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India international and Bengaluru FC forward Sunil Chhetri is hoping to prolong his already remarkable football career with the help of his love for the game. 

The 35-year-old footballer, who is considered as one of the legends of Indian football, has scored 39 goals in 72 starts at Bengaluru FC in the last four seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL) and the player feels he is still feeling extremely fit to continue with his career. 

Celebrating the 15th year of the footballer's impact in Indian football, Chhetri spoke about his short-term plans in a Facebook live session on Thursday. He said, "I don’t want to (give) numbers. I feel the fittest at present. I am enjoying my football. So I don’t know. I don’t see it (retirement) anytime soon because I am enjoying it (football)."

He added, "This year I want to challenge Ashique (Kuruniyan) and Udanta (Singh) for a speed test."

With an excellent goalscoring record for Bengaluru and India national team back his argument, Chhetri is hoping to continue producing the goods in front of the goal until the goals dry up. 

He said, "So I am still the same as I was at 16. Unless there are 10 Sahals start scoring for the country and push me to the bench, until then I am alright. I will continue."

Joel Latibeaudiere is already mulling over his transfer options for next season, with the Manchester City starlet determined to follow the lead of Jadon Sancho and Phil Foden by becoming a senior star.

The highly rated defender was the man to lift the U17 World Cup as captain of England’s young lions in 2017.

A number of star turns from that squad have gone on to enjoy meteoric rises to prominence, with Sancho arguably the pick of the bunch. He took the brave decision to leave City for Borussia Dortmund three years ago and is now a senior international star and one of the most sought-after talents in world football.

Foden, who is also a product of the famed Ethiad Stadium academy system, is another who is now seeing regular game time with the 20-year-old impressing in the Premier League and Champions League.

Other U17 World Cup winners, such as Rhian Brewster and Conor Gallagher, have had to leave the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea on loan in order to further their respective developments.

Latibeaudiere has favoured a similar approach, with the 2019-20 campaign spent with FC Twente, and he is already considering another switch for next season – potentially one that keeps him in England.

He told the Manchester Evening News: “Just to get out there playing first team football. Literally the whole team from that World Cup has gone on to play at a first team club. That would definitely be the next step on my ladder for sure. Hopefully getting to somewhere like a Championship or another first division to keep playing my football.”

Latibeaudiere is held in high regard by City and his versatility could be put to good use in the future.

He has starred at youth level as a centre-half, but Twente have used him as a right-back at times this season and the ability to fill numerous positions should work in his favour heading forward.

“Most of my career I’ve played the whole way across the back four,” Latibeaudiere added. “I made my under-18s debut at Man City as a left-back believe it or not. The manager at Twente saw my strength, speed and willingness to get up and down the line so tried to play me regularly there and I had fun.

“I do think my natural position and where I’m best at is centrally but I can definitely see myself moving to a full-back slot if that’s what the manager needs.

“I’m lucky enough to have the skill set to do that and obviously doing it at a younger age by playing left-back, centre-back and right-back in my academy career so that puts me in good stead to play as a versatile player which managers do look for nowadays.”

Manchester City have put a deal in place which will see highly-rated teenage goalkeeper Mikki van Sas join their academy ranks from Utrecht.

The 16-year-old is considered to be a hot prospect in his native Netherlands and was tied to a deal at his previous club through to 2022.

City have, however, moved to buy into Van Sas’ potential by luring him to England.

Those at the Etihad Stadium continue to build with one eye on the future and are scouring the globe for the very best young talent on the market.

A clear path to the first team has not always been cleared in Manchester, leading the likes of Jadon Sancho to head elsewhere, but opportunities will be given to those who prove deserving.

Van Sas will hope that his ongoing development results in him becoming a first-team star.

Utrecht believed that such progression could be made on their books, with the Dutch outfit disappointed to be parting with a home-grown talent they had high hopes for.

They are, however, reluctant to hold any player back and acknowledge that the opportunity to link up with a European heavyweight would have been too good for Van Sas to turn down.

Utrecht’s technical director, Jordy Zuidam, told the club’s official website when confirming a deal with City: “We say goodbye to Mikki with mixed feelings. 

“On the one hand, we regret that Mikki, an incredibly talented goalkeeper, leaves our academy. We would of course have liked to see Mikki shine in the Galgenwaard Stadium, which is what we train for.

“On the other hand, Mikki said that he really wanted to make this move and we also see his transfer to Manchester City as a compliment to our youth academy. This transition confirms the elevated level of the academy. 

“We have reached an agreement with Manchester City on the transfer terms and all parties are satisfied. We wish Mikki every success in England.”

City are in the process of making considerable changes to their academy ranks, with the appointment of new U18 and U23 coaches in the pipeline.

Van Sas will get the chance to work under those fresh faces next season, with only senior football being brought back onto the sporting calendar amid the coronavirus pandemic.

