Neymar, Ronaldo, Messi on FIFA best player shortlist

Neymar was named alongside Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi on the three-man shortlist for the Best FIFA Men's Player Award, which was announced in London on Friday.

Brazil superstar Neymar, 25, won the Copa del Rey with Barcelona last season before joining Paris Saint-Germain in a blockbuster 222 million euros ($266 million) move that smashed the world transfer record.

Ronaldo, 32, is the overwhelming favourite to win the award, having led Real Madrid to the La Liga title and a third Champions League success in four years last season.

He won last year's award after winning the Champions League with Madrid and the European Championship with Portugal.

Ronaldo previously won the FIFA World Player of the Year award in 2008 and is a four-time winner of the Ballon d'Or.

Messi, 30, scored 54 goals last season as Barcelona won the Copa del Rey and Spanish Super Cup.

The Argentina great, a record five-time winner of the Ballon d'Or, has made a superb start to the current campaign, scoring 12 goals in his first eight appearances in all competitions.

Ronaldo won the inaugural Best FIFA Men's Player Award last year after a six-year merger between the FIFA honour and the Ballon d'Or.

The winner of the 2017 award will be announced during a ceremony at the London Palladium on October 23.

The voting for the award, equally weighted between national team captains, national team coaches, media and fans, closed earlier this month.

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Costa send message to Conte, Chelsea fans after Atletico Madrid deal is agreed

Diego Costa has insisted he has “no bitterness” towards Antonio Conte and all those at Chelsea, after he finally got his wish of moving back to Atletico Madrid.

Both clubs have agreed a fee around £53million for the 28-year-old, who would not be eligible to feature for the La Liga side until January next year.

Costa has not played for Chelsea this season too, as he tried to force a move back to Spain.

He told Splash News when pressed on whether he was upset by Conte’s treatment of him in west London: “There’s nothing of the sort there, I’m not upset with anybody, I have no bitterness towards anyone. Everything is cool.”

Costa was speaking at an airport in Sao Paulo as he finally prepares to return to Europe.

Asked if he had a message for the supporters he is leaving behind at Stamford Bridge, Costa said: “Everybody knows how much I love the fans.”

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Martial eager to start against Southampton

Anthony Martial must wait to discover if he has played his way back into Manchester United’s starting line-up for the Premier League visit to Southampton after scoring for the second consecutive game.

The 21-year-old French international has started just one league match for Jose Mourinho this season but came off the bench to score a penalty in last week’s 4-0 win over Everton.

He followed that up with a start and a goal in the midweek League Cup victory against Championship side Burton Albion, with his overall performance earning praise from Mourinho.

But with Henrikh Mkhitaryan and Romelu Lukaku rested for the Burton game and expected to return, Martial appears to be among four players competing for two starting places against the Saints — along with Marcus Rashford, Juan Mata and Jesse Lingard.

“Anthony Martial wanted to do things,” said Mourinho.

“Some he did amazingly well, others not so well but he was always trying and that commitment and happiness on the pitch is always important.

“Martial was good, Lingard was good, Mata was good.

“I think everybody in attacking areas gave a good dynamic in the team and especially happiness. We look happy playing at this moment and that is what I want.”

Martial struggled for form and consistency in Mourinho’s first year in charge at United last season, and was even criticised for his attitude by the Portuguese manager.

But he has clearly won over Mourinho so far in the current campaign even if competition for places is intense, particularly with Lukaku having scored seven goals in as many games and Rashford having found the net five times already.

‘Good headache’ 
“It’s difficult when you’re in and out of the team, but we have to find the positives out of it and I think we have both done that,” said Rashford of the battle for places.

“I think the competition is always positive competition because we’re improving each other every day when we’re in training and in the games. We’re pushing each other more and more.

“It’s a bit of a headache for the manager but it is a good headache for him to have.”

Virgil van Dijk made a surprise return to the Southampton squad for last weekend’s win at Crystal Palace, making a late appearance off the bench.

The centre-back had been training alone in the run up to the transfer deadline after making it clear he wanted a move away.

Southampton stood firm despite interest from Liverpool and Chelsea and with the matter settled at least until January, manager Mauricio Pellegrino is now ready to include the Holland international in his plans.

