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Louis Saha has expressed his belief that Jadon Sancho would be a good fit for Manchester United, describing the Borussia Dortmund star as a "deadly" performer in the final third.

Sancho is attracting attention from the biggest clubs across Europe ahead of the summer transfer window.

The 20-year-old, who moved to Westfalenstadion from Manchester City in 2017, is enjoying another fine season at Dortmund.

It has been suggested that a man who has recorded 20 goals and 20 assists in 40 appearances for BVB could make his way back to the Premier League when the transfer market reopens.

Manchester United are reportedly leading the race for Sancho's signature, and Saha thinks he could be the final piece in the puzzle Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been trying to piece together over the past year.

Asked if the England international would be a good signing for his old club, the former Red Devils striker told beIN Sports: "Totally, yes. He is a player that is uncatchable, he’s clever, quick, very precise. He’s got the legs, the stamina, the quality.

"He’s very creative for that type of player. When you have all those things, like I said about speed and creativity, but precise as well. So, imagine how deadly these things are. You can’t stop the guy and at the same time, he is very precise because he knows how to stop when passing the ball.

"It’s really hard because players, for example, Anthony [Martial] and [Marcus] Rashford, it can be hard for them because most of the time they’re going so quick so it’s hard to deliver the good pass like Juan Mata would do.

"Sancho has got that ability to address the right passes, the right weight of the pass because of his intelligence."

Gareth Southgate has seen Sancho transfer his club form at Dortmund to the international stage with England, but warned the young winger that Premier League football is far more competitive than the Bundesliga when discussing his future earlier this month.

The Three Lions boss told Sky Sports: "The top teams have certainly been a challenge for English teams in the Champions League but the level I don't think is quite the same in Germany in terms of the depth because the finances aren't quite the same. Any step for Sancho is going to be a challenge but he's developing really well."

Chelsea thrashed QPR 7-1 in a friendly match on Sunday, with midfielders Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Billy Gilmour each scoring twice.

Further goals from Mason Mount, Willian and Olivier Giroud helped Frank Lampard's side to an emphatic win at Stamford Bridge as preparations for the Premier League's return continue.

Loftus-Cheek has not made a senior competitive appearance for Chelsea since last season due to a ruptured Achilles sustained last May.

N'Golo Kante started the match against the Championship side, the France star having only resumed team training this week.

Chelsea's win came after a 1-0 defeat of Reading at their Cobham training base in a previous behind-closed-doors friendly.

The Blues are due to resume their league campaign next Sunday against Aston Villa at Villa Park.

Lampard's men were fourth in the table when the competition was suspended in March due to the coronavirus pandemic - three points clear of fifth-place Manchester United

Gilmour's strong showing on Sunday comes after a number of breakout performances this season for Chelsea with the 18-year-old backed for a bright future at Stamford Bridge. 

The Scottish teenager himself has a clear idea of the player he wants to become in the years to come with Barcelona midfielder Sergio Busquets one player he has particularly looked up to.

"When I was real young I used to watch [Cristiano] Ronaldo and [Lionel] Messi, as everyone did, but when I started analysing my game more and seeing who I would progress and hope to be like, it was more like [Andres] Iniesta, Xavi, [Cesc] Fabregas, all them type of players," Gilmour told Sky Sports in April. 

"It was just something I loved watching, seeing how they pass the ball, receive the ball and everything was sharp.

"Busquets as well, when you watch Barcelona, you watch Busquets individually and everything happens around him. But when you watch Barcelona, you don't really see Busquets. 

"But that's the kind of player I've always looked up to and just wanted to be that kind of player to get on the ball and make things happen."

After facing Villa on Sunday, Chelsea are next set to face Manchester City on June 25. 

Watford captain Troy Deeney has declared every football team likely has one gay player among their ranks as he encouraged more athletes to open up about their sexuality. 

Former Norwich striker Justin Fashanu remains the only openly gay male footballer in British history with Deeney adamant there are many more currently playing the game.  

The 31-year-old, who himself is divorced and has two kids, believes now is the time for more athletes to come out as gay, suggesting that not coming out would be a heavy burden to carry around. 

"I would go on record saying that there is probably one gay or bi-person in every football team. They're there, they are 100 per cent there," Deeney said on BBC's Grounded with Louis Theroux podcast. 

"I think people that are gay or from that community definitely are very worried about having to shoulder the responsibility of being the first. I think once the first comes out, there would be loads.

"If he come out and said it, I genuinely believe you would get in the first week at least 100 people that went 'me too'. Just because they don't want to be the face of it.

"I think there is now a bigger platform than ever to be a gay athlete of any nature.