Frank Lampard should "build a side" around Antonio Rudiger, according to Mario Melchiot, who has urged Chelsea to find a worthy "centre-back partner" for the German.

Rudiger has racked up 105 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea since completing a £29 million ($37m) move to Stamford Bridge from Roma in 2017.

Eighteen of those have come in 2019-20 but injuries issues have significantly limited his contribution, forcing Lampard to shuffle his pack.

Andreas Christensen, Kurt Zouma and Fikayo Tomori have all seen regular playing time in Rudiger's absence, but the Blues' have looked vulnerable at the back throughout their latest campaign, conceding 39 goals in their first 29 fixtures - more than any other top-six club.

Rudiger helped restore some defensive order after returning to full fitness before the coronavirus pandemic stopped play in March, and Melchiot would like to see his talents maximised when the Premier League restarts on June 17. 

The ex-Chelsea right-back has also advised Lampard to bring in someone to complement Rudiger in the heart of the defence, telling 888 Sport: "He has a good standing at Chelsea and I like him as a player.

"He’s doing really well. He is very strong and came back well from his injury when others had a chance to take his place.

"The next step now is to build a side around him but it’s important to find a centre-back partner who is not like him. They can’t play the same way.

"They have to find someone who has the ability to defend but doesn’t defend like him.

"The two guys in the middle of the park should never be identical. Both should be strong, sure, but maybe a guy who is on a different scale technically whereas Rudiger is a guy who says 'don’t mess around with me.'"

Chelsea currently occupy the final Champions League spot in the top-flight standings, but only hold a three-point lead over fifth-placed Manchester United with nine fixtures left to play.

Although Melchiot admits to being "a little worried" about the Blues missing out on a place in Europe's elite competition, he expects his old club to get the job done and finish the season strongly out of necessity.

“It was always going to be an exciting race and now it depends on how teams kick-off," the former Netherlands international added.

"I expect Chelsea to start again just as well as everybody else but it’s like at the beginning of a season when you see smaller teams who don’t have an advantage financially: they tend to start off well.

"So that is the only thing I’m a little bit worried about but away from that I don’t see Chelsea having a problem because the Champions League is a must.”

Highlands Park forward Peter Shalulile has commented on his hefty price tag amidst reported interest from big PSL clubs.

The Lions of the North have put an R30 million price tag on the Namibia international, who has been one of the top performers this season.

His scoring exploits have reportedly attracted interest from Gauteng giants Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates ahead of the next transfer window.

Shalulile would become one of the most expensive footballers in the history of South African football if one of the Soweto giants agrees to meet the asking price for the versatile attacker.

However, the 27-year-old player, who is in his fifth season with Highlands Park, doesn’t understand the rationale behind the price tag.

“As a player, you feel valuable," Shalulile was quoted as saying on Daily Sun.

However, the former Tura Magic player knows the Tembisa-based club has his best interests at heart having established himself as one of their best players.

"I take it as a positive thing because I do not know why they are doing this and what their thinking is. But at the end of the day if you are positive, good things will come," he added.

Shalulile is in the race for this season's PSL Golden Boot award having netted 12 goals - two behind the leading goalscorer Frank 'Gabadinho' Mhango of Pirates.

However, the coronavirus pandemic has led to the indefinite suspension of the current season since mid-March 2020.

The Windhoek-born player will be hoping to beat Mhango and others to the award which is also known as the Lesley Manyathela Golden Boot.

Shalulile has already won a Golden Boot award in South Africa, having done so during the 2017/18 campaign.

His 15 goals from 29 matches earned him the National First Division (NFD) top scorer accolade which he shared with Black Leopards hitman Mwape Musonda.

The Lions of the North managed to retain his services amidst reported interest from other clubs after he played a key role in helping the team gain promotion to the PSL from the NFD.

It remains to be seen how long Highlands Park will be able to keep hold of their most prized asset as he continues to shine in South African football.

Marcus Rashford has “looked unstoppable at times this season”, says Luke Shaw, with the Manchester United forward in with every chance of winning the Ballon d'Or at some point in his career.

At just 22 years of age, a highly-rated frontman is approaching the end of a fifth season as part of the Red Devils’ first-team set-up.

Having been given his big break by Louis van Gaal in 2016, Rashford has now taken in 201 appearances for United and recorded 64 goals – including a personal-best return of 19 this term.

Injury had threatened to bring his 2019-20 campaign to a premature conclusion prior to the coronavirus outbreak, but he is now back to full fitness and ready to star for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer when Premier League action resumes.

Shaw expects Rashford to remain an important figure for the Red Devils, with his impressive development keeping him on an upward trajectory.

“He’s improved greatly from when he first came on the scene, not just on the pitch, but off the pitch as well,” Shaw told United’s official website when asked by a supporter if Rashford can win the Ballon d'Or one day.

