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STAR SPANGLED SACRIFICE FOR GABRIEL HEINZE

Manchester United showed the first signs of struggling under the debt from the Glazer takeover after star Argentine defender Gabriel Heinze moved on for £9.5M to Valencia. Although the deal represents a profit for United on the original transfer fee, many fans will feel hard done by that one of the club's best defenders has had to move on in such acrimonious circumstances. Valencia, who also recently signed Philipp Lahm from Bayern Munchen, are clearly looking to strengthen their defence after doubts were raised about their consistency and failure to move beyond the group stages in last season's Champions League.

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MESSI'S LOYALTY ILL-REPAID BY BARCA CHIEF

Leo Messi, who yesterday seemed destined to stay with Barcelona after he turned down a potential loan move to European Champions Chelsea, has seen his loyalty repaid by being relegated to the B team by Frank Rikjaard. The Spanish club, who finished a disappointing 3rd last season, already have Ronaldinho, Sam Eto'o, Maxi Lopez and Henrik Larsson on their books. Messi, once hailed as the prodigal star of Argentine football, failed to score in his ten games for the A side last season and soon fell by the wayside. He voiced his determination to stay with the club after rejecting a reported bid of £4M from Internazionale, but now he seems destined to move away from the club with Chelsea the obvious beneficiaries. The English club, who failed last night with their fourth, and likely final, bid for Vincent Kompany, have been looking for a fourth striker to accompany Hernan Crespo, Carlton Cole and Didi Drogba, the latter two of whom scored today in Chelsea's 6-0 demolition of MK Dons along with Frank Lampard's 30 yard curler.

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GREEN TAKES THE SHINE FROM CHELSEA'S LOAN STAR

Leo Messi agreed a £500k loan move to Chelsea only moments before being whisked away to play a pre-season match in Norwich. The possibilities of a fairytale start to his career, though, were hampered by an outstanding performance by Norwich keeper Robert Green, who withstood immense pressure to keep the scores at 1-1, with youngster Ryan Jarvis, also excellent, striking a well placed shot past Petr Cech in the first minute and Lampard heading level on the verge of half time. Messi arrived on 73 minutes to fill out an attacking 4-3-3 formation, but couldn't provide the breakthrough, despite putting in a good cross from which Carlton Cole headed over.

At his first press conference held shortly after the match, Messi was honest about his initial hope of staying with Barcelona.
"Barca are a fantastic club" he said, through a translator called Alan, "And I grew up there, I wanted to help them win many trophies. But the manager made clear that I would not be part of his plans. When I rejected Chelsea first time, it was not disrespect, it was loyalty to my employers. But since they did not want me, I hope I can now be loyal to Chelsea and help them to retain the Champions League." Manager Shanyi first answered questions about the friendly and the disappointing performance before moving onto the potential difficulties Messi faces in establishing himself at Chelsea.

"Today we played badly" he explained, "Our passing was unoriginal and we made many mistakes, especially in the concession of the first goal. But Robert Green played an outstanding match and if it were not for him, maybe we could have won. I think this performance is down to the fact that many players are having to adapt to having lost many of their colleagues over the summer, and also a lack of match fitness. Part of the Messi deal was that we play Barca in our final friendly of pre-season on Sunday at Stamford Bridge, hopefully we will be able to play more controlled and precise football." Moving onto Messi's introduction, he said "This boy has a lot of talent which I know he can put to good use for the club. He had a bad season last year with Barca but is ready to prove he is still the player many expect him to be when he steps out onto the field. I think he will be an excellent international one day." When asked how Messi will fit into the well stocked Chelsea team, Shanyi was also very open in front of his new signing.

"When I signed Leo, he knew he would be my fourth choice, like Gudjohnsen last season who still played over twenty games. Carlton Cole will be my third choice- he is older, more experienced and proved himself last season with eight goals. He is a Chelsea lad and he understands the need for competition. Leo is just 18, very young, and he will get his chance. From there, it is up to him." When asked about the number of young players that Chelsea have brought through the ranks, Shanyi smiled wryly and said "My interview with Chelsea magazine covers this point in detail. It will be published soon after the Barca game."

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BLUE TODAY: A CHELSEA MAGAZINE EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH MANAGER SHANYI

It's been...erm... a year since Chelsea last won the Premiership. But adding the Carling Cup, FA Cup and Champions League into that equation and you get one of the most monumental achievements in modern day football. Well, that and Sam Allardyce making Kevin Davies back into a footballer. The man who made it all happen... no, not Frank Lampard, the manager Shanyi, grants us an exclusive interview about what has been and what will be. If that makes any sense at all (Fired! -Ed)

In a single season, you've established yourself as Chelsea's most successful manager ever. What's next?

