That’s all we have time for on this blog. Thank you for reading and for your emails. I’ll leave you with The Talk, a handy round-up of some of the best Friday newslines
Oh, and I am now helming our minute-by-minute report of today’s Premier League clash: Crystal Palace v Manchester City (8pm BST kick-off). Join me!
Not a sentence I thought I would be typing today: Álvaro Morata has joined Spanish second-division side Leganés, on loan from Italian side Como! The veteran striker, 33, Morata played 26 matches in Serie A last season as Como qualified for the Champions League, a competition he won twice with Real Madrid.
Leganés said on their website they would have “an option to buy [Morata] at the end of the season”.
Updated
The cavalry is arriving at Aston Villa.
It is not the fixture that Derek McInnes would have wanted following Rangers’ disastrous penalty-shootout defeat in their Conference League qualifier at Jablonec in the Czech Republic, but the Glasgow side head to Pittodrie for a tough away day at Aberdeen on Sunday. The Ibrox club had earlier been eliminated from the Europa League by Jagiellonia Bialystok and Rangers have won just two of their seven games this season under McInnes.
Lawrence Shankland, the newly-appointed captain following his summer move from Hearts, has said this of Rangers’ European heartache:
There’s been plenty of low moments in football, but this is certainly one that’s right up there in terms of how bad it feels. This is a real tough blow but we need to stick together, we need to find it in ourselves to have that togetherness and that’s hard at times like this, because you can tend to go on as an individual and look after number one and we can’t have that in the difficult times. We need to try and stick together as a team and rally around each other. Over two legs it wasn’t good enough.
We’ll need to go and watch it back, but there were times in the second half that they were causing us a lot of problems and we just didn’t get to grips with the game at all. In terms of moments, it probably felt like they were the team that were going to have one and we never did done enough at the top end to create a clear-cut chance or have that moment, and that’s disappointing.
Cole Palmer is genuinely unusual in the modern game. He turns up in strange spaces, finds gullies and currents in between those static pegs. Right now he is perhaps the only truly creative English player out there, in the sense of inventing the game in front of him, dishing up in those moments the pure pleasure of a story being told in real time.
He even looks a little unusual in an era of hyper-athletes. Palmer is light and mobile. He can turn with balletic grace. But he also has that gangly, mischievous physicality, like a very clever cartoon alpaca has worked out how to put on a royal blue football kit and run around occasionally doing amusing celebrations.
Barney Ronay will see you now.
Brighton women name Arturo Ruiz as new head coach
Brighton have confirmed the appointment of Arturo Ruiz from Real Sociedad as a replacement head coach for Dario Vidosic.
The Women’s Super League club have acted quickly to replace Vidosic, whose departure was confirmed earlier on Friday, just over a week before the start of the new Women’s Super League campaign. Vidosic is understood to be the leading candidate for the head coach role at the NWSL side Angel City and although Brighton are disappointed to lose the Croatia-born Australian, they are understood to be very happy to be able to bring in Ruiz on a three-year deal, subject to a work permit being finalised.
Key event
More bad news for Crystal Palace after the London side lost Maxence Lacroix to Chelsea and Chadi Riad during last weekend’s 2-0 defeat at Everton. Now a deal for Club Brugge defender Joel Ordóñez, could be called off after reported complications with the centre-back’s medical.
Palace looked like they had beaten Aston Villa to the signing of Ordóñez, who is recovering from a broken metatarsal. But it looks like the injury is worse than it was initially thought to be.
Manchester United sign Monica Jusu Bah!
Manchester United have signed the Sweden winger Monica Jusu Bah from the Swedish side BK Häcken on a deal until June 2030, for an undisclosed fee reportedly in excess of £400,000.
The 23-year-old helped Häcken lift last season’s inaugural Women’s Europa Cup. She told Manchester United’s website: “It’s an unbelievable feeling to join Manchester United. There is a real togetherness in the group, and you can feel the excitement from everyone, for a big season ahead.
“The opportunity to work with Eva Olid is perfect, everybody knows the quality of her coaching and her ability to support players to reach their highest level. I’m ready to keep pushing myself, help the team achieve our ambitions together and create special memories at this incredible club.”
Inter Miami have a new head coach: Kily González!
That is a name I haven’t heard in a while. Was part of that famous Valencia side and good on Championship Manager, if I remember correctly.
González, 52, has a close relationship with Lionel Messi, which I imagine is a huge reason for his appointment. He previously has served as the head coach at Argentine sides Rosario Central, Union (Santa Fe) and Platense.
Football Daily is live!
A bit more from Tottenham manager Roberto De Zerbi, who wants one more signing despite Spurs already spending around £300m this summer.
I didn’t expect a market like we have done,” De Zerbi said. “I think we can do one player more and in one specific position. Yesterday we went for dinner with the owner, with Vinai [Venkatesham, the chief executive], with Johan [Lange, the sporting director] and with Enrico [Venturelli, De Zerbi’s assistant]. We spoke about this but we have all of us on the same page and there is a very good connection.
It can be possible out or in. The transfer market is crazy and we have to be able to find the new players. If some players go out, leave, or to make another player [come] in … I don’t know. We are very happy with the market we have done until now. It has been more than my expectation at the beginning.”
I understand why Tottenham spent money on Omar Marmoush – Richarlison and Dominic Solanke are not reliable for form and fitness – but I can’t really get my head around Spurs spent £75m on Savinho/Sávio, given they already have Mohammed Kudus and Deki Kulusevski on the right wing. The latter is out injured but Kudus is back in Spurs training. The Ghanian is surely a starter when he is fit.
Updated
As a reminder, Bournemouth have made/are continuing to make significant upgrades to the Vitality before their first season in Europe. This was our story back in May after their European qualification was assured.
Bournemouth are facing a race to complete upgrades to the Vitality Stadium to enable it to stage European football next season. Uefa has granted Bournemouth a provisional stadium licence after meeting club officials in April to review their redevelopment project, but improvements are required owing to the limited size of the hospitality areas and broadcasting facilities.
