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The Confederation of African Football (Caf) has announced that the draw for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations will take place on August 17 in Cameroon.

The event which was initially postponed in June due to logistical relations related to the coronavirus, has been scheduled for the Yaounde Conference Centre at 18h00 GMT.

The 2022 Afcon is expected to start on January 9 till February 6 with five host cities confirmed for the biennial tournament.

“CAF together with the Local Organising Committee (LOC) of Cameroon announce that the draw for the final phase of the 33rd edition of the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations, Cameroon 2021, will take place on Tuesday, August 17, 2021 at the Yaounde Conference Centre, Cameroon at 19h00 local time (18h00 GMT),” read a statement on Caf website.

“The draw will see the 24 countries that will participate in next year’s TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations descend in the country ahead of 09 January 2022 kick-off.

“Caf will release more information in due course including the draw procedure and special guests.”

The qualification series ended on June 15 after Sierra Leone pipped Benin 1-0 in Guinea to secure the last ticket to Cameroon and the second spot in Group L, behind Nigeria.

Other countries who have qualified for the competition are defending champions Algeria, Senegal, Tunisia, Egypt, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Comoros, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Equatorial Guinea, Zimbabwe, Ivory Coast, Sudan, Malawi, Morocco, Ethiopia and Mauritania, Guinea-Bissau, Mali and Cape Verde.

The Mohun Bagan Day 2021 was celebrated at the club tent on Thursday, along with the felicitation ceremony conducted under COVID-19 guidelines.

The function, in the presence of the club's general secretary Srinjoy Bose, finance secretary Debashis Dutta and other excecutive committee members, had a limited attendance wherein the prestigious Mohun Bagan Ratna award among other awards were conferred.

A replica jersey, as the one that was worn by the 1911 IFA Shield winning team, was also launched at the event.

What is Mohun Bagan Day?

110 years ago, on this day, Mohun Bagan created history by beating British regimental side East Yorkshire to become the first Indian club to clinch the IFA Shield. The barefooted Indian unit fought fearlessly against the British side to etch themselves into the Indian football history books.

Thus, every year, Mohun Bagan celebrate July 29 to remember the heroics of their club legends.

Who are the Mohun Bagan Day 2021 award winners in football?

Mohun Bagan Ratna: Late Shibaji Banerjee (Posthumously)

Best Football Player (Senior): Roy Krishna

What does Mohun Bagan Day signify?

It was a glorious moment in the history of Bengal as well as Indian football as the Green and Maroons became the first ever Indian club to win the prestigious shield by beating British clubs.

The victory not only enriched Mohun Bagan’s history but it also invoked a great sense nationalism among the native Indians against the British regime at that time.

The Kolkata club started their campaign in the IFA Shield by beating St. Xavier’s 3-0 and followed it up by going past Rangers and Rifle Brigade 2-1 and 1-0 in the pre-quarter and quarter-final respectively. The semifinal tie against Middlesex ended initially ended in a 1-1 draw but Bagan managed to beat them 3-0 in the replay.

The final generated a lot of attention, given that an Indian side was vying for the title. Locals irrespective of their caste and religion and flocked the stadium in the hope of history being made. According to historians nearly 100,000 people had turned up in the Maidan on July 29 to cheer for the local club.

The East Yorkshire side turned up in their Black and White jersey while Mohun Bagan had donned their iconic Green and Maroon shirt. The match started in an anticlimactic manner for the local team as the regimental side took the lead in the first half.

It wasn’t an easy task for the Kolkata club as 10 out of 11 Bagan players were playing barefoot. Only Reverend Sudhir Chatterjee wore a pair of boots.

Nonetheless, Mohun Bagan came back in style in the second half when skipper Shibdas Bhaduri restored parity. Centre forward Avilash Ghosh scored the winning goal in the dying moments of the match to script history in favour of Mohun Bagan.

What happens on this day every year?

