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Frank Lampard says that he always felt confident that Chelsea would be able to keep hold of Willian and Pedro for the rest of the season, hailing the duo as "fantastic professionals" after signing on to continue their Blues careers.

The pair of wingers were set to see their contracts end on June 30, with Pedro heavily linked with a move to Roma once his deal expired.

And, as a result of the coronavirus, there was a possibility that the two would leave prior to the completion of Chelsea's Premier League campaign, which runs through to July 26.

Premier League clubs unanimously agreed to allow short-term deals for players impacted by this specific situation, leading to both Willian and Pedro signing those short-term deals to finish out the campaign.

The two will be available for all Premier League matches going forward as well as Chelsea's games in the FA Cup and Champions League.

And Lampard says he is thrilled to keep hold of the two vital attackers as Chelsea look to make a push for a top-four spot this season while adding that there are still ongoing talks with regards to keeping Willian beyond this season.

"We are still talking with the players, and Willian in particular, we are talking with him," Lampard said at a press conference on Wednesday. 

"It was hard for me to comment too much because it was announced yesterday. But I was always felt confident that they would remain, they've been fantastic professionals for the club, and servants in all senses.

"And when you have that level of professionalism within you, I think it's a sign that they wanted to stay and see out the season at least.

"So we'll carry on talking and see. But I think everybody's focus now is on these next games, the individuals themselves and us as a club."

Willian has played 38 times in all competitions this season, scoring seven goals while assisting six times. In addition, he's featured in all but one of Chelsea's Premier League matches.

Pedro, meanwhile, has scored two goals across his 18 appearances under Lampard this season.

“I'm pleased, negotiations were relatively easy, because both sides wanted the same thing," Lampard said. "The two players wanted to make sure they could see the season out with us.

“At this point we need them in the squad, they are both important players for us, so I'm happy.”

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have slapped a fine on striker Bernard Morrison ahead of their Mainland Premier League match against Namungo FC on Wednesday.

The Jangwani Street-based giants confirmed in a statement seen by Goal the Ghanaian striker will be deducted Tsh 1,500,000 from his salary after he allegedly held an interview with a media house without the consent of the club.

“The club is very saddened by the players’ decision to call for an interview with a media house without following the rules set up by the club and he had already been informed of the said rules,” Yanga said in a statement signed by the club’s assistant secretary-general Patrick Simon and obtained by Goal.

“We have decided to fine the player Tsh1, 500, 000 which will be deducted from his salary for the behaviour of holding a press conference behind the club’s back, few minutes before our league match against Namungo.”

Yanga have further warned teams seeking to sign Morrison to follow the right procedure since the player is contracted to the club until July 2022.

“We want to warn clubs who are claiming to be talking to the player that [Morrison] belongs to Yanga until 2022, he signed a contract extension and is our player,” the statement continued.

“If there is any club interested in his services, they should follow the laid down rules on transfer to sign the player but anything that will be done behind our back will be met with disciplinary action for the player and the club intending to sign him.”

Five days ago, Yanga accused their rivals Simba SC of unsettling the player with a huge offer and further confirmed they had officially written a complaint to the Tanzania Football Federation (TFF) demanding action to be taken against Simba for trying to hijack the player.

The Ghanaian forward is yet to play for Yanga since the top-flight resumed on June 13 owing to the matter and Yanga have reached out to the TFF after the player claimed Simba had offered him $ 5,000 to ditch his current employers.

Despite Yanga taking the matter to the TFF, Simba have already denied tapping up the player with their information officer Haji Manara saying the player had lied about the alleged approach.

Marcus Rashford and Kylian Mbappe are "definitely in the same bracket", according to Louis Saha, who says there is nothing separating the Manchester United star and Paris Saint-Germain striker "in terms of quality".

Rashford has contributed a career-high tally of 19 goals and six assists to United's cause in 32 appearances this season, adding an end product to his game which had occasionally been lacking.

A serious back injury halted his progress in January, but he returned to full fitness during the coronavirus-enforced break in the campaign, and started United's first game back against Tottenham on Friday.

Despite the fact that the 22-year-old looked rusty during the 1-1 draw, he will be expected to help fire the Red Devils back into the Champions League over the course of their final eight fixtures.

Mbappe, meanwhile, only has Europe's elite competition left to look forward to following the cancellation of the Ligue 1 season in April .

The World Cup winner hit 18 goals in 20 top-flight outings as PSG marched towards a third successive domestic crown, and he could add the European Cup to his glittering CV when continental action resumes in August.

Mbappe has already won double the amount of trophies as Rashford, but Saha insists they are equal when it comes to individual talent.

Asked if the England international is at the same level as the Frenchman, the ex-United striker told Compare Bet : "Ability-wise? Yes. They’re both very fast players, they have the technical ability to get out of situations where they’re surrounded by two or three defenders.

