Pogba and Stones specials: Man Utd and Man City boosted by marquee summer signings
Lee Gormley | August 9, 2016
Pogba and Stones boost Manchester clubs
Two of the longest running transfer sagas of the summer finally came to an end within hours of each other just days before the new 2016/17 Premier League season begins, as Manchester United and Manchester City splashed out on Paul Pogba and John Stones respectively.
France international midfielder Pogba had been linked with a return to Old Trafford for many months, having departed for Juventus back in 2012, and his arrival was recently confirmed by the Red Devils in a world-record £89m switch.
Only a matter of hours after Man Utd announced they had got their man, bitter rivals Man City jumped at the chance to steal some of the limelight by confirming they had landed England international centre back Stones from Everton for £47.5m.
Following a summer of huge signings for both clubs, the balance of top-flight power and momentum has swiftly switched towards Manchester ahead of the new campaign, and Coral now provide a host of specials for the big kick-off…
Pogba to star on return to Old Trafford?
The past few weeks of this summer have brought with it plenty of excitement to the Red Devils faithful, with Jose Mourinho’s succeeding of Louis van Gaal paving the way for many world class acquisitions.
Paul Pogba specials:
Over 8.5 goals: 5/6
Under 8.5: 5/6
PFA Player of Year: 10/1
To score first at B’mouth: 11/2 pic.twitter.com/LCOALjF8pz— Coral (@Coral) August 9, 2016
Zlatan Ibrahimovic was the stand-out signing before Pogba’s capture, moving to the red half of Manchester for free after seeing out his PSG contract, while he was also joined by Eric Bailly and Henrikh Mkhitaryan from Villarreal and Borussia Dortmund respectively.
Pogba’s arrival signals a massive statement of intent from the club, who have been evidently willing to back new boss Mourinho in every way possible, and their France midfield ace is now 10/1 with Coral to win 2017 PFA Player of the Year.
The 23-year-old helped his nation reach the final of Euro 2016 on home soil earlier in the summer, ultimately being toppled by Cristiano Ronaldo and Portugal, and he is odds-on 5/6 to net nine or more goals in his comeback season in England.
Man Utd’s returning academy graduate is also 11/2 to open the scoring on his second club debut against Bournemouth, as Mourinho prepares his star studded side for their Premier League opener at Dean Court.
Stones hands City defensive boost
On the blue half of the city, Guardiola will now have ball-playing centre back Stones to call upon for his maiden game in charge in the Premier League, after the 22-year-old from Barnsley was made the world’s second most expensive defender in history.
John Stones specials:
PFA Player of the Year – 66-1
PFA Young Player of the Year – 5-1
Start for England in WC qualifying opener – 5-6— Coral (@Coral) August 9, 2016
The former Everton goal guard follows a host of summer signings at the Etihad, with all of Ilkay Gundogan (from Borussia Dortmund), Nolito, (Celta Vigo), Oleksandr Zinchenko (FK Ufa), Aaron Mooy (Melbourne City), Leroy Sane (Schalke), Gabriel Jesus (Palmeiras) and Marlos Moreno (Atletico Nacional).
Stones takes to his new club at 5/1 to be crowned PFA Young Player of the Year for 2017, an award not beyond his reach under the guidance of former Barcelona and Bayern Munich tactician Guardiola.
The Man City coach is a keen believer in Stones’ confident approach when stepping out from defence, and his latest summer signing is also 66/1 to win the full PFA award and 5/6 to start for England against Slovakia in his country’s World Cup qualifying opener later this year.
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