“He’s matured so much. He’s really turned into a man and I think everyone’s seen the way he’s conducted himself off the pitch; especially during this pandemic, he’s been unbelievable.

“He’s a massive example to everyone. He’s matured so much and a lot of credit for that goes to him and also to his family, who have kept him very grounded.”

United have always prided themselves on their production of home-grown talent, with Rashford another success story for their collection.

Shaw hopes many more will be inspired by the efforts of a modern-day star, with an England international having shown what can be achieved through a combination of ability and hard work.

“He’s a big inspiration for a lot of young people, especially the ones who are coming through from Manchester,” Shaw added on Rashford, who he works with at club and international level.

“In Marcus, they’ve got someone to look up to not just on the pitch but off it too, which is really nice to see. As a player, he’s improved so much but he always wants to learn, always wants to get better and, to me, he’s getting better every time I see him play.”

“He’s looked unstoppable at times this season and he’s looked so confident. I haven’t seen that in him before. He was always confident, but not to this level, and he’s matured so much.

“He knows he has the ability to be one of the best and he’s pushing himself all the time to maximise that. There’s no reason why, if he keeps going, keeps pushing himself, that he can’t win it (the Ballon d'Or) one day.”

The Federation of Uganda Football Association (Fufa) has set 17 October as a tentative date for the beginning of the 2020/21 Ugandan Premier League (UPL) season.

This was one of the agreements reached in a consultative meeting involving the Federation and top-tier clubs held on Thursday, June 10. Nine out of the invited 14 UPL clubs made it to the meeting chaired by Fufa President Moses Magogo.

Other deliberations include the release of Club Licensing Regulations set for June 22 with clubs given four days, June 23-26, to express their interest in taking part in the 2020/21 UPL campaign.

Clubs will apply for the licenses with supporting documentation from July 13-24; Fufa will, therefore, inspect clubs' facilities - office premises, stadiums and training grounds among other things. 

The final list of clubs who have met all the set standards will be released on September 17 by UPL Secretariat before the league kicks off a month later.

The following are all the deliberations made as published by the Fufa website.

The 2019/20 campaign was cancelled by Fufa owing to Covid-19, with Vipers SC crowned. 25 rounds had been played and the Venoms had managed to collect 54 points, four more than second-placed KCCA FC.

Harambee Starlets who took part in the 2018 Cecafa Women's Senior Challenge Cup have reported Football Kenya Federation (FKF) to Rigena Human Rights Organisation for unpaid dues.

The Human Rights watchdog states they have received the complaints and will act on behalf of the said players as they demand allowances that are yet to be paid since 2018.

“It is derisive and/or absurdity and all particulars well within your knowledge as the federation completely erroneous and irregular with no legal backing ostensibly aimed only to prejudice the girls who are in need,” a letter in possession of Goal and signed by Thomson Kerongo, who is the organisation's chair, read in part.

“This has subjected more players to worrying situations.

“Our instructions and demands that you do an immediate payment of all the outstanding arrears of Cecafa 2018 of Harambee Starlets and forthwith stoppage of victimization of the aforesaid players unconditionally in the next 14 days.

“Unless we receive a positive response for onward transmission to the players, we shall petition in the Employment Court for redress in the interest of players without any reference to you whatsoever.”

The organisation further claimed the players have been subjected to harassment and their continued demand for payment saw them dropped from the national team for subsequent engagements.

“Information filtering to the public that Harambee Stars 2018 Cecafa players are undergoing mistreatment as some of the players are not in the current team," added the letter.

“The federation called up a new set of girls when the older girls went on a go-slow over unpaid allowances, sought redress at the time, and on several occasions over the past years, you shift the blame to the Ministry of Sports.

“Nobody appears to follow up for them and no one communicates to them upon several attempts to be paid their dues hence jeopardizing the innocent girls.

“With great concern, the civil society has realized and after investigating the matter it is so doleful the manner in which these players are handled with discourtesy and does not meet the threshold and is contrary to the new constitution of Kenya 2010.”

The 2018 Cecafa tournament was held in Rwanda and reports indicate Kenyan players still owe FKF KSh120,000 after they were paid only KSh15,000.

The development comes as FKF battles court cases involving elections, Adel Amrouche and Bobby Williamson.

There was no immediate response from FKF on the development as calls went unanswered.

Bryan Dabo has claimed "it was easy to settle in" when be joined SPAL in January from Fiorentina on loan.

The 28-year old Burkina Faso International failed to make a single appearance for the Viola in the first half of the season before being shipped out during the winter transfer window.

His league debut ended in a 2-1 victory away at high-flying Atalanta, giving the assist for Mattia Valoti's 60th minute.

Dabo played the entire game likewise the next one at Bologna which ended in a 3-1 defeat.

