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Kenya international Masoud Juma has sealed a move to Moroccan outfit Difaa Hassani d'el-Jadida.

The 25-year-old has been confirmed on Tuesday night although the length of his contract was not revealed. The one-time Coupe du Trone champions have made a short statement announcing the arrival of the former Kariobangi Sharks attacker.

"New arrival on the new Hassani defense team, Masoud Juma. DHJ's new player, welcome to you," the El Jadida-based charges confirmed via their social media outlets.

The move to the Morrocan side ends the Harambee Star's brief stay in the Algerian top-tier team Jeunesse Sportive de Kabylie commonly referred to as JS Kabylie.

At his new team, the forward will replace Simon Msuva, who joined Wydad Casablanca in 2020.

Juma has often been on the move both in the Kenyan league and on foreign soil. The striker won the Golden Boot in 2017 while serving Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Kariobangi Sharks.

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

On September 22, Juma signed for Dibba Al-Fujairah before he left to join Libyan champions Al-Nasr Benghazi but due to security concerns left in 2019 to sign for Algerian side JS Kabylie.

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

He earned his second cap during a friendly against Mauritania two months later, where he scored with a 58th-minute header.

Although his inclusion has often divided opinions, the former Bandari star was used during the Afcon qualifiers against Comoros – where he scored during a 1-1 draw in Nairobi, and when Kenya were defeated 2-1 in Moroni in November.

The centre-forward will be the latest Harambee Star to make a move abroad.

After a stellar season with Kashiwa Reysol in the J1 League, Michael Olunga – who won both the Golden Boot and the Most Valuable Player awards – moved to the United Arab Emirates where he joined Al-Duhail Sports Club.

Juma’s international teammate Johana Omolo also completed a move to Buyuksehir Belediye Erzurumspor from Cercle Brugge of Belgium while David Owino sealed a move to Napsa Stars of Zambia from Zesco United.

Arsenal's Europa League game with Benfica on February 18 has been moved to Rome due to coronavirus restrictions, with the second leg switched from Emirates Stadium to Athens.

The first leg of the last-32 tie had been scheduled to be played at Estadio da Luz, but Covid-19 travel restrictions in the United Kingdom regarding journeys to Portugal made a change of venue essential.

The second leg, due to be played on February 25, will instead be played at Olympiacos' home ground, Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in the Greek capital. 

Why have the venues been changed?

Current travel restrictions in place due to Covid-19 in the UK mean that residents from the country face strict quarantine measures when travelling to Portugal.

The Iberian nation is on the UK government's "Red List" of destinations, with a blanket travel ban in place.

Arsenal's squad and staff would be required to self-isolate for 15 days upon returning from Lisbon, a requirement which is obviously incompatible with the club's other fixture commitments.

What has been said?

Arsenal said in a statement on their website: "The matches are being held at neutral venues due to the current Covid-19 regulations.

"The first leg, which is Benfica’s 'home' fixture, will be played at the Stadio Olimpico in Rome on February 18, at 8pm UK time.

"Our 'home' fixture will be played at the Georgios Karaiskakis Stadium in Athens, Olympiacos' stadium, on February 25. Kick-off has yet to be confirmed.
 
"UEFA has stated that in the event of a draw over two legs, away goals will count double."

Whose responsibility is it to find a new venue?

UEFA rules stipulate that it is down to the home side to ensure the game can be played at their venue. If this isn’t possible then it is down to them to find a suitable alternative.

Further reading

Chelsea’s assistant coach Zsolt Low says Thomas Tuchel and his staff are aiming for a top-four finish in their first season at Stamford Bridge.

Low, who worked under Tuchel in his previous job at Paris Saint-Germain, also admitted they didn’t expect to find a new club until the summer but couldn’t turn down the opportunity of taking over at Chelsea.

Tuchel was brought in after Frank Lampard was sacked with Chelsea ninth in the Premier League having previously been tipped as title contenders.

What has been said?

Low, speaking to M1 in his native Hungary, said: “We didn’t arrive with the goal of winning the title in these few months.

“It would be a brilliant performance to be able to finish in the top four, which the club would be happy with.

"It's amazingly difficult to win against any team, not only to be prepared against sensational players, but the very best coaches are also working in the Premier League."

How is it going?

Tuchel and his coaching team have had an immediate impact at Chelsea, and the Blues are up to fifth in the table – one point behind Liverpool in fourth.

Chelsea are unbeaten in Tuchel’s first four games, which have brought three wins after a record-breaking draw with Wolves in his first game in charge.

