Bournemouth

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose on balancing domestic games with European fixtures: "It is going to be a big challenge. First of all, we had preparation to get prepared for this big challenge, so we trained hard. The most important thing is the daily business - the Premier League, the cups and, of course, we are looking forward to playing in Europe and representing our club in Europe."

On Premier League aims for the season: "I think we should not talk about numbers or things like this. We should talk about the way we want to play. We want to keep and show our identity, we want to play front-footed, we want to compete with every opponent we get. I don't want to talk about the final place in the table or something like this. We want to win games and we want to play well."

Bournemouth

Bournemouth boss Marco Rose on the upcoming season: "A very good pre-season. I settled in very well.

"Everyone supported me and the new coaching staff. Everyone put a lot of effort into the preparation and all the things around us, so we feel well-prepared for the upcoming season and the upcoming game in Manchester. Of course, we suffered some injuries, but it is what it is. Now we're looking forward to the start."

On completing more transfers: "We are not in a rush, so we are happy with our squad. We kept the group together. We signed quite early, so everything is in a good spot, and now we are waiting now the transfer window is closing."

Bournemouth enjoyed one of their most successful seasons ever in 2025-26, finishing sixth in the Premier League and qualifying for the Europa League.

But the manager who led them there, Andoni Iraola, has left for Liverpool and his replacement Marco Rose has big shoes to fill.

Rose's first task as Cherries boss is a tough one this weekend, Manchester City away. He spoke to the media earlier...

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage on whether he expects more signings before the transfer window closes: "Yes, maybe one or two more. We have time though. We don't want to take a player who isn't for us, that's why it isn't a case of sorting it within one or two days. We have to work with these guys for the rest of the season, so sometimes it is better to wait than to take the first player that comes along."

When asked if Manchester City have enquired about Adam Wharton, he replied: "He is capable of playing at any big club, whether that is here or anywhere in Europe, but I believe one more year with us and our new dynamic will be good for him.

"We need him, that's why I think he will stay with us."

Crystal Palace

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Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage provided an injury update ahead of his side's season opener: "Everybody could play. I will have to make some choices, but this is the nature of the job and it is a good problem for me. When I have choices, I can anticipate a lot of scenarios and I have lots of options for them."

On goalkeeper Dean Henderson's fitness after coming off in their pre-season friendly against Freiburg: "He will train today with the goalkeeper coach. We will make a late decision on him tomorrow, but we hope he is able to play.

"He suffered a little twist of the ankle so we took the decision to preserve him so he might be able to play [this weekend]."

Crystal Palace

Crystal Palace boss Pierre Sage on being two days away from his Premier League debut: "I'm always in the same mindset: we need to start well, we have prepared the team and we are very happy to begin the season.

"It is important to train, but we like the games and we like to share that with our fans - that's why the first game is always awaited and the first home game will be like this too.

"We need to make sure we bring the best version of ourselves to compete against Everton now."

Nine Premier League clubs have appointed new managers ahead of this upcoming season.

Among those is Crystal Palace, who brought in Frenchman Pierre Sage from Lens after Oliver Glasner's departure to Nottingham Forest.

Sage's men travel to Everton on Saturday afternoon - here's what the Eagles boss had to say...

Hull City

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic on how many more players he would like before the transfer window closes: "I'm expecting three or four more players. We bought some players, they are good players, potential players but they need more time for adaptation and to get chemistry with the team.

"We did a good pre-season now we can start the official games. Our recruitment team together with Mr Chairman [Acun Ilicali], they are working [on] a lot of new players so we need some positions still. We need more players and also for the competition on these positions."

Hull City

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic on how excited he is to get started in the Premier League: "I'm buzzing! Normal, my job is to prepare the team. Of course I am aware there it is a very big gap between Championship and the Premier League. We know that but still this is football.

"We will try to make [it] a difficult game for Manchester United. Of course they are favourites. I can't wait because I want also to compete with other managers. Sometimes, mostly we will be underdogs but still we are used to it to fight there and try to use our opportunities on the pitch."

Hull City

Hull City boss Sergej Jakirovic was asked in his press conference whether defenders Nobel Mendy or Lucas Herrington could come straight into the team due to the injury to Charlie Hughes: "You should come to watch the game! Then you will see. I will not tell you this but they are ready and tomorrow we will decide who will play against Manchester United."

