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Tottenham confirm Dominic Solanke injury as Ange Postecoglou offers full details

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Dominic Solanke will not feature in Tottenham Hotspur's weekend fixture against Everton after picking up an injury, Ange Postecoglou has confirmed.

Solanke made his Spurs debut in Monday's 1-1 draw with Leicester City, having made a club-record £65million switch from Bournemouth earlier in the window.

The Englishman played the full 90 minutes, but did struggle in front of goal, missing several chances on a frustrating night for Spurs.

Postecoglou admitted he'd need more from his new striker going forward, but hopes of that coming anytime soon appear to have been dashed.

That's because the former Chelsea star will play no part in Saturday's fixture having picked up a knock during the stalemate against Leicester.

Speaking ahead of the Everton clash, Postecoglou revealed: "Dom [Solanke] picked up a knock in the last game. He got through the game but it flared up the day after and he'll miss the game tomorrow.

"It's an ankle injury, he copped it really early on, someone went across his ankle."

The former Celtic chief finished up with: "It [his return] just depends on his recovery [when he returns], obviously we've got the international break. but it's not serious."

One option Postecoglou has is to bring Dejan Kulusevski into the side, with the Swede having impressed for Spurs during pre-season.

Or, if he deems it necessary, Richarlison is available for selection, after Postecoglou confirmed the Brazil international is fit and ready to go.

Similarly, Postecoglou could call upon the services of Yves Bissouma, after the midfielder sat out the Leicester clash due to disciplinary reasons.

On the 27-year-old's prospect of playing vs Everton, the Spurs boss said: "Biss is available but we've got some options there. The whole idea of trying to bulk up the squad is for these situations. He's available for selection. The bridge building continues."

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However, as far as Rodrigo Bentancur's involvement is concerned, he too will be forced to sit out Saturday's game with an injury.

The midfielder was substituted after a head collision on Monday night, with Postecoglou insisting no chances will be taken with the Uruguayan.

He said: "We respect the concussion protocols. Any head injury will make us more cautious from my perspective but he is really well, feels good and has done our test. We will take our time with Rodrigo [Bentancur] until he is out there again."

Spurs take on Everton at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at 3pm on Saturday afternoon.

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£38.5m Tottenham duo learn fate as 'plans change' after incident

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Tottenham's strategy of injecting youth into their squad ahead of the new Premier League season has paid dividends for Ange Postecoglou. The Tottenham Hotspur Stadium has been a hive of activity this summer, with the club welcoming Dominic Solanke from Bournemouth and a host of promising young talents.

Archie Gray, 18, was signed from Leeds for a reported £30million, while Wilson Odobert, 19, was brought in from Burnley for around £25million. Min-hyeok Yan, 18, also joined the north London outfit from Gangwon for a speculated £3.37 million, while Lucas Bergvall was secured in an £8.5million deal with Djurgarden.

Spurs fielded a strong team against Leicester in their opening match of the 2024/25 Premier League season on Monday - but they were held to a draw at the King Power Stadium by the newly-promoted side. Pedro Porro put Spurs ahead on the half-hour mark, but Postecoglou's men failed to capitalise on numerous opportunities.

Jamie Vardy - whose fitness had been under scrutiny before the match - levelled for Leicester in the 57th minute, and the game could have easily tipped in City's favour in the closing stages. This is because Bergvall - who was brought on as a substitute alongside Gray - was dispossessed by Stephan Mavididi deep in his own half.

The speedy forward charged towards the goal before finding an unmarked Wilfred Ndidi, who forced a save from Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario, reports Football London. In an intense moment during the match, Vicario didn't hesitate to confront Bergvall about his mishap, furiously chastising the young player for his lapse in concentration in a critical area.

While Bergvall kept his eyes down and bore the brunt of Vicario's criticism, the team quickly regrouped to defend against City's ensuing corner kick. Despite this brief setback, it appears Spurs are committed to integrating Bergvall more significantly into the squad this term.

Reports from The Athletic have suggested that Bergvall, alongside his fellow prospect Gray, is set to play a vital role in Postecoglou's strategy for the upcoming season. After sparkling displays in both pre-season and regular training sessions, the club is convinced to forego their search for a new all-action midfielder as originally planned.

