Manchester City were given a day off on Thursday and Phil Foden headed for Towyn, a small seaside resort between Abergele and Rhyl on the north Wales coast.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: It's not ideal, right? An inexperienced manager, a squad stripped of its best players and Liverpool first up. Newcastle fans can be forgiven some apprehension.
Little about the office tucked into the corner of the Academy of Light gives any clue it belongs to the man leading Sunderland's first European adventure in over half a century.
It is late in the evening of November 30, 2023, and Roberto De Zerbi is the only man sitting on the Brighton & Hove Albion team coach as it idles in the car park beneath the Agia Sophia Stadium.
RIATH AL-SAMARRAI AT EMIRATES STADIUM: Had the ghost of Micky Quinn been summoned by Coventry City, chances are he would have been dumped on his backside by the champions.
The incident occurred off the ball in the middle of the pitch during the second-half, when Messi got into a tense verbal exchange with Union midfielder Quinn Sullivan.
Roberto De Zerbi confirmed Tottenham's board had been true to the promises made on recruitment as they closed in on a deal for Savinho from Manchester City worth up to £85million.
United have paid £50million for Andrey Santos and £35m for Youri Tielemans, and hope to complete their midfield rebuild after offering Brighton £65m for Carlos Baleba.
Too often in Scotland, the concept of bringing a bit of attitude to a team tends to centre upon thundering into tackles, getting in the faces of the opposition, winding them up, needling them, 'leaving a mark'.
Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson has been the victim of Premier League rule-changes - as he has been named a vice-captain but is likely to never wear the armband.
The Premier League returns today - and clubs are counting down the days to get their deals done before the transfer window shuts. All the latest updates are here.
Having pumped north of £13million into Dundee United since taking control of the club almost eight years ago, Mark Ogren has hardly had much in the way of bang for his buck.
Chelsea are progressing in slashing their number of centre backs before the summer window closes, with Xabi Alonso only interested in working with up to five in the coming season.
'He wasn't arrogant, he just wanted to play in the Premier League.' Neil Cox is remembering Hayden Hackney, the lad he had on loan at Scunthorpe in League Two in 2021-22.
Argentina were condemned for their thuggish antics throughout the tournament, prompting FIFA to investigate their behaviour following the final whistle of last month's showpiece.
Chelsea's summer invited interpretation. As if they were swapping a nursery for a nursing home. As if Xabi Alonso now had unprecedented power over this Premier League club's recruitment model.
CHRIS WHEELER: Carrick says it's 'ridiculous' to suggest United have been handed an easy start to the season - and admits it's asking a lot for his team to be considered title challengers.
Wouter Vrancken admits his Hearts team will need an almost perfect performance in Austria next week if they are to reach the league phase of the UEFA Conference League.
Rangers boss Derek McInnes admits his team will need to show a major improvement if they are to clinch a place in the group stage of the UEFA Conference League.
The transfer window is now open until September 1 and it's sure to be a busy period as clubs look to make big signings ahead of the new season. Here are today's latest developments...
Hearts' hopes of avoiding the ignominy of being knocked out of three different European competitions in the space of six weeks at the start of the season are in the balance.
EXCLUSIVE: The former Chelsea and England man has triggered outrage in East Yorkshire thanks to comments he made with former West Ham team-mate Carlton Cole.