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Drama At Afcon ! Prem Dominance In the Champions League & NFL Playoffs Review
16 Plays2 months ago
Football Week in Review
Drama at AFCON
- Were the reactions appropriate?
- Should Senegal be punished?
- What is the line for walking off the pitch?
Champions League
- Is the Prem the new Super League?
- What’s wrong with City?
Game of the Week preview
- Arsenal vs United
NFL Divisional Round Fallout
- Vibe checks on eliminated teams
- Bills fire McDermott
- What does the future hold for CJ Stroud ?
Championship Sunday Preview
- Denver vs Patriots
- Seahawks vs Rams
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Host Greetings
00:00:11
Emeka
Welcome, welcome, welcome to episode 45 of the Love of the Game podcast. Recording this on a late, cold Friday evening, January 23rd.
00:00:24
Emeka
As always, I'm joined by the man making the magic happen, my brother Chino. Chino, how you living right now
00:00:31
Chino Onwuka
lo Hello, hello, hello. and know it's January 23rd, but still happy new year. I know there's a statute of limitations, but if this is your first time listening to the pod, happy new year is 2026.
00:00:44
Chino Onwuka
No, yeah, no, it's like you said, it's a it's a Friday night, but think, thing These days, you know, at my age, you know, not too many better ways to spend a Friday night than, you know, talking about the thing that we all love, you know, that is sports and and all the things that i'm involved in around it. So, yeah, I'm excited. Looking forward to tonight's episode.
Podcasting in Cold Weather
00:01:08
Emeka
Hey man, even in my my prime days, I think a Friday night this cold and dreary and snowy, I i like to chop it up with the boys still about going out. But yeah, you add some old age to it, I fully agree. Ain't no place I'd rather be right now than with y'all. And of course, I say that because I'm talking to my other brother, Mr. Chukwu. Chukwu, how you living this Friday evening?
00:01:30
Chuku
Yes, yes, yes. Good to be back. I love that we're staying consistent. So, you know, we're on a roll here. and i'm just I'm just glad to be blessed, you know. This is one of those days where I'm super glad to be fully remote because, man, the weather today has been cold. So I hope you all are staying warm over there.
00:01:52
Chuku
You know, hopefully you ain't got to be out too long. But, yeah. I mean, I couldn't think of a better thing to do this evening than chopping it off my boys, talking some some you know some sports we've got to get into. So, yeah, I'm ready to go.
00:02:04
Chuku
Let's go.
00:02:06
Emeka
Yes, sir. Yes, sir. You know, and we're going to weather might be cold outside, but the takes are hot inside here. So I'm glad for you guys for joining with us. And we got a spicy week. Obviously, we're setting up for the championship weekend in the NFL. and we're going to break all that and all the new headlines on the second half of this podcast. But as we usually do.
Football Highlights: Champions League and Premier League
00:02:27
Emeka
We'd like to start the week off talking about the beautiful game, most popular sport in the world, you know, some good old footy. It was a jam-packed week, always with the Champions League midweek. There were some Premier League games last week that were interesting. You know, we got some big games this weekend.
00:02:43
Emeka
But...
AFCON Final Drama
00:02:44
Emeka
I would be remiss if I didn't start this podcast by talking about the a final that just happened at the African Cup of Nations. And let me tell you, listeners, if you did not watch the highlights of this game, do yourself, a pause this podcast, go watch the highlights and come back. Because, man, it was a doozy. Senegal beat host nation Morocco 1-0.
00:03:05
Emeka
If you didn't see it, I mean, again, please watch it because what we're going to talk about is low-techy and complicated to follow. But in short, 92nd minute of a nil-nil match. Senegal score goal that blown off for a foul. And, you know, it's a softer foul, but...