"In terms of positions, Marcus and Kylian are quite similar. They like to play out wide but have also played up top. Kylian’s strength is that he is very direct, all the time. He doesn’t think twice.

"When he makes runs, you have to give him the ball, he’s so quick. That kind of directness is something we’ve also seen from Rashford.

"When he started, he was asking questions of defenders – 'are you quick enough and good enough to keep me quiet for 90 minutes?'

"In terms of quality, they’re definitely in the same bracket. Mbappe has been able to achieve more consistency and approach the game without having to think too much.

"With United, Rashford has been part of a team in transition, so he couldn’t really express himself. He had to be a leader when perhaps it wasn’t his strength at first.

"He had to build qualities which should not have been his initial focus. Mbappe has taken advantage because he’s been able to play with PSG players who are at the very top level, so he’s been able to build confidence and try different things, a platform that Rashford hasn’t had so far."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has admitted that Manchester United are not yet ready to challenge for the title, and that he may have to "spend some money" in the summer transfer window.

The Red Devils embarked on an 11-match unbeaten run prior to the Premier League's postponement in March, moving to within three points of fourth-placed Chelsea in the process.

Solskjaer's men also made it through to the FA Cup quarter-finals and Europa League round of 16, but the coronavirus outbreak halted their momentum.

United were unable to get back to winning ways upon their return to action last Friday, as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Tottenham in north London.

However, the return of Marcus Rashford and Paul Pogba provided the whole squad with a timely boost heading into the business end of the season, and talismanic January signing Bruno Fernandes settled straight back into his influential groove.

Although Solskjaer is "happy" with how his side are progressing, he has conceded that further investment in top talent may be necessary for United to close the gap on English football's current pace-setters Liverpool and Manchester City.

"We've developed over the season and I think now we had a spell of 11 unbeaten," the United boss said ahead of a crucial meeting with Sheffield United at Old Trafford on Wednesday.

"But then you add Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford to that and you're thinking 'yeah, we're not too far away' and I'm very happy with the squad.

"If there are any good deals to be made and players who can make us better, of course, we might have to spend some money on that. But the squad is great to work with and it's moving in the right direction.

"We're still not where we want to be, close enough to challenge for the Premier League trophy but we take one step at a time.

"Obviously City and Liverpool the last couple of seasons have put the standard where it should be to win the league.

"Hopefully now we can challenge for the Europa League, FA Cup this season, top four and then let's see how much we can invest for next season."

The Red Devils are now five points adrift of the Champions League places, but a win against the Blades would see them move to within two points of Chelsea, who are scheduled to face off against reigning champions City at Stamford Bridge on Thursday.

Maroons and Tooro United have lodged complaints against the Federation of Uganda Football Association's (Fufa) decision to end the 2019-20 Uganda Premier League (UPL) campaign.

Though the league was ended on May 25 owing to the effects caused by the coronavirus pandemic, the two clubs have now written to the Fufa Appeals Committee protesting the decision which eventually relegated them from the top-flight.

In a letter seen by Goal addressed to Fufa Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Edgar Watson, the clubs have termed the move to end the season as unfortunate and accused Fufa of not consulting the stakeholders before coming up with the decision.

“As stakeholders, we are aggrieved by the decision [to end the 2019/20 season abruptly] and the process in which it was taken,” the two clubs said in a joint statement signed by Maroons’ chairperson Moses Kakungulu and Tooro United president Alice Namatovu and obtained by Goal.

“We are hereby appealing against the decision.”

According to the statement, other reasons behind the clubs’ appeal include unfair and costly punishments of relegated clubs, Fufa’s failure to carry out prior consultations of all stakeholders, failure to present any proposal to stakeholders on possible completion of the league, inconsistencies in the decision, failure to execute fair play and non-uniformity in the application of the rules.

By ending the league prematurely, Vipers SC were declared champions after Fufa, invoked the 75 percent clause of the Competitions Committee Rules to decide the season.

Vipers were top of the standings by four points at 54, with dethroned champions KCCA second with five matches left to play. Tooro United, Proline (all on 22 points) and Maroons (24) have been relegated as per the table's standings.

Vipers will thus represent Uganda in next season’s Caf Champions League while KCCA will go for the Caf Confederation Cup.

Meanwhile, Fufa Big League group leaders Myda FC and UPDF were promoted to the top tier while Kiboga, Kataka, Kitara, and Ndejje will face-off in a playoff to determine the third team to be promoted to the top-flight.

Sofapaka striker Ronald Okoth has explained why Timo Werner's arrival at Chelsea should be good news for Tammy Abraham.

