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Selangor will allow teenage star Luqman Hakim Shamsudin to leave for Belgian side KV Kortrijk, the Malaysian club announced on Friday evening.

"Unearthing the potential these players possess requires not only physical training to polish skill and ability on the pitch. We understand that values in life also play a pivotal role in shaping their maturity and character off the pitch.

"Therefore, with regards to Luqman Hakim Shamsudin’s current situation, the club hereby officially confirms that an agreement has been reached between FA Selangor and K.V. Kortrijk for the transfer of Luqman Hakim from Selangor.

Luqman will be flying to Belgium to join the club as soon as all the documentation has been processed and cleared. We believe exposure beyond Malaysia is what he personally needs currently to advance to the next stage of his professional career," explained the club in a statement.

Although the exact details regarding the Malaysia U-19 star's signing are conflicting, it is believed that he had first signed with the Selangor reserve team last year, alongside 27 other Mokhtar Dahari Academy (AMD) graduates.

Only slightly later an offer came Kortrijk, who are owned by Malaysian tycoon Tan Sri Vincent Tan. The 18-year old had originally been scheduled to leave for Belgium earlier this year, but the global Covid-19 outbreak delayed the plan.

When Kortrijk called him up after the pandemic abated, they were made to work out the transfer details with the Red Giants, which initially led to speculations that the Malaysian club would not let him leave at all. Selangor sources have told Goal that the AMD graduates signed will be allowed to leave if they receive an overseas playing offer within the first year of their contract with Selangor.

Victor Moses is a doubt for Inter Milan’s Serie A fixture against Bologna on Sunday after the club confirmed he is suffering from muscle fatigue.

The Nerazzurri disclosed that the ex-Nigeria international had a medical examination at the Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano on Friday which confirmed the problem in his left thigh.

Moses was in action for 69 minutes as his team cruised to a 6-0 victory over Brescia in Wednesday’s league game, before he was replaced by Antonio Candreva.

Ahead of their next Serie A fixture against Bologna on Sunday, Inter Milan confirmed the 29-year-old’s injury blow and he might sit out the game at San Siro Stadium.

“Victor Moses was examined this morning at the Humanitas Research Hospital in Rozzano,” the club tweeted.

“Tests showed he is suffering from some muscle fatigue in his left thigh flexors.”

Moses is currently in his fifth loan spell since he joined Chelsea from Wigan Athletic in 2012. He had temporary deals at Liverpool, Stoke City, West Ham United and Fenerbahce before switching to Italy.

Moses joined Antonio Conte’s team on a short-term loan in January, after struggling for game time at Fenerbahce.

He has played 12 matches so far for Inter Milan across all competitions and he has registered an assist in the process.

After winning the Premier League title and FA Cup with Conte at Chelsea, Moses chose to reunite with the Italian manager who he described as his "mentor" in Milan.

“He is my mentor and friend. I have played under a lot of managers and I’ve loved every single one of them. The most important one was Antonio Conte,” he said.

“At Chelsea he just came in and changed everything. He is an amazing man; he totally changed my game to be honest."

Inter Milan are third on the Serie A table with 64 points from 29 matches. They are eight points behind leaders Juventus and four points behind second-placed Lazio.

Moses' contract at Chelsea will expire in June 2021 but the Nerazzurri hold the option to make his loan deal permanent when it expires at the end of the season.

Former France star Marcel Desailly believes Ghana full-back Abdul Rahman Baba is still capable of turning his fortunes around at Chelsea, despite having struggled to make a strong impression since a 2015 transfer.

Following a move from German side Augsburg, the left-back made 15 Premier League appearances for the Blues in 2015-16, his limited opportunities forcing him to pursue loan moves in his search for regular action since.

He joined Spanish side Real Mallorca for this season but a series of injuries have permitted him only two appearances in La Liga.

“Baba Rahman should not give up," Desailly, who played for Chelsea between 1998 and 2004, told FootballMadeInGhana.

"I think he has the level to be at Chelsea as a first choice, so he should try more.

“He went out of the country to play in the Spanish league so he has to try and come back with a better mindset to be able to perform.

"The Premier League is very difficult because of the speed of the game, so it’s not easy but he has to cope with it."

Baba first left Chelsea for a season-long loan at German fold Schalke 04 after failing to impress then Blues manager Antonio Conte during pre-season.

He ended his first term with the Royals with 13 Bundesliga outings.

In January 2018, the 26-year-old rejoined Schalke for a second loan spell, this time on an 18-month deal.

His return to Veltins-Arena was terribly plagued by injuries as he made only two league appearances for the German outfit.

His limited game time was also partly due to an inability to break into Schalke's first team after a long injury lay-off, a situation which led to the premature termination of his loan stay in January 2019, and a subsequent prompt move to Reims for the second half of the 2018-19 term.

