Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso has opened up on the club's decision to recruit highly-rated set-piece coach Austin MacPhee from Aston Villa. The Spaniard believes the addition of specialized experts is essential for the Blues to bridge the gap at the top of the Premier League.
Reece James has admitted that he still has "rust" to shake off despite making a successful return to action in Chelsea's final pre-season friendly. The Blues captain featured in the 3-1 victory over Real Sociedad at Stamford Bridge, but he warned that the squad is still finding its rhythm under new management.
Atalanta have rejected a €20m offer from Fulham for wing-back Raoul Bellanova after manager Maurizio Sarri deemed the 26-year-old defender indispensable to his squad. The Cottagers are the latest Premier League outfit to see their approach rebuffed, with Everton also failing with an earlier attempt for the versatile Italy international this summer.
Fulham forfeited their post-match penalty shootout against Malaga in the Costa del Sol Trophy after a 2-2 draw at La Rosaleda. The Premier League side cited contractual terms and urgent flight arrangements for their decision to leave the pitch without taking a single penalty, handing the Spanish outfit the trophy in front of 17,179 supporters.
Al-Futowa