"I also wonder, why people finish football, rugby, whatever the sport it might be, and then go 'I am gay'...I feel like it must be a real heavy load to carry throughout all your whole sporting career."

In 2019, Australian footballer Andy Brennan announced he was gay having previously played in the A-League for Newcastle Jets. 

The announcement was one of relief for Brennan, who declared he could now focus fully on playing football without having to hide his sexuality. 

"Six months ago I thought about it a lot, tried to hide it and push it aside because of the way I thought it would be perceived by many," Brennan told the Herald Sun.

"It got to the point where I couldn’t waste any more time being in relationships that I wasn’t comfortable in and wouldn’t come to anything.

"You’ve got to realise that’s who you are and you’ve just got to be who you are – whether you’re gay or whatever, whoever you are.

"There will be people out there thinking 'why has he got to voice his own personal whatever to the world?’. The reason I wanted to do this in the first place was to make me feel comfortable. It’s been a big lift off my shoulders and I can just focus on playing football."

Juventus defender Giorgio Chiellini admits he is delighted to be lining up alongside Cristiano Ronaldo - affirming that he prefers having the record-breaking striker as a team-mate than an opponent. 

Ronaldo joined Juve in the summer of 2018 after nine trophy-laden years with Real Madrid, including no less than four Champions League crowns. 

So far he has failed to match his dizzying Madrid scoring record with the Italians, netting 28 goals in all competitions during his debut season and 25 to date in 2019-20 after eight consecutive terms hitting more than 40 for the Merengue. 

But Chiellini, who found himself on the wrong end of a 4-1 battering which included two strikes from Ronaldo in the 2016-17 Champions League final, could not be happier to count on his services in Turin. 

"Unfortunately he scored a lot against us. Luckily he's now a teammate of mine," the centre-back explained on Instagram. 

"He's on another level, you can see it and I think it's fair to admit that. He gave Juve a lot.

"When you have such a champion it's a shame if you don't make the most of him."

Chiellini also had warm praise for long-time colleague Gianluigi Buffon, who at 42 is still going strong for the Bianconeri between the posts.

"He's an older brother. In the last 15 years he's the person I have seen most on earth," he added.

"He's a person who always manages to bring out the right words in decisive moments to change the fate of a season. He's a splendid person who has taught me a lot. We are different but as he was able to come up with words in the decisive moments."

Ronaldo missed a penalty in Juventus' first game back following the outbreak of the coronvirus pandemic, in Thursday's Coppa Italia semi-final second leg against Milan. 

The clash eventually ended 0-0, sending the Old Lady through to Wednesday's final against Napoli by virtue of away goals having tied the opening leg 1-1 at San Siro back in February. 

After the final Juve's attentions will turn back to Serie A, where they currently occupy top spot just one point ahead of Lazio going into their first game away to Bologna on June 22.

Former Orlando Pirates and Mamelodi Sundowns captain Benson Mhlongo has revealed he nearly dumped football for politics just to be an advisor to South African Minister of Sports Nathi Mthethwa.

Mhlongo, who currently coaches ABC Motsepe League side Mbombela City Lads, said his intention when that thought crossed his mind was to advise Mthethwa and his ministry to introduce investment policies and financial advise as part of their programmes to footballers in the country.  

According to the former Bafana Bafana defender, part of the reason PSL players can't sustain themselves after retirement is because the government hasn't done anything to intervene. 

"I nearly joined the EFF just to be on the political side to see if I can't one day be an advisor to Sports Minister Nathi Mthethwa‚" said Mhlongo in an interview with Power FM. 

"I believe that can be changed by our government in terms of our labour laws.

"Government needs to be told that this is not about football only. It is affecting our own kids and our own people."

The Alexandra-born legend believes the coronavirus situation facing the world has taught everyone that anything is possible if there's an effort to change the current trend, adding that South Africa cannot follow what Europe is doing in terms of taking care of their own.  

"So, Covid-19 has taught us that we can change things if we really want to. We can't keep following trends from overseas," added Mhlongo. 

"Those guys are ahead of us. Their game has been developed in most areas from decades ago.

"So, we are still behind in comparison to those player agents and managers who are running the clubs."

One of Mhlongo suggestions to eradicate poverty for footballers after retirement is that players should only take home 60 per cent of their salaries while the other 40 should be used as an investment for when they hang up their boots. 

"Make it a must and say, 'during your playing days‚ you can only earn 60% of your salary and 40% must be invested'," he continued.

"Look‚ there is UIF and footballers don't have that. So, something can be done.

