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Cole Palmer believes his impatience is paying off having flourished for Chelsea and earned a first England call-up since leaving all-conquering Manchester City in search of regular football. Part of Pep Guardiola’s treble-winning squad before helping his country win the Under-21 European Championship, a more prominent role at club level looked on the cards this term. Palmer scored in the Community Shield and another in the Super Cup, but made no secret about his desire for regular action after his man-of-the-match display against Sevilla in the European curtain-raiser. It proved his final City appearance and a fortnight later the forward joined the glut of gems being collected by free-spending Chelsea in a deal worth up to £42.5million, signing a seven-year deal. “It happened fast, to be fair,” Palmer said. “I spoke to someone at Chelsea and I was speaking to my dad, but I really didn’t know what to do. “I was just thinking about it for a couple of days, like near enough every minute of the day. “But then I just thought for my career and stuff I have to go and try and get regular game time. “It was a big move for me. I’d never been out of Manchester, not even on loan or anything like that, so to move down there on my own was a big thing. “When I first went down there it was difficult, like staying in a hotel and stuff, but now I have settled in more and I’m enjoying it.” This season always felt important in promising Palmer’s career, especially after a combination of injury and competition restricted him to just seven starts last year. The 21-year-old has already made eight in an impressive beginning to life with the Blues, leading to a first England call-up following some withdrawals from the initial selection for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers. “Obviously you know how good of a manager Pep is and he gave me the opportunity and the platform to kick-start my career, so I’ll always be grateful to him,” Palmer said. “Who knows what would have happened if I had stayed. “Maybe I would have played more, maybe not. But I think the decision that I made to go to Chelsea so far is paying off.” Palmer gave short shrift to a question asking him to compare Guardiola with Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino when he faced the media for the first time since his England call-up. But he was more forthcoming when it came to his current manager’s ability to develop English talents, as he did with aplomb at Southampton and Tottenham. “A lot of people told me how he is with young players,” Palmer said. “Ever since I went to Chelsea I can see it, so I’m enjoying working with him and excited to carry on working with him. “He has given me the confidence and licence to go where I want on the pitch, where I feel I can use my strengths, so I’m grateful for it.” Palmer certainly does not lack confidence, which was abundantly clear along with his cheeky side in Sunday’s stunning 4-4 draw with City. Footage went viral of the Chelsea forward pretending to listen to his former team-mates on an afternoon when he celebrated his stoppage-time spot-kick equaliser with a nonchalant shrug. “When I saw the ref give the penalty, I just thought ‘it’s my time’,” Palmer said. “I spoke to Raz (Raheem Sterling). He said ‘what’s happening?’ and I was like ‘I want to take it’. “He was like ‘fine’ and then when I put the ball down I just tried to focus on a spot and put it there.” Asked if he felt pressure or nerves, he said: “Not really, to be honest. “I felt I was waiting for a while and obviously I did think about my old club and stuff but after that not really. “It was a crazy game. I did feel a bit nervous before and a bit weird to see everyone from the club I’ve been at for 15 years. “But when the game started it felt normal and it was a good game.” More positive news awaited him when he waded through the myriad of messages on his phone after returning to the Stamford Bridge dressing room. “I got the message near enough straightaway after the match,” he said of his maiden England call-up. “But my phone was going crazy because I have got some City fans that are my mates and family and all that. “I read it and then like I read it again, so it was confirmed. “I just rang my dad straight away and he was with my mum, so I told them first.” Read More Manchester City acknowledge risk of charges after posting record £712m revenue Jannik Sinner scores first career win against Novak Djokovic in Turin Emma Hayes: Winning Champions League would be fairytale end to time at Chelsea Winter sun will have to wait for Ezri Konsa as he looks to take England chance Incoming Welsh Rugby Union boss vows to ‘turn this round’ after damning review Fin Smith targets England debut next year having caught Steve Borthwick’s eye

