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A Kaizer Chiefs youngster could be set for a move to Europe in the near future according to the latest. Chiefs have not had the best of seasons in the current campaign but Mduduzi Shabalala has recently been impressive.  Shabalala has scored in two of the last three games for Chiefs, the winner against SuperSport United. He then got a consolation strike against Mamelodi Sundowns through the penalty spot. Even before then, he was a bright spark even though they were not getting any luck in a losing streak.  European sides tracking Shabalala? This had signalled a bit of a turning point for Shabalala, with the player being on the peripheries earlier. The playmaker gained the favour of interim coach Cavin Johnson after scoring a brace against Tuks in a warm-up. According to KickOff.com he has impressed more than just Johnson and is currently being tracked b interested parties in Europe.  “Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Mduduzi Shabalala remains under observation from Europe with the prospect of his move abroad still alive. Shabalala still fits the profile of what will win him a move but has been encouraged to do more than just enjoy the comforts of being on the books of Chiefs. The youth international was previously wanted by Belgian club KVC Westerlo after impressing during trials, but the deal eventually didn’t happen due to transfer clause-related matters. KickOff.com has gathered that a ‘tracker’ has been planted on Shabalala for him to move to Europe as soon as possible.” Wrote the publication.  Another Chiefs academy product to go abroad? The interest will only come as a surprise because of the rough period Chiefs find themselves in. Talent-wise, however, there has never been any doubt when it comes to Shabalala. He will now want to finish the season on a high note and give himself a fighting chance to hopefully make that move.

Former Kaizer Chiefs defender Valery Nahayo has relived how he almost joined Mamelodi Sundowns instead. Chiefs used to be the most desirable teams to join in the country, but Sundowns is slowly taking over.  In a transition that seems to be filtering down from the top, Sundowns are starting to beat Chiefs to top talent. This includes the best of the best in terms of senior players, as well as junior players. But back in their hay day their professionalism, state of the art Naturena facilities and trophy winning streak used to do all the talking. One player that was gripped by all of this was Nahayo.  The Burundi international had arrived in South Africa to sign for Jomo Cosmos in 2004. He would spend four solid years at Ezinkosi, that would put him in the shop Window for the country’s big three. In the 2008/09 transfer window, Nahayo would end up signing for Chiefs, but he could’ve easily ended up at rivals, Sundowns. Glen Lewis took Nahayo away from Sundowns Speaking to KickOff.com Nahayo explains that it was actually popular radio personality DJ Glen Lewis who orchestrated the move. That, taking him away from the clutches of Sundowns and in the arms of Chiefs. “What had happened was that the night before I went to Sundowns the next morning, I had a meeting with Bobby (Motaung) in Sandton. DJ Glen Lewis was managing Yeye, so he linked up with me via Yeye in doing the Chiefs deal. Yeye gave me the highlights of Chiefs interest and made me aware that Glen Lewis was going to call me. I then met Glen and we then met Bobby at Hilton Hotel. Bobby made me feel wanted because he even spoke about my family before the contract and flights back home.” Nahayo confirmed. Ended up signing for Chiefs In the end, Nahayo went on to snub Sundowns, Jomo Sono reluctantly selling him to Chiefs.

Kaizer Chiefs’ goalkeeper, Brandon Petersen, made headlines recently despite not playing a single game this year. During Amakhosi’s 2-2 draw against TS Galaxy, Petersen was given a red card while protesting a foul from the touchline. #DStvPrem coach Petersen receives a red card. Chiefs really played today. Player of the season is definitely chiefs goal scorer. TS Galaxy really played nonsense today, they could have easily won this game. — Billy Socks (@Bilcane) May 7, 2024 Chiefs’ Brandon Petersen sees red. Chiefs opened the scoring through Ranga Chivaviro, who made a rare start for the Glamour Boys. Sphiwe Prince Mahlangu equalised for the Rockets following Edmilson Dove’s handball in the penalty area. Around half-time, Dove was sent off after a second yellow card, leaving Chiefs to play with one man short. Brandon Petersen sent off, Chiefs fans question In the second half, Amakhosi managed to take the lead thanks to Chivaviro’s second goal of the evening. Galaxy pushed for an equaliser and were rewarded in the 76th minute with Mahlangu scoring his second goal. Chiefs reserve keeper, Brandon Petersen, was given a straight red from the bench after protesting a foul. His coach, Cavin Johnson, also tried to intervene but the match referee stayed with his decision to send the keeper into the stands. Kaizer Chiefs players have lost discipline… for 50 marks can you guys tell me why did Petersen get Red Card? We have lost the culture 100% — BuhleMafani (@BuhleChef) May 7, 2024 Is Brandon Petersen overruling Johnson at Chiefs? The match ended in a 2-2 draw, with fans focusing on Kaizer Chiefs’ two red cards. Since the start of the second half of the season, supporters have asked questions about Amakhosi’s coaching structure. Johnson was appointed as interim coach in October, but some believe Petersen is a co-coach at Chiefs. The keeper has not played a match since Johnson took over but he has been more involved on the sidelines. His behaviour on the bench has raised concerns among fans, but the club’s management has yet to clarify his role. Last month, the 29-year-old Petersen explained his role at Chiefs. Having not played for eight months, the former Bidvest Wits and Ajax Cape’s coaching theatrics have attracted interest from fans. “I think me as a person in general, on and off the field. If you ask anyone who knows me well, they will tell you I like to speak,” he told iDiski Times. “When I speak I get very theatrical. I speak with my hands. Now I’m not, that’s because my hand is in my pocket. So it’s me, I always want to help, always want to encourage,” said Chiefs keeper Petersen. Petersen’s touchline ‘theatrics’ stopped by the ref Petersen sees red Petersen’s red card has raised eyebrows, especially from Chiefs supporters. His theatrics will surely be missed when the Soweto Giants play AmaZulu on Sunday afternoon. .

1 Manchester United reportedly sent a scouting party to Portugal giants Porto in action against Chaves, with 17-year-old winger Goncalo Sousa potentially the primary subject of their interest. United have a rich history of securing the best young talents from around the world and nurturing them to potentially become world-class superstars. The 20-time English champions have signed a Porto wonderkid before. In the summer of 2018, the club announced the arrival of a 19-year-old Diogo Dalot from the Dragos in a deal worth around £19m. In recent months, the Red Devils have ramped up their scouting missions with reports regularly claiming that the club’s representatives attend games in South America and across Europe, including Portugal, to unearth relatively unknown gems. According to The Daily Mail, it seems like United’s attention is now on Porto’s Sousa. The newspaper reports, “United had scouts in Portugal on Saturday to see FC Porto win 3-0 away at Chaves.” “Maybe it had something to do with 17-year-old winger Goncalo Sousa making his first-team debut as an 83rd-minute substitute.” “The exciting young winger has attracted plenty of interest from around Europe with his performances in the UEFA Youth League, and that will only increase now he is stepping up to play for the senior side.” The Portugal U18s international predominantly plays on the right wing although he can play on the left flank or even in attacking midfield if required. In Liga Sabseg this term, Sousa has made 19 appearances and in that period, has managed one goal and as many assists. It’s in the UEFA Youth League that the Ermesinde-born forward has really shone and made his mark. In the competition, he has notched two goals and two assists in nine games. Earlier this year in January, Sousa extended his contract with Porto for another three years, meaning his terms expire in 2027. He put pen to paper on a three-year deal because he’s still a minor and rules prevent him from agreeing to any arrangement longer than that. Transfermrkt value him at just €1.25m – a sum that United certainly wouldn’t have any trouble parting with if they do end up pursuing him. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Manchester United are set to face intense competition from four other European heavyweights in the race to sign Barcelona star and reported club defensive target Jules Kounde. It’s been widely mentioned that securing defensive reinforcements is one of United’s highest priorities ahead of the summer transfer window. United have been linked with multiple players including Barca’s Kounde. A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that the Frenchman has his admirers at Old Trafford. His main point of attraction lies in his versatility. In addition to playing as a centre-back, Kounde can also be deployed in the right-back position to great effect. It was previously stated that Barcelona, whose financial troubles have been well-documented, would entertain offers for Kounde. According to Spanish publication Mundo Deportivo, the Red Devils will have to ward off competition from Chelsea, Newcastle, Paris Saint-Germain and Inter Milan in their pursuit of Kounde. It’s understood that Barca recognise they must get rid of a central defender when the summer window opens and Kounde is one of the players they’re thinking about parting ways with. Mundo Deportivo note, “The Frenchman is highly valued internationally, although he is not playing in his usual position but as a right back. To the already known interest of Chelsea, PSG and Manchester United, in Italy, they now add Inter Milan and in England Newcastle.” On his part, Kounde wishes to remain at Camp Nou and carry on with the Catalan giants but various intermediaries are reaching out to his employers to express the interest of clubs willing to add the player to their ranks. Kounde has been a pivotal part of Xavi’s plans this term. The 25-year-old has made 44 appearances across all competitions. In that time, he has helped his side keep 16 clean sheets. He has also registered two goals. This is not the first time United have tried luring Kounde to Old Trafford. A few years ago, they tried to secure his services from Sevilla but he ended up joining Barcelona in the summer of 2022 in a €55 million deal. His deal with Barca expires in 2027.

