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Former Manchester City and Real Madrid coach Manuel Pellegrini is back in management after agreeing to take over at La Liga club Real Betis next season.

Reports in Spain claimed Pellegrini had been in talks with Betis for a number of weeks, and he has now agreed a three-year contract at the Estadio Benito Villamarin.

Betis will be the experienced Chilean’s 15th club in senior management, and represents a relatively swift return to the game following a brief period away.

Pellegrini had been out of a job since being sacked as manager of West Ham in late December 2019.

Betis are currently 13th in the Spanish top flight as they look for a positive end to an inconsistent season.

Former manager Rubi was sacked after taking just one point from the first three games after Spanish football returned from its coronavirus-enforced break.

Sporting director Alexis Trujillo took over on a temporary basis until the end of the season.

He has overseen two wins from his five games in charge so far with games against Atletico Madrid, Deportivo Alaves and Real Valladolid still to play.

Betis aren’t mathematically safe from relegation as 18th-placed Mallorca sit 12 points adrift with four games to play, but safety is essentially guaranteed.

Pellegrini will no doubt be hoping to get a good look at his new squad in the final three games under Trujillo before he takes over.

He knows La Liga well, having spent close to a decade managing in Spain with Villarreal, Real Madrid and Malaga.

Pellegrini guided Villarreal to second place in Spain's top flight, and a Champions League semi-final, and was moments away from reaching the last four with Malaga before finding himself on the wrong end of a famous Borussia Dortmund comeback.

His success at Malaga convinced Manchester City to hire him, and he won the Premier League title in 2013-14 as well as a pair of League Cups.

After being replaced by Pep Guardiola in Manchester, Pellegrini managed Hebei China Fortune before moving on to a difficult spell at West Ham.

Betis’ next fixture is away to in-form Atletico on Saturday, July 11.

Vinicius Junior has been forced to sit out training at Real Madrid after “errors” in a Covid-19 test, Zinedine Zidane has revealed, with the club taking precautionary action with their Brazilian forward.

With La Liga action back underway amid the coronavirus pandemic, those involved in competitive action are having to undergo rigorous rounds of testing.

Zidane says the latest of those have “gone badly” at Santiago Bernabeu, with Vinicius temporarily ruled out of his plans as a result.

There has been no indication that the 19-year-old is carrying the disease, but he has not been given the all clear either.

Madrid boss Zidane told reporters ahead of a meeting with Alaves on Friday: “It’s not negative or positive. Sometimes there are errors. When that happens, both we and La Liga decide that the player can’t train.

“We’ll see how it goes. He’ll have the results of the retaken test later this afternoon and I hope he’ll be with us tomorrow.”

Real are already without the services of Luka Jovic, with the Serbian striker – who broke movement restrictions during lockdown and returned to Spain nursing an injury – back in isolation after coming into contact with a friend who tested positive for Covid-19.

Zidane added on the frontman who has endured a testing debut campaign with Madrid: “He’s not with us today. I hope he’ll be with us soon.

“As a footballer, he is a very good footballer. He is a striker who scores many goals. It’s true that he hasn’t played much, but he is young and we’re counting on him for next season.

“I know there is a lot of debate over the players, but we’ll see next year. This year he has had little things that have hurt him, but we’ll see.”

Marcelo is another currently out of action, with the Brazilian left-back requiring a scan on a knock he has picked up, but Zidane is hoping to have Eden Hazard back at his disposal in the near future.

The Belgian forward has been struggling with an ankle complaint, but his manager said: “Hazard wants to play and he isn’t scared.

“Those who know more about the medical situation tell me what is happening. Everything is fine, but sometimes there is a bit of pain after a match or a tough training session. Tomorrow, he’ll be with us.”

Liverpool may have snatched the Premier League title away from Manchester City but John Stones is still “quietly confident” that the Blues remain the best side in the English top-flight.

Pep Guardiola’s side had been hoping to complete a hat-trick of domestic crowns in 2019-20, having positioned themselves firmly at the top of the tree.

They have, however, been knocked from the loftiest of perches by a record-setting showing from those at Anfield.

City have suffered nine defeats in the league this season, with Guardiola hitting a surprising low in what has been a remarkably successful coaching career to date.

Stones, though, considers uncharacteristic struggles to have been a mere blip, with City still boasting a stronger squad and greater collective quality than their rivals.

"I think, yeah, quietly confident," the England international defender told beIN Sports when asked if he feels City believe they're still the best side in the league.

"We know our abilities and I think that the standard that we've set for ourselves and each other in the dressing room is every three, four days, playing at this high, high standard over the last few years is something to be very proud of as players.

"That's what we keep striving to do and take that into next season and to finish this season off by keeping our standards and trying to better ourselves, as I said, defensively and taking our chances at the other end of the pitch."

While retaining full faith in City’s ability, with it possible for them to end the campaign with four trophies to their name, Stones admits it has been disappointing to see standards slip.

He added: "It's frustrating for all of us really.

