Official: Chelsea sign Kenedy from Fluminense

Chelsea have confirmed they have completed the signing of Brazilian youngster Kenedy from Fluminense.

The 19-year-old has already featured for the Blues having joined up with Jose Mourinho's side on their pre-season tour of the United States and playing in the friendly against Barcelona in Washington.

 Kenedy will wear the No.16 shirt at Stamford Bridge and says he is looking forward to making at impact for the Blues.

"I am very happy to complete my transfer to Chelsea," he told the club's official website.

"It is an exciting time for me to join the English Premier League champions and I hope I can become an important player for the club.

"I very much enjoyed my time with the squad during pre-season and I am very grateful to Fluminense for allowing me this opportunity."

Swansea did enough to beat Sunderland - Monk

Swansea City manager Garry Monk felt his side did "more than enough" to beat Sunderland, though they were held to a 1-1 draw at the Stadium of Light on Saturday.

Bafetimbi Gomis put the Swans in front on the stroke of half-time and Andre Ayew almost doubled the advantage when he headed against the left-hand post early in the second half.

Jermain Defoe found a gap in the Swansea defence to steal in with a neat finish and equalise shortly after the hour mark, and Costel Pantilimon chipped in with a string of impressive saves to protect the point for Sunderland, much to Monk's dismay.

"Slightly disappointed just because we knew that Sunderland would have a reaction today," said Monk, referring to Sunderland's dismal start to the new season. "I think that was clear from what people were talking about in the week.

"It was never going to be the case that we'd come up here and they'd roll over. I think you saw that in the first 20-30 minutes from them - the crowd were incredible for them in that period.

"After that first 30 minutes, we talked about being patient as a group and that we'd have to get through that period and then try and get control of the game.

"I think we did in the last 10 or 15 minutes of the first half and got a good goal. Coming in at half-time that's the position you want to be in.

"I talked to them about the control that we had in that period and that we needed to sustain it and start well with it in the second half and we did.

"That first 20 minutes of the second half it was dominance. We were creating chance after chance and that's what cost us today - we were so dominant during that period that, due to some good goalkeeping from the Sunderland goalkeeper and some less clinical finishing from us, we really should have put the game to bed.

"It wasn't to be and then we made that individual mistake that ultimately cost us a goal.

"We're disappointed in a way but, of course, there are lots of positives.

"We did more than enough to win that game today."

Benatia blow for Bayern Munich

Bayern Munich look set to be without Medhi Benatia for next weekend's Bundesliga showdown with Bayer Leverkusen.

The Moroccan centre-back limped off 36 minutes into the first half of Saturday's 2-1 win over Hoffenheim with a suspected thigh injury and was promptly replaced by Rafinha.

Bayern have yet to confirm the exact nature of the injury but sporting director Matthias Sammer admitted that the early prognosis does not look good.

"We think it's a muscular problem and I don't think it's just a minor injury," the ex-Germany international is quoted as saying by Abendzeitung Munchen.

If that is the case, Benatia will definitely miss next Saturday's visit of Leverkusen, who finished third in last season's Bundesliga.

The unavailability of the former Roma man would represent a major defensive headache for coach Pep Guardiola, as the 28-year-old's fellow centre-half Jerome Boateng was sent off in the 2-1 win at Hoffenheim.

Bayern had found themselves a goal down after just nine seconds of play in their second Bundesliga outing of the new season, with Kevin Volland opening the scoring for the home side.

However, the German champions deservedly levelled through Thomas Muller just before the break and then maintained their 100 per cent record thanks to Robert Lewandowski's last-minute goal.

Sammer admitted afterwards that Bayern are currently struggling to reproduce their very best form, but suggested no new players will be signed before the close of the transfer window.

"The team has seen today how hard it is going to be in the Bundesliga this season," Sammer added. "We still need to find our rhythm with each other.

"We're still lacking in some areas but the mentality is right. We need to show more cohesion.

"In the transfer window, everything is always possible because it is by nature so irrational. But we are not anxious to change anything too much as our squad is still great."

