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Maurizio Sarri remains unsure if Paulo Dybala will play a role in Juventus’ Champions League clash against Lyon this week.

The Serie A champions are looking to overturn a 1-0 aggregate deficit when they host the French side in the second leg of their last-16 tie on Friday.

Dybala, who has scored 17 goals in all competitions this season, missed the Bianconeri’s last two league games due to a thigh injury, and is a doubt for the European encounter against Rudi Garcia’s team.

Sarri is hopeful that the Argentine attacker will be able to play a role but is waiting to get the all clear from the medical team.

“He's still in the hands of the medics but we'll see what he can do tomorrow morning,” he told reporters on Thursday. “Then I'll talk to him and the doctors about what he's able to do.”

Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, was rested for the final Serie A game of the season, but the coach is ready to bring him back into the team.

“Cristiano is training very well, I saw him score a beautiful goal in training yesterday,” he added. “I think he's approaching this match in the right way.

“We need to do a very great performance, certainly. Lyon have improved a lot and become so solid since moving to three at the back line. They play with a big intensity in midfield.

“With the first leg result, it's a very tough match and we need to approach with calm and focus. It's impossible to play without pressure tomorrow's night but we need sharpness, which is slightly different.”

Sarri’s future at Juventus has been called into question towards the end of the season, but he dismissed suggestions it depends on their Champions League results.

“I think that the club will make their evaluation based on the entire season, so if they've already decided to get a new coach, tomorrow won't make any difference, nor will a victory,” he said.

Juve centre-back Leonardo Bonucci is confident his side will put in a strong display against the Ligue 1 outfit.

"We know very well that tomorrow we need to have a very good performance,” he said. “The energy and the adrenaline in the dressing room will be fundamental and I'm convinced that we'll do a good performance.

“We must be focused on ourselves, on our job, and not listen to what is said outside. I think the Juve seen after the lockdown put in some good and solid performances, mixed in with others where concentration levels dropped and we struggled.”

Former Kaizer Chiefs striker Patrick Mayo has expressed doubts about Amakhosi's Premier Soccer League (PSL) title credentials, suggesting they have lost their momentum.

The Port Elizabeth-based legend says losing midfielder George Maluleka to Mamelodi Sundowns will hurt Chiefs coach Ernst Middendorp’s plans as they look to do well in their remaining eight matches.

Mayo also believes the break which was enforced by the coronavirus pandemic has derailed the Soweto giants’ momentum, saying they won’t be the same team again.

“If Maluleka was still at Chiefs, they were going to win the league but now that he’s gone, it’s going to be difficult because there’s no replacement,” said Mayo as quoted by DailySun .

“George was very good in set plays and coach Ernst Middendorp relied heavily on him to float those balls into the box, and Samir Nurkovic and Leonardo Castro were the beneficiaries because of their height.”

Moreover, the former SuperSport United and Mthatha Bucks player looks at the PSL restart as more like a brand new start for the PSL log leaders.

“They can lose the league. They were performing better before the lockdown, it’ll affect them,” he added. 

“This is like they are starting the season from scratch.”

During his time at Chiefs, Mayo worked with German manager Middendorp and lifted the Absa Cup (Nedbank Cup) aND SAA Supa 8 (MTN8), but he is not confident to pin his hopes on the Glamour Boys.

Chiefs currently lead the table with 48 points from 22 matches and they will restart their 2019/20 campaign with a tough clash against Bidvest Wits next week. 

On the other hand, they are looking to celebrate their 50th anniversary year with the PSL title, but they will face stiff competition from reigning PSL champions, Sundowns who sit second with 44 points from 21 matches.

Sundowns will resume their schedule with a Nedbank Cup semi-final match against Wits this Saturday and they will face Orlando Pirates in a league match next week.

Lewis Bate, Dynel Simeu and Ian Maatsen have been told to get ready for a trip to Germany after being selected by Frank Lampard to help ease his selection crisis ahead of facing Bayern Munich away in the Champions League.

Aside from Maatsen, the youngsters have yet to make their professional debuts, but they are on red alert ahead of the upcoming second leg, with Armando Broja and Henry Lawrence possibly also travelling after being added to the club's B-list this week.

Maatsen has played just once under Lampard, making his debut from the bench in the Blues' 7-1 win over Grimsby Town in the Carabao Cup back in September last year.

Broja has also played only one game for the club, coming on as a substitute in Chelsea's 4-0 win over Everton just before the lockdown due to the coronavirus pandemic.

All the players mentioned are 18-years-old except Bate who is still just 17, who has already made the matchday squad without coming on away at Sheffield United in a 3-0 defeat in July.

These selections come amid an injury crisis - which is mounting after Chelsea's 2-1 FA Cup final defeat to Arsenal - ahead of a second leg which is 165 days on from the first game, played on February 25.

Christian Pulisic and Cesar Azpilicueta suffered hamstring injuries at Wembley last Saturday, while Pedro dislocated his shoulder in his final minute as a Blues player with a free transfer to Roma lined up.

Pedro has had surgery on his shoulder and is set to be out for at least a month, but Roma will still honour their commitment to sign the 33-year-old.

Willian also remains a doubt, with talks over a three-year pre-contract to join Arsenal active and with a minor achilles injury continuing to bother him.

