Arsenal have been linked with moves to sign both Jesse Lingard and Chris Smalling this summer, and both moves may now be off.
The former has supposedly declared his intention to stay at Manchester United this summer, despite having just the one year remaining on his current deal.
Lingard had been named as a potential alternative to Ceballos, although I don’t see Jesse as able to play in such a deep lying role. Regardless of my opinion, which is that I do not want him anywhere near my team, he doesn’t look like he is on his way anyway. Phew…
Smalling on the other hand may well have been a better option this summer, especially after enjoying an impressive spell in Serie A with Roma. The English defender was believed to be keen on a return to England, but the Italian side are keen to keep him.
“He surprised me,” Paulo Fonseca, the AS Roma coach said.
“He’s a defender that had never left England and he arrived in a league very demanding of tactics, where details make the difference.
“Chris adapted very quickly. He’s an extraordinary guy, very intelligent. He has characteristics that I really appreciate in the centre.
“He’s fast, nearly unbeatable in one-on-ones. He has a great ability to read the play and anticipate. He was very important for this club.
“If possible, I would like him to stay.
“He’s a great professional and person, it’s a pleasure to have him here with us.”
Would either Lingard or Smalling improve our squad? Would they suit our new philosophy?
Patrick
A smidgen of good news in these dire times !
Oh come on, we’re so much better than that!!
I think the “phew” about Lingard is the correct word for both players. Neither will end up with us, as there will be no more football anyway for far longer than most people choose to admit, even to themselves. Those people include the clubs,players and football authorities sadly, or most of them anyway and self foolery is always wrong , stupid and damaging. In life we allneed to face bad news head on, so that we can make PROPER plans, not merely silly unrealistic fake delays for a few weeks.
I will be amazed if there is any pro football worldwide this year, except possibly in China(which corrupt country is a law unto itself), Belarus(currently) and Sweden apart. I will be equally as amazed it either of these two middling to poor players end up wearingour shirt, even had this virus never happened.
If those corpses aren’t good enough for Manu, how the xxxcensoredxxx should they be good enough for a Asn’l starting XI? Two bodies that no one wants. Yeah, Jon, send them to Sweden. I’m sure that if my favorite team AIK bought those bodies, they would become champions. That’s the level of Chris and Jesse. But nothing more than that. Two guys for Allsvenskan.