Rebel Rudiger's rise from teenage street striker to £34m Chelsea star

Ahead of the German's meeting with former club Roma on Wednesday, Goal looks back at the defender's perilous journey to the top

Kind-hearted but with an appetite for mischief during his teenage years, Antonio Rudiger hasn't taken the simplest path to the Chelsea first team but it is a stage on which he undoubtedly belongs.
Blues 17/20 for CS v Watford
The 24-year-old now represents a team from west London's wealthiest suburb, but he was born and grew up in Neukolln, a tough area in Berlin where crime was rife. His parents, Matthias and Lily, met in the German capital after being forced to flee Sierra Leone in 1991 due to the civil war.

Rudiger made his first steps into professional football at the relatively late age of 15, having honed his skills in street football. He then left Berlin to build his career at Borussia Dortmund, but his route to the top would not be easy, after spending eight years in amateur football.
Dirk Jacob signed a nine-year-old Rudiger for his club, SV Tasmania Berlin, after taking him from another local side in VfB Sperber Neukolln. Jacob remembered how Rudiger's mentality used to change as soon as the whistle was blown for kick-off.
"I was the coach of the then-E1 juniors with players who were 9 or 10 and I brought Antonio to my team," Jacob told Sportmasta. "He stood out at that time because of his quiet and calm behaviour, but on the pitch he was the opposite of quiet and calm.
"Antonio was always looking for fun. He wanted to do everything right in games. He was at almost every training session no matter what the weather was like. Technically, as a runner and in footballing terms, he was very strong.
"Because of his endurance and his acceleration he was one of the best in his group. Antonio was very good at dribbling. He was physically strong and already tall for his age. Technically, his abilities were already very pronounced and he was good at shooting.
"In the two years Antonio played in my team he mostly played as a striker. But he was quite good in every other position too. I even used him as a goalkeeper from time to time."
Jacob, who has coached in Neukolln since 2002, then recalls his favourite story whilst training Rudiger, revealing just how big a heart the defender possesses.
"Antonio always stood for justice," he said. "During one match, he ran towards the empty goal of our opponents and could have scored. But Antonio waited instead for an eternity for one of his teammates, gave him the ball and the team-mate then scored the goal. This team-mate had never scored a goal until then. It is my favourite memory of him."
Rudiger played three seasons with Tasmania before moving on to Neukollner Sportfreunde 1907 for one season. He then went to Hertha Zehlendorf for two years before he was picked up by Dortmund.
Hertha Zehlendorf was a step up for Rudiger, who saw his half-brother Sahr Senesie — eight years his senior — signed by Dortmund while he was still in the amateur game. Markus Plog was coaching Antonio at that time and admitted that he had to manage the teenager’s attitude.
"I still remember that when he was playing for us, he sometimes showed a fiery temper," Plog told Goal. "There was a time when Toni wasn't allowed to play for a couple of games due to ill-discipline, like arriving late to training sessions and other things like that.
"But I think that was a very important lesson for him and from that point on he changed. He became a disciplined, hungry guy who always wanted to achieve more and more. From that point on it was a lot of fun working with him."
Rudiger needed that hunger as he was discarded after two-and-a-half years by Dortmund, who believed he wasn't good enough. But he got another big chance at Stuttgart. He made his debut in the bottom professional tier of German football for Stuttgart II at the age of 18 and maintained a place in the team until his Bundesliga debut just six months later.

Antonio Conte quickly became impressed with Rudiger during his first season at Roma in 2015-16. The Chelsea manager wanted to bring him to Stamford Bridge at the end of that campaign but Rudiger tore his anterior cruciate ligament at the worst possible time.
Not only did it delay his move to Chelsea for a whole year, it also denied him the chance to travel to Euro 2016 with Germany. But Rudiger was able to draw upon all the determination and spirit that had allowed him to make it in a ruthless profession by completing a full recovery and winning the Confederations Cup this summer with Germany.
After two excellent seasons at Roma — during which he displayed great class and dignity during the infamous Senad Lulic racism storm — he finally made a £34 million move to Chelsea, with £350,000 filtering back into his youth clubs. Plog summed up his pride at seeing what his protege had become.