Throughout the transfer window, the club had been connected with a variety of midfield talents such as Eberechi Eze, Joao Gomes, and Hayden Hackney, but in light of the emerging talent from within, these potential signings have been deprioritised a clear testament to the high regard the club holds for the two young players. Towards the last season's conclusion, Postecoglou openly recognised the necessity for evolution in the team roster to make room for the burgeoning young talent, hinting at a fresher approach.

He said: "I've got to change this squad. I've got to build a squad I think can play our football." He added: "For that to happen, there have to be exits. Sometimes, you let people go who you think: 'He's a good player'. But how am I going to change if I don't do that?"

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True to his word, the Spurs boss has overseen the departures of several key players, including Tanguy Ndombele, Ivan Perisic, Eric Dier, Ryan Sessegnon, Oliver Skipp and Emerson Royale. The recent match against Leicester saw James Maddison, Rodrigo Bentancur and Pape Matar Sarr earn starts, while newcomers Bergvall and Gray showed promise with their second-half debuts.

The challenge for Postecoglou lies in blending the raw ambition of youthful talents with the guiding influence of seasoned pros. With Bentancur likely sidelined for the upcoming Everton clash after a head injury in the season's opening game, Postecoglou might just give Gray or Bergvall a chance to shine from the start in the forthcoming north London weekend fixture.

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Arsenal and Tottenham icons have their say on £26m transfer battle

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Arsenal and Tottenham club icons have already had their say as £26m transfer battle ensues - Express
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Arsenal and Tottenham may reignite their pursuit of Simon Adingra as the summer transfer window draws to a close. The north London rivals have both reportedly shown interest in the 22-year-old Ivory Coast international, who plies his trade at Brighton and Hove Albion.

Despite the Seagulls' firm stance on not letting go of Adingra, who netted six Premier League goals in 31 appearances last season, reports suggest that both clubs were eager to sign him this summer and sought to know his price tag - listed at £26million on transfermarkt - before being rebuffed. Brighton's resolve to keep their star player will likely be strengthened following their 3-0 victory over Everton, where Adingra scored.

Arsenal's transfer activity has been relatively quiet, with Mikel Arteta only adding goalkeeper David Raya from Brentford and centre-back Riccardo Calafiori from Bologna to his squad. Despite Kai Havertz being preferred in the false-nine role in their 2-0 triumph over Wolves, with Gabriel Martinelli and Bukayo Saka - who also scored - flanking him, Arteta might contemplate bringing in another winger to bolster competition within his team.

Arteta has received a glowing endorsement from the club's ex-defender, Johan Djourou, for his interest in Adingra, with whom Djourou shared a dressing room at FC Nordsjaelland. The Swiss centre-half had high praise for the fast forward, affirming his future potential back in February.

Djourou said: "Simon is the typical young guy that wants to learn. It was never a question of if he was going to make it, it's just to give him the platform to do it. It's hard to put a limit on what he can do. For me, he's one of those that can easily play in the next few years for (Manchester) City or Arsenal or those kinds of teams because he's so talented and has a very great personality. He works, wants to be better everyday," reports Football London.

Adding to their summer buzz, Arsenal is reportedly closing in on Real Sociedad's midfield virtuoso Mikel Merino. Reports claim club president Jokin Aperribay jetted into London for final talks to secure a transfer deal purported to worth €35million plus €5million in bonuses (£29.9million plus £4.3million).

Spurs have also been active in the transfer market; they've captured Bournemouth's forward Dominic Solanke in a whopping £65m move, snagged Archie Gray from Leeds for an estimated £30m, sourced attacking prowess from Lucas Bergvall of Djurgarden for a fee believed to be about £8.5m, and added wing talents Wilson Odobert and Min-hyeok Yang to bolster their squad further.

Ange Postecoglou is said to have had his sights set on Adingra before turning their attention to Burnley's Odobert, swiftly securing the winger for a cool £25m after their initial interest was rebuffed. Yet, Adingra remains a blip on Spurs' radar, potentially revisiting the prospect in the future.

