Football: Platt contemplates his future

Football

Platt contemplates his future

David Platt, the pounds 4.7m-rated England captain, will decide this week whether to return to England or extend his contract with Sampdoria for another three years. The 29-year-old midfielder said he has spoken to three clubs, but would not identify them. Internazionale, Arsenal, Chelsea, Manchester United and Everton have all been linked with him in recent weeks, and although Sampdoria's lawyer Emiliano Salvarezza was reported to have flown to Blackburn yesterday to discuss a transfer to the English champions, Platt was refusing to reveal his intentions until next week. "With Sampdoria's permission, I have spoken briefly with three clubs and have been impressed with each one in different ways," Platt said. "Once my holiday is completed, I will meet the Sampdoria president and tell him my thoughts. If I do not move back to the Premiership this summer, I will probably sit down with Sampdoria and negotiate a new long-term contract." David Pleat's first match as Sheffield Wednesday's manager ended in a 3-2 win over the Polish club Gornik Zabrze in yesterday's Intertoto Cup Group One match at Rotherham's Millmoor. Wednesday went ahead with a 13th- minute own goal from Maciej Krzetowski. Mark Bright headed in from Ian Nolan's cross after 44 minutes and nine minutes into the second half, Chris Waddle successfully followed up after a shot from Bright rebounded off the post. Marek Szemonski scored Gornik's first goal, their second coming when Chris Wood, under pressure from a Des Walker back-header in the 72nd minute, fell backwards over the line with the ball in his hands.