After a long summer break, BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club is back in action this evening.
Tune in as the panel cover all the major talking points from the summer and look ahead to Premier League football returning at the weekend.
Listen to the full episode on BBC Sounds
Image source, Getty ImagesThe curtain opens on the 2024-25 Premier League season in just a matter of days, so why not take a look at how all 20 clubs performed in pre-season?
The games have been spread across the globe, from Tokyo and New York to Crawley and Preston.
Image source, Getty ImagesThe six-player shortlist for the PFA Young Player of the Year award have been announced.
Chelsea's Cole Palmer, 22, is the favourite after enjoying an excellent Premier League season, scoring 22 goals and providing 11 assists.
Bukayo Saka, also 22, of Arsenal makes the list after another fine season and standout performances for England during their run to the Euro 2024 final.
Representing Manchester United on the shortlist are Kobbie Mainoo, 19, and Alejandro Garnacho, 20 - the team's FA Cup final goalscorers.
They are joined by Michael Olise, 22, who moved from Crystal Palace to Bayern Munich this summer, and Brighton and Hove Albion's Joao Pedro, 22, who scored 20 goals in all competitions.
Shortlist for Men's PFA Young Player of the Year
Cole Palmer
Bukayo Saka
Kobbie Mainoo
Alejandro Garnacho
Michael Olise
Joao Pedro
The winners will be announced at the PFA Awards ceremony in Manchester on August 20.
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's pre-season friendly between Brighton and Villarreal.
Here are some of your comments:
Shiny: They looked like a team of players that wanted to be part of the squad. All played their part in a very entertaining performance, the amount of effort put in was way beyond what you’d expect from a friendly. The future looks bright.
Will: Amazing. I seriously believe they will make Champions League.
Andrew: First half the defence looked porous and I'm trying to understand the tactical plan. But some very flexible play where players must have great trust in each other. It won't be boring this season. Deep breath and here we go!
Sam: Exciting times. We will score a load and concede a load too. High octane stuff that will keep fans on the edge of their seats. Cannot wait for Everton next week!
Hugh: Against Villarreal this looked like peak Brighton from the start of the previous season. Free flowing, crisp passing and constant harrying of opponents. Some defensive mistakes here and there but this was a good side they were up against who also offered plenty of attacking threat. What a front four Pedro, Minteh, Mitoma and Welbeck are!
Image source, PA MediaBrighton rounded off their pre-season campaign with a resounding victory over La Liga side Villareal at Amex Stadium.
Two goals from Danny Welbeck and one apiece from Joao Pedro and Yankuba Minteh warmed Albion up nicely for next week's opening Premier League fixture against Everton.
What did you make of the performance?
And what are your first impressions of Fabian Hurzeler's reign?
Let us know your thoughts here, external - and return on Monday to read the submissions
The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.
Here's a look at some of the teams in action on a busy Saturday.
All times BST
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton technical director David Weir says the Seagulls wanted to keep Deniz Undav at the club, but the striker's desire to play Champions League football was a factor in his move to Stuttgart for an undisclosed fee.
The 28-year-old spent last season on loan at Stuttgart, helping them finish second in the Bundesliga.
Weir said: "Deniz wants to play Champions League football and continue his time with Stuttgart, and while we would have liked to have kept him as part of the squad, his preference was to make his move permanent.
"Once he'd made that clear, our priority was to ensure that Stuttgart met the valuation of the player.
"That's now been achieved and we would like to thank Deniz for his time at the club and wish him well for the future."
Leicester City are nearing a loan deal for 19-year-old Argentina and Brighton midfielder Facundo Buonanotte. (Mail), external
Pat Nevin
Former footballer and presenter
Right now, brinkmanship is the name of the game. There have been times when some clubs sorted their transfer business early in the window and everyone wondered why so few others followed their lead. Put simply, it isn't in the selling clubs' financial interest, and it usually isn't in the moving player's financial interest either, to go early.
A selling club wants a bidding war to up the price and they don't mind a bit of panic buying when the window is creaking ever nearer the sill. If you still haven't signed that star player who you think, hope or maybe even actually believe, will make all the difference, clubs can get twitchy and make rash costly decisions.