1 Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba has seemingly landed a new role, months after he was slapped with a four-year ban from professional football. Pogba failed a drug test following Juventus’ first game of the season against Udinese. He didn’t start on that occasion but was selected for random testing. He has repeatedly stated that he is innocent and never knowingly or deliberately took substances intended to give him a sporting advantage. Pogba also denied that he intentionally violated anti-doping rules after testing positive for abnormal levels of testosterone. He vowed to appeal the four-year ban before the Court of Arbitration for Sport. Should the ban hold, the Carrington academy graduate will be out of the game until 2027, meaning his career could potentially be over as he’d be into his mid-thirties by the time he’d be able to make his return. Pogba last made a competitive appearance in September last year. However, he seems to be keeping busy while his football future is being sorted. According to French publication Le Parisien, the World Cup winner is set to star in a film titled “4 Zeros”, which will be released in April 2025. The film is a sequel to a popular French movie “3 Zeros” which came out in 2002 and drew 1.2 million spectators. Pogba will play the role of a youth football coach and was seen filming in the streets of Paris on Thursday afternoon. “4 Zeros” is about an aspiring footballer from Africa who dreams of becoming a Paris Saint-Germain star while a scout is aiming to unearth the next Kylian Mbappe. Le Parisien explain that Pogba appeared relaxed, was smiling and looked very comfortable in front of the cameras. A source said, “He amazed everyone with his naturalness and simplicity. He visibly appreciated the experience and said he was ready, why not, to reproduce it further.” Pogba’s scenes were filmed at the Parc Stadium in Rueil-Malmaison on the outskirts of the city and he filmed in two separate scenes. It’s understood that the 31-year-old then proceeded to take selfies with children and teenagers who were clearly excited to be in close proximity to him. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s ally and close confidant Sir Dave Brailsford is reportedly ready to take a step back from Manchester United as he aims to get back to some of his previous duties and responsibilities. Ever since Sir Jim Ratcliffe completed his partial 27.7% investment into United, Brailsford has been leading INEOS’ thorough audit of the club in an effort to identify areas of improvement. Brailsford has been mentioned to be Ratcliffe’s “eyes and ears” at United since the Oldham-born billionaire assumed full control of the Red Devils’ sporting operations. Already, INEOS have made some progress at Old Trafford. In addition to securing the services of Omar Berrada who is set to come in as the next CEO and Richard Arnold’s long-term successor, United also got a deal for new technical director Jason Wilcox over the line. Talks remain ongoing with Newcastle over Dan Ashworth, who took the Magpies to arbitration to force through a switch to United. According to The Daily Mail, Brailsford’s influence at United is set to reduce with others who have been appointed to key positions shouldering more work. The newspaper reports, “Sir Dave Brailsford has been at the forefront of Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s Old Trafford revolution since the Ineos billionaire invested in United, but Confidential understands that the former Great Britain cycling supremo is preparing to take a more withdrawn role.” “The 60-year-old Ineos sporting director has made it clear that he plans to return to his base in Monaco in September which will enable him to have more involvement with Nice, the French club also owned by Ratcliffe.” “It’s understood the timing could depend on Dan Ashworth’s arbitration battle with Newcastle which will determine how soon he can start work as United’s new sporting director.” The Mail add, “Brailsford has been largely filling that role, in much the same way that Ineos chief executive Jean-Claude Blanc is acting as the club’s CEO until Omar Berrada begins his new job on July 13.” It’s understood that Brailsford held multiple one-on-one conversations with the United players, who have been left impressed with his approach. Brailsford is regarded as a “good listener” who is intent on fostering a positive environment at the club that allows everyone to produce at their very best. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 At least Manchester United will have some representation in the Champions League final but the optics of it are terrible for the club. Jadon Sancho has inspired Borussia Dortmund to a shock UCL final berth after some determined defending and goalposts helped them get past Paris Saint-Germain. It means that Sancho, who has become a crucial player for the Bundesliga giants, is set to play in his first-ever Champions League final. Nobody thought it would be for Dortmund, but that pretty much sums up the fortunes of this season’s United. However, Fabrizio Romano reports that United at least stand to gain something from this upset in Europe. Romano has revealed that United are set to receive extra money from Sancho’s loan deal after Dortmund’s qualification. He tweeted: “Jadon Sancho’s loan fee set to rise again for Manchester United profit… and Borussia Dortmund will be more than happy to pay that extra amount. “Fantastic signings, Sancho and Maatsen on loan in January — now making it to Wembley for #UCL final with BVB.” Jadon Sancho’s loan fee set to rise again for Manchester United profit… and Borussia Dortmund will be more than happy to pay that extra amount. Fantastic signings, Sancho and Maatsen on loan in January — now making it to Wembley for #UCL final with BVB. pic.twitter.com/mHxDPx8h3Q — Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) May 7, 2024 It points to there being a clause in the loan contract about a specific amount United would be owed if Dortmund made the Champions League final. Neither club would have thought that it was a very likely outcome but it is safe to say Dortmund will be much happier paying that fee than United would be receiving it. A player who looked finished and out of confidence in the malaise at Old Trafford will have a chance to win the biggest club competition, one that United won’t even be playing in next season. Ten Hag recently revealed they have been in touch with Sancho during his loan spell, opening the door for a potential return under him, if he stays next season. In any case, they’ve at converted a distressed asset into a prized one, even if they lost the perception war in the process. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Manchester United defender Lisandro Martinez is reportedly aiming to be fully fit and available to Erik ten Hag for selection in the Wembley FA Cup final against Manchester City. Martinez has endured a disappointing individual campaign that has only seen him manage 11 appearances across all competitions so far. His sophomore campaign at Old Trafford has been hampered by injury issues and physical setbacks that have kept him from nailing down a consistent run of appearances. Earlier in the campaign, he was ruled out of action for almost four months due to a foot injury picked up in September before he suffered a knee injury just four games into his return. The Argentine made his comeback into the team during United’s 1-1 draw against Brentford at the Gtech Community Stadium when he replaced Victor Lindelof. It turned out that it was a case of a little too soon for the World Cup winner, who then sustained a calf strain in the subsequent training session. To say Martinez has been sorely missed would be an understatement and his absence has been made more profound by the fact that the likes of Raphael Varane, Harry Maguire, Jonny Evans and Willy Kambwala have also been sidelined. Evans played for the Red Devils in the 4-0 hammering vs. Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night but Erik ten Hag himself admitted after the match that the veteran defender was not fit and was rushed back because of a lack of options in that part of the pitch. A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Ten Hag’s coaching staff believe some of United’s woes this season can be attributed to the lack of Martinez’s leadership. The Daily Mail have provided a positive update on the 26-year-old’s recovery and relay that he is aiming to play a part in United’s clash this weekend against Arsenal. The newspaper states, “Good news is hard to find in the aftermath of United’s humiliating 4-0 defeat at Crystal Palace, but at least fans can look forward to the return of Lisandro Martinez.” “Confidential understands that Martinez has set his sights on being fit for the FA Cup final against Manchester City at Wembley on May 25 and hopes to get some minutes under his belt in the remaining three Premier League games – possibly as soon as Arsenal at Old Trafford on Sunday.” If Martinez realises his objective, it would undoubtedly come as a huge boost to Ten Hag and United. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 The opinions and noise from former Manchester United players and club legends are reportedly causing some managerial candidates to think twice about potentially succeeding Erik ten Hag. Ten Hag is under more pressure and scrutiny following his side’s disastrous 4-0 loss against Crystal Palace on Monday night. United were outplayed and outdone in almost every single department by Oliver Glasner’s men. The Red Devils are now in eighth position and face an uphill battle to even qualify for Europe. The Reds are headed for their worst-ever finish in Premier League history. After the final whistle at Selhurst Park, ex-United stars Michael Owen and Paul Scholes led the onslaught against Ten Hag as they called for his sacking. Owen said the Dutchman is simply not good enough to lead the club and United would be best served by putting their gaffer out of his misery. The former striker added that under no circumstances should Ten Hag be allowed to be in the Old Trafford dugout next term. Scholes remarked that assistant coach Steve McClaren would do a better job than the Dutchman and should even be made interim boss until the campaign concludes. However, a recent report covered by The Peoples Person revealed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS will resist any temptations to part ways with Ten Hag before the FA Cup final vs. Manchester City is played. Only after that will a final decision on his future be made and communicated to fans. It’s understood that United have been exploring potential Ten Hag successors as the club prepares for the possibility of moving forward without the 54-year-old. Already, the 20-time English champions have been linked to top tacticians such as Thomas Tuchel, Zinedine Zidane, Thiago Motta, Gareth Southgate, Graham Potter, Roberto De Zerbi, Julen Lopetegui and Ruben Amorim, just to mention a few names. According to Matt Law of The Telegraph, some of these managers are concerned over “constant noise” from former United players. The publication relays, “Manchester United’s army of opinionated former players are prompting reservations among some of the potential candidates to succeed Erik ten Hag as manager.” “The calls from Owen and Scholes are just the latest example of former United players-turned-pundits having their say on the club and more pertinently the future and performance of the manager.” “Telegraph Sport knows of at least two potential candidates for the United job, should they decide to make a change, who harbour concerns over the constant noise and debate created by opinionated ex-players.” Scholes and Owen are not the only ex-United players who regularly appear on TV. Others include Gary Neville, Roy Keane, Rio Ferdinand, Owen Hargreaves and Peter Schmeichel. A source told The Telegraph, “No English club has as many ex-players talking about all the great things they did at the club in the past and creating so many headlines with their opinions about the manager. Nobody can think it is helpful.” Law however notes that there is no strong indication or suggestion that any candidate would turn down the United managerial position if offered the job because of the opinions of ex-players. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