Abraham has been the main striker for Chelsea under Frank Lampard and the £47.5M Werner deal led to questions on where the youngster's future lies thereafter.

Okoth, a Kenyan Premier League (KPL) winner with Gor Mahia in 2013, explains why the deal is good for both players and the club.

“There will be a fair competition between the two and it will give the coach various options of picking from the best players. It is an advantage to Abraham as he will be having another striker who will try hard to help him,” Okoth told Goal.

“Werner's arrival should be good news for Abraham and Chelsea that is what I see from where I sit. 

“If you look around, you will see Werner is one of the best players currently and this is proven by the fact he has been outstanding in Bundesliga. The fact Chelsea have signed him is one of the biggest advantages for him.

“The problem now is how Chelsea will be using Werner. But what I can state clearly is he is a good player, experienced and young. He is one for the future, a goal poacher for Chelsea and an advantage for the club.”

Okoth also explained why players like Mohamed Salah, Kevin de Bruyne and Romelu Lukaku struggled to impress at Stamford Bridge but have proven themselves after leaving the London club.

“It is all about the type of environment that surrounds an individual. The environment can either favour one to perform, some can be treated with impatience and if those factors do not favour one definitely he will not perform,” the Kenyan striker added.

“Remember there is also fans impatience and pressure. If one does not always settle quick and perform at Chelsea, he will always get pressure and your chances of exit grow.

“The fans were never patient enough with them. The environment has been different for different players, look at Salah, Lukaku and De Bruyne who have been at Chelsea, failed, but moved on to record better results elsewhere in the same league.

“It is all about one's time and patience and if the club can guarantee the same it will be good for players and the club.

“Chelsea are one of the clubs with the highest number of loanees if I am not wrong and that points to why they are seen as an inpatient club.”

The former Western Stima and Mathare United striker also explained why it is good for clubs to sign young players rather than experienced ones.

“Things are changing and you see the older generation is starting to fade away and clubs are now forced to look for even younger lads,” concluded the star.

“Look at Borussia Dortmund who are performing with a younger squad. Look at Ajax and the players they have, they have sold [Hakim] Ziyech recently to Chelsea and this shows clubs are now changing and pegging their hopes on young players.

“Clubs are evolving in the right direction as they have no other option.”

Tariq Lamptey followed in the footsteps of Harry Kane on Tuesday when he made his Brighton & Hove Albion in their 0-0 Premier League draw with Leicester City.

In featuring against the Seagulls, 19-year-old Lamptey became the first teenager to feature in the Premier League for two separate teams in the same season since Kane back in the 2012-13 season.

Seven years ago, the Tottenham Hotspur striker—who netted in their 2-0 victory over West Ham United on Tuesday—represented both Norwich City and Spurs in the same campaign.

Lamptey’s debut has been a long time coming, with the wideman securing a move to the Seagulls during the January transfer window.

The pint-sized full-back agreed a deal to join Brighton for an undisclosed fee at the start of the year despite having been offered a new contract by Chelsea, the club who formed him.

Graham Potter reportedly guaranteed the youngster that he would be given first-team opportunities this term, although Lamptey has had to wait to make his mark—not least because of the coronavirus-enforced suspension.

He made three appearances for Lampard’s Chelsea during the first half of the season, coming off the bench in the 2-1 FA Cup victory over Hull City at the start of 2020, having previously featured for 31 minutes for the Blues in December’s 2-1 win against Arsenal.

Almost six months later, he made his debut for Brighton, and the Seagulls fans watching at home will be impressed with what they saw.

The Anglo-Ghanaian youngster was among the most impressive players on the day as the south coast side took another point to take them further from the dropzone.

He completed five dribbles during the course of the contest, regularly easing the pressure on Brighton’s backline, won three tackles and, overall, won 10 of his 14 duels.

At just 19, making his first Prem start, he didn’t appear overawed by the occasion, nor the contest for Brighton, and in fact appeared to thrive when up against Jamie Vardy, one of the finest strikers in the English game.

There was a genuine maturity in Lamptey’s defending—credit perhaps to Chelsea’s youth coaches—while offensively, he appeared keen to bound up the pitch and take on his opposite man.

Potter has made a bold move in throwing him into the club’s relegation battle, but Lamptey demonstrated against Leicester how he has the qualities to make an immediate contribution for the strugglers.

Young Africans (Yanga SC) have sealed the signing of Rwandan defender Eric Rutanga.

Rutanga, who has been on the radar of the Tanzanian club since last year, has finally penned a contract to play in the Mainland Premier League alongside his fellow countrymen Haruna Niyonzima and forward Patrick ‘Pappy’ Sibomana.

Yanga coach Luc Eymael revealed to Goal on Wednesday the signing of the player but fell short of explaining the duration he will stay at the club.