Ruben Loftus-Cheek pulled out of the FA Cup final 24 hours before kick-off and is trying to return for the Bayern trip, while N'Golo Kante was an unused sub against Arsenal as he was still not been fully fit following a hamstring injury.

Lampard will assess their fitness ahead of flying to Munich tomorrow afternoon, but the midfield pair have been able to train ahead of the match on Saturday night.

Furthermore, Chelsea have two players suspended with Marcos Alonso having been sent off in the first leg, while Jorginho's yellow card in the match was his third in the competition and sees him also banned.

This is all on top of a long-term injury to Billy Gilmour, who still needs three months to overcome the meniscus injury that he sustained against Crystal Palace in the Premier League in July.

All in all, Lampard could be without 10 players, so is looking to the academy once again having brought his side closer to the development operation at Cobham Training Centre.

Lampard has already given an all-time record eight debuts to academy products in a single Chelsea season, including Broja and Maatsen as well as Mason Mount, Reece James, Gilmour Tino Anjorin, Tariq Lamptey and Marc Guehi. Previously holding the record at seven were Ken Shellito and Danny Blanchflower in the 1978-79 season.

Anjorin would have been included in Lampard's squad for Bayern, but he has an untimely knock which will see him miss out too.

Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech have been training but aren't allowed to register for their new club until next season, which begins in September. RB Leipzig have unregistered Ethan Ampadu for their Champions League squad after he returned to his parent club having made just seven appearances, with two starts, in 2019-20.

Borussia Dortmund boasts of a vast fanbase across the globe and a fresh crop of talented youngsters on the roster is only helping the club attract more eyeballs.

The Bundesliga giants have a huge presence in Asia, with dedicated fan groups in countries like Malaysia, China and even Singapore.

However, India is also a market Dortmund are focusing on. And it seems that fans of the club in India could be in for a treat soon enough.

Does the club have plans to expand their footprint in India? Suresh Letchmanan, Managing Director of Asia Pacific for the club claimed that Dortmund had planned to play a legends’ match in the country.

The Coronavirus pandemic played spoilsport, but Suresh is confident that the match will take place in a major Indian city once normalcy is restored. He feels the focus on commercial activities has nothing to do with the economic hit all teams have taken due to Covid-19.

“I would not say that due to the crisis we are focusing on commercial activities. Fan activities have always been a priority. This is what BVB (Dortmund) is all about. We have organised many activities for fans in India to Mongolia to Cambodia and this will not change.

“For the Indian market, we had planned to play the legends’ game, but it was not possible in the current situation. But I am sure that we will fulfil the obligation of bringing the team to India. Football is ever growing in India. We also have Evonik’s partnership with W1 Sports which focuses on developing grassroots in India and providing the youth with a chance to play the BVB way.

“At the moment China, Japan and Singapore are key markets. We have offices at China and Singapore which helps us to execute on-ground activities.

“India is definitely a market we are always trying to grow. As soon as we get clearance, we will start planning about the opportunity for legends to play in one of the Indian cities. I am sure it will be an exciting event,” he said.

The Yellow and Black are famous for spotting talents at a young age and converting them into top players who almost immediately attract a financially attractive offer from other big European clubs.

What has been key to Dortmund’s astute work in the transfer market? Head of International Business Benedikt Scholz cited the financial crisis of 2005 as one of the biggest reasons behind the club’s successful transfer policy.

15 years ago, the German side amassed a debt of 100 million pounds and was struggling to pay off the investors. Shifting from star signings to focusing on youth development was hence more of a necessity than a choice. However, the new approach to signing young players clearly worked for the better in the long run and Dortmund have no reason to go back.

The CEO of the club Hans-Joachim Watzke played a vital role in steering the club to financial safety. Benedikt claimed that continuity at the top of club heirarchy and continued faith on young players have been key to consistently successful transfer windows for Dortmund.

“I think it is a combination of different factors – one of those was the financial crisis the club went survived in 2005. There was no money to invest in big stars and players who already had prior experience of playing in Europe at the top level. It was an absolute necessity to focus on young talents who can make it to the first team,” he said.

“There is continuity at the club at the top level. Mr (Reinhard) Rauball has been a president for many years already. Our CEO (Hans-Joachim) Watzke was also the CEO during the financial crisis and he helped the club survive that. We had Michael Zorc as the longest-serving Sporting Director at any Bundesliga club. We have Lars Ricken, former player as the head of youth academy.

“These two factors enabled us to focus on these young talents and still give them time on the pitch. Look at Jadon Sancho for example. He came from Manchester City and joined the first team only one year after he joined. This is not something many of the top 10 European clubs can offer to these players. This makes us a very attractive option for young, talented players such as Jude Bellingham, who joined recently and Giovanni Reyna, our American talent who joined the first team last season.”

Does the sale of these top players after a couple of top seasons hurt their chances of competing in the Champions League at a top level? Benedikt believes that the transfers have, in no way, prevented the club from performing at the top level.

He also spoke about how their focus on developing talented players makes Dortmund a coveted destination for youngsters.

“We don’t feel like we are weakening our chances in the Champions League by selling players. We have missed the Champions League just once in the last decade. We have succeeded in getting to the last-16 often but then it gets difficult," he said. 

