Football Paper Round: Pep Guardiola cancels Clichy, Sagna and Zabaleta's Man City contract talks

Man City consider letting defensive trio leave

Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City clear-out could be set to continue, with no fewer than three of his squad's full-backs facing uncertain futures - according to The Sun. City have halted contract talks with Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy and Pablo Zabaleta after Guardiola called on the trio to show him that they are capable of adapting to the club's new style of play. All three of the players are over 30 and City believe that better options may be out there next summer.

Scholes is unimpressed with the Premier League

Paul Scholes says he would rather watch Salford than the Premier League and believes the top English clubs are a long way from being the best around - reports The Daily Mirror. Scholes says he even enjoys watching his son's team more than the English top-flight and suggests he’s not been impressed by a single Premier League match in the last two years.

Allardyce nails his colours to the Rooney mast

England manager Sam Allardyce says that Wayne Rooney's experience makes him indispensable to the national team - reports the Daily Express. Big Sam has backed up his comments following England's last-gasp win against Slovakia by explaining that he is attempting to use Rooney's captaincy qualities to inspire the team, while allowing the player a free role to extract the best from his game. Rooney's performance against Slovakia garnered mixed reviews, but Allardyce believes that Rooney played "very, very well."

Source: Eurosport