It has been a slightly strange summer for Real Madrid star Gareth Bale with the Welshman’s future seemingly up in the air after an indifferent campaign with the Spanish giants in 2016/17.

The former Tottenham man was hampered by numerous injuries throughout the season, limiting his participation and also affecting his form when he was fit enough to make the team.

The likes of Isco and Marco Asensio stepped up in the flying winger’s absence, delivering a host of world-class performances to render themselves nearly undroppable to manager, Zinedine Zidane.

However, at the start of the 2017/18 season, Bale seems to have rediscovered some of the golden touch that made him one of the world’s most coveted stars a few years back.

He excelled in the European Super Cup against Manchester United and in Los Blancos’ first La Liga game of the season, he got off to a flying start.

The Welshman notched Real’s first goal of the season against Deportivo la Coruna, reacting to a loose ball in the box to prod into an empty net and in doing so, he set a very impressive record.

In the last three La Liga campaigns it has been Bale who has scored the first goal for the Spanish giants on all three occasions.

Very impressive from the Welsh star, who will be desperate for an injury-free campaign to remind the world that he is still one of the best.

Los Blancos won the game at Deportivo with relative ease, claiming a 3-0 victory despite club captain Sergio Ramos picking up his 23rd red card of his career just before the end.

Bale, Casemiro and Toni Kroos scored the goals to seal the three points as Zidane aims to retain his La Liga crown.

Real’s next league game see’s them take on Valencia at the Bernabeu and with Cristiano Ronaldo still serving his five-match suspension for pushing the referee against Barcelona, the onus will again be on Bale to fill the Portuguese star’s shoes.

Manchester United may be just two games into the new season, but they’re already being talked about as serious title contenders.

Both West Ham and Swansea have suffered 4-0 drubbings at the hands of the Red Devils.

Romelu Lukaku has netted three times, while Paul Pogba looks ready to fulfil his potential.

There have been times over the course of the summer when Jose Mourinho has cut a frustrated figure, regularly insinuating that United have not done enough in the transfer market.

The Portuguese must be pleased with how his side are shaping up, however, and that’s in no small part thanks to the signings of Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, and Victor Lindelof, even if the latter still needs a bit more time to settle.

Even if Ed Woodward now puts his chequebook away, most United fans are convinced they have enough to launch a proper assault on the title.

Yet, the club are still on the hunt for a left-sided player and could make one more addition before the August 31 deadline.

Sky Sports report that Ryan Sessegnon is on their list and they could rival Tottenham for the highly-rated Fulham starlet.

The 17-year-old has only just signed his first professional deal at Craven Cottage, having been instrumental in Slaviša Jokanović’s promotion push last season.

Fulham are insistent that the England under-19 international won’t be sold, but it’s thought United are keeping one eye on him in case his situation changes.

United would loan him back to the Championship outfit, who believe he is worth in excess of £25million, for the remainder of the season if a deal could be done.

Luke Shaw has struggled to convince since breaking his leg in 2015, and Mourinho’s other options – Marcos Rojo, Daley Blind, and Matteo Darmian – haven’t been able to establish themselves as first choice either.

As a move for Ivan Perisic has not yet materialised, the ideal solution would be a player like Sessegnon, who can play either in defence or as a wing-back on the left of midfield.

Danny Rose has also been heavily linked following comments he made about Tottenham in the Sun. It’s looking likely the former Leeds man will be staying in north London after clearing the air with Mauricio Pochettino and regardless, Sessegnon would prove a much cheaper and younger alternative.

Try as he might, Lionel Messi was simply unable to score against Real Betis on Sunday.

The Barcelona forward is chasing his 350th La Liga goal and came within inches of achieving the feat on a number of occasions at the Camp Nou.

With the scores level at 0-0 in the 34th minute, Messi curled a delightful free-kick over the Betis wall but was cruelly denied by the post.

Barcelona then took the lead through Alin Tosca’s own goal two minutes later, which Messi almost got a touch on, before Sergi Roberto made it 2-0 with a simple finish.

Messi’s luck didn’t change after the half-time break. Twice more he hit the woodwork in open play, the second of which a thunderbolt from outside the box that deserved to go in.

Manager Ernesto Valverde will need his star man’s luck to change as the Blaugrana bid to dethrone La Liga champions Real Madrid.

Having lost Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain and Luis Suarez to a knee injury, Barcelona are in dire straits at present and will look towards Messi for inspiration.

As always, Messi looks up to the challenge judging by his work rate against Betis.

The Argentine was here, there and everywhere at the Camp Nou, dropping deep to dictate play or make lung-busting runs forward.

One moment in the second half encapsulated just how desperate Messi was to get on the scoresheet, which doesn’t happen very often.

