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Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

In fact, Ten Hag is standing on the pitch. As is Pep. Both managers are gently reprimanded by the officials as we prepare for play to continue. Casemiro seems fine to carry on.

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"Peak Rashford buries that. But what about Casemiro executing another incisive pass in Man United's offensive third. Looks like he's had a summer glow up, of sorts. Let's see how long that lasts."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Pete Gill:

"Grief. That's not just wide from Rashford. That's a long, long way wide."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

The move culminates in Casemiro slipping in Rashford to his left - this is prime Rashford territory - but he skews his shot a good few yards wide.

What a chance, again, for Man Utd. Rashford holds his head in his hands.

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"Man Utd nearly walk the ball into the back of the net. Sweeping move. Is this the new front foot aggressive style Erik ten Hag speaks of? Amad Diallo was at the heart of it and looks very bright indeed."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Pete Gill:

"Almost the perfect goal from United! The passing through midfield was sublime, it was just Amad's very final ball that was lacking.

"City were carved open. A bolt from the blue from those in red."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

The slick approach play is reminiscent of Mainoo's goal here in the FA Cup final but this time Diallo opts to pass when he probably should shoot and Fernandes can't quite reach the ball!

A let-off for City after a lovely passage of play from United.

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Danyal Khan at Wembley:

“The City kids are coming good here!

"Seeing the likes of Bobb, O’Reilly and McAtee pass the ball around the United midfield with relative ease must be pretty satisfying for Pep Guardiola.

"No wonder he said they will be involved in the first team this season. United just haven’t been able to put more than a few passes together in the City third of the pitch.”

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Nick Wright at Wembley:

"Man Utd struggling to get out of their half. City with 62 per cent of the possession so far but it feels like more."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Pete Gill:

"It was Martinez's error which presented the chance but City would be fair value for the opening goal. All the energy is coming from those in blue."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Calamitous from Man Utd as Martinez's wayward pass hands possession to City just outside their box.

McAtee latches onto the loose ball and curls a shot towards the far corner but his effort bounces back off the post.

City dominating this game after a tentative start.

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Laura Hunter:

"A somewhat clunky effort from Haaland, as he emerges with a wry smile after attempting to organise his legs in time to hook the ball towards goal. Delicacy is not necessarily his strong suit..."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Sky Sports' Pete Gill:

"City very much in charge. United have barely been out of their half in the last ten minutes."

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Haaland tries to hook the ball back across goal but it falls to a Man Utd player and it's cleared.

Man City 0-0 Man Utd

Everyone seems to have an opinion about Jack Grealish. But those opinions vary. Many admire his kindness towards children, seeing the person behind the player. Others see his exuberant celebrations and draw their own conclusions when the form wanes.

On the pitch, some see such a sublime talent that they are still saddened that his unique qualities were overlooked by England this summer. Others have little sympathy, viewing him as a glorified water carrier out wide and pointing to a lack of end product.

"I know how professional I actually am," says Grealish but he faces a challenge, nevertheless. His City career could depend on it. Perhaps it is the opinion of Pep Guardiola that will matter most. But Grealish can still be the one to shape his future.

Passion still burns

Dean Smith, his former manager at Aston Villa, once called Grealish 'an encyclopaedia of football' - a detail best remembered because the player claimed to not know the meaning of the word when it was put to him in an interview. It became a meme.

But beyond the mockery, there was a salient point. Grealish's passion for the game and knowledge of it is rare. Speaking to Stephen Clemence, another old coach at Villa, one he worked closely with on a one-to-one basis, he highlights this quality too.

"He watches every game," Clemence tells Sky Sports. "You talk to him about a player and he knows them, whether that is in this country or abroad." Grealish publicly tipped Eden Hazard to become a world beater two years before taking Chelsea to the title.

Impressive pre-season

The winger may have earned his move to Manchester City because of those care-free performances for Villa, an air of insouciance to his game. "You cannot teach him to do the things he does," says Clemence. But it always did mask a fierce desire to do this.

Next season will test that theory to its limit but the early signs are positive. At the start of Manchester City's pre-season tour, Pep Guardiola was soon speaking of his "unbelievable attitude" and seemingly detecting a fresh willingness to improve.

Ah, two seasons ago. Grealish's role in City's historic treble-winning season is certainly worth remembering. He played in 50 of their matches, stepping it up in his second season. He described it as his happiest time in football. "Playing with confidence."

Where do you go from there? Grealish asked himself that question. "I have never been like that before, where you just feel so high," he revealed. "At times you think, 'How are we ever going to top this?' You do sit there sometimes and think, 'What do we do now?'"

Dip in performance

What he did was lose his place in the City team and Gareth Southgate's England squad. There was a drop off in performance, although it should not be overstated. Grealish still kept the ball well and was fouled more regularly than any other Premier League player.

