Alexis Sanchez has signed a two-year deal to return to Udinese after leaving Inter as a free agent.

Sanchez's contract with the Serie A champions expired in July, and he has chosen to return to Udinese 13 years after leaving.

He initially joined I Bianconeri in 2006 but spent two seasons on loan back in South America before establishing himself in the first team.

The 35-year-old made 112 appearances in his first spell at Udinese, netting 21 goals and registering 20 assists.

He has since played for Barcelona, Arsenal and Manchester United, winning nine trophies along the way, including LaLiga, Serie A and the Club World Cup.

Sanchez could make his first start in their Serie A opener against Bologna next Sunday. 

Chelsea have completed the signing of Pedro Neto from Wolves, with the Blues shelling out €60million (£51.4m) plus add-ons for the Portugal international.

Chelsea have been busy in the transfer market once again as they approach their first season under Enzo Maresca, with Neto becoming their ninth senior signing ahead of 2024-25.

The winger spent five seasons at Wolves after arriving from Braga in 2019, and 2023-24 was his most productive campaign yet as he tallied nine assists in 20 Premier League appearances.

However, two hamstring injuries limited him to just 1,518 minutes in the competition last term, and he has not made over 20 league appearances in a single season since 2020-21.

Neto will be hoping to remain fit this campaign as Chelsea set their sights on Champions League qualification, having finished a disappointing sixth under Mauricio Pochettino last term.

Neto's arrival was confirmed at half-time during Chelsea's final pre-season friendly versus Inter on Sunday, with the 24-year-old signing a seven-year contract before telling the club's website: "I feel really grateful to have joined this club. 

"I have worked really hard in my career to be here and I'm looking forward to getting on the pitch with this shirt."

 

Neto could make his Chelsea debut against Premier League champions Manchester City on matchday one of the Premier League season next Sunday, before returning to Molineux for a swift reunion with Wolves one week later.

Neto's arrival is the most expensive sanctioned by the Todd Boehly regime this off-season, taking Chelsea's overall spend to an estimated £161m.

Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall, Filip Jorgensen, Omari Kellyman, Aaron Anselmino, Renato Veiga, Caleb Wiley, Marc Guiu and Tosin Adarabioyo have also joined ahead of 2024-25, with Ian Maatsen, Lewis Hall and Omari Hutchinson all being moved on for significant fees. 

William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes scored first-half goals to secure a 2-0 win for Arsenal over Lyon in the Emirates Cup on Sunday.

The defenders both punished Lyon from corners, while Bukayo Saka missed a glorious chance to make it a more emphatic win. 

Mikel Arteta's side showed their intent ahead of the new Premier League season, taking an early lead as Declan Rice's corner cleared everyone at the near post, leaving Saliba with an easy header in the middle.

Lyon were caught out in the same way just before the half-hour mark as Rice sent a corner deep this time, and Gabriel flicked a header into the gap left by Lucas Perri.

Saka should have made it 3-0 in the second half after peeling off the back of the defence to reach Oleksandr Zinchenko's cross, but he could only thump his header against the foot of the post.

David Raya was made to work for his clean sheet in the final 10 minutes when Ernest Nuamah raced in behind after Jorginho scuffed a clearance, but the keeper made himself big to send the effort looping wide.

Data Debrief: Arsenal show no mercy

Arsenal are likely to be fighting for the Premier League title once again this year, and they made a statement with their performance on Sunday.

Saliba and Gabriel were both on target from corners again, just as they were so many times last season, while Rice showed off his set-piece prowess by getting two assists.

Caleb Williams feels the Chicago Bears are growing in confidence ahead of the new NFL season, having made his debut in Saturday's dominant preseason win over the Buffalo Bills.

Williams – the top overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft – shared snaps with fellow quarterbacks Austin Reed, Tyson Bagent and Brett Rypien as Chicago triumphed by a 33-6 scoreline.

He completed four of his seven attempted passes for 95 yards, avoiding any interceptions or sacks, with the highlight being a 26-yard bullet to tight end Cole Kmet.

With the Bears also using the ninth overall draft pick to take wide receiver Rome Odunze, hopes are high at Soldier Field that 2024 could mark an end to their three-year playoff drought.

Williams is positive regarding the progress they have already made, saying: "There's an understanding that it is preseason, that everybody's not going to show their looks and what they would do versus us and vice versa.

"But it definitely feels good to get out there. The last time I was out there on the field other than practice was November 18. You go that long without something, it's tough.

"But it's been great. The guys have made it fun, they made it easy on me, they've been great from the beginning. My progress, I would put it on them. 

"To get out there and have the confidence that we had out there, it's only going to get better and we can't wait."

Head coach Matt Eberflus has also been impressed as Chicago bid to improve on last season's 7-10 record, which was only good enough for fourth place in the NFC North.