"I think it's something we're definitely not proud of from previous seasons, breaking the record, doing back-to-back and then this season letting games slip where we've been on top and been the better team is something we need to improve on and are looking to try and do that."

Stones returned to the fold to help keep a clean sheet in a 5-0 mauling of Newcastle in City’s latest outing, with the 26-year-old pleased to be back in what has been a testing season for him on a personal level.

He said: “It’s been frustrating. I picked up an injury really early after we first came back and that kept me out for just over a month.

“It was really frustrating because in lockdown I had worked so hard in the gym and keeping fit and felt like I was I the best condition that I’ve been in.

“So to come back and get an injury that has kept me out until just before the Newcastle, it feels great to be back. I feel fit and healthy and ready to fight for the Champions League and every competition that we are in. It’s exciting times.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has talked up the importance of Nemanja Vidic signing a new contract at Manchester United “with all the kids we’ve got running around”.

The Red Devils have once again looked to youth for inspiration in 2019-20. A club that was once infamously told that “you won’t win anything with kids” remain convinced that providing a platform for stars of the future to thrive on will pay long-term dividends.

The Class of ’92 proved that to be correct, with the likes of Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood now following in illustrious footsteps. United have also invested in the potential of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James, while Scott McTominay and Brandon Williams are other academy graduates seeing plenty of game time.

Potential is being complemented within the Red Devils’ ranks by experience, with two-time Premier League title winner Matic the latest to commit to a new contract at 31 years of age.

Solskjaer has welcomed that deal, telling the club’s official website: “I’m delighted that Nemanja wants to stay here. He’s really shown over the years he’s been here how important he is for us and of course his experience, he’s a Premier League winner.

“We need some experience as well with all the kids we’ve got running around! So I’m very, very happy that we could sort that out.”

Another of the home-grown stars that United have high hopes for is 22-year-old defender Axel Tuanzebe. He made five appearances early on in the 2019-20 campaign, having impressed on loan at Aston Villa last season, but is currently nursing a hamstring injury that could keep him out until September.

Solskjaer said of the promising centre-half: “He had a good start to the season then it’s been stop-start [for him]. He was really eager to come back really fit and gradually things got worse and worse and he had to take the big step and sit out for a little while.”

Victor Lindelof is another defensive option who has picked up a knock, with the Sweden international forced off at half-time in a 5-2 victory over Bournemouth, but Solskjaer is not expecting him to be out for long.

He has said of the 25-year-old: “It’s not too bad. He’ll play soon. I’m not sure if he’ll manage the Villa game, but he might do.”

Top four-chasing United are set to take in a trip to relegation-threatened Villa on Thursday.

Liverpool should have Adama Traore and Raul Jimenez on their recruitment radar, claims Stan Collymore, with the in-form Wolves pair considered to be perfect for the Premier League champions.

Jurgen Klopp is reported to have cast his gaze in the direction of Molineux ahead of another transfer window.

The form of jet-heeled winger Traore has captured the imagination of many observers in 2019-20, with the 24-year-old having found end product to go with his blistering pace. Many believe he could be a good fit at Anfield, with Liverpool in the market for attacking alternatives to Mohamed Salah, Sadio Mane and Roberto Firmino.

Traore would not look out of place in a role on the flanks, with his qualities offering the potential for the Reds to become even more dominant in the final third.

Mexico international striker Jimenez could be another to tick important boxes in that department. He is enjoying the most productive campaign of his career to date, with the target found on 24 occasions, and is said to be attracting interest from across Europe.

Collymore believes Klopp should form part of any transfer scramble, with there every reason to believe that a double raid on Wolves could offer considerable benefits to Liverpool.

The former Reds striker, who spent time on the books at Molineux as a youngster, told The Mirror: “Liverpool should have two Wolves players on their shopping lists this summer – Raul Jimenez and Adama Traore.

“Traore is the obvious one but Jimenez has settled into the Premier League like a duck to water.

“He’s great in the box, attacks crosses exceptionally well, links play and is an all-round eight out of ten in the art of striking. He could provide real competition for Bobby Firmino at Anfield.”

Liverpool opted against joining the clamour for Timo Werner when another top frontman became available on the open market. The Germany international was allowed to link up with Chelsea and will now be a direct rival for the Reds in 2020-21.

Klopp is, however, considered to have his sights set on alternative targets, with it possible that Traore or Jimenez – or both – could come into his thinking at some stage.

Following his departure from Highlands Park, former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Enocent Mkhabela says he has what it takes to play in the Premier Soccer League (PSL).

Mkhabela says he understands his value has deteriorated and that because of his age, he knows he cannot expect a high salary.

In addition, the 31-year-old was released by the Lions of the North together with former Orlando Pirates striker Tendai Ndoro last month.

“I know that because I have not been playing regular football, I am not at the level where I can get a high salary as I used to in the past," Mkhabela told Isolezwe.

“I didn’t play regularly at Highlands Park, I didn’t even play 10 matches. By the time we won trophies at SuperSport United and Platinum Stars, I knew what I deserved to earn.