"They can either have a policy for athletes and your 40% can be put there and then after you have retired, there's money that you are going to get every month as a retirement fund.

"We don't have that. So, only our government can do that. I believe it should be discussed and be a topic that everybody engages on." 

Juventus star Giorgio Chiellini says that is planning on reassessing his future after next season as the defender says he's hoping to continue on with his playing career.

The 35-year-old has been with Juventus since 2005, having made 509 total appearances for the club.

During his time with Juve, Chiellini has won Serie A eight times while also claiming four Coppa Italia trophies.

Chiellini has been kept out of virtually all of Juve's matches this season, having suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in August.

However, having returned to fitness just prior to the coronavius outbreak, Chielli says that he believes that he has plenty left to give as a player.

"Next year I'll see how I feel. I'll play for another year, then let's see," the defender said on Instagram. 

"I could play for another year after that, I would like to continue in football because it's my life. I would prefer a management role than as a coach, but in life you never know".

On the subject of management, Chiellini admitted that, during his time away from the game, he watched the documentary series surrounding Pep Guardiola and Manchester City.

Chiellini says that he has seen greatness while watching Guardiola work as he expressed his admiration for the Spanish manager.

"I think he has something different to the other," he said. "I saw the first two episodes of the City documentary, in which he talks to the players and you see his charisma, mentality. That makes him special.

"For a football lover, two episodes of the City documentary are enough to understand the greatness of mind. I wasn't lucky enough to meet him, but I think he has something extra".

Chiellini has served as Juventus' captain since 2018, taking the armband from Gianluigi Buffon when the goalkeeper made the move to Paris Saint-Germain.

The defender has remained on as captain even with Buffon's return, and he says he is glad that the honour came to him later in his career.

"Being captain, on the one hand, is more tiring than being a phenomenon, but at the beginning you have less pressure," he said. "There are many who are 17 years old with many expectations that ruin a career".

Sergio Ramos sent a title warning to Barcelona after Real Madrid made a winning return to La Liga action on Sunday.

The club captain was among the goalscorers as Madrid beat Eibar 3-1 at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium to move back to within two points of league leaders Barca, who won 4-0 at Real Mallorca on Saturday.

Toni Kroos and Marcelo scored either side of Ramos in a strong first-half display from the home side, but they were less convincing after the break and conceded when Pedro Bigas deflected a Pablo De Blasis shot past Thibaut Courtois.

Ramos went off after 61 minutes with what he described as "a little knock", which did not help Madrid's cause, but the centre-back was still pleased with the way they returned to action three months after the coronavirus pandemic forced the season to be suspended.

"I'm happy with the three points and to start playing again," he said to La Liga. "We've got 10 more finals and we'll give it everything we've got.

"It was a bit strange for everybody after a tough time for everyone, I want to send, as captain, high spirits to everyone. It has been a strange situation, not being able to go out of the house, but we always have to bring positive things out of bad things.

"To get football back is happiness for the whole country. Everything is returning to its natural place, it's important for everybody – us as well – to get back out on the pitch.

"I think we did well, we worked hard over the last few weeks to come back and to keep the form that maybe we've lost over the last couple of months. We are back and playing in the best possible way, there are a lot of things we can improve but physically we were good.

"The first 45 minutes, we showed good intensity and got the goals to go ahead. A bit less intense in the second half, but that will be something for us to learn from and improve. In general, we were good, we've got things to improve and are happy to get the three points. We will now prepare for the next game in the best way."

Nigeria's Bupe Okeowo and Burundi's Zabibu Nduwimana endured mixed fortunes on their debuts as Sandvikens thrashed Sunnana 5-1 in Sunday's Swedish Elittetan opener.

Nduwimana joined newly promoted Elittetan side Sunnana from Umea in May after ending her four-year journey with the newly promoted Damasvenkan club, scoring eight goals in 66 matches.

For Okeowo, the American-born Nigerian joined Sandvikens from Sunnana in May after the 26-year-old scored 12 goals in 15 games last season before her 10-month injury last August.

Wilma Sjoberg opened the scoring for Sandvikens in the fourth minute against Sunnana before Sanna Signeul doubled the advantage nine minutes later at Electrolux Home Arena.

The visitors continued piling pressure on their hosts and were rewarded through Elin Linde in the 18th minute before Wilma Andersson netted the fourth three minutes later.

After the restart, Sjoberg grabbed her second goal and her side's fifth two minutes into the second half but Elvira Fjällstrom's fine finish ensured Sunnana reduced the deficit in the 49th minute.

Annika Kukkonen brought on Okeowo in the 61st minute against her former team and she came close 10 minutes later but her fine effort was denied by goalkeeper Wilma Naslund.

