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Alexander Isak has been dubbed an "exceptional talent" after the Arsenal and Liverpool-linked star turned in an eye-catching performance for Sweden in their Group E victory over Slovakia at Euro 2020.

Emil Forsberg's penalty roughly a quarter-hour from time was the only goal of a clash markedly low on high-quality football, with Sweden fortunate to come away with three points from Saint-Petersburg after a cagey opening draw with Spain.

However, as he did four days prior against Luis Enrique's side, Real Sociedad forward Isak was the pick of the bunch for Janne Andersson's side with a man-of-the-match winning turn drawing plaudits from figures across the game at the full-time whistle

What has been said?

Andersson hails forward

Speaking to UEFA's official website in his post-match comments, Isak's coach was quick to hail his impact while adding that the best is yet to come for the 21-year-old.

"It's really good to see him on the pitch, he's a huge talent," Janne Andersson said. "He's a young player who's still got a lot of room for improvement. I think there is a lot more to come from him. He played really well today."

On the result, Andersson added he was delighted to have taken four points from his side's opening two games in Group C to put them firmly in the mix for a knockout stage spot, saying: It's good to have four points after two games.

"We've played seven games this year, and conceded just one goal. Our attack deserved more today, they were fantastic at times."

Striker primed for major move?

Isak's stock was already on the rise following his instrumental part in Sociedad's 2019-20 Copa del Rey triumph, the final of which was not played until April this year due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

His individual display amid a dour Swedish performance in Saint-Petersburg may now help take it to new levels, particularly if Andersson's side progress to the knock-outs, as seems likely following their win.

Liverpool and Arsenal are among those linked with his talents, though on the strength of his recent form, Real are unlikely to let him go without a fight.

Further reading

Orlando Pirates have announced the appointment of former Lamontville Golden Arrows head coach Mandla Ncikazi.

The Hlokozi-born tactician parted ways with Arrows on Wednesday despite having enjoyed a successful 2020/21 season with the KwaZulu-Natal side. 

Ncikazi was then linked with Chippa United, who are currently preparing for the PSL promotion/relegation play-offs, but he has since joined the Buccaneers. 

Pirates have confirmed the addition of Ncikazi to their technical team on a three-year contract: 

"Orlando Pirates Football Club is pleased to announce the appointment of Mandla Ncikazi," a club statement read. 

"The 52-year old joins the Bucs technical team department on a three-year deal."

Ncikazi was at the helm at Arrows as they achieved their highest ever finish in the PSL last season with Abafana Bes'thende securing a fourth spot finish. 

The retired defender is happy to have joined the Soweto giants where will form part of a technical team which is led by head coach Josef Zinnbauer. 

“I am pleased to be here and look forward to getting started,” Ncikazi said on the club's official website. 

Ncikazi is expected to work with former Maritzburg United head coach Fadlu Davids as Zinnbauer's two assistants at the Soweto giants.

The site also revealed that the team will start its pre-season training next month as they prepare for the new 2021/22 campaign. 

"Orlando Pirates technical team and players are scheduled to start pre-season on July 1," another statement read.

Ncikazi transformed Arrows into top three hopefuls during the recent campaign as Arrows competed with Pirates, AmaZulu FC, and Mamelodi Sundowns for Caf inter-club spots after replacing Steve Komphela as the head coach in October 2020.

The former AmaZulu player has also held roles as an assistant coach at African Wanderers, Durban Stars, Polokwane City, Free State Stars, Maritzburg United and the South African women's team.

Maritzburg handed Ncikazi the opportunity to be the head coach in the PSL in July 2015 following the departure of his long-time friend Komphela, who had joined Kaizer Chiefs.

However, Ncikazi was dismissed by the Team of Chiefs just two months into the 2015/16 season due to a poor run of results.

The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has permitted 5,000 fans to attend the two Caf Champions League semi-final games on Saturday. 

Esperance welcome defending champions Al Ahly to the Stade Olympique de Rades while Wydad Casablanca host Kaizer Chiefs at the Mohammed V Stadium in another intruiging fixture.

Caf disclosed on Friday that the host teams - Esperance and Wydad requested fans presence in their stadiums for the first-leg clashes, and it was accepted after consultations with government and health authorities in Tunisia and Morocco.

Prior to Saturday's games, continental games involving clubs and countries in Africa have been behind closed doors or opened to limited audience in an effort to curb the spread of coronavirus.