Manchester City have acknowledged the Premier League charges facing them risk having a “material impact” on the club, as they posted a league-record revenue figure of over £700million. City earned £712.8m in the year ending June 30, an increase of almost £100m compared to the previous year and far outstripping the £648.4m Premier League record set by Manchester United when their most recent results were announced last month. City’s run to the Champions League final – where they beat Inter Milan 1-0 in June – contributed to total broadcast revenue of £341.4m, including £113.85m just from UEFA. However, the club’s annual report mentioned the 115 charges issued against them by the Premier League in February under the ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ section. “The board acknowledges that there are a number of risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the club’s performance,” the report stated. As well as the Premier League charges, the performance of the first team and any future regulatory changes introduced by the Premier League, the Football Association, UEFA and FIFA were also cited as risks and uncertainties facing the club. Introductory statements in the annual report from chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak and chief executive Ferran Soriano made no reference to the charges. Khaldoon said: “In the aftermath of the UEFA Champions League win in Turkey and the completion of ‘The Treble’ the question I was asked most often, was ‘How do you top that?’ “The answer is by doubling down on the proven philosophies and practices that have brought us this success and to challenge ourselves to continue to constantly innovate in order to achieve new levels of performance both on and off the field. “We will continue to question all the industry norms, we will evaluate our successes and learn from any failures. We will not be afraid to set new goals and develop new strategies that deliver for our club, its communities and stakeholders and especially for the fans.” Matchday revenue was recorded at £71.9m, while profit from player trading was up to over £120m. However, the club’s total payroll costs were just under £423m, up from just under £354m in 2022. That was despite head count dropping from 549 to 520. Read More Jannik Sinner scores first career win against Novak Djokovic in Turin Emma Hayes: Winning Champions League would be fairytale end to time at Chelsea Winter sun will have to wait for Ezri Konsa as he looks to take England chance

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Emma Hayes is confirmed as the new United States women's national team head coach, a role she will take up after leaving Chelsea next summer.

Emma Hayes admitted it would be a fairytale end to her Chelsea career by lifting the Women’s Champions League for the first time at the end of the season. Hayes will end her 12-year stay with the west-London club after this campaign. The Champions League is the one major trophy that has eluded the 47-year-old during that time, with the Blues having lost 4-0 in the 2021 final to Barcelona and reached the semi-finals on three other occasions. Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s opening Group D fixture v Real Madrid, Hayes told a press conference: “It would be a fairytale to win it, of course. But I didn’t grow up liking fairytales – my sister did. “I would love nothing more than to be in a winning position with this team.” Chelsea beat Real 2-0 at Kingsmeadow last season courtesy of goals from Sophie Ingle and Erin Cuthbert before they drew 1-1 in the Spanish capital. And Hayes, who highlighted the threat of left-back Olga Carmona, believes the experience of playing Wednesday’s opponents has helped her side’s preparations. She added: “We have analysed last season’s match and Real Madrid’s other matches, including this weekend’s match (7-1 win v Real Sociedad). We know what to expect. “I think having been here helps, it’s something familiar, but we don’t underestimate them. “They have many qualities, but I think they have the best on the extremes. The ability to go upwards, especially on the left with Olga. She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach - it's more than football playing under her. Millie Bright “They have players looking for the back and putting balls into the area and they are very good in transition.” Chelsea captain Millie Bright admitted the news of Hayes’ departure is “devastating”. She said: “It’s been a bit of a whirlwind. I was devastated. “She is a mentor, a coach, a friend, life coach – it’s more than football playing under her. It is the hard part of football. I feel privileged to have played under her for so long.”

