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France head coach Didier Deschamps has backed Antoine Griezmann to bounce back from a disappointing performance in Saturday’s 1-0 win over Sweden.

The Barcelona forward looked off colour during that fixture, which was capped by a dreadful late penalty that sailed over the bar.

In the event, it did not matter as Kylian Mbappe’s solo strike proved sufficient to grant the world champions the win in their Nations League opener, but it raised alarm bells over the forward Atletico Madrid man, who struggled to find his best form with Barcelona last season.

Deschamps, though, has backed the 29-year-old to rediscover his best form.

“I have no doubts about him,” the coach said. “He knows he didn't play his best game, but he's able to play again on Tuesday. I remember in November his first game was far from the best, but he had a very good second game. I will make the decision that I think is the best for the team and for him.”

Captain Hugo Lloris also backed the attacker.

“When we win, we take it with a smile,” he said when asked to respond to the statistic that the World Cup winner has missed his last three penalties. “Maybe he has a lack of confidence in this part of the game, but the last major penalties he took, he put them to the net. This does not call into question the importance and influence of Antoine in this team.”

Meanwhile, Deschamps has confirmed that Paris Saint-Germain stars Mbappe and Presnel Kimpembe are both available, despite their club side slated to play a Ligue 1 match away in Lens on Thursday – just 48 hours after the international clash.

“Kimpembe and Mbappe can play tomorrow. They know it, I know it, we have a game to play,” the coach confirmed. “All 23 players are available, Kim and Kylian too. 

“I am not in the place that the clubs are. We have an international match and we will do everything to win it, even if in the analysis I take different things into account.”

This will be the country’s first meeting since France beat Croatia 4-2 in the World Cup final little over two years ago in Russia.

Newcastle have completed the signing of Ryan Fraser on a free transfer.

The Scotland international left Bournemouth at the end of last season after his contract expired and has signed a five-year deal with Steve Bruce's side.

The 26-year-old is the second ex-Bournemouth player to join the Magpies on Monday, following Callum Wilson's £20 million ($26m) transfer.

Ex-Aberdeen winger Fraser spent seven years with the Cherries, having joined in 2013 when they were in League One.

He made 208 appearances for the club as they ascended to the Championship and then the Premier League, where they spent four years before their relegation last term.

The winger says the decision to return to the English top-flight with the St James' Park outfit was a "no-brainer" after penning a long-term contract.

"I'm absolutely buzzing for it - I came down to see the place the other day and it was all just good things; the manager, the place, the fans, the messages I've been getting," Fraser told Newcastle's website.

"It was just a no-brainer, really, to play in such a big stadium with such passionate fans, and being back up in the north again is big as well.

"So I'm really looking forward to it and I just cant wait to show everyone what I can do, help the team and help us get back to where we belong."

Meanwhile, Newcastle manager Bruce is excited to see Fraser in action for his side next season.

"I'm delighted to bring Ryan to Newcastle United. We have held off big competition to get his signature and that says a lot about what this club has to offer," Bruce said.

"His ability and his contributions on the pitch speak for themselves and I'm looking forward to seeing him getting to work in a Newcastle shirt.

"He has wonderful chemistry on the pitch with Callum Wilson, which excites me, and I hope it excites our supporters ahead of the new season."

Newcastle, who finished 13th in the Premier Leaue in 2019-20, will start the new campaign with a home match against West Ham on September 12 and host Brighton the following week.

Orlando Pirates attacker Thembinkosi Lorch was reportedly arrested for allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, Nokuphiwa Mathithibala. 

According to Sunday World, Lorch was arrested on Sunday night after Mathithibala opened a case of assault against him at Midrand Police Station soon after the alleged incident. 

The publication reports that Lorch allegedly slapped and strangled Mathithibala after she had asked him about his whereabouts. 

Lorch reportedly disappeared from his girlfriend for six hours and he became angry when confronted upon his return.  

The Bucs star then allegedly took one of his two cars and drove away with his unnamed friend, leaving Mathithibala stranded in the Midrand complex. 

According to the publication, Lorch was arrested in the early hours of Monday and had to sleep in the police cells and was set to appear in court on Monday for his bail hearing.  

Lorch's reported arrest comes two days after the completion of the 2019-20 PSL season where Pirates finished third on the log. 

This is the second time the Bloemfontein-born attacker has attracted negative publicity this season, after he was recently suspended by the Sea Robbers for breaching bio-bubble protocols. 

He was suspended alongside Justin Shonga, and while Lorch was allowed back into the team to finish the season with Josef Zinnbauer's men, the Zambia international's matter is yet to be resolved. 

Lorch had a rather average campaign and he was heavily criticised for not giving his all for the club this term. 

The player featured 26 times across all competitions for the Soweto giants this season, and managed just three goals and five assists to his name. He found the back of the net just once in 22 league matches.  

