VAN GAAL NEEDS MORE COVER AT THE BACK
If, as seems likely, David de Gea is going to Real Madrid, Louis van Gaal must have a replacement lined up. Sergio Romero, the goalkeeper Manchester United bought last week, may be first choice for Argentina, but his recent club record does not suggest he could walk straight into the team at Old Trafford. Romero had great success with Van Gaal at AZ Alkmaar, but recently he has been little more than an understudy. In 2013-14 he was loaned to Monaco, but could not break into the team ahead of Danijel Subasic. On returning to Sampdoria, he was similarly pegged behind Emiliano Viviano last season. Considering De Gea’s importance to United, this is no like-for-like replacement. If Van Gaal can secure Jasper Cillessen, Holland’s first choice, from Ajax, United could be considered to have made the best of a difficult situation — with two international goalkeepers coming in and one going out. If they lose De Gea for Sampdoria’s reserve, however, that is bad business.
INTER MILAN manager Roberto Mancini wants Xherdan Shaqiri to sign for Stoke City. Shaqiri is reluctant. So are Stoke, having been messed around by the player all summer. Shaqiri no doubt thinks he deserves better having spent the last three years at Bayern Munich and Inter. He doesn’t. He has great talent but if a Champions League club wanted him they would have paid the £12m by now. Mark Hughes has done a good job at Stoke and the last thing he needs is a precious hothouse flower who thinks he is doing the club a favour. Shaqiri had his chance; Stoke should pass.
DOES yesterday’s Community Shield result mean Arsene Wenger has finally ended his run of games without beating Jose Mourinho? No. It is a friendly, whatever needle exists between the coaches. Wenger has no more beaten Mourinho than he has won three trophies already this season, beside the Asia Trophy and the Emirates Cup. But does it mean Arsenal are serious title contenders this season? Yes, it most certainly does. And selling them Petr Cech was a big mistake.
SOUTHAMPTON are worried that captain Jose Fonte is about to ask for an expensive new contract, or a move. He has split from his longstanding agent Artur Teixeira and has engaged the services of Jorge Mendes, whose roster includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Radamel Falcao, Angel di Maria, Diego Costa and James Rodriguez. Mendes has a way of getting the best deals for his men — David de Gea is another client. Fonte, however, is a 31-year-old centre half, with a contract that takes him beyond his 33rd birthday. There may be a way through this.