"There's certainly positivity there," Eberflus said of Williams' debut. "We're not going to squash that. 

"I do feel like we have a lot of work to do and a lot of things to accomplish as a football team, not just Caleb. 

"We've all got to play good around him. It's important that we keep improving before that first game."

Arne Slot enjoyed a triumphant Anfield debut as his Liverpool side warmed up for their Premier League campaign by thrashing Sevilla 4-1 on Sunday.

A stunning volley from Diogo Jota and a brace from Luis Diaz put the Reds well in control by half-time, with Slot naming a strong starting line-up six days out from their league opener against newly promoted Ipswich Town.

Jota found the top-right corner with a brilliant left-footed finish after being picked out at the back post by Trent Alexander-Arnold, then turned provider to tee up Diaz for another powerful strike into the same corner.

Diaz then tapped home his second and Liverpool's third after good work from Dominik Szoboszlai on the stroke of half-time. 

Sevilla boss Garcia Pimienta made nine half-time changes and one of those introduced, 21-year-old Peque Fernandez, cut the deficit by bending a fine finish in off the far post, but it was Liverpool youngster Trey Nyoni who had the final say.

The 17-year-old capitalised on a loose ball to volley into the bottom-right corner from just inside the area, capping a productive outing for Liverpool as they secured a fourth straight friendly win.

Liverpool are set to face Las Palmas in another friendly later on Sunday, though a much-changed team is expected to take to the field after Slot handed significant minutes to most of the Reds' regulars versus Sevilla.

Data Debrief: Diaz takes centre-stage

Diaz enjoyed his most productive campaign yet for Liverpool in 2023-24, registering eight goals and five assists in the Premier League, and he looks set to play a leading role for Slot's new-look Reds.

As well as scoring twice, the Colombian led all players in red for shots (three), shots on target (two) and expected goals (1.05 xG), while only Mohamed Salah matched his three recoveries in the final third.

Callum McGregor scored a stunner to help Celtic to a 2-0 victory over Hibernian in the Scottish Premiership on Sunday.

Nicolas Kuhn had opened the scoring early on, though Kieron Bowie almost forced a nervy ending only to be denied by the woodwork.

Celtic wasted no time in asserting their dominance, as Kyogo Furuhashi's saved shot was kept in by James Forrest, who set Kuhn up to tap into the empty net after just three minutes.

McGregor soon stole the headlines though as he got the ball out of his feet before sending a swerving long-range effort over Josef Bursik.

He almost got a second just after half-time too, as he tried his luck from the edge of the box once more, but his deflected strike struck the post.

Hibs mustered some late fight to try and claw themselves back into it. Bowie fought his way through Celtic's backline before whipping a pacy shot over Kasper Schmeichel and off the top of the crossbar. 

Data Debrief: Bhoys ease through again

While they did not quite show the same dominance as in their Scottish Premiership opener against Kilmarnock, it was another big win for Brendan Rodgers' side. 

It could have been a different story as Celtic had won just four of their last 15 league games at Easter Road before this match (eight draws, three losses), but they did not slip up here.

Kuhn netted his second goal in as many games, while Schmeichel kept his second consecutive clean sheet as he settles into life in Glasgow. 

Louis Rees-Zammit described his Kansas City Chiefs debut as a "great first experience" after the rugby star-turned NFL hopeful featured in their preseason defeat to the Jacksonville Jaguars.

Having won 32 caps for Wales, scoring five tries at last year's World Cup in France, Rees-Zammit stunned the rugby world by turning his back on the sport in January to enter the NFL's International Player Pathway Program.

Rees-Zammit signed with the reigning Super Bowl champions in March, with head coach Andy Reid saying he showed promise as a running back.

On Saturday, the 23-year-old featured as a running back, kicker and kick-returner, as well as part of the Chiefs' punt coverage team, as they were beaten 26-13 by the Jags.

The Welshman finished his debut with two carries for one yard, one reception for three yards and one special teams tackle, returns he is keen to build on.

"It was a great first experience," Rees-Zammit told the Irish NFL Show. "I loved it, I loved getting the snaps I did, on special teams as well, which was great.

"I've just got to look back on this, review it and see how I can get better.

"The atmosphere was great, it was pretty electric in the stadium and there was a load of Chiefs fans, which helped massively. It was a great game and I'm looking forward to the next one."

Kansas City face the Detroit Lions and the Chicago Bears in their final two preseason outings before beginning their quest for a third straight Super Bowl with a blockbuster meeting with the Baltimore Ravens on September 5.

Trinidad and Tobago’s Nicholas Paul saw his Olympic campaign come to an end on the final day of the 2024 Paris Games after finishing fifth in Heat 2 of the men's Keirin quarterfinals Sunday. His placement fell short of the top four qualifying spots needed to advance to the semifinals, bringing his journey at this year’s Olympics to a close.

