Did Chelsea really expect Raheem Sterling to go quietly? It's so naive but they will continue to spend cash like Monopoly money regardless, writes GRAEME SOUNESS

The conversation where Enzo Maresca told Raheem Sterling he was not part of his plans should have taken place long before the first game of the season. This is BlueCo's third season owning Chelsea Football Club, and the scattergun approach doesn't seem to be ending soon. They'd have been better saving up for a reliable striker Mail Sport's Graeme Souness criticises Chelsea's handling of their players - and finances Maybe, instead of paying the small matter of £45m for Joao Felix, who is easy on the eye but gets you one goal in four, they would have been better served keeping all their powder dry and saving for a 25-goal-a-season man. Carlo Ancelotti, the master of man-management Real Madrid's draw against Real Mallorca last weekend underlines how names on the teamsheets don't win you football matches. Only a superb manager like Carlo Ancelotti could hold together Real Madrid's team of elites The Spanish press have already been referring to Mbappe, Vinicius Jr and Bellingham with the acronym 'MVB' which prompted a loaded social media riposte from Rodrygo post-match when he had been the man who scored and spared their blushes.