Premier League

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Nottingham Forest's match against Brentford on the opening weekend on the Premier League has been moved to Sunday 17 August at 14:00 BST, both clubs have confirmed.

The match at the City Ground was originally meant to take place on the Saturday at 15:00 BST, but due to The Hundred taking place at Trent Bridge on the same afternoon, the match has been ammended.

The match will be televised on Sky Sports.

Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter

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There is no such thing as a sure thing when buying a new player. As William Golding said about movie making all those years ago: 'Nobody knows anything.'

There is no such thing as a sure-fire winner in this business either but I suspect Florian Wirtz is as close as you get in the modern game. Liverpool have made costly errors before - Darwin Nunez is no longer worth the £85million the Reds paid for him but that is an outlier. Generally, they have been as smart as any other in the market.

Dominik Szoboszlai, Ryan Gravenberch and Alexis MacAllister were superb signings and Milos Kerkez, who has shown he can cruise in the Premier League already with Bournemouth, also looks like a perfect fit. But Wirtz is different - and so he should be at a princely £100million before add-ons.

With Kerkez, the exciting Jeremie Frimpong and the fabulous Georgian keeper Giorgi Mamardashvili, Arne Slot has put himself under huge pressure because just about everyone has them as favourites to retain their title.

I wouldn't argue with that for a second.

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After his latest red card, we asked you for your opinions on Nicolas Jackson and whether he needs to change how he plays.

Here are some of your comments:

Tony: Jackson has talent but he needs to sort two things out quickly. First, he must start to put away the number of chances he misses. Secondly, he needs to channel his discipline better and not leave his team short. Whether he can do those things I'm not sure, because Liam Delap is going to put pressure on him. Right now, I'd choose Delap over Jackson.

Barry: We've stuck with Jackson hoping he would develop into the player Chelsea so desperately need up front. He hasn't and, more to the point, he is becoming a liability, letting his team-mates down when he is most needed to step up to the plate. It's time for him and Chelsea to part.

Carol: I am concerned by Jackson's frequent indiscipline. With Diego Costa it was different. I sit very close to the pitch at Chelsea and you could always tell when Diego's red mist was about to descend. But he scored and set up a lot of goals, so it balanced out and we accepted the risks. With Diego, we knew he was giving his all for the team and sometimes it resulted in impetuous behaviour and bookings. I'm unconvinced Nicolas feels as passionate about the team. Would he say: 'I go into battle, you come with me?' Doubt it. Yes, he's still young, but at 24 he should have learned - he's had two seasons in the Premier League.

Osman: Let's say Jackson was scoring goals frequently like Costa and once in a while he's shown a red card, that would not have drawn too much of criticism. But, in Jackson's case, he's not been doing that. Jackson must be sold or becomes second to Delap. Simple.

Dan: Chelsea fans are a bit to harsh on Jackson because he, at least for the 2024-25 season, was expected to lead our attack. However, doing stupid tackles like against Flamengo doesn't work in his favour. He isn't a particularly dirty or hot-headed person like Costa was, and I think his underperformance on goalscoring does bring up more scrutiny on his weaker moments than other players. He just needs to mature a bit and not get silly bookings which negatively impact Chelsea's performances.

Colin: His behaviour unbalanced the whole team and left them one man down. Not easy in the heat of the game but he needs to change.

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Tom McCoy
BBC Sport journalist

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Brentford's Bryan Mbeumo is a man in demand after 20 Premier League goals in 2024-25 - the first time he has scored 10 times or more in a top-flight season.

That was despite an expected goals total for the campaign of 12.3, meaning he outperformed his xG by 7.7.

Historically, that level of clinical finishing has rarely proved repeatable.

In the past five Premier League seasons, just 14 players have overperformed their xG by at least five goals. The only player to do so more than once is Tottenham's Son Heung-min, in 2020-21 and 2021-22.

