Kroos is the best midfielder for me ATM. He's so calm but plans everything from his mind even when the ball is not at his feet. Very beautiful to watch
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..::Football IV::..
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Pochettino promises Spurs spending before transfer window shuts
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has assured fans that they will sign up to four players before the end of the transfer window.
Last season's Premier League runners-up have yet to bring in any reinforcements despite selling Kyle Walker, Nabil Bentaleb, Clinton N'Jie and Federico Fazio for a combined sum reportedly close to £72 million.
Spurs' reluctance to spend while their title rivals have invested heavily in new players has prompted concerns they will be unable to challenge in 2017-18, but Pochettino has promised that there will be new arrivals before the window closes on August 31.
"For sure we're going to spend," he told talkSPORT. "We're going to strengthen our squad and sign some players who can help us fight. We need new energy in the team."We have a very confident team who are ready to challenge again for a big season, but it's true we have the responsibility to try to provide some new energy every season.
"I'm sure that will happen and we'll add some players before the end of the transfer window. We are working hard to deliver that and ensure that by the end we add a few players, maybe three or four. We'll see. We are so close to making it happen."The transfer market is a little bit more relaxed now. The other big sides have spent almost all their money and now it's our moment. It's Tottenham's time to get involved.
"The type of player we want to add is very specific and it has been difficult to make it happen early on in the transfer window, but we are so calm."
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino has assured fans that they will sign up to four players before the end of the transfer window.
Last season's Premier League runners-up have yet to bring in any reinforcements despite selling Kyle Walker, Nabil Bentaleb, Clinton N'Jie and Federico Fazio for a combined sum reportedly close to £72 million.
Spurs' reluctance to spend while their title rivals have invested heavily in new players has prompted concerns they will be unable to challenge in 2017-18, but Pochettino has promised that there will be new arrivals before the window closes on August 31.
"For sure we're going to spend," he told talkSPORT. "We're going to strengthen our squad and sign some players who can help us fight. We need new energy in the team."We have a very confident team who are ready to challenge again for a big season, but it's true we have the responsibility to try to provide some new energy every season.
"I'm sure that will happen and we'll add some players before the end of the transfer window. We are working hard to deliver that and ensure that by the end we add a few players, maybe three or four. We'll see. We are so close to making it happen."The transfer market is a little bit more relaxed now. The other big sides have spent almost all their money and now it's our moment. It's Tottenham's time to get involved.
"The type of player we want to add is very specific and it has been difficult to make it happen early on in the transfer window, but we are so calm."
Monaco join Sevilla in chase for Carlos Bacca
Ligue 1 champions Monaco have joined Sevilla in the race to sign Carlos Bacca from AC Milan.
Bacca scored 14 goals in 34 appearances for the Rossoneri last season but is set to fall foul of the squad overhaul at San Siro which has seen Andre Silva, Fabio Borini and Hakan Calhanoglu swell the attacking ranks.
Having enjoyed two goal-laden seasons with Sevilla before signing for Milan, Bacca favours a return to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but Monaco's interest comes with guaranteed Champions League football attached as well as linking up with his international captain Radamel Falcao.
The principality club are set to receive an estimated €180million if they sanction the sale of Kylian Mbappe and may already be seeking out potential replacements for the teenage star.
Bacca's agent Sergio Barila told Caracol Radio: "Monaco called me to ask for information about the player's situation."He has already been at Sevilla and knows LaLiga well so there is a chance. If he does leave Milan and if Sevilla offers an important possibility, I think it will be evaluated in a calm manner."
Barila also revealed Bacca has turned down the chance to move to China as he believes it will hamper his international chances.The striker has also not given up hope of staying at Milan, where he signed a five-year contract in 2015."We want to find the best solution possible for the player, that is the most important thing, and the club," Barila added.
"He has three years left on his contract with Milan and there is a possibility for the player to continue to play for Milan, but only if the sporting conditions are right: it is a World Cup year and the player wants to be in full form to have a good season and to arrive in Russia in the best possible condition."
Ligue 1 champions Monaco have joined Sevilla in the race to sign Carlos Bacca from AC Milan.
