With the 2022/23 Premier League season beginning on August 5, our pre-season guide has all the Premier League club-by-club news, injuries, transfers and minutes played that FPL bosses need to help inform their initial squad selections.

This will be continually updated throughout pre-season. Fantasy assists are not included in players’ pre-season returns.

Last updated 02/08/22

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Important Fantasy Premier League dates to know

The Premier League season begins on Friday (August 5), with Crystal Palace v Arsenal first up.

The match kicks off at 20:00 UK time but in FPL, the deadline to finalise your team falls 90 minutes before kick-off.

This means you need to have your team ready by 18:30.

Pre-season guide and tips

See below for all of the round-up from every Premier League teams’ pre-season friendlies.

But for all our tips, how-to guides, team previews and best players for Gameweek 1, see our Ultimate Guide here.

Fantasy Premier League pre-season guide 2022/23: Club by club

Arsenal

July 1

Eddie Nketiah (£7.0m) scored a first-half hat-trick as Arsenal got their pre-season campaign underway in a behind-closed-doors win over League One outfit Ipswich. The striker also picked up an assist.

Arsenal XI (first half): Bernd Leno, Hector Bellerin, Ben White, Pablo Mari, Cedric, Thomas Partey, Ainsley Maitland-Niles, Sambi Lokonga, Nicolas Pepe, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson.

Arsenal XI (second half): Arthur Okonkwo, Reuell Walters, Alex Kirk, Zach Awe, Lino Sousa, Matt Smith, Salah Oulad M’hand, Charlie Patino, Omari Hutchinson, Folarin Balogun, Marcelo Flores.

July 8

Gabriel Jesus (£8.0m) netted a brace on his unofficial debut against second-tier German side Nurnberg. The forward was also inches away from converting a third, with an opposing defender instead touching a cross into his own goal. Nketiah and Gabriel Martinelli (£6.0m) logged the assists for the Brazilian’s goals.

On Kieran Tierney (£5.0m), who was withdrawn after 30 minutes of the 3-5 contest, Mikel Arteta explained:

“He’s really good. He’s been training really good. Obviously he’s been out for over three months now, so we wanted to give him a proper warm-up, play the first half an hour and then get him out. So he was in good condition and there’s no issues there.”

On pairing Jesus and Nketiah up front together in the second half, Arteta said:

“That’s why I played them, because we want to try in pre-season things that we want to do in the season. We are going to have a lot of games, a lot of moments where we need to play in different ways and that’s great because they are both in top form.”

Arsenal XI: Turner (Okonkwo 68), Bellerin (Martinelli 46), P Mari, Walters (Gabriel 46), Tierney (Cedric 30), Sambi Lokonga (Patino 68), Maitland-Niles (M’Hand 68), Smith Rowe (Elneny 46), Pepe (Jesus 46), Nketiah (Marquinhos 68), Nelson (Balogun 68).

July 16/17

Jesus scored one and set up the other as Arsenal beat Everton 2-0. The Brazilian’s assist for Bukayo Saka (£8.0m) was slightly fortunate, with an intended pass for Martinelli finding its way to the Englishman.

Asked if he sees Jesus’ best position as a No 9, Arteta responded:

“He’s very versatile. The way we would like to develop him is in that position but sometimes, not on his own. Don’t close that door, because in relation to what the opponent does in certain games we’re gonna have to use him in different positions. He’s open to that and he knows that’s part of his strengths as well.”

Takehiro Tomiyasu (£4.5m), whose ownership stands at 16.5%, is yet to feature in pre-season. On team news, Arteta explained:

“[Ben White] had a bit of a niggle in his quad so we have tried to protect him. But he trained with the squad yesterday.

“We have Kieran [Tierney] with a slight problem, we have Emile [Smith Rowe] as well with a muscular niggle, Tomiyasu as well and Ben. The rest are fine but it’s a matter of days with those guys.

“[Fabio Vieira] had a slight problem in his bone [in his foot] and hopefully he will start to train in the next week or so.”

Ben White (£4.5m) was sighted in training on July 19.

Arsenal XI (first half): Turner; Tavares, Gabriel, Saliba, Cedric; Odegaard, Partey, Xhaka; Martinelli, Jesus, Saka.

Arsenal XI (second half): Turner; Gabriel (Mari 71), Holding, Saliba (Walters 71); Martinelli (Nelson 71), Xhaka (Lokonga 71), Elneny, Maitland-Niles, Bellerin; Pepe, Nketiah.

July 20

Arsenal beat MLS outfit Orlando City 3-1. Martinelli scored a deflected effort, with Nketiah and Reiss Nelson (£5.0m) also on the scoresheet. Albert Sambi Lokonga (£4.5m) and Saka earned assists.

On the versatility of new signing Oleksandr Zinchenko (£5.0m), Arteta said:

“Both, he can play in both [in midfield and at left-back]. He was a natural No 10 early in his career and we converted him into a left-back, which can do a lot of things that we want in our way of playing. That versatility is something that is going to be important for the team because we have players in that position who are more specific full-backs, so I’m really happy.”

On team news, the Spaniard added:

“It is true that now we are missing Emile [Smith Rowe] and Fabio [Vieira].”

Arsenal XI [first half]: Ramsdale:; Tavares, Mari, Holding, Cedric; Maitland-Niles, Elneny, Lokonga; Martinelli, Nketiah, Pepe.

Arsenal XI [second half]: Turner; Tavares, Gabriel, Holding, White; Odegaard, Elneny, Lokonga; Nketiah, Jesus, Pepe.

July 23

The Gunners made a pre-season statement by putting four goals past Chelsea without reply. Jesus bagged the opener, before injury forced him off early in the second period. Arteta explained:

“Yeah, he got a knock in the first half in his quad, I think it was, and it wasn’t very comfortable to continue and obviously we didn’t take any risks today.”

Martin Odegaard, Saka and Lokonga added further goals. Granit Xhaka (£5.0m), Martinelli and Cedric Soares (£4.5m) earned assists.

Zinchenko was immediately drafted in at left-back, playing the first half. Arteta said:

“[Zinchenko] was desperate to play and I knew that. It was a maximum 45 minutes but you could see straight away he was comfortable. He understands everything that I want, he understands the process and I thought he had a really good game.”

On injuries, the Arsenal boss remarked:

“At the moment Tierney and Tomiyasu are not fit. Tomi is really close to start doing some training sessions. Hopefully next week and Fabio, probably a little bit longer. I think he [Vieira] needs another week or so before he starts with the team.”

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale (Turner 76); White (Cedric 76), Saliba, Gabriel, Zinchenko (Tavares 46); Partey (Elneny 76), Xhaka (Maitland-Niles 76); Saka (Marquinhos 76), Odegaard (Lokonga 76), Martinelli (Pepe 76); Jesus (Nketiah 57).

July 27

Nketiah scored again as Arsenal lost 2-1 to Brentford. A large number of first-team players were not involved.

Arsenal XI: Turner, Cedric, Walters (Awe 46), Holding, Tavares (Souza 76), Elneny, Lokonga, Maitland-Niles (Patino 85), Marquinhos, Nelson (Sagoe Jr 90), Nketiah.

July 29

Jesus, Smith Rowe, Vieira, Tierney and Tomiyasu were pictured – so at least took some part – in training.

July 30

A Jesus hat-trick headlined a 6-0 win against Sevilla. Saka bagged a brace – with one goal coming from the penalty spot – while Nketiah also added to his pre-season tally. Saka himself won the spot-kick which he converted. Martinelli earned two assists.

On Jesus, Arteta said:

“You are hoping that that [settling in quickly] is going to happen but obviously a player has to adapt to a new city, to a new club, new team-mates and he’s done it in a really fast and natural way. You can see the way they look for him on the pitch, on and off the ball, and what he’s able to transmit as well on that pitch so I am really happy.

“What are seeing is that everybody – not just Gabby – plays at that intensity and that willingness to win the ball, to promote mistakes and to play in the opponent’s half as much as possible. You cannot do that if players at the front are walking, they are not tracking, they don’t have that instinct and that intention to provoke things. That is what we want and Gabby is phenomenal at that.

“His versatility is well known. Now we are using him as a nine; he can play as a winger, off the left and the right. You can play with two strikers, as we have done in pre-season as well, and change the shape a little bit. He gives us a lot of flexibility.”

On Odegaard, the manager added:

“I think he makes Gabby [Jesus] better and he needs a threat in front of him, because he’s a player that can find the last pass at any moment. When he’s in close or open spaces, we need someone to make him look better and I think the connection is already there and with the wingers too.”

Despite being pictured in training, four players – Smith Rowe, Vieira, Tierney and Tomiyasu – were not in the Arsenal squad. Asked if that quartet will be ready for Friday’s game against Crystal Palace, Arteta replied:

“I think that most of them will be, they’ll have to go through what they need to this week and then hopefully we’ll have them available. They are lacking minutes but we’ll have to build that up, like any other injury that we get during the season.”

Arsenal XI: Ramsdale; White, Gabriel, Saliba, Zinchenko (Soares 79); Xhaka (Lokonga 90), Partey (Elneny 79), Odegaard; Martinelli (Nelson 90), Jesus (Pepe 79), Saka (Nketiah 79).

Signings: Matt Turner, Fabio Vieira, Marquinhos, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko

Aston Villa

ollie watkins fpl danny ings villa

July 9

Leon Bailey (£5.0m), Cameron Archer (£4.5m), Ollie Watkins (£7.5m) and Douglas Luiz all netted as the Villans won 4-0 against League Two’s Walsall.

On younger players, Steven Gerrard said on July 6:

“We’ve got a lot of talent emerging, we’ve got the likes of [Jacob] Ramsey who has grabbed a position in the team.”

Aston Villa XI (first half): Sinisalo, Kesler Hayden, Carlos, Mings, Revan, Azaz, Nakamba, Traoré, El Ghazi, Bailey, Archer.

Aston Villa XI (second half): Sinisalo, A Young, Chambers, Feeney, Chrisene, O’Reilly, Luiz, Sanson, Buendia, Ings, Watkins.

July 17

A second-half Danny Ings (£7.0m) penalty gave Villa a 1-0 win against Leeds. Philippe Coutinho (£7.0m) saw his first-half spot-kick saved by Illan Meslier (£4.5m), with the keeper also keeping out the Brazilian’s rebound.

Asked if Coutinho will be the club’s first-choice penalty taker this season, Steven Gerrard replied:

“It’s up for grabs. We’ve got games and if the [pre-season] games finish in a draw situation, we’ll have some penalty shoot-outs so I’m pretty open. I’m here to be persuaded, so we’ll see.

“Danny’s penalty today was fantastic. You don’t save them when they’re on either side of the net. But listen, the first one [Coutinho’s penalty] is on me. I take responsibility. I select the penalty taker, so I’ll share the responsibility on that one.”

Aston Villa XI (first half): Olsen, Cash, Mings, Chambers, Digne, Kamara, Luiz, J.Ramsey, Coutinho, Bailey, Watkins.

Aston Villa XI (second half): Olsen, Guilbert, Chambers, Carlos, A.Young, McGinn, Nakamba, Sanson, Buendia, A.Ramsey, Ings.

July 20

Archer once more staked his claim as the budget forward to own with the winning goal as Villa beat Brisbane Roar 1-0. The young striker finished smartly after Watkins’ miscued attempt at converting a cross.

But Archer could yet be heading out on loan this season, as he said:

“Yeah he [Gerrard] said at the start that he’ll let me know whether I’ll go out on loan or not at the end of the Australia tour.

“So I’m going to try my best to impress him. Obviously I would prefer to play here but if I need to go out on loan to play games, because that’s what young players need, we’ll see.”

Aston Villa XI [first half]: Martinez, Cash, Carlos, Chambers, Digne, McGinn, Kamara, Coutinho, Bailey, Traore, Ings.

Aston Villa XI [second half]: Martinez, Kesler Hayden, Konsa, Mings, Augustinsson, Iroegbunam, Luiz, J Ramsey, Buendia, Archer, Watkins.

July 23

Bailey further boosted his budget midfield credentials with a goal and assist against Man Utd in a 2-2 draw. Calum Chambers (£4.5m) netted the equaliser from Bailey’s corner.

Emiliano Buendia (£6.0m) provided the pass for the Jamaican’s strike, which began with Bailey running at goal from 45 yards out.

On the half-time introduction of Bailey, Gerrard raved:

“It was more than an impact. He changed the game, he showed energy, he showed speed and a hunger to cause problems. He’s come back [into] pre-season as a different player, not just from a technical point of view – his demeanour, his body language.

“I think he’s trusting his body more, so we need to keep him healthy. He’s sending a massive signal to me that he wants to be in the [starting] 11, so he needs to have a strong two weeks.”

Aston Villa XI: Martinez (Olsen 46); Cash (Hayden 64), Carlos (Chambers 64), Mings (Konsa 46), Digne (Young 64); J. Ramsey (Douglas Luiz 46), Kamara (Sanson 64), McGinn (Iroegbunam 64); Coutinho (Buendia 46); Watkins (Archer 64), Ings (Bailey 46)

July 30

Bailey scored again as Villa beat Stade Rennais 2-1. Diego Carlos (£5.0m) nodded in the winner, with Lucas Digne (£5.0m) and Ashley Young registering assists.

On fitness and pre-season, Bailey commented:

“My body feels good. I trust my body more. The pre-season has helped a lot to give me confidence, confidence in my body because last year was rough with my injuries.”

On Archer, Gerrard said:

“We’ve made a decision with Cameron that he’ll be staying in the door. He will be part of the first-team group and he needs to be ready when called upon to contribute to the team.”

Aston Villa: Martinez; Cash (Young 71), Konsa (Iroegbunam 64), Carlos, Digne (Augustinsson 71); Kamara, Luiz (Sanson 64), McGinn (Ramsey 71); Bailey (Ings 71), Watkins (Archer 79), Coutinho (Feeney 86).

Signings: Robin Olsen, Boubacar Kamara, Diego Carlos, Philippe Coutinho (permanent deal), Ludwig Augustinsson

Bournemouth

solanke

July 15

The Cherries beat Sheffield Wednesday 2-1. Lewis Cook (£5.0m) and Dominic Solanke (£6.0m) were Bournemouth’s goalscorers. Ryan Christie (£5.5m) set up Solanke’s strike. On the striker, Scott Parker said:

“Dom got three in [our] training game last week too. I’m really pleased and I thought Dom was really sharp today.”

Bournemouth XI (first half): Travers, Smith, Kelly, Mepham, Stacey, Cook, Rothwell, Zemura, Lowe, Moore, Dembele.

Bournemouth XI (second half): Lossl, Fredericks, Greenwood, Hill, Lerma, Marcondes, Pearson, Billing, Christie, Solanke, Anthony.

July 19

Solanke netted again as the Cherries lost 2-1 to Primeira Liga team Braga.

Bournemouth XI [first 70 minutes]: Travers, Cook, Mepham, Lerma, Solanke, Christie, Rothwell, Smith, Hill, Billing, Zemura.

Bournemouth XI [last 20 minutes]: Lossl, Genesini, Stacey, Greenwood, Sadi, Lowe, Stanislas, Marcondes, Anthony, Dembele, Moore.

