That’s your lot for today’s blog. Thanks for reading, emailing and commenting, and good luck this weekend. I’ll leave with you our roundup of this weekend’s top-flight team news. Bye for now.
Updated
On Monday the England centre-back Lotte Wubben-Moy ducked down the aisle of the team bus as it wove its way from the Euro 2022 victory celebrations in Trafalgar Square. The 23-year-old was on a mission.
“I don’t know whether it was the energy of being in London, being around people out in front of the National Portrait Gallery that were screaming our names as we were dancing in front of them, but it was a catalyst for me to then go say it to everyone and go to Leah [Williamson, the captain] and Sue [Campbell, the director of women’s football at the Football Association] to say: ‘We need to do something now.’”
The result was a letter, signed by all 23 players in the squad that had won the team’s first major trophy. It was addressed to Tory leadership hopefuls Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak, urging whichever becomes prime minister to ensure every girl in school has access to football in PE.
The Aston Villa boss Steven Gerrard is confident his side can eradicate the inconsistencies of last season and finish in the top half of the Premier League.
After an initial upturn in results following Gerrard’s autumn appointment, Villa slumped in the second half of last term and finished 14th. Villa have signed Philippe Coutinho on a permanent basis and added Boubacar Kamara, Diego Carlos and Ludwig Augustinsson to their squad and Gerrard is looking upwards.
“We’re very much looking forward and trying to improve our league position and finish in the top half, we want to have positive cup runs as well,” Gerrard said in his pre-match press conference ahead of the opener at Bournemouth. “We want to try and make our fans happy. We’ve had a smooth pre-season, the application has been superb but now it’s for real. I’m confident that we can improve on our inconsistencies last season, that’s the most important thing for me.” (PA Media)
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“Do your research.”
A rather spiky Erik ten Hag told assembled journalists earlier that it wasn’t only Cristiano Ronaldo who left Manchester United’s now-infamous friendly against Rayo Vallecano before full-time last Sunday. Watch the video:
Squad sheets for all this weekend’s Premier League games are here:
West Ham United’s new striker Gianluca Scamacca will miss their Premier League opener against champions Manchester City as he is short of match fitness following his move from Italian Serie A side Sassuolo, manager David Moyes said today. The Italy international joined the London side last month on a five-year contract but Moyes said Sunday’s match comes too soon for the 23-year-old.
“Scamacca has only just really joined us, so he’s probably a little bit behind, so I’m not expecting him to be available this weekend,” Moyes said. “He’s not had the chance to play ... so it probably makes it very difficult for us to put him out on the pitch so soon. His training is a little bit behind compared to the others. He has trained, but maybe not as regular and as consistent.
“The transfer took quite a bit off as they pulled him out of some games and training at the time, so we’ve got him in and I like what I see, but we’re trying to get him in the best condition we can and get him ready to play.”
Moyes, whose side finished seventh last season, will also be without another Italian, Angelo Ogbonna, for up to four weeks while the defender builds up his fitness following a knee injury. (Reuters)
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News from the Scottish Premiership: Alfredo Morelos returns to the Rangers squad for the cinch Premiership game against Kilmarnock at Ibrox on Saturday.
The Colombia forward has recovered from a thigh injury which has kept him out since March and which required surgery. Defender Filip Helander remains out with a foot problem, and midfielder Ianis Hagi has been sidelined since January after suffering cruciate ligament damage. (PA Media)
“75 days is a long wait,” says the official Premier League India Twitter account.
Is it?
75 days is a long wait. The wait is over. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/he4j8Au1GY
— Premier League India (@PLforIndia) August 5, 2022
It’s Friday, it’s 5pm – yes! – it’s Rob Smyth with today’s Fiver:
“Ralph Hassenhüttl is right, plenty of time left to make transfers happen,” emails Olivier. “This is actually a shame, I’d love to see the transfer window slam shut with the first kick-off. Much more fun and fair than this nonsense.”
This is an idea I can get behind. Spice it up a bit.
Every time I switch on Sky Sports News, it’s just Brendan Rodgers saying “at this moment in time.”