00:03:21
Emeka
yeah referee I've seen it given. I've seen it not given. Referee blows the whistle. They're on edge as it is. And then four minutes later, Morocco go down. Brian Diaz gets pulled down in what I think is also a very valid foul. But just coming off the previous missed call and the general feeling of favoritism Morocco is feeling,
00:03:41
Emeka
Senegal's head coach comes on the field and just weighs everybody off. He gives a lot of memes coming out that I love. Just tells everybody, all right, man, we're leaving here with that. This is a disgrace, a tragedy.
00:03:52
Emeka
Whatever you want to say, 10 men leave the field. Only the captain, Sadio Mane, stays. There's was a lot of talk going around about what happened. Apparently threats were made by FIFA. But after 20 minutes, they come back on the field, bragging Diaz, 90 minutes plus 25, which is so funny to see on an app.
00:04:12
Emeka
Steps up to take the penalty and takes the penalty so bad there are people out there who actually you convinced he missed it on purpose out of fair play. A Panneka down the middle that's easily saved. Tears are shed. And extra time, Senegal scores the winner and win the trophy. I mean, I'm going through this because this is all the last 40 minutes of the game. So much drama happened.
00:04:33
Emeka
I guess I'll just start with you, you know. What were your thoughts after that jam-packed Africa Cup of Nations final?
00:04:40
Chino Onwuka
My thoughts were only at AFCON, hey? You know, last season, you know, gave us so many moments, so many memes, you know, and, you know, the football this season was good.
00:04:56
Chino Onwuka
You know, some strong episodes, but, you know, it seems like You know, the the ratings weren't weren't as strong. Some of the highlights, some of the crescendos, some of the set pieces weren't at the same levels as the previous season, but they said, no, hold my beer. We're saving it all for the finale.
00:05:16
Chino Onwuka
The finale, you know, literally it is like a movie, you know, it's not too often you see things like this at high profile sports, you know,
00:05:29
Chino Onwuka
Obviously, some crazy things that have happened live that we've seen, you know, Malice in the Palace. You know, what was the in what was the tournament in Copa America a couple of years ago where Uruguayan players went into the stand? So this was just pure theater.
00:05:46
Chino Onwuka
And so AFCON, you know, trust AFCON to always give us what it needs to give us. But if I need to get down to brass tacks, this was just crazy. Crazy, I mean, like the drama of it all. You know, you like you mentioned, the two incidents happening, you know, pretty much back to back.
00:06:04
Chino Onwuka
all in favor of Morocco, you know, throughout the tournament, there'd been whispers, hints, suggestions of favoritism, you know, for, you know, one thing that wasn't mentioned is Morocco was the host nation of this tournament and they're in the final. So, you know, whether, you know, these suggestions were, had some basis to them or not, they were out there, you know, people watching felt it. I'm sure the players and, and staff felt it as well. And,
00:06:32
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, the referee, he seemed like he was, you know, it it wasn't even that these decisions were made. It seems like he was wilting the pressure from the players on the field to make these decisions. So, look, if I was a player on that field, if I was a Senegal fan, I would feel the exact same way they felt. In fact, as a I'm not Senegalese, just putting that out there.
00:07:01
Chino Onwuka
But i was was I felt the injustice you know in that moment as my manager would say, desgracia, desgracia. And honestly, if I have been in situations like that where things have happened, you feel it's unfair, and I would feel like we're walking off because...
00:07:18
Chino Onwuka
this is This penalty is going to be the last kick of the game. It's not a situation where, okay, you know they take the penalty. Let's regroup. you know Let's right this wrong. This is going to be the last kick of this game, and they have stolen this trophy out of your hands.
00:07:36
Chino Onwuka
But here's my thing, and I've had arguments with lots of people on this. I understand what Senegal did. I would have felt the same way they did, probably would have wanted to walk off,
00:07:49
Chino Onwuka
But at this level of the professional game, you can't do that. I get why they did it. I probably would have done it too, but you can't do that, right?