1911 IFA Shield winning Mohun Bagan team, the ‘Amor Ekadosh’ or the ‘Immortal Eleven’ will forever remain etched in the history books of Indian football as well as Mohun Bagan. Generally, Mohun Bagan celebrate this day in a grand manner. They organise cultural programmes and also conduct their annual awards night were the best performers from all sports are felicitated.

The Mohun Bagan Ratna awards are also handed out on this day.

What is Mohun Bagan Ratna and when was it awarded for the first time?

The 'Mohun Bagan Ratna' is the club's highest honour, an award which was started by the club in 2001 to honour their yesteryear legends. The very first recipient of the honour was legendary Indian footballer and former Mohun Bagan skipper Sailen Manna.

Giorgio Chiellini is set to re-sign for Juventus, with the Italy star having confirmed his imminent return to Turin while outlining his desire to "lift some more trophies".

Chiellini has spent the last 17 years of his career at Juve, having initially joined the club from Livorno in 2004, but reached the end of his latest contract on June 30.

Although the 36-year-old is now technically a free agent, it has been reported that the Bianconeri are eager to sign the experienced defender up for another season, and he has now revealed that he is scheduled to report back to the club next week and sort out his future once and for all.

What's been said?

Chiellini has been on holiday since helping Italy win the second European Championship crown in their history, but is now extra motivated to return to Juve and help them try to wrestle the Serie A title back from 2020-21 champions Inter.

“I want to lift some more trophies, because it just makes you hungrier to do it again - and wearing the Juventus jersey without the Scudetto symbol on the chest represents an extra motivation," the centre-back said at a ceremony in Livorno.

“I need a few more days to rest and recover from the chaos of the last month, but on Monday I’ll be in Turin and happy to get started again."

Pressed on whether Italy's success at Euro 2020 has sunk in yet, Chiellini added: “I don’t think you can even dream of lifting a trophy as the captain of your national team.

"You are happy enough just to play football in your city, but here we went beyond even the greatest dream."

Chiellini's illustrious Juve career

Chiellini has racked up 535 appearances across all competitions for the Bianconeri to date, recording 36 goals and 24 assists along the way.

The Italy international has amassed 20 trophies during his time in Turin, including nine successive Serie A titles, and also has a Champions League runners' up medal on his CV.

Juve supporters will surely hope that Chiellini's contract is sorted in plenty of time ahead of the new season as the club prepares to start a new era under returning head coach Massimiliano Allegri, who replaced Andrea Pirlo at the helm earlier this summer.

Further reading

Manchester United have appointed Marc Skinner as the new head coach of their women’s team on a two-year contract with the option of an additional year.

Skinner stepped down from his role at Orlando Pride on Friday, after two-and-a-half years in Florida.

Now, the 38-year-old returns to England and the Women’s Super League to succeed Casey Stoney, who left Manchester at the end of last season. She has since been appointed head coach of San Diego’s new NWSL expansion side.

What has been said?

Skinner said in an official press release: "I am excited and proud to become head coach at Manchester United. I’m looking forward to working closely with the staff and this talented group of players.

"Our focus is to build on everything they have already achieved in the women’s game. It’s an exciting opportunity to lead the team into what will be another competitive WSL season; I want us to achieve success together and our aim is to give the fans a team they can continue to be proud of."

Executive Vice Chairman, Ed Woodward, added: “Marc is a coach with proven pedigree in the WSL and we are delighted he is joining the club and returning to the league after his recent time in the US.

"Our commitment to the continued development and success of the Women’s team is total, and we see Marc’s appointment, along with the talented squad and players recruited this summer, as key to that process.”

How did Skinner do in the NWSL?

It’s difficult to judge Skinner on his time with the Pride. His first season in Florida was very disappointing, with the club failing to win any of his first nine games. They finished the campaign at the bottom of the table, with just 16 points from 24 matches.

The following year, the Covid-19 pandemic prevented the regular season from going ahead, while an outbreak of cases among the Orlando team stopped them competing in the inaugural NWSL Challenge Cup.

