Chelsea change tack to land all-action Lacroix
Chelsea’s signing of Maxence Lacroix from Crystal Palace heralds a shift in transfer policy from the Blues.
The France centre-back, who has signed a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge, is the first player aged 26 or older for whom Chelsea have paid a fee since the summer of 2022, their first under the ownership of the BlueCo consortium.
Watch: Lacroix's message to Chelsea fans
Since the arrival of Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly and Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang during that window, Chelsea have prioritised signing promising younger players.
But it’s clear to see why Chelsea turned to the more experienced Lacroix.
During the 2025/26 Premier League season, Lacroix was the only player to record at least 50 tackles (60), 200 duels won (204) and 250 clearances (252). He is also the fifth-fastest centre-back in the Premier League since joining Palace from Wolfsburg in 2024, recording a top speed of 35.81km/h (22.3mph).
Watch: Lacroix's Premier League highlights
His arrival gives new Chelsea boss Xabi Alonso some guaranteed Premier League know-how from a player who spent two seasons at Palace, making 55 appearances last campaign as they won the UEFA Conference League. He also served as a vice-captain.
Having proved himself able to play in both a three-man and four-man defence, Lacroix provides Alonso options, with the Spaniard having deployed both systems during his coaching career.
Lacroix becomes Chelsea’s fifth signing of the summer after Morgan Rogers from Aston Villa, Geovany Quenda from Sporting CP, Emmanuel Emegha from Strasbourg and Marco Palestra from Atalanta.
De Zerbi hoping for Spurs transfer 'bomba'
Tottenham Hotspur have been extremely active in the summer transfer window, but their work isn't done yet according to head coach Roberto De Zerbi.
“The transfer market, it’s not finished for sure,” De Zerbi said. “We have completed 60 per cent of our project in the transfer market. Now we have another 'bomba'.”
The term "bomba" has come to be used by fans on social media to describe a surprise signing.
“I hope, but it’s not finished, for sure,” he continued. “In the transfer market, when I want one player, I become like a shark. No chance to say no."
Could the "bomba" be an attacker? Well, De Zerbi has made it clear that improving the team's goalscoring threat is a priority this summer. Spurs ranked 12th for goals in the 2025/26 Premier League season, scoring 48 in 38 games.
"And we have to consider the number of goals," he stressed. "We have to increase the number of goals with the play, with the quality of the play, with the midfielders, the attackers, but we have to bring in players able to score goals. We have to think about the set-pieces, increase also the height."
Spurs have made six signings so far during De Zerbi’s first transfer window in charge in north London.
Jan Paul van Hecke, Andy Robertson, Marcos Senesi, Martin Dubravka, Mateus Fernandes and Sandro Tonali have all joined, adding significant Premier League experience to De Zerbi's squad.
Spurs continue their pre-season tour of Australia and New Zealand with a friendly against Chelsea in Sydney on Saturday.
Arteta reveals plan to take Arsenal to ‘a different level’
Mikel Arteta has outlined Arsenal's aim to reach a "different level" by continuing to improve their Premier League title winning squad.
The Gunners have already signed Christos Tzolis from Club Brugge, free agent Illan Meslier and made Piero Hincapie’s loan switch from Bayer Leverkusen permanent, but Arteta hinted that further business could be done.
Arteta said: “A lot is happening. We all know the context of this transfer window. From ownership to the board, the sporting director and myself, we know that we want to take this club to a different level.
"That is going to require a better squad, better individuals. We have identified where we have opportunities to grow and to improve and to evolved our game and what is going to be needed to achieve that. Hopefully very soon we can start to put things in a very concrete way.”
Arsenal head into the 2026/27 Premier League campaign as defending champions for the first time since 2004 – and this group has the chance to make history. The Gunners have not claimed back-to-back top-flight titles since the 1930s.
Looking ahead to the new season, the Gunners manager said: “This has to be the start and this has to be the standard. Excellence has to be our standard and this has to drive to attack the future. The way we behave daily with more and more determination and ambition because we’ve shown that we’ve got it.
"Now we have to show that we belong to this level and we want to increase and take this football club to a different dimension.”
Arsenal continue their pre-season programme away to Spanish side Girona this Saturday.
Rashford issues Barcelona farewell ahead of Man Utd return
Marcus Rashford has officially bid farewell to Barcelona, returning to Manchester United after a successful loan spell in Spain last season.
Posting on Instagram, the England forward wrote: "I'm very grateful to everyone at the club [Barcelona] for making my time here such a positive and memorable experience. I've enjoyed every moment and will take many special memories with me.
"I wish the club and all its supporters the very best of luck and every success in the season ahead."
Scoring eight goals in the process, Rashford became only the sixth English player to win the LaLiga title after Laurie Cunningham, Steve McManaman, David Beckham, Jude Bellingham (all Real Madrid) and Kieran Trippier (Atletico Madrid).
Having helped England to third place at the FIFA World Cup, Rashford is now poised to link up with the Man Utd squad for the remainder of pre-season.
The 28-year-old has scored 87 goals in 287 appearances for his boyhood club, with his last appearance coming in December 2024 before a loan stint at Aston Villa.
‘Impressive’ Satpaev’s instant impact
Dastan Satpaev has been making waves during Chelsea's pre-season tour, with the club's Instagram video post of his goal against Western Sydney Wanderers attracting nearly one million likes.
A star in his native Kazakhstan, the 17-year-old forward was granted permission by Kairat Almaty to link up with Xabi Alonso's squad this summer, ahead of his proposed move to Chelsea.
And he slotted his prospective new side in front after seven minutes in Tuesday’s thrilling 6-4 pre-season friendly win over the Wanderers in Australia.
Watch: Satpaev's goal v Western Sydney Wanderers
Already capped nine times at international level, Satpaev could become the first Kazakh player ever to feature in the Premier League – though Chelsea are still thinking about his development.
“We still have to take decisions,” manager Xabi Alonso said of the teenage sensation who has drawn comparisons with Premier League great Sergio Aguero – who scored 184 goals in the competition for Manchester City.
“He is a ball threat,” Alonso continued, “he attacks the inner channel well and is good as a striker coming from the outside.
“He is really strong, really quick and I have been really impressed with him.”