Club legend Harry Redknapp has thrown his weight behind a potential move for the right winger. Impressed by Adingra's performance last season, particularly during a match against Liverpool, Redknapp lauded him in October: "I've been keeping my eye on Adingra during Brighton's games this season and boy did he play well against Liverpool.

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"Every time he got the ball he looked like he was going to do something with it. He was giving Robertson, such an experienced player, all sorts of problems. I liked his finish for his goal too, he took it nice and early. He was unlucky to not get another and gives Brighton a different dimension on that side."

After a lacklustre start to the 2024/25 season, failing to dominate Leicester City in their opener on Monday (August 19), Spurs are in dire need of bolstering their attack. However, with Brighton determined to retain their young star and the summer transfer window closing in just nine days, coupled with two years remaining on Adingra's contract, Tottenham might find it a steep climb to bring him on board at this juncture.

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Ange Postecoglou has made feelings clear on Tottenham star

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Ange Postecoglou's new responsibilities for Guglielmo Vicario may explain the Tottenham Hotspur goalkeeper's fierce tirade at 18-year-old midfielder Lucas Bergvall. After a promising first half, Spurs were held to a disappointing 1-1 draw away to newly promoted Leicester City.

However, it could have been even worse for the north Londoners, as Vicario made strong stops from both Jamie Vardy and Wilfred N'Didi to ensure Tottenham returned to the capital with at least a point. In the build-up to the latter's chance, Bergvall gave the ball away in a dangerous area, which led to the cross that N'Didi latched upon to head towards goal in the dying moments of injury time.

When he made the save, Vicario returned to his feet, marched towards the young Swede and unleashed a wide-eyed, verbal tirade at the teenager. Considering Postecoglou's previous comments on the Italian international, the Australian has given Vicario the freedom to command and, at times, berate team-mates who are not doing their jobs properly.

In the pre-season, Postecoglou said: "As soon as I had a conversation with him, I knew he was the right bloke for us. Beyond being an outstanding goalkeeper, he is an outstanding human being.

"If you bring a person like that into your dressing room, it's going to give you more than just a goalkeeper. He is the kind of guy who is going to have an influence over everything we do.

"He is going to have an influence over what I do and that's how I keep learning - by bringing these kinds of players in."

Vicario's outburst left Tottenham supporters divided, reports Football London. Some on X believe his stern approach to the young player was uncalled for, while others back the Italian, arguing that Bergvall shouldn't expect to be treated any differently.

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In the summer, Vicario also revealed that he has been given some extra leadership responsibilities by his manager. In an interview with the Athletic, the ex-Empoli goalkeeper said: "I'm one of the oldest players in this group.

"It's just my second year, but I feel like I have more responsibilities than last season. It's a big honour for me to have this opportunity to be with the young players more and to speak with them.

"I'm very happy with this new role inside the dressing room, but I have to do it in a humble way and try to just give them good advice so that they are in a great mind for the team."

Tottenham host a wounded Everton side, who were dismantled 3-0 at home by Brighton and Hove Albion, in their next Premier League match this Saturday.

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Tottenham transfer news LIVE: Crucial deal confirmed as £60m price tag skyrockets

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AS Monaco have confirmed the signing of Jordan Teze from PSV Eindhoven, which could pave the way for Vanderson to depart.

Tottenham are said to be interested in right-back Vanderson as a replacement for Emerson Royal.

It remains to be seen whether Teze's £10.2million switch greases the wheels of Vanderson's prospective move to north London.

Roma are in the running to sign Tottenham's Giovani Lo Celso, Express Sport understands.

But the Italian giants will only move for the midfielder if Paulo Dybala heads to the Saudi Pro League.

And Dybala is reportedly leaning towards staying in Serie A.

Aston Villa and Real Betis are also interested in Lo Celso and waiting for the Spurs star to make his final decision.

Tottenham will look to sell him before the deadline and would prefer to do so permanently.

Charlotte FC and Fenerbahce are not in contention to sign Lo Celso despite recent speculation.

Tottenham could pocket a healthy £8million fee if Leeds United sign Jack Clarke.

The Whites are reportedly pursuing the winger after his 15-goal Championship showing last season.

And Sunderland are believed to be holding out for around £20m.