This season, it looked like Skinner had finally cracked the code, getting the best out of a star-studded roster that includes U.S. women’s national team star Alex Morgan and Brazil icon Marta.

However, after a positive start saw the team go unbeaten in their first seven NWSL games of the season, they lost three of his last four matches in charge.

Skinner does have a glowing reputation in England, however, from his time with Birmingham City. He spent three years in charge of the club before joining the Pride, leading them to an FA Cup final and gradually improving on their WSL finishes, despite having a much smaller budget than most of their rivals.

What challenge does Man Utd present?

Man Utd finished fourth in the WSL last season, in just their second year in the top flight – they were even top of the table at Christmas.

However, the campaign was seen as a disappointment, such was the club’s aim to finish in the top three and secure a UEFA Women’s Champions League spot, especially given they were in a very strong position to do so for most of the year. Skinner will be tasked with helping the club take that next step.

It won’t be easy for him to do so, however. Arsenal, perceived as the member of the ‘big three’ that United could pick off, appear to be strengthening and regaining ambition that some have questioned recently. Clubs like Everton, meanwhile, are also trying to hunt down a European spot.

As well as that, United have lost a number of key players over the summer. Teenage sensation Lauren James joined Chelsea, reliable centre-back Amy Turner moved to Orlando and the USWNT duo of Tobin Heath and Christen Press were also among those to depart.

The club has made a few signings recently, though, in Norwegian midfielder Vilde Boe Risa, striker Martha Thomas, former Chelsea defender Hannah Blundell, Bristol goalkeeper Sophie Baggaley and Aoife Mannion, who arrives from Manchester City. With a manager now also in place, the hope will be that United can build on the strong foundation laid by Stoney.

Further reading

Steven Gerrard maintains that a return to Liverpool does not form part of his immediate future plans, with the Reds legend fully committed to a title-winning post at Scottish giants Rangers.

The former England captain continues to be linked with a homecoming at Anfield, with his contract at Ibrox mirroring that of Jurgen Klopp at Anfield - with both men tied to terms through to 2024.

It continues to be suggested that Gerrard will be offered the chance to succeed a Premier League and Champions League-winning coach in familiar surroundings, but he is giving no thought to that at present.

What has been said?

Quizzed again on the Liverpool rumours by ESPN, Gerrard has said: "I can't control any media speculation about my position.

"I don't welcome it, I don't add to it. All I do is focus on the job I have here and I'm very flattered and grateful for the position.

"I'm very happy here, I've said it on numerous occasions, it's a huge club, I'm settled, I'm happy and I can continue to develop and keep trying to push this team forward."

How has Gerrard fared at Rangers?

The 41-year-old cut his coaching teeth within the academy ranks at Liverpool, before heading out on his own to take the reins at Rangers in 2018.

An immediate impact was made in Glasgow, with impressive progress culminating in a long-awaited Scottish Premiership title triumph in 2020-21.

Gerrard has overseen 112 wins from his 170 games in charge of the Gers, with only 21 defeats suffered, but he remains aware of the need to keep raising the bar.

He added: "I think at Rangers you are always trying to reset the remit.

"Since I first came here, we have completed a lot of the challenges that were set for me, my staff and the players, but the goalposts always move at a club that has experienced the kind of success that Rangers have.

"We've had incredible success, we made history last year, but it's about parking that up now and looking to build on that.

"I think this job comes with huge pressure every single season, no matter whether it is a success. There are always things to improve on, you always reset and get ready to go again. The pressure never changes, I don't feel under any other pressure than I did on day one really.

"My job every day comes with that responsibility to try to make this club better, and keep striving for success. We've got targets now set for the end of the season and that is to try to be as dominant as we can and get as much silverware we can to add to last year."

Further reading

Sevilla are looking for a deal worth around €80 million (£68m/$95m) if an agreement is to be reached that allows Chelsea target Jules Kounde to leave Estadio Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Goal has learned.

Goal was able to confirm on Tuesday that Premier League heavyweights from Stamford Bridge have entered into talks for a France international defender.