It turns out the 30-year-old has something of a hidden talent. In the 82nd minute, from Deulofeu’s corner, Messi rose like a salmon to head narrowly past the post.

Messi is only 5ft 7in tall and very rarely attacks corners with such desire, but perhaps he should, because the jump he produced was pretty incredible.

There’s been a lot of speculation recently about Messi’s future at Barcelona after club officials revealed he still hasn’t signed a new contract.

However, according to Guillem Balague, it’s only a matter of time. He wrote on Twitter: “Messi has not signed his new contract with FCB. But it is all agreed and WILL sign it.”

Chelsea ensured Tottenham Hotspur’s troubles at Wembley Stadium continued with a dramatic 2-1 win on Sunday afternoon.

In a slightly new-look system with David Luiz deployed in midfield, the champions took the lead thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Marcos Alonso.

Substitute Michy Batshuayi equalised for Spurs with an own goal in the 82nd-minute, however Alonso’s low strike two minutes from time got past Hugo Lloris and gave Chelsea the victory.

It was vital for them to get their first points of the new season, following the shock loss to Burnley, and you could see how delighted Antonio Conte was during his celebrations for the winner.

In his post-match interview, the Italian mastermind revealed the one thing his players told him to change ahead of the match against Tottenham.

Conte had to face a lot of different questions since the Burnley defeat, from his efforts to add more new signings to Diego Costa claiming he was treated like a criminal.

In addition to producing a much more disciplined performance on Sunday, one big difference in the clash with Spurs had nothing to do with what was going out on the pitch.

Conte ditched the all-blue tracksuit he wore in the match against Burnley in favour of his traditional dark suit, and he told Sky Sports that his players wanted him to make the switch.

In reference to Conte’s attire, Sky’s Geoff Shreeves asked him after the 2-1 win: “No more tracksuit? Just the suit from now on?”

To which the amused Chelsea manager, looking down at his suit, replied: “Yeah. I changed (back to a suit), yeah, but my players told me the same!”

Many people have been criticising Chelsea over the past week, but Conte was keen to remind everyone which club won the Premier League title last season.

“This is the perfect response from the champions,” he said. “Don’t forget we are champions. For sure we have some problems but we are ready.”

Chelsea needed to respond after losing their Premier League opener against Burnley last weekend and they did just that against Tottenham at Wembley on Sunday.

Antonio Conte’s side issued a statement of real intent against their London rivals, securing an impressive 2-1 victory thanks to a Marcos Alonso brace.

The Spanish full-back opened the scoring midway through the first half and then struck the winner in the 88th minute, bailing out his teammate Michy Batshuayi who’d turned the ball into his own net minutes earlier.

Antonio Conte’s side issued a statement of real intent against their London rivals, securing an impressive 2-1 victory thanks to a Marcos Alonso brace.

The Spanish full-back opened the scoring midway through the first half and then struck the winner in the 88th minute, bailing out his teammate Michy Batshuayi who’d turned the ball into his own net minutes earlier.

“I want to thank every one of my players,” Conte was quoted as saying by the Guardian after the match. “They showed me great desire, great spirit, great will, great heart, great will to fight. I saw fighters in a moment that’s not easy for us with the suspensions and the injuries. We suffered during the game, but we were always dangerous in every moment.

“We know very well that a lot of teams improved if you compare with last season. But we have to concentrate on ourselves. It’s not important if we are not favourites in this league. It was the same last season. We know we are trying to improve our team, our squad, and the club is trying to do its best in the transfer market to try and improve the team and the squad. But I repeat, I’m very happy when I see this type of game. I’m not speaking about football, but this spirit, this heart, this desire.

“I must be satisfied because my players gave me everything today. They did the same last season. There will be more great difficulties in this season, but the only way we can get through these difficulties is to work.”

Alonso wasn’t the only Chelsea player who shone at Wembley; N’Golo Kante was typically industrious in the middle of the pitch.

The indefatigable French midfielder looks poised to enjoy another fantastic Premier League campaign and there was one moment against Spurs that delighted Chelsea supporters on social media.

In the 86th minute of the match, with the scores level at 1-1, Kante launched a counter-attack from the edge of his penalty area.

Driving forward with pace, power and purpose, the 26-year-old suddenly felt the arms of Harry Kane wrap around him.

The England forward attempted to bring down Kante but ended up in a heap on the floor.

According to various reports, Tottenham are very close to finally completing their first signing of the summer.

Mauricio Pochettino is expected to smash the club transfer record with the £42m acquisition of Ajax defender Davinson Sanchez.

The 21-year-old Colombian international joined the Dutch giants in a €5m deal in 2016 and has quickly earned himself a reputation as one of the finest defenders in Holland.

