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Football Kenya Federation president Nick Mwendwa has refused to press the panic button despite title sponsors BetKing terminating their deal on Friday.

The Nigerian-based betting firm ended their support for Kenyan football in a joint statement signed by BetKing Country Director Ivana Ristic and Mwendwa to signal another road to struggle by participating clubs.

When SportPesa withdrew their support for the top-flight at the halfway stage of last season, several clubs struggled to sustain themselves financially, with Sony Sugar being relegated to the lower tier after failing to honour three matches.

Despite what happened last season, Mwendwa is confident they will get a new sponsor to take over from BetKing soon.

What did Mwendwa say?

“We have agreed with them [BetKing] to end our partnership, it was a mutual separation and every party is happy, so we are now focused to move quickly and get another sponsor,” Mwendwa told Goal on Friday.

“We will return, we will bounce back and there is no need to panic, Kenyans should not be worried at all, there is no need to get worried, we are already talking to many companies willing to support football and we will soon make it official.”

Pressed to explain how long it will take the federation to unveil a new sponsor, Mwendwa said: “When it comes to sponsorship, it is difficult to give a time frame of when you can get a new sponsor on board, I cannot give you the timeline but one thing for sure, we will return bigger and better.

“We don’t feel any pitch, the most important thing is to treat sponsors will decorum, and that is what we did with BetKing, we have parted ways in a very good way, no one is hurt, we have done it amicably and we agreed without having any disagreements.

“You know, the next sponsor will want to know how you handled the previous, how was your relationship with the past sponsor and for this, we have scored big, we have handled them well, and we are happy to end it without problems and I know, we have sponsors out here, who will come on board.”

On whether FKF are to blame on BetKing exit, Mwendwa said: “It was not a problem of anyone, we agreed amicably, they have gone and soon we will return with other sponsors, my happiness is we related with them [BetKing] very well and have parted ways without problems.

“They came and gave us the support when we needed it most when our clubs were struggling financially, and we thank them for the period we were together.”

Further FKF Premier League reading 

Former Asante Kotoko coach Abdul Malik Jabir has no qualms with the public outburst of current club boss Mariano Barreto concerning a perceived current poor status of the club.

Barreto has come under criticism for going public with a brutal assessment of the Kumasi-based side, which he described as unworthy of being called a ‘big team’.

While his remarks have been hailed by a section of fans, another group find the utterance inappropriate, going on to call for his head.

“I see nothing wrong with what Coach Mariano Barreto said about Kotoko,” Jabir, who also featured for Kotoko during his playing days, told Ashh FM.

“We shouldn’t take what Barreto is saying personally but rather we should accept it in good fate and work on it.

“The timing and the platforms he Barreto talked about Kotoko doesn’t matter.

“Coming out to tell Ghanaians the truth, there’s no time and I’m applauding him for telling the truth and it is a wakeup call to Kotoko to improve on their mistakes and work on the team.”

On Thursday, Barreto held no punches in a radio interview, going on to threaten resignation should the club’s conditions not improve.

"I know Asante Kotoko fans won't be happy with this but I must say it. Asante Kotoko is only a big name and not a big team because they lack so many things a big team should be having,” he told Nhyira FM.

"A big team should have their own physiotherapy room, a strong youth team, philosophy, video room, amongst other infrastructure.

"I don't know where the Asante Kotoko secretariat is located. I haven't been there before since my appointment.

"I have been in Ghana for the past four months to handle Asante Kotoko but I don't know where it is located. I signed my contract in Accra at a hotel. 'Is it located at the stadium [Baba Yara Sports Stadium]?

The Portuguese, who was appointed Kotoko head coach in March, guided the team to a second-place finish in the just-ended Ghana Premier League.

In the Ghana FA Cup, the Kumasi-based outfit suffered elimination in the quarter-final.

"It will be an insult on me if I continue as head coach of Asante Kotoko in the same conditions I have already complained about," added the 64-year-old.

"There are other coaches out there who will be happy to work in these conditions, but not me.

“Without a physio room, video room and a technical office, there’s no way I will continue working with Kotoko."

