Chelsea vs Bayer Leverkusen: Live score, team news and updates as the Blues begin late pre-season preparations plus updates from Newcastle vs Espanyol
Yep, some things never change. I will continue to make you all sigh with my terrible music references. At least they make one person smile, and that person is me.
Anyway, we may be well into the month of August now, and less than two weeks from the start of the Premier League season, but Chelsea are only just beginning their pre-season campaign.
That's right, a pre-season that consists of just two matches.
We all know why, though. The Club World Cup only finished three weeks ago, and the players certainly deserved a holiday after the shift they put in last season.
Not much of a holiday mind, given that they are already back and tonight face a new look Bayer Leverkusen led by former Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
We will also be providing updates from St. James' Park as Newcastle, who are without Alexander Isak, are taking on Espanyol.
So, without further ado, let's get this show on the road.
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South Wales Argus
7 minutes ago
- South Wales Argus
Eddie Howe admits he won't have final say on Alexander Isak future at Newcastle
The 25-year-old Sweden international is currently training by himself after taking no part in the club's Sela Cup fixtures against Espanyol and Atletico Madrid this weekend, having missed the Magpies' trip to Singapore and South Korea amid Liverpool's ongoing interest in him. Newcastle have rejected a £110million offer for Isak, who has three years remaining on his contract, from the Anfield club out of hand, but his situation remains shrouded in uncertainty. Alexander Isak's future at Newcastle remains uncertain (John Walton/PA) Asked after Saturday's 2-0 defeat by Atleti at St James' Park if he may have to let the player go, Howe said: 'That's a decision that I won't make, that will be for other people to make. 'For me, I'm just trying to manage the situation and manage the team, most importantly manage the group of players that I'm working with day to day, that I love coaching and helping. 'We're focusing on [next weekend's Premier League opener against] Aston Villa. Everything else, to a degree, from my perspective is not in my control, so it's not my focus.' Asked further about a report that Isak had been told he will not be sold this summer, Howe added: 'That's not something I'm aware of. Of course, there's discussions going on all the time that I'm not party to. I have no knowledge of that.' The Magpies, who signed Isak from Real Sociedad in a £63m swoop during the summer of 2022, have placed a £150m price tag on his head in an effort to ward off potential suitors, but face a major task to persuade the player to continue his career at St James'. Asked if he believed he could talk his star frontman round, head coach Howe said: 'If it was that easy, I'd have done it yesterday.' The Isak saga has added greater urgency to Newcastle's transfer window mission, which has encountered repeated setbacks in recent weeks with Benjamin Sesko, Hugo Ekitike, James Trafford and Joao Pedro having slipped through their fingers. They were already looking to recruit another striker to replace the departed Callum Wilson, and Howe will hope Anthony Gordon does not add to his problems after limping off during Saturday's game. Another change is required as Anthony Gordon is unable to continue. [0-2] 84' — Newcastle United (@NUFC) August 9, 2025 The 47-year-old said: 'It's an ankle problem. We initially maybe thought it was a muscle problem, but the good news is I think it was just a twist, so the initial feeling is he should be OK.' In better news for Howe, Newcastle are understood to be closing in on a deal for AC Milan's Germany international defender Malick Thiaw, although he said: 'I've been preparing these two games the last two days, so I'm not updated on anything that's happened.'