00:08:00
Chino Onwuka
This is something, you know, as Nigerians, when we're playing, you know, rec soccer with our friends on Saturdays or our intermural leagues and stuff, I'm sure a lot of us have done this where,
00:08:13
Chino Onwuka
there's been a bogus foul or something's happening. and We just say, okay, yeah, i bet. I'm not playing anymore. We've done that. You can do that on Sunday sunday League football, five-a-side, whatever. At the highest level of the game, professional sports is not a good look because, you know, as painful as it is, this is a part of sports.
00:08:36
Chino Onwuka
Injustice, unfortunately, is a part of sports. And sometimes that's what makes it Theater, that's what brings the drama. I'm sure each person, whatever team you support, whatever sport you follow, we all have moments where our teams have been on the other side of decisions. Maybe not to this dramatic extent, but we've all been on the other side of these decisions.
00:09:00
Chino Onwuka
And it's going to happen again at some point in time somewhere. And we can't, you can't, you can't just walk off the field.
00:09:13
Chino Onwuka
Because this sets a precedent that if it happened, then it's something that would keep happening and happening. So I get why they did it. You can't do it. you know I'm glad they came back and I'm glad that you know the football gods did justice and ball don't lie and he missed that penalty.
00:09:33
Chino Onwuka
But you can't do it. Now, if that had happened and they'd come back and he'd scored, would I feel differently? I don't think so. i'd I'd be more outraged, but I would still think you can't do that, but I'm glad it all worked out. have a couple more thoughts, but I'll pause there because I know I've been talking for a while.
00:09:53
Emeka
I just want to to, for me, two things immediately jump to mind. One is, i get why they did it, but I'm going to be dead ass with you guys. I think it was a penalty.
00:10:04
Emeka
Now, I think Senegal's goal being chalked off was a joke. And that was the wrong decision. and So I get why they charged up... Before it, but he grabbed my pen in the face and follows it like 98th minute. I get it, but it was a penalty So i thought it was funny that that was the straw that broke the camel's back and for me i guess so I'm curious that you or your Your stances because I didn't seem arguing with a lot of people as well and people were supporting walking off and my thing is I'm more supportive of walking off if you actually walk off.
00:10:36
Emeka
And I get that they were threatened. Apparently, the story is FIFA said if you don't come and finish the game, you're going to be banned from the World Cup. Fair. That's why they came back. But my stance, like you said about the referee wilting, referee has to call that game 3-0 forfeit immediately after they walk off.
00:10:53
Emeka
Because now it sets a precedent of you can just walk off and then get mad and then come back after like 20 minutes. And like, I don't want to say the delay caused a penalty miss because that was a ridiculous miss.
00:11:05
Emeka
But maybe it did. like We don't know. you Diaz was sitting there for 20 minutes thinking about this penalty. I don't know why he decided to pull the Panetta out after 20 minutes. But you can't have it. Anyone who else took a penalty would tell you that's the longest time in the world to wait before it. So, I mean, like you can't just do that. like that's just And if your stance is, this is my thing about, like I am one of those people who never believe in.
00:11:27
Emeka
Sports are rigged. It's just how my brain operates because my thing is if I truly believe this game is rigged then why am I playing it because I'm playing a rigged game if you truly think what happened to you is so egregious and so unfair so possibly Uncontrollable that you're gonna walk off the pitch then walk off the pitch get on the bus and go home because by coming back out you're kind of saying and And the funny thing is, you they come back out and they win and then they celebrate and they drop in the trophy.
00:11:55
Emeka
but I thought the trophy was rigged. So why are you going to celebrate it? Like, if you really want to take your ball and go home, throw totally the throw the toys out the pram, then I was respected a lot more if they actually clung to their guns, refused to play, left.
00:12:08
Emeka
and forfeited the game by just leaving and coming back, even though I guess they were kind of forced. But, again, stick to your guns, man. Like, if you want to risk it, risk the World Cup then if you feel that way. Because by not doing that, it plays to me like just had tantrum.
00:12:23
Emeka
They just were 20 minutes. This is ridiculous. but Walk off and then we'll come back out. And then, like you said, like this has to be addressed harshly because, listen, we joke about it.