If that's true, I have to extend my lead. This season, we will also be playing in the Super Cup, for example, so my players and I have the chance to outdo last season's efforts. Retention of cups and trophies is, in many ways, more important than the first win- it differentiates the great sides from the lucky ones.

You've been noted for your policy of bringing through a lot of young players rather than spending Tsar Roman's cash as lavishly as your gorgeous predecessor. Why is that?

I think there is a lot of talent waiting to be developed out there. Young players can often have the drive and determination which can be missing from simply hiring big name mercenaries, and can often yield surprisingly effective results. It is also important for the club and for the game that young players are not pushed away by the demand for big names. Many fans understand that it is just as wonderful seeing a dedicated young man putting his all into his game and emerging as a terrific talent, as it is to herald the latest big name.

Lenny Pidgeley, Steven Watt, Jonas Elmer, Joe Keenan, Anthony Grant, Scott Sinclair and Carlton Cole all featured in a surprising number of Chelsea games last season.

I believe in giving people their chance, but remember I also signed a lot of talented youngsters like Kerlon, John Obi and Freddy Guarin who played often. As much as I value our academy, I think it would be foolish not to look outside and to suffer from tunnel vision. The arrival of these players gives our youngsters a higher standard they need to reach, some of them do and some of them don't.

Lots of players have been released or sold under your tenure.

Every player at Chelsea, at the moment, I believe could feasibly play for the club in the future. It would be unfair to keep these players here when they could be advancing themselves elsewhere. There are some hiccupps, like Vanden Borre who could not settle, and some who may take the chance I give them but use it in the wrong way, and become arrogant. Everyone has a role at this club, they must accept it and fight to improve themselves to move up in the pecking order.

Any examples of who the aforementioned 'arrogant' player might be?

You will possibly in a few weeks, maybe sooner. I had high hopes for him, but he wanted to move too fast and felt he had more importance than he was worth. It was very unfortunate, but maybe he will understand soon and he will still have a future with this club. His position was foolish because he should look at the behaviour of the other players I have given similar chances to. Anthony Grant played just a few games but has been fantastic in each of them. When I do not play him, he does not complain. He waits for his next chance and knows that I have taken note and appreciated the work he has done. Scott Sinclair played once, scored, and has not played since. But he knows I remember him, and his chance will come.

Yet you chose to sign Ledley King and Leo Messi rather than bring up young players- are you really prepared to put the youngsters into your team rather than just limit them to Cup appearances?

You say that, but when Carlo [Cudicini] left, I called up Lenny. When Geremi left, I did not turn to Jiri Jarosik, I called for Joe Keenan, who was magnificent last season. Some players take their chances but are not ready for consistent football. When that is the case, or if they are ready but not quite up to the standard I need, then I will buy someone.

So is Lenny Pidgeley going to be your second choice keeper this season then?

We will see how he performs. He has a lot of potential and I have confidence in him.

You hardly ever changed your tactical shape last season, yet the players moved around within that shape quite a bit.

It's simply about getting the most out of every player- when I started, I knew where I wanted to play each of them and I knew they could play in that position. But sometimes you have to change small details so the player can go from performing well on a consistent basis to performing brilliantly. Frank Lampard had a good start, but he was further to the right than he was possibly comfortable with. I moved him central, with Maka and Essien or Joe [Cole] just behind him and he played better but sometimes was too far forward, so I pulled him back and had an attacking trio of Duff, Robben and he just behind Didi or Hernan, where they could play triangles. At the end of the season, his assist and goal tallies were outstanding and the rest of the players were also performing superbly. With the new players like Ledley, Leo and Joe and Robert [Hoooth], who will be pushing for more regular inclusion, I think I will have to make some more changes when the time comes.

How about the rumours that you wear women's underwear?

That's absurd and slanderous. I'm not even wearing trousers, let alone underpants.

At this point, Chelsea magazine decides it may be best to back off...

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BIG MOVES IN EUROPE- TRANSFER MARKET LATEST

Tomas Rosicky secured a £14.5M move from Dortmund to Milan, which will be of great assistance in assuring the German club's future. The Czech midfielder will have a tough time competing with some of Europe's best at the San Siro, where Seedorf, Gattuso and Pirlo will be just a few of the names after his place. In Spain, Carlos Tevez was relieved to move out of Brazil, where he had been threatened by fans of rival clubs, to Real Madrid in an £8.5M move. Tevez, like Rosicky, will be up against top class players competing for his space- despite the departure of Michael Owen, Real still boast Raul, Ronaldo, Julio Baptista and Robinho in their front line. Madrid didn't get it all their own way, though, as Chelsea turned down a £25M bid for winger Damien Duff, who was one of the lynchpins in manager Shanyi's phenomenal first season. Real also sold flop Scottish defender Zander Diamond for a small profit with a fee of £1.2M to Real Sociedad. In England, Neil Mellor and James McEveley secured loan moves from Liverpool and Blackburn to Watford and Swindon respectively.