“We’ll decide tomorrow (Friday), but every single week Virgil is important because he is getting better,” said Pellegrino.

“After a long period of time without playing a game he is training well. It’s good news for us, because we need Virgil, like every single player in our squad.

“Virgil is a very important player for us. I think every single week he will improve, but at the same time he needs to train and play, because for me the best training session is playing games.”

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CARTER OPTS AGAINST FRANCE WORLD CUP 2023 PRESENTATION

All Blacks legend Dan Carter will not attend France’s World Cup 2023 bid presentation in London next week, dealing a blow to officials’ hopes of exploiting his star power. “Won’t be in London to support France #2023 bid. Good luck to all the countries bidding but Paris for the ABs (All Blacks) three peat sounds good to me,” tweeted Carter who won two World Cups with New Zealand in 2011 and 2015. He now plays his club rugby in France with Racing 92. France is competing with Ireland and South Africa to host the 2023 World Cup with all three candidate countries scheduled to make oral pitches to World Rugby in London on Monday. The final vote takes place on November 15

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: PSG announces club’s penalty taker: CAVANI OR NEYMAR

French Ligue 1 giants, Paris Saint-Germain have decided the ‘fight’ of its two star strikers Edinson Cavani and Neymar over who should take free-kicks and penalties for the club.

This decision came as a result of bells of alarms that were ringing throughout the French capital on Sunday evening as Cavani and Neymar squabbled over who took a penalty against Olympique Ly

PSG had hoped the issue could be resolved between the two individuals but the story has since taken on a life of its own on social media.

PSG have been forced to make a decision of their own on the matter, after rumours of Neymar ‘unfollowing’ the former Napoli forward quickly appeared.

The Parisians have now decided that the Uruguayan International will remain the club’s penalty taker, according to MARCA.

Neymar’s 222 million euro arrival looked to have shifted the balance of power at the Parc des Princes.

On Monday, club President, Nasser Al-Khelaifi met with both players in question to discuss the issue.

Further meetings with Unai Emery and Antero Henrique are scheduled for Wednesday.

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Oxlade-Chamberlain set for first start in League Cup

Liverpool take on Leicester City in the pick of the English League Cup ties this week as manager Jurgen Klopp seeks to eradicate the frustrating defensive blunders dogging his team.

Other all-Premier League ties pit struggling Crystal Palace against Huddersfield, West Brom against Manchester City, Bournemouth against Brighton, while Manchester United face Burton Albion in a low-key start to their title defence.

Liverpool, United and the other teams in European competition only enter the draw for the League Cup, called the Carabao Cup this season after its new sponsors, at the third-round stage

Klopp’s Liverpool started the season brightly but have stuttered over the past week, with a 5-0 defeat to Manchester City followed by frustrating draws against Sevilla in the Champions League and Burnley in the Premier League.

The manager is set to make changes for Tuesday’s match at Leicester, handing midfielder Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain, who joined on transfer deadline day from Arsenal, his first start for the club after three substitute appearances.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for Alex because since he has been (here) it has been difficult to train on different things because of game after game after game,” Klopp said at his pre-match press conference on Monday.

“There is no rush but we are in this three-game-a-week rhythm and during the international break he was with the national team.

“But it is a long-term project so I have no problem. We sat together with him and the analysts and showed him how we want him to play in this position and that position.”

Leicester themselves are looking to kickstart their season after a disappointing start that sees the 2015-16 Premier League champions languishing in 15th place but striker Jamie Vardy, who has a groin problem, is a major doubt.

Also on Tuesday, Roy Hodgson’s Palace play Huddersfield at Selhurst Park after a 1-0 defeat to Southampton saw them become the first Premier League side to lose their first five games and fail to score.

Burton face the daunting task of a trip to Old Trafford on Wednesday, 11 years after they held United to a 0-0 draw at home in the FA Cup before losing the replay 5-0.

Burton boss Nigel Clough hailed the “transformation of the club since the last time we played them as a part-time Conference side”, when he was in his first spell as Burton boss.

“We are only one league behind them after 11 years,” he said. “It’s remarkable how far we have come. The one outstanding memory of the game last time at the Pirelli was when they brought on (Cristiano) Ronaldo and (Wayne) Rooney after 60 minutes.