Barcelona announce Pedro press conference

Barcelona have announced Pedro will hold a press conference at the club on Monday to officially mark his departure.
The winger agreed a move to Chelsea last week after a summer of speculation linking him with a move to Manchester United.
Pedro had previously been a regular in the Barca line-up under Pep Guardiola, Tito Vilanova and Gerardo Martino, but fell down the pecking order upon Luis Enrique's appointment as coach.
Neymar, Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi were the preferred front three last term and will be again this season, resulting in his decision to exit the club.
However, he will say goodbye to supporters and answer questions from reporters at a press gathering on Monday, before embarking on his new adventure at Stamford Bridge.
A statement on the club's official website read: "Pedro Rodríguez will appear before the press on Monday 24 August at 1.00pm CET.
"The venue will be the press room at the Ciutat Esportiva Joan Gamper.
"Pedro played 321 games for the first team, scoring 99 goals before last Thursday's move to Chelsea."

Ranieri hails Leicester spirit after Tottenham draw

Leicester City manager Claudio Ranieri praised his side after their 1-1 draw with Tottenham maintained their unbeaten start to the Premier League season.

Riyad Mahrez scored his fourth goal in three games to peg Spurs back in the 82nd minute, just 90 seconds after Dele Alli had broken the deadlock for Mauricio Pochettino's men.

Ranieri was delighted with the spirit shown by the Foxes, and also hailed his men for playing through the intense heat at the King Power Stadium, with both teams having to take water breaks midway through each half.

"I think it was right, the draw between us and Tottenham," he told reporters.

"I wanted to see the gap between us and a team who is building to reach the Champions League because Tottenham have achieved qualification for the Europa League five times in the last six years.

"The quality of the Tottenham players is very high.

"I think the weather didn't help us because our qualities are different from the Tottenham qualities. But it is okay - the draw was right; they had two great chances, also Leicester had two great chances to score a goal.

"I appreciate a lot the spirit of the team when we conceded a goal - after 25 seconds we score for a draw.

"We played very well tactically and I’m very, very satisfied."

Gerrard tells Lampard: It's war

Steven Gerrard has warned Frank Lampard to be prepared for "war" when the two former England team-mates go head to head in MLS on Sunday.

The midfield duo enjoyed numerous battles in their respective roles at Liverpool and Chelsea, with Gerrard's LA Galaxy against Lampard's New York City set to be the latest showdown between the pair.

And Gerrard, who sought to play down the focus on his personal duel with Lampard, insists there will be no room for sentiment at the StubHub Center this weekend.

"I'm sure Frank agrees it's slightly embarrassing to have all the focus on you when it's Los Angeles Galaxy versus New York," he said.

"It's about the game and the three points. But we understand it – we've played together for so many years. [The rivalry] it's real. When that whistle goes and we're competing for 90 minutes against each other, it's war.

"We fight against each other, we always have. When the whistle goes to finish there's a mutual respect there. We've always got on off the pitch regardless of what other people say.

"So if Frank plays from the beginning or if he comes on we become enemies, and when the game's over we become friends again.

"I've got nothing but respect and admiration for him as a player. We're both winners we're both professional. But he's coming into town for three points and I want the three points to stay here so that's where the rivalry begins."

Galaxy are the favourites as they sit top of the Western Conference, while City are eighth in the Eastern.

Sampdoria demand €25 million for Milan target Soriano

Sampdoria president Massimo Ferrero is not willing to part with Roberto Soriano for less than €25 million.

Milan are reportedly interested in Soriano as former Sampdoria coach Sinisa Mihajlovic attempts to reunite himself with the Italy international midfielder.

Mihajlovic has been warned to stump up significant cash if he wishes to lure the 24-year-old to San Siro, however.

"If Milan paid €20m for [Andrea] Bertolacci, that means they can give us €25m for Soriano and then we'll see," said Ferrero, whose Sampdoria kick off their Serie A season at home to new boys Carpi on Sunday.

"Soriano is a Samp player for as long as he wants to be.

"He was not contacted by Milan, so it's all just talk. I didn't go to Forte dei Marmi to meet with [Milan CEO Adriano] Galliani and [Genoa president Enrico] Preziosi. Only the rich go to the beach there…"