The Meralco Bolts will look to end their dry spell against the Barangay Ginebra San Miguel Kings in the upcoming 2019 PBA Governors' Cup Finals. But this time, they will field in a rejigged roster to boost their chances at a title.

It can be noted that Pinto was traded to the Bolts in exchange for a draft pick to start 2019. Maliksi and Jose, meanwhile, were acquired in exchange for seldom-used Mike Tolomia, KG Canaleta, and a couple of second-rounders. All of them were vital cogs from the Blackwater Elite team that experienced a short renaissance back in the 2018 edition of this tournament.

Raymond Almazan, on the other hand, was acquired by the Bolts in exchange for a couple of first round picks from the Rain or Shine Elastopainters.

The said quartet has helped Meralco's cause in making it back to the Finals with their efforts and contributions. The Bolts eliminated the Alaska Aces in the first round and they won a highly-contested affair versus the vaunted TNT KaTropa squad led by former NBA-er KJ McDaniels.

Nard Pinto has been a reliable veteran off the bench for Meralco. He is a stocky floor general that can knock down outside shots and can facilitate as well. The former Arellano Chief will be a steady presence on offense especially when guys like Baser Amer and Chris Newsome sit on the bench.

Allein Maliksi also can provide instant offense for the Bolts. He has shown the capability to not shrink in the big moments by knocking down crucial outside shots in their playoff run so far, and he will continue to serve as their sweet-shooting swingman.

Even if he hasn't played much yet, Raymar Jose is another big body to bolster their aging frontline, while Raymond Almazan is their main main in the interior with his unique mix of length, athleticism, and veteran smarts. He is the Bolts' double-double threat with averages of 14.6 points and 12.1 rebounds per game.

They still have their holdovers in Baser Amer, Chris Newsome, Nico Salva, and Anjo Caram. Rookie combo guard Bong Quinto showed glimpses of potential as well as one of the league's brightest young stars.

Now with a deeper roster, the Bolts are looking confident that they can finally bring home their first championship in franchise history. And if these new additions can show up like they did in the previous rounds, the Meralco Bolts may be on their way to win their first championship in club history.

ALSO READ -- Individual match-ups to watch out for in Meralco vs. Ginebra finals clash

After more than a year of playing for PLDT Home Fibr in the rival league, Gretchel Soltones and Jerilli Malabanan are set to return to Premier Volleyball League (PVL).

The three recruits are tipped to debut for PetroGazz in the 2020 PVL Reinforced Conference.

LET’S MAKE IT OFFICIAL
Hey #Gazzmates! Let us all welcome @ladybeast05, @jerrilivb33, and Ivy to the Petro Gazz family.

They will provide additional firepower when the team defends the #PVLReinforcedConference championship in a few months.#WeArePetroGazz pic.twitter.com/9UciYOoQpk

— Petro Gazz Angels (@PetroGazzAngels) January 2, 2020

Soltones and Malabanan were both part of the BaliPure Purest Water Defenders who took home the gold medal of the 2017 PVL Open Conference.

The two wing spikers then followed coach Roger Gorayeb to Philippine SuperLiga (PSL) late 2018 to play for PLDT Home Fibr.

Perez, meanwhile, is a three-time PSL champion.

The lefty setter was part of the Petron squad that swept the 2015 PSL All Filipino Conference before transferring to back-to-back Grand Prix champs Foton, where she stayed until 2019.

Pep Guardiola praised Manchester City's attitude in their win over Everton, saying other teams would "finish seventh or eighth" if they were so far behind the leaders.

Gabriel Jesus' second-half brace helped City to a 2-1 home victory on Wednesday as Guardiola's third-placed side moved within 11 points of pacesetters Liverpool, who have played two fewer games.

The City manager was pleased with his team's approach as they continue to fight in the Premier League despite Liverpool's big lead at the top.

"We played top. I am so delighted with the performance, the behaviour as always, as always that we are," Guardiola told a news conference.

GABBY NEW YEAR!

#MCIEVE #ManCity pic.twitter.com/JcrszB0fXr

— Manchester City (@ManCity) January 1, 2020

"Maybe we will finish seventh or eighth in the table, but not because we don't try. So, the game was always there, we played so good, and a good victory for us."

Guardiola opted for a 3-4-3 formation against Everton, starting Eric Garcia, Fernandinho and Rodri in defence, with Benjamin Mendy and Joao Cancelo as wing-backs.

The former Barcelona boss was pleased with City's execution of the new system, saying it could be a more regular option moving forward.

"Maybe we will do it again," Guardiola said. "In the first half against Sheffield United, we played with three at the back, too.

"Not just second half. We changed position, but the structure was that.

"We can do it in the future. We played it really well. The five guys are so good with the ball. Riyad [Mahrez] receives the ball in better positions and that helps, too."

City are back in action on Saturday when they host Port Vale in the FA Cup third round.

Peter Wright became the oldest first-time winner of the PDC World Championship as the 49-year-old avenged his 2014 loss to Michael van Gerwen in a 7-3 victory in Sunday's final.

Van Gerwen beat Wright 7-4 six years ago for the first of his three world titles but on Wednesday the Scotsman exacted a measure of revenge over the reigning champion.

He went into a 2-0 lead and although Van Gerwen fought back to level, the Dutchman's poor finishing allowed his opponent to retake control.

Wright hit double 10 at the third time of asking to seal the victory, becoming the second oldest PDC World Championship winner of all time behind Phil Taylor, whose last title came at the age of 52.

"You should never give up," Wright told Sky Sports.

"I used to get beat by Michael, Phil Taylor, Gary Anderson all the time. Gerwyn Price comes through, all these players kept getting in my way, but I've done it."

PETER WRIGHT IS THE WORLD CHAMPION

PETER WRIGHT WINS THE 2019/20 WILLIAM HILL WORLD DARTS CHAMPIONSHIP!

Sheer emotion shown as he defeats Michael van Gerwen 7-3 in a fantastic final. pic.twitter.com/1NYsPju4cH

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) January 1, 2020

Van Gerwen roared back in the third, opening with a 180 and winning the set in 37 darts, and he levelled the match at 2-2 after Wright had failed to hit tops to move 3-1 up.

In a crucial fifth set, Van Gerwen was punished for missing eight darts at doubles and Wright won the sixth without dropping a leg to seize the initiative.

More errant finishing from Van Gerwen allowed Wright to move with one set of victory, the pressure clearly telling as the defending champion tried to walk off when he incorrectly thought there was an interval.

In the 10th set, Van Gerwen missed double 12 for what would have been a nine-darter, yet for once this was not to be his night, Wright finally hitting double 10 after his first two darts just missed the target.

Hertha Berlin have signed Argentina international midfielder Santiago Ascacibar from 2. Bundesliga club Stuttgart on "a long-term deal".

The 22-year-old, who earned the most recent of his three Argentina caps in November 2018, becomes Hertha's first signing since Jurgen Klinsmann replaced Ante Covic.

Ascacibar previously played two seasons of Bundesliga football for Stuttgart prior to their relegation last year and featured 13 times in the second tier this term.

He will join the rest of the squad for their mid-season training camp in Orlando and is in contention to make his debut when Bayern Munich visit the Olympiastadion on January 19.

"I'm happy that the transfer has been completed in the winter break," Ascacibar told his new side's official website.

Gestatten: Unsere neue Nummer 18, Santiago #Ascacibar! Herzlich willkommen!#hahohe pic.twitter.com/qkOE5nUUGw

— Hertha BSC (@HerthaBSC) January 1, 2020

"After holding talks with [sporting director] Michael Preetz and Jurgen Klinsmann, I believe I can continue to develop as a player here and that we can achieve a lot together.

"I'm really looking forward to that and can hardly wait to get to know my new team-mates. We'll do everything we can to keep climbing up the table in the second half of the season."

Hertha, 12th in the Bundesliga after collecting eight points from Klinsmann's opening five matches, are also in the running to sign Granit Xhaka from Arsenal.

Leeds United remain top of the Championship after a 1-1 draw with West Brom at The Hawthorns on Wednesday.

Semi Ajayi put the Baggies ahead in only the second minute but was unfortunate in deflecting Patrick Bamford's header into his own net to bring Leeds level.

The result means Marcelo Bielsa's side stay above West Brom on goal difference after 26 matches.

The earlier fixtures were largely a feast of goals as 2020 started in enthralling fashion, with Stoke City winning 5-2 at Huddersfield Town and QPR thrashing Cardiff City 6-1.

Brentford were big winners away to Bristol City, Nottingham Forest edged out Blackburn Rovers in a five-goal thriller and Wigan Athletic held on to win 3-2 at Birmingham City.

Fulham's promotion bid suffered another setback with a 2-1 loss to Reading, Middlesbrough made it back-to-back away victories and Hull City snatched three points at Sheffield Wednesday.

In the first game of the new decade, Millwall came from behind to beat Luton Town 3-1 and climb into the top six.

 7 minutes! @Patrick_Bamford pic.twitter.com/eFohyj58Ob

— Leeds United (@LUFC) January 1, 2020

BAGGIES MISS CHANCE TO GO TOP

Ajayi poked home after a penalty-box scramble to give West Brom an early lead against Leeds and Slaven Bilic's side were good value for their advantage in the first half.

Kiko Casilla did superbly to keep out Matheus Pereira's free-kick and then saved with his legs from Matt Phillips, who had been through on goal.

Leeds introduced Bamford at the break and it proved a crucial move, as the striker's header from Jack Harrison's cross deflected off Ajayi's shoulder and into the net.

Neither side could find a winner in the end-to-end closing minutes, meaning each are on 52 points, nine clear of the chasing pack.

SIX-GOAL SHOWDOWNS

Stoke dominated the first half at John Smith's Stadium but Sam Vokes' opener was forgotten when Steve Mounie and a Danny Batth own goal put the hosts ahead.

However, Stoke struck a further four times through Nick Powell, Lee Gregory and a Tyrese Campbell double in a game otherwise marred when a stadium announcement was required to warn against further alleged discriminatory chants aimed at James McClean.

QPR's victory was a more straightforward affair, as a Nahki Wells hat-trick inspired them to a 6-1 thrashing of Cardiff, who got a late consolation through Will Vaulks.

Cardiff stay 12th, though, given Bristol City were dispatched 4-0 at home by Brentford, Ollie Watkins making the points safe with a late double to send his side third.

Dancing into #SCFC  pic.twitter.com/BeuwfuqRKg

— Stoke City FC (@stokecity) January 1, 2020

MILLWALL INTO PLAY-OFF SPOTS

Sheffield Wednesday's loss at home to Hull meant Millwall's earlier 3-1 win over Luton, in which they trailed until the 69th minute, was enough to see them into the top six.

Nottingham Forest are up to fourth thanks to Lewis Grabban's two goals securing a 3-2 defeat of Blackburn Rovers, with Fulham slipping to fifth after John Swift and Charlie Adam consigned them to a fourth defeat in seven league games.

Preston's top-six chase was dealt a blow, though, as Rudy Gestede and a Ben Davies own goal gave Middlesbrough a fourth win in a row.

At the other end of the table, Wigan gave their survival bid a boost after they held onto a 3-2 win at Birmingham, Cedric Kipre's 73rd-minute goal proving the difference.

Most Champions League hat-tricks and top scorer for a single team are just two of the records Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo could set.

Messi's Barcelona are top of LaLiga by two points and he has scored 11 goals in his last 10 games to step into the new year in optimistic mood, while Ronaldo is in a similar hot streak for Juventus after netting five in his last four Serie A outings.

At 32, Messi is two years Ronaldo's junior, but try telling the Juventus talisman that his career is nearing its end and he'll answer you with performances with all the pace, power and intensity of a player in his prime.

As two of the game's greatest embark upon what will doubtless be another year filled with glorious moments, here are the records they stand to smash along the way.

Positive vibes! pic.twitter.com/BeN84QS1tb

— Cristiano Ronaldo (@Cristiano) December 4, 2019

Ronaldo won his fifth Champions League when Real Madrid beat Liverpool in the 2018 final and if he can inspire Juventus to glory in 2020 he will have won Europe's top competition as many times as current record holder Francisco Gento, who won six between 1956 and 1966 for Real Madrid.

MESSI: Top goal-scorer for a single team

Messi is 26 goals away from eclipsing Pele's club goals record of 643, which the Brazil legend is said to have scored for Santos. Record-keeping has become more accurate since Pele's day, and Messi is set to hit a new high that will take some beating.

RONALDO: All-time top European Championship goal-scorer

Ronaldo has scored nine goals for Portugal at the four European Championships where he has represented his country, putting him level with Michel Platini as the competition's leading scorer. If he can find the net in 2020's tournament, he will become the leading Euros marksman of all time.

