Live: Chelsea vs Burnley FC Highlights Premier League 2017-18 Match

Defending Champions Chelsea will start their 2017-18 premier league campaign at home against Burnley FC on Saturday, 12 August 2017 at Stamford Bridge. Its a crucial game for Chelsea who have not enjoyed the best of transfer window so far but they are still favourites to mount the title challenge. Burnley FC on the other hand will be hoping to catch Chelsea on their off day and get something away from this match. The game will be a traditional 3pm kickoff and there won’t be any live coverage in the UK.

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Sanchez happy to leave future to agent

The Chile international has yet to discuss an extension at the Emirates Stadium, with his current contract entering its final year.

Manchester City and Bayern Munich have been heavily linked with a move for Sanchez, despite Gunners boss Arsene Wenger maintaining that his star player is not for sale.


The 28-year-old is currently on international duty to prepare for the eight-nation tournament staged by the 2018 World Cup hosts, and has instructed his representative, Fernando Felicevich, to deal with his future.

"I'm looking at what my agent is doing," Sanchez told Cooperativa. "For now, I'm focused on the [Confederations] Cup in Russia and trying to do well.

"The truth is that my agent will see to it. He knows and he will sit down with the club to look for the best option for me. I'd like a lot of things but I'm only thinking about the national team."

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Williams handed Palace extension

The Wales international was nearing the end of his contract at Selhurst Park and hadn't featured for the Eagles at all during the 2016/17 campaign.

Williams returned to Ipswich on loan for a fourth spell last term, but a shoulder injury limited him to just eight appearances in the Championship.

However, the Palace youth product is hoping to make a contribution for the south Londoners in the future after being handed a new two-year deal.

"I am delighted to be signing this new contract at a club that holds a special place in my heart having been here since I joined the academy at the age of eight," the 23-year-old told the club's official website.

"With the club's fifth season in the Premier League coming up I will be working hard through pre-season so I am ready for the challenge ahead at the start of another campaign."

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Nicol: Lukaku doesn't fit Chelsea style

Both the Blues and Manchester United have been linked with the striker that finished second in the Golden Boot race with 25 goals in 37 appearances.


However, Nicol, a former Liverpool defender, isn't convinced Lukaku will be able to fill Diego Costa's role, with the Spaniard reportedly on his way out.

"Lukaku for me doesn't fit into a team that predominantly spends most of the time in and around the opposition's box, he's a guy that needs space in my opinion," Nicol said on ESPN FC.

"If you look at Chelsea last year, one of the things I loved watching was Costa and (Eden) Hazard together, playing little one-twos and playing with each other in a small space.

"Lukaku can't do that so if they do get Lukaku, that would change a lot for me the way Chelsea attack."

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Vardy pulls out of England squad

The Three Lions will face their neighbours to the north in a World Cup qualifier at Hampden Park in Glasgow on Saturday before facing the French in a friendly on Tuesday.

Vardy will not be replaced, leaving the English with three options up front: Premier League top scorer Harry Kane of Tottenham, veteran Sunderland striker Jermain Defoe, and Manchester United teenager Marcus Rashford.


"Jamie Vardy has left the England squad as a precaution after picking up a minor injury in training at St. George's Park yesterday.

"The Leicester City striker won't play a part in either Saturday's World Cup qualifier in Scotland or Tuesday's trip to France.

"No further players are due to be added to the squad at this moment in time."

England currently lead the standings in Group D of qualification for Russia 2018, four points clear of second place Slovakia, while the Scots are in need of a win to keep up the pace.

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Messi ready to sign huge new Barca deal

Lionel Messi has agreed a new five-year deal with Barcelona, according to reports from Spain.

The contract will also include a huge deterrent to any clubs hoping to prise the Argentinian star away from the Nou Camp - a massive £350 million release clause.

Messi, 29, has been linked with with a number of clubs including Premier League sides Chelsea and Manchester City during lengthy contract talks with Barca.

His existing contract expires in 2018, which meant the La Liga giants ran the risk of the five-time Ballon d’Or winner leaving on a free transfer if an agreement could not be reached.

Messi’s father Jorge has been in Spain over the last few days for talks with Barcelona officials, according to Marca.

The two parties have now agreed on a new contract verbally, according to the reports.

They said that Messi’s new deal with include numerous clauses that will see his pay vary.

It has been speculated that Messi’s wages will rival or even surpass the huge salaries many stars are earning in the Chinese Super League and that he could become the world’s highest paid player with a salary approaching £800,000 per week.

The contract will be welcomed by new Barcelona coach Ernesto Valverde as he seeks to regain the La Liga crown from rivals Real Madrid next term.

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Costa: Conte has told me I can leave

The 28-year-old striker, who hit 26 goals in 46 games in all competitions for the Premier League champions last term, said that Conte sent him a text message telling him he is surplus to requirements at Stamford Bridge.

Speaking after Spain's 2-2 friendly draw with Colombia on Wednesday, Costa said: "I'm a Chelsea player, but they do not want me there. Antonio Conte has told me by message that I do not follow at Chelsea and that's it. Conte said he did not count on me for next season.


The striker has been consistently linked with a move away from Chelsea, despite being their leading scorer, with a rumoured move to the Chinese Super League in January casting his future into doubt and causing his form to dip in the second half of the season.

The Blues are also said to be interested in a bid for want-away Everton striker Romelu Lukaku.

"I had a simple little message on my mobile from Conte," Costa said.

"It will be because I've done badly this year. It's a shame. I've forwarded the message on to the people at the club for them to decide but it's clear that the coach isn't counting on me and he doesn't want me there.

"I'm on the market and so I'm looking for a team. If the coach doesn't want you, you have to leave."

Costa has also been linked with a move back to former club Atletico Madrid, but a return would be complicated by the La Liga club's transfer ban.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) recently rejected Atletico's appeal against a FIFA ban on registering new players, which means the Madrid club will be unable to field any new signings until next January.

"It would be nice to go back to Atletico but I have to think everything over," said Costa. "There's a World Cup [in 2018] and I need to play. Being four or five months without playing is tough, but people know that I love my Atletico teammates a lot, I love living in Madrid."

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