The Premier League is most definitely back.
Championship news: Apparently, the pitch at the Coventry Building Society Arena is in a right old state after the venue hosted the rugby sevens at the Commonwealth Games.
As a result, Coventry’s meeting with Rotherham, currently scheduled for 3pm on Sunday, has been thrown into doubt, and the home club have confirmed that a pitch inspection will take place tomorrow:
NEWS: Coventry City can confirm that a pitch inspection will take place on Saturday, ahead of Sunday's home game against Rotherham United.
— Coventry City (@Coventry_City) August 5, 2022
➡️ https://t.co/ISRGrBlP5q #PUSB pic.twitter.com/HpGlAJID7N
The Southampton manager, Ralph Hasenhüttl, has insisted big-money signings “make no sense” for Southampton.
Saints have brought in six recruits before the new campaign, with further additions still being sought. Hasenhüttl believes spending upwards of £40million on one player remains off Southampton’s agenda, however, with the south-coast club continuing to focus on young targets.
“I’m still of the opinion that £40 or £50million transfers make no sense for us,” he said. “But we of course want quality, and if it’s young, OK, no problem, take it. This is the way we want to go and it’s good that we have done our job so far. But the transfer window is open so long that, if we do something we have enough time to do it.”
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Hang on, I’ve finally thought of a more ludicrous transfer fee: Andy Carroll, for £35million, in 2011.
Cucurella latest!
“Yes, it would have been nice to pay a bit less,” emails Nate. “But for a barely-24-year-old Spanish international who was player of the season for a top-half club last year, and who can play in multiple positions ... it seems understandable to plunk down the extra five or 10 million. In a market where Richarlison and Raphina are each worth £50m, Chelsea simply paid the going price for a quality young player.”
Via Nottingham Forest’s YouTube – Jack Colback has had a chat before their opener against Newcastle at 3pm tomorrow:
“I think we’ve made the fans proud here. It’s about backing that up. We’re not here just to have a ‘swansong’ season in the Premier League,” Colback said. “It’s about trying to compete, and it’s what we’ll be trying to do.”
On Forest’s transfer activity: “Especially for us, the club, and the fans, it must be good for them to see the owners backing the team and backing the manager.”
On Jesse Lingard: “Jesse’s a good lad. For us, he’s just another player ... for the fans, he’s the type of player they might never have expected to come here. He brings a huge amount of of experience in terms of the Premier League ... that’s going to help us, it’s going to help with lads who haven’t experienced his level.”
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Barcelona’s new striker Robert Lewandowski says he feels fitter now at 33 than he did nearly five years ago and that he hopes to help the team with his technical skills and experience. The Poland striker, who scored 344 goals for Bayern in 375 matches, joined Barça in a deal worth €45million euros last month and was presented to thousands of fans at Camp Nou on Friday. Lewandowski, who will turn 34 this month, says age does not matter.
“It is only a number and physically I don’t feel like I’m 33, nearly 34, because I know I can still play a few years at top level or even longer,” Lewandowski said. “I feel better even than when I was a 29-year-old. It’s not the question we have to think about.”
Lewandowski and Bayern bosses criticised each other over the way they handled the transfer, with the player saying there had been lot of “politics” from the side of the club who were “trying to find an argument” to sell him.
“If we’re talking about that period, for sure, it wasn’t easy for me to decide to leave Bayern after eight years, but I know for me and my family it was the perfect next step in my life and my career,” he said.
The Bundesliga’s second highest all-time scorer behind the late Gerd Müller said he would use his experience to guide Barca’s young players. “This mix of young players and experienced players is important,” Lewandowski said. “If I can help them with some words, not only technical skills on the pitch, but sometimes more with words I can tell them and explain because I’ve seen a lot in my life in football.” (Reuters)
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Over on Twitter, Fabrizio Romano has more news about Mertens and his departure from Napoli. Is he off to Turkey?
