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      Chelsea complete £62m Marc Cucurella transfer in time to make debut against Everton… and make dig at Brighton

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      CHELSEA have completed the £62million signing of left-back Marc Cucurella – in time to make his debut at Everton tomorrow.The Blues rushed through the paperwork on his switch from Brighton before the midday deadline and are confident the Spaniard will be able to play in the Premier League season opener at Goodison Park. 
      Chelsea have confirmed the £62m arrival of Marc CucurellaCredit: @ChelseaFC
      The Spaniard has signed a six-year deal with the BluesCredit: PA
      Boss Thomas Tuchel said: “He is hungry, mobile and a very intelligent player. 
      “He can play several positions in our system. It opens some options like for Levi Colwill to maybe find some more game time elsewhere.”
      Tuchel believed Cucurella, 24, can operate in his back three as well as at left wing-back, where Ben Chilwell is still recovering from a long-term injury.
      Cucurella has penned a six-year contract at Stamford Bridge.
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      In announcing the transfer, Chelsea made a dig at Brighton’s social media post earlier in the week.
      As reports suggested that a deal had been agreed to sell Cucurella on Wednesday, Brighton tweeted: “CLUB STATEMENT: MARC CUCURELLA.
      “Contrary to inaccurate reports from numerous media outlets this evening, no agreement has been reached with any club to sell Marc Cucurella.”
      Referencing that tweet, Chelsea posted themselves: “CLUB STATEMENT: MARC CUCURELLA.
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      “Following reports from numerous media outlets this week, we can confirm an agreement has been reached with Brighton and Hove Albion for the signing of Marc Cucurella.”
      Upon signing for Chelsea, Cucurella told their club media: “I’m really happy.
      “It’s a big opportunity for me to join one of the best clubs in the world and I’m going to work hard to be happy here and help the team.”
      Owner Todd Boehly added: “Marc is an elite defender of proven Premier League quality and he further strengthens our squad going into the new season.
      “We continue to work on and off the pitch, and we’re delighted Marc will be a part of the present and future at Chelsea.”

      Cucurella had been strongly linked with Prem champions Manchester City.
      But as Brighton stood firm on their asking price, Chelsea swooped in to hijack the deal.
      Cucurella is the Blues’ latest signing in what’s been a busy summer to date.
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      Tuchel’s side have recruited superstars Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly – as well as rising talents Omari Hutchinson, Gabriel Slonina and Carney Chukwuemeka.
      Meanwhile, Chelsea centre-back Colwill, who spent last season at Huddersfield, is joining Brighton on a season-long loan.
      Levi Colwill has joined Brighton on loanCredit: Getty More

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      Chelsea snap-up another youngster on cheap transfer as 18-year-old Zak Sturge joins from Brighton

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      CHELSEA have snapped up ANOTHER youngster this summer after completing the signing of Zak Sturge.Sturge, 18, has completed a move to Stamford Bridge from Brighton.
      Zak Sturge stands alongside Chelsea coach John TerryCredit: Getty
      Sturge has joined Chelsea from BrightonCredit: Getty
      Sturge has been described as an “emerging talent”Credit: Getty
      A statement on Chelsea’s website said: “Chelsea have completed the signing of teenage defender Zak Sturge from Brighton & Hove Albion.
      “The England Under-18 international was a regular for the Seagulls at youth team level last season, making 22 appearances as the South Coast side reached the FA Youth Cup quarter-finals and finished eighth in the Under-18 Premier League southern section.
      “During a three-year stay at Brighton, he played predominantly as an attack-minded left-back, utilising his athleticism and impressive speed.
      “Prior to that, the 18-year-old played grassroots football in west London, where he was born and grew up.”
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      The signing of the teenager represents the fifth 18-year-old the club has signed this window.
      The Blues added Carney Chukwuemeka to their first-team in a £20million signing from Aston Villa earlier this week.
      Highly-rated winger Omari Huthcinson joined from Arsenal, while goalkeepers Gabriel Slonina and Eddie Beach have joined from Chicago Fire and Southampton respectively.
      On Sturge, Jim Fraser, Chelsea’s head of youth recruitment, added: “We are really pleased that Zak has agreed to sign for Chelsea, where he will initially strengthen our Under-21s squad as he looks to continue his development.
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      “‘Zak is another emerging talent to join us this summer and we cannot wait for him to get started at Cobham.’”
      New owner Todd Boehly has also added Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly to Thomas Tuchel’s squad, while Brighton defender Marc Cucurella is set to join for £62m after completing his medical.