00:12:34
Emeka
I can see Arteta doing some stuff like this, bro. If you can get a 20-minute delay and throw off timing and not get any punishment for it, like they even send off the coach. Nothing happened.
00:12:45
Emeka
They were all just chilling there.
00:12:47
Chino Onwuka
I made a joke, but Arteta wouldn't actually do this.
00:12:49
Emeka
I mean, Champions League final, Champions League final, 98th minute penalty, I wouldn't put it past them.
00:12:54
Chino Onwuka
He would rage. He would get himself sent off, but I don't think Arteta...
00:12:59
Emeka
If Senegal don't get punished, I wouldn't put it past them.
00:13:03
Emeka
Champions League,
00:13:03
Chino Onwuka
I think he would judge the game too much.
00:13:05
Chino Onwuka
He would get sent off, but he would not call the players off.
00:13:06
Emeka
would have to be like a a final.
00:13:07
Chino Onwuka
don't
00:13:08
Emeka
Like, if you get a man, I wouldn't put it past him to say, let's get a 10-minute, let's get a 10-minute breather. But anyhow, I've been going on and on. I guess, you know, time to take us off, Chiku. What were your thoughts on on the final?
00:13:19
Emeka
I guess, look, for right now, we'll focus on Senegal's decision to to walk off. What were your thoughts on that?
00:13:25
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, what a crazy final, man. Like, I was actually watching the game live. I know there was an NFL playoff game going around around the same time. But, man, I just couldn't believe my eyes as to what I was seeing because, i mean, look, I still think at end of the day the better team won.
00:13:41
Chuku
Senegal worked, for me, clear as far as the better team that day. They deserved to win. based on performance on the pitch. The goal that was ruled off, simply, I just, it should not have ruled off. I just think it was a clean, clear cut goal.
00:13:59
Chuku
Not sure why it's getting taken off, but hey, it is what it is. As far as the penalty claim, like, I mean, I don't get mad at its Like, those those type of, you know, actions do get called. Like, as far as, you know, what the Senegalese players did, as far as, know, you can't have your hands on top of the the player in the in your your own box. i get it. But even with that being said, i still think it's not a clear-cut pen. Like, I feel like that was still something that, you know, if I was if i was refereeing the game, right, seeing how momentum goes, and I know saying this, you shouldn't, you know, take part of the game, but the reality is you got to use your own discretion. want You know, your own discretion as a ref, you've seen how the game has gone,
00:14:45
Chuku
You've seen the situation that just went on with the you know the them disallowing the Senegal goal. you're seen You've seen this the the corner.
00:14:55
Chuku
like Was the player are really goingnna don't it's that really going to have harm or affect the player's ability to score or do something that but when it comes to scoring, referring to the, i guess,
00:15:07
Chuku
the holding of the Senegalese player on the Moroccan player. I don't know, my like I feel like was it was kind of a little bit you know a little bit harsh. you know Again, I see all that to say I can understand it being called because there definitely been games where so things similar to that have been called the pen, no doubt about it. But at the same time, I can also tell you there have been stuff like that that not been called.
00:15:31
Chuku
which I thought you know should have been a penalty, of looked even more egregious than what what went on that day as far as the actual challenge. So, look, I just think, i just think you know, at the end of the you know, the Senegalese players decided to walk off. I agree with you that, you know, if you're going to do something like that, you should stand on it.
00:15:54
Chuku
But, I mean, if the rumors are true and, you know, FIFA did, you know, mention them being, removed from the World Cup or being suspended for the World Cup if they didn't return, then, know, obviously I can understand, you know, why they would come back because obviously they want to be in the World Cup. But at the same time, it's like you don't – you can't be making a mockery of the, of of a you know, AFCON final all like that, you know. Like I get it, you know, it was a bad call. Like even me not being a Senegalese, watching the game,
00:16:23
Chuku
as a neutral, I was upset that that was how the game was going to be decided potentially with the penalty being the last kick of the game. But you know I'm glad it all worked out. you know you know Brian Diaz made that mistake. And you know as far as that horrible penalty he took, I mean, i don't know why he's you know why he thought to try the pinaka there, but You know, it worked out how it did and the better team won.
