Paper Round: Maurizio Sarri’s replacement lined up, why Liverpool and Man Utd snubbed Aaron Ramsey

Give it to Zola till end of the season…

Chelsea will follow Manchester United’s lead should they opt to sack Maurizio Sarri, by reportedly hiring a club legend to take over. According to the Mirror, said legend would be Gianfranco Zola, who is currently Sarri’s assistant at the club. Chelsea’s 6-0 humiliation at Manchester City has led to suggestions Sarri’s days could be numbered at Stamford Bridge. And should they sack the Italian, Zola would likely assume the role on an interim basis until the end of the season…

…but Sarri still has time?

The Telegraph, meanwhile, reports Sarri has a crucial fortnight coming up, while he will also be expected to win the Europa League. And then you have the Guardian, who say the Chelsea boss has a month to save his job, while they also report the importance of winning the Europa League – primarily as it secures Champions League football for the following season.

Paper Round’s view: Sarri survived the Monday after the dreadful Sunday, so does that mean he will fight on for at least another week? After publicly acknowledging he is rarely in contact with owner Roman Abramovich, it would be a surprise if Sarri goes the week without a call from the man in charge at Stamford Bridge. Sarri likely still has time to prove he is the right man for the job - cue Tuesday dismissal...

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United and Liverpool’s Ramsey ‘snub’

Liverpool and Manchester United decided against making an offer for Juventus-bound Arsenal midfielder Aaron Ramsey in part because of his wage demands – the Evening Standard reports. Ramsey is set to earn more than £400,000 a week at Juventus after agreeing to join the Italian club in the summer, and it is said as well as that issue, Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp did not see the need to add another midfielder to his ranks despite being an admirer of the Welshman, while United were unwilling to commit funds with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only in charge on a temporary basis – for now.

Paper Round’s view: £400,000 a week, for Ramsey, at Juventus. Give that man’s agent a medal. Staggering, no wonder no other club appeared to be in the picture, and no wonder Arsenal were resigned to losing him. They set a bar high with their wages for Mesut Ozil, and Ramsey could be the first of many they have contract problems with in the future.

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Solari or Isco?

Santiago Solari’s fallout with Isco could lead the Real Madrid hierarchy to make a decision between the two this summer – the Mirror reports. Since Solari took charge of Real earlier this season, Isco has become an increasingly isolated figure at the Bernabeu, reduced to cup appearances and more often than not a place on the bench in the league. Should their frosty relationship continue, Real could reportedly be faced with the prospect of sacking Solari or selling Isco.

Paper Round’s view: Real’s recent resurgence under Solari, with Isco watching on from the sidelines, means the midfielder would likely be the one to move on. Isco has long been linked with moves to either Italy or England, namely Manchester City or Juventus – perhaps this is the summer it finally happens.