      Despite this big outlay on talent, they might not be done there.
      Josko Gvardiol of RB Leipzig remains a top target, while Palmeiras and Inter Milan stars Endrick and Cesare Casadei are also on their list.
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      16-year-old Southampton midfielder Tyler Dibling is also on their radar.
      Chelsea kickstart their season when they visit Everton on Saturday, and SunSport have outlined how they could line up for their first game of the season. More

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      Ex-Arsenal and Chelsea star Willian ‘in talks over shock Premier League return with Fulham showing transfer interest’

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      WILLIAN is in talks over a shock return to the Premier League with Fulham, according to reports. The former Chelsea and Arsenal winger, 33, left the Emirates in 2021 just a year into his three-year deal.
      Willian could have his eye on a return to London with FulhamCredit: Reuters
      However, Goal in Brazil state he could be on his way back to London.
      Willian’s agent has held negotiations with the Cottagers about a potential transfer.
      And the deal with the newly-promoted West Londoners could be done because of a clause in his contract that runs until December 2023.
      Willian headed back to boyhood club Corinthians – who are now linked with a sensational move for Cristiano Ronaldo – when he forced through his Arsenal exit in 2021.
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      But he has the option of leaving in order to make the switch back to Europe, the report adds.
      Willian spent eight years living in London after joining Chelsea from Anzhi Makhachkala in 2013.
      In seven seasons, he scored 63 goals in 339 games and lifted the Premier League twice as well as the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League.
      But his one season at Arsenal was bitterly disappointing as he scored one goal in 37 games, with the £220,000-a-week flop part of the side that failed to qualify for Europe.
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      After joining Corinthians, where he is classed as one of the crucial players despite one goal in 44 appearances, Willian said: “My year at Arsenal was a bit complicated. I really couldn’t adapt to the club.
      “I wasn’t happy there.
      “To make it very clear too, it wasn’t the club that wanted me to leave. I wanted to leave the club. I expressed my feeling, said I wasn’t happy.
      “There are things in life that money can’t buy, money doesn’t pay for.
      “You have joy, happiness, peace, a solid family. I think this is the most important thing for me.”
      Fulham snapped up Arsenal goalkeeper Bernd Leno this week while Kevin Mbabu, Andreas Pereira, Callum McFarlane, Kristian Sekularac and Joao Palhinha have also joined.
      SunSport revealed their interest in Leicester defender Jannik Vestergaard, who is way down the pecking order at the King Power. More

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      Chelsea set to snap up ex-Liverpool transfer guru Michael Edwards as new sporting director as Todd Boehly makes changes

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      CHELSEA are in talks with former Liverpool sporting director Michael Edwards over a move to the club, according to reports.The transfer guru was the man who helped construct Jurgen Klopp’s current Liverpool team before he left the club in June.
      Michael Edwards is reportedly in talks to join ChelseaCredit: PA
      Todd Boehly has been in charge of transfers this summerCredit: PA
      He had been in the role for six years, in which he developed a reputation for being a tough negotiator and excellent talent spotter.
      New Chelsea owner Todd Boehly is keen on bringing him to West London so he can take charge of transfer business, claims The Times.
      After Roman Abramovich was forced to sell the Blues, director Marina Granovskaia and former goalkeeper come technical adviser Petr Cech also departed.
      As a result, Boehly has been in control of transfers this summer with his approach being criticised by some.
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      He reportedly wants to add Edwards to the club’s hierarchy but faces a hurdle in that him and manager Thomas Tuchel may have different visions for the team.
      Edwards also reportedly wanted a year off after leaving Liverpool, and it’s unclear if he’d return to work so soon after quitting his role at Anfield.
      Rumours say there is no exclusion clause that prevents him joining another club.
      Edwards has played a huge behind the scenes role at Liverpool, helping build a team that has won the Premier League and Champions League.
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      Under his guidance the Reds have signed the likes of Alisson, Virgil van Dijk, Andy Robertson, Fabinho, Mohamed Salah, Roberto Firmino and Diogo Jota.
      Edwards also played a big part in selling Philippe Coutinho to Barcelona for a staggering £142million.
      If Chelsea can’t bring Edwards to Stamford Bridge former Southampton and Tottenham chief Paul Mitchell could be of interest as is Atletico Madrid’s Andrea Berta, according to reports.
      Liverpool are moving on from Edwards and have signed Darwin Nunez from Benfica for £85million.