“I think the tie has financially helped the club to build a solid foundation.”

Elsewhere on Wednesday, Arsenal take on Doncaster Rovers at home and Chelsea host Nottingham Forest.

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Man City not the same level with Chelsea – Pep Guardiola

Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, has disclosed that City cannot declare themselves ready to match the level of Premier League champion, Chelsea.

The Sky Blues pounded Watford 6-0 at Vicarage Road on Saturday, to complete 3 wins in 7 days, scoring 15 goals without reply.

Guardiola was also not convinced with City’s form so far even though his squad also hammered Liverpool 5-0 on Sept. 9

Asked if he considers City now ready to go toe-to-toe with the likes of Chelsea, Guardiola only replied, “We will see. But I think we’ve made a step forward in terms of last season.

He said, “My feeling now is that everybody knows what we have to do, the players know what they have to do, with, without the ball in transition. And that’s so important.”

The City boss said, “We weren’t good enough last season, Chelsea and Tottenham were better. You have to accept it.”

“You have to accept sometimes the opposition is better. Then you analyse why to improve for the future,” said Guardiola.

He added, “In an athlete’s career there are maybe 10 or 15 percent happiness moments, you lose more than you win. So you’ve got to enjoy it when you win.”
Hailing full-back recruits Kyle Walker, Danilo and Benjamin Mendy for transforming City’s blueprint, Guardiola insisted his side are nowhere near their peak.

“Even if it looks like we cannot improve, of course we can improve,” said Guardiola.

He continued, “There’s still movement, there are still actions we can improve.

“The full-backs are so important. They offer energy to go up and down so that means we can put more players in the middle, to play, to pass the short passes.

“I like it when we play short passes through the middle, five, six metres, that gives us continuity. We create the spaces behind the press.

Guardiola said, “To do that you need more players in one position.

“And Kyle [Walker] and Danilo and Mendy help us a lot to be able to do that. Without that it would be even more complicated.”

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Former Everton star Lukaku ruins Rooney’s United return

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Manchester United's Belgian striker Romelu Lukaku celebrates after scoring their third goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 17, 2017. Oli SCARFF / AFP

Manchester United's Belgian midfielder Marouane Fellaini congratulates Manchester United's Armenian midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan (R) on scoring their second goal during the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 17, 2017. Oli SCARFF / AFP

Manchester United's Ecuadorian midfielder Antonio Valencia (3rd R) celebrates with teammates after scoring the opening goal of the English Premier League football match between Manchester United and Everton at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on September 17, 2017. Oli SCARFF / AFP

Romelu Lukaku showed little room for sentiment on Sunday scoring one and creating another as Manchester United ran out ultimately comfortable 4-0 winners over his former club Everton to ruin Wayne Rooney’s Old Trafford return.

Right-back Antonio Valencia gave United an early lead with a spectacular half-volley before late goals from midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan — set up by Lukaku just before he got on the scoresheet himself — and an Anthony Martial penalty sealed the win.

With United’s rivals Manchester City having clinched a dominant 6-0 victory over Watford 24 hours earlier there was an expectation from United fans for Jose Mourinho’s side to keep pace with the Premier League leaders.

They are now only behind them in the table by virtue of C coming before U in the alphabet as they have identical records — Everton by contrast are in a crisis as they lost for the fourth successive match without scoring and are in the bottom three.

The Red Devils, without the injured Paul Pogba, were not as fluent and free-flowing as they have been in the early part of the season and three goals in the final seven minutes flattered them a little.

Rooney, United’s all-time leading goalscorer, was afforded a generous reception by the United fans and carried Everton’s main goal threat before he left to a standing ovation from the home supporters after being substituted with eight minutes left.

United asserted their authority in the fourth minute as Valencia showed superb technique to score a magnificent opening goal

Nemanja Matic swept a cross field pass to Valencia on the corner of the penalty area and the Ecuador international, albeit afforded time and space by a flat-footed Everton defence, struck a sweet half-volley which arrowed high into the net.

Rooney flickered into life midway through the first half when he sent Cuco Martina scampering down the right flank and then burst forward in search of the return ball.