He suffered thigh and muscle problems which forced him to miss games against Lecce and Parma and was an unused substitute against Juventus before lockdown measures halted football activities in March.

"I arrived [at SPAL] in a healthy group, and it was easy to settle in," Dabo said on the SPAL YouTube channel.

"[Mohamed Salim] Fares speaks French and has helped me a lot. I can't wait to start again, we want to save ourselves."

Dabo has spent two years in Italy, moving to Fiorentina from Saint-Etienne.

With the Viola, he has played 36 competitive games, scoring two goals and providing another two assists.

He sheds light on the difference between both Italian and French football and again stressed it wasn't difficult to adapt to the new environment.

"Italian football has given me a lot from a tactical point of view, in France it's all more physical, here you need your head," Dabo continued.

"In training the attitude is different, it wasn't difficult to adapt."

Serie A fixtures are set to resume on June 20 with SPAL hosting Cagliari three days later.

Dabo admits things will be difficult after a long time without action, but stressed on the need not to get slack.

Luigi Di Biagio's men are currently 19th on the table after 26 games, seven points away from safety.

"It will be difficult, since it will be hot. However, we want to do very well immediately, we have no time to lose," Dabo said.

"I am convinced of our strength and our quality and I expect to see a team that is difficult to beat. We must save ourselves at all costs."

Former Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs striker Pollen Ndlanya has urged the Soweto giants to emulate Mamelodi Sundowns president Patrice Motsepe to fork out big money to sign players and develop the game.

‘Trompies’ believes the reigning Premier Soccer League (PSL) champions have the advantage to sign the likes of Thulani Hlatshwayo, Deon Hotto, and Sifiso Hlanti from Bidvest Wits.

He also expressed that the Students trio is experienced in international football and that will bode well with coach Pitso Mosimane’s ambition to lift his second Caf Champions League title.

“If you want to secure top-quality players, you must be prepared to pay big money, the players will be attracted,” Ndlanya told Isolezwe.

“I have so much respect for Patrice Motsepe because he has invested a lot of money in his club, which clearly shows he wants to develop our game and take it to the next level.

“Maybe the Soweto bosses [Dr. Irvin Khoza and Kaizer Motaung] must also do the same thing.”

Although media reports suggest that the Buccaneers, Masandawana, and Amakhosi are in a fierce battle for coach Gavin Hunt’s key players, the South African legend explains why the Chloorkop-based club has the advantage.

“The battle will always be between the three teams that are regarded as the biggest ones in South Africa,” he added.

“My opinion tells me that Sundowns have all the chances to sign a number of players from Bidvest Wits because they don’t have a problem with pumping in money.

“Besides that, Hlatshwayo, Hotto, and Hlanti are international players, and based on their experience with national teams, that will work well for Pitso because he wants to make history and win the Caf Champions League title.

“These players have the necessary experience in playing on the African continent.”

Ndlanya’s sentiments come after speculation the Bafana Bafana skipper, Hlatshwayo, and Hotto are close to securing deals with Sundowns whilst Hlanti has been reportedly linked with a move to coach Josef Zinnbauer’s side.

The continued speculation around the trio’s future was fueled by reports that Wits are in the process of selling their PSL status to Tshakhuma Tsha Madzihandila boss Masala Malaudzi ahead of next season.

Meanwhile, the latest information is that the big centre-back has reportedly indicated his desire to join Pirates as the 1995 African champions have always shown interest in the 30-year-old.

Gael Clichy has explained his decision to leave Arsenal for Manchester City in 2011, with the Frenchman claiming that he felt forced out of Emirates Stadium by a change in philosophy.

The buccaneering left-back had spent eight years in north London when a decision was taken to make a fresh start.

He had formed part of the fabled ‘Invincibles’ squad during his debut campaign and was the last Premier League title winner to leave Arsenal as an iconic squad was broken up.

Arsene Wenger had to freshen up his ranks as key men departed, but a long-serving coach also started to move away from his efforts to bring in ready-made talent from abroad.

Arsenal sought to add more of a home-grown core to their ranks, with the likes of Clichy nudged towards the exits as part of that process.

The former France international told the Gunners’ official podcast of the reasons for him heading to Manchester after 264 appearances for the club: "I remember clearly at that time the club was trying to promote more British players.
 
"There was a group of four or five players, they were putting them out there, they wanted to build the team around them and I was getting to a point where, not the injuries, but where you feel that the club is saying they [don’t] want to keep you.
 
"I don't think they wanted me to leave but I didn't feel at the time that they wanted me to stay. I believe nowadays in football when you want a player to stay, you tell them you want them to stay and you make sure he stays.
 
"I didn't feel that at the time. I'm not the only one, if you look around at the other players who left at the time that I left they would probably tell you the same and I think overall the decision was good for everybody. It wasn't linked to my injury, it wasn't linked to anything but I could feel that the club was pushing towards something else.
 