Stern tests are just around the corner. Between February 20 and March 20, Chelsea have a daunting spell of games against Southampton, Atletico Madrid, Manchester United, Everton, Leeds, Atletico again and Liverpool.

Why did Tuchel take the Chelsea job?

“We thought we would rest for at least half a year and spend time with our family and then possibly prepare for a new club in the summer,” Low said. “Life thought differently.

“If it weren’t for Chelsea calling us, we might have preferred to rest. But Chelsea is an exceptional professional challenge, a sensational club with a fantastic set of players in the best league in the world.

“Such an opportunity may not have been possible in the summer, so we took on the task with all the difficulties.”

Further reading

Former Nigeria national team coach Sunday Oliseh has lauded the tactical know-how of Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane, despite his side’s 2-0 defeat to Bayern Munich in the Fifa Club World Cup semi-finals on Monday.

The African champions headed into the encounter after securing victory over Qatari side Al Duhail on Thursday.

Al Ahly were, however, unlucky as they bowed to the superior powers of the Uefa Champions League winners, despite the efforts they put into the game.

Robert Lewandowski‘s brace ended the hope of the Egyptian side of clinching the title and inspired Bayern Munich to the final of the competition.

The Red Devils will now compete for the bronze medal with Copa Libertadores side Palmeiras on Thursday in Qatar.

Oliseh has taken to social media to praise the performance of Mosimane’s side despite their defeat at Al Rayyan Stadium.

“Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane made me so proud yesterday the way he tactically competed with a star-studded Bayern Munich,” Oliseh tweeted.

“He showed no complex and had a game plan. Great African Ambassador. Though they lost, for me, Al Ahly and Mosimane were the real winners last night. Bravo Bro!”

Oliseh started coaching after ending his professional career, where he had great success with Koln, Ajax, and Borussia Dortmund among others.

The former midfielder enjoyed impressive results with the Nigeria national team during his time as coach of the West African side.

The 46-year-old has also previously managed Vervietois and Fortuna Sittard and served as sports director of Eupen.

Danny Ings is in talks with Southampton over a new contract but Saints manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has remained tight-lipped over the progress of negotiations.

In January, Goal reported that Ings and left-back Ryan Bertrand would both seek moves away from Southampton unless the club broke their wage structure to offer them bumper new deals.

Ings, whose current contract expires at the end of next season, has been linked with some of the Premier League’s top clubs and is believed to want a move to a Champions League team.

What has been said?

Speaking in a press conference on Tuesday, Hasenhuttl said: “We are in negotiations with the player. There is nothing more to say about that. If there are any rumours out there, it's not on me to comment. It's always coming from the same direction. It doesn't make sense to comment.

“Everyone knows that he is an important player for us. He wants to stay with us. There is not a reason to speak about it here with the media.”

In January, Southampton CEO Martin Semmers told BBC Radio Solent: "The conversations have gone on and we have had talks with Danny, they've been 100 per cent professional. Danny is very happy here. He wants to stay with the club and we have enjoyed having him.”

What’s the big picture?

As well as being one of Southampton’s most important players, Ings has developed into one of the most consistent strikers in the Premier League.

He scored 22 goals in 2019-20, only one fewer than Golden Boot winner Jamie Vardy, and has seven in 17 appearances so far this season.

That form has seen him linked with top Premier League clubs including Manchester City and Tottenham. City are looking for a long-term replacement for Sergio Aguero, while Spurs want extra support for Harry Kane.

As of January 20, Goal’s understanding was that Southampton are not willing to break their wage structure for Ings, meaning an exit is likely if the player does not lower his demands.

Further reading:

Brentford attacker Tariqe Fosu Henry has been shortlisted for the PFA Fans' Player of the Month Award for January, the club has announced.

The winger is rewarded for his fine form in the first month of the year where he registered two goals.

Teammate Ivan Toney is also gunning for the accolade.

"Brentford's Ivan Toney and Tariqe Fosu have been nominated for the PFA Fans' Player of the Month Award for January, sponsored by Bristol Street Motors," the club announced on their official website on Tuesday.

"The pair had an impressive January, making their mark on matches as The Bees remained unbeaten in the league through the first month of 2021 in the Sky Bet Championship.

"Tariqe netted in the 1-1 draw away from home at Swansea and then added another against Wycombe Wanderers, whilst Ivan netted a hat-trick against The Chairboys in the 7-2 win.

"Both players have started February in fine form as well as they have linked up a number of times going forwards."