Bournemouth have submitted plans for a phased expansion that would almost double the 11,286 capacity to more than 20,000. Bournemouth do not have to increase their capacity to meet Uefa requirements – Bodø/Glimt competed in the Champions League this season with a stadium holding 8,000 spectators – but infrastructure improvements are needed to gain a Uefa category rating.
“Bournemouth v Milan in the Europa League is a massive clash,” emails Peter Oh. “Of kits, anyway.”
It’s just a shame for Cherries fans that they are at home to the Italian giants in their Europa League opener. Milan will visit the mighty Vitality Stadium (capacity: 12,357) next month.
Sunderland, on the other hand, will go away to San Siro on match-day two of the Europa League, after an opener at home to AZ Alkmaar. What a trip for those Black Cats supporters – I’m desperate to go before the famous old stadium is closed.
Juventus superstar Kenan Yildiz to miss 'several months'
Juventus’ talisman, Kenan Yildiz, will undergo an operation on his foot after picking up an injury during Juventus’s opening match of the Serie A season, club affairs officer Giorgio Chiellini said on Friday.
“Kenan is set to undergo surgery and will be out of action for several months,” former Italy international Chiellini told Sky Sport Italia on the sidelines of the Europa League draw. “It’s a serious injury, but it won’t have a lasting impact on his career.”
Yildiz injured his left foot last Sunday during Juve’s 1-0 away win to newly-promoted Frosinone, before being substituted in the 69th minute.
According to the Italian press, the 21-year-old has fractured his fifth metatarsal, which will require surgery expected to take place early next week. He is expected to be sidelined for between two to three months.
Yildiz is regarded by Juve as the undisputed star of their team. He scored 10 goals in 36 league matches last season and took part in the 2026 World Cup, where Turkey were knocked out in the group stage.
Álvaro Arbeloa and Xabi Alonso are former Liverpool, Real Madrid and Spain teammates and remain very close friends. They even have a nickname for each other – Truffles – born from Alonso’s cheeky digs at Arbeloa’s misplaced passes during their time together at Liverpool. “In a training session at Liverpool, we had to give 40-yard passes and every time Xabi landed it on my foot, very measured,” explained Arbeloa in a 2017 documentary entitled Campo de Estrellas. Alonso elaborated: “Then Arbeloa gave a few passes and I was always sent searching for the balls in the trees – with the truffles – and the nickname just stuck.”
Something occurred to me watching Fulham v Chelsea on Monday. The pair are close friends, both new to London. Surely they are socialising together? Perhaps, for example, one will pop over on to the other’s house/hotel to watch Aston Villa v Arsenal on Monday night. Their families presumably know each other well, they are practically neighbours. I wonder how the clubs would feel about any potential ‘socialising’. There is a lot of confidential club information on both sides that they would prefer not to be discussed, especially with the transfer window not closing until Tuesday. I wonder if the clubs have talked to Arbeloa or Alonso about this.
Hello everyone! Ah, yes. The warm bath of club football approaches again.
Let’s get straight into it. There has been a small update to Julián Alvarez situation. Atlético last night doubled down on their position regarding a potential sale to Barcelona – the Argentinian will definitely not be moving from Madrid to Catalonia any time soon. On a side note, I am very intrigued by Alvarez’s facial hair. And not in a good way.
Diego Simeone, normally not someone to be crossed, vowed on Friday welcome Alvarez back into his squad amid the ongoing transfer stalemate. The Atléti manager also confirmed that the 26-year-old won’t be available for Saturday’s trip to Sevilla.
I understand that all the questions will be about Julián. The club has been very clear about what will happen. From a sporting perspective, I hope to help him continue being as important as he still is. My focus is on Sevilla, where he won’t be available. When he returns, we’ll give him everything he needs to feel important. In life, anything can be reversed, as long as we have our health.
With that, I am off. I handover to the very capable hands of Michael who will take up through to Palace v Man City. Enjoy the football.
A reminder of all the Premier League fixtures this weekend:
-
Crystal Palace v Man City, Friday, 8pm
-
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Saturday, 12.30pm
-
Coventry v Hull, Saturday, 3pm
-
Bournemouth v Everton, Saturday, 3pm
-
Tottenham v Newcastle, Saturday, 5.30pm
-
Chelsea v Brighton, Sunday, 2pm
-
Leeds v Brentford, Sunday, 2pm
-
Sunderland v Fulham, Sunday, 2pm
-
Man Utd v Ipswich Town, Sunday, 4.30pm
-
Aston Villa v Arsenal, Monday, 8pm
Ipswich boss Gary O’Neil has no update on Tammy Abraham after it was reported the club wanted to sign the star on loan from Aston Villa.
The manager said:
No, no update as far as I am aware. Sounds like you’re further along with that than I am. Nothing to report on that.
We’re hopefully not finished, we’re still trying to do some business. As to who that is and what positions that will be in, no update from me. We’re still working hard to try and improve the group. My focus now is firmly on the game at the weekend.
Ipswich will play Manchester United on Sunday.
The Champions League draw was carried out yesterday with some clubs getting an easier draw than others. But who has the toughest, find out here:
Here is a recap on what Unai Emery had to say about Ollie Watkins and Nicolas Jackson:
Roberto de Zerbi added on the rest of Tottenham’s availability:
We are all in the right condition to play, maybe [Mohammed] Kudus can come on the bench, we have to see. [Micky] Van de Ven is right to play. We have a look, we have to understand at the beginning, or part of the game, like Savio, like Pedro [Porro].
Maybe also at the beginning of the game. [Destiny] Udogie is a good use for us, he’s very important. He played 60 minutes well [against Charlton] as was the plan.
Tottenham had a tough start to the season with a 3-0 loss to Brentford. Maager Roberto de Zerbi has since brought in Omar Marmoush on loan from Manchester City and the boss said of his new player:
A great signing for us, a great player, another great player. Every one of us love him as a player and we hope he can do what he is able to.
I think he can give more solutions in attack, we need players in attack capable to score goals, to play well with the ball also.
Very fast player, great qualities and we are all happy, very happy.
He also confirmed Marmoush is available for the club’s game against Newcastle on Saturday.