3 Manchester United showcased yet another masterclass in how not to defend as they conceded four goals to Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday. The humbling in South London took Man United’s goal conceded tally to 81 across all competitions — their most since the 1976/77 season, when there were four more league games per season. Regardless of such dire performances, manager Erik ten Hag still has his supporters among the fanbase, with many debating that the Dutch coach is powerless in the face of an astronomical amount of injuries, especially in defence. Against Palace, he partnered Jonny Evans with midfielder Casemiro at the heart of his defence. The former was not even fully fit to start the game. As such, whether Ten Hag remains United’s manager or not, there is one issue for which there is no debate: the Red Devils desperately need a new centre-back or two. With INEOS being forced to work with a limited budget due to financial fair play regulations this summer, The Times say they are looking at a few players with one year left on their contract as well as free agents. One of the names on their list is Fulham centre-back Tosin Adarabioyo. The former Manchester City academy defender has established himself at Fulham, impressing fans and pundits alike with his composed performances. The 26-year-old is set to depart Craven Cottage this summer upon the end of his contract. Naturally, a number of clubs, including United and Tottenham Hotspur, are monitoring Adarabioyo. In that regard, the Old Trafford outfit have been handed a huge boost if a report from transfer expert Paul O Keefe is to be believed. Tosin Adarabioyo has turned down an offer from Tottenham. Whether Tottenham return remains to be seen. — Paul O Keefe (@pokeefe1) May 7, 2024 Keefe claims the English defender has turned down an offer from Spurs. Further, at this stage, it remains unclear if the North London outfit will return with an improved offer. If United are really keen on strengthening their backline without spending big, they should take advantage of this situation and table their offer before Adarabioyo picks another club. Interestingly, United may also use Jason Wilcox’s past relationship with Adarabioyo in their favour. The club’s new technical director oversaw the player’s development during his time as City’s head of academy. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Manchester United loanee Jadon Sancho impressed yet again as Borussia Dortmund finished the job in the return leg of their Champions League semi-final clash against Paris Saint-Germain to advance to the final. Dortmund made their way to Parc des Princes with a delicate one-goal advantage and with a foot already inside the final at Wembley. They ultimately did what was required of them courtesy of defender Mats Hummels, who rose highest to head the ball into the back of the net just five minutes after the interval. Dortmund eventually got over the line but they did so with some bit of luck considering PSG hit the woodwork on four occasions. Sancho, who was brilliant in the reverse match at Signal Iduna Park, started on the right side if a 4-2-3-1 alongside Karim Adeyemi on the left and Julian Brandt, who played just behind striker Niclas Fullkrug. The United loanee was on the pitch for 67 minutes before he had to be taken off, with Edin Terzic bringing on another central defender – Niklas Sule – to shore up the backline. Sancho had 38 touches of the ball to his name. He successfully delivered 17 of the 22 passes he attempted, managing a pass completion rate of 77%. The England international did not have a key pass to his name. The 24-year-old failed to register a long ball and he didn’t find his target with his two crossing attempts. The Dortmund n.o 10 was brilliant once again in the way he took on Nuno Mendes in the PSG left-back position. Of the six dribbles Sancho embarked on, he completed three of them. He also did his part defensively as he came out on top in four of the eight ground duels he delved into. Sancho drew one foul and made as many interceptions. (Stats obtained from Sofascore) From being banished from the United first team amidst his bitter row with Ten Hag to now getting into the Champions League final, it has certainly proven to be a remarkable turnaround for Sancho. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

‘When we did go on the break, Ranga (Chivaviro) had a very good opporunity to make it 3-2,’ said Johnson. Kaizer Chiefs head coach Cavin Johnson praised the work put in by ten-man Amakhosi after they were held to a 2-2 DStv Premiership draw by TS Galaxy on Tuesday. It was the second game in a row in which Chiefs have received a first half red card to a central defender, with Given Msimango sent off in the 5-1 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns. On Tuesday it was Mozambican defender Edmilson Dove who was given his marching orders for the second time this year, having also been sent off against Moroka Swallows in early March. “When you get a red card again, you scratch your head and ask yourself ‘what happened?’ Johnson told SuperSport TV. “I thought we played better with ten men this week than last but this was a different team (we were playing). “I thought we had better chances than they (Galaxy) had when we had ten men and they had 11,” he added. “The players worked hard and stayed compact, but when we did go on the break, Ranga (Chivaviro) had a very good opporunity to make it 3-2.” It was Chivaviro who gave Chiefs the lead, before Sphiwe Mahlangu equalised with a penalty for Galaxy, after Dove was booked for a handball inside the penalty area. Dove was then sent off on the stroke of half time for a poor tackle, but Chivaviro put Chiefs back in front five minutes after the break, drilling home a free kick. Mahlangu at the double Galaxy eventually found another equaliser in the 76th minute, Mahlangu completing his brace with a fine header. “They missed two big chances in the first six minutes,” added Johnson. “But we came out of it, then we got a goal (for Chivaviro) when we pressed them and won the ball. They came back and got a pen, we made it 2-1 and I thought we had a lot of chances but we didn’t defend a corner correctly and it was 2-2.” Chiefs’ next game in their bid to qualify for next season ‘s MTN8 comes on Sunday, when they take on AmaZulu at the Moses Mabhida Stadium in Durban.

