LIONEL MESSI made his full PSG debut but his new club were held to a 1-1 draw by Club Brugge.
And all is reportedly not well for the Argentina captain in Paris, with Angel di Maria admitting he’s struggling to settle in and find a family home.
Elsewhere there are updates on the condition of footballing icon Pele, 80, who is recovering after having a tumour removed.
Meanwhile, Jack Wilshere’s future could soon be resolved with former club Arsenal set to let the former midfielder train with them, opening the door to a potential comeback.
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‘PREM COULD HAVE WORLD’S TOP 4 TEAMS’
Gary Neville claims the Premier League’s top four are stronger than ever and could be the “four best teams in the world”.
The Manchester United legend believes Liverpool’s first XI might be the finest – ahead of Manchester City, Chelsea and United.
Nev thinks big summer buys Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane have put Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men into a new elite.
The ex-England right-back told Sky Sports: “I don’t think I’ve seen, in Premier League history, four teams as good as the top four we’ve got at the moment.
And I don’t think I’ve seen the Premier League this good in terms of quality.
“We could have the four best teams in the whole world at this moment in time.
“Liverpool’s first XI, if they can keep that fit, is possibly the best XI in the Premier league.
“City’s team is exceptional, Chelsea are strong like you wouldn’t believe, and Man Utd, with the addition of Ronaldo, Sancho and Varane, are going to be right in there amongst it.”
PREM SET FOR US TV CASH BONANZA
Premier League clubs are in line for a massive cash boost with predictions the US TV deal is set to DOUBLE in value.
NBC paid £640million for its current six-year contract, which runs out at the end of this season.
The major US broadcaster also put 130 games on its subscription Peacock service from last term.
But with ESPN – owned by the Disney corporation – Warner Media, ViacomCBS and potentially Amazon all expected to bid, it is set to drive up the winning auction price.
NBC have suggested to US media that they expect they will have to pay around £1.3billion to retain the rights for a further six years, offering a huge cash boost to the Prem clubs.
Overseas rights are split differently to domestic ones and a significant increase in the League’s largest market would see extra money to all 20 clubs.
Those at the top end would benefit more from the revised cash split introduced as Richard Scudamore’s parting shot as Prem chief executive in 2019.
ARTETA: NO PROMISES FOR LENO RECALL
Mikel Arteta insists he has NOT promised Bernd Leno a recall for the home clash with Spurs on September 26.
Leno was ousted by new keeper Aaron Ramsdale for last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Norwich – the Gunners first points of the season.
Credit: Getty Arteta said: “Obviously it wasn’t pleasant for Bernd to be told that he wasn’t playing but we needed to change something and Aaron has come here to try to make us better.
“We needed a result against Norwich, I decided to play Aaron and that’s it.
“It’s not true that Bernd reacted badly. He can be frustrated but he was a top professional with his team-mates and in training.
“What I have told the goalkeepers for the last two years is that we don’t want to give anyone assurances that they will play in certain games or competitions.
“In football you are judged on a daily basis. What you did three months ago doesn’t count. It’s what you’re going to do today and tomorrow.
“I am the one who picks the team and I haven’t even made a decision for Saturday’s game against Burnley, so you can imagine the team for the North London derby has not been chosen.”
LUKAKU IS ‘WORLD’S BEST STRIKER’
Romelu Lukaku is the best striker in the world, according to Brazil legend Kaka.
And the former Real Madrid playmaker reckons the ex-Manchester United ace, who joined Chelsea from Inter Milan for £97.5illion over the summer, is similar to Brazil legend Adriano.
Kaka told Gazzetta dello Sport: “Romelu is number one, he reminds me of Adriano at his best – physical strength, intelligence, speed.”
And he believes Lukaku’s exit could help AC replace Inter as Serie A kings this season.
He added: “They have continuity, while the others have each lost something – Juventus no longer have Ronaldo, Inter will have to spread goals out in the team without Lukaku.
“Pioli gave up on Ibra [Ibrahimovic] for a long time [last season]. Conte always had Lukaku available to him.
“Today Ibra is still there and Giroud has joined, I think and I hope that we can go all the way.”
JT EYES FOREST JOB
John Terry is keen on the Nottingham Forest job, writes ALAN NIXON.
Chelsea legend Terry wants to be a manager after working as Dean Smith’s assistant at Aston Villa.
Forest dismissed Chris Hughton as head coach and Steven Reid will take temporary charge on an interim basis.
Having left Villa, the former Blues captain recently expressed his desire to move into the top job.
Terry told Sky Sports: “Obviously [I’m] always waiting [for a management job].
“But the idea was to step away, spend a year with the family and then see what comes up.
“We’re a month into the season, I’m sure jobs will come up and I’m there and waiting and doing what I need to do in the background.