The 25-year-old cyclist entered the Paris Olympics with high ambitions, fueled by an impressive track record that included a sixth-place finish in the sprint at Tokyo 2020 during his Olympic debut. Over the years, Paul has established himself as one of the world’s fastest cyclists, earning multiple accolades on the global stage.

Paul’s accomplishments are highlighted by his two silver medals at the World Championships—one in the sprint event in 2023 and another in the 1km time trial in 2021. Additionally, he made history for Trinidad and Tobago by winning gold in the Keirin at the 2022 Commonwealth Games, marking the nation's first cycling medal since 1966. His performance at those games also earned him a silver medal in the sprint and a bronze in the 1km time trial.

Beyond his medal haul, Paul holds the world record for the flying 200m sprint, a testament to his incredible speed and skill on the track. Although his Olympic journey in Paris ended earlier than hoped, Paul’s achievements and contributions to the sport remain significant, and he continues to be a source of pride for Trinidad and Tobago.

Paul will undoubtedly look to build on the lessons learned and continue striving for excellence in future competitions. 

 

 

 

Reece James has suffered another injury setback ahead of the Premier League season after sustaining a hamstring injury.

The right-back reportedly felt some discomfort during a training session after returning from the club's pre-season tour of the United States, though it is thought to only be a minor issue.

James started all five of Chelsea's pre-season friendlies so far but has already been ruled out of their final preparation game against Inter at Stamford Bridge on Sunday.

The Blues captain was already set to miss the first three games of the Premier League campaign, having received a second red card in the penultimate match of last season against Brighton, resulting in a four-match ban.

However, his latest injury could rule him out of Chelsea's upcoming Europa Conference League play-offs against Braga or Servette later this month.

It is the latest in a series of setbacks, with James only starting five league games in 2023-24 after having surgery last December.

Kerriane McBean, the fortunate winner of Supreme Ventures Limited’s (SVL) Golden Ticket promotion, lived a dream in Paris as she enjoyed an all-expense-paid trip to the 2024 Olympic Games. Accompanied by her mother, Opal Swaby, Kerriane made the most of this once-in-a-lifetime experience, savouring every moment of her Parisian adventure.

The trip, organized and sponsored by Supreme Ventures, gave Kerriane and her mother the incredible opportunity to immerse themselves in the excitement of the Olympic Games. They cheered on the athletes from the stands and even met some of the stars in person, adding a personal touch to their unforgettable experience.

One of the highlights of Kerriane’s journey was fulfilling a lifelong dream by visiting the iconic Eiffel Tower. Describing the moment as "surreal and everything she thought it would be," Kerriane was thrilled to finally see the landmark up close. The pair also explored the stunning Palais Versailles, adding another layer of enrichment to their Parisian escapade.

 Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL) Executive Chairman, Gary Peart, Opal Swaby, Olympian Tia Clayton and Golden Ticket winner Kerriane McBean in Paris for the Olympics 2024. 
 
Reflecting on her incredible journey, Kerriane expressed her deep gratitude for the experience. "This trip has been everything I ever imagined and more. Seeing the Eiffel Tower in person and walking through the halls of Versailles was a dream come true. I’m so grateful to Supreme Ventures for making this possible and for treating us like royalty every step of the way," she said.

Chloleen Daley-Muschett, Corporate Communications and PR Manager at Supreme Ventures Limited, shared her enthusiasm for being part of this special experience. "At SVL, we are committed to creating extraordinary experiences for our customers. It has been an absolute pleasure to watch Kerriane and her mother enjoy Paris and the Olympic Games. This Golden Ticket initiative embodies our dedication to rewarding our loyal customers in truly unique and memorable ways," she remarked.

 

Stephen Curry says he feels "blessed" to have won his first Olympic gold medal after leading the United States to a 98-87 win over France on Saturday.

Curry shot 8-of-13 from 3-point range in a late masterclass as Team USA held off a late charge from France, sinking four of those after Victor Wembanyama had narrowed their lead to just three points.

It was the USA's fifth straight Olympic gold medal, though Curry's first as he shone on his debut at the Paris Games, and he is cherishing the victory.

"I've been blessed," Curry told NBC after the game. "This ranks very high in terms of the excitement and the sense of relief in getting to the finish line.

"I knew if I got to my spot [to make those late jumps] I could knock it down."

Wembanyama finished with a game-high 26 points for France, while Guerschon Yabusele also had 20, with 15 of those coming in the first half.

Despite falling just short in their late comeback, Wembanyama was in high spirits after claiming silver, though he already has his sights on the 2028 Los Angeles Games.

"I never dreamed of this moment," said Wembanyama. "It is incredible. I couldn't have asked for a better team, better coaches.

"The games were really high intensity, and we could have lost by 20 points, but we kept fighting. I will be going for gold in four years' time."