Bacca scored 14 goals in 34 appearances for the Rossoneri last season but is set to fall foul of the squad overhaul at San Siro which has seen Andre Silva, Fabio Borini and Hakan Calhanoglu swell the attacking ranks.
Having enjoyed two goal-laden seasons with Sevilla before signing for Milan, Bacca favours a return to the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, but Monaco's interest comes with guaranteed Champions League football attached as well as linking up with his international captain Radamel Falcao.
The principality club are set to receive an estimated €180million if they sanction the sale of Kylian Mbappe and may already be seeking out potential replacements for the teenage star.
Bacca's agent Sergio Barila told Caracol Radio: "Monaco called me to ask for information about the player's situation."He has already been at Sevilla and knows LaLiga well so there is a chance. If he does leave Milan and if Sevilla offers an important possibility, I think it will be evaluated in a calm manner."
Barila also revealed Bacca has turned down the chance to move to China as he believes it will hamper his international chances.The striker has also not given up hope of staying at Milan, where he signed a five-year contract in 2015."We want to find the best solution possible for the player, that is the most important thing, and the club," Barila added.
"He has three years left on his contract with Milan and there is a possibility for the player to continue to play for Milan, but only if the sporting conditions are right: it is a World Cup year and the player wants to be in full form to have a good season and to arrive in Russia in the best possible condition."
Wenger eyes Sanchez deal as PSG focus on Mbappe
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful of persuading Alexis Sanchez to sign a new contract as he believes Paris Saint-Germain have turned their attention to Monaco star Kylian Mbappe.
PSG, Bayern Munich and Manchester City have all been mentioned as potential suitors of Sanchez, who is in the final year of his deal at the Emirates Stadium.However, PSG have also maintained contact with 18-year-old Mbappe despite the recent signing of Neymar, which Wenger believes will put an end to the reported interest in the Chilean forward.
"I think if you read the French papers they are on Mbappe's case to finish their transfer market," he said at a press conference."That's what I read in the papers and on my side I had no contact at all with Paris Saint-Germain [about Sanchez]."
After confirming the ex-Barcelona star will miss Arsenal's Premier League opener against Leicester City, Wenger reiterated he is determined to keep Sanchez at the club and says the club will not be tempted into a late-window sale as they look to tie him to a new deal.
"It's always possible when players are in final year of contract [to renew]," the Frenchman added."We will try to extend the contract. There's no reason why we shouldn't do it but we are not there yet.
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is hopeful of persuading Alexis Sanchez to sign a new contract as he believes Paris Saint-Germain have turned their attention to Monaco star Kylian Mbappe.
PSG, Bayern Munich and Manchester City have all been mentioned as potential suitors of Sanchez, who is in the final year of his deal at the Emirates Stadium.However, PSG have also maintained contact with 18-year-old Mbappe despite the recent signing of Neymar, which Wenger believes will put an end to the reported interest in the Chilean forward.
"I think if you read the French papers they are on Mbappe's case to finish their transfer market," he said at a press conference."That's what I read in the papers and on my side I had no contact at all with Paris Saint-Germain [about Sanchez]."
After confirming the ex-Barcelona star will miss Arsenal's Premier League opener against Leicester City, Wenger reiterated he is determined to keep Sanchez at the club and says the club will not be tempted into a late-window sale as they look to tie him to a new deal.
"It's always possible when players are in final year of contract [to renew]," the Frenchman added."We will try to extend the contract. There's no reason why we shouldn't do it but we are not there yet.
Matic backs Lukaku for prolific season at Man Utd after debut goalNemanja Matic is confident that Romelu Lukaku will score plenty of goals for Manchester United this season following his strike against Real Madrid.
The Belgium international, signed from Everton for a reported initial fee of £75 million last month, netted in the second half of his competitive debut in United's 2-1 UEFA Super Cup loss on Tuesday.Lukaku had earlier ballooned a shot over the crossbar with the goal gaping but reacted smartly to steer the ball home after Matic's effort had been parried by Keylor Navas.
Matic believes the 24-year-old will have had his confidence boosted by his goal and expects him to hit the ground running when the Premier League begins this weekend."It's very important for us that our strikers score goals," the midfielder told MUTV. "It's very important for confidence.