      Meanwhile Chelsea have signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli and Raheem Sterling from Man City, with a deal for Marc Cucurella to be finalised today.
      Yet there has been frustration over missing out on deals for Jules Kounde and Raphinha to Barcelona. More

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      Chelsea willing to meet Leicester’s whopping £85m valuation for Wesley Fofana transfer but will try second lowball offer

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      CHELSEA are willing to meet Leicester’s £85million valuation  for  Wesley  Fofana.The centre-back is keen on a move but Blues chiefs must up their initial bid to force the Foxes’ hand.
      Chelsea are willing to eventually meet Leicester’s £85m asking price for Wesley FofanaCredit: Rex
      The London giants made a £60m offer for the Frenchman, 21, but his club will not budge on their world-record price tag.
      Chelsea may test the water with another offer below £85m. Yet owner Todd Boehly is determined to land the former Saint-Etienne man.
      Boss Brendan Rodgers does not want to sell but would consider an offer matching the £85m fee Manchester United paid for Harry Maguire in 2019 — a world record for a defender.
      Chelsea are willing to pay that but, given Leicester’s need to raise transfer funds, hope they can do a deal for less.
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      Stamford Bridge chief Thomas Tuchel needs to add numbers at the back having seen Andreas Christensen and Antonio Rudiger go on free transfers.
      Yet captain Cesar Azpilicueta has agreed a new two-year contract after Barcelona ended their pursuit of him.
      And the Spaniard, 32, said: “‘I am really happy to extend my stay at Chelsea — my home.
      “It is almost ten years since I first arrived so I really feel the love and am really excited for the new project.”
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      Boehly added: “We are thrilled with our captain showing his exemplary commitment yet again. There is still so much to do together.”
      The Blues ramped up their asking price for Azpilicueta after Barca beat them to Raphinha and Jules Kounde.
      Chelsea signed Kalidou Koulibaly from Napoli for £35m — but missed out on Kounde and Paris Saint-Germain defender Presnel Kimpembe.
      They are close to a £62m deal for 24-year-old Brighton full-back Marc Cucurella.
      But that move hinges on Blues centre-back Levi Colwill, 19, going the other way. 
      Chelsea are yet to decide whether to let Colwill go permanently — which Brighton prefer — or loan him out.
      Either way, his future looks set to be away from Chelsea having not even been allocated with a squad number last night.
      Carney Chukwuemeka, 18, who completed his £15m move from Aston Villa yesterday, has been handed the No 30 shirt.
      And Boehly hinted the midfielder could be ready to feature this season.
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      Boehly said: “Carney is one of the most exciting young players in Europe.
      “We are delighted to add such a talented individual to our squad for the new season.” More

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      Mikel Arteta warns Premier League rivals he is taking Arsenal to ‘a different level’ after £120m summer transfer spree

