Cucurella spoke to Sky Sports alongside goalscorer Neto after the match.
Discussing his battle with Saka, the 26-year-old explained: “I think he is a top player, we’ve played a lot of times in front of each other.
“Big respect, I think he’s a top player so I try to do my work. He wants to do his work so it’s a good battle and I hope to do more of this.”
He was then asked what the ‘secret’ is to stopping Saka, prompting Neto to quip: “Being Marc Cucurella.”
His joke left Cucurella grinning with Neto laughing at his own joke, before the Spaniard added: “I try not to give him space, I try to always be close to him.
“We know he’s a special talent so I try to do my work and help my team. I need to do my job in the pitch.
“I think today I tried to do my best and we got one point.”
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Cucurella won man of the match after his battle with Saka during Sunday’s drawCredit: Getty
Cucurella returned to the starting line-up on Sunday, replacing club captain Reece James.
The former Brighton man had appeared off the bench in Chelsea’s last two league matches.
He was handed his tenth start of the campaign across all competitions by Enzo Maresca against their London rivals.
Chelsea are third in the table following the draw with Pedro Neto’s strike from distance cancelling out Gabriel Martinelli’s opener.
The result means Chelsea remain above the Gunners on goal difference.
It is the first time they have been in the top three since the final day of the 2021/22 season.
Van de Ven left the Man United players for dead with his paceCredit: AFP
And while the Dutchman’s stunning assist was arguably the game’s standout moment, it wasn’t actually where he hit top speed.
On the brink of half time, Van de Ven raced back to tackle United’s Alejandro Garnacho, reaching a staggering 37.12 km/h in the process.
Not only was this the fastest any Premier League player has run so far this season, it was also the fourth highest speed recorded since data began being collected in the 2020/21 season.
Read More on Premier League
Incredibly, Van de Ven is responsible for three of the four top speeds recorded during this time, with his 37.38 km/h against Brentford last season topping the charts.
The 23-year-old’s season’s best against the Red Devils sees him place comfortably ahead of his fellow speed merchants.
Nottingham Forest‘s Anthony Elanga ranks second in the leaderboard, with his personal record of 35.90 km/h, over one km/h slower than van de Ven’s.
While Manchester City goal machine Erling Haaland leads the Premier League goalscoring charts by some distance with ten goals in his first six games, he ranks third in the sprinting category.
Haaland’s top speed of 35.74 km/h places him narrowly ahead of Spurs‘ Timo Werner (35.69 km/h), who comes in fourth place.
With Arsenal bidding to lift a first league title in over 20 years, they will surely need some pace in their squad to see off opponents.
And winger Gabriel Martinelli could be the man to provide this, who ranks fifth among the English top-flight’s most rapid players at 35.57 km/h.
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Haaland is targeting a third consecutive Premier League Golden Boot, but even he is no match for Van de Ven’s paceCredit: Getty
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United duo Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho have clocked impressive top speeds for the campaign so farCredit: Getty
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Van de Ven isn’t Spurs’ only speed demon, with teammate Werner also among the swiftest players in the English top-flightCredit: Getty
Man United stars Alejandro Garnacho and Marcus Rashford also feature in the top ten in this category, with the speedy Argentine sixth (35.48 km/h), and his fellow attacker tenth (35.53 km/h).
Meanwhile, Southampton may look to make greater use of striker Cameron Archer’s sharpness if they are to turn their disappointing start to the season around.
Saints have endured a difficult return to the Premier League, sitting a lowly 19th in the table and without a win in their opening six games.
This comes in spite of Archer’s running statistics, who has recorded the seventh top speed of any player at 35.47 km/h.
Elsewhere among the early season speed demons, Pedro Neto has continued to showcase his frightening pace at new club Chelsea following his summer arrival from Wolves.
The Portuguese winger’s impressive 35.40 km/h places him eighth fastest for the campaign.
But this is still over one km/h shy of the 36.86 km/h he hit against Luton last season, which is the seventh fastest top speed on record in the Premier League.