Ezri Konsa had to scrap plans for a winter getaway after his late call-up but the Aston Villa defender always believed it was a case of when rather than if his England chance would come. The talented 26-year-old has long been tipped for a senior call-up, only to once again miss out on a maiden call-up when the squad for the final Euro 2024 qualifiers was announced last Thursday. But an injury to Lewis Dunk opened up a last-minute spot in Gareth Southgate’s set-up, leading to a surprise phone call after Villa’s 3-1 victory against Fulham at the weekend. “I was literally driving home after my game on Sunday,” Konsa said. “Me and the missus were talking about having a little break, going away. “Two minutes later I ended up getting the call. It was a weird feeling. It didn’t really sink in until I got home. “The missus was crying a bit, she was more excited than me! I’d rather be here anyway (than on holiday), so it’s fine.” It has certainly been a whirlwind few days for a player whose belief has never wavered despite much-mooted England opportunities failing to materialise break after break. “It is a proud moment for me and my family,” said Konsa, who was part of England’s 2017 Under-20 World Cup win. “It is a dream come true, ever since I was a little kid I wanted to play for England so I’m just grateful for the opportunity. “I knew I had a lot to work on in my game, only recently in the last two seasons we have excelled at Villa and that part of it has helped me become the player I am today. “I knew my time would come. It was just a matter of when. I was patient and, as I said, me and my family are really happy. “I always believe in myself and always back myself and I am really enjoying my football now.” From Charlton to Brentford and on to Villa, the defender has stepped up when he has needed to and is ready to do the same with England. Konsa could make his debut in the final Euro 2024 qualifiers at home to Malta or away in North Macedonia, giving him the chance to stake his claim for next year’s finals. “Yeah of course that is every player’s target to want to go to a major tournament and play for your country,” he said. “That is definitely on my list and definitely something that I am planning on doing.” Winning a cap is his first focus as Konsa looks to follow a star-studded group of graduates from Senrab – the well-known east London youth team, where coach Tony Caroll revealed he was nicknamed ‘Little Rio’. Konsa says Rio Ferdinand was one of the players he idolised, as was John Terry – a fellow ex-Senrab player that he loved growing up and learned a lot from during his time as Villa coach. “I worked with him for two years and he really helped my game,” Konsa said of “legend” Terry. “I used to ask him a lot of questions on how he was able to maintain playing at such a high level and he gave me a lot of advice. “I took that on and it has definitely helped me get to where I am today. “Yes, he was in touch and he sent me a nice message. “He just said ‘congratulations’ and that I needed to enjoy it and be myself.” Read More Incoming Welsh Rugby Union boss vows to ‘turn this round’ after damning review Fin Smith targets England debut next year having caught Steve Borthwick’s eye Cesc Fabregas determined to take ambitious Como into Serie A Jos Buttler admits to ‘mistakes’ during England’s World Cup campaign Anything is possible – Eric Dier on Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge Welsh Rugby Union was a ‘toxic’ environment, independent report finds

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Cesc Fabregas is determined to take Como to Serie A after taking over as boss at the Italian club. The former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder, who is an investor in the club along with Thierry Henry, replaced Moreno Longo as interim boss on Monday in what is his first managerial position. He ended his playing career in the lakeside city last season and was coach of the club’s under-19s before getting the top job. Como are a club on the rise, having won back-to-back promotions and currently sit sixth in Serie B following a 2019 takeover. The Spaniard says he does not see the position as a stepping stone for a Premier League job, but a long-term project to get them to the top tier in Italy. “Obviously, now it is one of the main objectives, 100 per cent,” he said at Web Summit in Lisbon. “Whatever my role is I will always give my best. “When I joined the club one of the main objectives was to become the coach of Como 1907, I didn’t expect it to come so soon because I retired a little bit earlier, I could still be playing. “It is an opportunity for me. It is a long-term project, I am not here for two days or two months, it is a long thing. I trust the club, I trust the people, my family has found happiness in Como. “I feel great, I feel ready. This is something that happened very quickly in the last couple of days. “I have a lot of respect for the manager that was in charge for the last year and a half. I am used to the pressure, I am used to the requirements that the club wants, I am looking forward to it, it is very, very exciting.” Mirwan Suwarso, representative of the Como ownership group, said they sacked Longo because data showed they were regressing ahead of the January transfer window. He has grand plans to turn Como into the “ultimate soccer tourism destination”. It is an opportunity for me it is a long-term project, I am not here for two days or two months, it is a long thing. Cesc Fabregas “We have to rely on data and it showed that as we are heading towards the transfer window we are actually regressing in terms of our performance,” he said. “So instead of investing heavily in the transfer window in the wrong bloke we had to fix it so that is why we pulled the trigger. “When we stumbled upon the football club in Como we realised we had a great opportunity. Como is a great destination for tourism but at the same time there is nothing around it. “So our goal is to build the ultimate soccer tourism destination in the world and Lake Como is the perfect setting for it. It shows, we have been growing extensively.” Read More England skipper Jos Buttler vows to learn from World Cup ‘mistakes’ Anything is possible – Eric Dier on Tottenham’s Premier League title challenge Welsh Rugby Union was a ‘toxic’ environment, independent report finds We know what it means to Wales to get to Euro 2024 – Jordan James Rohit Sharma urges India to retain same mindset for World Cup semi-final Sol Campbell ‘happy in different space’ as he turns back on football management