Midfielders

Juventus coach, Andrea Pirlo, praised two-goal Cristiano Ronaldo after their 2-2 draw at Roma.

Super Eagles’ Technical Adviser, Gernot Rohr, has called up 25 players ahead of next month’s friendly matches against the Elephants of Cote d’Ivoire and the Carthage Eagles of Tunisia, scheduled for Austria. Five other players have been put on standby.

The Champions League have announced the nominees for their 2019/20 positional awards.

Other players in the list are Brice Samba of Nottingham Forest, West Bromwich Albion’s Romaine Sawyers, Aleksandar Mitrovic and Joe Bryan of Fulham and Brentford duo of Said Benrahma and Ollie Watkins.

New Everton signing Allan is one of the best defensive midfielders in world football, according to Toffees boss Carlo Ancelotti.

“But unfortunately for him, he took a test (for COVID-19) yesterday which turned out to be positive today, so at the last minute he was replaced by Eduardo Camavinga.”

Manchester United duo Harry Maguire and Mason Greenwood have been included in the England squad for September’s Nations League games against Iceland and Denmark.

Ahmed Musa will be gunning for his second goal in what will be his 20th Saudi Pro League game of the season when Al Nassr FC host Al-Wehda at the Prince Mohamed Bin Fahd Stadium today (Saturday).

Liverpool star Virgil van Dijk is desperate for Naby Keita to avoid another injury-interrupted season in 2020-21 and prove to the Premier League he is “world class”.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will not seek huge funds for transfers this summer due to the economic realities of the coronavirus crisis, but is keen for the club to tie down Paul Pogba to a long-term contract.

Ederson has credited Pep Guardiola with making him a better goalkeeper and says the Manchester City boss "sees football in another way" to others.

Real Madrid star Casemiro will miss the clash against Real Mallorca on Wednesday at the Alfredo di Stefano Stadium after the Brazilian picked his 10th yellow card of the season in the 2-1 win against Real Sociedad on Sunday at the Reale Arena.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has challenged Paul Pogba to show leadership at Manchester United as the midfielder seeks to put a wretched season behind him.

Emmanuel Amuneke believes Wilfred Ndidi is currently one of the best defensive midfielders in the world and should have to problem joining a big club later in the future.

The 20-year-old Ibadan-born defender who is currently on six months loan with Ireland struggling side Cork in January but the teenager hoping that some impressive performances across the sea would pave the way for a first-team role at Mikel Arteta team when the 2020-21 season kicks off.

Inter have released an official club statement confirming that all COVID-19 tests conducted on the Inter first team have come back negative.

World Cup-winning Nigeria captain Kelechi Nwakali has been urged to work harder in order to revive his career by Emmanuel Amuneke.

Former Nigeria international Victor Moses has been included in a list of Liverpool’s terrible signings made under current Leicester boss Brendan Rodgers.