July 23

Bournemouth lost 1-0 to Bristol City. Parker stated:

“I get where we currently are and I get that it’s a tough pre-season but there were a lot of areas that we need to improve drastically. In terms of all aspects – tactically, technically, personality at times and the mentality about us.

“We need to improve in certain moments and we have a full week now to, hopefully, do that. I have a full week with the team to explain exactly what we’re going to need to be, certainly next Saturday [against Real Sociedad].”

On a lack of signings, the Bournemouth boss added:

“We lost eight players at the end of last season, and we’ve brought in two. In terms of where we currently are, I think it’s clear that we need some help.

“You can say that, at this moment in time, we’re a weaker squad and a weaker team than what we were at the back end of last season.”

The Cherries continued with a three-man central defence against the Championship side.

Centre-half Lloyd Kelly (£4.5m) missed out with a “slight niggle”, while Ryan Fredericks (£4.5m) is sidelined with a calf injury.

July 30

Junior Stanislas (£5.0m) got Bournemouth’s goal in a 2-1 loss to Real Sociedad. Kieffer Moore (£5.5m) earned the assist.

Kelly returned to action as Bournemouth set up with a three-man central defence.

Parker pulled no punches after full time with his view on the Cherries squad. He raged:

“It’s clear that we are lacking in a lot of areas at this present moment in time. That’s just very clear. We need to work out whether we want to give ourselves a chance of being competitive this year. At the moment, that is not the case.

“We got promoted at the start of May, we are now six days out [from the season starting]. We need to make a decision on how that may look, what we’re going to do, for us to at least be competitive really.

“I didn’t anticipate at this moment in time to be where we are, six days out from the start of the season. But that’s exactly where we are. I’ve been very professional, done a lot of work with the team and the players have been, as always, very forthcoming and worked tirelessly.

“But I think it’s clear we need to add to the squad, because the levels have changed. You get promoted and that’s just what needs to happen. So we’ll see.

“We’re short at the moment; that’s very, very clear. We are six days out from the start of the Premier League season and we’re way short of where we need to be. That’s the cold, hard facts really. We need to do all we can to try and get some help.

“It’s obviously clear – we barely have any defenders. We’ve lost eight at the start of the season – at this present moment in time, this squad is much weaker than it was when we got promoted.

“I just feel we’re too light. We’re too light in where we need to be and what we need to be and I think the numbers suggest that. If you’re looking at the team sheet, you’re seeing what we currently have and it’s going to be a big ask really.”

Neither Joe Rothwell (£5.0m) nor Fredericks – Bournemouth’s only two signings so far – will be fit for Gameweek 1. Parker explained:

“In the last game late on, [Rothwell] did a sprint and just felt a little something in his quad. He won’t be ready for the start of the season.

“It wasn’t as bad on scan as maybe we initially thought. We are going to scan him in a week’s time to see exactly where it is but he will be missing at the start of the season.

“Ryan Fredericks is on the grass again. Again, next weekend comes a bit too quick for him but he is on the right track.”

Bournemouth XI: Travers, Smith (Stacey, 74), Mepham, Hill (Bevan, 67), Kelly, Zemura, Cook (Billing, 57), Lerma, Christie (Stanislas, 74), Solanke, Anthony (Moore, 57).

Signings: Ryan Fredericks, Joe Rothwell, Marcus Tavernier

Brentford

FPL Gameweek 11 review Toney

July 9

A Bryan Mbuemo (£6.0m) penalty was supplemented by a deflected Josh Dasilva (£4.5m) strike as Brentford beat National League team Boreham Wood 2-0. Ivan Toney (£7.0m) was not on the field when the spot-kick was awarded. After the game, Thomas Frank said:

“It’s nice to see Bryan Mbeumo scoring as well but for Josh, because he has been out for so long, it’s good to see him score. I think a good pre-season for him will put him in a top position. We know he’s a goal threat and we saw him score a nice goal.”

Brentford XI (first half): Cox; Stevens, Jansson (c), Racic, Henry; Janelt, Peart-Harris, Trevitt; Mbeumo, Dervisoglu, Wissa.

Brentford XI (second half): Balcombe; Roerslev, Oyegoke, Bech, Thompson; Maghoma, Dasilva, Baptiste; Young-Coombes, Toney, Canos.

July 16

Mbuemo, now classified as a forward in FPL, netted again as the Bees lost 2-1 to Bundesliga outfit Stuttgart. Mathias Jensen (£5.0m) picked up the assist. Yoane Wissa (£5.5m) struck the woodwork on two occasions during the encounter. On absentees, Thomas Frank was coy:

“Kristoffer Ajer is out, as you know. He is on track with coming back. Ethan [Pinnock] has got a thing we just need to take care of.”

Brentford XI (first half): Cox, Crama, Trevitt, Jensen, Hickey, Ghoddos, Jansson, Mbeumo, Dervisoglu, Baptiste, Maghoma.

Brentford XI (second half): Raya, Henry, Dasilva, Wissa, Onyeka, Toney, Zanka, Peart-Harris, Janelt, Bech, Oyegoke, Stevens.

July 19

The Bees drew 2-2 with Ligue 1 Strasbourg. Wissa and new signing Keane Lewis-Potter (£5.5m) got the goals, while Vitaly Janelt (£5.5m) registered an assist. Toney struck the crossbar, meanwhile. Frank said:

“There were lots of positives, I would say. It was a game against a good side. They came with their strongest and we came with ours, before both sides made changes.”

Brentford XI: Raya (Cox 60); Hickey (Roerslev 60), Bech (Crama 60), Jansson (Oyegoke 60), Henry (Stevens 60); Jensen (Dasilva 60), Janelt (Trevitt 60), Onyeka (Baptiste 60); Mbeumo (Dervisoglu 60), Wissa (Ghoddos 60), Toney (Lewis-Potter 60).

July 23

Brentford suffered a 4-0 defeat to Bundesliga outfit Wolfsburg. Frank reasoned:

“There are two reasons that we didn’t do that well. The first is defensive set-pieces; we conceded three goals that way. It’s something we’ve been discussing. We know we need to be really good at it, we are normally much better at it but today we weren’t up to those standards.

“Secondly, it was the quality on the ball. Everything from the little touch, playing forward, the weight of pass, protecting the ball and hitting a man. All of those things weren’t good enough on the ball.”

Brentford XI: Raya, Hickey (Roerslev 76), Jansson (Crama 76), Bech, Henry (Stevens 76), Onyeka (Janelt 62), Jensen, Dasilva (Baptiste 71), Wissa (Lewis-Potter 62), Toney, Mbeumo (Dervisoglu 76).

July 26

Brentford overcame Brighton by a goal to nil, courtesy of Toney. Frank remarked:

“In the first half, they had one or two good chances but both saw good saves from David [Raya]. In the second half, we completely controlled things when we changed it to a 5-3-2 in terms of the low block. I really liked that and overall it was positive.”

On injuries, Frank explained:

“Ethan [Pinnock] won’t be ready for the start of the season, or the first part of the season; how long exactly is difficult to say unfortunately.

“Christian Norgaard‘s plan is to play against Real Betis on Saturday. Christian had a minor knee injury that was bothering him for quite a while, it was tricky because he couldn’t strike a ball without pain in his leg. He is progressing really well and is on track to start this weekend.”

Brentford XI: Raya; Roerslev, Jansson (Yarmoliuk 62), Mee (Crama 62), Hickey; Baptiste, Janelt, Jensen (Stevens 46); Wissa (Dervisoglu 76), Toney, Dasilva.

July 27

A day later, a totally changed Brentford XI beat an under-strength Arsenal 2-1. Mbuemo added to his pre-season tally, while youngster Ryan Trevitt scored and assisted. New man Lewis-Potter also earned an assist.

Brentford XI: Strakosha (Cox 62); Stevens, Crama, Bech, Henry (Racic 62); Onyeka, Ghoddos (Yarmoliuk 76), Trevitt; Mbeumo (Gilbert 76), Peart-Harris, Lewis-Potter.

July 30

Mbuemo netted another pre-season goal in a 1-0 win against Real Betis. Rico Henry (£4.5m) provided the cutback for the FPL forward’s goal. The Bees began with a back four, though switched to 3-4-3 following substitutions.

On Mbuemo, Frank lauded:

“He’s in top form, Bryan, such a threat. What a goal, top finish.”

Norgaard made his return from the sidelines, which saw Dasilva having to make do with a spot on the bench in a midfield reshuffle. On trying to replace Christian Eriksen, Frank remarked:

“We can hopefully replace him with something different. So when a player goes out, if they are sold or get injured, always another player steps in.

“You tweak things that create other relationships, other dynamics. That’s what I’m constantly trying to think about. Hopefully we can construct a different game where we can still create a lot of chances.

“But Mathias [Jensen], for example, needs to step up a bit more. I still think we have some very interesting midfielders in both Shandon [Baptiste], Josh [Dasilva] and even Saman [Ghoddos], that have some of those qualities.”

On injuries, the Dane updated:

“Ethan Pinnock is out with a knee injury that will keep him out for the first part of the season.

“Kristoffer Ajer got a hamstring injury in the last game of last season, had an operation and is now in a good place. He’s looking to be available mid-August to late August, hopefully soon.

“Sergi [Canos] got a hamstring injury in pre-season camp, he’s also progressing. Hopefully, he’s two or three weeks away.”

Brentford XI: Raya; Hickey (Roerslev 61), Jansson, Mee (Bech 76), Henry (Ghoddos 76); Janelt (Onyeka 76), Jensen (Dasilva 61), Norgaard (Lewis-Potter 61); Wissa (Baptiste 83), Toney, Mbeumo.

Signings: Aaron Hickey, Thomas Strakosha, Keane Lewis-Potter, Ben Mee

Brighton & Hove Albion

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season brighton

July 9

Brighton drew 0-0 with Belgian Pro League side Union Saint-Gilloise.

Brighton XI (first half): Steele, Clarke, Dunk, Cucurella, Offiah, Karbownik, March, Lallana, Weir, Enciso, Welbeck.

Brighton XI (second half): Scherpen, Lamptey, Veltman, Webster, van Hecke, Kozlowski, Alzate, Gross, Zeqiri, Maupay, Undav.

July 16

Brighton recorded a 4-1 victory against Portuguese Primeira Liga side Estoril. Neal Maupay (£6.5m) notched a brace, with new boys Kaoru Mitoma (£5.om) and Deniz Undav (£5.5m) also finding the net.

The fresh faces in Brighton’s squad were signed before this summer but played together at Union Saint-Gilloise in Belgium last season.

Lewis Dunk (£4.5m) and Julio Enciso (£5.0m) picked up assists in the pre-season win.

Brighton XI: Sanchez (Scherpen 45), Cucurella (Clarke 60), Dunk (Duffy 60), Maupay (Ferguson 60), Mac Allister (Alzate 45), Trossard (Mitoma 45), Gross (Sarmiento 60), Welbeck (Undav 60), March (Enciso 60), Caicedo (Lallana 45), Veltman (Van Hecke 60).

July 23

Goals from Pascal Gross (£5.5m) and Solly March (£5.0m) earned the Seagulls a 2-1 win against Reading. Tariq Lamptey (£4.5m) and Danny Welbeck (£6.5m) were the assisters. Marc Cucurella (£5.0m) was used at left centre-back.

Brighton XI: Sanchez (Steele 70), Veltman (Webster 45), Dunk (Clarke 70), Cucurella (Duffy 70), Lamptey (Mwepu 45), March (Alzate 70), Gross (Lallana 70), Mac Allister (Mitoma 70), Caciedo (Enciso 70), Trossard (Undav 70), Welbeck (Maupay 70).

July 26

Neal Maupay (£6.5m) struck the post as Brighton lost 1-0 to Brentford. Potter’s XI was completely changed from the previous friendly.

Brighton XI: Steele (Scherpen 62); Van Hecke, Duffy, Clarke; Enciso (Karbownik 62), Sarmiento (Kozlowski 62), Lallana (Zeqiri 62), Alzate, Mitoma (Moran 70); Undav (Andone 70), Maupay.

July 30

Leandro Trossard (£6.5m) nabbed a hat-trick and an assist from left wing-back in a 5-1 win against a weakened Espanyol. Lewis Dunk (£4.5m) and Adam Webster (£4.5m) both notched headers, the latter from a Pascal Gross (£5.5m) corner. Joel Veltman (£4.5m) and Adam Lallana (£5.0m) also earned assists.

On injuries – including the absent Cucurella – Potter updated:

“[Mac Allister] felt [his groin] a little. Too early to say too much but I think he’ll be fine. I don’t think there are any big problems. We need to check but pre-season has gone well with injuries, so touch wood we’ll be ok.

“Hopefully Marc will recover from his calf [issue], it was a problem he had this week. That is how I see it [that Cucurella will be fit for GW1] at the moment. He had a feeling in his calf this week, so we didn’t feel like it was the right thing to risk him today but we will see for next week.”

Brighton XI: Sanchez, Veltman, Dunk, Webster (Van Hecke 72), March (Lamptey 72), Mac Allister (Alzate 69), Caicedo (Sarmiento 77), Gross (Mitoma 72), Trossard (Maupay 72), Mwepu (Lallana 55), Welbeck (Undav 72).

Signings: Julio Enciso

Chelsea

FPL Gameweek 11 review

N’Golo Kante (£5.0m) has not travelled for Chelsea’s pre-season tour of the U.S due to his vaccination status. Armando Broja (£5.5m) was a planned late arrival to the pre-season tour.

July 16

On Raheem Sterling (£10.0m), Thomas Tuchel explained:

“He’s on an individual programme and did not join the team, because the team is two weeks ahead of him in intense double training sessions.

“It’s not the moment where he joins full team training for every minute. It’s still pretty demanding but on a different level to everyone else.

“For tomorrow, we have not decided yet the line-up but he hasn’t trained with the team so it’s not very likely that he will play.”

On a knock sustained by Broja, the Chelsea boss said:

“He had a little accident yesterday in training with ball control and landed in a funny way on his ankle and on his Achilles.

“So he’s in pain but nothing major. We did all the examinations and it’s just pain, and he’s lucky that he did not get injured and we are lucky and happy that he did not injure himself. So he will not be in training today, he’s in treatment.

“He had a little accident in training, he twisted his ankle and he needs further examination and treatment in London.”

July 17

Neither Sterling nor fellow new signing Kalidou Koulibaly (£5.5m) featured as the Blues beat Liga MX outfit Club America 2-1.

Reece James (£6.0m) was involved in a Timo Werner (£8.0m) strike, before the wing-back put the ball past his own keeper.

A Marcos Alonso (£5.5m) pass saw Mason Mount (£8.0m) curl home the winner from just outside the area.

Ben Chilwell (£6.0m) racked up 45 minutes at left wing-back, as Tuchel opted for a back-three formation. On the England man, the Chelsea boss said:

“We are super happy that he’s back. You can see it’s a difference from training to the game and he will take his time. He will get this time, because he deserves it. We will support him on his way back and it was good for him. I’m happy nobody is injured after a physical game and physical two weeks. Same for Chilly. I’m happy that he’s back.”