“However, I must admit that I am not at that level anymore. If you don’t play, your value deteriorates.

"I still have hope that I will get a new club in the Premiership (PSL). That’s where my focus is at. If that doesn’t happen, then I can look at the Gladafrica (National First Division).

"For now, I am training so that I can be ready and be in good shape if there’s a club that is interested.”

The former Dikwena midfielder was released by coach Owen Da Gama's troops after the 2019/20 Premier Soccer League (PSL) season was suspended because of the coronavirus pandemic.

Although PSL clubs are unable to generate income since the games were halted in March, Mkhabela remains confident he will get a new deal sooner than later.

The former Amakhosi player, saw limited game time under coach Da Gama in this term having made only five competitive appearances.

In addition, the MTN8 losing finalists confirmed they have retained former Orlando Pirates midfielder and Chiefs' anchorman Reneilwe Letsholonyane's signatures until the end of August.

Former Asante Kotoko goalkeeper Isaac Amoako has stated victims of their 2017 fatal accident are still holding on to their hopes of receiving compensation, three years on.

After a Ghana Premier League (GPL) away clash with Inter Allies in Accra, the Porcupine Warriors were involved in an accident on their way back as the team bus crashed into a stationary truck on the Nkawkaw dual carriage road.

The incident saw the death of deputy equipment officer Thomas Obeng Asare while many others, including players, team officials and journalists, sustained various degrees of injuries.

“Coming Sunday, July 12, 2020, will mark three years since the horrific incident happened but [we have] still not received a penny from Kotoko and we don’t know as to when our compensations would be paid," Amoakoh told BA TV.

“The refusal of the Kotoko leadership to pay our monies has placed a heavy toll on most of the victims.

"Longest-serving team driver Nana Berchie has been at home due to the accident he had, while [players] Baba Mahama and Ollenu Ashitey have had their playing careers stymied.

“We are aware that the newly constituted board led by the previous board chair, Dr Kwame Kyei who held that position at the time of the accident, had begun paying off several debts incurred by the club but [we have] still not heard from him.

“We will not keep quiet until Kotoko's leadership pays our compensation to us [victims]."

The match ended in a 1-0 defeat to Allies at El-Wak Sports Stadium.

Kotoko's bus was carrying a contingent of 15 players, seven technical officials and two journalists.

The Kumasi-based side is arguably Ghana's biggest club and the most successful in the history of the Premier League with 23 titles.

Kotoko have also won the Ghana FA Cup on nine occasions and the Super Cup three times.

On the continental level, the Porcupine Warriors ruled Africa in 1970 and 1983.

In the 2017 Premier League, Kotoko finished the competition in fourth position behind champions Aduana Stars, academy boys Wafa, archrivals and 19-time champions Hearts of Oak and Cape Coast-based Ebusua Dwarfs.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA FC) have reportedly completed the signing of Pius Obuya.

Obuya's contract at Maroons FC ended and it was not renewed. The latest news is indicating the attacking midfielder will be unveiled by the 2018/19 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions in the coming days. He had served Maroons for five seasons.

Further reports indicate the former Uganda U17 and U20 star concluded negotiations with KCCA and signed on July 8 in the company of his lawyers and agent.

Coach Mike Mutebi will expect Obuya to fill the void left by Allan Okello in January when the youngster left to join Paradou AC of Algeria.

“I respect [Allan] Okello, he is a big player, has done a lot for KCCA and I respect whatever he has done for the club,” Obuya said in an earlier interview when he responded to claims he is the next Okello at KCCA.

“Many people think I am his replacement, I must say 'yes' because we play the same style of football, we both can play in the central midfield and on the flanks, so, it is a very big challenge for me because they need a special player who is creative and can make a difference when the club needs to win certain games.”

Obuya is on record stating his love to play for the UPL giants, as in 2017 he gave an interview saying KCCA will give him a bigger dream to achieve.

He made his UPL debut in 2015 at the age of 16 when he featured against Express FC at Mutesa II Wankulukuku Stadium.

The 20-year-old star will become the Kassasiro Boys fourth signing after the club has already brought on board Charles Lwanga, Ashraf Mugume and Stefano Mazengo.

KCCA will take part in the Caf Confederation Cup next season after finishing second to Vipers SC.

Meanwhile, coach Livingstone Mbabazi has threatened to quit Kyetume FC if goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa and defender Benson Tahomera are sold.

Mbabazi joined Kyetume in June where he signed a two-year deal but the sale of the two players may end up forcing him to leave.

Football256 reports that Kyetume’s chairman Rueben Kimera and Vipers owner Lawrence Mulindwa completed talks over Mutakubwa already.

On the other hand, Tahomera is said to be on his way either to Express FC or Police FC.

“That’s the condition he has given. The club must retain those players especially Joel [Mutakubwa] because he believes he is the backbone of the team and he wants to build his team around him,” a source told Footall256.