On the other side of the clash, Brentford boss Keith Andrews has commented on whether his club will have anymore transfer business:
I am not entirely sure. I mentioned it the other day, when the window closes I will be very happy and I meant that. Malick just adds to the quality and competition that we have. Will there be anymore? I am genuinely not sure at the moment. Maybe a couple of loans going out.
The way we work, we were keen to get Malick done but if it didn’t work out, the players [we have], we’re in a really good position to be able to navigate through certainly the first part of the season and into January.
If it is right, we will do it, if not, then I think we will leave be.
Leeds will play Brentford on Sunday and manager Daniel Farke has confirmed all of his players are available for the clash:
It’s [Ilia] Gruev’s second week training with the team so he’s edging closer and closer. Also some good news was Gudmundsson and Gnonto, as it stands they will join us this afternoon [in training] for the first time after their injuries. We have to wait to see how their body reacts, obviously we just have two days but definitely good news. As it stands, all players are available.
Sunderland boss Regis Le Bris spoke to the media before his team take on Fulham on Sunday and he reacted to their Europa League draw.
He said: “53 years later Sunderland are back in Europe so it’s a bit unknown.
“We can expect strong opponents, different cultures, different experiences and we need that to get better. It’s a huge privilege and we are really proud of this opportunity.”
And on drawing AC Milan: “It’s iconic, Milan. It’s a massive club, massive history so to get back in Europe with that fixture, it’s a symbol.”
To recap the draw, have a read of this:
Emery and Watkins shared 'a small cry' saying goodbye
Aston Villa boss Unai Emery has seemingly confirmed Ollie Watkins’ departure from the club, saying the pair shed tears saying goodbye to one another.
Watkins is rumoured to be joining the Saudi club Al-Hilal but that news has not yet been officially announced.
But before Villa take on Arsenal on Monday, Emery spoke to the media and said:
Watkins said sorry after Brighton. He made a mistake. He always had good behaviour in the club and with me.
He’s a fantastic guy. I told him ‘bye’, with a huge hug and a small cry.
Now it’s a new chapter with Nicolas Jackson. Of course all the best for him in Saudi. We are replacing him.
A recent World Cup winner joins a historically downtrodden club, immediately leads them to their first championship, praises the level of play in the league, speaks fondly of living in the club’s market, extends her contract with the club, leads the club to another championship, is named a league MVP finalist, and breaks the club’s all-time scoring record.
That’s the fairytale of Esther González and Gotham FC – a story that ended abruptly, just nine days after that scoring record was set. On 27 July, Gotham announced that they had mutually parted ways with the striker as she “temporarily steps away from soccer to attend to personal matters in Spain”. The announcement of her departure was full of gushing words going both directions, and was met with understanding and support from the women’s soccer world.
New managers are facing an almost one-in-two chance of being fired before the end of the season, a finding from Guardian analysis that shows 22 of the last 50 permanent Premier League managers to leave their roles lasted less than a year.
The betting markets reflect this reality. Six of the eight Premier League managers deemed most likely by bookmakers to be next to leave their post were appointed in 2026. Football management is a very precarious employment position. It looks inevitable that some of the 11 men who have only been in their role since earlier this year will fall before the final hurdle of the 2026-27 season – even if none of them are the first to move on.
We will hear from more managers this afternoon but let’s check in with some stories you may have missed.
Chelsea’s Xabi Alonso has also been chatting to the media before his team take on Brighton on Sunday. Here are some highlights:
-
On Enzo Fernandez potentially leaving the club: “We have been talking about speculation, sorry, but I’m not the one who talks too early. We will see what happens. We want to be ready always.”
-
On how his squad is shaping up as the transfer window heads for its conclusion: “I think overall the balance of what we have is going to be good. We have to see how the last few days develop. But so far the team is coming together. It is a process that will take time. We are in a good position, with a few more days to see.”
-
On balancing a big squad: “It’s important to respect and know that not all the players are in the same stage of their career. Some players are established, some players it is their first year at a club like Chelsea or even in the Premier League. Everything is at a different stage. They understand that and know that, which is all in the creation of the team. I don’t have a number, I have an idea. We will be close to that.”
United will play Ipswich Town this Sunday but they will be without Amad Diallo and latest signing Carlos Baleba.
Manager Michael Carrick said Baleba will be out for a few weeks with an ankle problem.
“But we knew that before, so it’s no major issue,” Carrick added. “It’ll be great to have him back when we can.
“We’re delighted with Carlos. I think he has huge potential. It’s a really exciting signing for us. I think the quality that he has, the attributes that he has, they balance [the rest of] the group. Different strengths, different combinations. With the player that he already is, with that little bit more to come from him, this is exciting for us.”
Now let’s hear from Manchester United’s manager Michael Carrick…
Ward-Prowse returns to Southampton
James Ward-Prowse has signed for his former club Southampton on a two-year deal from West Ham.
The England international initially left in 2023 after 410 appearances for the club, who now compete in the Championship.
Ward-Prowse said: “It feels a bit surreal. The last couple of days have been pretty intense, but I’m delighted to be back, and to be wearing the red and white again is truly special.
“It’s the place I call home, obviously having come through the Academy since I was eight. It was an incredible journey up until the point that I left, but home is a special place and I always had it in the back of my mind that it was somewhere that I wanted to be. I’m here today very excited and looking forward to the challenge ahead.”
Brentford sign Diouf from West Ham
Senegal international El Hadji Malick Diouf has joined Brentford from West Ham for around £40m. The 21-year-old defender has signed a five-year deal at the Gtech Community Stadium with the option of another season. “He’s a player that fits our ideal age profile, with lots of room to still develop,” said Bees boss Keith Andrews.
