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Playing at the redeveloped Santiago Bernabeu would be the "perfect retirement" for Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos, according to his agent and brother Rene.

Ramos' current contract expires in 2021 and the 34-year-old defender's future with Madrid is far from certain.

The Madrid star and Spain skipper has won four La Liga titles and as many Champions League crowns among other honours since joining from Sevilla in 2005.

As Madrid's iconic Bernabeu stadium undergoes renovation work, Rene Ramos addressed the centre-back's future in the Spanish capital.

"The chewing gum will be stretched as long as we can," Rene told Onda Cero.

"Playing at the new Bernabeu would be the perfect retirement for him. Physically, he's fine and he's climbing the walls [ahead of La Liga Santander returning]."

Ramos had made 25 La Liga appearances and scored five goals this season, while he played 34 matches across all competitions.

The 2019-20 La Liga season is set to resume on June 11 after the campaign was postponed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Madrid were two points behind bitter rivals and defending champions Barcelona with 11 matches remaining at the time of postponement and are set to host Eibar on June 14.

After such a long break in play, Ramos is desperate to start playing regularly again as Spain looks to put the worst of the coronavirus pandemic behind it. 

"Getting going needs time, the country needs football as an economic support and the people need it as a distraction," Ramos told Movistar. 

"I'm dying to compete again, for La Liga Santander to be normal again, we have to be disciplined so that we can eliminate this virus.

"I want to send a message of support to everyone who has lost a loved one, we'll get through this and we have to come together."

While Ramos has endeared himself to Real Madrid fans, he's seen as a controversial figure by others, with Liverpool youngster Harvey Elliott recently revealing he turned down the chance to meet him while touring the Santiago Bernabeu. 

Former Real Madrid goalkeeper Iker Casillas meanwhile has opened up on the special praise he reserved for Ramos after they won the Champions League final in 2014 against Atletico Madrid. 

Amiens striker Serhou Guirassy is wanted by Ligue 1 side Rennes as they chase Champions League football next season. 

After the recent Ligue 1 campaign was abandoned, Rennes have secured a spot in the preliminary round of the Champions League and are eager to reinforce their attack over the summer. 

According to Goal sources, Guirassy is firmly on Rennes' radar with discussions between the player and club ongoing. 

The 24-year-old is contracted to Amiens until 2022 with his transfer fee expected to be around €10 million ($11m). 

Along with Rennes, a host of clubs in the Premier League are also circling for Guirassy, who scored nine goals across 23 Ligue 1 appearances this season. 

Guirassy only joined Amiens permanently in July 2019 after impressing on loan from German club Koln but is tempted by Rennes' interest and the chance to play in the Champions League. 

Amiens President Bernard Joannin recently confirmed that Guirassy has been attracting transfer interest since January. 

“We have an arrangement with him, he stayed in winter to save the club. We have significant offers from England," he told L’Equipe du Soir in May.

Guirassy himself may prefer a move to England, according to one of his intermediaries Mark McKay. 

"A number of clubs in England and across Europe have shown an interest in Serhou after he performed so well for Amiens," McKay was quoted by the Metro.

"In the current climate due to the impact of the pandemic, clubs might not be able to pay huge transfer fees like they used to and in that respect Serhou could prove to be a bargain in this window.

"Serhou’s preference has always been to play in the English Premier League, but Amiens will evaluate all offers that come in for him and make a decision from there."

Rennes' desire for attacking reinforcements, meanwhile, comes in the wake of news both M'Baye Niang and Jordan Siebatcheu are likely to move on from the club.

Niang recently confirming he's had talks about a move to Marseille after a strong season with Rennes. 

"It's flattering, there is no smoke without fire, there were discussions, but today nothing concrete," Niang told Canal Football Club.

"Yes, it's a club that interests me, that has a good history, warm supporters, which I like. If it has to be done, it will be with great pleasure and whatever happens Stade Rennais will remain in my heart, it's a club that revived me." 

Ronald Koeman said "everyone knows it's my dream to coach Barcelona", but the Dutchman remains focused on the Netherlands.

Koeman had been linked to Barca after Ernesto Valverde was sacked, before the La Liga champions eventually turned to Quique Setien in January.

Former Barca defender Koeman previously revealed his Netherlands contract contains a clause that allows him to depart for Camp Nou following Euro 2020, though the European Championship has been pushed back 12 months due to coronavirus.

Koeman, who underwent heart surgery in May, addressed the Barca speculation and his future.

"I had a phone call [from Barca], as I've explained many times. But I want to keep my word with the national team, I thought we'd have Euro 2020 this summer," Koeman told Catalunya Radio.

"I'm happy with how things are with the national team and for me, that's the most important thing at the moment. None of us know what will happen in the future.

"In my contract, there is a clause that will let me leave the national team job after the Euros but now's not the time to be thinking about that. Everyone knows it's my dream to coach Barca.

