Chelsea swoop for Villa’s Carney
“There is always that optimism this time of year for every football fan, with a lot of hope, but it is clearly going to be a big season in many ways (for Southampton),” said Benali. “The run-in we had from the back end of last season was pretty dreadful, and it is important to get as a good a start as we can.
“It is a tough start, and a challenging one, one which I think Saints can rise to.”
CHELSEA have struck a €24m deal with Aston Villa for Carney Chukwuemeka.
The 18-year old, who played a starring role in England Under-19s’ European Championship triumph this summer, will sign a six-year deal at Stamford Bridge.
Chukwuemeka (right) was entering the final year of his deal at Villa Park and had been dragging his feet over a new contract.
The Northampton academy product’s performances for his country had attracted interest from
Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester United as well as Barcelona and AC Milan.
But Thomas Tuchel has persuaded him that his future lies with Chelsea.
A statement from the Blues revealed he has been given permission by Villa to travel to London to discuss both personal terms and undergo a medical.
Chukwuemeka, born in Austria to Nigerian parents, will become Chelsea’s third signing of the summer following Raheem Sterling and Kalidou Koulibaly.
But Tuchel is keen for more reinforcements and is attempting to beat Manchester City to Brighton’s €60m rated full-back Marc Cucurella.
Target
The German also remains in the market for another centre-back following the departure of Antonio Rudiger and Andreas Christensen, with Leicester’s Wesley Fofana a target.
JAKE HUMPHREY has ■
been replaced as the host of BT Sport’s Premier League football coverage as part of a shake-up by the broadcaster.
Lynsey Hipgrave, who has hosted the channel’s Europa League coverage i, will replace Humphrey and present her first match this weekend when Fulham play Liverpool at Craven Cottage.
Humphrey has been the face of BT Sport’s Saturday show in recent seasons. The 43-year-old will continue to front the channel’s Champions League coverage.