Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has clearly always seen battling and rugged midfielders as seminal to any successful side and he has always been great at finding and signing them.
He had great relationships with the likes of Michael Ballack, Micheal Essien and Claude Makelele – players who rarely stole the show but whose quiet efficiency, team ethic and work rate made Chelsea into serial winners.
And one of his more recent success stories is again being linked with a move to Manchester United.
The Independent says of Mourinho:
He reportedly sees signing Matic as equally important to his plans as signing Atletico Madrid superstar Antoine Griezmann – who will be his main summer target – and plans to play him alongside Ander Herrera.
Matic was poor last season so it was easy to imagine a move being on the cards. But his form this term has been exceptional and, unless the player agitates for a move, then surely Manchester United will be thwarted in any attempt to sign him.
Perhaps then a more realistic target is the brilliant young Atalanta midfielder Franck Kessie.
The same source passes on the news (via Sky Italia) that Manchester United could seek the services of one of the most hyped young talents around.
Another midfield target on United’s radar is 20-year-old Franck Kessie, according to Sky Italia.
The Ivory Coast international is a target for several Premier League sides after impressing in his performances for Atalanta in Serie A.
And it’s easy to see why he is getting so much attention right now because this is a young player who seems to have the world at his feet and can do anything on the field of play.
A powerful and buccaneering free spirit of a player, the 6ft 20-year-old has already played ten times for the Ivory Coast since his debut in 2015.
And he’s hit 5 goals in 14 games for Atalanta this season to prove that he is becoming a box-to-box sensation.
Manchester United fans: would you rather sign Kessie or Matci, given the opportunity?