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Baroka FC coach Dylan Kerr says Premier Soccer League (PSL) teams that have already started training will have an advantage over those who are yet to regroup.

Log leaders Kaizer Chiefs headline a list of teams who returned to the training field already, which also includes Cape Town City, Bidvest Wits, SuperSport United and Bloemfontein Celtic.

Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns are yet to confirm restarting training as a group.

"That's a mistake [that other clubs have already resumed]. We should have resumed on one date,” Kerr told Sowetan Live.

“If we were able to [resume] training two weeks before everybody else, that's an advantage... We're not complaining but the protocol should have said we start on the same date.”

Although two unnamed Chiefs players tested positive for coronavirus and are recovering in isolation, the club’s early return to training could be a statement of intent in their bid for a first league title since 2015.

The Soweto giants are at the top of the PSL standings, four points ahead of second-placed Sundowns - albeit having played a game more -  and would be keen to consolidate their lead in the last eight league games they have to play.

Meanwhile, Kerr says his Baroka have already put in place everything in preparation to begin working out as a team but are waiting for the PSL to give them the green light.

“We're still waiting for the authorisation from the PSL. We've done the tests, we've sanitised our field and we also have the compliance officer. We submitted our action plan last week but we haven't received any feedback from the league yet," continued Kerr.

When action resumes, Baroka would carry on with their fight against relegation.

They are currently in 13th position on the log just three points above basement side Black Leopards.

Also back on the training pitch are 14th-placed Polokwane City, who are battling to keep their PSL status afloat.

“We started on Saturday. I am very happy that at last football is promising to be back,” said Polokwane City coach Clinton Larsen.

Antoine Griezmann helped Barcelona remain in the hunt for La Liga glory, scoring a beautiful chip as Quique Setien's side recorded a comprehensive 4-1 victory over in-form Villarreal.

The France forward kept his composure to expertly dink the ball past Sergio Asenjo, and in doing so kept Barca in with a shout of overhauling Real Madrid, who currently lie top of the Liga table.

Elsewhere, Joaquin Fernandez's late winner in Real Valladolid's win over Alaves extended their unbeaten run at home to four matches - the versatile star pulled off a fine finish to all but mathematically confirm Valladolid's place in La Liga next season.

Meanwhile, Valencia star Goncalo Guedes netted a supreme goal in their 2-2 draw away at Granada.

Click the image below to relive the excitement of Matchday 34 in La Liga. 

Germany legend Jurgen Klinsmann has revealed what it's like to win a World Cup, explaining that even playing in the tournament is the "biggest thing that can happen to you".

The former Germany international - who was capped 108 times - competed in three World Cups for his nation, winning the 1990 edition in Italy.

Klinsmann believes the feeling of participating in football's largest tournament cannot be surpassed and being lucky enough to win the event is an achievement that will always be remembered for the rest of your life.

"I think for every football player, playing in the World Cup is the biggest thing that can happen to you and if you have the luck to win a World Cup, it will stay with you for the rest of your life," Klinsmann said in an exclusive interview with Goal.

"In the moment, if you’re actually lucky enough to win it, you don’t realise what actually happened. You just think it's party time and you want to celebrate.

"But later on, after your career is over, you travel the world and meet people who talk to you and remind you of that World Cup success. Then you realise that it was actually a really big thing that happened.

"It’s a pleasure when you get remembered or reminded of what you achieved in that moment with your team and country, and you share that moment with so many people out there, who watched it on TV or maybe were lucky enough to be in the stadium. It will always stay with you no matter what."

Klinsmann enjoyed a distinguished playing career that saw him play for the likes of Inter, Tottenham and Bayern, before beginning his managerial career with the German national team in 2004.

The 55-year-old has also had coaching stints with Bayern, the USMNT and most recently took charge of Hertha Berlin for a 10-week period.

When asked about the coaching influences that took him toward a post-playing career in management, Klinsmann namedropped some of football's biggest names.

"I learned so much from Franz Beckenbauer and afterwards from Berti Vogts, as the head coach of the German team," he said. 

"Throughout every tournament, you observe your coach, the coaching staff, different departments that work with a team, whether it’s the medical department, media department, or marketing-related issues.

"Even today, you watch all the Champions League games, you always see what a Guardiola, an Ancelotti, a Mourinho... what these coaches are doing differently, what are they changing, what are their problems.

"I learned a lot from my former coaches, I had fantastic coaches throughout my career: Giovanni Trapattoni, Osvaldo Ardiles, [Cesar Luis] Menotti, Beckenbauer, Arie Haan. Arsene Wenger also, I was very fortunate to work with him."