He made 11 appearances in Ligue 1, capping his stay with a goal and an assist in the final game of the campaign against champions PSG.

Reports say Chelsea are planning to part ways with the Ghana international this summer.

Baba first joined German side Greuther Further after leaving Ghanaian side Asante Kotoko in 2012.

Alvaro Morata scored twice as Atletico Madrid maintained their unbeaten run since the resumption of LaLiga, easing to a 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca at the Wanda Metropolitano. 

Diego Simeone's in-form side followed up Tuesday's impressive performance in the 2-2 draw at Barcelona by brushing aside relegation-threatened opponents, in the process strengthening their position inside the top four. 

Morata made the most of Mallorca players encroaching too soon into the penalty area to score his first from the spot, VAR giving him a reprieve after Manolo Reina had saved his initial effort. 

Mallorca’s captain guessed correctly with the re-taken spot-kick too, yet Morata had enough height on his strike to beat the goalkeeper and move into double figures for league goals this season. 

The striker had missed an earlier opening as Aleti started impressively, while both Yannick Carrasco and Joao Felix failed to hit the target with excellent opportunities before the opener arrived in the 29th minute.  

Mallorca had thrashed nearest rivals Celta Vigo 5-1 at home in midweek and had their moments in attack before the break, Takefusa Kubo looking particularly bright.

However, any hope of the visitors claiming a bonus in the capital disappeared when Atleti doubled their advantage in added time at the end of the first half, the excellent Marcos Llorente - lining up on the right wing - crossing low for Morata to tap in at the back post.

Scoring just prior to the break allowed Atleti to coast through the second half, though they did add to their tally. 

Captain Koke seized on a weak clearing header to get away a strike that took a heavy deflection off Antonio Raillo, wrong-footing the helpless Reina.

What does it mean? From Atleti-low to riding high

It is now five wins and two draws for Simeone's squad since they returned to action in the middle of June, a run of form that has eased concerns about finishing outside the Champions League places.

His decision to use Llorente - viewed more as a holding midfielder when he signed from Real Madrid –  in an advanced position has been a masterstroke, with the 25-year-old catching the eye again out wide having also played recently as a secondary striker.

While the surge comes too late to mount a title challenge, things are looking up for Atletico. That is not the case for 18th-placed Mallorca, though, as they now have just four games left to try and retain their top-flight status.

Marcos makes his mark 

Morata will take the headlines with his first-half brace, yet Llorente produced the eye-catching performance. He completed over 93 per cent of his attempted passes and created two opportunities.

Little to celebrate for Joao Felix

It has been a testing first season at Atleti for Joao Felix. On the one-year anniversary of his big-money move from Benfica, the Portuguese forward fluffed his lines in front of goal, failing to hit the target with his three attempts before being replaced after just 54 minutes.

What's next? 

Atleti take on another team in relegation trouble on Tuesday, heading on the road to face Celta Vigo. Mallorca, meanwhile, have extra time to recover before they host Levante on Thursday.

Lionel Messi could be tempted by a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, according to Rivaldo, amid fresh speculation about his future at Camp Nou.

Spanish radio outlet Cadena SER reported on Thursday that Messi will see out his current contract at Barca and leave in 2021.

Messi leaving Barcelona remains unlikely despite the turmoil around the club at the moment but, if he were to decide on an exit, plenty of clubs would be interested.

Man City have been linked in the past, and the former Barca forward Rivaldo believes he could easily make the switch to the Premier League.

“If he is considering leaving the club, then something mustn’t be good in the Barcelona dressing room and perhaps he is tired with all the constant problems that have surrounded the club in the last few months,” Rivaldo told Betfair.

“When Messi’s contract ends, he will be 34, but with his class I think he could still easily play in Premier League.

“It will be sad to see him leaving Barcelona once his contract ends eventually, but I still hope that he can stay for now.

“Despite his connection to the club, he has the right to move if he wants and reuniting with Pep Guardiola at City will be tempting for him, as the two of them formed a great coach and player partnership at Barca.”

Another potential destination which has been touted for Messi is Juventus.

In Turin, he could fulfil the wildest dreams of plenty of football fans by lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo.

Alternatively, Messi could replace the Portuguese, who by the summer of 2021 will be 36 and could be looking for a new challenge.

“With all this speculation, I believe that some agents are already dreaming about a Messi-Ronaldo double at Juventus and how big it will be around the globe,” Rivaldo said.

“If that happened there would be a world ‘boom', and I believe Juventus would quickly recover any investment on the Argentinian thanks to the boost they would get from visibility and marketing.

“It would be historical to see both playing together and I’m sure many Juve sponsors would love to help financially, so, it’s also a possibility for Messi.

“If there are rumours about his exit, then of course every club will be thinking about how they can sign him.