Kotoko are 23-time Ghana champions and two-time African champions.

Harry Kane has denied claims he has refused to train with Tottenham as he continues to be linked with a move away from the club.

Manchester City are said to be trying to sign the striker and it has been reported that he has skipped training with Spurs in an attempt to force the club to sell him.

The England international took to social media to deny those reports, however, insisting he will return to the club on Saturday as was the original plan.

What has been said?

"It's almost 10 years since I made my Spurs debut. For every one of those years, you - the fans - have shown me total support and love," he said.

"That's why it hurts to read some of the comments that have been made this week, questioning my professionalism.

"While I won't go into the specifics of the situation, I want to clarify that I would never, and have never, refused to train. I will be returning o the club tomorrow, as planned.

"I wouldn't do anything to jeopardise the relationship I have with the fans who have given me such unwavering support during my time with the club.

"This has always been the case as it is today."

Did Kane skip training?

Goal reported this week that the 28-year-old did not show up at the club's training ground on Monday.

He was due back from his summer holiday to undergo tests before he can return pre-season preparations with the rest of the squad.

Tottenham boss Nuno Espirito Santo said on Tuesday that the club would deal with the issue, telling reporters: “We have to solve the situation internally with the club speaking and trying to reach a better solution and conclusion."

Will he join Man City?

City coach Pep Guardiola said on Friday that Kane is in his thoughts as the Premier League champions look to strengthen further this season, but no deal is close for the England captain.

"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," Guardiola said.

The club broke the British transfer record on Thursday when they confirmed the £100 million ($139m) signing of Jack Grealish from Aston Villa.

A move for the Kane would likely see them break that record once again as Spurs are said to be demanding upwards of £100m for their star striker.

Further reading

U.S. men's national team striker Josh Sargent is finalizing a transfer from Werder Bremen, manager Frank Baumann, confirmed amid links to Norwich.

CBS Sports reported this week that Sargent is nearing a move to the English club for a reported $11.75 million (£8.5m) fee.

Bremen all but confirmed his departure on Friday, saying Sargent isn't training with the team ahead of a move.

What was said?

"We are about to finalize a transfer with a foreign club," Bremen manager Frank Baumann told the club website, who called the transfer "imminent".

"As a result, Josh informed us that he would not be able to play on Saturday. We then released him from the final training session."

Sargent's time at Bremen

The 21-year-old striker has scored 15 goals in 81 games since joining the club in 2017 while establishing himself as a contender to be the USMNT's starting No. 9.

However, Sargent's time at Bremen has been defined by the club's struggles, ultimately resulting in relegation from the Bundesliga last season.

He's been linked with a move since, with Sargent now looking set to join Norwich ahead of the Premier League season. Norwich open the season on August 14 with a match against Liverpool.

Internationally, Sargent has five goals in 16 caps for the U.S. and figured to be part of the squad for World Cup qualifiers next month.

Further reading

Atalanta have activated their option to buy Cristian Romero from Juventus to clear the defender to join Tottenham, while Merih Demiral has joined the Bergamo side on loan.

Atalanta signed the centre-back on loan last season from the Bianconeri, adding an option to sign him on a permanent basis to the deal.

The Argentine's impressive displays in Serie A caught the attention of Spurs, who are reported to have agreed to sign him in a deal worth around €50 million (£42m/$59m).

What has been said?

Before Atalanta can sell him to the Premier League side, however, they have had to pay Juve €16m (£14m/$19m) to secure the rights to the player.

A statement published by Juve has confirmed that Atalanta have "exercised the option rights for the definitive acquisition of the registration rights of the player Cristian Romero for a consideration of €16 million, to be paid in three financial years."

What about Demiral?

Both Juventus and Atalanta have announced that centre-back Demiral will spend the next season on loan in Bergamo.

Gian Piero Gasperini's team have an option to buy him outright at the end of the campaign.

Goal  reported this week that the purchase option will be around €30m (£25m/$35m), while Juve will receive a percentage of any future sale.

How have Romero and Demiral performed in Serie A?

