Dominic Solanke was the star man of England’s U20 World Cup triumph earlier this summer, scoring four goals en route to being named the best player at the tournament.

Prior to the competition it was announced the English forward was leaving Chelsea upon the expiration of his contract to join Premier League rivals Liverpool.

The 19-year old had been frozen out of Antonio Conte’s plans after rejecting a contract extension, citing the lack of an opportunity to break into the first team as his main reason for leaving. The same player that just won the U20 World Cup’s Golden Ball, previously won by world class players like Sergio Aguero, Paul Pogba and Lionel Messi, was forced out because he couldn’t break into the Chelsea team, and it’s a move that will likely do wonders for his career.

And more Chelsea youngsters should follow his shining example.

No academy player has become a consistent starter at Stamford Bridge since 1998 debutant John Terry, whose contract expired this summer after a glorious Chelsea career. And it’s often not the player’s fault, but Chelsea’s.

Bertrand Traore signed for Lyon on 27 June after spending last season on loan at Europa League runners-up Ajax. The Burkina Faso international made 16 appearances and scored four times in Chelsea’s poor 2015-16 season, but the 21-year-old forward was one of the few positives from the campaign. He looked like a real Premier League player and was poised to be Diego Costa’s main backup last season until Chelsea spent £33m on 23-year old Michy Batshuayi.

Speaking of why he made the move to France, Traore said that everyone saw what he had done two seasons ago and the good pre-season he had last summer, but that a starting role for Chelsea was never going to come no matter what he did. And that speaks volumes.

Top Premier League clubs constantly speak of wanting to integrate youth players into the first team, but they often do the opposite and spend big money on foreign players, making the gap between academy and first-team even wider.

Nathaniel Chalobah surprised fans by making it into Antonio Conte’s first team this season and made 15 appearances. But despite Nemanja Matic potentially leaving, Monaco’s Timemoue Bakayoko is expected to complete a move to Stamford Bridge, giving Chalobah no chance at any more playing time this season.

At 22, Chalobah needs to leave for his own sake. The same can be said for 21-year old Brazilian Kenedy, blocked by Marcos Alonso and potentially Alex Sandro, for 22-year-old Nathan Aké, blocked by Conte’s lack of rotation and the potential purchase of Virgil Van Dijk, and 21-year old Ruben Loftus-Cheek, the postition-less 21-year-old who is blocked across the board.

And that’s just the most notable examples.

The Chelsea youth sides have won the FA Youth Cup four seasons in a row, so there is obvious talent. The London club knows how to develop talent, surely, but not integrate it, and that is a disservice to the youth players who deserve so much more. And that is why more need to leave Chelsea, permanently, once they believe they are ready for first-team football.

A youth player becoming a mainstay in the Chelsea first-team is a lie that rears its head every season. Should Dominic Solanke thrive under Jurgen Klopp, who is known to trust young players, then an exodus of Chelsea youth players could begin. Young players need to play and they need some form of stability.

A permanent move, as opposed to a series of loans, is what every young Blues star should be angling for. And they shouldn’t feel bad for not giving themselves a chance to make it at Chelsea, because the club sure isn’t giving them the chance.

Manchester United forward Romelu Lukaku has vowed to hit the goal trail for his new club after opening his account against MLS outfit Real Salt Lake on Monday night.

Lukaku joined Man United in a £75m deal from Everton in this summer’s transfer window, and immediately linked up with his new teammates on their pre-season tour of the United States after completing a medical in Los Angeles.

The 24-year-old drew a blank on his debut against Los Angeles Galaxy at the weekend, but the Belgian international fired home his team’s second in their 2-1 win over Real Salt Lake last time out.

Lukaku is under no illusions as to his role this season, however, as the powerful forward promises to ‘be the focal point of the team’ when the new season gets underway next month.

Lukaku told MUTV:

“I’m here to score goals and be the focal point of the team. At Manchester United, we play to win and that’s the mentality when I get on the pitch and everything comes with it.

“From the first day, when we had the meeting with the manager in Los Angeles, you just felt that something special was happening. But it’s down to us now; we need to work hard every day and deliver in the pre-season games to be ready for the new season.”

Man United will continue their USA tour with a clash against rivals Manchester City on Thursday night, before facing La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona in quick succession.

The Red Devils will then return to Europe to take on Valerenga and Sampdoria respectively, before facing Champions League holders Real Madrid in the European Super Cup on August 8.

The new Premier League campaign will then get underway on the weekend of August 12, with Manchester United hosting London side West Ham United on the Sunday.

According to reports in The Sun, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Moussa Sissoko is a target for Premier League rivals West Bromwich Albion following a tough first season in north London.