1 Former Manchester United coach René Meulensteen has laid into Erik ten Hag as criticism and pressure directed towards the current club boss intensifies United were thoroughly beaten by Crystal Palace in a 4-0 hammering at Selhurst Park on Monday, to pile further misery on Ten Hag, whose job at Old Trafford was already hanging in the balance. A brace from Michael Olise and a goal in either half from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell were enough to sink United and cause further turmoil within the ranks. The result left the Red Devils in eighth position in the Premier League with a minus-three goal difference. The club has three top-flight games left to play before the season officially comes to an end. As it stands, United are on track to achieve the worst-ever Premier League finish in their rich and illustrious history. Michael Owen brutally called for Ten Hag to be sacked while club legend Paul Scholes also insisted that the 54-year-old coach is almost certainly facing the end of his managerial tenure at United. Meulensteen, who served under Sir Alex Ferguson from 2007 to 2013, has added his voice to the increasing critique of Ten Hag, questioning how United have landed in their present predicament. He told NOS, “It is really incomprehensible what is happening now. There is simply no progress whatsoever.” “You know, as a new trainer you always have to deal with a selection that you have not put together yourself. So, it takes a few transfer periods before you get the players you want. I always say: a trainer needs eighteen months to get it right. to get on track.” “But now there is none of that optimism left. There is no playing style, club culture or philosophy. If you look at the statistics… it doesn’t make any sense. Manchester United has a goal difference of minus three!” On Ten Hag banning some media outlets and journalists from asking questions in press conferences as a retaliation measure, Meulensteen insisted, “That is really not smart. The media of course have the right to ask questions. They also see what kind of results are on the board, such as the 4-0 against Crystal Palace. Then it is logical that they ask critical questions.” He added, “There are now just too many players who are either too old or not good enough. Or boys who have the wrong attitude.” It doesn’t get any easier for Ten Hag and his players. Up next is Arsenal at Old Trafford before Newcastle right after and then Brighton on the final day of the season. There is then the small matter of an FA Cup final against Manchester City later this month at Wembley. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Ranga Chivaviro nets a brace for Amakhosi. Ten-man Kaizer Chiefs were eventually pegged back by TS Galaxy and had to settle for a 2-2 DStv Premiership draw at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane on Tuesday night. Chiefs looked like they could well slip to another defeat after defender Edmilson Dove, returning from a one-match ban, was sent off on the stroke of half time. But Ranga Chivaviro completed his brace to put Cavin Johnson’s Chiefs 2-1 up early in the second half, giving Amakhosi hope they may snatch an unlikely three points. Sead Ramovic’s Galaxy found it more difficult to break down ten Chiefs players than they did eleven, but they eventually equalised in the 76th minute, Sphiwe Mahlangu’s fine header completing his own double, as both sides had to settle for a point. Galaxy carved the Chiefs defence apart in just the second minute, Marks Munyai finding former Amakhosi youngster Phuso Dhitejane, who should have scored but somehow blazed over the bar. Chiefs carried an attacking threat of their own, and in the fourth minute, Chivaviro’s header was well saved by Fiacre Ntwari in the Galaxy goal. Amakhosi’s own shot-stopper Bruce Bvuma came to their rescue in the 11th minute, saving from Mahlangu, but it was Chiefs who went in front in the 18th minute. Mpho Mvelase was punished for dawdling on the ball, with Chiefs pressing high up the pitch. First Sibongiseni Mthethwa nearly robbed him off the ball, and then as Mvelase dithered some more, Chivaviro did take the ball off him and finished past Ntwari. Galaxy were level on the half hour mark after Thato Khiba’s shot was blocked by Dove’s arm in the penalty area. Mahlangu stepped up and his spot kick was too good for Bvuma, even though the Chiefs ‘keeper dived the right way. Dove was not happy with referee Cedric Muvhali’s decision – he also picked up a yellow card – but his arm was clearly away from his body when it was struck. Chiefs almost got the lead back when Mduduzi Shabalala did well to get to the byline and cut the ball back for Njabulo Ngcobo, but Ntwari made a fine save, tipping his powerful effort over the bar. Dove sees red again Amakhosi were reduced to ten men on the stroke of half time as Dove committed a ridiculous, studs up challenge on Kabogelo Sebelelebele that left Muvhali with no option but to send the Mozambican defender off for the second time this year. Dove will now miss another two matches through suspension, taking him to a total of five games missed because of ill-discipline in 2024. Cavin Johnson adjusted his team to make up for Dove’s absence after the break, with defender Thatayaone Ditlhokwe coming on for winger Christain Saile. In the 50th minute, Reeve Frosler won a free kick right on the edge of the box, which Pule Mmodi laid off for Chivaviro to smash a brilliant finish past Ntwari. That prompted Ramovic to bring Samir Nurkovic off the bench, the Serbian striker coming onf for Sebelebele. In the 62nd minute, Chiefs nearly increased their lead as Frosler’s long-range shot took a wicked deflection and Ntwari showed excellent reactions to push the ball away. Galaxy levelled again in the 76th minute as Mahlangu got his brace, rising well to head substitute Higor Vidal’s corner into the top corner of the net. Chivaviro nearly completed his hat-trick and won the match for Chiefs in the 84th minute, but his turn and shot flew inches wide.