Galatasaray submitted their official proposal to Dries Mertens: €4m net salary per season plus add-ons, new deal to be activated in case Gala will qualify to UCL 2023/24. 🚨🇹🇷🇧🇪 #Galarasaray
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) August 5, 2022
Gala are waiting for final answer, while they’re set to complete Lucas Torreira deal. pic.twitter.com/WoGGZgr3M0
And in the final Mertens update of the afternoon, this from Patrick Kendrick on Twitter:
Dries Mertens to be recognised as an honorary citizen of Naples. Not dissimilar to being given “freedom of the city” in the UK https://t.co/WOK01olv2S
— Patrick Kendrick (@patrickendrick) August 5, 2022
The Cucurella debate rolls on:
“Cucurella is a terrific player, but I do wonder where he’ll play with Chilwell clearly the place holder at left-back,” comments montesdeoca. “Perhaps Tuchel sees him as doubling up as a marauding centre-back ... I’m also slightly surprised at our alleged courtship of De Jong. Another midfielder? Perhaps Jorginho will indeed be sold. In general I’m baffled by the lack of departures – the squad is taking on a rather bloated look.”
Meanwhile, Bob Soule tweets:
@LukeMcLaughlin Brighton valued Marc Cucurella @ £50M. City valued him @ £40M. Chelsea pays £55M. Sounds like business as usual for Chelsea. Boehly and Abramovich: brothers of different mothers?
— Bob Soule (@Rasalsul) August 5, 2022
And Jeff Sachs keeps it short and sweet on email, regarding Cucurella: “This is going to be a big flop.”
Did you miss anything? You can find our individual previews for every Premier League club on this page.
And below, a handful of pieces all looking ahead to the big kick-off:
You may have seen this already, but here goes anyway. Dries Mertens posted an emotional and brilliant farewell message to Napoli fans on Wednesday night. Both a classy goodbye to the club and a good piece of editing by his social media guru:
Non è un addio, è un arrivederci 💙 pic.twitter.com/osnXUaLBQr
— Dries Mertens (@dries_mertens14) August 3, 2022
“Is up to £62m for Cucurella (who cannot realistically be described as being in the top five full backs in the league, at least at this point) maybe the maddest transfer in PL history?” comments oceanicwave.
“I am honestly struggling to think of a more obviously overpriced deal. I was thinking maybe Pepe at £70m but at least he’d come off an exceptional season and looked exciting.
“If a state-owned club with about 12 £60m players in it already pull out of a deal because the price has ballooned out of all control, maybe it’s time to look at whether you’re doing the right thing.”
I’m not entirely sure if Richarlison’s sale to Tottenham can be seen as part of Lampard’s “striker headache”? It’s going to be a very long headache, if so.
Frank Lampard believes Dele Alli could be the remedy for his striker headache in Everton’s Premier League opener against Chelsea. Lampard heads into Saturday’s evening fixture at Goodison Park without a recognised central forward after Dominic Calvert-Lewin was ruled out for six weeks with a knee injury.
Salomon Rondon is suspended for the visit of Lampard’s former club, while Richarlison has been sold to Tottenham. Alli has started only once since his January switch from Spurs, but Lampard said: “Dele made his name as a second striker, in my opinion, with Harry Kane at Tottenham.
“They had some great years together. He may be moved back as the years went on, generally to become more of a No 8 or a more structured midfield player. But he is certainly in the running as a solution.” (PA Media)
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I know what you’re sitting there and thinking ... when do the top leagues start across Europe? Great question!
Serie A kicks off next Saturday, Sampdoria v Atalanta being the curtain-raiser, at 6.30pm local time.
The Bundesliga, like the Premier League, kicks into gear this evening, with Eintracht Frankfurt hosting the Robert Lewandowski-less Bayern Munich at 8.30pm tonight (7.30pm UK).
La Liga begins next Friday night with Osasuna v Sevilla at 8pm UK time/9pm in Spain.
In France, Lyon kick things off at 8pm UK time tonight in Ligue 1, at home to one of the promoted teams, Ajaccio, who will be popping across from their base on the island of Corsica. Presumably they won’t get the ferry, but here’s a photo of one leaving Ajaccio anyway.
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Thanks Tom. Hello everyone. Right, what’s the latest? Let me check.
