This is a tough week for captaincy. Erling Haaland is away at Liverpool. Cole Palmer is home to Bournemouth. Bukayo Saka has the Saturday lunchtime kick-off at home to Leeds. Bruno Fernandes is at home to Spurs.

Fernandes has the best fixture and the best chance of a big score, but not many own him. Of the rest, you can talk me into any of them. I am leaning safe and sticking with Haaland. Even in a tougher game, if Man City score he should be the one involved.

If I wanted to be different, I would look at Saka or Palmer, both at home. What puts me off Saka is the possible Havertz injury that will impact their attack, plus an early kick-off straight after a long break. What puts me off Palmer is Joao Pedro. If he is not fit, the Chelsea attack suffers, as we saw in gameweek five against Brentford.

LeBron James said it’s “going to take some time” for his new team-mates to gel after suffering defeat on his debut for the Philadelphia 76ers in a pre-season game.

The 41-year-old American joined the 76ers in July for what he says will be his final contract in the NBA following a glittering career.

James is the highest points scorer in the history of the league and is entering a record-extending 24th NBA season.

James scored 10 points and added four rebounds, five assists and a steal in 18 first-half minutes as his side fell to a 114-108 defeat by the Brooklyn Nets.

“We’re still trying to put each other in the position to be successful and complement each other the best way we can on the floor. But it’s going to take some time,” said James.

“Tonight was a good sample size for us to build on.”

James played alongside new team-mates Joel Embiid, VJ Edgecombe, Tyrese Maxey and Jaylen Brown, with the latter leading the scoring with 18 points.

James has won titles with every NBA side he has played for, including two with the Miami Heat, one with the Cleveland Cavaliers and another with the Los Angeles Lakers.

He left the Lakers this summer after spending eight years with the franchise.

James has been named the NBA’s Most Valuable Player four times, all between 2009 and 2013, and has been an NBA All-Star the last 22 seasons running.

He is aiming to help the 76ers win their first NBA title in 43 years.