“That said, the two best players in the world for the past 10 years playing at the same club would be massive.”

Former Nigeria international Florence Omagbemi has lauded the decision of the Confederation of African Football (Caf) to launch the Women's Champions League for domestic clubs in Africa.

Following a virtual conference on Tuesday, the Caf Executive Committee announced plans to launch the continental women's club competition, which will start in 2021.

This development is coming seven months after the African football ruling body approved a four-year women's football strategic blueprint launched at a workshop in Egypt last November. 

A workshop Omagbemi was invited for but missed due to her engagements at her base in the United States, although she put forward her recommendations, which included the Champions League.

The Nigeria legend, who made the Caf Coach of the Year 2017 shortlist after the 2016 Africa Women's Cup of Nations win, believes the event will offer a financial boost and exposure to local players.

“I am really excited that CAF bought the idea,” Omagbami told Nigerian newspaper, Guardian.

“I am sure the introduction of a CAF Champions League will accelerate the growth of women football in Africa.

"Some Nigerian clubs like Rivers Angels, Delta Queens, Pelican Stars, Nasarawa Amazons and Bayelsa Queens can now look forward to a continental challenge at the end of the year. 

"The same thing goes to their counterparts in Ghana, Cameroun, South Africa, Equatorial Guinea and Cote d’Ivoire. 

"It will also boost their financial status and strengthen the players for bigger challenges."

Omagbemi played for the Super Falcons from 1998 to 2004, winning four Africa Women's Cup of Nations titles and went on to win the same event as a coach, edging the hosts Cameroon in 2016.

Cypriot First Division outfit Doxa Katokopias have announced the signing of former AC Milan and Marseille defender Taye Taiwo on a one-year contract.

Taiwo recently played in the Finnish top-flight with RoPS during the 2019 season where he scored a goal in 27 league matches.

The renowned left-back, who started his professional career at Nigeria Professional Football League side Lobi Stars, has enjoyed a nomadic career across Europe, playing in England, Italy, France, Turkey, Switzerland and Finland.

Doxa ended the 2019-20 Cypriot First Division season at the base of the table after the league was abandoned due to the coronavirus pandemic in May.

No title was an award and no teams were relegated, however, Taiwo's signing comes as a defensive reinforcement for Costas Sakkas's side after their disappointing campaign where they lost 15 of their 23 league games.

“The Association, Doxa Katokopia announce the start of co-operation with the Nigerian football player Taye Taiwo,” the club announced.

“He chose to fight with the number 33. We welcome Taye Taiwo to the Doxa family and wish him every success.”

The 2006 Caf Young Player of the Year started his European career with Marseille at the age of 20 in 2005 where he won the Ligue 1 title and the French League Cup during his six years at the club.

He moved to AC Milan in May 2011, but he was unable to secure regular first-team action at the club which forced him to switch to QPR on a short-term loan in January 2012.

The 35-year-old continued his loan sojourn at Dynamo Kyiv for the 2012-13 season before he left Milan for Bursaspor on a three-year contract in the summer of 2013.

Taiwo spent two years in the Turkish Super Lig club before teaming up with Finnish outfit HJK in 2015 where he spent a year.

He had brief stints at Swiss club Lausanne-Sport and Swedish outfit AFC Eskilstuna before returning to Finland to join RoPS in 2018.

Yakare Niakate has joined the French second division side US Orleans from local rivals US Saint-Malo for the new 2020-21 season.

The Mali international enjoyed an outstanding campaign with the Chateau-Malo-based outfit before the coronavirus outbreak forced the 2019-2020 season cancellation in April.

The 23-year-old, who was born to Malian parents in Vernon, France has also previously enjoyed brief stints at Soyaux and Brest.

On the international scene, she played three matches for Mali as they qualify for the semi-final of the Africa Women's Cup of Nations for the first time in their history at the 2018 edition in Ghana. 

Ahead of her switch, she took to social media to bid farewell to the management and fans of the Britanny club, which she helped to finish third with 29 points from 16 matches last term.

"A page turns with the US Saint-Malo," Niakate wrote on her official Facebook account.

"I thank the whole club for this beautiful and short season that was new. It was with passion and pleasure that I wore the colours of the club. See you soon."

Confirming her signing, Orleans expressed its pleasure of securing the services of the Malian ahead of the new season.

"The US Orléans is pleased to announce that the Malian international Yakare Niakate as defender has signed up for the 2020-2021 season with US Orléans! Welcome Yakare," the club wrote on Facebook.

Naikate's arrival firmed up the desires of Orleans to push further for a promotion place after finishing sixth with 26 points last season.

Kaizer Chiefs striker Samir Nurkovic is itching for a return to the pitch after over three months of training alone in the comfort of his home. 

Amakhosi players are expected to report for training next week having submitted all the documents needed by the PSL for the go-ahead. 

