Everton v Chelsea: Diego Costa has already shown glimpses of his potential, says Jamie Redknapp

It's unclear just how bad Diego Costa’s injury is - he may well be involved against Everton on Saturday - but his absence would be a big blow for Chelsea.

Chelsea lost at Everton last season when they weren’t at their best and missed a lot of chances, so this fixture is the sort of match they recruited Costa for.
Costa has already shown glimpses of what he can bring to Jose Mourinho’s team. He scored against Leicester when Chelsea were going nowhere fast and at Burnley he got them back into the equation after Scott Arfield’s surprise opener.
Whether he recovers in time to play at Goodison Park or not, this injury he has is a worry.
Costa had a problem with his hamstring at the end of last season and only managed a few minutes in the Champions League final for Atletico Madrid, while he didn’t look fit to me when he was playing for Spain in the World Cup. And now he’s got a hamstring issue again.
We’ve seen in the past how hamstring injuries can affect players and if Costa keeps pulling his hamstring it will start to affect him mentally, affect how he runs and he won’t trust himself to explode into a sprint.
It could become a long-term problem – but obviously Chelsea will hope that’s not the case because he’s made a difference to their team and I'm sure Jose Mourinho is doing all he can to get him ready for Saturday night.
Fernando Torres is in talks with AC Milan so he might be out of the frame to play in Costa's place – although he probably wouldn’t be the answer anyway – and that means Didier Drogba could be set for a start if Costa doesn't make it.I’m sure he didn’t imagine that happening just three games into the season after returning to Chelsea in the summer! Drogba scored a great dipping volley at Goodison Park a few years ago and it will be interesting to see how he gets on if he is selected.

Fired up

I’m also looking forward to seeing what Romelu Lukaku does. There’s no love lost between the Everton forward and his former manager Mourinho and I’m sure he’ll be fired up to do well against his old team.
Lukaku up against John Terry and Gary Cahill will certainly be worth watching on Saturday night!
Meanwhile, Steven Naismith has been a real unsung hero for Everton so far this season. He got the winning goal in this fixture last year and has been involved in a lot of the good things Everton have done this term.
 I’d be surprised if Samuel Eto’o – another player who has had his run-ins with Mourinho in the past – makes his Everton debut but the key could be at the other end of the field.

Concern

Everton have conceded four in their first two and, although the goals they’ve let in wouldn’t necessarily concern me, the fact they have surrendered a lead three times in two Premier League games this season is a worry.
Everton were 1-0 and 2-1 up at Leicester and two goals to the good against Arsenal last weekend before being pegged back. That can become a bad habit and they need to find a way of shutting games out in those situations.
I think they might concede a couple more this weekend, though – I’m predicting a tight 2-1 win for Chelsea.
Before Costa got injured I was thinking this was a banker for Chelsea but it has become a lot tougher to call now we're not sure whether he'll play.
I’m still going for a Chelsea win – the likes of Cesc Fabregas have been fantastic for them so far – but I expect Roberto Martinez and Everton to make life difficult for them.

Louis van Gaal: Top four Manchester United's target this season

United's new manager is yet to deliver a competitive victory and suffered the indiginity of a 4-0 defeat at League One MK Dons in Tuesday's Capital One Cup tie.
Neither that setback, nor a return of just one Premier League point from two games, has dented the Dutchman's confidence and he remains convinced he can bring a new era of domestic and European success to Old Trafford.
But ahead of Saturday's trip to Burnley van Gaal has again stressed it will take time to rebuild United's squad and successfully implement his methods.
He said: "Before Septmber 1 I have given every player a reasonable chance - it would not have been good to come as a new manager and say 'I want 11 new players'. The process needs time and we are building up a new team.
"I hope we shall succeed and that we are this year in the top four, because the Champions League suits a club like Manchester United.
"Then maybe the next step is to be champions and the next step after that is to be winner of the Champions League, but that needs time. A lot of clubs fight for many, many years and never succeed."

Angel di Maria set for Manchester United debut but Louis van Gaal admits Marcos Rojo still has work permit issues

• Manchester United visit Burnley in the Premier League on Saturday
• Louis van Gaal has endured nightmare start as United boss
• Angel di Maria is ready to make his debut at Turf Moor 
• But fellow new signing Marcos Rojo will miss Burnley trip as he has not been granted a work permit yet
• Van Gaal blames Argentinian law for Rojo's absence

Manchester United will again be without new defender Marcos Rojo on Saturday after a delay in the Argentinian getting a work permit.

By contrast, new £60m signing Angel di Maria is set to make his debut against Burnley  after Louis van Gaal revealed: 'I think he is ready to play.' 

A discrepancy with Rojo's passport means he has has to visit the Argentine embassy in Madrid before he gets clearance to play. 

This in turn means United will have to visit Burnley without the £16million new signing, even though he signed for the club more than a week ago. 

On Friday afternoon manager Louis van Gaal said: 'It's only a matter of time. I'm manager of the biggest club in the world, but I can't change the law in Argentina!

'We have to obey the law.' 

Despite the fact United only have one point from two games and have crashed out of the Capital One Cup to MK Dons, Van Gaal thinks he will be successful at his new club.

'I never doubt myself,' he said. 'I'm sure I will have success here. 

'But I need time. We are building up a new team.'

Van Gaal takes his team to Turf Moor for Saturday's 12.45pm kick-off still looking for his first competitive win as United manager.

Burnley's form this season is just as bad as United's, following Premier League defeats by Chelsea and Swansea plus a cup exit against Sheffield Wednesday in midweek.

But the Dutchman does not expect an easy ride against the Clarets, who were promoted from the Championship last season. Burnley pulled off a huge shock the last time they hosted United in the Premier League, beating Sir Alex Ferguson's United 1-0 in a dramatic Lancashire derby in 2009.