Sanchez is a versatile centre-back that can also operate at right-back.

Spurs sold Kyle Walker to Manchester City for £50m earlier this summer and fans have been begging for Daniel Levy to bring in some more cover for Kieran Trippier.

Sanchez has only played one season in European football and he’ll have plenty to do in order to prove himself in the Premier League.

One man who recently claimed to know a thing or two about the Ajax star is Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho.

The Portuguese tactician was quoted earlier this summer suggesting he isolated the young defender in the Europa League final because of his weakness in possession.

As reported by Tribuna Expresso, the former Chelsea and Real Madrid boss told students at the University of Lisbon:

“We let them go out to play, but blocking the right center, De Ligt, and letting the ball go to the left, Sánchez, who had more difficulties.”

Manchester United, targeting Sanchez as a weak link, ran out comfortable 2-0 winners over Ajax in the Europa League final.

Argentine Spurs coach Pochettino is renowned for his attractive style of football and has drilled Jan Vertonghen and Toby Alderweireld to play out from the back.

If Sanchez does indeed struggle on-the-ball, you would imagine that he would struggle to make an impact under Pochettino in North London.

Austrian defender Kevin Wimmer is being trailed by West Brom and could be allowed to leave if the Lilywhites complete the club record signing.

Spurs kicked off their 2017/18 campaign with a 2-0 win over Newcastle United but welcome rivals Chelsea at their new temporary home on Sunday afternoon.

Wembley has not been a happy hunting ground for Tottenham in recent years and they’ll be hosting 19 Premier League fixtures at the famous London ground this season.

Liverpool have received some positive news regarding their ongoing pursuit of Southampton defender Virgil van Dijk.

Signed for £13m in 2015, the 26-year-old Dutchman’s value has sky-rocketed since joining the Saints from Celtic.

Van Dijk is currently training alone after manager Mauricio Pellegrino confirmed that the club captain handed in a transfer request amid Liverpool interest.

He was omitted from the matchday squad for Southampton’s 0-0 draw with Swansea on the opening weekend of the Premier League season and will not feature against West Ham on Saturday either.

Ready to smash the club record, Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is willing to spend close to £70m on the wantaway Southampton star.

It’s been a frustrating summer in the transfer market for Klopp and the Liverpool supporters with RB Leipzig and Southampton taking an incredibly firm stance.

Naby Keita and Van Dijk have been subject to numerous bids but both clubs are refusing to surrender their key players.

As per The Times, Liverpool have received a major boost in their pursuit of Van Dijk.

Southampton’s new Chinese owners have reportedly informed Pellegrino that he must sell players in order to buy new ones.

The new owners bought 80% of the club on Monday but “have no plans to inject additional capital into the business or to spend money on new players because the takeover was largely financed via a bank loan and contributions from third-party investors,” according to The Times.

Pellegrino has not been told to sell Van Dijk but has been made aware that players must be sold in order to finance new signings.

The club have spent £20m so far this summer, bringing in Mario Lemina from Juventus and Jan Bednarek from Lech Poznan.

“Nothing has changed – it is the same as last week,” Pellegrino said speaking prior to Saturday’s game at home to West Ham.

“For that reason, I have nothing to say, he [Van Dijk] won’t be available to play.”

Lazio defender Wesley Hoedt has been linked with a £15m move to Southampton and Pellegrino responded to speculation.

“I know the player, but I will not talk about the market,” said Pellegrino.

“When you sign and you pay the player is for you, before that I have nothing to say.

“Right now, as you know, we have to be ready for a player to help us in the back four.”

Hoedt could surely only become a Southampton player if a deal is agreed for Liverpool with Van Dijk. This saga is far from finished.

When Neymar completed his £198 million move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier this month, it quickly became clear that a few players no longer had futures at the club.

PSG, in order to meet Financial Fair Play rules, needed to recoup some of the world-record fee they paid Barcelona for Neymar’s services.

Blaise Matuidi appears to be one of such players, with the France international close to joining Juventus for a meagre £18.2 million.

Right-back Serge Aurier could be another amidst rumours linking him with a move to Manchester United and Tottenham in the Premier League.

And then there’s Julian Draxler who, having only joined PSG from Wolfsburg in January, is reportedly surplus to requirements in the French capital.

This is despite his agent, Roger Witterman, insisting earlier this week that the 23-year-old will be staying put this summer.

“Draxler will stay and will not be sold this summer,” Witterman said, per the Mirror.

“Paris is building a group with the best players in the world at every post, and Julian is one of them and he wants to continue to be part of it.”

In addition to Neymar and Draxler, PSG also have the likes of Lucas Moura and Angel Di Maria competing for places on the flanks.