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      MIKEL ARTETA claims he is leading Arsenal to the next level as they kick off the new Premier League season tonight.Arteta knows that nothing less than Champions League qualification will be enough after his team surrendered a top-four place to bitter rivals Spurs in the final week of last season.
      Mikel Arteta reckons Arsenal are heading to the next level with their new signingsCredit: Getty
      Gabriel Jesus is set to terrorise defences after joining from Man CityCredit: Getty
      But he is confident Arsenal are on the right path after a £120million summer spending spree including Gabriel Jesus and Oleksandr Zinchenko.
      Ahead of facing Crystal Palace, Arteta said: “I am convinced that we are ready to go to a different level. It’s obvious what the teams who finished above us are doing.
      “They already had much stronger squads than we had and some of them have still recruited six or seven players.
      “So it’s not going to get any easier for us and all we can do is focus on what we can achieve, because we cannot do everything at the same time.
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      “But we are confident that we’re going to be able to do it and we are all enthusiastic for the new season.
      “We have had the pre-season that we wanted with good results but now the ball starts rolling in a completely different context against a Premier League opponent.
      “We are playing with a level of energy and ambition to have a successful season and now we have to show that on the pitch against Palace.”
      Arteta also hinted that he has not finished his summer spending yet and said: “You can see that we are really active with incomings and outgoings.
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      Oleksandr Zinchenko is set to play a key role for the GunnersCredit: Getty
      “It’s a long transfer window and a lot has already happened. Some players are going to need to leave and everything is still open.
      “It’s incredible how much business the clubs have done across the Premier League and that shows how competitive this season is going to be.”
      Palace boss Patrick Vieira reckons Arsenal have taken a huge step closer to being title challengers.
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      He said: “They are in a better place than they were last year. You look at the players they bring into the team, they are much stronger.
      “They have the squad to challenge to be much closer to the title. It will be a completely different game [compared to last season].” More

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      Mark Irwin: There is only going to be one winner in Cristiano Ronaldo’s tussle with Man Utd and it won’t be Erik ten Hag

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      ARSENAL technical director Edu rattled every financial director in football when he claimed that paying unwanted players to leave is “an investment”.That’s quite some economic policy from a club which has delivered more golden handshakes than King Midas in recent months.
      Wantaway Man Utd star Cristiano Ronaldo is sure to be the only winner from his transfer sagaCredit: Getty
      Among the beneficiaries of Arsenal’s generosity have been Mesut Ozil, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang, Shkodran Mustafi, Sead Kolasinac and Sokratis – £150million of signings enjoying a kiss-off for outstaying their welcome.
      Yet the grim reality is that rewarding failure is the lesser of two evils for all those clubs who have married at haste and been forced to repent at leisure.
      Practically every team in the Premier League has had their fingers burned by a big-money signing who has dramatically failed to live up to expectations.
      Danny Drinkwater, Eric Bailly, Tanguy Ndombele, Nicolas Pepe, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Cenk Tosun, Felipe Anderson, Dennis Praet, Ross Barkley, Christian Benteke… and they’re just the tip of the scrapheap.
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      But trying to offload those underachievers has become practically impossible now that the bottom has all but dropped out of the transfer market.
      European clubs who were once happy to sign our cast-offs at a reduced price now expect to get them on loan with a vague promise of maybe paying a nominal fee some time in the distant future.
      Or, better still, for absolutely nothing.
      Yet even then many players are happy to sit on the sidelines wringing every last penny from their contracts.
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      So the only way to get rid of these “killers” is to take a leaf out of the Edu playbook and pay them to clear off.
      Barcelona have tried to buck that trend by flogging Frenkie de Jong to Manchester United or Chelsea for £70m while withholding the £14.5m the player is owed in deferred wages.
      But that bullying approach is doomed to failure because, one way or the other, De Jong is going to get his money before he agrees to leave.
      For in this game of football poker, it’s the players who now hold all the aces.
      Which brings us neatly onto Cristiano Ronaldo, currently throwing a hissy-fit because he doesn’t want to slum it in the Europa League with Man Utd.
      The problem is, he still has a year of his £480,000-a-week contract to run and United don’t appear to have been inundated with offers.
      New boss Erik ten Hag insists the 37-year-old GOAT still figures in his plans despite missing the pre-season tour and storming off after being hooked in a reserve game.
      Which leaves United caught between a rock and a hard place.
      One the one hand there is the risk of undermining Ten Hag’s authority by allowing Ronaldo to cash in on his petulance with another lucrative moment.
      But the alternative is being lumbered with a sulking prima donna overshadowing everything the new manager is trying to achieve.
      Either way, there is only going to be one winner. And it won’t be United.
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      GAME TRULY PEATYFUL
      ADAM PEATY well and truly let the cat out of the bag when he shrugged off defeat in the 100 metres breaststroke, with words to the effect of: “I’m not bothered, it’s the Commonwealth Games.”
      Cue horrified faces in the BBC studios, where they have been desperately trying to convince us we’ve been watching elite sport for the past week or so.
      Fair play to the likes of Michael Johnson and Sir Chris Hoy for keeping a straight face as they assess the efforts of a Samoan sprinter or a track cyclist from Tuvalu.
      But even their best efforts cannot disguise the fact “the Commies” are the track-and-field equivalent of the Europa Conference League.
      Which is why missing out at the Sandwell Aquatics Centre was never going to devastate serial Olympic champion Peaty.
      FRANK YOU
      EVERTON fan Paul Stratton achieved a lifetime dream when he scored a penalty in front of their Gwladys Street End.
      The “portly” 44-year-old took the kick after replacing Dele Alli late in the pre-season win against Dynamo Kyiv.
      It was a reward for his work delivering supplies to victims of the war in Ukraine.
      A fine gesture by Toffees boss Frank Lampard — marred only by the realisation that Stratton was his best player!
      PC BROKE
      THE highbrow world of chess does not usually make SunSport pages but I could not ignore the recent match in Moscow between a computer and a seven-year-old child prodigy.
      According to reports, the match had to be abandoned when the boy picked up a piece to make a move and the robot responded by reaching across the board and crushing his finger.
      Apparently it is known as the Vinnie Jones defence.
      CAR CRASH
      CHAIRMAN Bruce Carnegie-Brown got a suspended six-month ban by the MCC for inadvertently upsetting the blazer brigade.
      The Lord’s boss failed to cover his microphone when he joked about tardy members “taking an age to empty their colostomy bags”.
      Considering it can take 22 years and cost up to £80,000 to become a full member, it seems just about everyone is taking the p*** at the Home of Cricket. More