And with that, it’s Luke’s turn to retake the reins to guide you through the rest of the afternoon. Bye and have a good weekend.
An early-season headache for Leicester: Ricardo Pereira has been ruled out for six months with a ruptured achilles.
Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo could switch his international allegiance from France to Cameroon in time to play for the west African nation in the World Cup, Associated Press is reporting. Cameroon’s football federation said on Friday that the winger wants to change eligibility to put himself in contention for a place at Qatar 2022 . He would be the third former France under-21 international with family ties to Cameroon to make the switch this year, after Georges-Kevin Nkoudou and Olivier Ntcham.
Updated
And here’s Jamie Jackson’s full story on Eric ten Hag’s laying down of the law at Old Trafford:
Wolves have rejected Nottingham Forest’s offer for Morgan Gibbs-White, as Ben Fisher and Will Unwin report:
When did “in the building” become the go-to cliche to describe getting transfer deals done? Whatever, Maxwel Cornet is apparently in one as his £17.5m West Ham move from Burnley edges closer to completion. Here’s Moyesy: “He’s in the building now, so hopefully we can get that one done.”
Of course, for most professional clubs in England this isn’t the opening weekend of the season – the EFL season got under way last season, and there’s Championship action tonight when Birmingham, bogged down by ownership uncertainty for months and tipped by many for relegation, take on promotion hopefuls Huddersfield at St Andrew’s. Blues got a decent draw at Luton last week mind, while Huddersfield were beaten by Burnley and it may take new manager Danny Schofield time to bed in.
Eddie Howe signs new long-term Newcastle deal
Newcastle’s manager has underlined his commitment to what we might euphemistically call the Project by signing a new long-term contract at St James’ Park
A club statement said: “Newcastle United are delighted to confirm that head coach Eddie Howe has signed a new long-term contract at St. James’ Park.
“Howe joined the Magpies in November 2021, shortly after a takeover of the club by an investment group comprising PIF, PCP Capital Partners and RB Sports & Media.
“The team was still pursuing its first Premier League win of the season at the time of Howe’s arrival, however he guided United to 11th place during the 2021/22 campaign, finishing 14 points clear of the bottom three and just two points off the top 10.”
Thanks Luke. And here’s an interesting little statistical line that PA Media have just put up about substitute-use, as we head into a season in which five are allowed: Manchester City used their subs’ bench less often than any team in the Premier League or the English Football League last season, PA news agency analysis reveals. Substitutes accounted for only 4.5% of Man City’s Premier League playing time in 2021-22, the lowest share of minutes in England’s top four tiers.
Though this would appear to go against the line that increasing the number of subs would favour the big teams, it also reflects the squad stability that only the richest clubs are usually able to maintain.
That’s all from me – back to Tom Davies to guide you through the rest of the big Premier League countdown ...
Here, in video form, is John Brewin’s view on how Wolves are shaping up for the Premier League season ahead:
Now, some transfer news from the Women’s Super League:
Chelsea have made the Sweden international Johanna Rytting Kaneryd their fifth summer signing. The winger joins on a three-year deal, with an option to extend for another year.
The 25-year old, who will wear the No 19 shirt, joins after scoring 15 goals in 55 appearances for BK Häcken, and featured in all the Swedish club’s Champions League group matches last season.
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Ten Hag plays down Ronaldo row
The Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has played down the controversy over Cristiano Ronaldo leaving last Sunday’s friendly against Rayo Vallecano early.
“There were many players who left, but the spotlight is on Cristiano and that is not right,” Ten Hag said. “So I think then do your research and make out many players left, that was what was said ... He was part of it. Again, there were a lot of players.”
Asked about Ronaldo’s position at the club, Ten Hag said: “I’m really happy. I told you before, we plan with the season (with him). We have a top striker and I’m really happy he’s here, he’s in the squad and we stick to that plan.”
And will he play against Brighton? “We will see Sunday.”
The manager also confirmed that Anthony Martial will not be available on Sunday: “Yes (he is out),” Ten Hag said. “It’s always difficult to say (the timescale). I hope not too long.”
(Quotes from PA Media)
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“Our aim is to win every game,” says Erik ten Hag.