"CAF has approved the attendance of 5000 supporters for the matches Esperance (Tunisia) v Al Ahly (Egypt), and Wydad (Morocco) v Kaizer Chiefs (South Africa), TotalEnergies CAF Champions League Semifinal first leg, scheduled on Saturday 19 June 2021," the statement read on Caf's website.

"Esperance faces Al Ahly at Stade Olympique De Rades, Tunis, while Wydad receives Kaizer Chiefs at Complexe Mohamed V Stadium, Casablanca.

This is after receiving an application from the host member and approvals from governmental and health authorities in Tunisia and Morocco.

"CAF has stressed that all medical precautions should be followed at all times in respect to CAF Covid-19 health protocols."

After dumping Algeria's CR Belouizdad in the quarter-finals on penalty shoot-out after a 2-2 aggregate score, Esperance will be focused on stopping Egyptian giants Ah Ahly who have won the Champions League for a record nine times.

The Red Devils stopped Mamelodi Sundowns with a 3-1 aggregate win, which started with a 2-0 victory in the first-leg.

Elsewhere in Casablanca, Wydad - who grabbed a late goal to send MC Alger packing with 2-1 aggregate win in May - will aim to go beyond the semi-final this year when they battle Kaizer Chiefs.

They suffered a 5-1 loss to Al Ahly at this stage last year.

Chiefs, on the other hand, advanced into the Champions League last-four for the first time in their history after they defeated Simba SC 4-3 on aggregate.

The second leg fixtures are scheduled for the following week (June 26) and it is unknown yet if fans will be granted access for the games.

Games between Scotland and England tend to have an edge to them, with the historical rivalry between the two enhanced by the familiarity of both sets of players.

Clashes have been keenly contested and the overall share of the spoils is even enough, though the Three Lions edge it.

So, when did Scotland last come out on top against The Auld Enemy in a football match? Goal takes a look at their head-to-head record.

When did Scotland last beat England?

A 1-0 victory at Wembley on November 17, 1999 was the date of Scotland's last victory against England in football.

It was the second leg of a Euro 2000 qualifying play-off and Don Hutchison scored the winning goal.

Unfortunately for Scotland, however, it was not enough to secure passage to Euro 2000, as England had won 2-0 in the first leg at Hampden Park.

Paul Scholes scored both goals for the Three Lions on that occasion, setting Kevin Keegan's side up well for the second leg. Indeed, despite losing at Wembley, they progressed with a 2-1 aggregate score.

Scotland have failed to defeat England in their four subsequent matches prior to their Euro 2020 meeting, losing three and drawing once.

What is Scotland's record vs England?

As of June 17, 2021, Scotland had played England on 114 occasions, winning 41 games, losing 48 and drawing 25.

Their June 18 meeting with the Three Lions at Euro 2020 represents their 115th encounter.

The first ever fixture between the sides, which is officially recognised by FIFA as the first international football match, was played on November 20, 1872 at Hamilton Crescent. It ended a 0-0 draw.

England recorded the first win of the rivalry the following year in 1873, beating the Scots 4-2 in London, but Scotland exacted revenge the following year, winning 2-1 in 1874.

While England can claim to be the stronger team based on results in the 20th and 21st centuries, Scotland enjoyed greater success in the early years of the encounter.

More Scotland vs England content

Lille defender Reinildo Mandava survived an attempted carjacking in Mozambique when he was going for a friend's wedding in the province of Zambezia.

The 27-year-old recently returned to the Southeastern African country for his vacation after helping Lille win the 2020-21 French Ligue 1 title.

However, his offseason turned to a nightmare on Thursday when armed men shot at his car several times in an attempt to steal it.

He was said to be on his way to the wedding of Gildo Vilanculos - his teammate in the Mozambican national team who played for Portuguese club Maritimo.

There was no human damage aside from the bullet-riddled car.

According to reports, Reinildo spent the night at the police station and he is expected to go to Quelimane with police escort - capital of Zambezia province - on Friday before returning to his hometown Beira - the capital of Sofala Province - where he has been enjoying his holiday.

Meanwhile, Lille have confirmed the attack and they have sent their best wishes to the 27-year-old who made 29 appearances in the French top-flight last season.

"Reinildo was the victim of an attack in Mozambique on Thursday," the club wrote on Twitter. 