MESSI AND RONALDO: Most Champions League hat-tricks

Messi and Ronaldo have scored eight hat-tricks each in the Champions League - more than any other player to have graced the competition - and if either can notch another in 2020 they could claim bragging rights for some time to come.

RONALDO: First player to be top scorer in English, Spanish and Italian top flights

Ronaldo is currently joint-fourth in the Serie A scoring charts with 10 goals, behind Joao Pedro (11), Romelu Lukaku (12) and Ciro Immobile (17), but if he can storm his way to the top in 2020 he will become the first player in history to have been top goal-scorer in the English, Spanish and Italian top flights.

MESSI: Seven Ballon d'Or wins

Ronaldo did not attend the Ballon d'Or awards ceremony in 2019 to see Messi claim a record sixth gong, and if the Barca star wins again in 2020 it is hard to see Ronaldo, who has won the award five times, ever catching him.

NOT a challenge for #Messi in 2020...

To continue being the one, true GOAT. pic.twitter.com/vBFbvr1zQ2

— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) January 1, 2020

Ronaldo will be going all guns blazing for Portugal this year as he attempts to add to his 99 international goals and succeed Ali Daei, who scored 109 for Iran, as the top international marksman of all time.

MESSI: Four consecutive Golden Shoe awards

Messi has been the top goal-scorer in Europe for the last three consecutive seasons and he currently leads the LaLiga scoring charts with 13 goals. He was the first player to win the Golden Shoe, awarded to Europe's leading goal-scorer in league matches, three times in a row and could set another new record by doing it four times on the bounce.

Paul Pogba is likely to be out of action for "a few weeks" due to further problems with a troublesome ankle, Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says.

Having missed much of the past three months due to injury, Pogba returned in the 2-0 loss at Watford on December 22 and played the second half of the 4-1 win over Newcastle United four days later.

The France international missed the 2-0 victory at Burnley after complaining of discomfort, but Solskjaer had expected him to be available to face Arsenal in the Premier League on Wednesday.

However, after leaving Pogba out of the matchday squad, Solskjaer confirmed the midfielder is likely to be missing for some time.

"He's injured," Solskjaer told MUTV. "He's feeling some discomfort in his ankle and he'll be out for a few weeks."

The news is a blow to United given Scott McTominay is also sidelined with a knee problem ahead of a gruelling run of matches.

After Wednesday's game at Emirates Stadium, United head to Wolves in the FA Cup third round on Saturday and then host Manchester City in the first leg of the EFL Cup semi-final.

They then face Norwich City at Old Trafford before heading to Anfield to face league leaders Liverpool, with a further league match against Burnley and the second leg of the EFL Cup tie with City to come before February.

Suited and booted #MUFC arrive for #ARSMUN in style  pic.twitter.com/LUBJqhQ7aZ

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) January 1, 2020

Manchester United face Arsenal away on Wednesday, but Paul Pogba is missing yet again

He returned as a substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Watford and was United's best player, instantly providing Solskjaer's side with much-needed creativity.

Another cameo – this time the full second 45 minutes – against Newcastle United came on Boxing Day, suggesting he could be in line to start at Burnley two days later.

He was curiously absent at Turf Moor, however, with Solskjaer explaining he did not feel ready for another match just 48 hours after playing.

Solskjaer gave no reason to think Pogba would be missing again at Emirates Stadium, though, confirming in his pre-match news conference that he expected the midfielder to be in contention.

Yet, after appearing to be apart from the squad as they arrived in London on Tuesday, Pogba has not been named in the matchday selection.

Pogba's recent absences have coincided with transfer rumors, though his agent Mino Raiola has recently suggested the midfielder will not be leaving in January.

Editor's Note: As the decade draws to a close, FOX Sports Philippines relive the moments that defined volleyball in the country.

From classic rivalries to player highlights, volleyball in the 2010s is definitely one for the books — a chapter in the sports that will be remembered in the next decade and, most probably, the decade after that.

This article is part of FOX Sports PH's Defining the 2010s series.

PVL, formerly the Shakey's V-League (SVL) prior to its renaming in 2017, was the first to welcome the participation of corporate clubs in 2011. Exclusively for collegiate teams in its first seven seasons, the then SVL opened its doors to clubs in its eighth season.

The SVL 8th Season Open Conference featured four clubs competing against three other collegiate teams. These clubs were Maynilad Water Dragons, Philippine Air Force Lady Jet Spikers, Philippine Navy Lady Sailors and eventual champions Philippine Army Lady Troopers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GvK8eb0_Vgo

One of the — if not the — most memorable conference SVL ever held was the 10th Season Open Conference in 2013, where the Cagayan Valley Lady Red Rising Suns and Smart-Maynilad Net Spikers slugged it out in the gold medal series.

The Lady Rising Suns, led by Thai imports Kanikka Thipachot and Phomla Soraya with Aiza Maizo, Angge Tabaquero, and Pau Soriano, eventually emerged as champions that conference, outlasting the Net Spikers squad composed of Alyssa Valdez, Dindin Santiago, Wanida Kotruang and Lithawat Kesinee in two nail-biting five-setter encounters.

Today, PVL is home to the Valdez-skippered Creamline, PetroGazz, Motolite and Choco Mucho.

In 2013, two years later after SVL's launch, PSL was established — deemed as the first professional corporate club volleyball league in the country.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtQmj3Zxsaw

Unlike its rival league, PSL was previously all-corporate clubs only until 2018 when it launched its first official collegiate conference.

Among its early years, PSL was dominated by SVL heavyweight Philippine Army composed nonetheless by veterans Tina Salak, Mary Jean Balse and Nene Bautista. But 2015 marked the surge of a new breed of champions in Petron and F2 Logistics.

The Blaze Spikers and the Cargo Movers are arguably the top two best teams in the league for the past few years. In fact, the two PSL elites have built a shared dynasty since 2017, when their record seven-conference Finals meeting started.

Both stacked with former collegiate stars and national team players, Petron and F2 Logistics have lorded in the league, with the former amassing nine PSL titles as the latter collected five.

Notably, there was also the Spikers' Turf, inaugurated in 2014 and founded in 2015.

While not as popular as PVL and PSL, the Spikers' Turf houses and has housed the country's best male volleyball players in Bryan Bagunas, Marck Espejo, Peter Torres, Ranran Abdilla, Jessie Lopez and Mark Alfafara to name a few.

Just last year, Spikers' Turf hosted 24 teams during its Open Conference — seven teams more than PVL and PSL teams combined.

Throughout the previous decade, these three leagues were the stage where players from different age brackets, universities and regions continue to play even after college — enabling them to turn their passion into careers.

Compared to the 2000s, even more to the 1990s, volleyball-related career opportunities for players post-graduation in college were fewer, if not limited. But since the birth of these leagues, the country has seen tremendous growth in numbers of players having full-time professional careers in sports. Some of the country's stalwarts are even reportedly earning six-digit salaries — a reality not even imaginable before the 2010s.

PVL, PSL and Spikers' Turf also paved the way for non-UAAP nor non-NCAA players to showcase their talent on a national level. Among these so-called provincial players, or players who did not hail from Manila-based universities, who gained recognition after joining these tourneys are Jovelyn Gonzaga, Fiola Ceballos, Dell Palomata and Abdilla.

Largely contributing to the success of these leagues were the overwhelming effect of the media and social media.

As games were now televised on a regular basis, accessible either online or offline, the number of fans also expands. Social media, of course, further boosts the rise in popularity of the sports — and the demand that comes with it.

Imagine the Philippines without these leagues.

It will obviously benefit the national team, which was deemed to be at the receiving end of the negative effects of having two leagues that run all year long in the country. Without these three, there will be more time for training, more time to focus on cohesion, and more time to prepare for international games.

USA has reportedly issued 430 international transfer certificates (ITC) for the 2020 season. This did not come as a shock as the Americans do not have a professional league; thus, they visit and play overseas instead. Despite this, the USA is currently sitting at no. 3 in the senior world rankings.

But the Philippines is no USA. The country is miles behind the latter in terms of skills, and so it is quite logical to say that few, if not limited, volleyball-related career opportunities will be available for the Filipino players.

The emergence of PVL, PSL and Spikers' Turf have, yes, its pros and cons. Nevertheless, it is important to point out that without these three, Philippine volleyball might still be what it was prior to the 2010s — with volleyball-related career opportunities, yes, but few, if not limited.

(Images from Facebook/F2 Logistics and Sports Vision)

Alireza Jahanbakhsh stunned Chelsea with a late overhead-kick to earn Brighton and Hove Albion a hard-fought 1-1 draw on New Year's Day.

The Iran winger ended his long wait for a first Brighton goal against Bournemouth on Saturday, celebrating with joyful tears, and his second quickly followed in a stylish start to 2020.

Chelsea looked to be easing towards a third straight Premier League away win after Cesar Azpilicueta's early strike, failing to add to their lead but largely comfortable at the other end.

However, Jahanbakhsh leapt into an outstanding volley with six minutes of normal time remaining, and Frank Lampard's fourth-placed side were clinging on by full-time.

GOOOOOOAAAALLLL!

BRILLIANT, SIMPLY BRILLIANT! HE'S DONE IT AGAIN!

Matchday Live is presented by @SnickersUKcom.

#BHAFC 1-1 #CFC pic.twitter.com/1OWCTE3iOE

— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) January 1, 2020

Tammy Abraham's low shot on the turn following a corner was blocked by Aaron Mooy in front of the goal line, but the loose ball fell kindly for Azpilicueta to prod past the grounded, helpless Mat Ryan.

First-half chances were hard to come by thereafter, although Blues goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga had to be alert to palm clear a Leandro Trossard effort two minutes before the break.

Not until the 80th minute was Arrizabalaga seriously tested again, scrambling to keep out half-time introduction Aaron Connolly's finish.

It was another substitute who came up with the decisive moment, though, Jahanbakhsh executing a sensational strike that left Arrizabalaga rooted.

Callum Hudson-Odoi blasted just over as Chelsea chased a winner, but they were again grateful to their goalkeeper as a point was preserved, Neal Maupay's powerful drive well blocked.

What does it mean? Rare away-day blues as Brighton rock Chelsea

Only Liverpool (25) have mustered more points away from home than Chelsea (22) this term, but Lampard must feel this was a missed opportunity. The Blues were largely comfortable until the closing stages when Brighton's substitutes wreaked havoc. With their home form a cause for concern right now, Chelsea cannot afford to throw away victories on the road.

Brighton's man of the moment

Jahanbakhsh was a club-record signing for Brighton in 2018, the deal reportedly worth £17million. That is finally starting to look like money well spent.

Emotional after breaking his duck against Bournemouth, the winger - like many in the stadium - appeared to be in a state of shock after this quite magnificent finish.

Bumbling Bissouma hooked

Mooy understandably enjoyed the majority of the plaudits following Brighton's weekend defeat of Bournemouth, but midfield colleague Yves Bissouma had been similarly impressive.

The same could not be said against Chelsea.The 23-year-old struggled with the pace of the game and lost possession 15 times, completing just 13 of his 22 passes, before he was replaced at half-time by Connolly.

Key Opta Facts

- Brighton earned their first point in a league game against Chelsea, in what was their 10th match against them.
- This was Chelsea's first away Premier League draw this season – the Blues had won seven and lost three of their 10 previous games on the road this term.
- Chelsea have scored more goals in 11 Premier League away games this season (25) than they managed on the road in the whole of 2018-19 (24).
- Azpilicueta has scored three goals in his last 11 games in all competitions for Chelsea, as many as he had in his previous 118.
- Jahanbakhsh became the fifth different Brighton player to score a Premier League goal as a substitute this season, more than any other side in the competition.
- Despite only coming on as a 68th-minute substitute, no Brighton player had more shots (3) or created more chances (3) than goalscorer Jahanbakhsh.

What's next?

A hectic Premier League stretch comes to an end, but there are matches again this weekend in the FA Cup. Brighton host second-tier Sheffield Wednesday on Saturday, before Chelsea are also at home to Championship opposition in Nottingham Forest the following day.

The Red Devils had a rather subdued summer transfer window which is why there is more pressure on the likes of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to invest in the squad which clearly look out of depth on more than one positions.

Therefore, we have identified five candidates which United can sign in order to strengthen their squad which will definitely increase their chances of a top-four finish in the ongoing campaign.

Luka Jovic (Real Madrid)

Real Madrid’s Luka Jovic is having a below-par season with the Spanish giants after moving in the summer move from German club Eintracht Frankfurt for a reported transfer fee of €60 million. The Serbia international has only managed to score a single goal in 14 appearances for the Los Blancos and there have been reports that the Madrid-based club’s hierarchy are considering the possibility of letting Jovic leave on loan in January. Considering United have already missed out on their two prime targets for attacking reinforcement—Mario Mandzukic and Erling Braut Haaland—in the January transfer window, the 22-year-old might prove to be a good edition in the squad where there are limited attacking options available currently.