“But if not, I’m enjoying my time with my family”
ARTETA ON POTENTIAL WILSHERE RETURN
Under-pressure Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta has seemingly shut down the idea of signing free agent Jack Wilshere.
The Spaniard said of his old team-mate: “We are willing to help him as much as possibly can.
He knows that and that’s the situation.”
When asked if he could play for Arsenal again, Arteta added: “I wouldn’t take it that far.”
Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd NEW DEAL FOR DYCHE
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has inked a new four-year deal at Turf Moor.
The longest-serving manager in the Premier League, 50, said: “It is nice to be able to get this deal completed and now look towards the future of this football club, and its constant evolution.
“I have a strong affinity with the area and our supporters after so many years here and I look forward to putting in the hard work needed to keep the club moving in the right direction.
“It was an important summer for us to add talent and depth to the team, but the work doesn’t stop there. As a club we’re about developing and improving players and the environment we foster here is so important to that.
“I am looking forward to continuing to develop that environment, work with a great group of players and coaches and to build on the positive relationship with our new ownership headed up by Alan.”
Credit: PA STOLEN MEDALS
Chelsea and England defender Reece James has revealed his Champions League winners and Euro 2020 runners up medals have been stolen from his house.
The right-back said: “On the evening of the 14th of September 2021 when I was playing for my club in the return of the Champions League, a group of cowardly robbers broke into my house.
“They managed to collectively lift a heavy safe containing some personal items of mine into their car. I never keep any jewellery of mine in my house so all that was contained in the safe were my Champions League winners medal and Super Cup winners medal and the runners up medal for the Euro 2020.
“These medals were won representing Chelsea and England – honours that can never be taken away from me whether or not I have the physical medals to prove it.”
DOMINIC CALVERT-LEWIN UPDATE
Everton boss Rafael Benitez has revealed he won’t be able to call on the services of striker Dominic Calvert-Lewin for the next three weeks.
He said: “It’s what I said after the game.
“Still we have to wait some weeks, we don’t know exactly how many but he will not be available for two or three weeks.”
Credit: Times Newspapers Ltd
SOLSKJAER’S LINGARD HOPE
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is eager for England international Jesse Lingard to pen a new contract with Manchester United.
The Norwegian said of the midfielder, who will be a free agent at the end of the season: “He’s got this season left of his contract, and the club is talking to him and his dad.
“And we see him as a Man United player in the future as well. Jesse has come back to us after a great spell at West Ham.
“He showed his qualities, he’s got back into the England squad and he’s scoring goals for England.
“We really want to see the best of Jesse this season and we hope to see him, we support him, and we hope to keep him here with us. He’s a Red through and through.”
Credit: Getty MESSI ADMISSION
Paris Saint-Germain sporting director Leonardo admits Lionel Messi had no intention of ever joining the club prior to La Liga’s ruling Barcelona couldn’t re-acquire his services.
The Brazilian told Marca: “I can’t hide that we had contact before, but after January, when he had six months left on his contract. We never spoke to him before January 2021.
“I think his idea was to stay at Barca. Honestly, he was sure he didn’t want to go and he wanted to finish his career there.
“But there ended the Messi story at Barcelona and ours began.
“Imagining a player like Messi with the PSG shirt is something enormous and very nice.”
Credit: The Mega Agency RED ALERT
Ex-Premier League player Nigel Jemson believes that Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp could be plotting a move for Borussia Dortmund superstar Erling Haaland.
Haaland has attracted immense interest following a string of stunning poerformances for Dortmund and Red Bull Salzburg beforehand.
The star striker has been targeted by the likes of Manchester United, Manchester City, Chelsea, Real Madrid and Barcelona.
Jemson told Football FanCast: “I’ve just got a sneaky feeling that Haaland could be the one that Klopp really wants”
RUD AWAKENING
Chelsea are refusing to meet Antonio Rudiger’s salary demands amid contract talks.
That is according to ESPN, who report that Rudiger wants his wages to double to £200,000 per week.
The centre-back’s contract runs out next year in June and negotiations appear to be moving much slower than expected.
If the Blues fail to reach an agreement with the Germany international then the player will be free to find a new club come January
NOT WIL-ING
Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta suggested free agent and ex-Gunners player Jack Wilshere won’t be be offered a pay-to-play contract.
Arteta offered former team-mate Wilshere the chance to train at London Colney.
This comes after the midfielder was let go by Bournemouth and left without a club.
Arteta said: “I wouldn’t take it that far”
GETTY IMAGES ORIGI PRAISE
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp admitted he thought Divock Origi would leave in the summer but claims “people forgot how good he is”.
Klopp said: “He’s done nothing really special [in training to get back in the side], but Divock is a great guy.
“In 10 years time, when people look back, he will be a Liverpool legend. He is too young to be seen as a legend already so he has to play football.