Martina’s low cross picked out Rooney on the edge of the penalty area but the former England captain could only strike a low effort wide of the post.

United squandered an opportunity just before the half-hour mark when Juan Mata seized on Michael Keane’s misplaced pass and sent Lukaku clear but he shot wide.

Koeman had demanded a reaction from his players before this contest having seen them slip to three consecutive defeats.

And Everton’s confidence slowly returned as the game wore on with Idrissa Gueye and Morgan Schneiderlin rising to the midfield battle.

Rooney’s tenacity moments after half-time saw him skip into the penalty area at the Stretford End and on to a pass from Tom Davies but David De Gea kept out the striker’s low effort with his legs.

Despite Everton’s improvement United remained a threat and went close when Juan Mata curled a free-kick around the Everton wall and against the post shortly after the hour mark.

United finished the contest strongly and clinically, though, as three goals after Rooney’s 82nd minute substitution saw Everton capitulate and conceded three goals.

Ashley Williams carelessly gave the ball away which allowed Lukaku to slide in Henrikh Mkhitaryan who showed composure to guide the ball past Pickford.

United netted their third when Lukaku, who joined United from Everton in July, capitalised on Everton’s failure to clear from a free-kick and stabbed home at the back post.

Martial put the gloss on the win in injury time when he confidently sent Pickford the wrong way with a penalty after Schneiderlin was deemed to have handled.

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Harry Redknapp sacked by Birmingham

Veteran manager Harry Redknapp was sacked by second-tier Birmingham City on Saturday after a 3-1 home defeat by Preston, the club announced. Harry Redknapp  The 70-year-old, whose coaching career has included Tottenham Hotspur and Portsmouth, was briefly hailed as a saviour after he kept Birmingham in the division last term having taken over following a disastrous spell in charge by Italian Gianfranco Zola. However, despite an influx of players in the close season, Birmingham suffered a sixth successive defeat and have just four points from eight league matches. “Blues have parted company with manager Harry Redknapp,” read a terse statement form the club. Redknapp, who had been in charge for just 13 matches, had appeared not to be aware of an impending decision although he accepted the blame for the abject display in Saturday’s match. “The players have got to adjust to the Championship if they are going to survive in this league. It was horrendous defending in the middle of the park,” he said. “I didn’t tell them to do that, that’s for sure, but I take the blame — that’s the way the game is.”

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Coutinho ready for Liverpool start, says Klopp

Liverpool’s German manager Jurgen Klopp (C) speaks to Liverpool’s Brazilian midfielder Philippe Coutinho as he prepares to play during the UEFA Champions League Group E football match between Liverpool and Sevilla at Anfield in Liverpool, north-west England on September 13, 2017. 

Philippe Coutinho is set to start his first Liverpool game since trying to engineer a move to Barcelona when the Reds take on Burnley on Saturday, according to his coach Jurgen Klopp.

The playmaker should be unleashed into the spot vacated by striker Sadio Mane, suspended after his sending off in their 5-0 drubbing by Man City last weekend, manager Klopp suggested on Friday.

The Senegal international took a three-match ban and Coutinho looks the ideal replacement, having operated in the same left-sided role for most of last season.

The Brazil international has been eased into the first-team picture after missing the start of the campaign with a back injury but made his comeback with a 15-minute cameo in the Champions League draw with Sevilla on Wednesday.

Coutinho submitted a transfer request on the eve of the season but Liverpool repeatedly rebuffed Barcelona’s attempts to lure him to the Camp Nou.

“He should be ready (to start),” Klopp said. “It was really nice how the crowd welcomed him — no one was 100 per cent sure about this but the Liverpool family was sensitive enough to do this and for him it was good.

“He trained outstandingly in the few sessions we’ve had together since he was back. His game was not perfect but that is how it is after a long break, but it helped him and us.”

“It is always difficult to replace top-class players,” he added.

Klopp confirmed Simon Mignolet would return in goal at Anfield on Saturday after sitting out in midweek to give Loris Karius a game.

He confirmed the Belgium international is his first-choice for Premier League matches, while Trent Alexander-Arnold could return at right-back.

Liverpool’s defence is in the spotlight again after letting a lead slip late on against Sevilla. The back four featured two changes compared to the game against Manchester City but Klopp insisted those alterations were not the reason for the high number of goals conceded.