Frank Lampard's young Chelsea side are in the middle of undergoing a rebuild, and their new jerseys are a reflection of the club's long-term vision to be restored to the Premier League elite.

Goal has the latest information about Chelsea's newest shirts - home, away and third - as well as when they expected to be fully released and more.

New 2020-21 football kits: Chelsea, Bayern Munich & all the top clubs' shirts & jerseys revealed

Chelsea's 2020-21 home kit & release date

The Blues' newest home shirt under Nike is an overhaul of their previous jerseys, a nod to the London side's young team under Lampard.

Three, a UK telecommunications and internet service provider business, has replaced Yokohama Tyres as the club's main sponsor. The red accents of previous home kits are abandoned in favour of a solid dark blue colour with a black trim.

The sleek kit is said to be inspired by west London tailors Savile Row and has been backed by one of the top performers in the squad for 2019-20.

The club said: "Chelsea’s 2020-21 home kit brings a touch of Savile Row to Stamford Bridge by blending the latest in athletic innovation with the finesse of fine London tailoring."

"The kit is really, really smart – very Chelsea," forward Tammy Abraham added. "You can see the story behind the kit with how it looks and all the little touches that remind you of a good suit.

"I think we will certainly be the best dressed team next season."

Chelsea debuted their new home kit against crosstown rivals West Ham on July 1, with the shirt available for purchase starting July 9 .

Chelsea's 2020-21 away kit & release

The west Londoners have adopted an Arctic blue shade for their away kit, which is to reflect the "millennial swagger" shown by their young side.

It builds on from using the tailors of Savile Row as inspiration, with the club saying: “Chelsea’s stunning 2020-21 away kit effortlessly blends an aura of traditional London tailoring with the energy and colours of today’s SW6.

“Building on the theme of the club’s new home look, the Blues’ changed colours celebrate the capital’s love affair with the craftsmanship of master tailors.

“However, the away kit adds an injection of millennial swagger – perfect for the confident, emerging talents lighting up Stamford Bridge under head coach Lampard."

Lampard's side debuted their away colours in their Premier League victory against Crystal Palace on July 7, with fans able to purchase the shirt starting July 30.

Chelsea's 2020-21 third kit & release date

Chelsea's third kit has yet to be announced, but full details are expected to be revealed later in July.

Last year the third kit was launched in early September, ahead of the Blues' Champions League group stage campaign. Third kits are often used by elite clubs for European away matches.

There could be an opportunity for Lampard's men to trial the new third kit in their last 16 second leg against Bayern Munich, which the German side are overwhelming favourites having won 3-0 at Stamford Bridge earlier this year.

Chelsea are currently in the running for a Champions League place in 2020-21, but failing that a Europa League spot is all-but-assured given their third-place position with four games to go.

Spanish Reto Iberdrola club Pozoalbense has confirmed the signing of Tochukwu Oluehi from Nigerian side Rivers Angels for the 2020-21 season.

This will bring to an end to the Nigeria international's six-year journey with the Nigeria Women's Premier League champions as she looks to return to Europe with the Reto Iberdrola club.

Oluehi had enjoyed stints at Belarusian side Bobruichanka Bobruisk, where she debuted in the Uefa Champions League in 2013, before turning out for Norwegian Toppserien club Medkila in 2016.

The 33-year-old played for Nigerian clubs Bayelsa Queens, before Sunshine Queens, and later Rivers Angels, who she helped to four domestic titles since 2014 amidst a move to Norway.

On the global level, she played thrice at the Women's World Cup, the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, the 2007 African Games and four Africa Women's Cup of Nations, which she won three times.

Her biggest career highlights were her three saves from the spot to help the Super Falcons claim the 2018 Awcon in Ghana and the same feat with Rivers Angels to win the 2018 Federation Cup.

Having agreed to terms with Pozoalbense, she becomes the ninth signing for Manuel Fernandez's side as they continue bolstering the ranks in their quest for a Spanish top-flight slot next season. 

Confirming her signing, the club announced with huge excitement, saying: "It is a complete guarantee of safety under the sticks, thanks to its placement, know-how and experience. 

"She has enormous cold blood at decisive moments. He transmits a lot of confidence to the defence as he is a very safe goalkeeper in almost all his interventions.

“She has a lot of personalities and does not hesitate at the exits. She holds up well against one-on-one moves and has leadership skills.

"She hardly ever gets complicated. Her winning mentality will make her one of the best goalkeepers in the category. 

"She is always attentive to the movements of the opponents because she has a great intuition to read the plays.”

Adding his views, head coach Fernandez, whose side finished seventh last season, also spoke on how valuable the Super Falcons goalkeeper will be to his team.

"This is a goalkeeper who brings experience and security to the team," he stated. “It is essential to have that position with a player as a veteran and of such quality as Tochukwu Oluehi."