"When I see Toni now in the shirt of Germany or Chelsea it makes me really proud," Plog gushed. "He was our player at under-16 level and now he plays in the Premier League in London.
"There are some days I still can't believe it when I watch him on television against Messi or Ronaldo in the Champions League."
Indeed, as Rudiger prepares to face former club Roma at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday, he should serve as an example to every young footballer of just what can be achieved in adversity when you combine talent with belief and a big heart.

Don't stress it

Club director Txiki Begiristain has spoken to the Belgium midfielder's agent regarding a new deal at the Etihad Stadium

Kevin De Bruyne is happy to focus on extending his fabulous form on the field, with preliminary talks over a new contract at Manchester City having already taken place.
KDB 11/10 to score v Burnley
The Belgium international impressed once more as Pep Guardiola's side made it three wins out of three in Champions League Group F on Tuesday, holding out for a pulsating 2-1 triumph over Napoli.
Ahead of the match, De Bruyne's agent Patrick De Koster stated he would seek to use the astronomical wages paid by Paris Saint-Germain to Neymar and Kylian Mbappe as benchmarks when discussing fresh terms with the Premier League leaders.
Neymar is reported to earn €600,000 per week at the Parc des Princes, while City are understood to have De Bruyne on a current weekly wage in the region of £115,000.
The 26-year-old is under contract at the Etihad Stadium until 2021 and, speaking after he set up Gabriel Jesus' decisive goal against Napoli, he confirmed De Koster has met with City's director of football Txiki Begiristain to set the wheels in motion on an extension.
"My agent went already one time to Txiki," he said. "Talks are coming.
"I'm patient anyway, I don't stress it. I think I read something in the press [about his contract] but I have time."

De Bruyne is similarly at ease when it comes to assessing the hype around a succession of acclaimed showings for City, which culminated in Guardiola fielding questions comparing his midfielder's talents to Lionel Messi before the Napoli match.
"I don't care," he said. "I have to do the things that I do.
"In football you are going to have highs and lows. In football you have to live in the middle.
"I come home and just do what I always do, no matter if it's a good game or a bad game. I just like to enjoy my football, that's a big part of me.
"I put a lot of passion in what I do and I like to win."
The precision low cross for Jesus in the 13th minute marked De Bruyne's seventh assist in all competitions this season.
His impeccable deliveries during last weekend's demolition of Stoke City were the talking point of a 7-2 win where the ex-Wolfsburg man did not actually get on the scoresheet himself.
Being cast as his team's chief provider is a role De Bruyne has long relished.

"Obviously, the team knows better and better the way I play [but] I think if you check my assists, what I did before in Germany and Belgium, a lot of times it's the same," he said.
"The way I think is it's great to get a player in a scoring position. If I can give that ball I will give it because I think at that time in the game it’s the right pass for me."
De Bruyne clattered the crossbar with a fine strike against the Serie A pacesetters, part of an eventful outing that also featured him exchanging cross words with colleagues David Silva and Fernandinho.
A late first-half booking was the source of the playmaker's ire, with his senior team-mates bearing the brunt as he sought to remonstrate with the fourth official at half-time.

But De Bruyne was happy to report the trio's midfield marriage was quickly back on track.
"We had a little discussion at the time, it happens," he added. "There's nothing wrong. After one minute, it's over.
"At home I get some arguments with my wife. I think it's normal."

City boss Pepola happy over win

Manches

 City boss Pepola felt his side's 2-1 Champions League win over Napoli was a "perfect" performance against a side he rates as one of the best he has ever faced.

Billed as an encounter between the two most scintillating attacking sides in Europe, the game lived up to the hype, with goals from Raheem Sterling and Gabriel Jesus earning an impressive City the victory.
Serie A leaders Napoli, who have won all eight of the games in the Italian top flight this season, were awarded two penalties in the game, with Ederson saving the first from Dries Mertens before Amadou Diawara scored the second.
"Today we won against an incredible team and to do that you have to make an incredible performance. If we hadn't played at a very high level, we wouldn't have won that game," said Guardiola.
"They are one of the best teams I have ever faced, which is why I am so proud. It was perfect. It is impossible to beat them if you don't make a good performance, and we did it, which is why I am so happy.
"I know before the game and now I know again, I am pretty sure they are one of the best teams in Europe at this moment."
City have now won 10 successive matches in all competitions, matching their previous best run under Guardiola at the start of last season.
Their desire to play out from the back almost cost them on a couple of occasions but they held out for a win that leaves them top of Group F, three points clear of Shakhtar Donetsk, who won 2-1 at Feyenoord.