'It will be a fantastic atmosphere,' said Van Gaal. 'They'll play with a lot of passion and long balls. We have to fight against that. 

'It shall be a very difficult game but we have to show we can play football.' 

Van Gaal also backed Wayne Rooney to be a success as England captain following his appointment by Roy Hogson this week as successor to Steven Gerrard. Rooney was also handed the armband by Van Gaal after his appointment in the summer.

'He'll cope with the responsibility,' said Van Gaal. 'I wouldn't have made him Manchester United captain otherwise.'

Adam Lallana set for Liverpool debut at Spurs as Brendan Rodgers warns players will leave during rest of transfer window

• Liverpool play Tottenham at White Hart Lane on Sunday at 1.30pm
• Rodgers confirms Adam Lallana 'will definitely be in the squad' 
• Reds manager said while there may not be any new signings, more players will be 'going out than coming in' before the end of the 
•  Mario Balotelli, the Reds' £16m signing, will be available for the first time  
• Mario is 'a class act' but 'It's not the Balotelli show,' the manager said
• Liverpool won last year's Premier Legaue fixtures against Spurs 5-0 and 4-0

Adam Lallana is set to make his Liverpool debut at Tottenham on Sunday, Reds boss Brendan Rodgers confirmed after the £25 million summer signing from Southampton impressed at training during the week.

Lallana has recovered from a knee ligament injury picked up during training in Boston on Liverpool's pre-season tour of the US and joins striker Mario Balotteli among new faces available to Rodgers at White Hart Lane.  

'Adam Lallana will definitely be in the squad,' Rodgers confirmed on Friday. 'He has looked fantastic in training.'

With Monday's 11pm transfer deadline looming Rodgers has said there'll more likely be a clear out of sorts than any further big name arrivals at Merseyside. 

'There aren't many more to come in, if any at all. We will have more going out than coming in,' Rodgers said.

'We have brought players in who can affect the team. That is the beauty of it. We are not relying on them all to make a difference.'

Jordon Ibe's loan departure to Derby County was confirmed earlier on Friday. 

Jose Enrique will be available to Rodgers on Sunday although Glen Johnson will likely miss out due to thigh complaint. Questions marks hover over Alberto Moreno and Martin Skrtel, who picked up knocks during Monday's loss to Manchester City.  

His most high profile addition Balotteli has been buoyant at training all week and slotted in well at the club, Rodgers said, but the manager was keen to avert the spotlight from his high-profile signing. 

The £16 million arrival from AC Milan gives Rodgers a good dilemma as to whether or not he hands the controversial but talented forward an instant debut.

Fans have also responded positively to Balotelli's arrival, congregating at Melwood to get a glimpse of the former City marksman. But when asked at his pre-match press conference about the Italy striker, Rodgers issued a reminder that there is more than one man in his squad. 

'Mario is fine and has settled in very well, but the focus is on his football,' Rodgers said.

'Balotelli is a class act. He is moving to Merseyside. But it's not the Balotelli show. The star of this team will always be the team.' 

Liverpool face Spurs on the back of a convincing loss to defending champions Manchester City but Rodgers is certain his side can pick themselves up quickly. 

He said: 'We have been good at bouncing back. It's a strange feeling but we are not used to losing. That's not sounding arrogant. We were flat coming off the pitch but there was a lot to be positive about.' 

Tom Cleverley meets Roy Keane and Shinji Kagawa heads to Dortmund as Manchester United midfield clear-out gathers pace

• Tom Cleverley's days are numbered at Old Trafford
• Shinji Kagawa is heading to Germany for Borussia Dortmund medical 
• Louis van Gaal wants to chop some of the deadwood at United 
• Roy Keane has met Tom Cleverley ahead of transfer deadline day
• Kagawa is confident personal details can soon be agreed 
• A four-year contract has been offered to the Japan international

Tom Cleverley has met Aston Villa assistant boss Roy Keane to discuss a potential move as Manchester United's midfield clear-out continues.  

As Shinji Kagawa flew to in Germany on Friday afternoon to put the finishing touches to an £8million return to Borussia Dortmund, Cleverley, for whom Villa have bid £7m and who interests Everton, Hull and Valencia, went south to Birmingham. 

Old Trafford legend Keane has stepped in to try and lure the 25-year-old, with the promise of regular first-team football at the Midlands club.

Keane knows all about leaving Manchester following his controversial departure midway through the 2004-05 season, but Cleverley is still to decide where his future lies. 

The preferred option for the midfielder is to head out on loan for the remainder of the season and then leave Louis van Gaal's side on a free next summer.

Running down his contract and being able to move on a free would present the midfielder with the greatest array of options to move on after becoming a peripheral figure under the new manager.

Everton are among Cleverley's preferred options, should he move, as he has experience of working under Roberto Martinez during his loan spell at Wigan during the 2010-11 season. 

Kagawa, meanwhile, is close to reaching an agreement on a four-year deal at Dortmund as he flies over for a medical.

One or two personal details still have to be ironed out but Kagawa is confident they would not prevent him returning to the Westfalenstadion. 

Jurgen Klopp repeatedly made it clear the Japan midfielder would be welcomed back with open arms, and the Dortmund boss will get his wish.

Kagawa struggled to make his mark at Old Trafford after being signed by Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012 for £12m - plus £5m add-ons - and became even more marginalised under David Moyes last season.

Mario Balotelli is a £16m bargain transfer as new Liverpool striker lights up training

• Italy star could make his Liverpool debut against Tottenham this weekend
• Mario Balotelli is Premier League's best value-for-money signing
• Brendan Rodgers signed him for £14m less than his market value 
• Liverpool will be hoping to get back to winning ways at White Hart Lane 

Mario Balotelli was typically good value during Liverpool's training session on Friday - and Sportsmail can reveal that the Italy striker is the Premier League's best value-for-money summer signing.

