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Former France captain of Ghanaian descent Marcel Desailly has revealed playing for Ghana was not an option when he pledged his allegiance to Les Blues.

Born to Ghanaian parents in Accra, the former Chelsea star moved to France as a child, going on to feature for the country at international level.

He made his senior debut in 1993 and progressed to win the 1998 World Cup, 2000 Uefa European Championship and the 2001 and 2003 Fifa Confederation Cup tournaments with his adopted country.

“I was already in the [France] system. I got professional from 18,19 years of age, and I got my opportunity to join the French national team, so there was no choice to even consider,” Desailly told Joy FM.

Aside from his international honours, Desailly also won the Champions League with Olympique Marseille in 1993 and Milan in 1994, and the Uefa Super Cup with Chelsea in 1998.

After starring for Al Gharafa in the Qatari Stars League, he bowed out of the game, moving on to set up the Lizzy’s Sports Complex in Ghana’s Accra capital in honour of his mother.

“When I was a soccer player, I already had the idea and vision to come back to Ghana and settle and develop sports infrastructure,” said the 52-year-old.

“I knew it was a little bit poor especially in sports, so I had plans.

“I missed the chance to be the coach of the Black Stars because of this investment as well.

“I had to follow on this investment. As of now, I’m done. It’s not profitable.”

The Lizzy’s Sports Complex was so named in honour of Desailly’s mother Elizabeth.

“If you want something to last, you need to bring expertise, we were about 90 people in the sports department alone. Every year I was putting my private money back into the system,” he added.

“So, after 10 years, I’ve spent over 1.5 million every year supporting the business to cover the debt accumulated.

“Maintenance of the pitch, paying of salaries, generator, and others. That is why no one comes into those services for kids because it’s not profitable.”

Desailly has on multiple occasions been linked to Ghana’s coaching job.

Esperance have announced the appointment of former Southampton and Bolton Wanderers star Radhi Jaidhi as their new coach.

The Blood and Gold had parted ways with coach Mouine Chaabani after his team crumbled 4-0 on aggregate to Al Ahly in the semi-final of the 2020-21 Caf Champions League.

In their attempt to bounce back, the Ligue Professionnelle 1 side turned to their former player who was assistant manager of Belgium elite division side Cercle Brugge.

Jaidhi was unveiled to the media on Monday during a press conference organised at the Hotel du Parc.

Although Esperance have won the Tunisia top-flight diadem back to back in the last five seasons, they would be banking on the country’s football great to lead them to continental success.

They won the Caf Champions League in 2019 when they silenced Wydad Casablanca over two legs to win the African club competition for the fourth time in their history.

Jaidi, 45, recently received his Uefa Pro Licence which is required for anyone who is keen on managing a football club in the top-tier of any European nation's league system on a permanent basis.

After representing Bolton Wanderers and Birmingham City the former defender signed for Southampton where he represented them between 2009 and 2012 before taking up a managerial role in the Saints’ U23s five years later.

He moved on to the United Soccer League where he was named as Hartford Athletic head coach in November 2019.

In February 2021, he was named as an assistant coach at Belgian First Division A side Cercle Brugge.

In his maiden season, he helped the Green and Black maintain their Belgian First Division A status after they finished 16th in the 18-team league.

Despite his appointment as Esperance’s boss, his ultimate ambition is to become the first Tunisian and first-ever African-born manager in the English top-flight.

"I notice so many people from former clubs Bolton, Southampton and Birmingham fans, still think I am still playing!” Jaidi told Hampshire Live.

"I am so committed to my coaching that I do not communicate enough outside, to let people know that I am a coach now.

"I was the first Tunisian to play in the Premier League and the first Tunisian to win a trophy as a coach in England.

“I am very hungry to achieve more, I want to be one of the first Tunisians to take in a senior team at the top level as a head coach.

"The dream is the Premier League, but there are so many challenges, challenges like unconscious bias and there is so much competition.

"I still believe in my ability as a coach and I've shown so many strong performances since being a coach at Southampton."

Jack Grealish believes he is unlike any other player in the Manchester City squad as he says that he can bring something different to Pep Guardiola's English top-flight title-winners.

Grealish signed for City on Thursday in a deal that made him the most expensive British player of all time.

He now joins a group that includes talent like Kevin De Bruyne, Raheem Sterling, Phil Foden and Riyad Mahrez, but Grealish is confident that he offers things that the others in City's squad do not.

What did Grealish say?

"I’m different to every player in this squad," Grealish said at his introductory press conference.