Not exactly what you’d call an original thought from the new Manchester United manager, but an admirable ambition, nonetheless.
🔊 "Our aim is to win every game, this is what Manchester United stands for," Erik adds.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2022
"We have to look forward to the first game and the approach has to be: to win every game. So, let's start Sunday." 🙌#MUFC || #MUNBHA
Aston Villa begin their Premier League campaign against Bournemouth tomorrow. The Villa manager Steven Gerrard is hoping his team can make a step up this season.
“It’s going to be a very tough challenge but I feel like we’re ready,” Gerrard said. “I’m looking for the best version of us ... we need to find a better level of consistency, so we can operate in the top half of the table ... we want to be better without the ball and be a very tough team to play against.”
A couple of choice lines from Erik ten Hag’s lunchtime press conference before Manchester United’s Premier League opener against Brighton on Sunday:
“I’m convinced we have a good squad ... We can still strengthen the squad, but I think the team is showing they can play to a good level.
“We need players ... you don’t need any player, you need the right player.”
On Cristiano Ronaldo: “I am really happy he is here ... we have a top striker.”
🗯 Erik: "I think we have worked really well, but also tough in the last weeks to get a base.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) August 5, 2022
"I'm really looking forward to Sunday." 👊#MUFC || #MUNBHA
Updated
Eddie Howe has warned Newcastle United fans that financial fair play regulations will prevent him from spending heavily in the transfer market for some years to come.
Despite the vast wealth of their new Saudi Arabian owners, Newcastle have still to develop the commercial revenue streams which would enable them to invest significantly in players while remaining within the rules.
The Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is speaking to the media around now, before the match against Brighton at Old Trafford on Sunday ... we will bring you some quotes from him as soon as humanly possible.
“Jamaica is a very beautiful country but, you know, it has its good sides and bad sides.”
Ben Fisher speaks to the Aston Villa winger Leon Bailey on his friends Usain Bolt and Raheem Sterling, working under Steven Gerrard and finally feeling ready to shine:
Updated
Ben Fisher has an update on Morgan-Gibbs White of Wolves: as reported last night by Will Unwin, Nottingham Forest had submitted a club-record bid for the midfielder yesterday, but Ben now reports that the bid has been rejected.
Updated
A story via PA Media:
Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Football Association after their fans invaded the pitch following their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final win over Sheffield United last season.
Forest beat the Blades on penalties after the two-legged tie ended 3-3 on aggregate to book their place at Wembley but there were unsavoury scenes as fans poured on to the pitch, with one of them headbutting United skipper Billy Sharp. Forest season ticket holder Robert Biggs was sent to prison after his attack and other United players were involved in exchanges with Forest fans.
Oli McBurnie will stand trial in December after denying a charge of assault by beating after an alleged incident while Rhian Brewster had the same charge against him dropped last week. The FA has now charged Forest with a breach of Rule E20.
An FA statement read: “Nottingham Forest has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20 following their EFL Championship fixture against Sheffield United FC on Tuesday 17 May 2022.
“It is alleged that Nottingham Forest FC failed to ensure that its spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and/or violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch area, following the completion of the fixture.”
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Guardiola admits Bernardo Silva could leave
As we mentioned earlier, Pep Guardiola has admitted Bernardo Silva could leave Manchester City amid reports Barcelona are pushing to sign the Portugal international.
“What happens will happen, and if he stays it is perfect and in the end if he has to leave it is because football is like this,” Guardiola said.
Watch the video:
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The Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp has not ruled out dipping into the transfer market to alleviate his current injury problems but admits it is not the solution to a “four-week problem”.
Centre-back Ibrahima Konate injured a knee in the friendly against Strasbourg on Sunday which Klopp admits will see the defender out “for a while”. He joins an injury list which already includes Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (hamstring), Diogo Jota (thigh), Curtis Jones (calf), second-choice goalkeeper Caoimhin Kelleher (groin) and Kostas Tsimikas, with Naby Keita set to resume training on Friday after almost a week out with illness.