"As you know, he missed a very good chance but this can happen – it's football.But I am happy for him that he scored a goal after that and I'm sure that he will continue to score goals and that he will score many this season."
Jose Mourinho's side were largely second-best in Tuesday's encounter in Skopje, with Casemiro and Isco having given Madrid a deserved two-goal lead before Lukaku offered some late hope of a comeback.
Matic was frustrated with the result but has called on United to turn their full focus to Sunday's league opener against West Ham. "We tried everything to equalise and then to win the game," said the former Chelsea man. "But they are very experienced and they also had some chances to score another because at the end we tried to go with everything to score and they had some counter-attacks.
"On Sunday, we have a very important game at Old Trafford in front of all our supporters. We have to rest and to be ready for West Ham."
Mourinho impressed by Lukaku & Matic despite mistakes in Real Madrid loss
Romelu Lukaku made a good impression on Jose Mourinho on his competitive debut for Manchester United, despite missing an open goal in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane's men claimed UEFA Super Cup glory in Skopje thanks to goals from Casemiro and Isco, with Lukaku netting just after the hour to reduce the deficit.
However, the £75 million striker had blazed an earlier chance over the bar from inside the six-yard box, after Keylor Navas had saved from Paul Pogba.
Despite that miss potentially denying United a chance at taking the Champions League winners the distance, Mournho was happy with his new No.9.
"He tried, and of course he missed his chance with an open goal but he scored his goal," Mourinho told a news conference. "He had a good fight against two good central defenders and I'm happy with his period and I'm happy with the way he fits into - I'm not tired to repeat - an amazing group."
Alongside Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic made competitive debuts for United.Matic afforded Dani Carvajal space to assist Casemiro's opener before the Serbian was beaten by a one-two between Isco and Gareth Bale for the Spaniard's clincher.
But Mourinho was nevertheless impressed with his former Chelsea charge: "I think he played really well, I think in the moment they were moving the ball well of course was difficult for us in the midfield."But you know in our good moment he was really good, especially in our period of dominance in the second half after the 2-0.
"He was what we wanted him to be, to move the ball in a simple way to give balance to the team to start building from the back and he's a player with great experience, many years at the highest level and good experience good stability."
Romelu Lukaku made a good impression on Jose Mourinho on his competitive debut for Manchester United, despite missing an open goal in Tuesday's 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid.
Zinedine Zidane's men claimed UEFA Super Cup glory in Skopje thanks to goals from Casemiro and Isco, with Lukaku netting just after the hour to reduce the deficit.
However, the £75 million striker had blazed an earlier chance over the bar from inside the six-yard box, after Keylor Navas had saved from Paul Pogba.
Despite that miss potentially denying United a chance at taking the Champions League winners the distance, Mournho was happy with his new No.9.
"He tried, and of course he missed his chance with an open goal but he scored his goal," Mourinho told a news conference. "He had a good fight against two good central defenders and I'm happy with his period and I'm happy with the way he fits into - I'm not tired to repeat - an amazing group."
Alongside Lukaku, Victor Lindelof and Nemanja Matic made competitive debuts for United.Matic afforded Dani Carvajal space to assist Casemiro's opener before the Serbian was beaten by a one-two between Isco and Gareth Bale for the Spaniard's clincher.
But Mourinho was nevertheless impressed with his former Chelsea charge: "I think he played really well, I think in the moment they were moving the ball well of course was difficult for us in the midfield."But you know in our good moment he was really good, especially in our period of dominance in the second half after the 2-0.
"He was what we wanted him to be, to move the ball in a simple way to give balance to the team to start building from the back and he's a player with great experience, many years at the highest level and good experience good stability."
Jose Mourinho said he gave a Manchester United fan "the moon" when he handed him his UEFA Super Cup runner-up medal.
United lost out on the prize on Tuesday in a 2-1 defeat to Real Madrid in Skopje through goals from Casemiro and Isco, while a late strike from Red Devils striker Romelu Lukaku kept the game competitive right to the end.
