91Èȱ¬

91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 Live

Ahead of Romelu Lukaku's rumoured £97.5m transfer to Stamford Bridge, Chelsea defender Antonio Rudiger has been talking about his perspective new team-mate.

Speaking to 91Èȱ¬ Radio 5 Live he said: "I think he's shown that at Inter Milan for the past two years where he did very well over there. He's also done very well for Belgium, his national team, so for me, he's a top striker!"

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Getty Images

Romelu Lukaku now plays with "more energy" than when he was last in the Premier League and his new style of play will "desperately help" Chelsea, says former Blues winger Pat Nevin.

Lukaku, 28, is close to re-joining Chelsea from Inter Milan seven years after leaving Stamford Bridge.

He has scored 47 goals in 72 Serie A appearances for Inter and ranks among the best players in the world, according to Nevin.

"His time in Italy has changed him a little bit and there is a little bit more energy in a high defensive way," Nevin said on the Football Daily podcast.

"I am intrigued to know what Thomas Tuchel does now - how he uses Romelu Lukaku because they have so many options."

Former Scotland defender Gary Caldwell added: "Antonio Conte has improved him as a football player - he is better than the Lukaku that left Manchester United."

Chelsea are close to sealing a deal to re-sign striker Romelu Lukaku for a club-record fee of £97.5m from Inter Milan.

Despite saying earlier in the summer he was happy to stay with the Italian champions, the 28-year-old Belgian reversed his stance this week and told Inter that he wanted to join Chelsea if the right offer was received.

It had been anticipated that Lukaku would have his medical over the weekend, but it happened in Italy on Monday.

The potential transfer has been delayed slightly to allow Inter to sort out a prospective replacement.

The deal would be just short of the £100m British record that Manchester City paid Aston Villa for England midfielder Jack Grealish on Thursday.

Mark Sterling
91Èȱ¬ Sport NI at Windsor Park

There will be just over 1,000 Villarreal supporters in the 13,000-crowd at Windsor Park tonight - but it has been far from the usual itinerary for their trip.

After arriving in Northern Ireland this morning, they were bussed straight to Seaview, the north Belfast home of Irish Premiership side Crusaders, where they enjoyed a host of activities throughout the day.

From there it was straight to Windsor and after the match it will be straight back to the airport for a flight home.

The majority of them are housed in a corner of the Kop Stand, the pulsating heartbeat of the famous Windsor Park atmosphere on international nights, and it looks like they have read the script.

Having been in since about 6.40pm, they are making a rousing noise in the build-up to what will be their side's first Super Cup outing.

Trevoh Chalobah starts in a back three for Chelsea.

Five of the Champions League winning XI start, including Kai Havertz, who scored the winner against Manchester City.

England trio Ben Chilwell, Tammy Abraham and Reece James are on the bench.

Chelsea XI: Mendy, Zouma, Chalobah, Rudiger, Hudson-Odoi, Kovacic, Kante, Alonso, Ziyech, Werner, Havertz.

Pau Torres, who has been linked to Manchester United, starts for Villarreal despite playing in Euro 2020 and the Olympics this summer.

Striker Boulaye Dia makes his debut after a summer move from Reims.

Villarreal XI: Asenjo, Foyth, Albiol, Torres, Pedraza, Trigueros, Capoue, A Moreno, Pino, G Moreno, Dia.

Mark Sterling
91Èȱ¬ Sport NI at Windsor Park

Sweet Caroline very much became England’s anthem during their journey to the Euro 2020 finals earlier this summer.

It caused something of a stir on this side of the Irish Sea, however, with Northern Ireland fans having belted out the Neil Diamond classic for many years previously, both on away trips and before and after home matches at Windsor Park.

Northern Ireland’s famous 1-0 win over England here in 2005, when the stadium DJ played the song minutes after the final whistle amidst joyous celebrations, played a key role in the song becoming synonymous with the NI international side.

It may or may not make the set list at Windsor tonight, but the home support will no doubt be keen to reclaim the song when Switzerland come to town next month.

Image source, Getty Images

Manchester City have strengthened, as have Manchester United, so will Chelsea challenge for the Premier League title this season?

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What a job Thomas Tuchel has done in the short time he has been at Chelsea.

Not only did he manage a top four finish, he claimed the big prize of the Champions League, stifling Manchester City in the final.

Unai Emery's Villarreal, meanwhile, did a number on Manchester United by snatching the Europa League final on penalties.

It was the La Liga side's first major trophy and a second may quickly follow.

Trevoh Chalobah starts in defence for Chelsea, as does Kurt Zouma, who has been linked with a move away.

Image source, Getty Images

The Champions League winners.

Image source, Getty Images

The Europa League winners.

Success breeds success and these two teams now have the opportunity to get their hands on more silverware at the start of the new season.