Key events
David Hytner
Thomas Tuchel’s priority will be to fine-tune his existing options in the upcoming World Cup qualifiers against Andorra and Serbia. But he wants a look at Anderson.
Anderson to be named in England squad
Ben Fisher
Thomas Tuchel will announce his latest England squad this afternoon and Elliot Anderson is expected to receive his first senior call-up. The Nottingham Forest midfielder was outstanding as England retained the Under-21 European Championship in Slovakia earlier this summer and the 22-year-old has evolved into a key performer for his club.
Newcastle reluctantly sold Anderson to Forest last year to help them comply with profitability and sustainability regulations. He excelled on loan at Bristol Rovers in the second half of 2021-22, scoring the decisive goal in a 7-0 final-day win that clinched an unthinkable promotion to the third tier. Anderson’s Forest teammate Morgan Gibbs-White returned to the senior squad in June.
David Moyes was asked about incoming transfers at Everton and whether this has been one of his hardest summers taking charge at a club. Here is what he had to say:
I think it has. Since we beat Newcastle on the last game of the season I have been working on recruitment and found it a really difficult summer. We have had a lot of players who have chosen not to come and we have had to work really hard to get enough players in. Our squad numbers are small. But if things change before Monday then that would be good.
But it is not all doom and gloom for Moyes, who is incredibly excited about what Jack Grealish can bring to his side this season:
I’m really pleased because he is a real talent and someone we hope we can get back to the levels he has produced over many years. I hope he can build on it, continue get fitter and continue to keep playing regularly.
West Ham have confirmed the signing of Mateus Fernandes from Southampton with a deal worth £38m plus £4m in add-ons.
I’m very happy to be here. I’m very excited to play for West Ham. I think it’s a big step for me. It’s a big club, a massive club. The project, the stadium, the city, everything. I want to try to play football, enjoy football, not just run and try to score, but try to play good football. I think the most important thing is to try to give everything every day.
The Rumour Mill continues to spin away. Dominic Booth has the latest on the latest whispers in the transfer universe.
And of course, Howe is asked if Isak will remain a Newcastle player by the end of the window:
It’s difficult for me to give you any sort of clarity on the future. I’ve said before, I don’t know what the future holds in that respect because I’m not involved with it myself. I’ve got no update and I’m just concentrating on bringing players into the club.
The Newcastle manager was also asked about their Champions League draw. Howe’s side will be playing: Barcelona (home), Paris Saint-Germain (away), Benfica (home), Bayer Leverkusen (away), PSV Eindhoven (home), Marseille (away), Athletic Bilbao (home) and Union SG (away).
Really interesting. Some great games. Exiting prospects. The group we had last time was very difficult, the games we have this time are tough and challenging.
The Barcelona game is the one you instantly get drawn to, with the links with Sir Bobby and the history between the two clubs. Can we create more legacy to that fixture?
Eddie Howe has naturally been asked about Nick Woltemade after reports that the German has flown into Tyneside for a medical ahead of his £70m move from Stuttgart:
Positive signs. Things are moving and developing in a good way at the moment. Until it’s done I can’t confirm anything but fingers crossed.
I don’t think that is going to be possible [for Woltemade to play against Leeds tomorrow] due to lots of reasons I don’t understand. The most important thing is we try to bring a centre-forward in that’s what we’ve been working hard to do all summer.
Slot was also asked about Hugo Ekitike, Liverpool’s new striker, who has stormed to a strong start with two goals in two matches:
He’s already made a big impact on the attacking part of our game so not only scoring goals but being part of buildup situations where he was someone that started the attack.
The most important answer to what he can improve is his match fitness. I expect him to do a lot more without the ball than he already does because he’s already working hard.
It’s completely normal because he has to adjust to a different league from a different playing style. Frankfurt wasn’t pressing as much as we try to do, and then coming to a different league, there’s a lot for him to handle.
To adapt to the intensity levels without the ball, there are small steps to make for him.