Brighton‘s £30million signing Yankuba Minteh’s 35.58 km/h completes the top ten, with the swift Gambian winger sure to net his first goal for the club sooner rather than later with such pace to burn.
Top 10 fastest Premier League players this season (km/h)
Enzo Maresca has announced where each of his attacking players will play this season as he discussed the incredible options at his disposal.
No other Premier League side boast an arsenal of attacking talent like the Blues, whose squad is stacked with quality.
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Chelsea boss Maresca is blessed with a squad stacked full of attacking talentCredit: Getty
In last week’s 1-0 win away at Bournemouth, the west Londoners started Pedro Neto, Cole Palmer, Noni Madueke and Nicolas Jackson.
And in the second half, Maresca brought on Joao Felix as well as Jadon Sancho and Christopher Nkunku, with the duo combining for the club’s late winner.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian winger Mykhailo Mudryk and 18-year-old striker Marc Guiu were unused substitutes.
Chelsea’s stacked options up top have led to fans questioning where they will all fit into Maresca’s system, which comprises of two wingers, a No.10 and a lone centre-forward.
Speaking ahead of Chelsea’s London derby away at rivals West Ham on Saturday – live on talkSPORT – Maresca addressed those concerns, as he outlined where he sees every player featuring.
He said in his press conference: “As left wingers, we have Jadon and Misha [Mykhailo Mudryk].
“As right wingers, we have Noni and Pedro. As attacking midfielders, we have Joao and Cole.
“As a No.9, we have Nicolas, Christo [Nkunku] and Marc. We do not have so many players, we have two players for each position.”
He continued: “Christo can play as a No.9 or as an attacking midfielder and a winger.
“Kiernan [Dewsbury-Hall] can play in the pocket and wide.
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Nkunku and Sancho are just two high-quality forwards at Maresca’s disposalCredit: Getty
“Pedro was playing as a left-winger because Jadon wasn’t here and fit and, between Misha, Pedro and Jadon, I preferred Pedro for that one game… but that doesn’t mean always I will prefer Pedro.
“So the squad is quite clear in terms of positions. All of them have their position and we have two players in each position.
“But because they are versatile, good and can play in different positions, for sure we can move them.
Noni Madueke insists Chelsea is a great place to be despite ‘exaggerated’ noise around ‘great guy’ Enzo Maresca’s side
“For example, Christo played the first game against Manchester City as a winger.”
It remains to be seen what frontline Maresca will go with against the Hammers at the London Stadium.
Although Jackson seems destined to lead the line once again having started each of their opening four Premier League matches and scored two goals, plus provided one assist.
Enzo Maresca has been presented with a right-back conundrum in his preparations for Chelsea’s trip to Bournemouth.
The Blues face the Cherries on Saturday evening, live on talkSPORT, in search of a second Premier League win of the season.
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Chelsea are eyeing a second league win of the seasonCredit: Getty
Chelsea fans could be set for a first glimpse of Deadline Day signing Jadon Sancho, with Cole Palmer set to play a key role again.
However, Maresca will be without his two senior right-backs on the south coast as Reece James and Malo Gusto are out through injury.
“Malo is still out and he is not available for tomorrow’s game,” he said on the Frenchman, who suffered a thigh injury in the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace last time out.
Speaking on club captain James, who has been dealing with another hamstring problem, Maresca stated: “Unfortunately, Reece needs more time.”
Given the absences at right-back, talkSPORT.com has looked at how Chelsea’s starting XI could look this weekend at Bournemouth.
Robert Sanchez has featured as the Blues’ goalkeeper in all three of their opening Premier League matches and is set to do so again.
Filip Jorgensen started in their Conference League qualifying matches against Servette, but could miss out after coming off for the Denmark U21s during the international break.
With James and Gusto unavailable, Maresca could turn to Axel Disasi to play at right-back against Bournemouth.