Kounde is open to the idea of taking on a new challenge in England, but a transfer will only be sanctioned if the terms are right for his current club.

Who could sign Kounde?

The list of suitors for Kounde has been cut this summer, with Real Madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea considered to be the only realistic options for a talented 22-year-old.

United have bolstered their defensive ranks with the signing of Raphael Varane, so have already strengthened in that area, while Real are short on funds for big-money signings.

West London giants have moved to the front of that queue, but a deal is far from guaranteed.

What do Sevilla want for Kounde?

Chelsea are willing to include Kounde's fellow countryman, Kurt Zouma, in any deal this summer.

Sevilla are, however, looking to bring in funds, rather than another player from a part-exchange.

Zouma could still form part of Chelsea's offer, but Sevilla want to get as close to Kounde's €80m release clause as possible.

If another Frenchman is included in a transfer package, then the Liga outfit will look for around €45m (£38m/$53m) as a fee.

Will a deal be done?

Sevilla are, after already parting with Bryan Gil to Tottenham, under no pressure to sell.

Kounde is tied to a contract through to 2024, so will not be running that deal down any time soon.

He has, however, expressed a desire to experience something new, with those comments made while on Euro 2020 duty with his country.

Sevilla are not closing an exit door as a result, but need to benefit from any move.

A big fee will be demanded as Bordeaux included a 20 per cent sell-on clause when offloading Kounde in 2019, meaning that funds must be sent to France if an agreement is reached.

Further reading

Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs collide in the Carling Black Label Cup this weekend, as the Soweto giants meet in the traditional South African curtain-raiser.

It’s a match not quite like any other, as the head coaches of the two domestic giants take a backseat and allow the fans to step up to take responsibility for picking the teams.

The two sets of supporters have made some compelling Carling Black Label Cup selection choices, with some old favourites being brought back into the fold and some first-team regulars dropping to the peripheries of Bucs’ and the Amakhosi’s selections.

Supporters have had their say on the makeup of the two teams, but now we want to know your predictions for the weekend’s heavyweight clash.

Take a look at our Twitter poll and vote for who you think will emerge victorious in Sunday’s showdown.

Got a specific score prediction? Take to the comments section and let us know how you see this one unravelling at the weekend.

Neither Chiefs nor Pirates will be countenancing defeat in Sunday’s meeting, with both acutely aware that bragging rights will be on the line as the traditional foe go toe to toe.

Last season, Pirates won three matches between the two sides—once in the league and two MTN8 fixtures—but Chiefs also got a measure of revenge, as they defeated Pirates 1-0 in March.

It’s been a rollercoaster few months for the Glamour Boys since then; they parted ways with Gavin Hunt following a miserable eighth-placed finish in the league, but did reach the Caf Champions League final after dispatching Wydad Casablanca in the semifinal.

That campaign ultimately ended in disappointment—a one-sided final defeat by Al-Ahly in Morocco—but can Chiefs bounce back when they return to face their old nemesis in this one-off exhibition contest?

The CBL Cup is arranged and funded by Canadian beer company—Carling Black Label—who wanted to empower supporters by allowing them to be the managers in this fixture.

This year’s fixture—for the first time in a decade—will be played in front of an empty stadium due to coronavirus restrictions, while the contest has been moved from its traditional FNB Stadium home to the Orlando Stadium.

Pirates are the reigning champions, having defeated Chiefs 2-0 in the 2019 edition, with the competition cancelled last year due to the pandemic.

Rafa Benitez is "still making decisions" on a number of players at Everton, with Moise Kean slipping into that category as the Italian striker sees a return to Paris Saint-Germain mooted.

The 21-year-old spent the second half of last season on loan with the Ligue 1 giants, having struggled to make his mark in English football at Goodison Park.

PSG are open to doing another deal, but there has been plenty of change on Merseyside this summer and new Toffees boss Benitez is still casting an eye over all of those at his disposal.

What has been said?