Okeowo featured the last 29 minutes to earn a winning start in the colours of Sandvikens, while Nduwimana made a losing debut even though she lasted 90 minutes for Sunnana.

The victory means Sandvikens are Elitettan leaders on goal difference with three points after the opening match, while pointless Sunnana are bottom of the table on a four-goal deficit.

Sunnana will focus on bouncing back from the opening defeat when they visit Alvsjo AIK on June 21, while Sandvikens look to build on their fine start at home against Lidkoping on the same day.

Manchester United star Marcus Rashford has written to the House of Commons urging Members of Parliament to continue a free meal scheme for vulnerable youngsters. 

With schools closing across the United Kingdom in March due to the coronavirus pandemic, the government devised a scheme to protect children and teenagers from disadvantaged backgrounds and who claim free meals during term time. 

Eligible households have received vouchers worth £15 on a weekly basis to spend at supermarkets and lessen the financial toll of the pandemic. 

Rashford has spent the lockdown aiding charitable foundations, in particular the FareShare organisation which, thanks to the striker's support, has been able to provide three million meals to beneficiaries over the last three months. 

Now he has urged the government to continue to back its voucher scheme throughout the summer holiday period of the school calendar.

“The government has taken a ‘whatever it takes’ approach to the economy — I’m asking you today to extend that same thinking to protecting all vulnerable children across England,” Rashford affirmed in his letter.

“I encourage you to hear their pleas and find your humanity. Please reconsider your decision to cancel the food voucher scheme over the summer holiday period and guarantee the extension. This is England in 2020, and this is an issue that needs urgent assistance.

“Please, while the eyes of the nation are on you, make the U-turn and make protecting the lives of some of our most vulnerable a top priority.

“As a black man from a low-income family in Wythenshawe, Manchester, I could have been just another statistic.

“Instead, due to the selfless actions of my mum, my family, my neighbors, and my coaches, the only stats I’m associated with are goals, appearances and caps.

“I would be doing myself, my family and my community an injustice if I didn’t stand here today with my voice and my platform and ask you for help.”

Rashford and United will be back in Premier League action on Friday, when the Reds visit Tottenham in their first official match since the English top flight came to a halt in March.

Zinedine Zidane was happy to see Eden Hazard impress as Real Madrid made a winning return in La Liga, saying the Belgium star was even glad to have endured some robust challenges.

Hazard started the match at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium on Sunday as Madrid won 3-1 against Eibar to move back to within two points of league leaders Barcelona.

Injury problems have blighted Hazard's first season at the club since his  £88 million ($112m) move from Chelsea and there were concerns his campaign was over when he fractured his ankle in February.

The coronavirus-enforced break gave the forward more time to recover and he looked sharp in the first half against Eibar, setting up Sergio Ramos for the second goal and playing a key role in Marcelo's third.

Hazard was on the receiving end of some strong challenges and was substituted after 61 minutes, but head coach Zidane had few concerns.

"We knew Eden would lack a bit of rhythm to play the whole game. In the end, he played an hour and played well, too," Zidane said.

"They gave him a good knock, a scare, but that's football. He said he was fine at the break, that he was glad he had been hit, and wasn't afraid. He's happy with what he did and we're happy, also."

Toni Kroos broke the deadlock in the fourth minute as Madrid dominated the first half, but their standards slipped after the break and Eibar threatened to make life difficult after Pedro Bigas deflected in a shot from Pablo De Blasis.

"It's a completely different thing to what we were experiencing before. We have to adapt," said Zidane.

"We started the game well, but it was difficult in the second half. I don't think it was physical, because we are well prepared. It was a bit of everything.

"I'll take the first half – that was dominant. It's an important win.

"Maybe we relaxed in the second. There was no one thing in particular. We had to make the changes: [Dani] Carvajal sprained his ankle, Ramos had discomfort too, Hazard because he hadn't played for a long time... I don't think it was the changes that made the game change."

Karim Benzema looked particularly sharp and combined well with Hazard in the first half, leading to a question as to whether the forward has followed a particular diet to come back in such lean shape.

"I don't know his diet, but Karim takes great care of himself, like most players," said Zidane. "He's happy to play again. I hope he keeps it up – we need him.

"It's wonderful to see them communicate and I have to talk mostly about the second goal, which came from a pass from Eden to Ramos."

Thomas Partey featured from start to finish as Atletico Madrid drew 1-1 with Athletic Bilbao in the returning round of La Liga fixtures on Sunday.