“We have too many injuries, that’s true,” said the Reds boss. “But in the moment nothing has changed (in terms of new signings). A lot of unlucky situations. Started with Caoimh and Diogo, pretty much one was injured and one had a re-injury. In a few weeks’ time they will be back, but they’ve missed pre-season and that’s not cool.
“Ibou in a challenge in the game against Strasbourg, what happened there we have to see how long it will take but he’s out for a while. But we cannot solve a problem we have for four weeks with a transfer for a full year. That makes at the moment no sense to us. The transfer window is still open and we will see but the plans are not to go in that direction.” (PA Media)
As the Chelsea gaffer Tommy Tuchel mentioned a few minutes ago, the deal for Cucurella means Levi Colwill is free to go on loan ... and he’s off to Brighton, as evidenced by the Seagulls’ recent tweet:
Albion are delighted to announce the signing of @Levi_Colwill on loan. 🙌
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 5, 2022
🤝 @FirstTouchGames // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️
It’s official! Marc Cucurella is a Chelsea player, and we can all finally move on.
The deal is worth an eye-watering £62million including add-ons – here is the story from Fabrizio Romano:
Thanks Tom. Hello everyone. Following that mention of Shane Duffy’s loan move to Fulham, the kind people at the Press Association have done a little story:
Republic of Ireland defender Shane Duffy has joined Fulham on a season-long loan from Brighton. Duffy, 30, had previously spent the 2020-21 campaign on loan in Scotland with Celtic, making 27 appearances before returning to the Amex Stadium last term and running out for the Seagulls 20 times.
“I am delighted that is it is done, it is a really exciting challenge for me and the club,” Duffy told the Fulham website. “It happened really quickly, but I didn’t really have time to think about it at all, as soon as they came in for me, I just knew it was right for me. I spoke to the manager and it was the same both ways, so I am really excited.”
Seagulls head coach Graham Potter is confident Duffy will benefit from regular game time with the Cottagers. “Shane has been an outstanding servant to this club, and is rightly held in high esteem by everyone here,” Potter told Brighton’s website. “There was no pressure on him to leave, but typically he wanted to play regular football, and while he was still part of our wider squad, we could not guarantee him that. This move will give him that opportunity, which is really important to him as the captain of the Republic of Ireland, and Fulham are getting a player who has great experience at this level.”
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And with that, I’ll hand you over to Luke McLaughlin for a bit. See you later.
Updated
Thomas Tuchel speaks:
On the Marc Cucurella deal: “The paperwork is in process and hopefully we can get it finished before noon and Marc is our player. He is a fantastic young player. Hungry, mobile, very intelligent player. Can play several positions in our system, that’s why we hope the transfer goes through and then if it goes through, it opens some options like for Levi Colwill to maybe find some more game time elsewhere.”
On the World Cup the splitting season into two:
“Hopefully not (another mid-season World Cup again) after. It does not make so much sense. You feel it. The players are very focused on this World Cup already, which is a good thing because they come in shape and take care about themselves. It is also a bad thing. They are focused on the World Cup and not here. A part of them, I have a feeling, is already thinking about November. We will see how it influences the players and the performances in October when it gets closer, then it will be for me a huge impact emotionally and physically on the guys that go to the World Cup. They will come back drained physically but also mentally with big success, big emotions, positive or huge disappointment, you never know. Then, right away, four or five days later, we have Boxing Day. Let’s see. Nobody did it before. We feel already and the talks with the players, the excitement, which is normal and a good thing. We try to turn it around and use it for us but I am a bit uncertain of all this.”
Chelsea announce signing of Marc Cucurella
It’s official. Chelsea have confirmed the signing of the Brighton left-back on a six-year deal for £55m plus a potential £7m in add-ons. He might even be able to play at Everton tomorrow. Cucurella told the Chelsea website: “I’m really happy. It’s a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world and I’m going to work hard to be happy here and help the team.”