“We don’t care about how old the players are. We don’t care if Jadon Sancho is 19 or 21 or 27, if he is a good player, he will play. This is one of the ways in which we can convince young players to join our clubs.

“We don’t buy superstars; we buy youngsters and convert them into superstars. And we have been doing it well. We don’t think that we are weakening the team by having to sell players.”

As the popular saying goes, five weeks is a short time in football. It's even shorter when you have to cram 12 matches into that timeframe.

With such a deluge of activity, it can be easy to miss the certain trends, or to chalk them up to other factors—physical, mostly.

So when, in the aftermath of Manchester City's elimination from the FA Cup at the semi-final stage, Riyad Mahrez found himself consigned to bench duty for the final two matches of the domestic calendar, it may have simply seemed a quirk of rotation, a necessity in the hard slog of a condensed Project Restart.

On both occasions, his place in Pep Guardiola's often irresistible attack went to youngster and great English hope Phil Foden. Mahrez did enter the fray at half time on the final day hammering of Norwich City, with the score at 2-0, and helped himself to his 11th of the league campaign.

In spite of that, Watford away and Norwich at home marked the first time since the resumption of football that Mahrez failed to start in consecutive matches. That cannot be ignored.

Without necessarily reading too much into the situation, it is clear something turned for Guardiola during that chastening defeat at Wembley. There, Mahrez toiled for an hour, only getting the best of direct opponent Ainsley Maitland-Niles on one occasion, before being replaced.

Afterward, City's manager gave his verdict on what had gone wrong for his side: "In general we were quite good but [the defeat] was not about this, it was about us not being there in the first half. We were not ready to play an FA Cup semi-final."

While there were no names mentioned, it was telling that Mahrez was one of his first two substitutions, after which he divined City improved and played much better in the second period.

It marks a jarring turnaround in fortunes for the Algeria international, who to that point was enjoying a particularly productive run in the side.

Concerns over Bernardo Silva's physical condition following the restart saw Mahrez stake his claim to that spot on the right of the front three, and he posted impressive performances in headline victories over Burnley, Newcastle United and Brighton & Hove Albion.

That all seems to have changed dramatically. Where once it seemed his integration might very well hold the key to Manchester City's progress in the Champions League, he now faces a question over his involvement in the Round of 16 return leg against Real Madrid in Friday.

City hold a 2-1 lead from the first leg at the Bernabeu, where the 29-year-old started and impressed. Perhaps his superior experience might weight the consideration in his favour, and mean he starts at the Etihad Stadium anyway.

However, Foden has clearly come on in Guardiola's estimation, and this time it is entirely down to that spectre of inconsistency that has dogged Mahrez's steps since his switch to the blue half of Manchester.

It now threatens to undermine him, not just this season, but next as well: Foden will be even more of an option, but perhaps the biggest indication that Pep has run out of patience is the club's purchase of winger Ferran Torres.

Mahrez and Guardiola always did seem an odd mix; for all that the Spaniard is considered the avant garde in tactical thinking, his style of play is very intolerant of mercurial players who can turn a game in a flash of inspiration, but will also drift and flit in and out of matches on occasion. It can seem cold, but it was efficient and successful enough to secure back-to-back league titles.

Ferran, as close to a throwback wide player as is possible in the modern game, will reintroduce the width and depth with which City used to so utterly stretch and rend teams.

The injury and subsequent sale of Leroy Sane meant Guardiola was denied that weapon this season, and while that alone cannot be blamed for the yawning breach between his side and Liverpool at the top of the Premier League table, the acquisition of the highly-rated Valencia youngster is certainly an attempt to recapture that old magic.

Quite where this leave Mahrez is difficult to understand, and that only lends greater significance to what Guardiola decides on Friday night.

However, here is the rub: leaving him out would say a lot, but selecting him wouldn't necessarily do the same. Whatever the case, it just seems like a pivotal moment in his City career.

Eric Bailly has reacted to Manchester United’s progress to the Europa League quarter-finals after defeating LASK 2-1 at Old Trafford on Wednesday.  

The centre-back was handed a starting role in the encounter and played for the duration of the game in the second leg round of 16 of the competition.

Jesse Lingard’s effort cancelled out Philipp Wiesinger’s opener before Anthony Martial scored the second for Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s men with two minutes left to play.

The victory ensured the Red Devils advanced into the next round of the competition on 7-1 aggregate after securing a convincing win in the first leg at Linzer Stadion.

The Ivory Coast international has taken to the social media to applaud United’s performance against the Austrian side.   

“Job well done, we're in the quarter-finals,” Bailly posted on Instagram.

Bailly joined the Red Devils in the summer of 2016 from Spanish side Villarreal and made 38 appearances across all competitions in his debut season.

The defender has, however, endured various injury setbacks since November 2017 when he suffered his first major injury, an ankle problem, which ruled him out of action for more than three months.

The 26-year-old has only featured 10 times for United across all competitions in the 2019-20 season owing to his struggles with injury.

Bailly recently signed a two-year contract with Manchester United, which will keep him at Old Trafford until the end of 2021-22 season.

The defender will hope to maintain his fitness and help the Red Devils clinch the Europa League title they last won in 2017 under Jose Mourinho.