Chelsea XI (first half) Arrizabalaga; Chalobah, Thiago Silva, Sarr; Kenedy, Barkley, Gallagher, Chilwell; Ziyech, Havertz, Hudson-Odoi

Chelsea XI (second half) Bettinelli; Azpilicueta, Ampadu, Emerson; James, Mount, Jorginho, Alonso; Pulisic, Batshuayi, Werner.

July 20

The Blues drew 1-1 with MLS team Charlotte. Christian Pulisic (£6.0m) was Chelsea’s scorer, while Sterling made his first appearance for the club.

The ex-Man City star, along with Kai Havertz (£8.0m) and Chilwell, scored from the penalty spot in a shootout. Conor Gallagher (£6.0m) was unsuccessful with his effort.

James lined out at right centre-back.

On absentees, Tuchel explained:

“Timo [Werner] had some hamstring problems so we didn’t take the risk with him tonight.

“Kepa has had some pain that was disturbing him to feel free in the movements, nothing too much but we didn’t take the risk.

“Azpi [Cesar Azpilicueta] took a big knock above his knee on his muscle in training. He ran into Edou [Mendy] in an accident and is in some discomfort but if it was a Premier League match, then I think we would have taken the risk. We just felt that today it was not worth it, in case he did any further damage and is out for another three or four days.

“Ross [Barkley] has felt his hamstring for a few days now, the same like Timo. It’s more of a discomfort than an injury but like the others, we didn’t think there was any need to take a risk at this stage of pre-season.”

Chelsea XI (first half): Mendy; James, Thiago Silva, Emerson; Hudson-Odoi, Jorginho (c), Kovacic, Alonso; Ziyech, Batshuayi, Pulisic.

Chelsea XI (second half): Mendy; Chalobah, Colwill, Sarr; Kenedy, Gallagher, Ampadu, Chilwell; Mount, Havertz, Sterling.

July 23

The Blues were beaten 4-0 by Arsenal, causing quite a reaction from Tuchel. He lambasted:

“I am far from relaxed. We deserved to lose, which is fair enough, because we were simply not good enough. We were simply not competitive. The worrying part is that the level of commitment physically and mentally for this match was far higher for Arsenal than for us.

“They played I think what is their strongest line-up and structure, that you see now for several weeks. This was the line-up they will try to start for Premier League games.

“It was surely not our strongest line-up. This is a part of an explanation but only a little part and the other part is worrying. I cannot guarantee we will be ready in two weeks.

“I saw today a team from Arsenal that had an idea of how to play to a level of exhaustion and a level of physical commitment that we could not match, and also a level of mental commitment which we lack because we have a lot of players who think about leaving, are looking for other options, and we have players who left. I think this at the moment is obvious.

“Given our last two weeks, our game today, we should not mention the two teams [Man City and Liverpool] in front of us. We got absolutely beaten by a team that does not play Champions League football next season and finished behind us. But at the moment, they seem far ahead of us.”

On Koulibaly’s debut, the German added:

“He was the best player. He was incredibly good, I have to say.”

Tuchel started with a back-four system against their London rivals, though switched to back three at half time. On formation, he offered:

“We discussed this many times. If you want to play three at the back, you need to have three in the back. If you don’t, it’s not worth playing three in the back.

“Given Kalidou was only ready for 25 minutes today and given who was available, we tried to play 4-4-2. I think it was not a structural problem because we conceded two goals with the back five and two sixes, which we are used to playing.

“It was the behaviour in the structure. That’s much more important, how we behave. We need to be more lively and aggressive. The level of commitment, the level of physical input, was simply not enough.

“The adaption of position, the joy of helping each other, the joy of working hard together was what was missing. It’s not a moment to destroy my group because they are a very nice and hard-working group, this will not change.”

Chelsea XI: Mendy; James (Hudson-Odoi 73), Chalobah (Sarr 44), Thiago Silva (Koulibaly 73), Emerson (Alonso 46); Gallagher (Kovacic 46), Jorginho, (Ampadu 73), Mount (Ziyech 64); Sterling (Pulisic 46), Havertz (Batshuayi 64), Werner (Azpilicueta 46).

July 29

Tuchel split his squad for two friendlies against Udinese. A strong XI on Friday won 3-1. On Sterling – whose goal came from the ball hitting off him after his own missed chance – the Chelsea boss said:

“He had chances, was heavily involved in other chances. It was a good performance.”

The ex-Man City star took up a central role in the Chelsea attack. Kante and Mount were the Blues’ other scorers. Callum Hudson-Odoi (£5.5m) picked up an assist.

Chelsea XI: Mendy; Azpilicueta, Thiago Silva, Koulibaly (Emerson 72); James (Hudson-Odoi 72), Kante, Jorginho (Gilmour 84), Alonso; Havertz (Vale 72), Sterling (Kenedy 84), Mount.

July 30

Chilwell lined out for the weaker of Chelsea’s line-ups, managing 67 minutes in a 2-0 win against a Udinese XI. From right wing-back, Ruben Loftus-Cheek (£5.0m) scored and earned a penalty which Hakim Ziyech (£6.0m) converted.

Chelsea XI: Kepa (Bettinelli 67); Chalobah, Ampadu, Sarr (Emerson 67); Loftus-Cheek (Vale 77), Kovacic, Gallagher (Gilmour 77), Chilwell (Kenedy 67); Ziyech, Broja (Hudson-Odoi 46), Pulisic.

Signings: Raheem Sterling, Kalidou Koulibaly

Crystal Palace

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season crystal palace

July 1

Jean-Philippe Mateta (£5.5m) scored in a 1-1 draw against Accrington Stanley as the Eagles began their pre-season campaign early. Odsonne Edouard (£5.5m) was the assister.

Palace XI (first half): Guaita; Ward, Watson, Tomkins, Mitchell; Hughes, Eze, Schlupp; Rak-Sakyi, Mateta, Edouard.

Palace XI (second half): Matthews; Clyne, Quick, Phillips, D. Boateng; Riedewald, McArthur, M. Boateng (Raymond 85); Plange, Benteke, Street.

July 9

Palace won a 5-4 goalfest against Championship club Millwall. Eberechi Eze (£5.5m) opened the scoring from a Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m) through ball. Jordan Ayew (£5.5m), Jake O’Brien and Christian Benteke (£5.5m) all netted before Edouard set up Jesurun Rak-Sakyi (£4.5m) for the winner.

Palace XI: Guaita (Rodney 65), Clyne (Rak-Sakyi 65), Guehi (O’Brien 45), Andersen (Ferguson 45, Phillips 75), Mitchell (Plange 65), Eze (Adaramola 65), Schlupp (Benteke 65), Hughes (Milivojevic 45), Zaha (Edouard 45), Mateta (Matthews 65), Ayew (Ebiowei 45).

July 15

Palace were beaten 2-0 by Liverpool. A cluster of first-team players did not travel for the club’s pre-season tour. Among these are Wilfried Zaha (£7.0m), Marc Guehi (£4.5m), Eberechi Eze (£5.5m) and Michael Olise (£5.5m). That means just eight senior outfield players made the trip to Singapore and Australia. A club statement read:

“The remainder of the first-team squad will be based in south London for a domestic training and games programme led by assistant manager Osian Roberts. Some of these players are not currently fit and therefore will not travel on tour, whilst some did not meet the entry requirements for Singapore or Australia when travel arrangements were made.”

The club have arranged domestic friendlies while the tour is ongoing.

Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne (Ozoh 74), Andersen (Adaramola 64), Ward (O’Brien 64), Mitchell (Banks 74), Milivojevic (Boateng 64), Phillips (Raymond 64), Rak-Sakyi (Siddik 74), Edouard (Rodney 74), Mateta (Street 74), Ayew (Ebiowei 64).

July 16

In England, Palace beat Ipswich Town 4-2. Budget forward Luke Plange (£4.5m) bagged a hat-trick, with Christian Benteke (£5.5m) grabbing the other goal. The Belgian also assisted two of Plange’s strikes, with Zaha setting up the third.

Palace XI: Goodman (Whitworth), Watson (Bartley 71), Guehi (Wells-Morrison 71), Ferguson (Sheridan 45), D Boateng (Addae 77), Schlupp (Riedewald 77), Doucoure (Hughes 45), Eze (Vigor 87), Zaha (Mooney 87), Benteke (Gordon 71), Plange (Cadogan 71).

July 18

On a disjointed pre-season tour due to several senior players missing out, Patrick Vieira said:

“It is not the ideal situation for a manager to have so many players behind. It is important to understand that players have stayed behind for different reasons.

“We are not going to talk about the private situation of players and whether they are vaccinated or not. Some players stayed behind because they needed to have more training and play more games.

“It is difficult. It hasn’t allowed us to play games together and work on a tactical basis together. It will take a couple of games before the team starts to gel.”

July 19

In Australia, Palace were beaten 3-1 by Man Utd. Joel Ward (£4.5m) got the Eagles’ consolation goal. Vieira said:

“I think on the three goals that we conceded we should defend better. There are some pictures that we have to look at again but when you look at the individual talent of that team, we knew that it would be tough and difficult.

“At times we didn’t defend well enough – there was a lot of space between the lines and our pressing wasn’t good enough. We created space in behind [for Utd to attack] and then it was really difficult for us.”

Jack Butland (£4.5m) was forced off during the match with a hand/wrist injury.

July 19

Back in England, Zaha scored a brace – including a penalty – as the Eagles beat League Two Gillingham 3-2. The winger also earned an assist, while Benteke grabbed a goal and assist too.

Palace XI: Goodman, Boateng (Wells-Morrison 68), Sheridan, Guehi (Gordon 68), Riedewald (Addae 68), Doucoure (Bartley 68), Eze (MacArthur 68), Schlupp (Hughes 68), Plange (Cardogan 79), Zaha (Mooney 79), Benteke (Watson 68).

July 22

In Perth, Palace drew 1-1 with Leeds. Jordan Ayew (£5.5m) assisted Mateta for the Eagles’ equaliser.

On the disrupted pre-season the club have face, Vieira stated:

“We had to leave some important players behind. It was not the perfect scenario, not the best preparation.

“We have a lot of things to improve. Compared to some of the teams, we are a bit behind tactically.”

Palace XI: Guaita, Clyne, Andersen, Ward, Mitchell, Milivojevic, Rak-Sakyi, Ozoh (Ebiowei, 65), Edouard (Phillips¸80), Mateta (Street 84), Ayew (Adaramola, 84).

July 23

Zaha bagged another brace, again including a penalty, in a a 3-0 win against Championship team QPR. The Ivory Coast man also assisted Eze’s long-range strike. Benteke added another assist to his pre-season haul.

Post-match, Palace assistant boss Osian Roberts said:

“It’s important that players, as many as possible, got 90 minutes – which they did – and that that intensity was returning to our game at the level we expect. So we’re really pleased with that work ethic and attitude, in stepping up that intensity we need going into the last two weeks.

“We’ve built it up progressively from 45 [minutes] to 60 and then into 75s before today. Today I was hoping we could get really good output from the players both physically and in terms of technically and tactically, starting to get into a rhythm. And we got that for the majority of the game.”

Palace XI: Whitworth, Ferguson (Boateng 46), Tomkins (Hughes 46), Guéhi (Bartley 86), Riedewald (Watson 60), Doucouré, Eze, Schlupp, Plange (McArthur 46), Benteke, Zaha.

July 30

A reunited Palace beat Montpellier 4-2. Zaha was once again on the scoresheet, Guehi also scored and Edouard bagged a brace. Eze registered two assists, one from a corner.

On a central midfield role, Eze said:

“It’s been fun, playing in [centre] midfield. I played there a few times and it’s where you can get on the ball, play and get touches on the ball. That’s what I want to do.”

On the £5.5m midfielder, Vieira remarked:

“It’s about the number of minutes [he plays]. He played a lot of friendly games and is in really good shape. There’s no doubt about his quality. He can create goals, he can score goals, and again on the other side – how can we help the team to defend better?

“I think today you can see he’s really focusing and concentrated on his position out of possession and he’s playing with belief and confidence.”

Sam Johnstone (£4.5m) did not play a minute in pre-season because of a thigh problem, while Butland could miss two months with a broken finger. That leaves the No 1 shirt for Guaita to begin the season. James McArthur (£5.0m) is also sidelined.

Palace XI: Guaita; Ward (Clyne 60), Guehi, Andersen (Richards 79), Mitchell (Ferguson 79); Schlupp, Doucoure (Milivojevic 60), Eze (Ebiowei 79); Ayew (Plange 79), Zaha (Benteke 79), Edouard (Mateta 60).

Signings: Sam Johnstone, Malcolm Ebiowei, Cheick Doucoure, Chris Richards

Everton

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season everton

July 16/17

Everton were beaten 2-0 by Arsenal. On playing a back three and Everton’s condition, Frank Lampard said:

“We have to play three at the back because of the group we have on the trip. I like to be more flexible and to maybe play three in midfield, like Arsenal did tonight.

“I was relatively happy overall, we lost but Arsenal had already played two games. We are a bit behind in our fitness and there are a couple of things we can improve.”

On Jordan Pickford (£4.5m) and an injury to Asmir Begovic (£4.0m), the Everton boss added:

“We all know what a good season Jordan had last year. For me, it is a godsend to have a keeper at that level and playing so well – he is critical to results.

“Asmir twisted his ankle in training making a save. He’s gone for scan and we’ll know the results [soon]. Hopefully it is a minor one that is weeks, not months [out of action].”

On Seamus Coleman (£4.5m) and the prospects of budget defender Nathan Patterson (£4.0m), Lampard stated:

“Seamus Coleman is not training at the minute because of an injury. Hopefully he’ll be fit very early in the season. He’s our captain and our leader.

“Seamus will hopefully be fit on the brink of the season, so we’ll see if that allows him to be ready for those first games. We know Seamus, he’ll surprise you all the time because of his dedication and his body and his desire to play for this club. We saw that last season – he was really hanging on in there with the injury that he had, so we’ve sorted that out.

“It’s an opportunity for others. Patts [Nathan Patterson] has got over his injury – we had so many injuries last year, it’s something that we also have to tackle in terms of what are the reasons.

“Some of the injuries you can’t explain, some you think, ‘can we be better to try and minimise them?’ but we need to try and do that and it’s a real collective as well. Injuries mean opportunities and Patts can hopefully take that.”

Everton XI (first half): Pickford; Patterson, Holgate, Mina, Godfrey, Nkounkou; Gray, Doucoure, Davies, Dele; Calvert-Lewin.

Everton XI (second half): Crellin; Mills, Tarkowski, Keane, Welch, Mykolenko; Iwobi, Warrington, Gbamin, Gordon; Rondon.

July 20

A 4-0 defeat to MLS team Minnesota United sparked a cutting reaction from Lampard. The Toffees head coach ranted:

“The players have to work and understand we were in a relegation battle for a big portion of last season. We were in that fight for a reason. And if we don’t want to be in that situation again, they have to better and I have to be better. We know there is a void in forward areas, we are short in numbers there.