Aside from Oluehi, Pozoalbense earlier signed Naomi Vagre, Nora de Torres, Bruna Tavares, Sana Guermazi, Laura Vazquez, Ayaka Noguchi and compatriot Evelyn Nwabuoku.

Her move swells the list of Nigerians to ply their trades in Spain next season to seven after Asisat Oshoala, Peace Efih, Toni Payne, Chidinma Okeke, Adule Charity, Rita Chikwelu and Nwabuoku.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has denied he was lining up a transfer for Nathan Ake to join Manchester United after he was spotted chatting to the centre-back after the 5-2 win at Old Trafford last week.

Television cameras captured the United manager having a conversation with the Bournemouth defender at the final whistle, with some claiming he had said to the Dutchman that he needed a left-footed central defender.

But Solskjaer has denied saying anything of the sort, telling reporters ahead of his side's trip to Aston Villa on Thursday: "I've got seven centre-backs, I don't know where that's come from. We're fine."

Leicester’s draw with Arsenal on Tuesday night means it is now in United’s hands to finish in the top four as they still have to play Brendan Rodgers' side on the final day of the season.

And Solskjaer believes the Red Devils will have to win each of their remaining five games to guarantee a lucrative Champions League spot.

"There are so many games, if we win every single one we're in the top four," Solskjaer explained. "We cannot rely on help from anyone else, we have to do it ourselves and go into next season to put other challenges to teams."

The win against Bournemouth saw United reach 16 games unbeaten in all competitions, giving the squad confidence going into the final few weeks of the season.

"As a footballer you know you can't just pick out confidence from the fridge, you have to have it from every day in training and results matter," he said.

"The last 16 games unbeaten gives us confidence but nowhere near what a Manchester United team should stride towards. We focus on the next one and suddenly we're stood there with 16 - that's what we've done."

And despite Villa’s position in the league Solskjaer knows the game against Dean Smith’s side will be a challenge, especially with United target Jack Grealish being a threat.

"I think the last game they caused us some problems, Grealish off the left and [Anwar] El Ghazi on the right," the Norwegian said.

"Grealish scored a fantastic goal, there's been loads said about him and we need to be aware of him. If he's off the left, middle or right, he attracts players to him but there's not just one player in that Villa team, there are a lot of them."

Vipers SC new signing Ibrahim Orit has revealed his intentions to help the club to win the trophies and also use it as a stepping stone to professional football in Europe.

The Soroti-born attacking midfielder joined the Venoms last Thursday after agreeing to pen a four-year contract from Mbarara City.

This was after the newly crowned Ugandan Premier League (UPL) champions had tried to sign the player in the previous season but the deal fell through.

Orit has now told the club’s official website what prompted his move to the club, which will take part in the Caf Champions League, and also praised coach Fred Kajoba, whom he described as a father figure for many players in the Ugandan top-flight.

“I am extremely happy to be here as it has always been my dream to play for Vipers. It’s a big club with talented players and a fantastic coach,” Orit told the club’s official website in his first interview after signing the contract.

“In the life of a footballer, you always want to play at the biggest stage, a year ago I wanted to come but it didn’t happen and now that I am here, I want to improve myself too on top of winning titles for the club.”

On whether he was disappointed when the deal fell through in the 2018-19 season, Orit said: “I was disappointed when it didn’t happen, but it was my motivation as it pushed me to work harder. I know my former club still loves me but now that I am here, I cannot wait to get started.”

Asked on what he wants to achieve with the club, Orit explained: “Vipers is a winning team and joining when they’re champions, brings another dimension. Therefore, I won’t rest on my laurels as I have to continue with the team’s winning mentality. Further to that, I am eyeing a professional career after Vipers.”

Orit also said he was looking forward to working with Kajoba, who initiated the move to have him play for Vipers.

“[Kajoba] is a good coach who at times takes it to the level of acting as a father and I have already experienced it with him at the national team,” Orit continued. “I expect a good working relationship with him here at Vipers.”

When asked if he had messages for the Venom fans, Orit answered in the positive: “I know they rate me highly after my good times with Mbarara City. Therefore, I will do my best to keep up the standards and make them happy.

“Sincerely, football cannot be enjoyable without fans hence their involvement is very key. In that regard, I promise to work very hard to always make them happy.”

Eric Dier has been banned for four games after he jumped into the crowd to confront a supporter after Tottenham's FA Cup fifth-round loss to Norwich.

The defensive midfielder jumped over the advertising hoardings and into the stands to chase down the fan following the penalty shoot-out loss in March, with footage of the incident going viral on social media.

The ban comes into play with immediate effect, and the England international has also been fined £40,000.