The Spanish top-flight has made a comeback this week after the coronavirus pandemic halted football activities in the country in mid-March.

Los Rojiblancos' last game before the lockdown was their emphatic 3-2 extra-time Champions League Round of 16 second leg win over Liverpool at Anfield.

Partey was solid that night in midfield with Marcos Llorente's brace and Alvaro Morata's strike ending the Reds' hopes of retaining their European title.

Atleti's last league game was a 2-2 draw at home with Sevilla, with Partey being rested for the Liverpool game.

There was no rest this time on Sunday and it was Bilbao who took the lead in the 37th minute via Iker Muniain.

Partey tried to block the shot from going in, but it was too late and it gave Atleti goalie Jan Oblak, who has been superb between the sticks, no chance.

It didn't take long for the Spanish capital club to respond, with former Chelsea forward Diego Costa equalising two minutes later.

Partey's 90 minutes on the pitch saw him produce 61 touches, 35 accurate passes (72.9%) while also having a 100% success rate in his dribbles (two from two) and also his total duels (eight from eight).

The 26-year-old Ghana international has been a key cog in Atletico Madrid's midfield this season and has drawn interest from top European clubs, with Arsenal the most regularly linked.

His father Jacob earlier in the week stated he would support wherever his son decides to go with his release clause set at €50 million.

Partey has now clocked 2,949 minutes of competitive action this season, scoring three goals and providing one assist. He has received 13 yellow cards, of which 10 came in La Liga.

The draw at San Mames is Atletico Madrid's fifth in their last eight matches, whilst winning two and losing one.

Their failure to win sees them remain in sixth place and the gap to the top four could widen to three points should Real Sociedad claim bragging rights in the Basque derby against Osasuna at the Anoeta later on Sunday night.

Real Madrid made a winning return to LaLiga action as they beat Eibar 3-1 in the Spanish capital on Sunday.

Toni Kroos, Sergio Ramos and Marcelo eased Madrid into a comfortable half-time lead, with the visitors' second-half improvement yielding nothing but a Pedro Bigas consolation.

With Barcelona having won 4-0 at Real Mallorca a day earlier, the pressure was on Los Blancos to follow suit and close the gap at the top of the table back to two points.

Madrid's home games are being held at the Castilla's Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium while the Santiago Bernabeu undergoes renovation work, but the change in venue made little difference as the home side marked Zinedine Zidane's 200th game in charge in winning fashion.

Kroos broke the deadlock in the fourth minute with a sublime first-time strike from just inside the box that looped beyond goalkeeper Marko Dmitrovic.

Eibar responded well but were 2-0 down after half an hour. Ramos stepped out to intercept a pass and spark a swift counter-attacking move that ended with the Madrid captain tapping in an unselfish square ball from the impressive Eden Hazard, who was back in the line-up for the first time since February after recovering from an ankle fracture.

A crisp strike from Marcelo into the bottom-right corner after more good interplay between Hazard and Karim Benzema made it 3-0 before the break, the Brazil left-back taking a knee after drilling home his first league goal of the season.

Thibaut Courtois saved superbly from Edu Exposito and Sergi Enrich hit the bar with a header, before Pablo De Blasis' shot deflected off Bigas and bobbled beyond Courtois to give Eibar a lifeline.

It was a largely pedestrian second half from Madrid, with Hazard and Ramos taken off and Marcelo struggling with a knock, but Eibar could not mount a comeback.

What does it mean? Title race shows few signs of fizzling out

Resounding wins apiece for Barca and Madrid mean the gap at the top is only two points with 10 games to go and neither side is looking especially rusty after the long break.

This was certainly a display to show Zidane's men will not give up the chase without a fight and will also serve as a useful reminder to Manchester City before the Champions League last-16 returns.

Eibar are just two points above the bottom three, having won just once in eight league matches.

Hazard and Benzema in harmony

Injury has ruined much of Hazard's first season in LaLiga, but this display was a sign that he plans to make the most of the coming few weeks.

His link play with Benzema was excellent, particularly in the first half, and should have given Zidane plenty of encouragement.

Who is left for the right?

Rodrygo started the match, Gareth Bale and Vinicius Junior came on, Isco, James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio stayed on the bench, and we are still unclear who is Madrid's best option on the right wing.

That kind of depth will prove useful in the hectic schedule to come but settling on a first-choice front three would help bring balance to a Madrid attack that has often struggled this season.

What's next?

Madrid host Valencia on Thursday before heading to Real Sociedad three days later. For Eibar, a home match against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday awaits.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic is "not a possibility" for Bologna, a club director has reaffirmed.