“The players must be up for the fact they have to fight to play in the team. The lads have trained well and trained hard out here but that performance should give them a lot to think about on the plane home, because it’s certainly given me a lot to think about.

“We can’t come off that [hard work] because the season’s coming round so quickly but it doesn’t give excuses for a performance like that. If there is to be good that comes out of this, then the players in the dressing room need to understand that they’ve put in a very poor performance individually and collectively, and got well beaten.”

On using a four-man defence against Minnesota, Lampard explained:

“I switched the formation to a back four and it was really interesting to see. At the back end of last season, we went to a back three and back five at times to find ways to get results.

“For me, it was a different test for the players to go into a back four, in terms of defensively, the organisation of the team and the quality on the ball to move the ball through the lines.

“I got a lot of interesting answers in terms of how we handled the change of formation. There’s lots to think about, lots of work to do. What matters is where we’re at in two and a half weeks [when the Premier League season starts].”

Everton XI (first half): Pickford, Patterson, Tarkowski, Keane, Mykolenko, Gordon, Doucoure, Davies, Iwobi, Gray, Calvert-Lewin.

Everton XI (second half): Crellin, Holgate, Godfrey, Mina, Nkounkou, Warrington (Price 71), Gbamin, Dele, Gordon (Dobbin 64), Gray (Mills 64), Rondon.

July 24

Having returned from the USA, Everton beat Blackpool 4-2. Budget defender Patterson picked up two assists from right wing-back, as Lampard reverted to a back three.

Vitalii Mykolenko (£4.5m) also shone from a wing-back role, bagging a goal and an assist. A Dele Alli (£5.5m) brace and a Tom Davies (£5.0m) strike added to Mykolenko’s opener.

On the wing-backs, Lampard said:

“They have to [provide assists/create chances] if we are going to play the way we did today and want to be offensive as well. From the outset it can feel like a defensive shape, I think it makes us more solid at times but we also have to have an offensive angle and the wing-backs are huge in that.

“I thought Myko and Patts, their starting positions and runs were good and we hit them with some nice passes and lots of elements of our patterns of play were better today than they have been so far in pre-season, so we have to keep working on that.”

Dominic Calvert-Lewin (£8.0m) and Demarai Gray (£5.5m) missed out ‘as a precaution’. The Everton boss explained:

“You’re concerned because you want them on the pitch but they are small issues that were not worth risking today. We travelled back from America on a long overnight flight after Minnesota. Then the lads needed a bit of time off and came back where they’ve got small issues so it wasn’t worth risking them. Hopefully, they’ll be fit to train in the middle of the week and we’ll play it from there.”

On Dele, he added:

“We are used to seeing him do that [being in the right place at the right time] and he did that so well when he broke through at Tottenham. If we are going to get the best out of him we want to keep that attribute because that’s something special, to be scoring those kind of goals – there’s a real art to that – but also his all-round game helping the team.”

Everton XI: Pickford; Godfrey (Keane 46), Mina (Holgate 46), Tarkowski; Mykolenko, Doucoure, Davies, Patterson; Gordon, Rondon, Dele.

July 29

New signing Dwight McNeil (£5.5m) bagged a brace on his first Everton appearance. Calvert-Lewin netted the opener from a James Tarkowski (£4.5m) pass in a 3-0 win against Dynamo Kyiv. Alex Iwobi (£5.5m) and another new man in Ruben Vinagre (£4.5m) also picked up assists.

Patterson again lined out at right wing-back, with Coleman not featuring at all in pre-season due to injury.

Everton XI: Pickford; Godfrey (Welch 83), Keane (Holgate 61), Tarkowski (Mills 83); Mykolenko (Vinagre 76), Iwobi (Warrington 83), Doucoure (Allan 76), Patterson (Nkounkou 83); Gordon (Rondon 76), Calvert-Lewin (Dele 61), Gray (McNeil 61).

Signings: James Tarkowski, Dwight McNeil, Ruben Vinagre

Fulham

best fulham fpl players

July 16

Fulham beat Ligue 1 team Nice 2-0. Both goals came from the penalty spot, courtesy of Neeskens Kebano (£5.5m) and Harry Wilson (£6.0m). Regular taker Aleksandar Mitrovic (£6.5m) was not involved, with Fulham also in action on July 17.

Fulham XI: Marek Rodak, Marlon Fossey, Conor McAvoy, Idris Odutayo, Antonee Robinson (Bryan 62), Harrison Reed (Francois 62), Nathaniel Chalobah (Palhinha 71), Sylvester Jasper, Luke Harris (Pereira 79), Neeskens Kebano (Wilson 71), Jay Stansfield (Tiehi 79).

July 17

Fulham were beaten 5-1 by Benfica. Mitrovic got the Whites’ consolation goal, heading in an Andreas Pereira (£4.5m) corner. The Brazilian may be ahead of Wilson in the corner-taking pecking order.

Fulham XI: Gazzaniga; Bryan (Robinson 65), Ream, Tosin, Tete; Cairney (Francois 74), Palhinha (Chalobah 84); De Cordova-Reid (Kebano 84), Pereira, Wilson; Mitrovic (Stansfield 74).

July 24

Mitrovic bagged two goals – both headers from corners – as Fulham beat Primeira Liga side Estoril 3-1. The first was assisted by budget midfielder Pereira, while Wilson took the second set-piece.

There was also an assist for Mitrovic, with his tap back driven into the net from the edge of the box by Joao Palhinha (£5.0m).

Fulham XI: Rodak; Robinson, Ream, Tosin, Tete; Reed (Francois 74), Palhinha (Chalobah 74); De Cordova-Reid (Harris 74), Pereira (Stansfield 66), Wilson; Mitrovic (Muniz 74).

July 31

Mitrovic scored another pre-season goal, with new signing Kevin Mbabu (£4.5m) providing the assist in a 1-1 draw with Villarreal.

On new signings and absences, Silva remarked:

“Kevin will help us to be more competitive down the right and Andreas is a quality player who can play in different positions and roles. He knows the Premier League well, which is really important for us.

“Harry Wilson and Nathaniel Chalobah are both injured. We’re waiting on the medical staff but it doesn’t look good. Harry’s injury is in his knee but we’ll wait for the medical staff.”

In the same vein as counterpart Parker, Silva is not pleased with Fulham’s lack of transfer business. Asked if the team needs one or two additions, the Portuguese replied:

“You are being positive. We have 16 senior players in our squad – no one can compete at this level with 16. I will tell you one more. No one can prepare a season with two central defenders at this level. We have two central defenders at this level.

“We can’t be competitive in this situation and I can talk more positions as well but this will not help at all. Everyone that understands football can see we need at least five or six players. That is clear, if we want to be competitive.

“These players need help to be competitive in the training every day. We cannot be now five weeks in the pre-season with two central defenders.

“No, no [we are not ready for the PL as a squad]. These players, they are ready for the Premier League. I congratulate them for the work they have been doing. I’m always behind them – they did fantastic last season. They are working really hard. [But] we as a squad are not ready.”

Fulham XI: Marek Rodak; Kenny Tete (Mbabu 84), Tosin, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson; Joao Palhinha (Harris 70), Harrison Reed; Andreas Pereira (Cairney 84), Bobby De Cordova-Reid, Neeskens Kebano (Stansfield 67); Aleksandar Mitrovic.

Signings: Joao Palhinha, Andreas Pereira, Manor Solomon, Kevin Mbabu

Leeds United

fpl tips: Bamford presents a more affordable high-scoring player

July 7

The Whites beat Championship side Blackpool 4-0. Robin Koch (£4.5m), Junior Firpo (£4.5m), Rodrigo (£6.0m) and Mateo Joseph were the scorers. Firpo, Jack Harrison (£6.0m) – who was on set-piece duty – Joe Gelhardt (£5.5m) and Jamie Shackleton (£4.5m) picked up the assists.

Leeds XI: Meslier (Klaesson 45), Firpo (Davies 45), Koch (Mullen 45), Roca (Bate 61), Rodrigo (Miller 45), Struijk (Moore 61), Harrison (Forshaw 61), Gelhardt (Joseph 61), Drameh (Shackleton 61), Greenwood (McGurk 61), Gray (Allen 72).

July 14

Dan James (£6.0m) scored one and assisted Joe Gelhardt (£5.5m) as Leeds beat Brisbane Roar 2-1. Raphinha has departed for Barcelona.

With Junior Firpo (£4.5m) now sidelined for up to eight weeks, Jack Harrison (£6.0m) was used as a makeshift left-back. The Whites are currently without a senior left-back option, as Stuart Dallas is also injured.

Leeds XI: Klaesson, Kristensen (Drameh 45), Koch (Llorente 61), Struijk, Harrison (Davis 45), Roca (Gyabi 45), Forshaw (Klich 45), James (Sinisterra 31, Summerville 61), Rodrigo (Adams 45, Gray 81), Aaronson (Greenwood 45), Gelhardt (Bamford 61).

July 17

Illan Meslier (£4.5m) saved a Coutinho penalty and rebound as Leeds lost 1-0 to Aston Villa. The goalkeeper was beaten from the spot by Ings in the second half. Leif Davis (not priced) was used at left-back.

On Leeds’ set-up under Jesse Marsch, Meslier said:

“Now the tactic with Jesse is good, it’s better. I feel more protection with my team-mates and honestly today, it was good. I had a lot of tackles and defensive actions from my teammates so yeah, I think it’s positive for the future.”

Leeds XI: Meslier, Kristensen (Drameh 64), Koch, Llorente (Struijk 45), Davis (Hjelde 68), Roca (Forshaw 62), Adams (Gray 62), Aaronson (Klich 62), James (Summerville 62), Harrison (Sinisterra 62), Bamford (Rodrigo 62).

July 22

A second-half Rodrigo (£6.0m) penalty gave Leeds a 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace in Perth. Patrick Bamford (£7.5m) had departed the action at half time, as had Mateusz Klich (£5.0m).

Pascal Struijk (£4.5m) began the game at left-back, with Harrison used in defence for the second period.

New signing Luis Sinisterra (£6.5m) was forced off with a hamstring injury early on. After full time, Marsch reported:

“Luis Sinisterra had a little hamstring injury. We’re hopeful that it’s not too much, too long, too severe.

“Any time we have a hamstring injury I am totally dissatisfied because I think that’s reflective of everything that we do with them physically, so we’ll evaluate that and we hope that it’s not so bad.

“Adam Forshaw (£4.5m) had Mateta kind of lean on him a little bit and tweaked his knee. We’re hopeful as well that that one’s not so bad but we will get more information on it in the next days.”

On Leeds’ set-up, Marsch explained:

“Tonight [against Villa] was one of our best games in terms of tactical clarity, in our execution of what we want the game to look like.

“We’re still working on our effectiveness in the last third, in our ability to turn some advantages into real concrete chances and goals.

“It’s been a theme since I’ve been here but the level the game is played at is so high that goals come at a premium.”

Leeds XI: Meslier, Kristensen, Koch (Hjelde 45), Llorente, Struijk (James 45), Adams (Summerville 45), Forshaw (Roca 33, Gyabi 61), Aaronson (Greenwood 45), Harrison, Sinisterra (Rodrigo 14, Klich 61), Bamford (Gelhardt 45).

July 31

Rodrigo netted three times as Leeds beat Serie B side Cagliara 6-2. Bamford grabbed a brace and an assist, while Robin Koch (£4.5m) also got his name on the scoresheet.

Harrison notched two assists, while Brenden Aaronson (£5.5m) went one better with three.

All of the Whites’ starting XI completed 90 minutes. A separate Leeds team – including Gelhardt – played a behind-closed-doors friendly the day before. Marsch explained:

“The full XI yesterday played 90 minutes and the full XI today played 90 minutes. We feel like most of them have come out of it with little things but no injuries. We have 22 players that I think are fit and ready to push for the season to start.

“Some of them yesterday are probably not going to be involved, they are more under-18s and stuff but in general, we’re physically good, we’re clear with our playing model and we’re moving forward.”

On absentees, the Leeds boss updated:

“Liam [Cooper] will hopefully be on the pitch tomorrow. Sinisterra is probably a week from being on the pitch and Firpo is probably two weeks from being on the pitch.

“I think Adam [Forshaw] is a week from being on the pitch. Luke [Ayling] is probably two weeks away from being on the pitch. We’re not at full strength but in two or three weeks we will be close to that, with the exception being Stuart Dallas.”

Leeds XI: Meslier; Struijk, Koch, Llorente, Kristensen; Roca, Adams; Harrison, Rodrigo, Aaronson; Bamford.

Signings: Brenden Aaronson, Rasmus Kristensen, Marc Roca, Darko Gyabi, Tyler Adams, Luis Sinisterra

Leicester City

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season leicester city

July 9

Harvey Barnes (£7.0m) scored Leicester’s only goal as they lost 2-1 to National League team Notts County. Patson Daka (£6.0m) notched the assist.

Leicester XI (first half): Iversen, Fofana, Wilson-Brown, Ricardo, Flynn, Choudhury, Barnes, Dewsbury-Hall, Wright, Daka, Soumare.

Leicester XI (second half): Stolarczyk, Hughes, Trialist, Leshabela, Marcal-Madivadua, Cover, Iheanacho, Fitzhugh, Maswanhise, Wormleighton, Trialist.

July 16

Leicester played a two-hour game against Belgian Pro League side Leuven. The match was split into three period, with the Foxes using 26 players – 22 of which played an hour.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall (£5.0m), Patson Daka (£6.0m) and Jamie Vardy (£9.5m) netted for Brendan Rodgers’ side in a 3-3 draw. James Maddison (£8.0m) registered an assist. On the playmaker, the Leicester boss gushed:

“James Maddison – it’s the best I’ve seen him in the three-and-a-half years I’ve been at Leicester. He looks now really physically strong, technically confident and tactically, his view of the game is outstanding.”

On Wilfred Ndidi (£5.0m), Rodgers explained:

“Wilf’s twisted his ankle in training a few days ago. We don’t think it’s too serious. It’s a high ankle sprain, so he had a scan on it and it’ll hopefully be okay. We’ve just looked after him really – he won’t be involved [against Leuven] but hopefully next week at some point, he’ll be back training.”

Leicester are yet to make a signing this summer. On that situation, Rodgers admitted:

“Of course I want to improve the squad, I want to develop the squad – I said that midway through last year. But if it’s difficult financially…I really respect the club, so I don’t go to war with them. Hopefully we can improve the squad but my honest opinion is that it’s not going to be the level I would have wanted. But that’s just unfortunate.”

Leicester XI [first hour]: Iversen; Pereira, Evans, Fofana, Justin; Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall; Perez, Maddison, Barnes; Daka.

Leicester XI [second hour] Stolarczyk; Castagne, Vestergaard (Braybrooke 107), Soyuncu, Thomas; Amartey (Choudhury 107), Mendy; Iheanacho, Tielemans (Albrighton 107), Praet (Wright 107); Vardy.

July 20

The Foxes brushed off Championship club Hull in a 4-0 victory. Daka, Barnes, Fofana and Maddison all scored. The latter also picked up an assist, as did Dewsbury-Hall.