Mourinho has made the gesture before, having thrown his 2006 Premier League winners' and Community Shield losers' medals into the crowd. And the Portuguese coach said he felt it would mean more for a young supporter to have it than it would to him.“Look, sometimes even when I win I don't keep the medals so imagine when I lose?" he said.“For me, the medal would go to some place in my house and for that kid it is the moon.
“For that kid, it is for sure something that he is going to keep and to remember."It was a little kid with a Man United shirt - I have no idea where he comes from.
“But I think for the kid it is something he will never forget. For me, medals - I repeat - when I win, they don't mean much. Imagine when I lose!”
Liverpool reject €100m Barcelona bid for Coutinho
Liverpool have rejected a €100 million offer from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho, Goal can confirm.
The Brazilian playmaker’s future at Anfield has been the source of constant rumours for much of the summer with the Blaugrana reportedly making an earlier bid for him.
While originally thought to be a move to help retain the services of Neymar, the latter’s exit to PSG for €222m last week has turned a potential Coutinho signing into part of the Catalan club’s plan to replace the departed superstar.
Rumours have floated that Barcelona were close to a deal for the 25-year-old Coutinho and that representatives for the Liga side were on their way to Liverpool to finalise a deal.
However, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted multiple times over the summer the player is not for sale , and appears not to have been moved by Barcelona’s latest offer.
Coutinho signed a new five-year deal during the 2016-17 season which does not include a release clause.
The Reds insist they do not need a face-to-face sit down to reiterate that Coutinho is not on the market , a stance they’ve already made abundantly clear.Claims that the playmaker has prepared poorly in pre-season falls flat in the face of evidence to the contrary.
Liverpool have rejected a €100 million offer from Barcelona for Philippe Coutinho, Goal can confirm.
The Brazilian playmaker’s future at Anfield has been the source of constant rumours for much of the summer with the Blaugrana reportedly making an earlier bid for him.
While originally thought to be a move to help retain the services of Neymar, the latter’s exit to PSG for €222m last week has turned a potential Coutinho signing into part of the Catalan club’s plan to replace the departed superstar.
Rumours have floated that Barcelona were close to a deal for the 25-year-old Coutinho and that representatives for the Liga side were on their way to Liverpool to finalise a deal.
However, Reds manager Jurgen Klopp has insisted multiple times over the summer the player is not for sale , and appears not to have been moved by Barcelona’s latest offer.
Coutinho signed a new five-year deal during the 2016-17 season which does not include a release clause.
The Reds insist they do not need a face-to-face sit down to reiterate that Coutinho is not on the market , a stance they’ve already made abundantly clear.Claims that the playmaker has prepared poorly in pre-season falls flat in the face of evidence to the contrary.
Javier "Chicharito" Hernandez unsure if he'll celebrate against Man United
Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez is torn over whether he will celebrate if he scores for West Ham at Old Trafford.Hernandez will return to Manchester for Sunday's Premier League opener, but in claret and blue, after joining West Ham from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The 29-year-old Mexico international left United two years ago, moving to Leverkusen after falling down the pecking order at the Theatre of Dreams, where he scored more than 50 goals in all competitions.
And Hernandez is unsure how he will react if he opens his account for new side West Ham on the weekend."I don't know if I will celebrate if I score at Old Trafford," he said. "It's my old club, my old fans, my old stadium but it'll be my first goal for West Ham.
"I am not thinking about the celebration, I just want to have the chance to start and get my team the result."I am very happy and glad, it's the best way to come back and open at Old Trafford."I am a Hammer, a West Ham player, I want to do even better than I did in Manchester."
Hernandez, who spent a season on loan at Real Madrid before exiting United permanently in 2015, added: "I never have regretted leaving Manchester United."I had some great experiences there and it helped me when I did move on."
Former Manchester United striker Javier Hernandez is torn over whether he will celebrate if he scores for West Ham at Old Trafford.Hernandez will return to Manchester for Sunday's Premier League opener, but in claret and blue, after joining West Ham from Bundesliga side Bayer Leverkusen.
The 29-year-old Mexico international left United two years ago, moving to Leverkusen after falling down the pecking order at the Theatre of Dreams, where he scored more than 50 goals in all competitions.
