Now... Eric Bailly linked to utd is the headline on sky, the minor matter that city, Barcelona and Psg are also all bidding is just a foot note in the story. Remember the guy who played cb in first leg away at villa real and missed second leg. .... that's him.
You jest surely, Varane and Kos would be first choice followed by Umtiti, Zouma and Rami. Sakho would be way back on par with Mangala.
Sakho started in the world cup two years ago. Not sure in between, but looking at the fixtures for the last season, Kos and Varane appears to be the main paring with Sakho on the bench, though Sakho stated ahead of Kos (benched) against Russia. He seems to be highly regarded by the national team.
I think they saw him as one for the future with potential. After two years he has gone backwards but still has time on his side.
I think he was more established than that sounds. I agree that he hasn't lived up to all the expectations yet though. It's frustrating tbecause there is a world class defender in there somewhere, but the fault's that he has don't seem to be going away (even though they could be worked on), so that I don't think he'll ever be as good as we hoped he would be (and he potentially could have been). But as you say, there's still time for him to improve.
18 months ago I would have given you a Toblerone and a walnut whip to take Smalling off our hands, my view has changed since then Centre backs usually get better with age and come into their best years around 27/28 so there is time yet
Leicester's England striker Jamie Vardy, 29, is to have a medical at Arsenal on Sunday after his £20m release clause was activated by the Gunners. ( Everton will have to pay £3.5m in compensation to Southampton for manager Ronald Koeman and the Dutchman will be given £100m for transfers. (Liverpool Echo) Former Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini is a shock contender to succeed Koeman at Southampton. (Sunday Mirror)
Little article on Coutinho and Klopp http://www.90min.com/posts/3291432-...tempted-to-sell-philippe-coutinho-this-summer Not fussed if we sold him tbh, has great talent but goes missing in too many games and doesn't use it often enough for me. He's good but not Suarez level good. He'd command a high price as well giving funds to contribute to a better suited and more consistent player(s)