England

England forward Chloe Kelly has been speaking to BBC Radio 5 Live and said: "It's getting real now, now we're in the team hotel and on buses with Fifa logos on it.

"Everyone is raring to go and there are smiles on faces because this is what dreams are made of. The tournament is coming and everyone is so excited and we are ready for Saturday coming.

"You see it [the tournament] everywhere you look, the locals have been amazing, welcoming us nicely to Australia and we feel that welcome and hopefully we have the support as well as from the fans back home.

"Our last hotel was amazing, we got to see kangaroos every day and went to the zoo and held a koala, which you don't get to do often.

"It's like a little family away from home and it has been amazing to spend a lot of time with everyone. Watching the sun rise on the first day with Ellie [Roebuck] and Alex [Greenwood] that feels so long ago.

"We're here to create memories for ourselves and for people back home."

We've got a long way to go yet!

• Emlyn Begley will be here to take you through coverage of Lyon v Man Utd (kick off 14:00 BST) and Karlsruher v Liverpool (17:30 BST).
• Lots of transfer news and gossip until then.

Emma Sanders
BBC Sport in Sydney, Australia

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Away from the Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, WSL clubs are preparing for the new season after the 2023-24 fixture list dropped yesterday.

There are still a few managerial vacancies to sort across the top two tiers but I understand former Spurs boss Rehanne Skinner is set to take over at West Ham once final terms have been agreed.

Skinner is currently on her way to Australia to do some punditry work on the World Cup so would be expected to start the job remotely.

She would join up with the players next month, while a recruitment team based in London, supported by Skinner, will get to work on their summer transfer targets.

They will have some catching up to do given plenty of clubs have already completed business before the World Cup.

But West Ham have at least found their new manager and once those terms have been ironed out - which they are expected to be - Skinner can sign the contract and get to work shortly.

Simon Stone
BBC Sport in Washington

Major League Soccer accepted its 30th club this season when St Louis joined.

There are plans for more but even with two Conferences of 15 teams, it does seem an appropriate time to move towards a two-division system, with promotion and relegation, which happens in most parts of the world

But MSL Commissioner Don Garber feels there are solid reasons why it wouldn't work in the United States.

"The primary barrier is the fact teams invest $1bn to build their club and facility," said Garber. "For that they want certainty around income.

"In other parts of the world, promotion and relegation in soccer has existed for a lifetime.

"But I don’t see it happening here any time soon."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport in Washington

The growing number of players signing for clubs in the Saudi Pro-League would seem to represent a threat to Major League Soccer, which has risen to prominence by signing big-name players coming to the end of their careers from major European clubs.

Lionel Messi has just signed for Inter Miami but Cristiano Ronaldo has gone to Saudi Arabia, followed by scores of high-profile players, including Karim Benzema.

MLS Commissioner Don Garber does not see Saudi money as an issue.

"I don’t look at it as a threat," he said.

"I have been connected to the Saudi league for many years. Emerging leagues in emerging markets is a positive.

"For many years we were that league."

Newcastle United

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Summer signing Sandro Tonali seems to "have taken everything in his stride", says boss Eddie Howe after handing the Italy midfielder his Newcastle United debut atRangerson Tuesday.

The £55m man played 45 minutes of the victory at Ibrox and Howe declared himself very satisfied with Tonali's impact.

"He was very good, calm and composed, as I know he is," said Howe, external. "He's gone from playing in Italy to playing here and it seemed effortless.

"Everyone knows that English football is very different and a real change in style. Great signs from him, though, that he has taken it in his stride.

"I thought his technical performance was outstanding and he linked well with everyone around him.

"A debut of high promise."

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Eddie Howe described the atmosphere against Rangers as "like a European game" and praised his Newcastle United side's 2-1 victory at Ibrox.

Miguel Almiron and Harrison Ashby got the goals to ensure the Magpies made it two wins from two in pre-season before they fly out to the United States for the next part of their 2023-24 preparations.

"Coming to a big stadium, you have to deal with the ferocious home support and we did that," Howe told the club website, external. "Bits of the first half were outstanding and we played some really good football.