The 24-year-old, who looks to make his debut against Tottenham on Sunday, was bought by Liverpool for £16million and boffins reckon Brendan Rodgers got him on the cheap.

Analysts at Swiss-based CIES Football Observatory have placed ‘market values’ on top players from around Europe and they calculate that Balotelli was worth £30m, £14m more than Liverpool paid for him.

This is based on a wide range of ‘objective’ factors from age and contract expiry date to position, performance data and international experience. 

Sportsmail columnist Jamie Redknapp went further, saying Liverpool had a £45m player for £16m.

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers called the deal ‘outstanding value’, despite admitting that it was a risk signing the 24-year-old striker.

However, he took a punt due to Balotelli's age and match-winning ability. 

The striker looked to be getting along with his new team-mates, being hugged by new team-mate Lucas Leiva during the training session and was pictured on the ground having a laugh with more of his new team-mates.

It was a more impressive display at Melwood for Balotelli than on Wednesday, when he struggled to put on a bib.

Balotelli watched from the stands as Liverpool lost 3-1 to his former club Manchester City at the Etihad and will be raring to go at White Hart Lane on Sunday.

Arsene Wenger press conference LIVE: Arsenal boss reflects on Champions League draw and looks ahead to Leicester clash

• Wenger reacts to Champions League draw and gives lowdown on his squad ahead of game at Leicester 
• Arsenal paired with Borussia Dortmund, Galatasaray and Anderlecht in Champions League Group D 
• The Gunners travel to King Power Stadium for Sunday's 4pm match 

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger is speaking ahead of Arsenal's Premier League clash at Leicester on Friday morning. 

The Frenchman will be quizzed on his movements in the transfer market, his thoughts on last night's Champions League draw, and the latest on his squad ahead of their match at the King Power Stadium.

We'll bring you all the updates from Arsenal's London Colney HQ as they happen. 

Chelsea line up Mattia Destro if Fernando Torres seals escape route to AC Milan

Chelsea will step up their chase for Mattia Destro if Fernando Torres leaves

Spain international is holding talks over personal terms with AC Milan

Jose Mourinho believes Mattia Destro can add variety to Blues attack 

Roma do not need to sell after £35m sale of Medhi Benatia to Bayern Munich 

Former Chelsea star Demba Ba has revealed he longed to play for Arsenal

Chelsea will step up their pursuit of Mattia Destro from Roma if Fernando Torres can agree personal terms on a move to AC Milan.

Jose Mourinho has identified Destro as a young player who can add variety to his squad, even though Roma have cooled on the idea of selling the striker.

The Italian club claim he is ‘100 per cent not for sale’ and no longer have a great urgency to raise funds after banking £35million by selling defender Medhi Benatia to Bayern Munich.

Chelsea, however, remain keen. Destro fits their age profile, can operate across the front line and earns a fraction of the £175,000 a week they pay Torres. If Milan agree to cover the final two years of Torres’ contract, Chelsea will have cash available to bid for a player valued at £20million. If they prefer to sign him on a one-year loan, Chelsea will have to be more creative.

 

Agents of Torres were in Italy for talks with Milan and one of them, Antonio Sanz, is reported to have said: ‘The meeting went well. Torres to AC Milan is a real possibility. We take some time to reflect before giving a decision. Milan are a great club.’

The issue is pressing for Chelsea at a time when they have concerns about the fitness of Diego Costa.

Costa missed training on Thursday as a precaution after suffering from a tight hamstring against Leicester on Saturday and again in training on Wednesday.

A scan showed no serious damage but the Brazil-born Spain international has a recent history of hamstring trouble. He has not been ruled out of Saturday's game at Everton but Mourinho will take no risks because Costa can take a two-week rest through the international break if he does not play at Goodison.

The scare crystallises a major problem for Chelsea, however, with Didier Drogba 36 and Torres out of favour.

Demba Ba, Romelu Lukaku and Samuel Eto’o have all left this summer and although they spent £32m on his first-choice Costa, Mourinho will look to the board to back him again over Destro. Ba, meanwhile, admits he longed to play for Arsenal.

Now with Besiktas, the striker came close to ruining Arsenal’s Champions League hopes during Wednesday’s 1-0 defeat at the Emirates.

Afterwards, Ba said he wished he could have been the man riding to Arsene Wenger’s rescue after Olivier Giroud’s broken ankle, but had to seize the chance to leave Chelsea for Besiktas when it came.

Wenger almost signed Ba on loan from Chelsea last year and, when asked how close he came to becoming an Arsenal player, the forward said: ‘As close as you and me, here. Even when I was in Chelsea, everybody knew that I wanted to go to Arsenal.

‘It’s not a secret to anyone. I wanted to join Arsenal because it was the club back in the day. I saw Thierry Henry playing for them and I supported them. I could have maybe waited longer in this transfer window.’

Manchester City handed group of death for the third year in a row while Jose Mourinho will be delighted with Chelsea's draw

• City face German giants Bayern Munich for a third time in four years
• Arsenal also handed tough draw but Chelsea given easy ride
• Ashley Cole and Frank Lampard could have a surprise re-union as City are also matched with Roma
• Despite difficult draw Txiki Beguiristan says the aim is to top the group

Manuel Pellegrini must have been looking for Mario Balotelli’s ‘Why Always Me’ T-shirt on Thursday night.

Life could hardly get any worse for Manchester City in the Champions League. For the third successive season they were handed a ‘Group of Death’. There’s no sugar-coating it — Group E is gruesome, brutal, grim.

If Pellegrini was to pick one scenario he didn’t want ahead of the draw, this wouldn’t have been far off. 

