PEP WANT SAF'S POST

Pep Guardiola is ready to snub Chelsea because he wants to bossManchester United. Blues owner Roman Abramovich is hoping the former Barcelona chief will take over at Stamford Bridge next summer. But Guardiola, who is on a year’s sabbatical in New York, fancies moving in at Old Trafford when Alex Ferguson retires. That could be at the end of this season. If not, Guardiola would beprepared to hold out for another year. Fergie and Guardiola are close friends and have met privately in New York. A source close to Guardiola said: “The whole history of Manchester United, his relationship with Sir Alex and the way the club is run appeals to Pep. “Right now I’d be astonished if hewent to Chelsea. He really wants towait for the United job even if it means extending his time out of the game.” Guardiola wants to be able to concentrate on all aspects of the football club without interference from above. Red Rom’s constant hiring and firing of managers — interim chief Rafa Benitez is his ninth boss in a decade — does not appeal.

CHELSEA FLAIR ALREADY PREDICTABLE

Forget Roberto di Matteo. The most nervous about Chelsea 's dipin form has to be West Bromwich Albion manager Steve Clarke. For all the flair of Juan Mata , Oscar and Eden Hazard , Chelsea are looking predictable. It was Swansea City who scored the sort of goal Blues' midfield should be crafting. Fernando Torres isn't playing as a goal scorer, but more as a playmaker. His best moments at the Liberty came when he was trying to play in teammates, which is really overkill given the wealth of creativity at Di Matteo's disposal. Romelu Lukaku, currently on-loan at the Baggies, would offer the manager something completely different to what he has. He doesn't like the Didier Drogba comparison, but Lukaku is the one player on Chelsea 's books capable of playing with his back to goal. At the moment, Chelsea 's biggest threat is coming from set-pieces. Their little creators are being crowded out and kept at arm's length by opposition defences.