The Frenchman is a natural centre-back, but has played on the right of the defence for Chelsea before, doing so eight times last term.
Moises Caicedo is another potential option for the position having featured there for Brighton, but he is almost certain to play in midfield instead.
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Maresca will not have right-backs James and Gusto available against BournemouthCredit: Getty
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Disasi could the man who plays in their absenceCredit: Getty
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Colwill and Fofana are likely to start in front of SanchezCredit: Getty
Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill have been Maresca’s go-to pairing at centre-back in the Premier League so far this season.
They are likely to start again this weekend ahead of Benoit Badiashile and Tosin Adarabioyo, who both featured against Servette.
At left-back, Marc Cucurella is likely to be named in the starting XI for a fourth consecutive league match over Ben Chilwell.
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Chilwell is back in Chelsea contention after being included in their 25-man Premier League squad list and is set to return to training after his exile from the first-team.
Romeo Lavia made his first start for the Blues in their 2-0 opening weekend defeat to Manchester City, but will miss the trip to Bournemouth.
Maresca said he is ‘very close’ to making a comeback in training after a hamstring injury, so Caicedo and Enzo Fernandez are likely to be given the nod in midfield.
Carney Chukwuemeka, Cesare Casadei, Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall and Renato Veiga are other options, however it’s unlikely they will all feature in the matchday squad.
Noni Madueke will be hopeful of a return to the starting XI at right-wing after he assisted Harry Kane on his England debut on Tuesday.
The 22-year-old shone in Chelsea’s 6-2 win against Wolves prior to the international break as he scored an excellent second-half hat-trick.
In attacking midfield, Palmer looks to be the nailed-on choice for Maresca as he continues to be the Blues’ standout player.
He already has one goal and four assists to his name this season and, despite withdrawing from England duty, he has been in training this week and is set to feature at the Vitality Stadium.
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Caicedo will be hopeful of putting in another dominant midfield performanceCredit: Getty
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Palmer and Madueke were excellent together against WolvesCredit: Getty
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Pedro Neto could be handed another start for Chelsea at left-wingCredit: Getty
For the left-wing position, Sancho could be handed his Chelsea debut after signing on loan from Manchester United in a deal that includes an obligation to buy for a total £25million.
Maresca spoke on his potential inclusion during his pre-match press conference, but remained coy when he said: “I decide the first XI.
“It depends on the training session. Jadon is one of our wingers. I’m seeing the exact way I expected of him.
“He is a very good player in the last third, one-v-one, quality in the last third, so he is exactly the player we were looking at. It’s a matter of finding the right moment for him and to give him a chance.”
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Sancho may be set to make his Chelsea debut this weekendCredit: Getty
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Jackson has scored against Wolves and Palace so far this seasonCredit: Getty
Mykhailo Mudryk has made the most starts on the left of the attack this season, but Maresca could opt for Pedro Neto instead, with Sancho coming off the bench if needed.
Chelsea announced on Friday that Nicolas Jackson has signed a new two-year deal at the club until 2033 and he looks set to lead the line once again.
The Senegal international banged in 19 goals in all competitions last season and already has two to his name this campaign, as well as an assist across four appearances.
Joao Felix and Christopher Nkunku have so far scored one and two goals respectively and can play as the centre-forward if needed along with Marc Guiu, although he is unlikely to feature.
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Here’s how Chelsea could line up against Bournemouth…
Chelsea have stripped Raheem Sterling and Trevoh Chalobah of their squad numbers in an apparent latest bid to force them out of Stamford Bridge.
The duo are are two members of the Blues‘ bloated squad that have been forced to train separately from the first team along with Ben Chilwell, Romelu Lukaku, Kepa Arrizabalaga and Armando Broja.
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Sterling looks set to depart with the winger told he is not in boss Enzo Maresca’s plansCredit: Getty
Juventus have an interest in Sterling, while talkSPORT understands Manchester United have been offered the chance to snap up Chilwell given their two left-backs Luke Shaw and Tyrell Malacia remain injured.