His mood will not have been helped by knowing that, down in London, Jose Mourinho had his feet up, with Chelsea surely as good as in the knockout stages after being given a relatively easy ride.

For the second successive season, City will face Bayern Munich; the Bundesliga giants wounded by last season’s failed attempt to retain their title. 

Riding on the crest of Germany’s World Cup win, Pep Guardiola’s side will be one of the toughest teams to beat this season.

City’s nightmare does not end there, though. Two clashes against a rejuvenated Roma will provide a huge test of their European credentials. In an uncanny twist, Roma and City crossing paths throws open the possibility of Frank Lampard and Ashley Cole going head-to-head for the first time since they left Chelsea this summer.

Pellegrini will know the fixtures against Roma and CSKA Moscow are paramount to City making it to the last 16.

And if he thought things could not get much worse, he only needs to look at a daunting eight-day stretch next month when he must squeeze a trip to Bavaria between crucial League clashes at Arsenal and at home to Chelsea.

‘It’s a tough one,’ said City’s sporting director Txiki Beguiristan. ‘Our challenge is to be first in the group because that gives you an advantage.

‘The objective is higher now. That’s why we improved the team, to give us a chance of winning the domestic competitions but also to be better in Europe. There are five, six, eight other clubs that can win it but we can as well. Why should we not set out to win the Champions League?’

Thursday’s draw would also not have made comfortable viewing for Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger.

Perhaps not quite to the same extent as Pellegrini, but Wenger will yet again have to pit his wits against one of Europe’s most impressive young coaches in Jurgen Klopp.

But facing Borussia Dortmund, 2013’s beaten finalists, will not paralyse Wenger’s expensively-assembled squad with fear. After losing to the Bundesliga side on matchday three last season, the Gunners went to Dortmund and recorded a famous 1-0 win against the odds, Aaron Ramsey scoring.

Arsenal secretary David Miles said: ‘It’s tough but it’s one from which there’s a pre-requisite to finish first and avoid the likes of Barcelona at the start of the knock-out stage.’

Anderlecht and Galatasaray are likely provide a more modest test.

While Liverpool ponder the challenge of Real Madrid, Basle and the Bulgarians of Ludogorets, Mourinho must have had by far the best night’s sleep. 

When he holds his weekly press conference at Chelsea’s Cobham HQ on Friday, the Portuguese will inevitably dispel the notion that his side have been handed an easy European ride.

But the Special One himself could not have handpicked a more comfortable group. With all due respect, Schalke, Sporting Lisbon and Maribor hardly reads as a who’s who of European football’s elite.

Much to Brendan Rodgers, Pellegrini and Wenger’s annoyance, no doubt.

Manchester United and Louis van Gaal close to signing 16-year-old Ajax defender Timothy Fosu Mensah

• Manchester United close to signing Timothy Fosu Mensah
• 16-year-old defender highly rated by Ajax
• Manchester City and Inter Milan also interested 
• Louis van Gaal's side have already signed two left-backs this summer 

Louis van Gaal has moved in for 16-year-old Ajax defender Timothy Fosu Mensah.

The highly-rated Dutch prospect was at United’s Carrington training ground on Thursday ahead of a move which will cost an initial £300,000 in compensation.

United scouts were impressed by Fosu Mensah during Ajax’s AEGON Future Cup tournament win in April. 

Manchester City and Inter Milan have also expressed an interest but him, who can play in a range of defensive positions, has opted for United.

Mensah is comfortable at centre-half but can also play at left-back and in defensive midfield, that versatility essential to Louis van Gaal's 3-5-2 formation.

He is physically imposing, but also comfortable on the ball, with pace a major asset - particularly in a left-wing back role.

United have already spent well over £100million this summer and, were he to join, Fosu Mensah would be the third left back to move to the club after Luke Shaw and Marcus Rojo.

Van Gaal's side travel to Turf Moor to face Burnley on Saturday, and record singing Angel di Maria could come straight in to the starting line-up.

Angel di Maria unveiled at Manchester United following £60m Real Madrid transfer

• Angel di Maria was unveiled as a Manchester United player on Thursday
• Di Maria joined in £59.7million plus add ons deal from Real Madrid on Tuesday
• Di Maria will wear the number seven shirt at Old Trafford
• Argentina international revealed his desire to bring Champions League football back at the club

Angel di Maria has revealed former Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo told him to wear the No 7 shirt at Manchester United due to it's significance to the club.

Di Maria, who has penned a five-year contract at the club worth £200,000-a-week wages, has been handed the iconic shirt worn in the past by club legends Ronaldo, Eric Cantona and David Beckham.

The Argentina international was unveiled at the club's official press conference on Thursday and remarked how it was Ronaldo who told him the importance of the jersey. 

'Cristiano told me what No 7 shirt meant I wanted to wear this shirt. The club wanted me to wear it.,' Di Maria said.

The 26-year-old also revealed his desire to restore Manchester United to the Champions League following his £59.7million plus add ons move from Real Madrid on Tuesday.  

'I'm very pleased to be at Manchester United, I like the team and I wanted to come here even though no Champions League football this season,' he added. 

'I want to help them reach the Champions League again. I'm very pleased that Louis van Gaal chose me to come to Manchester United.

'Manchester United have already won many trophies and are a very big team. I came here to help them raise their game and win many trophies with them.

'The fee does not bother me, that fact £60m is paid. That is for chairmen to negotiate. I come to play for the club and do my best for them.' 