00:16:51
Chuku
But yeah I definitely think, look, Senegal, like if you're going to do something like this, you know, for one, you've got to stick with it, see it through, because you can't just do stuff like that and and think you can just reverse back.
00:17:05
Chuku
And two, there should be some means of, you know, penalty against them. regardless of the outcome of the game, having when to have them won, because like you said, as I said earlier, you know it sets a terrible precedence if this is something that you know teams can do where you know they basically are able to walk off the pitch and you know you to being threatened, just be able to come back and Nothing happens.
00:17:41
Chuku
But at the same time, i I can understand why they did that because of the fact that, you know, look, that referee, I mean, he got to get, in my opinion, investigated because some of the – I'm not sure if you were seeing some of his facial reactions after as far as, like, him smiling and all that shit.
00:17:58
Chuku
That kind of took me like, I'm like, what's going Like, dude, at least hide did like try to hide or something.
00:17:59
Chino Onwuka
and
00:18:03
Chuku
I don't get it. But, hey, man, it is what it is. Like I said, for me, I'm just glad Senegal won because I want Senegal to win badly. They deserve to win.
00:18:14
Chuku
And, you know, I'm just interested to see what happens next as far as if what FIFA does as far as sanctions, if there's going to be any for the Senegalese players and the coaching staff for what they pulled as far as leaving the pitch.
00:18:29
Chuku
But, I mean, as far as we know, I think what I've heard is that the coach was suspended. But i don't know what exactly that means. Does that mean he misses those, like, World Cup games? I don't know. But that's what I heard. you guys know anything more about it?
00:18:42
Emeka
you know On that point, though, I was going to ask this question. like Pretend right now you are my bald brother in Fintano, making $5 million dollars now. We've got a little race. Shouts out to him.
00:18:52
Emeka
I'll start you, Chico. If you you are ahead of FIFA, you've seen all this to happen, all the fallout. What would you sanction the Senegalese, either the federation, the coach, the players? What would your punishment be for them leaving the pitch?
00:19:05
Emeka
I have to let Chico out say that to Chino.
00:19:06
Chuku
Yeah. I think you got to be a fine. You got to fine their federation. And i think you got to suspend the coach. What that looks like, I mean, maybe suspend three games.
00:19:23
Chuku
Yeah. But that's pretty much as far as it'll go. Like a fine and suspension to the to coach.
00:19:30
Emeka
You
00:19:33
Chino Onwuka
I mean, don't have to pretend. If I'm Infantino, you know, I sent a strongly worded message that's the... whatever the, uh, the African Federation has to do something, even though i am the leader of FIFA and I'm supposed to leader, I'm supposed to be the one making sure to protect the game, but no, instead of doing that, I'm just going to give strong words and give a strong quote to some reporters that something needs to be done.
00:20:03
Chino Onwuka
i don't need to pretend because that's what he did. So we all, we all know, This guy's a joke. I mean, we we we know who he's cozying up himself to. We're seeing some of the shenanigans with the World Cup. So this guy's a joke. I don't want to i don't even want to pretend to be this guy because he's a joke.
00:20:21
Emeka
All right, he got he gets ousted tomorrow. You get the powers. What would you do to as a result of it?
00:20:28
Emeka
Would you leave it to Afghan?
00:20:29
Chino Onwuka
i get If I have the power, it has to be more than a fine.
00:20:33
Chino Onwuka
It has to be more than a suspension because this doesn't really hurt them. like You need to do something strong enough that teams never, ever consider doing this. So it's got to be some sort of, hey, you threaten the World Cup.
00:20:47
Chino Onwuka
Okay, they can still play. It's a points deduction in the World Cup. That's what I would do. Now, I don't know what that I'm sure there's laws and letters and I don't know. So maybe they can only apply it in AFCON or something like that. But it's like, yeah, some sort of points deduction in a tournament that really hurts them because a fine is a fine. OK, cool.