"The second half was not as pretty and we made lots of changes, but you would expect that. However, we found a way to win again and that's a good thing."

Howe has been delighted with what he has seen from his players so far but, as usual, is demanding high standards.

"The lads have come back fit and in a really good place," he said. "I expect them to [perform well] - I see it every day in training.

"The technical delivery of our gameplan was high but, for all our football, we did not really hurt them enough. We scored a great goal with good passages of play but there are other things we can improve."

Are Newcastle making the right decision if they allow Saint-Maximin to leave?

Hit the thumbs.

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Eddie Howe speaking to BBC Radio Newcastle about the future of Allan Saint-Maximin: "He's in early discussions over a potential move away. That's why he wasn't here [at Rangers], and it's doubtful he'll join us in America.

"Financial Fair Play is a new dynamic in my job, and player trading is a key part. You really can't hit it and come under it, if you don't trade. We're sort of forced to trade a player this window.

"Maxi looks like the player who's generating the interest. If he does leave, we'd lose him with a very heavy heart because he's someone we love working with.

"I don't think he necessarily wants to leave. He's probably in a very similar position to the one the club is in - he may feel it's the right time for him to move.

"It's very difficult for me to speak for him, but he hasn't asked to leave. There's been no issue between any of us coaches, the club and Maxi - we all love him - but it's just the reality of how football is nowadays: you have to trade.

"If the deal didn't go through, I'd be delighted. It would obviously impact our ability to bring any more players in, and then we potentially might have to sell another player. That's the way that Financial Fair Play has hit us."

Listen to the full interview on BBC Sounds

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This is news full-backs across the Premier League will be happy to read.

Allan Saint-Maximin could be set to leave Newcastle United and his most likely destination is, you guessed it, Saudi Arabia!

The 26-year-old started 12 matches for the Magpies last season and came off the bench 13 times. He scored just once and registered five assists.

Eddie Howe last night spoke of the "impact" on Financial Fair Play on his side and the winger could make way in order to free up some funds.

Howe said: "He's in early discussions over a potential move away. That's why he wasn't here.

"It's doubtful he'll join us on the tour of America. I don't think Maxi necessarily wants to leave, but he may feel it's the right time for him to move."

Image source, Getty Images

With Fabinho close to an agreement to move to Saudi Arabia and the future of Jordan Henderson in doubt, Liverpool are looking at midfield options.

The Reds are interested in Crystal Palace star Cheick Doucoure, according to The Athletic, external.

Palace secured Doucoure's services from Lens last summer in a move worth up to £26 million.

Liverpool may have to stump up around £50m if they are to move for the Mali international, with Palace using Southampton's valuation of Romeo Lavia as guidance.

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Despite only being at Inter Milan for a season, Andre Onana has bonded with the Inter faithful.

The goalkeeper, who is Manchester United bound, won the Italian Cup and Super Cup, but the highlight of his spell will be knocking out bitter rivals AC Milan of the Champions League to reach the final.

Erik ten Hag's decision to bring in Onana will partly be because of his talent on the ball and ability to distribute expertly.

In an interview with Gazzetta Dello Sport, external, the 27-year-old spoke highly of Inter: "The San Siro and Inter fans made me feel something special and I won't forget that for the rest of my life.

"For some matches we were really as one, I had the feeling of playing not as 11 players, but as 80,000. Being able to experience that was a privilege that football and my life have given me."

Image source, Getty Images

It looks as though Manchester United have their new number one after a fee was agreed for Andre Onana last night.

United will pay Inter £47.2 million for the Champions League finalist - £43.8m of that being paid up front.

After just a season in Serie A, Onana has admitted he "couldn't resist" a move to Old Trafford.

The Cameroon international told Gazzetta Dello Sport, external: "I really want to begin this new exciting adventure with a coach who as far as I'm concerned is a maestro.

"I'm going to play in a great league and for a great club which has an enormous amount of history just like Inter. It's important to be honest and tell the people the truth. I'm someone who's always looking for new challenges and to play in the Premier League for a club like United is irresistible."

Simon Stone
BBC Sport in Washington

Wayne Rooney will have the unique experience of managing Major League Soccer's All-Star team against Arsenal at Audi Field tonight.