"Raheem and wingers can go in behind, Riyad is an out and out dribbler, Phil has a bit of everything.

"I feel I can bring a lot to the team and that’s what the manager has brought me here for. Whether I’m a winger or an 8, 10, false 9, I feel I can bring a lot.

"When I watch City there’s so much attacking talent that can do everything, they’re changing positions constantly.

"Even the few days I’ve been here, I’ve had two sessions, but it’s crazy seeing the work [Guardiola] does. It’s no surprise he’s been so successful in his own career - some of his tactics are out of this world.

"I feel like I can bring a lot to the team, the manager will choose what position to play me in."

Grealish on Guardiola

In addition to saying his tactics are out of this world, Grealish had plenty of kind words to say about his new manager.

The new Manchester City signing says that Guardiola's presence was a key part of his decision to sign for the club.

"A bit of everything," he replied when asked what makes Guardiola so special. "Man management especially. The likes of Raheem and Phil, I think a few years back people were saying about Phil to go on loan, but he’s kept him around and transformed him into one of the best talents in the world.

"Raheem is one of the best wingers in the world as well now. I feel like he can take my game to the next level.

"I’m going to learn off [Guardiola] every day and I can’t wait to work with him - the way he is in training is unbelievable. The stuff he says, it’s stuff I would never think of but it just works.

"Everyone here is so desperate to play under him. Pep was a massive factor in me coming here."

Further reading

Per Mertesacker is not ruling out Ovie Ejeheri’s potential to break into Arsenal’s first team, and, he reveals what the goalkeeper must do to make that a reality.

The teenager – who has been with the Gunners from age eight - recently signed his first professional contract with the Premier League outfit thanks to the steady growth that saw him promoted to the U18 team in 2019.

His amazing talent saw him invited to England’s training camp for goalkeepers in 2020 and he has been tipped to follow the footsteps of Arthur Okonkwo who is now a member of the club’s senior team having gone through the youth ranks.

The former Germany international - who is now the academy head of the North London side – has stated that Ejeheri has the potential to reach greater heights.

“Ovie has the chance to break into the first team, all of our young pros have a chance if they work hard enough, however understanding the stage of the journey that he is on is key at the moment,” Mertesacker told Goal, as per Utmostt Sports Management.

“There will be a lot of exposure to senior games needed for a young talented goalkeeper to gain trust and earn the right to be a first-choice goalkeeper at the highest level.

“He will need to go through his learning journey, which will be based on hard work, a lot of mistakes and never stop driving to achieve his goal.

“He will need to go through these in order to be successful in football and if not, we have a humble person with a multitude of skills who will find another place to be great at!

“This is why we holistically support our young players to be ‘strong young gunners’, we help them make their own path and have the skills that they need to be successful and happy on or off the pitch.”

The former Germany international talks about the development of the youngster at the Arsenal youth team and what the future holds for him.

“Ovie has been with us for 10 years already and he has developed through our academy ranks with his dedication and passion. He gives his best on a daily basis,” he continued.

“There have been ups and downs on his journey so far - many really positive football performances and then some injuries that have kept him out of the game for a while.

“He grew through these times with his support network and a team of passionate academy staff that cared for him, and he is stronger now for it.

“Ovie is a driven competitor who works really hard. He will create his own pathway to achieve his personal best.

“We will support him along the way and help him navigate any opportunities that he is able to take.”

Born in Greenwich, London to a Nigerian father and a mother from Uganda, the goalkeeper could spark a selection battle between Uganda, Nigeria and England in future.

Liverpool defender Andy Robertson is expected to miss weeks rather than months as the full-back says he'll work hard to come back from his recent injury.

Robertson has been diagnosed with some ligament damage that will take time to heal, keeping him out of the first few games of Liverpool's season.

But the Scotland international also says that scans revealed that the injury was "nothing too major" as he looks ahead to being back on the field soon.

What did Robertson say?

"Thanks to everyone for the kind messages and support," he wrote on Twitter. "Scan suggests nothing too major but there’s some ligament damage which will need to mend.

"I will be grafting every day so I can help the team again sooner rather than later. Good luck to the boys playing tonight."

How did he get hurt?

The defender limped out of Liverpool's friendly match with Athletic Club on Sunday.

Robertson had to be helped off the pitch after rolling his right ankle while blocking a cross.

He was replaced by Owen Beck while Kostas Tsimikas was handed a start for Monday's friendly against Osasuna.

The Greek defender is expected to get another start for Liverpool's season-opener against Norwich despite playing just six Premier League minutes last season.