1 Manchester United reportedly sent a delegation to France over the weekend to track three key summer targets during OGC Nice’s game in Strasbourg. It’s believed that the United representatives were present to monitor Jean-Clair Todibo, Melvin Bard and Khephren Thuram. United interested in Todibo, Thuram and Bard It’s been widely mentioned that Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are eager to bolster the Red Devils’ defensive department, especially in the centre-back position. Consistently occurring injuries have left Erik ten Hag with extremely limited options in that part of the pitch. Combine this with the fact that there are doubts over the future of the likes of Raphael Varane, Jonny Evans, Harry Maguire and Victor Lindelof and it makes sense why United are on the market for central defenders. Varane and Evans are set to leave Old Trafford as free agents in the summer when their respective deals expire. Meanwhile, it’s believed that the club could let Maguire and Lindelof depart if enticing offers for them are made. This is where Todibo comes in. The Frenchman has been on United’s radar since last summer but a move never materialized. His transfer to England was contingent on Maguire joining West Ham and when that collapsed, so did Todibo’s proposed switch to the Theatre of Dreams. However, United are still thought to be interested in the 24-year-old, who has made 30 appearances for Nice across all competitions this term. A previous report covered by The Peoples Person also noted United’s links to Todibo’s teammate, Thuram. With question marks surrounding the long-term tenures of Casemiro and Christian Eriksen, midfield could also become a position INEOS look to reinforce. Thuram could be a solution in this respect. United have struggled at left-back all season amidst long-term injuries picked up by Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia. It was relayed that the 20-time English champions have their eye on Nice’s Melvin Bard as a potential alternative. Bard has enjoyed a fine season in Ligue 1. United “check on” Todibo, Thuram and Bard over the weekend According to HITC, United were represented as Nice took on Strasbourg on Sunday and ran out 1-3 winners at Stade de la Meinau. Goals from Evann Guessand, Dante and Morgan Sanson were enough for Nice to secure the win and clinch all three points. Todibo, Thuram and Bard all played 90 minutes on that occasion. “United are maintaining a watching brief and HITC understands that United had personnel in Strasbourg to see Nice claim a 3-1 win over the weekend.” “HITC understands Nice are gearing up to lose at least one big name this summer, which many believe would be Thuram or Todibo.” “HITC understands that Chelsea were also represented at the game, but sources insist that they are regularly in attendance as they check on the progress of their sister club.” The report adds that United have an advantage in their pursuit of Todibo, Thuram and Bard because INEOS staff already have good knowledge of the trio’s attributes and potential. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Manchester United are reportedly set to step up their efforts to sign England boss Gareth Southgate and bring him in as Erik ten Hag’s successor. Pressure on Ten Hag is now more intense than ever before after United’s horrifying 4-0 loss against Crystal Palace on Monday night. On yet another occasion, the Red Devils were dominated and outperformed in almost every department by perceived inferior opponents. After the final whistle, Michael Owen and Paul Scholes led the criticism against Ten Hag as they called for him to be sacked and an interim appointed in his place until the end of the season. A recent report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that INEOS will not part ways with Ten Hag before the season concludes. Only after the Wembley FA Cup final against Manchester City is played will a final decision on the Dutchman be made and announced to supporters. According to Foot Mercato journalist Santi Aouna, it’s almost guaranteed that Ten Hag will not be in the Old Trafford dugout next term and already, moves are being made behind the scenes to replace him. It’s understood that Gareth Southgate is a “top target” to become the next United gaffer. Aouna explains that nothing is agreed yet between Southgate and the 20-time English champions although the “situation is expected to develop soon.” EXCL: #PL | Man Utd make Gareth Southgate top target as new head coach Not agreed yet but situation expected to develop soon Ideally, MU would like to conclude a deal in the comings week to announce him after the EURO MU bosses are convinced that… pic.twitter.com/zGewWlww3e — Santi Aouna (@Santi_J_FM) May 7, 2024 Foot Mercato state, “Gareth Southgate is currently the Mancunian club’s priority objective for the coaching position. The English coach is very popular internally, and the staff of the English team are convinced that he is the ideal coach to put the club in the right direction and be the leader of the project.” “There is no agreement yet between the two parties, but discussions are going well and a positive outcome could quickly be found. The objective of MU management is to seal an agreement in the coming weeks, again according to our information.” “As for the announcement of his appointment, it could come after Euro 2024. This is in any case the wish of Dave Brailsford and Jim Ratcliffe.” Pete Hall of i news corroborates Foot Mercato’s information that Ten Hag’s days at United are certainly numbered even if he wins the FA Cup but insists that Thomas Tuchel is INEOS’ priority managerial target and not Southgate. Hall divulges that the German coach is the “frontrunner” to assume the United hot seat but is not the only one under consideration – Ruben Amorim of Sporting Lisbon and Graham Potter are also on the club’s wishlist. The newspaper explains about Amorim specifically, “Ruben Amorim said at the weekend that he wants to stay at Sporting Lisbon next season, having guided his side to the Portuguese title for a second time.” “A Portuguese-based source has issued caution over Amorim’s words, however, as he had already expressed the need to appease Sporting supporters unhappy with their manager and his trip to meet with West Ham officials late last month. Should no suitor come in for the 39-year-old, Amorim still needs to maintain a positive relationship with fans where he is now.” Meanwhile, Potter’s advantage arises from the fact that he enjoys a close relationship with Dan Ashworth, who is expected to be United’s sporting director once the stalemate between him and Newcastle is resolved. Ashworth is believed to be a “staunch Potter advocate” having worked with him at Brighton. i news add that not everyone at United believes Potter has the credentials to manage a club the size and stature of the Reds. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Manchester United travelled to South London to face Crystal Palace on Monday night and returned with a negative-three-goal differential as well as plenty of question marks on Erik ten Hag’s project. Man United’s defence and midfield were nothing short of embarrassing, seemingly doing little to stop Palace’s attackers from driving toward their goal and rattling the net four times. Still, do not let their performance take the spotlight away from United’s toothless frontline, which appeared clueless in the absence of Bruno Fernandes. At this point, everyone agrees that a new goal-scorer needs to be high on INEOS’ summer shopping list. However, a report from Germany suggests United may struggle to get their long-term attacking target Benjamin Sesko, owing to the value of his release clause rising ahead of the summer transfer window. In April, the Peoples Person relayed a report claiming RB Leipzig would be open to facilitating the 20-year-old striker’s exit. It read: “The €50m (£42m) release clause in Sesko’s current contract may not need to be activated in order for him to leave, with Leipzig open-minded about the structure of any deal providing that ballpark valuation is met.” According to Sky Sport Germany journalist Philipp Hinze, the Slovenian’s price tag could change, but in the opposite direction to what United or his other suitors would prefer. The journalist states that due to Sesko’s impressive performance in the second half of the campaign, his release clause has risen to €65m. The young talent has scored five goals in his last five Bundesliga appearances. It is thought that his release clause is dependent on many factors, including game time, goals, and assists. Hinze claims that “in the maximum case, the sum can rise to €70m-€75m.” To make matters worse, AC Milan have also joined the race for his signature, as they look to replace Olivier Giroud. According to Calciomercato, apart from Sesko, the Italian giants are also monitoring Bologna talisman Joshua Zirkzee, another United transfer target.

2 Bayern Munich are reportedly no longer pursuing Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag and are not interested in him becoming their next manager. In recent days, it emerged that Ten Hag – who is under intense pressure at United – is on Bayern’s radar as a potential successor to Thomas Tuchel. Tuchel is set to depart the Allianz Arena at the end of the campaign and Bayern have not found it easy to identify and secure the right man to assume the hot seat after him. The Bavarian giants have seen moves for the likes of Xabi Alonso, ex-United interim boss Ralf Rangnick and Julen Lopetegui collapse. It’s due to these setbacks that they turned their eyes to Ten Hag. A previous report covered by The Peoples Person relayed that Bayern had established contact with the Dutchman’s representatives regarding a potential switch and talks were held between the two parties. It was stated that Ten Hag’s preference would still be to remain at Old Trafford and carry on with the project he took up two years ago, this time with the stable hand and influence of INEOS above him. However, if Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his confidants were to pull the trigger and sack him, then Ten Hag would be inclined to explore the possibility of becoming the next Bayern gaffer. BILD journalist Christian Falk has given a huge update on the situation and indicated that this option is no longer on the table for Ten Hag. Falk explains that Ten Hag is “no longer a candidate” for the Bundesliga giants. He confirms that there were conversations between the Dutchman camp and Bayern chief Max Eberl but they weren’t productive. These talks have now been stopped and will not continue. Erik ten Hag is no longer a candidate to succeed Thomas Tuchel at FC Bayern There were talks between Max Eberl and the management These Talks will not be continued@BILD_Sport @altobelli13 — Christian Falk (@cfbayern) May 7, 2024 Amidst this development, it seems that Ten Hag’s remaining hope is that United retain faith in him and the top brass led by Ratcliffe choose to give him more time. However, after the devastating 4-0 demolishing at the hands of Crystal Palace at Selhurst Park on Monday night, it’s not looking good for Ten Hag. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

1 Erik ten Hag and his coaching staff reportedly believe that the absence of Lisandro Martinez and the leadership he provides in the dressing room are partly to blame for Manchester United’s woes this season. United suffered their 13th Premier League loss on Monday night at the hands of an in-form Crystal Palace side. The Red Devils were thoroughly beaten 4-0, courtesy of a brace from Michael Olise and goals in either half from Jean-Phillipe Mateta and Tyrick Mitchell. For the first time in United’s history, they’ve been defeated twice by Crystal Palace in a single season – a fact that highlights the massive drop in standards at Old Trafford. Club boss Ten Hag is under more pressure than ever before in his United tenure and calls for his sacking are only growing louder. According to The Guardian’s Jamie Jackson, the Dutchman and his coaches are of the firm opinion that Martinez’s prolonged absence has played a part in the team’s struggles this term. The Argentine has only managed 11 games across all competitions in a campaign riddled with injuries and fitness issues. These setbacks have prevented him from building on a positive first season at the club that saw him quickly endear himself to supporters. The newspaper points out, “Manchester United coaching staff believe their squad has too few vocal leaders and that the injured Lisandro Martínez has been sorely missed in that regard.” “The Guardian understands Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff have noticed how much quieter the changing-room environment is in Martínez’s absence and believe this had been detrimental to performances and results.” “Although Martínez is not the only vocal player, his presence is considered vital in creating a winning mentality and driving the squad on. The captain, Bruno Fernandes, is the on-field leader and leads by example.” The report adds that United are hopeful Martinez will be consistently available next season. Up next for Ten Hag and his players is the daunting task of facing title challengers Arsenal at Old Trafford this weekend. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Kaizer Chiefs midfielder Siyethemba Sithebe might not be willing to forgive Ntokozo Sikhakhane for this one. The former Amakhosi star simply feels that Sithebe is not good enough. KAIZER CHIEFS STAR DISMISSED BY FORMER PLAYER Despite putting his hand up for a new deal in recent games, Kaizer Chiefs are yet to table a new offer for the 31-year-old Sithebe. The Newcastle-born star joined from AmaZulu in July 2022 before making only 34 appearances under the likes of Arthur Zwane, Molefi Ntseki and Cavin Johnson. Asked if the Kaizer Chiefs star is affected by his contract situation, the former Mbombela United star said he is sorlely focused on playing. “No, I would say obviously the contract is coming to an end, but as a player, I need to focus right now because the team needs me a lot,” Sithebe said via FARPost. “Also, there’s pressure that we have to play the remaining games. I think on the issue of contract, I’ll start focusing on it at the end of the season,” the Kaizer Chiefs number six concluded. Meanwhile, the former midfielder Sikhakhane believes the dreadlocked star does not deserve a new offer. “They can release him, in games that he has played for Chiefs, there’s nothing special he has done,” Sikhakhane told FARPost. “And I still believe that he’s not the top midfielder, he’s just a player. But because Chiefs, they just sign any player. Once you shine at Santos, they bring you in, once you shine at AmaZulu, they bring you. “They don’t look at whether you’re going to fit in their style or in their structure. So, for Sithebe, he hasn’t been playing for two years and he can’t prove himself in the last ten games. What was he doing all along? “I think he’d do well at AmaZulu. I’d advise him to go back,” the former Kaizer Chiefs midfielder concluded. GIVEN MSIMANGO SUSPENDED Remember what happened last week when Amakhosi hosted Mamelodi Sundowns at the FNB Stadium? The score was 5-1 to Kabo Yellow and they won a record consecutive DStv Premiership title. More so, Kaizer Chiefs lost their defender and captain, Msimango, when he was shown a red card. This means that the 27-year-old from Brakpan, Gauteng will be out for the next three games. So who will coach Johnson look to? Options in central defence: Edmilson Dove Njabulo Ngcobo Thatayaone Ditlhokwe Zitha Kwinika. Which two central defenders should start in the next three matches? Let us know in the comments section below.

