre Lacazette's opener and Gabriel Magalhaes' debut goal, Aubameyang sealed Arsenal’s 3-0 victory over Fulham at Craven Cottage on Saturday with his curling strike in the 57th-minute.

The finish was similar to his opening goal in the Gunners’ FA Community Shield win against Liverpool a fortnight ago.

Agbonlahor who played in the Premier League for 10 years before Aston Villa suffered relegation in the 2015-16 season, thinks Aubameyang has taken over Thierry Henry’s trademark finish during his stint in North London.

“When I saw Aubameyang’s goal I thought, ‘he’s going to whip it here’,” Agbonlahor told Talk Sport.

“He did it in the Community Shield too… I mean, Henry did it in every game for 10 seasons for Arsenal, but it looks like that’s Aubameyang’s trademark now.

“It’s so important to get Aubameyang signed up; I don’t care if it’s £400,000-a-week, give him whatever he wants.

“Without him, Arsenal have got no chance of finishing in the top six, but with him I think they have a chance of finishing in the top four.

“I know Arsenal fans are going to get carried away but I feel like they should get carried away.

“Adding Willian – he was a star yesterday with three assists – with a couple more signings in the right positions and I think Arsenal can definitely break into the top-four.”

A top-four finish would see the Gunners return to the Champions League after a three-year absence from the tournament.

They will be eager to maintain their impressive start to the 2020-21 campaign when they host West Ham United for their next Premier League fixture at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday.

The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Confederation of African Football (Caf) and Fifa have celebrated with Sunday Oliseh on his 46th birthday.

The midfielder was born in Abavo, Delta State, Nigeria and started his professional football career with Julius Berger in 1989.

Oliseh could best be remembered for his eye-catching performances for the Super Eagles at the 1998 World Cup in France.

The midfielder scored the winning goal for Nigeria in a group stage game against Spain, firing home a rocket-like shot from 25 yards.

The governing bodies have sent a heartfelt message to the former Super Eagles captain and coach as he reaches a new age, with Fifa recollecting his heroic display against Spain.

Oliseh began his European career in 1990, joining RFC Liege and made 75 appearances for the club during his four-year stay.

The midfielder then teamed up with Reggiana and spent a season with the side before he moved to FC Koln in 1995.

Oliseh joined Ajax in 1997 and made 54 league appearances for the Dutch outfit, winning the Eredivisie title and KNVB Cup.

His scintillating performances soon caught the attention of Italian giants Juventus, who signed him in 1999 and won the Uefa Intertoto Cup with the side.

Oliseh moved to Borussia Dortmund in 2000 and enjoyed great success during his four-year stay with the club, winning the Bundesliga title.

He played for Belgian side Genk before his retirement from professional football in 2006 at the age of 31 years.

Oliseh was part of the Nigeria team that won a gold medal at the 1996 Olympic Games and featured prominently as they clinched the 1994 Africa Cup of Nations title. 

The midfielder also had an opportunity to coach the Super Eagles between 2015 and 2016 and enjoyed a string of impressive games during his time.

Oliseh has also previously managed Vervietois and Fortuna Sittard and served as sporting director of Eupen in 2007.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has admitted that the trophy haul during his eight-year tenure at the club “is not easy” as some people might think.

Since taking over from Dutchman Johan Neeskens in December 2012, Mosimane has managed to steer Downs to five Premier Soccer League (PSL) titles, two Nedbank Cups and as many Telkom Knockout trophies.

Also a Caf Champions League crown and a Caf Super Cup mark Mosimane’s success with Sundowns.

While the sweeping of trophies appears to be fluent, Mosimane says it not as easy as it seems.

“I can't say that [it's easier to win trophies], you guys [the media] can say that. But we're only focused on trophies that are available for us and you must know it's not easy, people think it's easy,” said Mosimane as per Sowetan Live.

“We came from 13 points behind to win the league, travelling, playing every three days. There was a lot of stress ...[we were] the first team to come to the bubble and we're the last team to leave the bubble. A lot of work, lot [of] mileage on the players. You ask yourself how a player like [35-year-old] Hlompho Kekana copes with this stress and pressure.”

Sundowns managed to complete a treble during the just-ended season, impressively highlighted by their comeback in the PSL title race where they pipped Kaizer Chiefs on the last day of the campaign.

Mosimane’s assertion that it was difficult could, however, be backed by how Downs struggled in the bio-bubble where they were frustrated in five (two defeats and three draws) of their nine league games.