And Hernandez is unsure how he will react if he opens his account for new side West Ham on the weekend."I don't know if I will celebrate if I score at Old Trafford," he said. "It's my old club, my old fans, my old stadium but it'll be my first goal for West Ham.
"I am not thinking about the celebration, I just want to have the chance to start and get my team the result."I am very happy and glad, it's the best way to come back and open at Old Trafford."I am a Hammer, a West Ham player, I want to do even better than I did in Manchester."
Hernandez, who spent a season on loan at Real Madrid before exiting United permanently in 2015, added: "I never have regretted leaving Manchester United."I had some great experiences there and it helped me when I did move on."
Bale tips Mourinho to lead Manchester United 'back to where they belong'
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has heaped praise on Jose Mourinho and tipped him to lead Manchester United back to the top.
After Bale helped Madrid to beat United 2-1 in Tuesday's UEFA Super Cup, Mourinho claimed it was "game over" for his hopes of signing the forward, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford amid talk of Monaco's Kylian Mbappe joining the European champions.
The United manager had said ahead of the match in Skopje he would consider the Wales international to be available if he were left on the bench, only to see him start.Bale wants to stay at Madrid, but was full of praise for Mourinho after the match, tipping the Premier League side for a "fantastic" campaign due to the presence of the former Chelsea boss.
The 28-year-old feels Mourinho, who is starting his second season, is bringing United back to the level at which they belong.
"I think it [the fear factor] is getting there," Bale told reporters when asked about United."Obviously I think by bringing Mourinho in, it's kind of boosted the club, by winning a few trophies last year, it did them great, and I think they're getting back to where they belong.
"He's a great manager, he's done everything in football, he knows what he's doing and I'm sure he's building a great team for what he hopes to achieve there."United did very well. They gave us a difficult game and I'm sure they'll do fantastic this season. I see no reason why they can't [be a force in the Champions League]."
Despite his positive words about Mourinho, though, Bale continues to insist he is happy at Santiago Bernabeu despite the constant speculation."I don't want to move," he said. "The club are happy with everything. Everything has gone as normal like it has every year.
"We enjoy winning games, we enjoy winning trophies and we're hungry to win everything. Like any footballer, you want to win as many trophies as you can, so that’s the main thing."
Real Madrid star Gareth Bale has heaped praise on Jose Mourinho and tipped him to lead Manchester United back to the top.
After Bale helped Madrid to beat United 2-1 in Tuesday's UEFA Super Cup, Mourinho claimed it was "game over" for his hopes of signing the forward, who has been linked with a move to Old Trafford amid talk of Monaco's Kylian Mbappe joining the European champions.
The United manager had said ahead of the match in Skopje he would consider the Wales international to be available if he were left on the bench, only to see him start.Bale wants to stay at Madrid, but was full of praise for Mourinho after the match, tipping the Premier League side for a "fantastic" campaign due to the presence of the former Chelsea boss.
The 28-year-old feels Mourinho, who is starting his second season, is bringing United back to the level at which they belong.
"I think it [the fear factor] is getting there," Bale told reporters when asked about United."Obviously I think by bringing Mourinho in, it's kind of boosted the club, by winning a few trophies last year, it did them great, and I think they're getting back to where they belong.
"He's a great manager, he's done everything in football, he knows what he's doing and I'm sure he's building a great team for what he hopes to achieve there."United did very well. They gave us a difficult game and I'm sure they'll do fantastic this season. I see no reason why they can't [be a force in the Champions League]."
Despite his positive words about Mourinho, though, Bale continues to insist he is happy at Santiago Bernabeu despite the constant speculation."I don't want to move," he said. "The club are happy with everything. Everything has gone as normal like it has every year.
"We enjoy winning games, we enjoy winning trophies and we're hungry to win everything. Like any footballer, you want to win as many trophies as you can, so that’s the main thing."
Conte's Chelsea risk losing their title after summer of discontent
Chelsea should be buoyant, brash and cocky going into the 2017-18 season but there is a dour mood hanging around the club after a fractious summer of disputes over transfers and star players.