He revealed in one of his recent interviews with the South African media that he was still hurt by Pirates' decision to deny him an opportunity to go abroad.

After he was crowned 2018-19 Footballer of the Season, Lorch had hoped the club would let him go in Europe, especially after he became the talk of the town during the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations finals in Egypt for scoring the winner in Bafana Bafana's shock victory over the hosts in the Round of 16.

Chelsea's Ethan Ampadu is set to join Sheffield United on a season-long loan having completed his medical on Monday ahead of a formal announcement.

The 19-year-old has had the chance to train in front of Frank Lampard ahead of the new season and recently played in a friendly against Brighton, but Chris Wilder's side have offered him more first-team chances than he would have received at Chelsea.

The Wales international travelled after playing at centre back in two 1-0 UEFANations League matches for Ryan Giggs side against Finland and Bulgaria.

The Blades are set to announce the deal imminently and are rumoured to be on the verge of completing three other signings. Those are the two Derby County full-backs, Max Lowe and Jayden Bogle, as well as West Bromwich Albion winger Oliver Burke.

Wilder has already signed Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale for £18.5 million ($24.4m) and Rangers' Wes Foderingham on a free transfer.

The recruitment drive at Brammall Lane comes after an impressive first season in the Premier League in which they narrowly missed out on Europa League qualification with a ninth-place finish.

Meanwhile, the move comes amid Giggs pushing for Ampadu to play more regularly having seen him start just two games on loan at RB Leipzig last season.

"I want all the players to be playing regularly, but that sometimes isn't the case," Giggs said ahead of the match with Bulgaria. "It's that balance over whether they're at a top club and surrounded by top players and improving every day, but ultimately you need minutes on the pitch.

"That's a decision for Ethan. I've talked to him a lot about that. I think last year was maybe a little bit different as he had injuries. You could see from the game he played against Tottenham in the Champions League he was outstanding. Nothing fazes him, he's a quality player, and he just needs to keep fit now."

Chelsea are pushing for further business coming into the squad as talks with goalkeeper Eduoard Mendy heat up with Rennes being pushed to make a decision on the Blues latest offer of €20 million (£18m/$24m).

AC Milan over Tiemoue Bakayoko's loan move continues to progress slowly. Milan are hoping to conclude a deal that includes a €3m (£2.7m/$3.55m) loan fee and a €30m (£27m/$35.5m) option to buy, but the London outfit are keen to force the Italian giants into an obligatory purchase option at the end of the season.

Atalanta have registered an interest in loaning full-back Davide Zappacosta but no deal is close with the Bergamo club weighing up a number of options including Valencia's Cristiano Piccini.

Conor Gallagher remains in talks over a new contract, with a loan move to Premier League side Crystal Palace being lined up.

The Blues continue to stall on Fikayo Tomori's future, despite Premier League clubs joining Rennes with an interest to loan the central defender.

Ampadu, Malang Sarr, Matt Miazga, Baba Rahman, Dujon Sterling, Nathan Baxter and Jake Clarke-Salter all have advanced talks open over various loan deals away from the club.

Tariq Uwakwe was the latest player to agree on a loan deal, having signed on loan at League One Accrington Stanley from the Under-23s squad.

Chelsea are having another busy week in their efforts to reduce the size of their squad which sees them with almost 50 players on their books after five high-profile signings.

France captain Hugo Lloris believes Anthony Martial's confidence has increased since Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's appointment as Manchester United coach, while coach Didier Deschamps feels the forward has become more consistent.

Martial had previously struggled to nail down a regular place in the starting XI at Old Trafford, but began to excel after Solksjaer replaced Jose Mourinho at the helm last December.

The 24-year-old scored 17 goals in all competitions after the Norwegian's arrival and France team-mate Lloris has noticed a difference in him. 

"I don't know if it's related to his relationship with Solskjaer. We can see he is more confident," the Tottenham goalkeeper told reporters ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Nations League tie against Croatia. 

"There is a very good understanding with the players around him at Manchester United. 

"He will be expected, he will have to confirm his good season. He is committed to doing well for five, 10 minutes, a half or a whole game."

Deschamps has also been impressed by the former Monaco star's improvement.

"He's capable of playing in the wing also, but in Manchester he's really a number nine," he said.

"He may not have the typical profile of a centre-forward although he has that versatility there. In recent months he has gained in regularity and constancy."

France will face Croatia for the first time since they beat them 4-2 in the 2018 World Cup final. 

But Lloris expects a completely different game and does not expect the game from two years ago to hold any significance as they meet in the Stade de France.

"We don't take this match as revenge. It's another context, another competition. It will be a whole different game," he said. 

"We expect the Croatian team to be a little damaged in pride after the defeat to Portugal (4-1). We will try to build on the victory against Sweden. 