Unsurprisingly, none of the players in that group were involved in Chelsea’s matchday squad for their Premier League opener against Manchester City, which they lost 2-0.
Sterling took the No17 shirt when he first joined from City in the summer of 2022 for £47.5million and switched to No7 last season.
However, that shirt has now gone to £54m recruit Pedro Neto, who joined from Wolves.
The change comes just days after Neto donned the No19 shirt for his Chelsea debut against City.
As for Chalobah, he has been forced to vacate his No14 jersey for new recruit Joao Felix, who wore the same number during his loan spell with Barcelona last season.
The Portuguese forward’s return to west London was confirmed on Wednesday with Chelsea forking out £42.6m to prise him away from Atletico Madrid.
During his loan spell at Chelsea in the second half of the 2022/23 season, Felix was given the No11.
Chelsea confirmed the number changes in a club statement, but stressed they ‘will remain subject to change’ until the end of the transfer window.
The club also stated it would allow fans who purchased Neto shirts with No19 on the back to exchange them for a Neto No7 jersey up until September 30.
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Neto has been given Sterling’s No7 – days after wearing the No19 on his debutCredit: Getty
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Chalobah has also had his number taken away from him as the Blues look to offload himCredit: Getty
Stripping Sterling and Chalobah of their squad numbers is the latest step in new Blues boss Enzo Maresca’s ruthless attempt to force players out.
“We have a big squad and it’s impossible to give all of them minutes,” Maresca said in a press conference on Wednesday.
“If they are looking for minutes it’s better for them to leave.
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“I try to be honest. I spoke with Raheem before the Manchester City game.
“I said he will struggle to get minutes with us and this was the reason why he was out.
“And with Chilly, he’s a lovely guy, but I said he is going to struggle with his position. It’s not brutal, it’s just honest.”
Commenting on the possibility of Chelsea being stuck with unwanted players, he stated: “This is not my problem.
“I am here to take decisions and think the best for us. I am not thinking about how many years are on the contracts.
“They have a 20-year contract? I don’t care. It’s not my job.”
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Chelsea’s hectic summer window shows no signs of slowing down as Enzo Maresca looks to guide his side back to the Champions League.
The Blues have already brought in nine players worth over £160million – and that figure could rise to around £300m.
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Chelsea have spent heavily this summer in preparation for the new season under boss MarescaCredit: Getty
That’s not even taking into account the £56m they agreed to sign Brazilian starlet Estevao Willian, who will make the move to west London next year.
Chelsea forked out around £600m on new signings in 2023, with their recent activity seeing them splash out well over £1billion since Todd Boehly and Clearlake Capital completed their takeover in 2022.
And fresh from their £51.4m purchase of Pedro Neto, two more high-profile acquisitions could be on the agenda.
talkSPORT understands that their £36m transfer to sign Atletico Madrid forward Samu Omorodion has collapsed at the 11th hour.
This could now see them bring Joao Felix back to Stamford Bridge on a permanent deal for around £43m.
Felix scored four goals for Chelsea in 20 games in all competitions during his underwhelming loan spell in the second half of the 2022/23 campaign.
But his versatility in playing anywhere across the front line – as well as in a No.10 role – makes him an attractive option for new boss Maresca.
And it’s believed their pursuit of Felix will not affect their quest to bring in Napoli marksman Victor Osimhen to lead their line.
Should Chelsea have it their way, they could line up with a new-look front three, while Maresca could adopt a bold starting XI – without skipper Reece James.
Here’s how talkSPORT.com has predicted Chelsea could start in a radical 4-1-2-3 formation.