Jack Grealish (Aston Villa)

Aston Villa’s Jack Grealish is one of the most talented player currently playing in England’s top-division and has impressed everyone with his game awareness and ability to produce a pass which can unlock any defensive unit. By the look of it, the 24-year-old is an ideal fit for United but with Villa involved in a relegation battle, it is pretty hard to see how they will let their prized asset leave the club in the middle of the season.

Christian Eriksen (Tottenham Hotspur)

Tottenham Hotspur’s Christian Eriksen can prove to be one of the bargains of the January transfer window. The Denmark international is currently in the final year of his contract with the North London-based outfit and is reportedly eager to leave Spurs in the mid-season transfer window. Therefore, it is believed that last season’s UEFA Champions League runners-up are open to letting the 27-year-old leave for a fee of as low as €40 million in January. United have been linked with Eriksen in the past as well and they will be eager to persuade the creative midfielder for a move to Old Trafford in the coming weeks.

Boubakary Soumare (LOSC Lille)

French Ligue 1 outfit LOSC Lille’s Boubakary Soumare is one of the most highly-rated young midfielder in Europe. The 20-year-old has been attracting interest from number of clubs across the continent including the likes of Napoli from Italy, Real Madrid and Valencia from Spain, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur from England in the recent past. However, despite having skills to become one of the very best in his position in the coming years, Soumare's age along with Lille’s valuation of €50 million for their prized asset might put United to search for alternatives in the transfer market.

Bruno Fernandes (Sporting Lisbon)

Sporting Lisbon’s Bruno Fernandes is being highly-rated in the football community and has the ability to turn the game upside down in the matter of minutes. The Portuguese international has been linked with United in the summer transfer window as well but the deal did not materialise for number of reasons. Fernandes has the leadership skills which is something clearly missing from the current lot of players at United which is why it will make a lot of sense if the Red Devils once again consider making a move for the 25-year-old in the January transfer window.

Inter Milan and Juventus have been in the market to sign a player who can bolster their respective full-back departments for the rest of the campaign as they are involved in a feisty league battle on the domestic front.

However, as per the latest report, Inter are now leading the race to sign Emerson as they are ready to offer Chelsea fee in the region of £25million in order to bring the player to the San Siro in the near future.

It is believed that the Milan-based club see Emerson as a perfect candidate for the role as he has the experience of playing in Italy with AS Roma and Palermo in the past.

Juventus are also believed to be interested, and the Italian international already has played under Maurizio Sarri at Chelsea, making it not so surprising if he actually signs him for the Bianconeri.

Emerson has been at Chelsea since the summer of 2018 when he moved from Roma for a reported transfer fee of €20million.
Since then, the Italy international has represented the London-based club in 49 matches in all competitions where he has managed to score a solitary goal along with providing five assists.

Robert Kubica will serve as Alfa Romeo's reserve driver for the 2020 season.

Kubica returned to the top level of motorsport in 2019 after eight years away, having suffered a massive rallying crash in 2011 that left him with a partially severed arm.

The Pole partnered George Russell for an uncompetitive Williams car, Kubica claiming their sole point of the season as the team almost exclusively occupied the back row.

Outqualified by Russell at all 21 races, Kubica was replaced by Nicholas Latifi at Williams for 2020.

However, he will return to the team that gave him his F1 bow in 2006. Kubica made his debut when the team was known as BMW Sauber and he claimed a pole in Bahrain and a win in Canada for them in 2008.

Kubica's return was revealed in an announcement confirming Polish petroleum company PKN ORLEN will link-up with Alfa Romeo as a title sponsor.

Team principal Frederic Vasseur said: "The exciting new partnership with PKN ORLEN is a statement of intent for both parties.

"It is proof of the ambition of our common project and of our desire to compete at the very top of Formula One.

"We are also delighted to welcome Robert back home and we cannot wait to start working with him.

"He is a driver that needs no introduction: one of the most brilliant in his generation and one who displayed the true meaning of human determination in his fight to return to racing after his rallying accident.

"His feedback will be invaluable as we continue to push our team towards the front of the grid."

How might the 2020s play out in sport? A missive dispatched from 2030 sheds some light on the stormy years that lie ahead.

Happy new year! Happy new decade! To your health, and to your wealth. May your future be prosperous and your family live in abundance.

Remember when we'd greet each other with such forceful cheer, way back in 2020? When Donald Trump was merely a White House tweeting machine, and not yet a challenger to Jack Nicklaus' golf majors record.

This is a message dispatched from Tuesday, January 1, 2030, and you've just swallowed the theory that the so-called former "commander-in-cheat" might legitimately win not one golf tournament but upwards of 18 against the world's elite.

The funny thing is, had it happened, perhaps it would not have been the most seismic event of the past 10 years - a turbulent, anything-goes period in sporting history.

Some will tell you sport in the 2020s reached its nadir when FIFA's executive committee needed three days of meetings before ruling out staging the 2029 Club World Cup in the cities of Chernobyl and Pripyat. You can't, it turns out, carry out urban regeneration within a nuclear exclusion zone, not even with the best will in the world and the 100% backing of CONMEBOL.

Others will look to the NFL appointing Sarah Sanders as its commissioner. Here, in any case, is an advance snapshot of the decade you're about to live through.

Happy New Year  pic.twitter.com/vHqlxLJo5X

— Bafetimbi Gomis (@BafGomis) December 31, 2019

By the dawn of the 2020s nobody doubted heads could be turned by great wedges of cash. The Premier League's long-mooted '39th game' finally got the green light, with an extra round of fixtures being staged in the United States in 2023 - predictably overshadowed by a routine weekend of college football.

Away from dollar-driven 'progress', 2023 also saw the VAR system abolished by incoming FIFA president and career goal-hanger Gary Lineker. No one countenanced ever speaking of VAR again.

If VAR was a manager, he’d have been sacked weeks ago.

— Gary Lineker (@GaryLineker) December 28, 2019

Roger Federer has never added to those 20 grand slam titles he tallied in the '00s and '10s, and agonisingly he saw Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic both nudge one ahead of him on the all-time list in the early 2020s. Where are Rafa and Nole now though? In an incontestable, quite glorious triumph for Team Federer, Roger is rolling on at the age of 48, a knock-in for those Wimbledon and US Open wild cards and still a fixture in Anna Wintour's wildest dreams.

In 2026, Federer partnered his 16-year-old daughter Myla Rose in mixed doubles at the Australian Open. "I've always wanted to keep going until my grandchildren have the chance to see me play, but of course so many people want to write me off," said Roger in a post-match interview.

Federer, hunting that elusive 21st major, has reached the third round of a major only twice since 2022. The year 2022, coincidentally, saw Serena Williams finally match and then pass Margaret Court's women’s tour record of 24 singles slams, immediately quitting tennis and public life at the age of 40 for a surprising second career in taxidermy. Cross the formidable Serena these days and you really can get stuffed.

We are wishing you all a very Happy New Year 2020. "I remain committed to empowering millions of children because children are tomorrow's future"- Roger Federer. https://t.co/rxIIvUJ9ZJ pic.twitter.com/4F3QshgmK2

— Roger Federer Fdn (@rogerfedererfdn) December 31, 2019

Peeved with persistent pee-test perniciousness, the plug was pulled on Olympic athletics six months out from Los Angeles 2028. To assuage the choking loss of track and field, the sport was substituted on the Memorial Coliseum stadium schedules by daily NFL games, thus guaranteeing stunning television audiences and spectacular financial success, feathering the IOC nest. The rest of the world audience, as per, embraced whatever sport in which their country had concocted a way to become world-beaters since the Tokyo Olympics. America's dominance of the shooting proved a sore point with some observers, given the successful dismantling of the NRA by President Michelle Obama's administration.

Is it 2028 yet? pic.twitter.com/7TNFmTTbli

— LA Memorial Coliseum (@lacoliseum) August 15, 2019

'No context' in 2019, and no gravity by 2028, boxing promoter Eddie Hearn teamed up in a co-promotion with Elon Musk's SpaceX corporation to announce boxing's first showdown on the International Space Station. The Matchroom boss guffawed and called the experience "different gravy" on a recce trip, yet not one astronaut on the ISS laughed back nor posted a three-second clip straight to Twitter. Even from a height of 250 miles, the world instantly felt a better place.

Coming out was the new staying in

A host of sports stars – you'll recognise some of the names, but all in good time - came out as proud members of the LGBTQ+ community over the last decade. The enlightened public majority welcomed the healthy cultural shift that made it possible, and an ignorant minority was soon shouted down. After years of suppressing their true selves in public, this generation of athletes was able to thrive in large parts of the world. There's no punchline here, just the hope we don't screw this one up in the years ahead.

Proud to welcome all to the Premier League #RainbowLaces pic.twitter.com/KQL8lNaNa6

— Premier League (@premierleague) December 9, 2019

How has the gender gap closed over the course of the 2020s, you wonder? Here's an answer: significantly but not sufficiently.

Sure, there's been a woman reaching the final of the darts world championship, half a dozen female Formula One drivers, Sam Kerr grabbed a handful of A-League goals when guesting for Perth Glory, and we've seen the first prominent football managers crossing over to the men’s game (Emma Hayes spent two years at Fulham, Corinne Diacre had 15 months with Lille, Laura Harvey is bossing the Seattle Sounders and Sarina Wiegman is sporting director of PSV).

The future's better: stadiums are now packed for women's World Cups in football, rugby and cricket.

Squabbling over tennis prize money calmed when grand slams cut matches across the board to best-of-three-set contests, yet achieving outright equality across the sporting spectrum will be one for the 2030s crew to take on.

I LOVE talking about sports and reading all of the dumb misogynist comments. It reminds me that women need to keep fighting for equality. It’s 2019 but feels like the 1950s. #feminist

— Kate Upton (@KateUpton) October 30, 2019

Football 'came home', with England driven to their 2026 World Cup triumph by a combination of Jurgen Klopp's astute management, Harvey Elliott's mastery of the number 10 role, and Real Madrid frontman Dominic Calvert-Lewin's irresistible finishing.

Just one more thing…

Don't believe everything you read. That last memory of the decade? Bigly fake news. To the delight of their many World Cup frenemies, the England football team is still FAILING.

Relive this year’s breathtaking Sydney New Year's Eve fireworks display – see the highlights ! #SydNYE pic.twitter.com/QDBONlwxOo

— City of Sydney (@cityofsydney) 31 December 2019

Rafael Nadal insists he is not treating this month's ATP Cup as preparation for the Australian Open and will give everything to lead Spain to further tennis glory.

Another team competition, the ATP Cup, now sees 24 countries do battle in Sydney, Perth and Brisbane.

The event takes place a fortnight before the first grand slam of the year in Melbourne, but for Nadal there is clear separation between the two Australian events.

"We are not taking this competition like preparation for another one, even if the Australian Open is around the corner," Nadal told reporters.

"It's a tournament that we want to compete well in, and then we'll have a week before the Australian Open for me personally to practice and for some of the others to play in Auckland or Adelaide.

"So we are very focused on trying to be ready for this competition. We are a team that gives the maximum. But there are other teams that are also prepared for that."

The presence of a fellow top-10 player in Roberto Bautista Agut has Spain rated as favourites for the new tournament, but there are other threats around.

Novak Djokovic plays for Serbia, while Daniil Medvedev, Dominic Thiem, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Alexander Zverev are also involved, meaning there is plenty of star power despite the absence of Roger Federer.

After previously discussing continuing his "love affair" with a country where he has won a record seven Australian Open titles, Djokovic feels energised ahead of the ATP Cup.

"The concept of ATP Cup does give us an opportunity to represent your country and be part of a team, which is not something we experience during the year very often," said Djokovic, who unlike at the Davis Cup has Dusan Lajovic as a Serbia team-mate this time around.

"It does feed you with energy and motivation. It's a lot of intensity on the court but also a lot of fun and relaxation off it."

Djokovic feels it will stand him in good stead for the Australian Open, adding: "I think so. I haven't been playing any Aussie opening-week-of-the-season tournament for a while.

"I have been playing mostly in Qatar. I think [starting the year in Brisbane] can help [my Australian Open chances]. I am here earlier than most years. I get acclimatised.

"I love being here - it feeds me with positive energy. I am still getting acclimatised. Back in Europe where I reside it is not as warm, it takes a bit of time, that is why I came here earlier."