But it does not take much for Guardiola to detect a dip. The subsequent loss of status means that, for Grealish, the answer to that question of his should finally be clear. What does he do now? Put the work in to reclaim his position for both club and country.

New opportunity at City

Grealish is keenly aware that he has a head start on some of his rivals for a place in Guardiola's team this coming season, a beneficiary, albeit unwanted, of his tournament-free summer. Some City players have skipped much of this pre-season.

That means Grealish is the player in possession going into the Community Shield against Manchester United, a rerun of the FA Cup final for which he was left on the bench throughout. The shirt is his to lose and that has long been Guardiola's mantra.

It is an opportunity but not one that will knock for long. Despite the departure of Julian Alvarez, Grealish's zone of the pitch looks congested. Oscar Bobb now appears ready, while the signing of Savinho is a direct threat. And, of course, there is also Jeremy Doku.

Challenge of Doku

It was the signing of the Belgian winger last summer that stole his place in the side, Guardiola seduced by Doku's ability to open up defences with his dribbling. "Jeremy is special in the final third." Grealish could not compete with that sheer pace on the left.

The statistics show that Doku is an outlier in dribbling terms, but it is worth pointing out that Grealish's ball-carrying ability remains supreme. It is not always necessary to take on the opponent so directly if you have such close control and can evade them.

"The way that he could glide past someone was just a pleasure to watch every day," recalls Clemence. "For natural ability, he is the best I have seen in my coaching career. Even in the Championship, I was surprised that he was not in the England squad."

Adapting to Guardiola

It is a little ironic that Guardiola wants Grealish to recapture some of that verve given that there are those who credit the changes in the player's game - both positive and negative - to the great coach. He has become a different player from the one City bought.

"Jack always wanted the ball but probably at times he would come too deep to get it," says Clemence. "Sometimes you have got to trust your team-mates to find you." That version of Grealish roamed free rather than being bound to his segment of the field.

And has a high-profile player ever transformed their decision-making on the pitch more drastically than Grealish? Brian Clough turned Kenny Burns from a striker into a title-winning defender. Others have adapted their game due to age and a loss of pace.

With Grealish, the starting positioning remains similar, the skills too, but his movement and distribution has fundamentally changed. A risk-taker in his youth, there is no safer user of the ball now, as evidenced by the stark contrast in his passing sonars.

Eager to please, Grealish has listened, adapted. When Guardiola told him that he was performing a function for the team, providing expert ball retention out wide, he took it on board. "It is just a shame that everyone in the world now just loves stats," he once said.

And yet, it is Guardiola who was citing the statistics following the recent game against Barcelona. "I know in controlling the ball he is good, but he made four or five shots." Even he wants to see the aggression, the personality that persuaded City to pay £100m.

What next for Grealish?

As a result, this likeable lad now finds himself at a crossroads in his career. At 28, with a brilliant group of players around him, the opportunity remains. "Absolutely it depends on him," says Guardiola. "All the players, it depends on them, not on my decisions."

The door is ajar. Jack Grealish could yet force it open once more.

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Gabriel Jesus scored a superb solo goal as Arsenal stepped up their preparations for the new campaign with an impressive 4-1 win over Bundesliga champions Bayer Leverkusen.

Jesus, reinvigorated following an injury-hit campaign last term, pounced on a poor Leverkusen throw deep in Arsenal territory in the first half before carrying the ball forward and dispatching a low finish from outside the box to delight the Emirates Stadium crowd.

The rampant hosts were already two goals up at that point, with Oleksandr Zinchenko and Leandro Trossard having finished smartly from Kai Havertz passes in the space of a minute early on.

Havertz moved up front after Jesus was substituted at half-time and the German scored Arsenal's fourth goal when Bukayo Saka's cut-back bounced into his path off Leverkusen's Granit Xhaka, who received a standing ovation on his return to north London.

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Leverkusen scored a consolation goal through substitute Adam Hlozek but it did not dampen the spirits of the home fans, with Declan Rice given his first outing of pre-season as a second-half substitute as well as fellow Euro 2024 finalist Saka. William Saliba was given the first half.

Arsenal fans were denied a chance to see new signing Riccardo Calafiori, who was not in the squad, but Mikel Arteta used the occasion to give more minutes to some of the youngsters who featured during the club's US tour, with Miles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri, Ayden Heaven and Josh Nichols appearing as substitutes.

Arsenal round off their pre-season campaign with a second Emirates Cup game against Lyon on Sunday before commencing their Premier League season at home to Wolves on Saturday August 17 at 3pm.

Jesus impressing Arteta with 'different energy'

There was a distinctly pre-season feel to the atmosphere inside the ground in the opening exchanges but noise levels increased every time the ball entered the orbit of Jesus.