According to the FA, Dier had admitted improper conduct but had said that his actions were not aggressive - a claim which was dismissed by the English football authority.

The FA said on Twitter: "The Tottenham Hotspur player admitted that his actions at the conclusion of a fixture against Norwich City in The FA Cup on 4 March 2020 were improper but denied that they were also threatening.

"An independent Regulatory Commission subsequently found Eric Dier’s actions to be threatening."

Dier climbed up the stands at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium before being pulled away by stewards following Spurs' loss to the Canaries.

He was attempting to confront a supporter who was believed to have been involved in a row with his brother, with his actions prompting a mixed response from the world of football.

Some sympathised with the player considering the abuse faced from some fans, while others felt he should have kept his cool.

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho criticised Dier immediately following the incident, although he later said he did not expect the club to punish Dier on top of the FA investigation.

“I don’t think that belongs to the game. The game was a fantastic representation of the FA Cup, but I cannot run away from the question," Mourinho said.

"I think Eric Dier did what we as professionals cannot do but when someone insults you and your family is involved, especially your young brother...”

Mourinho later said: "I don't know the answer [as to whether he will be disciplined]. The only thing I can say is that, if the club does, it's not because I want it.

"I am with the player. I believe that the club is also with the player. So I believe there is no action from us. One thing is conversations, sharing ideas, another thing is going in that direction, which I don't think we as a club want to go."

Spurs were beaten at home by the Premier League's bottom club on penalties after the game had finished 1-1 after extra time.

Wilfried Zaha believes his brilliant goal against Chelsea changed the mentality of the Crystal Palace team, unfortunately, they could not take any points in Tuesday’s Premier League clash.

The Blues took a 2-0 lead in the opening 27 minutes via former Arsenal striker Olivier Giroud and in-form United States international Christian Pulisic.

Zaha then pulled one back in the 34th minute with a piledriver from almost 25 yards that gave Chelsea goalie Kepa Arrizabalaga no chance.

Nigerian turned England international Tammy Abraham then extended Frank Lampard’s charges' lead in the 71st minute for his 14th Premier League goal of the season, before Christian Benteke reduced the deficit to 3-2 not long after.

Palace tried to score a late leveller but the Chelsea defence held firm.

"I’m disappointed with the loss because we shouldn’t have lost today,” Zaha told Palace TV after the match.

“We deserved a point at least. Or all three. That’s how the game goes, but I’m very happy with how we played today, I’m happy with the team. Going forward, if we play like that, we’ll win more than we lose.

"I’m just happy to score really and help the team. Scoring at that specific time spurred us on a bit. When things aren’t going your way and [you're] 2-0 down before you know it, I feel like that [goal] changed everyone’s mentality and kept us in the game.

"It shows our resilience. We’re losing but it’s not over until the final whistle blows. We showed we can carry on until the end. It’s unfortunate we lost but I’m very happy with our performance today."

Zaha’s goal was his fourth in the Premier League this season and his first in 2020, his last strike coming in a 1-1 draw with Brighton and Hove Albion on December 16, 2019.

His other goals were back-to-back in a 2-1 defeat by Liverpool and a 2-0 win at Burnley. The 27-year-old has also provided five assists.

Crystal Palace are now winless in their last four top-flight games having resumed with a 2-0 win at Bournemouth on June 20.

The South London club have dropped down to 14th as a result, but look very safe with 15 points separating them from the relegation zone and with four games left to conclude the campaign.

Crystal Palace defender Patrick van Aanholt says he is "very satisfied" that Katie Hopkins has been suspended from Twitter, after the footballer was involved in a series of social media spats with the right-wing provocateur.

Hopkins, a former columnist for The Sun and Mail Online, was permanently banned from Twitter last month due to "hateful conduct", having previously caused outrage on a regular basis for her offensive comments on a range of subjects.

Shortly before being banned, she criticised Manchester United forward Marcus Rashford for his campaign to provide free school meals for children during the summer holidays, claiming this was promoting laziness among parents - at which point Van Aanholt intervened.

The Netherlands international told Hopkins that Rashford "had done more in 24 hours than you have in your entire life. Bow before a king", before asking his followers who the former Apprentice contestant is.

Hopkins replied: "I am a white Christian conservative. You may kneel and kiss my ring," to which van Aanholt responded: "I am Dutch black, I am also Christian (not that colour or religion has anything to do with it). As for your ring you are welcome to come to Selhurst and kiss my big toe. I'll wait."

Speaking to beIN SPORTS, van Aanholt said of his exchange with Hopkins: "I think I’m very satisfied, not just me, but everyone on Twitter because it’s 2020 and people are still getting racist abuse, where does this come from? It’s just crazy. So that’s why I called her out.