The London-based club have been in the market to sign players in order to bolster their squad after their transfer ban for signing minors from abroad was reduced by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

As per the latest report, the Blues’ hierarchy are considering making a move for Lyon’s Dembele as a replacement for veteran striker Olivier Giroud who is set to leave the club in the mid-season transfer window.
The 23-year-old is highly-rated in the football community and has been linked with Premier League giants Manchester United in the past.

However, it will be interesting to see if Lyon will let the former Fulham striker leave in January considering the fact that they will not have the services of star striker Memphis Depay for a major part of the rest of their campaign.
Dembele has been at Lyon since the summer of 2018 when he moved from the Scottish club Celtic for a reported transfer fee of €22million.

Since then, the French U21 international has represented his current club in 71 matches in all competitions, scoring 30 goals along with providing eight assists.

Ginebra has gotten the better of Meralco in their past two encounters. Justin Brownlee made his mark by hitting the series clinching trey back in 2016 and his team outlasted the Bolts in front of 54,000 fans in Game 7 at the Philippine Arena last 2017.

This time around, however, the budding rivalry will add on another chapter with new faces on tow.

Raymond Almazan and Bong Quinto has bolstered the Bolts' lineup while Stanley Pringle and Jeff Chan added more firepower and experience to the Gin Kings' backcourt.

To kick off the new year, FOX Sports Philippines examines the matchups to look out for in this upcoming Finals.

Chris Newsome vs. Stanley Pringle

Two of the league's explosive guards will be featured in this upcoming Finals series. Chris Newsome and Stanley Pringle are both players who can light up the scoreboard on any given night.

The two should produce a lot of points for their respective teams as they can attack the paint or knock down the three-pointer when needed. But what's going to separate between these two are their defense and playmaking. Whoever can make an impact on both ends while getting their teammates going will surely get the much-needed edge here.

Raymond Almazan vs. Japeth Aguilar

There's a reason as to why Raymond Almazan was acquired last year, and it's because he can provide the intangibles that the Bolts are in dire need of. The lanky big man has provided glimpses of his potential by being the main man in the shaded area for Meralco. But he will face a daunting task on dealing with the Gin Kings' Twin Towers combo.

One guy to look out for Ginebra in particular is Japeth Aguilar. Like Almazan, Aguilar is a lengthy slotman who provides energy and athleticism for the Tim Cone-mentored squad.

These two should be a huge factor to look out for in this series. While Aguilar has a slight height advantage over Almazan, expect the latter to play much bigger than his size for Meralco.

Allen Durham vs. Justin Brownlee

It's Durham-Brownlee Part III.

Two of the league's top resident imports of the decade will face off once more in the PBA's biggest stage, and they will be heavily relied on to set the tempo on both ends for their respective teams.

Allen Durham is a Swiss army knife who can produce video game numbers on a per-game basis. He can score, rebound, facilitate and defend, making him the vital cog to Norman Black's uptempo system.

On the other hand, Justin Brownlee is Tim Cone's old reliable. He first came in as an elite scorer who will pour in points for the Gin Kings. But over these past few years, Brownlee expanded his skillset by playmaking and being a force defensively.

The memory of their past two encounters are still fresh from Durham's mind, and for sure he would like to finally get one over his fiercest rival. As for Brownlee, he would be keen on adding to his impressive PBA resume by securing his fourth championship with Ginebra.

(Images from PBA Media Group)

Under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Red Devils are now in a transitional phase where they are fixing different areas of the squad which needs to be addressed in order to compete with the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City.

One area which United’s hierarchy were eager to strengthen in January is the attacking front which became considerably weaker when Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez left the club in the summer transfer window and their replacements could not arrive in time.

Since then, the Manchester-based club have been linked with a number of targets in the recent past including young sensation Erling Braut Haaland, who became the club’s number-one target for the mid-season transfer window.

However, the Norway international eventually decided to join German Bundesliga outfit Borussia Dortmund from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg for a reported transfer fee of €20million.

Therefore, we have identified a list of possible candidates United can turn their attention to after missing out on their prime target to bolster their attacking unit.

1: Dominic Calvert-Lewin (Everton)

Everton’s Dominic Calvert-Lewin is highly-rated in the football community and has now beginning to showcase his talent for his club after managing to score 10 goals in 22 matches in all competitions in the ongoing campaign, which included two in two matches under new manager Carlo Ancelotti. The Sun reported on Tuesday that United are already evaluating the possibility of making a move for the England U21 international who is being around £50 million. Considering the fact that Calvert-Lewin has a contract with his current club till the summer of 2022, it is highly unlikely that Everton will think about letting him leave in the mid-season transfer window.

2: Krzysztof Piatek (AC Milan)

AC Milan’s Krzysztof Piatek has had a rollercoaster of a ride in 2019 which started with him becoming the most in-form striker in Europe and ended with reports of his move away from San Siro. The Milan-based club have recently signed veteran striker Zlatan Ibrahimović on a six-month deal which can be extended for another 12 months which intensified the rumours regarding Piatek’s future at the club. The Poland international is a proven goal scorer after managing to net 86 times in his short career in the club football and with so much pace available at United on the wings, he might well prove to be an ideal choice for the club in terms of long-term solution.

3: Paco Alcacer (Borussia Dortmund)

Paco Alcacer’s future at Borussia Dortmund is uncertain following the arrival of Haaland in the January transfer window. The Spain international has been in decent form for the BVB in the ongoing campaign where he has managed to score seven goals along with providing two assists in 15 matches in all competitions. For someone who is just 26-year-old and is a proven goal scorer, Alcacer might prove to be a really good fit for United, both in short and long-term future.

4: Edinson Cavani (PSG)

PSG’s Edinson Cavani can prove to be a real bargain purchase for the Manchester-based club in the January transfer window. The Uruguay international is in the final year of his contract with the Paris-based club and has been informed that he will not be rewarded with an extension after the arrival of Mauro Icardi from Inter in the summer. Some recent reports from France and Spain suggested that PSG will demand around £8.5 million for the departure of the 32-year-old in the January transfer window which can be considered as a real bargain for a player who has scored 337 first-team goals in his career in just 545 matches.

5: Dries Mertens (Napoli)

Napoli’s Dries Mertens is another player who will be available for a bargain price in the mid-season transfer window. The Belgium international is also in the final year of his contract and is now looking certain to leave the Naples-based outfit in the near future. Daily Mail reported on Tuesday that Mertens will be available for a fee in the region of just £8.5 million to clubs outside Italy in January which is a mouth-watering price for a player who has scored 118 goals along with providing 71 assists in just 304 matches for Napoli in all competitions.

This is according to Le10Sport, who reports via Goal that Real Madrid are interested in signing Mane at the end of the ongoing 2019-20 season.

https://www.facebook.com/25427813597/posts/10158196357858598/

Much has already been spoken on the Senegal international, who finished runner-up with his national team in the 2019 African Cup of Nations and with Liverpool in the 2018-19 Premier League. The pacy winger also lifted his first-ever Champions League and UEFA Super Cup with the Reds later in the same year, before winning the 2019 FIFA Club World Cup as well.

The 27-year-old has been one of the best performers in Jurgen Klopp's side, since arriving from Southampton at the end of the 2016-17 season. So far, he has made 150 appearances for Liverpool across all competitions, and has also scored 73 goals and provided 33 assists.

Mane was also a part of the final top-five Ballon d'Or shortlist in 2019, where he finished fourth - behind winner Lionel Messi, second-placed Virgil van Dijk and third-placed Cristiano Ronaldo. And now, as per Le10Sport's report, it seems that Real Madrid wants to sign him next summer.

It is no secret that Real Madrid's manager Zinedine Zidane is looking for alternative options to bolster his team's attack. Zidane's other options in the transfer market include Adama Traore, Christian Eriksen and Lautaro Martinez, as per the information from various sources.

With it comes the rumors and unconfirmed reports on player transfers.

Being one of the best players in the league, eyes were on Sisi Rondina as Petron is reportedly revamping for the 2020 season.

Rondina was rumored to be packing her bags and returning to Foton Tornadoes — a team she played for in 2016 during her PSL debut.

In a tweet Wednesday afternoon, Rondina put a halt to the claims and debunked the rumors on her transfer to Foton.

User @ustevolleyball tweeted, "Legit bang lilipit si @Rondina011 sa Foton?", which Rondina quote tweeted and replied, "Nope."

Nope https://t.co/CAFaxvb1O7

— Cherry Ann Rondina (@Rondina011) January 1, 2020

The University of Sto. Tomas standout was instrumental to the Blaze Spikers' back-to-back PSL All Filipino Conference championships in 2017 and 2018.

She was also a two-time PSL Beach Volleyball Cup gold medalist with Bernadeth Pons.

(Image from Facebook/Philippine SuperLiga)

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola believes the Premier League giants were the best club of the last decade.

City enjoyed a period of great success in the 2010-19 decade, winning four Premier League titles, four EFL Cups, three Community Shields and two FA Cups.

While Real Madrid won four Champions Leagues and Barcelona claimed two to go with seven LaLiga crowns, Guardiola believes City were the decade's best.

"I think this club, in the last decade, was the best team. In terms of points, in terms goals, of titles and everything," he said.

"So I congratulate Manchester City for that. So when we analyse every single day here, what happens day by day, we analyse that.

Some of my favourite moments from 2019 pic.twitter.com/a2xoCGFbiS

— Bernardo Silva (@BernardoCSilva) December 31, 2019

"Because fighting with the huge elephants here in England, the big clubs with the biggest history. With us in the last decade, we were a part of them, that is amazing."

Sitting 14 points behind Premier League leaders Liverpool, City host Everton on Wednesday.

Mikel Arteta insists he was not surprised by Mesut Ozil's energetic display against Chelsea, having been impressed by the Arsenal playmaker's "willing" performances in training.

Ozil has long been criticised for a perceived lack of effort as Arsenal have struggled, with the World Cup winner struggling to hold down a regular position in the side.

But although the Gunners collapsed to lose 2-1 to Chelsea at Emirates Stadium on Sunday, Ozil was at the centre of a much-improved performance in new head coach Arteta's first home game in charge.

Arteta's aim now is to build a team that will bring the best out of Ozil, acknowledging he cannot win matches alone.

"That's what I'm hoping, that he can sustain that level every three or four days," Arteta told reporters ahead of a New Year's Day meeting with Manchester United. "He's putting in everything he has to try to do that.

"His numbers, physically, have improved so much, and he's willing. That's what I can tell you from every day what I see in training.

"I'm not surprised. I know the ability, I know the player we have there. The structure has to help him for him to take everything that he has inside.

Today's result hurts after our best performance for a while. We didn't deserve to lose. But thanks for your amazing support at home this afternoon We go again on Wednesday - together #M1Ö #YaGunnersYa @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/ykQvkiSyfM

— Mesut Özil (@MesutOzil1088) December 29, 2019

"He needs help and he needs the team to play in a certain way to facilitate his strengths more and more every time in the game. That's what we are trying to do."

Ozil played in an advanced role against Chelsea, forming a front four alongside Alexandre Lacazette, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Reiss Nelson.

Arteta thought the position suited Ozil, yet he warned that, while the German has impressed so far, the player will only keep his place as long as he remains the best available option.

"I tried to prepare the team collectively and individually with the strengths and weaknesses that we have, to avoid the weaknesses and promote as much as possible our strengths," he said.

"I think Mesut in those positions is very effective.

"I put him in the team if I see every day his attitude, his desire, if his understanding of what we are trying to do is there and he has the will.

"If he is in a better moment than somebody else, I will pick him. The moment this changes, he won't play."

Frank Lampard suggested Chelsea may be asking too much of Callum Hudson-Odoi but vowed to stick with the 19-year-old and protect him against criticism.

The England winger sparkled in his early senior appearances but has struggled to make an impact of late, failing to impress as he started a Premier League match for the first time in over two months in a 2-0 Boxing Day defeat to Southampton.

While head coach Lampard acknowledged Hudson-Odoi is yet to find the consistency required to be a Chelsea regular, he is determined to stay patient with the teenager.

"Maybe [it is about consistency], and maybe we're asking too much," Lampard told reporters ahead of the New Year's Day trip to Brighton and Hove Albion.

"Because at 19, there's not many in the Premier League that are playing every week, especially at a club like ourselves.

"He has competition in those areas, so his consistency needs to be in how he works, how he trains every day, how much pressure he puts on me to play him. That is one thing he'll strive for.

"From all the conversations I've had with him, he understands what he needs to do on and off the pitch, and I will certainly stick with him."

Hudson-Odoi was reportedly concerned by social media criticism after the Southampton game, but Lampard is confident Chelsea fans will back their player.

"I've not spoken to him about that, and unfortunately, with social media, that's par for the course," he said.