What’s the word, then?

Well, Spurs signed the France international for £30m from Newcastle United last summer but he struggled to impress Mauricio Pochettino or the supporters last season, and The Sun says he could now be shipped out for £20m.

Baggies boss Tony Pulis is keen on the 27-year-old as he looks to bolster his midfield following the departure of Darren Fletcher to Stoke City earlier this summer, according to The Sun, and he believes Sissoko could restart his Premier League career at the Hawthorns with regular playing time in the middle of the park or on the right-hand side.

How bad was Sissoko last season?

He struggled big time.

The 27-year-old would have hoped to have been a first team regular following the big-money move from the Magpies but it didn’t prove to be the case as he often failed to break past the likes of Christian Eriksen, Dele Alli and Son Heung-Min in the Tottenham team.

Even though he made 34 appearances in all competitions – failing to get on the scoresheet and providing three assists – the majority of those outings came from the substitutes’ bench and he played just 901 minutes of Premier League football across 25 appearances.

The Frenchman certainly didn’t have the trust of his manager and even when he did start he only completed the full 90 minutes on one occasion in the top flight – against Sunderland in September.

Would he be a big loss for Spurs?

He certainly wouldn’t be, no.

Sometimes signings just don’t work out or aren’t a good fit and this seems to be another example.

Despite the fact that Son and Erik Lamela are set to miss the start of the upcoming season as they recover from arm and hip surgery respectively, Pochettino would probably rather sell Sissoko £20m and put the money towards buying a top quality replacement.

What’s the verdict, then?

Well, Spurs seem happy to get rid of Sissoko and if they can get £20m for him, they would probably take it after such a disappointing first season with the north London club.

Newcastle United fans have given mixed reactions to the news that Jamaal Lascelles has retained the captain’s armband for the 2017-18 season.

The defender was first given the captaincy last summer after the Magpies dropped into the Championship.

The 23-year-old was part of a league-winning side that earned promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking.

During that campaign, Lascelles started 41 Championship matches and came off the bench in a further two.

The defender also contributed with three goals, but he received some criticism from fans during the season.

For half of the campaign, though, he played through an injury and did not undergo a required hernia operation until promotion to the top flight was secured.

Newcastle have a big task on their hands if they want to keep their place in the division, and manager Rafael Benitez thinks that Lascelles is the right man to lead the way.

Some fans agree with the Spanish coach, but others are not so sure.

Many feared for Everton’s start to the season when the Premier League’s fixture list was announced earlier this summer, Ronald Koeman’s side facing five of last season’s top six before the end of October – including a run of four in the space of just four games.

But the Toffees went a long way to defying expectations last night, coming away from the Etihad Stadium with a valuable point in a dramatic and unpredictable encounter with Manchester City.

The visitors took an unexpected lead through Wayne Rooney following some good work from Dominic Calvert-Lewin, and their bid to cause an upset was further aided by Kyle Walker controversially receiving a second yellow card for what replays showed to be a rather timid challenge.

Everton couldn’t quite hold out as Raheem Sterling nabbed a late equaliser after coming on from the bench, but it was nonetheless an incredibly impressive and resilient display considering City will be expected to challenge for the title this season.

So, Toffees fans, who was the Man of the Match from last night’s encounter? Supplier Calvert-Lewin, scorer Rooney, goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, defender Phil Jagielka or midfielder Idrissa Gueye – the latter three playing a key role in keeping things solid at back.

Let us know by voting below…

Newcastle United supporters have tipped Spanish forward Joselu to hit the goal trail for the club after opening his Magpies account against West Ham United before the international break.

Joselu capped his first Newcastle start with a goal as Rafael Benitez’s side recorded a 3-2 victory over West Ham on August 26.

Many were unsure of whether the 27-year-old could contribute to Newcastle after a fairly disappointing spell at Stoke City, but the forward was bright on his debut last time out.

Dwight Gayle struggled to lead the line for Newcastle in the opening two matches, but Joselu’s size and strength makes him the ideal player to operate in that area of the field.

Newcastle will look to make it back-to-back Premier League wins when they travel to Swansea City this weekend, and the club’s supporters are backing Joselu to continue his impressive start at the Liberty Stadium.

It would be fair to say that Newcastle’s business in the summer transfer market left a lot to be desired, but Joselu could well turn out to be a very smart signing for the Magpies.

According to reports in The Times, Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Dele Alli is wanted by two of the most powerful agents in world football as he looks for a new adviser to see over the next steps in his promising career.

What’s the word, then?

Well, The Times says that the England international split with long-term agent Rob Segal – who he had been with since he was 15 years old – last month, with the world’s leading sports management companies now scrambling for his signature.