"If you speak with my close friends, my family, there was a moment where I was dying to finish my career at Arsenal because I was loving every single moment of it. But at the same time seeing how it was going, seeing that for those last few years where we hadn't won anything, it was down to me as the player and I thought that maybe it was time to break the circle.
 
“They were trying to promote new players so I said to myself, 'You know what? Let's go and see something else.'"

Clichy saw his decision to join City justified by two further Premier League title successes and a couple of League Cup wins, with the 34-year-old now edging towards the end of his playing days at Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir.

Ten minutes after half-time in the opening game of the 2010 World Cup, Siphiwe Tshabalala crashed home a rocket to announce lift-off in the first Mundial to be hosted on the African continent.

Following a first half in which Mexico had had a goal ruled out for offside and tested Itumeleng Khune on multiple occasions, South Africa put together a move of real quality, culminating in Kagisho Digkacoi's delightful through ball which set Tshabalala away.

In two touches, he sculpted a moment he later described as the highlight of his career, coming as it did on the occasion of his 50th international appearance, in the opening game of not just a World Cup but the World Cup.

The finish itself was unerring, guided almost by fate's invisible hand toward the very top corner of the goal, far from the grasp of the flailing Oscar Perez. Then came the equally iconic celebration: four yellow shirts in a line, arms outstretched and then tucked in, pivoting to their left in a dance to the din of vuvuzela noise.

It was a moment so perfect, nothing could ruin it. Not the turgidity of the football that was to follow for the rest of the tournament, not the atrocious Jabulani ball that brought no one joy (aside perhaps Diego Forlan); not even perhaps the corniest bit of commentary Peter Drury will ever utter: "Goal for South Africa. Goal for all of Africa. Rejoice!"

Much of what the experienced commentator says in adorning the tapestry of football spectacle passes into folklore, and this was no different. However, it is difficult to escape a faintly patronizing air to the construction, unconscious though it may have been.

In what way exactly was Tshabalala's strike, gorgeous and true as it was, "for all of Africa"? Was the implication that an entire continent needed the validation of that goal?

Africa's first participation at the World Cup came in the secon edition, with Egypt in 1934, 76 years earlier.

A brace by Fawzi Abdulrahman in a 4-2 defeat to Hungary were the continent's first at a Mundial. Also, 2010 was not the first time an African side had scored the opening goal at a World Cup – that distinction is Cameroon's in 1990. 

So impressive as this one was, it certainly was not a first in any significant sense that justified such a tag.

Sure, South Africa hosting the World Cup was very much a win for the continent. Since Morocco first entered the running in 1994, African bids had been pipped time and again at the final hurdle.

Following the controversy that trailed the award of the 2006 tournament to Germany, Fifa announced a continental rotation, with Africa as the first beneficiary.

As such, when the rainbow nation won the right to host, there was certainly more than their own reputation and competence on the line. It was very much an 'African' World Cup in the eyes of the world, and so censure for any shortcomings would invariably spread around and taint future bids.

That, however, was an entirely separate matter from sporting merit, which is decided by events on the pitch.

There have been more meaningful goals to the African cause scored at World Cups: Maouhoub Ghazouani's goal in 1970 earned the first World Cup point for an African nation, Mokhtar Dhioub's a first win, Abderrazak Khairi's brace a first advance beyond the Group Stage, Roger Milla's a first participation in a quarter final.

Perhaps the biggest quantum leap for African interests at the World Cup came with an increase in slots from three to five in 1998 – that came via the combined efforts of the above, as well as Daniel Amokachi's howitzer in 1994 to secure knockout stage football for the third tournament running.

If ever there was a goal worth dubbing as serving the benefit of Africa as a whole, it would surely be one of the above.

Tshabalala's goal, well-taken as it was, worthy to set the ball rolling in any tournament in fact, was less a vindication of the continent than simply a true finish from the left boot of a player who has, as a result, become almost synonymous with the event. What it was, instead, was the highlight of a tournament that featured too few on the whole.

Tshabalala's goal was for the world.

Luka Jovic has not fully embraced the idea of succeeding at Real Madrid, according to Predrag Mijatovic.

The Serb was one of the most prolific strikers in European football last season as he recorded 27 goals in 48 outings across all competitions for Eintracht Frankfurt.

Madrid were impressed enough to fork out a reported €70 million (£63m/$80m) on the 22-year-old last June, and big things were expected of the highly-rated forward upon his arrival at Santiago Bernabeu.

However, he has endured a nightmare first season in the Spanish capital, scoring just twice in 24 appearances while failing to earn a regular place in Zinedine Zidane's line-up ahead of Karim Benzema.

Madrid are already being tipped to cut their losses on Jovic ahead of the summer transfer window, with Arsenal reportedly among those ready to offer him a lifeline.