The veteran striker signed a short-term deal to return to Milan in January but it appears increasingly unlikely Ibrahimovic will still be at San Siro next season.

Ibrahimovic had been linked with Bologna before he joined Milan, largely due to his relationship with the club's head coach Sinisa Mihajlovic - who was on the backroom team at Inter when the forward was with the Nerazzurri, and reports of a renewed attempted to sign the Swede surfaced in recent weeks.

But, speaking last month, club director Walter Sabatini seemed to quash the idea and sporting director Riccardo Bigon has also now said there is no chance of bringing Ibrahimovic to Bologna.

"I understand the media interest in making this a story, as he is such an important name at the top level, but Ibrahimovic is not a possibility," Bigon told RAI Radio 1 of the 38-year-old.

"We are no longer in contact. He had spoken to Mihajlovic in the winter, then made his choices and from then we haven't taken the situation into consideration."

Mihajlovic had initially raised hopes of a reunion with the Swedish great in an interview held back in May, when he revealed that Zlatan would not be staying on at San Siro beyond the 2019-20 season. 

"He called me a few days ago and we'll see what he decides to do in the summer," Mihajlovic told Serbian show Vece sa Ivanom Ivanovicem.

"He certainly won't remain at Milan, it remains to be seen whether he'll join us or return to Sweden."

Sabatini and now Bigon, however, seem to have put to bed any prospect of a move across Serie A, leaving the future unclear for the 38-year-old. 

Ibrahimovic missed out on Milan's first game back after the halt caused by the coronavirus due to suspension, as the Rossoneri lost out to Juventus in the second leg of the Coppa Italia semi-finals. 

He has scored three goals in eight Serie A appearances since rejoining the club in January, and is expected to play a key part in Milan's outside bid for a Champions League qualification spot, the club currently trailing fourth-placed Atalanta by 12 points with 12 games left to play.  

Express FC head coach Wasswa Bbosa is keen to be reunited with Kyetume goalkeeper Joel Mutakubwa next season.

Bbosa, who has already been confirmed as the club's permanent coach after serving on an interim capacity since February, reveals he has already identified the goalkeeper as his top target.

The duo worked together at Tooro United and a reunion at Express is highly likely.

“I gave a list of players I want to my Chief Executive Officer [Isaac Mwesigwa], and [Joel] Mutakubwa is amongst those players. For now, he’s still in talks with the CEO and I hope they reach a conclusion soon,” Bbosa told Football256.

“Of course, we have remained in contact and he is my good friend and maybe I would have loved the deal done quick, but I am not the right person to engage him.

“It’s the CEO's work and he told me all is moving well and anytime soon we may have a breakthrough in negotiations.” 

The Red Eagles are expected to face stiff competition from Vipers SC, who have reportedly also shown interest in the goalkeeper in the final months of a two-year contract.

Bbosa further confirmed talks are ongoing between them and David Owori and Ambrose Kirya, both of SC Villa.

“It’s true that they’re also on the list of players I want, and the club is holding talks with them but there’s nothing to confirm yet,” the coach revealed.

Meanwhile, a number of Ugandan goalkeepers paid a courtesy call to Jamil Kasirye, who was recently calling for help through a video.

The delegation was led by Cranes goalkeeper trainer Fred Kajoba while Charles Lukwago, Ismail Watenga and Crested Cranes skipper Ruth Aturo also attended. Dennis Onyango also took part in the initiative to reach out to the retired goalkeeper.

“We learnt that [Jamil] Kasirye has for a while now not been doing well, that’s why we decided to go to his place first,” Kajoba told Football256.

“But we are looking forward to setting up something that will stay around for a long time to sustain all the goalkeepers in need of help at any time be it the retired or those still active.

“I am happy with the goalkeepers because when we contacted them, they all positively responded and collected a lot of money amongst themselves.

“We took a lot of foodstuffs and some money with us and Kasirye was extremely excited about seeing us.

“We shall now start up a union which will keep us together because, from today onwards, we don’t want to hear any of our goalkeepers suffering.” 

Kasirye was part of Uganda's 1978 African Cup of Nations delegation but was the number two goalkeeper to Paul Ssali. He played for KCC FC and SC Villa.

Thomas Tuchel will stay on as Paris Saint-Germain for next season, says sporting director Leonardo, who has also denied seeking out potential replacements for the German at Parc Des Princes.

Tuchel moved to Paris in the summer of 2018, initially signing a two-year deal to succeed Arsenal-bound Unai Emery. After guiding PSG to the Ligue 1 title in his first season in charge, the former Borussia Dortmund boss signed a one-year extension through to the summer of 2021.