The Brazilians, however, emerged triumphantly and Mosimane is still craving for more success, mentioning Manchester United as an example in Sundowns’ quest for glory.

“It's important for us [to continue winning cups] because we want the children that are eight, nine, 10 or 12 years old at this time, to see the yellow jersey all the time lifting trophies,” Mosimane said.

“That's how Manchester United became the biggest club, they won trophies. I mean, those guys dominated for 20 years and we're taking about 10 years here. We have a long way to go.”

Not only have Sundowns dominated on the domestic front, they have been turned into one of the most feared sides in Africa under Mosimane.

Former West Bromwich Albion defender Ifeanyi Udeze has advised Alex Iwobi to leave Everton after failing to secure sufficient game time with the Premier League side.

The 24-year-old teamed up with the Goodison Park outfit in the summer of 2019 to end his 16-year stay with Arsenal, a club he joined when he was in primary school.

The Toffees paid £28 million for the services of the Nigeria international but the versatile player has struggled to make much of an impact with the club since his arrival due to a loss of form and injury problems.

The forward did not make his side’s bench in their stunning 1-0 victory over Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday.

Udeze feels it is time the Super Eagles star left the Goodison Park outfit despite still left with a four-year contract with the club.

“I think Iwobi should look for another club especially with James Rodriguez signed it will be difficult for him to play,” Udeze said on Brila FM.

“Imagine against Tottenham he did not make the bench and even the squad. So for me, he should start looking for another club.

“It’s painful for me but as it is, I think the best thing is for him to go elsewhere.”

Iwobi made 100 Premier League appearances for Arsenal following his promotion to the first team in 2015 before leaving the side for Everton.

He will hope to experience a change in fortune when Everton take on West Brom in their next Premier League game on September 19.

Iwobi has featured for England U16, U17 and U18 before making switching his allegiance to the Nigeria national team in October 2015, making his Super Eagles debut against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. 

The forward has since made 40 appearances for the West Africans and played a key role as Nigeria clinched a place in the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

He was also a key component of Gernot Rohr’s team that finished third at the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

Liverpool will complete the signing of Brazilian goalkeeper Marcelo Pitaluga from Fluminense this week,  Goal  has learned.

The Reds have agreed a deal that could cost them up to £2 million ($2.6m) for the 17-year-old, who will join the club’s academy set-up initially.

Pitaluga, who was part of the Brazilian under-17 squad which won their age group World Cup on home soil in 2019, is due to arrive on Merseyside to complete a medical and finalise his move. The teenager holds a German passport, which has enabled him to make the transfer prior to his 18th birthday.

On his personal Instagram story, Pitaluga shared a picture of him at Rio de Janeiro airport, with the caption “You’ll Never Walk Alone”, while in February he was pictured alongside Alisson Becker, the Reds’ No 1. Alisson’s brother, Muriel, is Fluminense’s first-choice keeper.

Pitaluga has been with Fluminense since the age of seven, and Goal understands the Brazilian club have negotiated a 25 per cent sell-on clause with Liverpool. 

The initial fee is believed to be £700,000 ($900,000), with a further £1.2m ($1.5m) made up of performance-related add-ons.

Pitaluga leaves Fluminense without making a senior appearance, but with the club’s best wishes.

"I am very grateful to Fluminense," he posted. "I was 10 years at this club, from futsal, passing through, until I reached the professional ranks. I have always been treated very well and had all the assistance necessary for my development, both personally and as an athlete.

"This opportunity that came up will be very important to me. It was a unique opportunity, mainly for having a European passport."

Pitaluga is expected to compete for a spot in Barry Lewtas’ under-23 side, who began their Premier League 2 season with a 1-0 win over Everton at Kirkby on Sunday. Caoimhin Kelleher started in goal for that game, but Polish shot-stopper Kamil Grabara is expected to head out on loan, with Greek side PAOK favourites to land the 21-year-old. 

Liverpool added 16-year-old keeper Fabian Mrozek from Polish oufit FC Wroclaw in July – the teenager will be part of Marc Bridge-Wilkinson’s under-18 squad – and had been considering a move for free agent Javi Cendon, who trained with Jurgen Klopp’s senior players at their pre-season training camp in Austria last month. Cendon left Villarreal earlier in the summer.

Victor Wanyama and Montreal Impact’s Concacaf Champions League dream remained very much alive after a 4-2 win over Vancouver Whitecaps on Sunday.