And Mijatovic believes that Jovic has failed to take the chance given to him by the Liga giants and that he's not given his all to be a success story at the club.

The Madrid legend told Cadena Ser radio show El Larguero: "I would like to speak about Jovic’s talent or his goals, but it’s not been possible.

"Jovic came to Madrid after an impressive campaign last year but I think he has missed a trick with Real Madrid.

"It looks like he hasn’t understood the principal idea - the idea of succeeding at Real Madrid."

Jovic made headlines for the wrong reasons again last month, after reporting for Madrid training with a fractured foot.

The Blancos were reportedly not aware of the former Frankfurt frontman's injury until he returned following the coronavirus-enforced break in the season, and he now looks likely to miss the club's remaining games.

Zidane's men will be back in action on Sunday when Eibar arrive at the Bernabeu, which will not be open to supporters due to the continued threat of Covid-19.

Madrid were two points behind reigning champions and arch-rivals Barcelona in the Liga standings when play was stopped in March, and cannot afford any slip-ups in their final 11 fixtures.

Reflecting on the return of La Liga, as well as the potential for a Champions League last-16 return meeting with Manchester City - with Madrid 2-1 down from the first leg - Mijatovic added: "I know from very good sources that Real Madrid players are very motivated.

"They want to finish [the season by] winning another title. All the players are convinced that they could make it happen again. In fact, many sources tell me that Real Madrid players are thinking about beating Manchester City."

Idrissa Gueye is giving little credence to talk of a move away from Paris Saint-Germain, where he has enjoyed a fine first season.

Gueye joined PSG from Everton in a €32 million (£29m/$30m) deal last summer and quickly established himself as a key man in the Ligue 1 giants' midfield.

However, the Senegal international has been linked with a transfer back to the Premier League with Wolves in recent days.

Gueye is not concerned by the speculation, citing previous reports of a Chelsea bid, as he insisted all was well at PSG.

"I'm used to these rumours. For each transfer window, it's like that for me," Gueye told Emedia.

"Even in January, six months after I arrived at PSG, I was already linked to Chelsea, so I'm used to it.

"Everything is going well for me at the club, and I am often in contact with the sporting director [Leonardo] and there was never any question of a departure. He never spoke to me about transfers or letting me go.

"So, to me, these are just rumours in the transfer market because there isn't much happening at the moment."

Gueye and PSG were awarded the Ligue 1 title after the season was curtailed due to the coronavirus pandemic, but they are set to return to action later in the campaign for the Champions League quarter-finals.

The French outfit impressed as they rallied past Borussia Dortmund in the last 16, yet Gueye acknowledges a lack of match action could work against them now.

"Once we have resumed training, we must be ready to resume immediately and fight to go as far as possible, even if we are a little disadvantaged by the fact that the other leagues have resumed for some time," he added.

"They will have had a lot more competition than us, but if we try to turn that into our favour, that is to say not to ask questions, to say the others have started again and not us, we can turn that on our side.

"[PSG can] tell ourselves that we will arrive much fresher than the others because they will have played a lot of games, and that we will be fresher to put them in difficulty and win as many games as possible."

Bruno Fernandes believes Manchester United can take their game to even greater heights when Premier League football resumes, with a spark having been found prior to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Portugal international midfielder helped to deliver that on the back of his January arrival from Sporting.

A winter addition at Old Trafford has quickly become a talismanic presence, with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side looking more assured and consistent with Fernandes pulling the strings.

He could have even more assistance when top-flight action restarts from June 17, with fit-again Paul Pogba and Marcus Rashford set to slot in alongside him.

That should help to carry the Red Devils towards their top-four target, with Fernandes confident that there is more to come from a team that still boasts plenty of potential to unlock.

“I am looking forward to starting again like we finished,” Fernandes told United’s official website.

“Maybe doing better than we did. I think it's very important and the first game for us is a good opportunity to look forward to doing very well to finish the season.”

United have been stuck on the sidelines, along with the rest of the sporting world, since the middle of March.

They will return to the field when taking in a trip to Tottenham on June 19, with Nemanja Matic another of those who is eager to get going.

He said: “I miss football and I miss the pressure before the game.

“It's going to be strange, playing without supporters, but we have to adapt. At least we can compete with other teams and, hopefully, can start well.”

United have been back in training for a couple of weeks, with initial social distancing rules having been relaxed to allow full contract and training games to be introduced.

“It's easy,” Matic added. 

“The new routine is to check our temperature every morning, wash our hands and keep our distance, as much as we can. But training is normal - we are now allowed contact training so it's more or less the same. There are just a few different things before the training.”

Fernandes added on the new world that professional footballers are having to get accustomed to: “The difference is just to arrive at different hours and not doing the same as we would in the past. The most important thing is to be training and we can be together at the training ground.”