Bailly started his career with Espanyol youth setup before he was promoted to the senior side in 2014 and featured in five league games before his departure from the side in 2015.

The centre-back made 35 league appearances for Villarreal after arriving from the White and Blue before teaming up with United.  

Bailly has 34 caps for Ivory Coast and was part of the team that won the 2015 Africa Cup of Nations.

Pep Guardiola “clearly doesn’t fancy John Stones” and will take Nathan Ake’s game to even greater heights after investing £40 million ($53m) in a new centre-half at Manchester City, says Danny Mills.

The Blues were expected to bolster their defensive options during the summer transfer window.

Having opted against finding a replacement for Vincent Kompany in the wake of the Belgian’s departure in 2019, those at the Etihad Stadium struggled for consistency at the heart of their back four.

Aymeric Laporte has proved to be a shrewd addition, but Stones and Nicolas Otamendi have failed to convince.

That has led to Brazilian holding midfielder Fernandinho being asked to fill an unnatural position on a regular basis.

The South American has fared admirably, but a long-term solution to an obvious issue was always going to be required.

Ake is the answer in the eyes of Guardiola, with the Netherlands international having been snapped up from Bournemouth in the wake of the Cherries’ relegation out of the Premier League.

Mills believes value for money will be found in the versatile 25-year-old, with City’s highly-rated coach boasting an impressive track record when it comes to improving those he invests considerable faith and funds in.

“He clearly doesn’t fancy John Stones, Otamendi at times, and he can’t keep on playing Fernandinho out of position,” former City full-back Mills told talkSPORT.

“You have to remember he has had a good schooling as well, he was at Chelsea and then he had a few loan deals.

“At the time he probably left Chelsea because they had some very good defenders and he didn’t see a pathway of getting through and breaking into their team.

“He went out on loan and obviously left for Bournemouth on a permanent deal.

“He’s a good player. He can play, but he can also defend. Then you have to think, what has Guardiola done with the majority of signings that he’s had? He has improved them.”

Ake spent six years on the books at Chelsea before linking up with Bournemouth on a permanent basis in 2017 and is now a seasoned Premier League and international performer.

Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA) have opted out of the deal to sign former Maroons FC striker Pius Obuya.

Obuya and the 13-time Ugandan Premier League (UPL) winners had already agreed on a three-year contract but a medical examination on the player is said to have revealed long-term hip and shoulder injuries.

The injuries, which would mean the forward spends more time on the sidelines, has been revealed as the primary reason why the capital city club did not want to sign him anymore and are now in the market for another viable option.

“An agreement on personal terms was reached between KCCA and the player [Obuya], subject to undergoing a medical,” a source close to Obuya revealed to Football256.

“However, during the medical examination, a problem was identified with his hip and shoulder that will require Obuya to have immediate surgery, and the club has decided to opt out of the deal.”

KCCA head coach Mike Mutebi had seen a perfect replacement for Allan Okello in Obuya but the latest injury revelation could have completely crushed their hopes.

Okello left Kassasiro Boys in January 2020 to join Algerian side Paradou AC after good personal performances, especially in the Caf Champions League.

Obuya has established himself as one of the promising forwards in the Ugandan league since he made his debut as a 16-year-old at Maroons.

KCCA, who will take part in the Caf Confederation Cup next season and target group stage qualification, have already signed Brian Aheebwa, Charles Lwanga, Ashraf Mugume, Stefano Mazengo, Bright Anukani and Denis Iguma.

Meanwhile, Joshua Lubwama has reportedly completed a move to Wakiso Giants.

The midfielder did not extend his contract with BUL FC where he had been for the last two seasons after it expired at the end of June.

His time at the Jinja-based club was hampered by injuries a case he recognised in his farewell message.

“BUL FC will remain in my heart for giving me the amazing opportunity to play in the top-flight league in Uganda,” Lubwama said as he was quoted by Kawowo Sports.

“After this time, I can only thank everyone at BUL, to the staff who made my time here so easy, to all the fans that have supported me since the first day I wore the jersey, to the coaches over the years.

“A battle with you has been an honour and to my teammates who helped me settle in since day one not only as a teammate but as friends, it has been an incredible journey and it is with great sadness that I must say goodbye.

“I will miss you all and wish you the best of luck for the future.”

Should the Wakiso Giants move be completed, Lubwama will work again with head coach Douglas Bamweyana after their previous association at Makerere University.

English Championship side Brentford have officially confirmed they have parted ways with midfielder Kamohelo Mokotjo and Nikos Karelis. 

The Bafana Bafana star had been with Brentford for the past three years and was recently handed a two-month contract extension until the end of the season. 

However, the club felt he was no longer in their manger's plans for the upcoming season and showed him the exit door. 

His departure comes on the back of Brentford's failure to secure promotion to the Premier League following their loss to Fulham earlier this week. 

"Brentford FC can confirm that Nikos Karelis and Kamohelo Mokotjo have now left the club," reads part of the statement as released by Brentford.  

The pair signed short-term extensions to contracts that expired on 30 June to take them through until the day after Brentford’s final game of the 2019/20 season, as per EFL protocol implemented due to the three-month cessation of fixtures because of the Covid-19 pandemic. With the campaign ending on Tuesday, Nikos and Kamohelo will now leave." 