Despite two wins from two, Liverpool have struggled with set-pieces and will face a team on Sunday that thrive from dead-ball situations:
The thing that stands out for [Arsenal], and in a negative way for us, is we’ve conceded four set pieces, including the Bilbao game and that’s one of their strengths.
You can see how well they are managed by Mikel Arteta, they’ve been working together for five years and they can play almost every style there is. It [conceding from set-pieces] is a part we need to improve, which we were really good at last season so there’s no panic.
Liverpool’s title defence continues on Sunday and Arne Slot was, of course, asked about Alexander Isak, who is doing his best to force a move to the defending champions from Newcastle.
Eddie Howe’s side have spent most of the summer trying to sign a new striker to replace Callum Wilson and Isak, if they let him leave. After missing out on several targets, they finally seemed to have found their man in Nick Woltemade.
Here is what Arne Slot said on the situation:
If it’s true, Newcastle have signed a new No9 and that’s very nice for Eddie because Anthony Gordon is suspended and Isak has not been training.
I said after Monday evening that I could make a substitute to impact the game and as always, we try to sign players who can help us.
But there’s no reason, after the first two games to complain to think we need more. But if we can strength the squad, we will try to do that if it’s for the right money and the right player.
Let’s see if we do something and if we can, what we can do.
Slot’s side will host Arsenal at Anfield, their closest rivals to the title last season:
There are a lot of similarities with both teams. The playing style of Arsenal hasn’t changed too much with the new signings coming in. Maybe they have a different No 9 than last season, Jesus is a real No 9 but he didn’t play as much, but the one they have now is different to Havertz or Trossard. Gyokeres is more of a target man so that’s maybe where there’s a small difference.
Spurs to sign £51.8m Simons after Chelsea leave path clear
Tottenham are poised to complete the £51.8m signing of Xavi Simons from RB Leipzig. Personal terms have been agreed with the attacking midfielder and a medical has taken place.
Barring any last-minute hitches the deal will be a major boost for Thomas Frank, who has been hoping to add an attacking midfielder. Spurs have have missed out on Eberechi Eze, who joined Arsenal from Crystal Palace, and Nottingham Forest’s Morgan Gibbs-White.
Chelsea were also interested in Simons but never made a bid for the 22-year-old. There are no indications that the club will disrupt their London rivals by attempting a late swoop for the Netherlands international.
More from Jacob Steinberg and David Hytner here.
Mourinho joined Fenerbahce just over a year ago after a stint at Roma and was greeted by thousands of fans when he arrived in Istanbul, raising expectations of ending Galatasaray’s recent dominance. He was in charge for 62 matches at Fenerbahce where he won 37, lost 11 and drew 14, making his win percentage 59.68%, his highest since his time at Real Madrid between 2010 and 2013 (71.91%).
Fenerbahce sack Mourinho two games into new season
Fenerbahce have parted ways with José Mourinho after the Turkish club failed to qualify for the Champions League league phase. Mourinho’s side were beaten 1-0 by Benfica on Wednesday night in their playoff tie. In a statement released on social media, the club said: “We thank him for his efforts for our team until today and wish him success in his future career.”
The former Chelsea, Manchester United and Tottenham manager is the second high-profile manager in Turkey to get the sack in the last day after Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was sacked by Besiktas less than one hour after they failed to qualify for the Conference League.
Preamble
It is Friday morning and yet another weekend of Premier League football awaits, this one the last before the first international break of the season. Here you will find all the latest lines as the managers take on the media in today’s press conferences.
Deadline day is also fast approaching and clubs will be hoping to make those late adjustments to their squad to ensure they are as ready as possible for the long season ahead.
We will also have of EFL, Scottish Premiership and European football news as it comes. Plus the latest on Thomas Tuchel’s England squad announcement for World Cup qualifiers at noon.
As always, get in touch of you have any transfer wishes or weekend predictions. You can find the email at the top of this blog.
And our first piece of breaking news …