“He had a really good year at West Ham in his first season in English football, and some of the qualities and attributes he has as a full-back really add to an already impressive part of our team.” PA Media
Conference League pot 6 draw
And we are at the end, phew. Thank you for bearing with me there. Here is pot six:
-
Thun: Gent (H), Ajax (A), Hearts (H), Twente (A), Hajduk Split (H), Cska Sofia (A)
-
CSKA Sofia: Monaco (H), Panathinaikos (A), Trabzonspor (H), KuPS (A), Thun (H), Nordsjælland (A)
-
Kauno Zalgiris: Freiburg (H), Brighton (A), Brann (H), Lugano (A), Riga (H), Egnatia (A)
-
Mjallby: Pafos (H), Atalanta (A),Borac (H), Kairat Almaty (A), Inter Escaldes (H), Iberia Tbilisi (A)
-
Iberia Tbilisi: Crvena Zvezda (H), Copenhagen (A), Getafe (H), Sint-Truidense (A), Majllby (H), Jablonez (A)
-
Egnatia: Midtjylland (H), Braga (A), L Red Imps (H), U Craoiva (A), Kauna Zalgiris (H), Aarhus (A)
Conference League pot 5 draw
We are almost finished, here is pot five:
-
Riga: Atalanta (H), Pafos (A), Kairat Almaty (H), Borac (A), Jablonec (H), Kauno Zalgiris (A)
-
Hadjuk Split: Ajax (H), Midtjylland (A), Sint-Truidense (H), L Red Imps (A), Nordsjælland (H), Thun (A)
-
Jablonec: Brighton (H), Freiburg (A), Lugano (H), Trabzonspor (A), Iberia Tbilisi (H), Riga (A)
-
Nordsjælland: Panathinaikos (H), Monaco (A), KuPS (H), Hearts (A), cska Sofia (H), Hajduk Split (A)
-
Aarhus: Braga (H), Gent (A), Twente (H), Brann (A), Egnatia (H), Inter Escalses (A)
-
Inter Escaldes: Copenhagen (H), Crvena Zvezda (A), U Craiova (H), Getafe (A), Aarhus (H), Mjallby (A)
Conference League pot 4 draw
And here comes pot 4:
-
Sint-Truiden: Ajax (H), Midtjylland (A), Brann (H), Lugano (A), Iberia Tbilisi (H), Hajduk Split (A)
-
Brann: Braga (H), Gent (A), L Red Imps (H), Sint-Truiden (A), Aarhus (H), Kauno Zalgiris (A)
-
Hearts: Monaco (H), Pafos (A), Borac (H), Trabzonspor (A), Nordsjælland (H), Thun (A)
-
Kairat Almaty: Panathinaikos (H), Atalanta (A), U. Craoiva (H), Twente (A), Mjallby (H), Riga (A)
-
Trabzonspor: Freiburg (H), Crvena Zvezda (A), Hearts (H), KuPS (A), Jablonec (H), Cska Sofia (A)
-
U Craiova: Copenhagen (H), Brighton (A), Getafe (H), Kairat Almaty (A), Egnatia (H), Inter Escaldes (A)
Updated
Conference League pot 3 draw
If you couldn’t have guessed what was next, here is pot three:
-
Lugano: Crvena Zvezda (H), Copenhagen (A), Sint-Truidense (H), Getafe (A), Kauno Zalgiris (H), Jablonec (A)
-
Getafe: Brighton (H), Ajax (A), Lugano (H), U Craiova (A), Inter Escaldes (H), Iberia Tbilisi (A)
-
KuPS: Gent (H), Braga (A), Trabzonspor (H), Borac (A), Cska Sofia (H), Nordsjælland (A)
-
Twente: Pafos (H), Freiburg (A), Kairat Almaty (H), L Red Imps (A), Thun (H), Aarhus (A)
-
L Red Imps: Midtjylland (H), Monaco (A), Twente (H), Brann (A), Hajduk Split (H), Egnatia (A)
-
Borac: Atalanta (H), Panathinaikos (A), KuPS (H), Hearts (A), Riga (H), Mjallby (A)
Updated
Conference League pot 2 draw
Here is pot 2:
-
Midtjylland: Ajax (H), Pafos (A), Sint-Truidense (H), L. Red Imps (A), Hajduk Split (H), Egnatia (A)
-
Crvena Zvezda: Copenhagen (H), Gent (A), Trabzonspor (H), Lugano (A), Inter Escaldes (H), Iberia Tbilisi (A)
-
Gent: Crvena Zvezda (H), Braga (A), Branm (H), KuPS (A), Aarhus (H), Thun (A)
-
Panathinaikos: Brighton (H), Greiburg (A), Borac (H), Kairat Almaty (A), Cska Sofia (H), Nordsjælland (A)
-
Pafos: Midtjylland (H), Atalanta (A), Hearts (H), Twente (A), Riga (H), Mjallby (A)
-
Brighton: Monaco (H), Panathinaikos (A), U. Craiova (H), Getafe (A), Kauna Zalgiris (H), Jablonec (A)
Updated
Conference League pot 1 draw
To reiterate, the fixtures are not in order. The dates and times of the matches will be confirmed by Sunday. Here is pot one:
-
Atalanta: Ajax (away), Pafos (home), Borac (A), Kairat Almaty (H), Riga (A), Mjallby (H)
-
Braga: Copenhagen (A), Gent (H), KuPS (H), Brann (A), Aarhus (A), Egnatia (H)
-
Ajax: Atalanta (H), Midt Jylland (A), Getafe (H), Sint-Truidense (A), Hajduk Split (A), Thun (H)
-
Freiburg: Monaco (A), Panathinaikos (H), Twente (H), Trabzonspor (A), Jablonec (H), Kauna Zalgiris (A)
-
Monaco: Freiburg (H), Brighton (A), L Red Imps (H), Hearts (A), Nordsjælland (H), Cska Sofia (A)
-
Copenhagen: Braga (H), Crvena Zvezda (A), U. Craiova (A), Inter Escaldes (A), Iberia Tbilisi (H)
Updated
Rangers and Celtic to play in front of no fans
Celtic and Rangers have both been ordered to play their next home Scottish Cup match behind closed doors. The punishment comes following a Scottish FA disciplinary hearing into the trouble that marred Celtic’s quarter-final win at Ibrox in March. Dozens of arrests were made following clashes on the pitch after Rangers fans charged on to confront Celtic supporters who had spilled on to the playing area to celebrate their team’s penalty shoot-out success.