Harry Kane has backed Dominic Solanke to succeed at Tottenham after joining from Bournemouth on Saturday.

Solanke signed a six-year contract with Spurs in a record £65million deal and was introduced to the fans ahead of their pre-season friendly against Bayern Munich later in the day.

The striker, who scored 19 Premier League goals for Bournemouth last season, has been brought in to fill the centre-forward gap left behind by Kane last year.

And the England captain believes Solanke will fit nicely into Ange Postecoglou's style of play.

"It should be great. Dom's a great player," Kane said.

"He plays with high intensity, high speed. For sure, he's going to get good chances in this team with the way that Ange plays. You saw that here with the way two top teams went at it toe-to-toe.

"I think it's a really good signing. I've just seen him in the dressing room and wished him all the best and I hope he has a great season."

Kane made a brief cameo appearance off the bench for Bayern on Saturday, playing the last 10 minutes as Vincent Kompany's side sealed a 3-2 win.

It was the first time the 31-year-old had returned to the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium since leaving, and he received a standing ovation from the home fans when coming onto the pitch.

Having left Spurs before the start of last season, Kane was not given a send-off by the club, but he was grateful to get the chance to show his appreciation after the game.

"I had an amazing career at Spurs, so many great memories, and it was great to see the fans again, obviously some of the players, the staff who I've had a lot of relationships with," Kane added.

"The game itself, I probably shouldn't have played, I only had one training session, but it was important for me to play 10 minutes or so, so good to get back out there.

"I didn't get a chance [to say goodbye]. This was a great way to say thank you [to the fans]. The reception I got was amazing; it was great to clap them around the pitch after with them staying behind.

"I will always be thankful to every Spurs fan, the support they've shown me throughout my career has been incredible, and I appreciate me seeing them and them seeing me again."

Napoli club director Giovanni Manna confirmed Victor Osimhen has requested to leave ahead of the new season.

The Nigerian was left out of Napoli's squad for their Coppa Italia first-round clash with Modena on Saturday as Antonio Conte's men drew 0-0 with the Serie B side before edging into the next round 4-3 on penalties thanks to Alex Meret's heroics in the penalty shoot-out.

Osimhen was initially linked with a move to Paris Saint-Germain, who reportedly pulled out of a potential deal due to his price tag.

However, Chelsea have emerged as a choice for the striker, as the Blues are interested in making a swap deal with him and out-of-favour Romelu Lukaku.

Although no negotiations have emerged just yet, Manna confirmed it is likely that Osimhen will not be donning a Napoli shirt this season.

"Victor Osimhen has asked to leave the club," Manna said. "He wants to go.

"The situation is clear, there were already chances for his exit last summer. Victor wants to leave.

"We will see in the next 20 days."

Meanwhile, Conte was left frustrated by his side's performance in their 0-0 draw with Modena as they just managed to avoid an early upset.

Napoli had 28 shots against Modena, but only six were on target as they created an expected goals (xG) of just 1.37.

They were calling out for a player with Osimhen's goal-scoring ability, and Conte admitted they needed to make a big improvement in the final third ahead of their first Serie A game.

"We have to keep working and we could have given a few more goals to the fans," Conte said after the game.

"There is a lot of work to do on the pitch and also for the club. There are objective things that I don't want to underline.

"Tonight was a nice dose of reality for everyone."

Napoli will kick off their Serie A campaign against Verona next Sunday.

Andrey Rublev pulled off a shock in the Canadian Open quarter-final, knocking out an ailing Jannik Sinner in three sets.

The world number one pulled out of the Olympics due to illness and appeared to be struggling with a recurring hip injury as he was beaten 6-3 1-6 6-2 in Montreal on Saturday.

In a rain-hit match, Rublev took the first set before Sinner rallied to force a decider but he could not retain his momentum as the Russian snapped his eight-match winning streak on hard courts.

"It was a really great match of mine. I was playing really well today, and I'm happy that I was able to win," Rublev said.

"I don't know, not much to say, because I still, for the moment, really don't understand what's happening, because Jannik is an amazing player and he's playing unbelievable for the past two years.

"I was just hoping that I would be able to fight with him, to show great tennis. In the end, I think we had a lot of great rallies, a lot of long rallies.

"To be able to win this kind of match, of course, it's always special. I needed those matches, especially after some bad moments this year. So, of course I'm happy."

Since the start of the 2020 season, Rublev is now one of four players to defeat the ATP's number one on multiple surfaces, along with Novak Djokovic, Daniil Medvedev and Holger Rune.

Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev prevailed in straight sets against Rune earlier on Saturday to reach the last eight with a 6-3 7-6 (7-5) win.

Excluding team events, Zverev is now in an 11th ATP-level quarter-final in 2024. It is the most of any player this season, while the German (11) is one of just two to reach 10+ ATP event QFs this year, along with Sinner (10).

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