City underline their improvement

Raheem Sterling has already scored 8 goals in 11 appearances for Manchester City this season; two fewer than he did in 47 appearances last term (10).

In his programme notes for Tuesday's game, City boss Pep Guardiola insisted that his job was to win games, not entertain. At the moment, he is doing both.
Few teams have been able to live with Guardiola's team this season, with only Everton denying them victory courtesy of a 1-1 Premier League draw back in August.
Since then, the Premier League leaders have netted 36 times over 10 straight wins in all competitions, scoring four at Feyenoord, five against Liverpool and Palace and six at Watford before putting seven past Stoke on Saturday in what Guardiola described as the finest display in his time at the club.
Tuesday's win may arguably be their most impressive result this campaign, coming against opponents who have won all eight of their league fixtures this season as part of a club record 13 successive league wins dating back to last campaign.
Some of their passing and attacking play was a joy to behold, resulting in the two early goals, with Sterling finishing into a largely unguarded net after Kyle Walker's shot had been blocked before Jesus tapped home from the brilliant De Bruyne's pinpoint low cross.
The second-half was more even, with Napoli demonstrating some of the attacking verve that has seen them dominate the Italian top-flight this season.
But despite occasionally over-playing at the back, City's late resilience matched their brilliance from earlier in the game.

Man City v Napoli records 2017-18
	Manchester City	Napoli
Matches	12	13
Wins	11	11
Draws	1	0
Losses	0	2
For	39	35
Against	6	10
Domestic league pos.	1st	1st

Napoli miss their chances

City goalkeepers have saved six of the last seven penalties that they have faced in the Champions League (three by Joe Hart, two by Willy Caballero and one by Ederson)

"Almost impossible to win" was how Napoli president Aurelio de Laurentiis described his club's game at City, suggesting that they rest players in order to focus on Saturday's opponents Inter Milan.
However, coach Maurizio Sarri fielded the starting XI largely responsible for their impressive start to this campaign, including Belgium striker Mertens, the scorer of nine of the 34 goals they had amassed in 12 fixtures prior to their trip to the Etihad.
Had Mertens opted for precision as opposed to power with his spot-kick, awarded for Walker's foul on Raul Albiol, he could well have provided the impetus for his side to battle back.
Equally, Marek Hamsik was presented with a golden chance of his own after a mis-placed pass gave him a near open goal, but a diving block from John Stones denied him amid howls of handball from Sarri on the touchline.
Diawara showed them the way by slotting in after Faouzi Ghoulam had been tripped by Fernandinho in the area with 17 minutes to go, but they were unable to capitalise on their momentum.

'They could go all the way' - what they said

Napoli coach Maurizio Sarri, when asked if City can win the Champions League this season: "Yes, I think so.
"They are an extraordinary squad. They have tremendous physical, technical and tactical qualities and if they can maintain their physical shape they could go all the way.
"You have to divide the game into first 25 minutes and then the rest of the game. They deserve a lot of credit for how they started the game - their technique, speed and movement were outstanding - but also, we didn't apply enough pressure.
"But credit to the team for coming out of that situation against a team that is destroying everything that is put in front of it."
Manchester City defender John Stones: "They had a lot of runners in behind. We knew they played patient football and had attacking threat. We knew it would be tough but we wanted to play our football. At times it was great to watch. I am upset to concede the goal we did but overall it was a great team performance.
"We have put ourselves in a good position. There are a lot of games to play still. This was a good test to see where we are at."

Man of the match - Kevin de Bruyne (Manchester City)

Once again, De Bruyne was the driving force behind City's display. He set up Jesus for the second goal and was inches from scoring himself with a first-half shot that hit the bar

Ten on the trot - the stats you need to know

• City have won their opening three games of a European tournament for the first time since 2008/09 (in the Uefa Cup), however this is the first time they've achieved it in the Champions League
• The Citizens have also won three consecutive home games in the Champions League for the first time, and are now unbeaten in their last 11 overall (W8 D3)
• Guardiola's side have the best goal difference of any team in the top five European leagues in all competitions this season (+33)
• City's starting XI tonight was their youngest in the Champions League under Guardiola (26y 73d), and their youngest in the competition overall since October 2012 (25y 309d v Borussia Dortmund)

What next?