"Hopefully I might have the opportunity to do so in the future. But as always, that depends on your performance and successes as a coach - you need a lot of experience to coach a team like Barca."

La Liga leaders Barca were two points clear of bitter rivals Real Madrid when the 2019-20 season was postponed in March due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

"It's really difficult for me to say what I think about Barca," said Koeman, who won four La Liga titles and the European Cup/Champions League during his time at Camp Nou.

"Today's Barca isn't the same as [Pep] Guardiola's, but it's still a fantastic team.

"Because of [Frenkie] De Jong, I've been watching more of their games. I hope they go on to win La Liga. As for the Champions League, they'll need to improve to be in a chance of winning it."

Netherlands international midfielder Frenkie de Jong joined Barca from Eredivisie champions Ajax at the start of the season.

De Jong had scored two goals and supplied as many assists in La Liga before the league's suspension.

Koeman adding: "I think De Jong is a player who can adapt to a new position in midfield, playing a little further forward. But I still think his best position is just in front of the back four - where [Sergio] Busquets plays. That's his best position- where he plays for the national team and where he played with Ajax.

"It's not a bad thing to adapt to other positions. He's still only young and you have to give young players time. In no time he will show his quality with Barca. He's done that with Ajax and with the national team.

"I'm in no doubt that he's the right player for Barca. He knows he can do more, but he's taking it all with calm because he's happy at Barca."

Former Brazil defender Cafu has backed Liverpool's Trent Alexander-Arnold to one day be crowned the best player in the world. 

The 21-year-old has become a key member of Jurgen Klopp's side since 2018 and claimed a Premier League record for most assists by a defender last season. 

Cafu, who has previously predicted Alexander-Arnold to win a Ballon d'Or in the future, welcomed comparisons between himself and the Reds defender, who he believes has the potential to become a superstar of the modern game. 

"He’s a sensational player, a rare talent," Cafu told FIFA.com. "If he keeps playing the way he has been he will be regarded as one of the best players in the world. He has the potential to win [The Best FIFA Men’s Player] award.

"He’s technically brilliant, he has so much quality. He has a Brazilian style of play. I love watching him play. And playing in such a great team will help him grow." 

Alexander-Arnold has played down Cafu's praise in the past, stressing he's not chasing individual awards. 

"Obviously massive praise from a legend of the game. It's something that I'm really thankful for and obviously I have to give thanks to him for them words," he said in February. 

"I try to be the best player I can be. I think it's obviously a team game, so it's about the players I have around me. The players I have in training, the manager, the support I have all around me that enables me to be as good as I can be.

"Accolades may or may not come in the future, it doesn't really faze me as much as maybe it does other players."

While Cafu has picked Alexander-Arnold to potentially become the world's best player, he struggled to pick between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi when pushed. 

"We’re talking about the two powers of world football. They’ve been at the top for 15 years," Cafu said.

"One has won six awards, the other five. It’s so hard to pick between them. They’re both magnificent players."

As for who will immediately succeed them, Cafu added: "Neymar. I think Neymar has everything to be the best player on the planet." 

Borussia Dortmund head coach Lucien Favre highlighted the importance of Manchester United target Jadon Sancho following the team's 1-0 Bundesliga victory over Hertha Berlin.

After the German Football League (DFL) fined Sancho this week for violating social-distancing protocols following a haircut at home without wearing a face mask, the England star helped Dortmund past Hertha on Saturday.

Emre Can, who urged Dortmund team-mate Sancho to "grow up" and improve his discipline post-game, scored the winning goal at Signal Iduna Park.

Sancho continues to be linked with Premier League giants United and Liverpool, and Dortmund boss Favre praised the 20-year-old attacker.

"It's important that he's here. I know Jadon very well. He was injured for a long time," Favre said of Sancho, who scored a hat-trick against Paderborn last week.

"He couldn't train with the team for three or four weeks. We should be patient with him. He's back now."

Can's 57th-minute goal proved decisive as Dortmund strengthened their grip on second place in the Bundesliga with their latest win.

Dortmund – who are seven points adrift of leaders Bayern Munich – moved four points clear of third-placed RB Leipzig and seven ahead of Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League race with four games remaining.

"It's very good that we won today," Favre said. "We now have a seven-point lead ahead of two teams.

"But it doesn't matter. We want to keep going like this. We've got four games left. We'll go at it game by game. We want to do our best."

Favre added: "We created chances without a real centre-forward. That is the most important thing for us and for me. For example, our goal: it's a good pass from Sancho, [Julian] Brandt plays a fantastic ball on, the ball comes to Emre Can, and he scores the goal.

"We created more chances before and after that and could have won more than 1-0. But Hertha also made it difficult for us – they had a good team on the pitch. But in the end, we won."