"Obviously, at first I didn’t know who she was, and I called my agent and I was like, ‘who is Katie Hopkins?’. So I sat down with my agent and talked to him about it, I said, ‘listen, I’m going to reply to her because I’m not having this’. He was like, ‘are you sure?’, and I was like, ‘yeah’, so we did it.

"She got banned and blocked on Twitter, so I’m happy with that. I’ve done everyone a favour by calling her out and replying to her and getting her shut down.

"I think everybody agreed with him [Rashford] on this one. I think what he did was right and what she did was wrong, so that’s why I called her out and she finally got blocked on Twitter.

"I think we all stick together and that’s what we did. Everybody liked Marcus for what he did and everybody responded to that, so I think we all came together and it’s a good thing, we all made a statement."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has done an "amazing job of sifting out players that don't belong" at Manchester United, according to Peter Schmeichel.

Solskjaer has overseen a 16-match unbeaten run in 2020 which has allowed United to re-emerge as a major force in the Premier League.

The Red Devils have won their last four matches in all competitions, including an impressive 5-2 home win over Bournemouth last time out, and are now within sight of Champions League qualification.

Such an achievement seemed a long way off for United at Christmas, as Solskjaer's men were unable to string a sequence of meaningful results together in the first half of the season.

The Norwegian took the bold decision to let Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez move to Inter last summer as he began a squad rebuild, with Ashley Young joining the pair at San Siro in January.

He has also been unafraid to axe household names from his squad since being appointed the club's permanent manager in March 2019, instead choosing to place his faith in younger players with the drive to work hard and improve.

The United boss has been rewarded for his no-nonsense approach this year, and his doubters have been silenced as the team have gradually gelled together to start challenging the best sides again.

The likes of Jesse Lingard, Andreas Pereira, Eric Bailly and Phil Jones have been reduced to bit-part roles over the course of the transition.

Former United goalkeeper Schmeichel has been pleased with how Solskjaer has gone about restructuring the squad, and appeared to reference Lingard and his 'J-Lingz' clothing label when discussing those still on the books at Old Trafford.

Schmeichel told MUTV: “I’m on record for saying this a long, long time, since Ole came, that his most important job is not really to sign players, it’s to get rid of players.

“There’s a few players in the squad that we absolutely do not want there.

“They’re not there to play for the badge. They’re there to create a profile for themselves.

“I was reading about one player trying to make themself a brand like Beckham which is shocking really. But there are players there that do not belong in the dressing room.

“And I think Ole has done really well in kind of sifting them out of the picture really, so we only get reminded that they’re there in a chat like this, or reading about the squad. I think he’s done an amazing job.”

South Africa head coach Molefi Ntseki wants to see Bafana Bafana players in top European leagues like the Premier League, La Liga and Bundesliga.

Bafana had the likes of Lucas Radebe, Shaun Bartlett, Benni McCarthy, Aaron Mokoena, Steven Pienaar, Nasif Morris, Tsepo Masilela and Quinton Fortune playing in top European leagues in the past.

Ntseki believes the national team will benefit from having players competing in such leagues when international football resumes, having been suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic since March.

“If we can export more of our players to the European market, they will share the experience that they have acquired while playing abroad,” Ntseki told IOL.

“When I watched the La Liga recently as they came back after the coronavirus [break], I saw a number of north African players playing for Spanish teams.

"It was also the same when I watched the English Premier League. I saw more West African players."

Current Bafana players Keagan Dolly, Bongani Zungu, and Lebo Mothiba are plying their trades in Ligue 1 which is amongst the top five European leagues.

“But when I look at players who are of South African origin, we don’t have any, and this is a very big concern for me," the former South Africa under-17 head coach added.

"We need players playing regularly in the Premier League, Bundesliga, and La Liga.”

South Africa youth internationals Siphesihle Mdlalose, 21, and Khanya Leshabela, 20, have both signed their maiden professional contracts with Southampton and Leicester City, respectively.

However, Mdlalose and Leshabela are yet to make their first-team debuts for the Premier League clubs.

“For any team to do well, they need consistent players. We also need committed players who will come to the national team and work very hard for each other and their country and make sure that we qualify for Afcon and the World Cup," he said.

"A big Bafana pool made up of consistent performers will make us strong. Again, if we can have more players exposed to the (European) continental club competitions, it will be very easy for them to adapt for Bafana at a national level.”

The Afcon finals have been postponed to 2022 due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Bukayo Saka and Gabriel Martinelli are future world stars, according to Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez, who has described the talented duo as "different class".

Saka graduated to Arsenal's senior squad in 2018 after making his way through the club's academy ranks, but was made to wait for his chance to shine.