“To be 100 per cent honest, I thought he would leave in the summer, but the football world is a crazy place and obviously people forgot how good he is”
NOB-ILE GESTURE
The steward, who was on the receiving end of a Cristiano Ronaldo shot during Manchester United’s pre-game warm-up against Young Boys, said she thought she was dead.
Ronaldo hit the ball wide during training in Berne before United’s first Champions League game of the season.
The ball crashed on the head of steward Marisa Nobile, who was knocked to the ground.
The five-time Ballon d’Or winner jumped over the barrier to apologise and ensure she was safe.
Nobile told Blick TV: “When the ball hit me on my head it was a full strike!
“I was gone in my head and went to the ground. Afterwards I saw Ronaldo above me! Me: ‘Oh my god no, did I die?’
“Ronaldo said: ‘No, no. Excuse me! What’s happening? Are you all right?’
“I was in great pain. My God. I was more or less ballaballa! But then I saw Ronaldo and the headache was gone”
CONT-ING ON IT
Antonio Conte is keen on coaching Manchester United one day, if the opportunity arises.
That is according to Sky Italia reporter Gianluca Di Marzio, who claims that Conte would love to join United because he knows he would win honours quickly.
That may be the reason why the Italian manager didn’t take over at Tottenham in the summer as he saw it more of a long-term project.
In fact, the ex-Chelsea boss wanted to replace Jose Mourinho at Old Trafford back in 2018
ZAK ATTACK
Chelsea are facing a potential bidding war with Barcelona over Dynamo Moscow wonderkid Arsen Zakharyan.
That is according to reports in Russia, which claim that the midfielder has indeed been linked with the Blues.
But Barca are also admirers of the 18-year-old Russia international ahead of the January transfer window.
The youngster, though, is believed to have a release clause of €12million (£10.2m)
GETTY IMAGES SLOT-TED IN
Feyenoord boss Arne Slot argues that Arsenal loanee Reiss Nelson didn’t have a significant future at the Emirates before joining the Eredivisie giants.
Slot said: “I’m not saying anything about how Arsenal train.
“I’m saying something about how substitute player Reiss Nelson, who didn’t have much of a future there, trained.
“He was very often in the team that had to imitate the opponent. He didn’t actually play any matches.
“Now he is with a team that is busy and where he is seen as a player who has to play a lot. So that combination has caused him to have some overload problems”
NEW TARGET
Liverpool are reportedly considering a move for Red Bull Salzburg ace Karim Adeyemi.
That is according to journalist Ekrem Konur, who reports that the Reds will hold talks with Salzburg during the January transfer window.
The striker, though, has attracted interest from Bayern Munich as well.
Therefore, a bidding war shouldn’t be ruled out for the Germany international
MORE FROM TIELEMANS
Leicester star Youri Tielemans has remained coy about his future at King Power Stadium.
Tielemans’ contract with the Foxes runs out in 2023 and the midfielder has been linked with Manchester United, Liverpool, Barcelona and Real Madrid.
The midfielder told Sky Sports: “As long as I’m here I will give everything for the club.
“I’ve already done so, but I will do so even more. The contract situation is just something that is going on in football, it’s a normal situation.
“There are talks going on – I’m not saying I’m going to sign, I’m not saying I’m not going to sign. We will see”
CHELSEA CONTRACTS
Chelsea have yet to hold talks with Jorginho and N’Golo Kante over new contracts.
That is according to Fabrizio Romano, who claims that Kante and Jorginho remain a priority for the Blues nevertheless.
Romano added that the west Londoners have also started negotiations with Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen.
A deal with Christensen is almost complete but Rudiger is asking for a higher salary
FER REAL
Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes is closing in on a new five-year deal worth more than £250,000-a-week, reports SunSport’s Daniel Cutts.
Fernandes has been in talks with United’s hierarchy for months over the new terms, and is close to putting pen to paper.
The playmaker, who was targeted by Real Madrid and Barcelona, will increase his salary by nearly £100,000-a-week with the new contract.
SunSport understands the new terms will last until 2026 and a deal could be confirmed within the next few weeks
OL IN
Manchester United are keeping tabs on RB Leipzig ace Dani Olmo.
That is according to Marca, who report that United are still on the lookout for a midfielder ahead of the January transfer window.
The Red Devils are facing the prospect of losing Paul Pogba at the end of the season as his contract runs out in June.
However, Olmo plays as an attack-minded midfielder for Leipzig and Spain’s national team
LUIZ CREDIT
Former Chelsea and Arsenal star David Luiz has credited former Gunners team-mate Pablo Mari for his decision to sign for Flamengo.
Luiz told Fla TV: “Ever since he arrived at Arsenal, I’ve tried to build a friendship with him.
“He was delighted with Flamengo, with Rio de Janeiro, with Brazil.
“He lived his best career moments here at Flamengo”
GETTY IMAGES
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