On the two XIs used, Rodgers explained:

“We played two different systems [back three first half, back four second half] and the players played the systems very well. We need that adaptability and we showed great quality tonight.

“The goals were very good, with good build-up play. Everything was connected and I was really pleased with some of the tactical things we’ve been working on.

“Especially, with the second-half team, some of the areas we looked to get into – with full-backs, with the No 8s, it pushes us higher up the pitch when we can be more aggressive. With and without the ball, it was a pleasing night.”

Leicester City XI [first-half]: Iversen, Thomas, Soyuncu, Vestergaard, Amartey, Castagne, Tielemans, Mendy, Praet, Perez, Daka.

Leicester City XI [second half]: Iversen, Pereira, Fofana, Evans, Justin, Soumare, Maddison, Dewsbury-Hall, Albrighton, Vardy, Barnes.

July 23

Rodgers split his squad over two friendlies. A 2-1 win against Championship outfit Preston saw goals for Vardy and Barnes. Dewsbury-Hall assisted both strikes.

Leicester XI: Schmeichel (Iversen 60); Ricardo, Fofana, Evans, Justin; Soumare, Dewsbury-Hall, Maddison; Albrighton (Perez 60), Vardy, Barnes.

July 23

Ndidi returned from injury as the Foxes beat League One Derby 3-1. Kelechi Iheanacho (£6.5m), Daka and youth player Callum Wright were the goalscorers. Timothy Castagne (£4.5m) and Papy Mendy (£4.5m) earned assists.

Leicester XI: Stolarczyk; Soyuncu, Vestergaard, Amartey; Castagne, Thomas, Ndidi (Mendy 60), Tielemans, Praet (Choudhury 75); Daka, Iheanacho (Wright 80).

July 31

A deflected Dewsbury-Hall strike gave Leicester a 1-0 win against Sevilla. Maddison registered the assist.

On injuries to Ricardo Pereira (£4.5m) and Barnes, Rodgers said:

“It was a disappointment with Ricky coming off. It doesn’t look good but we’ll see how that is. We’re hoping it might not be so bad but it doesn’t look good. It is a huge blow because he’s been very good for us in pre-season.

“[For Barnes] we think it’s okay. He just felt it was unstable, so there was no need to take the risk. This is a time of the season you don’t need to force it. Sat on the bed there, he seems fine and the medical team think he’s fine but we’ll see how that is [on Monday].”

On Wesley Fofana (£4.5m), who was subbed at half time, the Foxes chief added:

“Fofana had a slight groin issue, we just needed to get him through and then get him off safe.”

On the future of Kasper Schmeichel, Rodgers stated:

“Nothing I’m aware of – little bit interest over summer. Kasper has earned the right to think about the next chapter of his career and where he’ll be.

“Absolutely [it is a possibility Schmeichel may not start the season in goal]. There’s nobody here guaranteed to play. You have to defend your place by your performances every day in training and in games.”

On back-up goalkeeper Danny Ward (£4.0m), who did not feature in pre-season, the Northern Irishman added:

“He’s been coming back. He’s been working with the medical team and he’s been out on the pitches of late now, so we’re hopeful he will play in the behind-closed-doors game [on Monday].”

FPL have yet to price fellow reserve keeper Daniel Iversen.

On the potential battle for the Number 1 shirt, Rodgers said:

“Danny Ward is an exceptional keeper. I’ve always said we’ve got a number one keeper there. He’s had some issues around his knee but that looks to be behind him now, he’s been training well. He’s looked good. If Kasper is to go, he’s a big possibility for us.

“Daniel Iversen has been out on loan and shown he’s a very competent goalkeeper. At 25 years of age, he’s got experience, so he’s here. I think we would still need to bring in another one as a back-up. I’d be happy with that.

“It’s a ‘what-if’ scenario so if Kasper was to move on, we saw him [Ward] against Watford, how he comes for crosses, how he takes the ball. He can deal with the ball at his feet. He was an international keeper with Wales until he picked up a little knock, so I’ve got every confidence in him to go in and do a great job.

“Daniel Iversen is there as well. We saw on Sunday night, he’s a fantastic shot stopper. He’s improved so much with his feet since I first came in.”

Leicester XI: Iversen (Schmeichel 46); Justin, Evans, Fofana (Amartey 46), Pereira (Tielemans 37); Ndidi (Soumare 68); Barnes (Praet 61), Maddison (Albrighton 84), Dewsbury-Hall (Mendy 84), Castagne; Vardy (Daka 68).

Signings: none

Liverpool

Mohamed Salah Stats. best captain gameweek 1

July 12

A Liverpool side, in which 32 different players were used over 90 minutes, lost 4-0 to Manchester United. Luis Diaz (£8.0m) and Mo Salah (£13.0m) both struck the woodwork during the encounter.

On the loss, Jurgen Klopp said:

“Obviously the game came a little bit too early for us, for some of our boys. So I think we agree that we saw a lot of good things in this game but in the decisive moments, we were not clear enough with finishing our situations off. We gave massive chances away, pretty much. Pretty much no-brainers [of chances conceded] but United did well in these moments, they finished the situations off.”

Liverpool XI: Alisson (Adrian 46); Mabaya (Frauendorf 32, Alexander-Arnold 61), Phillips (Matip 32, Konate 61), Gomez (Williams 32, Van Dijk 61), Chambers (Tsimikas 32, Robertson 61); Henderson (Clarkson 32, Fabinho 61), Morton (Oxlade-Chamberlain 32, Hill 61), Carvalho (Milner 32, Thiago 61); Elliott (Bajcetic 32, Keita 61), Firmino (Clark 32, Nunez 61), Diaz (Jones 32, Salah 61).

July 14

On Diogo Jota (£9.0m) suffering a recurrence of his injury, Klopp explained:

“So, Diogo is unlucky. Diogo was not involved [against Man United] because of an injury he got at the end of his season. He trained yesterday fully and got injured again, so that’s really not cool but we have to wait for the results. He had further assessment this morning, so we have to see. The same region [hamstring], yes.”

July 15

Liverpool beat Crystal Palace 2-0. Trent Alexander-Arnold (£7.5m) assisted a Salah strike, which fortuitously found the net after a Vicente Guaita error. Jordan Henderson (£5.5m) grabbed the other goal, assisted by Harvey Elliott (£5.0m).

On Jota and Alisson (£5.5m), Klopp updated:

“Diogo is a concern. With Diogo, it’s a muscle again. Ali is not cool as well; it will not be too long but each day Ali is not involved is already too long, to be honest.

“Ali, I think, has the chance for [Manchester] City [in the Community Shield] and Diogo not.

“Ali, he feels a muscle, abdominal. It’s nothing serious but again, we prepare a full season. So he can train but just not like before, so he should not play in the moment. Not normal goalie training but he has a pre-season, so he doesn’t lose time.

“But yeah, these kind of things happen. The boys have to travel a lot and train and you never know exactly.

“It’s only little things, nothing serious but we have to be careful because the rest of the season is much longer than the start.”

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (£5.0m) also picked up an injury during the Palace game, while Joe Gomez (£4.5m) wasn’t risked.

Liverpool XI: Adrian (H Davies 45, Mrozek 78); Tsimikas (Robertson 45, Chambers 78), Matip, Konate (Van den Berg 45, Williams 78), Milner (Alexander-Arnold 45); Jones (Thiago 45, Morton 78), Henderson (Fabinho 45, Bajcetic 78), Elliott (Keita 45, Norris 78); Diaz (Carvalho 45), Firmino (Nunez 45, Clark 78), Chamberlain (Leighton-Clarkson 44, Salah 45).

July 21

Darwin Nunez (£9.0m) scored four goals in 45 minutes as Liverpool beat RB Leipzig 5-0. Salah got the other goal, while he also allowed the Reds’ new signing to take a penalty just into the second half.

Alexander-Arnold, Roberto Firmino (£8.0m), Elliott and Fabio Carvalho (£5.5m) all earned assists.

On Nunez, Klopp said:

“We always think that [even] if you pay a lot of money, then the players feel no pressure or whatever. They are all completely normal human beings and the first touch is not perfect then all of a sudden…this generation of players read social media – which is really not smart – but they do.

“All of a sudden you get in a rush and these kinds of things. That’s the best way obviously to stop all these discussions. He’s a different striker to what we have or what we had but he’s a really good one.

“Mo, I am not sure if it is because of his new contract or if he is being generous as hell but he gave Darwin the penalty.”

July 23

Jota, Oxlade-Chamberlain and Caoimhin Kelleher (£4.0m) were left out of Liverpool’s pre-season training camp in Austria due to injury. Alisson has travelled and was pictured in training.

On Salah, Klopp remarked:

“He looks like he always looks; sharp, top fit, full of desire for success and working extremely hard, coming back extremely fit. Mo is like this. I’m not sure Mo needs a pre-season – he could start the season immediately. He needs it for the rhythm and all these kind of things but not from a physical point of view. He just has a talent in this department but he is working extremely hard as well.”

Liverpool XI: Adrian (Davies 60); Alexander-Arnold (Milner 60), Konate (Matip 46), Van Dijk (Gomez 60), Robertson (Tsimikas 46); Fabinho (Bajcetic 60), Thiago (Jones 60), Keita (Henderson 46); Salah (Elliott 60), Firmino (Nunez 46), Diaz (Carvalho 60).

July 26

On team news, Klopp offered:

“Obviously Diogo [Jota] is not here [in Austria], that’s clear but from the boys who are injured but are here, Alisson is the closest – definitely not for Salzburg [July 27] but then we will see. He is close to get back, I think.”

July 27

The Reds lost 1-0 to Salzburg. On attacking struggles in the first half with a weaker XI, Klopp said:

“Darwin [Nunez] was much too often alone. Everybody dropped, everybody was involved in the build-up but too wide and we could only pass the ball to Darwin in the box. He had his moments and nearly scored [hit the bar] but he needs much more support around him.”

On Kostas Tsimikas (£4.5m), the German explained:

“He got yesterday a knock, so he could not play today.”

Liverpool XI: Adrian, Mabaya (Alexander-Arnold 60), Konate (Matip 60), Gomez (Van Dijk 60), Milner (Robertson 46), Bajcetic (Fabinho 60), Keita (Morton 46, Henderson 60), Jones (Thiago 60), Elliott (Salah 60), Carvalho (Diaz 60), Nunez (Firmino 46).

July 28

On availability for the Community Shield, Klopp said:

“No, Alisson and Diogo [Jota] have no [chance]. Ali trained today more than the day before so he will be definitely available for Fulham [in Gameweek 1] but not for the weekend.

“Diogo was not here [in Austria] with us, so how could he play a football game? That will take a while unfortunately. That’s it.”

On Roberto Firmino (£8.0m), the German lauded:

“Bobby is crucial for us. Bobby is [the] heart and soul of this team. The way we played in the last few years was only possible because of Bobby.

“That’s why I’m really happy he could train the majority of the time here in the pre-season so far and everything looks really good. I am absolutely fine and for me, there’s no doubt about his quality. All the rest, we will see how this year goes but yes, he is essential for us.”

July 30

Salah scored from the spot and assisted Alexander-Arnold in a 3-1 win against Man City. Nunez grabbed the third goal in an impressive cameo, with Robertson nodding down a Salah cross to assist the striker. Nunez also won Liverpool’s penalty. On the striker and selection, Klopp said:

“It was good, it was really good. It is clear it will get better with time. We are patient and we know he can do good stuff. I liked his impact today; I liked the impact.

“Probably one of the highlights of the game, as good as we were, was the impact from the bench – [it] was really exceptional. Everybody who came on was immediately in the game – very, very, very helpful. A top sign.

“I [also] liked, how I said, the first line-up I liked a lot; how we started, I liked a lot. It was really good football, we used decisive spaces and kept City away from our goal.”

Joel Matip (£6.0m) was favoured over Ibrahima Konate (£5.0m) at centre-back.

Liverpool XI: Adrian; Alexander-Arnold (Milner 74), Matip, Van Dijk, Robertson; Fabinho, Henderson (Elliott 73), Thiago (Keita 85); Diaz (Carvalho 90), Salah (Jones 94), Firmino (Nunez 58).

July 31

A day later, Carvalho was among the second-string names to garner pre-season minutes in a defeat to Strasbourg.

Konate, who will be competing with Matip for a centre-back spot, picked up an injury in the game. On that and absences, Klopp explained:

“We don’t know exactly yet on Ibou but it doesn’t look too concerning, so I hope we caught it in the right moment.

“Naby is ill and Curtis felt [an injury issue] a little bit and we couldn’t take any risks.”

Liverpool XI: Davies, Mabaya (Phillips 46), Konate (Van den Berg 57), Gomez, Chambers, Milner, Bajcetic (Clark 57), Morton, Frauendorf (Musialowski 76), Elliott, Carvalho.

Signings: Calvin Ramsay, Fabio Carvalho, Darwin Nunez

Manchester City

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season man city

July 16

Aymeric Laporte (£6.0m), John Stones (£5.5m), Ilkay Gundogan (£7.5m) and Phil Foden (£8.0m) are not part of City’s travelling squad for a pre-season tour in the US.

Laporte is not fully fit, while the other three did not meet USA entry requirements.

Stones, Gundogan and Foden have instead travelled to Croatia for a pre-season camp with Man City’s under-23 squad.

July 17

Having been a noticeable absentee from City training pictures to this point, Erling Haaland (£11.5m) was snapped in action abroad.

July 19

On a disrupted pre-season, Pep Guardiola admitted:

“Yes, it’s disappointing, I would like them to be here. Since our second season when we ended up with 100 points, that was the only season when we were all together. Since then it’s always been four players arriving and then a week later, another one. We started [last]] season with incredible problems. Every year we drop points.

“This season I thought maybe we will be all together but due to the personal situation of these players [we are not]. But it’s what it is, we are going to move forward and we have to adapt. But they are fit, they are training with the under-23s and they’ll come back and join us and they’ll be fine.

“It [pre-season] is to restart the engine in our work. We still have absences here and players who could not travel. Step by step, we will feel better. We are a little away from our best.”

July 20

Kevin De Bruyne (£12.0m) scored a brace in a 2-1 win against Liga MX side Club America. Riyad Mahrez (£8.0m) picked up an assist. On Julian Alvarez (£6.5m), Guardiola remarked:

“Julian was incredible – defensively, he is quite similar like Gabriel [Jesus]. Gabriel is probably the best but he is close to him in aggression and how intuitive he is, he makes the runs and with the ball he’s absolutely brilliant.

“He can keep the ball and you can link with him without a problem. We have the feeling we signed a top-class young player for the next years to come, and we are delighted.”

On De Bruyne, the City boss added:

“Last pre-season he arrived in bad conditions, because of injuries. He took a long time to get his best condition but the start of this season was the opposite.

“We saw in sessions he’s sharp and strong and he continued with the same level as last season – it was his best season in terms of scoring goals and he’s started really well.”

On the unused Haaland, Guardiola admitted:

“Next game, he’ll be ready. He had niggles, we don’t want to take risks, maybe against Bayern, we will see. He made two sessions, we don’t want to take risks. The season is so long; we will have time, don’t worry.