Both clubs will have to pay their opponents £100,000 in compensation for the loss of shared gate receipts at the cup ties. Any repeat of crowd trouble at Scottish Cup ties in the next two seasons would prompt another closed-door punishment. Both clubs admitted charges relating to unacceptable conduct from supporters. An independent review into the scenes previously concluded that “crushing” and “life-threatening violence” were narrowly avoided. PA Media
Before that though, we have a bit of Scottish news…
Thank you Luke and I have to agree, the computer generated draw is much less fun. I have been keeping an eye on the Conference League draw so let’s go through pot-by-pot on who will play who.
That’s the lot from me: may I just register my displeasure with this new computer-generated draw format, which is much less fun than picking balls out of a pot. Over to Sarah Rendell.
Brighton Conference League fixtures
-
Monaco (H)
-
Panathinaikos (A)
-
Getafe (A)
-
U. Craiova (H)
-
Jablonec (A)
-
Kauno Zalgiris (H)
Moyes keen to keep Ndiaye at Everton
David Moyes said Everton have yet to receive an approach for Iliman Ndiaye despite Manchester City’s interest in the Senegal international. “We’re certainly not in a hurry to sell our best players, that’s for sure,” the Everton manager said. “I don’t think we need to do anything. It’s nothing I’m concerned about because there’s been no contact as far as I’m aware of. I was told earlier in the summer that Al-Hilal wanted Ili but we heard nothing.”
Chelsea keen on Monaco's Camara
As the Enzo Fernández to Man City saga rumbles on I’m told Chelsea are interested in a deal for Monaco midfielder Lamine Camara. Meanwhile, Arsenal are understood to have knocked back an enquiry from their London rivals for Martin Zubimendi.
Again, the actual order of these fixtures is TBC, and will be released by Sunday latest, so say Uefa.
League phase dates are as follows:
Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026
Matchday 2: 15 October 2026
Matchday 3: 22 October 2026
Matchday 4: 5 November 2026
Matchday 5: 26 November 2026
Matchday 6: 10 December 2026
Matchday 7: 21 January 2027
Matchday 8: 28 January 2027
Celtic Europa League fixtures
-
Marseille (H)
-
Benfica (A)
-
Ferencvaros (H)
-
Union SG (A)
-
Celta (H)
-
Omonia (A)
-
Besiktas (H)
-
Torreense (A)
Sunderland Europa League fixtures
-
AZ Alkmaar (H)
-
Milan (A)
-
Dinamo Zagreb (H)
-
Anderlecht (A)
-
Jagiellonia (H)
-
Lech Poznan (A)
-
Levski Sofia (H)
-
Torreense (A)
Updated
Bournemouth Europa League fixtures
-
Milan (H)
-
Real Sociedad (A)
-
Viktoria Plzen (H)
-
Sparta Prague (A)
-
Sturm Graz (H)
-
Celta Vigo (A)
-
H Beer-Sheva (H)
-
Lillestrom (A)
Crystal Palace Europa League fixtures
-
Real Sociedad (H)
-
Lyon (A)
-
Sparta Prague (H)
-
Red Bull Salzburg (A)
-
Lech Poznan (H)
-
Jagiellonia (A)
-
Hoffenheim (H)
-
Besiktas (A).
Updated
Europa League fixtures in full
Note: The dates and kick-off times for the below fixtures will be confirmed by Sunday.
Pot 1
Leverkusen v Marseille (H), Lyon (A) Salzburg (H), GNK Dinamo (A) Celje (H), Poznan (A), Besiktas (H) OFI Crete (A).
Benfica v AZ Alkmaar (H), Milan (A), Celtic (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Lech Poznan (H), Omonia (A), OFI Crete HNEC (A).
Juventus v Real Sociedad (H), AZ Alkmaar (A), Rennes (H), Ferencvaros(A), Omonia (H), Celta (A), NEC HH Beer-Sheva (A).
Milan v Benfica (H), Olympiacos (A), Ferencvaros (H), Salzburg (A), Sunderland (H), Bournemouth (A), Ararat-Armenia (H), Levski Sofia (A).
Lyon v Leverkusen (H), Real Sociedad (A), Union SG (H), Anderlecht (A), Crystal Palace (H), Jagiellonia (A), Lillestrom (H), Hoffenheim (A).
AZ Alkmaar v Juventus (H), Benfica (A), GNK Dinamo (H), Sparta Praha (A), Sturm Graz (H), Sunderland (A), Hapoel Beer-Sheva (H), Ararat-Armenia (A).
Olympiacos v Milan (H), Marseille (A), Sparta Prague (H), Rennes (A), Jagiellonia (H), Celje (A), Hoffenheim (H), Torreense (A).
Real Sociedad v Lyon (H), Juventus (A), Viktoria Plzen (H), Union SG (A), Bournemouth (H), Crystal Palace (A), Torreense (H), Lillestrom (A).
Marseille v Olympiacos (H), Leverkusen (A), Anderlecht (H), Celtic (A), Celta (H), Sturm Graz (A), Levski Sofia (H), Besiktas (A).
Pot 2
Ferencvaros v Juventus (H), Milan (A), Viktoria Plzen (H), Celtic (A), Celje (H), Lech Poznan A), Torreense (H), Hoffenheim (A)
Viktoria Plzen v Benfica (H), Real Sociedad (A), Union SG (H), Ferencvaros (A), Jagiellonia (H), Bournemouth (A), Levski Sofa (H), Lillestrom (A).
Union SG v Real Sociedad (H), Lyon (A), Celtic (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Lech Poznan (H), Celta (A), H.Beer-Sheva (H), Besiktas (A).
GNK Dinamo v Leverkusen (H), AZ Alkmaar (A), Anderlecht (H), Rennes (A), Sturm Graz (H), Sunderland (A), NEC (H), H. Beer-Sheva (A).
Salzburg v Milan (H), Leverkusen (A), Sparta Prague (H), Anderlecht (A), Crystal Palace (H), Celje (A), Ararat-Armenia (H), Levski Sofia (A).
Celtic v Marseille (H), Benfica (A), Ferencvaros (H), Union SG (A), Celta (H), Omonia (A), Besiktas (H), Torreense (A).
Sparta Prague v AZ Alkmaar (H), Olympiacos (A), Rennes (H), Salzburg (A), Bournemouth (H), Crystal Palace (A), Lillestrom (H), Ararat-Armenia (A).