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Felix could return to Stamford Bridge a year after his loan at the club endedCredit: Getty
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The west London giants could also bring Napoli striker Osimhen to the clubCredit: Getty
Chelsea’s 2024 summer signing
Pedro Neto – £51.4m from Wolves
Kieran Dewsbury-Hall – £30m from Leicester
Filip Jorgensen – £20.7m from Villarreal
Omari Kellyman – £19m from Aston Villa
Aaron Anselmino – £15.6m from Boca Juniors
Renato Veiga – £12m from Basel
Caleb Wiley – £8.5m from Atlanta
Marc Guehi – £5m from Barcelona
Tosin Adarabioyo – Free transfer
Following his £20.7m arrival from Villarreal, Filip Jorgensen looks set to start between the sticks.
Marc Cucurella – fresh from winning Euro 2024 with Spain – will continue at left-back having been one of the club’s most consistent performers this year.
A centre-back partnership will likely consist of Wesley Fofana and Levi Colwill, who started together in Chelsea’s final pre-season friendly against Inter Milan on Sunday, which ended in a 1-1 draw.
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At right-back, captain James would usually fill that spot, but he is currently out inured with a hamstring injury, while he is also suspended for the first three games of the season due to suspension.
Malo Gusto has impressed in his absence, but Maresca could opt for a different option in the form of central midfielder Moises Caicedo.
Caicedo was utilised as a full-back occasionally during his Brighton days, and put in an assured display at right-back after being trialled their against Inter.
Maresca waxed lyrical of Caicedo’s qualities during the club’s tour of America, where he said: “I love Moi. I have known him for many years. I know the way he plays.”
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This is how Chelsea could look this season if Maresca secures his top targets
Should the Ecuadorian find himself on the right-hand side of defence, Maresca could then deploy a lone defensive midfielder, instead of a double-pivot.
Caicedo’s change of position would see Enzo Fernandez feature as a No.6 ahead of Romeo Lavia, who is finally fit following an injury-plagued 2023/24 campaign.
Cole Palmer would then be shifted from a right winger to a roaming box-to-box role, with Christopher Nkunku slotting in as the club’s No10.
Neto would then feature on the right flank, with Felix deployed on the left wing.
This would see Mykhailo Mudryk, Raheem Sterling and Noni Madueke having to settle for a place on the bench.
And Osimhen would then spearhead the new-look frontline, with Nicolas Jackson to then be the Nigerian’s back-up.
Newcastle are interested in signing Chelsea winger Noni Madueke, talkSPORT understands.
The Blues are likely to be open to offers for the winger after the signing of Wolves ace Pedro Neto.
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Madueke has been looking good in pre-season for ChelseaCredit: Getty
Portugal forward Neto was in attendance at Stamford Bridge for the pre-season friendly against Inter Milan and Chelsea officially announced his arrival at half-time.
English star Madueke only signed for the west Londoners a year and a half ago in January 2023.
He arrived in a £28.5million deal from PSV Eindhoven having impressed for the Dutch giants.
While he had a slow start to life at Stamford Bridge, the former Tottenham academy talent began to show his ability toward the end of the last campaign.
He ended it with five Premier League goals in 23 appearances, scoring three of those in the final eight matches of the season.
Of his 23 league games, just 13 were as a starter, with competition for places high at Chelsea with the large squad.
New manager Enzo Maresca currently has an overloaded forward department and Chelsea must look to balance the books after another summer spending spree.
A seasoned England youth international, he’s made 20 appearances for the Under-21s, scoring seven goals.
And Newcastle will be paying close attention to Madueke’s situation as they look to strengthen their squad.
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Madueke’s dribbling skills make him a threat on the wingCredit: Getty
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Neto was unveiled on the Stamford Bridge pitch at half-time of the pre-season friendly with Inter MilanCredit: Chelsea TV
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive pre-season, scoring three goals in five games, and was named in Maresca’s starting XI to face Inter Milan on Sunday.
The Magpies claimed a shock Champions League spot in 2022/23 but last year only managed a seventh place finish as injuries took their toll.
That means no European football this season but they will want to rectify that this term under Eddie Howe.
He’s already added goalkeepers Odysseas Vlachodimos and John Ruddy to his squad, along with centre-backs Lloyd Kelly and Miodrag Pivas.