Unai Emery began including the 18-year-old in his starting line up at the start of the 2019-20 campaign, and he has since been able to retain a place in the team under the Spaniard's successor Mikel Arteta.

Saka has contributed four goals to Arsenal's cause in 36 appearances this term, along with an impressive total of 11 assists, the latest of which came as he set up Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang to score in a 1-1 draw with Leicester on Tuesday.

The Gunners tied the English winger down to a new four-year contract last week in light of his recent performances, and he looks set for a key role in Arteta's set-up in the coming years.

Martinelli, meanwhile, arrived at Emirates Stadium from Brazilian outfit Ituano for a fee of £8 million ($10m) last summer, with a view to continuing his development in the reserves before competing for a place in Arsenal's starting XI.

However the 19-year-old has seized every opportunity to prove himself with both hands, scoring 10 goals in 26 outings to establish himself as a more than capable backup striker behind Aubameyang and Alexandre Lacazette.

Martinelli also committed his long-term future to Arsenal after Saka's fresh terms were confirmed, and Martinez thinks that both men are destined to reach the very top of the game if they continue on their current trajectory.

“I’m telling you, Saka and Martinelli are the future stars, not just for the Arsenal, but in the Premier League and in the world,” the Gunners shot-stopper told Talksport.

“They’re willing to listen, they do extra work away from the training ground, they get on with everyone in the club and when they’re on the field they do different stuff.

“They are different class. If they put it in their mind that they can be the best, they can reach that."

Martinez added on how quickly Saka is progressing at the Emirates: “Saka can be in the England team already, he’s the kind of player you need in your team. It’s not just about how much he gives you [on the pitch], he’s very positive and even with the top, experienced players that have been around, there are not many players like him.

“He’s a team player. I could give him my gloves and he would perform in goal, that’s Saka. I’m a bit worried, actually!”

Wout Weghorst has suggested he could leave Wolfsburg this summer by saying he has "ambitions" to play and succeed at the "highest level".

The 27-year-old Dutch striker impressed in the 2019-20 season, with a one-in-two strike rate in the Bundesliga as he scored 16 goals in 32 league appearances.

He helped the club qualify for the Europa League next season with a seventh-place league finish, but feels he has shown that he is capable of reaching even bigger goals in the future.

Weghorst told Sport Bild: "Nobody has to be afraid. It's good for a club to get a lot of money again after investing in a player. 

"I have ambitions and I want to achieve at the highest level. In the past two years I have been able to show that I can deliver at that level and that there is more to come from me."

The target man, standing at 6'5", said there had been plans for him to sit down with the Wolfsburg management and talk about his future, but the disruption caused by coronavirus had put those plans on hold.

Weghorst, while he is ambitious and would be open to a move, admitted he is nevertheless happy in Wolfsburg and settled in his private life, while also appreciating his position as a key player and talisman for his current club.

He said: “We discussed that we should sit down if something exciting came up for me, but because of corona, we have a strange market.

"I get a lot of recognition in Wolfsburg, I play an important role in sport and in human terms. I feel good, my family too. It is also important to me whether Wolfsburg will do everything possible to win titles in the future, but I have confidence in the sporting leadership.”

He has recently been linked with Arsenal and Newcastle, however, Weghorst himself is a Liverpool fan who admits to getting goosebumps whenever he hears the signature song performed by fans of the Premier League champions before every game.

“I always found Liverpool very special,” he told Goal and DAZN in an exclusive interview last May. “I still get goosebumps from ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’. There are other great English clubs too, and I always liked Milan because so many Dutchmen played there.

“I am ambitious and want to get ahead. Maybe at some point play at another club, whether in Germany or in England? At the moment it is still far away. I feel good and will try to achieve the maximum here.”

Kagera Sugar coach Mecky Maxime has sensationally claimed they have what it takes to complete a Mainland Premier League double over Young Africans (Yanga SC) on Wednesday.

The two clubs will square off in the second-round meeting at the Kaitaba Stadium in Bukoba and Maxime believes his side have the ability to repeat what they did in the reverse fixture when they won 3-0 at the National Stadium in Dar es Salaam.

“My charges are in top form and have been training hard for the match,” Maxime is quoted by Daily News.

“We are well prepared to face Yanga. Football fans should turn up in thousands to cheer our team. “We promise them to see a well-balanced match.

“We expect it will be a tough match but we are confident of emerging victorious. Our target is to finish among the best three teams at the end of the league season.”

Despite winning the first-round match, the two sides met in the quarter-finals of the FA Cup where Yanga managed to turn the tables and beat Kagera 2-1 to reach the semis, where they have been drawn to face rivals Simba SC on Sunday.