Quizzed on Kean's future after seeing a highly-rated forward net the only goal of the game in a 1-0 pre-season win over UNAM Pumas, Benitez told Everton's official club media: "I think it’s important for a striker to score, so that’s good news for him, good news for us, and at this early stage of pre-season we have to keep working and see what happens.

"The problem with the transfer window is that it ends at the end of August. 

"You are playing in games and still making decisions on players so that is important for them to understand they have to carry on. For him to score goals is the best way to make his point."

Who else could leave Everton?

Kean is not the only one to have been linked with a move before the next deadline passes.

James Rodriguez is another that could be offloaded by Benitez if a suitable offer is tabled, with the Colombian playmaker supposedly attracting interest from Italy and Spain.

He is only tied to a contract through to 2022 and has been told that his fitness levels are not yet where they need to be.

Benitez is, however, giving a player proven at the very highest level every opportunity to prove his worth.

He added on a enigmatic South American: "It’s pre-season so we have to give minutes to everyone, but the opportunities for James to play and show his quality to everyone is important."

Further reading

Juventus' senior squad has gone into isolation ahead of their Joan Gamper Trophy clash with Barcelona next weekend after Hamza Rafia tested positive for Covid-19.

The first team will be able to continue training at the Continassa facility, but cannot have any contact outside of that bubble after being placed in fiduciary isolation.

Rafia, meanwhile, will quarantine away from the rest of the squad for the next 10 days, and won't be cleared to return to the pitch until he posts a negative test after that period.

What's been said?

A statement on the club's official website reads: "Juventus Football Club announces that, during the checks provided for by the protocol in force, Hamza Rafia has tested positive with Covid-19.

"In compliance with the legislation and in agreement with the local health authority, the team group has entered into fiduciary isolation as of today.

"This procedure will allow all negative subjects to carry out regular training and match activities, but will not allow contact with the outside of the group."

Will the Barca game still go ahead?

The Juve squad are isolating as a precautionary measure, with Rafia having come into contact with the majority of his team-mates after reporting for the start of the club's pre-season last week.

Talismanic forward Cristiano Ronaldo also returned to Turin from his post-Euro 2020 holiday on Monday, but the club haven't confirmed any other positive cases as of yet.

As such, the meeting with Barca on August 8 will still go ahead as planned unless the situation changes after the next set of medical checks at Continassa.

Could Rafia miss any other games?

Rafia will definitely play no part in the friendly meeting with Barca, and could even be a doubt for the start of the new Serie A season if there are any complications with his recovery.

The 22-year-old had been touted for an important role in returning manager Massimiliano Allegri's plans after breaking into Juve's senior set-up last season, but may now have to wait a bit longer for his Serie A debut.

The Bianconeri are due to kick off their latest top-flight campaign with a trip to Udinese on August 22 as they bid to wrestle the title back from Inter.

Further reading

Luka Jovic is eager to point out that he "didn't arrive at Real Madrid by accident", with the Serbian striker retaining full faith in his ability, but another loan door is being left open at Santiago Bernabeu.

The 23-year-old was one of the most sought-after talents in Europe after hitting 27 goals for Eintracht Frankfurt in 2018-19, with La Liga heavyweights eventually winning the race for his signature.

Things have not gone to plan in Spain, with the target found on just two occasions through 32 appearances, and a stint back in Germany was taken in last season as Jovic struggled to find a spark.

What has been said?

He is still hoping to prove a point with Real, but no future discussions have been held with Bernabeu bosses as Jovic has told Informer: "I haven’t spoken with the new coach [Carlo] Ancelotti about my situation.

"He has started preparing and I am giving everything I can in every moment, trying to impose myself and to be best prepared as possible for the new season.

"I try to give a positive impression and show what is my best.

"Many things have happened in recent years.

"I am sure that I could have been better, but I want everything to turn out well in the end. I didn’t arrive at Real Madrid by accident."

Will Jovic remain at Real Madrid?

The Blancos invested around €60 million (£51m/$71m) in Jovic when adding him to their attacking ranks.

