Early exit
Newcastle sporting director Paul Mitchell has left the club with immediate effect, according to the Daily Mail.
It was announced last month that Mitchell, who has been in his role for less than a year, would be departing on June 30.
But reports now claim that the 43-year-old has 'overseen a handover' and will leave early, without having made a first-team signing.
talkSPORT reported at the start of this month that Mitchell was a candidate for the sporting director role at Al Hilal.
He is understood to have made a three-person shortlist.
Nottingham Forest's Ross Wilson and ex-Arsenal assistant sporting director Jason Ayto are said to be contenders to replace him.
Liverpool technical director Julian Ward is another candidate and interviews are set to take place soon.
Difficult
talkSPORT understands that Leeds United's proposed move for Habib Diarra is looking unlikely.
The newly promoted Premier League side have lodged a bid for the midfielder and have been in talks for a few weeks.
However, there are difficulties negotiating on the player's side that are proving hard.
Diarra is a 21-year-old central midfielder, and Strasbourg's president has already confirmed that he is free to leave this summer.
End of an era?
Heung-min Son will discuss his Tottenham future with the club during pre-season with a summer exit possible, talkSPORT understands.
Son’s Tottenham future remains unclear despite the club triggering an option to extend his contract. This was viewed at the time by Spurs chair Daniel Levy as a means of protecting the South Korean international’s value rather than a definitive move to rule out a summer departure.
Saudi interest in Son remains. 2023 and 2024 approaches were made to the player, but Son made it clear back then he didn’t wish to move to the Saudi Pro League.
Al-Ahli, Al-Nassr and Al-Qadsiah are three clubs to have expressed interest this summer.
Saudi dealmakers are prepared to offer Son around €30m per season, and view his potential arrival as important since should he agree to a move it is believed a lucrative TV rights deal with a South Korean broadcaster will follow this summer, providing an instant return on investment.
Son also has options in MLS and Turkey, while Bayer Leverkusen discussed a return internally back in May but are yet to make an approach and it’s thought the German club have other priorities.
Tottenham's pre-season tour of South Korea, in which Son is contractually obliged to play against Newcastle United on August 3 in the Coupang Play Series, complicates matters. It may mean Son’s future is only resolved in the final few weeks of the window.
Sources indicate it will be a surprise if Son doesn’t travel for that fixture, but is expected to hold talks with new head coach Thomas Frank beforehand.
Things you love to see
Michail Antonio made his return from injury last night for Jamaica.
The striker suffered a horrendous car crash in December 2024, leading to a broken leg and months of rehabilitation.
But despite his West Ham future not being clear, with his contract set to expire at the end of the month, he came off the bench for his national team.
It was only a short appearance for Antoino, but given what he has been through, it's brilliant to see him back on the pitch.
Sonny boy
Tottenham are willing to sell Heung-min Son this summer, but they can't yet.
This is because The Times are reporting that Spurs have a contractual obligation for the South Korean star to play a match in his home country.
Spurs are currently scheduled to face Newcastle United on August 3 in Seoul.
This is part of the captain's contract, and it must be fulfilled.
However, once he's played in that match, he could be sold as Thomas Frank looks to revamp the squad ahead of taking over.
Done
Brighton and Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of Diego Coppola.
The defender has penned a five-year deal with the Seagulls, and he joins from Hellas Verona.
Brighton are paying 11 million Euros with no add-ons for the Italian.
Speaking to the club's website, head coach Fabian Hurzeler said: “Diego is an exciting addition for the club.
“Although he is still young, he is tall, strong and mobile and he will give us a real physical presence.
“He has made impressive progress in Serie A and deserved his call-up to the Italian national team. We look forward to helping him develop even more.”
'Held talks'
talkSPORT's Chief Football Correspondent Alex Crook reports that Manchester United have talked to Hugo Ekitike's agents.
The Red Devils are in the hunt for a striker this summer with Rasmus Hojlund and Joshua Zirkzee struggling for goals last year.
Viktor Gyokeres is a top target for Man United, but discussions have been held with Ekitike.
The striker nearly joined Newcastle United in the summer of 2022 but opted to go to Paris Saint-Germain instead, where it didn't work out.
But a transfer to Eintracht Frankfurt has seen everything change for the forward, and he could end up at Old Trafford.
Speaking on talkSPORT Breakfast, Crook said: "There were a lot of reports coming out of Portugal over the weekend that Gyokeres has made Arsenal his preference. Then there was talk that he might join an overseas club.
"So I think a lot of games are being played when it comes to Viktor Gyokeres. Neither United or Arsenal, as I understand it, have made a formal offer yet.
"He's made it pretty clear that he wants to come to England, and he's going to push for that move.