Further reading

Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo claims that Harry Kane will be available to face Manchester City in the clubs' Premier League opener.

Kane, of course, reportedly wants to leave Spurs and has been heavily linked with a move to Sunday's opponents, with Pep Guardiola himself admitting that City are interested in the striker.

Nuno, meanwhile, has given fans in north London a glimmer of hope, stating that he hopes to “solve” the situation.

Will Kane play against Man City?

It certainly appears that Kane will at least be available for selection, with Nuno telling Sky Sports: “All the players in the squad that work on a daily basis will be options for us, then it's up to us to decide.”

Kane's alleged snubbing of Tottenham's pre-season was recently rubbished by the man himself, insisting that his return on Saturday, which was later than other Spurs players, was planned.

Nuno refused to be drawn on the situation, instead preferring to focus on getting on sitting down with his star man to talk things through.

“It's not about that,” he said of the timing of Kane's return. “It's about what we have to do to solve the situation – this is important.

“First of all we have to speak. This is going to happen today (Monday) and after that, we hope to solve all situations.

“We have to solve it together, everybody involved has to solve it together, speaking, having a nice conversation and putting out our opinions. But everybody together.”

What is Man City's stance?

As mentioned, Guardiola has admitted that City are keen on bringing Kane to the Etihad, but made it clear that it depends on whether Tottenham are willing to sit down and negotiate.

“He's a player for Tottenham. If they don't want to negotiate, it's finished,” he said.

“If they are open to negotiate, I think not just Man City but many clubs in the world want to sign him - we are not an exception - but it depends on Tottenham. 

“It's different from Jack [Grealish]. He had a release clause and he is different. 

“Harry Kane is an exceptional, extraordinary striker - no doubts about that, of course we are interested - but he is a Tottenham player and if they don't want to negotiate there is nothing more to say. If they want to, we will try.”

Further reading

Liverpool pair Nat Phillips and Xherdan Shaqiri are edging closer to the Anfield exit, Goal can confirm.

Both players were left out of the Reds’ squad for Monday’s friendly with Osasuna at Anfield, with the club deciding not to take any risks as transfer interest mounts in the duo.

Shaqiri has interest from clubs in Italy and Spain, most notably Lazio, while Phillips is wanted by Brighton, Burnley and Newcastle, among others.

Liverpool sources insist no move is imminent for either player, but there is a growing feeling that both will depart before the window closes at the end of the month.

Why are Liverpool looking to sell?

Both Phillips and Shaqiri have made significant contributions to Liverpool in recent seasons, and the Reds have not been actively looking to sell this summer.

But both are keen to play regular first-team football, and both are unlikely to get that at Anfield this season.

Phillips has effectively been relegated to fifth-choice centre-back following the signing of Ibrahima Konate and the return from injury of Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip, and while Liverpool would be keen to keep the 24-year-old around this season, they respect his desire to secure first-team football. 

Goal understands Phillips has been nursing a minor injury this week, and it was decided that there was no point in taking any unnecessary risks.

Shaqiri, meanwhile, has managed only 10 starts across the past two seasons. The Swiss star has already publicly expressed his desire to move on this summer, and with the emergence of the likes of Curtis Jones and Harvey Elliott in Jurgen Klopp’s squad, Liverpool are willing to grant his wish.

Neither player will be allowed to leave on the cheap, however, with the Reds looking for a fee of close to £15million ($21m) for each.

Who is in the Liverpool squad to play Osasuna?

Klopp will be boosted by the return of midfielders Thiago Alcantara and Jordan Henderson, both of whom have been named on the substitutes bench.

There are starts for new signing Ibrahima Konate, his first at Anfield, as well as Joe Gomez, while Brazilian duo Fabinho and Roberto Firmino also feature, as does 16-year-old prospect Kaide Gordon.

None of the 11 who started Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Club are involved, though the likes of Owen Beck, Ben Woodburn, Rhys Williams and Leighton Clarkson, who came on as substitutes, are again on the bench.

Further reading

After a busy summer jam-packed with mouthwatering international football action in the Euros, Copa America and 2020 Olympics, attention shifts to the domestic club competitions across Europe.

As the new season approaches, clubs will be fighting for domestic glory through their league competitions in the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and more.

So when does each league start and begin in 2021? Goal has everything you need to know.

On this page

Premier League, La Liga and more start and end dates 2021-2022

You can view the season start and end dates for all five major European leagues below.

When will the Premier League 2021 start and end?

