LiveScore Daily: The latest football news in bite-sized chunks
LiveScore Daily is here to deliver all the big talking points from the world of football throughout the day. Keep refreshing this page for the latest stories in bite-sized chunks.
Tuchel: Sterling a real asset
Chelsea boss Thomas Tuchel believes Raheem Sterling will make a massive impact following his £50million move from Manchester City.
The England forward, 27, became the first signing of new owner Todd Boehly’s era at the West London club, ending a trophy-laden seven-year spell with the Citizens by signing a five-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Tuchel said: "Hopefully he shapes our team by just being who he is. He will be a huge asset for us.
"For me, he is a huge player, with a huge influence in the last years in English football and he's in a perfect age to now take responsibility around young players that we have and be an example.
"Getting what he delivered for years given his age, his hunger for responsibility, and his style of play and his amount of intensity is outstanding.
"It is the benchmark in the Premier League and is exactly what we need."
Raphinha looks to follow Samba greats
Winger Raphinha wants to emulate Brazilian greats Ronaldinho and Neymar at Barcelona as his move to the Blaugrana edges closer.
Raphinha, 25, is in Catalonia to complete a medical after a deal was agreed with Leeds for his reported £55m transfer.
If the move goes through, the nine-cap Brazil international will follow in the footsteps of a host of Samba stars to have graced the Camp Nou.
He told Barca TV: "This is a dream come true for me, not just for me also my friends and family. They've seen me playing since I was a kid. They knew this was a dream of mine to come here.
"All I can do now is give my best and try to help Barca be what it's always been.
"What I can say about myself is that I'm very excited to win. I like to win, any time I lose it's very difficult to accept.
"So, you can expect a player who will always be fighting, always try to win, in training sessions as well. I will fight to become a better player.
"For me it's a tremendous honour. I saw Ronaldinho come here and achieve so much and after that Neymar as well. For me as a Brazilian to come here it's an honour. I hope to reach the same objectives that those two players achieved."
Rashford eyeing fresh start
Marcus Rashford is relishing the chance for a fresh start under new Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag.
The England forward struggled for form last season, scoring just four goals in 25 Premier League appearances after missing the start of the campaign with a shoulder injury.
But with the Dutch boss looking to transform the Red Devils into a team ready to compete at the top once again, the 24-year-old is hoping for a more positive 2022-23 campaign.
He said: "It is an opportunity to refresh. I am ready to go again.
"We can do a lot together. For me it is a fresh start, something I am looking forward to."
Rashford’s dip in form has seen his international career take a hit after losing his place in Gareth Southgate’s England squad.
But not featuring for the Three Lions for their Nations League fixtures in June has allowed the 46-cap international to have a full pre-season with his club, something he thinks will prove beneficial during the coming campaign.
He added: "I had just under four weeks off. It has not been natural to have such a long break. This is my first year I have been with the team since the beginning [of pre-season].
"I feel a lot better than usual, when I go away with the national team and come back part way through pre-season."
Dembele signs Barca deal
French winger Ousmane Dembele has ended speculation over his Barcelona future by signing a two-year contract extension at the Catalan club.
The saga over the 25-year-old’s long-term plans has lasted for more than half a year as his previous deal edged closer to its expiry this summer.
Having briefly become a free agent, the uncertainty led to a host of Premier League sides being linked with a move.
But the 2018 World Cup winner has shut down talk of an exit by agreeing to prolong his stay at Barca until 2024.
Conte hails versatile Richarlison
Antonio Conte hailed the versatility of new Tottenham signing Richarlison after the Brazilian made his first appearance during a friendly in South Korea.
Spurs’ £50m arrival from Everton played 77 minutes of their 6-3 pre-season win over Team K-League on Wednesday.
The 25-year-old was the only one of Tottenham’s five summer signings to get a run-out and was deployed in three different positions by the Italian boss.
Conte said: "Today I have seen a lot of positive things about Richy.
"In the first half he played as a No9 and in the second half he played on the right and in behind the striker. He can play in all three positions.
"I think he is strong physically and a good personality, good character, good quality. For Richy, 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. I'm very happy that we signed him."
Ozil joins Istanbul Basaksehir
Former Arsenal midfielder Mesut Ozil has joined Istanbul Basaksehir after his contract with fellow Turkish side Fenerbahce was terminated.
The 33-year-old has signed a one-year deal with the Super Lig outfit with the option to extend for a further season.
The move comes after not making an appearance in Fenerbahce’s squad since March following a reported dispute over fitness.
It is a similar story for the former Germany international, who moved to Turkey from the Gunners in January 2021 after being frozen out by manager Mikel Arteta.
The playmaker wrote on social media: "One of the things that makes life is that it is full of uncertainties.
"Our plans, desires and wishes may not always go in the direction you want them to. I wanted to achieve success by getting more chances to play in the Fenerbahce jersey, which has always been my childhood dream.
"I would like to thank the Fenerbahce community and fans for the great support they have shown me."