Little return has been offered on that show of faith, with Real continuing to be linked with further striker signings - with Paris Saint-Germain superstar Kylian Mbappe still a top target.

Karim Benzema remains their go-to option for now, with the France international becoming a talismanic presence in the wake of Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2018.

That is helping to keep Jovic down the pecking order, and it could be that he sees another switch elsewhere sanctioned before the summer transfer deadline passes.

He has added on his future: "Some things will be important for me, to be in a good league and to have chances to play.

"After all the time that I had away from the pitch, given my age, if there is a loan, the priority is to be at a club that recognises my quality enough for me to be a constant option as a starter."

Further reading

Up to 10 players at Football Kenya Federation Premier League side Gor Mahia are secretly engaging other clubs in bids to secure transfer moves, Goal understands.
 
A source close to the club has intimated to Goal that the said players have started to talk to potential new employers as they can not afford to live with the financial struggles they have had in the ongoing season. Without giving names, the source said the concerned stars are ready to leave the club en masse.

"Yes, I can count at least 10 who have already started secret talks with clubs both in the country and foreign ones," the highly-placed source revealed on Thursday.
 
"They feel insecure, some feel they have given much to the club, while Gor Mahia are not showing any sign of reciprocating the same and that is pushing them closer to the exit door. 
 
"Some of the players who are engaged in these talks have contracts that are set to run across the next two seasons, but they are not seeing light at the end of the tunnel in as far as getting a solution to the problems concerned. We may end up seeing the biggest exodus at our club ever seen before.
 
"Just look at how we have been performing, especially after winning the Shield Cup and you will draw a conclusion that things are not rosy. It is a matter of waiting to see what might happen next."

Porto striker Mehdi Taremi has won the UEFA Goal of the Season award for his stunning bicycle kick against Chelsea.

Taremi scooped the prize as a reward for scoring Porto's last-gasp winner in the second leg of their Champions League quarter-final tie with Chelsea on April 13.

The Portuguese outfit ultimately exited the competition 2-1 on aggregate to the eventual winners, but their talismanic frontman has secured a place in European football history after receiving 30 per cent of the final vote for the best goal of 2020-21.

Taremi's wonder strike

There did not appear to be a lot on when Porto substitute Nanu raced down the right wing in stoppage time at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez-Pizjuan Stadium, but he managed to produce a perfectly weighted cross that found its way to Taremi with his back to goal.

The Iran international could have tried to bring the ball down before letting fly, but instead trusted his goalscoring instincts to unleash a sensational first time overhead kick, which flew into the top corner and left Blues goalkeeper Edouard Mendy rooted to the spot.

Who did Taremi beat to the award?

60,000 votes were cast for the UEFA prize in total, with Italy talisman Lorenzo Insigne coming in second for his superb individual goal against Belgium in the Euro 2020 quarter-finals, which ultimately gave the Azzurri a 2-1 victory before they went on secure the trophy with wins against Spain and England.

Rangers star Kemar Roofe has completed the top three, having been recognised for the spectacular long-range effort he produced in a Europa League group stage clash with Standard Liege.

Taremi's overall record for Porto

Taremi joined Porto from Rio Ave last August, and quickly established himself as the focal point in Sergio Conceicao's set-up at Estadio do Dragao.

The 29-year-old scored 23 goals in his debut season with the Primeira Liga club, including his wonder goal against Chelsea, while also recording 18 assists.

Further reading

Ghana winger Christian Atsu believes it is impossible to get someone new like Asamoah Gyan in the team.

The 35-year-old Black Stars legend, Gyan scored 51 goals for the West African nation in the 109 matches played. He made his debut for Ghana at just 17 and went on to have a successful campaign which saw him play in the World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations, among other competitions.

He won the 2010 BBC African Player of the Year and has also managed to appear three times in the Caf Team of the Year, among other individual honours.

"You may talk about goalscoring, you know, it is very important but you will not have someone like Asamoah Gyan, impossible," Atsu told 3Sports as quoted by GhanaSoccernet.