"We would have liked to play in front of our supporters but it's still an advantage when you play at home. We know that they will be in front of their television encouraging us.

"The choices belong to the coach. Whether it's on the starting XI or the tactical plan, we will adapt. The last 48 hours have been focused on recovery. We still have 24 hours to get our legs good again."

Roma legend Francesco Totti is closing in on an agreement that will see him return to the club, Goal can confirm.

The 43-year-old spent his entire playing career with the capital outfit, earning legendary status after turning out 786 times and scoring 307 goals.

He retired in 2017 and joined the club board, but he departed around a year ago.

With James Pallotta’s ownership of the club now over, the Friedkin family wish to reintegrate him into the setup and are ready to give him a role as an assistant sporting director.

Totti's departure from Roma was a frosty one but the change of ownership has brought with it the possibility that he could return.

"I never had the chance to express myself. I was never involved in a genuine technical project,” Totti grumbled.

"In the first year, that can happen. In the second, I realised what I wanted to do and we never got together, never helped each other.

"They knew my intentions and what I wanted, to give so much to this club and team, but they never wanted me to, in all honesty. They excluded me from every decision.

"I will now take other paths. At the moment another club owner wants to trust in me, I'll always be ready.

"I am not here to point the blame towards one or the other. We had started a journey, it was not respected, so I am moving on.

"Everyone knows they made me stop playing. I had a six-year contract already as a director. I started quietly, realising it's a completely different sphere to being on the field. Many promises were made and they were never kept.

"The main focus of certain people has been to remove Romans from Roma. Over the last eight years, since the Americans came in, they tried in every possible way to shove us to one side.

"As the years went on, they tried everything they could… It's what they wanted and in the end, they succeeded.

"What I can say is that I will never hurt Roma. This is far worse than retiring as a player. Leaving Roma is like dying. I feel like it'd be better if I died."

Totti later claimed that it was like “someone had stabbed him in the back” but now he is primed to return to Stadio Olimpico.

Former Bidvest Wits defender and skipper Thulani Hlatshwayo has refused to comment on the talk he is bound to join Orlando Pirates, instead saying he is relaxing at home.

‘Tyson’ has been heavily linked with a move to the Buccaneers for a while and media reports suggest the Bafana Bafana skipper has already agreed a deal with coach Josef Zinnbauer’s troops.

In addition, the Soweto-born defender revealed how he pushed his teammates to finish fourth on the Premier Soccer League (PSL)  table despite knowing the club has been sold to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzivhandila (TTM).

“I prefer not to comment right now because I’m at home relaxing with family, so that’s what I prefer to do,” Hlatshwayo told the South African Football Journalists Association.

Meanwhile, the news of the club’s sale surfaced during the break forced by the coronavirus pandemic, but the ex-Clever Boys player shared how they fought for their integrity.

“He [Gavin Hunt] is a coach that has a lot of character and toughness, he is hard to impress and he made sure that he always pushes the guys to their limit,” he added.

“For as captain having that same heart, my job was to push the guys and make sure that we finish as high as we can.

“Knowing that the team would not exist anymore, it’s easy for us to have been sluggish and play just for the sake of playing, but all we did was make sure that we repay what the game has done for each of us and make sure that we bid farewell in a good way.”

Just after the five-month recess, the four-time PSL winning manager and his men faced Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup in semi-finals, but failed to reach the final, losing 3-2 on the day.

“We would have liked to be in the Nedbank Cup final and win all the trophies,” he continued.

“And for me personally to be able to win each and every trophy available for the team that has been good to me.”

The lanky defender joined the Students from Ajax Cape Town in 2014 and led the club to league glory in the 2016/17 season, and bagged the Telkom Knockout Cup trophy in the following campaign.

Bloemfontein Celtic defender Justice Chabalala says he is looking forward to lifting his first trophy in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) as they are set to face Mamelodi Sundowns in the Nedbank Cup final on Saturday night.

The Orlando Pirates central defender is on loan to Phunya Sele Sele for the remainder of the 2019/20 campaign and explained why they expect a tough game, whilst crediting former Buccaneers manager Rhulani Mokwena for his influence.

Moreover, the Giyani-born centre-back shared some insight on life under coach John Maduka, saying the former Malawi skipper is a father figure to him.

“We have to take the final like each and every game that we play. It’s a cup final yes, we have to take it as a normal game but we need to be more serious about it,” Chabalala told Goal.

“I am excited because I want to win my first trophy in the PSL. My teammates are also looking forward to the game because it’s a big cup. I’m looking forward to winning it but we know we are playing a good team.

“Mamelodi Sundowns is big in the country. So, we can’t talk about it too much but we need to focus on us and ensure we do well to get a positive result on the day."

When asked about hurting the former African champions' treble ambitions, the former Chippa United defender preferred to praise his former manager in Mokwena.

