This week has seen Premier League giants Chelsea touch down on Australian shores, but there's been a host of other stories developing around the country.
READ: 'They have a very good team': Chelsea star's praise for Glory
READ: Who shone in Chelsea v Glory?
Newcastle Jets have departed into unchartered territory for the Hyundai A-League, a Sydney FC player has achieved his target for a noble cause, while a Hyundai A-League stalwart has discussed his time with one of the world's most famous clubs.
It's all in this week's edition of Hyundai A-League Paper Talk!
GRANT REACHES HIS GOAL FOR HOMELESSNESS CHARITY
Sydney FC’s Rhyan Grant has broken through for his goal of raising $3,000 for inaugural “Sports Stars Sleepout”.
Grant will be sleeping rough on the Sydney Cricket Ground pitch alongside leading Australian sports stars next month, in an effort to raise money and awareness of youth homelessness.
The event takes place on August 5, on the eve of Homelessness Week 2018.
“It’s incredible to think that there are over 44,000 young homeless people in this country in 2018,” Grant said.
“When I saw those statistics I was only happy to take part and join the others in raising money to get these young people safe and back on their feet.”
All money raised will go to “BackTrack” – an organisation which does ground breaking work with the homeless youth.
You can sponsor Rhyan and help him raise funds for the cause by clicking here.
BAUTHEAC TARGETS BIG IMPROVEMENT IN 2018/19
Brisbane Roar’s Eric Bautheac is determined to make his second season in the Hyundai A-League a big one ahead of the 2018/19 campaign.
Bautheac arrived in Brisbane from Lille last year and scored two goals for John Aloisi’s side, but failed to truly capitalise on his potential.
The 30-year-old says he was only playing to half of his capacity, and is aiming to play a key role in the Roar’s upcoming Premiership challenge.
"In terms of football, I didn’t have any preparation at the start of the season," Bautheac told Get French Football News.
"When I arrived, I’d had a problem because my visa hadn’t been accepted straight away. It took two months, so for two months I hadn’t been training.
"It was a hard season for me, even if I’d played some good matches, I would say I was at 50 percent of my usual level.
"This season, things are different and I’m building on a good base. For starters, I’ve got a full pre-season – I scored two goals in our first friendly match – so I’m feeling a lot better now."
Bautheac will get his first opportunity to prove himself when the Roar take on Melbourne City in the FFA Cup on August 7.
RANGERS GIG WOULD INTEREST ME: MUSCAT
Melbourne Victory coach Kevin Muscat says he would consider a move to Scottish giants Rangers in the future.
Speaking to The Sunday Post, the 44-year-old said the prospect of returning to the Glaswegians in a managerial capacity one day is a tempting one.
Muscat signed on at Ibrox Stadium from Wolverhampton Wanderers and was part of Rangers’ treble-winning season in 2002/03.
"Without doubt, the Rangers job would interest me in the future,” he said.
“But now is the time for getting behind the new manager (Steven Gerrard).”
Muscat played over 20 times for the famous Scottish club but never once featured in an Old Firm derby against Celtic.
The Victory boss was frozen out of the first team picture by then-boss Alex McLeish at the time, and he discussed his frustrations at not experiencing one of world football’s most seismic fixtures.
“I think before that first derby that came along that season, I had played a number of games in succession prior to it.
“We had been winning the majority of those games. So when I was left out, I can recall being deeply annoyed.
“Alex had to make his decisions and at the time I got frustrated. But being a manager now, I respect that he was making the decisions that he thought were the best for the team.”
NEWCASTLE JETTING OFF TO SPAIN
Newcastle Jets’ exciting pre-season continues after the 2017/18 Grand Finalists departed for Spain last night.
In the third leg of what coach Ernie Merrick labelled a “diverse pre-season program” earlier in the week, the Jets are heading to Spain for an intensive training camp at the Genova International Soccer School in Murcia.
The club will play three friendly games against the likes of Elche FC, Getafe CF and Real Murcia.
READ: F3 Derby to take centre stage in pre-season
Newcastle have already travelled to China in pre-season where they took on Chinese clubs Beijing Goan and Shanghai Shenhua.
Merrick’s side take on Central Coast Mariners in a unique pre-season F3 Derby in August
Tickets for the clash will be available to purchase from Monday 30 July via www.maitlandevents.com.au.