Scottish Sun
7 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Benjamin Sesko's chances of winning Premier League Golden Boot revealed – and they're lower than Man Utd team-mate
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) BENJAMIN SESKO can forget about winning the Premier League Golden Boot in his debut season, according to a brutal supercomputer. The Slovenian striker finally completed his big-money transfer to England on Saturday. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 5 Benjamin Sesko is not in the running to win the Golden Boot, says a supercomputer Credit: Getty 5 Mo Salah collected the 2024-25 gong with 29 goals Credit: Getty It was Manchester United who beat Newcastle in the battle for his signature. Sesko, 22, put pen to paper after a £74million fee was agreed with RB Leipzig - and was presented at Old Trafford ahead of the pre-season friendly with Fiorentina. But CasinoHawks' supercomputer has given him next to ZERO hope of ending the campaign as the Prem's top scorer - with an xG of 8.9 goals. In fact, the exact figure pumped out by the number-crunching machine is just 0.01 per cent. READ MORE ON MAN UTD LOCKER MYSTERY 'He got one?' - Man Utd fans confused as frozen out player is given locker And Sesko is behind the likes of Jorgen Strand Larsen, Antoine Semenyo and Yoane Wissa on the list - and exactly level with Danny Welbeck. Bruno Fernandes has the best chance of the Golden Boot in the United dressing room at 0.04 per cent. At least he finds his name on the list, though, unlike fellow new arrivals Matheu Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo. Further up the list, Erling Haaland is unsurprisingly top of the pile. CASINO SPECIAL - BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITS The two-time Golden Boot winner is tipped to bag 24.3 goals and has a whopping 68.3 per cent chance of ending the season with the most strikes. Mo Salah, who collected his fourth Golden Boot gong last term, is second with a 10.7 per cent chance. Man Utd confirm £74million Benjamin Sesko transfer as he joins Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo in new-look frontline 5 Alexander Isak (8.0 per cent), Viktor Gyokeres (4.1 per cent), Chris Wood (3.8 per cent) and Cole Palmer (1.5 per cent) complete the top six. Sesko looks on course to make his debut for United in their Premier League curtain-raiser against Arsenal next weekend. Mason Mount started as a false No9 against Fiorentina while Rasmus Hojlund was an unused sub. And many fans believe the Denmark man's snub is a hint he could be off before the transfer window closes. AC Milan are reportedly looking to seal a loan deal with a £35m option to buy Hojlund at the end of the season. 5 Erling Haaland is the favourite to win the Golden Boot Credit: Getty 5 Jorgen Strand Larsen is more likely to collect the award than Sesko Credit: PA
Scottish Sun
7 minutes ago
- Scottish Sun
Dominic Calvert-Lewin sacks agent and takes personal charge of transfer talks as ex-Everton star, 28, seeks Man Utd move
United had previously considered a £50m move for the now-free agent WIN WIN Dominic Calvert-Lewin sacks agent and takes personal charge of transfer talks as ex-Everton star, 28, seeks Man Utd move Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) FORMER Everton striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin will do his own transfer negotiations as he looks for a new club. The free agent, 28, has ditched his representative and is hoping for a deal at Manchester United. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 3 Dominic Calvert-Lewin wants to join Manchester United Credit: Getty Play Dream Team now! Play The Sun Dream Team ahead of the 2025/26 season Free to play Over £100,000 in total prize money Play in Mini Leagues against your mates Submit a team for Gameweek 1 to enter £5,000 prize draw Play via Dream Team's app or website today! Calvert-Lewin, 28, left the Toffees at the end of the 2024/25 Premier League campaign. The striker finished last term with just three goals in 26 league appearances. His exploits in previous seasons however, led many to believe he receive multiple offers - but he is still without a club. In the past, the 11-cap England international has been linked with the likes of Newcastle and Man United. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWS 'PACK YOUR BAGS' Fans fear for Man Utd star as he is completely snubbed in Fiorentina clash When he was at his best, United were even prepared to pay a fee in the region of £50m for the striker. But a move to Old Trafford now feels further away than ever. The Red Devils have just completed the £74million signing of striker Benjamin Sesko and have no great need for an extra backup. Ruben Amorim also has Joshua Zirkzee and Rasmus Hojlund in his squad as the striker position is now at capacity. SUN VEGAS WELCOME OFFER: GET £50 BONUS WHEN YOU JOIN The only way there would be space for Calvert-Lewin is if one of them leaves before the transfer window shuts. Hojlund appears to be the most likely to go through the exit door at Old Trafford. Benjamin Sesko is paraded around Old Trafford after completing £74million transfer The Dane is reportedly gaining interest from Italian giants AC Milan. Newcastle may be a better bet with star striker Alexander Isak desperate to join Liverpool, Anthony Gordan injured and Callum Wilson having joined West Ham on a free transfer. And Calvert-Lewin does have another option in search of a stay in the Premier League. SunSport exclusively revealed that Aston Villa are in the running for his signature as they look for back-up to Ollie Watkins. talkSPORT are also reporting that Sunderland are keen to sign the striker on a free transfer. 3 3 TRANSFER NEWS LIVE - KEEP UP WITH ALL THE LATEST FROM A BUSY SUMMER WINDOW