“He had some problems last season at Dortmund but we try to handle it; it’s not a big issue. We want to take care of them. When we come back we want to be fit; the player has to be fit to be ready. It will come.”

Man City XI: Ortega Moreno, Walker, Ake (Phillips 45), Mbete, Cancelo (Wilson-Esbrand 45), Rodrigo, De Bruyne (McAtee 71), Bernardo (Kayky 76), Mahrez (Palmer 45), Alvarez (Delap 71), Grealish (Lewis 76).

July 22

On Stones, Gundogan and Foden, Guardiola commented:

“They [have] trained really well. I have an update every day with Brian [Barry-Murphy], the manager of the EDS [under-23s]. Knowing John, Ilkay and Phil, they are like this.

“Tomorrow they come back to Manchester like us and on Tuesday they will start training with us ahead of the Community Shield.”

July 23

Haaland did indeed make his first City appearance against Bayern Munich, marking the occasion with the winning goal in a 1-0 victory. Jack Grealish (£7.0m) set up the Norwegian striker.

Haaland had the ball in the net again but the effort – assisted by Bernardo Silva (£7.0m) – ruled out for offside. Post-match, Guardiola said:

“He [Haaland] scored a goal which is important, these type of goals in front of keeper – always he’s there. The first minutes, he needs more rhythm and time but already he had 45 minutes which is good for him. We’ll see how he reacts to the niggles that he had in the previous weeks.

“This is just the first 40 minutes he has played – he made just four or five training sessions. He needs weeks. He’s not like Phil Foden for example, who can have two days of training sessions and then play 180 minutes.

“He’s big, he needs more time but we have a long week after the Community Shield and a long week after West Ham. They will be important to get his best condition but it is important for strikers to start scoring goals.

“After we come back [for the start of the season] we have long weeks to prepare every weekend game. In those two or three weeks, we will get the best form. Important is how we finished the tour with no injuries.”

On Joshua-Wilson Esbrand (£4.0m), who played at left-back, Guardiola remarked:

“The problem with Josh is the last two years he was injured. He had a problem with the knee and muscular issue but we believe he has the potential.

“He’s aggressive to win the duels and with the ball is so clever, he is a good 1 v 1 defender and doesn’t feel the pressure with the ball. Today was an example of how our back four were pressed but didn’t lose much of the ball. He did a really good game. If we can control his injuries, we will have a full-back for many years.”

Man City XI: Ederson, Dias (Walker 57), Ake, Cancelo, Wilson-Esbrand (Lewis 81), Rodrigo, De Bruyne, Bernardo (Phillips 69), Mahrez (Palmer 69), Haaland (Alvarez 41), Grealish.

July 29

Guardiola confirmed that Laporte will miss several gameweeks due to injury. The City chief said:

“Laporte is injured. He had surgery after last season. He played the last three games with an injury; an incredible effort but he could not continue to do that.

“He has done incredibly well but but we need to be careful because it is the knee. He needs time. I think he will be out in August. Maybe in September, he will start to be with us. We will see.”

Asked about signing a left-back, Guardiola replied:

“If it is possible, yeah. If not, we have enough players. Joao [Cancelo] can play there. Josh [Wilson-Esbrand] can play there. Nathan [Ake] can play there.”

July 30

Haaland played the entire Community Shield as City lost 3-1 to Liverpool. The striker racked up a big xG total (1.56), smacking the top of the crossbar with his biggest chance. He also had a goal chalked off, with the ball having gone just out of play in the build-up. On the forward, Guardiola said:

“He is strong. He missed it and another time he will put it in the net. It happened – it’s football. He had another goal disallowed because the ball was out of the line.

“He has this talent and he will do it. I am not concerned or worried about that. I would be happy if he scored and we win but we have a long season ahead of us. It is so intense. He is going to help us, I am pretty sure about that.”

On the start of the season, the Spaniard added:

“We need this month; long week training, game, long week training, game, to get our tempo.”

Ake was favoured over Stones at centre-back. Alvarez netted City’s equaliser.

Man City XI: Ederson; Walker, Dias, Ake, Cancelo; Rodrigo, De Bruyne (Gundogan 73), Bernardo; Mahrez (Foden 58), Grealish (Alvarez 58), Haaland.

Signings: Stefan Ortega, Kalvin Phillips, Erling Haaland

Manchester United

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season man utd

July 11

On Cristiano Ronaldo (£10.5m), Erik ten Hag said:

“He is not with us [on our pre-season tour] and it is due to personal reasons. We are planning with Cristiano Ronaldo for this season. That’s it and I’m looking forward to working with him.”

July 12

Jadon Sancho (£7.5m), Fred (£5.5m), Anthony Martial (£7.0m) and Facundo Pellestri (£4.5m) all scored as United beat Liverpool 4-0. The Merseysiders used a total of 32 players over 90 minutes. Amad Diallo got the only non-fantasy assist. On the win, Ten Hag said:

“Liverpool played with three teams and they were not at their strongest, so we are not overestimating them [our players]. We saw some really good things. What you see is we have a lot of creativity, speed in the front [attack] and we have potential.”

Man Utd XI: De Gea (Heaton 68); Dalot (Wan-Bissaka 46), Varane (Bailly 46), Lindelof (Telles 46), Shaw (Malacia 46); McTominay (Iqbal 46), Fred (Savage 46); Sancho (Pellistri 46), Fernandes (van de Beek 46), Rashford (Elanga 46); Martial (Diallo 46).

July 14

Asked if Donny van de Beek (£5.5m) is better in central or attacking midfield, Ten Hag explained:

“He can do both. I know that from the past. But his best position, his best capability is in the box of the opponent.

“Playing short behind the striker, he has a really good smell of being in the right position.”

On his team’s style, the United manager stated:

“I wouldn’t say that we play man marking. At a certain moment we play man marking. We want to press, we want to press all day and play proactive football. Sometimes we can do that high but if not possible, we have to read it as a team and drop lower. But we want to press and that has to be the intention all day.”

July 15

United beat Melbourne Victory 4-1 as their pre-season tour continued. Scott McTominay (£5.0m), Martial and Marcus Rashford (£6.5m) graced the scoresheet, along with an own goal. Diogo Dalot (£4.5m) was involved in Martial’s finish, while Eric Bailly (£4.0m) set up Rashford.

On absentees David de Gea (£5.0m) and Raphael Varane (£5.0m), Ten Hag said:

“David, you saw against Liverpool, he fell out [injured] but he trains already and is back on the training pitch. So no big worry.

“Rapha is also training [individually] but yeah, something small and I expect him back on the training pitch [soon].”

On opposition tactics, the Utd boss explained:

“I would say against opponents who want to come forward, it is easier – the spaces are bigger. When opponents are dead [far] back, you have to invest in more running and more opposite running, more ball control and especially with your decisions, you need intelligence in order to create something.”

Man Utd XI (first half): Heaton; Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof, Dalot; Fred, McTominay; Elanga, Fernandes, Sancho; Martial.

Man Utd XI (second half): Heaton, Malacia, Bailly, Laird, Telles, Savage, Van de Beek, Iqbal, Chong, Amad, Rashford.

July 19

Martial continued his hot pre-season streak, scoring and assisting in a 3-1 win against Crystal Palace. Rashford and Sancho also got their names on the scoresheet, while Dalot and Van de Beek registered assists.

On his attackers and the team’s style, Ten Hag stated:

“I hope we can convince them [the forwards] as they do a lot of work. A lot of running.

“Often you see offensive players, they miss, that is what they think, in the offence, the energy. But you can see they put a lot of energy in defence and they get rewarded by scoring goals because we are winning balls high on the pitch.

“No opponent likes to get beat on the press, in the defending line. I think it’s a big advantage to do that but you need the whole team.

“I agree [that we are winning the ball higher up in the field in dangerous positions] and that is also the demand on the team. We press all day and if we can, do that high up the pitch. But if we can’t, we get to do that in a lower block but we also have to press and do it together as a team.”

Man Utd XI (first 60 minutes): De Gea; Malacia, Lindelof, Maguire, Dalot; Fred, McTominay (Van de Beek 46); Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho; Martial.

Man Utd XI (last 30 minutes): De Gea; Telles, Laird, Fish, Wan-Bissaka; Savage, Van de Beek; Hannibal, Iqbal, Elanga, Amad.

July 23

Sancho notched again in a 2-2 draw against Aston Villa. Luke Shaw (£5.0m) assisted that strike, while Rashford caused a Villa own goal.

On Ronaldo, Ten Hag said pre-match:

“There is no update, the situation is just the same as last week.”

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Dalot (Wan-Bissaka 67), Maguire (Bailly 67), Lindelof (Varane 67), Shaw (Malacia 67); Van de Beek (Garner 67), Fred (Telles 67), Sancho (Chong 67); Fernandes (Iqbal 67), Rashford (Elanga 67), Martial (Hannibal 67).

July 30

Sancho missed the 1-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid. Ten Hag explained:

“Overnight he got sick, so he is not available.”

Shaw also missed out through illness.

On United’s overall play, the manager said:

“I think what I say, our game, our possession game, our transition game I think was really good so we create a lot of threat for them. We had weapons, we create opportunities, so at that point I was really satisfied.”

Man Utd XI: De Gea; Dalot, Maguire, Lindelof, Malacia; McTominay (Van de Beek 70), Fred; Elanga (Pellestri 72, Garner 87), Fernandes, Rashford; Martial (Eriksen 70).

July 31

Ronaldo made his first appearance of the summer as a weaker United XI drew 1-1 with Rayo Vallecano. Amad Diallo scored for the Red Devils.

Christian Eriksen (£6.5m) appeared in both games, while Lisandro Martinez (£4.5m) made his ‘debut’ against Rayo.

Man Utd XI: Heaton; Telles, Martinez (Bailly 63), Varane, Laird; Van de Beek, Garner (Iqbal 76); Chong (Hansen-Aaroen 88), Eriksen (Hannibal 63), Garnacho (Shoretire 76); Ronaldo (Amad 46).

Signings: Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen, Lisandro Martinez

Newcastle United

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season newcastle

July 9

Newcastle beat National League outfit Gateshead 5-1. Miguel Almiron (£5.0m) bagged a brace, Joelinton netted from the penalty spot with further goals from Matt Ritchie (£4.5m) and Sean Longstaff (£4.5m). Allan Saint-Maximin (£6.5m) and Joelinton picked up assists.

Newcastle United XI (first half): Martin Dubravka, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Kell Watts, Paul Dummett, Jonjo Shelvey, Elliot Anderson, Joe Willock, Matt Ritchie, Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson.

Newcastle United XI (second half): Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, Kell Watts, Dan Burn, Matt Targett, Matty Longstaff, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, Miguel Almirón, Allan Saint-Maximin, Jacob Murphy.

July 15

The Magpies beat German third-tier side 1860 Munich 3-0. Joe Willock (£5.0m), Sean Longstaff (£4.5m) and Bruno Guimaraes (£6.0m) got the goals. The Brazilian also notched an assist, as did Jonjo Shelvey (£5.0m) and Chris Wood (£6.0m).

Newcastle XI (first 60 minutes): Pope, Krafth, Lascelles (Botman 46), Burn, Targett, Willock, Shelvey, Anderson, Murphy, Wilson, Saint-Maximin.

Newcastle XI (last 30 minutes): Dubravka, Trippier, Botman, Schar, Dummett, Bruno, Joelinton, Sean Longstaff, Almiron, Fraser, Wood.

July 18

Newcastle were beaten 1-0 by Bundesliga team Mainz.

Newcastle XI: Dubravka (Pope 61), Trippier (Krafth 61), Schar (Burn 57), Botman (Lascelles 61), Dummett (Ritchie 31, Targett 61), Guimaraes (Shelvey 61), S.Longstaff (Willock 61), Joelinton (Anderson 61), Almiron (Murphy 61), Fraser (Saint-Maximin 61), Wood (Wilson 61).

July 23

Two separate Newcastle XIs played 90 minutes against Burnley – one half against the Clarets’ first-choice team and the second against a more youthful XI.

Saint-Maximin, Wilson and Miguel Almiron (£5.0m) all netted against the stronger of Burnley’s line-ups.

Matt Ritchie (£4.5m), Jacob Murphy (£4.5m), Elliot Anderson, Willock (2) and Almiron were the scorers against the younger eleven.

Newcastle United XI A: Nick Pope, Matt Bondswell, Dan Burn, Sven Botman, Emil Krafth, Jonjo Shelvey, Joelinton, Bruno Guimaraes, Allan Saint-Maximin, Matt Ritchie, Jacob Murphy.

Newcastle United XI B: Karl Darlow, Matt Targett, Paul Dummett, Jamaal Lascelles, Kieran Trippier, Sean Longstaff, Elliot Anderson (sub Matty Longstaff), Joe Willock, Ryan Fraser, Callum Wilson, Miguel Almirón (sub Santiago Munoz).

July 26

Kieran Trippier (£5.0m) assisted an Almiron brace in a 3-2 defeat to Benfica.

On an injury to Shelvey, Howe explained:

“Jonjo, it looks like a hamstring problem. I don’t know any more than that at the moment. It’s really disappointing, he’s worked so hard to keep himself fit and be in a good place physically. Any injury would be a blow to him and for us, so fingers crossed it’s not bad.”

On Martin Dubravka (£4.5m) and other issues, the Magpies chief added:

“Martin’s got a sprained wrist from fielding a ball at close range. We don’t think it’s too serious.

“The others, I think you know about. Fede Fernandez and Jamal Lewis, they’re working their way back to fitness. [Ryan] Fraser was missing with a family issue.

“We still haven’t seen [Javier] Manquillo [who has been getting treatment in Madrid]. We’re due to see him when we return to England.”

Newcastle United (first half): Nick Pope, Kieran Trippier, Jamaal Lascelles, Sven Botman, Matt Targett, Sean Longstaff, Bruno Guimaraes, Elliot Anderson, Miguel Almiron, Allan Saint-Maximin, Callum Wilson.

Newcastle United (second half): Karl Darlow, Emil Krafth, Fabian Schar, Dan Burn, Matt Bondswell, Jonjo Shelvey (M Longstaff 75), Joelinton, Joe Willock, Matt Ritchie, Jacob Murphy, Chris Wood.

July 29

Howe split his squad for friendlies on Friday and Saturday. A Wood penalty earned the Magpies a 1-0 against Atalanta.

Newcastle XI: Pope, Trippier, Schar, Burn, Targett, S Longstaff, Anderson, Almiron, Murphy (M Longstaff 82), Fraser (Bondswell 90), Wood (Stephenson 90).

July 30

Wilson and Saint-Maximin scored in a 2-1 win over Athletic Bilbao. Ritchie and Joelinton earned assists.

On his goalkeeping selection for Gameweek 1, Howe said:

“I thought Martin [Dubravka] did very well today. He made a couple of very good saves and distributed the ball well. Nick [Pope] played really well [against Atalanta], so that’s a tough call.”

With Shelvey sidelined, Guimaraes could end up in a deeper midfield role. On the English midfielder, the manager updated:

“We were waiting for some scan results and a couple of opinions on his hamstring injury. It looks like there is some nerve damage. We’re waiting to see the extent of the damage of the hamstring, if there is any at all.”