It is a similar concept to the one floated by Chelsea owner Todd Boehly last season, when he said a North v South game could prove attractive in English football.

Rooney doesn't see it.

"I don’t think it would work," he said.

"It is huge here in the States but in England rivalries between teams and coaches are so intense. People would complain about which players were being used.

"It just wouldn’t work."

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Moises Caicedo, where will he end up playing his football next season? Both Arsenal and Chelsea had bids rejected for the Brighton & Hove Albion star in January and now the West London club are back in for the Ecuadorian.

After just one season in the Premier League, Caicedo has cemented himself as one of the best in the middle of the park and attracted a £70 million bid from Chelsea yesterday - which was rejected by the Seagulls.

Marc Cucurella, an ex-team-mate of Caicedo's, said: "I think he wants to come here. I've read in the media lots of times. I have a good relationship with him, he is a good midfielder and if he comes I think we have a top midfielder for a long time."

Image source, Getty Images

Brighton have rejected a second Chelsea bid, believed to be around £70m, for midfielder Moises Caicedo.

The Ecuador international asked to leave Brighton in January amid interest from Arsenal.

Brighton refused and Caicedo subsequently signed a new contract in March that runs to 2027.

However, evidently, he remains of huge interest to a number of Premier League clubs, with Chelsea most keen to sign the player.

Ironically, Chelsea are due to meet Brighton in the opening game of the Premier League's six-team pre-season tournament in Philadelphia on Saturday.

Full story.

Alex Howell
Football reporter in North Carolina

Former England and Watford goalkeeper Ben Foster has had an interesting career. In the last couple of years he retired from playing, turned down the chance to play in the Premier League before coming out of retirement to help Wrexham get back into the football league. And that's without mentioning his successful YouTube channel and podcast.

He's now on tour with them in the USA and will be part of the team that takes on Chelsea in a pre-season friendly in North Carolina this evening.

And Foster has been taking in the number of player changes at Stamford Bridge.

"It’s carnage isn't it! You just want a big box of popcorn to watch it unfold in front of you. They went from one extreme to another. Six months ago they were spending £100m on players and giving them eight year contracts and they're signing anybody for any money. Now, all of a sudden the cull has come and it’s like ‘you’re not needed, you’re not needed, you’re not coming to America with us’.

"It's so cut throat. There's so many players who get such a bad rep for demanding a transfer and wanting this and that. But fans don't necessarily moan about it when its fans doing it to players.

"Chelsea will have literally picked out 12 players this year and gone ‘you're not welcome here anymore’ in any other work place that won't fly.

"As much as fans like to get on the back of players when they make a mistake or if they don't want to be at a club and move on, clubs do that just as much as well."

Alex Howell
Football reporter in North Carolina

Romelu Lukaku is not part of the travelling Chelsea squad and Mauricio Pochettino has been speaking about his future

"I think both the club and player are in a position that they wanted"

"I think when you have this type of decision it's because all agree. I think the player and the club are working really hard to find the best solution for everyone.

"The decision that we made was also decided by the players, we act in consequence of this."

Full story.

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It is another injury setback for Fofana, who broke his leg while at Leicester in August 2021 before returning to action the following March.

He was then sidelined for more than four months last season with a knee injury picked up playing against AC Milan in the Champions League.

Having played twice for Leicester last season, the central defender made 15 appearances for Chelsea and five in the Champions League.

'It's really sad, really bad news. We feel all so sad. All we can do is help him," said Chelsea manager Mauricio Pochettino. "We know it's a tough injury but we hope he can be as soon as possible with the team."

The Argentine said he "hopes" Fofana can play this season but that "it is difficult".

Fofana's absence comes following a summer in which defenders Kalidou Koulibaly and Cesar Azpilicueta left the club.

Defenders Benoit Badiashile and Reece James have also not travelled to the US,, external with Thiago Silva, Trevoh Chalobah, Levi Colwill, Alfie Gilchrist and Bashir Humphreys the main centre-back options available to manager Mauricio Pochettino.

Should Colwill get regular football as Fofana’s replacement? Hit the thumbs.