Rennes v Olympiacos (H), Juventus (A), GNK Dinamo (H), Sparta Prague (A), Omonia (H), Sturm Graz (A), OFI Crete (H), NEC (A).
Anderlecht v Lyon (H), Marseille (A), Salzburg (H), GNK Dinamo (A), Sunderland (H), Jagiellonia (A), Hoffenheim (H), OFI Crete (A)
Pot 3
Sturm Graz v Marseille (H), AZ Alkmaar (A), Rennes (H), GNK Dinamo (A), Celje (H), Bournemouth (A), OFI Crete (H), Hoffenheim (A).
Lech Poznan v Leverkusen (H), Benfica (A), Ferencvaros (H), Union SG (A), Sunderland (H), Crystal Palace (A), Torreense (H), OFI Crete (A).
Crystal Palace v Real Sociedad (H), Lyon (A), Sparta Prague (H), Salzburg (A), Lech Poznan (H), Jagellonia (A), Hoffenheim (H), Besiktas A).
Bournemouth v Milan (H), Real Sociedad (A), Viktoria Plzen (H), Sparta Prague (A), Sturm Graz (H), Celta (A), Hapoel Beer-Sheva (H), Lillestrom (A).
Sunderland v AZ Alkmaar (H), Milan (A), GNK Dinamo (H), Anderlecht (A), Jagiellona (H), Lech Poznan (A), Levski Sofia (H), Torreense (A).
Celje v Olympiacos (H), Leverkusen (A), Salzburg (H), Ferencvaros (A), Omonia (H), Sturm Graz (A), NEC (H), Ararat-Armenia (A).
Jagiellonia v Lyon (H), Olympiacos (A), Anderlecht (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Crystal Palace (H), Sunderland (A), Ararat-Armenia (H), Levski Sofia (A).
Omonia v Benfica (H), Juventus (A), Celtic (H), Rennes (A), Celta (H), Celje (A), Besiktas (H), NEC (A).
Celta v Juventus (H), Marseille (A), Union SG (H), Celtic (A), Bournemouth (H), Omonia (A), Lillestrom (H), Hapoel Beer-Sheva (A).
Pot 4
Hoffenheim v Lyon (H), Olympiacos (A), Ferencvaros (H), Anderlecht (A), Sturm Graz (H), Crystal Palace (A), Besiktas (H), OFI Crete (A).
Besiktas v Marseille (H), Leverkusen (A), Union SG (H), Celtic (A), Crystal Palace (H), Omonia (A), Hapoel Beer-Sheva (H), Hoffenheim (A).
Torreense v Olympiacos (H), Real Sociedad (A), Celtic (H), Ferencvaros (A), Sunderland (H), Lech Poznan (A), Ararat-Armenia (H), Lillestrom (A).
Hapoel Beer-Sheva v Juventus (H), AZ Alkmaar (A), GNK Dinamo (H), Union SG (A), Celta (H), Bournemouth (A), OFI Crete (H), Besiktas (A).
NEC v Benfica (H), Juventus (A), Rennes (H), GNK Dinamo (A), Omonia (H), Celje (A), Levski Sofia (H), Ararat-Armenia (A).
OFI Crete v Leverkusen (H), Benfica (A), Anderlecht (H), Rennes (A), Lech Poznan (H), Sturm Graz (A), Hoffenheim (H), Hapoel Beer-Sheva (A).
Lillestrøm v Real Sociedad (H), Lyon (A), Viktoria Plzen (H), Sparta Prague (A), Bournemouth (H), Celta (A), Torreense (H), Levski Sofia (A)
Levski Sofia v Milan (H), Marseille (A), Salzburg (H), Viktoria Plzen (A), Jagiellonia (H), Sunderland (A), Lillestrom (H), NEC (A).
Ararat-Armenia v AZ Alkmaar (H), Milan (A), Sparta Prague (H), Salzburg (A), Celje (H), Jagiellonia (A), NEC (H), Torreense (A).
Updated
So, that’s all the matches in pot one, but the new computer-powered draw format has wrong-footed me somewhat, and I’ll bring you the full run-down ASAP.
Updated
Marseille fixtures
Olympiacos H
Leverkusen A
Anderlecht H
Celtic A
Celta H
Sturm Graz A
Levski Sofia H
Besiktas A
Real Sociedad fixtures
Lyon H
Juventus A
Viktoria Plzen H
Union SG A
Bournemouth H
Crystal Palace A
Torreense H
Lillestrom A
Updated
Olympiacos fixtures
Milan H
Marseille A
Sparta Prague H
Rennes A
Jagiellonia H
Celje A
Hoffenheim H
Torreense A
AZ Alkmaar fixtures
Juventus H
Benfica A
GNK Dinamo H
Sparta Praha A
Sturm Graz H
Sunderland A
H. Beer-Sheva H
Ararat-Armenia A
Lyon fixtures
Leverkusen H
Real Sociedad A
Union SG H
Anderlecht A
Crystal Palace H
Jagiellonia A
Lillestrom H
Hoffenheim A
Matt Smith just mentioned that the full schedule will be confirmed by Sunday.
Updated
Milan fixtures
Benfica H
Olympiacos A
Ferencvaros H
Salzburg A
Sunderland H
Bournemouth A
Ararat-Armenia H
Levski Sofia A
Juventus fixtures
Real Sociedad H
AZ Alkmaar A
Rennes H
Ferencvaros A
Omonia H
Celta A
NEC H
H Beer-Sheva A
Benfica fixtures
AZ Alkmaar H
Milan A
Celtic H
Viktoria Plzen A
Lech Poznan H
Omonia A
OFI Crete H
NEC A
Leverkusen fixtures
Marseille H
Lyon A
Salzburg H
GNK Dinamo A
Celje H
Poznan A
Besiktas H
OFI Crete A
Here we go then. There are 144 fixtures to draw, so they say.
Chelsea finally have a shirt sponsor! They’ve been without a permanent one since 2023 but have today announced a deal with Circle Internet Group, an internet financial platform company.
A club statement says: “Founded in 2013, Circle is a pioneer in digital assets and is helping build the financial system for the internet. At its centre is USDC, the world’s leading regulated stablecoin. USDC is a trusted digital dollar that enables people and businesses to move money globally with internet speed and 24/7 availability.