That doesn't make Mbeumo, who consistently ranks highly for chances created, any less of an asset to a new team. But it could mean clubs chasing him pay a bit of a premium for his signature and perhaps risks inflating expectations from supporters.

The Cameroon international, 25, is linked with a move to Manchester United - who have made an improved bid worth £60m. The Old Trafford side have already signed Matheus Cunha, another player who dramatically surpassed his xG last term.

The Brazilian's 15 goals for Wolves came from an xG of 8.6, with only Mbeumo and Chris Wood of Nottingham Forest (6.6) recording bigger differences in 2024-25.

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We asked for your views on whether Everton are better equipped to move forward this season with new structures in place after the club announced a host of senior appointments last week covering scouting, data analytics and player trading.

Here are some of your comments:

Robert: To be a great club you need the infrastructure in place. Hopefully this is being completed right now. The manager is in place, he has shown us he's still very capable of managing the team, now we need better players at the right age with a hunger to show what they can do for our great club.

Richard: The new structure sounds good but the key to everything is signing the right replacement players. Replacement because things were on the up since January and a complete overhaul isn't necessary. David Moyes knows which players are needed - give him full choice.

Tony: History tells us that a quick rebuild of the squad will not necessarily bring about the right change. With Moyes steering the boat, they have a coach who knows what the team need to strengthen. Those working with him simply need to have the way for him to get what is needed. Early signs are positive. Build slowly and target young talent with some Premier League pedigree. Avoid spending big on players not tested at Premier League level or targeting those who have not been part of a successful club development structure.

Andrew: This season is a season of change, from all facets of the club. These models and processes will need time to embed and change a small mentality culture. Personally, I wouldn't want a marquee signature (that's just for fan glorification sometimes). I just want players that fit the club, Moyes' system and playing style. A season of improvement and stability, away from relegation battles, around mid-table within the fringes of fighting for European places. I think next season should be the one, as we will need a few transfer windows.

Dennis: As a lifelong Evertonian, I am absolutely sure we are now moving in the right direction. We are sorting out our recruitment and development teams behind the scenes, and getting a better structure in place for the long-term future. We have to admit, some signings in recent years have left a lot to be desired to say the least. I'm confident that will all change now. The future is bright, the future is blue.

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Keith Andrews was a combative, box-to-box midfielder, who spent 16 years playing in English football for 12 clubs including Wolves, MK Dons, Blackburn Rovers and Brighton.

Some 85 of his 412 professional appearances came in the Premier League and he earned 35 caps for the Republic of Ireland, including playing at Euro 2012.

Andrews ended his career in 2015 at MK Dons and moved straight into the role of first-team coach at the club, assisting Karl Robinson.

He became Stephen Kenny's assistant with the Republic of Ireland Under-21s in 2019 and then the senior side from 2020 until Kenny's departure in 2023.

Andrews then spent the 2023-24 season as Chris Wilder's assistant at Sheffield United as the Blades were relegated from the Premier League.

In July 2024, he was appointed Brentford's set‑piece coach - succeeding Bernardo Cueva who moved to Chelsea..

Should he succeed Thomas Frank, this would be the Irishman's first managerial role.

How do you feel about Keith Andrews being frontrunner for the Brentford job?

Make your selection here

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We asked for your views on Alejandro Garnacho's social media post, which featured an image of him wearing an Aston Villa shirt with Marcus Rashford's name on the back.

Here are some of your comments:

Lee: It's all about maturity and professionalism and I'm sorry to say he's displaying neither here. He is being paid what for most people would be a life changing wage every week and United have played a huge part in his life. It may be time to move on but he should still display professionalism as he is supposed to be a role model and should respect the club. If he wants to sulk, do it in private.

Steve: A storm in a teacup. Blown out of all proportion as Garnacho's on his way anyway. He wasn't disrespectful to United and some fans are just too thin-skinned.