William Osula has joined from Sheffield United, while Lewis Hall‘s permanent switch to St James’ Park has been confirmed following his loan last season.
Pedro Neto is to undergo a medical at Chelsea after Wolves accepted an offer worth £51.4million plus bonuses, talkSPORT understands.
Portuguese international Neto has already agreed personal terms with the Blues.
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Neto has been at Wolves since 2019 after joining from BragaCredit: Getty
It is understood Tottenham tabled bid to rival Chelsea for the 24-year-old forward, who was a long-term target for the north Londoners, but they have been beaten to his signature by their west London neighbours.
Spurs are believed to have submitted a player-plus-cash offer for Neto, involving Oliver Skipp moving the other way to Molineux, but Wolves said no.
Chelsea also made a player-plus-cash offer, including both Trevoh Chalobah and David Datro Fofana, but Wolves batted that away too.
The Blues then tabled a straight cash offer for Neto, which was accepted on Friday.
He is set to undergo a medical on Saturday to complete the move.
The Portuguese star featured 20 times in the Premier League last season, spending periods out due to two separate injuries.
He scored two goals and registered nine assists, attracting interest from Arsenal and Tottenham in the process.
Neto has a contract at Wolves that runs until the end of the 2027 season, having penned a new deal in 2022.
Neto joined Wolves in 2019 from Braga for around £18m – and will receive around three times as much in return.
He has made 135 appearances and scored 14 goals since joining.
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Maresca has made eight signings this summerCredit: Getty
He will become Chelsea‘s eighth signing of the summer under new boss Enzo Maresca.
The club are also working on a deal to sign forward Samu Omorodion from Atletico Madrid.
There have been significant outgoings too with Conor Gallagher set to join Atletico for around £35m.
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Maresca, who was hired from Leicester this summer, hit out at the profit and sustainability [PSR] rules that meant the club had to sell off academy gradutes.
He said: “I also think the intention of the club is not to sell players from the academy but it is the rules at the end that you have to do it.
“It’s not only us, it’s all the Premier League clubs. It’s a shame because in Italy, we have Totti with Roma, 20 years with the same club. One-club-man; we love that in football, the fans want to see that. But with the rules now it is different than the past.”
“It is not only Chelsea spending money on players. It’s all the big clubs to try and buy players.
Chelsea signings this summer
Tosin Adarabioyo – Fulham
Omari Kellyman – Aston Villa
Marc Guiu – Barcelona
Kiernan Dewsbury-Hall – Leicester City
Renato Veiga – Basel
Caleb Wiley – Atlanta United
Aaron Anselmino – Boca Juniors.
“Some of the clubs spend more, some spend less. My personal opinion is it’s a shame because we like to see a one-club-man but the rules are different.”
Chelsea start their Premier League season against Man City on Sunday, August 18.
Arsenal look to be in store for another busy summer at the Emirates with the club set to splash the cash again.
The Gunners have forked out close to £600million on new players since Mikel Arteta was appointed in 2019 – with over £250m spent in 2023 alone.
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Arteta’s line-up for next season could look different should Arsenal nab their top targetsCredit: AFP
It is understood the club will look to generate funds from selling a number of players in the upcoming transfer window as Arsenal look to build on their progress.
A striker, winger and central midfielder are claimed to be the key priorities, with Wolves’ Pedro Neto the top target in the wide position.
talkSPORT reported in February how Wolves wouldn’t get in the way of a summer departure, with Arsenal a keen admirer.
Elsewhere, Real Sociedad’s Martin Zubimendi has been mentioned as potential partner for Declan Rice in the middle of the pitch, with the 25-year-old boasting a £51.3m release clause.
And while Arsenal are fans of Newcastle centre-forward Alexander Isak, the Magpies are unlikely to sell, with RB Leipzig’s Benjamin Sesko and Sporting Lisbon’s Victor Gyokeres also eyed up.