Montreal Impact will need any win in their next match – against Vancouver Whitecaps again – to book a slot in the Canadian Championship en route the Champions League.

Samuel Piette’s first Major League Soccer (MLS) goal coupled with others from Orji Okwonkwo, Romell Quioto and Saphir Taider helped Montreal Impact pick up the victory that cut the goal difference between them and leaders Toronto FC to just one.

Theo Bair and an own goal were how Vancouver Whitecaps got their goals at home.

Wanyama’s side needed just two wins and to keep pace with Toronto for a spot in the Canadian Championship whose winner will get a Champions League spot.

The visitors equalised at the 15th-minute mark after Bair had opened the score for Vancouver Whitecaps. Quito ran down the right-hand side and tried to find the far post and hit the woodwork instead. Taider got a touch on the rebound but it is Okwonkwo who scored as he was standing nearby.

Taider scored from the spot in the additional minutes of the first half after Quioto had been brought down by Vancouver Whitecaps goalkeeper Thomas Hasal. 

Piette and Quioto scored the other goals for Montreal Impact in the second half while the home side got the second one from a Rudy Camacho as the score ended 4-2.

Vancouver Whitecaps suffered a red card in the 57th minute after a physical argument with Luis Binks of Montreal Impact. Thierry Henry’s side was also reduced to 10 men after the Argentinian Emanuel Maciel was sent off in the 72nd minute.

Either Montreal Impact or Toronto FC will become the next MLS club to join Portland Timbers to earn a berth in the 2021 Champions League edition. Portland Timbers defeated Orlando City in the MLS is Back Tournament on August 11 and became the first team to qualify for Champions League.

Toronto, Vancouver Whitecaps and Montreal Impact meet three times for a total of six games which opens the first phase of the season restart. The team which will earn the most points against the other two rivals will qualify for the 2020 Canadian Championship final.

The Championship will be a single match, winner-takes-all title tie against the winner of the eight Canadian Premier League Island Games. The Canadian Championship winner will therefore qualify for the Champions League.

Mumbai City FC have roped in 2019-20 Indian Super League (ISL) Hero of the season Hugo Boumous, Goal can confirm.

The France-born attacking midfielder had a contract until 2021 with FC Goa who wanted to keep him at the club. But the Islanders have reportedly paid the Gaurs ₹1.6 crores which was Boumous' release clause.

Mumbai City did try to negotiate a lower fee for the 25-year-old midfielder but FC Goa were adamant that any club that wanted him had to meet the release clause. The negotiations did take a while and has now finally come to a close.

In fact, FC Goa had to publicly state that they will not let go off Boumous for any amount lesser than the release clause. This was after Boumous publicly stated his desire to leave. It must also be noted that in April 2020, Boumous had left the FC Goa players' WhatsApp group.

In an Instagram post, Boumous wrote, “I would like to announce that my journey with FC Goa is over. It has been a hard decision to make. I’m grateful to have represented the colours and the state of Goa across India. Thanks for all the love I received from the fans.”

The official statement from FC Goa said: “The club would like to state that Hugo Boumous continues to remain a contracted player with FC Goa. There is no agreement that has been reached with any other club on the same.”

However, the saga has finally come to an end.

Mumbai City, who already have signed some star names in Bartholomew Ogbeche, Ahmed Jahouh and Mourtada Fall, have added another potential superstar to the mix in Boumous. This addition is set to turn the side into a very exciting team to watch in the upcoming season.

The deal sees Boumous rejoin his former manager Sergio Lobera who parted ways with FC Goa three games before the end of the league stage last season.

Boumous has already played under Lobera at Moroccan club Moghreb Tetouan before the Spanish manager came to India. He would duly bring in Boumous in the January (2018) transfer window in his first season at FC Goa.

Boumous would go on to be a hit with Goa, thanks to his dribbling ability, vision and a penchant for scoring. He would truly come into his own in the 2019-20 season, scoring and assisting for fun.

He ended up with 10 goals and 11 assists in the 2019-20 season and won the Hero of the Season award.

Now, Mumbai City will hope that the talented midfielder takes it up a notch, while donning their colours.

PSG sporting director Leonardo has said his team "lost our minds" during an incredible brawl that saw five players sent off in their 1-0 loss to Marseille on Sunday.

