Gossip: Smalling on Man United exit list?
MAN UNITED NEED NEW DEFENCE
It seems that only Eric Bailly’s place in Manchester United’s defence is assured with the Daily Mail saying there are doubts about the futures of Chris Smalling (who got a well-deserved rollicking after that Chelsea debacle), Daley Blind, Marcos Rojo, Matteo Darmian and Lue Shaw, while United want more competition for right-back Antonio Valencia. They don’t even mention Phil Jones; nobody ever mentions Phil Jones anymore.
The only name put forward by the Mail to come in and partner Bailly (when he returns from injury) is German international Antonio Rudiger, who would cost close to £35m from Roma. He can play at centre-half or right-back.
CHELSEA WANT PASTORE
‘Paris Saint-Germain playmaker Javier Pastore is the subject of interest from Chelsea, an Italian club and a Chinese outfit, a source close to the Argentina international has confirmed to ESPN FC.’
Now this is interesting. Pastore has only started three Ligue Un games under new PSG boss Unai Emery, though he is currently sidelines with a calf injury. New Chelsea boss Antonio Conte is said to be a fan of Pastore from his days in Serie A with Palermo, but would he fit into the Blues’ current formation?
AND THE REST
Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri wants to make his loan spell at Sevilla permanent in the summer…French midfielder Steven N’Zonzi is ready to snub a Premier League return and sign a new deal with Spanish side Sevilla…Everton outcast Oumar Niasse could be on his way to Galatasaray…Manchester United coach Warren Joyce will meet Wigan about becoming their new manager this weekend.