However, a reported sell-on clause of up to 40 per cent would land Spurs with £8m of that fee and boost their overall takings from the sale of Clarke, who only ever made four senior appearances for the north Londoners.

Hopes of a late Tottenham push for Eberechi Eze were dashed this week when his release clause expired.

Crystal Palace would have been defenceless if Spurs or any other interested party forked out £60million earlier this summer, but the expiration of Eze's clause means the Eagles can effectively demand whatever price they want.

And with playmaker Michael Olise joining Bayern Munich earlier in the window, Palace would be sure to fight for Eze.

Spurs' need for a new winger is no longer as urgent after the signing of Wilson Odobert from Burnley - but a late Hail Mary for Eze cannot be ruled out.

Ange Postecoglou has already welcomed Dominic Solanke, Archie Gray, Wilson Odobert, Lucas Bergvall and Min-hyeok Yang to Tottenham this summer, and a sixth signing may not be too far away.

Spurs have been linked with AS Monaco right-back Vanderson in the wake of Emerson Royal's move to AC Milan.

And a key step for Vanderson's exit to materialise has now taken place, with PSV Eindhoven's Jordan Teze revealing that a deal has been struck for him to join Monaco and effectively replace the Brazilian.

Reports indicate that Spurs have held talks over the signing of Vanderson and an initial £27.3million bid is in the works.

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Rodrigo Bentancur injury: Postecoglou update on Tottenham star

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Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou has given an update on the condition of Rodrigo Bentancur after the midfielder suffered a horrific injury in their 1-1 draw with Leicester.

Bentancur came off much worse in a 50-50 aerial challenge with Abdul Fatawu inside the Leicester City box, although there was no indication it would have been a penalty.

The Uruguayan had to be given oxygen and was stretchered off by medical staff, who rushed to his aid after being knocked unconscious. It was later confirmed by Spurs' team doctor that Bentancur was 'sitting up and talking' following his concussion substitution.

And Postecoglou admitted details were scarce about the 27-year-old's health beyond what the team doctor had said during the game.

"I haven't spoken to him, [with a] head injury you have to be careful," Postecoglou told Sky Sports after the game. "The good news is he was up and talking. I'll let the medical team catch up with it."

Postecoglou later added in his post-match press conference: "Yeah, look I don't have a lot of information but I know he is up and he's communicating so he's fine from that point of view."

The incident overshadowed a lively contest at the King Power, where Spurs had dominated the first half with 10 attempts on goal.

Pedro Porro headed home a cross from James Maddison, who was booed on his return to Leicester, but the visitors squandered several chances to put the game to bed.

That was crucial as Jamie Vardy brought the hosts back into the game in the 57th minute with a header at the far post.

Both sides had chances to win it, with debutant Dominic Solanke denied by Mads Hermansen and Guglielmo Vicario pulling off a fine stop late on to keep out Wilfried Ndidi.

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A frustrated Postecoglou made no attempt to hide his fury with his attacking players after throwing two points away with some sloppy finishing.

"Disappointing night for us. First-half excellent and controlled the game but wasteful in front of goal. Second half was the same. we started off well and once Leicester scored, the crowd lifted and we lost our composure," Postecoglou added.

"It was an issue we had last year as well, we need to keep working hard and be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. At times we made poor decisions. When we are that dominant we should be out of sight.

"We do everything to score goals and we didn't score. The dominance is great but if you don't score it is meaningless. We have to be stronger in our mindset in the front third. To be that wasteful tonight is disappointing. We just weren't clinical."

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Tottenham player ratings vs Leicester: Solanke struggles as four score 4/10

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Tottenham player ratings vs Leicester: Dominic Solanke struggles as four stars score 4/10 - Express
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Ange Postecoglou's Tottenham Hotspur side began their 2024/25 Premier League campaign with a frustrating draw away to newbies Leicester City.

A free-flowing Spurs caught the eye in the opening 45 minutes, with Pedro Porro's delightful header breaking the deadlock on the half-hour mark.

It looked as if it would end up being a simple evening's work for Tottenham, as Leicester struggled to keep pace with the Champions League hopefuls.

Jamie Vardy had other ideas. Despite missing the entirety of pre-season, the veteran striker popped up with the equaliser midway through the second half, sparking the game into life.