LONDON IS BLUE Great comeback and end to the year!!!#CFC pic.twitter.com/exZjE8P07B

— Callum Hudson-Odoi (@Calteck10) December 29, 2019

"But I said it after the Southampton game: he's a young player, he's just 19, he's had a lot of talk about him for different reasons, which is not all of his doing. There's been a big microscope on him.

"I think we have to give him time and have patience with how young he is. I've got no problems with him. I thought he did well when he came on [against Arsenal], and I think that should be a nice little boost for him.

"I think Chelsea fans will be absolutely behind him. They want to see passion, they want to see those things as well as his ability to go by people.

"He needs to understand what's needed, and he's working on that constantly, and I'll back him and work with him on that."

Hudson-Odoi had been widely linked with Bayern Munich in January 2019 before agreeing to a new Chelsea deal, and Lampard is content the academy graduate has proven his commitment to the club.

"I'm not sure [if the Bayern reports are related to the criticism], but if that is the case, I think that will quite quickly go away," Lampard said. "It's up to him to put that to bed.

"He signed a really long contract here, declared he wants to be here. We're happy but now he has to produce."

Pep Guardiola says Manchester City must "work harder, play better and pray" to close the gap to Liverpool, but he is confident a fully fit squad could still compete for the Premier League title.

City have won the league in each of the past two seasons, yet they are now 14 points off the rapid pace set by Liverpool, who also have a game in hand heading into 2020.

While an ageing City squad have fallen below the standards set in previous campaigns, Guardiola is keen to emphasise the impact of key injuries on his team - with Aymeric Laporte and Leroy Sane out for long periods and David Silva and Sergio Aguero also dealing with issues.

Asked what his team must improve on to catch Liverpool, the City manager told reporters: "Work harder, play better and pray.

"With all the squad, yes, [City can compete]. There are some things that we cannot control. We can do what we can do.

"But other issues we cannot control, like what a fantastic team like Liverpool have done so far and other issues. If everybody's fit, we can do it."

#MCISHU #ManCity pic.twitter.com/0wG9VQsUIq

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 29, 2019

"No, I think the team is fantastic. I love it," he said. "We have had problems with injuries - these things happen - and then Liverpool are incredible.

"They are the champions of Europe and have dropped two points. After that, we just congratulate them. I know the distance we are [behind] is not what it should be, but it's what it is."

As 2019 drew to an end, Guardiola also wanted to offer a reminder of City's success in 2019 - winning the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield before slumping to third in the table.

"How was 2019? Now the people say it was a disaster. We won four titles in 2019," he said. "It was an incredible year for us, which we have enjoyed a lot.

"In some games in this last part of the season, we struggled a little bit. But it was an incredible year for us."

UFC president Dana White thinks it is "a bad idea" for Conor McGregor to chase a fight with Jorge Masvidal.

Announcing his comeback in October, the Irishman said he wanted to fight the victor of Masvidal's UFC 244 bout with Nate Diaz – which the former won with a third-round TKO – before a rematch with lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov to close his 2020 season.

However, White has urged McGregor to reconsider his desire to take on Masvidal.

"I think it's a bad idea, but Conor gets p****d off when I say it is a bad idea. He's like, 'You think I can't beat Masvidal?', and that whole thing," White told ESPN.

"I'm not saying that you can't beat Masvidal, anybody can beat anybody on any given day, but why? Why go after that fight when you could possibly just wait?

"This is the reason that Conor McGregor is so intriguing and why so many fans love to watch him fight. And you've got to love the fact that a guy is willing to fight anybody.

"I've said this a million times, I'll say it again, I've been in the trenches and when we're standing in the living room and fights pull out, Conor McGregor will fight anybody."

welterweight szn. #UFC246 pic.twitter.com/oBuGHnvwh4

— UFC (@ufc) December 30, 2019

"Conor wants that belt from Masvidal," said White. "I did it as a one-off, it was fun, it was awesome. We'll see what happens."

Paul Pogba's agent Mino Raiola has launched a stunning rant on Manchester United, stating that the club would ruin the likes of Pele and Diego Maradona. He has also claimed that his client Pogba needs a better project, like the one he was a part of at Juventus.

"Pogba's problem is Manchester United," he said. (Daily Mail)

It's a club out of touch with reality and without a sporting project. I wouldn't take anyone there, they would even ruin Maradona, Pele and Maldini. Paul needs a club and a squad, one like Juventus was before."

However, Raiola ruled out any immediate move for his client, albeit stating that he wants his client to win trophies in Manchester.

"Is that strange? Am I the only one that's worried? I think that everybody that is in love with Manchester United is worried about it. I'm worried about that for my player. As long as Paul is in Manchester United, he wants to win trophies with Manchester United.

'Clearly they are not where they think they should be."

The Red Devils are back in action on January 1, 2020, as they face rivals Arsenal.

According to AS, Real Madrid will bring 2019 to a close with just 100 goals in 54 matches across all competitions - at an average of just 1.85 goals per game. In contrast, they had scored 142 goals in 60 matches at an average of 2.36 goals per game in 2018.

In the ongoing 2019-20 season alone, Real Madrid have gone goalless in as many as five important games - against PSG in the Champions League and against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Real Betis in the La Liga.

The following table takes a look at Los Blancos' goals tally for each year in the past decade:

Year	Goals	Games
2019	100	54
2018	142	60
2017	156	63
2016	152	54
2015	140	55
2014	178	63
2013	156	58
2012	156	60
2011	167	60
2010	130	50

As you can see, their previous-worst tally for the decade was recorded in 2010, when they scored 130 goals in 50 matches.

Earlier in 2019, Real Madrid had also completed the 2018-19 season without winning a single trophy for the first time in several years.

Meanwhile, Zinedine Zidane - the boss of the La Liga giants - has made it clear that he is not overly concerned about their poor goal-scoring form at the moment.

"Goals will come eventually because we are doing things the right way. We are getting close to our opponents' goal will ease, we just need to be a little less anxious," he had said earlier this month.

There have been signs of improvement from United in the month of December, Solskjaer's side winning six matches across all competitions and climbing to fifth in the Premier League ahead of the New Year's Day meeting with Arsenal.

The club's injury list is shortening, too, with Paul Pogba back in the fold, yet it still appears likely there will be at least one new arrival at Old Trafford in the next month.

Although Solskjaer's side has already missed out on one potential "long-term" option after Salzburg teenager Erling Haaland instead joined Borussia Dortmund, they will be looking out for similar players who can offer more than merely a short, sharp impact.

"I'm a striker. By nature, I've always been optimistic. I'm optimistic we can keep players fit," Solskjaer said ahead of facing Arsenal. "And if the right ones become available, we do have the resources, and I do have the backing from the board.

"But it's all about getting the right ones - it has to be. There's no point bringing someone else in now just for the sake of three or four months.

"That could disrupt the chemistry in the group. The chemistry in the group is really good. It has to be the right type, it has to be a good investment for the club for the long term."

"If we can keep this lot fit and if we can keep on improving, one or two additions [could make a difference]," he said. "It's competition for places - that's what you've got to deal with at this club.

"We haven't had enough because we've had so many injuries, but now we're getting more and more players fit, so I've got to leave players out that I maybe should have played."

Even before Haaland's swift ascent this term, United were linked with strikers after Romelu Lukaku left for Inter.

But Anthony Martial, Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood are all now firing in attack, meaning Solskjaer believes the club were right not to invest before the campaign.

He said: "We always believed Anthony and Marcus were going to score goals, but Mason's filled a big void. He's chipped in with goals. I'm not worried about goals from the forwards.

"Romelu's a good striker and he'll always score goals, but it was time for him to move on and we didn't find the right one outside of our club. We had Mason."

There were plenty of shattering lows for Tiger Woods in the 2010s, but the final year of the decade featured his greatest triumph.

A succession of nerve-shredding Ryder Cups, including Europe's astonishing victory in the 'Miracle of Medinah', will continue to live long in the memory of many, while the number of compelling major storylines has been remarkable.

Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott, Ernie Els, Bubba Watson, Phil Mickelson, Jordan Spieth, Danny Willett, Dustin Johnson, Henrik Stenson, Sergio Garcia, Justin Rose, Brooks Koepka and Shane Lowry have all found themselves at the centre of thrilling finishes in the biggest events of the past 10 years. You may well fondly remember other stirring denouements.

Golf also made its long-awaited return to the Olympics, yet there can be no doubt Tiger Woods' success at the 2019 Masters tops everything else since the decade began.

In any circumstances, one of the world's most recognisable athletes ending an 11-year drought at the highest level would represent a significant storyline.

Woods' win at Augusta, though, was particularly remarkable due to the dark depths he had plumbed since last winning a major.

At the end of the 2009 PGA Tour season, Woods was the undisputed world number one and, with 14 majors to his name at the age of 33, he appeared highly likely to surpass Jack Nicklaus' record tally of 18.

No one could possibly have predicted the litany of setbacks that would follow, before he finally tasted major glory once again.

Only by reminding ourselves of Woods' pain can we fully appreciate the true enormity of his stunning redemption.

A moment between a father and a son.#themasters pic.twitter.com/Ft0ta2mD5o

— Masters Tournament (@TheMasters) April 14, 2019

As he racked up win after win after win throughout the 2000s, Woods carried an air of invincibility few have ever attained. Even when he gave up a final-round lead at a major for the first time at the 2009 US PGA Championship, finishing second to the unheralded Y.E. Yang, it felt like no more than a surprising blip.

However, the man with arguably the most intimidating mentality in sport saw his aura shattered around the turn of the decade as a scandal involving his private life snowballed dramatically.

After suffering minor injuries in a car crash outside his home on November 27, 2009, as the first of several lurid allegations of infidelity surfaced, Woods apologised the following week for "letting his family down", adding somewhat vaguely that he regretted his "transgressions".

His first public appearance in the new decade was unforgettable. On February 19, 2010, Woods delivered an astonishing televised mea culpa, in which he revealed he was receiving therapy and solemnly stated: "I was unfaithful. I had affairs. I cheated. I knew my actions were wrong. But I convinced myself that normal rules didn't apply. I thought I could get away with whatever I wanted to."

Tiger Woods made a public apology #OnThisDay in 2010. Tonight on 'Through the Decades' relive the story at 8p ET pic.twitter.com/gklySXEQ2g

— Decades TV Network (@decadesnetwork) February 19, 2019

THE INJURY HELL

Injuries had started to hamper Tiger in the previous decade, most notably when he somehow won the U.S. Open on one leg in 2008, but his fitness deteriorated sharply in the 2010s.

Following a truncated 2011 campaign that saw him drop out of the world's top 50, Woods looked to be back to his own self as he gradually recovered his form and won five PGA Tour events in 2013, reclaiming the number one ranking in the process.

A four-year injury nightmare followed, though, comprising four back surgeries and a succession of tournament withdrawals.

On the few occasions Woods was able to take to the course during this period, it generally made for difficult viewing, the low point coming at the Phoenix Open in February 2015 when he shot a career-worst 82.

Increasing back trouble duly led to a 15-month absence starting in August of that year and when Woods' eventual return was cut short by another setback early in 2017, his future prospects looked bleak.

"The cycle needs to be broken," read an article on Fox Sports. "For the sake of the game and in fairness to his peers, he should see the writing on the wall and formally retire."

THE MUG SHOT

Woods underwent his fourth back operation in April 2017 - spinal fusion surgery that appeared to represent a final roll of the dice in terms of restoring him to full fitness.

A month later, he reached a shocking nadir.

After he was arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence at 3am close to his Jupiter Island home, a startling mugshot of a dishevelled and desolate Woods - together with police footage that showed him in an alarmingly confused state - was swiftly shared around the world.

Tiger's mugshot has been added to the report. pic.twitter.com/ZPL0LdRRKt

— Ryan Lavner (@RyanLavnerGC) May 29, 2017

More than seven years on from the car crash that effectively heralded the start of his spectacular fall from grace, another vehicle-related controversy left Woods looking a forlorn and troubled figure. Given his prolonged injury nightmare, it was tough to see how he could compete at the highest level again.

THE COMEBACK

In September 2017, a recovering Woods was asked if he could see a scenario in which he did not return to competitive golf.

"Yeah, definitely," replied a man who had fallen out of the world's top 1,000. "I don't know what my future holds for me. As I've told you guys, I'm hitting 60-yard shots."

Twelve months later, at the end of a sensational comeback season in which he had repeatedly challenged for victories and come close in two majors, Woods was able to savour his first triumph since 2013 as he won the Tour Championship amid extraordinary scenes that saw spectators swamp the 18th fairway.

A year ago today...

Tiger. Woods.