Neymar and Di Maria will most likely be Unai Emery’s preferred starters out wide, meaning Draxler could be in for a frustrating season if he stays.

But because PSG are now seemingly ready to cash in, a number of suitors have been alerted, including long-term admirers Arsenal.

Arsene Wenger has tried to sign Draxler many times before and failed but, according to the Times, that won’t stop him from trying again.

They claim Arsenal, in light of PSG’s decision, are weighing up another pursuit for the Germany international, who could be available for as little as £32 million.

Draxler possesses the star quality that would help the Gunners challenge for the Premier League this season, suggesting Wenger should go all out.

Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund are also tracking Draxler, though the attacking midfielder has previously expressed a desire to work with Wenger at Arsenal.

His potential arrival would ease the pressure of keeping Alexis Sanchez – and maybe even Mesut Ozil – who both have less than a year remaining on their contracts.

In fact, Arsenal signing Draxler might be the statement of intent needed to convince the pair of signing new deals.

Serbian midfielder Nemanja Matic recently joined Manchester United from rivals Chelsea in a £35m deal.

The 29-year-old Premier League star was signed by Jose Mourinho at Chelsea in 2014 and clearly has an excellent relationship with the Portuguese coach.

Mourinho’s comments since signing Matic suggest he’s very happy whilst eyebrows have been raised at Chelsea’s decision to sell a key player to a direct rival.

“He’s the perfect player for me,” said Mourinho. “Not just for his qualities but also for my relationship with him, the way I know him, the way he knows me.”

“I think he’s one of these players where there are no question marks in front. He doesn’t need time to adapt, he’s not a young guy who came from another country, he’s not somebody that needs to learn the Premier League.

“Nemanja is a Manchester United player and a José Mourinho player. He represents everything we want in a footballer: loyalty, consistency, ambition, team player.”

The player himself is also delighted to have joined the Red Devils and Sky Sports released an interview with him ahead of Saturday’s Premier League clash with Swansea City.

Matic made his debut in last week’s 4-0 win over West Ham and looks set to be a permanent fixture in Mourinho’s first XI.

He spent three-and-a-half years at Stamford Bridge but appears to have no problem ruffling a few feathers at his former club.

When asked if United are the biggest club he’s played for, Matic told Sky Sports: “Definitely, everyone knows what Manchester United is about.

“When you say Manchester United, it is different. Also Chelsea is a big club, Benfica are the biggest club in Portugal. But Manchester is Manchester.

“When I came here for the first day, I could feel that the people at the club help you every day if you need something and supporters are very important for this club.

“After every training session, they are waiting for us outside the training ground to take pictures, to give a signature so I think the club is one of the biggest in the world.

“Maybe you have two or three clubs similar to United, but Manchester is one of the biggest clubs in the world for sure.”

Matic won two Premier League titles at Chelsea but clearly believes he has joined a much bigger club in Manchester United.

The Reds have failed to win a league title since Sir Alex Ferguson retired in 2013 but they currently look well placed to finally challenge for honours once again.

Although Mesut Ozil and Alexis Sanchez have dominated all the headlines for Arsenal fans this summer as they enter the final year of their contracts, they’re not the only players on the home straight at the Emirates Stadium.

Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain has also entered the dangerous territory of the final year of his contract and given his development over the past year, there will be no shortage of suitors for the England international.

Still only 24-years-old, the Ox developed into one of Arsenal’s most important players last season once boss Arsene Wenger switched to the 3-4-3 formation and he thrived as a wing-back.

It is believed that Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool have held a firm interest in the former Southampton man, but they have yet to convert that interest into a bid.

Why Arsenal would let several of their stars enter the final year of their deals is anybody’s guess, but according to Goal, the reason they are yet to re-sign Oxlade-Chamberlain is simply a question of money.

The Ox wants to jump from £65,000-a-week up to £150,000-a-week if he is to sign a new deal and Arsenal are hesitant to match his demands.

Chelsea are monitoring the situation and are believed to be willing to pay £35 million to secure him from their London rivals.

Those wages are probably the going rate for a player of the Ox’s calibre and furthermore, they would still be under half of what Sanchez is requesting.

Earlier this summer, Wenger made it clear he believed that Oxlade-Chamberlain would remain with the club.

“Yes. 100 per cent, I expect him to stay. No matter the speculation, he will stay.

“I am surprised by that [reports] because I believe he has developed well and played well when given his chance,” the Frenchman said.

“When you are somewhere you have to want to be there first. After that I say I rate him highly and I think I showed that by staying behind him when he was injured.

“I personally wish he stays – I think he is a very promising player who has developed well and who looks also to have the values we rate.”