Teddy Sheringham admits he is “excited” about the prospect of Manchester United possibly signing England star Cole Palmer this summer – but is concerned by his recent fitness issues.
Former Manchester City star Palmer dazzled in a Chelsea shirt last season and has scored 53 goals in 123 appearances since moving to Stamford Bridge.
But this season has been plagued by injuries which have limited Palmer’s appearances and influence for Chelsea, who parted company with Enzo Maresca and appointed Liam Rosenior.
The Londoners have won 13 of 31 Premier League games so far this term and lie sixth in the table, six points adrift of fourth-placed Aston Villa.
Window of opportunity
Man Utd, meanwhile, have surged up to third place under the guidance of interim manager Michael Carrick – and the Red Devils have been linked with a move for Palmer in this summer’s transfer window.
At the same time, United talisman Bruno Fernandes has been linked with a summer departure from Old Trafford.
And former Man Utd striker Sheringham feels Palmer could be a perfect replacement for the Portuguese playmaker.
Break the bank
During an exclusive conversation with BestBettingSites, Sheringham said: “I think United would only go and break the bank for a player like Cole Palmer if they sold Bruno Fernandes.
“You could play with both of them if you had a really good central midfielder behind them and slightly changed your system.
“But the more top-quality players you can get into your squad, the better for a team like Manchester United.
“We had a lot of good players in my time that the manager rotated and kept happy – happy enough – to make the team a force.”
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Injuries not ideal
Sheringham continued: “You have to look at the injuries Cole Palmer has had this season, which isn’t ideal.
“When you’re looking at top players for Manchester United, you want them to be ever-present, week in, week out.
“It’s becoming a bit of a problem – I think he’s had a toe problem and a groin problem, little niggles at a very early age.
“You can’t get used to that as a professional.
“You need to get out of that mode and be playing 45 games a season – hopefully 60 – because that’s the level Manchester United should be looking at: when you’re hitting those numbers as a player, you’re running deep in all the competitions.
“For United to challenge for the biggest prizes, they need consistent leaders on the pitch.”
Swagger and confidence
Sheringham believes Palmer, 23, has the swagger and confidence to play for United, saying: “I really like his manner, his confidence and his swagger.
“He would be the one that excites me; he can score a goal from that number 10 role or maybe a wide right role, coming in off the line to join in and score.
“I feel that way even though I really like Phil Foden, though I think Foden has gone off the boil a little bit.
“[Morgan] Rogers is good. [Jude] Bellingham is good, but I’m still waiting to be really excited by him.”
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Roy Keane comparison
On Kobbie Mainoo, Sheringham added: “I don’t think Mainoo is an “exciting” player.
“I think he’s more like Roy Keane – he does things that are invaluable to the team, but you don’t necessarily come away from the game saying: “Wow, Mainoo, what a great player.”
“If you keep doing the right things on the football pitch and keep things ticking over, you get noticed without being noticed.
“You are doing the right things at the right time, keeping the ball in midfield and maintaining possession. That is hard to do in central midfield.
“I keep telling people that you only need one or two touches in midfield. As long as you keep the ball, you’ve done your job.
“I’m always telling young players – and top players, even the players when I was managing at Stevenage – you need to keep the ball and keep possession in midfield.
“Mainoo does that, and that’s why he’s back in the England fold.”
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