New Chelsea signing Renato Veiga has urged fans to trust the process under Enzo Maresca after their heavy pre-season friendly defeat to Celtic on Saturday.
The Blues were thrashed 4-1 by the Scottish champions in Indiana, which followed a 2-2 draw with League One side Wrexham in their first match under the Italian.
Chelsea had 10 shots on target in their defeat to Celtic and struck the woodwork twice, but their only goal came from the penalty spot as Christopher Nkunku converted.
They have also struggled in defence, getting caught playing out from the back three times in those games, leaving Maresca with problems to solve ahead of their Premier League opener against Manchester City.
However, Veiga, who played his first minutes in a Chelsea shirt on Saturday, remains optimistic the club will soon see the results of Maresca's tactics.
"Of course, it's about results and in every football game you want to win," he said. "Chelsea especially has to win every game. But we are in pre-season. The most important thing is the process, the connection between each other.
"When the time comes [to play Manchester City] on August 18, that is when it counts and when we have to win for sure.
"He [Maresca] is a very direct manager, very direct in what he wants. You just have to enjoy and learn the maximum that you can in every training session, to give everything you can in every session — that is very important for him as well, and after, you can replicate it on the pitch."
Veiga signed from FC Basel for a reported fee of €14million earlier this month, penning a seven-year contract with the West London club.
The versatile 20-year-old is yet to be told if he will definitely be part of Maresca's plans for the upcoming season, but he is relishing the chance to represent Chelsea.
"How can you say no to Chelsea?" he added. "For me, they are the biggest club in England.
"They have a very ambitious project, not only for the present but the future as well. Right now, the most important thing is the present and I am very happy to be here.
"I am a very versatile player. I just can't wait to get more opportunities to play for this club.
"I was watching them [Chelsea] at home [when I was young], buzzing about Didier Drogba's goals and N'Golo Kante's tackles. I just want to be able to live those moments as well."
Ederson yet to make decision on Man City future
Ederson says he has yet to make a decision about his future at Manchester City amid interest from Saudi Pro League clubs.
The Brazilian goalkeeper has been heavily linked with a move away from the Etihad this transfer window, with Al-Ittihad and Al-Nassr interested in his signature, though the latter reportedly pulled out of the race.
Pep Guardiola is keen to keep his goalkeeper at the club, saying "I wish from the bottom of my heart Eddie will continue with us" when asked about the prospect of him leaving.
Ederson has proved an integral figure for City since arriving from Benfica in 2017, making 332 appearances in all competitions and keeping 155 clean sheets.
The 30-year-old is currently on City's pre-season tour of the United States having missed the Copa America with an eye injury, and started their 3-2 defeat to Milan in New York on Saturday.
Speaking after that game, Ederson admitted he still did not know where his future lies, but welcomed the praise from Guardiola.
"There isn't a decision yet," he said. "To hear Pep saying that was very gratifying.
"It's now my eighth season with him, living many good moments, also some bad ones. He's a guy who is easy to work with, he's a football genius and everyone knows that. So, it's really good to hear that from him.
"I'm happy here, having a good moment with my team-mates. I'm enjoying as well to get my fitness back on track. I'm very calm, whatever happens is in God's hands and he knows the right way to go. Whatever he gives me I'll be happy with."
City's next friendly on their pre-season tour will see them face Guardiola's former side Barcelona in Orlando on Tuesday.
Tottenham to sign South Korea youth international Yang
Tottenham have reached an agreement with K League 1 side Gangwon FC over the signing of South Korea youth international Yang Min-Hyeok.
The 18-year-old winger will join Spurs in January on a deal that will run until 2030.
Yang has progressed through Gangwon's youth ranks to become a key first-team player, scoring eight goals and providing four assists in 25 appearances this season.
He has also represented South Korea at the World Cup and Asia Cup at under-17 level.
Yang is Spurs' fourth signing of this transfer window, along with Archie Gray, Lucas Bergvall and George Feeney.
Newcastle boss Howe does not want final say on transfers
Newcastle United boss Eddie Howe says he has held "really positive talks" with the club amid uncertainty over his future.
While Howe has reiterated his commitment to Newcastle, the former Bournemouth boss did suggest there were some frustrations over the club's dealings and concerns about how he would fit into a new structure under sporting director Paul Mitchell.
At the end of June, Newcastle had to cash in on youngsters Elliot Anderson and Yankuba Minteh in order to comply with the Premier League's financial rules.
Howe, meanwhile, has also been touted as a possible replacement for Gareth Southgate, who resigned as England manager in the wake of the Three Lions' loss to Spain in the final of Euro 2024.
But speaking after Newcastle's friendly win over Hull City, Howe dismissed the suggestion he wants the final decision on the club's transfer activity while confirming he has held positive discussions with the hierarchy.
"It's not about having a final say" he said, as reported by The Athletic.
"I'm not going to say anything different to what I said before: collaboration.
"We’ve had really positive talks and we're trying to bring the right players for the football club.
"It's never about one person's decision and neither should it be. It's about a group of people coming together and making the right decisions, all for the benefit of the football club.
"Towards the end of collating information, that's when I'll have my input. There's a lot of work going on always through the year in terms of trying to bring players in.
"I've just been working every hour to make sure we're ready for next season."
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