Chelsea’s Diego Costa to miss six weeks with hamstring injury

Chelsea could be without their striker Diego Costa for up to six weeks, after the Spain international tweaked his hamstring in training on Wednesday.
Costa has started his Blues career in fine form, scoring twice in their first two Premier League matches, but is now a doubt for Saturday’s late kick-off against Everton at Goodison Park.
The club’s doctors are however making further assessment on the injury, because publicly confirming how long the 25-year-old will be ruled out for.Radamel Falcao has already been linked with a move to Stamford Bridge to replace Costa, while Fernando Torres’ proposed loan move to AC Milan, might not go through again with Didier Drogba the only recognised striker available to Jose Mourinho now.

Bayern Munich confirm Xabi Alonso transfer

Bayern Munich have revealed that they are close to sealing Xabi Alonso’s transfer from Real Madrid.
The player, who on Wednesday announced his retirement from international football, is expected in Germany on Thursday to undergo his medical.
“It is correct that we have been in talks with Real Madrid and Xabi Alonso,” Bayern executive board member Jan-Christian Dreesen said at a press conference.
“We have basically reached an agreement. The player will arrive in Munich later on Thursday to undergo his medical.”
Alonso recently signed a new contract extension until 2016 with the La Liga giants, but had lost his regular spot to Luka Modric and Toni Kroos.Since he joined from Liverpool, he has made over 200 official appearances in all competitions for the Bernabeu outfit.

Fernando Torres set to join AC Milan on loan but Marco van Ginkel will stay in London

• Fernando Torres is set to join AC Milan on loan
• Chelsea striker has fallen further down the pecking order
• Two clubs are yet to agreement a deal over his wages
• Marco van Ginkel will not join Milan however 

Fernando Torres is ready to accept a loan move from Chelsea to AC Milan but midfielder Marco van Ginkel has opted to stay at Stamford Bridge.

Torres and the two clubs still need to come to an agreement over his wages. 

The 30-year-old has two years left on a Chelsea contract which is worth £9million-a-year to him but Milan’s offer stretches to £7m for what would be one year on loan in Serie A.

Jose Mourinho would love to offload Torres, who cost the club £50m in January 2012, and open space in his squad and recruit a different type of attacker but the board at Stamford Bridge are not prepared to pay the £2m shortfall. 

Milan vice-president Adriano Galliani confirmed his club was in talks over Torres on Tuesday.

He said: 'Our goal is to take a great striker. Fernando Torres? He is a great striker. Let’s see if he comes or someone else. We are actively working.'

Galliani was also confident of signing Van Ginkel but the Dutchman wants to remain in west London.

Chelsea are receptive to allowing the midfielder out on loan as he needs games following his cruciate ligament injury last year.

Mauricio Pochettino eyes loan move for Danny Welbeck after wrapping up £8m deal for Federico Fazio

Mauricio Pochettino eyeing loan move for Danny Welbeck

Pochettino has signed £8million defender Federico Fazio 

Tottenham boss was in Milton Keynes to watch MK Dons defeat Manchester United

Mauricio Pochettino was in Milton Keynes to witness Manchester United’s embarrassing defeat, which offered him a timely insight into the perils of games you are expected to win and a close-up look at Danny Welbeck.

Tottenham are among several clubs interested in signing the England striker, who wants regular football away from Old Trafford. 

Pochettino, who clinched the signing of Federico Fazio for £8million from Sevilla on Thursday night, is also keen on Jay Rodriguez but the Southampton striker will not be fit until January and relations between the clubs were soured by a failed swoop for Morgan Schneiderlin. 

However, the idea of Welbeck appeals to others at Tottenham, especially on loan.

Spurs boss Pochettino confessed United’s 4-0 Capital One Cup defeat to MK Dons was a handy reminder ahead of tonight’s Europa League play-off clash against AEL Limassol, which Spurs lead 2-1 after the first leg.

He said: ‘I was there, I watched the United game. It is a good example for us to be ready. We got a good result in Cyprus but we need to be focused.’

Michael Dawson has been sold to Hull but the arrival of Argentine defender Fazio means Spurs are still loaded with centre-halves.

They now have Fazio, Younes Kaboul, Eric Dier, Jan Vertonghen and Vlad Chiriches, who is fit after a back problem and in tonight’s squad, plus young players like Zeki Fryers and Milos Veljkovic.

‘We need to give balance to the squad,’ said Pochettino, who is open to making more signings. ‘I don’t talk about names, never. I always say not to expect a lot of movement but it is possible that we add some players, yes.’

Spurs have to sell to create space for Pochettino to achieve the blend he desires, but are finding it hard to sell the ones they want, at the prices they want.

Roberto Soldado, not in the squad to play AEL because of a bad back, is on AC Milan’s short-list, though the Italians appear to be making progress with a loan deal for Fernando Torres from Chelsea.

Lewis Holtby has emerged as a possible departure, with Hamburg interested in the midfielder.

Kaboul and goalkeeper Hugo Lloris are the main contenders to replace Dawson as club captain, though Pochettino will not make a decision until the transfer activity is over.

Asked if he wanted to succeed Michael Dawson as captain, Hugo Lloris said: 'I don’t really need to wear the armband to feel like a leader for the team. I am very proud to the captain for the French national team. 

'For Tottenham it is just the manager’s decision. I am not expecting something about that, I am just trying to do my job in the best way, and I try to help the team to have the best performance. 

'And after, in the changing room, I know that I have my place, and I try to be an example for everyone, and especially for my young team-mates because in the squad there are a lot of young players.”

Capital One Cup third-round draw: Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool all given home ties

• Manchester City begin defence at Etihad against Sheffield Wednesday
• Arsenal vs Southampton, Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers and Liverpool vs Middlesbrough among other home ties for Premier League big four
• Crystal Palace vs Newcastle, Sunderland vs Stoke, Swansea vs Everton and West Brom vs Hull see Premier League teams pitted against each other

Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool will start their Capital One Cup campaigns at home.