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CHELSEA WIN COMFORTABLY DESPITE CONTROVERSIAL BARCA GOAL

Chelsea 3-1 Barcelona

Xavi scored one of the strangest goals in football history today, striking home from fifty yards as Chelsea keeper Petr Cech was being substituted for Lenny Pidgeley and the net was unprotected. In spite of furious protestations from the Chelsea players, the goal stood and the game was equalised. The referee simply said "No no, ees no good. Es muy bueno!" Shanyi said afterwards he would be taking the issue up with the FA. Chelsea scored first with a low shot from Damien Duff after good work by Essien, before Xavi's strange equaliser. In the second half, Crespo hooked home to put a determined Blues side back in front before Lampard secured the win in their last pre-season game, with a near post header from Wright-Phillips' cross.

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AGUIRRE LAUGHS OFF CHELSEA CHALLENGE

Arsenal manager Javier Aguirre has laughed off press reports that Chelsea are once again set to barnstorm the footballing world in the upcoming season. Arsenal, who will play Chelsea in the upcoming Community Shield, have a dreadful record against Chelsea since Shanyi took over, scoring just the once at the home game last season and conceding at least three goals in each of the two sides' four encounters.

Aguirre, who took Arsenal on a long unbeaten run which many believe would have comfortably secured the Premiership for the Gunners had the Blues not hit their phenomenal run, said that records represent merely a state of mind and he hoped to record his first victory against Shanyi on Sunday.
"No, our record is not a worry" he said, "These things are all in the mind. Like Chelsea, who could not beat us until they won the Premiership for the first time with Mourinho, then they had confidence. My squad has a lot of talent and I think we can be more than a match for them if we play at our best." When asked about Shanyi's achievements with Chelsea, Aguirre was abrupt.

"It was, as you say, a great achievement for any football club" he mused, "But it will not happen again, simple. They have lost many players over the close season, good players- Carvalho, a top defender, Geremi, Gudjohnsen, a great attacking player. It will not be so easy this time, especially since the manager has chosen to use young players instead of buying- they will get tired. Here, Shanyi shows his first signs of inexperience, perhaps."

Shanyi's response was diplomatic as ever. "I think this game will be very entertaining for the fans. Chelsea and Arsenal games have always been fun, especially last year." A small smile was detected. When asked about his youth team policy, Shanyi shrugged off allegations that his squad was too inexperienced. "Many of the players I brought up have played in our last, fantastic season against good opposition. Some are internationals- they have proven themselves. If managers do not sometimes take a chance on their young players, football will disappear in five years. We can see the importance, when Mr. Wenger [emphasized] brought up Francesc Fabregas and Ashley Cole. They are now World Class players, and I'm sure Mr. Aguirre would have no complaints about them."

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COMMUNITY SHIELD

AGUIRRE FAILS TO FIND SOLUTION TO BLUES

Arsenal 0-3 Chelsea

Despite his ferverent denials of a mental block when it comes to defeating Premiership champions Chelsea, Arsenal manager Javier Aguirre is going back to the drawing board after yet another humiliating result at the hands of Shanyi's men.
Fans argue that Aguirre's dalliances with the transfer market have yielded none of the spectacular results that defined the Wenger era, with players (mostly German) such as Hildebrand, Deisler and Kuranyi all highly disappointing in their first season at Highbury. Although Aguirre achieved a fine run of form in the Premiership last season, overshadowed somewhat by Shanyi's bulldozer side, fans are already calling for the return of Arsene Wenger, who left to manage the French National Team.

What will be most disappointing for Aguirre is that despite Chelsea's dominance, many players in their XI will rarely feature this season. Although the likes of Johnson, Huth and Keenan have been talked up by their manager, the reality is that the likelihood of their featuring in only ten Premiership games is miniscule. Arsenal's midfield, on the other hand, was well stocked, with Fabregas, Pires, Gilberto, Ljungberg and Hleb all starting. The ever increasing age issue for Pires and, to a lesser extent, Ljungberg, looks as though it could yield a shadow over the upcoming season for the Gunners unless they invest fast. David Bentley, who featured for six minutes, is unlikely to provide an adequate solution. Matthieu Flamini, a very reliable midfielder, may be the solution Arsenal need but Aguirre's distrust of the young Frenchman is quite evident. Certainly, the differing games of Fabregas, Gilberto and Hleb seem to be clashing rather than moulding- once again, cries of "Vieira" could be heard on the terraces.