“In an ideal world we (would) have 11 players play the whole season but it is not an ideal world,” he said.

“We didn’t concede a goal because of the formation and (because) they didn’t work together. It is a lack of concentration.”

“We cannot take out the five goals against City but if we could do it, we have played a lot of games with decent defensive performances,” he added.

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Europa League: UEFA charge Arsenal, Cologne over crowd trouble

UEFA has charged Cologne and Arsenal, following crowd trouble during their Europa League game at the Emirates Stadium on Thursday.

The match was delayed by an hour, as thousands of away fans tried to force their way in.

On Friday, UEFA announced that it had opened disciplinary proceedings.

It has brought four charges against Cologne: crowd disturbances, setting off fireworks, throwing objects and acts of damage.

Arsenal face one charge of violating security regulations, because of blocked stairways in the away section.

UEFA said its disciplinary committee would deal with the case next Thursday, with its rules stating that the host club is “responsible for order and security both inside and around the stadium before, during and after matches.”

The rules also say the hosts are “liable for incidents of any kind… unless they can prove that they have not been negligent in any way in the organisation of the match.”

However, the regulations state that each club can be punished for “inappropriate behaviour on the part of their supporters.”

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Cristiano Ronaldo celebrates number 1 ranking on FIFA 18

Real Madrid superstar, Cristiano Ronaldo celebrated his No.1 ranking on FIFA 18 with a post on his Instagram account.

Ronaldo, who will be on the cover of the game, took to Instagram on Tuesday to show off his top-ranked player attribute card from the game.

The 32-year-old was given a 94 overall ranking in the new game, putting him just ahead of his Barcelona rival Lionel Messi, who was ranked 93.

The Portuguese International will also appear on the cover of this year’s game, and has been written into the storyline of Alex Hunter’s career in The Journey.

The newest version of EA Sports’ football franchise hits the shelves on September 29.

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Champions League: Zidane speaks on Ronaldo ahead APOEL Nicosia clash

Real Madrid manager, Zinedine Zidane, said on Tuesday that star player, Cristiano Ronaldo is eager to return to action as the club prepares to kick start their Champions League campaign Wednesday night against APOEL Nicosia.

Zidane said in a pre-match conference, “He’s in a very good mood and is very happy to play, because this is what he really loves, playing football, but he’s also right mentally and he’s happy to be on the pitch again,”

Ronaldo was given a 5-game ban for being sent off and pushing a referee in the first leg of the Spanish Super Cup against Barcelona in August.

The 32-year-old has not fixture in Los Vikingos’s first three Liga games and will miss next week’s trip to Real Sociedad, but he is clear to face Cypriot champions APOEL.

Zidane said, “We all know how good Cristiano is and I prefer him to be with us all the time. We can’t talk about Cristiano-dependence, I want everyone to be available all the time.”

The Frenchman added, “Cristiano doesn’t just contribute goals, he’s a leader, he always wants to win and he transmits that to everyone else. We’re all excited to have him back with us.”

Ronaldo’s return boosts will Los Blancos’s attack after a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Levante on Saturday, their second successive home draw which left them trailing early Liga leaders Barcelona and Real Sociedad by 4 points.

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Arsenal vs Cologne: Seven senior players to miss Gunners’ Europa League clash

Arsenal manager, Arsene Wenger, is set to ring the changes for their Europe League opener against Cologne, after seven first-team stars missed training on Wednesday.

The Gunners take on the Bundesliga side at the Emirates, just three days before the trip to London rivals, Chelsea. And Wenger is clearly prioritising that one, with a host of big names sitting out Wednesday’s session.

Record signing Alexandre Lacazette was not involved, nor were Mesut Ozil, Petr Cech or Laurent Koscielny.

Danny Welbeck, who scored twice against Bournemouth, is also set to sit out along with Aaron Ramsey and Granit Xhaka.

Alexis Sanchez is expected to play some part, as is midfielder Jack Wilshere.

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Dembele handed first Barca start against Juventus

Barcelona’s French forward Ousmane Dembele (L) and Barcelona’s Argentinian forward Lionel Messi leave the field after the Spanish Liga football match Barcelona vs Espanyol at the Camp Nou stadium in Barcelona on September 9, 2017.