The Brazilian, leading the line as he has throughout Arsenal's pre-season campaign, was a bundle of energy in and out of possession, making runs, snapping into challenges and looking a lot more like the player Arsenal bought from Manchester City back in 2022.

He appears to have benefitted from an uninterrupted off-season after a string of injury setbacks over the course of the last campaign impacted his performances. But Arteta was eager to point out afterwards that his improvement is down to his own application.

"The first feeling when I saw him at the end of the season was something different," said Arteta in his press conference.

"I could feel it. His energy was different. His appearance, his movement was different. And he really wanted it."

The challenge for him now, according to Arteta, is to transfer his pre-season form into the campaign itself.

"Now it's about finding that consistency, and doing it in any context, against any opponent, any formation, every day, every three days, for 90 minutes, for 30 minutes, for 70 minutes, whatever you can produce in those circumstances."

Zinchenko shines in absence of Calafiori, Timber

Arteta allayed any concerns over Calafiori's absence from the squad afterwards, insisting Arsenal are merely managing him as he adapts to his new surroundings and adding that the £42m signing is likely to play some part in Sunday's game against Lyon.

He also explained that Jurrien Timber was absent due to foot pain linked to his rehabilitation from an ACL injury. "He has had a bit of a bad foot the last few days," said Arteta. "After he has been away a lot, we didn't want to take any risks with him."

In the absence of that pair, it was Zinchenko who started at left-back and the former Manchester City defender, who has swapped from the No 35 shirt to No 17, looked eager to provide a reminder of his quality having lost his place in the side last season.

His opening goal was superbly taken as he swept home Havertz's cut-back first-time following a clever dummy by Trossard and that trio continued to combine effectively in the first half, ensuring Arsenal carried an increased threat on their left flank.

"He knows the quality that he has and he knows the things he needs to improve," Arteta said of Zinchenko afterwards, before praising his application. "He is another who is very at it. You can see his body language that there is something there."

Nwaneri, Lewis-Skelly earn praise

Arteta was also asked whether he sees Arsenal youngsters Nwaneri and Lewis-Skelly, both 17, playing first-team roles next season.

"If they continue as they are doing now, it will make no difference whether they come from the academy or are signed from Argentina, Germany or Italy," he said.

"They are showing the quality they have, and especially the personality they have to play at this level. If they deserve minutes, they will get minutes."

Arsenal's pre-season schedule: Lyon next

July 20: Arsenal 2-0 Leyton Orient

July 25: Arsenal 1-1 Bournemouth

July 28: Arsenal 2-1 Man Utd

August 1: Arsenal 1-2 Liverpool

August 7: Arsenal 4-1 Bayer Leverkusen

August 11: Arsenal vs Lyon, Emirates Stadium, kick-off 2pm

Arsenal's 2024/25 fixtures

Arsenal will start their 2024/25 Premier League season at home to Wolves on Saturday August 17.

The Gunners then face a trip to Unai Emery's Aston Villa and a home clash with Brighton before visiting Tottenham on September 14 for the first north London derby of the season. The return fixture with Spurs at the Emirates is on January 14.

Mikel Arteta's side's first game with last season's title rivals and champions Manchester City comes within the first five games of the campaign on September 21 at the Etihad, with the reverse fixture at the Emirates on February 1.

Over Christmas, the Gunners are at home to newly-promoted Ipswich on Boxing Day before travelling across London to face Brentford on December 29. In March, the Gunners face a trip to Man Utd before a home game against Chelsea.

Liverpool are interested in Spain and Real Sociedad midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

The 25-year-old is thought to have a £51m release clause and is also among the midfield options being considered by Manchester United, while Arsenal are long-term time admirers.

Zubimendi shone in the Euro 2024 final against England when he replaced Rodri at half-time as Spain went on to win 2-1.

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He has been at LaLiga side Sociedad since 2011 and helped the club finish sixth last season, scoring four times in 31 appearances.

Sociedad also reached the last 16 of the Champions League before they were beaten by Paris Saint-Germain.

Liverpool's interest explained

A move for Zubimendi would be the first significant business for Liverpool's new sporting director Richard Hughes, who said last month July would be quiet due to ongoing international tournaments but August would see transfer activity reach "a crescendo".

Liverpool are the only Premier League club yet to make a signing this summer with boss Arne Slot wanting a new No 6 in midfield.

The position has been in need of strengthening since the departure of Fabinho 12 months ago. Japan international Wataru Endo was brought in from Stuttgart late in the window last August for £16m after the club missed out on other targets but the now 31-year-old was only viewed as a short-term solution.

For a large proportion of last season Alexis Mac Allister was deployed in the No 6 position and last month Liverpool rejected a £12m bid from Marseille for Endo.

