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Paper Round: Chelsea turn to Luis Enrique, Manchester City still keen on Emre Can

Pete Sharland

Updated 19/01/2018 at 01:27 GMT

Chelsea seem to have turned to Luis Enrique whilst Manchester City haven't given up on Emre Can. It's Friday's Paper Round.

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique reacts

Image credit: Reuters

Chelsea want Enrique and Belletti

We start with an exclusive from The Star, who report that Chelsea are lining up a combination of Luis Enrique and former Blue Juliano Belletti to lead the club next season. Antonio Conte is expected to leave and despite options such as Max Allegri, Maurizio Sarri, Diego Simeone, Carlo Ancelotti and Thomas Tuchel, Roman Abramovich wants to hire former Barcelona boss Enrique. Further to hiring Enrique, he also wants to bring Belletti back to the Bridge as a Director of Football.
Paper Round's view: Chelsea often spoke of bringing as many as their former players back as possible but so far it hasn't worked out too well in terms of players from the Abramovich era. Belletti may not be the first name fans expected but as a popular figure he makes sense as an appointment. Watching Enrique in England would be very interesting.

City still keen on Can as Liverpool chase Goretzka

We move on to The Mirror, who report that Manchester City remain keen on signing Emre Can on a free transfer this summer - but it could depend on Leon Goretzka's future. Can is more interested in Bayern Munich than Juventus but the German champions could sign Goretzka, which would push Can to City or a new Liverpool contract, as he would prefer to stay in England. However, if Goretzka chooses Anfield then Can could go to Bayern.
Paper Round's view: Right did you get all that? It's certainly a complicated situation but ultimately what it comes down to is that two extremely talented young German midfielders could move for free in the summer.

Sanchez wanted to quit Arsenal after Bayern loss

In the Star there is another exclusive, and it is that Alexis Sanchez had agreed a new deal with Arsenal but after the humiliating defeats to Bayern Munich in the Champions League last year, he decided he wanted to leave because he didn't feel the club could match his ambitions.
Paper Round's view: Sanchez's will to win is famous and you can understand his mentality to some degree. However, that does not excuse some of his behaviour on the pitch and it is becomingly increasingly clear Arsenal should have sold him in the summer.

Sturridge could leave but Ings likely to stay

Finally we end with a story in The Telegraph, which says that Daniel Sturridge is edging closer to a move away from Liverpool, with a loan move to Inter Milan currently the most likely scenario. However, should Sturridge leave then it means that it is unlikely that Danny Ings will be allowed to leave.
Paper Round's view: This seems sensible. Sturridge is pushing for a World Cup place and needs as many minutes as possible (although will he really get them at an Inter side who have Mauro Icardi?), whilst Ings is coming back from a serious injury, so should be eased into first-team action. Ings' situation can be looked at in the summer if he needs a move.
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