The Premier League is slated to begin the 2021-22 season on August 13, with newly-promoted Brentford hosting Arsenal to begin the campaign.

The season will end on May 22, 2022 with all 20 teams playing on the same day.

When will La Liga 2021 start and end?

La Liga will start on August 13 with a match between Valencia vs Getafe. it will end also end on May 22, 2022.

When will Serie A 2021 start and end?

Serie A's campaign opens on August 21 with five games getting the season underway: Hellas Verona vs Sassuolo, Inter vs Genoa, Empoli vs Lazio and Torino vs Atalanta.

The Italian top-flight is scheduled to end on May 22, 2022.

When will Bundesliga 2021 start and end?

The Bundesliga season is scheduled to begin on August 13, with defending champions Bayern marking the start of the season with an opening clash against Borussia Mochengladbach.

The German top-flight season will end roughly a week before the other major European leagues on May 14.

When will Ligue 1 start and end?

Ligue 1 will start the earliest of the European leagues, getting their season started on August 6 and ending on May 21.

Monaco will welcome Nantes in the campaign opener.

Sassuolo midfielder Pedro Obiang is suffering from a bronchopulmonary outbreak of a viral nature, the Serie A club have confirmed.

The Black and Greens announced Obiang's health status on Monday after the Equatorial Guinea midfielder underwent tests at the University Hospital of Modena.

They added that the former West Ham United star will be dropped from any sport-related activities with no return date set.

“We inform you that the player Pedro Obiang was recently subjected to checks at the University Hospital of Modena, where a bronchopulmonary outbreak of a viral nature was detected,” read a statement on the club’s website.

“At the moment, for prudential purposes, it will be necessary to abstain from sporting activity, the duration of which will be assessed in the near future.”

Obiang joined Sassuolo from West Ham two years ago and he was one of the key players in Roberto De Zerbi's team last season with 33 Serie A appearances under his belt.

Before his return to Italy in 2019, the 29-year-old spent four years in England with the Hammers and he was part of their midfield set-up where he contributed three goals and three assists in 91 Premier League matches.

After initial attempts by Gabon to have him commit his international future to them, the Spain-born midfielder agreed to play for Equatorial Guinea in October 2016 and he made his debut two years later in a 1-0 defeat to Senegal.

Obiang opened his Equatorial Guinea goal account in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Sudan in March 2019, and he has scored three goals in total for the Central African country so far.

With regard to his health update, the National Thunder will hope to have the 29-year-old back in action before the second round of the 2022 Fifa World Cup qualifiers begin in September.

Equatorial Guinea are in Group B alongside Tunisia, Zambia and Mauritania, and they have also qualified for next year's Afcon in Cameroon scheduled for January to February.

Al Ahly coach Pitso Mosimane has likened Brighton & Hove Albion attacker Percy Tau to Lionel Messi, saying the Bafana Bafana star’s interest would be best served if he joins the Cairo giants.

Recent reports have strongly linked Tau with a move to the African Champions where he would be reunited with his former Mamelodi Sundowns coach.

Rumours that he is on his way to Cairo flared up at the weekend when he missed Brighton’s friendly match against Getafe, with manager Graham Potter not satisfactorily explaining the player’s absence.

Mosimane says Tau’s prospects of regular football are at Al Ahly after the 27-year-old struggled for game time at Brighton, where he arrived in January from loan stints in Belgium.

“Percy is a strong man, he is like Messi. He has so much to show you every week. So let’s give him a chance to show,” said Mosimane in an Instagram Live with rapper Cassper Nyovest.

“So yes I would like to sign Percy if Brighton agrees to sell Percy and we can pay him. Firstly we must pay Percy. If we can pay him, he must come and show that he is the king of the jungle. So let him come. 

“If Al Ahly can be the third-biggest team in the world and beat the South Americans [Palmeiras] that represents the whole of South America, then Al Ahly is a good team.

“Percy is 27 now. You want him to retire without playing football? Then we have the tag of him playing in the EPL. He is not playing in the EPL. They keep loaning him out. They have a pre-season now and they are playing friendly games.”

Tau still has a year left on his Seagulls contract and there has been criticism that if he comes back to Africa, it would be a step back in his career after having played at the highest level in Europe.

He played Uefa Champions League football with Club Brugge, facing Real Madrid and PSG in what was regarded as the epitome of his career

But Mosimane insists the move to Al Ahly is what the player needs right now, saying they can match his salary at Brighton.

“Percy has to decide whether he is going to retire without playing football because, for me, the last time he played football was at Mamelodi Sundowns and I was with him. That was the last time he played football, otherwise, Percy hasn’t played football,” Mosimane said.