Diego Costa is exiled in Brazil, while Antonio Conte has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction over the club's summer recruitment plan, which has left him with what he feels is lack of strength in depth.
That is not to say that Conte has not been backed in the transfer market, as Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and Roma defender Antonio Rudiger have been brought in at a combined, estimated cost of £132 million.
Indeed, Bakayoko was always Conte's first-choice to strengthen his engine, while it was Conte who actually sanctioned Juventus' signing of Morata, even though the Spain striker did not arrive in Turin until after the Italian had departed, coincidentally, due to a dispute over transfer targets.
Meanwhile, the versatile and mentally resilient Rudiger has also long been admired by Conte, who would have acquired him last season had the German not suffered a serious knee injury.Still, Conte is understandably perturbed by a lack of numbers, as Chelsea continue to profit from their stockpile of talent.
The Blues have made £173.2m from player sales in the past six months and Conte is disappointed that more of that money is not being reinvested into his squad, as he aims to be competitive on all fronts in his second season at Stamford Bridge.
Admittedly, most of those who departed did so with Conte's blessing, but the manager certainly didn't seem to want Nemanja Matic to be sold to a title rival in Manchester United - even if the club did receive £40m for a player likely to have been a reserve this term.
"Sometimes you have to accept this crazy transfer market and sometimes you have to accept different decisions but he is a great loss for us," the Blues boss said after the Serbian's sale.Conte certainly appeared to be making a point when he included Kyle Scott among his substitutes for the Community Shield clash with Arsenal at the weekend.
Before the shootout loss at Wembley, the Blues' bench had, combined, made a grand total of one appearance for Chelsea and Conte will not be able to challenge for Champions League, while at the same time mounting a serious title defence, with such an inexperienced squad.As Conte pointed out, even his new expensive arrivals will require a period of adjustment.
"Morata needs a bit of time but it is normal," he reasoned. "It is the same for [Antonio] Rudiger and [Tiemoue] Bakayoko. It is very important to have a good physical condition and to understand our idea of football."
Furthermore, many of Chelsea's most promising youngsters have fled, with the understandably impatient trio of Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake and Bertrand Troare having chosen to become bigger fish in smaller ponds - rather than spend another year on the bench or in the stands.
It is the sheer scale of player sales in comparison to the arrivals that is the most worrying and the loss of home-grown players is always hard to stomach, even with the inclusion of buy-back clauses.
Chelsea can easily turn around the negative feelings with the vast amount of money that they have in the bank by using some of it on new arrivals.A tiny squad can be guided through the first few weeks of the season. Eden Hazard will return in September and Chelsea should be in a much healthier state by the time the transfer window shuts on August 31.
Conte's small squad means his work on and off the pitch will be harder in the coming month but if his appetite for new signings is sated, then those around Chelsea will be all smiles once again once the season really gets going.
Chelsea should be buoyant, brash and cocky going into the 2017-18 season but there is a dour mood hanging around the club after a fractious summer of disputes over transfers and star players.
Diego Costa is exiled in Brazil, while Antonio Conte has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction over the club's summer recruitment plan, which has left him with what he feels is lack of strength in depth.
That is not to say that Conte has not been backed in the transfer market, as Monaco midfielder Tiemoue Bakayoko, Real Madrid striker Alvaro Morata and Roma defender Antonio Rudiger have been brought in at a combined, estimated cost of £132 million.
Indeed, Bakayoko was always Conte's first-choice to strengthen his engine, while it was Conte who actually sanctioned Juventus' signing of Morata, even though the Spain striker did not arrive in Turin until after the Italian had departed, coincidentally, due to a dispute over transfer targets.
Meanwhile, the versatile and mentally resilient Rudiger has also long been admired by Conte, who would have acquired him last season had the German not suffered a serious knee injury.Still, Conte is understandably perturbed by a lack of numbers, as Chelsea continue to profit from their stockpile of talent.
The Blues have made £173.2m from player sales in the past six months and Conte is disappointed that more of that money is not being reinvested into his squad, as he aims to be competitive on all fronts in his second season at Stamford Bridge.