Romero, 23, arrived in Serie A in 2018 when he joined Genoa from Argentine side Belgrano.

Juventus signed him the following year but loaned him back to Genoa and then to Atalanta the following season.

He made 42 appearances in all competitions for Atalanta as they finished third in Serie A and reached the Coppa Italia final, which they lost to Juventus.

Romero went on to make three appearances as Argentina won the Copa America, beating Brazil in the final.

Demiral, meanwhile, arrived in Italy in January 2019 when he joined Sassuolo and was then sold to Juve the following summer.

Injuries curtailed his playing time, as he featured just 32 times for Juve over the course of two seasons.

Further reading

Canada made history on Friday by winning their first-ever Olympic gold medal in women's football, beating Sweden on penalties in an incredibly tense final.

Bronze medallists in 2012 and 2016, the North American nation had spoke in the build-up to the Games about wanting to put that behind them and push for gold, and they did so in the most dramatic fashion.

Sweden had taken the lead in normal time, but Jessie Fleming made it 1-1 from the spot and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbe again performed heroics in the shootout before Julia Grosso scored the decisive kick, Canada winning 3-2 on penalties.

History for Canada and Christine Sinclair

This was the best performance for any Canada football team at the Olympics since 1904, when the men's team won gold in St Louis.

But Bev Priestman's side didn't do this the easy way. They won just two of their six games inside 90 minutes and struggled to create many chances throughout the tournament, failing to score from open play in the knockout stages.

However, their defensive effort was impeccable, with Ashley Lawrence and Vanessa Gilles in particular standing out, while goalkeeper Labbe had an incredible Games. They also made big history in the semi-finals, beating the U.S. women's national team for the first time in 20 years.

Labbe, at 34 years old, is one of several veterans in this team who may have just played their final Olympics and capped it with gold. Back-up goalkeeper Erin McLeod is 38 and defensive midfielder Desiree Scott is 34, but the most notable is Christine Sinclair. Whenever the greatest international goalscorer of all time, now 38 years old, chooses to retire, she will do so with a gold medal to her name.

There was also some individual history in the squad made as Quinn, who had an excellent tournament in the heart of midfield, became the first openly transgender athlete ever to win an Olympic medal, having already become the first openly trans Olympian when Canada's tournament kicked off last month.

Heartbreak for Sweden

Sweden were by far and away the best-performing team throughout this tournament, beating the U.S. 3-0 in their opening fixture to snap their 44-game unbeaten streak and winning all five matches on their way to the gold medal bout.

However, they failed to make the most of the mass number of chances they created in the final, Stina Blackstenius' first-half strike their only goal despite big chances for Kosovare Asllani and Lina Hurtig, among others.

The result means Sweden have now tasted back-to-back Olympic heartbreak, having also picked up a silver medal in Rio five years ago.

Further reading

Denis Zakaria has been made "a lot of offers" to move on from Borussia Monchengladbach, sporting director Max Eberl has confirmed, amid links with Manchester City and Arsenal.

In addition, the Bundesliga outfit remain hopeful of retaining World Cup winner Matthias Ginter, amid speculation that he could depart Borussia-Park this transfer window.

Both players are on deals through to the end of the 2021-22 campaign, leaving Gladbach with the choice of whether to keep or sell with both - but in the case of Zakaria, Eberl has admitted that numerous bids have been received for the Switzerland international.

What has been said?

"There are a lot of offers [for Zakaria], so we'll have to wait and see what happens in the next few days and weeks," Eberl told a press conference ahead of the club's DFB-Pokal game with Kaiserslautern.

Eberl also provided an update on Ginter, stating: "We are in talks with him. We are interested in keeping him."

However, Eberl struck a more cautious tone on whether the security of the centre-back's future was a done deal, adding: "Whether it works out remains to be seen."

Zakaria and Ginter set to reap Euro 2020 form?

After something of an underwhelming domestic campaign that saw Gladbach fall shy of European football qualification for this term, both players went on to impress during Euro 2020.