"I am definitely looking forward to training. It has been a while since I last trained with the ball. As a professional, you cannot wait to get back on the pitch and do what is relevant to your passion of playing the game," Nurkovic told the Chiefs website. 

The 28-year-old is aware that it won't be easy for the players to replicate the same fitness they had before the coronavirus outbreak hit the country in March. 

However, he's hoping the technical team will help them cope with the difficulty of getting back to their best. 

"At the end of the season, we normally have just one month off but now it has been three months of no proper training," he continued. 

"This means as we resume training, we need to be cautious. We will be guided by the technical team and coaching staff as we ease our way back. It will be crucial for us to be mentally tough in the days ahead.:

The Serbian marksman admitted it would be difficult for Chiefs players to play in front of an empty stadium when the season resumes but said the supporters will be in their hearts every time they take to the pitch. 

"We are in a difficult situation right now. I do feel that when we start again, we can bring joy to the fans once again and help the current situation somewhat," Nurkovic added.

"It will be strange to play in an empty stadium without the energy of our fans who have been tremendous this season but we will continue to play with them in our hearts and hopefully, we end the season in a positive way."

The forward further believes the implementation of five substitutes will be of great help to the players and teams. 

Chiefs have been top of the log since August 2019, and Nurkovic said the club wants to win as many matches as possible to prove that their great form wasn't a fluke.  

"I have watched the English Premier League and La Liga. I have noticed how some of the players are unable to complete a full 90 minutes and things like having extra substitutions have helped," concluded Nurkovic.  

"We want to show people that we are not top of the league accidentally. We will continue to work hard for each other and ensure that we make Amakhosi family happy with our performances and results."

Bayern Munich midfielder Thiago may be looking for a fresh challenge away from the Bundesliga, according to club CEO Karl-Heinz Rummenigge.

The 29-year-old, formerly of Barcelona, has been linked with a move to Liverpool in recent weeks, with his contract at Bayern set to expire next summer.

Rummenigge confirmed Bayern have been in contract talks with Thiago, but he seemed to suggest that the discussions have so far come to nothing.

“He is a top boy on and off the pitch,” Rummenigge told Bild.

“We had serious negotiations with him and fulfilled all of his wishes. But it looks like he might want to do something new again at the end of his career.

“We have never had any contact with Liverpool. If he wants to do that, we have to deal with it.

“We don’t want to lose a player for free next year. I say that very clearly.”

Rummenigge expanded on the situation in an interview with Sport1, also commenting on the future of David Alaba.

Like Thiago, Alaba is out of contract next year and he has been linked with a number of clubs – including a reunion with Pep Guardiola at Manchester City.

“Everything seemed fixed [with Thiago],” Rummenigge added.

“Hasan [Salihamidzic, sporting director] has had discussions with his advisor. We had the impression that all the conditions were okay so far. Now he is obviously dealing with doing something new again. Let's just wait and see.

“Both are top guys, on and off the pitch. We now have to try to find a solution that is financially acceptable to us. We know that both players have a contract for one year.”

Bayern completed the signing of Leroy Sane on Friday from Manchester City, but Rummenigge confirmed that Kai Havertz of Bayer Leverkusen wouldn’t be following him.

“I'll be very clear: Financially speaking, we won’t be able to transfer Havertz this year," he said.

“All of European football, Bayern included, are currently facing major financial challenges for as long as it is not possible to play in front of spectators again.

“It’s a decision that Bayer Leverkusen and the player have to make [whether he leaves].

“To be honest, I would also like for Havertz to stay in Leverkusen for at least another year, because we want to have competition.”

Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga says he wasn’t overly fazed when he was dropped by Frank Lampard earlier this season.

The Spaniard missed four Premier League games in January and February, replaced in the starting XI by Willy Caballero after a string of unconvincing performances.

Lampard clearly expected more from the world’s most expensive goalkeeper, signed from Athletic Club for £72 million ($92m) two years ago.

Kepa returned to the side for Chelsea’s last game before lockdown, and has kept his place since – though he hasn’t yet kept a clean sheet since the season resumed.

"The manager is there to choose what he considers the best XI," Kepa told Sky Sports News.

"Whenever you are left out of the side, you take it in the spirit it is intended. You put it down to experience, a fresh experience in your life, and you just keep working hard.

"I'm ambitious and I've always had the attitude that through hard work and training hard you are ready for the next challenge."

Chelsea were shocked 3-2 by West Ham in their last game, but there remains a sense of optimism around the club.

Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech will arrive before next season, while the Blues are in talks with Willian over a new contract for the Brazilian.

Lampard is hoping his side can begin to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City, and Kepa harbours the same ambition.

"Let's hope we are talking in a year's time and that we are candidates to challenge those two teams,” he said.

