Chelsea and Everton left with opening day blues.

Raheem Sterling’s representatives say he wants ‘clarity’. I’d say he got it yesterday (Sunday) when he was left out of Chelsea’s matchday squad.

Chelsea couldn’t have been much clearer.  He’s on too much money (350,000/week) and they want him gone.

That’s fine. The problem is that Chelsea agreed to those terms and he’s got three years left on his contract. If they want out on the deal they’ll have to find a way to compensate him. He hasn’t asked to go.

Clubs love talking about a lack of loyalty when a player makes a stand and wants to leave, but that works both ways. Sterling hasn’t done anything wrong - so treat him properly. Ben Chilwell hasn’t done anything wrong either. The same applies.

Sterling featured in all six of Chelsea’s pre-season friendlies so what’s happened? This doesn’t feel like a decision Maresca has made. More one that Todd Boehly and overly-clever football committee have.

What’s happening with Gallagher Todd? Has someone realised after yesterday’s limp performance perhaps those young boys need a solid pro amongst them? Someone who understands Chelsea? Someone who understands what fed-up Chelsea punters want?

And Osimhen? Mikel Jon Obi told beINSPORTS at the weekend that he’s exchanged messages with the player and that Osimhen is desperate to sign. So what’s the hold up? Mind you - if I exchanged messages with him I’d advise him to steer clear of the madhouse.

What a start it was for Everton. It really couldn’t have been much worse. What worries me is not how bad it was - more that I can’t see how it gets better.

I watched Ipswich buzz about a bit - full of energy and enthusiasm. Eventually they ran out of steam and Liverpool picked them off. They were very good second-half playing more like a Klopp side. You could argue they were solid and sensible in the first - absorbing Town’s exuberance, but I enjoyed the second more. If they keep that up they’ll still be worth watching.

Anyway - Ipswich have got a naivety about them that both gives them a chance, but will likely cost them. I guess what I’m saying is they can get better.

Southampton did ok. They’ll have to learn quickly in order to survive, but they suggested there’s more to come as well.

We don’t know about Leicester yet, but I’m guessing they’ll be the same - although I expect Spurs to beat them tonight (Monday). 

But Everton? Wow. They looked so bad. They’ve got all the same problems as last season. Where are the goals going to come from? Where’s the energy? There’s no youth. No legs. Young’s sending off was an accident waiting to happen. He’s a terrific pro who’s had a wonderful career - but playing at full-back at 39?

I’m genuinely worried for the Toffees. There’s so much shit still to come down the line off the field I don’t know where they turn for answers on it.

Well done Sam Barrott. He dropped a real bollock at Brentford, but owned it. It’s so refreshing when a ref does that.

Of course he should’ve waited before blowing his whistle and disallowing Eze’s clever free-kick. You could see he was hoping VAR would help him out and tell him the ball was in the net before he whistled - but it wasn’t, so his decision stood.

Eze told us all later Barrott admitted he’d made a mistake. Good on him.

United? What more is there to say. The only question surely is ‘how long does ten Hag get?’ As I said last week - players and fans alike must’ve been gutted when news broke he was staying.

Just to expand on what I tweeted Friday - never tell your opponents you’re not ready. I know Guardiola did a similar thing - but there’s a huge difference. City are good. They could afford to still be getting ready Christmas. In fact, they often are, but they’re always top.

What ten Hag was really saying was ‘don’t blame me if we lose v Fulham’. It was typical of him. It’s never his fault. Although he always takes the credit if they get a lucky win - which Friday’s result was.

The last few days of the window are doing to be interesting. It ‘slams shut’ at the end of the month of course.

Who gets Ivan Toney? Do Chelsea get the Osimhen deal done? How can Chelsea keep spending? Perhaps they know there’s a transfer ban on the way?

Toney and Osimhen are about the only big deals left to do. It’s been quiet again hasn’t it? Are there no big stars left to trade or have we killed all the excitement with the sustainability rules? It would be a shame if that were the case.