City, who beat Sunderland 3-1 in the League Cup final last year, are to host Championship outfit Sheffield Wednesday at the Etihad in the week commencing September 22.

Eight-time winners Liverpool were given a similar draw as Middlesbrough make the trip to Anfield, while Bolton face a journey to Stamford Bridge to face Jose Mourinho's Chelsea.

A tasty Premier League tie has been set up between Southampton and Arsenal, with the latter the home side at the Emirates. 

CAPITAL ONE CUP THIRD ROUND 

Chelsea vs Bolton Wanderers 

Arsenal vs Southampton

West Brom vs Hull City

Crystal Palace vs Newcastle

Leyton Orient vs Sheffield United

Cardiff vs Bournemouth

Sunderland vs Stoke

Derby vs Reading

Liverpool vs Middlesbrough

MK Dons vs Bradford

Manchester City vs Sheffield Wednesday 

Burton Albion vs Brighton & Hove Albion

Swansea City vs Everton

Shrewsbury Town vs Norwich City

Fulham vs Doncaster Rovers

Tottenham Hotspur vs Nottingham Forest

The Premier League big four were each given a kind home draw, which was made after Bradford saw off 10-man Leeds United with a 2-1 win at Valley Parade on Wednesday night.

Manchester United failed to make the cut after Louis van Gaal and Co were humiliated by MK Dons on Tuesday night, losing 4-0 to their League One counterparts.

As a result, Karl Robinson's men will welcome fellow upsetters and League Two outfit Bradford to stadium:mk.

Four other ties see Premier League opposition pitted against each other. 

Swansea City and Everton couldn't avoid matching, and will meet at the Liberty Stadium.

Crystal Palace's new manager Neil Warnock will look to orchestrate a win over Newcastle United, while Hull City face a trip to West Brom.

Gus Poyet admitted he was hungry for more after surviving Premier League relegation and making the League Cup final last year, and the Sunderland manager will have to see off Stoke City at home if he is to do so again. 

Elsewhere, Tottenham Hotspur are to face Nottingham Forest at White Hart Lane.

Leyton Orient and Burton Albion, having both seen off Premier League opposition in Aston Villa and QPR respectively, earned their own home ties. Orient will meet fellow League One club Sheffield United, while Albion face tougher opposition in Brighton & Hove Albion.

Marcos Rojo's move to Manchester United yet to be signed off by Premier League

• Transfer waiting to be approved, in part because of Sporting Lisbon's association with Doyen 
• The funding group are claiming 75 per cent of the £16m transfer fee
• Delay would need to be resolved by 12pm on Friday if Rojo is to face Burnley
• Rojo is yet to play for Louis van Gaal since he arrived at Old Trafford  

Louis van Gaal’s defensive concerns could deepen after it emerged that the Premier League are yet to sign off on Marcos Rojo’s transfer, partly because of Sporting Lisbon’s involvement with funding group Doyen.

Rojo moved to United for £16million eight days ago but has not yet played for Van Gaal. It had been thought that obtaining a work permit was the only delay in his registration being ratified but Sportsmail understands that the Premier League are still processing the paperwork associated with Doyen’s claim to 75 per cent of the transfer fee.

The delay would need to be overcome by 12pm on Friday if Rojo is to be eligible for the important encounter with Burnley at Turf Moor on Saturday afternoon. It is uncertain whether that will prove the case.

When Rojo was bought by Sporting from Spartak Moscow for £3.5m in 2012 Doyen are understood to have loaned the Portuguese club most of the money. 

In return the investment fund would receive 75 per cent of any future transfer fee or be repaid in full at a set interest rate – as with a lending bank. But a row between Sporting’s new president Bruno de Carvalho and Doyen broke out when he discovered the arrangement and claimed the club were being put under pressure to sell Rojo to United.

Doyen insisted this was never the case but in the end the Argentina international did switch to Old Trafford. Sporting received £8m immediately, with two further instalments of £4m due but Sportsmail understands Doyen have yet to receive a single penny and are considering legal action that could end up in court. 

United are not implicated in this in any shape and Doyen’s only concern is holding Sporting to the contract the club signed in 2012.

That wrangle in itself is not holding up the Premier League’s legal team but any transfer involving third-party entities is looked at with great care after the Carlos Tevez affair.

On a similar basis it took time for deals to be completed for Manchester City’s Eliaquim Mangala and Liverpool’s Lazar Markovic earlier in the window as guarantees on the ownership of their economic rights were sought.

Once the Premier League are satisfied with the issues around Rojo he will be granted permission to play – but until then it leaves Van Gaal without one of his key signings and a defensive headache.

Manchester United consider £24m bid for Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho

• Manchester United have held talks with Sporting about William Carvalho
• Portuguese club have dropped asking price to £23.8million
• United also remain interested in Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal
• It is unlikely that the Old Trafford club will sign both players 

Manchester United have spoken to Sporting Lisbon about central midfielder William Carvalho as the ailing club try to beef up their squad before the transfer window closes on Monday.

Manager Louis van Gaal needs reinforcements after a desperate start to the season that has seen his team take just a point from two Barclays Premier League games and crash out of the Capital One Cup 4-0 at League One MK Dons.

The Dutchman is keen on a deal for Juventus and Chile midfielder Arturo Vidal, but United are also in contact with Sporting about Carvalho after the Portuguese club dropped their asking price to £23.8million.

It is unlikely United will buy both players and chief executive Ed Woodward is concerned rival clubs will try to take advantage of United’s crisis by demanding inflated prices.

He is also aware he has competition for Carvalho from Arsenal, who can offer the Portugal star European football.

However, Van Gaal has made his needs clear in recent days and Woodward has permission from owners the Glazers to spend big once again after the British record £60m paid by United to Real Madrid for Angel di Maria this week.