"We have a great squad and we have a great manager. We can't deny the gap, in points, between us and the top two, but I'm confident we can close that gap next season.

"We know we need to improve, but it is a hope we all have. There's a confidence that it is possible.

“We feel strong mentally and very fit physically, and we hope for an end of season that is great, positive and can be celebrated.

"There's a good spirit about how we've been playing. And individually I feel good. I want to help the team achieve its targets."

Frank Lampard believes his Chelsea players are simply not dominant enough in the air to defend or attack well at set-pieces, and they may have to address the issue in the transfer market.

Chelsea suffered a 3-2 defeat to local rivals West Ham at the London Stadium on Wednesday when Tomas Soucek twice had the ball in the net from set-pieces, with the first controversially ruled out by VAR.

The Blues have conceded the highest proportion of goals from corners in the Premier League this season, and although they have a higher average height than six other teams in the league, they appear to be the worst equipped to deal with set-pieces.

Having signed both RB Leipzig's Timo Werner and Ajax's Hakim Ziyech, Lampard's side are in the market for defenders, with Leicester City's Ben Chilwell as a primary target.

They could also sign a central defender, having recently shown an interest in West Ham's Declan Rice - who can also play in midfield - and Bournemouth's Nathan Ake.

Chelsea have long been targeted for their inability to defend set-pieces and Lampard confirms that he thinks the issue is with the players themselves.

"We spoke after the game," Lampard told reporters. "We’ve looked at set-pieces this season. When we came into the club, we looked at the stats from last season. Last season, we were bottom of the league defending set-plays, in terms of teams getting big chances against us, and second bottom in attacking.

"So we looked at that. It’s not just a reference to last season because we haven’t improved much this year.

"If you look at personnel, and I really don’t like to talk about my own playing days, but we didn’t work much at all on set-pieces, certain managers more than others, and there were a few reasons, mainly John Terry, Gary Cahill, Didier Drogba, Michael Ballack and Branislav Ivanovic.

"So you’d stick it in an area and they would defend it or score goals. Similarly with Liverpool, I remember a lot of talk about them and set-pieces a few seasons ago. They were zonal and conceding a lot. They signed Virgil van Dijk and he heads out everything that comes in the box.

"So there’s a huge relation to personnel. If you don’t have that size across the team, the main thing is trying to compete as hard as you can and making it difficult for other teams to score. There’s no doubt and I’m not making excuses because we haven’t done that well enough on the pitch and that has to improve.

"When you look at who you might bring in with the balance of the squad, in the modern day, it is certainly something to take into account when you’re looking at recruitment. Defensively, the players that are here now I have to focus on.

"What happens in the summer will be what happens. I don’t want to talk too far ahead. It’s not the right thing to do. We’ve got a strong group and we’ve got a job to do. We will sit down and look at it in the summer."

Arguably, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga is part of his side's weakness at set-plays and he faced some criticism for his inability to stop the two crosses reaching the far post to Soucek.

Lampard didn't want to highlight the performances of Kepa amid speculation that both he and the club are looking to move on their £72 million ($92m) signing from Athletic Club.

"I’m not going to talk about any potential, what we may do at the end of the season or not," he continued. "I’m going to focus on what we have got in front of us. With Kepa, there’s been a lot spoken about him this season.

"All I want from him, as I want from all the players, is the right mentality and attitude in approaching the games. I’m absolutely certain I’m going to get that from all of them because I can feel the group at the minute, and they are in that position and he will try and do his job as well as he can do.

"I’m happy with him and that’s how we keep working. That’s the end. I’m not going to keep talking about what may be at the end of the season."

Chelsea now prepare for a match at Stamford Bridge against relegation candidates Watford on Saturday night. The game will mark Lampard's one-year anniversary since it was announced that he would return to manage the club where he enjoyed huge success as a player.

Lampard spoke of how both he and his side have developed during his year in charge as they continue to compete for a spot in the Champions League next season.

He said: "We’ve progressed in the way I want us to play and the style we want to play. When you’re a manager and you come in you have to work very hard at that and there have been some real signs in games where I’ve been really happy with what I’ve seen. In others, not so much.

"I think the expectation at the start of the season, I think even from myself, knowing we lost Eden [Hazard] and the input he had individually at the club was huge, and how do we work around that? I think we’ve found good ways to work around that, I think the development of the youth, the performances of some of the senior players, the way we’re trying to play, I do feel that.

"When I sense from the fans what they want, I always want to improve and we’re nowhere near the finished article where we want to be, but we have found really good levels at times.

"I also understand the second part where you say you will be next, ‘Ok, now we’re going to challenge’, because we’re going up against, if not the two best club teams in the world, then they’re very close to that.

"They’ve worked hard over a big period, they’ve trained well and recruited well, so we may find the curve looks slightly different. We have to fight against that and try and close the gap as quickly as we can in whatever way we can as a club.