Admittedly, most of those who departed did so with Conte's blessing, but the manager certainly didn't seem to want Nemanja Matic to be sold to a title rival in Manchester United - even if the club did receive £40m for a player likely to have been a reserve this term.
"Sometimes you have to accept this crazy transfer market and sometimes you have to accept different decisions but he is a great loss for us," the Blues boss said after the Serbian's sale.Conte certainly appeared to be making a point when he included Kyle Scott among his substitutes for the Community Shield clash with Arsenal at the weekend.
Before the shootout loss at Wembley, the Blues' bench had, combined, made a grand total of one appearance for Chelsea and Conte will not be able to challenge for Champions League, while at the same time mounting a serious title defence, with such an inexperienced squad.As Conte pointed out, even his new expensive arrivals will require a period of adjustment.
"Morata needs a bit of time but it is normal," he reasoned. "It is the same for [Antonio] Rudiger and [Tiemoue] Bakayoko. It is very important to have a good physical condition and to understand our idea of football."
Furthermore, many of Chelsea's most promising youngsters have fled, with the understandably impatient trio of Nathaniel Chalobah, Nathan Ake and Bertrand Troare having chosen to become bigger fish in smaller ponds - rather than spend another year on the bench or in the stands.
It is the sheer scale of player sales in comparison to the arrivals that is the most worrying and the loss of home-grown players is always hard to stomach, even with the inclusion of buy-back clauses.
Chelsea can easily turn around the negative feelings with the vast amount of money that they have in the bank by using some of it on new arrivals.A tiny squad can be guided through the first few weeks of the season. Eden Hazard will return in September and Chelsea should be in a much healthier state by the time the transfer window shuts on August 31.
Conte's small squad means his work on and off the pitch will be harder in the coming month but if his appetite for new signings is sated, then those around Chelsea will be all smiles once again once the season really gets going.
Iniesta misses Barca training ahead of Supercopa clash with Real Madrid
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta could be a doubt for Sunday's Supercopa de Espana showdown against Real Madrid.
Iniesta was given permission to sit out Barcelona's training session on Thursday by head coach Ernesto Valverde.The club have not given a reason for the 33-year-old's midfielder's absence.
Iniesta played in Barcelona's 5-0 win over Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Monday. The Spain great endured injury absences last season due to knee, calf and adductor problems.
Barca welcome Madrid to Camp Nou for the first leg of the Spanish season's traditional curtain raiser, before heading to the Santiago Bernabeu for next Wednesday's return.
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta could be a doubt for Sunday's Supercopa de Espana showdown against Real Madrid.
Iniesta was given permission to sit out Barcelona's training session on Thursday by head coach Ernesto Valverde.The club have not given a reason for the 33-year-old's midfielder's absence.
Iniesta played in Barcelona's 5-0 win over Chapecoense in the Joan Gamper Trophy on Monday. The Spain great endured injury absences last season due to knee, calf and adductor problems.
Barca welcome Madrid to Camp Nou for the first leg of the Spanish season's traditional curtain raiser, before heading to the Santiago Bernabeu for next Wednesday's return.
'Dembele was not at training, we don't know why' - Dortmund's Bosz
Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Bosz revealed Barcelona target Ousmane Dembele missed training on Thursday and the club have not been able to contact him.
The winger has been linked to a move to the Catalan side, with reports in Spain stating he has already reached an agreement to join Ernesto Valverde's side.
Sporting director Michael Zorc denied that a deal had been struck, while CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said it will take a bid of over €100 million to convince them to sell the 20-year-old France international.However, speculation will only increase as the club were left in the dark over the attacker's current condition after he failed to turn up for work.
"Ousmane Dembele was not in training. We do not know why. We tried to reach him but were unable to," Bosz said.
"I talked to Dembele yesterday [Wednesday]. He told me he was in Paris with his friends. He did not say anything about a transfer."There was no sign that he would not be here. We hope nothing terrible has happened."
Dembele joined Dortmund last year from Rennes for €15m and won rave reviews for his performances, scoring 10 times in 49 matches across all competitions.
He was named in the Bundesliga team of the season and scooped the man-of-the-match award after opening the scoring in Dortmund's 2-1 DFB-Pokal final triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Earlier this week, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said a fee of €100m for the player was "in every case, not enough" and the Bundesliga side's asking price is reported to lie closer to €135m.