Ginter - a Brazil 2014 winner as a member of Joachim Low's Germany squad, despite not playing a single minute of the tournament - was one of the brighter spots for his nation as they were knocked out in the last 16.

Zakaria, meanwhile, also impressed for Switzerland, though was ultimately at fault for an own goal in the quarter-finals against Spain, as his country were eventually edged out on penalties.

Their performances have helped them further catch the eye of several suitors, and with their deals coming to a close next summer, Gladbach may opt to sell up now in order to avoid both leaving on a free transfer in just under a year.

Further reading

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has slapped East Bengal with a transfer ban for non-payment of salaries to three Indian players, Goal can confirm.

The three Indian players are Rakshit Dagar, Abhas Thapa and Pintu Mahata who were signed by East Bengal during the 2019/20 season.

Sources close to Goal have confirmed that the combined amount due is approximately INR 9 lakh with Pintu Mahata's salary being the highest. Also, the decision on Mahata is a non-compliance of judicial decision which means that the ban cannot be lifted or further appealed.

The entire amount has to be paid by the club in the next 45 working days in order to remove the ban.

While AIFF has notified the SC East Bengal management about the ban, the new management is not liable to pay the due amount as these liabilities were incurred before September 1, 2020, when Shree Cement East Bengal management was formed.

All the above players were signed during the Quess East Bengal era and after Quess Corp parted ways with the club, the liabilities automatically fall on the East Bengal club.

Goal has also learnt that the salary non-payment issue is not limited to just three players. Around 12 players and support staff including foreigners like Jaime Santos Colado and Carlos Nodar's salaries have not been cleared by the club yet.

Earlier in June this year, East Bengal were handed a transfer ban by FIFA over the non-payment of salary of Costa Rican defender Johnny Acosta. But later the ban was revoked after the East Bengal officials cleared the dues.

South Africa under-23 international Evidence Makgopa has reiterated his commitment to Baroka FC amidst reported interest from Orlando Pirates. 

The 21-year-old marksman has been one of the most sought-after players in the current PSL transfer window with Mamelodi Sundowns, Kaizer Chiefs, and Pirates having been credited interest in the highly-rated player.

However, Pirates are believed to have won the race for Makgopa's services with the Buccaneers having already signed his former Baroka teammate Goodman Mosele in the current transfer window. 

The Limpopo-born player is back home after representing his country at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games where he scored against France in a Group A match last month.

Makgopa made it clear that he is looking forward to reporting for duty at Baroka having been one of the team's most outstanding players last season. 

“I have been happy all the time at Baroka, and I am happy now,” said Makgopa when asked about his future on Daily Sun.

“All I can say is that I’m looking forward to meeting my teammates as I have not been with the team since the league ended last season.”

Baroka chairman Khurishi Mphahlele has already indicated that they are willing to sell their star players and since then the club has sold 2019/20 PSL Young Player of the Season Mosele to Pirates. 

Makgopa registered the most goals (seven) and assists (three) in the PSL for Bakgaga Ba Mphahlele as they finished 10th in the league.

His exploits did not go unnoticed as he was nominated for the PSL Young Player of the Season accolade which he won - beating Maritzburg United marksman Bongokuhle Hlongwane and Kamohelo Mahlangu of TS Galaxy to the award.

The Baroka academy product was then handed his first-ever Bafana Bafana call up ahead of the international friendly match against Uganda in June this year.

Makgopa marked his debut for South Africa's senior national team with a brace with Bafana claiming a 3-2 victory over the Cranes at Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

Therefore, the promising player became just the second player in Bafana history to score twice on his international debut.

Lionel Messi's arrival at Paris Saint-Germain would not force Kylian Mbappe's exit, Mauricio Pochettino says, amid speculation that the former Barcelona attacker could be set to move to the French capital.

The ex-Blaugrana forward has been linked with a switch to Parc des Princes following the shock news of his Camp Nou exit on Thursday, though the matter of Financial Fair Play regulations is thought to be a stumbling block.

One option for PSG would be to cut loose France star Mbappe, previously linked with the exit door this summer, but Pochettino has laughed off suggestions that the forward would have to make way for any potential Messi arrival, while stating that he has had no contact with his fellow Argentine.