1 The pressure on Erik ten Hag is reaching new levels with every despondent performance. The 4-0 defeat away at Crystal Palace served as the new nadir of this forgettable season and with it, came the deafening calls for the manager to leave. Ex-players, pundits, and journalists are all making a case for why Ten Hag cannot lead this team anymore, with some, like Scholes even suggesting immediate sacking and putting Steve McClaren in charge. However, Matt Law of the Daily Telegraph reports that INEOS have “no intention” of sacking Ten Hag for now. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and his team are determined to have him on the touchline for the FA Cup final at the very least, regardless of what happens between now and then. United face three daunting Premier League fixtures starting with Arsenal at home, followed by a tricky game away at Brighton before finishing the season in a potentially pivotal clash vs Newcastle. On current form, they can’t be called favourites for any of these which could see them finish in the lowest-ever position in the Premier League era, having already broken the club record for defeats in a Premier League season. That is hardly the kind of form and momentum one wants going into an FA Cup final against a fierce rivals. However, getting an interim manager for a short-term “bounce” just for four games is a scenario INEOS might be looking to avoid. As bad as the performances have been, injuries have been the biggest mitigating factor that has spared Ten Hag so far. It feels like the end is still nearing for him and a repeat of the Palace performance in their next four games, including the FA Cup final, will make his position untenable. Even if he wins the FA Cup final, he only needs to look at the last Dutch manager at Old Trafford who won the FA Cup final with United in a poor season and ask him what his fate was. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Former Bafana Bafana star Teko Modise has praised Mamelodi Sundowns Ronwen Williams, even going as far as comparing him to Itumeleng Khune. Williams recently penned a new deal with Masandawana extending his stay to 2028. The 32-year-old has been on top form this season helping his club to their seventh successive league title. He was also instrumental in Bafana Bafana’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign earlier this year, helping them finish third place. Modise, who played for Sundowns, says Williams is as good as Khune. I never saw anticipated anything different, to be honest, I’m glad he signed a new contract with the team, I think he’s been outstanding this season for the club and the national team,” Modise told iDiski Times. “I don’t remember the last time us having a conversation about a goalkeeper this good besides Itumeleng Khune, it’s been such a long time and for him to come out and doing what he’s doing, he’s inspiring so many goalkeepers and sparking that conversation of good goalkeepers. Williams and Khune have been SA’s top keepers for a decade “So I’m glad he signed a new four-year deal with Mamelodi Sundowns and of course they still have, as a good goalkeeper as he is, a future captain for the club, but they still have that Champions League drought they need to sort out.” Since joining Sundowns, Ronwen Williams has been compared to Chiefs keeper Itumeleng Khune. Although the two keepers have never really competed for a spot at Bafana, fans see similarities between the two. Khune emerged as a 20-year-old just like Ronwen the the former is five years older. The former Amakhosi instantly won fans’ hearts and impressed coaches, making him the club’s first-choice keeper for decades. Two years after his debut, Itu was already playing for Bafana. Ronwen Williams pens new deal with Sundowns Unlike Khune, Williams only blossomed in his later 20s after showing promise from an early age. In 2021, he was made captain of the national team and all eyes were on him. His leadership and big saves have led some to suggest he may have surpassed Itu at his peak. His Afcon heroics have cemented his place in the list of top three keepers in South Africa. With Khune likely to hang his gloves soon, Williams is tipped to lead Downs to CAF glory by Modise. His next big assignment is to help Bafana qualify for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