City host Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday. They resume Champions League action with the return game against Napoli on Wednesday, 1 November.

Bayern Munich vs Celtic: TV channel, stream

After putting themselves in the mix for qualification after winning in Anderlecht, the Scottish champions are aiming to cause a major upset

Bayern Munich host Celtic in Champions League Group B on Wednesday, with both sides boasting one victory each in their opening two matches.
The two champions of their domestic leagues have had similar results in the competition to date, easily seeing off Anderlecht but falling heavily against Paris Saint-Germain.
Since the Germans were thumped at Parc des Princes last month, they have replaced Carlo Ancelotti with Jupp Heynckes and need an instant reaction in Europe, with this double header set to be crucial.

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Game	Bayern Munich vs Celtic
Date	Wednesday, October 18
Time	19:45 BST / 14:45 ET

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TV CHANNEL & LIVE STREAM

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In the UK, the game will be available to watch live on television on BT Sport ESPN, as well as being available to stream live on the BT Sport app.

UK TV channel	Online stream
BT Sport ESPN	BT Sport app

In the US, the game will not be broadcast live on television, but it will be available to stream online using WatchESPN, Fox Sports Go or the Fox Soccer Match Pass.

US TV channel	Online stream
N/A	WatchESPN / Fox Sports Go / Match Pass

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SQUADS & TEAM NEWS

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Position	Bayern players
Goalkeepers	Starke, Ulreich, Fruchtl
Defenders	Sule, Hummels, Martinez, Rafinha, Boateng, Rudy, Alaba
Midfielders	Thiago, Ribery, Robben, James, Vidal, Tolisso, Kimmich
Forwards	Lewandowski, Muller, Coman

Manuel Neuer and Franck Ribery are still missing for Bayern, while Javi Martinez's absence was also confirmed on Tuesday. He will be sidelined for a couple of games, the Munich side expect. 
Arturo Vidal's return to action does represent some consolation to the Spaniard's absence.
Heynckes will stick by a hugely experienced side, five of whom played in the 2013 final that Bayern won 2-1, albeit Mats Hummels and Robert Lewandowski were both on the losing Dortmund side that evening.
Potential Bayern starting XI:  Ulreich; Kimmich, Hummels, Boateng, Alaba; Thiago, Vidal; Robben, Muller, Coman; Lewandowski

Position	Celtic players
Goalkeepers	Gordon, De Vries, Hazard
Defenders	Simunovic, Gamba, Boyata, Lustig, Sviatchenko, Ajer, Duffy, McCart, McInroy, Ralston, Welsh, Tierney, Bell
Midfielders	Bitton, Roberts, Brown, Sinclair, Armstrong, Rogic, Ntcham, Benyu, McGregor, Forrest, Henderson, McLaughlin, Hill, Hendry, Eboue
Forwards	Griffiths, Dembele, Hayes, Edouard, Miller, Watson, Johnston, Aitchison

Although Scott Brown and Stuart Armstrong were absent at the weekend, both are expected back in the squad for the trip to the Allianz Arena, with the former almost certain to start. 
Erik Sviatchenko continues to sit out in the heart of the defence, while Leigh Griffiths will be back to lead the line ahead of Moussa Dembele, who is still searching for his best form this season.
Craig Gordon will return to play in goal after being left out at the weekend, despite Dorus de Vries' fine display against Dundee at the weekend.
Potential Celtic starting XI:  Gordon; Lustig, Boyata, Simunovic, Tierney; Armstrong, Brown, Rogic; Sinclair, Dembele, Griffiths.

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BETTING & MATCH ODDS

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Bayern are strong favourites at 1/10 according to dabblebet, with Celtic priced at 20/1 to win in Germany. A draw is available at odds of 17/2.
Click here to get all the latest odds and markets for the Champions League clash between Bayern and Celtic.