Mokotjo featured 102 times across all competitions for the English side since his arrival from FC Twente in 2017.

This season only, the midfielder made a whopping 29 appearances for Brendfort and his exclusion from the play-offs took the majority of South African football fans by surprise.  

"Kamohelo leaves at the end of his third season in West London and has played 102 games in all competitions for Brentford, scoring six times. He joined from FC Twente, in the Netherlands, in 2017 and, after starting out with SuperSport United in his home country, also played in the Dutch leagues for Feyenoord and S.B.V. Excelsior."  

"The midfield player has made 26 appearances in all competitions this season, scoring in the win at Wigan Athletic, as well as being a regular for South Africa. He appeared for his country in the Africa Cup of Nations last summer and now has 21 caps to his name," continued the statement. 

Brentford manager Thomas Frank wished both Mokotjo and Karelis well in their futures, saying they played a huge role in helping the club reach the level it is in this season. 

"On behalf of everyone at Brentford FC, I would like to wish Nikos and Kamo all the best for the future.

"It has been a pleasure to work with them and they have given their all for the club, on the pitch in the games they have played and in training, where their work has helped the group develop over the season," he said.  

Frank added: "Nikos has been very unfortunate, and I wish him better luck with injuries in the years to come as he has proven his quality. Kamo has been superb for us over three years and now has the opportunity to take on a new challenge. They are part of the Brentford FC story and I hope we see them again."

Tottenham boss Jose Mourinho has backed the proposal for the Premier League's new five substitutions rule to continue through to the 2020-21 season.

When English football was cleared to resume in June following a three-month break in the season, a number of fresh conditions were put in place in a bid to ensure the safety of players and staff amid the ongoing battle against the coronavirus pandemic.

All top-flight clubs were granted two drinks breaks per 90-minute match, one in each half, with managers allowed to select larger squads of up to 20 players for all remaining fixtures.

The number of substitutions allowed per game was also increased from three to five, in a bid to minimise the risk of injuries during in a congested schedule.

Premier League clubs are now set to vote on whether or not to the make the changes permanent, with the new season set to get underway on September 12.

Mourinho didn't feel the need to make the maximum number of substitutions in any of Tottenham's final nine outings, but he says having the option to shuffle his pack could be valuable tool going forward.

"The five subs, I don't mind it. In the majority of matches, myself, I felt no need for that," the Portuguese head coach said ahead of Thursday's vote.

"But one thing is no need, another thing is no chance. So if you have the chance to do it, I don't think it's a problem.

"Because it can only be done in three periods, it doesn't affect much more the real-time of the game, coaches cannot stop the game five times as you know. I think it's fine.

"I don't see a problem at all with that."

Mourinho added on the benefits of picking a larger squad for each match: "I like the 20 players [in the squad]. It doesn't make any sense to travel with 20 players and then you arrive in the stadium and have to send two guys to the stands when the clubs pay every player and invest in every player.

"And it's much better for a manager to have on the bench a right-back, a left-back, a centre-back, a winger, a midfielder, a striker.

"It's much better to have everything there because it's the ammunition you need. For all tactical reasons, beauty of the game, competitiveness of the game, it's a fair way to treat players because they want to feel they're in the game, and they feel that on the bench.

"It's different to staying at home. So the 20 players on the bench, I love it.

"It gives you more chance to bring young people [on] and gives a much better feeling to everybody. Twenty players on the bench, I think very, very good."

Long time Germany international captain Michael Ballack has expressed his deep admiration for Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp, and hopes the German coach will take charge of his national team at some point in the future.

Klopp has established himself as one of the world's leading managers at Anfield, having already arrived at the club with a strong reputation following back to back Bundesliga titles in 2011 and 2012 while coaching Borussia Dortmund.

He has enhanced that reputation with the Reds, winning the Champions League in 2019, then this season leading Liverpool to the Premier League to end their 30 year wait for an English top-flight league title.

This has impressed ex-Bayern Munich and Chelsea midfielder Ballack, who told German website Sportbuzzer: "It is impressive how Jurgen established Liverpool at the top, then led them to the Champions League triumph and now to the championship title.

"He breathed the new spirit into Reds, embodies the club, and is a brutal worker who gets the most out of his players. He is an absolutely exceptional trainer. For me he is one of the three best coaches in the world."

Ballack also backed Klopp to succeed Joachim Low as manager of the Germany senior men's international team.

Low has led Germany since 2006, and took them to World Cup glory in 2014. However they were dumped out in the group stages in 2018, and Ballack urged the national federation to look to the future in appointing their next coach by picking the most succesful German option available to them.

He said: "Why shouldn't one of the best coaches in the world be a candidate for the national coaching post? The question is not whether he has the qualities for it, but whether Klopp would even like to become a national coach.

"He is in a position where he can choose anything. Should he ever have enough as a club coach, the position of national coach would be a great story for him and German football. This connection would be perfect."

Ballack - who captained Germany at the 2002 World Cup but missed the final loss to Brazil due to suspension - is currently working on his own coaching badges. He earned the UEFA B licence last year, but his plans to take the tests for the A licence this year have been postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic.