Analysis: Why Zubimendi is in demand

Sky Sports' Nick Wright:

England fans could hardly believe their luck when Rodri was forced off with an injury halfway through the European Championship final against Spain. But it is a measure of the quality of his replacement that their linchpin's absence barely made a ripple.

If anything, Spain got better following Zubimendi's introduction.

Mikel Oyarzabal's late strike won it in the end but his Real Sociedad team-mate was similarly influential, quietly completing all but two of his passes, winning all five of his duels and making more tackles than anyone else as Spain suffocated Gareth Southgate's side.

Zubimendi's assured display, in and out of possession, was a 45-minute distillation of the qualities that make him one of the most sought-after holding midfielders in Europe.

The presence of Rodri in the Spain squad has limited his opportunities on the international stage. But he has long been key for Real Sociedad, featuring in 103 LaLiga games out of 114 over the last three seasons, impressing domestically and in Europe, including in the Champions League last term.

At 25, with his peak years ahead of him, and with defensive and tactical awareness to match his outstanding ball-playing ability, it is little wonder he has a long list of suitors.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

The approach of a new Premier League season often brings hope, optimism and excitement. But in Chelsea's case, is it already time to worry?

It may only be pre-season but just one win from their five friendlies in the USA will not have been the start Enzo Maresca, preparing for his first campaign as a top-flight head coach, was searching for.

The Italian named strong sides in those games yet saw his new team concede 12 goals. The visit of Inter Milan - the runaway Serie A winners last season - in Chelsea's final pre-season match on Sunday is a daunting prospect.

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After guiding Leicester to the Championship title in his only full season as a head coach, Maresca has been thrown into the deep end at Stamford Bridge.

The performances have been as disappointing as the results, with Chelsea's haphazard attempts to build play from the back contributing to a number of their opponents' goals.

Off the pitch, Maresca had to reintegrate Enzo Fernandez into Chelsea's dressing room following the racist video he posted on social media, while fans' favourite Conor Gallagher is headed for the exit door as the Blues' sporting directors continue their youth-orientated overhaul of the squad.

Yet another busy summer means Chelsea's own website lists 44 players among their first-team squad. But if Maresca is hoping for some respite after a tumultuous pre-season, he'll be disappointed - Manchester City are the opponents for their Premier League opener, live on Sky Sports on August 18.

But who will be part of the squad to face the champions? Sky Sports tries to provide some clarity - and you can cast your vote too...

Sanchez, Jorgensen or Kepa - who will be Chelsea's No 1?

Goalkeepers: Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Marcus Bettinelli, Djordje Petrovic, Lucas Bergstrom, Eddie Beach, Kepa Arrizabalaga.

The battle to be Chelsea's No 1 appears to be between Robert Sanchez and Filip Jorgensen. Sanchez started last season as Mauricio Pochettino's goalkeeper but quickly lost his form, fitness and place in the team, while Jorgensen is a £20.7m summer signing from Villarreal.

Djordje Petrovic played 31 times last season but now appears third choice at best, while Kepa Arrizabalaga - the most expensive goalkeeper of all time - hasn't even been given a squad number after returning from a loan at Real Madrid.

Marcus Bettinelli will provide back-up, while Lucas Bergstrom and Eddie Beach may be among what is likely to be a large contingent of players leaving Chelsea on loan before the August 30 deadline.

Doubts over Chilwell as Chalobah heads for exit

Defenders: Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill, Trevoh Chalobah, Wesley Fofana, Josh Acheampong, Bashir Humphreys, Reece James, Malo Gusto, Ben Chilwell, Marc Cucurella, Caleb Wiley.

One of the only settled areas of Chelsea's squad should be at full-back, although there have been reports Ben Chilwell could be available amid apparent concerns over his ability to adapt to Maresca's system. The left-back is yet to start a game in pre-season.

Maresca has plenty of centre-backs to choose from, even discounting Trevoh Chalobah - who wasn't taken on the US tour as Chelsea try to sell their homegrown defender for 'pure profit'.

But after conceding 12 goals in pre-season - including four to Man City - whether any of Axel Disasi, Tosin Adarabioyo, Benoit Badiashile, Levi Colwill and Wesley Fofana enter the season with any confidence is another question.

Josh Acheampong and Caleb Wiley seem to be candidates for a season away on loan.

Gallagher goes as pressure rises on Fernandez

Midfielders: Enzo Fernandez, Lesley Ugochukwu, Carney Chukwuemeka, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Conor Gallagher, Moises Caicedo, Cesare Casadei, Omari Kellyman, Renato Veiga, Romeo Lavia, Tino Anjorin.