Borussia Dortmund coach Peter Bosz revealed Barcelona target Ousmane Dembele missed training on Thursday and the club have not been able to contact him.
The winger has been linked to a move to the Catalan side, with reports in Spain stating he has already reached an agreement to join Ernesto Valverde's side.
Sporting director Michael Zorc denied that a deal had been struck, while CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke has said it will take a bid of over €100 million to convince them to sell the 20-year-old France international.However, speculation will only increase as the club were left in the dark over the attacker's current condition after he failed to turn up for work.
"Ousmane Dembele was not in training. We do not know why. We tried to reach him but were unable to," Bosz said.
"I talked to Dembele yesterday [Wednesday]. He told me he was in Paris with his friends. He did not say anything about a transfer."There was no sign that he would not be here. We hope nothing terrible has happened."
Dembele joined Dortmund last year from Rennes for €15m and won rave reviews for his performances, scoring 10 times in 49 matches across all competitions.
He was named in the Bundesliga team of the season and scooped the man-of-the-match award after opening the scoring in Dortmund's 2-1 DFB-Pokal final triumph over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Earlier this week, Dortmund chief executive Hans-Joachim Watzke said a fee of €100m for the player was "in every case, not enough" and the Bundesliga side's asking price is reported to lie closer to €135m.
Man Utd allow Fosu-Mensah to spend 2017-18 season with Premier League rivals Palace
Crystal Palace have signed Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah on a season-long loan deal.
Fosu-Mensah completed his move on Thursday to become Frank de Boer's third addition of the transfer window after the arrivals of Jairo Riedewald and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.The versatile 19-year-old, who will wear the number 24 shirt at Selhurst Park, was a youth-team player at Ajax when De Boer was in charge of the Eredivisie side.
"The manager spoke to me about coming down to join Crystal Palace and it was clear that he wanted me to be part of his squad which as a player gives you a great feeling straight away," Fosu-Mensah told Palace's website."I must now repay that back by putting in some good performances for the club.
"I am only 19 years old and still have a lot to learn and therefore getting the opportunity to play more games on a regular basis will help my development."Fosu-Mensah made his United debut in February 2016 and has gone on to make 21 appearances across all competitions.
He is under contract with United until 2020 after agreeing a new deal last season, but will now seek to gain further first-team experience with Palace.De Boer said: "Timothy is a player who has great pace and incredible physical ability. "In today's game you need players with strength and speed and is a player who can also play in midfield.
"I am seeing him in our system as a right centre-back but he can also play full-back in a 4-3-3."As they also confirmed the news, United insisted Fosu-Mensah was "highly regarded" at Old Trafford and wished him well for the upcoming season.
Crystal Palace have signed Manchester United defender Timothy Fosu-Mensah on a season-long loan deal.
Fosu-Mensah completed his move on Thursday to become Frank de Boer's third addition of the transfer window after the arrivals of Jairo Riedewald and Ruben Loftus-Cheek.The versatile 19-year-old, who will wear the number 24 shirt at Selhurst Park, was a youth-team player at Ajax when De Boer was in charge of the Eredivisie side.
"The manager spoke to me about coming down to join Crystal Palace and it was clear that he wanted me to be part of his squad which as a player gives you a great feeling straight away," Fosu-Mensah told Palace's website."I must now repay that back by putting in some good performances for the club.
"I am only 19 years old and still have a lot to learn and therefore getting the opportunity to play more games on a regular basis will help my development."Fosu-Mensah made his United debut in February 2016 and has gone on to make 21 appearances across all competitions.
He is under contract with United until 2020 after agreeing a new deal last season, but will now seek to gain further first-team experience with Palace.De Boer said: "Timothy is a player who has great pace and incredible physical ability. "In today's game you need players with strength and speed and is a player who can also play in midfield.
"I am seeing him in our system as a right centre-back but he can also play full-back in a 4-3-3."As they also confirmed the news, United insisted Fosu-Mensah was "highly regarded" at Old Trafford and wished him well for the upcoming season.