And a club-record wedge heading Brighton’s way:
Marc Cucurella has completed a move to @ChelseaFC, in a deal which will see the club receive its record transfer fee. ✍️
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 5, 2022
🤝 @FirstTouchGames // #BHAFC 🔵⚪️
Some Brighton-fan reaction from BTL, care of cavelier5: “Re Cucurella selling someone for £55m 11 months after signing him for a 5th of that is a no-brainer. Brilliant bit of business and you have to admire the way they held out for the right price. Bissouma will be the harder one to replace I think.”
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In his first presser as a Premier League manager, Steve Cooper batted away talk about his contract situation as he enters the final 12 months of his Nottingham Forest contract.
“I don’t really think about it to be honest, not something that enters my mind,” he said. “I’m more interested in the team and trying to deliver the right training sessions and I’m just not interested in personal stuff.
“Am I happy? Yeah, double happy. Every day it’s an honour and a privilege to be here. It’s not something I spend too much time thinking about.”
Forest visit Newcastle tomorrow where the outspoken Dean Henderson will play, but Omar Richards (leg) and Ryan Yates (knee) are out.
Our final Premier League pre-season preview has dropped, in which John Brewin discusses the prospects of one of the league’s “enigma” teams, Wolves:
Martin Tyler has apologised over his Hillsborough remarks:
“There is no connection at all between the Hillsborough disaster and hooliganism – I know that, and I was not implying that there was. I apologise sincerely and wholeheartedly for any misunderstanding.”
By the way there is, I think, a side-debate to be had about another thing Tyler said earlier – “You have got to remember football was in a bit of a crisis at that time [of the Premier League’s creation].” Was football really in crisis in 1992? After six consecutive seasons of rising attendances, hooliganism on the wane, and the game already surfing a post-Italia 90 wave? It fits a neat Premier League narrative but the reality was more complex.
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So what of Spurs this season? Their squad has had major surgery since Antonio Conte arrived last season, and David Hytner divines what long-term signings such as Djed Spence mean for the ambitions of Conte and Tottenham here:
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2022/aug/05/conte-caution-on-spence-signing-shows-how-far-spurs-hope-to-go
Nottingham Forest have been charged by the FA over the unruly pitch invasion at the end of their playoff semi-final win over Sheffield United in May. Here’s PA Media’s story:
Nottingham Forest have been charged by the Football Association after their fans invaded the pitch following their Sky Bet Championship play-off semi-final win over Sheffield United last season.
Forest beat the Blades on penalties after the two-legged tie ended 3-3 on aggregate to book their place at Wembley but there were unsavoury scenes as fans poured on to the pitch, with one of them headbutting United skipper Billy Sharp.
Forest season ticket holder Robert Biggs was sent to jail after his attack and other United players were involved in exchanges with Forest fans.
Oli McBurnie will stand trial in December after denying a charge of assault by beating after an alleged incident while Rhian Brewster had the same charge against him dropped last week.
The FA has now charged Forest with a breach of Rule E20.
An FA statement read: “Nottingham Forest has been charged with a breach of FA Rule E20 following their EFL Championship fixture against Sheffield United FC on Tuesday 17 May 2022.
“It is alleged that Nottingham Forest FC failed to ensure that its spectators, and all persons purporting to be its supporters or followers, conducted themselves in an orderly fashion and refrained from using threatening and/or violent behaviour whilst encroaching onto the pitch area, following the completion of the fixture.”
Loan news: Fulham have signed Shane Duffy on a season-long loan from Brighton. Not all our writers are convinced:
Seems a bit odd for Fulham to use a loan slot up to sign a 30-year-old Shane Duffy in the final year of his contract. Surely there is a deal to be done to sign him permanently and leave a loan spot available for later in the window
— Will Unwin (@Will_Unwin) August 5, 2022
It’s a busy old morning for transfer news – would be interested to see how Brighton fans feel about the likely loss of Cucurella to Chelsea, and how it impacts their prospects after such an enjoyable 2021-22 campaign.
