New boy Liam Delap played his part as Chelsea got their Club World Cup campaign off to a winning start in Atlanta.
Bournemouth delved into Ligue 1 to bolster their defensive options, while Gareth Bale became the latest big name to be linked to investment in a Championship club.
Meanwhile, the women’s game is set for a new look from the end of next season with the WSL poised to expand to 14 teams.
Chelsea ease to victory
Enzo Fernandez (right) sealed Chelsea’s first win at the Club World Cup (Brynn Anderson/AP)
Enzo Fernandez (right) sealed Chelsea’s first win at the Club World Cup (Brynn Anderson/AP)(Brynn Anderson/AP)
Pedro Neto and Enzo Fernandez were on target as Chelsea started their Club World Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory over LAFC in front of a stadium which was less than a third full in Atlanta.
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Only 22,137 fans were in attendance to watch Enzo Maresca’s side claim the first three points of their campaign.
The few who turned up saw Neto open Chelsea’s account just after the half-hour mark to give the Blues a well-deserved lead heading into the half-time break, before £30million summer signing Delap supplied fellow substitute Fernandez with the second to seal victory, 11 minutes from time.
Delap said on Channel 5: “It’s a really happy feeling for me. I’m so excited to be here and to play my first game and be able to contribute is a good feeling.
“The team have welcomed me really well. I have only had a few sessions here but I am excited for more.”
Truffert joins Cherries
He's Chez 🍒💪
— AFC Bournemouth 🍒 (@afcbournemouth) June 16, 2025
Bournemouth have signed France left-back Adrien Truffert from Rennes.
The 23-year-old, who captained the Ligue 1 side, has agreed a five-year contract at Vitality Stadium.
His arrival looks set to pave the way for Cherries left-back Milos Kerkez – who has been linked with Premier League champions Liverpool – to leave the club.
“It’s a dream for any player to play in the Premier League,” Truffert told Bournemouth’s website.
“It’s one of the best and most competitive leagues in the world. I’m looking forward to testing myself at this level, facing top players every week and helping the team achieve great things.”
Bale shows interest in Plymouth
Gareth Bale is interested in investing in Plymouth
Gareth Bale is interested in investing in Plymouth(Nick Potts/PA)
Bale is part of a United States investment group in talks over a buyout of League One club Plymouth.
The Telegraph were first to report that the 35-year-old former Real Madrid and Wales forward was part of the group seeking to buy Argyle.
The PA news agency understands the group featuring Bale has registered an interest in buying Plymouth, but the process is at a very early stage.
Should the deal go through, Bale would be the latest big sporting name to be associated with an EFL club.
WSL expansion voted through
Chelsea will have more top-flight teams to beat next year
Chelsea will have more top-flight teams to beat next year(Nick Potts/PA)
The Women’s Super League is set expand to 14 teams from the start of the 2026-27 season, with a promotion and relegation play-off to be introduced.
A proposal put forward by Nikki Doucet, chief executive of Women’s Professional Leagues Limited, was voted through at Monday’s WSL Football shareholders meeting.
It requires the approval of the Football Association board but, if it gets the green light, 14 teams will compete in the women’s top flight from next year. It means the 2025-26 WSL campaign will conclude with a relegation/promotion play-off.
Doucet said: “Our priority was to find a route that would benefit the whole women’s game pyramid and we believe this next evolution of women’s professional football will raise minimum standards, create distinction and incentivise investment across the board.”
What’s on today?
Borussia Dortmund get their Club World Cup campaign underway against Brazilian side Fluminense. At the UEFA Under-21 Championship, 2023 runners-up Spain face Italy for the right to finish top of Group A.