Quick 🧵 on Enzo Maresca from my observations watching Leicester this season.

Preferred formation: 4-3-3. But it's more a 3-2-4-1 (or 3-2-5) in possession.

Utilises inverted full-backs and encourages No.8s to attack.🦊 Patient and possession-based build up. Leicester had a 61.61% average last season. Only Southampton (65%) had more of the ball.

Bit more info on Sheikh Jassim's withdrawal from the #MUFC process. Understand this had been coming for some time, but it follows additional and advanced new negotiations. Jassim bid almost $6.5bn for the club plus pledged investment, which increased from $1bn to over $1.7bn. Those familiar with talks stress Jassim's final offer was essentially double the $3.2bn market valuation of the club.

Understand the #MUFC sale process has not been paused, even though it's true that both Sheikh Jassim and Sir Jim Ratcliffe feel somewhat in limbo. There is frustration at the lack of communication but neither group plan to pull out or have been told they are unsuccessful to date. Ratcliffe has publicly confirmed he is still in the process. Sheikh Jassim's Nine Two Foundation feel the ball has been in the Glazers court for weeks. But they do now have everything ready from a legal and logistical perspective to start the completion process if chosen.

Moises Caicedo is really unhappy an agreement for a move to Chelsea isn’t in place yet. He returns to Brighton with progress expected this week. #CFC yet to table another formal bid but they are looking around £70m plus add-ons. As revealed, this has always been the ballpark.🇪🇨 Still understand £70+10m is possible, although sources close to both #CFC and Caicedo insist Aurélien Tchouaméni’s Real Madrid fee (£68m) is more than fair for a guaranteed fee.

🗣 N'Golo Kante's farewell message to #CFC. "The time has come to open a new chapter in my career. But before that, it was important for me to thank the great and beautiful Chelsea family... "Fans, players, managers, coaches, staff members and the medical team, to all those who accompanied me during the last seven seasons within this legendary club. What good memories, what victories, what titles won by your side...

So much noise about the relationship between PIF and Clearlake in light of multiple Chelsea moves to Saudi. Of course scrutiny and transparency is always needed... But remember, #CFC really wanted to keep Kante and lost him on a free. And they have sold Koulibaly and Ziyech for pretty modest fees and at a loss. Mendy turned down a new deal last year so was always likely to leave.

Chelsea confirm Christopher Nkunku has joined from Leipzig on a six-year deal from July 1.🎈 🗣️ Nkunku: “I am incredibly happy to be joining #CFC. A big effort was made to bring me to the club and I am looking forward to meeting my new coach and teammates and showing the Chelsea supporters what I can do on the pitch…

Ruben Neves' move to Al-Hilal has surprised quite a few industry insiders. Many of the targets are available on free transfers or for smaller fees, and the vast majority of names pursued (for now) are still over 30. But Al-Hilal have got a 26-year-old and will pay €55m.🇸🇦 Deal moved very fast, and Wolves didn't hesitate to agree. It's a tremendous bit of business for them given Neves had just a year left on his contract. And Al-Hilal get a peak player who previously spoke of wanting to leave Wolves for Champions League football.

Clearlake and PIF have an excellent relationship. And the latter are driving many high-profile moves to Saudi on behalf of Al-Nassr, Al-Hilal, Al-Ittihad, and Al-Ahli. #CFC see an opportunity to offload some players to Saudi. And PIF have multiple Chelsea players on their radar. With all these high-profile deals the club is often selected quite late in the process, but the aim is to populate all four clubs with stars to create Riyadh and Jeddah rivalries with global appeal. Next season there will new TV deals, and an English highlights show is expected.

Latest on the #MUFC sale.

For avoidance of doubt, neither Nine Two Foundation or INEOS have been informed yet if they have won. Those close to the process deny exclusivity will be given.

Qatar mood more positive after fifth bid. INEOS always cautiously optimistic...

https://twitter.com/UnitedStandMUFC/status/1669373863161999361

Both groups pretty frustrated because they are being kept on the brink, ready to execute, but knowing their rival is in the same position. This is very atypical given how far into the process we are.