The first-round defeat somewhat hurt Yanga coach Luc Eymael, who had just arrived to take over at the club and he has also promised to go for revenge in the reverse fixture.

“We play against Kagera next, a side which beat us 3-0 in the first round fixture, it was my first match in charge of Yanga and they showed me no mercy,” Eymael told Goal on Wednesday.

“I will definitely want my players to revenge again for me, we beat them a week ago in the domestic Cup and we must make sure we get maximum points from them, they are a good side, with a solid display but we managed to beat them in the FA Cup and we can also beat them in the league.”

Yanga will miss the services of midfielder Haruna Niyonzima, who was stretchered off during the match against Biashara United after twisting his ankle.

“[Niyonzima] will definitely not play, he is currently under the care of the doctors and we don’t know when he can return, I also think he will not be able to play against Simba on Sunday, it is very painful for him to use his leg for now.”

Yanga are third on the 20-team log with 60 points while Azam FC are second on 61 points.

Jack Grealish's agent Jonathan Barnett has responded to rumours linking the Aston Villa playmaker with a move to Manchester United.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying to assemble a squad of young, homegrown talent at Old Trafford since being handed a three-year contract in March 2019.

Harry Maguire, Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Daniel James were all brought in last summer, before a slight shift in the Norwegian's transfer policy saw Portuguese star Bruno Fernandes join the club from Sporting CP in January.

United are beginning to emerge as a major force again after the successful integration of recent signings, but more reinforcements are expected to walk through the door at the end of the season.

Grealish is reportedly top of Solskjaer's list of summer targets, with the 24-year-old currently plying his trade with Dean Smith's struggling Villa side.

Villa look destined for relegation at the moment, having slipped four points adrift of safety with only five fixtures left to play, the latest of which will see them come up against Solskjaer's in-form Red Devils on Thursday.

It has been suggested that United will snap up Grealish if Villa fail to avoid the drop, but Barnett insists his client is not yet thinking about his future.

Asked if the midfielder is closing in on a big-money transfer away from Villa Park, his agent told Stretty News: “Absolutely no deal has been done with anybody.

“I don’t think they’re [Aston Villa] looking at the Championship themselves, they believe that, hopefully, they’ll get out of the trouble they’re in.

“Jack believes it, he’s fighting hard, as hard as he can to stop that. That’s all that is on his mind at the moment.

“He’s not interested in anything else other than fighting to get Aston Villa out of any trouble.”

Barnett did, however, concede that Grealish would benefit from playing Champions League football whenever he does embark on the next stage of his fledgling career.

He added: “On the other hand, I think as far as his career is concerned, it would be great for him to play in the Champions League and develop his great skills and I’m not sure in which country or where that will be.

“But that conversation won’t happen now because all he wants to do is fight and help Aston Villa.”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) coach Luc Eymael has revealed his main target for the season is to make sure they finish second in the Mainland Premier League table and also lift the FA Cup.

The Jangwani Street-based giants lost the second spot on the 20-team table last Sunday after Azam FC hammered Singida United 7-0 to move to 61 points, one more than Yanga.

However, with four matches remaining to the end of the season, the Belgian coach has stressed the importance of finishing second, insisting it is the target he has set for his players and they must strive to achieve it.

“My target for the season still remains the same, we must finish second behind Simba and there is no short cut about that,” Eymael told Goal on Wednesday as they prepare for their league match against Kagera Sugar on Thursday.

“I am not asking too much from the players because when I joined the team, Simba SC had already opened a huge gap which no team could have breached, even if we fought and fought the gap was too huge, but now we have managed to move close, last week we were in position two before dropping points against Biashara United.

“We managed a draw from Biashara but the pitch was also not good for my players, they struggled to play the kind of game we would love to play and again tomorrow [Thursday] we face Kagera in another tough pitch but my prayers is we get a win from the match.

“The other target, of course, is to make sure we reach the final of the domestic Cup and lift the trophy, but first things first, we play against Kagera next, a side which beat us 3-0 in the first round fixture, it was my first match in charge of Yanga and they showed me no mercy.

“I will definitely want my players to revenge again for me, we beat them a week ago in the domestic Cup and we must make sure we get maximum points from them, they are a good side, with a solid display but we managed to beat them in the FA Cup and we can also beat them in the league.”

Asked on whether returning player Bernard Morrison will face Kagera, Eymael said: “I will know before the match, but he has trained with us very well and he wants to play, I will look at him again before I make the decision.”

Yanga will then face rivals Simba SC in the semi-finals of the domestic Cup at National Stadium in Dar es Salaam on Sunday.

Ugandan Premier League (UPL) side Police FC have unveiled their second signing ahead of the new season after sealing the transfer of Hassan Muhamood from Onduparaka FC.