Mbabazi is reportedly not keen to renew the contracts of Vincent Kayizzi, Robert Ssentogo, Johnathan Mugabi, Patrick Ochan and Salim Sowedi.

Rivers Angels insist Evelyn Nwabuoku and Tochukwu Oluehi have 'existing contracts' with the Nigerian club and vehemently rejected reports of the duo signing for Spanish side Pozoalbense.

The Nigeria internationals are on the books of Rivers Angels for at least six years, winning several domestic titles, including the 2019 Nigeria Women's Premier League amid past moves abroad.

However, the Reto Iberdrola outfit announced the signing of Rivers Angels midfielder Nwabuoku two weeks ago before the recent announcement of goalkeeper Oluehi's acquisition on Wednesday.

Following the reported signings of the Nigerian duo, the Port Harcourt outfit has moved to refute claims of the players' transfer, noting that they have not been contacted by the Spanish club. 

"This is to inform the general public that news making the rounds about two of our players; Evelyn Nwabuoku and Tochukwu Oluehi signing for a Spanish Reto Iberdrola club Pozoalbense is misleading and inaccurate," the club's spokesperson Jessica Amadi told media.

"As of Thursday, July 9, 2020, Nwabuoku and Oluehi remain bonafide players of Rivers Angels FC with existing contracts with us.

"Neither the said club nor its representatives have contacted anyone from here and hearing that they have announced the signing of our players is highly disrespectful and unethical."

"If and when both players secure any deals from teams in Europe, Rivers Angels FC will most definitely communicate it to the world via our various platforms but for now, neither has signed anything with anyone.

"We urge everyone to take note of this statement intended to set things right as they should be."

Goal understands the Super Falcons duo are yet to move out of the country due to the coronavirus lockdown as they are currently at their base in Port Harcourt.

Chelsea have been advised that using Timo Werner in a wide attacking role may be their best option when the German forward joins their ranks, with Jesse Marsch talking up the qualities of the versatile 24-year-old.

The Blues won the race for a prized signature, with the decision to trigger Werner's £54 million ($68m) release clause allowing them to acquire one of Europe’s most prolific frontmen.

Frank Lampard is still waiting on clearance to be given for Werner to head for Stamford Bridge, with quarantine procedures during the coronavirus pandemic delaying matters.

Werner is, however, readying himself for a new challenge and is being backed by many to become a Premier League superstar in 2020-21.

Marsch forms part of that fan club, with the American coach having spent time working with the Germany international at Leipzig.

For him, Werner is at his most destructive when given freedom to drift rather than being locked into a central striking role, with Chelsea needing to find a way of fitting those qualities into their tactical blueprint.

"He likes to drift to the left and then come in with his right," Marsch, who is now in charge of Red Bull Salzburg, told Bleacher Report’s Football Ranks podcast. "He can drag the ball [out wide] and cross it or come across the goal as well. 

"He's also good at finishing crosses from the right side when he's attacking in the box, but he's also good in the middle and he's good on the right, too.

"I think if you're playing with two strikers, which is what we did often at Leipzig, we gave them freedom to move to the left.

"We built that in tactically so he could find ways to be on the move but dangerous, but he could play as a second striker, he could play on the right, he can play in a front three, he can play any of those positions.

"Again, he will work against the ball, he will defend, he'll work for the team, and the other thing that's so special about Timo is that for a guy who sprints so much in a game, he's always healthy.

"That's unusual, those sprinters that are so aggressive, they pick up a lot of soft-tissue muscle injuries. Timo has been incredibly fit and hopefully he can stay that way."

It remains to be seen where Lampard chooses to deploy Werner, with Chelsea having seen Christian Pulisic star on the left of their attack this season, while Hakim Ziyech is about to join the ranks and Callum Hudson-Odoi is another wing option of considerable promise.

Kai Havertz is ready to play for Real Madrid, according to former Germany striker Oliver Bierhoff.

The 52-year-old, now a director at the German Football Association (DFB), thinks the Bayer Leverkusen star would benefit from broadening his horizons by moving overseas.

Goal has learned that Chelsea are currently leading the race to sign Havertz, completing a double swoop on the Bundesliga following their £47.5 million ($59m) signing of Timo Werner.

With Leverkusen demanding €100 million (£90m/$112m) for Havertz, clubs like Madrid and Bayern Munich aren’t willing to move until next summer, but speculation persists that the 21-year-old will seek a move away this summer.

“He is a player for Real Madrid,” Bierhoff told Marca.

“He is a young player who has everything: great talent, technique, good physique. He is a very complete player and he will be very important for us [the German national team].”

Whether a move is in the offing, however, remains another question.

“I don't know,” Bierhoff replied when asked where he thought Havertz would end up.

“But I want him to be in perfect shape for us.”

With Joachim Low’s senior German side generally dominated by Bayern Munich players, some are concerned that by moving abroad, Havertz could stunt his progression in the national team.

Mesut Ozil has been Germany’s Player of the Year five times since leaving the Bundesliga in 2010, but it is thought that international ambitions formed part of the motivation for Leroy Sane’s return to his home country.