AFC Leopards midfielder Musa Saad has revealed Victor Wanyama is his role model as he hopes to move to Spain in future.

Saad has been at AFC Leopards for the last one and half years and is one of the players tipped to help the club return to their glory days.

Having played for Nairobi Stima and Thika United, the attacking midfielder says Wanyama, former Harambee Stars duo; Zablon Otieno and Ali Breki have been his inspiration.

“[Victor] Wanyama is my role model; how he plays and his discipline are virtues that I have come to love from our national captain. Whatever he is doing, I will do them in future, that is my hope,” Saad told the clubs Online TV.

“I think his legacy will live on and I will achieve the same with God's guidance.

“[Zablon] Otieno inspired me too when I was young and also [Ali] Breki is another who I was happy with when I watched.

“My grandfather also gave me the support I wanted.”

The attacking midfielder also revealed his ambition to play in Spain when his time with AFC Leopards lapses. 

“I would love to join a European team, a club that pays better when I get done with my AFC Leopards contract,” added Saad.

“And if a chance to join a La Liga team comes up, I think I would have achieved my dream because that is my best competition.”

The Kibera-born star also talked about how his involvement in football has helped him avoid engagement in bad habits.

“Football has impacted my life in many ways and has helped me to avoid so many things that might have not been good in society. Were it not for football I would not have reached where I am and I am thankful to God for that,” said the attacking midfielder.

The former Thika United star says setting up an academy is his priority in future.

“A football career is always very short. Although my focus now is on football, I have got small businesses here and there,” he explained.

“But when I will finally retire, I would want to start an academy because there are a lot of children in my locality who have no ground to nurture their talents and do not have the necessary training pieces of equipment.

“Many people around here do not have anyone to look up to for support, especially on matters football. That is my dream after hanging my boots eventually.”

Saad also pointed out how the upcoming footballers should try and grow their talent so as to achieve their dreams.

“Let no one believe there is luck in football because talent has to be nurtured. One must be humble, focused and work hard in chasing their dreams,” he concluded.

“Place your eyes on the big prize, lay down targets that you would want to achieve and, in that way, one is assured of going places as he wishes.”

Saad has been training at home since the league was suspended and subsequently cancelled due to the coronavirus restrictions.

Mikel Arteta has revealed that Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang called him to request a show of solidarity for the Black Lives Matter movement.

The Gunners squad warmed up for their behind-closed-doors friendly with Brentford on Wednesday wearing T-shirts in support of the widespread protests which have swept the world since the death of George Floyd in US police custody last month.

Teenage winger Bukayo Saka wore a shirt which stated: 'My skin is not a crime', while Kieran Tierney wore a T-shirt with the words: "I can't breathe”, the same words uttered by Floyd while he was being held on the floor by police before he died.

Hector Bellerin had the message: "I'm not black but I stand with you" on the front of his T-shirt.

After finishing the warm up ahead of Wednesday’s game, all of the players and Arteta then took a knee on the Emirates pitch for a picture.

And speaking to Sky Sports, Arsenal’s head coach said Aubameyang rang him in the build-up to the match to ask if he and his team-mates could do something to show their support for Black Lives Matters.

“The thing that I like most is that it came from them,” revealed Arteta. “I got a phone call from the captain asking to do that.

“I spoke with the club straight away and we were very clear that we wanted to support their intentions, everyone collaborated, we created the shirt. 

“It was a really strong message and it is more powerful because it comes from them. They think they have to support these types of causes.”

Arsenal, who restart their Premier League campaign with a game at Manchester City on Wednesday, went on to lose the friendly against Championship side Brentford 3-2.

The Gunners were twice ahead through goals from Joe Willock and Alexandre Lacazette, but slack defending saw them concede twice in the final 20 minutes as they slipped to a 3-2 defeat.

The loss followed on from a 6-0 win against Charlton Athletic on Saturday.

“We are trying different things,” Arteta explained. “We are trying to give minutes in the legs to all the players. 

“We have had to change a lot of players through the games. We are getting adapted to playing in an empty stadium as well and losing that energy from the fans. 

“It was good, we played two friendlies and we are getting the rhythm, we haven't played for a while. We tried to make it as close as possible to a real game.”

Daniel Jinadu has signed his first professional contract, with English Premier League outfit West Ham United, a few days before his 18th birthday.

The goalkeeper made five appearances with the U18s in the 2019-20 season and has been rewarded for his consistency and diligence with his first professional deal.

Jinadu began his career at Chelsea before joining the Hammers in December 2017 and taking up a two-year scholarship in the summer of 2018.

He joins Keenan Appiah-Forson, Harrison Ashby, Sam Caiger, Dan Chesters, Will Greenidge and Joshua Okotcha in the list of seven West Ham United teenagers who put pen to paper.