The two defensive signings on the field shared different fates. Arsenal's Simunic, a low key purchase from Hertha BSC, had a difficult game against the movement of Crespo and the speed of Wright-Phillips. His partner, Sol Campbell, also spent much of the afternoon in a state of bovine-esque general buffuddlement. Chelsea's Ledley King, who in contrast was this summer's biggest signing at £15M, had a comfortable afternoon and dealt with Thierry Henry without breaking much of a sweat. The former Tottenham man (two former Tottenham captains on show today) towered over the Frenchman and provided little leeway in the tackle. His only mistake was playing alongside John Terry, whose energy and dedication propelled Chelsea as at the end of last season, overshadowing all others in his defensive line.

That Chelsea scored all three of their goals in a mad ten minute period in the first half will come as little consolation to Arsenal- even when Lampard and Cech left the field and Chelsea sat back, they mustered up little in the way of threat. The first goal came from, who else, Frank Lampard, a stinging shot which seemed set to be going wide but the keeper somehow deflected it into his own net. If Hildebrand looked humiliated then, he didn't know where to look as Hernan Crespo charged onto Arjen Robben's devastating through ball to casually slot home the second four minutes later. When Lampard set up Crespo again two minutes later, Hildebrand was well placed but the wily Argentine played a low ball across the back line to the near unmarked Shaun Wright-Phillips, who notched up the third, his second in all his Chelsea games against his father's former club.

Lenny Pidgeley arrived for the second half to rapturous applause. The young goalkeeper's frustration at being held back by Carlo Cudicini and Petr Cech's talent finally satisfied, despite his not having much to do. Robert Huth seems to be a natural holding midfielder, his height giving great leverage for Chelsea's trademark midfield dominance while his occasional lapses of concentration, deadly in defence, can be cleaned up by Terry or King. Arsenal only threatened from free kicks, Henry and Eboue trying their luck but, like Arsenal, always finding themselves just off the mark.

ARSENAL (4-4-1-1): T Hildebrand- E Eboue (P Senderos), S Campbell, J Simunic, G Clichy (P Cygan)- F Ljungberg, Gilberto, F Fabregas (K Kuranyi), R Pires (D Bentley)- A Hleb (R van Persie)- T Henry.

CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): P Cech (L Pidgeley)- G Johnson, J Terry, L King, W Bridge- R Huth, F Lampard (J Cole), J Keenan (M Essien)- S Wright-Phillips, A Robben (D Duff)- H Crespo (C Cole).

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MADRID CONTINUE EUROPEAN SPENDING SPREE

Real Madrid's signing of Bayern's Brazilian centre-back defender Lucio became the summer's biggest transfer deal at £18.5M. Madrid have now spent slightly in excess of £30M on new players, including Brazilian full-back Cicinho, the 'new Roberto Carlos' at £3M, and Argentine striker Carlos Teves for £8.5M from Brazilian club Corinthians. De La Cuesta was Madrid's least remarkable signing, coming in at an initial £400k.

However, Madrid are far from being the only club to make a splash in the market this summer. Emiliano Bonazzoli's arrival at Inter is their only signing this summer, but weighs in at a hefty £15M. Celtic, rarely big players in the transfer market, have pushed the boat out to sign Tomas Hubschmann from Shakhtar Donetsk at just under £5M. Bayern Munich have splashed just £14M, but Peter Luccin, Hatem Trabelsi and D'Alessandro have cost over £13M total, while their five other signings, Reto Ziegler from Tottenham among them, have arrived on a free or at low cost. AC Milan have signed only Tomas Rosicky at expense, but that expense measured over £12M. What is surprising is that traditional big spenders Barcelona have only tossed away casual change of £85k on youth players, and have received just £500k in sales. English clubs have spent relatively little over the summer, Chelsea as usual the most extravagent, having put up £15.5M but also having received £12.5M for the sale of Ricardo Carvalho to Deportivo alone (and having been at the centre of various other big money deals including a £7M move to Sevilla for Eidur Gudjohnsen). The biggest deal to be completed by a Premiership club so far this month has been Martin Pieckenhagen's move from HSV to Fulham for £625k.