In six matches in all competitions in January, Fosu started three of the games and registered a goal in each of the last two outings.

His good form is certainly pleasant news for Ghana who will be hoping to call up the 25-year-old for next month's 2021 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying double-header against South Africa and Sao Tome and Principe.

Born in Wandsworth in the United Kingdom, he featured for his country-of-birth England at U18 level before switching international allegiance to the country of his parents, Ghana, last year.

In March last year, he was handed his first call-up for an Afcon 2021 qualifier against Sudan but the game was shortly called off due to the coronavirus pandemic.

He was, however, snubbed when coach CK Akonnor announced his initial squad for back-to-back friendlies against Mali and Qatar in October last year. Luck, though, was on his side as he was later drafted into the squad as an injury replacement.

Akonnor handed the attacker a starting berth in what ended in a 3-0 loss to Mali, days before being given a second straight start where he scored to help ensure a 5-1 win over Qatar.

His good account earned him another invitation for last November's Afcon qualifying double-header against Sudan.

Robin Olsen says he's "crossing his fingers" that he will earn a permanent move to Everton.

Olsen arrived at Goodison Park on a season-long loan from Roma back in October, with the Toffees moving for the 31-year-old to provide extra competition for first-choice goalkeeper Jordan Pickford.

The Swede has seen more minutes than he might have initially expected amid Pickford's struggles for form and fitness, and he would now like to extend his stay on Merseyside beyond the summer.

What has he said?

When asked to address his future plans, Olsen told Everton's official website: “We want to stay, but it is not me who decides.

“I can only cross my fingers and see what the club says. As a family, we have moved around and feel we are in a good place now.

“We are very happy, so why not stay until it is time to move home to Sweden? That is what we would choose.

“It is easy to say that – but everything needs to be sorted out.”

How has Olsen performed for Everton?

Olsen made his debut for Everton during a 2-1 defeat away at Newcastle on November 1, and has since appeared in six more games for Carlo Ancelotti's side across all competitions.

However, the Roma loanee has only been able to record two clean sheets, with his latest outing coming in a 3-3 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford at the weekend.

Olsen was criticised for failing to keep out a long-range Bruno Fernandes shot and a tame Scott McTominay header, but could retain his place in Ancelotti's line-up when the Toffees face Tottenham in the fifth round of the FA Cup on Wednesday with Pickford currently nursing a rib injury.

The bigger picture

Pickford remains Everton's number one keeper for the time being, but Olsen insists he is ready to seize any opportunity he gets to stake a claim for a more regular spot in the team.

“I knew I would have the competition with Jordan but I have seen if I train well, I will get my chances and if I play well, I will get more chances,” he said.

“Jordan is a really nice guy and to train with a top goalie makes me much better. You should want to improve yourself every day and I feel I am getting better all the time with Everton.

“We have a fantastic goalkeeper group. I like it [here], I am big, there are more duels in England. It fits me.”

Further reading

Nigeria national team coach Gernot Rohr has explained Odion Ighalo will get his chance to return to the Super Eagles.

The centre-forward called time on his international career in 2019 after helping the West African side finish third at the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt.

There have been several calls from fans for the return of the 31-year-old to the Super Eagles following his eye-catching performances for Manchester United.

The attacker hit the ground running after teaming up with the Old Trafford outfit on loan from Chinese Super League side Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020.

The centre-forward bagged five goals, amid other dazzling displays to earn a contract extension with the Premier League giants.

The forward has now left the Old Trafford outfit after his deal with the side ended and then signed for Saudi Professional League club Al Shabab on a two-and-a-half-year contract in February.

Rohr arrived Nigeria at the weekend in preparation for the Super Eagles’ 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

The German tactician has explained the forward will be given an opportunity to come back to the national team, notwithstanding his move to Saudi Arabia, if he impresses with his new club and chooses to return.

“There's no reason not to take him if he's doing well. The question is if he wants to come back,” Rohr told the media.

“We hope so because he's an experienced player. He can be very useful to his partners. We're waiting but firstly he has to play.”

Rohr expressed his delight with the performances of Lorient’s Terem Moffi, Union Berlin’s Taiwo Awoniyi and Almeria’s Umar Sadiq, who could get their first-call up for the Super Eagles next month.

The 67-year-old also praised the blistering form of Genk’s Paul Onuachu, who has bagged 22 goals for his club this season and Galatasaray’s Henry Onyekuru.

“Terem Moffi is doing well like Taiwo Awoniyi, Paul Onuachu, Umar Sadiq, Henry Onyekuru and others,” he added.