The club were 12 points clear at the top of the table when the current Ligue 1 campaign was halted because of coronavirus in March, with the authorities later opting to curtail the season and crown PSG champions once more.

Despite that domestic success, there had been rumours PSG were on the lookout for possible replacements, with former AC Milan and Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri reportedly under consideration.

Such speculation has seemingly been put to bed by Leonardo, who also has not ruled out the possibility of Tuchel signing a new deal to further extend his stay in the French capital.

"He has one year left on his contract and he will be on the bench next season,” Leonardo told JDD. “He has done well, the results are good. An extension? We have time to think about it.”

When asked about reports of the club scouring the market for potential replacements, Leonardo was emphatic in his response.

“I surveyed no coach. Never,” he said. It's important to say it.

“With Tuchel, we talked, he knows everything. It's very clear, there's nothing with anyone.”

Leonardo has also spoken of his frustration at the potential departures of teenagers Tanguy Kouassi and Adil Aouchiche, admitting it is a challenge to try and persuade young players to stay at the club if they cannot be guaranteed regular playing time.

Goal understands 18-year-old Kouassi will leave the club when his contract expires this summer, with Barcelona, AC Milan, RB Leipzig and Rennes among the clubs to be linked with the starlet.

Aouchiche, 17, is also out of contract this summer and is believed to have held talks with Saint-Etienne, while Arsenal have also been linked.

“It's terrible for clubs because it places us in complex situations where we have the choice between letting go or overpaying,” added Leonardo.

“At PSG, there is competition. So, at 16-17 years old, it's difficult to claim a place. And generally, since they don't play, they don't sign and go to clubs that have been courting them for two years.

“His (Kouassi’s) case is different, he found himself in the rotation without having yet signed a contract. It may be an error on my part, because the custom in this business is: ‘you do not sign, you do not play’. But his performance levels took priority.

“We probably have our responsibilities if we do not manage to keep our youngsters"

Mamelodi Sundowns wing-back Thapelo Morena has spoken about his road to recovery as he nears a return to full fitness. 

Morena suffered a broken ankle four months ago and has been working hard behind the scenes to regain his fitness before the resumption of the season. 

"My foot is not 100 per cent. I push myself to a certain limit with team exercises and those that I feel my foot can’t take yet I then do other activities such as cycling, strengthening and mobility," Morena told the Sundowns website. 

"With the moon-boot, the exercises are limited and therefore I only had to do those that will not pose a threat to my foot. With that being said, the strong mentality that I can overcome this is what kept me going as well as eating healthy and [living] positive lifestyle."

Morena removed the protective boot a month ago, and he's pleased with the progress he has made under a physical trainer allocated to him by the Brazilians. 

He revealed that he could see himself back on the pitch as soon as the protective boot was removed while admitting it wasn't easy dealing with this injury setback. 

"Without the moon-boot, I keep focused by reminding myself of the end goal; where I do want to see myself by the time the league resumes," continued Morena. 

"The team allocated me a physical trainer [Thato] and he has been very helpful and motivating. He helps me a lot with my rehabilitation progress and exercises.

"It felt inspirational. I could see myself back on the pitch. From that day my whole mentality changed because I saw the possibility of everything again.

"My injury was not easy even dealing with it wasn’t easy. So, every milestone is worth a celebration."

The 25-year-old further spoke about how the current lockdown has affected almost every player in the PSL, but he's pleased that teams have now been given the green-light to return to training after three months of inactivity due to the coronavirus outbreak. 

"You never know how joyful and important something really is until you lose the sight of it. Boredom is taking a strain on us but with football around, we know things will change for the better. I can’t wait to give Mzansi that joy again," concluded Morena.

Napoli center-back Kalidou Koulibaly has narrated how coach Gennaro Gattuso has given the players "a lot of self-confidence" in the wake of their 2-1 aggregate victory over Inter Milan in the Coppa Italia semi-finals on Saturday.

The Partenopei led 1-0 from the first leg back in February, but the Nerazzurri levelled the tie very early thanks to Christian Eriksen.

Dries Mertens' equaliser four minutes prior to the half-time break was, however, enough for Napoli to reach their first cup final since 2014 when they saw off Fiorentina 3-1.

Prior to the suspension of Serie A, Napoli recorded five wins in six league games, with a shock home defeat to Lecce the only blemish.

It has put the Campania outfit back in the European places, a position they were distant from before Gattuso's arrival.

"We knew it would be very difficult as a match, Inter came here to put us in difficulty and it is seen from the first goal," Koulibaly told Rai Sports. 

"We responded well, with a good goal, and we were solid. We have been missing this last aspect for some time.