French starlet Ousmane Dembele was handed his first Barcelona start by Ernesto Valverde for the Catalans’ Champions League opener at home to Juventus on Tuesday.

Dembele joined Barca in an initial 105 million euro ($126 million) deal that could rise as high as 145 million euros from Borussia Dortmund to replace the departed Neymar last month.

The 20-year-old came off the bench to set up a late goal for Luis Suarez on his debut as Barca thrashed Espanyol 5-0 on Saturday.

Dembele’s inclusion at the expense of Gerard Deulofeu is Valverde’s only change for his first European test as Barca boss.

Juventus are without the injured Giorgio Chiellini and Mario Mandzukic.

However, the dangerous Paulo Dybala, who scored twice as the Italian champions dumped Barca out at the quarter-final stage last season, is fit to partner Gonzalo Higuain in attack.

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Chelsea pledge action over anti-Semitic chant

Chelsea have vowed to take the “strongest possible action” against any supporters found to have used anti-Semitic language in a chant about the club’s new striker Alvaro Morata.

The song, aired during Chelsea’s 2-1 win at Leicester City on Saturday, describes supporters of rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who have traditional links to the Jewish community, as “Yids”.

Chelsea and Morata denounced the chant after the game, the club pledging to support police in helping to identify offenders, and a club spokesman reiterated the message on Monday.

“Chelsea Football Club finds all forms of discrimination abhorrent and the language that was used in that song the other night we find totally unacceptable,” said head of communications Steve Atkins.

“People that use this kind of language against others always try to argue a grey area. There is no grey area. That language used was anti-Semitic. We have a zero-tolerance policy towards it.

“If there is evidence that season ticket holders or members took part in that, and take part in it in the future, then we will take the strongest possible action against them, which includes bans.”

He added: “We must be clear on this because it has to stop.”

Chelsea, Leicester and England’s Football Association have vowed to work together to aid a police investigation into the chant.

Speaking at a press conference ahead of Chelsea’s Champions League opener against Azerbaijani side Qarabag on Tuesday, manager Antonio Conte backed the club’s stance.

“We are totally agreed with the club,” said the Italian.

“You know very well that I love our fans, because they push us a lot during the game. But I think we must pay great attention in the future.”

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Bundesliga crash to shock defeat at Hoffenheim

Hoffenheim’s players celebrate after Hoffenheim’s German forward Mark Uth scored the opening goal during German first division Bundesliga football match between TSG Hoffenheim and FC Bayern Munich in Sinsheim on September 9, 2017. Daniel ROLAND / AFP

Striker Mark Uth netted twice as defending champions Bayern Munich slumped to a shock 2-0 defeat at Hoffenheim in the German Bundesliga on Saturday.

Bayern coach Carlo Ancelotti paid the price for rotating his squad, having started with both Arjen Robben and Franck Ribery on the bench, ahead of Tuesday’s Champions League match at home to Anderlecht.

Thomas Mueller started on the right wing but played poorly despite creating two goals in Germany’s 6-0 mauling of Norway in World Cup qualifying on Monday.

Bayern stumbled to defeat despite 72 percent possession and 23 shots on goal, while Hoffenheim scored twice from just six chances.

After three games Bayern are in the unusual position of fifth in the table — for the first time since August 2014.

Hoffenheim are second behind leaders Borussia Dortmund who were held to a goalless draw at Freiburg.

Hoffenheim took the lead in Sinsheim after catching out the Bayern defence.

Bayern centre-back Mats Hummels cleared the ball, which had bounced out of play, but Andrej Kramaric took a quick throw-in and the defence was slow to react as Uth fired home past Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer on 27 minutes.

Bayern were furious as two balls were on the pitch for Uth’s goal, but the referee dismissed their protests as the ball Hummels had cleared was in the other half of the pitch — nowhere near play.

Hoffenheim doubled the lead when Swiss defender Steven Zuber fired in a cross and Uth was unmarked to drill home on 51 minutes.

Ancelotti threw on Ribery and James Rodriguez, the Colombian making his Bayern debut following his move from Real Madrid, for the final quarter of an hour but to no avail.