“Sundowns play good football, they have a good coach and players. I am talking about coach Rhulani, he coached me at Orlando Pirates," he added.

“So, they have an experienced technical team, coach Pitso [Mosimane], coach Manqoba [Mngqithi] and that will not be an easy game.

“I will only talk about Rhulani because I know how it is working with him.”

On the possibility of qualifying for the Caf Confederation Cup tournament next season, the 28-year-old believes the opportunity will change their lives as players.

“We have an opportunity, a very big opportunity to play in Africa and that will change our lives as well. Life is good under coach John,” he added.

“He’s a good coach, he’s a friend to everyone and the technical team. He is a good adviser and a good father to me. Together with his assistant coaches in Wire [Abram Nteo], [Ditheko] Mototo and goalkeeper coach Simon [Gopane].

“They are good and we are enjoying our lives here. We talk about all the things even beyond football. We are happy as a team.”

Meanwhile, the Ke Yona clash presents an opportunity for the Chloorkop giants to lift a treble as they have already bagged the Telkom Knockout Cup and the league trophy. 

New Nairobi City Stars signing Sven Yidah has revealed he signed for the team because he wanted to be part of their project for the future.

The former Kariobangi Sharks midfielder was unveiled on Monday after signing a two-year contract with the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) newcomers.

The Kenya U23 international also explained how his former teammates convinced him to join Simba wa Nairobi.

"I am happy to join Nairobi City Stars," the towering midfielder told the club's official portal.

"They have an ambitious project and I am eager to play a part in making it a success.

"I will also be joining my former teammates [Ebrima] Sanneh, Shittu [Salim Abdalla], and Wycliffe [Otieno] who also played a huge role in convincing me to be part of this project. 

"I promise to work hard and to be fully committed every day and any day."

Yidah played for Kariobangi Sharks from 2017 and went on to make close to 100 appearances for the Slum Boys before opting out. 

Simba wa Nairobi coordinator Samson Otieno believes the experience amassed by the player will be valuable for his team.

"His defensive acumen was a great attraction to us and he was our number choice," the official told City Stars' website.

"We are glad he has taken his position ahead of a long list of interested players.

"The experience he carries from Kariobangi Sharks will be of great value to City Stars. I welcome him on board."   

Club CEO Patrick Korir revealed in an earlier interview with Goal that more signings are on the way to ensure the team remains competitive in the top tier.

"We want to bolster our defensive department especially in goalkeeping; so yes, we will add more players," he said.

"We are going for quality players who will help the team be competitive, not just any available player.

"We have actually done one senior team signing and that is Erick Ombija who joined us from Gor Mahia and we still have few positions to fill in the senior squad, keeper, centre back, defensive midfielder, and two wingers, and then we will be good to go."

Orlando Pirates have officially commented on allegations facing star attacker Thembinkosi Lorch. 

The news of Lorch being arrested surfaced on Monday with various publications, including Sunday World, revealing that the 27-year-old was arrested in the early hours of the same day.

According to Sunday World, Lorch allegedly assaulted his girlfriend Nokuphiwa Mathithibala on Sunday, just a day after the conclusion of the 2019-20 PSL season.  

The publication reports that Lorch became angry after being asked his whereabouts by Mathithibala. 

He allegedly slapped and strangled her before driving off with his friend, leaving Mathithibala in the Midrand complex.

Lorch was reportedly detained on Monday before appearing in court for a bail hearing on the same. 

It's unclear at this stage if Lorch has been granted bail but Pirates said they will not be commenting further on the matter as it's before the law.  

The Sea Robbers, however, said they stand against all forms of Gender-Based Violence (GBV), especially against women and children. 

Lorch was part of the Pirates team that beat Stellenbosch FC 1-0 on Saturday afternoon, lasting for 79 minutes on the day. 

He featured just three times for the Buccaneers since the restart of the season - and that's because he was initially suspended by the club for the breaching bio-bubble protocols.  

The South Africa international apologised for his actions and he was allowed back into the bio-bubble, but it remains to be seen what kind of action the club's hierarchy will take once the law enforcement has dealt with these fresh allegations against their attacking midfielder.    

The Sea Robbers released the following statement on their website: 

Orlando Pirates Football Club is aware of an alleged incident involving Thembinkosi Lorch. 

The incident is currently in the hands of the authorities. As a club, we cannot comment further except to say that we condemn all forms of violence, especially against women and children. 

We support the rights of each and every individual but we strongly condemn violence. 

This country has witnessed some of the most appalling cases of GBV and we do not take this matter lightly, however, we need to respect the process undertaken by the authorities and allow the law to take its course.    

Azam FC assistant captain Frank Domayo is confident the preparations for the 2020/21 season have been good.

The Ice-cream Makers will start their Tanzania Mainland League campaign on Monday when they host Polisi Tanzania at Azam Complex in Chamazi from 7 pm. The midfielder states they have every reason to look forward to the game, hoping to perform better than a third-place finish achieved last season.