00:21:09
Chino Onwuka
You know, if like you said, if if a team can use that to their benefit and, you know, works out their way like it did in Senegal's case, then OK, what's a fine? What's suspension when that trophy is in your cabinet at the end of the day?
00:21:23
Emeka
You know what? You're the first person I think who's actually like matched my level of vim with this because I'm with you a million percent. It needs to be drastic because otherwise, there's anything short of drastic, then it becomes a thing teams can do.
00:21:37
Emeka
And the world is watching. So to me, coaches have spent it for like two years. That's just how it is. You want to call the guys off the field? that's what you You have to eat this now. You're definitely not coaching the World Cup.
00:21:48
Emeka
like That's just off the off the question. I don't know about points of action World Cup because this didn't happen in the World Cup. I would go so far as to ban them from the next AFCON. Maybe next two AFCONs. Like, I need real punishment here.
00:22:01
Emeka
And I would really, really, really consider avoiding the trophy. Like, I know you can't take away trophies and, like, you know, always joke about, like, USC. Like, oh, we just vacated the championship. Guess who won that year? Nothing. But, like...
00:22:13
Emeka
I think this sets a message, and I would really consider boarding the trophy because this is ridiculous. You can't leave the field for 20 minutes and just come back like nothing happens.
00:22:24
Chino Onwuka
See, I don't think they can void the trophy because like you said, they made they made the error of letting them come back on the field and play the game.
00:22:24
Emeka
don't think they can board the trophy because, like you said, they make the
00:22:32
Emeka
trophy. True, true.
00:22:33
Chino Onwuka
You're right. like we mean we We've all seen that pop-up and I think it's it's it's become a meme. When you forfeit the match, it's an automatic 3-0. If you want to forfeit, cool. like that That should be light work. so That just shows you how you know the the control that...
00:22:52
Chino Onwuka
you know that the tournament and the officials did not have. So they made the mistake of letting that come back on because you can't do that because the game could have gone so many other ways. You let them take the penalty, you let them, so you can't do that. Like, you know, i I don't know if this is like, we just got to talk about all the stuff that was going on at this tournament. like what I need, we've had explanations on lots of things. Things are coming out.
00:23:19
Chino Onwuka
I need somebody to tell me what was going on with the ball boys and the tallest because it happened to Nigeria. You know, we didn't make too much of a fuss about it because you know what? On the day, Nigeria didn't do too much.
00:23:30
Chino Onwuka
Morocco was the better team. But the level that they took it to in a final where the backup keeper has to stand on guard, that ball boy...
00:23:37
Emeka
I agree. I agree.
00:23:40
Chino Onwuka
but the same way Senegal needs to be punished for that, Morocco needs to be punished for that as well. I'm sorry.
00:23:45
Emeka
i agree i agree
00:23:46
Chino Onwuka
You're hosting a tournament, you have ball boys coming to a player, an actual player. That's a that's a safety hazard. that's assuming They were tackling him on the... First of all, salute that that backup keeper because he's just become a legend.
00:24:01
Chino Onwuka
you know But like that was ridiculous. The fact that it happened not in one game, but in multiple games, shows that this was some instruction from from on high somewhere. you know Even a player came in and and and had to get involved.
00:24:13
Chino Onwuka
The stewards got involved. So it's yeah ridiculous. Morocco, moroccoly stating they need a more than a slap on the wrist for that because that that's embarrassing.
00:24:17
Emeka
And that's just the tip of the iceberg. Because...
00:24:24
Emeka
players are insinuating, like, it it was even deeper than this. Like, the Senegalese guy, low-key accused him of poisoning players. Like, he he didn't try to say too much, but he was like, bro, all our guys are getting sick. It's kind of crazy all this happening. Like, blah. I don't know, Morocco shouldn't host anything yeah any anytime soon, I will say. Which is funny because at the start, I mean, they'll get a lot of positive PR that, wow, look at the hotels. They're staying. It's modern, sleek, but...