Having failed to beat Bayern in their first 17 attempts, Hoffenheim now have back-to-back wins after April’s 1-0 home victory.

Dortmund’s double blow 
Meanwhile, Borussia Dortmund could be without injury victims Marcel Schmelzer and Marc Bartra for Wednesday’s opening Champions League group match at Wembley.

The pair picked up ankle and groin injuries respectively in Dortmund’s frustrating goalless draw at 10-man Freiburg.

Freiburg’s Yoric Ravet was sent off on 30 minutes for his tackle on Schmelzer after the video assistant referee spotted the midfielder had gone in studs up.

Schmelzer was stretchered off and taken to hospital. “It looks worse for Marcel, we will have to wait to see how it looks on Sunday,” said Dortmund coach Peter Bosz.

It was the first time Dortmund dropped league points under Bosz, yet they had 82 percent possession and fired in 27 shots to Freiburg’s five. “I’m disappointed, we had the numerical advantage for an hour, so a draw isn’t enough,” said Bosz.

It was the first time the VAR, which is being trialled in the Bundesliga this season, had called for a red card in Germany’s top flight. Dortmund’s new signing Andriy Yarmolenko made his debut for the final 11 minutes after joining from Dynamo Kiev.

Historic Steinhaus
Ghana midfielder Kevin-Prince Boateng scored his first goal in Germany’s top flight for three years as Eintracht Frankfurt won 1-0 at Borussia Moenchengladbach before going off concussed.

Iceland striker Alfred Finnbogason hit a hat-trick in Augsburg’s 3-0 win at home to struggling Cologne, who are are bottom after three defeats.

New signing Abdou Diallo and midfielder Suat Serdar scored second-half goals as Mainz earned a 3-1 comeback win at home to Bayer Leverkusen.

Japan striker Yoshinori Muto put Mainz level with an equaliser on the stroke of half-time after Leverkusen midfielder Dominik Kohr scored the opening goal.

Wolfsburg drew 1-1 with Hanover 96 after Daniel Didavi’s first-half free-kick gave the hosts the lead before Martin Harnik levelled for Hanover.

History will be made on Sunday when Bibiana Steinhaus becomes the first female to referee in Germany’s top flight when Hertha Berlin host Werder Bremen.

The 38-year-old will become the first female referee in one of Europe’s top leagues and Hertha are offering half-price tickets to women to see the historic moment at Berlin’s Olympic Stadium.

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Sanchez seeks to put transfer blow behind him

However, both City’s Guardiola and Klopp at Liverpool are under pressure this season to turn the attractive styles into silverware.

With both clubs on seven points and unbeaten after three matches they will hope their players haven’t gone off the boil after being away on international duty.

Both trail Manchester United by two points with Jose Mourinho’s side, yet to concede a goal this season, away to an unpredictable Stoke City managed by former United star Mark Hughes.

For several players it will be a case of starting competitive life with their new club — the transfer window having closed during the international break — or for some a case of turning out after their team refused to sell them.

Here AFP Sport looks at five players who made the headlines for better or for worse during that frenetic period:

Gunners pray for a positive Sanchez
Alexis Sanchez is even more integral to Arsenal and embattled manager Arsene Wenger’s hopes of silverware than ever before. However, the 28-year-old Chilean’s frame of mind, after Arsenal refused to let him leave for Manchester City, will be crucial as to whether they enjoy some success. A home match with Bournemouth, who have yet to earn a point this season, presents a golden opportunity for him and the Gunners to bounce back after the 4-0 drubbing they suffered at Liverpool which left Sanchez looking miserable. Wenger is certain Sanchez is in the right place mentally. “I have no doubt about Alexis’s mind and mentality,” said Wenger on Thursday.

Sigurdsson under pressure to deliver 
Unlike Sanchez and Coutinho, Gylfi Sigurdsson succeeded in gaining the £45 million ($58m, 49.4m euros) move he desired from Swansea City to Everton. However, Everton fans will be looking for far better things, starting with Saturday’s home game with Tottenham Hotspur, than the anonymous performance he put in during the limp 2-0 defeat by Chelsea. Spurs fans have bitter experience of Sigurdsson flattering to deceive when he was with them, so Everton manager Ronald Koeman will hope that is an extra motivating factor for the Iceland international. Not least because the pressure is also on the Dutchman, who made him his main target in the close season.