"This time around Azam are prepared well [to ensure we start the season on a high]," Domayo told the club's media team.

"In Dar es Salaam, we were the first ones to start training to ensure we are ready when the league starts. We played many friendly matches and from there the coach saw our strengths and weaknesses. 

"The best thing is that all units, from the players to the technical bench, are prepared and ready. We hope to perform well this season and finish in a good position.

"As players, we have been together and tried to follow every instruction by the coach. Everything is okay. We are looking forward to Monday's game with optimism."

In the reverse fixture, the 2014 champions won by a solitary goal, scored by midfielder Mudathir Yahya. 

On his side, the team's assistant coach Bahati Vivier insisted the team should take Monday's game with the seriousness it deserves to ensure maximum points are in the bag.

"The opening game is usually very important because it sets the momentum for the team," the tactician stated.

"We want to approach this game in the best way possible and ensure we win it. We have had a month to train and have managed to attain the objectives we set, now we have to show it on Monday, on the pitch."

The Burundian also opined on their opponents.

"Polisi are a good side, we have played them and know what to expect. We made a few mistakes, but we have rectified them and we are expecting a good game against them.

"Without fans, we are nothing, so I also urge them to turn up in large numbers and support us. They are like a 13th player, they give us motivation and energy to play."

Harvey Elliott has laid out his targets for 2020-21 after seeing a “dream come true” by finding the target for Liverpool – the club he supported as a boy.

At 17 years of age, the highly-rated midfielder is still in the process of growing up.

He has, however, made Premier League history at Fulham – becoming the competition’s youngest debutant in May 2019 – and secured a switch to Anfield.

Competitive minutes have been taken in as part of a title-winning squad, while the target was found for the first time in a friendly date with Blackpool on Saturday.

Elliott told the club’s official website of that effort, which came in a 7-2 win: “It was great, to be honest, to score for my boyhood club. It has been a dream ever since I was a little boy.

“Like I said, it’s a dream come true. But I just need to keep going and keep putting in the performances, as we did in the second half. Hopefully, many more opportunities will come.”

Having offered another reminder to Jurgen Klopp of what he is capable of, Elliott is now looking to kick on into 2020-21 and see more senior game time – with there no plans on his part to seek a loan switch which could deliver regular minutes.

The teenager added on his ambition: “I see my main goal is to get in the team, get a few appearances here and there.

“As you can see, it’s a very hard team to get into, there’s a lot of world-class players here.

“But even just the experiences around, training with these guys every day and being around the coaching staff every day, it’s just a dream come true.

“So, any opportunity I get, I’m very grateful for. Hopefully, I can prove to the gaffer that I can live up to the standards.”

Liverpool are due to open the defence of their Premier League title in a home date with Leeds on Saturday.

Elliott will hope to form part of Klopp’s plans for that contest, with the Reds yet to add any more creative or attacking options to their ranks despite regular calls for additions to be made in the current transfer window.

Newcastle have completed the £20 million ($26m) signing of Callum Wilson from Bournemouth, with the England international striker handed a four-year contract at St James’ Park.

The 28-year-old frontman has become the latest star turn to leave the Vitality Stadium on the back of the Cherries’ relegation out of the Premier League.

Wilson has proven himself to be a useful source of goals across his five seasons in the top flight, having previously been prolific in the Football League.

Newcastle have invested heavily in those qualities and will hope to see their latest big-money signing deliver a more immediate return than some of his predecessors in a central striking berth.

Wilson is confident that he can live up to expectations on Tyneside, telling Newcastle’s official website: “From the minute I knew that Newcastle were interested, it was definitely something that appealed to me.

“It's a massive club with great history. Along the years, they've had great strikers so if I can emulate half of what they've done, I'd like to attempt that.

“I believe in my ability as a player. As a striker I think it's important to set yourself goals long term and short term, and I'm hoping to achieve them.

“With the players around me, I believe we can get the goals we need as team and I want to help contribute to that.”

Newcastle struggled for goals throughout the 2019-20 campaign, with just 38 mustered through as many Premier League outings.

Only three sides posted a worse record in the final third, with two of those going down, and Steve Bruce is delighted to have added a proven performer to his books.

The Magpies boss said: “Callum is somebody I’ve admired for a long time and I’m delighted to get him.

“He has done fantastically well at Bournemouth and was deservedly playing centre forward for England less than two years ago.

“The club has worked ever so hard to get Callum here and we have beaten off competition from a number of clubs.

“I’m grateful the club has made it happen. Lee Charnley and those behind the scenes deserve a lot of credit.”

Manchester City needed to sign Lionel Messi in order to catch Liverpool, claims Danny Murphy, with the Reds considered to be title favourites again in 2020-21 after a stunning transfer saga in Barcelona.