Nicolas Anelka believes Paris Saint-Germain allowing Edinson Cavani to join another club next season would be a "very big mistake".

After moving to Paris in 2013 from Napoli, the 33-year-old has fallen down the pecking order under Thomas Tuchel with his contract due to expire at season's end. 

PSG's recent purchase of Mauro Icardi would seem to suggest Cavani, who has been linked with interest from Inter and Atletico Madrid, won't be staying in Paris. 

Cavani's departure could however come back to haunt PSG, according to Anelka, who himself began his career at the club. 

"To let Cavani go would be a very big mistake," Anelka said during a fan interview on Instagram. "He remains a No.9 as there is no more. He has a lot of trash [in his game], but he makes crazy plays and he scores. He will serve you no matter what.

"In Paris, you need competition. He is a super striker that you risk giving to a competitor because he will necessarily go to another big club. And when he plays against PSG, he will score for sure. And this is where they will have great regrets."

Tuchel's side were handed the Ligue 1 title this season after the campaign was called off due to the coronavirus. 

While PSG are regularly succeeding domestically, continental success continues to allude them, with Anelka suggesting their lack of serious competition in Ligue 1 hasn't helped. 

"PSG today is a great team. With the players they have, they are good enough to win the Champions League. They will end up doing it," Anelka added.

"The only problem is the weak competition that exists in Ligue 1. To be champion of France is good, but to progress on a European scale, they need difficult matches regularly.

"I hope that Marseille will soon be bought by a wealthy Gulf businessman so that they have real adversity in Ligue 1."

Speaking about his future last month, Cavani stressed he's hoping to dictate the final stages of his playing career and not the other way around. 

"My career will last for maybe several years still, here or elsewhere, I don't know," Cavani said in May. 

"I've spoken about it a lot with my entourage. I've always said that I would like to quit football rather than football quitting on me.

"I'd really like to finish having given everything. To get to that point where I'd say, 'Guys, this is the point where I have to go.' I don't want life to lead me to play when I wouldn't be capable of giving my best. The day will come where it will be obvious that the time's come to move on to something else."

Michael Ballack believes that Timo Werner's prospective move to Chelsea could work out fantastically for both sides, although he warned that the striker would need time to settle in the Premier League. 

Goal revealed on Friday that the Blues have struck a deal to meet the estimated £54 million (€60m/$68m) release clause that ties Werner to RB Leipzig. 

Chelsea have now offered the 24-year-old forward a contract worth £9m ($11m) per season and are the hot favourites to seal his signature this summer, even if Leipzig managing director Oliver Mintzlaff maintained on Saturday that no such bid had yet been received by the Bundesliga side.

Ballack is no stranger to life at Stamford Bridge having spent no less than four seasons with the club, winning the Premier League in 2009-10; and he has backed his compatriot to make a success of the mooted transfer. 

"I think it's a good decision for both sides. For Timo, because he fits there, because the way [Chelsea] play football suits him," the former Germany midfielder explained to Sky.

"I think that in Chelsea he has decided on a club where he has a better chance of playing, which is very important to him.

 "The team will be renewed, it will certainly be strengthened and a lot of money will be spent in Chelsea to knock again at the top. A good young team is being built there, which is very promising."

Werner has helped himself to 25 Bundesliga goals this term, a record that has made him one of the German top flight's hottest properties. 

But while Ballack expects big things of the striker, he admitted that the added physicality of the Premier League would require no little adaptation.

"That is the biggest difference in England that there is less whistling (from referees), especially for strikers," he added.

"It is much more intense, with a lot more duels. He has to get used to it quickly because that's the point.

"He is a robust player, is very fast, but he is also physically good in a duel and he will quickly get used to it."

Ivan Rakitic fondly remembers Barcelona's treble season in 2014-15, believing the attacking trio of Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar left opponents unsure who to focus on.

Led by their formidable 'MSN' strikeforce, Barca dazzled in Luis Enrique's first campaign in charge. Having already wrapped up a domestic double, Rakitic scored the opener in a 3-1 Champions League final win over Juventus in Berlin.

Suarez and Neymar, now at Paris Saint-Germain, also scored that day, and their partnership with the talismanic Messi was one the Croatia international relished playing with.

"It was very enjoyable," Rakitic said to Marca about playing with 'MSN' five years to the day of that European final success.

"You could see the opposition's concern, because they had to fully focus and didn't know where to concentrate most. 

"We attacked at every possible chance, we were dangerous and deep and had everything. It was a joy to play with them.

"We were very strong and got stronger with time. We reached the final at our peak and I remember how we felt.

"We said that we didn't want the season to end because we wanted to keep playing. There was a strong sense of superiority that kept us wanting to play.

"[The key was] how the players mixed together and how hungry the new players were. All of that was coupled with a great coach who knew the finer details and how to handle everything.