Bierhoff played in Austria, Italy and France, and had been away from Germany for six years before his first international appearance, and he doesn’t think Havertz has anything to worry about in that regard.

“I played almost my entire career outside of Germany and I think it’s a good thing to leave,” he said.

“You grow as a person. You become stronger, more mature, develop further.

“When you leave your comfort zone, you usually take a step forward.”

Former Bayer Leverkusen CEO Reiner Calmund recently told Goal that Havertz’s preference was a move to Spain, but Leverkusen left-back Wendell says he thinks his team-mate dreams of playing in the Premier League.

Mohamed Salah is “hungry” for goals and will always “fight” for opportunities in the final third, says Alisson, with Liverpool’s goalkeeper having no issue with the approach of a supposedly selfish team-mate.

An Egyptian frontman has faced accusations of being single-minded throughout a productive spell on Merseyside.

He can, however, point to a return of 94 goals through 148 appearances as justification of his methods.

Salah has also weighed in with 40 assists across his time at Anfield, with the 28-year-old happy to tee up others if his own route to goal is blocked.

Some are refusing to recognise those qualities, with Liverpool legend Graeme Souness branding a Golden Boot-chasing frontman “super selfish” on the back of a two-goal showing at Brighton.

Nobody inside the Anfield camp is pointing such fingers at Salah, with Alisson merely seeing a prolific colleague doing all he can to offer as much to the collective cause as possible.

The Brazilian goalkeeper told Liverpool’s official website: “This is Mo Salah, he is hungry.

“He is always there fighting for a goal, helping the team on the defence phase as well. He is always there to help win some games for us and ready to fight always for the goal. It’s his job and he loves to do that.”

Salah’s efforts against Brighton, which came in a 3-1 win, have taken him to 19 Premier League goals for the season – three behind Leicester striker Jamie Vardy on the top-flight scoring charts.

He will hope that there are more to come in what has been a memorable campaign for all concerned at Anfield.

The Merseyside outfit have sent records tumbling on their way to claiming a first league title in 30 years, with victory over the Seagulls seeing them to another – with 30 wins now taken from 34 top-flight fixtures.

Alisson added on the Reds’ efforts: “We just want to keep doing what we love, what we have passion to do, play football, really good football and enjoying the games that we have now. We just want to be focused on the next match, fighting for the three points. 

“Sometimes we don’t even know that we are breaking records and we only know when you tell us! It’s nice of course but it’s not what we are looking for. 

“We are looking to give our best on the pitch and then the victories come, the records come - and the most important thing is we are champions.”

Liverpool still have Manchester City’s record haul of 100 points in their sights, with a further nine required from four games in order to raise that bar.

They are also yet to drop a single point on home soil this season, with Burnley next up at Anfield on Saturday.

When Liverpool’s Premier League title win was confirmed, the immediate aftermath focused on just how Jurgen Klopp’s side would approach the rest of the campaign.

Despite Manchester City’s 100-point haul being within reach, some observers suggested the German tactician could ease off for the rest of the campaign, try out players on the periphery and use the rest of the competition as a mini preseason.

Others defiantly stated the Reds’ main aim had to be surpassing Pep Guardiola’s Centurions. On the evidence of Sunday’s 2-0 win over Aston Villa and 3-1 success over Brighton & Hove Albion, the newly-crowed champions are doing both.

Case in point is Naby Keita, who was one player tipped to benefit from the Merseyside giants’ early title success. He’s provided two assists in both games, setting up Sadio Mane at Anfield before playing in Mohamed Salah at the Amex on Wednesday night.

Incidentally, both forwards have individual achievements in their sights and were never expected to let up despite the team’s collective feat.

Having won the Golden Boot last season, jointly with Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, the duo have been in and around the Prem’s leading scorers this year again.

The willingness of their teammates to help either or both of them achieve the feat was clear against Villa at the weekend and especially vs Brighton in midweek. Against the Seagulls, Roberto Firmino’s altruism in letting Keita’s ball run on to Salah for the champions’ opener was noteworthy while Andrew Robertson’s attempts to feed both frontmen late on caught the eye.

In the 93rd-minute on Wednesday, despite being 3-1 up at the time, the Egypt star made an exerted effort to get into the box hoping for a Robertson cross. The left-back cut-back to Mane, whose curling effort narrowly missed. Salah wasn’t best pleased.

A minute later, he was thwarted by Matt Ryan as he sought his third Liverpool hat-trick. The 2018 Golden Boot winner should’ve claimed his third treble in the final minute of stoppage time when he headed the Scot’s pin-point cross just over.

When everyone else seemed to be taking it easy in the final moments, the two-time African Footballer of the Year was thinking of edging closer to the pair of Jamie Vardy (22) and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang (21).

His brace on Tuesday puts him in third on 19 goals, one above Southampton’s Danny Ings and three ahead of Mane. With only four games remaining, the Senegalese retaining the award may be a bridge too far.