“In the 2026/27 season, Circle and USDC brands will appear on the front of Chelsea’s Men’s, Women’s and Academy shirts, featuring for the first time at Chelsea FC men’s first Premier League home game of the season this Sunday against Brighton.”
Sebastian Rode, a man who needs no introduction, is the special guest. Or one of them.
Rode led Eintracht Frankfurt to the trophy in 2022. He had spells at Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund before that.
Updated
Aston Villa did well to win it, of course, but those goals against Freiburg were some of the softest you will see in a European final.
The futuristic set looks like something off of Star Trek. Which, now I think of it, maybe isn’t futuristic at all.
Becky Ives mentions Aston Villa and Unai Emery and their triumph last season.
Run VT: a montage of LOADS of goals and stuff from last season.
Live band! Strings! Brass! Drums! No expense has been spared. Well, this is Monaco.
And it’s only Matt Smith and Becky Ives presenting!
Updated
The opening titles are rolling, and the draw is beginning in Monaco. Strap yourselves in.
Updated
Rangers, meanwhile, suffered their own ignominious defeat last night, a 1-1 aggregrate draw with Jabalonec and a 4-3 penalty shootout loss sending them crashing out of the Conference League.
Almost unbelievably, Celtic threw away a four-goal aggregate lead against Lask in Austria on Tuesday, hence they are in the Europa League pot, rather than the Champions League.
“We should have been out of sight by half-time,” said the manager Martin O’Neill. “We scored a goal, which was great, we missed two great, great opportunities. And then we give them a lifeline just before half-time and then one just after it. And they come roaring back. And obviously we conceded, from our viewpoint, not good goals at all. But that’s my team and that’s my responsibility.”
Updated
There is a full low-down on all things Europa League on uefa.com, including the league phase match dates, knockout dates, and a bit on the final in Frankfurt.
League phase:
Matchday 1: 16/17 September 2026
Matchday 2: 15 October 2026
Matchday 3: 22 October 2026
Matchday 4: 5 November 2026
Matchday 5: 26 November 2026
Matchday 6: 10 December 2026
Matchday 7: 21 January 2027
Matchday 8: 28 January 2027
Knockout phase:
Knockout phase play-offs: 18 & 25 February 2027
Round of 16: 11 & 18 March 2027
Quarter-finals: 8 & 15 April 2027
Semi-finals: 29 April & 6 May 2027
Final (Frankfurt): 26 May 2027
Where is the final?
The 2026/27 Europa League final will be staged at Stadion Frankfurt in Frankfurt, Germany, on 26 May 2027.
Updated
Europa League: League phase draw pots
Pot 1
Leverkusen
Benfica
Juventus
Milan
Lyon
AZ Alkmaar
Olympiacos
Real Sociedad
Marseille
Pot 2
Ferencváros
Viktoria Plzeň
Union SG
GNK Dinamo
Salzburg
Celtic
Sparta Praha
Rennes
Anderlecht
Pot 3
Sturm Graz
Lech Poznań
Crystal Palace
Bournemouth
Sunderland
Celje
Jagiellonia
Omonia
Celta
Pot 4
Hoffenheim
Beşiktaş
Torreense
H. Beer-Sheva
N.E.C.
OFI Crete
Lillestrøm
Levski Sofia
Ararat-Armenia
Updated
In theory Aston Villa supporters should have been rubbing their hands together at the prospect of a Champions League season. Equally, Tottenham fans could have been despondent after a relegation battle that went to the wire. A 17th-place finish meant Spurs earned about £35m less in Premier League merit payments, which are based on final league position, than Villa.
Yet the mood in the two camps is reversed. Spurs have spent an estimated £322m in the transfer window, and that excludes the loan of Manchester City’s Omar Marmoush, for whom they are committed to paying £55m after this season. Sales have reduced the outlay to a net £140m, but Spurs fans seemed buoyant, at least until the first match, when they were soundly thrashed by one of the data scientists’ teacher’s pets, Brentford.
Next up, a piece by Kieran Maguire about the financial rules and Aston Villa.
The Euro draws, by the way, will commence in about 20 minutes: the Europa League, then the Conference League. I will bring you ball-by-ball coverage, and include as much of the first-class banter emanating from the stage as possible.
Courtesy of Julien Guyon, Professor of Applied Mathematics, École nationale des ponts et chaussées and NYU: see below some Europa League draw probabilities fun.
I wish I could say I understand the workings, but it looks extremely clever to me.
Updated
And finally, on Thierno Barry, who has already hit the onion bag four times in two games, Moyes said: “He’s tried to improve himself. Of course, we give him confidence and we do every game, but ultimately, you have to get it yourself.”
Injury-wise, Hayden Hackney is “touch and go” for this weekend after rolling an ankle, while Christian Nørgaard is “still not making great progress at the moment. It’s not something where we’re going to get him back quickly, so we need to see how that develops.”
“It’s very early days but we’re really pleased with the opening two games. We need to try to keep building that momentum,” Moyes added of Everton’s early form.
“We still need to be stronger than we are at the moment.”
Everton shut out Crystal Palace in a 2-0 win to open the Premier League campaign, then hammered Preston North End 4-0 in the Rumbelows Cup.
What’s the latest on any potential arrivals at Everton: and will Jack Grealish return after last season’s loan?
“We’ve not made any final decisions, but we are in the recruitment business and we want to see if we can bring in players if possible,” Moyes said.
“I wouldn’t talk about individual players at other clubs. Jack was brilliant for us, a great boy, but he’s at another club. And we’re not in a hurry to sell our best players, that’s for sure.”
And on the general recruitment policy during this window:
“We have lots of scouts who are out working. They’re the ones who’ll bring people in which we wouldn’t know so well - maybe from South America.
“I’ve certainly got an idea of a lot of the players throughout Europe and the UK. So, getting the right ones, bringing them to the table at the right price, it gets through the recruitment team who break them down, and we’ll make decisions on them.”