"It was an impressive season and I still remember it all today: what happened before the final, the game, the goal, the post-match - it was unforgettable. That final will always be engraved in my mind."

Barca, two points clear of rivals Real Madrid, are poised to resume their La Liga campaign away to Real Mallorca on June 13.

While the 2019-20 season will have an unusual feel once it restarts due to the impact of the coronavirus crisis, Rakitic hopes it can prove to be a successful one for the club.

"It will be different for everyone," he said. "There's a clear before and after with the virus. 

"We have come through a hard time, everyone worked at home and now the games will be behind closed doors, so everything will be different."

Asked if Barca could win the Champions League for the first time since that 2015 success, Rakitic added: "We want to improve a lot of things because we know that we need to. 

"There's a fantastic atmosphere in the dressing room and we have clear objectives.

"Hopefully we'll end August with both trophies [La Liga and the Champions League], we are working for that and I think it is possible. 

"We want it. We will have to be prepared and see how the competition is formatted, but we have an opportunity that we want to take advantage of."

Manchester United duo Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford featured in a training match at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The duo had been sidelined with long-term injuries before the Premier League campaign was halted in March by the coronavirus pandemic.

Having come through some non-contact sessions unscathed, Pogba (ankle) and Rashford (back) took part in an intra-squad contest at the weekend.

For the Frenchman it was a first outing on home soil since December 26, while Rashford last played at the stadium on January 15.

The friendly kick-about pitted Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes as opposing captains under the watchful eye of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

United's previous competitive fixture at the so-called 'Theatre of Dreams' was a 2-0 win over rivals Manchester City on March 8.

Solskjaer's side, who sit just three points behind fourth-placed Chelsea, face a trip to Tottenham in their first game back.

All remaining games will be played behind closed doors. 

While the pandemic came at the wrong time for the Red Devils, who were in good form, the break in play has allowed Rashford to fully recover with the young attacker desperate to finish the campaign strongly. 

“I think coming out of this lockdown we are in a much stronger position than we were going into it," Rashford told Stretty News. 

“I think we just need to take each game as it comes and not get too ahead of ourselves. We are working hard in training, gelling as a team with players coming back from injury, etc.

“For me personally I felt I was having my best season to date before the injury hit so now I’m back fully fit I’m determined to push on.”

Pogba, meanwhile, looks set to link up with Fernandes in midfield for the first time with many in and around the club looking forward to such a promising combination. 

“He [Fernandes] was paired with Paul in a small training group last week, which people saw on the videos, and we saw flashes of what they were capable of," Luke Shaw told Man Utd's official website. 

“The coaches have switched it up so it’s not just them on the same team and it’s quite nice to see them battling against each other – they’ve already had some great games against each other – but, personally, I’m really looking forward to seeing them line up together.

“They’re probably two of the best midfielders in the [Premier League] right now, I’d say, so it’s going to be fascinating to see them play together.”

Steven Gerrard was thrilled after Rangers struck a deal to sign Leicester City defender Calvin Bassey on a four-year contract.

Rangers boss Gerrard said the Scottish Premiership side had competition from multiple teams for the signature of the 20-year-old, who has played at left-back and centre-back.

Leicester will be due to receive training compensation when the pre-contract move goes through once the transfer window opens.

"There was a lot of clubs interested in Calvin and for us it's pleasing to secure the services of another young talent," Gerrard said.

"He's a strong and dynamic athlete, who is very much the modern day full-back.

"He will develop further and we are excited to have made another strong addition to our group.

"He's left-footed, physically powerful, enjoys driving forward and is certainly equipped to thrive in the combative nature of Scottish football."

Bassey becomes the second permanent signing made by Gerrard in the space of a month with Romanian Ianis Hagi also linking up with the club on a long-term deal from Genk. 

Speaking to Rangers TV, Bassey paid tribute to all Leicester had taught him as he looks to progress further with his new club. 

“I’m really excited. Rangers are a massive club and I am just buzzing to get started. Ever since Rangers were in the picture and speaking to my agent, I was really excited and they were one of the clubs I thought highly of and I am just happy now to get started – I cannot wait," Bassey said. 

“I feel Rangers is the right place for me because I have seen players such as Joe Aribo come from south of the border and do so well.

“I appreciate everything Leicester have done for me, and I just feel Rangers are offering me a massive platform to take my career to the next level and showcase my ability to the world.

“I know the fans are very passionate and want to win – and that’s like me – I always want to win. I know Rangers has a very rich history, and I have played at Ibrox before [for Leicester U20s], but the stadium was empty as it was just a friendly.

“You could feel the history though and it was a good experience – I just can’t wait to play there when it is a full stadium.

“I was delighted when Rangers came in for me. I know it comes with big pressure and that the fanbase are amazing.