However Ballack remains committed to working in the sport again: "One thing is clear: I love football and of course I can well imagine returning."

Jesse Lingard is determined to add to his medal collection at Manchester United, with the England international taking aim at Europa League glory in 2020.

The 27-year-old has endured a testing campaign at Old Trafford.

Fierce competition for places, along with serious questions of his form, has led to Lingard slipping down the pecking order.

He has, however, been a regular in continental competition and – having captained United early in their campaign – was back among the goals in a 2-1 victory over LASK in the second leg of a last-16 encounter.

Lingard hopes that a spark has been found in his game, allowing him to see more minutes, while the collective goal of the Red Devils is to finish their season with major silverware wrapped up.

They did take in a Europa League triumph under the guidance of Jose Mourinho in 2017, with the intention being to replicate that success three years on.

Lingard told MUTV after helping Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side into the quarter-finals, where they will meet FC Copenhagen: “A win is very positive, especially taking it into the next game.

“We’ve done well and hopefully we can get to the final now and win that. That is our main aim now: to win that trophy.

“With the squad we have got and the personnel we have I feel like everyone is going to play a part. Throughout the build-up in this competition, everyone has played their part.

“We can’t wait to get there and play this game now. 100 per cent I want to win it again.

“Lifting a trophy is a special feeling you can’t really explain and winning it before you take that confidence forward. We have got a mixture of youth and experience in the squad and for the young lads to win their first trophy, it will be perfect for them.”

Lingard has now netted in back-to-back outings, having ended his long wait for a Premier League goal against Leicester on the final day of English top-flight competition, and Solskjaer is pleased to see a man with 24 international caps rediscovering his touch.

The United boss said of an academy graduate who has generated plenty of transfer talk in recent weeks: “Every player knows that when you get your chance, in a game or even in training, you’ve got a chance to prove yourself, prove your worth.

“I know Jesse, I’ve known Jesse since he’s been a little kid, and I know there’s a very good player and great personality to have around.

“He knows what we want from him and he knows that he has to stand by the manager whatever decision he makes.

“I would be disappointed if he was happy coming off, because he was growing in confidence. He’s worked really hard on his finishing, especially lately, and I’m happy for him to score.”

Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane has revealed he has sent his groundsmen to the Dobsonville Stadium to ensure the pitch is in immaculate condition ahead of the return of the league fixtures next week. 

The Brazilians take on Orlando Pirates at Dobsonville Stadium on Tuesday, and Mosimane just wants to make sure that everything is ready for their match. 

"I have sent my people to Dobsonville Stadium, the people who look after Chloorkop pitches and all that. I told them that their office is no longer Chloorkop, but Dobsonville Stadium and be there nine to five,” Mosimane told the media in an online press conference. 

"They must help the groundsman and make sure that the pitch is ready and in proper condition.

"We have been given a venue and we can’t be making any excuses or passing the buck. I asked them to take everything to Dobsonville if they can but there are challenges," he said.

The 56-year-old mentor said part of the challenges is that his groundsmen are reluctant to leave their equipment at Dobsonville Stadium and while he admits the pitch wasn't bad, he just doesn't want to be caught by surprise when his team has to take to the field. 

"They said, 'coach we can’t leave our equipment in the township' but that is where we are playing; not FNB or Ellis Park - we are playing in the township; it’s the draw. It said we must go to the township and we know the challenges. I grew up in the township. So, you’ve got to make sure things are right. I don’t think the pitch is bad," he explained.

"I got the images and Bidvest Wits played there before the Covid-19 pandemic; it’s a different story after Covid-19.

"Sometimes you get paranoid about these things," he revealed. 

Mosimane is also worried about his safety and that of his colleagues and players and asked if the groundsman at the Soweto-based venue has tested for the coronavirus. 

He revealed there has been no communication at all between the people currently looking after the facility and the club while his team is in Rustenburg.  

"Has the groundsman tested for Covid-19? I am going to be talking and walking with him on the pitch. If he has tested, where does he stay? Who does he talk to while I am in Rustenburg and tried to take the team away from the epicentre?" asked Mosimane.  

"But I need the guy to help me over there, that's part of it – football under Covid-19; that’s what we have," added Mosimane. 

Tanzania Mainland Premier League champions Simba SC have reportedly developed an interest to sign Kenya international Jesse Were.

Were has established himself as a prolific striker for Zesco United since his 2016 move and the newly-crowned Tanzanian champions are said to have lately added him to their wish list.

Simba have not signed any player so far since the transfer window swung open on August 1 but reports indicate the club's top hierarchy have met where they discussed plans on how to carry out their transfer business.

In their meeting, Goal understands Were's approach was prominently discussed as well as Chris Mugalu's possible arrival too.

The Democratic Republic of Congo star is featuring in the Zambian Super League with Were as he is on the books of Lusaka Dynamos.

Simba's Chief Executive Officer Senzo Mazingisa had made it clear only top players will be brought on board as he feels the squad does not need a total overhaul.

Should Were sign for Wekundu wa Msimbazi, he would fight for a first-team place with Rwandan international Meddie Kagere who has been an indisputable goal scorer for the Msimbazi club since 2018.

He would be the second Kenyan in the team as Francis Kahata signed for them in 2019 from local giants Gor Mahia.