Chelsea's midfield trio of Moises Caicedo, Enzo Fernandez and Conor Gallagher were established under Pochettino. But as with Chalobah, Chelsea are ready to cash in on academy graduate Gallagher, with Atletico Madrid agreeing a £38m deal.

Caicedo improved at the end of last season but far more is needed from £106.8m signing Fernandez, who has only added to the pressure on his shoulders with his offensive off-season antics.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall - one of Leicester's standout performers under Maresca last term - will likely take Gallagher's place, while Romeo Lavia is finally fit after a debut campaign ruined by injury.

Which of his other midfielders Maresca chooses to retain remains to be seen. Cesare Casadei spent time on loan at Leicester last season, while Carney Chukwuemeka has shown promise.

Renato Veiga, a £12m signing from Basel, can play in midfield and defence - which may aid his chances of competing for a squad spot - while Omari Kellyman will surely be expected to contribute after arriving from Aston Villa for £19m.

Tino Anjorin may be set for another loan.

Madueke shines but Lukaku lingers

Forwards: Raheem Sterling, Mykhailo Mudryk, Noni Madueke, Cole Palmer, Tyrique George, Angelo Gabriel, Deivid Washington, Nicolas Jackson, Christopher Nkunku, Armando Broja, Marc Guiu, David Fofana, Romelu Lukaku.

Chelsea have been crying out for an established No 9 ever since Romelu Lukaku's £97.5m move swiftly turned sour. The Blues hope Samu Omorodion, the Spanish striker who scored eight goals on loan at Alaves last season, will solve that issue if he completes his proposed £38m arrival from Atletico.

Like Kepa, Lukaku is back at Stamford Bridge but hasn't even received a squad number as he waits on a potential move to Napoli, while Omorodion's impending arrival is bad news for Nicolas Jackson.

Armando Broja and David Fofana also appear available for transfer after returning from loans at Fulham and Burnley, while Marc Guiu has admitted he is unsure whether he will leave on loan despite several starts in pre-season following his £5m signing from Barcelona.

Christopher Nkunku has started every pre-season fixture under Maresca and looks set to be a key part of Chelsea's attack, along with last season's top scorer Cole Palmer, while Noni Madueke has been one of the few players to impress in the US.

The same can't be said for Mykhailo Mudryk, who has continued to toil on tour, while Raheem Sterling faces a battle to reclaim the starting place he lost under Pochettino. How long will Chelsea keep patience with the pair?

Angelo Gabriel and Deivid Washington - signed for a combined £30m - didn't start a game in the US. Along with Tyrique George, they could be destined for a loan.

When does the summer transfer window close?

The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Enzo Maresca failed to conceal a slight smile at the word 'paciencia'.

The Chelsea head coach had turned translator, and he was fielding a question in Spanish to convert to English before answering.

A journalist enquired what Maresca had made of Carlo Ancelotti's comments complimenting his knowledge and football principles.

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The Real Madrid boss marked Maresca as the perfect fit for Chelsea's young squad and implored the club's owners to give him 'paciencia'- patience.

Ancelotti is well placed to comment on someone he has known for 24 years; a relationship that started when he signed Maresca from West Bromwich Albion for Juventus, and has continued since.

The Chelsea boss answered by saying there are very few people in football who possess a greater understanding of what is required to be successful than Ancelotti - so if the 65-year-old tells Chelsea to give Maresca time, they should.

Will they though? That has been the nagging question while watching Maresca from close quarters as he tries to reengineer the west Londoners as a team that own the ball, while ridding them of bad habits.

He is impressive; self-assured, authoritative, open to being put on the spot, and he has a sense of humour.

There is a confidence and calm about him that stands in contrast to the state of the club in recent years.

Maresca fits neatly into the packed category of the coach not being the problem at Stamford Bridge, even though pre-season has been unforgiving.

Real Madrid were the latest to outsmart Chelsea, who got smashed by Celtic, schooled by Manchester City, and drew with Wrexham. Their sole victory on tour came against Club America.

While scorelines in the embryonic stage of this adjustment period are not important, mistake management is.

Chelsea have to stop playing a high line without pressure against the ball. It is such a clear weakness that when I asked Maresca about it in Charlotte, he admitted he had flagged it in his first meeting with the team.

They leak too many goals because they are too high and too passive.

What they are doing is not by instruction but out of habit. Maresca wants them slightly deeper so Chelsea can have more control.

He has also spent the pre-season tour of the US experimenting to work out the shape and combinations that will grant Chelsea balance.

"We are trying different things, in terms of one game we play with the right full-back inside, then the left full-back inside, and against Manchester City, we played with the left full-back higher," he explained.

"With the number nine, we play with [Marc] Guiu and Christopher [Nkunku]. In terms of the winger we played with [Tyrique] George, the young guy from the academy. We are trying different things. For sure, the club and me are together, we know what we need before we finish the transfer window."