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ENGLISH PREMIERSHIP

HENRY GUNS DOWN TOON ARMY
Arsenal 4-1 Newcastle

Despite their losing the Community Shield, Arsenal sent out a stark warning to rivals Chelsea that the Premiership won't be going all their own way this season. In one minute, Robert Pires had struck the Gunners ahead with a curling drive. Newcastle edged rather than pushed forward, and Thierry Henry rifled home the Gunners' second after half-an-hour. Owen bundled the ball home after a defensive mix-up, but Henry soon put Arsenal back in control with two further goals to complete his hat-trick before the half. Lee Bowyer was sent off in the final minute for two bookable offences to compound Newcastle's woes.

ARSENAL (4-4-1-1): T Hildebrand, E Eboue, J Simunic (Senderos), S Campbell, G Clichy; F Ljungberg, F Fabregas (Flamini), Gilberto, R Pires (R van Persie); A Hleb; T Henry.

NEWCASTLE (3-5-2): S Given; A O'Brien, S Taylor, T Bramble; K Dyer (N Solano), Maniche (S Parker), A Faye, L Bowyer (s/o), A Luque; M Owen, S Ameobi (S Carr).

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TOTTENHAM'S NEW DAWN ECLIPSED BY BRUM
Birmingham 4-0 Tottenham

This season, like the last and the one prior to that, was supposed to herald the re-emergance of Tottenham Hotspur as a major footballing force. In ten minutes, Steve Bruce's flamboyant Birmingham side were making the London club look like a Sunday League farce. Walter Pandiani has had his critics, but his enthusiastic volley to open the scoring on four minutes will draw few complaints. The Brum crowd cheered louder as Clemence capitalised on a mistake by Gardner to double the advantage, while the away supporters could only watch in despair. Julian Gray paraded his skills to waltz through Tottenham's back three (clearly missing the authority of Ledley King) and strike number three, before former Chelsea striker Mika Forssell was composed to slide home the fourth on the breakaway after twenty minutes. A spate of injuries restricted Birmingham from adding to their tally, though Kuqi's powerful strike curved inches around Robinson's far post late on, but for Spurs failed to muster any sort of reply- which for the fans, may have been the most telling fact of all. Back to the drawing board, then.

BIRMINGHAM (4-4-2): M Taylor; M Melchiot, O Tebily, M Upson, J Clapham; J Pennant, M Izzet, J Gray, S Clememce; M Forssell (E Cairo), W Pandiani (N Kuqi).

TOTTENHAM (3-4-1-2): P Robinson; A Gardner, M Dawson, C Davenport (S Kelly); W Routledge (El Hamdaoui), J Jenas, E Davids, M Esposito; M Carrick (S Davis), R Keane, J Defoe.

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NEWCOMERS STOKED BY CHAMPIONS
Stoke City 0-3 Chelsea

Although hardly the 15-0 rout some internet punters had predicted, Chelsea certainly gave lowly Premiership newcomers Stoke a harsh reality check with a comfortable win. Damien Duff soared as ever down the left wing and, after being picked out by Robben, made little mistake with his trademark near post finish. When Joe Cole rifled a powerful shot off Marcus Hall's head and past the floundering Simon Royce for the second on the quarter hour, many thought the floodgates would open. Instead, Chelsea played calm and conservative football across the midfield, knowing that harsher tests are yet to come, after a remarkable period of passing, Lampard casually split open the Stoke defence with the precision of a surgeon and Drogba showed why Shanyi keeps him in his side, volley a powerful shot over a defender and the keeper into the far corner. Several Stoke fans found the half a good time to leave, having discovered that the Premiership might not crack up to be the fairytale they had hoped. If they had stayed for the second half, they would have seen Stoke impress a much more positive attitude on the game, even testing Cech with Marcus Stewart's strike. But unfortunately, the damage had been done and as Halls, Hall (who formed a curiously named, if thoroughly ineffective, central defensive pairing), Chadwick and the infamous Akinbiyi trudged down the tunnel at full time after dour performances, they will know that the dream is well and truly over.

STOKE (4-4-2): S Royce; T McMahon, J Halls (M Swift), M Hall, A Dawson; L Chadwick, J Eustace, T Gudjonsson, L Neal (inj, D Russell); A Akinbiyi, M Stewart (D Everitt).

CHELSEA (4-3-2-1): P Cech; P Ferreira, J Terry, W Gallas (L King), A Del Horno; F Lampard, C Makelele, J Cole (M Essien); A Robben, D Duff; D Drogba (H Crespo).

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OTHER RESULTS

Middlesbrough 1-1 Liverpooll
Everton 2-2 Blackburn
Fulham 3-1 Charlton
West Ham 1-0 Aston Villa