Newcastle XI: Dubravka, Krafth, Lascelles, Botman, Dummett (Bondswell 70), Bruno (M Longstaff 89), Joelinton, Willock, Ritchie, Saint-Maximin (De Bolle 89), Wilson (Munoz 90).

Signings: Nick Pope, Sven Botman, Matt Targett (permanent deal)

Nottingham Forest

July 8

Forest lost 3-1 to Championship side Coventry. Giulian Biancone (£4.5m), operating at right wing-back, netted for Nottingham.

Forest XI (first half): Dean Henderson; Joe Worrall, Steve Cook, Moussa Niakhaté; Giulian Biancone, Ryan Yates, Jack Colback, Nicholas Ioannou; Joe Lolley (Oli Hammond 37); Lyle Taylor, Taiwo Awoniyi.

Forest XI (second half): Jordan Smith; Fin Back, Loic Mbe Soh, Jonathan Panzo, Aaron Donnelly; Cafu, Braian Ojeda; Xande Silva, Oli Hammond, Alex Mighten; Nuno da Costa.

July 12

Steve Cooper’s men beat League One’s Burton Albion 1-0, with Steve Cook (£4.5m) heading in from a Cafu (£4.5m) corner. Brennan Johnson (£6.0m) is yet to return to action following his summer excursions with Wales.

Biancone once again lined up at right wing-back. Neco Williams (£4.0m) joined training the day before the game but was not part of the squad.

On an injury suffered by midfielder Ryan Yates (£5.0m), Cooper explained:

“Yatesy is out for a month. He got injured in Spain, unfortunately. He’s strained a ligament in his knee. It’s a blow for him. As you’d expect, he came back extremely fit and raring to go. He hit the ground running in Spain, caught the eye in training and then unfortunately he’s picked that up.”

Forest XI: Henderson, Niakhate (Mbe Soh 64), Cook (Harbottle 64), Worrall (Panzo 64), Biancone (Back 64), Colback (Ojeda 64), Cafu (Konate 64), Ioannou (Donnelly 64), Hammond, L Taylor (Mighten 53), Awoniyi (D Taylor 64).

July 16

Williams made his first appearance for Forest in a 0-0 draw with League One Barnsley. The ex-Liverpool man took up a spot at left wing-back, with Biancone retaining his place on the opposite flank.

Dean Henderson (£4.5m) was forced off after 30 minutes, with fellow new signing Wayne Hennesey (£4.0m) taking his place. On the Man Utd loanee, Cooper said:

“It was a precaution. It’s been a really heavy week physically, including for the goalkeepers.

“He’s not injured, he’s fine. He just felt his groin a little bit. He did the right thing by coming off.”

Forest XI: Henderson (Hennessey 30); Worrall (Donnelly 61, Abbott 83), Cook (McKenna 46), Niakhate; Biancone (Laryea 61), Cafu (Fewster 61), Colback (Ojeda 61), Williams (Ioannou 46); Hammond (D Taylor 61); Johnson (Mighten 46), Awoniyi (L Taylor 61).

July 20

Henderson was back in action as Forest beat Bundesliga team Hertha Berlin 3-1. Budget forward Lyle Taylor (£4.5m) scored twice, with Scott McKenna (£4.5m) earning an assist. An own goal wrapped up the win. Williams, from a right wing-back role, was heavily involved in Forest’s first two goals.

On an injury to new signing Omar Richards (£4.5m) – who would have been competing with Harry Toffolo (£4.5m) at left wing-back – Cooper said:

“Omar has picked up an injury – we are still getting to the bottom of it. But it is unfortunate what has happened. It is not going to be a few days. But it is not going to be months and months and months.”

Forest XI [first 60 minutes]: Dean Henderson; Joe Worrall, Moussa Niakhate, Scott McKenna; Neco Williams, Harry Toffolo; Jack Colback, Cafu; Brennan Johnson, Taiwo Awoniyi, Lyle Taylor.

Forest XI [last 30 minutes]: Henderson, Biancone, Cook, Mbe Soh, Laryea, Mighten, Ojeda, D Taylor, Hammond, Fewster, Donnelly.

July 23

Nottingham faced off against Bundesliga opposition once more, this time losing 1-0 to Union Berlin.

Forest XI: Dean Henderson; Scott McKenna (S0h 79), Steve Cook (Niakhate 46), Joe Worrall; Harry Toffolo (Laryea 79), Jack Colback, Lewis O’Brien (Cafu 62), Neco Williams (Biancone 79); Brennan Johnson (D Taylor 79), Taiwo Awoniyi (Hammond 69), Alex Mighten (L Taylor 59).

July 26

A youthful Forest side, with 10 changes from the team that faced Union Berlin, drew 2-2 with Notts County. Sam Surridge (£5.0m) scored on his injury return, with midfielder Yates also back from the treatment room.

Budget midfielder Cafu – who now has new signing Lewis O’Brien (£5.0m) for competition – scored a 25-yard free-kick and assisted Surridge.

Forest XI: Jordan Smith; Loic Mbe Soh, Giulian Biancone (Hanks 88), Richie Laryea (Larsson 75), Aaron Donnelly; Cafu (D Taylor), Braian Ojeda (Fewster 46), Ryan Yates (Abbottt 46); Alex Mighten (Konate 71), Sam Surridge (Hammond 46), Lyle Taylor.

July 30

Jesse Lingard (£6.0m) made his first Forest appearance in a 1-1 draw with Valencia. Johnson netted from a Taiwo Awoniyi (£6.0m) cross.

On injuries, Cooper updated:

“Ryan [Yates] played 45 minutes against Notts County the other day. He’s picked up another knock on his knee, so he’s going to be out for a couple of weeks.

“Wayne [Hennessey] has just picked up a bit of a quad problem. But he should be fine for training this week and for Newcastle.”

Forest XI: Dean Henderson; Joe Worrall, Steve Cook, Scott McKenna; Neco Williams, Jack Colback, Lewis O’Brien, Harry Toffolo; Jesse Lingard (Cafu 77), Brennan Johnson, Sam Surridge (Awoniyi 63).

Signings: Dean Henderson (loan), Wayne Hennessey, Giulian Biancone, Neco Williams, Omar Richards, Moussa Niakhate, Taiwo Awoniyi, Harry Toffolo, Lewis O’Brien, Jesse Lingard, Orel Mangala

Southampton

July 16

The Saints were beaten 3-1 by RB Leipzig. Adam Armstrong (£5.5m) nodded in for Southampton from a Will Smallbone cross.

Southampton XI: Bazunu (McCarthy 46, Lis 91); Bella-Kotchap (Stephens 60), Bednarek (Lyanco 60), Salisu (Simeu 60); Walker-Peters (Valery 60, Edwards 91), Diallo (Smallbone 60), Lavia (Romeu 60), Djenepo (Small 60); Aribo (A Armstrong 60), Tella (Adams 60), Elyounoussi (S Armstrong 60).

July 18

Ralph Hasenhuttl’s men drew 0-0 with Austrian Bundesliga side Klagenfurt. Smallbone hit the woodwork during the contest, while Armstrong missed a penalty. On using a back three in pre-season, the Saints boss said:

“It’s just something that we have been working on during the pre-season. We’ve tried to get defensively more stabilised and this is very often based on a good defence and this is a little bit easier with the three in the back. But it doesn’t mean that we always want to play in this shape, so we definitely have more opportunities.

“We had some good chances [against Klagenfurt], the better ones I think. But in some moments defensively, especially in the first half, we were slightly riskier. We struggled with some moments.

“But the defensive work is better than our offensive work at the moment. We have definitely missed a few good opportunities to score. The best one was the penalty but also we had other good situations where you have to score. This is our problem and we know this and we have to work on this.”

On the absent James Ward-Prowse (£6.5m), who picked up a knock in training, Hasenhuttl explained:

“It’s nothing serious. We don’t have to ask any risks with James. Absolutely it was the right thing to do [leaving him out]. Last season in pre-season we had the same situation, where he was also out with a knee injury. So this time it was good for us to try and test something different without him.”

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Stephens (Salisu 46), Lyanco (Bednarek 46), Valery (Bella-Kotchap 46); Edwards (Walker-Peters 46), Diallo (Armstrong 46), Romeu (Lavia 46), Small (Djenepo 46); Tella (Aribo 46), Adams (Armstrong 46), Smallbone (Elyonoussi 46).

July 23

Ward-Prowse made his first appearance of pre-season in a 0-0 draw against Watford. The Saints once again lined out in a wing-back formation. On the system, Hasenhuttl said:

“The stability and the defence is there, you’re not so exposed and giving chances away. It doesn’t mean you concede fewer goals than normal but sometimes, it’s a little more disciplined and controlled.

“You do miss someone up front though, which makes it a little harder to create chances. Offensively, I think we can definitely create better chances and can also score more goals than we do at the moment, and this is what we have to work on.

On using Stuart Armstrong (£5.0m) in a front two, the Austrian added:

“As a striker, he has more freedom for what he can do. He was driving with the ball. It’s not so dangerous when he loses, it because you have enough players to defend. I like this position for him.”

Oriol Romeu (£5.0m) could also be set for a role further up the pitch, as a No 8. Hasenhuttl explained:

“For Oriol, playing as a six is a little difficult because he’s not such a holding midfielder, he likes to go everywhere. I know he’s not the quickest one in this position [No 8] but he knows how to score goals in this area and it’s one of the things that we’ve tried and it worked quite well.”

Southampton XI: Bazunu; Bella-Kotchap (Lyanco 46), Salisu, Bednarek, Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse (Diallo 64), Lavia, Aribo (Romeu 70), Djenepo, S Armstrong (Elyonoussi 70), A Armstrong (Adams 46).

July 27

Adam Armstrong, Stuart Armstrong and Ward-Prowse all netted in a 3-1 win against Monaco. Joe Aribo (£5.5m) and Kyle Walker-Peters (£4.5m) picked up assists.

On again using a back-three system, Hasenhuttl remarked:

“It was a good test for us and we tried to play football, we tried to press high with this shape and there were some interesting performances from some players, I must say. We can see that the goals are there and that’s what we wanted. The young players are pushing and the older, more experienced players are stepping up.

“Especially after the first games that haven’t been so good, I must say, trying to find the way with this formation and shape, it is getting better and better.”

On injuries, the Austrian added:

“[Nathan Tella] has a knee injury. It is not too bad but he is out for a few weeks.

“[Theo Walcott] is still injured. He didn’t train so far. He has problems, so it still takes time.”

On his new role, Stuart Armstrong said:

“I like it. It is quite free. The manager lets me play off the front, whoever is playing up top in that role. I like the freedom that it gives you and you can end up in attacking positions in the box when we win the ball and are quick to attack.

“I’m naturally an attacking player and I enjoy it. I think it was last weekend when we played Watford and he [Hasenhuttl] wanted to try it, try something different. I think he liked it. We have got a lot of options up front, so if that is another one, we will wait and see.”

On the midfielder, Hasenhuttl added:

“We should get him where his biggest strength is; with his goalscoring and the closer we can get him to the goal, this is a big step and it makes sense for us.”

Southampton XI: McCarthy; Valery (Bednarek 89), Lyanco (Bella-Kotchap 77), Stephens; Perraud (Djenepo 46), Diallo, Romeu, Elyounoussi (Aribo 65), Redmond (S Armstrong 70); Adams (Ward-Prowse 65), A Armstrong (Walker-Peters 65).

July 30

Aribo netted a wondergoal as the Saints were beaten 2-1 by Villarreal. Hasenhuttl again opted for a three-man central defence. On Aribo and formation, the Austrian said:

“I think it more and more shows the further up front he is, the better he is. I know he can play different positions but I think up front as a striker – especially with his body – we don’t have so much. He can definitely be a goalscorer for us.

“When he is running with the ball, he is hard to stop. He was a little bit lucky also but he always has these situations when the ball is under his feet and he finds good solutions.

“We played a 5-2-3 in the second half to send a little bit more pressure up front, also a little bit more risky. Sometimes you are ending up one against one at the back but you have to do it if you want to put them under pressure.

“The two goals we conceded were where we know we have to learn the behaviours of the back five.”

On debutant Sekou Mara (£5.5m), Hasenhuttl added:

“Last season with [Armando] Broja it was the same; it took him minimum three, four weeks until he knew what it was about playing up front here.”

Southampton XI: Bazunu; Bella-Kotchap (Valery 73), Bednarek, Salisu; Walker-Peters, Ward-Prowse, Lavia (Romeu 83), Djenepo; Aribo (Redmond 83), S Armstrong (Perraud 83), Mara (A Armstrong 46).

Signings: Gavin Bazunu, Mateusz Lis, Armel Bella-Kotchap, Romeo Lavia, Joe Aribo, Sekou Mara

Tottenham Hotspur

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season spurs

Left-wing back Sergio Reguilon (£4.5m) was among the players left out of Spurs’ pre-season tour of Korea.

Ivan Perisic (£5.5m) is not yet in full training, as he recovers from a leg injury suffered in his final Inter Milan game.

Dejan Kulusevski (£8.0m) had to drop out of training on July 11, reportedly due to a minor calf issue.

July 13

Spurs beat a K-League all-star team 6-3. Harry Kane (£11.5m) and Heung-min Son (£12.0m) each scored a brace. One of Kane’s goals was a deflected free-kick, while the striker also forced an own goal from a cross. Son – playing in his homeland – converted one of his strikes from the penalty spot. On that, Antonio Conte remarked:

“It was a great gesture from Harry to leave the penalty to Son. Sonny is also good at kicking penalties but we know very well that the player to kick the penalty is Harry. But Sonny showed that [if] Harry is out, he is ready to kick the penalty.”

Ben Davies (£5.0m), Kulusevski and Perisic were unused substitutes. Conte explained:

“About Kulusevski and Ben Davies, you have seen that they had a good training session. Ben Davies also yesterday, for Ben it was the second training session and he needed to recover and run and do the same training as the players did in the last two days. It was the same for Kulusevski.

“Perisic is working very well. He’s very close. I think tomorrow he could have a part of the training session with us. Honestly we are satisfied because his recovery is going very fast and we are happy about this. When we come back in London, he will start to have some of the training session with us.

“And yeah we had a problem with Covid, with [Yves] Bissouma because the test was positive. Bissouma and Fraser [Forster]. For this reason they weren’t here with us. Yes, [they are isolating].”

On Richarlison (£8.5m), Conte commented:

“Today I’ve seen a lot of positive things about Richy. The first half he played like a number nine and the second half he played on the right, behind the striker. I think he can play in all these three positions [in attack].

“I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For sure also for Richy in this period he is working and we are working on the tactical aspects with him because he has to go into our idea. At the same time, we have to work on the physical aspects for him to be fit.

“But for sure he is a player that gives me important positions up front. He’s a player that is a good player, strong and very good to protect the ball and attack the space.”

On players returning from injury – including Matt Doherty (£5.0m) – Conte added:

“They missed a lot last season, now they are working especially to improve their physical condition, because they need to work, to work a lot to find the right tempo and rhythm during the game.