That's it, that's the tweet. pic.twitter.com/x5e5teapcs

— TOUR Championship (@playofffinale) September 23, 2019

'THE GREATEST SCENE IN GOLF FOREVER'

As outstanding as Woods' 2018 was in the context of his previous struggles, one thing was missing. The man who won 14 majors between 1997 and 2008 had still not added to that tally.

That changed on April 14, 2019, as Woods held his nerve superbly to claim a fifth Masters crown and send an expectant crowd into raptures.

CBS commentator Jim Nantz fully appreciated the significance of the moment when Woods tapped in his winning putt on the 18th green. After announcing the champion's "return to glory", Nantz remained silent for two minutes and 42 seconds during the celebrations as deafening roars and shouts of "TIGER, TIGER, TIGER" echoed around Augusta.

In an interview with the Washington Post, Nantz said: "I've done 34 Final Fours, had Super Bowls, Peyton [Manning's] farewell. It's the best event I've ever covered. And I feel very fortunate to have been in that spot.

"There was no way I was going to say anything over those images of Tiger with his family. The chanting was in the background and the scene was rich. I knew instinctively I wanted to sit back and enjoy it. All I could do was ruin it."

When the commentary eventually resumed, co-commentator Nick Faldo - a six-time major-winner who has seen pretty much all there is to see in his sport - declared simply: "That will be the greatest scene in golf forever."

Considering the misery that engulfed Woods for much of the past decade, it is hard to argue.

Tiger Woods has won the Masters.

His 81st PGA TOUR win.
His 15th major title.
His 5th green jacket.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/xC8165hypE

— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) April 14, 2019

This is according to El Desmarque, who has claimed that the Reds, under the leadership of their manager Jurgen Klopp, are even ready to trigger his release clause of €75million, to make him their player in January.

Carlos, who is a centre-back by trade, joined Sevilla from Ligue 1 club Nantes for a transfer fee of €15million, just before the beginning of the 2019-20 season. Since then, he has made 20 appearances for the Spanish side across various competitions, and has also scored two goals so far.

The 26-year-old is currently on a five-year contract at Sevilla, and his release clause fee is rumoured to be about €75million. El Desmarque's report also claims that Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane initially had plans to sign him as a long-term replacement for Sergio Ramos, before Liverpool overtook them in the transfer race by apparently deciding to trigger his release clause before them.

Needless to say, the defending European Champions are currently on a purple patch, having remained undefeated in the first half of the Premier League season while also advancing to the knockouts of the Champions League. Signing Carlos would definitely improve Liverpool's squad further and make them nearly invincible.

According to a report by Daily Mail, both Chelsea and Arsenal are looking to sign Athletico Paranaense starlet Bruno Guimaraes. The 22-year-old central midfielder has put in some good displays this year leading to a widespread interest in his services.

Meanwhile, the English pair are set to face further competition for Guimaraes from other European giants. Both Atletico Madrid and SL Benfica are said to be keen on the midfielder as well. Guimaraes, in turn, has been capped by the Brazil U-23 team and also holds a Spanish passport.

The report suggests that Chelsea had retained an interest in the midfielder from before their transfer ban while Arsenal are looking for a replacement for Granit Xhaka. The Swiss central midfielder is said to be closing in on a return to Bundesliga with Hertha Berlin.

Both the London giants seemingly sent scouts to keep a close eye on the player and could make a possible move for him in the upcoming transfer window.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes 2020 can be a year of personal success as he attempts to deliver his first trophies as Manchester United manager.

That relatively comfortable victory at Turf Moor concluded a turbulent decade for the Red Devils, in which they have appointed four permanent managers but failed to win the domestic title since Alex Ferguson retired in 2013.

Solskjaer's side have been frustratingly inconsistent this season, but they have won six of their past eight games in all competitions and head into the new year with a chance of winning the EFL Cup, the FA Cup and the Europa League.

The former United striker thinks his young team are getting closer to the identity he wants to see and is fully confident the coming decade will see the club restored to the top of English football.

"I'm going to make 2020 a good year for myself," he said ahead of United's trip to Arsenal on January 1.

"I think we're on the right track. We are in a transitional period - we've seen other clubs do it and come out stronger after a couple of years. We will come strong this decade, definitely. That's just in the nature of this club.

 

"We're improving, and I think we can see more and more of what we want to be and our identity, what we're good at. We're making games suit our style more and more. We've played the same way for a little while, and we're getting used to each other.

 

"We're quite a bit away still from where we want to be, but I think we're the youngest team in the Premier League this week. We'll have ups and downs, but there'll be less and less and less, hopefully, of the downs."

Working hard this year to make sure we start the next with a bang!  #MUFC pic.twitter.com/QU6LSveJJx

— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 30, 2019

ATHLETES come and go and that's a fact, but there are a few of them who choose to stay on -- for the love of the game -- and keep that competitive spirit within.

Just recently, Leviste competed in the Asian Championship and her team, alongside Joker Arroyo, daughter of the late Senator Joker Arroyo and Fil-American Colin Syquia, won the silver medal.

It was a silver that glitters like gold as Leviste and co. completed the feat despite having only three riders in an event usually being participated by four in a team event. Normally, each team is composed of four riders where each squad is required to have a drop score -- the lowest output in each round.

But for the three-man Philippine squad, they need to compete as faultless as possible.

Denied of an opportunity to participate in the SEA Games as an equestrian, for some reason, was not included by organizers in the multi-sports event hosted and won by the country this year, the trio put on its best effort ended up with a solid second-place finish.

"Because equestrian was not included in the recent SEA Games in Manila, unfortunately, we opted to join the Asian Championship.  FEI (International Equestrian Federation) wants to do it every two years. It's the same way as the European Championship and the Pan-American Games," Leviste told FOX Sports Philippines.

"It's not a qualifying event for the Olympics, but they want to make it as a qualifying event in the future. It was well-supported and it was on CNN (international), like it was aired three times. There were 13 countries competed," added Leviste.

Facing the daunting task of competing against the best in the region, which now includes Australia and New Zealand, the Philippine triumvirate had to play a near-perfect game and had to be aided by luck and Grace of God.

True enough, that moment came on the second day of the competition, but Leviste and her teammates had to make a big charge to stay in the medal hunt.

"We are only three that is in this level. One guy, is based in the US, Colin Syquia, he's half Filipino, half American. Joker Arroyo, daughter of the late Senator Joker Arroyo, and myself," added Leviste.

The Philippines were running fourth by the end of the first day and need to come up with a flawless performance on the final day of competition.

But as fate would have it, the Filipinos were able to come up with a much better show and luck took its turn next.

"After the first round of the team competition going to the second round the next day, we were running fourth -- a far fourth place. First was Hong Kong, and they were very solid kasi nga they have a drop score. The other riders were riding their horses for a long time and had been competing as a team many, many times and all of those things contributed to your success. Second was Kuwait and third was Uzbekistan," recalled Leviste.

"We were far from them. From third, we were eight faults away or two bars down. From the silver, we were, I think 15 faults.  That's a lot of faults. Sure, they can also have faults, but we can also have faults for the next day. We have to ride as faultless as we can and they have to screw up. We had to rely on that, in fact."

Little did they know, they're in for even something better.

"I am usually the anchor rider, the last to ride and usually, the last rider has the most pressure because depends on what happened, everything relies on you, especially when you're just three and every score is counted. I was second to the last to go and the last rider was the rider from Kuwait who was the individual gold medalist last year in Jakarta. He was faultless in the first round. He would normally not have a fault and so, when I came in. I didn't know I rode a clear round," added Leviste.

"Apparently, Uzbekistan made mistakes and I could not afford a fault. When I jumped, everybody wants us to win because we were the underdogs. When I finished my round without a fault, you could hear in the commentary that we won the bronze already. When I crossed the finish line, we won the bronze," she added.

"The last rider, the guy who won the gold medal last year in the Asian Games, Ali Al-Khorafi from Kuwait, had to have 10 faults, which is like an impossibility, like saying Michael Jordan should not be able to shoot one shot out of three in a free throw. Normally, it's impossible for him to have a fault -- and we needed 10 for us to claim the silver. His horse stopped in one obstacle so that's already four faults and so he needs to make a circle and jump again and then he had one more bar down, so that's already eight faults, but because he made that circle, that added time, so when he crossed the finish line, he already had 10 faults, so we won the silver. Only God can make that happen. You can't even say it's a miracle. But if it's something meant for you, it will not past you. So we fought for that silver and it felt like a gold."

For nearly four decades, Leviste has been on board different horses.  Beginning 1985 when she competed in the Pony Club at the young age of 11, the well-traveled equestrienne didn't stop from there even though some of her peers -- from Mikee Cojuangco, Denise Yabut-Cojuangco, and Jones Lanza, among others had long been retired -- and appeared no signs of slowing down.

"I am actually the longest-serving national athlete in an Olympic sport. I was competing since I was 11 years old. My first competition was in 1985 and I was 11 for the Pony Club of the Philippines and it's now 2019. It's a dual meet between Hong Kong and the Philippines. I'm 46 and I'm still competing and still dreaming of that Olympic gold. What drives me? Why I'm still doing it? The fuel that drives me is an Olympic gold medal. It sounds like an impossible dream, but when you dream, you have to dream big. For as long as there's a Filipino with that dream in her heart, then the gold medal is not an impossibility for the Philippines because someone is dreaming it. Whether or not I can achieve it. It's God's will. God has put the dream in my heart. It's up to me to nurture it," she said.

Last year, Leviste competed against some of the world's best in the World Championship, the only Filipino to see action in the prestigious world meet for showjumping twice.

"I was also there in 2002 in Spain," said Leviste. "I was able to compete in the Olympics in 2000 in Sydney and the World Cup Final in Sweden in 1999. No Southeast Asian had done all three. It's really hard to qualify for the World Championship and the Olympics. I've been blessed with good partners. You're only as good as your best horse. They say horses are the athletes, in a way, they're right. In these sense that they have to jump these obstacles, whereas we have to pilot them to do so -- and to do so gracefully, harmoniously, with good camaraderie -- so that they are willing to do it for you and to fight for you. But they get old and die, as we do as well," added Leviste.

But equestrian is a sport that was created on equal opportunities. Men and women can compete with one another as the chemistry between the horses and the riders are the ones determining which of these pairs can stand out among the rest.

"In equestrian, it's not about brute strength. That's why men and women can compete equally against each other. The older you are, the more experiences you have in the ring. The different courses, because every course is different. Not like gymnastics or basketball or even golf. I know the factors in golf are different every day. But when you played that course, you more or less know that course and just adjust to the variables. In showjumping, there's not one course the same, every single time. It changes every single time. The more courses you jumped in your lifetime, the more analytical you are. The more you can assess all these number of strides," added Leviste.

THE ULTIMATE DREAM

Competing in the Olympics is probably the pinnacle of every athletes' career and an Olympic gold is the highest achievement for any of them.

Leviste wants to be part of that circle and just like every athlete, she has that dream of winning the elusive Olympic gold medal. No Filipino athlete has ever won a gold medal in the world's biggest show spectacle, but Leviste never gets tired of trying her luck even though she saw her peers come and go.

"We didn't qualify for the 2020 Olympics. We tried to. We're going to vie for the 2024 Olympics in Paris," she said. "We tried as a team last August, but again, because we were only three and because we're against New Zealand and Australia, they're all in the Asia Pacific region. Our groupings are done in a different format. They grouped us with the Asia Pacific, so that includes all of Southeast Asia. All of Asia and including Australia and New Zealand, which is not really fair."

"In our sport, they have that advantage. It's not fair for us. Because equestrian is part of their culture. They live in the countryside and they're farmers. It's part of their lifestyle. That's their sport. It's like us doing sipa. Dapat kasama sila ng mga Europeans, but it is what it is. That's why it's very tough. Yet, I did it, so it's not impossible. It's just difficult. And we were trying to do it as a team this time. We're trying to become the first Southeast Asian team to qualify, but we did it."

Australia and New Zealand were able to qualify for the spot for the Olympics and the next major event lined up for the Philippine equestrian squad would be two years from now.

"The next World Championship is 2022. It's always the same year as the Asian Games. Last year, I went to the Asian Games in Jakarta and then I went to the World Championships after," added Leviste.

Looking back at her already stellar career, competing in the Olympics is like no other.

"My greatest achievement for me is being an Olympian. I think once you're an Olympian, you will always be an Olympian. That's why we have the POA -- the Philippine Olympian Association. It's easier to become a Senator than being an Olympian. I'm not downplaying the Senators. I'm just trying to make a comparison at how difficult it is to become an Olympian. You cannot buy a spot in the Olympics. You have to work sweat, blood and tears, literally -- to make it there."