With Jurgen Klopp calling time on his Liverpool career, we’re taking a look at all of his senior signings and ranking them from worst to best! It has been comfortably the greatest era of the club’s recent history, and lots of that success can be put down to the smart decisions made in the transfer market. The recruitment team have rarely missed during the last nine years, bringing in some of the best players Anfield has ever seen in relative bargain deals. Naturally, there have been some acquisitions who failed to live up to expectation. Fortunately, those have been few and far between. Here, we’ve attempted to rank all 34 of the manager’s signings to have made a senior appearance, factoring in their impact as well as value for money. Let us know if in the comments if you’d make any changes!   34. Loris Karius It might be harsh, but somebody had to take this spot and the course of European history may have been altered had someone else been between the sticks in Kyiv.   33. Arthur A player with a big reputation in Europe, but we were unfortunately restricted to seeing just 13 minutes of what he could offer.   32. Ozan Kabak He had potential, but was signed due to necessity amid an injury crisis at the back in 2020/21.   31. Steven Caulker A surprise signing that was made even more surprising by his cameos up front.   30. Calvin Ramsay Has plenty of potential, but a number of blocks in the way at right-back.   29. Marko Grujic He arrived at the club with a solid reputation, but failed to make his way into a packed midfield.   28. Sepp Van den Berg A talented centre-back with plenty to prove, but whether he gets himself a place in the squad after his latest loan at Mainz remains to be seen.   27. Dominic Solanke Things are going great for Solanke now at Bournemouth, but the forward only registered one goal for the Reds.   26. Ragnar Klavan A hugely popular figure in the stands, not least for his dramatic last-gasp winner on New Year’s Day at Turf Moor.   25. Fabio Carvalho Carvalho made a relative bright start in his first season, but first-team opportunities faded after Christmas and he has since been sent on two loan moves after an unsuccessful stint at RB Leipzig.   24. Naby Keita It was a move that had plenty of potential, but pound-for-pound it was comfortably the least successful of the big-money moves in this era.   23. Adrian Often remembered for that calamitous display against Atletico Madrid, but I’d prefer to focus on his heroics in the Super Cup instead.   22. Ryan Gravenberch It’s early to judge. He has shown glimpses of brilliance but could do with showing more indications that he has what it takes to fit into a Liverpool midfield. Clearly a talented player, hopefully more to come.   21. Takumi Minamino Signed after outshining Erling Haaland at Anfield for Red Bull Salzburg, his highlight was the dramatic late equaliser en route to dumping Leicester out of the League Cup in 2021. Minamino played 24 times in the quadruple chase that came that season, more than you might think.   20. Kostas Tsimikas He scored the winning penalty in an FA Cup final, enough said.   19. Wataru Endo Most fans had no idea what they were getting when the Japan captain arrived from Stuttgart, but he’s gone on to cement himself as a reliable figure in midfield.   18. Xherdan Shaqiri A hugely likeable character and responsible for the goals that consigned Jose Mourinho to the sack at Man United. Also started in the famous 4-0 victory over Barcelona at Anfield.   17. Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain It was a tale of what might have been for Oxlade-Chamberlain, but truthfully, it took Liverpool until Klopp’s final season to be able to replace his goals from midfield.   16. Cody Gakpo The brace in the 7-0 thrashing was worth the majority of his £37 million fee alone, but he unquestionably has the potential to go on to do plenty more great things in the coming years.   15. Darwin Nunez In five years’ time Nunez could find himself at the very top of this list while also being capable of sliding down it. That perhaps says it all about our No. 9!   14. Dominik Szoboszlai There haven’t been many introductions to Anfield quite like Szoboszlai’s in the early weeks of his debut season. Comparisons to Steven Gerrard were the first signs Liverpool had caught a big one, and though his following months were quieter, it will be a joy to see what comes next.   13. Thiago Possibly the hardest player to place given that he is one of the best midfielders we have seen while simultaneously only being able to showcase it for one full season. The £20 million fee feels reasonable for a player of his calibre. Watching football should be about enjoyment and there are few easier on the eye than Thiago in full flow.   12. Luis Diaz Liverpool have tended to get it right when they go big on a January move, and Diaz was no exception. His role in the unlikely quadruple push of 2021/22 cannot be underestimated, he was the injection of fresh flamboyancy that the squad needed at just the right moment.   11. Ibrahima Konate Konate has always had the makings of a world-class centre-back, but the Frenchman has truly come into his own alongside the skipper. He has been a colossus at the back and when fit looks every inch the player fans hoped we were getting, £36 million could prove to be a snip.   10. Alexis Mac Allister Mac Allister was the first of four midfield incomings in the summer of 2023 and has adapted brilliantly to what has been asked of him. The World Cup winner looked the real deal from the off and his performances in his somewhat unfavoured No. 6 position were more than admirable.   9. Diogo Jota He has had a frustrating time with injuries, but Jota has also proven himself to be one of the best natural finishers Anfield has seen in modern times. The Portuguese forward began his time under Klopp in electric goalscoring form, and has been equally, if not more impressive, in the manager’s farewell campaign.   8. Gini Wijnaldum An archetypal Klopp player, in the best possible way. While the squad fell to pieces through injury, Wijnaldum continued to run his legs off in the title defence of 2020/21 before he was allowed to leave for PSG on a free transfer.   7. Joel Matip As free transfers go, this might be as good as it gets. Injuries have ultimately cost him a place further up this list, and it may cruelly be the way he signs off his time at Anfield having sustained an ACL blow back in December.   6. Fabinho His Liverpool career ended with something of a whimper, but it shouldn’t be forgotten just how much of a pivotal role Fabinho played in a golden period for the club. Aptly named “the lighthouse” by assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders, the Brazilian made 219 appearances after cheering up supporters just days after defeat in Kyiv back in 2018.   5. Sadio Mane A genuinely breathtaking player at his best. Mane was the first transformative signing of the Klopp era and helped set Liverpool on the path that facilitated the incredible signings that followed him. There is an argument that he was Liverpool’s best player during the record-breaking title win in 2019/20, which is no mean feat in what was one of the club’s greatest-ever sides.   4. Andy Robertson We signed possibly our best-ever left-back for £8 million. Enough said. The trajectory of his time on Merseyside has aligned almost perfectly with the team’s success on the pitch, and he has all of the medals to show for it. A model professional on the pitch and one of the good guys off it. My favourite player of the Klopp era, and that’s saying something.   3. Virgil van Dijk There aren’t many footballers who can walk straight through the door and immediately strike you as a future Liverpool captain. Van Dijk transformed Liverpool from day one, getting his Anfield career off to the perfect start with a winning goal in the Merseyside derby. The greatest compliment you can give is that the £75 million fee that was initially mocked became very quickly forgotten about. He might just be the greatest January signing of all time.   2. Alisson When you break the world record for a goalkeeper signing you need to go out and get the best one, and that’s exactly what Liverpool did. The word ‘game-changer’ has been attached to a number of Klopp signings, but there isn’t a player who fits the description quite like Alisson. Liverpool reached the 2018 Champions League final ahead of schedule and it became apparent that a top-level goalkeeper was thing that was required to take the next leap. Alisson has gone on to keep 111 clean sheets across his 261 appearances between the sticks, and was a huge factor in the Reds becoming kings of Europe just 12 months later.   1. Mohamed Salah Splitting the top three was almost impossible, but the fact he arrived for a fraction of the price means the Egyptian King just edges it. We might never see a player like him again. A man born to score goals even when those around him aren’t at the races. He has chalked up a frankly ludicrous 211 goals in 347 appearances and broken countless records along the way. If he sees out his career at Liverpool, there is every chance he could leapfrog Roger Hunt as the club’s second-highest scorer of all time – do you know how ridiculous that is?

Plans have been revealed for Jurgen Klopp‘s farewell in the final match at Anfield, while the Reds have, again, been linked with an exciting winger this summer.   Klopp farewell plans revealed We are all edging closer to the day we have dreaded most – Klopp’s final game as Liverpool manager. A report from the Liverpool Echo has provided some information about his farewell plans at Anfield after the Wolves match on May 19, with the German ‘asked to give one last speech’ to the crowd. It also claimed owners John W. Henry, Tom Werner and Mike Gordon could also make the trip to Liverpool to honour Klopp, with the Reds boss given a guard of honour and a collage of his achievements. It’s already emotional just picturing it all!   4 things today: Aston Villa ref & support for Nunez Simon Hooper has been confirmed as the referee for Liverpool’s clash with Aston Villa next Monday – Klopp will NOT be amused! Luis Suarez has sent Darwin Nunez a message amid criticism of his form – hearing from his idol could do him the world of good! John Achterberg is set to join Steven Gerrard in Saudi Arabia – he is departing as Liverpool’s goalkeeping coach this summer Dominik Szoboszlai has admitted that he ‘might have set the bar too high’ in his debut season – he may have dipped, but he remains a superb option!   Latest Liverpool FC News Liverpool are eyeing a move for PSV Eindhoven winger Johan Bakayoko – the Salah-like attacker has 23 goal contributions this season – there were links last summer (Het Laatste Niews) After being asked about signing particular players, Arne Slot has said “if a player is good, it shouldn’t matter what level he comes from” – a good ethos to have! (Voetbalzone) Exciting young forward Keyrol Figueroa has signed his first professional contract with the Reds – good work from the club to tie him down!   Other chat from elsewhere Liverpool target Michael Olise is now wanted by Newcastle this summer, with the Magpies reigniting their interest in him! (Daily Mail) Jose Mourinho wants a second spell as Man United manager – because the other first time around well so brilliantly of course! Bring it on! (Manchester Evening News)   Video of the day and match of the night Given it’s the five-year anniversary of that legendary 4-0 win over Barcelona, it would be rude not to refresh the memory – this time with the assistance of the Voice of Anfield, George Sephton. Has there ever been a greater Anfield occasion? Match of the night is Paris Saint-Germain vs. Borussia Dortmund (8pm BST), in the second leg of their Champions League semi-final clash. Klopp’s former club lead 1-0 from last week’s clash in Germany – the Liverpool boss will surely have his feet up with a beer watching on!

1 Erik ten Hag might stay or go after the season but none of that should save the players from a clearout as well. The crop of players, including some which have disappointed under multiple managers, have long been rewarded with expensive contracts and renewals without consistent performances meriting the same. Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS’ first order of business will be to engineer the squad clearout for financial reasons as well. To that tune, Football Insider reports that United have identified four players who will top that list. These four will be shifted urgently by United which means they might be willing to even take losses on these sales just to get rid. The players are Raphael Varane, Casemiro, Chrisitan Eriksen, and Jonny Evans. Two of the names are obvious ones on the list- Varane’s contract expires in the summer so more than “selling” him, United are likely to just not activate the option in his contract and let him leave. Evans is also on a one-year contract and while he has been a pleasant surprise, his age and inevitable decline dictate that United look for better, more long-term options to invest in. Casemiro has just had the worst game of his United career away at Palace and the calls for his departure are deafening but he’ll be the hardest to shift. United handed him a five-year contract worth nearly £350k/week in 2022 and except for Middle-East, nobody looks capable of taking that off United’s books. Therefore, that will be a sale where United will undoubtedly make a huge loss and hopefully, the new regime will learn their lesson first up by cleaning up a Glazer mistake. Eriksen might be a case where United can get a fee if they are smart. The Dane looks past it playing in United’s dysfunctional system but his ball-playing and set-piece abilities might be valued by a team in the top-five leagues. Considering he joined as a free transfer, any income from his sale will be a big bonus. The INEOS regime is keen to clear up the wages by finally holding high-earners accountable and with Martial’s exit all but sealed, these exits will free up more nearly a million/week in wages alone. Want to be the first to hear breaking Man United news? For carefully selected, crucial updates, join our WhatsApp channel: https://bit.ly/United-Breaking-News.