"Fortunately the player is in good shape and we can send him our best wishes!”

Thanks to Lille’s Ligue 1 triumph, Reinildo made history as the first player from Mozambique to win any of Europe’s top five leagues.

He moved to the Stade Pierre-Mauroy on an initial loan from Portuguese club Belenenses in January 2019 and the deal was made permanent after six months.

Christophe Galtier's side triggered the purchase option in Reinildo's contract and handed him a three-year deal which will expire in June 2022.

His superb performances for Les Dogues last season earned him a nomination for Prix Marc-Vivien Foe (Best African player in Ligue 1) for 2021 which was later awarded to Lens' Congolese forward Gael Kakuta. 

In addition to his recognitions, the 27-year-old made the UNFP Ligue 1's Team of Year for the 2020-21 season alongside his teammate Benjamin Andre and Paris Saint-Germain stars Kylian Mbappe, Keylor Navas, Neymar, Presnel Kimpembe and Marquinhos.

Harambee Stars defender Joseph Okumu is closing in on a move to Belgium's top side KAA Gent, Goal can reveal.

Okumu has been allowed by his Swedish club, IF Elfsborg, to travel to Ghent and complete talks with the Belgian side. The former Chemelil Sugar centre-back has had an impressive season with Elfsborg and attracted reported interest, mainly from Lorient and Reims of France and from Rangers FC and Celtic of Scotland.

"He is in Ghent for formal talks with the club. Negotiations have been ongoing and if everything is agreed on, he will become Gent's new player soon," a source close to Okumu told Goal.
 
Crouch, as the former Real Monarchs star is known, joined the Swedish side after participating in the Africa Cup of Nations with the Harambee Stars in 2019. Although Kenya did not do well in the tournament, the centre-back showed brilliance especially after being called to fill the void that injuries created in the national team.
 
Since then, he has been an undroppable figure for Harambee Stars as he has also established himself as one of the key players at club level. Recently, Okumu stated he was ready for a new challenge away from Elfsborg.

"Yes, definitely [will take the next step]. The most important thing is that I have already made an impression here," Okumu said.

"When I have done that, both I and the club are satisfied... I think we have the same interests here, so I will take the next step."

After completing his secondary education at Kakamega High, where he featured in national tournaments alongside his Harambee Stars teammate, Eric Ouma, Okumu joined Chemelil Sugar before he secured a move to the Free State Stars of South Africa. From Free State Stars, the towering defender joined AFC Ann Arbor and Real Monarchs in the United States before Elfsborg - his first European team - signed him two years ago.

Germany are "not nervous" despite losing their opening game of Euro 2020 and remain confident about reaching the knock-out stages, striker Kevin Volland says.

Jogi Low's side face a battle to reach the last 16 after losing their opening game of the tournament 1-0 to France in Budapest on Tuesday night, a Mats Hummels own goal consigning Germany to defeat against the world champions.

Monaco forward Volland is still optimistic about their chances, as they prepare for their second match of Group F against Portugal on Saturday.

What has been said?

Volland told Goal and SPOX:  "We are not nervous, we are all in a good mood and optimistic that we will play a good game against Portugal and get through the group stage."

Germany could have lost to France by a wider margin, as Kylian Mbappe had two efforts chalked off for offside, however, Volland was still happy with the way he and his team-mates performed against the 2018 World Cup winners.

He said: "It's annoying that we lost the game because we had a decent performance overall. We certainly could have played some situations better, we have to work on that, but the mood is good and we are now looking forward to the next game."

Usually a striker, eyebrows were raised when Volland was brought on as a substitute for left wing-back Robin Gosens in the 88th minute in Budapest, playing the end of the game in a very unfamiliar position.

Volland, however, defended his manager's tactical decision, saying: "That was only for a few minutes, the game was almost over anyway. The coach wanted to bring in an attacking left-back. As a player, you take that for granted and try to do your best, even if it's not your main position. I'm annoyed that I missed one or two crosses at the end, but that's also part of football."

Germany at Euro 2020

Drawn in the toughest group of the tournament alongside world champions France, Euro 2016 winners Portugal, and Hungary, Germany face an uphill task to reach the last 16 following their defeat in the opening game.

They could progress as one of the best third-placed sides should they win one of their two remaining group fixtures, however, victory over Portugal in Munich on Saturday would boost their chances of a top-two finish and definite qualification for the next round.