Nigeria will take on the Republic of Benin and Lesotho in their Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

Vipers SC moved to the second position in the Ugandan Premier League table after a 1-1 draw with Express FC at Muteesa II Stadium, Wankulukuku on Tuesday.

Godfrey Lwesibawa scored for the hosts while Karim Watambala replied for the defending champions.

Despite putting up a strong performance in the 7-0 win in their previous game over Malaba Youth Development Association (Myda) FC, coach Fred Kajoba opted to tinker the squad.

Fabien Mutombora was preferred in goal while Watambala made a return in the midfield. Another player who came in was Paula Willa who came in, in place of Joseph Dhata as Ibrahim Orit also took Allan Kayiwa's position.

The Red Eagles also introduced Mahad Yaya in place of Abel Etrude while Sadiq Ssekyembe came in for the injured Arthur Boca.

The two sides approached the game cautiously and did not make clear scoring opportunities. The visitors needed a win to go top. In the first 20 minutes, only Orit had a good chance but failed to capitalise on it.

In the 25th minute, Eric Kambale managed to get a good ball in the danger zone but Mutombora made an excellent save to deny him. 

10 minutes later, the reigning champions had a chance to get the ball in the back of the net. They won a free-kick which was brought in by Disan Galiwango but goalkeeper Mathias Muwanga collected it before it reached Cesar Manzoki who was the target.

A minute to the, break, Orit had a chance to give his team a lead but he headed the ball narrowly with the goal at mercy.

The hosts, finally, broke the deadlock in the 57th minute. The Venoms conceded a free-kick in a good area, it was taken by Lwesibawa and took a slight deflection from Disan Galiwango en-route to the back of the net.

A minute later, the two teams were on level terms as Wetambala managed to beat the custodian from his free-kick outside the 18-yard area.

In the 64th minute, the visitors were let loose in a promising position but he failed to hit the target with the goal at his mercy. As the game progressed, it was Vipers who upped their tempo hoping to get maximum points.

They came closest in the 76th minute when Kayiwa managed to dance his way past his markers. But when he was just about to pull the trigger, Enock Walusimbi did his defensive work.

In the end, both sides ended up sharing the spoils. Vipers are now second on 11 points from five games while are sixth with nine points.

Dele Alli is “not injured” but Jose Mourinho remains unconvinced that the England international is ready to start for Tottenham as they prepare for an FA Cup fifth-round clash with Everton.

Spurs are due at Goodison Park on Wednesday, with positive progress being made in a second knockout competition by the Carabao Cup finalists.

Alli is in contention to figure against the Toffees, having endured a testing campaign in north London, but it may be that he has to settle for bench duty if he figures at all on Merseyside.

What has been said?

“Dele trained yesterday with the team and did well,” Mourinho told reporters when asked about the 24-year-old midfielder.

“Long time away, a couple of weeks no training with the team and recovering. Can he play tomorrow? Well, he's not injured but I'm not sure he can. Can he help us? I believe he can. In terms of having Dele on the bench to come for a few minutes to try to help the team, is that possible? I have to speak with him but I believe he can.”

Mourinho added on a player who was heavily linked with a move away from Spurs in the January transfer window: “Nothing has changed. He's not injured, [so] he can train with the team.

“Nothing changed, what maybe has changed is the speculation around him because in this moment everybody knows that he's a Tottenham player and he doesn't go to any place. So probably the end of the speculation will be the end of the questions.

“He can train and he can try to help the team because this is what we want. It's what we need. We need players to help the team.

“Hopefully he can do that. In a normal situation he wouldn't even be considered for tomorrow but with the injuries we have with so many matches we have, maybe we have to accelerate his process and maybe we can.

“But of course I want him to be fully on board and to agree and depends on his feelings. But if he can be on the bench tomorrow and to come for 10 or 15 minutes to help the team that would be good for us.

“He did the training session on Sunday with the sports science in the morning then we had the information that he was perfectly fine to train on Monday with the team, which he did. So today second session with the team and hopefully the feelings will allow him to travel with us.”

How has Alli fared this season?

The 2020-21 campaign has been a forgettable one for Alli, with just 12 appearances taken in across all competitions and 75 minutes of action seen in the Premier League.

He has fallen a long way since hitting 22 goals in the 2016-17 campaign, with end product drying up for a talented performer who has also tumbled out of the England fold.

There was plenty of talk regarding a move elsewhere being made in the winter window, amid rumours of interest from former Spurs boss Mauricio Pochettino at Paris Saint-Germain, but the deadline passed with no deal done.