Andy: 'Tone deaf' is too generous — Garnacho knew exactly what he was doing. Wearing a Rashford shirt between a Ferrari and Lamborghini on holiday isn't a tribute, it's a flex. It screams entitlement. These lads aren't misunderstood, they're pampered, overpaid, and allergic to accountability. Rashford, Sancho, Garnacho — more worried about image than impact. United's problem isn't ability, it's attitude. Zero integrity. Zero respect.

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Mark: A mountain out of a molehill, get on with it.

Matt: It's a silly move on his part. Doesn't he realise that he's making himself look less desirable to potential suitors? He may well end up in the exact same position as Rashford with too many question marks over his attitude leaving clubs to look elsewhere.

Paul: With the sad state of the world at present, people are concerned that Garnacho wore his friend's shirt while in holiday! He does have the right to feel aggrieved, he should have started the Europa League final. Hope he stays, there's so much more to come from him, he just needs a hug.

Nicola Pearson
BBC Sport journalist

"Stupid, stupid, stupid mistake"

That was how former Chelsea midfielder John Obi Mikel described Nicolas Jackson's red card against Flamengo in the Club World Cup on Friday night.

It took just four minutes from coming on as a late substitute for the striker to be walking back off the pitch after being sent off for a studs-up challenge.

It was the latest incident to lead to questions around Jackson's discipline.

The 24-year-old is now suspended in two competitions simultaneously having also been sent off in the Premier League in May in a then crucial game against Newcastle United.

Alongside his eight yellow cards, it means Jackson has a combined record of 10 cards across all competitions this season.

There were already question-marks around the Senegal forward's discipline when he first arrived in the last campaign after he picked up five bookings in his first six league games leading to an early suspension.

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Many hoped he had put that behind him when he received just five more across the rest of the season.

But these latest incidents have once again left supporters and onlookers asking if this is a bigger problem.

Since his arrival from Villarreal in 2023, Jackson has the joint-most red cards among Chelsea players alongside Reece James.

While he does not come out on top for total yellow cards or combined cards (fourth and third respectively), it is worth noting who the other players are that are above him.

Moises Caicedo leads the way with 28 bookings, but as a defensive midfielder, yellow cards come with the territory.

It is a similar story with Marc Cucurella and Enzo Fernandez, as defenders and midfielders it is almost expected that you will pick up these cards as you try and stop attacks and break up play.

While you do not want your striker up front to be a pushover, you do want them to be clever in how they hold up the ball and battle with the opposition's defence.

The timing of Jackson's latest suspensions also means he is giving new arrival Liam Delap a free hit in the central striker role for Chelsea.

And although the latest Blues recruit is not exactly squeaky clean on the pitch himself - with 14, Delap picked up more yellow cards than Jackson last term - he has yet to be sent off in his senior football career.

But is a striker playing on the edge always a problem?

Former Blues forward Diego Costa had a notoriously fiery persona and picked up 30 yellow cards across his three seasons in west London - although, perhaps somewhat surprisingly, just the one red card.

Club legend Didier Drogba could also walk the discipline tightrope and notched up a combined 64 cards across 381 appearances for Chelsea.

However, with the contributions they offered in front of goal, it felt very much part of their game and helped them provide what they did on the pitch - an area supporters are yet to be convinced of with Jackson.

How concerning is Jackson's latest sending off? Can it be accepted as part of his game? Or does he need to change the way he plays?

Let us know

Simon Stone
Chief football news reporter

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Alejandro Garnacho is still a Manchester United player but it seems he has checked out of life at Old Trafford.

Maybe his attitude is understandable given Ruben Amorim told him before the final Premier League game of the season he could find himself another club.

Garnacho did not appear particularly engaged during the post-season trip to Malaysia and Hong Kong and has now decided it is a good idea to allow the public to see a picture of him wearing a shirt of a rival club – albeit with the name of team-mate – and fellow Amorim outcast – Marcus Rashford – on the back.