Maresca has played Mykhailo Mudryk on the right, even though he is better on the opposite flank. Despite viewing Nicolas Jackson as a No 9, he would use him as a winger if required.

Maresca is, as one source put it, "a problem-solver rather than a problem-finder" and it has showed.

The tour has been far from ideal; too many games, uncomfortably humid weather conditions, pitches not fit for elite football, and travel impeding full match preparation.

For those reasons, Maresca has termed the "real pre-season" the time before and after the US - the two weeks Chelsea had at Cobham before flying Stateside and the 10 days they will have at the training ground ahead of the Premier League kicking off.

However, Maresca will find a severely bloated squad back at base and when I quizzed him over whether he would ideally like a smaller squad, it is blatantly obvious lots of trimming will need to be done.

Conor Gallagher should be in the colours of Atletico Madrid soon, with Samu Omorodion going in the opposite direction.

Beyond selling well, Chelsea require their big buys to consistently deliver: Mudryk, Nkunku, Romeo Lavia, Moises Caicedo…

The Ecuadorean midfielder, signed for £115m, has admitted the pressure of his price tag hindered him last season.

Caicedo lost confidence in himself and belief in his abilities. He only started to feel like he truly belonged at Chelsea in the final four months of his debut campaign with former manager Mauricio Pochettino and his coaching staff helping him through the turbulent stretch.

"They were with me when I felt like I was not the same Moises," Caicedo said, detailing his plea of 'please help me because I want to show my quality, my football'.

"They were with me. I have a person outside of the club who helped me a lot to get the pressure out of my mind."

That has been a performance coach who sits with Caicedo after every match and goes through his game. "He told me, 'Moises, you are a good player, you can do whatever you want on the pitch with responsibility. Just trust in yourself. If Chelsea paid that for you, it's because you are a very good player'."

Caicedo is confident he will play his best football again under Maresca, who is looking to employ the system the midfielder was comfortable with at Brighton.

"The coach wants the same from me as I did there," Caicedo explained. "He wants me to show my quality, to have good personality, to show to my team-mates that I am the boss on the pitch. For sure, I will be a good player with him."

Will we witness the best out of Caicedo again? Will Maresca be afforded the time to execute his vision? Will we have a greater idea of what the modern Chelsea wants to be?

Pre-season has offered little direction to the above. It is time for paciencia.

Arsenal vs Liverpool and Aston Villa vs Manchester United are among the blockbuster Premier League matches to be shown live on Sky Sports in October.

Mikel Arteta's Gunners meet with Arne Slot for the first time in the league at the Emirates Stadium on Sunday October 27, kick-off at 4.30pm.

That game is part of a scintillating Super Sunday with Chelsea hosting Newcastle earlier in the day at 2pm.

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Sky Sports will also be showing Aston Villa vs Man Utd at Villa Park on Sunday October 6, kick-off 2pm. That match will be immediately followed by Brighton vs Tottenham at 4.30pm.

Liverpool vs Chelsea will also be shown on Sky on Saturday October 19, kick-off 5.30pm, with title hopefuls Arsenal and Man City having testing trips to Bournemouth and Wolves on Super Sunday a day later.

Other enticing matches live on Sky in October include an East Midlands derby between Leicester and Nottingham Forest on Friday Night Football on October 25, kick-off 8pm - while Everton's home games with Newcastle on October 5 and Fulham on October 26 will also be broadcast, both games kick-off at 5.30pm.

Premier League matches live on Sky Sports

Friday August 16

Manchester United vs Fulham, kick-off 8pm

Saturday August 17

West Ham vs Aston Villa, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday August 18

Brentford vs Crystal Palace, kick-off 2pm

Chelsea vs Manchester City, kick-off 4.30pm

Monday August 19

Leicester City vs Tottenham, kick-off 8pm

Saturday August 24

Aston Villa vs Arsenal, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday August 25

Bournemouth vs Newcastle, kick-off 2pm

Liverpool vs Brentford, kick-off 4.30pm

Saturday August 31

West Ham vs Man City, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday September 1

Newcastle vs Tottenham, kick-off 1.30pm

Man Utd vs Liverpool, kick-off 4pm

Saturday September 14

Aston Villa vs Everton, kick-off 5.30pm

Bournemouth vs Chelsea, kick-off 8pm

Sunday September 15

Tottenham vs Arsenal, kick-off 2pm

Wolves vs Newcastle, kick-off 4.30pm

Saturday September 21

Crystal Palace vs Man Utd, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday September 22

Brighton vs Nottingham Forest, kick-off 2pm

Man City vs Arsenal, kick-off 4.30pm

Saturday September 28

Wolves vs Liverpool, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday September 29