00:24:52
Emeka
You're right. We've been throwing too much on Senegal. I you don't want to bury the point there. like Morocco were acting crazily shady this tournament. it was i've never seen anm glad you I've never seen a boardboy with chess like that. I actually was trying to pull up and square up with players to steal towels. and It's a joke. and The funny thing is that they won the the Fair Play Award, which obviously because only read yellows and reds. but I've never seen a host nation probably since Korea where the like the neutral person is anti the host nation. Normally you get all the love. They want to see a beautiful story.
00:25:27
Emeka
It was not the case here. There's a reason why Morocco was losing. Everyone pulled up to celebrate laugh with their graves because they were moving mad. And no it is what it is. Like I got to say, full circle,
00:25:40
Emeka
I am glad, i even though i just talked about Sunday goal quitting, I am glad they won. Justice was served at the end there. Like, good for them. I know we glossed over it. Fantastic finish by getting the final. Like, wow, what a finish.
00:25:53
Emeka
Before we move on, though, we've been talking around it. I want to ask you an opinion on this, Chinon. You've lost a lot of football in your time. a lot of football. Decades of football. Where would you rank as one of the stupidest decisions, Brian Diaz's penalty?
00:26:07
Chino Onwuka
Look, it's it's i've I don't feel bad for him because I really wanted Senegal to win. I didn't want Morocco to win. But the Panenka is one of those catch-22s in that when you score it, it is the most beautiful thing. It is the most ballsy thing.
00:26:25
Chino Onwuka
It's like, oh, ice cold. Look how calm he was. Look at the confidence to do that. But if you miss, it just looks so... Like, I don't know any other sporting play that has that dichotomy of effect depending on the result.
00:26:47
Chino Onwuka
Like, the keeper had time to... He dove right, had time to stand up... get a cup of tea, wipe the face off his toe before he caught it. Like, that's how it felt to me. Like, I felt like I could have taken a flight to Morocco and been there and caught that ball. That's how slow it looks. So it's like, I've heard people say, oh, you know, when you've been waiting that long, that's not the time to do a Panenka. You just smash it in. But it would be a totally different narrative if he'd scored that. So it looks bad.
00:27:18
Chino Onwuka
As someone who is 0 for 2 in finals on penalty shots, I can't talk too much because I i know what that moment's like. he He probably shouldn't have done that. He should have done something else. But it's one of those things where you know as you're taking that it's either going to be glory or you know you can never show your face in that country again.
00:27:46
Emeka
Every time I see Penenka, always think of two things. one the balls Zidane had to pull that off in the World Cup final. i And he almost missed it.
00:27:57
Emeka
People, people, as you I think time has gone by. 20 plus years have gone by and people forget that he almost missed the Pernica in the 2006 final. Hit the bar and, er and I always think how, same way the balls of Alexis Sanchez to pull that off to win Chile the first trophy in like 50 years. Like you said, it's the most high risk, high reward thing. If you pull it off, you're a hero. And if you miss,
00:28:20
Emeka
you look like the biggest fool in the world. My thing is, and look, I'm not gonna act like I'm an elite athlete, but if I waited 20 minutes to take a penalty, that is the time to smash it in. Like, it's not even hindsight. This is just reality.
00:28:35
Emeka
If you're sitting there and thinking about it for so long, that is not the time to pull a trick. Like, it just, your brain isn't there. And if you just missed it, like, if you skied it, honestly, I would have been forgiven. Like, bro, you were sitting out there for 20 minutes. I get it. Nerves got you.
00:28:52
Emeka
Blasted over. I understand. It's just the to pull the Penenka out there and The only part of me that feels bad is that he had the tournament of his life.
00:29:03
Emeka
Golden boot winner, player of the tournament, was like single-handedly, but was carrying Morocco's attack. Like, what know, was his coming out party.