Neymar was among the players shown red in injury time during the Ligue 1 clash, with the Brazilian star accusing Marseille's Alvaro Gonzalez of racism as he exited the Parc des Princes pitch following his dismissal.

In a social media post after the match, Neymar claimed his only regret was not "hitting that asshole in the face."

Leonardo chose not to comment on the allegations by the Brazilian star, but instead criticised the Parisians for their actions in the game-ending fight.

"The fight is very serious, we will manage internally, we will talk to our players," Leonardo said to Telefoot post-match.

"We lost our minds."

Florian Thauvin's 31st-minute winner earned Marseille the victory in an ill-tempered match that saw 36 fouls committed and 12 yellow cards awarded, before the five reds were produced in injury time.

Along with Neymar, PSG saw Layvin Kurzawa and Leandro Parades sent off, while Marseille had Jordan Amavi and Dario Benedetto given their marching orders by referee Jerome Brisard.

While Leonardo didn't make direct excuses for the behaviour of the players from both teams, he suggested Brisard was too inexperienced to handle a match between two of France's biggest rivals and said it was too early in the season for a game of this magnitude.

"Fourteen yellows and five reds means the game was out of control, I'm not going to defend indefensible behavior," Leonardo said.

"I don't understand. Do a Clasico on the third matchday? Nobody is 100 percent [match fit] in the conditions."

The PSG chief then suggested two Ligue 1 referees he would have preferred to see officiate the match instead of Brisard.

"I don't understand why you do not have [Clement] Turpin or [Ruddy] Buquet. We choose a 34-year-old referee who does not have the experience for a match like this.

"We've had Turpin previously — we need referees like that for matches of this level.

"On what happened [in the brawl], the TVs have the pictures, it will be judged.

"There are five reds, which is serious too. You have to know what happened and judge everything."

PSG's defeat was their second consecutively to start their Ligue 1 title defence after losing 1-0 to newly-promoted Lens last matchday.

Andre Villas-Boas claimed that Paris Saint-Germain's Angel Di Maria spat on one of his players during a tumultuous end to their clash with Marseille that ended with Neymar alleging he was racially abused by an opponent.

PSG's talisman was one of five players to see red in stoppage time of a frantic Classique clash at Parce des Princes on Sunday, with Marseille coming out 1-0 victors.

Neymar, along with team-mates Leandro Parades and Layvin Kurzawa, was one of the players to receive his marching orders, with Marseille duo Jordan Amavi and Dario Benedetto also sent off.

Brazil superstar Neymar was sent off after referee Jerome Brisard consulted the pitchside monitor – with the replays showing the forward had punched Alvaro on the back of the head.

While storming off, Neymar seemed to suggest he had been racially abused by the centre-back, and the 28-year-old then used his Twitter account to post: "The only regret I have is for not being in the face of this asshole," seemingly in relation to the incident.

However, Villas-Boas does not think Alvaro – who earlier accused Angel Di Maria of spitting at him – would have committed such an offence, though he insisted if any abuse did occur then it was a serious problem.

"I don't know. I hope not, there is no place for racism in football," Villas-Boas said in an interview with Telefoot .

"It's a serious fault if it happened but I don't think so. Before that, we had a situation with a spit from Di Maria. 

"These are things to avoid in the world of football. I hope it won't be a black spot in this historic performance."

Florian Thauvin's goal ultimately proved decisive for Marseille, with Di Maria seeing a goal ruled out for offside.

Benedetto also had a goal disallowed, with a marginal offside call upheld by VAR despite the replays suggesting Thauvin had stayed onside in the build-up.

Despite the torrid finale, Villas-Boas was left to reflect on a hard-fought triumph which ended a 20-game winless streak against PSG.

"Yes it's an important and historic victory, it's a tough and difficult victory as always," Villas-Boas said. 

"It's a great victory. We improved little by little with a little more control. We were disciplined defensively. It should finish 2-0, but I don't know why the referee didn't give the second goal.

"Di Maria and Neymar were incredible. I congratulate them because it's hard after COVID-19 to present yourself like this. They did well and fought for 90 minutes. It was the moment for us. We were confident."

The changing managerial set-up at Stamford Bridge has ensured a roller-coaster career for Victor Moses at Chelsea.

Signed by Roberto Di Mattoe, unwanted by Jose Mourinho, a key figure during Antonio Conte’s tenure, then sidelined again under Maurizio Sarri, it remains to be seen whether he has a role to play under Frank Lampard.