Ipswich vs Aston Villa, kick-off 2pm

Man Utd vs Tottenham, kick-off 4.30pm

Monday September 30

Bournemouth vs Southampton, kick-off 8pm

Saturday October 5

Everton vs Newcastle, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday October 6

Aston Villa vs Man Utd, kick-off 2pm

Brighton vs Tottenham, kick-off 4.30pm

Saturday October 19

Liverpool vs Chelsea, kick-off 5.30pm*

Sunday October 20

Bournemouth vs Arsenal, kick-off 2pm*

Wolves vs Man City, kick-off 4.30pm*

Friday October 25

Leicester City vs Nottingham Forest, kick-off 8pm

Saturday October 26

Everton vs Fulham, kick-off 5.30pm

Sunday October 27

Chelsea vs Newcastle, kick-off 2pm

Arsenal vs Liverpool, kick-off 4.30pm

*Match subject to possible movement to the other weekend day, dependent on Premier League club participation in the Champions League on the following Tuesday

Your club's Premier League fixture list

Arsenal fixtures

Aston Villa fixtures

Bournemouth fixtures

Brentford fixtures

Brighton fixtures

Chelsea fixtures

Crystal Palace fixtures

Everton fixtures

Fulham fixtures

Ipswich fixtures

Leicester fixtures

Liverpool fixtures

Man City fixtures

Man Utd fixtures

Newcastle fixtures

Nottingham Forest fixtures

Southampton fixtures

Tottenham fixtures

West Ham fixtures

Wolves fixtures

What are the key dates for the 2024/25 season?

The 2024/25 Premier League season will start on Friday August 16 and conclude on Sunday May 25 2025.

The campaign will run over 33 weekends, four midweek rounds and one Bank Holiday match week.

The Community Shield will take place on Saturday August 10, the Carabao Cup final on Sunday March 16 and the FA Cup final will take place on Saturday May 17.

The Champions League final will be held on Saturday May 31. The Europa League final will be played on Wednesday May 21 in Bilbao, with the UEFA Conference League final a week later on Wednesday May 28.

Live Premier League on Sky Sports in 2024/25

Sky Sports will show 128 games exclusively live in the 2024/25 season - and a brand new agreement between Sky Sports and the Premier League means even more live matches from 2025/26.

From 2025, Sky Sports will broadcast a record minimum of 215 Premier League matches a season after finalising a new four-year agreement.

Throughout the 2024/25 season, you can watch Premier League match highlights for free - without being a Sky Sports subscriber.

You'll find highlights from every Premier League game in the Score Centre, as well as on the Sky Sports website and Sky Sports app shortly after full-time, or from 5.15pm for midday Saturday kick-offs. You can also watch them on the Sky Sports Football YouTube channel.

You can stream Sky Sports live with no contract on a Month or Day membership on NOW - find out more about instant access to live action from the Premier League, EFL, F1, England cricket and much more.

Sky Sports+ - more sport, launching in August!

Sky Sports+ will give more choice to sports fans via live streams and a new dedicated channel, at no extra cost.

Launching this August, Sky Sports+ will be transformational in the amount of choice sports fans will have access to via live streams on Sky TV, streaming service NOW and the improved Sky Sports App on mobile.

With more coverage than ever before from the EFL, both tennis Tours and men's Super League, Sky Sports customers can enjoy more than 50 per cent more live sport this year.

Paris Saint-Germain have held initial talks with Manchester United over the signing of forward Jadon Sancho.

Discussions were over the conditions of a potential deal and Sancho could be open to a move with personal terms not expected to be a problem.

Sancho has now resumed training as part of the Manchester United squad and has played in pre-season after burying the hatchet with boss Erik ten Hag.

Juventus and Borussia Dortmund have previously expressed an interest in signing the winger this summer, who has a valuation of £40m.

Dialogue remains open between PSG over a deal as they have also discussed Manuel Ugarte this summer.

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Paper Talk

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Sky Sports+ launches in August: Every EFL team live at least 20 times

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United retain an interest in Ugarte - but not at the prices being quoted by PSG.

United aware PSG want to do business having just signed Joao Neves from Benfica for £50m.

The player is keen on a move to Old Trafford but in keeping with United's approach this summer, they are doing work on a number of other midfielders - including Monaco's Youssouf Fofana, Real Socieded's Martin Zubimendi, Fiorentina's Sofyan Amrabat and Burnley's Sander Berge.

Squad space will need to be created for United to go into the market for a midfielder but that could be freed up if Fulham decide to go back in for Scott McTominay after having two bids rejected.

Obi-Martin set for medical

Chido Obi-Martin is in Manchester ahead of a medical with United.

Terms have been agreed with the player after he left Arsenal.

The 16-year-old chose United ahead of staying with Arsenal or moving to Germany. It's understood the offers from German clubs were superior to United's terms.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.