"I have highlights in my career that keeps me going, but the dream or the fuel that drives me is the dream of the Olympic gold. I think every Filipino athlete dreams of winning the gold. I know it's a near impossibility because what are the chances? Even qualifying is hard enough, but if you dream, you dream big."

Unlike in other sports, earning a berth in the Olympics or the World Championship is as tough as nails.  There are no qualifying events lined up as compared to basketball, for example, which has windows for either the Olympics or the World Championship through their series of qualifying events.

In equestrian, there's only one.

"I think we are always allowed to have a swimmer or an athlete in track and field in the Olympics -- every country. They are always allowed of those spots. Mandatory ang swimming and track and field sa Olympics, so we have to choose at least one. Our best swimmer and our best track and field to be in the Olympics.  That's why in every Olympics, we have athletes in swimming and track and field," said Leviste.

PROUD TO BE FILIPINO

In 2006, while competing in the Doha Asian Games, Leviste, a Muslim, was offered to become a Qatari. It was a tempting offer, one that is hard to refuse as it is known as a staunch backer for equestrian.

"I won a team silver in Busan Asian Games in 2002. We won a team gold during the Manila SEA Games in 2005 and I won an individual silver. In 2011 during the SEA Games in Jakarta, I won a team silver and an individual silver," added Leviste.

"When I was competing in Qatar in the 2006 Asian Games, Qatar offered me to become a Qatari. They knew I was Muslim. They wanted to encourage Muslim women to be involved because Prophet Mohammed loves horses. They wanted to encourage women to be involved in equestrian so they wanted me to be part of the team."

Known as an oil-rich country and also a destination of choice by Filipinos who want to work overseas, Qatar is hard to pass up, but Leviste has better reasons to turn it down.

"Team Qatar in equestrian sport is the highest funded team in the whole world. They love horses. They have natural gas. They don't have to worry about training or finding horses. You just have to concentrate on finding the horses and competing and that's it. It was a tempting offer, but very easy to refuse for me personally, because I believe that," said Leviste.

"I ride with passion because I ride for my flag and country. If I didn't have that, I wouldn't ride at all. That's what drives me, too, just like the Olympic gold medal, for the country. Anywhere in the world I am, every rider that's invited in an international event, their countries' flags were raised. Whenever I see the Philippine flag flying high, hoisted up among the other flags, even if I'm the only one who knows that's the Philippine flag, my heart is so proud that it's there because of me. It represents a hundred million people. Even if they don't know nor care, I care. That's important to me. I couldn't ride for another country."

It is being reported by The Express that Chelsea have offered Giroud plus cash to Lyon for the services of their striker Moussa Dembele, and while that transfer is being pondered, things may change closer to home.

The future of Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang is in serious doubt after the recent troubles faced by the Gunners, and should he end up leaving, Chelsea may choose to send Giroud back to Arsenal.

“Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s representatives have made it very clear to Arsenal that their client wants to leave Arsenal in January,” McGarry revealed on the Transfer Window Podcast.

[attachvideo id=1214836]

“Aubameyang has the type of personality that he would certainly agitate for a move if that were the case that he needed to.

“There’s definite interest from Real Madrid and also Barcelona for the 30-year-old who is the second top scorer in the Premier League.

“Now, that would mean Arsenal are short of a striker.

“Who do you go for? Oh look, there’s Olivier Giroud over at Chelsea, he’s a former Arsenal player, he knows the team, he knows the club, maybe he would be open to coming back.

“It’s not the biggest stretch of imagination and I understand that Giroud would be open to moving back to Arsenal and staying in London.

“That wouldn’t necessarily affect Chelsea’s interest in Dembele. Dembele’s valued at around €60m, they certainly have that money to spend.

“Of course they had no incomings last summer because of the transfer ban which has now been lifted, so Chelsea are willing to spend.

“I believe Lampard would not be averse to letting Giroud going to Arsenal, after all they allowed David Luiz to go there last summer just at the end of the transfer window.

“There’s reasonable relations between the clubs so there’s no history that would prevent them selling Giroud to Arsenal.

“He’s going to be cheap, probably around £5m, in the last six months of his contract. So I can see Giroud moving south to France or north London.”

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola will target the Champions League as Liverpool run away with the Premier League title, according to Xavi.

City are eyeing a third consecutive Premier League crown under Guardiola, however, the defending champions are third and 14 points adrift of unbeaten rivals Liverpool – who have a game in hand – after 20 matches.

Amid doubts over Guardiola's long-term future in Manchester, former Barcelona star Xavi believes the Spaniard will prioritise the Champions League ahead of a blockbuster last-16 showdown against Real Madrid.

"Pep is a born winner," Al Sadd head coach Xavi, who played under Guardiola at Camp Nou, told The Mirror. "It will hurt him that Manchester City are so far behind Liverpool in the league - and he won't give up.

Tonight's sunset was pretty decent

#ManCity pic.twitter.com/osJhbpq8Lv

— Manchester City (@ManCity) December 30, 2019

"With that in mind, I think there's a big chance Pep will prioritise the Champions League.

"They will be two big games coming up against Real Madrid - and maybe there will be a chance to rest players before these games that they wouldn't have if they were in a title race.

"Pep will want to win every trophy that he can - but if you'd asked him at the start of the season what he would prefer, I'm sure he would have said the Champions League.

"He joked with Klopp that maybe Manchester City and Liverpool should swap trophies this year - but there was some truth in that joke, I think.

"He's won every trophy in England with Manchester City and he knows that winning the Champions League with them would take them to the next level as a club."

Guardiola's City will kick off the New Year with a clash against Everton at the Etihad Stadium on Wednesday.

The Sun are reporting that the Red Devils still believe they need to strengthen their attack, and for that purpose are looking at Everton for one of their top strikers.

The report says that Dominic Calvert-Lewin has impressed the powers that be at United, and that after missing out on Erling Haaland, he might well be the man they turn to.

[attachvideo id=1214575]

A first look at the English striker would suggest that he would fit perfectly into the plans of the English giants, considering his attributes are similar to the kind of player manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking for.

The Norwegian has specified in the past that he is keen on building his squad around "young and hungry" players, and Calvert-Lewin fits that bracket better than anyone else in the Premier League.

However, the 22-year-old would cost somewhere in the region of £50m and would be difficult to purchase considering that new Everton boss Carlo Ancelotti wants to build his own side around Calvert-Lewin.

Other European clubs are also in the running to sign him, so United better move fast if they are to secure the deal soon.

According to Raiola, United need to take a long and hard look at themselves and find out why one of the hottest young talents in Europe felt that moving to Borussia Dortmund was a better option for his career.

“The club that he had the most direct contact with him was United," Raiola told The Telegraph.

“They spoke to him the most. Everybody had the chance to talk to him in person. We let that happen especially when he knows Ole.

“Clearly he felt that at this moment it was not the right step in his career. There is nothing against Manchester United or Ole.

“He chose Borussia Dortmund ahead of them and other clubs and I’m very happy because he is going to the club he wanted to go to and that is best for him right now.

[attachvideo id=1214882]

“If he wanted to go to Manchester United I would have been obliged to take him to Manchester United, but he did not.

“When you are 19 then maybe you prefer not to go to the Premier League. The offer from Manchester United was good.

“It was not about the economics. It is just the player chose Borussia Dortmund at this stage of his career.”

Raiola further expanded on claims that perhaps he was the reason that the Red Devils were hesitant in signing Haaland.

“I do not know if Manchester United are briefing this but if they are then they are covering their own loss and that I find strange and disappointing," he said.

“There was no fall-out between me and [United executive vice-chairman] Ed Woodward. It was just a normal negotiation and the player has chosen a different path.

“If they want to blame someone then fine, blame me, but the player is happy. He has made his choice and we went through a normal process.”

Defending champion Michael van Gerwen and Peter Wright set up a rematch of their 2014 PDC World Championship final with comprehensive last-four wins at Alexandra Palace on Monday.

Three-time winner Van Gerwen claimed his first title 7-4 against Wright five years ago, but the Scotsman will get the opportunity to claim revenge after seeing off Gerwyn Price 6-3 in a semi-final grudge match.

Speaking after booking the last-four meeting with Wright, Price had joked he would "smash him 6-0", prompting a prod from his opponent when he took the opening set.

Wright had nudged in front with an 11-darter and started the second in impressive fashion, checking out on 131, yet Price broke through in the fifth leg and roared in delight as he levelled the match.

Momentum swung back and forth, with Wright losing the next but bouncing back to win the fourth 3-0. They were level again at 3-3 through six sets.

But Wright pulled clear and was ultimately comfortable, getting the job done with his eighth match dart in the deciding leg of the ninth set, although tensions remained high with no handshake between the pair.

"I like [Price] but I don't appreciate what he did," Wright told Sky Sports Darts. "He wanted me to concentrate and I did - there you go, you lost."

THE FINAL!

Michael van Gerwen will face Peter Wright for the 2019/20 @WilliamHill World Darts Championship title!

Who will be crowned World Champion? pic.twitter.com/49mp5x2pvW

— PDC Darts (@OfficialPDC) December 30, 2019

At 1-1, Aspinall had his opponent under pressure in the fourth leg of the third set but failed to capitalise and then collapsed on his throw, before he missed a decisive double-20 in the fifth set after again levelling the tie.

Aspinall continued to respond even after he was routed in the sixth, but he paid for his profligacy as Van Gerwen claimed a 6-3 win.

Luka Jovic will return to the Serbia squad for their Euro 2020 play-off semi-final against Norway in March after a "misunderstanding" was resolved, the Football Association of Serbia (FSS) announced on Monday.

The Real Madrid striker was released from international duty in September citing an injury, only to then feature for his club in LaLiga four days later.

Serbia head coach Ljubisa Tumbakovic was reportedly irked, and Jovic has not played for his country since.

However, with a key clash against Norway coming up on March 26, FSS sporting director Vladimir Matijasevic and Tumbakovic have held meetings with Jovic to get one of their star men back on board.

Најпре спортски директор #FSS Матијашевић, па после и селектор Тумбаковић, су протеклих неколико дана у Београду имали састанак са репрезентативцем Србије Луком Јовићем, после којих је јасно да је нападач @RealMadrid апсолутно спреман да буде на располагању у мартовским мечевима. pic.twitter.com/bmaqH0QKvJ

— Fudbalski savez Srbije | FA Serbia (@FSSrbije) December 30, 2019

"On both sides, everything that needed to be said was said, the misunderstanding was resolved and, most importantly, the conclusion was that everyone agreed that Serbia's interest was above all.

"Qualification for the European Championship was a common goal."

Jovic netted in a qualifying win against Lithuania in June but has scored only once in LaLiga since his €60million move from Eintracht Frankfurt to Madrid ahead of the 2019-20 season.

Teenager Jason Knight scored twice to end 10-man Derby County's seven-game winless run with a 2-1 victory over Charlton Athletic in the final match before the start of Wayne Rooney's Rams playing career.

Player-coach Rooney is in line to debut against Barnsley this week, formally completing a January transfer from DC United, but his new side had largely struggled in the Championship in his absence until Monday's improved display at Pride Park.

It was a player 16 years Rooney's junior who made the difference with his first senior goals, the opener a brave, stooping header after just 10 minutes.

The hosts were dealt a blow when ex-Charlton loanee Krystian Bielik was shown a straight red card for an awful, late lunge on Conor Gallagher, but the 10 men remained in control and Knight steered in a clinical left-footed finish with 13 minutes remaining.

Although Lyle Taylor coolly dispatched a penalty for Charlton to set up a nervy finish, Derby held on through eight minutes of stoppage time for a precious win.

THAT'S IT!

Jason Knight's double ensures that the Rams sign out of the decade with a victory!

2-1 #DCFCvCAFC pic.twitter.com/LQFbYu8COE

— Derby County (@dcfcofficial) December 30, 2019

Cristiano Ronaldo looks to have put Serie A's mid-season break to good use as he targets further success in 2020.

But as Maurizio Sarri's men aim to improve on a first half of the campaign which ended with a Supercoppa Italiana defeat to Lazio, star striker Ronaldo has a new look.

The five-time Ballon d'Or winner, who sported a headband before Christmas, has grown out his hair into a man bun, and he uploaded a snap to his Instagram page.

Ronaldo will hope the new do does little to impact his outstanding goalscoring form, with 10 Serie A strikes to his name already this term.

Looks like a new Ronal-do for Cristiano pic.twitter.com/zafGODksPC

— Omnisport (@OmnisportNews) December 30, 2019

Robert Moreno was accused of being "disloyal" by Luis Enrique but is keen to move on after taking up a role with Monaco.

Moreno took charge permanently at that point and oversaw Spain's qualification for Euro 2020, but Luis Enrique returned in November and did not appoint his former deputy to his staff due to an apparent disagreement.