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GAME PREVIEW

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Bayern Munich hope to get back to winning ways in the Champions League after a difficult start to the season that has prompted them to welcome back coach Jupp Heynckes, who led the club to European glory in 2013 with a 2-1 victory over Borussia Dortmund at Wembley.

Carlo Ancelotti was sacked after the 3-0 reverse against Paris Saint-Germain last month and Heynckes' fourth spell in charge started with a 5-0 win over Freiburg at the weekend. Victory against the Scottish champions on Wednesday is expected to continue the side's resurgence.
Celtic, though, come into the game high on confidence after securing a rare away win in the group stages, having thumped Anderlecht in the last round of fixtures. Brendan Rodgers' side will believe that a point would be an excellent result in this clash as it would give them a genuine shot of second place before the return match in Glasgow on Hallowe'en.
They came through a tough test against Dundee 1-0 on Saturday, during which they heavily rotated their squad in preparation for this clash. Rodgers has achieved great things in little over a year in charge at Celtic Park, but a positive result in this encounter would surely be his greatest feat to date.

Ozil and Alexis committed to Arsenal, Mertesacker claims

The Gunners' star duo are out of contract at the end of the season, but that does not mean they do not give their all for the team, the defender says

Arsenal veteran Per Mertesacker claims Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez remain committed to the Premier League club despite being in the final year of their contracts.
Alexis 5/4 to score v Everton
Both star players have been tipped to leave the Emirates Stadium after the Gunners failed to qualify for the Champions League, and Sanchez close to a switch to Manchester City late in the recent transfer window.

Ozil and Sanchez remain first-team regulars despite their uncertain future, and Mertesacker insists the pair deserve to stay involved.
Asked if they are still giving their all for Arsene Wenger's team, he replied: "Yes. Everyone has to do his job 100 per cent otherwise they are not eligible to be on the pitch.
"As long as everyone understands that then we are fine and you won't get problems from me. If I have a different feeling then it would be addressed.
"I have no problems with players in their final year, that includes me as well," he added, referring to his imminent retirement and impending transition to the role of academy manager.
"The only issue I've got is if they're not fully committed to what we're doing here.
"Even if you're in your final year you have to prove yourself every single day, in order to stay here or to get another contract somewhere else.
"A lot of people focus on being on long-term contracts, but that's not needed. I don't feel a dip in commitment; we're in a good front with those who have their contracts expiring.

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"It's similar to me. I'm staying at the club definitely, which makes it a little bit different, but we want to be successful here and everyone is committed to that."
Arsenal are away to Red Star Belgrade in the Europa League on Thursday.

I don't need to be friends with Neymar

The Uruguayan striker insists any rift between the duo is in the past and suggests that manager Unai Emery had not yet decided who will take penalties

Edinson Cavani has claimed that he does not have to be friends with Neymar for the duo to perform well in tandem with each other at Paris Saint-Germain.
There were murmurs of discontent between the team-mates at the start of the season, with the pair having clashed on the pitch over the taking of a penalty during a game against Lyon.
There was also a disagreement over a free-kick during the same match, with Dani Alves refusing to give the ball to Cavani to take the set-piece, handing it to Neymar instead.

The Uruguayan striker insists those issues are in the past but says that he does not need to be friends with his team-mate for them both to deliver in a PSG shirt.
Speaking ahead of the Ligue 1 side's Champions League meeting with Anderlecht, Cavani told SFR Sport: "The penalty case, that’s in the past. These are things that happen in football.  

"We must find the solution together and function as a team. We need to be a competitive team, but we do not need to be friends. You have to be professional, and afterwards everyone has their own life.

"To win is the most important thing so it is necessary to find the best solution for the team. That [who takes the penalties] is what the coach need to decide.
"I think the person in charge [Unai Emery] will find a solution. When he makes the decision, that will be that. Has he made his decision? I don’t think so [laughs]."