The bigger picture

Along with Alli, Tottenham are also waiting to discover whether Serge Aurier will come into contention to face Everton as the right-back faces a late fitness test.

Sergio Reguilon and Giovani Lo Celso are definitely out, with the Spanish full-back and Argentine midfielder nursing muscle problems.

Further reading

Liverpool urged to target Spurs striker Kane (Feb 9)

Mourinho reveals Spurs' stance on Son contract (Feb 8)

'Kane will beat every possible record' (Feb 8)

The clock was just about to hit eight minutes when Crystal Palace’s Eberechi Eze finally got his first touch against Leeds United at Elland Road.

Marcelo Bielsa’s side were already a goal up after Jack Harrison’s third-minute strike and thoroughly dominated their South London visitors in the eventual 2-0 success.

If the plan was to keep Eze as far away from the action as possible, it looked to be working in those early exchanges, particularly as Bielsa claimed pre-game there was no formula to stop the talented 22-year-old.

“[Eze] moves in certain spaces and determines certain spaces on the pitch normally,” the Leeds boss stated before Monday night’s game. “We position players in that sector to prevent him from evolving or producing his best. When an opponent beats one of our players there’s an elective response we have allocated.

"To attribute a formula to neutralise one player is unreal.”

It’s not every time an opposing manager seems overly concerned in the press about a menacing player on the side he’s about to face, yet Bielsa implied Eze was the biggest threat to his side’s chances of success in West Yorkshire.

Perhaps, the Argentine was right. The Anglo-Nigerian opened his Premier League account against his side in the reverse fixture at Selhurst Park with a splendid free-kick and set up another in the 4-1 win.

Leeds probably deserved more on the balance of play, but the Anglo-Nigerian’s individual talent helped Roy Hodgson’s team to that triumph.

The Palace boss, probably fearing the threat of Raphinha and Luke Ayling down the home side’s right flank, opted for Patrick van Aanholt and Tyrick Mitchel at left midfield and left-back respectively, with Eze switching to right midfield.

With Wilfried Zaha out injured, the ex-Queens Park Rangers playmaker was the Eagles’ principal threat, and Bielsa’s men looked to prevent balls into the playmaker and crowd him whenever he did have possession.

The Whites generally go man-for-man in their marking duties but there was a marked effort in trying to give Eze very little time to run with the ball or pick out reasonable options in the opening half.

Whenever he managed to beat left-back Ezgjan Alioski, the concerted work to close him down was unmistakable. Palace had very little of the ball in decent areas in the first 45 but their approach to neutralise Eze was perfectly illustrated in the 39th minute: having wriggled out of the close attention of Alioski & Harrison, the pair of Kalvin Phillips & Liam Cooper immediately shuffled across to thwart the Anglo-Nigerian.

That swiftness was arguably prompted by events three minutes earlier when they allowed the playmaker drift infield and pick out Jordan Ayew with ease. The Ghana forward’s shot from range did little to trouble Illan Meslier but it was the away side’s only effort on target in the opening half and highlighted what could happen when the 22-year-old had sustained possession.

Hodgson’s half-time switch to replace van Aanholt with Andros Townsend, seeing Eze move to his preferred role on the left, led to an instant improvement, with the maverick carrying a greater threat after the interval.

Both players played two incisive forward passes to bypass Leeds’ press and set up Ayew in a promising position. However, the Ghanaian lacked the sharpness to take advantage of the half-chance to equalize five minutes after the break. Two minutes later, Patrick Bamford made it 2-0. Game over.

Eze had more joy on the left flank against right-back Ayling and Raphinha after the break than he did going up against Alioski and Harrison, evidenced by the typical slaloming run just before the hour despite the effort to close him down. That moment seemingly backed up Bielsa’s pre-match claim.

Palace’s biggest chance of the night fell to the Anglo-Nigerian, too, but the 22-year-old somehow managed to shoot over from around the penalty spot after a good Michy Batshuayi pick-out. While Palace may wonder what might have been had the deficit been halved in the 67th minute, they were outplayed for the majority of proceedings and deserved to be beaten.

The Whites’ attacking approach exposed Eze’s lack of defensive contribution on several occasions with the youngster constantly unable to track Alioski’s forward runs in the opening half, and the same pattern was noticeable after the break with Ayling and Raphinha creating two-v-one scenarios against Mitchel.

Maybe this explained the logic behind Hodgson’s XI, even though they already faced a daunting task without Zaha.