What has been said?

"I have not spoken with [Messi]," Pochettino told a pre-match press conference ahead of his side's Ligue 1 opener against Troyes. "And [any move] would not mean that Kylian would leave.

"A player of Messi's calibre, that is what is interesting to me. The club are working on several options, but we must focus on the game with Troyes.

"We know about what happened yesterday. The club is working on the transfer window and on the elements that could come in to improve the team and allow us to achieve our goals."

What is Messi's future?

In what has become a fast-moving situation, the veteran attacker seemed poised to commit to a long-term five year deal to see out the rest of his career at Barcelona, and with a hefty wage reduction.

But financial hurdles have not been cleared by the Blaugrana, leaving the 34-year-old looking for a new home at short notice, with a likely final shot at World Cup glory at Qatar 2022 looming on the horizon.

While there is no fee to sign Messi, there are few clubs who would be able to deliver the figures needed for his salary, and arguably fewer who could match his ambition.

It has left PSG - where former team-mate Neymar has committed his long-term future - and City - where former mentor and manager Pep Guardiola has just spent £100 million ($139m) on Jack Grealish - as the two most realistic destinations.

The bigger picture

Unless his situation is resolved quickly, however, it means that Messi will likely miss the opening weeks of the new 2021-22 campaign as he seeks a new home.

On the back of an international season that saw him finally land the Copa America, it has caused uncertainty for Messi.

PSG have already begun their campaign, with a defeat to Lille in the Trophee des Champions earlier this month, while City will face Leicester in the FA Community Shield this weekend.

Further reading

Betting firm BetKing have officially terminated their contract with Football Kenya Federation with immediate effect.

In a joint statement signed by both BetKing Country Director Ivana Ristic and FKF President Nick Mwendwa and obtained by Goal, the two parties have agreed to go different ways after only one year together.

What did the joint statement say?

“FKF and BetKing Kenya jointly announces we have reached a mutual agreement to terminate our existing sponsorship contracts for the BetKing Premier League and BetKing Division One League,” read part of the statement.

“BetKing will explore other ways in which we can collaborate in the future. Unreservedly, FKF confirms that the support received from BetKing has played a crucial part in fostering the growth of the local football game.

“These resources have had a tremendous impact on each of the 18 FKFPL and 32 Division One clubs from Zone A and Zone B which received partial support for their budgets through this sponsorship.

“FKF confirms the support of BetKing Kenya has been immense and has helped sustain FKF’s football development programmes by a considerable measure.”

The statement continued: “Despite the mutual agreement to now terminate this partnership, FKF appreciates BetKing’s support and partnership over the past season.

“BetKing Kenya equally appreciates the opportunity to sponsor the leagues in line with BetKing’s brand mission.

“BetKing remains committed to participating in the growth of Kenya’s sporting talents particularly at the grassroots levels through solid and long-term partnerships.”

The Nigerian-based company were unveiled to take over Kenyan football following the exit of SportPesa on July 16, 2020, and the deal was supposed to start from KSh220 million in year one and then increase by five per cent in the second year and 10 per cent in the subsequent years.

The arrival of the betting firm marked the biggest sponsorship deal ever inked by FKF in its history and the 2020-21 season marked the first time FKF was managing the top-flight after an era that spurned over a decade when the league was under KPL.

Further FKF Premier League reading 

Pep Guardiola has been quizzed on Manchester City's reported interest in Lionel Messi now that the Barcelona icon has hit free agency and will not be signing a new contract at Camp Nou.

Discussions regarding fresh terms at Camp Nou for the six-time Ballon d'Or winner have broken down, with financial difficulties in Catalunya preventing a deal from being put in place.

A scramble is now being sparked for the most sought-after of signatures but City, who have just broken the British transfer record for Jack Grealish, are not planning on joining that battle.

What has been said?

Guardiola, who spent four memorable years working with Messi at Barcelona between 2008 and 2012, said of the speculation suggesting that he could look at putting a reunion in place: "We spent £40m on Jack Grealish. We paid £100m and brought in £60m. 