Reacting to this development, academy manager Ricky Martin expressed his delight as he claimed the players deserved the contracts.

“This is a tremendous achievement. All our young players aspire to be offered a professional contract, and these players have all deservedly been rewarded for their efforts and development to date,” Martin told the club website.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank Kevin Keen, Mark Phillips and Billy Lepine, the three coaches for the U18s who have worked with these players all season and given them all the support and guidance they’ve required.

“These players are still progressing, and fully deserve the opportunity to move into the next stage of their development with the U23 squad. They have shown resilience, determination and dedication so far, so as long as they keep those traits up, they will give themselves every opportunity to progress further in the future.”

Jinadu revelled in his latest feat and claimed it was a dream come true.

“Dream come true and proud moment for me and my family signing my first professional contract at West Ham. The hard work continues! All the glory to God!” he wrote on Instagram.

He is expected to join his teammates at Chadwell Heath once training resumes after the coronavirus pandemic.

Having represented England at U15 and U16 level, the teenager switched allegiance to his country of birth at U17 level. He started in three games for the Golden Eaglets in their failed expedition at the 2019 Fifa U17 World Cup where Manu Garba’s boys crashed out in the round of 16 to the Netherlands.

Cameroon's Michaela Abam and Nigeria's Uchenna Kanu believe the signing of more Africans will bring quality and title successes to clubs in the Spanish Primera Iberdrola in the coming years.

Spain is becoming the dominant force in European women's football in recent years, with Barcelona reaching the Champions League final last season and in the semi-final with Atletico Madrid.

Behind the rise, reigning African Women's Footballer of the Year Asisat Oshoala is a shining example as she made history, scoring the only goal in the Catalan's maiden European final in 2019.

Spain has become the new mecca for Africans since 2019 as it witnessed the influx of the continent's stars, with more than 20 plying their trade in at least 10 of the 16 Spanish top-flight clubs.

And the Cameroonian striker, who has scored three goals in 15 appearances since her arrival at Real Betis last summer, feels the entry of Africans will make the Iberdrola more competitive.

"I feel like it is definitely a league that will benefit from having African players," Abam told Goal with LaLiga. 

"They will bring a lot of different styles and sense to the game. They will also help teams grow and be successful in each step of the way. 

"I also believe bringing more African flavour and seasoning, will help the league become a little bit more tasteful."

On her part, the Nigeria international, who has played six matches since joining Sevilla from the USA in January, is backing many talents from the continent to establish themselves.

"It is a tough league and I feel the fellow Africans that I know are very tough," Kanu told Goal with LaLiga.

"They are ready to take up whatever challenge that comes their way. It will be a very great deal for Africans to be on the teams here in Spain and beyond."

Emile Smith Rowe is setting his sights on Mesut Ozil’s No.10 role at Arsenal, with the 19-year-old eager to follow the lead of Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka by becoming a first-team regular.

An England U20 playmaker is considered to be one of the hottest prospects to have emerged from a famed academy system in north London.

Smith Rowe has taken in 12 senior appearances for Arsenal to date, recording three goals, but has also been forced to look for game time away from Emirates Stadium.

He currently finds himself out on loan at Championship side Huddersfield, with a short-term deal agreed with the Terriers in January.

Smith Rowe intends to make the most of any minutes he sees in the second tier, allowing him to go and compete with a World Cup-winning mentor for a prominent position in Arsenal’s side.

“I like to be versatile and I can also play in other positions. But I probably would say I do enjoy playing in the No. 10 position the most,” Smith Rowe told The National.

“At Arsenal, I look up to Mesut Ozil a lot.

“I watch him in training and the movement he has and the little touches he does. For me to train with him every day, I can’t think of anything better.”

Smith Rowe is also looking to take inspiration from a number of other iconic figures – some who boast strong ties to Arsenal and others who have starred elsewhere.

He said: “My dream was always to play for Arsenal.

“I used to watch Thierry Henry a lot. Dennis Bergkamp was definitely a player I always looked up to. We play in a similar position. Freddie Ljungberg was there and he is working at Arsenal now, helping all the young players.

“In that era when [Lionel] Messi, [Andres] Iniesta and Xavi were in the Barcelona team, I used to watch almost every game with my dad.

“Since Kevin de Bruyne joined [Manchester] City, I like to base my game around him. I look up to him so much. I just like the way he plays and everything he does.” 

With the perfect role models in place, Smith Rowe believes he is capable of emulating fellow teenagers Martinelli and Saka by cementing a spot in Mikel Arteta’s plans.

He said: “I am obviously happy for all the other boys but I definitely want to go back and play as well. I think it will be great if more young players play.”

On his immediate future, Smith Rowe added: “Nothing has been confirmed yet.

“The main thing is to finish the season with Huddersfield as strong and as well as I can and then go back to Arsenal in pre-season and we will see what happens.”