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It’s only a friendly, we keep hearing. This is true, but it is more than that. It’s a marker as to where we are in preparation for the new season, and it didn’t look good. With the upcoming internationals only serving to deprive Ancelotti of his players again, the physical and indeed mental condition of the players after four defeats in pre-season doesn’t bode well, with little opportunity to rectify…

It’s Chelsea vs Manchester United (again) at Wembley this afternoon, playing on an all new semi-artificial surface, which should mean no nasty injuries, and some decent football. The Wembley directors have said yesso to Desso, in adopting the half grass, half synthetic solution to try and solve their ongoing pitch woes. With the system in place at many Premier League clubs such as City, Arsenal and Liverpool, amongst others, here’s…