At one stage it appeared as though a six-time Ballon d’Or winner could be added to the ranks at the Etihad Stadium.

Messi had aired his desire to leave Camp Nou, but has since revealed in a world exclusive interview with Goal that he will be sticking around in Catalunya for the 2020-21 campaign.

Pep Guardiola has been able to bolster his ranks elsewhere in the current window, while Jurgen Klopp has been quiet at Anfield, but Murphy feels the defending champions remain the side to beat now that a mercurial Argentine has opted against pushing for a Premier League challenge.

The former Liverpool midfielder told the Daily Mail: “I think either Jurgen Klopp or Pep Guardiola will be champions again in May but I believe the latest twist in Lionel Messi’s on-off move to Manchester City swings the advantage back to Anfield.

“As it stands, the evidence points to Liverpool. Everything about the team works, everyone understands their jobs from full-backs to up front. To use a car analogy, you know they’ll pass the MOT before going into the garage.

“Some will question the lack of transfer activity but I’m sure Klopp believes the old saying: ‘If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it’.

“The durability of front three Mo Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino is phenomenal, a credit to them and the Liverpool sports science department. 

“Not enough cover? Well, they do have Divock Origi, Takuchi Minamino, Xherdan Shaqiri, Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain and Rhian Brewster. Klopp seems happy with that and he’s been right on almost everything else.

“The one big change being mooted is Thiago Alcantara coming in from Bayern Munich if Gini Wijnaldum leaves for Barcelona. But that wouldn’t weaken Liverpool. I wouldn’t be worried.

“For City to stop them, they need to sign Messi, but that looks unlikely after the Argentine's statement on Friday evening, unless there is a major U-turn from Barca and they let him go for a reduced price.

“Messi at City could have been a total game-changer in the title race because he’s the best player that ever lived. City lost nine times last season but dominated most of them without taking their chances. 

“That wouldn't have happened in a Messi team, he'd never be deprived of the ball in this City team, and would have found a way.

“It's sad for Premier League fans we'll have to wait to see Messi, if at all. But Liverpool fans will be delighted. I make them favourites now, even if the bookmakers disagree.”

A door could open to City again in January, when Messi will be free to discuss pre-contract terms with any suitors, but Liverpool will be hoping to have taken control of domestic matters by then – as they did during a dominant and record-breaking Premier League campaign in 2019-20.

Former Manchester City forward Benjani Mwaruwari says Aston Villa midfielder Marvelous Nakamba "did very well" in his debut Premier League season and is primed for a better campaign in the upcoming term.

The Zimbabwean joined Villa from Belgian First Division A side Club Brugge in August 2019 following other spells in the Eredivisie and French Ligue 2.

In his 34 appearances across all competitions for Villa, there were episodes of criticism for his game as the Claret and Blue struggled to maintain their Premier League status until the last day of the season.

But Benjani has no doubt that his compatriot will come right in the 2020/21 season to silence his critics.

“The Premier League is a very difficult league I tell you," Benjani told The Sunday Mail.

"Just to make it into that league is a huge achievement on its own, so we have to celebrate Marvelous Nakamba. He has done very well. Last season was his debut and he managed to show his capabilities. I am convinced next season he will prove his critics wrong.”

Benjani himself spent five and a half seasons playing Premier League football shared between Portsmouth, Manchester City, Sunderland and Blackburn Rovers.

Revisiting his Manchester City days where he briefly played alongside Kolo Toure, Benjani also feels his fellow African deserves more recognition by the club.

The Ivorian spent four seasons at Etihad Stadium before joining Liverpool.

Toure was part of the Citizens squad which broke a 44-year-old wait for the league title in 2012.

“[David] Silva and [Vincent] Kompany were exceptional for Manchester City," said Benjani.

"All of us cannot be accorded a statue but I also feel Kolo Toure did a lot. He won everything, he didn’t make the grade perhaps because sometimes you need to play 10 years."

Benjani retired in 2014 after returning to South Africa where he played for Chippa United and Bidvest Wits, having also previously turned out for Jomo Cosmos.

It was while at Cosmos when he joined Swiss side Grasshoppers, before a Ligue 1 stint at AJ Auxerre where he attracted Portsmouth for his debut Premier League spell.

“Life was not initially easy at Pompey. I went for a number of games without scoring but the coach liked my industry. I worked for the team and kept my place in the starting line-up even when I was not scoring,” Benjani said.

Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood have been dropped from the England squad having "broken the Covid guidelines" in Iceland amid allegations they invited girls back to their hotel room.

The pair, who made their senior international debuts during a UEFA Nations League opener in Reykjavik that the Three Lions won 1-0, will not play any part in a meeting with Denmark on Tuesday.

Both Manchester City midfielder Foden and Manchester United attacker Greenwood were absent from team training on Monday.