Germany also have the advantage of playing all three group games on home soil at Bayern Munich's Allianz Arena, as they aim to avoid a repeat of their humiliating group-stage exit at Russia 2018.

Further Reading

Manuel Locatelli is said to be attracting interest from across Europe, with Arsenal among his many suitors, but the Sassuolo midfielder is reluctant to be drawn on the "gossip" surrounding his future.

The 23-year-old's stock continues to rise at Euro 2020, with the Italy international catching the eye for an impressive Azzurri side - with two goals recorded on his last outing against Switzerland.

Goal was able to confirm back in April that Juventus are mulling over a move, with Arsenal and Manchester City said to be keen in England, but Locatelli will not be rushing into any decision regarding a possible transfer.

What has been said?

Locatelli told reporters when quizzed on the speculation he is generating: "[The transfer rumours are] just talk. I will decide after the European Championship.

"There's such an important competition to play in, and I'm only focused on this.

"I rely on what happens on the pitch, the real things, everything else is just gossip, it's useless to talk about it."

He added: "When you're involved in such an important competition, you're only focused on the task in hand.

"We see the kids in the street when we travel to our games waving flags, so it's quite easy to stay focused on the match.

"I'm focused on what happens on the pitch because that's what is real. Everything else is just gossip and there's no point worrying about it."

The bigger picture

Reports have suggested that a bid of around £34 million ($47m) could be enough to secure Locatelli's signature, although that asking price will continue to rise if he puts Italy in contention for European Championship glory.

While no decision on a potential change of scenery will be made any time soon, the highly-rated performer has hinted that a move away from Serie A could appeal to him.

Locatelli has said: "Playing abroad is an option for me and at the moment I’m not excluding anything. It’s part of my job and it means that I have raised my level."

Further reading

Ghana star Andre Ayew has sent an emotional message to Swansea City players, coaches and fans following his departure from the club.

Earlier this month, the Swans announced Ayew's exit as a free agent after the club’s unsuccessful bid to return to the Premier League.

The Black Stars captain was an outstanding figure in Steve Cooper's squad having finished the last two seasons as the club's top scorer with 33 goals in 92 Championship appearances in total.

In his farewell message, Ayew stated that it was ‘difficult’ for him and his teammates after they lost the play-off final by 2-0 to Brentford but he went further to thank the club faithful and the management for the love shown to him during his stay.

"Hi Jack Army, this is your boy Andre. I’m here to say goodbye. Since the final, it was a difficult period for us, the players and for me personally and the team as a whole, I decided to stay quite a little bit," Ayew said in an Instagram video.

"Just wanted to let you guys know that I am so grateful for what you guys have done for me. Thank you so much for the support, thank you so much for the love.

"I came to the club three times at different periods, I've always succeeded, thanks to you guys it is something I will never forget. I'm very proud to have won this shirt with dignity, I am going to miss everyone. I want to thank the staff, the coach Steve Cooper, the players, the physios, the cooks but it's time to say goodbye.

“It is not easy for me, I wish I could have played again in the Premier League with Swansea but that's football.”

Ayew had two spells at the Liberty Stadium – when he was first signed from Marseille in June 2015 but he immediately left the club after an impressive debut campaign to join West Ham United.

After a year and a half at West Ham, Ayew returned to Swansea City where he has been since January 2018 but he was sent out on loan to Fenerbahce for the 2018-19 season.

While his next destination remains unknown, the 31-year-old assured that he will return to the club in the nearest future.

“I will be back, I don't know if as a player again or as something but to just come and see you guys, I will be back. It is a club I have in my heart and I will never forget what you guys have done for me. Thanks so much and God bless,” he added.

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Manqoba Mngqithi has cast a doubt on whether four players who were loaned out last season will return to play for the team in the new campaign.

The Brazilians had loaned Phakamani Mahlambi, Sammy Seabi, Nyiko Mobbie, and Nicholus Lukhubeni, and with their deals over, Mngqithi has remained coy on whether they will return to play for the Brazilians.

“Come back to us?” he posed a question to the Citizen website when asked about the future of the players and added: “I don’t know.

“We are still going to sit down in that space but it will be to enhance what we have because the boys are looking good. Some of the boys who did not play much this past season will seem like new signings.”