How Neymar and Brazil could ruin Messi and Argentina's World Cup dreams

With the Selecao already comfortably qualified for Russia, they may play a weakened side against Chile and make life difficult for their rivals

Lionel Messi and Argentina's hopes of reaching the World Cup automatically could depend on Neymar's Brazil defeating Chile in their final qualifer on Tuesday night.
Brazil became the second team to qualify for the World Cup in March, joining hosts Russia in the 2018 tournament with four matches to spare.
Since then, Selecao boss Tite has used the remaining games to test out the depth of his squad, handing a debut to Monaco's Jemerson and giving Manchester City's Ederson a chance to stay with the panel. With qualification secure, Brazil have taken the foot off the pedal, drawing with both Colombia and Bolivia.
In their last qualifier on Tuesday, Brazil host Chile in Sao Paulo with Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar looking to add to his 52 international goals in 80 appearances.
Tite's men have only bragging rights to play for, but a win would guarantee automatic qualification for Chile. However, a Chile win could also have ramifications for Neymar's former team-mate Lionel Messi and Argentina.
Chile have been poor in the qualifying campaign, and are on the brink of elimination heading into their final game. Jorge Sampaoli's side know a win will guarantee them at least a spot in the playoffs, due to the fact the two teams just above them face off in their last match.
At the moment, Colombia sit on 26 points with Peru on 25 points, while Argentina's 25 points but worse goals scored statistic sees them sit in sixth, where they would miss out on a play-off spot against the winners of Oceania: New Zealand.

Argentina have scored 10 goals fewer than Peru in qualifying thanks to their inability to find the net from open play. It is now 456 minutes since any Albiceleste player found the net from open play, and despite being heavy favourites against Peru in their last game, they were inept in attack, even with five-time Ballon d'Or winner Messi pulling the strings.
Sampaoli's side are favourites again as they take on Ecuador, but may struggle once again, especially at altitude in Quito. Even if they do turn things around and defeat Ecuador, victory may not be enough to guarantee them a spot in Russia. Old enemies Brazil could do Chile a favour in Sao Paulo and send them into that play-off with New Zealand.

Brazil and Argentina have had a long-standing hatred of each other on the football field, which FIFA has called 'the essence of football rivalry'. This has included abandoned matches, fan trouble, sendings off and the historic Pele-Diego Maradona competition for world's best player.
With Pele naming Neymar as his successor and Maradona doing the same for Messi, the rivalry continues on and off the field today. Neymar left Barcelona to get out of Messi's shadow and become the best player in the world.
The 25-year-old is Brazil's top scorer in qualifying and will surely be one of the stars of the tournament next summer. Should Brazil lose to Chile, they could do Neymar a favour and ensure his biggest continental rival does not have the same safe passage to Russia.

Ronaldo partners Kane in Alli's best XI in FIFA 18 Squad Battle selection

The Spurs attacker has included some current and former team-mates alongside many of the world's biggest and best players in his specially chosen team

England attacker Dele Alli his chosen his perfect XI in FIFA 18, including Cristiano Ronaldo in attack alongside his Tottenham team-mate Harry Kane.
Lionel Messi plays just behind Ballon d'Or rival Ronaldo, with Alli supporting Kane on the other side of the pitch. The 21-year-old received a special 99-rated version of his player card, making him the highest-rated player in the squad.
There is talent throughout the starting XI with Manuel Neuer, Jerome Boateng and Arturo Vidal included from Bayern Munich, while Marcelo, Sergio Ramos and Luka Modric form a strong Real Madrid contingent.
Despite leaving Tottenham for Manchester City, Alli has selected his former team-mate Kyle Walker in the right-back slot of his best XI, which he has called "Delstroyers."

Spurs trio Hugo Lloris, Danny Rose and Eric Dier are included on a very strong substitutes' bench, alongside FIFA ICON players Ronaldo and Ronaldinho, as well as PSG winger Neymar and Chelsea's David Luiz.

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Alli's own 99-rated version has very impressive stats, including 99 shooting and 99 dribbling, as well as 98 physical, meaning he will be difficult to knock off the ball and will be a threat in front of goal.

FIFA 18 players can take on Alli's special team in the Squad Battles mode of Ultimate Team for one week until Sunday, October 15.