Since January 2017, the Eagles have lost 16 of 18 games without the Ivory Coast forward in the team, failing to score in 14 of those matches.

After Monday night, that unwanted run increased to 19 games and their scoreless streak when the ex-Manchester United winger doesn’t play now stands at 15. He’s missed out four times this term and the Eagles have failed to hit the back of the net in those games.

As for Eze, who’s now lost on his last four visits to Elland Road, the greatest compliment was Bielsa’s concern pre-match and eventual tactic to limit his effectiveness. There were mixed results when the talented Anglo-Nigerian had possession but the inadequate effort off the ball exposed the glaring weakness in the attacker’s game.

Sergio Aguero has stepped up his recovery but will not be ready to face Swansea City in the FA Cup fifth round on Wednesday night.

The Manchester City striker returned to training this week and has begun working with the first team after recovering from coronavirus.

But the 32-year-old has not started a match since October and needs to recover his fitness before he will be back in the side.

What has been said?

"Yesterday, he trained 10, 15 minutes with the group and after he trained apart alone," Pep Guardiola said at his pre-match press conference. "Day-by-day he's feeling better."

Asked if he was ready to return, he added: "Not yet."

On playing without strikers, Guardiola said: "When we don't play with a typical centre-forward people can move a bit more but we have to arrive in the box.

"We saw in the game against Liverpool, four or five players were inside the box. Every game is different.

"We are looking forward, even Gabriel [Jesus], he's dropping, improving in his position not playing like a player you can link and the striker just being there.

"I'm not a big fan of this, I prefer to move behind this position and we have some players who can do it."

The bigger picture

Aguero's early season was delayed by a recovery from knee surgery and a hamstring setback shortly after his return.

He was set to start the FA Cup third-round clash with Birmingham City but was forced to self-isolate after coming into close contact with someone that had tested positive for Covid-19.

He then contracted the virus himself, and had symptoms, which has meant he has not been in first-team action since a late substitute appearance against Chelsea on January 3.

What will be Man City's team vs Swansea?

Despite fighting on four fronts, Guardiola is still set to name a strong side against the Championship opponents.

The City boss didn't report any new injuries from the 4-1 victory over Liverpool but Academy players Tommy Doyle, Claudio Gomes and Adrian Bernabe are likely to join up with the squad.

It will also give an opportunity to those that didn't start at Anfield but are fighting for their place, such as Aymeric Laporte and Benjamin Mendy.

Further reading

James Rodriguez is nursing “a tight calf”, Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti has admitted, with the Colombian doubtful for an FA Cup clash with Tottenham on Wednesday but expected to be ready for a Premier League date with Fulham.

The Toffees will play host to Spurs in midweek, before then welcoming the Cottagers to Goodison Park on Sunday.

It remains to be seen whether James, who was replaced in the second half of a thrilling 3-3 draw at Manchester United last time out, is able to figure in knockout competition as he seeks to shake off a slight knock.

What has been said?

“I think he had a little problem on his calf, a tight calf,” Ancelotti told reporters when quizzed on the 29-year-old’s fitness.

“I took him out after 70 minutes to avoid risk. Now he's going to train today.

“If he's ready to play tomorrow, he will play tomorrow - if he's not ready and if the calf is still tight, he's going to play in the next game on Sunday.

“He said that he felt the calf tight, he said to me at the end of the first-half that his calf was tight and he wanted to continue.

“I said take care of this, if you feel not comfortable then let me know. He let me know during the second-half and I took him out to avoid problem and risk.

“His calf was better yesterday, today he's going to try and if he feels comfortable he's going to play.

“If he doesn't feel comfortable he won't train tomorrow and he will train Thursday, Friday, Saturday and maybe he can play on Sunday.”

The bigger picture

James has taken in 18 appearances for Everton this season, in what is his debut campaign in English football.

He has five goals and seven assists to his name, with big things expected of the South American on the back of a high-profile switch from Real Madrid.

The classy playmaker has worked with Ancelotti in the past, with the Italian tactician taking him to Santiago Bernabeu in 2014, and that relationship has worked in the Toffees’ favour.

There is a sense that James can offer even more to the collective cause once fully adjusted to the Premier League and free of any niggling ailments, with his creative quality never in doubt.

Further reading

Angel Di Maria will miss Paris Saint-Germain's Champions League round-of-16 first-leg tie with Barcelona later this month through injury.

Di Maria was forced to come off during PSG's 2-0 win over Marseille on Sunday after just 11 minutes with a muscle issue, moments after providing the assist for Kylian Mbappe's opening goal.