Enzo Maresca says the Premier League's profit and sustainability rules are to blame for Chelsea selling academy players like Conor Gallagher - not the club itself.

Since Todd Boehly acquired Chelsea in May 2022, players like Lewis Hall, Billy Gilmour, Mason Mount, Ian Maatsen, Ruben Loftus-Cheek and Callum Hudson-Odoi have been allowed to leave - a policy which has drawn criticism from sections of the fanbase.

The sale of a player developed and then sold from the academy is registered as pure profit for the business - a helpful resource when negotiating PSR rules.

Gallagher is the latest Chelsea academy prospect to be moved on as negotiations continue over the midfielder's transfer to Atletico Madrid for a fee in the region of £35m.

When pressed on the subject of selling academy players, Maresca said: "This is not Chelsea's problem. This is the rules problem.

"The clubs are compelled to sell players because of the rules. It's not a Chelsea problem, it is a Premier League problem. The intention from Chelsea is not to sell - but the rules in the end make us. I love that [Franceso] Totti was at Roma for 20 years and a one-club man.

"I love that, we all love that. It's the rules. My personal opinion is it's a shame because we all like to see a one-club man. If we want to promote academy players - yes, change the rule."

Transfer Centre LIVE! | Paper Talk

Done Deals: Premier League | WSL | Championship | Scottish Premiership

Sky Sports+ launches in August: Every EFL team live at least 20 times

Stream Sky Sports with NOW | Get Sky Sports

Gallagher on standby to fly to Spain to pursue Atletico Madrid move

Should talks progress smoothly and a medical be completed with Atletico, Gallagher is expected to sign a five-year contract. Chelsea accepted a larger bid from Aston Villa for Gallagher this summer, but he decided to reject a move to Villa Park and stay at Stamford Bridge.

On Gallagher's future, Maresca said: "What I know is Conor and the club are talking about a decision....hopefully, the final decision will be something good for Conor and the club.

"No one is a starter. They have to work day by day and convince me they have to play. I am convinced everyone is a squad player. I think it's wrong to say Conor, or Enzo [Fernandez], or Moi [Caicedo], is a starter. It's disrespectful to the other players. They are all squad players."

Blues keen on Celtic's O'Riley as potential Gallagher replacement

Chelsea are assessing potential replacements should Gallagher leave the club.

Sky Sports News understands one of several options they are keen on is Matt O'Riley at Celtic.

O'Riley has been the subject of bids from Atalanta this summer, and he has further interest from other clubs in the Premier League, including Brighton, and abroad.

Atletico Madrid made a bid for O'Riley in January.

Chelsea did not want repeat of Rudiger and Christensen exits with Gallagher

Sky Sports News' chief reporter Kaveh Solhekol:

Conor Gallagher's Chelsea career was effectively over after he was told last week he would be a squad player if he stayed because of the new style of play.

Atletico Madrid offered him the long contract he wanted and Champions League football. They gave him until the end of the weekend to decide if he wanted to move there and Chelsea made it clear it would be the right move for him if he wanted a long-term deal.

Chelsea did not want him to run down his contract and leave on a free next summer. They did not want a repeat and distraction of the Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen situations.

Gallagher was due to train at Cobham on Monday if he had turned down the move to Spain. Chelsea's first team squad are in the US until Wednesday.

Gallagher's departure will be controversial because he has been at the club since he was eight and he has established himself as a key player and fan favourite. Former head coach Mauricio Pochettino made him captain last season.

Many Chelsea supporters wanted Gallagher to be offered a long-term contract but the latest club offers were for a two-year deal plus the option of another year.

The latest 2+1 offer was rejected last week. Chelsea did not offer a longer deal because they were concerned that he would be a squad player in the new high-possession style they are committed to playing under new head coach Enzo Maresca.

It could also have had financial PSR implications for Chelsea so it was felt that it would have been a mistake for both parties to commit to a longer teem deal.

Chelsea respected the fact that he is an England international who needs to be a regular starter. A longer contract could have tied him up as a squad player and jeopardised his place in future England squads.

He turned down extension offers because he wanted a longer contract similar to the ones which have been signed by his teammates.

The salary Chelsea offered him was comparable to the highest earners in their midfield and is believed to have been comparable to other salary offers he had received.

Gallagher also turned down interest in a contract extension in the autumn of 2022 because he wanted to be a regular starter and not a squad player. He became a regular starter last season.

When does the summer transfer window open and close?

The 2024 summer transfer window officially closes on August 30 at 11pm UK time in the Premier League and 11.30pm in Scotland.

The Premier League has brought forward Deadline Day to link up with the other major leagues in Europe. The closing dates were set following discussions with the leagues in England, Germany, Italy, Spain and France.