Recent reports had linked Were with Azam FC who have been so ambitious in the ongoing transfer period as they alongside Yanga SC, have been the busiest sides so far.

Meanwhile, David Kameta, who is reportedly on his way to Simba has praised Shomari Kapombe as the best defender in the league.

Should Kameta complete the move, he is expected to be Kapombe's understudy and he has spoken highly of the Tanzanian international who has been a defensive pillar for Simba.

“[Shomari] Kapombe is a defender that I have come to respect so much in the league. He is good not only in defending but also providing crucial crosses as well as creating assists,” Kameta told Mwanaspoti.

“I have learned a lot from watching him since I was in the lower division and now in the league. I am learning fine details from him now and possibly even in future.”

The transfer window will close at the end of August.

Real Madrid will struggle to keep out Manchester City without Sergio Ramos, according to Fabio Capello, who says the captain's absence creates an "important problem" for his old club.

Madrid are facing an uphill battle to reach the Champions League quarter-finals after losing 2-1 to City at Santiago Bernabeu in February.

Isco opened the scoring for the Blancos in the round of 16 first-leg tie, but Gabriel Jesus hit an equaliser before a Kevin De Bruyne penalty completed a remarkable turnaround for the visitors.

To make matters worse, Ramos was shown the 26th red card of his career during the dying moments of the match, which ensured he will sit out the reverse fixture at Etihad Stadium through suspension.

Capello thinks Pep Guardiola's side will find plenty of gaps in a Madrid defence lacking a talismanic performer, and has ultimately backed them to qualify for the last eight.

The former Blancos head coach told Laureus: “I thought in the last two games that they played before the end of the season, Manchester City were on the top of their form.

“They are really dangerous when they go forward. In the past, I thought [Pep] Guardiola has made some tactical faults in midfield, but now, when they lose the ball, they try to recover it.

“The problem when you play City is how well can you defend against them?

“So I think, for me, I prefer Man City, because without Sergio Ramos, when you have to defend against City going forward, it will be difficult for Real.”

Asked if there is any chance of Madrid completing a turnaround in Manchester, Capello responded: “It's possible because, for Real Madrid, it's normal to play this kind of game.

“The pressure will help Real Madrid. They finished the Liga season brilliantly and they won the title.

“But I think they have one important problem. Without Sergio Ramos, when you have to defend, it will be really difficult.

“Sergio Ramos is the captain, is the leader in the dressing room, he's the leader on the pitch. The personality of this player is really important for all the players.”

The ex-England and Juventus manager went on to express his belief that Guardiola has altered his managerial approach significantly since leaving Barcelona in 2012.

Capello added: "Guardiola is changing his style. When he was at Barcelona, he played the famous tiki-taka, but now it has changed a lot.

"When he recovers the ball, they go really quickly to create openings for a goal, with fantastic players like De Bruyne, [Riyad] Mahrez, Gabriel Jesus. It will be a spectacular game for me.”

Lille are set to sign Canada international Jonathan David after agreeing a €30 million (£27m/$35m) club-record deal with Gent despite interest from a number of Premier League clubs.

The 20-year-old will replace Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen, who joined Napoli in a €50m (£45m/$59m) deal last week, and will sign a five-year deal.

Arsenal had considered David as a replacement for Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang but continue to chase a contract renewal for their star striker, while they are also set to sign Willian on a free transfer from Chelsea.

The Gunners also face budget restrictions having announced they would lay off 55 members of staff at the Emirates Stadium to help fund further moves, with Lille centre-back Gabriel Magalhaes one of the players who could arrive.

Meanwhile, Manchester United scouts were watching David but they continue to discuss a move for Borussia Dortmund winger Jadon Sancho, with the Red Devils having been unable to agree a fee with the Bundesliga club up to now.

Leicester City, Leeds, Brighton and Crystal Palace had all registered serious interest in David but he has opted for Lille having been impressed with their plan to further develop his career.

David's move to Stade Pierre-Mauroy for a €30m fee will see him break the club's previous record transfer that saw Renato Sanches join in a €25m (£23m/$30m) deal from Bayern Munich last summer.

The New York-born Canadian star alerted scouts to his talents having scored 11 goals in 12 games for his national team in a starring role alongside Bayern star Alphonso Davies.

At club level, 18 goals and eight assists in 27 Jupiler Pro League games saw him emerge as the Belgian league's top man.

Lille have already been active in the transfer window having signed former Manchester United youngster Angel Gomes on a free transfer, before loaning him to their affiliate club Boavista.

They have also signed experienced Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz and two youth stars in Isaac Lihadji and Usman Simbakoli.

Christophe Galtier's side finished fourth in Ligue 1 last season and will feature in the 2020-21 Europa League.

Toni Kroos has revealed he once lied to the Bayern Munich team doctor about how he picked up an injury - and that it eventually helped him get a valuable loan spell away from the Bundesliga giants.

Kroos, now with Real Madrid and one of the most respected midfielders in modern football, picked up a ligament injury aged 18 while having a kickaround with his friends, he said on his podcast Einfach mal Luppen.

The now 30-year-old playmaker revealed that, on a visit to Rostock - where he used to be an academy player - to see friends, he fell over while playing football and tore a ligament, which kept him out of action for three months.