Leicester could've even snatched a winner themselves, with Spurs left pondering after an opening-day draw at the King Power Stadium.

Express Sport rate the Tottenham cohort after a mixed night for Postecoglou's men in the East Midlands.

Guglielmo Vicario - 8/10

Couldn't have done much about Vardy's opener, but the Argentine got down well to deny the striker with a sharp save to keep the score level moments later. Popped up with another crucial stop to deny Wilfred Ndidi late on.

Pedro Porro - 7/10

He was fantastic with the ball at his feet and finished off expertly for the opener. His defensive frailties were on show for Leicester's equaliser though, with the right-back slow to react to Vardy's back-post movement. Hobbled through the final stages before being replaced after picking up a knock.

Cristian Romero - 5/10

Too focused on getting caught up in a war of words with Vardy. Like Porro, was half-asleep for the equaliser. Should've checked his shoulder to see the Leicester striker ghosting in unmarked.

Micky van de Ven - 6/10

Dealt with the rare threats that came his way and covered for Destiny Udogie when the left-back was put under pressure.

Destiny Udogie - 4/10

Not the youngster's most convincing performance. Gave up too much space to Abdul Fatawu, with the winger getting in behind the Spurs man on several occasions.

Rodrigo Bentancur - 6/10

Put himself about in the heart of midfield, but was forced to come off after a horror head injury.

James Maddison - 7/10

Pulled the strings for the first hour and showed his class with a stellar ball for Porro's opener. Struggled for the same effectiveness when Leicester equalised.

Pape Matar Sarr - 6/10

Didn't stop running in the heart of midfield, but his on-ball contributions were left wanting at times.

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Brennan Johnson - 5/10

A passenger for the most part. Struggled to impose himself on the contest and was understandably hooked as Spurs went in search of a winner.

Dominic Solanke - 4/10

Will have to be less profligate in the future if he's to make a name for himself at Spurs. Snatched the chances that came his way and ought to have found the back of the net at least once. Things can only get better for the £65million signing.

Son Heung-min - 4/10

Off the pace throughout the match. He failed to link up with the rest of Spurs' forwards and a heavy touch broke down promising attacking situations for Tottenham on more than one occasion.

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Substitutes:

Archie Gray - 6/10

Composed showing from the teenager.

Lucas Bergvall - 6/10

An otherwise tidy Premier League debut was almost tarnished by a sloppy error leading to a Leicester chance.

Timo Werner - 5/10

Looked lost after coming on for Brennan Johnson.

Dejan Kulusevski - 6/10

The most promising of Spurs' subs. Would've been disappointed not to have started the game.

Richarlison - 4/10

Only played seven minutes but missed a sitter that would've won Spurs the game in added time.

Djed Spence - N/A

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Rodrigo Bentancur suffers horror injury as Tottenham star knocked out

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Tottenham midfielder Rodrigo Bentancur was reportedly 'knocked out cold' after suffering a horror head collision during his side's match with Leicester on Monday.

The Uruguayan went down after a corner was cleared and had to be given oxygen when referee Christopher Kavanagh immediately called for assistance, before Bentancur was stretchered off the pitch.

Sky Sports claimed that Bentancur was knocked unconscious but he was sitting up before departing play, with his side drawing 1-1 in the second half.

Concerned players from both sides gathered around Bentancur with heads in their hands as they awaited news from the medical staff over the 27-year-old's condition.

Bentancur also ruptured his anterior cruciate ligament at the King Power in February of last year, which kept him out for eight months.

Sky Sports confirmed that Bentancur was "up and talking" in the dressing room while his team-mates played on, and will be monitored throughout the night as part of the Premier League's concussion protocols.

Bentancur was replaced as part of a quadruple change by Ange Postecoglou, as Spurs attempted to regain their lead on the first Monday Night Football of the season.

Timo Werner, Dejan Kulusevski, Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray all came on, with Bentancur, Pape Sarr, Brennan Johnson and James Maddison heading off.

Pedro Porro had given the visitors the lead in the first half, heading home Maddison's curling cross in a dominant opening 45 minutes for Spurs.

