Chelsea plan to slash number of centre backs in Xabi Alonso's squad from NINE to five as part of Blues' summer fire sale

More from Sports

• Aston Villa open talks with ex-Bayern Munich star Leon Goretzka and Liverpool youngster books loan deal amid work permit woes: WINDOW WATCH

• Man United have got value for money this summer while rivals have splashed cash, insists Michael Carrick as they continue pursuit of Brighton's Carlos Baleba

• Ian Wright blasts Arsenal and Mikel Arteta over their treatment of Gabriel Martinelli - after star was excluded from squad for their win over Coventry

• Joe Root's second-coming as England Test captain starts with a bang at fortress Headingley - as dismal Pakistan made to pay by destructive hosts, writes LAWRENCE BOOTH

• Jack Draper ruled OUT of US Open as former British No 1 continues to tackle problematic bone bruising injury in his arm which forced him to miss Wimbledon

• Britain WILL make bid to host the World Cup in 2038 or 2042 as Andy Burnham eyes football tournament as chance to drive growth beyond London

• George Russell takes Dutch Grand Prix sprint race pole in Zandvoort - ahead of fellow Brit Lando Norris

• Tyson Fury says Anthony Joshua fight is set to be CALLED OFF because 'money-thirsty piece of s***' Eddie Hearn wants more cash - as he calls out 'drug-dealing idiot' AJ in explosive rant

• Arsenal wonderboy Max Dowman, 16, collects his GCSE results and leaves £30,000-per-year school for Premier League stardom

• Andoni Iraola names Liverpool's new vice-captain as Alisson - but WON'T allow him to wear the armband on the pitch to combat Premier League rule

• Argentina's World Cup stars LET-OFF without serious punishment for Falklands banner against England - as two of their players get banned for total of 17 matches over final fighting

• 'There were a lot of drugs': Sydney Swans stripper boss breaks her silence after dancer claimed she hung up during frantic 8am hotel lobby call then tried to smear her in WhatsApp group

• Two-time world champion boxer, 38, shot dead in deadly ambush outside his home with killers still at large

• How 'sharp' Phil Foden 'cleared his mind' for new season at Man City: Welsh funfairs, Formula One, fishing and extra sessions - and why insiders feel Pep Guardiola's exit may be more help than hindrance

• RIATH AL-SAMARRAI: Why the Saudis' swift and brutal termination of their LIV golf project coupled with the chaos and talent exodus at St James' Park should terrify Newcastle fans

• 'It will be difficult, but we must beat the odds... this club is our life': REGIS LE BRIS and GRANIT XHAKA welcome Daily Mail Sport into Sunderland's inner sanctum - and take us inside their plan to take Europe by storm

• The real Roberto De Zerbi: Sources reveal how 'ruthless' and 'innovative' Spurs boss operates, the coffee machine anecdote that sums him up, the stories that show his softer side and how he's reuniting Tottenham with the help of club legends

• Arsenal 3-0 Coventry: Premier League champions show their savage side as Christos Tzolis dazzles on dream debut, writes RIATH AL-SAMARRAI

• Roberto De Zerbi insists big-spending Tottenham are 'not finished yet' in transfer market and thanks board for 'keeping their word' on huge overhaul that could reach £400m

• Arsenal 3-0 Coventry PLAYER RATINGS: Which Gunners star left the opposition defence terrified? Who needs to add goals to their game? And who looks back to their best?