Barcelona & Man Utd interested in Ozil

The German playmaker is weighing up his options and could still remain at Emirates Stadium, while Sanchez has made it clear he wants out

Barcelona and Manchester United are keen on signing Mesut Ozil, while Alexis Sanchez has no intention of remaining at Emirates Stadium, Sportmasta understands.
Ozil would be interested in potentially joining the Liga giants or Jose Mourinho's side, with the Germany international's contract with the Gunners due to expire in summer 2018. 
Arsenal 8/13 to beat Watford
There is, however, still a chance Ozil could remain with Arsenal, despite no offer over a contract extension having yet arrived after talks over a renewal were put on hold back in February.
Ozil, who recently bought a new house in London, is able to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January, although it is understood he remains happy living in the capital city where he is settled and has made many close friends.

Reports claiming that the former Real Madrid star has rejected a contract offer in the region of £275,000-a-week are completely false, although both Barca and United are realistic options for the German.
Indeed, both clubs are among the three sides Ozil would be willing to play for aside from Arsenal, with Madrid completing the trio of superclubs.
United have Jose Mourinho at the helm and he knows Ozil well from their time together at Madrid, although a major sticking point in any deal would be the player’s reluctance to move to Manchester.
Barcelona are on the lookout for a new playmaker and, after being rebuffed in attempts to sign Philippe Coutinho from Liverpool, the considerably more affordable option of Ozil presents itself as an attractive proposition.
Real Madrid are unlikely to come back in for their former star but Ozil still has many friends in the Spanish capital and enjoyed the most successful years of his career playing under Mourinho at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Inter, meanwhile, are not on Ozil’s list of potential destinations if he were to leave Arsenal, regardless of the Serie A side’s public shows of affection in recent weeks.
Ozil has come under criticism from ex-players and pundits recently, including former Arsenal defender Martin Keown, who said that Ozil didn’t fancy the Europa League trip to BATE Borisov and that he’s "psychologically already left the football club".

However, Ozil's absence from the team has been due to a knee inflammation problem which is why Germany national team coach Joachim Low decided to let him recuperate at Arsenal’s London Colney training ground instead of including him in the squad for their World Cup qualifying matches.

Contract negotiations between Arsenal and Ozil resumed at the start of the season and it is understood that chief transfer negotiator Dick Law, who helped bring the German from Madrid to north London in 2013, is still running several errands for the club despite leaving his post at the end of September.
Meanwhile, talks with Alexis Sanchez have come to a complete halt as the Chile international has made it clear he has no intention of signing a new deal.



Alexis came close to leaving the Gunners for Manchester City on transfer deadline day, with both clubs even having a verbal agreement, but the deal was dependent on Arsenal securing a world-class replacement in the form of Thomas Lemar.

That move for the Monaco winger fell through, however, after the player opted to stay at Monaco and that meant Alexis was denied his dream move of linking up with former manager Pep Guardiola.

The Chilean is able to sign a pre-contract with a foreign club in January and, while Paris Saint-Germain remain interested in the 28-year-old, City are still the favourites to secure his signature.

Brazil stars take in oxygen

Tite's side are already through to the World Cup finals in Russia, but had to cope with the altitude in La Paz in their penultimate qualifier

Brazil star Neymar has complained that it was “inhumane” to play against Bolivia in La Paz.
The highest capital city in the world at an elevation of over 3,650 metres, it is regarded as one of the toughest away trips in world football as the lack of oxygen complicates matters for visiting players, whereas the hosts are used to the gruelling conditions and their bodies have become accustomed to them.
As such, it was little surprise that Brazil, who have already booked their ticket to World Cup 2018, were held to a scoreless draw there on Thursday.
Neymar has posted a picture on his Instagram feed that underlines just how tough his colleagues found it.
Several players, including the Paris Saint-Germain star, are pictured after the game taking on oxygen.
“Inhumane to play in such conditions,” Neymar said. “Field, altitude, ball… everything was bad! But we were happy for the performance of the team even in these conditions.”
Brazil complete their qualifying calendar with a home fixture against Chile next Tuesday, although it looks doubtful that Neymar’s PSG colleague Thiago Silva will be available after he was withdrawn injured on Thursday.

Why are Italy not using the best midfielder in Serie A?