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Tottenham star stalls over exit as Ange Postecoglou waits for transfer domino to fall

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Giovani Lo Celso has three clubs on tenterhooks while mulling over his next move. The midfielder will be allowed to leave Tottenham this summer with Aston Villa, Real Betis and AS Roma all interested in taking him off Ange Postecoglou's hands.

Lo Celso is deemed surplus to requirements by Postecoglou and, with less than a year to run on his Spurs contract, the 28-year-old has spent this summer in the shop window.

Argentina's Copa America triumph kept Lo Celso occupied until mid-July, but having returned to north London, it has again been made clear that the player's future lies elsewhere.

Betis and Villa registered their interest weeks ago but opted not to take things further until learning of Lo Celso's intentions. Express Sport understands that Roma are latecomers to the transfer race but would be interested in signing the former Paris Saint-Germain star if Paulo Dybala heads to the Saudi Pro League.

Dybala has a lucrative proposal from Al-Qadsiah and the move going through could be the domino Postecoglou needs to fall in order for Lo Celso to give Roma the green light.

Further transfer opportunities could arrive before the summer transfer deadline and Lo Celso is keen to assess them before committing himself to one club.

MLS side Charlotte FC also enquired about Lo Celso but the player would rather join a European club. Jose Mourinho's Fenerbahce are not in the running as things stand.

Lo Celso was brought to Europe by PSG, spending three years in France before becoming a household name thanks to a fruitful loan spell with Betis. The attacking midfielder has scored 11 goals in 108 games for Spurs since they snapped him up in 2019. Spurs forked out a whopping £55million four years ago and are expecting to take a significant loss due to Lo Celso's contract situation.

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Postecoglou's squad is brimming with midfielders as Yves Bissouma, Pape Sarr, Rodrigo Bentancur and James Maddison have been joined by new signings Lucas Bergvall and Archie Gray since the start of the summer window.

Tottenham's midfield clearout has seen Tanguy Ndombele and Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg leave the club, while Oliver Skipp's move to Leicester City was confirmed today (Monday), hours before Spurs get their Premier League campaign underway against the Foxes.

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Tottenham, Newcastle and Man Utd could all profit from Chelsea chaos before window shuts

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Chelsea's need to offload players before the summer transfer deadline could play straight into their rivals' hands. There were a number of striking omissions from Enzo Maresca's first Premier League matchday squad on Sunday as Manchester City won 2-0 at Stamford Bridge.

Conor Gallagher was not included in the 20-man list despite playing in all bar one of Chelsea's league matches last season and regularly captaining the side. The 24-year-old was all set to join Atletico Madrid but a collapsed deal which would have seen Samu Omorodion head in the opposite direction has plunged Gallagher's future into doubt.

Chelsea and Atletico are reportedly in talks over a move for Joao Felix, which could resurrect Gallagher's switch to Spain. But if that fails to materialise, Tottenham may be the first to pounce.

Reports indicate that Ange Postecoglou is a long-standing admirer of Gallagher, and the Spurs manager ideally wants the England international to operate in his midfield behind new signing Dominic Solanke.

Another high-profile star who didn't make the cut against City is Ben Chilwell. Fellow left-back Marc Cucurella looks set to be reborn in Maresca's system, and with Renato Veiga providing back-up, Chilwell is at risk of being frozen out.

Maresca has openly admitted that it would be better for all parties if Chilwell is able to find a new club this summer. Manchester United are believed to have discussed the 27-year-old before snapping up Noussair Mazraoui from Bayern Munich.

With Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia both having a torrid time due to injuries, it remains to be seen whether Chilwell's availability proves too tempting an opportunity for United to pass up on.

Of the five substitutes who didn't get on the pitch against City, Noni Madueke will have been the most perplexed. The 22-year-old winger enjoyed a strong finish to the last campaign and was one of Maresca's most impressive performers during pre-season.

Newcastle United are said to be keeping tabs on Madueke's situation, with Chelsea reportedly willing to listen to offers for the former PSV Eindhoven star. It could take £30m for Blues chiefs to green-light the youngster's exit.

Aside from the trio in question, other notable absentees from Sunday's squad included Raheem Sterling, Carney Chukwuemeka, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Trevoh Chalobah, who could all leave in the next two weeks.

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