"So we should just focus on what we have; the strikers we have now. We should focus on them and try to encourage them because they are young players.

"But no one should compare the strikers we have now to Asamoah Gyan because this is wrong."

The 29-year-old has further shed light on why he took a break from the national team.

"Coach came to my place at Newcastle United, I spoke with him, we made a decision and this is it," Atsu continued.

"So it is not like I told the national team I was not going to play again, there is nothing like that. It's the journalists who are trying to bring up stories for Ghanaians to maybe be mad about someone or be crazy, but it doesn't matter, what's most important is family.

"Now, listen, we the footballers, right, it is a great honour for us to play for the national team. The way the journalist portrays the image of the Black Stars in the media is very bad and this is not good for the players and also the country.

"So for me, I will be honoured. When I'm fit and I am playing and I deserve to be called into the Black Stars, I will be honoured to come and play."

Christian Pulisic has set the "big target" of steering clear of injuries at Chelsea in 2021-22, with the United States international also embracing the competition for places he faces in west London.

The 22-year-old has taken in 77 appearances for the Blues during his time in English football, scoring 17 goals and becoming a record-setting Champions League winner.

His progress has, however, been stunted at times by niggling knocks and the intention is to steer well clear of the treatment table this season as momentum and consistency is established.

What has been said?

Pulisic has told Standard Sport of his ambitions for the upcoming campaign: "Staying healthy is definitely a big target of mine, and trying to be available as much as I can to continue to help my team and make a big impact."

Will Pulisic be a starter for Chelsea?

Thomas Tuchel has a wealth of attacking options to select from as he readies his Chelsea side for another trophy quest.

Mason Mount, Timo Werner, Hakim Ziyech, Callum Hudson-Odoi and Ruben Loftus-Cheek all offer direct competition to Pulisic in his pursuit of a starting berth.

The USMNT star is relishing that challenge, though, saying: "That’s a great thing about our team, that we have so much depth and so many strong players.

"We have so many games that you’re going to get your time, so it’s just about making the most of your chances."

Is Pulisic settled at Stamford Bridge?

Pulisic is tied to a contract through to the summer of 2024 and appears to have plenty of football for the Blues ahead of him.

He is accustomed to overcoming any professional hurdles placed in his path, with the American superstar feeling settled as he looks to play with a smile on his face.

He added: "At the start I wasn’t playing as much as I would like, but it just forced me to train hard, to show why I want to be a part of this team.

"Your mental health is important. It’s about being content with who you are as a person and, for me, getting away from the game and finding the right balance.

"I’m always having to fight with everything that is going on with football, but also stepping away and making sure my mind is in a good place and I’m really just happy."

Further reading

Former Leicester City defender Steve Howey believes there is no way Ainsley Maitland-Niles can play in the team, if he joins them, ahead of Nigeria international Wilfred Ndidi.

The Arsenal midfielder is seen as surplus to requirements for the Mikel Arteta-led charges, and last season he served West Bromwich Albion albeit on loan. However, he could not save the Baggies from heading to the Championship.

Howey believes if the Foxes sign Maitland-Niles, he will not be the first choice, especially in midfield.

"I mean, he obviously started off at Arsenal as kind of a full-back," Howey told Transfer Tavern.

"Big Sam [Allardyce] brought him in at West Brom; ultimately, it did not pay off because they got relegated. I think he is a decent player, but he is not getting ahead of Ndidi and [Youri] Tielemans."

Meanwhile, Ndidi is proud of City’s achievements last season and he is eager to help them win more titles in the 2021-22 campaign after last season's FA Cup triumph.

The Super Eagles star played a crucial role in the middle of the park as Brendan Rodgers’ men came out victorious in the oldest football Cup in the world after defeating Chelsea 1-0 at Wembley Stadium.

"Now we’re just putting in the work. We're beginning to get our fitness and trying to look ahead to the games. We’ve always known [Rodgers'] philosophy and everything," Ndidi told the club's website.

"We know our targets. We, as players, know what we want as a group. We know what we want to achieve and I think it’s something that we all look forward to.