“Skippy [Oliver Skipp] played a good first half but I know he can do much better. It’s the same with Matthew – maybe he’s a bit [more] behind than Skippy – but we are talking about two players who are able to recover and to be fit for the start of the season.”

Spurs XI: Austin (Lloris 46), Romero (Tanganga 46), Dier (Sayers 76), Sanchez (Fagan-Walcott 76), Royal (Son 48), Skipp (Sarr 46), Bentancur (Hojbjerg 46), Sessegnon (Doherty 46), Lucas (White 76), Richarlison (Parrott 76), Bryan (Kane 46).

July 15

Ahead of Saturday’s friendly against Sevilla, Conte said on team news:

“Deki Kulusevski and Ben Davies, they are available for tomorrow’s game. Perisic started to work with us but with Ivan, we have to go step by step because the injury was a serious injury. But it’s good that he started to work with us. I think that when we get back to London, he can be involved with us in regular training sessions.”

July 16

Son assisted a Kane goal as Spurs drew 1-1 with Sevilla. Kulusevski featured for the second half, though Perisic remained unused. Conte stated:

“Perisic, I hope to give him 20 to 30 minutes in the next game against Rangers [on July 23].”

On playing Lucas Moura (£6.0m) at right wing-back, Conte explained:

“I spoke with Lucas and I think that this will be a good option for me and in the past I converted Perisic in that position. [Victor] Moses was the same. [Antonio] Candreva was the same. Before a winger and then to become a wing-back. For sure he has great quality, Lucas, and I think this could be a good option.”

On an injury to Davies, the Italian added:

“I don’t think that’s a big problem. In this moment, he has pain in his ankle but honestly, I hope when we start our training sessions again he can start the sessions with us. I don’t think it’s serious and I think he’s okay.”

Spurs XI: Lloris (Austin 72), Lucas (Doherty 46), Romero (Tanganga 46), Dier, Sanchez (Davies 46, Fagan-Walcott 85), Sessegnon (Royal 46), Hojbjerg (Sarr 72), Skipp (Bentancur 46), Richarlison (Kulusevski 46), Son (Bryan 72), Kane (Parrott 72).

July 23

A Kane brace – with both goals assisted by Son – saw Spurs defeat Rangers 2-1. Perisic earned his first pre-season appearance, emerging off the bench to play the final half-hour.

On rotation, Conte said:

“I think with the club we have started to try to have the possibility during the game – with the five substitutions – and in between one game and another game – with the Champions League – to make rotations.”

Spurs XI: Lloris (Forster 71), Romero (Tanganga 82), Dier (Rodon 66), Sanchez (Lenglet 71), Royal (Lucas 46), Hojbjerg (Sarr 82), Bentancur (Bissouma 46), Sessegnon (Perisic 60), Kulusevski (Richarlison 60), Kane (Spence 71), Son (Bryan 71).

July 30

In Israel, Spurs were beaten 1-0 by Roma. Perisic and Doherty began as the wing-backs, both lasting past the 60-minute mark while displaying encouraging signs.

Perisic and especially Doherty extremely advanced and popping up in the area. #THFC wing-backs looking more like fitting the Conte paradigm.

— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) July 30, 2022

Perisic relentless. Playing like a winger, as is Doherty on the other side.

I know it's only a friendly but really does feel like we're finally getting to see how Conte wants his wing-backs to operate.

— Charlie Eccleshare (@CDEccleshare) July 30, 2022

However, Conte’s post-match comments put a slightly different spin on things. He said:

“In this moment we have two players – Ivan Perisic and [Matt] Doherty – they have to continue to work and reach the peak of fitness because after a long injury, they are struggling a lot. We need to have patience. But today it was positive to give them a lot of time to play again, for Matthew and Ivan.

“[Perisic] is an important player because he’s really good. He moves forward, good in one v ones, and then he can use both feet and he was before a winger which is why he’s good in one v ones.

“But he has to continue to work, because at this moment he’s not the Ivan Perisic I know. That is normal though. I’m happy because he reduced the time to recover from his injury.

“It was the same for Doherty. I hope to see him like last season and now he’s working and he’s struggling. We need to have patience. We need to give time for these players to be really fit.

“It will be very important for us but then we have Sessegnon, that is a guarantee, also Emerson is good. There is the new player, [Djed] Spence. He is a guy who has to work a lot, because to go into Tottenham – it’s different in the Premier League with Tottenham but in the end I’m happy.”

On Ben Davies (£5.0m), the Italian added:

“It’s positive that Ben Davies has recovered. I didn’t want to take a risk today, because we have another week to work and to bring him in the best physical condition so he doesn’t feel pain in his ankle. Now he feels a bit of pain. He was ready to play today but I didn’t want to risk it.”

On Richarlison (£8.5m), Conte commented:

“Richarlison, I liked a lot the way he impacted the game. We need this type of player. Richarlison to start the game or go into the game, he can have a big impact. For us it’s very important. We need him behind Son, also Kane and Kulusevski. He is an important player because we have a lot of games to play.”

Spurs XI: Lloris (Forster 67); Romero, Dier, Sanchez (Lenglet 46); Doherty (Royal 67), Bissouma (Bentancur 46), Hojbjerg, Perisic (Sessegnon 75); Kulusevski (Moura 67), Kane, Son (Richarlison 67).

Signings: Fraser Forster, Ivan Perisic, Clement Lenglet, Yves Bissouma, Richarlison, Djed Spence

West Ham United

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season west ham

July 8

Academy players Aji Alese and Divin Mubama were the goalscorers as West Ham beat Swiss Super League side Servette 2-0.

West Ham XI: Fabianski (Trott 46), Ashby, Dawson (Diop 46), Alese, Cresswell (Zouma 46), Coventry, Lanzini (Ekwah 46), Fornals (Chesters 60), Benrahma (Okoflex 60), Masuaku (Longelo 46), Antonio (Mubama 46).

July 12

The Hammers played simultaneous friendlies against Boreham Wood and Ipswich Town. In the first game, a Said Benrahma (£6.0m) free-kick secured a 1-1 draw. Angelo Ogbonna (£4.5m) made his injury return from the bench.

In the second match, goals from Kurt Zouma (£4.5m) and Dan Chesters gave the Hammers a 2-2 draw.

West Ham XI v Boreham Wood: Randolph (Trott 46), Laing, Diop, Baptiste (Ogbonna 67), Masuaku, Ekwah, Forson, Benrahma, Lanzini (Swyer 63), Nevers (Coddington 86), Mubama.

West Ham XI v Ipswich: Fabianski, Ashby, Zouma, Alese, Cresswell, Coventry, Downes, Chesters, Fornals, Okoflex (Earthy 89), Antonio.

July 16

Nikola Vlasic (£5.0m) was the scorer as West Ham drew 1-1 with Reading. Jarrod Bowen (£8.5m) set up the goal and had an effort of his own well saved.

West Ham XI: Fabianski (Areola 46), Coufal (Ashby 62), Zouma (Diop 46), Aguerd (Ogbonna 62), Johnson (Cresswell 62), Downes (Coventry 62), Lanzini (Rice 46), Bowen (Chesters 62), Benrahma (Fornals 46), Vlasi (Masuaku 62), Antonio (Mubama 46).

July 19

The Hammers lost 3-1 to Rangers. Tomas Soucek (£5.5m) bundled in West Ham’s consolation from a corner.

On an injury to new signing Nayef Aguerd (£5.0m), David Moyes said:

“We’ve already had Nayef x-rayed and there’s no break in his ankle, which is good news. It might be some ligaments, or he’s twisted his ankle – it blew up immediately so we have to hope it’s not a problem.”

On the defeat and attempts to sign new players, the Irons chief stated:

“I hope it comes as a good thing, having a wake-up call [against Rangers]. I thought it was a good pre-season last year when we won all the games.

“You want to win the games and you want to go in [to the season] in good form. We certainly need to make a lot of changes and do something different, that’s for sure. We have bids in for players and we’re trying to get them in.

“Getting them in at the moment is seeming quite difficult but by watching what I’ve seen in the opening games, we need to add very quickly to the squad of players we’ve got.”

West Ham XI: Fabianski, Johnson (Coufal 55), Zouma, Aguerd (Diop 24), Cresswell, Rice (Downes 55), Lanzini (Soucek 55), Bowen, Fornals (Coventry 75), Benrahma (Vlašić 55), Antonio (Mubama 75).

July 23

Soucek was again the scorer as the Hammers drew 1-1 with Luton. The midfielder headed in an Aaron Cresswell (£5.0m) cross, with the defender operating on the left of a back three.

West Ham XI: Areola, Johnson, Zouma, Cresswell, Coufal, Soucek (Downes 83), Rice (Coventry 75), Masuaku (Ashby 64), Benrahma (Antonio 46), Fornals (Vlasic 46), Bowen (Lanzini 64).

July 25

The club confirmed that Aguerd underwent surgery on an ankle injury. The defender will be sidelined for an extended period.

July 30

The Hammers’ final pre-season outing, against Lens, ended 0-0. Bowen struck the crossbar late in the game.

West Ham used a wing-back system, with Declan Rice (£5.0m) shifted to centre-half late on. Coach Paul Nevin explained:

“Once we did get to grips with [Lens’ formation] and our wing-backs got into it, we started to turn the game around.

“Dec is fantastic in any position and we used him at centre-back towards the end because Craig Dawson was coming back from a minor knock.

“We had it in our head that we didn’t want [Dawson] to play the full 90 minutes and Dec was the obvious choice for us to go back, so we could maintain that shape.”

New signing Gianluca Scamacca (£7.0m) was not involved after his arrival, while Antonio and Cresswell both reportedly missed out with knocks.

West Ham XI: Fabianski (Areola 46); Zouma, Dawson (Lanzini 61), Johnson; Coufal, Rice, Soucek (Downes 86), Masuaku (Coventry 75); Bowen, Benrahma (Vlasic 75), Fornals.

Signings: Alphonse Areola (permanent deal), Nayef Aguerd, Flynn Downes, Gianluca Scamacca

Wolverhampton Wanderers

fpl tips gameweek 1 pre season wolves

July 1

Details were sparse on Wolves’ first friendly in July, a behind-closed-doors affair against Forest Green Rovers. Pedro Neto (£5.5m), Chem Campbell, Adama Traore and Bruno Jordao were the scorers in a 4-1 win.

July 9

Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.5m), Daniel Podence (£5.5m) and Chiquinho scored in a 3-0 win against Burnley.

Chiquinho unfortunately suffered an ACL injury in the game. The winger will be sidelined for an extended period of time.

July 20

Raul Jimenez (£7.0m) scored a penalty in a 4-0 win against Deportivo Alaves, a Segunda Division side. Neto was on the scoresheet again, along with Daniel Podence (£5.5m) and Max Kilman (£4.5m). Morgan Gibbs-White (£5.5m) and Jonny (£4.5m) picked up assists.

With a strong line-up, Wolves used a back-four system that Bruno Lage has been working on in training.

Wolves XI: Sarkic, Jonny (Lembikisa 77), Coady (Collins 59), Boly (Kilman 46), Ait-Nouri (Toti 77), Neves (Griffiths 77), Moutinho (Hodge 77), Dendoncker (Podence 46), Gibbs-White (Corbeanu 59), Jimenez (Cundle 77), Neto (Campbell 77).

July 21

Twelve hours later, a weaker Wolves XI were beaten 2-1 by Segunda Division Levante. Toti (£4.0m) nodded in a late header for Lage’s side – this time using a 3-4-3 – assisted by Connor Ronan.

Wolves XI: Smith, Mosquera (Lembikisa 46), Collins (Toti 64), Toti (Boly 46), Bueno, Dendoncker (Ronan 64), Ronan (Griffiths 46), Cundle, Podence (Hodge 46), Gibbs-White (Coady 46), Corbeanu.

July 23

Neto grabbed his third pre-season strike in a 3-0 against Besiktas. Jimenez and Podence also added to their pre-season tallies.

Wolves lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation. Left-back Rayan Ait-Nouri (£4.5m) earned an assist, as did Podence.

Jimenez was forced off in the first half due to injury, with an update on his fitness awaited.

Wolves XI: Smith, Jonny (Lembikisa 86), Collins (Mosquera 86), Kilman (Coady 64), Ait-Nouri (Bueno 86), Neves (Griffiths 86), Moutinho (Ronan 86), Gibbs-White (Corbeanu 86), Podence (Hodge 86), Jimenez (Dendoncker 35), Neto (Cundle 77).

July 24

Lage’s squad again played a subsequent friendly in close proximity, losing 2-1 to Villarreal B. This game consisted of two 35-minute halves, featuring mostly under-21 players. Yerson Mosquera (£4.0m) headed in the opener, assisted by Ronan.

Wolves XI: Storer, Lembikisa, Mosquera, Coady, Boly, Bueno, Griffiths, Ronan, Hodge, Cundle, Corbeanu.

July 27

On the injury to Jimenez, a statement from Wolves’ medical team read:

“Raul came off in the game against Besiktas, after he stretched for the ball and felt something in his knee and his groin. Scans reveal that he has suffered a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee and a minor strain of his adductor. Neither injury is very serious but he is expected to be out for a number of weeks.”

On further injuries in the Wolves pack, the statement continued:

“Adama Traore has a small hamstring injury picked up before the team travelled to Spain but is progressing well.

“Nelson Semedo is also doing very well in his recovery from the hamstring injury he sustained against Brighton on April 30. He should be back training with the squad after the return from Portugal.

“Jose Sa was injured in the final game of the season against Liverpool, a medial collateral ligament injury to his knee. He has returned to full training and is expected to feature soon.

“Matija Sarkic felt some upper hamstring pain in training and was aware of it on certain movements, so we decided to protect him while we give it some time to settle. A scan on Monday revealed nothing serious and he will re-join training next week.

“Chiquinho underwent knee surgery following injuries to his anterior cruciate and lateral collateral ligament injuries. The surgery went well and he is now back in Wolverhampton recuperating.”

July 30

Jose Sa (£5.0m) made his first pre-season appearance in a 1-1 draw with Sporting Lisbon. Ruben Neves (£5.5m) converted for Wolves from the penalty spot.

On his injury at the end of last season and his return, Sa said:

“I’m very good. They tried to protect me in the last games, to be ready for this game and to be ready for the first game of the season and it’s what happened. I played and I felt good. We keep working and we’ll see.”

Wolves XI: Sa, Jonny, Collins, Kilman (Coady 83), Ait-Nouri (Bueno 89), Neves, Moutinho, Dendoncker, Gibbs-White (Campbell 82), Podence, Neto (Hwang 66).

July 31

A day later, a more youthful Wolves XI drew 1-1 with Farense. This time it was Hee-Chan Hwang (£6.0m) from the penalty spot.

Wolves XI: Smith, Mosquera (Tipton 69), Coady, Boly, Toti (Griffiths 46), Hodge (Hodnett 83), Ronan, Cundle (Fraser 83), Bueno, Campbell (Harkin 76), Hwang (Birtwistle 69).

Signings: Nathan Collins

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