Indeed, with Vardy seemingly finding his scoring boots again (he’s scored three times in two games) after a barren run that saw him hit the back of the net a miserly twice in 11 matches, and Auba unrelenting, Mane may have run out of games to supplant the four prolific forwards in front of him.

Unless the forward suddenly goes on a streak, he may have to throw his weight behind his North African teammate, too. In truth, chances of the continent’s best player scoring bucket-loads in the final four gameweeks are difficult given the nature of Liverpool’s fixtures.

They host Sean Dyche’s organised Burnley this weekend, travel to Aubameyang’s Arsenal a week on Wednesday, welcome Chelsea in their final game at Anfield this season before travelling to Newcastle United on the final day. On paper, none of these fixtures are games you’d predict Mane to rack up enough goals to put himself in contention for the award, even if the Magpies were trounced 5-0 by City on Wednesday.

Leicester’s run-in, barring this weekend’s fixture at Bournemouth isn’t easy in theory. Vardy faces Sheffield United, Tottenham Hotspur and Manchester United, two of whom have the best rearguards in the division.

Aubameyang faces two tough tests in Spurs, this weekend’s North London Derby, and Liverpool who visit the Emirates Stadium next week. Thereafter, though, Mikel Arteta’s troops face Aston Villa and Watford, teams that have conceded 62 and 53 goals respectively, statistically two of the worst six defences in the Prem.

In truth, Mane may be realistically out of the race, but there’s a feeling he won’t be giving up so easily. Thus, it’ll be interesting to see the XI Klopp sends out against the Clarets on Saturday, with his top forwards chasing achievements they claimed last season.

Salah, a two-time winner, is looking to match feats by Alan Shearer (1995-1997) and Thierry Henry (2004-2006) as the third player in the competition’s history to win three Golden Boots in a row, while Mane is looking to win his second award.

The reverse fixture with Burnley at Turf Moor was somewhat marred by the ex-Southampton man’s annoyance at the North African’s unwillingness to pass to him or better-placed colleagues on several occasions.

Given what’s now at stake, don’t be surprised if either forward is accused of being concerned chiefly with his interest in claiming individual glory to match the club’s historic Premier League success.

Thomas Partey is “the sort of player that Arsenal need”, says Martin Keown, with Mikel Arteta urged to snap up the Atletico Madrid midfielder and pair him with Lucas Torreira.

The Gunners are still looking for a talismanic figure to fill their engine room and follow in the footsteps of former heroes such as Patrick Vieira and Gilberto Silva.

Finding and acquiring such talent is never easy, but Ghana international Partey is considered by many to be a good fit for the Emirates Stadium.

He is seeing talk of an imminent move to England start to build, with Keown claiming that the 27-year-old could be a shrewd addition alongside Torreira – once the combative Uruguayan returns to fitness and favour after injury.

The former Arsenal defender told Stadium Astro: "I think Partey from Atletico Madrid, the midfield player that sits, very strong, tough player.

"He's the sort of type of player that Arsenal need in that midfield.

"I think Torreira is a player who doesn't get used enough, I know he's been injured.

"[Granit] Xhaka has come in and done better but I'm not sure that is the right answer."

Arsenal have rediscovered their spark of late, with a late charge being made for European qualification in 2019-20.

The current campaign has, however, been another blighted by inconsistency, with Mikel Arteta returned to familiar surroundings once the decision was taken to part with Unai Emery.

The Gunners boss is offering cause for optimism and, despite there still being issues to address at the back, Keown believes only minor tweaks are now required in order to get a fallen giant back on its feet.

He added: "We have an array of central defenders there at Arsenal.

"[Rob] Holding, Sokratis, [Shkodran] Mustafi, David Luiz - who's the leader? Who's the strong man?

"I think some work needs to be done there, maybe move a few out and bring some in. They're the areas I'd target.

"The front three is there, we've already seen it, [Nicolas] Pepe doesn't play but we have [Bukayo] Saka now, [Alexandre] Lacazette and [Pierre-Emerick] Aubameyang.

"Aubameyang is as good as anything in Europe. It's just adding one or two players.”

Lionel Messi has spent his entire professional career at Barcelona, having joined the club as a 14-year-old, and the Argentine's glorious exploits have seen him become an honorary Catalan.

He has helped the club to 10 league titles and four Champions Leagues, scooping a record six Ballons d'Or for his personal contributions along the way.

His love for Barcelona is clear in his near lifelong commitment to the Spanish giants, but speculation persists nevertheless that La Pulga will ultimately join another club before he hangs up his boots for good.

So is Messi about to bid farewell to Camp Nou? Goal breaks down the current situation.

Is Lionel Messi going to leave Barcelona?

Messi does not want to leave Barcelona, but the Argentina international has spoken in the past of potentially joining another club. 

Barca president Josep Bartomeu insists that the club will "enjoy [Messi] for much longer" after stressing that their star player is not interested in a departure.