“We have signed Rutanga but on matters contractual issues, you have to ask the club management for full details, I don’t know anything, but the player now belongs to Yanga,” Eymael told Goal.

The 27-year-old, who is set to link up with Yanga after the current lockdown occasioned by the coronavirus pandemic is eased, joins the Jangwani Street-based giants from Police FC.

Rutanga has claimed his happiness to have signed the deal in a different interview with Rwanda’s New Times.

“When I joined Police, the talks with Yanga were already underway. That is why I insisted on that clause in the contract. I was hoping a deal would be reached and now it has,” Rutanga is quoted by New Times.

“They [Yanga] are a respected club with a huge history in the region, playing there is a big honour for me. I feel excited about the challenge.

“Playing professional football has always been my dream, Yanga is a good start to realising it. I will give my very best to bring success to the club.”

Rutanga was part of the Rayon Sports squad that wrote history by reaching the quarter-finals of the 2017-18 Caf Confederation Cup.

Before signing for Rayon at the end of the 2015-16 season, Rutanga had already clinched three league titles and two Peace Cups with APR in a four-year spell.

On Tuesday, coach Eymael told Goal he had already recommended a list of players he wants to be signed by the club ahead of the new season.

“I have already forwarded the names of players I want to play here and my target is to have a strong team that can challenge Simba SC for the title next season,” Eymael told Goal.

As it stands, Yanga cannot win the league title as they lie 19 points behind table-toppers Simba but they have a chance to win the FA Cup as they are already in the quarter-finals and will face Kagera Sugar for a place in the last four.

Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund are planning a virtual pre-season tour of Asia for its fans from the region, titled 'BVB Virtual Asia Tour'.

Dortmund were set to tour China and other countries in South East Asia with the senior team before the start of the 2020-21 season but had to cancel those plans due to the ongoing Coronavirus pandemic that has impacted life worldwide.

The virtual tour is expected to take place in the first week of August and will combine a variety of novel measures to interact with their fans from the region.

There is expected to be virtual meetings with players, livestreams of training sessions and possibly friendly matches as far as online content is concerned. Offline content will see activities on location with BVB legends, BVB’s mascot EMMA and the BVB Evonik Soccer Academy, keeping in mind the Coronavirus protection measures in each country.

The 30 or more BVB fan clubs from the region will have an active part in the tour along with BVB's commercial partners in the region.

The launch of the new cup jersey, among other things, is also being planned in association with the club’s primary international sponsors - Evonik and Puma. The cup jersey is traditionally worn for all DFB-Pokal matches, UEFA Champions League matches and for international friendly matches.

“Many fans and partners from the region were in touch with us saying that they still wanted to get as close to the players as possible, especially in this most difficult of situations”, explained BVB Manging Director Carsten Cramer. He added that “this inspired us to strengthen our digital communications from Dortmund to Asia in close cooperation with our office locations in Singapore and Shanghai as part of our preparations for the 2020/21 Bundesliga season”.

Benedikt Scholz, BVB’s Head of International & New Business, gave an example of how the tour has been designed and geared for action both on location and at home.

“Fans will be able to travel with the BVB tour bus in Shanghai to a Black and Yellow viewing party and will get to know EMMA as well as the staff at BVB’s China office. They can watch the team’s training session in Dortmund via the livestream accompanied by Chinese commentary and with a link to a Chinese reporter at the training ground. After training has finished, they will able to meet BVB players during an exclusive online meet-and-greet," he said.

James Rodriguez says Real Madrid stopped him from joining another Spanish club last summer and that he also turned down down a move to Italy.

Madrid invested €75 million (£68m/$85m) in James back in 2014, luring him to Santigo Bernabeu from Monaco on a five-year contract. The midfielder earned the big-money move after spearheading Colombia's run to the World Cup quarter-finals in Brazil, where he also finished as the tournament's top goalscorer.

Unfortunately, the 28-year-old has been unable to build on that platform in the Spanish capital, falling down the pecking order under Zinedine Zidane amid persistent struggles for form and fitness.

James returned from a mediocre two-year loan spell at Bayern Munich last summer, and has since been unable to force his way back into Madrid's starting line up. He has only featured in 14 games across all competitions in total, with little sign of his situation improving as he approaches the final year of his current contract.

The former Monaco star has been heavily linked with a summer transfer, but he claims the opportunity to leave the club presented itself last year too, however his exit route was blocked.

"There was a very good proposal from a Spanish team, which Real Madrid rejected. I'd prefer not to say the name of the team," James told Colombian news outlet Gol Caracol. "I thought it was a done deal, but they didn't let me go to the club I wanted to join. They wanted me to go to another team."

The Madrid outcast also revealed he had the option to make his way to either Italy or China, but neither proposal appealed to him.