The 20-year-old presumably thinks his bridges are already burned as far as Amorim and United are concerned but it won't make it easier to sell him.

Former club Atletico Madrid have been mentioned as one potential destination, although their current focus is on salvaging their Club World Cup campaign, as have Chelsea, although they are keen on Borussia Dortmund's Jamie Gittens.

It is another couple of weeks until United return for pre-season training but it is hard to see Garnacho playing any meaningful part in that. With the Argentine, Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Antony, Amorim could find himself with his own version of Chelsea's 'bomb squad', a very expensive, well-paid group of players he has no use for.

Matthew Hobbs
BBC Sport journalist

Patience may be required for any rebuild as The Friedkin Group continues to navigate the implications of PSR.

The club's most recent accounts for 2023-24, external show a loss of £53.2m, a reduction of £36m on the previous year, while revenue rose by 9% to £187m – an encouraging picture although one that means money must still be spent wisely.

Leon Osman, who was given his Everton debut by Moyes in 2003, believes that Everton must retain key players such as Jarrad Branthwaite, James Tarkowski and Jordan Pickford, while recruiting more leaders to bolster a rapidly thinning squad.

"A Moyes dressing room is hard, demanding," he said. "Having spoke to a couple of the squad, they love the clarity and what he's asking of them.

"A manager has to ask for that level and he always did that when I played for him. You also look at O'Brien, who has excelled at right-back when people thought he couldn't do it. We need to make sure these people stay on the pitch."

Everton have taken steps to streamline their process, moving away from a director-of-football model following the departure of Kevin Thelwell to a sports leadership team headed by new chief executive Angus Kinnear.

He has said that Everton will utilise experts in data and analytics, football operations, recruitment, talent ID and player trading as part of the club's evolving approach.

Kinnear has also already met with supporters group the Fan Advisory Board – a far removal from the previous regime when former manager Dyche described communicating with then-owner Farhad Moshiri by "Whatsapp and the odd phone call".

Osman has backed the new structure to succeed, adding: "It's time to get behind the new hierarchy and I expect they would lean into Moyes' experience as much as they can. I trust David Moyes more than anyone."

Read Matt's full piece

How confident are you in the new structure?

Do you think Everton are better equipped to make steps forward this season?

Let us know here

Shamoon Hafez
BBC Sport football news reporter at Mercedes-Benz Stadium, Atlanta

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Midfielder Ilkay Gundogan says he is "very happy" at Manchester City and wants to "play at the highest level for much longer" after starring at the Club World Cup on Sunday.

Gundogan, 34, scored twice as City thrashed UAE side Al Ain 6-0 to progress to the last 16 of the competition in the United States.

The Germany midfielder has been linked with a move to Galatasaray and boss Pep Guardiola has been open about wanting to work with a smaller squad this season.

"I have one more year left on my contract and I'm very happy here," said player of the match Gundogan. "I think everybody knows that.

"I am committed to that competition and enjoying my football. I still believe I have several years in me at the highest level by taking good care of myself. I've proven last season where I didn't miss a game.

"I'm available, I'm fit - I want to play at the highest level for much longer."

Guardiola was asked about Gundogan's future on Saturday and said: "No news is good news. So I don't know anything, I didn't speak with him.

"If he will not be part [of the squad], he would not be here. But at the same time, we have - right now - a long squad, too many players, so we cannot go with 26 or 27 players this season."

Nick Mashiter
BBC Sport football news reporter

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Nuno Espirito Santo's new three-year deal is a deserved reward for the rapid progress Nottingham Forest have made.

His position at the City Ground was never in doubt and there were no plans to change, despite some speculation around his future towards the end of the season.

He became the first manager since Frank Clark to take them into Europe, with Forest last playing with the elite in 1995-96, and there will be a confidence they can reach the Conference League group stage through their play-off tie.