The Times says that Jorge Mendes, whose client list includes Jose Mourinho, Cristiano Ronaldo and Bernardo Silva, and Mino Raiola, who has the likes of Manchester United trio Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Romelu Lukaku on his books, are both said to be interested despite previously not being interested in recruiting English players.

The report adds that considering both agents have good links with Real Madrid and Barcelona, if Alli does sign up with either it could suggest that he is aiming to join one of the La Liga giants in the future.

Why does everyone want to sign Alli up?

The 21-year-old is a regular for England and has established himself as one of the best players in the Premier League during his time with Tottenham, helping them challenge for the Premier League title in the last two seasons.

Ahead of Saturday’s clash against Swansea City at Wembley, the former MK Dons man has scored 30 goals in 74 English top flight appearances – including 18 in 37 last term – and he has scored some brilliant goals.

The tall attacking midfielder certainly has huge potential and the technical abilities to go on and play for one of the best clubs in the world – something which has obviously been recognised by Mendes and Raiola.

Would it be bad news for Tottenham?

It certainly could be.

While The Times says that Spurs will likely offer Alli a new deal this season even though he has five years left on his current contract, their wage cap and Alli’s potential desire to play for Real Madrid or Barcelona could mean they struggle to keep hold of him – as when Gareth Bale made the move to the Bernabeu previously.

Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy may certainly have a lot to think about in the next 12 months in that regard.

West Ham United picked up an absolutely vital three points on Saturday at home to Swansea City, snatching victory right at the death through a Diafra Sakho strike.

The winner broke through a tension at the London Stadium, with the home supporters largely unhappy with the performance of Slaven Bilic’s side.

Against a disciplined and resolute Swansea defence, the Hammers struggled and fans were resigned to a point before Sakho got on the end of Arthur Masauku’s cross.

Both players had been substituted on just 12 minutes prior, with supporters not happy to see Javier Hernandez exit the field and Andy Carroll stay on.

Fans are hoping to see Bilic invest time into Hernandez after his big summer move but the manager has thus far preferred the qualities Carroll brings to the Irons starting eleven. Some are now calling for the English striker to be benched and used as an impact sub rather than start matches.

Supporters took to Twitter to share their thoughts on his performance on Saturday…

As reported by The Northern Echo, Newcastle United face a battle if they’re to land one of their top striking targets this January.

What’s the story?

Despite not recruiting heavily in the summer transfer window, the Magpies have competed well in the English Premier League this season. After a poor start they’ve rallied to pick up some impressive results, most recently a draw at home to top-four contenders Liverpool.

Still, they could do with a personnel boost in January and it seems Rafa Benitez has set his sights on one man in particular.

The Northern Echo report that Newcastle are showing heavy interest in signing Besiktas striker Cenk Tosun, having scouted him as recently as the latest international break when he was in action for Turkey.

The paper say that they’ve been tracking the striker for 12 months now.

Despite that, they face strong competition from the likes of Tottenham Hotspur and Crystal Palace if they want to do a deal in January, who both also scouted the striker recently, according to the report.

Is he the man that can become their striking talisman?

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Good enough?

Tosun had an excellent season last term, netting 24 goals in all competitions for the Turkish side, including four in UEFA Competition.

This season he’s started in similar good form, scoring five times already, one of which came in the group stages of the Champions League in a shock win away to Portuguese side Porto. He also scored twice for Turkey in a recent World Cup Qualifier.

That demonstrates he has the ability to be a success in the Premier League, especially for a team who are crying out for freshness in attack.

Reported by The Echo to be valued at £16m, he wouldn’t come cheap but with the market more expensive than ever, that could prove to be a bargain for a player who has shown he can perform at the highest level.

Everton right-back Seamus Coleman has been a large part of the Republic of Ireland’s World Cup qualification campaign, but he will be unable to help the nation in this evening’s crucial clash.

The 28-year-old remains on the sidelines with a broken leg, which he suffered against Wales in March.

Neil Taylor was the man to fracture his opponent’s leg in two places during a challenge in Dublin, and the Aston Villa left-back is expected to be in the squad when Wales welcome the Republic of Ireland to Cardiff.

This evening’s game is huge as both teams need to win in order to have a chance of reaching the finals in Russia next year.

Ireland boss Martin O’Neill has played down suggestions that his team will be out for revenge when they line up against Chris Coleman’s men tonight, but he Coleman will not be far from the players’ minds.

The Telegraph quotes the ex-Villa boss as saying:

“I don’t know about talk of revenge, but certainly, the view among the players, is that if Russia is available to us, then he would very much be in the forefront of our thoughts. He has been a class player, a world class player and he has been essential for us.”