Let's dive right in to the earlier pressers now, starting with one of the newcomers.

Hull City are back in the Premier League after beating Middlesbrough in last season's Championship play-off final - but have been tipped by many pundits to go straight back down.

They have a tough start on Saturday lunchtime, hosting Manchester United.

So, what plans does manager Sergej Jakirovic have to upset Man Utd and keep Hull in the top flighht? Here's what he had to say...

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on whether Danny Welbeck can be involved on Monday:

"He can be involved, he just needs a couple of days of not training that much because of a little thing but we are expecting him back on Saturday. We need to go day by day but that's the plan at the moment."

Image source, Getty Images

Chelsea

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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on Joao Pedro, who has taken the number nine shirt:

"We talk a lot with Joao because he is not just a great player, he has a great personality and I think that his development as a great player and as a leader is very noticeable in every day, in each game.

"He has this focus and this desire to have a great season, scoring goals but helping the team. I am happy and very impressed with his personality and now we need to help him reach his goals."

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on what he sees as Reece James' best position:

"He's flexible in his game. But he needs to feel important, I think that's the main thing, not just because of the role he has as captain, but because of the quality he gives to the next thing. Wherever he plays - as a right back, a midfielder - normally he makes the next thing better because of his quality, his game intelligence, his experience, his composure with the ball.

"It's good that we have players who can play in different positions - not just him but others as well.

"And I see him in a good mood, in a good mindset, for sure. The club means so much to him and we want to have a good fresh start with good momentum and that's why the start is so important on Monday."

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Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on whether top four is a must:

"Ambition and to be as high as possible. Let's see where we are in May. It's still a long way to go there and for that you need to earn points and to win early days, and that's our goal. And then we'll tell. But the hunger to have success, the ambition to do well, to create good energy and spirit within the team, that's the first goal, because that's helps you be more competitive and win games."

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on whether World Cup players need a bit longer:

"Let's see. We will check, we will assess. But for sure because of the World Cup they came later and may need a bit more time. But they are for sure selectable for the line up."

Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on the nature of his challenge:

"It's a challenge for everyone. We are all together in this new start of the season but the main thing for me are the targets and goals that we share all together. We have the ambition to have a great year.

"We don't need to think about what's going to happen late in the season. What we can control is what we do, how we start the season, how we prepare for the games. The only focus is Fulham.

"The Premier League is challenging, every game is challenging. We are going to be improving game by game, I am sure that the team that starts the Premier League and the one that's in November, December, will be better because it's a process, everything takes time. But we feel that we have a good start and that's so important."

Chris Adams
BBC Sport journalist

Chelsea endured a miserable league campaign in 2025-26, with Enzo Maresca's replacement Liam Rosenior in the hot seat and lasting little more than three months.

Their 10th-place finish means there will be no European football at Stamford Bridge this season for just the third time this century.

In 2016-17, it proved to be a blessing in disguise though as Antonio Conte's side romped to the Premier League title.

"I do remember Gary Cahill talking about Antonio Conte coming into a Premier League team like Chelsea who [weren't] in Europe," said former Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart on BBC Radio 5 Live's Monday Night Club.

"He said they were so well drilled and he was so intense in what they needed. They almost had NFL playbooks and it allowed them the time to build into the season.

"So that is a massive advantage for someone like Xabi Alonso, who has obviously got his way of playing, as he will have time on the grass with his players.

"Their ceiling is, of course, to be in amongst it - and they have got a really great opportunity [this season]."

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Chelsea

Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on whether playing no European football gives them an advantage:

"We will have more time to prepare each game, that's for sure. That's a fact. After, we need to prove that we use the time in the right way, that we have enough players in good momentum to approach each game. We would have wanted [to compete in Europe], but it is what it is and we need to use the time properly."

Chelsea

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Chelsea manager Xabi Alonso on whether Levi Colwill's absence, as he recovered from an ACL injury, was beneficial:

"I would say so. I would say that having a proper pre-season has helped him in taking the right steps in the right moment, not trying to rush it too quick because of what he had last year.

"Even last year he finished playing in a good way and now after pre-season we are expecting that he feels well and confident and with the fitness to have him in his level because if he's feeling ok, for me, he's one of the best centre backs in the world because of his composure, his presence, so complete, so dominant.

"Levi is going to be a key player for us."