I have watched it happen from within. Good intentions and a willingness to stick to a pre-arranged budget, suddenly evaporates when clubs are bounced into making these calls. There is also a bit of pride in there too. "We aren't losing out on our first choice to that lot!" is a common refrain, especially when it's to one of your close rivals.
As for the moving player, or more specifically his agent, last-minute brinkmanship is the dream scenario. Playing two or three suitors off against each other (and you don't even have to tell the truth of what you are being offered elsewhere) means you can exaggerate as much as you like to up the ante.
So that is why the deals go to the wire, and why they are so lucrative. It is also why I never have too much sympathy for a player, when a huge deal falls through at the last moment. Greed can push it too far in the end and it can all come crashing down, which is why they call it brinkmanship! If you dance on the edge of a volcano you might just fall in.
Image source, Getty ImagesA quarter of the managers in the Premier League will be taking charge of an English top-flight game for the first time on the opening weekend of the season.
They are Arne Slot at Liverpool, Enzo Maresca at Chelsea, Russell Martin at Southampton, Kieran McKenna at Ipswich and Fabian Hurzeler at Brighton.
So, what can you expect from the quintet?
Slot led Feyenoord to the 2022-23 Eredivisie title, and the Dutch Cup last season. Reds midfielder Harvey Elliott says his playing philosophy is a typically "elegant" Dutch style - compared to Jurgen Klopp's 'heavy metal football'.
Maresca prefers a heavy possession-based style - which is how he has started his reign at Chelsea too - and was sometimes criticised for his reluctance to make substitutions while at Leicester City.
It is possession-based football that Martin has brought to Southampton too but fans and local media have warned he will need to be smarter with style this season.
McKenna is considered one of the top managerial prospects around. His expansive brand of football saw Ipswich gain promotion with successive second-placed finishes, scoring 101 goals in League One and 92 in the Championship.
Hurzeler, who joined Brighton from German second-tier side St Pauli, is the least known name in England of the managers on this list. He is known for his passionate side line antics and his teams dominating games on the ball.
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton's Jack Hinshelwood says he now has two weeks to "dust off the cobwebs" before the start of the Premier League season after making his return from injury in the pre-season win over QPR.
Hinshelwood, 19, made his first-team breakthrough last season but has been sidelined since needing surgery on a foot injury in February.
He told BBC Radio Sussex: "It has been a long six months and right since the start I've been itching to be back out on the pitch.
"It wasn't perfect but it's just nice to be out there. It gives me two weeks to dust off the cobwebs before the start of the Premier League season.
"I was disappointed not to get minutes in Japan but it probably wasn't the right time. Especially with this injury, we don't want to rush things. It was most important getting me back fit and getting me back on the pitch."
Since his most recent appearance, Fabian Hurzeler has succeeded Roberto de Zerbi as Brighton boss and Hinshelwood believes Hurzeler is building on the foundations laid over the past few successful seasons.
He said: "His [Hurzeler's] identity and way of playing is very intense and exciting as well but I've really enjoyed working under him so far. It has its adaptations but it's similar to what we've been doing. It's the club's philosophy what we've been doing the last three or four years, even since Graham [Potter] was here, it's still a similar way of playing.
"I think the gaffer now is demanding a lot more intensity in our play and making things happen."
Another change at the Seagulls is the departure of long-serving midfielder Pascal Gross and Hinshelwood praised the German's impact on his young career.
"I remember in my first session him bedding me in and I try to take some parts of my game from his as well as his versatility," said Hinshelwood.
"I've learned so much from him and I'm really happy for him because he's got to go and play for his boyhood club and I think he'll go down as an Albion legend.
"I'm really happy for him but I'm going to miss him lots as well."
Brighton have made contact with former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund defender Mats Hummels, who is a free agent. Hummels, 35, won the World Cup with Germany in 2014, although the Seagulls could face competition from West Ham. (Sky Sports), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Wednesday's full gossip column
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton goalkeeper Jason Steele says adapting to new head coach Fabian Hurzeler's style of play will take time - but the process is under way.
