It sounds crazy, but it's true: should City beat Roma on Wednesday night, they will inadvertently be doing their arch-rivals a huge favour - and his name is Kevin Strootman.
Man Utd target Strootman January swoop:
Longtime Manchester United target Kevin Strootman could finally be on his way to Old Trafford next month when the transfer reopens, claim the Daily Telegraph - IF the midfielder's current club Roma fail to join Bayern Munich in the Champions League last-16 tonight.
Paper Round's view:
Well, Strootman has been on the United radar since even before they brought in his former Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal, so it's not surprising the link has resurfaced in time for the January window. What is delicious about this latest report, however, is that Roma failing to reach the knockout stage would happen at the direct hands of United's local and title rivals Manchester City. So, in potentially beating Roma to that last slot, City could be doing United a massive favour in the transfer market and one that could boost their chances of somehow overtaking them in the Premier League!
Liverpool's goalkeeper shortlist shortens: The Daily Mail are claiming Chelsea's Petr Cech and Stoke stopper Asmir Begovic are Brendan Rodgers' primary options to replace current Liverpool number one Simon Mignolet in January, after the club failed to put together a deal for Cologne's 21-year-old prospect Timo Horn.
Paper Round's view:
Despite several vital saves in the Reds' ultimately-futile attempt to reach the Champions League last-16 by the skin of their teeth, the verdict on Mignolet appears to remain bleak. And due to their experiences with the former Sunderland keeper, one would imagine Liverpool staff and fans alike would surely favour someone as experienced at the highest level as Cech is to someone like Begovic while, though very talented, could end up suffering as Mignolet has when moving up in club size and expectations/pressure.
Pellegrini 'would guide Man City in the Europa League': In an article in The Guardian, Manuel Pellegrini has stated he believes his job as Manchester City boss would NOT be in doubt even if they were to be eliminated from the Champions League by Roma this evening. Paper Round's view: Yeah, pull the other one, Manuel. As much as we admire Pellegrini's optimism (and in this game, you have to keep faith in yourself even when things are bleak), it is hard to imagine those fickle, whimsical creatures known as football club owners would keep patience if the City board's top aim - European glory - goes up in smoke in disappointing fashion once again. The match in Roma is do or die for Pellegrini despite winning the Premier League last season - and deep down, he knows it.
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