But Mngqithi, who works alongside co-head coach Rulani Mokwena, has stated they have put in a place a system that players on loan always follow and they end up making decisions on the recommendations.

“We follow the progress of all our players, we know what is happening with each and every one of them and we make decisions based on that,” Mngqithi continued.

“We look at the recommendation that we are getting from the teams. They give every detail and information of what the player was doing and why he was not playing, then we make decisions based on that.”

In a recent interview, Mngqithi revealed the local giants were not under any threat from AmaZulu to retain the PSL title.

The Brazilians clinched their record-setting fourth consecutive title on May 26 after a 3-1 win against 10-man SuperSport United, becoming the first team in the league’s history to win the title in four consecutive seasons.

“When we were given an opportunity it was at the back of the President [Motsepe] knowing our capacity and we had to deliver on that by using our leadership qualities and making sure that this thing does not crumble on our hands,” Mngqithi said.

“We were fortunate to hold it from the beginning and it never showed any signs of being shaky.”

Sundowns were the first to win three league titles in a row from 1998 to 2000 before SuperSport managed three titles from 2008 to 2010. 

Wekundu wa Msimbazi are keen on letting the forward leave should any club meet their valuation of $700,000 to $1 million for the Mozambican star.

Miquissone has been one of the stand-out performers for Simba alongside Clatous Chama, especially during their Caf Champions League campaign that was ended by Kaizer Chiefs in the quarter-finals.
 
"Before, we had received offers from especially North Africa teams but now Mamelodi Sundowns have joined the race," a source within Simba's ranks told Goal on Friday.

"Al Ahly, and CR Belouizdad of Algeria were the North African sides who made their approach first but now there is another entrant in Sundowns.
 
"Every interested party is welcome to come and table their offers, we will listen, but we will be guided by the interests of the player and, certainly, Simba's interests. Of course, we have our demands and the more interested parties come, the easier, I think, it would be for us to get the best buyer for Miquissone."
 
Simba have already identified possible replacements for the former UD Songo forward, and Cape Town City's Justin Shonga and Zanaco United's Moses Phiri are seen as the best men to come and fill the void if Miquissone eventually makes the move.
 
"We are having a debate about Shonga and Phiri and the majority of the board members seem to agree that we should approach the two. We are now looking at the number of foreign players that will be in our team given that we have 10 at the moment," a Simba source recently revealed.
 
With the exit of Francis Kahata, Simba will need to sign a creative midfielder to supplement Chama and Bernard Morrison. Kahata left after his two-year contract with the club he joined in 2019 from Gor Mahia came to an end in June 2021. 

Although they are defensive in nature, Taddeo Lwanga, Erasto Nyoni, Muzamiru Yassin and Jonas Mkude have been deployed in the advanced midfield positions this season and that makes a need for a creative star who can play behind Meddie Kagere, John Bocco and Chris Mugalu, more urgent.

The summer of 1996 was billed as a time when football would 'come home' as England hosted Euro 96 and attempted to get their hands on their first major trophy since the World Cup 30 years earlier.

Led by Terry Venables, a Three Lions team featuring stars such as Steve McManaman, Alan Shearer and Paul Ince were expected to mount a challenge for glory, particularly on home soil.

It helped that they had the prodigious talent of Paul Gascoigne in their ranks too and the mercurial midfielder demonstrated the extent of his quality in the second game with a sensational strike against Scotland.

Shearer put England ahead against their rivals and then Gascoigne produced a moment of magic when he nonchalantly flicked the ball over Colin Hendry before smashing beyond Andy Goram.

Interestingly, the celebration which followed the goal is arguably as famous, with 'Gazza' and a number of England players jokingly reproducing a moment that had overshadowed their tournament preparations.

It became known as 'The Dentist's Chair', but what was it all about exactly? Goal takes a look back at the infamous European Championship celebration.

What was Gazza's 'Dentist's Chair' celebration?

After scoring England's second goal against Scotland at Wembley, Gascoigne wheeled away in jubilation, then lay on the ground with his head up, arms out to the side and his mouth open wide. 

Shearer, McManaman and Jamie Redknapp were not far behind, and they proceeded to squirt water forcefully into Gascoigne's mouth. So 'The Dentist's Chair' celebration was born.