“So he has to decide if he wants to play football but first he must look after the finances. The same money he is getting in the EPL he can get at Al Ahly. He should be happy to show people what he is capable of doing. He is not showing people what he is capable of. He is about to retire.

“Those things are important. People say ‘but he is downgrading’ but he is not playing where he is. So do your thing, for me I would love Percy to come. Any coach would like Percy to come to Africa. Let him come and play the Club World Cup against Bayern, let him dribble Bayern.”

Al Ahly are set to play at the Fifa Club World Cup later this year where they could face European Champions Chelsea. 

Kakamega Homeboyz's Cleophas Shimanyula has claimed he warned club chairmen against electing Football Kenya Federation Premier League president Nick Mwendwa.

Shimanyula said his warnings "fell on deaf ears" on the matter of the BetKing sponsorship. The betting firm terminated a five-year contract with the federation even before the first season of their partnership with FKF ended.

The sponsorship saw BetKing provide financial resources not only for the top-tier sides but also for Division One teams that had faced tough challenges after SportPesa's exit.

"I warned these teams of Mwendwa, but they almost lynched me, they played deaf," Shimanyula told Goal. "The delegates of almost all clubs became mad at me for pointing out what I did. I also wanted to take Mwendwa to court, but the chairmen signed affidavits against my move, and that meant I did not have the necessary strength to pursue justice.

"They now must feed on what they created. Let them feed until they are full so that when I warn them of something in the future, they will take their time to find out whether I am saying the truth or not. They should have listened to me in the first place and some even thought that I was a madman, but I have been vindicated now.  

"These chairmen warned me against opposing Mwendwa and some even claimed that my team was going to be banned. Football is headed south. I can tell you that without fear."

During the last FKF electioneering period, Shimanyula was among the most vocal voices that opposed Mwendwa's presidential candidature, although the FA chief was overwhelmingly re-elected for a four-year term.

Recently, Mwendwa has found himself at loggerheads with key football stakeholders, especially Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards, who saw their points tally reduced by three, fined a combined Ksh10 million and had their chairmen suspended for skipping a Premier League fixture.

The squabbles within the football fraternity are ongoing as the Premier League is scheduled to end on August 22. Tusker, who will represent Kenya in the Caf Champions League - are engaged in a tight title race with KCB, who failed to go top on Sunday after drawing 0-0 against Gor Mahia.

SuperSport United coach Kaitano Tembo has stated midfielders Sipho Mbule and Teboho Mokoena staying at the club would be a “huge boost” for them.

This comes as the players have been strongly linked with moves to either Kaizer Chiefs or Mamelodi Sundowns.

Once they were resigned to the possibility of losing the star players, but Tembo has now changed his stance, saying the midfielders are not up for sale.

“I think, for the past two, three days, where the club has had to come out and say you know what, no, our players are not going anywhere,” Tembo told Power FM as per iDiski Times.

“Sipho Mbule, Teboho Mokoena are not going anywhere. And for me, that’s a huge boost for our club, because we’ve invested a lot of game time in those players. And I think they can only get better and better." 

The possible transfer of Mbule and Mokoena has been widely reported during this transfer window, with the players’ respective agents at one time confirming interest from the two Gauteng giants.

If the two leave, it would further deplete SuperSport who have already lost Grant Kekana to Mamelodi Sundowns. 

They have also released Zimbabwean striker Evans Rusike and Lucky Mohomi but are yet to sign a player.

Tembo insists Mbule and Mokoena will not be leaving the club as they intend to “fight for the league title.”
 
“So it will give us an opportunity to really go out there and fight for the league title because that’s always our ambition,” said Tembo.

“We always want to fight for the best, and as much as we know that we are using young players, but at the same time we want young players with hunger and desire, and we have that in our environment.”

Tembo’s latest remarks come a week after he said he was “annoyed" by reports linking his star players to Chiefs and Sundowns.

SuperSport now prepare to face Golden Arrows in Saturday’s MTN8 quarter-final match at Princess Magogo Stadium.

A week later, they then travel to Cape Town City to begin their Premier Soccer League campaign.

U.S. men's national team and Chelsea star Christian Pulisic has signed a new long-term deal with Puma, the company announced on Monday.

As part of the multi-year deal, Puma has partnered with Pulisic to help develop programs and opportunities for young players in the U.S., which includes product donations to underserved youth, camps and clinics, rehabilitating fields and additional projects. 