"He will wear the No.10 because we were convinced with Grealish and we were convinced Leo would continue at Barcelona, so right now he is not in our thoughts."

Why is Messi available?

An all-time great made one push for the exits in 2020, which sparked talk of interest from City, and hit free agency this summer when his lucrative contract expired.

Barca had hoped to put an extension in place, with club president Joan Laporta agreeing terms at one stage, but no paperwork can be signed and a record-setting spell at Camp Nou is being brought to a close.

Guardiola added on the best player he has had the pleasure of working with: "It looked like it finished well in terms of him continuing with Barcelona. It was a surprise for everyone - me included. 

"The president was clear today. I didn't speak with the player or the president so I don't know what has happened but as a supporter of the club I would love for him to have finished there, but today the club needs to be sustainable and what happened in the last year was really not good. 

"As a fan, I have incredible gratitude for the most extraordinary player I have seen in my life, for the titles he helped to [win for] Barcelona, to help me personally to go to Munich and then to England. 

"More than that, the incredible amount of feelings and actions in front of the TV and watching what he can do with the ball, with his mates in one football game. 

"Day by day, game by game, every three days he made something unique. All I can say is thank you so much for bringing Barcelona to another level, to allow Barcelona to dominate the world for a decade, and I wish him the best for the last few years of his career. 

"He will not be forgotten. Hopefully one day we can say the best ever because he deserves it. 

"If president Laporta arrives in this situation, he should do it unfortunately because someone before didn't do well."

Further reading

Pep Guardiola has confirmed that Tottenham striker Harry Kane is a player in his thoughts, as more transfer business is planned at Manchester City, but no deal is close for the England captain.

The reigning Premier League champions have broken the British transfer record to lure Jack Grealish away from Aston Villa in a £100 million ($139m) deal.

That bar could be raised again if Kane can be prised from Spurs' clutches, with another nine-figure fee set to be required there, and Guardiola is ready to enter into talks if an exit door is thrown open in north London.

What has been said?

Quizzed on his interest in Kane, who is yet to return to pre-season training in north London, Guardiola told reporters: "He's a player for Tottenham Hotspur. If Tottenham don't want to negotiate, it's finished. 

"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. 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."

Why did Man City sign Grealish?

Guardiola has been quick to distance himself from reports of a move being made for Lionel Messi, with the six-time Ballon d'Or winner severing ties with La Liga giants Barcelona.

He has already added another creative influence to his ranks, with considerable funds and faith being invested in 25-year-old midfielder Grealish.

Explaining that deal, Guardiola said: "When we spend this amount of money it is because we sell [players] for almost £60m. We were not able in the last year or so but we sell young players from the academy and loan players for £60m. When you sell that, you can afford £100m. Otherwise, it would not have been possible. 

"That's why we spend on him because he's 25 years old, he can play the next five, six, seven, eight years here and we believe we have an incredibly huge talent in terms of not just skills but mentality. 

"When a team in the last years won a lot - which we cannot deny we have - we need new players. Not much but a few players that can rise to the level of players already here. 

"The new players can fight with the players who stay here for a long time, otherwise after a lot of titles it is difficult to maintain a step forward. Every player needs to have the pressure that maybe they are not going to play. 

"I say thank you so much to the club and thank you to Aston Villa and Jack who chose to come here because I'm pretty sure he could decide whatever he wants. He said he wanted to play for Man City and that's why it is an honour to have him and hopefully he can settle as quick as possible."

Will Man City now sanction sales?

Grealish has been added to a pool of talent at City that is already loaded with attacking stars, which means that exits could now be on the cards.

Bernardo Silva is among those to have been linked with a move elsewhere, and Guardiola will not block the path of anyone that wants to take on a new challenge.

Asked about Portuguese star Silva, the City boss said: "He's our player. Not just Bernardo, there are two or three players that want to leave but they are our players and when they bring some offer and they want to leave we are open to discuss it, but it depends on them.

"Otherwise, they will continue training really well, they will stay here and I will decide if they stay or don't stay. 

"The players who want to leave know the door is open because we don't want anyone here unsatisfied, but they have to bring someone."

Further reading

Jesse Lingard says his loan spell at West Ham felt like "hitting the refresh button", with the rejuvenated midfielder now back at Manchester United as the 2021-22 campaign approaches.

A move to east London was made in January after the 28-year-old playmaker found himself out of favour at Old Trafford and in need of a change of scenery in order to rediscover a spark.

He achieved that with the Hammers, as nine goals were recorded through 16 games, and Lingard is now back in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's thoughts as he looks to make a positive impact again at United.

What has been said?

On finding the kind of form that many doubted he could produce again, Lingard told MUTV of his stint at West Ham: "It was a great time. It was like hitting the refresh button.

"I was always ready to hit the ground running and I was always fit and ready to play.

"I played every game since I got there and when you play a run of games like that you get a bit of confidence.

"Of course, the goals came and assists as well. West Ham were brilliant with me: the team, the staff, the club. They helped me get to where I am but it took a lot of hard work from my side as well."

The bigger picture

Lingard's renaissance earned him an England recall ahead of Euro 2020, although he was left out of Gareth Southgate's squad for the finals themselves.

That was a blow to the charismatic performer, but he proved plenty of points to those that had written him off.

On being welcomed back from the international wilderness, Lingard said: "At the time, it [one goal] was obviously to make the March internationals. Goals, assists, take-ons, shots. To be productive in each game and to keep that consistency.

"The consistency is definitely a main thing. When you’re playing regular football, you’ve got to keep that consistency and keep scoring, or try and affect the game in a different way if you don’t score or assist."

Lingard has been figuring for United in pre-season, suggesting that he may have a more prominent role to play under Solskjaer, but he does still face fierce competition for places from the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and Donny van de Beek.

Further reading

Kai Havertz has revealed why he wears the No.29 shirt, with the Chelsea forward having filled that jersey since bursting onto a senior stage at Bayer Leverkusen.

It has proven lucky for him, with giant strides taken in his homeland as he became a full Germany international and a big-money signing at Stamford Bridge.

He is also a Champions League winner, having netted the decisive goal in a major European final last season, and will not be switching numbers any time soon.

What has been said?

Quizzed by The Athletic on why he favours No.29, Havertz has said: "When I was young I always used to play FIFA or Pro Evolution Soccer with my brother.

"We always made ourselves in the game. I had No.10, golden shoes and things like that. My brother always put No.29 on his shirt. 

"When I came to the professional game and Leverkusen asked me what number I wanted to have, I asked them which numbers were free. When they said 29, I said I’d take it because of my brother. 

"Sometimes it’s lucky for me, sometimes not, but I like the number and now I think everybody knows me for it."

Will Havertz star for Chelsea as No.29?

The 22-year-old took a while to find his feet in English football after completing a £70 million ($97m) move from Leverkusen.

He ended his debut season on a positive not, though, with a Champions League-winning goal recorded while filling a false nine role under Thomas Tuchel, and a hot prospect believes there is more to come from him.

Havertz added on scaling the heights expected of him: "We have so much talent in our team, so many young players with so much potential.

"It always takes a little bit of time. Timo [Werner] and I started the first game (against Brighton). I had trained for one-and-a-half weeks with the team and nobody knew me, nobody had an understanding with me.

"It was difficult for everybody. Timo was a little longer than me, but it was difficult for the first few months. 

"It takes a little bit of time, but when you come as an £80 million transfer people expect you to play like this even though you don’t have time to adapt. Now I think we’re getting used to it, and we’re very happy to be here."

He went on to say of his role in Tuchel's plans: "I like to go into the box and score goals, maybe from first contact or two touches.

"More or less, I’m a midfield player but I like to go into the box, and maybe that’s why not every defensive player has me on their mind — I just run through the midfield and then I’m there."

Chelsea are currently counting down the days to a UEFA Super Cup clash with Villarreal next Wednesday and a 2021-22 Premier League season opener against Crystal Palace on August 14.

Further reading