"I’m really proud of the group with what we achieved last season. It was a really great feeling. Some of the players weren’t here when Leicester won the league, which was a great, great feeling, and the players who weren’t here then, we have a feeling of actually winning something.

"It’s an incredible feeling and it’s something we want to push and look forward to having that feeling again. It’s really great. It’s something we push for and we’ll see what comes out of this season."

Orlando Pirates head coach Josef Zinnbauer has welcomed the addition of Mandla Ncikazi and Sjoerd Woudenberg to the club's technical team.

Ncikazi joined the Buccaneers last month following a successful 2020/21 season with Lamontville Golden Arrows as the head coach as he guided the team to a fourth spot finish in the PSL.

The 52-year-old tactician's arrival at Bucs added fuel to speculation that the Soweto giants are considering replacing Zinnbauer with Steve Komphela, but the rumours have since cooled off.

Woudenberg was snapped up by Pirates from Cape Town City and the 34-year-old Dutchman has filled the vacant goalkeeper coach position at the Houghton-based giants.

Zinnbauer lauded Ncikazi as a good coach when speaking from Pirates' pre-season camp in Royal Marang Hotel in Rustenburg, North West. 

“In coach Mandla, we have a good coach who has experience as an assistant coach and as a head coach, he knows both sides," Zinnbauer told the media.

"What we expected since last season was a goalkeeper coach. We haven’t had a goalkeeper coach in a long time, last season we lost an analyst and an individual coach during the season."

Woudenberg's arrival at Pirates has thrown Wayne Sandilands' future at the club in doubt as he has stepped down from his part-time role as goalkeeper coach while his contract as a player also expired.

Zinnbauer, who joined the Buccaneers in December 2019, indicated that his wishes have finally been answered as he has long asked for a second assistant. 

“My first question at the club was, please give me another assistant coach, this was in my first few months and now we have one and we have more staff members and more eyes on the field," he added. 

"We can manage training easier and the games as well. We can manage the players who are left behind easier when we travel to Africa. We have quality staff behind me and that’s very important in football."

Pirates are set to take on Kaizer Chiefs in the Carling Black Label Cup match at Orlando Stadium on Sunday.

Kylian Mbappe continues to be heavily linked with La Liga giants Real Madrid, but the World Cup-winning Frenchman says his "biggest dream would be to win the Champions League with PSG".

The 22-year-old is yet to sign a new contract at Parc des Princes and will see his current deal expire in the summer of 2022.

Goal has learned that he remains a top target for La Liga giants at Santiago Bernabeu, having long been linked with the Blancos, but he has suggested that he will be sticking around in the French capital to chase down European glory.

What has been said?

Mbappe has, in a joint interview with fellow frontman Neymar, been speaking to Paris Saint-Germain's official club magazine.

Quizzing one another, Mbappe has said: "I'm not a very good journalist... what would I ask Neymar? What is your big dream after everything you've achieved?"

"My biggest dream with PSG is to win the Champions League and with Brazil to win the World Cup. And for you, Kylian, it's to win the Champions League, isn't it?" questioned Neymar.

"Why not another World Cup?" replied Mbappe, with a smile.

"No, the next World Cup is for me. What's your next big dream after winning the World Cup?" Neymar chipped in.

"My biggest dream is to win the Champions League with PSG, that would be fantastic. But winning another World Cup would be great too," Mbappe added amid the speculation surrounding his future.

Where will Mbappe be playing in 2021-22?

PSG are understandably keen to get a prized asset tied down on fresh terms.

Brazil international Neymar has committed his future to the Ligue 1 giants, along with manager Mauricio Pochettino, but Mbappe is yet to put pen to paper.

He has already claimed four domestic league titles in France, while also conquering the world with his country.

New challenges are being sought, with it possible that a switch to Spain will be made at some stage.

Real are keeping a door open for the hottest of prospects to join their ranks, with the Blancos prepared to be patient as the summer window runs down.

Further reading