"My job on the training pitch is to work to close that gap as quickly as I can. That’s where we’re at. I’m pretty pleased, I’m always a perfectionist and I always want more. I’m pretty pleased but it means nothing if we don’t finish off the season well.

"These next games until the end of the season are huge for us to try and say we’re pleased at the end of the season, because if we get in the Champions League spots then, of course, I will be very, very pleased."

Jurgen Klopp says youngsters Harvey Elliott, Neco Williams and Curtis Jones will each receive a Premier League winners' medal – even if it means the Liverpool manager has to give his own away.

The Reds boss insists he will not be tempted to give game-time to the club’s trio of talented teenagers during the final weeks of the campaign. 

“We don’t give Premier League games away for free,” he told reporters at a press conference to preview his side’s game with Aston Villa on Sunday. 

However, when told that players must play a minimum of five league games each to qualify for a league winners' medal, he urged the Premier League to re-think their rules. 

As it stands, Elliott, Williams and Jones – 17, 19 and 19 respectively - have each played only two league games this season. Williams has been used as a substitute in both of Liverpool’s last two matches, while both Elliott and Jones were unused during the 4-0 defeat to Manchester City on Thursday.

Klopp said: “I would rather [have them] think about the rule again and make it happen that if you played one game then you should have a medal, to be honest.

“Five games, I don’t know who came up with that idea, I hear that for pretty much the first time and I don’t think it’s a good rule.

“If people don’t understand how important a squad is to win a championship then I cannot help them. If you have no games you should get a medal. If you are the second goalie in a team and you have less games then you should have a medal.

“You train five million times over a year and if you don’t train at the highest level you have no chance to win a championship, and somebody decided that you need to have five games to get a medal? 

“These boys will get a medal 100 per cent, even if I produce it by myself. They can have my medal. This rule, what is that? We have to win football games, we cannot just give appearances away.

“They deserve a medal and they will get a medal, if not from the Premier League then from me.”

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits Manchester United need to make ‘one or two’ very good decisions in the transfer window if they are to challenge Liverpool and Manchester City for the title next season - but he only wants players with the right DNA and identity at the club.

United’s 15-game unbeaten run and good form since the restart has prompted many to get excited about the team’s potential for next season.

While Solskjaer’s side have closed the gap on fourth-placed Chelsea and third-placed Leicester to two and three points respectively, they still sit 34 points behind champions Liverpool and 14 off Pep Guardiola’s City side.

Former club captain Gary Neville said after the 3-0 win against Brighton on Tuesday that United need three or four more players to close the gap on their rivals and move closer to a first title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Solskjaer agreed with the sentiment from his former team-mate, admitting it is going to be a big summer for the club.

“Gary is right in a lot of things he says and of course we cannot think we’re there. If you look at the table, we’re nowhere near where we should be. Consistency has to be improved and we still have to improve on many aspects of the game,” Solskjaer said.

“There’s definitely not going to be any complacency and thinking, ‘We’ve cracked it’ because we’ve got so much to do. It’s an enjoyable journey.

"We can see improvements but, yes, we need to make one or two - or more - very good decisions. It’s going to be an important summer, definitely.”

Solskjaer admitted it is going to be a strange transfer window where he wasn’t expecting a lot of big transfers and, while he said there was plenty of work to be done at the club with the current squad, he outlined what he would be looking for in an incoming transfer.

“You have a certain DNA and identity when you play for Man United or work for Man United, it doesn’t matter if you’re in the canteen or laundry or in admin or on the pitch, you’ve got to be a certain type of character for me,” Solskjaer said.

“I’m very old school in my values. I’m not going to rant and rave. I’d rather open the door or close the door. Either in or out.

"Players who want to sign if they don’t feel right as a person you close the door, players who are inside who don’t feel right and don’t want to contribute to the team ethos and have the betterment of the team at heart then you open the door and let them leave.

"It’s a constant process. Whatever you do every day, that will decide if you’re going to be part of Man United or not. I hope and believe I will always stay true to my principles and values of that.”

Mikel Arteta has spelt out exactly what it will take for Matteo Guendouzi and Mesut Ozil to force their way back into his plans at Arsenal.

Guendouzi hasn’t featured for Arsenal since the defeat at Brighton on June 20 when he clashed with Seagulls striker Neal Maupay immediately after full-time.

Ozil, meanwhile, has yet to make an appearance since the restart, although Arsenal insist the German has missed the last two games due to a back injury rather than being left out completely.

Previously, Arteta has said he will involve any player who was willing to ‘get on the boat’ and, having been pushed further, has explained exactly what that meant.

Arsenal’s head coach said: “Players that respect the values we want to implement, that they are 100 per cent committed to our culture, and players that are accountable every day for what we demand from them.