"If United do miss out, they have held talks with the agent of Hugo Ekitike, a young striker at Frankfurt.
"But this is a big money deal for United to try and do. They want 100 million euros, Frankfurt.
"I'm not entirely convinced United will pay that. Certainly not without selling players first."
One that got away
Former Arsenal man Perry Groves believes his old club should have made a move for Liam Delap after watching his Chelsea debut at the Club World Cup.
The striker joined from Ipswich earlier this summer after the Tractor Boys were relegated.
Delap had a £30 million release clause, and despite interest from Manchester United, Newcastle United and Everton, he chose a move to Stamford Bridge.
The forward provided an assist off the bench against LAFC last night, and Groves can't believe the Gunners weren't in for him.
Speaking on The Sports Bar, he said: "The big talking point is about Liam Delap.
"His movement for Enzo Fernandez's goal was outstanding, and the cross into the six-yard-box was perfect, and he's put swazz on it.
"I think he's going to make a massive difference to Chelsea, and I said Arsenal should have bought him in January for £40m."
Ready for more
Liam Delap is excited to get his Chelsea career going after making his debut for the club this evening.
The ex-Ipswich man provided an assist and looked like a real danger running in behind during his short cameo.
Speaking to Channel 5 post-match, Delap said: "It's a really happy feeling for me.
"I'm so excited to be here and to play my first game, and be able to contribute is a good feeling.
"The team have welcomed me really well. I have only had a few sessions here, but I am excited for more."
On his battle for a starting spot with Nicolas Jackson, he added: "It is always good to have competition, this is football.
"It is an incredible club and it is always going to be incredibly hard but you have to thrive off the competition."
'A very good result'
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca was pleased with his team's performance in their opening Club World Cup win.
He told Channel 5: "A very good result. At this stage of the season, it is also normal that you have to manage different kinds of things.
"Overall the performance has been good."
Maresca then added: "We have to recover.
"We have a game in three days so we will see. We are going to prepare in the best way and for sure try to win."
On handing out debuts, he said: "The good thing about Liam [Delap] is he knows the way we want to play, so the process is quite quick.
"Also, we gave a chance to Dario Essugo, who is another player we have, so it's good for both of them."
Delap debut
Liam Delap is on for Chelsea.
The £30million summer signing will play his first minutes in a Blues shirt, replacing Nicolas Jackson.
There is a nice cheer from the fans as he runs onto the pitch.
Delap is wearing the No.9 shirt and will be looking to make the striker position his own in his first season.
Noni Madueke has come off too, with Tyrique George on.
We've got just over 20 minutes to go in Atlanta.
Olivier delay
Here we go then, the second half is finally underway.
Ex-Chelsea striker Olivier Giroud comes on for LAFC.
But it comes after a delay to his introduction as he had forgotten his shirt and had to wait for a staff member to fetch it!
The Blues players were raging on the pitch and Cole Palmer even resorted to sitting down on the ball.
However, eventually, Giroud's shirt was found and he came on.
Meanwhile, for Chelsea, Romeo Lavia and Reece James have been replaced by Enzo Fernandez and Malo Gusto.
Half-time handbags
There was a small clash between Chelsea and LAFC as both teams made their way towards the tunnel.
It seemed to stem from Denis Bouanga and Pedro Neto having some words, with others joining after.
Reece James didn't look happy and got right in there.
The players don't seem to be lacking passion at the Club World Cup, even after their very long season.
We might end up seeing a feisty second half now...
Dominant
Chelsea have been all over LAFC for the opening half hour.
It's wave after wave of Blues attack as they look to open the scoring against their American opponents.
They've had almost 70 per cent of the ball and six shots.
One of the best of those came from Reece James from the edge of the box, with the captain unleashing a powerful effort.
Cole Palmer has had a chance too, forcing Hugo Lloris into a tipped save which put the ball onto the roof of the net.
New number
It's a debut wearing No.10 for Cole Palmer tonight.
He changed from his usual No.20 at the start of this month.
The Chelsea star took the digits from Mykhailo Mudryk, who was stripped of his shirt number in the process.
After a few minutes, Palmer had already made an impact, receiving the ball on the edge and picking out Noni Madueke.
Madueke was unable to get a shot away in the box though.
Nicolas Jackson has had the best chance of the game so far, falling over as he fired a close-range shot away.
Kick-off!
We're underway in Atlanta!
Every player was just introduced to the pitch individually in a very different approach to the start of this game.
Cole Palmer got the biggest cheer from the fans.
Speaking of fans, there aren't too many in the stadium at all as we kick off, with plenty of seats left empty.
You can follow live coverage of the game on talkSPORT.
Commentary is coming from Joe Shennan and former Chelsea defender Scott Minto.
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