"I am not going to give details but Messi has said many times that he will end his football life in Barcelona," Bartomeu said.

He added: "Messi wants to continue and wants to end [his career] here. He has many years left and we are going to enjoy him for much longer."

Why is there speculation about a Lionel Messi Barcelona exit?

Transfer speculation is very much part of football and Messi's status as arguably the best player in the world has long marked him out at a desirable recruit for a host of top clubs.

As such, he is periodically linked with other clubs, though in most cases the speculation is simply not credible.

The rumour mill was cranked into action on this occasion after Cadena SER reported that the 33-year-old was ready to bring down the curtain on his illustrious Barcelona career, with his contract expiring in 2021.

With the clocking ticking, a contributing factor in the speculation was the suggestion that contract talks between the club and Messi had been put on hold.

It's understood that these issues - the reticence about signing a new deal and a possible exit - are related to Messi's reported dissatisfaction with off-field, internal machinations at the club.

The first major example of this bubbling discontent came in February, when the captain publicly hit back at Barca technical secretary Eric Abidal over his criticisms of the players.

"Those in charge of sporting direction should also face up to their responsibilities and above all take charge of their own decisions," shot the Argentine in a caustic Instagram post.

Then, when confirming the players' 70 per cent pay cut during the coronavirus lockdown, Messi directed a barb at figures within the club "who tried to put us under pressure to do something we always knew we would do."

Having kept his own counsel on internal political issues within the club over the years, Messi's recent outspokenness indicates that he is now willing to exert his influence.

Indeed, it has been suggested that the contract impasse could potentially precipitate a premature end to Bartomeu's presidency, with club elections set to take place in June 2021.

Which clubs could Lionel Messi sign for?

Given his status as one of the best footballers who has ever lived, Messi would have no shortage of options if he ever did decide to leave Barcelona.

He has notably been touted for a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City in the past and the Premier League club are certainly among the few who would be well placed to afford him.

Those links have been made again in light of recent rumblings, but Guardiola played down the suggestion that Messi could soon grace the Etihad Stadium, expressing a wish for the Argentine to remain at Barca.

A return to Argentina is a very credible possibility, with his compatriot and friend Javier Mascherano emphasising that "anything could happen".

Mascherano himself returned home in 2020 to join Estudiantes and club chairman Juan Sebastian Veron joked that the No. 10 would be reserved for Messi if he wanted to sign for them.

“If you want to come here [Estudiantes], you have the '10' ensured," said Veron. 

“Beyond that, I don't really imagine him outside Barcelona, but these are things that we say today and tomorrow we see him out there going to another club. 

“The reality is that he is the only one who has the decision and desire; no one else knows.”

As well as Estudiantes, Messi's boyhood club Newell's Old Boys would surely be in the equation should he consider a return to his native land, while the likes of Boca Juniors and River Plate could possibly appeal.

Former Barcelona star Rivaldo has spoken of the financial incentive for all involved if Messi were to link up with his eternal rival Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus, though such an eventuality seems highly unlikely.

“With all this speculation, I believe that some agents are already dreaming about a Messi-Ronaldo double at Juventus and how big it will be around the globe,” Rivaldo said.

“If that happened there would be a world ‘boom', and I believe Juventus would quickly recover any investment on the Argentinian thanks to the boost they would get from visibility and marketing.

“It would be historical to see both playing together and I’m sure many Juve sponsors would love to help financially, so, it’s also a possibility for Messi."

While a dream team with Ronaldo at Juventus may be beyond contemplation for the Bianconeri, one Italian club that have been heavily linked are Inter.

Having previously gone "all out" to lure the Argentine to San Siro in 2008, recent speculation prompted the head of Pirelli - Inter's chief shirt sponsor - to hint that his company could help finance a move.

The idea of Pirelli making a contribution has precedent in Fiat's assistance to Juve when Ronaldo joined from Real Madrid in 2018. 

Old Trafford is another rumoured destination, with reports in Argentina suggesting Manchester United were readying a €120 million (£108m/$136m) part-exchange offer.

In truth, any club in the world would be keen to sign Messi, such is his status, but in the event that he does leave, whoever does sign him will need deep pockets.

Christian Pulisic may be enjoying a stunning run of form at Chelsea but he cannot be compared to Blues legend Eden Hazard because the Belgian "carried one of the biggest teams in the Premier League for a few seasons", says Craig Burley.

Inevitable links are being made between two star turns to have filled a left-sided attacking berth at Stamford Bridge.

When the decision was reluctantly taken to offload Hazard to Real Madrid in the summer of 2019, suitable cover was required to fill sizeable boots in west London.

Chelsea always hoped that Pulisic would be the man to step up, with the United States international having been lured away from Borussia Dortmund at just 21 years of age.

Time is very much on the American’s side when it comes to following in Hazard’s footsteps, with a flurry of goals since the Premier League restart suggesting that he is ready to become a talisman.

Frank Lampard has, however, been reluctant to start comparing Pulisic and Hazard, with piling such pressure on a player who still has much to learn considered to be both premature and unnecessary.