“Players that are ready to help each other, fight for each other and enjoy playing together. That is what I mean by being in the boat. If you behave like this every day, you are very, very welcome here and we want to get the best out of you and help you to enjoy your profession with us.”

When asked how he will judge whether players are living up to his expectations in training, Arteta added: “Now we don’t spend as much time [training] as we used to before, but you see that in every reaction of the player.

“What time he comes into training, how he comes, how ready he is, the way he communicates, the energy he brings in, the way he transmits his feelings to his team-mates, the way he reacts to certain things, the way he behaves in training, during games, there are a lot of things that we can pick up.”

Arteta is adamant that his door remains open to both Guendouzi and Ozil despite suggestions that the French midfielder has told Arsenal he wants to leave this summer and that the club would be open to sanctioning a move.

Ozil, meanwhile, still has a year left on his contract and has stated multiple times he will not leave north London until the end of his current deal.

“We all have moments when you have doubts about your future, you have difficult times and that is why the conversations have to be open,” said Arteta.

“You have to create an environment for the players so they can trust you, to express those feelings. Even with me.

“If you do that you are always willing to help them, to try to guide them, to give them clarity, direction and support when they need it to feel comfortable. Make them feel they are at the right place.”

Jurgen Klopp says he has no plans beyond the end of his current Liverpool contract.

The German’s deal runs until 2024 and, at the moment, it seems likely he will see the whole contract through.

Beyond that, there is little but speculation – but he says he isn’t the sort of manager to keep going into old age.

"I don’t see me doing that at that age," Klopp told the Mirror. "When I became a manager [aged 33], I thought, ‘Right, now 25 power years start’.

"I was seven and a half years at Mainz, seven at Dortmund and in 2024, when his current contract at Liverpool ends it will be 23 and half.

"I have no plans beyond that."

Klopp, the newest member of the Premier League winners’ club, doesn’t appear to be thinking of retirement just yet, but he knows it lies somewhere in his future.

"When it is time, hopefully I am still healthy and I can say, ‘Great, I loved it but now I would like to watch other people doing it’," he said.

"So, I hope I find this inner mood to say, ‘See you later, I wish you all the best, best of luck, love you all but don’t call because of any football matters.

"That’s the plan."

For now, it seems as though Klopp couldn’t be any happier in his current surroundings.

"I’ll say it again - it is amazing how much football means to the people of Liverpool," he said.

"I accept there are more important things in life. Of all the nice things that are not important, I like football the most and that is why I have always wanted to be in it.

"I love the game so much which is why I had this affection for Liverpool. And when it came up, it was an easy decision.

"I was hoping the people would be really open for a new guy and I was really open for a new challenge and a new club.

"And from day one, it clicked.

"The passion the people have for this club is exceptional. The way they went through the darkest moments possible - how they deal with it but don’t forget it - is exceptional.

"I am sure that is why the status of the manager at this club is different to other clubs.

"I had no idea about that before I came here. People told me about it and I said, ‘Yeah, we will see’."

“And that’s the way it is.”

Alvaro Morata scored twice as Atletico Madrid maintained their unbeaten run since the resumption of LaLiga, easing to a 3-0 victory over Real Mallorca at the Wanda Metropolitano. 

Diego Simeone's in-form side followed up Tuesday's impressive performance in the 2-2 draw at Barcelona by brushing aside relegation-threatened opponents, in the process strengthening their position inside the top four. 

Morata made the most of Mallorca players encroaching too soon into the penalty area to score his first from the spot, VAR giving him a reprieve after Manolo Reina had saved his initial effort. 

Mallorca’s captain guessed correctly with the re-taken spot-kick too, yet Morata had enough height on his strike to beat the goalkeeper and move into double figures for league goals this season. 

The striker had missed an earlier opening as Aleti started impressively, while both Yannick Carrasco and Joao Felix failed to hit the target with excellent opportunities before the opener arrived in the 29th minute.  

Mallorca had thrashed nearest rivals Celta Vigo 5-1 at home in midweek and had their moments in attack before the break, Takefusa Kubo looking particularly bright.

However, any hope of the visitors claiming a bonus in the capital disappeared when Atleti doubled their advantage in added time at the end of the first half, the excellent Marcos Llorente - lining up on the right wing - crossing low for Morata to tap in at the back post.

Scoring just prior to the break allowed Atleti to coast through the second half, though they did add to their tally. 

Captain Koke seized on a weak clearing header to get away a strike that took a heavy deflection off Antonio Raillo, wrong-footing the helpless Reina.

What does it mean? From Atleti-low to riding high

It is now five wins and two draws for Simeone's squad since they returned to action in the middle of June, a run of form that has eased concerns about finishing outside the Champions League places.

His decision to use Llorente - viewed more as a holding midfielder when he signed from Real Madrid –  in an advanced position has been a masterstroke, with the 25-year-old catching the eye again out wide having also played recently as a secondary striker.