“I’ve never had football the easy way – I signed for Leicester at Under 16's and I have always had pressure, so I feel like the pressure will be a blessing in disguise for me to help me take my career to the next step.”

Jeremie Boga has stated he remains with Sassuolo amidst the transfer interest surrounding him.

The 23-year old Ivory Coast international has been the standout player for Roberto De Zerbi’s side this season, having a hand in 12 Serie A goals (eight goals, four assists) which see them sit in 11th spot, seven points clear of the relegation zone and still within reach of European qualification.

Boga – who has the highest average of successful dribbles (4.4 per game) in the Italian top-flight, has drawn interest from clubs like Napoli, Roma, Inter Milan and also his former club Chelsea who have a buyback clause from when he was sold in 2018 to Sassuolo, but are reportedly not intent on activating it.

He has a contract with Sassuolo until June 2022.

“I am considering it at Sassuolo because I had discussions with the coach [De Zerbi],” Boga told RMC Sport.

“We will see what will happen. For now, I'm in Sassuolo.

“I’m aware. Even if I try to ignore it, I still hear rumours. I always see people talking. It's nice but I'm still far from where I want to be. I want to keep my head on my shoulders and keep working to reach my goals.

“I have seen many names of big Italian clubs, yes. That's flattering.

“When I hear clubs like Roma, Napoli, Milan, Inter, Juve, it's always a pleasure. For now, I'm in Sassuolo and I'm concentrating on finishing the season very well. I want to reach my goals and we will see what will happen next year.”

Boga did assert his desire to compete in the Champions League or Europa League and has made preference to the Serie A as the league that brought out the best in him.

“It's a kid's dream to compete in the Champions League or the Europa League, all these great European competitions. I keep it in the back of my mind and it's a goal for the future,” he continued.

“I would say Spain and Italy because it plays a lot forward. Even if we say that the Italian championship is closed, it is growing more and more with a lot of teams trying to create games. This is where I flourished the most.”

Boga’s career started at Chelsea but he was unable to break into the first team, making just one appearance in three years, something he doesn’t feel disappointed about and also denies knowing anything about the reported buyback clause Chelsea have rights over.

“Disappointed, not really. Maybe it was not my time,” he said.

“Regarding my buyout clause, I, personally, did not have any contact, I was told nothing. I just saw, like everyone on the networks. I don't think about it too much, I'm just focused on Sassuolo.

“Contacts with Chelsea? No, I just saw on the internet that Sassuolo had bought the clause but whether it was Sassuolo or Chelsea, nobody told me about it.”

Boga was born in the French city of Marseille and played for France at youth level but decided to represent the Ivory Coast, the country of his parents, at senior level. He says it was always in his heart to play for the West African nation which he has done on one occasion and is hoping to make more outings for the Elephants.

“I played for the French U16, U17 and U19, then a qualifying match for the African Cup of Nations with Côte d'Ivoire,” he said.

“I am French but my origins are Ivory Coast. It has always been a choice of the heart.

“I only made a selection. There, I spoke with the new coach [Patrice Beaumelle], we will see how it will go and I hope to make my return very soon.”

Cape Town City attacking midfielder Thabo Nodada has confirmed he would like to ply his trade in Belgium and use it as a stepping stone should the opportunity to move abroad arise. 

Nodada has been linked with a possible move to Kaizer Chiefs although the club has ruled out the move to Gauteng for their exciting player. 

According to Nodada, playing the Belgian league will help him become a better player than he is in the PSL. 

"I think Belgium. Watching a bit of the Belgian league and also speaking to some of the players that have been there, it's a good stepping stone into whatever next phase my career is going," said Nodada in a press conference with the South African Football Journalists Association.

"There, I feel I could have a decision of the world being my oyster and me going to greater heights we've never imagined or becoming a way better version of a Thabo than one who would have stayed in South Africa." 

"So, a move to Belgium for me would be a win and from there we just work, enjoy the football and push to be the best of ourselves. So yeah, I think Belgium," added Nodada. 

The 25-year-old turned professional in 2015, and it was Mpumalanga Black Aces who gave him his breakthrough before being sold to John Comitis and changing its name to Cape Town City.

While he has been around for some time, Nodada is regarded as one of the most underrated players in the PSL but his rise at the Citizens has seen several big clubs, including Chiefs, express interest in his services although no formal offer has been made by any of the teams after him. 

What makes the situation tricky is that Amakhosi are banned from signing new players for the next two transfer windows - and they will hope for the ban to be lifted later this year. 

The Glamour Boys will present their case before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) on September 9. 

Reports of him possibly joining Chiefs surfaced over a year ago but that hasn't gotten into his head as he continued to work his socks off on the field of play. 

It is for that reason he was called up to the Bafana Bafana squad in October 2018 - a few months before Stuart Baxter finalised his 23-man squad for the 2019 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon) finals.  