Replacing Steve Cooper, who returned them to the Premier League for the first time in 23 years, was always going to be a difficult task, but Nuno has done a magnificent job, first keeping Forest up and then turning them into last season's surprise package.

He has seemed comfortable, more at ease, in his surroundings at the City Ground - certainly in his dealings with the media.

That would not be difficult given his rocky four months at Tottenham in 2021, but he is more relaxed than he was at any time during his four years in charge at Wolves.

He still left a fine legacy at Molineux, also taking them into Europe after winning promotion, but Nuno has clearly built something special at Forest and in a relatively short space of time.

Last summer saw some surgical transfer business done with Elliot Anderson and Nikola Milenkovic joining, and this year will be no different, even if their admiration for Liam Delap never managed to develop into a transfer.

It all leads to Forest's progression and Nuno's deal is another piece of the puzzle as the Reds continue to move forward, with Edu due to be officially announced as the club's global sporting director.

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We asked for your views on who Liverpool should focus on next after the club record signing of Florian Wirtz, with Milos Kerkez expected to follow in a matter of days after a deal was agreed with Bournemouth.

Here are some of your comments:

Marwan: The next priority is to replace Darwin Nunez with a world-class striker who can play on the same level as Mohamed Salah and Wirtz, and to find who can succeed Jarell Quansah as a third-choice central defender.

Fraser: After we sign Kerkez, we need to focus on outgoings before we sign anyone else. Nunez is the obvious outgoing. I think Quansah, Harvey Elliott and one of either Andy Robertson or Kostas Tsimikas will go. Once that's done, we should go for a new centre-back and forward - and ideally, one of them should be another homegrown player.

Kev: The focus should be on securing a new number nine. I don't think we will go for Alexander Isak, but one of Julian Alvarez or Hugo Ekitike would do for me! Someone will want Nunez, won't they?

Marc: There seems to be a lot of speculation around Luis Diaz, Cody Gakpo and Federico Chiesa, so it looks like we need another winger. Priorities are another centre-back - or maybe two, depending on departures - a new centre-forward and another winger.

Gerald: We didn't do too badly last year, so why would we want to change so many of the players? We could end up being worse, as there's no guarantee they would gel.

Nat Hayward
BBC Sport journalist

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In terms of how Liverpool play football, Milos Kerkez appears the perfect full-back.

Although Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal' style of fast-paced, high-pressing football has been adapted by Arne Slot, the fundamentals of aggressive pressing - albeit in a more structured way - and trying to win the ball high up the pitch still remain.

The 21-year-old recovered the ball 169 times last season - the fifth-most of any defender in the Premier League and more than any Liverpool defender. He also won the ball in Bournemouth's attacking third 11 times - the ninth most of defenders in the division and again more than any of his potential future Reds team-mates.

Trent Alexander-Arnold, a fundamental source of creativity, has already departed Anfield, with Andy Robertson also linked with an exit. Should the deal be completed, Kerkez is seen as a long-term replacement for the left-back role the Scotland international has made his own over the past eight years.

In a Bournemouth team that eventually finished ninth, the Hungary international created 34 chances from open play - the seventh most by a defender - and registered five assists which placed him joint-fourth in that ranking.

His 142 crosses were the sixth-most - behind Robertson in fifth and Alexander-Arnold in fourth and his eight big chances created was the seventh most among defenders - a metric topped by the man now at Real Madrid.

In terms of ball progression, Kerkez passed into the final third 476 times - the 10th most times of any Premier League defender - behind the Reds' two first choice full-backs last season. No Liverpool defender completed more dribbles than his 22.

Translating such form from a side punching above their weight to a team now expected to win almost every match is never a forgone conclusion, but the statistics show Kerkez is well placed to adapt at Anfield to what Arne Slot requires from his full-backs, both defensively and offensively.

The prospect of him playing alongside players of a higher standard is likely to excite Liverpool fans - and potentially ease the blow of losing at least one of their two first-choice full-backs.

*All stats provided by Opta