Pulisic, who is heading into his third season with Chelsea, will debut a set of customized Puma ULTRA 1.3 boots for the Blues' UEFA Super Cup clash against Villarreal on Wednesday.

What was said?

“Anyone who loves soccer should be able to play,” Pulisic said. “We have a platform in sports and, if something is truly meaningful, you can really help to open people’s eyes and make changes.

"What I love about PUMA is they share my passion and my goal to support youth soccer in America and to help the next generation to chase their dreams.”

He added: “In many ways it was a no-brainer for me to join PUMA. With its world-class and innovative products, PUMA embodies the culture of sports on and off the pitch. Their technical innovations revolve around speed, which is one of my biggest weapons. It’s an honor to follow in the PUMA footsteps of some of the greatest players to have ever played the game, Pele, Maradona, and Johan Cruyff."

What other players wear Puma?

Several of the top players in the world are sponsored by Puma, including Neymar, Sergio Aguero, Antoine Griezmann, Jan Oblak and David Silva.

The company also serves as the kit provider for Manchester City, Marseille, Borussia Dortmund, PSV, Crystal Palace and Valencia as well as the Italian, Swiss, Austrian and Uruguayan national teams, among others.

How did Pulisic do last season?

Pulisic was key in helping Chelsea win the Champions League last season as he became the first American to play in the tournament's finale and the second to win the competition.

His goal in the semifinal against Real Madrid helped send the Blues to the final, with Pulisic finishing the campaign with six goals in 46 appearances after dealing with injury issues early in the season.

Internationally, Pulisic helped lead the USMNT to a Nations League triumph in the finale over Mexico, scoring the game-winning penalty in extra time.

Further reading

Christian Bassogog scored a brace as Shanghai Shenhua returned to winning ways in the Chinese Super League with a 4-2 victory over Dalian Pro on Monday.

The Indomitable Lions striker scored a goal in each half of the encounter to seal the visitors' first win since July 22 when they defeated Tianjian Tigers 3-1.

On an individual note, the double ended Bassogog’s eight-game goal drought in the Chinese top-flight as his last goal dates back to May 5 against Shanghai Port.

Bassogog opened the scoring at the Suzhou Olympic Sports Centre Stadium in the fourth minute, courtesy of an assist from Giovanni Moreno.

Moreno restored the Flower of Shanghai's lead on the stroke of half-time after goals from Lin Liangming and Zheng Long had canceled out their two-goal lead.

Five minutes after the hour-mark, Moreno and Bassogog linked up again for the Cameroon international to grab his second goal of the day.

The double stretched the 25-year-old’s tally to four goals after 12 league appearances this season.

Bassogog who joined Shanghai Shenhua from Henan Songshan Longmen in February, played the entire duration as the victory boosted their chances of qualifying for the Championship round with two matches left to play.

Meanwhile, Guinea's Lonsana Doumbouya replaced Moreno in the 72nd minute and Gabon's Alexander Ndoumbou was an unused substitute.

On the other end, Dalian Pro threw Ghana forward Emmanuel Boateng into the fray as a 53rd-minute substitute but he could not add to his tally of a goal after six league matches.

With the victory, the Shanghai outfit rose to third in Group B table with 19 points from 12 games while Dalian Pro remain at the bottom of the group with seven points after the same number of games.

Next up for Bassogog and his teammates is a league fixture against Tianjian Tigers on Thursday before they conclude the first round of the Super League against Cedric Bakambu's Beijing Guoan on Sunday.

Boateng's Dalian Pro travel to Wuhan FC before battling Changchun Yatai in their final game on August 15.

Riyad Mahrez claims to be embracing added competition for places at Manchester City, with the likes of Jack Grealish and Phil Foden helping the Algeria international to raise his game.

The 30-year-old winger became the Blues' record signing and the most expensive African player of all time when joining from Leicester for £60 million ($83m) in the summer of 2018.

He has not always been a guaranteed starter despite boasting a hefty price tag and has seen the emergence of academy graduate Foden and arrival of £100m ($139m) man Grealish threaten his place in Pep Guardiola's plans.

What has been said?

Mahrez is up for the challenge, though, and has told City+: "I think I had good numbers last year, but I could’ve had more.

"But my performances were very good, so I was happy. The competition here has helped me a lot to improve my game. The manager as well. He is very demanding, he’s very into little details and he pushes you until the end.

"You have to be strong mentally to go higher and higher. You just have to work hard and play good every game and the manager decides, but if you play very good every game you have more of a chance to play."

How has Mahrez fared for City?