Quotes via EvertonFC.com
Sir David of Moyes has just been speaking to the media before Everton’s 3pm kick-off away against Bournemouth tomorrow in the Premier League. I’ll bring you the highlights shortly.
Updated
Thanks Sarah, hello everyone.
Well with that my first watch is over, Luke will be taking the reins for the next few hours including the Europa League and Conference League draws. Enjoy!
Updated
The rumours will continue in the transfer window until it is closed on 1 September. So who has everyone’s chins wagging today? Have a read:
Man Utd, Aston Villa and Spurs press conferences are all expected to happen after 1.30pm BST and we will bring you any top lines from those.
Oliver Glasner has also spoken to media before Nottingham Forest travel away to Liverpool on Sunday. Here’s what he had to say:
-
Morgan Gibbs-White and Ryan Yates are available for the game
-
Ibrahim Sangare will miss the game due to calf strain
-
On the potential signing of Daniel Munoz: “No comments on any names. When the ink is dry, you will be informed.”
-
On new signing Liam Delap: “He is hungry, he wants to improve, he wants to make a step forward and this is what we are looking for when we sign players - that they are hungry, ambitious. So the entire package looked great.”
-
Manager expects one more signing this window
Fabian Hürzeler has spoken before Brighton play Chelsea on Sunday. Here are his top lines:
-
On a Yankuba Minteh potentially leaving: “He is a player for Brighton and at the moment there is nothing else to say.”
-
On Georginio Rutter and Jack Hinshelwood’s fitness: “With both, we will have to be patient. There might be a chance for one of them to be in the squad [against Chelsea].”
-
Promise David and Jaouen Hadjam are available
Updated
There has already been some Premier League press conferences this morning with Brighton’s Fabian Hurzeler and Nottingham Forest’s Oliver Glasner already in the hot seat. We are also expecting Everton’s David Moyes and Fulham’s Alvaro Arbeloa later today. We will bring you the top lines from those who have already spoken now…
There was some football on yesterday in the EFL Cup with two matches played. Fulham beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0, while Chelsea defeated Luton Town 2-0. It was Danny Welbeck’s debut after signing from Brighton this summer and he scored, catch up with the action here:
Sticking with women’s football for just a moment, newly promoted Birmingham City have signed Japan youth international Suzu Amano from Swedish club Växjö DFF.
Birmingham have made some astute signings this window, including Millie Turner from Manchester United.
Brighton women’s manager Dario Vidosic said of his time at the club:
I have loved my time at the Albion and am proud of what we have achieved together. Leaving has been a difficult decision, but I believe it is the right time for me and my family to begin a new chapter.
I would like to thank the players, staff and supporters for their support throughout my time at the club and wish everyone associated with Albion every success in the future.
Brighton women manager steps down
In the WSL, the big news is Brighton’s manager has stepped down just a week before the return of the domestic season. Brighton are due to play Arsenal on 6 September.
Dario Vidosic had led Brighton to their first FA Cup final last season and it is thought he is heading to Angel City. This is a breaking story but read more here from our story from yesterday:
Updated
Alvarez left out of Atleti training
Julián Alvarez is not in Atlético Madrid training for a third day in a row, according to Sky. This comes after the club refused to transfer him to rivals Barcelona and you can read more about it below. It is also thought Arsenal are interested in the Argentine star. Maybe they should Atléti him go… I’ll get my coat.
Updated
Do you think you’ve missed out on the biggest transfers in the last 24 hours? Fear not, we have you covered. From Liam Delap’s move to Nottingham Forest to Ipswich Town pursuing a loan for Tammy Abraham, it’s all here:
There are always so many storylines heading into a Premier League weekend and so we thought we would condense them into the 10 things you should know:
As we transition slightly more into Premier League chat, here are who the English top-flight teams will play in the Champions League:
-
Manchester City: PSG (home), Barcelona (away), Sporting (h), Porto (a), Napoli (h), Leipzig (a), AEK Athens (h), Lens (a).
-
Liverpool: Atlético Madrid (h), Inter (a), Porto (h), Club Brugge (a), Villarreal (h), Fenerbahce (a), Lens (h), Lask (a).
-
Arsenal: Real Madrid (h), Bayern Munich (a), Borussia Dortmund (h), Real Betis (a), Lille (h), Napoli (a), Sabah (h), Slavia Prague (a).
-
Aston Villa: PSG (h), Barcelona (a), Dortmund (h), Club Brugge (a), Fenerbahce (h), Galatasaray (a), Viking (h), Slavia Prague (a).
-
Manchester United: Bayern (h), Atletico (a), Roma (h), Sporting (a), Leipzig (h), Villarreal (a), Sabah (h), Como (a).
If you are wondering when the Champions League draw will happen, well it has already taken place. Have a read here to catch up with all the headlines from that:
So when are the European draws taking place? Well the Europa League draw is happening at 12pm BST / 1pm CEST and the Conference League will happen directly after the Europa one has taken place.
Premier League fixture list (all times in BST):
-
Crystal Palace v Man City, Friday, 8pm
-
Liverpool v Nottingham Forest, Saturday, 12.30pm
-
Coventry v Hull, Saturday, 3pm
-
Bournemouth v Everton, Saturday, 3pm
-
Tottenham v Newcastle, Saturday, 5.30pm
-
Chelsea v Brighton, Sunday, 2pm
-
Leeds v Brentford, Sunday, 2pm
-
Sunderland v Fulham, Sunday, 2pm
-
Man Utd v Ipswich Town, Sunday, 4.30pm
-
Aston Villa v Arsenal, Monday, 8pm
Updated
Preamble
Hello and welcome to the build-up to the second round of the Premier League. We will not only be hearing from managers across the top-flight, with press conference times TBC, but we will bring you any transfer news, the European league draws or breaking stories.
The second round begins today with a match between Crystal Palace and Manchester City with the London club looking for their first win of the season after losing 2-0 to Everton. City, meanwhile, opened their 2026/27 account with a 2-1 win over Bournemouth.
There is also the small matter of the Europa League and Conference League draws taking place today. Those will happen in a few hours and we will bring you all of the updates as they happen.
We will bring you a full list of fixtures next, followed by any transfers you may have missed and we will track down those press conference times. Let’s get this show on the road.