Sobering experience ahead for Drinkwater
Timing is everything and Danny Drinkwater’s couldn’t have been worse for some as his first match for new club Chelsea could be on Saturday away to former employers Leicester City. Despite his sterling performances when they won the title in 2016, Foxes fans are not happy about him decamping to Chelsea, like his midfield partner N’Golo Kante the year before, for a reported £35 million. It could prove to be a baptism of fire for the 27-year-old if Antonio Conte throws him straight in and rests some players for the Champions League clash next Tuesday.

Klopp faces ‘Ox’ dilemma 
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain will hope to find a joie de vie at Liverpool following his £35 million transfer from Arsenal. The 24-year-old England international, who apparently rejected the offer of higher wages from both Arsenal and Chelsea, should make his debut against City. He will hope his move has gained him a place in his preferred role in midfield — though Klopp has several options there — rather than wing-back where Wenger had played him in recent months.

Aurier knows to watch his step
Serge Aurier should get his chance to show off his undoubted talent to fans of his new club Tottenham at Everton on Saturday following his £23 million ($30 million, 25 million euros) transfer from French giants Paris Saint-Germain on deadline day. However, the 24-year-old Ivory Coast right-back is also on notice from Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino to be on his best behaviour after two unsavoury incidents whilst at PSG. “I said to him, ‘I will kill you’, I (would) head-butt him,” Pochettino said referring to the possible consequences of him stepping out of line.

Fixtures (1400GMT kick-offs unless stated):

Saturday
Arsenal v Bournemouth, Everton v Tottenham, Leicester v Chelsea, Manchester City v Liverpool (1130), Stoke v Manchester United (1630), Brighton v West Brom, Southampton v Watford.

Sunday
Burnley v Crystal Palace (1230), Swansea v Newcastle (1500).

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Coutinho reports to Liverpool’s training ahead of Saturday’s clash with City

Liverpool attacking midfielder, Philippe Coutinho, on Thursday returned to training at Anfield after failing to push through a move away from the Premier League giants.

The Reds are happy to have their playmate back on the pitch as they look forward to taking on Man City on Saturday.

Coutinho’s effort to join Barcelona during the last transfer window was repeatedly rebuffed by the Reds.

The Brazilian international has not feature in any of Liverpool’s game this season.

The 25-year-old joined up with his national side for World Cup qualifiers and fixtured against Ecuador and Colombia.

Liverpool is currently occupying the second place in the Premier League table just behind Man United after two wins and a draw from their first three fixtures.

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Blues have depth to compete - Hazard

Premier League champions Chelsea have the depth to succeed in multiple tournaments this season, despite the departure of several key players in the transfer window, midfielder Eden Hazard has said.

Nine John Terry and midfielder Nemanja MaticChelsea players permanently left the club in the transfer window, including former captain , and a further 16 players have been loaned out to other clubs. The club have signed six new players.

Chelsea failed to complete several big transfers in the final stages of the window, but Hazard believes his team have the manpower to compete across the league, domestic cups and the Champions League.

"I think this year will be no different from the previous years, in the sense that every year it is difficult - especially when you play in many competitions," Hazard told the Daily Mail.

"This year we have the Champions League as well and it is not easy to succeed in multiple competitions.

"But we will do our best and we have got depth in our squad so sometimes maybe one or two players can rest so they are 110 per cent for the next competition."

Chelsea qualified for the Champions League this season after missing out last campaign and Hazard, who has been at the club since 2012, is keen to win the competition for the first time.

"We just want to win as many trophies as possible. For me personally I haven't won the Champions League so maybe that one would be a little bit more special, but I would prefer us to win everything," he said.

The Belgium international, who missed the start of the current domestic season with an ankle injury, returned to action during his nation's World Cup qualifier victories over Gibraltar on August 31 and Greece on Sunday.

Hazard also praised Chelsea manager Antonio Conte as "one of the best managers in the world" and said he shares a good relationship with the Italian.

The 26-year-old playmaker is likely to feature in Chelsea's trip to Leicester City in the league on Saturday.

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