The former Barcelona boss accused Moreno of being "disloyal" last month, claims the latter described as "ugly and unfair".

Speaking two days on from being appointed as Leonardo Jardim's successor at Monaco, Moreno - who previously worked with Luis Enrique at Roma, Celta Vigo and Barcelona - was keen to draw a line under the matter.

FIRST TRAINING pour Robert Moreno pic.twitter.com/4EENmf0yF6

— AS Monaco 🇲🇨 (@AS_Monaco) December 30, 2019

"I spent nine wonderful years at his side," he said at Monday's unveiling news conference. "I only have thanks. What happened a few weeks ago is already in the past.

"I have been a coach for 28 years. Since I was 14, I have been training and now the important thing is this presentation. The past is there, but you have to leave it behind."

"I have always been involved in the whole training process," he said. "I used to do all that before, so my processes will not change.

Here's how the table looks after a Matchday 19 filled with goals! @PSG_English are autumn champions, but how has your team done? pic.twitter.com/MuMLs9jdvM

— Ligue1 English (@Ligue1_ENG) December 23, 2019

"I will give the talks, analyse the opposition, talk to my players. I am used to this.

"We all want to win and to achieve the best for the club. Our main objective here must be to improve every day. If we do that we will be able to reach our main aims."

Moreno's first game in charge is a Coupe de France clash with Reims on Saturday, before returning to Ligue 1 action with a trip to Paris Saint-Germain the following weekend.

Monaco have been tipped to bolster their squad ahead in the January transfer window, but the new coach was unwilling to discuss any specific targets.

"I will not make it public - that would be disrespectful to my players," he said. "Monaco have a large squad but we have to be attentive to the market to find good players.

Sky Sports are reporting that United are interested in Gedson Fernandes, who is currently playing at Benfica. The midfielder may not be one of the high profile names that the club has been linked with recently, but he seems to have enough quality to keep the big names interested.

The 20-year-old has reportedly fallen out of favour with Benfica coach Bruno Lage, and the player's representatives are keen to find him a club in England that would cost any team somewhere in the region of £34m after a loan spell.

[attachvideo id=1214831]

The report also says that Fernandes has a release clause worth a whopping £102m, but Benfica believe that realistically they aren't in a position to demand that much money for a player who hasn't featured in the last seven games.

It remains to be seen whether Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would take a gamble on another Portuguese player after the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo and Nani did so brilliantly at Old Trafford under Sir Alex Ferguson.

Manchester United reportedly exited the race to sign Erling Haaland following a demand from his agent Mino Raiola and father Alf-Inge.

Manchester United had been in the frame for his signature but were reportedly put off by a key demand from the striker's representatives.

As often seems to be the case for the Red Devils, Mino Raiola's involvement led to complications.

TOP STORY – UNITED PULLED PLUG ON HAALAND BID

According to The Guardian, United abandoned their bid for the highly sought-after Haaland after learning of a request from his agent, Raiola, and father Alf-Inge Haaland.

The pair reportedly asked for a share of any future transfer fee for the 19-year-old, a stipulation the Old Trafford outfit were unwilling to meet despite their firm interest.

Haaland settled on Dortmund after the Bundesliga side activated his Salzburg buyout clause.

He had been linked to RB Leipzig, Juventus and several more top European clubs after emerging as a Champions League star.

Borussia Dortmund beat Manchester United to signing of Erling Braut Haaland https://t.co/3uQ69m3iL1 By @LukeMcLaughlin

— Guardian sport (@guardian_sport) December 29, 2019

- AS, meanwhile, reports on potential movements elsewhere in the Spanish capital. The newspaper claims Real Madrid are preparing to recall Jesus Vallejo from his loan spell at Wolves, with a view to finding him more playing time. That could lead to a short-term switch to Leganes or Eintracht Frankfurt.

- Juventus are close to extending Wojciech Szczesny's contract yet the Serie A champions remain admirers of Milan star Gianluigi Donnarumma and Barcelona's Marc-Andre ter Stegen, according to CalcioMercato.

- Tammy Abraham wants a better deal at Stamford Bridge but Chelsea are not yet prepared to accept his demand for parity with Callum Hudson-Odoi's £180,000 per week salary, reports The Athletic.

- Manchester City are set to beat Premier League rivals United, Arsenal and Liverpool to the January signing of Barcelona's teenage left-back Juan Larios, says the Daily Star.

Two of the greatest footballers to have ever played the sport, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo have always been involved in the race for supremacy. As far as 2019 is concerned, Messi trumped his Portuguese rival on all corners, winning his record sixth Ballon d'Or title. Off the field, however, it's Ronaldo who came out on top.

The Barcelona talisman, on the other hand, earned a sum total of $23.3 million from Instagram this year. Third on the list is Manchester United legend David Beckham, who is the only non-active footballer on this list. Beckham has earned a whopping $10.7 million in 2019 from Instagram, which is a testament of his star power, which hasn't diminished even though he is no longer playing the sport.

Neymar and Zlatan Ibrahimovic respectively complete the top 5 of the list. The Paris Saint-Germain superstar earned $7.2 million from Instagram this year while the Swede, who has returned to AC Milan, earned a total of $4 million from the social media platform.

1.) Cristiano Ronaldo - $47.8 million

2.) Lionel Messi - $23.3 million

3.) David Beckham - $10.7 million

4.) Neymar Jr - $7.2 million

5.) Zlatan Ibrahimovic - $4 million

Liverpool are refusing to get carried away as they enter the New Year with a 13-point advantage atop the table.

The Reds will enter the New Year with a 13-point lead atop the table following Sunday's 1-0 victory over Wolves at Anfield.

Liverpool recorded a 17th successive Premier League home win and extended their unbeaten domestic run on Merseyside to 50 matches thanks to Sadio Mane's goal.

As Liverpool close in on a first league crown since 1990, Klopp told reporters his side are not getting carried away following 19 matches.

The pass. The assist. The finish.

Fantastic views of Sadio Mane's winner  pic.twitter.com/IYngTjGINH

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) December 29, 2019

"They are not interested in the moment. They don't want to celebrate now. They take it like it is. They dig in a game, like today, today I liked it a lot. All the fans were really in the game. This was a game where the crowd can be nervous, they weren't, so that's good.

"We are a unit so we fight until somebody says 'it's enough' and 'you have enough points' or not. We will see. But it's not about belief. If we were not confident it would be really crazy but it's not about knowing, or wanting to know, that it's already done. Imagine, really, if you asked me and I sat here and said 'yeah, actually, I think it's done'. But we still play of course but I think it's done. That would be really crazy.

"But, since five, six or seven weeks ago we are still asking that question constantly. And I, as a normal human being, have the same answer. Because it's not done. So discuss it if you want, ask me if you want, but don't expect a different answer."

Manchester United seemingly suffered a transfer blow as they missed out on ex-Red Bull Salzburg forward Erling Braut Haaland, who instead joined Bundesliga giants Borussia Dortmund in a four and a half-year deal. Here, FOX Sports Asia looks at five players who have rejected the Premier League giants in favour of other clubs.

The Bayern Munich midfielder was reportedly on his way to Manchester United from Barcelona before he decided to join the Bavarian giants. Thiago was one of the hottest properties in Europe during the 2013 summer transfer window and United were said to be closing in on a deal for the Barca star.

However, he ultimately moved to Bayern and as he revealed in an interview to Daily Mail in 2015, David de Gea asked him to join United but he didn't.

"There was never any firm proposal. David de Gea wanted me to join. He wrote a message on my match ball after we'd beaten Italy in the final. But I'd have done the same with him. He is one of the greatest goalkeepers in the world. You always want to play with the best. But it was always going to be Munich."

#4 Pedro

The Chelsea winger joined the London-based club in 2015 but not before flirting with a move to Manchester United. Multiple reports had claimed that the Spaniard is just a step away from becoming a Red Devil but in a dramatic turn of events, he ended up joining the Blues, from boyhood club Barcelona.

"The atmosphere in the Premier League is fantastic, the stadiums are always full and it's an attractive league for spectators," Pedro had said at his farewell press conference in Barcelona.

#3 Aaron Ramsey

The now-Juventus midfielder had snubbed Manchester United back in 2008 after a personal meeting with then-Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger. Cardiff City had agreed on terms with United for Ramsey's sale and had even announced the same on their website. However, Wenger intervened and managed to sign the Welsh midfielder, who then went on to spend 11 years at the club.

"I had to make a decision at the time. I flew over to see the boss [Wenger] and I knew straight away that this was where I wanted to be, I wanted to be in his plans and I was just buzzing. As soon as I came in on the first day I was a bit starstruck with all the faces there, some of the biggest players in world football," Ramsey revealed later.

(Image Courtesy: Wales Online)

#2 Eden Hazard

The former Chelsea star flirted with a move to Manchester United as well before joining the Blues in the summer transfer window of 2012. Reportedly, Sir Alex Ferguson was interested in the Belgian, however, it was Chelsea who managed to bring him to the Premier League from Lille.

Hazard later revealed that a phone call from Didier Drogba was instrumental.

He told So Foot: "I didn't want to go to Chelsea because I wanted to play the Champions League and they were sixth in the league. I was convinced when they won the Champions League in 2012.

"At the time, Roberto Di Matteo really wanted me, they had Juan Mata, and Oscar had been bought. I was told: 'You'll see, Chelsea will play football'. Gervinho called me and said: 'Someone's on the phone'. I didn't know who it was but it was Drogba, he wanted me to sign.

"I was flattered, he was maybe the best striker in the world. In my head, I wasn't going to sign, but in the end I was very pleased with my choice."

#1 Erling Braut Haaland

The ex-Red Bull Salzburg striker was reportedly one of the top targets for Manchester United and there were reports which claimed that manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had flown to Austria to meet the youngster. However, as it turned out, Haaland joined Dortmund after contract talks with Manchester United didn't go as planned.

Why Manchester United decided against signing Erling Haaland

Chelsea registered their first come-from-behind win of the season against rivals Arsenal. The Blues came from a goal down to score twice in the final ten minutes to end their decade on a high. Head coach Frank Lampard has now revealed his half-time strategy which saw the players turn their game around.

“I like the fact that we had that inquest because I don’t want 11 quiet players who just get on with it and trot out again," Lampard said.

“I said my piece and was pretty firm because you can’t just come here and have nothing about you and think you’re going to get anything. Then the lads started talking and it was a bit aggressive which is a good thing. And the response was everything I wanted because we’ve been rightly been questioned after our recent games against Everton and Southampton.

“We showed today that we can have a right go and win a game with fighting spirit. We were so awful for 30 minutes, slow, lethargic, nervous. I don’t think we can get to where we want to get without aggression. We’ve had the majority of possession in every League game we’ve played but we’re fourth for a reason so we can get more aggressive and be more clinical in the box.”

Chelsea next face Brighton in the league on New Year's Day as they look to maintain their top-four spot.

An elbow injury has forced four-time Australian Open quarter-finalist Kei Nishikori to skip the first Grand Slam of 2020.

The world number 13 went under the knife in October and has not played since his third-round exit at the US Open in August.

Nishikori was due to represent Japan in the ATP Cup in Perth but follows Yoshihito Nishioka in withdrawing from the team.

"Unfortunately I have to pull out of the ATP Cup and the Aussie Open," Nishikori said in a statement on his 30th birthday.

"Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not 100 per cent ready/healthy to compete at the highest level.

"This decision was not taken lightly as Australia is one of my favourite places to compete. Together with my team I will keep working hard to be back on court as soon as possible. Thanks for all the support."

Japan No.1 @keinishikori has withdrawn from the #ATPCup.

“Today, together with my team, we have made this decision as I am still not 100 percent ready/healthy to compete at the highest level."

Best wishes for your recovery, Kei. pic.twitter.com/1taItj1GYd

— ATPCup (@ATPCup) December 30, 2019

The former world number four and 2014 US Open runner-up also recorded quarter-final appearances at the French Open and Wimbledon this year.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is a big fan of compatriot and Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba. Zidane was desperate to get the Frenchman on board in the summer transfer window of 2019 but United managed to hold on to him. However, Madrid maintained their interest in Pogba with multiple outlets still linking him with a move to Santiago Bernabeu.

According to reports in AS, Madrid have informed manager Zinedine Zidane to give up on Pogba's chase and instead focus on grooming Federico Valverde, who has been a revelation in the middle of the park for the club this season. Madrid signed the Uruguayan midfielder for €5 million in 2016 and he was promoted to the first team only this year.

However, he has been fairly impressive since joining the senior squad and Real Madrid hierarchy believes that it's better to groom the 21-year-old than spend in excess of €100 million for Pogba.