He said: “There was an offer from Italy, but it didn't convince me, I felt it wasn't good. My representative, Jorge Mendes, told me that a proposal had come from China, but I replied that I would not go. I wasn't willing to do it because I feel I can still give a lot in Europe." 

James went on to dismiss the suggestion he doesn't see eye to eye with Zidane, before expressing a desire to find a club where he can rediscover his best form.

"There was never any problem [with Zidane]," said the Colombian playmaker. "Every coach has their tastes. We have a normal working relationship. I don't have a central role, but I am training and working for when it is my turn, so I can do well.

"I am also thinking about the future, that wherever I am I have to perform at my highest level.

"I don't know what will happen in the future, but if they give me a choice then I would choose a club where I could show my abilities and my potential."

James added on being wrongly subjected to criticism over his commitment to Madrid's cause: "A lot of things are said about me and almost all are lies.

"What bothers me most is that my professionalism is doubted. I do not accept that. I am very professional, that is why I have gotten to where I am. People who are next to me and have worked with me know what I am talking about.

"I take care of myself like no one else. I train a lot in my day-to-day life. I always want to improve."

Uganda attacking midfielder Allan Kateregga has hit back at the Minister of State for Sports, Hamson Dennis Obua, on delayed payments after a presidential promise following the country's 2019 African Cup of Nations participation.

Kateregga is among the Cranes' stars who took to their social media pages to remind President Yoweri Museveni of his USD1M pledge that is yet to be fulfilled since July 2019.

During a luncheon at State House in Entebbe on July 8, 2019, Museveni made the promise of awarding the players for what he called good outing in the continental tournament in Egypt. 

Uganda reached the Round of 16 and fell to Senegal with a 1-0 score.

After the players' protest, Obua came out to state he is following up on the matter and thus the stars should be patient.

“He [Obua] didn’t care to say anything until now!” Kateregga tweeted.

“Why should we believe anything he has to say? They will take pride in seeing us suffer long after our careers and all they will ever say is we misused the money. Which money we never received!”

“I call upon my brothers, from captain Denis Onyango and all the senior players of our national team that you should remain patient,” Obua told NTV as was quoted by Sports Nation.

“We are following up, be optimistic that this particular pledge will be paid.”

On Tuesday, the Afcon participants came out reminding the head of state of his pledge after almost a year had passed since it was made and remains unfulfilled.

“In these tough Covid-19 times with everyone trying to fend for themselves, we find the timing right to remind you as the number one citizen of the Pearl of Africa about the $1M promise soon after our respectable show during the Africa Cup of Nations in Egypt last year,” Farouk Miya got the ball rolling, before other players followed suit.

“As a captain, my teammates [some already retired now] have been on my neck humbly requesting [others in a demanding tone because of the desperate times] me to remind you of the promise.”

“We feel frustrated, unhappy and somewhat under-appreciated that our token of appreciation hangs in balance. We truly believe that you will come to our rescue soonest as you have done in the past.”

Uganda reached the knockout stage for the first time since their appearance in the final in 1978 in Ghana.

Oscar Rodriguez rescued Leganes late on with a sensational free-kick during an important relegation battle with Real Mallorca.

The Real Madrid loanee’s long-range strike was the fourth time he has found the net from a free-kick this season – and it secured a vital point for his side. 

Vitolo provided the late drama at the Wanda Metropolitano, heading in at the back post to give Atletico Madrid victory against Real Valladolid.

And Gerard Moreno took his tally to 12 La Liga goals this season with the decisive blow as Villarreal picked up three points at Granada. 

Click the image below to relive the excitement of Matchday 30 in La Liga.

Arsenal fans have vented their fury over the club's decision to extend David Luiz's contract at Emirates Stadium.

Luiz completed an £8 million move to Arsenal from Chelsea last summer, and has since made 33 appearances across all competitions for the club, scoring twice.

The Brazilian has been a regular in the Gunners' starting line-up although has been guilty of making various high-profile errors that have cost the north Londoners.

The 33-year-old's latest nightmare display came during Arsenal's first game back following the three-month break in the season caused by coronavirus last Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta's men suffered a 3-0 defeat away at Manchester City, with Luiz gifting the home side the lead after coming on for the injured Pablo Mari midway through the first half.

His failure to deal with a Kevin De Bruyne through ball allowed Raheem Sterling to steal in and open the scoring, and his night got even worse five minutes after the interval.

Luiz was dismissed for bringing down Riyad Mahrez as he raced through on goal, and De Bruyne doubled City's lead from the resulting penalty.

The defender took full responsibility for the loss post-match, but also expressed his desire to remain at Arsenal beyond the expiration of his contract - which was due to run until end of the month.