Mauricio Pochettino has now confirmed that the injury is serious enough to keep the 32-year-old out of the club's crucial European showdown against Barca on February 16.

What was said?

When asked if Di Maria will be unavailable for the trip to Camp Nou, the PSG head coach told a press conference on Tuesday: "Yes, it's over for Angel Di Maria [to play against Barcelona].

"We will communicate again in a week to see where we are."

Pochettino went onto insist that the winger's absence won't change how he sets his team up against the Blaugrana, adding: "Not having Angel doesn't give us any reason to vary or move away from our main tactics. The best solution will undoubtedly be found.

"We will move forward, day by day, with respect to the decisions that we are going to make. It's not a question of choice number one or choice number two. You have to find the best combinations, the best moves in relation to the opponent. We have to find the best game plan for each game."

More PSG team news

Pochettino was speaking ahead of PSG's trip to Caen in the Coupe de France on Wednesday, which is a fixture that will come too soon for Marco Verratti and Keylor Navas.

Verratti is still out of action with a rib issue, while first-choice goalkeeper Navas is not due to return to full training until Thursday after recovering from an adductor injury.

Pochetttino also revealed that Mauro Icardi is a doubt after picking up a knock to his thigh, but Abdou Diallo is back in the fold after a Covid-19 enforced spell on the sidelines.

What other games could Di Maria miss?

PSG will be without the Argentine when they face Caen in midweek, and he will also be forced to sit out a Ligue 1 meeting with Nice on Saturday, which the French champions must win to stay within touch of current leaders Lyon.

Pochettino's side are due to face Monaco five days after their encounter with Barca, but it remains to be seen whether or not Di Maria will be fit to return for that fixture given the fact no specific timeframe for his recovery has been given as of yet.

The bigger picture

Di Maria has been a talismanic figure for PSG once again this season, contributing five goals and 12 assists to their cause across 25 appearances in all competitions.

However, the mercurial winger's current contract is due to expire at the end of June, and his chances of earning an extension could be damaged due to his latest injury setback.

Di Maria addressed speculation over his future at Parc des Princes back in September, telling Canal Plus: "I want to end my European career here, but it's not only up to me."

Further reading

Zinedine Zidane has enough "credit" in the bank for two trophyless seasons at Real Madrid, according to Ruben de la Red, who has jumped to the defence of the under-fire boss.

The reigning Spanish champions' grip on the Liga trophy is slipping at the halfway stage of the 2020-21 campaign, with arch-rivals Atletico Madrid currently sitting eight points above them at the top of the table with a game in hand.

Despite the fact the Blancos gained some much-needed ground by beating Huesca 2-1 at the weekend, pressure continues to build on Zidane with each passing game amid criticism of his managerial approach, but De la Red thinks he deserves more respect for his past achievements.

What was said?

Asked to address Zidane's prickly demeanour in front of the media before Madrid's victory at Huesca, De la Red told Goal: "His reaction seemed very normal to me. 

"What's more: I think coaches should claim much more than they do. And, in the case of Zidane, given what he has achieved, he should have a confidence margin to last up to 10 years. 

"In five years, he has won three Champions Leagues and two league titles. Ultimately, you have enough credit for a long time. He should be able to afford to go two to three years without earning anything.

"You have to assess the situations. You cannot ask Zidane to be a league or Champions League winner with the injuries he is having and going two years without signing anyone. Let's be realistic.

"The situation they are going through is not normal. No matter how much you are Real Madrid, so much loss weakens you. Without [Eden] Hazard, [Dani] Carvajal, [Sergio] Ramos… it is very difficult to fight for the objectives the team is fighting for."

Zidane's managerial record at Real Madrid

After being drafted in to replace Carlo Ancelotti in the Santiago Bernabeu hot seat in 2015, Zidane delivered three consecutive Champions League crowns, with final wins recorded over Atletico Madrid, Juventus and Liverpool - while also guiding the club to their 33rd La Liga title.

The 48-year-old, who also enjoyed an illustrious playing career at Madrid between 2001 and 2006, resigned after seeing his team lift the European Cup in Kyiv by beating Liverpool 3-1 in May 2018, but he was persuaded to return nine months later after a rapid decline in fortunes in his absence.

Zidane went on to mastermind another run to La Liga glory last season, and the Blancos are once again competing on multiple silverware fronts this term, with a Champions League round-of-16 tie against Atalanta looming later this month.

Who would be in the running to replace Zidane?