England manager Gareth Southgate confirmed later that the Football Association (FA) had opted to take action after discovering the duo hadn't adhered to strict rules intended to prevent coronavirus infections.

"Unfortunately this morning it was brought to my attention that two boys have broken the Covid guidelines in terms of our secure bubble and so we had to decide very quickly that they couldn’t have any interaction with the team," he told reporters.

"These are two boys I don’t know particularly well at the moment so can’t speak in great depth. I have got to try and speak with them later in the appropriate way. They have got responsibilities and they have apologised.

"We are very clear that no other members of our party have been in contact with the two players - couldn’t join us for breakfast or training. It is a very serious situation and we have treated it that way.

"I think at the moment I’m trying to take a lot of information in. Obviously they have been naive, we have dealt with it appropriately. I recognise their age but the whole world is dealing with this pandemic."

Back in the UK, Man Utd released a statement which reads: "Manchester United are liaising with the Football Association and are disappointed with the actions of Mason Greenwood over this situation."

City also weighed in, stating: "Manchester City FC are aware of the story which has emerged today from the England national team camp in relation to the behaviour of Phil Foden.

"We have also seen the comments from England manager Gareth Southgate. It is clear that Phil’s actions were totally inappropriate.

"His behaviour not only directly contravenes strict guidelines related to Covid-19, but also falls well below the standard expected of a Manchester City player and England international.

"The Club supports the FA regarding this incident, and officials from the Club are now in touch in relation to Phil’s enforced early return to the UK.

"We have no further comment to make on this matter."

The Icelandic media reported in the wake of Saturday’s contest, which was settled by Raheem Sterling’s late penalty, that Foden and Greenwood had played host to unscheduled visitors.

The girls in question are said to have posted images on Snapchat which showed the City midfielder and United forward in the room they shared on international duty.

DV broke the news, with those in question said to have been left “devastated” that their actions are set to impact on the careers of Foden and Greenwood.

England have been left with little choice but to punish the pair for inviting outsiders into carefully constructed ‘bubbles’.

Foden was handed a starting berth by Southgate for the narrow win over Iceland, while Greenwood was introduced off the bench.

Those outings had been just reward for the impressive progress the duo have made at club level.

Foden, at 20 years of age, is ready to step into the void created by David Silva’s departure at City, while 18-year-old Greenwood contributed 17 goals to the United cause in 2019-20.

The latter has been included on the shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award while the former will be hoping to secure similar recognition after earning the right to nail down a regular role under Pep Guardiola.

La Liga president Javier Tebas has insisted that the organisation were not at "war" with Lionel Messi, and that he is happy to see the Barcelona superstar stay put.

Messi's future at Camp Nou has been the subject of much speculation since his decision to hand in a formal transfer request on August 25.

The 33-year-old sought to trigger the release clause in his contract which allows him to leave the club at the end of any season, having endured a turbulent 2019-20 campaign which ended in abject failure for the Blaugrana.

La Liga publicly insisted that Messi's existing deal remains valid, meaning he could only depart if his original €700 million (£624m/$823m) buy-out clause was met, with the release clause in question having technically expired back in June despite the break in the season caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

In the end, the six-time Ballon d'Or winner was forced to perform a sensational U-turn, as he revealed in a world exclusive interview with Goal that he does not wish to be drawn into a legal dispute with the club.

"Now I am going to continue in the club because the president told me that the only way to leave was to pay the €700 million clause, and that this is impossible," he said.

Tebas has now come out to defend La Liga's stance on Messi's contract situation, telling Corriere Della Sera: “Mine was not a war against Messi. I would have done the same if it had been Pepito Perez or any other player in our league. 

"As a league we have a duty to defend legality, justice: contracts must be respected. Always. Whether your name is Messi or Pepito Perez.

"Personally, I think there has been no battle with Messi and his entourage. I have a special esteem for Leo, I love him, he is the history of our football in the last 20 years. How could I have gone to war with him? 

"I repeat: my intervention was aimed only at respecting the contracts. It is clear that with being Leo involved, the story assumed enormous media dimensions."

The La Liga chief added: “Although [Messi's] lawyers said otherwise, the contract was clear. One part was decontextualised, this led them to error. 

"In the end, I'm happy with Messi's decision to avoid legal conflicts. He will continue to play on the team of his life. I hope that relations will return to normal."

Messi could still end up leaving Barca in 2021, when his current deal expires, and he will be able to negotiate a pre-contract agreement with any potential suitors from January onwards.

Asked to confirm whether the Argentine will be free to seek an exit next year, Tebas responded: “It will be his decision. The contract allows it."

Donny van de Beek is a "fantastic signing" for Manchester United, according to Darren Fletcher, who says the ex-Ajax star will bring "flexibility" to the Red Devils' midfield.