Ex-Nigeria international Austin Ejide conceded five goals as Hapoel Hadera crumbled 5-0 away at Bnei Yehuda in Saturday’s Israeli top-flight relegation play-offs.

Fuelled by a first-half brace by Shay Mazor, the visitors were decimated at the Bloomfield Stadium.

Poised for a win after two consecutive draws against Hapoel Haifa and Hapoel Kfar Saba, the hosts started the game on a shining note-taking a 10th minute lead through Mazor.

Four minutes later, Mazor took advantage of Hadera’s rickety backline comprising of Dia Lababidi, Hagay Goldenberg, Wesam Rabah, Yarin Hassan and Yahav Guefinkel to beat Ejide the second time.

Things got worse for Sharon Mimer’s team in the 18th minute with Ben Shimoni making it three goals for the home team as the first-half ended 3-0.

Hapoel Hadera put up a more organised defending in the second half but were beaten the fourth time by substitute Ayi Kangani in the 71st minute. Kangani had replaced Matan Baltaxa on the hour mark.

Ariel Lazmi completed the obliteration with eight minutes left to play as the visitors returned home with heads bowed low.

Saturday’s game was Ejide’s 27th Israeli topflight outing of the season as his team stays second in the relegation-playoffs table with 35 points from 28 outings.

Togo’s Didier Kougbenya and Cote d’Ivoire’s Jonathan Cisse were not dressed by manager Mimer while Anglo-Nigerian Junior Ogedi-Uzokwe was an unused substitute.

For Yehuda, Ghana’s Joseph Mensah was an unused substitute while South Africa’s Mihlali Mayambela was not listed by manager Elisha Levy. The Lions have now garnered 38 points from 28 games to lead the playoffs log.

They are guests of Maccabi Netanya on Monday while Hadera would be aiming to end their run of five matches without a win when they welcome Hapoel Kfar Saba to the Netanya Stadium on Saturday.

Since leaving Bastia in 2009, Ejide has spent over 11 seasons in Israel – featuring for Hapoel Petah Tikva, Hapoel Be'er Sheva before joining Hapoel Hadera in 2017.

Before drawing the curtain on his international career, the 36-year-old featured 34 times for the Super Eagles since making his debut against Namibia on June 16, 2001.

To his credit, he made Nigeria’s World Cup squad on three occasions and five Africa Cup of Nations appearances. He was Berti Vogts’ first-choice goalkeeper during the 2008 Afcon staged in Ghana.

The Premier League has announced that there were no new cases of coronavirus found in the latest round of testing.

A total of 1,195 players and staff were tested for Covid-19 across Thursday and Friday and, for the second time in six rounds of testing, there were no positives.

The previous round yielded one positive, which Tottenham confirmed was one of their employees. 

The Premier League has carried out a total of 6,274 tests for Covid-19, with 13 positives and 6,261 negatives recorded to date.

Under the guidelines adopted for the resumption of training and, eventually, matches, any player that tests positive will be obliged to self-isolate for a period of 14 days, or seven days if the individual is asymptomatic and subsequently returns a negative test.

A statement released on Saturday read: "The Premier League can today confirm that on Thursday 4 June and Friday 5 June, 1,195 players and club staff were tested for Covid-19. Of these, zero have tested positive.

"The Premier League is providing this aggregated information for the purposes of competition integrity and transparency.

"No specific details as to clubs or individuals will be provided by the League and results will be made public after each round of testing."

The first set of tests, which took place on May 17-18, produced six positives from a sample size of 748. Since then, the highest total of positives came in round three, with four from 1,008 tests.

Subsequent screening has continued to produce encouraging figures, with just a single case arising from the last three rounds of testing. 

That advance this week allowed the governing body to push ahead with a confirmed date for restarting the 2019-20 season's remaining fixtures.

The Premier League will now restart with two matches on June 17, as Manchester City face Arsenal while Aston Villa take on Sheffield United.

Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has revealed his admiration for German duo Timo Werner and Kai Havertz, while suggesting the upheaval caused by the coronavirus pandemic has affected his side's ability to compete in the transfer market. 

Both RB Leipzig marksman Werner and Havertz, of Bayer Leverkusen, have been winning rave reviews this season thanks to their exploits in the Bundesliga. 

Liverpool have been linked with both players over the course of 2019-20, but each looks set to escape the grasp of their compatriot at Anfield. 

Werner is expected to move to Chelsea in a £54 million (€60m/$68m) deal, while Havertz has reportedly been tipped to cross the Bundesliga and join Bayern Munich at the end of the season. 

Klopp believes that Covid-19 and the subsequent interruption to normal activities has taken its toll on Liverpool's transfer capabilities. 

"There are a lot of good players on this planet," Klopp told Sky Germany when asked about the pair. "Timo Werner is a great player, Kai Havertz is a great player.