Even amidst a midfield injury crisis there is no room for Napoli's metronome, Jorginho, who could now decide to play for Brazil instead

On Monday, Daniele De Rossi and Roma team-mate Lorenzo Pellegrini pulled out of the Italy squad due to injuries sustained during the weekend win at AC Milan.
They joined Paris Saint-Germain’s Marco Verratti on the Azzurri midfield scrapheap for the World Cup qualification double-header against Macedonia and Albania, while longer-term casualty Claudio Marchisio is also absent.
Finally, there appeared to be no reason for the Italian coach Gian Piero Ventura to ignore the most important component in Serie A’s best team. Apparently not.
Instead of Napoli’s Jorginho, in came Bryan Cristante of Atalanta and Inter’s Roberto Gagliardini.
That Ventura continues to overlook the league’s most influential player is a source of unending frustration for Italian fans, not to mention the player himself.
That the coach could move so far down Italy’s list of eligible midfielders and still fail to find space for Jorginho is not only surprising, it’s downright ignorant.
In case you’d missed it, Napoli are leading the Scudetto race after seven matches. They’ve won all seven and scored 25 goals in the process.

While top scorer Dries Mertens and striking partners Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon tend to hog the headlines, there is a substantial and growing realisation that Jorginho is the man holding it all together.
Maurizio Sarri’s side are winning admirers all over the continent for their brand of football, perfected over the past couple of seasons. Their total dominance of the ball and their relentless commitment to positive attacking play has marked them out as Serie A winners-in-waiting this season – at a time when champions Juventus do not appear to be at their best.
Most of it would be impossible without Jorginho, the 25-year-old signed from Verona in 2014. He fulfils much the same role in this team as Xavi did for Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona.
Since Opta started gathering data for Serie A in time for the 2004-05 season, Jorginho occupies all nine of the top spots for most touches in any match.
He also holds nine of the top 10 places for most successful passes played in any given match, with the 160 he hit against Benevuto this season ranking third on the list.

Following his latest international snub, Jorginho was reported to be ready to throw his lot back in with his native Brazil, with coach Tite considering adding the midfielder to his World Cup plans.
He has been capped twice for Italy under Antonio Conte – playing a measly 24 minutes in total – but remains eligible for his homeland as he is yet to feature in a competitive fixture.
“If he doesn't need a playmaker, he won't call him up,” Jorginho’s agent, Joao Santos, said a couple of weeks ago when the Italy squad first convened.
“I always hope that something will change. I think like the coach, that in this period there's no reason to call him up. If that should change, then he'll take him into consideration.
“As a Brazilian, I hope that he will play for Brazil. If Italy do not call him up, I hope that my national team will. Should a call arrive, it will be the player who decides.”
Indeed there is an argument that the system currently favoured by Ventura – namely a 4-2-4 – does not suit the strengths of Jorginho, who excels in a three-man midfield for his club alongside Marek Hamsik and Allan.

The Ventura formation, however, has its limitations. Even accounting for a poor generation, Italy are always going to have enough power to overcome qualification also-rans like Macedonia, Albania and Liechtenstein. But against bigger teams – and particularly in the defeat against Spain – Italy simply get overrun.
There is no great willingness on the part of the coach to get his team on the ball and compete against the top countries, preferring to sit back and perform a rear-guard action instead.
That might well have worked when Fabio Cannavaro and Alessandro Nesta were around but Italy are simply not in possession of the same kind of individual defensive talent these days.
An alteration to the way they play – utilising Jorginho, Marco Verratti and a screener such as De Rossi might help Italy get on the front foot possession-wise and create more chances through attackers Insigne and – when fit – Andrea Belotti.
Besides, there is simply no excuse for failing to incorporate a talent as red-hot as Jorginho.

Napoli are by far the most exciting, most intrepid Italian team this season and Jorginho is fundamental to the way they play. If there’s no way he can play in a system – especially one so lacklustre – then it should be changed to accommodate him.

Nigeria vs Zambia: TV channel, stream, kick-off time

The Super Eagles are inching closer to the 2018 World Cup and they will hope to ensure their place with a win in front of home fans

Nigeria can secure their place in next year’s Fifa World Cup when they take on Zambia at Godswill Akpabio Stadium, Uyo on Saturday.
Gernot Rohr’s men are three points clear at the summit of Group B with two games left to go, indicating that victory or at least a draw would push them over the line with a game to spare.
For the Chipolopolo – who are Super Eagles’ nearest rival – a shock win at the ‘Nest of Champions’ would offer them a lifeline to qualify for their maiden World Cup.