Despite his erratic style of play and unpopularity among some supporters, the Gunners officially tied Luiz down to a fresh one-year deal on Wednesday, while also announcing permanent contracts for Cedric Soares and Mari.

And many Arsenal fans have reacted angrily to the news on social media, with one disgruntled follower of the club's Twitter account writing "WHAT A JOKE".

Arteta's side lost 2-1 to Brighton in Luiz's absence on Saturday, and will also be without the enigmatic centre-back when they travel to St Mary's to take on Southampton on Thursday.

The former Chelsea star will be available for selection again three days later when the Gunners face Sheffield United, but there is likely to be plenty more opposition to his continued presence in the squad between now and then.

Check out some more comments from fans bemused by Luiz's new contract below.

Former Tottenham Hotspur defender Ramon Vega has picked Liverpool star Sadio Mane as the best African player in the Premier League this season, while also giving special mention to his teammate Mohamed Salah.

With Liverpool poised to break a 30-year league title drought, Mane has been instrumental for the Reds, scoring 14 goals and providing nine assists in 27 Premier League appearances, which he has marked with match-winning impact on a number of occasions. 

Salah has also been outstanding, having found the back of the net 16 times in league games, with six assists to his name in 26 matches, with the Egyptian and the Senegalese forwards both playing key roles Jurgen Klopp’s title-chasing side.

Although Arsenal and Gabon captain Pierre Emerick Aubameyang is currently the second on the Premier League top goal-scorer list with 17 strikes and one assist, Vega has singled out Mane for praise, while also acknowledging Salah’s exploits.

“Sadio Mane without a doubt,” Vega told Goal when asked about the continent's best player at the moment.

“I think he deserves to be nominated because he is going to potentially win for Liverpool the league [title] this season. And of course his great friend Mohamed Salah as well, I think between both of them this year especially one to be impressed about African players.

“And also great export for African football to be honest. We know Africa has great players but these two, of course, showing again that the quality is there and they can do it in big teams like Liverpool.

"So I will select these two in terms of my, let’s say, favourite African players at the moment this season.”

After featuring in last Sunday’s 0-0 Merseyside derby against Everton, Mane is searching for his first goal after football's restart as Liverpool prepare to host Crystal Palace on Wednesday.

Salah was an unused substitute against Everton due to injury but is expected to be back against Palace and returning with a top performance could set the tone for a glorious finish to the season.

“[Mo] trained yesterday [Monday] completely normal, he will train today completely normal, I would guess and then he is available. What I make with the line-up, you have to wait until tomorrow [Wednesday],” Klopp told the club website ahead of the Palace fixture.

Vipers SC forward Abraham Ndugwa has revealed the player he thinks will perform better for the Uganda Premier League (UPL) champions next season.

Even though the 23-year-old star believes he is set to become a key figure, he has chosen Umar Kyebatala as the player who will surprise many next season.

“[Abraham] Ndugwa will. Honestly, it’s a very competitive team making it hard to choose one, however, I will go with [Umar] Kyebatala. The guy has an eye for goal,” Ndugwa told the club's website.

The striker further revealed the game he was really looking to feature in before the season was abandoned when it was about to hit matchday 25.

“I was looking forward to the KCCA FC game at home in the just-concluded season. Since I was out injured at the start of the second round, I trained hard and got back to a level I felt I was ready for that return leg. Unfortunately, I didn’t make the squad,” he revealed.

Ndugwa also mentioned his most enjoyable moment at the club so far.

“The looped pass for Tito Okello in the Pilsner Super 8 semi-final against Mbarara City for the equaliser,” he continued.

“We actually conceded during the last 15 minutes after dominating the game for so long and I told [Frank] Tumwesigye; 'We can’t lose this just play close to me.' He gave me the ball which I chipped for Tito who coolly finished it off and helped book our place in the final.”

The coronavirus-related restrictions have affected most footballers' programmes and Ndugwa has explained how his typical day looks like currently.

“I usually get up a bit late lately because of the Covid-19 lockdown although I remain an early riser. I stretch for 15 minutes, check my phone for any new messages or communication,” he added.

“Later in the day is when I do my practice from 5 pm using the training program that was given to us as well as incorporating in new ones.

“I am actually limited by this lockdown on what I would love to continue perfecting like finishing and shooting because I can’t get access to some things, so with the limited space all I get is doing ball mastery and a few ball tricks.”

He also revealed why Tumwesigye always lights up his day during team training sessions.

“Tumwesigye makes my training days lively. He can silence any player with his banter. Quite a cheeky fellow. I even try to avoid him at times, to prevent him turning the jokes on me,” Ndugwa concluded.

Vipers were declared champions after the season was cancelled last month.

Harry Maguire has got his sights set on becoming the first outfield player to complete every minute of a Premier League campaign for Manchester United since the 1994-95 season.