Mahrez is, after figuring in Saturday's Community Shield defeat to Leicester, up to 143 appearances for City.

He has registered 39 goals over the course of those outings, along with 34 assists.

A personal best return of 14 strikes was recorded for the Blues last season, as Mahrez helped Guardiola's side to the Premier League title and another Carabao Cup triumph.

He has now won seven trophies while in Manchester, to go with the Premier League crown and PFA Player of the Year prize he captured while at the King Power Stadium.

Further reading

Southampton have agreed a deal to sign Chelsea striker Armando Broja on a season-long loan deal.

The 19-year-old signed a new five year contract at Stamford Bridge this summer and has impressed under Thomas Tuchel in pre-season.

However, despite scoring in four different pre-season matches, Chelsea have opted to send the youngster on loan as they are set to complete a £98 million ($136m) deal for Inter's Romelu Lukaku.

What will Broja's situation at Southampton be?

Broja will face the difficult task of replacing the Saints' clinical former striker Danny Ings who joined Aston Villa for £25m last week.

Ralph Hasenhuttl's side have also agreed a £15m fee to sign Adam Armstrong from Championship club Blackburn Rovers.

Armstrong will compete for a spot alongside Broja and the likes of Che Adams and Shane Long.

What are Chelsea's transfer plans?

Lukaku has completed a medical ahead of a move that will be announced in the next 48 hours.

Chelsea's next big target is to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla after their initial swap deal approach with Kurt Zouma was turned down.

Sevilla are asking for €80m (£68m/$95m) for their France international defender and have rejected the idea of inserting the likes of Emerson Palmieri or Kenedy into the deal.

The Blues are also considering adding a central midfielder, with the likes of West Ham's Declan Rice, Monaco's Aurelien Tchouameni and Rennes' Edouardo Camavinga among the options.

However, sales are a bigger priority than adding a midfielder, with Tuchel highlighting that he has 42 players currently in his squad.

The return of Chelsea's loan group has seen Tuchel work with a huge number of players in the last few weeks, so the likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Davide Zappacosta and Danny Drinkwater are set to be sold, while others will be sent on loan like Trevoh Chalobah and Dujon Sterling.

First-team players such as Zouma, Tammy Abraham, Emerson and Marcos Alonso are also considering potential exits from the west London club.

Abraham has interest from the likes of Arsenal, Roma and Atalanta. Meanwhile, Chelsea have rejected a £20m West Ham offer for Zouma.

Further reading

Dani Alves has told Lionel Messi "you can surpass me whenever you want" after learning that his former Barcelona team-mate has his sights set on a record-setting trophy haul.

The six-time Ballon d'Or winner has bid an emotional farewell to Camp Nou after failing to see a new contract put in place, with the mercurial Argentine now expected to link up with Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint-Germain.

Alves has taken a similar path in his remarkable career, with a stint at Juventus sandwiched between spells with Barca and PSG, and the iconic full-back is still going strong at 38 years of age.

What has been said?

Messi told reporters at a remarkable press conference that saw him sever ties with the only club side that he has represented at senior level: "I want to finish my last years competing for titles.

"I congratulate Dani Alves, who won the Olympic [gold] medal and I warn him that I am going to fight to catch up with him and surpass him.

"That is my mentality."

Alves has responded on Instagram by saying: "The greatest of all time, you can surpass me whenever you want, it will be one more assist for you.

"After my girlfriend, [you are] my best partner. Thank you for everything you gave us, thank you for sharing so much and thank you for letting me be part of your story.

"What an honour to be able to closely accompany your evolution and thanks to Sylvinho for connecting us.

"Don Leo Messi, continue making history wherever you want to go. There will always be a crazy [guy] at your service for all moments, especially the less good ones!"

How many trophies has Dani Alves won?

Alves captained Brazil to gold medal glory at Tokyo 2020, with that success representing the 43rd of his glittering career.

That haul makes him the most decorated player of all time, with nobody within touching distance of a man that is now back in his homeland with Sao Paulo.

Alves has enjoyed success wherever he has been, with major honours at club level complemented by more on the international stage.

His record trophy collection includes six La Liga titles, three Champions League crowns, two Europa League triumphs, three at the Club World Cup, one Serie A title, the Coppa Italia, two Ligue 1 successes, two Copa America wins and an Olympic gold.

How many trophies has Messi won?

Barca great Messi is the closest challenger to Alves at the top of the medal-winning stakes.

He has also added to his collection in 2021, with a seventh Copa del Rey triumph with the Blaugrana followed by a memorable Copa America win with Argentina - his first senior international prize.