Muhamood is arriving at the ‘Cops’ just a day after the club secured the services of former Uganda Cranes midfielder Tony Mawejje on a two-year contract.

“We are pleased to announce the signing of defender Hassan Muhamood from Onduparaka on a two-year deal,” Police confirmed on their social media pages.

“He becomes our second signing of the ongoing transfer window after Tony Mawejje returned at the club.”

Speaking after unveiling the player, club chairman Asan Kasingye said: “Muhamood brings energy to boost our defence and we are excited to have him. We are rebuilding our club to make sure that we become a formidable force like we used to.

“We sorted out technical issues and now we are engaging all our efforts to make sure we have a good team.”

Kasingye further called upon the club fraternity to remain together as one family as they strive to do better in the new season.

“We call upon our fans and the team to remain together as we continue doing everything possible to make sure we compete at the highest level,” Kasingye continued.

“This is the time to build structures and reclaim our glory.”

On signing for the Law Enforcers, Muhamood said: “I am so happy to join Police. It’s a new challenge for me as a player and I am going to do my best so we go back at the top. I am looking forward to meeting the players and coaches.”

Before joining Police, Muhamood had also featured for UPL giants Express FC and SC Villa.

On Tuesday, after unveiling Mawejje, chairman Kasingye promised to beef up the squad that will be able to challenge for top honours in Uganda.

 “We no longer just want to compete; we need to win trophies. We are former champions and its time to think big,” Kasingye said earlier.

“Football is a big enterprise in the world that doesn’t entertain mediocrity. We need to do the right thing like other clubs.”

Kasingye added it was the right time for the team to secure sponsors because Police are a big organisation and many people want to be part of it.

VP Suhair is set to be signed by Indian Super League (ISL) outfit NorthEast United, Goal can confirm. 

The forward was an integral member of Kibu Vicuna's Mohun Bagan that went on to lift the I-League title. He made 16 appearances for the Mariners, notching up 1273 minutes during the campaign. He scored twice and assisted on two other occassions.  

In fact, he started all the I-League game under Kibu Vicuna at Bagan. Suhair was linked with a potential move to Kerala Blasters but NorthEast assistant coach Khalid Jamil has moved to secure the services of the striker.

Overall he made more than 30 appearances for Bagan including the Calcutta Football League (CFL) and Durand Cup. 

Suhair started his career with the SBT (State Bank of Travancore) team and then joined Gokulam Kerala after playing in the Santosh Trophy team for South Indian state. 

After representing Kerala in the Santosh Trophy, he joined United SC in the second division. While at the West Bengal club, he scored against East Bengal in the Calcutta Football League (CFL). Subsequently, he joined the Red and Golds in 2017. 

NorthEast United have already signed Ponif Vaz, Gurjinder Kumar, Lalkhawpuimawia & Rochharzela for the 2020-21 season. 

Daniel James will not be sent out on loan next season, according to his agent Jonathan Barnett, who says the Welsh winger is now a "major part" of Manchester United.

James became Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first signing as United's permanent head coach in June 2019.

The Red Devils paid £15 million ($19m) to secure his services from Swansea, where he had emerged as one of the brightest young talents in the Championship.

The 22-year-old committed to a five-year contract at Old Trafford and hit the ground running in the Premier League, scoring on his debut as Solskjaer's men earned a 4-0 victory against Chelsea at the start of the new season.

James scored two more goals in his next three outings for United, before a frustrating scoreless run spanning the next six months.

The Wales international's last goal came during a 5-0 Europa League win over LASK in March, which marked the Red Devils' final outing before the coronavirus-enforced break in the campaign.

James has been reduced to a bit-part role in Solskjaer's squad since the top flight's resumption last month, with Mason Greenwood emerging as the Norwegian's first choice on the right of a front three.

It has been suggested that the former Swansea ace could secure a temporary move away from Manchester this summer for regular minutes, but Barnett is adamant he will be staying put.

Asked if there is any chance of James being loaned out when the transfer window reopens, his agent told Stretty News: “No. He’s a major part of Man United’s team. I see him playing for Man United.”

Barnett went on to insist that the Welshman has the "character" to fight for a place in United's line up, and that he is still developing at a "normal" rate despite a recent loss of form.

He added: "I think if you don’t have that character you shouldn’t go to Man United. We as a company have a responsibility to help them and point these things out and in Dan’s case, it was obvious he has that character.

“I think if you asked generally the people at Manchester United and I am presuming, I haven’t spoken to them but they would be very pleased with his progress.

“It’s very normal with a young player that he has a little dip in his form at the same time that the other guys have done extremely well, so he’ll have to wait his chance and when he gets it, he’ll take it.”