The England defender is aiming to follow in the footsteps of fellow centre-back Gary Pallister, who managed two ever-present seasons with United.

United face Maguire's former club Sheffield United on Wednesday and still have seven top-flight games to play after that.

But even with a packed fixture list, truncated by the coronavirus-enforced shutdown, skipper Maguire is hopeful of being involved throughout as United chase Champions League qualification and he looks to equal a feat achieved by Pallister in 1992-93 and 1994-95.

"Yes, it's going to be hard work with games coming every three days or so," he told the club's matchday programme.

"But, no, I'm in a great position – physically and, mentally, I'm fresh and ready to go. I hope, with every player coming back, we don't want anyone to pick up any injuries due to the amount of games we have coming up.

"Fingers crossed for all players out there – we don't want anybody picking up injuries so there are fully fit squads and everyone going full throttle at it, playing football. It's what we love to do.

"I've seen, on Sky, the fixtures and how many games are being shown every day really, so it's going to be a great time for the fans to sit back and watch.

"They will be disappointed they can't go to stadiums to support the lads, but it's the best we can do at the minute.

"I am sure it will still be a great time for fans and, hopefully, for the players as well."

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side marked their return to action with a 1-1 draw at Tottenham and face another potential top-four rival on Wednesday.

Chris Wilder's men have stumbled in their first two games back, drawing with Aston Villa and suffering a 3-0 loss against Newcastle United.

The Red Devils sit fifth, five points behind fourth-placed Chelsea and two ahead of the Blades, against whom they drew 3-3 at Bramall Lane.

Wolverhampton Wanderers manager Nuno Espirito Santo has admitted he is not certain about the future of Adama Traore as he continues to be touted to leave the club.

The speedy winger of Malian descent has caught the eyes of football followers with his performances giving Wolves some vital points, which have put them firmly in the race for the top four just one season after gaining promotion from the Championship.

Traore has had a hand in 17 goals (six goals, 11 assists) in 44 competitive outings this term which is a massive improvement from the previous campaign, when he just joined the club from Middlesbrough, and scored just a goal and recorded one assist each in the Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup.

League leaders Liverpool and current title holders Manchester City have been rumoured to have interest in signing Traore whose contract at the Molineux runs until 2023.

"I don't know. He is here now and he has trained well today and he is ready to go [play] tomorrow,” Espirito Santo told the media ahead of Wolves' clash with Bournemouth.

"It is day by day, no speculation, and [we] just focus on what we have to do and prepare for Bournemouth."

Traore has been known to show impact from the bench and did that at the weekend when he came on to assist Raul Jimenez’s goal in a 2-0 win over West Ham United.

Espirito Santo, however, played down claims that the La Masia product is only effective as a substitute.

"Adama is a special player, he is unique, and I think when he is on the pitch he already has an impact on the game,” the Sao Tome and Principe-born coach continued.

"Of course, he has things to improve and then after that it is our decision how we use players and manage the team in the game plan and the moment.

"The momentum and the moment we are in after three months of activity, we have a lot of things to judge on and try to make the right decisions."

Espirito Santo went on to describe Bournemouth as a good team. The Cherries are currently in 18th place, tied on 27 points with 17th-placed West Ham.

"Bournemouth are a good team. It is a team that plays good football and has very good players and a fantastic manager,” he said.

"The games are so tough and what is happening to Bournemouth can happen to anyone.

"A bad run is very difficult to bounce back from but I have all the respect and admiration for Bournemouth."

Wolves are currently in sixth place, tied on 46 points with fifth-placed Manchester United.

Should the Red Devils fail to claim maximum points against Sheffield United, Espirito Santo’s men could leapfrog United and move within two points of fourth-placed Chelsea, who host Manchester City on Thursday night.

Antonio Rudiger says he will be in "trouble" with Chelsea if Timo Werner fails to perform after adopting an agent role in his £47.5 million ($59m) transfer from RB Leipzig.

Chelsea saw off reported competition from the likes of Bayern Munich, Real Madrid and Liverpool to sign one of the most sought-after talents in European football earlier this month.

Speculation over Werner's future ended when he committed to a five-year contract at Stamford Bridge, which will see him earn £170,000 per week in west London.

The 24-year-old will join up with his new team-mates at the end of the current season, and will hope to produce the same form in front of goal for the Blues as he has on a weekly basis for Leipzig.

The Germany striker has hit 32 goals in 44 appearances for Julian Nagelsmann's side in 2019-20, helping them rise to third in the Bundesliga while also qualifying for the Champions League quarter-finals.

Rudiger, who plays alongside Werner at international level, has revealed the part he played in luring the frontman to Chelsea after being asked to assess his quality.