United only concluded a deal with Lisbon for defender Marcos Rojo last week and have concerns about getting involved again after the protracted nature of that deal.

Equally, though, they have concerns over Vidal’s knee after it needed surgery last season and they at least know their good relationship with Portuguese agent Jorges Mendes could help them get a deal done for 22-year-old Carvalho.

Meanwhile, United have interest in Tom Cleverley and Danny Welbeck from ‘five or six’ clubs and either could leave before Monday. Welbeck, understandably, would prefer to go to a club at the top end of the league while Cleverley may choose to run his contract down.

United also have offers for Japan playmaker Shinji Kagawa but perhaps unsurprisingly are struggling to move on Brazilian failure Anderson.

The club will officially unveil Di Maria on Thursday and he will go straight into the team for Saturday’s game at Burnley.

Arsenal 1-0 Besiktas (agg 1-0): Alexis Sanchez scores the winner as 10-man Gunners qualify for the Champions League group stages

• Alexis Sanchez opened the scoring for the home side on the stroke of half-time; his first goal in Arsenal colours  
• The hosts had to play the last 15 minutes with 10 men after Mathieu Debuchy was sent off for a second booking
• The Gunners will go into the hat for the group stages of the Champions League for the 17th successive season

Arsene Wenger puffed out his cheeks and strode purposefully down the tunnel. He knew he had been in a game.

So did his players. Alexis Sanchez, the matchwinner and hero of the night, and Santi Cazorla, a tireless worker in midfield, were walking gingerly, hobbling even. They had completed 90 minutes but it had taken its toll. This will have made happy viewing in the households of Nigel Pearson and his Leicester City players, Arsenal’s opponents on Sunday.

It was tight. Tighter than it has been for many years. Too tight for comfort, by the end. Arsenal tend to stroll through this little technicality in their Champions League programme, the qualification phase. Not on Wednesday night. 

They were a goal ahead shortly before half-time but it afforded a false sense of security. Having failed to score in Istanbul, their single goal did not alter the requirement for Besiktas. An equaliser would still do it and as they went in search of one, so Arsenal’s certainty faded.

By the time the home side were reduced to 10 men with 15 minutes to go, it is fair to say panic was spreading, certainly in the stands. Arsenal are a better team than Besiktas, but they were terrifyingly vulnerable to a single aberration, a slack moment of marking or a freak, deflected equaliser. Well outside their comfort zone, the fans bawled and screamed their frustration.

To be fair, the anger over Mathieu Debuchy’s dismissal was misplaced. He was rightly booked in the first half for choosing to meet Olcay Sahan with his shoulder, rather than challenging fairly in the air, and taking a yellow card into the second half his clumsy manhandling of Mustafa Pektemek was always going to invite trouble. Referee Pedro Proenca, from Portugal, showed a red and the Emirates erupted, but it was more out of fear than justified indignation.

Calum Chambers was then booked for coming on to the field prematurely as Wenger sought to reshuffle the team, and may have a greater beef, but as Besiktas had been denied a very plausible first-half penalty, it is fair to say Arsenal got the best of any incompetence.

It would have been a strange penalty, but no less warranted for that. Jack Wilshere, who was exceptional bar this moment of madness and a miss after nine minutes that could have put Arsenal in early command, made a desperate lunge from behind in an attempt to stop Ramon Motta. 

It was hard to identify specific contact at first, save for the coincidence of both men falling within a split second of each other, but replays showed that in going to ground Wilshere’s hand had clipped Motta’s foot and perhaps sent him tumbling. Certainly, the circumstantial evidence would have convinced more than a few referees; and they would have been right. 

Nevertheless, Arsenal had the better of the chances on the night and would have felt hard done by had Besiktas progressed. 

Even in a fraught second half, the best of it belonged to Arsenal and Sanchez in particular will be kicking himself for a miss in the 53rd minute which should have put the result beyond doubt. Debuchy also found the side-netting with a far-post header, Cazorla had an excellent chance blocked and Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain could have done better from close range. 

Against that, Besiktas will feel they had their moments, not least when Mathieu Flamini made a hash of a pretty straightforward defensive clearance, allowing Demba Ba to seize the ball but plant it wide of Wojciech Szczesny’s goal.

In the final minute of normal time Ba could not get his head to a cross at the far post, having lost his marker. Had that gone in, there would have been no way back for Arsenal.

Instead, they are in Thursday afternoon’s draw for the Champions League proper, continuing a run of 17 straight campaigns. And, thanks to a warped seeding system, in Pot A, just like the biggest clubs in Europe, those that win domestic leagues and continental titles. It’s nice to be one of UEFA’s chosen few. 

The result was the best news of the night, obviously. For Wenger, second best was the identity of Arsenal’s goalscorer — Sanchez, the man tasked with pretending to be a striker for the months when Olivier Giroud is absent with his broken foot. He isn’t a natural in the position by any means, maybe not even the solution if Wenger’s resolve wavers before the transfer deadline closes on Monday, but his first goal for the club was a vital one and that can only build confidence.

Sanchez’s display in a forward role at Everton last Saturday was unconvincing and his appearance as a lone striker here was seen as something of a gamble, but he got the last word. It was quite a test for him, after all. 

The final qualification tie for the Champions League is no proving ground, with so much at stake and away goals counting double. Suppose Arsenal required two, or even three on the night? With Giroud injured and the prolific Aaron Ramsey suspended there was a lot of weight on Sanchez’s shoulders.

To his credit, he rose to the occasion. He didn’t have much of a first half, and certainly didn’t apply the pressure in the area that Giroud would, but when a chance presented itself he snatched at it, and in a good way. Moments earlier he had overrun a pass from Wilshere to widespread groans, so it is to Sanchez’s credit that he was instantly prepared to assume responsibility in front of goal again. 