Firm denials from those close to the #MUFC sale that any group will be granted exclusivity despite reports Nine Two Foundation are negotiating for it. As exclusively reveled last week, neither Nine Two Foundation or INEOS are expected to be given exclusivity. Also understand that there is unlikely to be a conclusion to the #MUFC sale process this week, certainly not in terms of any public or formal announcements.

Chelsea will advance their pursuit of Moises Caicedo over the coming weeks. Brighton will let Caicedo leave. This was clear when he extended. It's going to take around £70m guaranteed and £10m in add ons. Caicedo fully open to the move even without European football.🔵 Those close to Caicedo indicate nothing is imminent yet despite talks ongoing.

🚨 Defending champions Manchester City travel to Vincent Kompany's Burnley to kick off the 2023/24 season.👑

Chelsea begin at home to Liverpool.🌶

Manchester United play Wolves at Old Trafford.👹

Arsenal host Nottingham Forest.🔴

Newly-promoted Luton go to Brighton.📈 Full opening weekend fixtures:

Burnley vs. Manchester City
Arsenal vs. Forest
Bournemouth vs. West Ham
Brighton vs. Luton
Everton vs. Fulham
Sheffield United vs. Crystal Palace
Newcastle vs. Villa
Brentford vs. Spurs
Chelsea vs. Liverpool
Manchester United vs. Wolves

Understand that the European Court of Justice's ruling on the European Super League has been delayed until at least August despite being originally expected in April or May. December's non-binding recommendation ruled UEFA and FIFA's right to block clubs from joining a breakaway league is compatible with EU law.

Kylian Mbappe issues a statement to AFP saying PSG were verbally "informed on July 15, 2022" that he wouldn't trigger a one-year extension until 2025.

🗣️ "The only aim of the letter [informing PSG of this on Monday] was to confirm what had already been spoken about previously... "Kylian Mbappe and his entourage confirm that this matter has not been discussed since over the course of the year, except a fortnight ago to announce the sending of the letter. No potential contract extension has been mentioned...

Understand that the Chelsea sale funds are not far off being released. Both the UK Government and the Foundation awaiting the money both want Ukraine to benefit as quickly as possible now, especially given the recent destruction of the Kakhovka dam. The proceeds are frozen in a UK bank account after the Office of Financial Sanctions Implementation (OFSI) issued a licence permitting Roman Abramovich to sell #CFC. Funds can't be moved or used without a licence from OFSI.

🚨 BREAKING: Kylian Mbappe has written a letter confirming he will not activate his one-year extension at PSG. Mbappe signed a 2+1 contract and under the terms he had until 31 July to activate the extra year. If Mbappe failed to inform PSG at all then on August 1 he would have also lost the ability to take the extra year. PSG fuming because the letter was provided to media before the club saw it.

🗣️ Jack Grealish on finding form and understanding Pep, speaking to us @CBSSportsGolazo: “There was certain people in the club who I get on really well with, including the manager, and after my first season I felt like I was letting them down a little bit… “They paid £100m and [I thought], ‘What have I actually contributed?’ Yes, we won the Premier League in my first season but I didn’t contribute much. And I was like, ‘I need to liven up here’…

🚨 Although the Nine Two Foundation's latest offer has not been disclosed, my understanding is it is over $7bn (£5.6bn) all in, inclusive of the pledged investment. Bids are placed in dollars in this process. Sources indicate the club valuation part is in the same ballpark as Sir Jim Ratcliffe, believed to be north of $6bn, and thus circa £5bn.

Nine Two Foundation are to an extent billing this latest offer as 'take it or leave it'. But that's also a tactic to try & force the issue. Understand they view the process as very fluid now. All moves intended to get a deal done and try & stop further price-driving from Glazers.

https://twitter.com/JacobsBen/status/1658558549646102551

Nine Two Foundation and Sir Jim Ratcliffe still don't have any direct indication as to Joel and Avram's preference. Raine Group engaging with both parties. But sources close to Nine Two Foundation do find it telling that Ratcliffe hasn't been put in an exclusive period to date.

Understand Avram Glazer being at Claridges is a red herring. Important verbal back and forth with both Nine Two Foundation and Sir Jim Ratcliffe expected this week. Both parties are now talking to Raine Group. Should Qatar increase their final offer it is not expected to be disclosed. Talks are more fluid and the formal offer deadlines are gone. Nine Two Foundation remain confident they are not out the race.