While the surge comes too late to mount a title challenge, things are looking up for Atletico. That is not the case for 18th-placed Mallorca, though, as they now have just four games left to try and retain their top-flight status.

Marcos makes his mark 

Morata will take the headlines with his first-half brace, yet Llorente produced the eye-catching performance. He completed over 93 per cent of his attempted passes and created two opportunities.

Little to celebrate for Joao Felix

It has been a testing first season at Atleti for Joao Felix. On the one-year anniversary of his big-money move from Benfica, the Portuguese forward fluffed his lines in front of goal, failing to hit the target with his three attempts before being replaced after just 54 minutes.

What's next? 

Atleti take on another team in relegation trouble on Tuesday, heading on the road to face Celta Vigo. Mallorca, meanwhile, have extra time to recover before they host Levante on Thursday.

Southampton manager Ralph Hasenhuttl has ruled out Sofiane Boufal from their Premier League game against Manchester City on Sunday and welcomed Moussa Djenepo back to his squad.

Morocco international Boufal last featured for the Saints against Norwich City on June 19 owing to an injury problem, missing their clash against Arsenal and Watford.

The 26-year-old winger returned to St Mary's Stadium last summer after a loan spell with Spanish side Celta Vigo and has since made 25 appearances for Southampton.

Hasenhuttl revealed the former Lille forward along with Jannik Vestergaard, Yan Valery and Nathan Tella will not to play a part when they host Pep Guardiola’s men.

"We have a few problems, still with Pierre [Højbjerg] and also with Sofiane [Boufal]. It won't be possible for either of those,” Hasenhuttl told the club website.

"Jannik Vestergaard has a few problems with a muscle injury and also Yan Valery and Nathan Tella, they won't be available.  It's a busy time, but we must see who is available for the weekend."

Mali international Djenepo, meanwhile, will be available for selection against the Citizens after serving out his three-match suspension.

The 22-year-old midfielder was shown a straight red card in their defeat to Newcastle United in March before the outbreak of coronavirus which forced the Premier League into a hiatus.

Subsequently, the midfielder missed the Saints victories against Norwich and Watford as well as their defeat to the Gunners.

Djenepo joined the Saints last summer from Belgian First Division A side Standard Liege on the back of his consistent showing for the Reds.

During his two-year stay with the Stade Maurice Dufrasne outfit, the midfielder featured in 49 league games and scored nine goals. 

Since teaming up with the Saints, the Mali star has made 20 appearances across all competitions, helping Southampton to their current 14th spot on the Premier League table.

Djenepo will hope to help his side shock the Citizens and clinch their 13th league win of the season at St Mary's Stadium.

It’s been another thrilling week in the world of African football, with high-profile transfers, contract signings, title victories and outstanding performances dominating the headlines.

In this week’s episode, Malek Shafei talks through the big stories of the last seven days with Goal Africa Head of Content Ed Dove.

The major story of the week has been the Confederation of African Football’s decision to announce the reorganisation of the continent’s footballing calendar for the coming two years.

In light of the ongoing coronavirus, President Ahmad Ahmad announced the decision to push the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations back to January 2022, giving the continent’s teams time enough to complete their qualifying campaigns.

In light of Fifa’s decision to cancel the September international window for African sides, it was a no-brainer, as Caf were hardly going to take the tournament away from Cameroon…again.

Also on the agenda, the pod discuss Arsenal’s decision to offer Bukayo Saka a new contract.

It’s all change at the Emirates Stadium, where after two consecutive defeats, Mikel Arteta’s side have now romped to two back-to-back victories in the Premier League…and three in all competitions.

Suddenly, there is optimism back in North London, and Saka putting pen to paper on a new deal cements the positive feeling around this part of the capital.

It’s also been another big week for another uncapped Nigeria, with Eredivisie top scorer Cyriel Dessers swapping Heracles for Genk.

He netted 15 goals in the aborted Dutch top flight this season, and while he should thrive in Belgium, should Dessers have aimed higher?

Dove certainly believes the forward is ready for life in one of Europe’s five major leagues, while Shafei is confident that the switch to the Jupiler League is a good deal for all parties.

Also this week, we discussed the race for the Champions League in the Premier League, where the likes of Adama Traore, Odion Ighalo and Wilfred Ndidi are all in the running.

Leicester City—for whom Kelechi Iheanacho netted in midweek—are still in pole position, but their form has deteriorated dramatically since the restart, and they’ll need to improve if they’re to fend off the sides beneath them in the table.

Over in Tanzania Simba SC clinched their third title in a row this weekend, as Sven Vandenbroeck’s side romped to the title. There’s no doubt that they’re deserving of the title, but just how did the domestic heavyweights get over the line so easily?