United forked out £35 million ($46m) to bring Van de Beek onto their books at the start of the month, as he became Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first signing of the summer transfer window.

The 23-year-old committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford, and will now be expected to help the Red Devils build on an encouraging third-place Premier League finish in 2019-20.

Ajax became an elite force again on both domestic and European stages with the Netherlands international pulling the strings in the middle of the park, which saw a number of high profile potential suitors stand up and take notice.

Real Madrid and Tottenham had also been heavily linked with Van de Beek, but the playmaker says he took the advice of Johan Cruyff Arena CEO Edwin van der Sar, who played for United between 2005 and 2011, when deciding his next move.

"He [Van der Sar] told me a lot of stories about the club and about everything. He told how big the club is and how nice an experience he had with it," the Netherlands international said after his unveiling.

Fletcher says the amicable nature of Van de Beek's Ajax departure speaks volumes about his character, and he is confident that the Red Devil's newest arrival will fit in well at the Theatre of Dreams.

“He’s a top-class player and I think he’s a fantastic signing,” the former United stalwart told the club's official website: “For somebody at his age, for that price, I think it’s a no-brainer. I saw him during Ajax’s run to the Champions League semi-finals last season [in 2018-19], he was probably one of the catalysts for that.

“What I like about him is his flexibility in midfield. He understands when he needs to be a No.10 and what he has to do and he understands when he has to be a box-to-box midfielder; he’s got that Ajax upbringing in him and is a cultured footballer. 

“I just think he’s a great addition and he seems like a great guy as well, given the way he’s been treated since leaving Ajax and how everyone has spoken about him. There’s nothing better than having players in your team that are top players but good people as well. It definitely goes a long way.”

Fletcher added on the importance of increased competition for places within Solskjaer's ranks ahead of the new season: “You really need strength in depth in there because you’ve got a big number of games to play and injuries are going to happen, so you need strength in depth all over the pitch. 

 “When I was at United we had five, six, seven midfielders fighting for two or three spots. And sometimes you got the jersey, you were the man in form and sometimes you were on the outside looking in – that’s just the way it is and the way it should be at a top club. You should be pushing each other.

"You shouldn’t think that you’re an automatic starter, and by adding players like Donny it gives competition for places and that squad depth.”

After reports recently surfaced of his absence from training at Pahang, Mohamadou Sumareh has been announced as the latest squad addition to Police Tero in the Thai League 1.

The club offered no details of his signing, but released a short announcement video featuring the 25-year old attacker himself, who said: "Hello to all the Police Tero fans, my name is Mohamadou Sumareh, see you all soon in Bangkok."

At the Bangkok-based side, he will join up with Malaysia national teammate Dominic Tan, who joined the club initially as a loanee in 2019, before he was signed permanently at the start of the season.

Thai League 1 will resume on September 12 after it was suspended due to the Covid-19 pandemic, with Tero facing Port FC away from home. They are currently in fifth place after four rounds.

Another Malaysia international and Sumareh's former teammate at Pahang, Norshahrul Idlan Talaha meanwhile has been at BG Pathum United since the start of the season.

The Gambian-born player's departure from Kuantan however has drawn the ire of the Elephants' management, who helped him obtain his Malaysian citizenship after joining the club in 2017.

He had reportedly gone missing from training after not receiving his wage during the Covid-19 lockdown, which according to the rules allows him to walk away from his contract.

Championship club Cardiff City have announced the signing of Sheyi Ojo on a season-long loan deal from Premier League side Liverpool.

The Bluebirds confirmed the acquisition of the forward on Monday after successful medicals, and he becomes the third summer signing of the club following the arrival of Kieffer Moore and Jordi Osei-Tutu.

Ojo is delighted with the move and looks forward to helping Neil Harris’ men return to the Premier League.

“I’ve got a point to prove and I’m really excited for the new challenge," Ojo told Cardiff City TV.

“Cardiff City is a massive club with great fans and great players – hopefully I can show what I can do here and fit right in.

"Wherever the ball is, I want to be involved in the game as much as possible. I’m delighted to get here in time for a full week’s training with the team ahead of the first home game this Saturday. Now it’s important that we start right."

Cardiff is Ojo’s sixth loan spell away from Liverpool, having also played for Wigan Athletic, Wolverhampton Wanderers and Fulham in England.

The Anglo-Nigerian also featured for French side Reims before he teamed up with Scottish Premiership club Rangers last summer.

The winger scored five goals for Steven Gerrard’s men in 36 appearances across all competitions before returning to Anfield at the end of his loan spell.

Ojo has been with Liverpool since 2011 when he signed for the Premier League giants from Milton Keynes Dons, a club he joined at the age of ten.

The winger will hope to make his debut for his new club when they face Leeds United on September 12.

The forward has featured for England at U16, U17, U18, U19, U20 and U20 levels but he still eligible to play for Nigeria.