"Right time, opportunity - everything has to come together. Six, seven weeks ago, we didn't know if we could play again this year.

"If we hadn't played the second half of the season, we would have thought, 'OK, when can you really play football again?' And now it starts right away."

He added: "There are all sorts of rumours in England about who Manchester United are going to pick, Chelsea are going to pick.

"It's rather quiet here (at Liverpool) at the moment, I think it's safe to say. If you want to take it seriously and run a normal business and depend on income and have no idea how much you will earn... especially because we don't know when we can start playing with spectators again.

"At the moment, all clubs are losing money. Without spectators, we have to pay back the season tickets and probably sell none next year. At least maybe without the first 10 or 15 games. The VIP areas won't be packed and the tickets won't be sold. This will have an impact on other partners and things will look a bit different.

"Discussing with the players about things like salary waivers and on the other hand buying a player for £50-60m, we have to explain."

Klopp continued to warn that, while German football is already up and running and the Premier League is set to follow suit in June, no side can take anything for granted at this stage.

"We act as if everything is already settled. It's not settled. We use this little loophole we've been left to play football again.

"Everything else we have to see the moment it happens. We can't pretend now that everything's going to be fine in the future."

Liverpool hope to seal their first top-flight title in 30 years when the Premier League resumes. 

Currently 25 points ahead of nearest rivals Manchester City, Klopp's charges need two wins to be champions but could even be crowned on the first weekend back should they defeat Everton at Goodison Park on June 21 and Pep Guardiola's side slip up.

Bayern Munich wonderkid Alphonso Davies says he is “infinitely grateful” to his parents - who hail from Liberia, for playing a big part in his career.

The 19-year old was born in the Ghanaian city of Buduburam and grew up in a refugee camp with his parents who fled the second civil war in Liberia that killed and displaced thousands of people between 1999 and 2003.

Davies’ family had to endure living in harsh conditions where access to food, water and proper shelter and sanitation was a constant struggle.

They migrated to Canada in 2006 when Alphonso was five years old, settling in the city of Edmonton and he got his youth career off at local sides Edmonton Internazionale, Edmonton Strikers, St. Nicholas Soccer Academy and FC Edmonton Academy.

His senior breakthrough came with Vancouver Whitecaps at the age of 15 in 2016, becoming the second youngest-ever player in Major League Soccer after Ghanaian-born American Freddie Adu.

A year later, Davies gained Canadian citizenship and made his debut for the Canada senior national team ahead of the 2017 Concacaf Gold Cup at the age of 16, making him the youngest player for the North American country.

After 81 appearances, 12 goals and 14 assists for the Whitecaps, Davies moved to Bayern Munich in January 2019 for an MLS-record sale of $22 million.

His stock has continued to rise in the Bavarian capital, drawing plaudits for his pace, dribbling and defensive attributes. All these have made him a regular at left-back for Bayern, with three goals and nine assists in 37 competitive appearances this season.

“I think it runs in my whole family,” Davies said on Bayern Munich’s official website when asked about how he always gives his best on the pitch.

“We went through tough times when I was very young and I’m so infinitely grateful to my parents. Their journey began during the civil war in Liberia, and we came to Canada via Ghana.

"I can enjoy every single day of my life, but I know that there are other sides to life. All the more reason why I now try to convey to people how important it is to feel a sense of joy. I try to do that on the soccer pitch and, among other things in video clips now and again.”

Davies went on to assert his desire to inspire children to be motivated by his story so they can live their dreams just as he is doing.

"I want to be an inspiration to lots and lots of children,” he continued.

“We came to Canada as refugees from Africa and worked hard for everything we have. I think my life can show people that a lot is possible if you stay true to yourself and don't let yourself be led astray.

“When children all over the world see me playing and hear the story behind it, it’s nice to imagine them drawing motivation from it and developing the courage to work on their own dreams as well.” 

Borussia Dortmund midfielder Emre Can has warned Jadon Sancho that he must keep his behaviour in check if he hopes to join the world's elite. 

Sancho, 20, is rated as one of the game's finest young footballers thanks to his exploits for Dortmund in recent seasons. 

A sensational hat-trick in the club's 6-1 thrashing of Paderborn underlined his potential, with Manchester United among the clubs interested in the former Manchester City trainee. 

The same week as those heroics, however, Sancho found himself in hot water alongside a host of BVB colleagues for breaking coronavirus social distancing protocols in order to get his hair cut . 

The DFL handed down a fine for that breach, a judgement that the player declared an "absolute joke."  

But Can, who popped up to score his side's only goal in a 1-0 victory over Hertha Berlin on Saturday, advised his young colleague to watch his future conduct. 

"We know that he just has to be more disciplined in some things, but he knows that himself," the ex-Liverpool and Bayern Munich man told  Sky .

