They are not striking similarities as much as superficial ones. Chelsea's Alvaro Morata and Arsenal's Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang are forwards who signed last season for club-record fees in the same bracket, £58 million and £56m. Neither, despite his fee and pedigree, is guaranteed to be leading the line in a few weeks' time. And there, arguably, the common denominators end.

Elsewhere, they represent opposites. Aubameyang was the short-term recruit, the statement signing meant to prove Arsenal's...

At the beginning of last season, we looked at the 15 potentially most important players for Chelsea in their ultimately disappointing 2017-18 title defence.

With a brand new campaign under way and the summer transfer window shut, some have departed or slipped, while others have grown in importance. Here's new head coach Maurizio Sarri's revised list of crucial performers.

This list is not extensive and has been ranked according to varying factors. Some players still with a part to play, like Mateo...

The appointment of a new manager always creates some winners and losers. Maurizio Sarri's arrival has spelt good news for David Luiz and Willian, both set for a promising future at Chelsea having both been bound for the exit after falling out with Antonio Conte. But while both Brazilians look suited to Sarri's football philosophy, Cesc Fabregas' future looks decidedly precarious.

It would be interesting to know Fabregas' inner thoughts at Sarri's appointment. The emphasis on technical, possession-based...

A year ago, ESPN FC's correspondents each selected their club's 15 most important players and just 12 months on, there's been a huge amount of changes.

Mohamed Salah's rise has made him Liverpool's main man while it's a new era at Arsenal with Unai Emery looking to Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang to score the goals in his first season at the club. 

Kevin De Bruyne's influence has grown even further at Manchester City and it's all change at Chelsea too, with Jorginho set to be integral to how Maurizio...

The English transfer window is closed, but the rest of Europe is still open for business, and Transfer Talk has the latest rumours making the rounds. Follow along with our daily blog throughout the summer.

When does the transfer window close in the top European leagues?

All completed moves: Prem | Champ | La Liga | Serie A | Bundesliga | Ligue 1

Real prepare world record Hazard move

Real Madrid's interest in Eden Hazard has not dimmed even though the Premier League transfer window has closed.

Despite...

Maurizio Sarri's reign as Chelsea manager got off to the best possible start with an eye-catching 3-0 win away at Huddersfield. After a choppy opening half hour, N'Golo Kante made the breakthrough and, from that point on, there was only going to be one outcome. Jorginho doubled the visitors' advantage from the penalty spot on the stroke of half-time and Pedro wrapped up the points with a smartly-taken goal following a dazzling run by substitute Eden Hazard.

Positives

An away win, featuring three...