Burley is another of that mindset, with the former Chelsea midfielder eager to point out that there is a long way to go before a star of the present can claim to have emulated one of the recent past.

He told ESPN FC of the Pulisic praise: "They should take their heads out of the sand.

"Eden Hazard carried Chelsea for a long time, and got his move to Real Madrid.

"He's a multiple league winner, and a hugely talented Belgian international. In the end, he was coveted by arguably the biggest club in the world - Real Madrid.

"It's typical of the rationale - trying to compare people too early. Christian Pulisic is a huge talent, but he's a young man.

"There's no guarantee that come next season with all the new players coming in that he'll get all the game time he needs.

"All he needs is two or three quiet games, and any manager worth his salt will have [Callum] Hudson-Odoi in, or he'll have [Timo] Werner on the left, or Mason Mount.

"I think we need to go slowly with Christian Pulisic, it's a learning curve for him, he's doing great at the moment, but you can't compare him to a player who literally carried one of the biggest teams in the Premier League for a few seasons."

Hazard took in 352 appearances for Chelsea over the course of a seven-year stay, with 110 goals and 92 assists recorded while helping the Blues to two Premier League titles and a couple of Europa League crowns.

Pulisic has nine goals and eight assists to his name this season, with it still possible for him to end his debut campaign in England with an FA Cup winners’ medal.

Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold admits his teammate Mohamed Salah is targeting retaining the Premier League Goal Boot.

The Egyptian forward scored a brace in Wednesday’s 3-1 win at Brighton and Hove Albion which took him closer to the feat.

It takes him to 19 goals for the season, three behind leading marksman Jamie Vardy who netted in Leicester City’s 1-1 draw with Arsenal on Tuesday.

Salah has been the recipient of the Premier League Golden Boot for the past two seasons, first scoring 32 goals in his first season (2017-18) which was a record in a 38-game campaign before netting 22 goals in 2018-19 but this time sharing the gong with his Liverpool teammate Sadio Mane and Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.

"He has his targets, he's around the Golden Boot [race] and it's something he wants to retain," Alexander-Arnold told BBC Sport as reported by the Express.

"He's a world-class player who scores so many goals for us and we try to get him on the board as much as possible."

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp also echoed these same thoughts, insisting Salah winning the Golden Boot is motivation for him.

"He's a striker, how can it not be a motivation for him? That's clear," Klopp told the press after the Brighton game.

"In the last two years he won the golden boot, last year he shared it with Sadio and with Auba. That's always important, it's important for Sadio and all that stuff is normal.

"In the end, you can only score goals when you perform well and he did that so that was really good and apart from that, it's all fine.”

Salah not only scored but also assisted Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson for his goal. It saw the 28-year-old reach a new milestone of becoming the fastest player to have a hand in 100 goals for the Reds.

He achieved this (73 goals, 27 assists) in 104 outings, surpassing club legends Michael Owen (148 appearances), Robbie Fowler (158 appearances) and Steven Gerrard (212 appearances).

Overall, Salah has 75 goals and 32 assists in 117 appearances in all competitions since his move from Roma in the summer of 2017.

Liverpool are 23 points clear at the top of the table with games against Burnley, Arsenal, Chelsea and Newcastle United left to play.

Goalkeeper Said Keni has stated why it did not take too long to extend his contract at SC Villa.

Keni lengthened his stay by a further two seasons and said the love for the club influenced his decision to remain longer with the Uganda Premier League (UPL) 16-time champions.

“Honestly from a young age, I’ve always wanted to play for Villa,” Keni told Football256.

“So, when the opportunity came, I jumped at it, so my love for this badge is up there that’s why I didn’t think twice to renew my contract.” 

The custodian added they have to pull up their socks more in order to help the Jogoos register success in the upcoming season.

“I want to go professional as soon as possible, last season we finished third which was fair compared to the previous seasons and we all know we have to double our efforts to achieve more,” he continued.

Keni became the second Villa player to extend his contract after Joseph Nsubuga did so a few days ago.

Meanwhile, Hassan Muhamood has revealed why he chose Police FC over UPL rivals Express FC, Kyetume FC and Wakiso Giants.

Muhamood joined Police on a two-year contract as a free agent after his contract at Onduparaka FC ended.

The defender is expected to make the Police backline as impervious as possible after conceding 37 goals and kept four clean sheets in 25 leagues games before the season was abandoned.

“I am so happy to join Police FC as a player,” Muhamood told Football256.

“I love the club’s style of play and I think I will seamlessly fit in too. But more importantly, I believe this move will help me take the next step in my career.

“Like any player, I want to win trophies and according to the club chairman [Asan Kasingye], he told me the club’s ambitions which include the will to rebuild the club back to its old status.

“I won’t say I am going to definitely give them trophies, but what I can promise is I am going to do my best to see that the team achieves its goals.”

Muhamood is the second signing by coach Abdalla Mubiru after the arrival of Tony Mawejje.