The Blues defender is hoping his "recommendation" won't come back to haunt him, as he told Sport Bild: "Chelsea asked me for an assessment.

"I have known Timo for a long time. I made a clear recommendation to do everything possible to get him.

"From the next season on he will have to deliver, otherwise I will get trouble from the club afterwards."

Rudiger went on to express his belief that Werner will have no problem making the transition from the Bundesliga to the Premier League, while insisting Chelsea are a better fit for his compatriot than Bayern would have been.

He added: "Although he [Werner] is not a classic penalty area striker, he has a certain robustness well suited to the toughness of English football.

"Counterattacking may have been more difficult for him at Bayern Munich or with a top Italian team, who are always dealing with opponents who sit very deep.

"Even outside the group of top clubs, many teams try to play positive and attacking football against us.

"This will give him the space he needs and hopefully he can use it as much as he did at Leipzig."

East Bengal’s assistant coach cum physical trainer Carlos Nodar blasted club’s investors Quess Corp over non-payment of salaries and non-cooperation during the lockdown in India.

Nodar rubbished the claims of Quess East Bengal and detailed the ordeal he had to face in India. It must be noted that Nodar was contracted with Quess East Bengal for a period of two years until May 2021.

Quess Corp and East Bengal had formed a Joint Venture (JV) and named it ‘Quess East Bengal’ in which 70 per cent shares were of the corporate giant with the rest being with the club. However, Quess Corp have stated on numerous occasions that they wouldn’t have any ‘financial obligations’ towards the joint venture after May 2020.

Currently, the two parties are looking to strike out a mutual deal to iron out Quess' exit and the transfer of sporting rights back to the club from the JV.

“No. I have not received my salary. My contract with Quess East Bengal is for 24 months and ends on May 31, 2021. I have to collect April, May and one more year’s salary since there has been no mutual agreement (termination) at any time. They will be notified by letter in the next few hours and if there is no agreement we will go to FIFA providing more information if necessary," Nodar told Goal.

"We have asked for food and water while we were in Kolkata for ourselves and my family and they never gave me an answer. I had asked for a doctor and my doctor in Spain finally had to attend me by phone. I had requested food and money and also a way to get electricity at home (during Amphan) and they did not answer many times.”

Last week, Quess East Bengal had issued a statement where they claimed that Carlos Nodar refused to travel back on two occasions before finally getting repatriated on June 18.

"The players had constantly sought additional financial benefits beyond contractual obligations but the same were not agreed to by Quess/Quess East Bengal FC.
Quess and Quess East Bengal would strongly denounce any baseless statements by players/coaches on non-fulfillment of terms of agreement as the same is being done by individuals with vested and personal interest," Quess East Bengal had stated.

Nodar, however, asserted that it was not the case.

“The availability of flights was not so restricted and I personally proposed return options but it was always rejected by a Quess East Bengal employee. They always said that there were no flights or they were expensive. I personally contacted a company that was suggested by the embassy to organize the return. The company prepared a travel plan which included the date and expenditures but Quess refused to accept. I do not know why.”

The investors had also claimed that Nodar was provided with a transit hotel in Mumbai and was duly reimbursed before he could catch his flight to Madrid via Frankfurt.

The Spaniard said, “It was a long and tedious journey back to Spain. My return must be the same as my arrival in Kolkata (by contract). While returning I had 60 kg of luggage. I have had to pay extra money for the excess luggage that I did not have because I have not been paid since April (the March payroll). The commitment was for two seasons (until 2021).”

He further added, “They never worried or cared that I told them that I had no money and that I had to ask for it to be able to take some of my things to Spain. They, despite the circumstances, refused to pay the extra INR 6,400 they made me pay to fly to Mumbai with my luggage and also the 54 Euros I paid in France for the bags.

“They only gave me 1,000 INR for dinner and breakfast in Mumbai at the hotel. Nothing was included and finally, once again it was I who, without having money, had to pay again asking friends and family for money since it is impossible to have dinner and breakfast at the hotel for that price. Also when they tell me in writing in an email that it is included and then it is false as the hotel staff tells me that nothing is included. I keep bills for everything. They will be claimed.”

Nodar also explained why he decided to stay back in Kolkata and not travel with his compatriots on May 4 when the likes of Juan Mera returned to Spain. “First of all, for the trip on May 4 everything was dealt by the players and coaching staffs of Mohun Bagan and Quess East Bengal (Spanish) with the embassy.

“I always told my colleagues (never to Quess since they did not propose it to me at any time) that I would not return on May 4, since it is not the condition of return that I have by contract and also Quess had notified us on April 25 with an email about the cessation of the activity.

“Another important reason I am staying is that I have no mutual agreement with Quess. They decided without discussion with me.”

It remains to be seen what Quess would have to say about Nodar's version of events.