Troy Deeney was hypothetically speaking about Bruno Fernandes’ future when he said clubs like Man City, Liverpool and Newcastle would not be interested in the Portuguese midfielder – even if Manchester United made him available in the summer.
It’s a big statement to make about the Premier League’s most creative player, especially to bring 10th-placed Newcastle into the equation.
The former Watford striker was speaking to The Sun when he made it clear that he isn’t a fan of how Fernandes is club captain at United.
When discussing Fernandes’ credentials as captain, Deeney named three Premier League clubs he doesn’t think would be interested in signing him in the summer transfer window.
“I’m not expecting a massive shake-up of the playing staff at United this summer and Fernandes will be one of the players the club will want to keep – but an incoming manager will surely be looking to appoint a new captain,” Deeney said.
“The Portuguese is a very good player, if not a great one. When I played against him, he wasn’t one of those opposition players that our manager would spend a matchday-minus-one analysis session instructing us on how to stop him.
“If United made him available, I don’t see City or Liverpool or even Newcastle coming in for him. But he is a fine creative player, with good set-piece delivery and the ability to shoot from range. His goals and assists stats are good.”
Most chances created in the Premier League?
There’s no denying that Fernandes has struggled with form this season. He hasn’t hit the heights of previous seasons, but the Portugal international still tops the charts for most chances created in the Premier League.
Last season’s chance creation leader is figuring very highly again in this campaign, with 76 chances to his name.
Is that really something teams like City, Liverpool and Newcastle would put their noses up? I really don’t think so.
Furthermore, I don’t think this criticism would bother Fernandes. Why would he want to play for City, Liverpool or Newcastle when he’s a star at United?
I could name a lot of clubs that weren’t ever interested in Deeney as a striker.
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