But with Sesko five years younger than Gyokeres, as well as being available for £42.8m due to his buy-out clause compared to the Sweden international’s £85m asking price, he could be seen as the ideal choice.
But a number of fringe players will have to make way first in order for the Gunners to comply with financial regulations.
Striker Eddie Nketiah is behind Kai Havertz and Gabriel Jesus in the striking peck order, with it claimed the Crystal Palace target could fetch as much as £30m.
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Leipzig striker Sesko is claimed to be on the Gunners’ radarCredit: Getty
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Sociedad midfielder Zubimendi is another that Arteta is said to be keen to snap upCredit: Getty
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Arsenal are known to be admirers of Wolves winger NetoCredit: Getty
The news outlet also stated that back-up goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale may be let go with Arsenal expected to turn David Raya‘s loan spell from Brentford into a permanent stay.
Hale End graduates Emile Smith Rowe and Reiss Nelson are claimed to be facing uncertain futures, while surprisingly, it has been said Leandro Trossard may potentially depart.
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Trossard, who only joined Arsenal from Brighton last January, has fired in 13 goals this season, with only Bukayo Saka scoring more.
All signs point towards a hectic summer in north London, which could see Arteta’s line-up drastically change next season.
Here talkSPORT.com takes a look at how Arsenal could start should they land three of their top targets.
Slotting between the sticks would be Raya, who has made the number one jersey his own since ousting Ramsdale in the fifth matchweek of the season.
Natural centre-back Ben White would then keep his spot at right-back in order to accommodate the formidable partnership between Gabriel and William Saliba in the heart of defence.
Forgotten Arsenal star Jurrien Timber would then slot as the inverted left-back as he looks to make an impact following his anterior cruciate ligament injury.
Signed from Ajax last summer, the Dutchman started in the Community Shield and in the opening league match before he suffered his knee knock.
Zubimendi would then be deployed as the lone defensive midfielder – in place of Jorginho and Thomas Partey.
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Trossard could be one to depart Arsenal, despite his impressive season so farCredit: Getty
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Timber hasn’t featured for the Gunners since injuring his knee in August 2023Credit: Getty
This would see Rice feature in a roaming box-to-box role alongside skipper Martin Odegaard.
Bukayo Saka would start on the right wing, where he would be the only Arsenal forward from this season to keep his spot.
Gabriel Martinelli, who often plays on the opposite flank, would have to settle for a place on the bench with Neto replacing him.
Meanwhile Havertz and Jesus would also lose out on a starting spot should Sesko be brought it, with Arteta keen for a physical striker to lead the line.
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This is how Arsenal could potentially line-up next season
Pedro Neto has certainly given Tottenham something to think about with a sterling display in north London.
The winger starred in Wolves 2-1 over Ange Postecoglou‘s side on Saturday – a result that pushes them into the top half of the table and sees Spurs drop out of the top four.
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Neto ran riot against Tottenham and showed why they’re so keen to sign himCredit: Getty
Picking up the ball deep inside his own half, Neto ran three-quarters of the length of the pitch before reaching the byline and showing composure to spin on the ball.
He then teed up Joao Gomes who slammed home from close range to put Gary O’Neil‘s side 2-1 up in the 63rd minute..
That assist means that Neto has now provided more assists than any other Wolves player in Premier League history with 19.
While it was a disappointing result for Spurs, it was nothing new for Wolves who are one of Tottenham’s true bogey sides having done the double over them this term.
Since their return to the Premier League in 2018, Wolves have won four times away at Tottenham – a tally only equalled by Chelsea and Liverpool.
For Neto, it was also a timely reminder of what he can do with Arsenal and Spurs linked with a summer move for the player.
Wolves won’t stand in the 23-year-old’s way if a Champions League club comes knocking for him this summer, talkSPORT understands.
However Wolves would command a club-record fee for the player.
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Neto teed up Gomes for Wolves’ winner in the second halfCredit: Getty
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Neto caused plenty of problems for Tottenham down the left flank