"Rome wasn't built in a day and I think it's all about laying the foundations," he told BBC Radio Sussex.
"The manager has spoken to us about that a lot, we have the lay the foundations before we try to get to the top of the house.
"You can see we're doing that. We're playing really aggressive, transition football which maybe we haven't for a little while.
"You can see how dangerous we are when we win the ball up high. We look a real threat going forward.
"We've got competition all over the pitch. In every position there are lads that the manager can trust. We've built that over a period of time with the amazing recruitment we have and the togetherness and the team spirit and the culture we're building. The boss has options all over and it's up to us to put in displays to make him question his team selection."
New £30m signing from Newcastle Yankuba Minteh has caught the eye so far in pre-season and Steele is excited to see his impact in the Premier League.
"There's going to be expectation on him because he cost a lot of money but he's got the shoulders to deal with that, without a doubt," he added.
"He's got that energy, that vibrance, charisma. He's got a lot of promising attributes that are going to excite a lot of fans this season."
Brighton are edging closer to signing Paraguay international Diego Gomez from Major League Soccer outfit Inter Miami.
Sources say Sergio Gomez will link up with Brighton in January. The fee is expected to be around £11m.
We asked for your thoughts after Saturday's friendly game between QPR and Brighton, where the Seagulls ran out 1-0 winners.
Here are some of your comments:
Jammers: We showed a lot of promise. Jeremy Sarmiento and Yankuba Minteh looked great. It was great to see Hinshelwood back and Mitoma. It is a bit concerning how many players are still missing and I assume Gilmour's gone? It is a shame the new manager wasn’t a bit friendlier at the end. I am looking forward to the new season! A lot to be excited about.
Sam: Minteh is going to be a key player this season. He was amazing once again.
Joe: Brighton dominated but lacked penetration in the final third. There were promising things from Minteh and Baleba.
Mark: QPR are no mugs, but there was quite a bit of young talent in the Brighton squad. So to win by a penalty, that often would not be given, wasn't stellar. Hope it is just a case of new players bedding in and new tactics.
Simon: I thought Brighton were very disappointing against a mediocre Championship club, who actually played quite well. The club missed the likes of Gilmour, Pedro and Moder - who for suspicious reasons weren't playing!
Image source, Getty ImagesBrighton boss Fabian Hurzeler speaking to BBC Radio Sussex after the win over QPR: "Most importantly we kept a clean sheet and we were pretty good against the ball. We didn't allow the opponent to have any clear chances.
"Our goal for this game was to work together. We had some chances and with the ball there was some good things and bad things. We had a phase in the first half where we made too many mistakes, but in general it was a very good test and a step forward.
"We are not where we want to be but we are going in the right direction. We are happy, we know are not perfect but we also know that the process takes time. We are trying to integrate players and we have some injured players that are coming back.
"The team works hard and that is the most important thing. I like the attitude of the players and their willingness to improve."
Image source, Getty ImagesDanny Welbeck's goal was enough to seal Brighton a 1-0 pre-season win against QPR.
What did you learn from that performance, Seagulls supporters?
All times BST
The Premier League season is fast approaching and clubs are continuing their pre-season preparations.
Here's a look at where teams are in action on a busy Saturday.
Napoli have an offer of 12m euros (£10.2m) ready for 23-year-old Brighton and Scotland midfielder Billy Gilmour and are waiting for players to leave the club before making it. (Sky Sports Italy), external
Stuttgart will withdraw their interest in Brighton's Germany striker Deniz Undav, 28, and look at new targets soon if they cannot reach a deal with Albion. (Kicker, in German), external
Want more transfer stories? Read Friday's full gossip column
Following the news of Pascal Gross' Brighton departure, we asked you to have your say on his move and for your favourite memories from his seven years at the club.
Here are a selection of your responses:
Daniel: Pascal Gross will go down as one the best players to put on the Brighton shirt. Absolute legend. Played in various positions when asked. Always gave everything. Will be missed. No more Cruyff turns!