Mamelodi Sundowns may have been given a lifeline in their chase for Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa.  Sundowns were believed to be advancing in a deal to take Mabasa away from Pirates before FCSB entered the race. Pirates are ready to revamp their attacking department for next season, and are making big decisions behind the scenes. The club management is set to draw up a list of forwards that they want to keep, offload and sign. The one man who is undoubtedly their top attacker at the moment is Mabasa. The left-footed hitman returned to his parent club from a loan spell to fellow Soweto giants Moroka Swallows.  FCSB previously interested in signing Mabasa He was one of the few shining lights at Swallows, as they started the season brightly. After some financial disputes, things spiralled and Mabasa returned to Pirates. He had already contributed six goals to the cause of the Dube Birds. Fast forward to the final stretch of the campaign and he has become the main man at the Bucs. He is also the second highest top goal scorer in the league as things stand. That type of form has seen both local and international interest in his services.  Locally, it is rivals Sundowns who have been reported to be keen with Pirates willing to sell. Now with this publication reporting that FCSB have since dropped their interest in the player, it could advantage to the Brazilians.  Could Sundowns now be encouraged to get him from Pirates Mabasa’s agent stated the player’s desire to move abroad, with FCSB have pulling out, Sundowns could be the next best option. He was apparently close to joining the Brazilians both at the start of the season and in January. Could the recent development give them hope of finally making the signing This publication recently reported that Pirates are lining up a lucrative new deal for Mabasa. This could be the reason FCSB pulled out. Either way, Sundowns will be hoping to tempt him to Chloorkop.

Kaizer Chiefs will look to finish the 2023/2024 DStv Premiership season on a strong note, starting with their match against TS Galaxy on Tuesday, 7 May. Bet Anytime, Anywhere Quick and Easy with Betway The encounter will take place at the New Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane. Kick-off is at 19:30. STARTING LINE-UPS Kaizer Chiefs TBA TS Galaxy TBA The Glamour Boys will get the chance to redeem themselves following their 5-1 hiding at the hands of league champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their most recent match. The clash is one of four scheduled for Tuesday, all of which kick off at 19:30. What will be the result on Tuesday evening? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1. You can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest Kaizer Chiefs news. TUESDAY, 7 MAY DSTV PREMIERSHIP FIXTURES Kaizer Chiefs v TS Galaxy – 19:30 SuperSport United v Sekhukhune United – 19:30 Cape Town City FC v Swallows – 19:30 Royal AM v Cape Town Spurs – 19:30 Tickets still on sale Kaizer Chiefs have four fixtures left this season and will aim to collect maximum points from those encounters so as to cement a top 8 finish – and a MTN8 spot next season. Meanwhile, TS Galaxy will rely on a number of players who once wore the famed Amakhosi jersey for both experience and information. They include Bernard Parker, Samir Nurković and Amakhosi’s development product, Puso Dithejane. The Glamour Boys will, however, do their best to ensure that they stop TS Galaxy and score the goals that will get them maximum points. Kaizer Chiefs are in eighth place in the log Kaizer Chiefs are eighth in the DStv Premiership standings with 33 points from their 26 matches played to date. Meanwhile, TS Galaxy are in fifth position after picking up 38 points in their 25 outings. Tickets for the DStv Premiership match are on sale through Computicket online at www.computicket.co.za or Shoprite and Checkers Supermarkets for R60 per ticket. Kaizer Chiefs reminded supporters that tickets that were purchased for the original date of this fixture (13 February 2024) are valid for Tuesday’s match. Tickets Update: Match tickets dated 13 February 2024 (original fixture) are still valid for tonight's match against TS Galaxy at Peter Mokaba Stadium. Kick-off is at 19h30!#Amakhosi4Life — Kaizer Chiefs (@KaizerChiefs) May 7, 2024 Prediction: Kaizer Chiefs 1-1 TS Galaxy KAIZER CHIEFS REMAINING FIXTURES Tuesday, 7 May v TS Galaxy (H) – 19:30 Sunday, 12 May v AmaZulu (A) – 17:30 Saturday, 18 May v Polokwane City (H) – 15:00 Saturday, 25 May v Cape Town Spurs (A) – 15:00 LATEST DSTV PREMIERSHIP LOG

Kaizer Chiefs could be without a trio of players for their weekend clash with AmaZulu, depending on how things go against TS Galaxy. Amakhosi trio on a suspension tightrope Pule Mmodi, Sibongiseni Mthethwa and Thatayaone Ditlhokwe are all one booking away from an automatic suspension. If any of this trio see yellow against TS Galaxy, they’d miss the weekend clash against AmaZulu on 12 May. Ditlhokwe is just back from a serious shoulder injury he picked up while playing for Botswana in the last quarter of 2023. Msimango is suspended against his old club Spiwe Given Msimango has been a cornerstone of the Chiefs back four this season, making 24 appearances in the league. His red card against Sundowns, however, rules him out of Amakhosi’s next fixture against TS Galaxy. The irony of that won’t be lost on him or coach Cavin Johnson after the classy central defender moved to Chiefs from the Rockets just under a year ago. With Thatayaone Ditlhokwe just back from injury this is hardly an ideal situation. Njabulo Ngcobo should step into the side. Edmilson Dove, who’s on the brink of signing a new two-year deal, could also slot in there. Kaizer Chiefs defender Given Msimango at the Peter Mokaba Stadium. Image: Backpagepix. CHIEFS FIXTURES TO ROUND OUT A DISAPPOINTING CAMPAIGN Amakhosi have four matches left of the DStv Premiership campaign. Only two points separate Amakhois in eighth place (33) and AmaZulu in twelfth (31) so it’ll be an almighty scrap to finish in the MTN8 qualification places. Can Cavoin Johnson end the season with a bang? Tue 07 May vs TS Galaxy (H) – 19:30 Sun 12 May vs AmaZulu (A) – 17:30 Sat 18 May vs Polokwane (H) – 15:00 Sat 25 May vs Cape Town Spurs (A) – 15:00 The Kaizer Chiefs Naturena Village in all its glory. Image: Ernest Makhaya CAN CHIEFS FINISH IN THE TOP EIGHT THIS SEASON? Let us know by clicking on the comment tab below this article or by emailing info@thesouthafrican.com or sending a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Meanwhile, you can also follow @TheSAnews on X and The South African on Facebook for the latest DStv Premiership news.

Orlando Pirates striker Tshegofatso Mabasa has been the subject of interest from FCSB from Romania. FCSB have recently been crowned champions of Romania and had an eye on taking Mabasa from Pirates.  Pirates are ready to revamp their attacking department for next season, and are making big decisions behind the scenes. The club management is set to draw up a list of forwards that they want to keep, offload and sign. The one man who is undoubtedly their top attacker at the moment is Mabasa. The left-footed hitman returned to his parent club from a loan spell to fellow Soweto giants Moroka Swallows.  Pirates braced for interest in Mabasa He was one of the few shining lights at Swallows, as they started the season brightly. After some financial disputes, however, things spiralled and Mabasa returned to Pirates. He had already contributed six goals to the cause of the Dube Birds. Fast forward to the final stretch of the campaign and he has become the main man at the Bucs. He is also the second highest top goal scorer in the league as things stand. That type of form has seen both local and international interest in his services.  Locally, it is rivals Mamelodi Sundowns who have been reported to be keen with Pirates willing to sell. Now according to iDiski Times FCSB have dropped their interest in Mabasa. However, FCSB have pulled out “According to information received by this publication, FCSB made a list of 12 players they were looking at, including Mabasa. However, a close source to the club confirmed that the number has been cut down and Mabasa’s name is no longer on the list. FCSB want to strengthen their team for the upcoming season, as they will be taking part in the UEFA Champions League first qualifying round after ending their nine-year trophy drought in the league.” Wrote the publication.  This publication recently reported, however, that Pirates are lining up a lucrative new deal for Mabasa. This could be the reason FCSB pulled out?