His moment came in the final minute of the half, after a headed clearance had found its way to Wilshere. He played a nice one-two with Mesut Ozil and looked to be shaping to shoot from the return pass. 

Letting the ball run, however, took it into the path of Sanchez who decided to eschew politeness and have a go, first time. Jackpot. Sanchez struck his shot low and goalkeeper Tolga Zengin could not get down quickly enough. Ultimately, it was all Arsenal required. For the 17th season in succession a delegation from the club will arrive in Monaco for the Champions League draw.

It was 1997-98 when balls were last placed in UEFA’s many pots without one containing Arsenal’s name. Princess Diana was still alive and a chap called Steve Jobs had just resumed working at Apple. Considering events at Milton Keynes on Tuesday night and how quickly a football club’s fortunes can change, Arsenal have every reason to be proud of that record. They might even allow themselves a little pat on the back and call it business as usual.

What they cannot say this time, however is that it was never in doubt. That little puff of the cheeks suggests Wenger knows it, too.

Arsenal poised to bid for Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck to replace injured Olivier Giroud

Arsenal are set to swoop for Manchester United striker Danny Welbeck

The England international is interested in a move to the Emirates

First-choice striker Olivier Giroud is likely to be out until after the New Year

United may be reluctant to sell to Arsenal after the Gunners' refusal to sell them Thomas Vermaelen

Arsene Wenger is also considering a bid for QPR's Loic Remy

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani will likely be too expensive 

Arsenal are set to explore a move for Manchester United forward Danny Welbeck to help ease the loss of injury victim Olivier Giroud.

As Sportsmail revealed on Tuesday, Giroud is facing an extended period on the sidelines after sustaining an ankle injury against Everton on Saturday.

Arsene Wenger will move to strengthen his forward line before next week's transfer deadline, and Welbeck features on the club's list of options.

Sportsmail understands the Gunners were keen on Welbeck prior to Giroud's injury, but fears over the Frenchman has seen their interest intensify.

It is believed Welbeck would give serious consideration to a move to the Emirates Stadium.

But whether United would sell the England international to a rival remains to be seen.

Queens Park Rangers frontman Loic Remy is also a realistic option for Arsenal.

Paris Saint-Germain striker Edinson Cavani is a long-term target for the club, but a move for the Uruguayan seem remote given the vast cost of any deal.

Angel di Maria claims he never wanted to leave Real Madrid in farewell letter to fans after £60million move to Man Utd

• Angel di Maria has signed for Manchester United for a British record fee
• In an open letter to Real Madrid fans, the Argentine said it was never his desire to leave the Bernabeu
• Di Maria had earlier said upon arriving at United that he wouldn't have signed for any club other than them
• Di Maria said he would rather have signed a new contract with the Champions League winners

Angel di Maria has written an open letter to Real Madrid fans, claiming he never wanted to leave the Spanish giants.

The winger completed his £60million move to Manchester United on Tuesday, signing a five-year deal with the Old Trafford club.

But he insists he would rather have signed a new contract with the Champions League winners.

In the letter, published by Spanish newspaper Marca, Di Maria said: ‘Unfortunately today I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire.

‘As anyone who works, I’ve always wanted to progress. After winning ‘La Decima’ I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a new contract, which never came.

‘Many things and many lies were spoken. They always wanted to attribute the initiative to me to leave the club, but I did not. The only thing I asked for is something that would be fair.

‘There are many things that I value and many of them have nothing to do with my salary. I hope to progress at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I wish to make history.’

Di Maria has signed a five-year deal with United, just three months after inspiring Madrid to their 10th European Cup triumph against city rivals Atletico in Lisbon.

He added: ‘I’ve been lucky enough to share a dressing room with fantastic players, who have been even better companions.

‘I think that was the key to La Decima. I want to apologize for the times I was wrong, on or off the pitch. It was never my intention to harm anyone.

‘I sweated for this shirt in every game as if it was my last. There were times when things went for me and others not, but what I can say is that I always gave everything.’

THE LETTER IN FULL

Dear Madridismo,

My cycle at Real Madrid has come to an end. Is impossible to capture all I have lived through in a few lines, but I want this letter to communicate what I feel at the moment of parting. In these four years I had the honor to wear this shirt I feel nothing but pride for what I went through and achieved along with my team mates.

Unfortunately today I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire. As anyone who works, I’ve always wanted to progress. After winning “La Decima” I went to the World Cup with the hope of receiving a new contract, which never came. Many things and many lies were spoken. They always wanted to attribute the initiative to me to leave the club, but did not. The only thing I asked for is something that would be fair. There are many things that I value and many of them have nothing to do with my salary. I hope to progress at Manchester United, one of the biggest clubs in the world, where I wish to make history.

I’ve been lucky enough to share a dressing room with fantastic players, who have been even better companions. I think that was the key to La Decima. I want to apologize for the times I was wrong, on or off the pitch. It was never my intention to harm anyone. I sweated for this shirt in every game as if it was my last. There were times when things went for me and others not, but what I can say is that I always gave everything.

I want to thank Spain for everything you gave me and especially for allowing my daughter to be born on this earth. And to the very special people at Montepríncipe hospital, which I will always carry in my heart. My wife, daughter and I will be forever grateful. Also to my colleagues who gave me their support always, in good times and bad, to the various technical bodies that I got to work with and also to all the people who work every day at the club, with which I hope to keep a great relationship.

I hope that Real Madrid have a great season and get this club the achievements they are always looking for. I take forever in my memory that time in the Supercopa when I jumped at the Bernabeu and I received from the fans immense affection. Thank you. I have goose bumps yet cannot think of a better farewell for which unfortunately was my last game.

Hala Madrid! And until forever!