Gossip: Mourinho, Falcao, Townsend, Alli, Anderson

MOURINHO ON THE BRINK AT CHELSEA
Well, well, well. There was news on Monday that Jose Mourinho could lose his job if Chelsea lose to Liverpool next week, but now the Daily Mirror are claiming that senior players are expecting the Portuguese’s exit rather soon.

Dave Kidd is the man in the know, and he reports that players now believe it is a case of ‘when not if’ Chelsea will lose patience with the manager and show him the door. Kidd reports that players are not rebelling against the boss, but are growing more ‘bemused’ with each week as the fines and charges continue to roll in for Mourinho. The best part is this:

‘While a handful of players have aired grievances about Mourinho, there is an insistence that the manager has not “lost the dressing-room” and a feeling, in the words of one, that “we just want our Jose back”.’

Like a grieving parent praying for the safe return of their missing child, Chelsea’s players ‘just want their Jose back’.

But what of Mourinho’s future? There’s some confusion, with the Independent claiming his representatives are ‘investigating’ a move to the obvious destination of Paris Saint-Germain or the less obvious return to Inter Milan. Spanish newspaper Sport believe Monaco could be his next calling, while the Sun claims Pep Guardiola is the overwhelming favourite to replace Jose. The Times believe the Spaniard is open to extending his stay at Bayern Munich, however.

Basically, no-one’s got a f***ing clue.

AVB WANTS FALCAO
More terrible news for Chelsea fans: Radamel Falcao could be on his way out.

The Colombian striker has scored one goal in eight Premier League games since joining the Blues on loan from Monaco in the summer, and has carried on his stellar form from his spell at Manchester United.

The Telegraph believe Zenit St Petersburg are willing to hand the striker an escape route, with Andre Villas-Boas keen to link up with the forward he once won the treble with at Porto, scoring 33 goals in 36 games. He’s a very different striker now, Andre.

Zenit are keen on bringing Falcao in as soon as the January transfer window reopens, but it would require Chelsea cancelling their loan deal with Monaco. While he’s a bit rubbish, he is an actual striker (according to reports). Chelsea don’t have many of those.

THE END FOR TOWNSEND
Ladies and gentlemen, Charlie Wyett has an exclusive. The Sun’s man in the know reports that Andros Townsend actually plays football at club level. Not only that, but Andros could be moving clubs in January. Mental.

Wyett reports that Tottenham are willing to let professional international and part-time club footballer Townsend head out on loan in January, with the winger failing to win a place in the starting XI under Mauricio Pochettino. Swansea and Newcastle would be interested in the 24-year-old’s services.

The thing is, Spurs would need a replacement. Fear not however, as Wyett has us covered. He believes Spurs could go back in for Crystal Palace winger Yannick Bolasie, but that the Congolese would cost upwards of £15million.

DELE RIGHT UP PSG’S ALLI
More worrying for Spurs than the exit of perennial substitute Townsend is the future of Dele Alli, who has been in fine form this season. Alli has acquitted himself to the Premier League with aplomb since joining from League One MK Dons, but his excellent performances could come at a cost.

According to reports in French newspaper L’Equipe, PSG assistant sporting director Olivier Letang was in attendance for Spurs’ 2-1 defeat to Anderlecht in the Europa League in midweek. Letang’s subjects of interest were Anderlecht’s Youri Tielemans and Alli. Letang was likely disappointed therefore to see Alli play only 25 minutes as a second-half substitute, but it’s fair to note PSG’s interest nonetheless.

MAN UNITED WANT ANDERSON
…and while his name is indeed Anderson and he is Brazilian, it unfortunately is not the plump one. No, this is that fella at Lazio who’s meant to be really good.

Felipe Anderson is the guy, and you might remember him from last summer. United were reported to be heavily interested in his services and even apparently lodged a bid of close to £30million for him, but Lazio stood firm and the Red Devils settled for Anthony Martial. ‘WHAT A WASTE OF MONEY’, eh, the Mirror?

Anyway, Gazzetta dello Sport claim United will be back in for Anderson come January. He has started this season well with four goals and one assist in nine Serie A games. That valuation is unlikely to have changed an awful lot.