Chrissyboy: What a model professional. I'm very sorry to see Pascal leave but it's likely a very good move given the stage of his career. So many fantastic memories - difficult to pinpoint one in particular but his Cruyff-esque turns always got people off their seats.
Craig: My favourite player of all players ever, his intelligence on the ball was incredible and we will never see so many players stuffed by the 'Gross turn' again. I really hope they retire his number as I believe that would be a fitting tribute.
Artstoneme: Pascal Gross was a true gentleman and I saw how he talked to young children outside the ground after games. I am immensely proud that he played for my team and that my team have acted with such class as his time on the South Coast ends.
Charlie: Our best signing of the Premier League era. Every Cruyff turn, every goal against Manchester United, every time he was on the pitch he gave us something special. I'm convinced he's the reason we stayed afloat in the Premier League those first few seasons! I doubt we'll find a like-for-like replacement for him - there's only one Pascal Gross.
Brian: So sad to see Pascal go, but equally grateful for having such a passionate and skilful player for the past seven seasons. I'm sure every Albion fan will wish him the very best of luck at Dortmund, and just be sorry we couldn't give him a proper send off. Brighton legend.
Scott McCarthy, We Are Brighton, external
There was no way Pascal Gross was going to turn down a move to the club he supported as a boy. And there was no way Brighton should have denied him the chance.
For everything Gross has given the Albion over the past seven seasons, he has earned the right to live out of his dream of playing for Borussia Dortmund.
But it still hurts. I have not been this sad by a player leaving Brighton since Bobby Zamora in 2003. I was 15 then. Is it normal for a 36-year-old to be upset about a transfer?
Maybe when it is the greatest player you have ever seen play for your club involved. Because that is what Gross is. Sorry, was.
The numbers speak for themselves. 261 appearances. 32 goals. 52 assists. Without Gross, the Albion would have been relegated from the Premier League long ago. Take the 2017-18 season for example, when Gross was involved in nearly 50% of the Seagulls’ goals.
When Graham Potter inexplicably dropped Gross through the first half of 2020-21, Brighton won two of 18 matches. His return saw seven wins from the final 20 as the Albion pulled clear of relegation.
Potter learned his lesson and Gross was barely dropped again. Roberto de Zerbi hailed him one of the greatest players he had worked with.
Little wonder when Gross did such a spectacular job at right-back, left-back, as a holding midfielder or number 10 under De Zerbi. You have to be a special, intelligent footballer to switch so seamlessly between roles. And that is what Gross was.
To have the honour of watching him live was to see a master at work. There was the 'Gross Turn' which bamboozled countless opposition players, even though they knew it was coming. And there was the way he would arch a beautiful, pinpoint cross onto a team-mate's head for another assist.
His departure represents the end of an exquisite era at the Amex. There will be many Pilsners raised tonight across the Sussex area in honour of Der Kaiser.
Image source, Getty ImagesIn a farewell letter, external to Brighton supporters, Pascal Gross has said he has left the Seagulls after seven years with a "heavy heart" - but "knew he would regret" not joining his boyhood club Borussia Dortmund.
Reflecting on his time with Brighton, the Germany midfielder said: "I got to represent the Albion in some of the best stadiums in the world, on that first journey into Europe and Marseille, Amsterdam, Athens and Rome; and to wear the blue and white stripes at Wembley in two FA Cup semi-finals.
"Whenever Lewis Dunk was unavailable, I was always honoured to wear the captain's armband, and I'm privileged to hold the club record for most goals in the Premier League (sorry Glenn Murray!).
"There are so many people I would like to thank; the three coaches I played for, Tony Bloom, Paul Barber, all my team-mates across the seven years, the unsung heroes behind the scenes in the coaching, analysis, medical, catering, player liaison, security, media teams, and right across the club. They put so much into what makes this club so special.
"And to the fans, who have been amazing since the day I arrived, thank you. I'm sorry to be leaving you, but I hope I will get a chance to say goodbye and thank you in person at a match very soon."
He concluded: "I don't know what the future holds, after playing, but the club means so much to me and my family. I know I will be back at some point in the future, even if it's just as a fan to support the club."