"He just has to be smarter and grow up with things like that. He can't afford to make such mistakes in the future.

"You have to lead Jadon the right way. He's a great boy, even off the pitch. He doesn't do it on purpose to cause a scandal.

"Maybe he trusts too many other people in some things."

Germany legend Lothar Matthaus also called on Dortmund's senior squad members to lead the way, telling  Sky:   "If the club or the DFL cannot regulate [social distancing measures], then the players simply have to regulate it. There are such experienced players at Borussia Dortmund.

"They have to take Sancho aside and say to him: 'Listen, it doesn't work! You hurt not only yourself, but you harm us, the club. Such things don't belong in public right now!'"

BVB sports director Michael Zorc added to  Sky  when asked about the case: "I can only warn against permanently attaching it to a single player. Others have had their hair cut too.

"With Sancho, it is simply the case that he is not only noticeable on but also outside the pitch. Sometimes this is not easy for us.

"We try to do that and work with him and his management on it. Giving up is not an option for us."

Aduana Stars coach Samuel Paa Kwasi Fabin has safety concerns amid calls for the resumption of the Ghana Premier League (GPL).

The championship, together with all other domestic competitions, has been on hold since March following a ban on all public gatherings, including sporting and religious events, as part of measures to curb the spread of the coronavirus.

The West African nation has so far registered 9,462 cases involving 44 deaths, 3,547 recoveries and 5,871 active cases.

“I fear, not for the players alone,” Fabin told Happy FM.

“Everybody is at risk at any time because most people are asymptomatic. I have that genuine fear that they can contract the virus.

“So it’s very risky. I have this genuine fear that players may contract the virus."

The Premier League was at the Matchweek 15 stage, with Aduana atop the standings, when it ground to a halt on March 15.

At the time, a total of six coronavirus cases had been recorded in Ghana.

"It's more than irresponsible to start football now without a 100 percent safety guarantee," Caf Medical Committee and former member of the Ghana Football Association (GFA) Medical Committee, Prince Pambo told Asempa FM.

"From the word go, we have to take time and start afresh. Those who are pushing that we start football must understand that it won't be that easy.

"I don't know the dynamics but if there isn't a 100% safety guarantee, it won't be proper to risk anyone's life. Some are claiming we should play behind-closed-doors, which is fine but a lot will go into it.

"The players, technical staff, administrators and close contact staff must all be quarantined in an air-tight environment before matches.

"They must all be tested before every single league match. The cosmetic ways of doing things won't happen. There has to be robust testing every week and the wearing of masks."

Amid calls for a prompt decision on the way forwards, the GFA has said it will wait until at least June 30 to make a decision on the future of football.

The ban on football, however, continues until at least July 31.

Timo Werner's underwhelming performance for RB Leipzig in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Bundesliga strugglers Paderborn was not down to the speculation linking him with Chelsea, Julian Nagelsmann insisted.

Chelsea have agreed to meet Werner's £54 million (€60m/$68m) release clause in his contract and have tabled an offer to the Germany international.

On the back of the news, Werner was below-par against rock-bottom Paderborn as Leipzig surprisingly dropped two points.

But Nagelsmann dismissed the idea that "hype" was to blame, pointing out the Stuttgart academy product has had to contend with such pressure since he was a teenager.

"No, it didn't bother him," Nagelsmann said when asked if the Chelsea rumours had affected Werner.

"He was very committed. He was always working out front, like [Paderborn coach] Steffen [Baumgart] said. He was on the run a lot.

"He has a total of 32 or 33 goals this season. Today he missed a few chances, but still set up Patrik [Schick]'s goal.

"I think he would have liked to score with one of his two big chances, but that has nothing to do with the hype about his person. He has known that since he was 14."

The result leaves Leipzig four points adrift of second-placed Borussia Dortmund, but they went three clear of Borussia Monchengladbach and Bayer Leverkusen, both of whom suffered defeats this weekend.

Leipzig CEO Oliver Mintzlaff claimed before the match that Chelsea have not been in touch regarding Werner yet, while he was also adamant the striker has not triggered his release clause.

“We haven't had an exchange yet,” Mintzlaff told  Sky Sports Deutschland regarding the Werner talk. “Accordingly, we have nothing to report. Timo Werner is a player for RB Leipzig. He signalled a few weeks ago that he was busy with a transfer. Until now nothing is done.

“We are concentrating on the final sprint in the league. We want to qualify for the Champions League. That is the only thing we are currently discussing with Timo. 

“It was important for us that we extend the contract with him. We did that last summer because of course it is important for our young club that no player moves on a free transfer. 

“Of course, there was this exit clause that we put in the contract to give him the opportunity to take the next step.

“Now Timo is sitting in the driver's seat, not us anymore. So far, he has not drawn upon the clause, nor has any club sent us a transfer contract.”