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      Marc Cucurella ‘PASSES Chelsea medical and will sign contract ahead of £62m transfer after Brighton training ban’

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      MARC CUCURELLA is one step away from joining Chelsea – with reports claiming the Brighton star has passed his medical.The Seagulls banned Cucurella from training earlier on Thursday as the Blues’ £62million move edged closer.
      Marc Cucurella has passed a medical ahead of a £62m move to ChelseaCredit: Getty
      Despite Brighton claiming NO deal was in place, Fabrizio Romano has revealed Cucurella is in London tonight.
      The in-demand full-back – also wanted by Manchester City – has now passed a medical ahead of his move to Stamford Bridge.
      Various paperworks will soon be signed, allowing Chelsea to finally confirm the deal after Brighton refuted an agreement last night.
      And Romano adds that the Blues will pay a fixed fee of £55m, with £7m in add-ons.
      READ MORE ON CHELSEA
      Chelsea kid Levi Colwill will then join Brighton on loan after it was initially reported to be a permanent deal.
      Cucurella was expected to join Man City this summer after handing in a transfer request.
      The champions failed with several bids for the former Barcelona youngster, with the most-recent reaching just £40m.
      But Brighton insisted they would not consider doing any business for less than £50m.
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      And earlier this week Chelsea hijacked the deal following a push from Thomas Tuchel and new owner Todd Boehly.
      Cucurella is now set to become Chelsea’s third signing in as many days after goalie Gabriel Slonina and midfielder Carney Chukwuemeka.
      The Blues already splashed out on forward Raheem Sterling and defender Kalidou Koulibaly earlier this summer.
      And there was more good news on Thursday as legendary captain Cesar Azpilicueta rejected Barcelona to sign a new two-year deal.
      Chelsea’s transfer business could continue with a mammoth £80m move for Leicester’s Wesley Fofana.
      They also hope to prise Manchester United target Frenkie de Jong from Barca.
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      Meanwhile, Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Memphis Depay continue to be linked with Chelsea after slipping down the pecking order at the Nou Camp.
      RB Salzburg striker Benjamin Sesko and Inter Milan wing-back Denzel Dumfries are also being rumoured to be on the Blues’ wish-list. More