"[Gattuso has given] a lot of self-confidence. We had lost self-esteem, he gave it back to us. Tactically he gave us a little more, he taught us to suffer.

"In the first months of this championship we could not suffer, we were in difficulty. Now instead we can do it. We are on the right track, we need continuity."

Koulibaly had been out of action since December with a muscle injury and he insisted Napoli need to do more when they face Juventus - who saw off AC Milan via away goals in the other semi, in the final.

The Senegal international was also appreciative of those that have helped in his recovery back to fitness.

"The things we did before are coming back. A little more work is needed, we can do even better," Koulibaly continued.

"Everyone is in the project and that is very important. We want to offer something to our fans, we have to prepare the final to the best, calmly and serenely.

"I haven't played for six months, I'm happy to have helped my friends who in this period have given me a lot, just like the fans."

La Liga has promised to take legal action against a pitch-invading fan who sought a photo with Lionel Messi during Saturday's clash between Mallorca and Barcelona. 

The game, Barca's first since La Liga was suspended due to the coronavirus pandemic back in March, had reached its 54th minute when the interruption occurred. 

A young fan decked in a Messi Argentina shirt burst onto the pitch at the Estadio Son Moix and attempted to close in on the superstar before being intercepted and ushered away by security. 

Such an offence is a blatant breach not just of everyday match regulations but also La Liga's protocol for Covid-19, put in place to prevent further spread while playing out the remaining games of the 2019-20 season. 

And the governing body is taking the incident extremely seriously, slamming the invader and promising to act against him with the full force of the law. 

"La Liga will file the appropriate legal action, considering that this was a criminal act," it signalled in a statement released on Sunday. 

"La Liga would also like to express its absolute condemnation of this kind of behaviour, which puts in risk the health of others and the integrity of our competition. 

The invader himself, who has been reported as a French national resident in Mallorca, attempted to play down the severity of his actions, while lamenting that he did not manage to keep a photo of Barca's No. 10. 

"It was a great experience, I jumped over a two-metre fence," he told  COPE  to explain how he gained entry to a game which, like all matches currently taking place in Spain, was played behind closed doors. 

"My dream is to have a photo with Messi, I went for him, I took some photos and the police forced me to delete them."

Barcelona led 2-0 at the time of the interruption, with early goals from Arturo Vidal and Martin Braithwaite ensuring a brilliant start to La Liga's return for the table-toppers. 

And there was more to come after the invasion, as Jordi Alba and Messi himself compounded Mallorca's grief with two further strikes to seal a 4-0 win on the Balearic island.

Tunisia legend Radhi Jaidi has revealed that his goal against Saudi Arabia at the 2006 Fifa World Cup stands out above the rest.

Making their fourth outing at the quadrennial global football showpiece in Germany, the Carthage Eagles made a fine start in the championship by holding Marcos Paqueta’s men to a 2-2 draw at Munich’s Allianz Arena.

Man-of-the-match Ziad Jaziri put Tunisia ahead in the 23rd minute before the Asians took the lead in the second half through Yasser Al-Qahtani and Sami Al-Jaber.

And when it looked like the Africans would make a losing start in the championship, Jaidi headed Radhi Jaziri’s cross past goalkeeper Mabrouk Zaid with the last kick of the game.

Sunday marks the 14th year anniversary of that game and the 44-year-old took to social media to define what that game meant to him.

“My goal at the 2006 World Cup with the Tunisian national team is one of the best goals I've scored and I will never forget,” the former Birmingham City and Southampton star tweeted.

Roger Lemerre’s Tunisia were silenced 3-1 against Spain in their next game despite taking an early lead through Jawhar Mnari at Stuttgart’s Mercedes-Benz Arena.

Their Group H campaign ended with a 1-0 loss to Ukraine courtesy of Andriy Shevchenko’s 70th-minute penalty.

Incidentally, Germany 2006 was his second and last World Cup outing before drawing the curtain on his international career in 2009 after accruing 105 appearances with seven goals to his credit.

He was part of the successful squad that won the Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 2004.

After 11 seasons at boyhood club Esperance, the centre-back teamed up with Bolton Wanderers as a free agent in July 2004.

Jaidi joined Birmingham City two seasons later for £2 million. He made his debut in a 1–0 win over Crystal Palace.

With City not renewing his contract, a move to English Football League One outfit Southampton was sealed.

After a playing career, he turned his sights to coaching. First, he was Southampton U21 assistant coach before he was given the responsibility of leading the U23 team.

In November 2019, American team Hartford announced him as club's head coach for the 2020 USL season.