When asked by Bayern club doctor Hans-Wilhelm Muller-Wohlfahrt how he had sustained the injury, however, Kroos claimed he had picked it up while doing training runs in the forest, rather than while playing around with his mates.

Kroos opened up on the incident on his podcast, stating: "You haven't heard anything else to this day. Especially when it came out that it really was a torn ligament, I didn't feel like explaining that it happened in football. Now after so much time, I can't be punished for this."

The Germany international went on to say that he felt the injury had actually helped with his career. During the winter break in the 2008-09 season, Kroos was sent out by Bayern on an 18-month loan to Bayer Leverkusen in order to gain first-team experience.

Kroos established himself for Leverkusen in the 2009-10 campaign and was called up for the Germany squad at the 2010 World Cup, before returning to Bayern and working his way into the first-team picture.

In Kroos' opinion, his injury played a part in him being allowed to leave Bayern, as he would otherwise have been kept as a back-up squad member and would not have had the same opportunities.

He said: "I think Bayern would not have allowed me to move if I had been fit. I didn't play much before anyway and then everything came together so that I was allowed to go to Leverkusen."

At Leverkusen, he was given a first-team place by manager Jupp Heynckes, who then became Bayern boss between 2011 and 2013 as Kroos became an established figure in the side that won the treble in 2012-13.

Kroos remains grateful to the veteran coach, describing him as one of the greatest influences on his career.

He said: "He was the coach that I had the longest, the one who helped me to gain a foothold in Leverkusen, the one who helped me to finally assert myself in Bavaria and helped me become a top player."

Goal can reveal Anele Ngcongca is not leaving Mamelodi Sundowns for Belgian side KSV Roeselare.

In July, Roeselare claimed to have secured the services of Ngcongca on a two-year deal from the Brazilians. 

However, the said deal was denied by Ngcongca's agent Mike Makaab who reiterated his client had not signed anything with anyone except recently renewing his contract with the Tshwane giants.  

A source close to the player and the club has now confirmed to Goal that Ngcongca is still in Rustenburg with the rest of his teammates. 

The source further revealed that there have never been negotiations between Sundowns and Roeselare over the possible transfer of the 32-year-old defender. 

Ngcongca is expected to release an official statement to clear the air regarding his future and Roeselare's reports.  

"Anele is still around. He hasn't left the club," the source told Goal. 

"Those were just unfounded rumours because no club has entered into negotiations with Sundowns over Ngcongca's services," said the source. 

"The club isn't going to entertain those rumours but the management has spoken to Anele about it and he will release a statement when he is ready," concluded the source. 

Ngcongca spent nine years in Belgium and another year in France during his 10-year stay in Europe. 

He returned to South Africa to sign for the Brazilians in 2016 and has won two league titles and the Telkom Knockout Cup trophy with Pitso Mosimane's coached team since then.

This was after he turned down an opportunity to join Kaizer Chiefs who were initially interested in signing him upon his return from Belgium. 

The former Bafana Bafana utility player has made 97 appearances across all competitions for Sundowns in his four-year stay with them and found the back of the net on two separate occasions despite his earlier struggles with injuries and form. 

Ngcongca has been an integral member of Mosimane's squad this season with 29 matches, a goal and a single assist under his belt to date.  

At times, Mosimane used Ngcongca in a more central role as Thapelo Morena owned the right full-back position before his injury back in September 2019.

Henrikh Mkhitaryan believes he has enjoyed a “good season” at Roma and is pleased to have an agreement in place that allows him to return to Stadio Olimpico in 2020-21 and avoid re-joining the ranks at Arsenal.

The Gunners sanctioned a move to Italy for the Armenian playmaker prior to the 2019-20 campaign.

They had seen Mkhitaryan endure a testing time in English football at Manchester United and Emirates Stadium. There had been flashes of what he was capable of, with three trophies secured at Old Trafford under Jose Mourinho, but consistency proved to be an issue for the former Borussia Dortmund star.

Mkhitaryan has rediscovered his spark in Serie A and has already seen a deal struck that will keep him away from north London for the foreseeable future.

“In my opinion, I had a good season, despite the two injuries I had,” Mkhitaryan told UEFA’s official website. “I am in good shape right now, and I hope to keep everything this way.

“We have already reached an agreement with Roma for me to play for the club for another year, until summer 2021, which I am very happy about. I have felt at home since day one – in my football, on the pitch and off it.”

Roma are yet to bring the curtain down on their current campaign as they remain in the hunt for Europa League glory, and Mkhitaryan is hoping to sign off with a repeat of the success he enjoyed in 2017, with the 31-year-old finding the target in United’s 2-0 final victory over Ajax.

He said: “The Europa League is a pretty serious tournament, and it’s an honour for any player to win it. Before the final match, I just wanted the team to win, so that I would be able to lift the cup above my head with the Armenian flag.

“I did my best to prepare for the match during the week in order to perform perfectly.

“The match went as we had planned, we won 2-0, and what’s most important is that I scored probably one of the most important goals in my career, which I was hugely happy about. I can’t even explain the emotions, the feelings I had in that moment and at the end of the match.”

Mkhitaryan’s 2019-20 season has seen him make 29 appearances, with nine goals and six assists.