The celebration is a reference to a drink-soaked night which occurred on England's pre-Euro 96 tour of east Asia, where 'Gazza' and other players were said to have been tied to a chair and plied with alcohol.

"There were about nine of us who did the Dentist's Chair in Hong Kong, but obviously, being the person I am, I'm the one who got hammered for it," Gascoigne later told Pitch TV.

"For some reason, in the second game against Scotland, I just said, 'right guys, whoever scores does the Dentist's Chair' and fortunately for me, it was me.

"The lads were clued in and it was good. It's just a shame it was lucozade in that bottle and not gin... I'm only joking!"

It was the era before smartphones and the escapades of the England stars might not have been known until photographs emerged days later showing the players in their Dionysian splendour.

Gascoigne, McManaman, Teddy Sheringham and others were shown in the bowels of a booze house with their shirts ripped and the drink flowing. It was not a good look.

The images of England's star players indulging themselves thus on the eve of the first major international tournament to be held in the country since 1966 prompted outrage.

Gascoigne and his cohorts were subsequently pilloried in the British media, with the Sun famously running the headline: 'Disgracefool'.

So, when he scored a world-class goal to clinch victory over one of England's oldest enemies, 'Gazza' responded with an ironic retort directed at his detractors.

Interestingly, it wasn't only the players who were involved in the merrymaking either as Venables' assistant coach, Bryan Robson, was present on the night of The Dentist's Chair.

As Ian Walker, who was a substitute goalkeeper for England at Euro 96, recalled, Robson was enlisted by Venables to keep an eye on the players on their night out.

Writing in That's magazine in 2014, Walker explained: "I don’t know what it was, but Bryan Robson was standing there with a pint, and he was wearing one of those shirts with a round collar, and someone grabbed it and ripped it. All he had left was the little round collar: the rest of it had gone. And he just carried on drinking like nothing had happened!

"He was supposed to be looking after us, so from then on it went a bit mad. And then someone found a dentist chair in another room. So of course – bang! - straight away we’re on it.

"I think Gazza went on first, then I had a go, then Teddy Sheringham. Then it all went off, just bedlam."

Despite the opprobrium in the sports pages at the time, the England players still maintain that their late-night drinking sessions were actually a useful experiment in team-building. 

“I was first in the chair because it looked like a laugh,” Gascoigne said in an interview with Four Four Two magazine. "Then a few of the other lads did it. It was good for team spirit."

Others, such as Ince, Walker and Co. agree, though it is difficult to imagine such antics taking place in the game nowadays, where a player's every movement is scrutinised.

Considering the goal and the way England performed at the beginning of the tournament in particular though - beating Scotland and the Netherlands in the group, then overcoming Spain - 'Gazza' may have a point.

The Three Lions ultimately lost out to Germany in the semi-final on penalties, with Andreas Moller extinguishing their hopes of ending '30 years of hurt', but the memories of 'Gazza' and the Dentist's Chair endure.

Jorginho's agent claims to have received enquiries from "the main teams in Europe" regarding the Italy international's potential availability, but the classy playmaker is expected to remain at Chelsea.

The 29-year-old midfielder is currently on Euro 2020 duty with Italy, where he is helping to put the Azzurri in contention for continental glory.

He is shining in a prominent shop window and had been generating transfer talk prior to heading away with his country, with his representative admitting that interest from outside of Stamford Bridge continues to be shown.

What has been said?

Joao Santos told Radio Marte: "Jorginho is very well, he has won the Europa League and the Champions League, and now the goal is to win the Euros.

"He is focused on this and wants to play all the remaining seven games of the European Championship.

"Obviously, he won the Champions League, and therefore there are enquiries from the main teams in Europe."

Will Jorginho be on the move?

The Brazil-born star has hinted in the past that he could retrace steps to Serie A giants Napoli at some stage in the future, but he is under contract until 2023 and is not expected to break that agreement any time soon.

Jorginho has figured prominently for Chelsea under Thomas Tuchel, playing 17 of the 19 Premier League games taken in by the Blues under the German coach.

He also played the full 90 minutes in all seven of the Champions League games he was available for following a managerial change in west London - with the second leg of a last-16 showdown with Atletico Madrid the only contest he sat out through suspension.

Santos added: "In my opinion he'll stay at Chelsea next year.

"The next goal is to make the World Cup in Qatar with Italy - by staying at Chelsea he's great chances to do so."

Further reading