Now 29, Moses should be in his prime, but seemingly without a role to play at this new-look Chelsea side, what does the future hold?

The story of last season

The 2019-20 season was split between two European giants for Moses, as he spent the first half of the campaign on loan at Fenerbahce and then moved to Internazionale during the January transfer window.

A switch to Italy meant a reunion with former mentor Conte, and a chance to get back on track, although ultimately, the coronavirus pandemic cost Inter momentum as they looked to overhaul Juventus.

Moses made 12 appearances in Serie A, with only four from the start, and while there was some excellent interplay with Romelu Lukaku—and three assists—he ultimately didn’t do enough to seal a permanent move to the club.

The summer arrival of Achraf Hakimi—a direct rival for Moses—ensured a return to parent club Chelsea.

Any transfer rumours?

Surprisingly little, considering he’s a Premier League-winning wideman who appears to be in his prime, and who appears to be available at his club.

The likes of Willian, Pedro, Michy Batshuayi, Kenedy, Ethan Ampadu and Marco Pasalic have all left the club so far this window, but at the time of writing, Moses remains.

One hope for 2020/21

Obviously, there will be some who are hoping that Moses can make a triumphant return to Stamford Bridge, that he can convince former teammate Lampard that he still has a role to play and that he can help influence some of the squad’s younger heads.

However, Goal’s Chelsea correspondent Nizaar Kinsella doesn’t even believe that Moses can hold out any hope for a stay in West London.

“[I hope] that he finds a way out of Chelsea to another club of a similar level to Internazionale,” he began. “Chelsea were asking for €10 million to sell Moses and are doing the same again now.

“His final destination isn't yet known but there's a good player there for a club in need of an energetic winger.”

Clubs on a similar level to Inter are few and far between, and time is ticking away for Moses to find a destination befitting this stage of his career.

One fear for 2020/21

By contrast, Kinsella is concerned that Moses may end up stuck at Chelsea, with no chance of playing time before January at the earliest.

“[My fear is] that he doesn't get out of Chelsea and wastes a whole year of his career,” the correspondent noted. “It happened to him before under Sarri where he wasn't used for six months before finding a loan, and it has to be on his mind that he doesn't get left stranded on the fringes of Lampard's squad.

“It seems highly unlikely he will be a first-team player under Lampard this season.”

It’s not a situation that an injury to one of Lamps’ starters over the next few weeks couldn’t change, but even then, it appears Moses would find himself way down the pecking order.

Goal’s prediction for the season to come

For a player of Moses’s age, quality, experience and versatility, there must be an opportunity somewhere, whether in England or elsewhere.

The transfer rumour mill is worryingly—and surprisingly—quiet, but there’s still ample time for the wideman to find the kind of destination that would suit him.

Our prediction is that he does get a move away from Stamford Bridge—initially on loan—over the next month, although beyond that, his future looks murky.

Assan Ceesay found the net twice as FC Zurich got kicked out of the Swiss Cup following a 3-2 defeat to Chiasso on Sunday evening.

FC Zurich came into the Round Two encounter following back to back wins against FC Wil 1900 and Winterthur respectively.

Against Alessandro Lupi's men who are campaigning in the Swiss Challenge League, they caught flat footed as they kissed the championship goodbye.

17 minutes into the encounter inside Stadio Comunale, Algeria’s Sofian Bahloul beat goalkeeper Yanick Brecher to give his team an early lead.

In the 35th minute, they doubled their lead through Marc Sifneos who profited from a shambolic defending from the visitors.

This goal woke Ludovic Magnin's team from their slumber as they pulled one back through Ceesay with five minutes left into the half-time break.

The Gambia international completed his double in the 76th minute thanks to a fine strike that proved unstoppable for goalkeeper Loic Jacot-Guillarmod.

With the encounter looking to be heading for extra-time, Bahloul sealed victory from the penalty spot with two minutes before full time.

Following this victory, FC Chiasso will face FC Luzern in the tournament's third round billed to be held between February 9-10, 2021.

Ceesay, who was loaned to Bundesliga 2 side VfL Osnabruck last season – where he scored two goals from 11 league outings would be hoping to replicate this goalscoring form when the 2020-21 Swiss league season commences on Saturday.

They travel to Stadion Wankdorf to face Young Boys before welcoming Lugano to Letzigrund seven days later. They finished seventh in the Swiss elite division last season having accrued 43 points from 36 outings.