Messi is also an Olympic champion, from back in 2008, and now boasts 38 entries on his roll of honour.

The vast majority of those successes have come with Barca, where he landed 10 La Liga titles, four Champions League crowns and three Club World Cup wins.

Linking up with PSG, where a two-year contract is said to be waiting for him, should help to keep Messi on the trophy trail, with the French giants preparing to bolster a strike force that already includes Brazil superstar Neymar and World Cup winner Kylian Mbappe.

Further reading

Romelu Lukaku has completed part of his Chelsea medical in Milan and he will now fly to London to complete his £98 million ($136m) transfer from Inter.

The medical was completed at the Columbus Clinic ahead of Chelsea's club-record transfer which will see the Blues paying almost the entire fee up front.

Inter had briefly slowed the transfer down to sign a replacement and appear to be closing in on a deal for Edin Dzeko from Roma.

How much will Lukaku earn?

The 28-year-old will take home around £250,000 per week on a five-year contract until 2026.

However, the striker's move wasn't motivated by money as he saw a move back to Stamford Bridge as his best option to continue winning silverware amid Inter's financial crisis.

Initially, Lukaku was open to staying but a significant pitch from Thomas Tuchel on the telephone about Chelsea's ambition helped to change his mind.

Having already sold Achraf Hakimi to Paris Saint-Germain, and after seeing manager Antonio Conte resign, Lukaku equally saw that Inter might struggle to repeat the title success of last season in the short-term future.

What other transfers are happening in and around Chelsea?

Chelsea's next priority will be to sign Jules Kounde from Sevilla having had a first offer turned down.

They had hoped to involve Kurt Zouma in a swap deal but it was turned down by the Liga club, who want just cash for the France international defender.

Zouma remains available to interested clubs, although Chelsea want up to £30m ($42m) for the defender who recently turned down a move to West Ham.

The Blues are open to signing a central midfielder as well but are currently prioritising contract renewals and player sales.

Tammy Abraham has interest from Arsenal, Roma and Atalanta but none of the clubs see the £40m ($55m) asking price as viable.

Chelsea will also offload a host of other players, such as one of Marcos Alonso or Emerson Palmieri. Meanwhile, Tuchel has complained of having to train 42 players with many from the club's loan group having been in and around the club's pre-season plans.

The likes of Tiemoue Bakayoko, Ross Barkley, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Danny Drinkwater and Davide Zappacosta face uncertain futures ahead of the new season.

Further reading

Siaya County Senator James Orengo has criticised Nick Mwendwa's Football Kenya Federation for fining Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards a combined Ksh10 million for skipping the Premier League's Mashemeji Derby in July.

AFC Leopards were ordered to pay Ksh6 million for they were supposed to be the home team, while Gor Mahia were fined Ksh4 million and their chairmen, Ambrose Rachier and Dan Shikanda were provisionally suspended. 

Additionally, the local giants were docked three points each and Orengo, who was speaking in Gem, Siaya county during Rachier's brother burial, likened Gor Mahia to the government and said Mwendwa's leadership has failed.

"How do you even fine Gor Mahia and AFC Leopards? Fining Gor Mahia which is a mass movement, is like trying to fine the government. Where were you born to try to fine the government?" asked the senator in a video posted by former Tusker star Sammy Shollei.

"Our players were being recruited by big clubs in Europe and in the Middle East, and football is a big industry in the world. Fifa's budget is bigger than Kenya's and we can not let it go down.
"Rachier has done a good job for Gor Mahia. He has done us proud by building Gor Mahia because the club is a movement. 

"I am saying this without any fear of contradiction that the current leadership in football is not doing us a good job it has failed and, on top of that, it was not just sentencing and fining Gor Mahia, they also fined our 'shemejis' AFC Leopards. If you are killing these two clubs, where are you taking football in this country? 

"So, Peter Kenneth [former FKF president, then called Kenya Football Federation], you need to sit down with Rachier and tell him what you do in Kenyan football. That is one thing I said I must say it here because Rachier is a great leader in football and has kept Gor Mahia going.

"Leading a football club is not easy, it is very complicated, and keeping successful leadership in football, like Rachier has for many years, is not easy."

On his part, Kenneth joked that self-proclaimed Gor Mahia number one fan Jaro Soja was capable of dealing with the 'small Mwendwa issue': "[Jaro] Soja can handle Mwendwa on the streets, let us not waste time talking about it. We do not want to make it look so big," the former Gatanga Member of Parliament said.