More transfer news: Amadou Onana is having a medical at Everton after a deal was agreed to sign the Lille midfielder, pipping West Ham, who’d also been keen on Onana. And Bourneouth have agreed a deal for the Barcelona goalkeeper Neto
On that subject, here’s a roundup of the latest transfer tittle-tattle, stuff and nonsense from the Rumour Mill:
Jürgen Klopp’s been talking about Liverpool’s trip to Fulham, whom he praises for the manner of their promotion last season. “Getting promoted through playing football is one of the hardest things to do,” he said, “and that’s what Fulham did, they’re a really good team … it’ll be tough, but I’m happy that we played the City game [in the Community Shield] to be honest it gave us a hint of where we are.” Klopp pours cold water on the idea of additional signings at the moment, adding: “We have too many injuries at the moment thats true but at the moment nothing changes.”
“You might have an article today with Sky Sports bigging themselves up in comparison to BT Sport,” writes Colin Stevens. “But that still doesn’t stop individuals in their team making horrendous gaffes. See this tweet from the supreme Ms Shelagh Fogarty
“Hillsborough and other hooligan related events” Martin Tyler @BBCr4today - please correct that.
— Shelagh Fogarty 💚 (@ShelaghFogarty) August 5, 2022
It would be great to get some response from Mr Tyler, Sky Sports & the Today programme.”
An insensitive gaffe indeed. One expects more from Tyler.
Our latest Premier League pre-season preview spotlights West Ham, looking to build on a season full of fun and frolics in 2021-22, even if there was a sense they were falling away towards the end of the season. It could be tough living up to raised expectations, reckons Jacob Steinberg, who asks whether David Moyes’s side might have gone a bit stale:
Newcastle haven’t been as free-spending in this transfer window as many predicted, but their search for new recruits continues. But Eddie Howe has insisted the club will operate under spending restrictions for “years” despite all that Saudi cash behind them.
“Financial Fair Play will impact us, will continue to impact us, I think, for a number of years,” said the Newastle manager. “We haven’t got the free rein, the free hand that maybe has been perceived in the media, that we can go and sign whoever we want and pay extortionate fees and wages.
“We’re not in that position and I don’t think we will be for some period of time. We’re having to be creative and smart and try to make the right additions with the financial restraints that we have.”
Chelsea are on the verge of securing the signing of Marc Cucurella from Brighton, according to Sky Sports News. The full-back, one of the most impressive players in the top flight last season, has of course been gossiped about as a Manchester City target all summer.
In the WSL, champions Chelsea have signed the Sweden winger Johanna Rytting Kaneryd on a three-year deal.
Manchester City may have recruited a stunningly gifted and efficient robo-striker in Erling Haaland but might they be about to lose the artistic talents of Bernardo Silva? “What happens will happen,” said Pep Guardiola, “and if he stays it is perfect and in the end if he has to leave it is because football is like this; the player has a desire. I will not be a person to stop a desire for the people. When you are a football player it is so short, you don’t realise and it is nearly over. The player will have to talk to the club and I have never ever been involved in that.”
Jamie Jackson has the story:
And here’s a spot more eve-of-season reading, from Barney Ronay on the strangeness of a season to be abruptly interrupted by the most controversial of World Cups:
And here’s David Hills on some other things we’ll have to get used to, such as five subs, a new official ball and some out-there new kits:
Updated
Preamble
Morning everyone. Yes, the great Premier League juggernaut is back, and though observations that the football season seems to start earlier each year – like those about police officers and football managers looking younger these days – have begun to seem weary and cliched, this season really has ambushed us early (EFL games in July, I ask you!).
England has at least had a week to bask in the unfamiliar sensation of Euro 2022 glory, before the more familiar sensations of the top flight’s big kick-off are upon us. And it starts, as last year’s did, with Arsenal facing a testing away game in London against opponents who can raise their game against them. Selhurst Park should be lively tonight as Patrick Vieira seeks to inflict another bruising defeat on his old club, who nonetheless go in to the new season with optimism (cautiously) higher than it has been for a while.
The defending champions, Manchester City, face a testing start at West Ham in one of the more intriguing fixtures of the weekend, while their closest challengers in 2021-22, Liverpool visit a Fulham side hoping to step off the alternating promotion/relegation merry-go-round.
We’ll have all the latest team news, media conference tidbits and random gossip and comment through the day. And to start us all off, here’s 10 things to look out for this weekend:
