More from Raphael Varane on his retirement from football:

"I have loved fighting for myself, my clubs, my country, my teammates and the supporters of every team I have played for.

"From Lens to Madrid to Manchester, and playing for our national team. I have defended every badge with everything I have, and loved every minute of the journey.

"The game at the highest level is a thrilling experience. It tests every level of your body and your mind. The emotions we experience you cannot find anywhere else.

"As athletes, we are never satisfied, never accepting of success. It is our nature and what fuels us."

Image source, Getty Images

Former French international, Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has announced his retirement from professional football with an Instagram post:

"They say all good things must come to an end."In my career I have taken on many challenges, rose to occasion after occasion, almost all of it was supposed to be impossible. Incredible emotions, special moments and memories that will last a lifetime. Reflecting on these moments, it is with immense pride and a feeling of fulfillment that I am announcing my retirement from the game that we all love."I hold myself to the highest standard, I want to go out strong, not just holding on to the game. It takes a big dose of courage to listen to your heart and your instinct. Desire and needs are two different things. I have fallen and risen a thousand times, and this time, it’s the moment to stop and hang my boots up with my final game winning a trophy at Wembley.

Varane's last match for Manchester United was the FA Cup final victory over Manchester City in May.

Raphael Varane, who has announced his retirement from football after a knee injury, had joined Serie A side Como as a free agent this summer from Manchester United.

But the 31-year-old central defender played just 20 minutes for the club in a Coppa Italia match before being substituted off.

The former France international — who was part of the 2018 World Cup-winning team — left United at the end of his contract after making 95 appearances in three seasons.

Varane is perhaps best known for his spell at Real Madrid where he played 360 times across 10 seasons.

He had signed a two-year deal with Como with the option of a further season.

Image source, Get

Former Real Madrid and Manchester United defender Raphael Varane has retired from football after suffering a knee injury on his debut with Italian club Como.

We were a bit stumped by a crossword clue in the Times - see earlier post

But we seem to have found the answer...

Dan, Guernsey

Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca says it is a "nice problem" to have two strikers in form after Christopher Nkunku's hat-trick against Barrow, but doubts he can play him and Nicolas Jackson at the same time.

Nkunku, 26, scored three goals in a 5-0 win at home to the League Two side at Stamford Bridge in a comfortable Carabao Cup win.

But Nkunku has started just once in four league matches, with Jackson - who has scored four goals in four league games - currently favoured in the Premier League.

When asked about his attacking options, the Italian said: "They're both doing fantastic. Not only because they score, but because they work off the ball. The way they sacrifice for the team. This is very important for them.

"This is a nice problem when you have two strikers that continue to score. It's nice you can decide which one and because they are in a good moment we can use them."

• Click here to find out what else Enzo Maresca had to say about his players after Chelsea's 5-0 win in the EFL

Joe Rindl
BBC Sport journalist

Image source, Getty Images

There was one standout performer on Tuesday night...Christopher Nkunku.

The Frenchman completed his hat-trick inside 75 minutes through two confident finishes and a tap-in after he tackled the goalkeeper.

Thanks to his first Chelsea treble, the 26-year-old now has six goals in eight appearances this season for the Blues.

Nkunku was making his first start for the hosts since their opening-day defeat by Manchester City last month.

Yes Chelsea were playing a side 64 places below them, but you can only beat - and score - against the team in front of you.

With Nicolas Jackson and Nkunku both firing when playing up top, Blues boss Enzo Maresca may soon have a tricky decision to make.

• Click here for more thoughts and analysis on Chelsea's 5-0 win over Barrow in last night's EFL clash

Image source, Getty Images

How many balloons does Christopher Nkunku keep in his sock at any one time? We'll have to find out.

The French forward pulled out his trademark celebration at Stamford Bridge as Chelsea cruised through to the fourth round of the Carabao Cup with a 5-0 win against League Two Barrow.

Nkunku scored his maiden hat-trick for the Blues on his first start since the opening-day defeat by Manchester City last month. His tally for the season so far is six goals in eight appearances.

Portugal winger Pedro Neto claimed his first goal for the club and an own goal Barrow goalkeeper Paul Farman completed an easy night for Enzo Maresca's much-changed side.

Michael Beardmore
BBC Sport at Poundland Bescot Stadium

There was a poignant moment on the hour mark as both sets of supporters joined in a minute’s applause for Craig Shakespeare - a popular figure at both clubs - who died in August, aged 60.

Shakespeare began his playing career at Walsall and was part of the side that reached the League Cup semi-finals in 1984 before, as a coach, helping Leicester win the Premier League in 2016 under Claudio Ranieri.

Image source, Getty Images

Steve, Cambridge

Jim

Michael Beardmore
BBC Sport at Poundland Bescot Stadium

Image source, Getty Images

Leicester boss Steve Cooper made 10 changes for the trip across the Midlands, with Jamie Vardy, Stephy Mavididi, Harry Winks and Wilfred Ndidi omitted from the squad.

The new faces, however, failed to gel and only when Abdul Fatawu produced a sustained spell of fleet footwork during the second half did the hosts look troubled.

He created two decent opportunities but fired both wide, and put in the cross from which Facundo Buonanotte's header forced Tommy Simkin's only real save of the evening.

Image source, Getty Images

The goals were in short supply for Leicester at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

League Two Walsall saw decent chances come and go for Charlie Lakin and veteran forward Albert Adomah against the Foxes, who were much changed from their 1-1 draw with Everton on Saturday.

A penalty shootout was the only way to separate the two sides after a goalless 90 minutes, with Leicester goalkeeper Danny Ward the hero, saving all three Walsall spot-kicks.

Ricardo Pereira, Conor Coady and Oliver Skipp were on target for Leicester.

We now know 13 of the 16 sides through to the fourth round. The third round is a long old stretch.

Results - Tuesday, 17 September

• Blackpool 0-1 Sheffield Wednesday
• Brentford 3-1 Leyton Orient
• Everton 1-1 Southampton (5-6 on pens)
• Manchester United 7-0 Barnsley
• Preston 1-1 Fulham (16-15 on pens)
• QPR 1-2 Crystal Palace
• Stoke 1-1 Fleetwood (2-1 on pens)

Results - Wednesday, 18 September

• Brighton 3-2 Wolves
• Coventry 1-2 Tottenham

Results - Tuesday, 24 September

• Chelsea 5-0 Barrow
• Manchester City 2-1 Watford
• Walsall 0-0 Leicester (0-3 on pens)
• Wycombe 1-2 Aston Villa

Fixtures - Wednesday, 25 September

• Arsenal v Bolton, Liverpool v West Ham.
• *Tuesday, 1 October - Newcastle v AFC Wimbledon (fixture to be played at St James' Park after Plough Lane suffered flood damage).

The Times

There is no picture of Mikel Arteta on this one, but the The Times back page still carries the Arsenal manager's words about his tactics against Man City last weekend.

If you need a bit of mental stimulation before you head out the door, here's a crossword clue.

9 across: Romance relies on this go-between (9).

Image source, The Times

The Daily Telegraph

Mikel Arteta makes an appearance on most of the back pages today, with the Daily Telegraph also writing the Spaniard is firing up that rivalry with champions City with a new 'dark arts dig'.

If you look at the bottom of the page, there's Jamaica manager Steve McClaren, who is chatting all things Manchester United and Twente in an exclusive interview.

Image source, Telegraph

The Guardian

The Guardian have focused on the aftermath of Arsenal and Man City's ding dong on Sunday, with more quotes from Mikel Arteta defending his players from accusations of faking injury.

Arne Slot also makes the back page, with the Liverpool manager discussing how Trent Alexander-Arnold 'can be even better'.

Image source, Guardian

i Newspaper

Man City 'bared their teeth' against Watford in the EFL Cup, writes i Sport, while over at Newcastle United, head coach Eddie Howe and director of football Paul Mitchell have held talks in a fresh sign of their willingness to work together and move on from a summer of frustration.

Image source, i Sport

The Daily Express

In the Daily Express, Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta apparently knows all of Manchester City's deepest secrets as the debate continues over 'dark arts' following their enthralling 2-2 draw on Sunday.

At the top of the page, Leicester's tight victory over League Two side Walsall in the Carabao Cup gets the main spot, partly due to Foxes boss Steve Cooper getting targeted by his own fans, with one being dragged off after storming on to the pitch.

Image source, Daily Express

Before we look at the papers, if you haven't got time for the full sit down with us, don't worry. Here is a quick scan of last night's results and match reports:

Chelsea 5-0 Barrow

Manchester City 2-1 Watford

Walsall 0-0 Leicester City (Leicester win 3-0 on penalties)

Wycombe 1-2 Aston Villa

Image source, Getty Images

Hello, folks. There were no giant killings in the Carabao Cup last night; David couldn't slay Goliath on a random Tuesday in September.

Four Premier League teams move on to the next stage, with two more fixtures in the third round to come tonight.

Image source, Getty Images

But the question is: Do the big names care about the competition? Chelsea, Manchester City, Aston Villa and Leicester City made wholesale changes against their opponents and City boss Pep Guardiola said he's not going to ‘waste energy’ on the competition given how packed his side's schedule is.

Image source, Getty Images

We'll also look ahead to tonight's Europa League action - the league phase of the new 36-team competition - featuring Manchester United against Twente at Old Trafford.

Image source, Getty Images

Right then, let's get a few back pages on the go while we prepare for that first cup of coffee...