Several high-profile candidates have already been touted as potential replacements for Zidane amid Madrid's erratic form, including club legends Raul and Guti.

Raul is currently in charge of the club's Castilla side and would be a natural option to step into the Frenchman's shoes, but RB Leipzig's Julian Nagelsmann and former Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri have also been heavily linked with the job.

Further reading

Bayern Munich legend and current chairman Karl-Heinz Rumminegge has described Mohamed Salah as the Lionel Messi of Africa.

The 28-year-old has been in blistering form since he teamed up with Jurgen Klopp’s men in the summer of 2017 from Italian side AS Roma.

The fine performances have won the Egypt international a number of accolades, including winning the PFA Player of the Year and Premier League Player of the Season awards.

The fleet-forward also scooped the Premier League Golden Boot prize in the 2017-18 season and in the 2018-19 campaign, he emerged as the joint-winner of the award.

Salah also won the African Player of the Year award on two occasions, in 2017 and 2018 following his terrific form for Liverpool and Egypt. 

Rumminegge has praised the contribution of the forward and likened it to that of Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.

“In my opinion, Salah is the Messi of Africa and of course he got the skills to play in the best teams in the world,” Rumminegge told ON Time Sports, as per Kingfut.

“What he [Salah] has achieved can be compared to what Messi and Ronaldo did with Barcelona and Real Madrid.”

Salah’s form has helped Liverpool won a number of trophies, including the Champions League and Premier League, which has eluded them for 30 years.

Liverpool are currently enduring a difficult time, as their hope of clinching the league title at the end of the season is becoming dim after back-to-back defeats to Brighton & Hove Albion and Manchester City.

Notwithstanding, Salah has continued to be outstanding for the Anfield outfit, having bagged 21 goals across all competitions, including 15 in the English top-flight.

The forward will be expected to continue his eye-catching performances for the Reds when they take on Leicester City in their next Premier League game on February 13.

Salah’s impact for Egypt has also been top-notch and will be expected to continue his fine displays for the Pharaohs in the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers in March.

Youssoufa Moukoko grew up idolising Barcelona superstar Lionel Messi, the 16-year-old’s brother has revealed, with the Borussia Dortmund starlet being backed to ignore the hype he is generating and create his own legacy in the global game.

The highly-rated forward has burst onto the senior scene in Germany, with his exploits at youth level making his undoubted potential impossible to ignore.

Records have tumbled around him since linking up with Dortmund in 2016, with Lucien Favre offering up a senior debut in November 2020 after DFB age restrictions were changed and 16 year olds cleared to compete in the Bundesliga.

Moukoko is now the youngest player to grace that stage, and to score on it, while he holds a similar entry in the history books when it comes to Champions League competition.

Big things are expected of the teenager from this point, with his brother Borel – who is currently turning out in the fifth tier of German football – admitting that a hot prospect is living a boyhood dream by following in the footsteps of his idols.

“I liked to watch Barcelona, Real [Madrid], Liverpool and Bayern and see how the players behaved so that I could learn as much as possible from them,” Borel Moukoko told Goal and DAZN.

“Youssoufa has always liked Lionel Messi. We also often watched the games from the top European leagues or the Champions League together. That was always wonderful.

“In Africa, it is rare for people to sit at home alone in front of the television and watch football. Most people go to a bar and watch together. Sometimes 100 people come together to watch top matches in the Champions League.

“You don't have to order anything, you can just sit there and watch the game. When a goal is scored, many people go absolutely crazy and are happy for the clubs they support.”

Moukoko’s big break at Dortmund has come with coronavirus restrictions still in place, with his family being prevented from catching him in live action.

That situation will change, though, and there is the promise of a shooting star soaring even higher by the time supporters are allowed back into stadiums en masse.

Many will be eager to catch a glimpse of Moukoko, given all that he has achieved to this point, but his sibling is confident that an ambitious performer will not get swept up in the furore he continues to generate.

Borel added: “Unfortunately, one cannot influence what is written in the media. Especially since Youssoufa's story was and is simply extraordinary.

“The media have to write it down and report it. What should he do about it? Score fewer goals? When you're as good as he is at something, people just talk about you, there's no changing that.

“We have always supported him as a family but also motivated him to stay hungry and not rest on his early successes.

“The hype around him, or at that time the discussion about his age, did not interest him much. Above all, none of this has distracted him from his path - and that is the most important thing.”

Moukoko is now up to 11 senior appearances for Dortmund, with two Bundesliga goals recorded across those outings.