00:29:13
Emeka
He was going to come back to Madrid, the champion, winning the tournament in his home country. Like, everything was set up for him at that moment. And so maybe that's the confidence he had flying that high. You pull a Panenka out, but my goodness, to miss it, there was a part of me that legitimately kind of feared for his safety moving forward. right Oh, my goodness, man, to go from the hero to the villain that fast.
00:29:39
Emeka
It's why we watch sports, you know? It is just why we watch sports. I guess Chukwu asks you the same question. You've watched ball for decades. Where would you rank that? And just the craziest decisions to pull a Panneka out 118 minutes into a final.
00:29:57
Chuku
You know what, I'll be up frank. I don't think I actually have an actual like rank, I can say. Because, again, as you just mentioned and talked about, this is like an extreme situation. like Where else can you recall game stoppage in the game of football for 20 minutes due to team it's another team choosing to walk off and then eventually coming back on?
00:30:21
Chuku
And you being the player that now has to wait... you know, all that time before you come back on to to take on, you know, this high-pressure moment of a penalty. I think there's a lot, you know, context you have to put into it. And, I mean, when you factor that into it, i have more sympathy, a little bit a little bit more sympathy, as opposed to if he had just tried that Panika, say nothing had happened as far as the players walking off, you know?
00:30:47
Chuku
So, I mean, look, it's still a poor decision, don't get me wrong, but i guess I'm just saying that I just have more sympathy, you know, for the fact that it was a situation where had to be delayed for a period of time. And, you know, the the whole, know, thoughts and, you know, think it. You're playing in your home country. You know, is is a final. You just had a game where it's been a harsh, rough 90 minutes, hard fought. And, you know, now this is the pressure moment.
00:31:14
Chuku
You can get to a lot of people, you know. So, you know what? And then that's already pressure on its own, let alone, you know, having to now wait that 20-plus minutes we're talking about. I mean, there's a reason why, you know, in in the game of NFL, there's something called icing the kicker, you know? it's It's real. Like, this happens, and this is, you know, high-pressure moments. These are professionals that we're talking about here, and, i mean, even the those moments get to, you know, professional players. so Yeah, I just think can't really think of a place I would list it, honestly. But I just want to say I just have more sympathy than most when it comes comes to that situation for Diaz.
00:31:52
Emeka
No, fair enough. Maybe I'm harsh. Again, it's hindsight, obviously, because like Chinon mentioned, if he scores that, I think he's the coldest guy in the world. It is what it is. i When I started off by talking about this topic, like I did say this is one of the craziest things ever. We're going 30 minutes on this, and we can go 30 more minutes on all the storylines of Fallout.
00:32:14
Emeka
i was Part of me is kind of sad. I think you'd like to wrap up on a point you I started with. you know We joke about this AFCON, only AFCON, the script writers. It is kind of sad that it takes something like this to get coverage. like This happens...
00:32:29
Emeka
Nigeria were in the final last year, and I promise you i heard 1 20th of the content about that match than this match a year later because of an unprecedented type of activity that happened. And I am kind of sad that it takes something like that to get AFCON in the news. On the flip side, it got them in the news, man. Any publicity is good publicity. So we're spending 30 minutes on it on this podcast. I promise you we spent three seconds on it last year. So i it is what it is. Like,
00:32:57
Emeka
Shout out Senegal. Sadio Mane, you know, what a career he's had. I'm glad Senegal won it. I'm sad Nigeria didn't date finish third. I'll take it. and But, you know, it happened on Sunday, and football does not stop because we had a great midweek of Champions League. And I will throw out, though, man, I actually – I'm usually not one to be all, you know, players play too many games, rah, rah, rah.
00:33:21
Emeka
Seeing some of the guys in the APCOM finals play in midweek Champions League blew my mind. Like, what kind of a world did we live in? Marmush and Salah flew from Egypt by Morocco Saturday, and then my guys on the bench and starting Tuesday and Wednesday. What a life.
00:33:36
Emeka
What a life these guys live. But as mentioned, you know, it was big midweek Champions League, the penultimate weekend. Europa League as well. I mean, you know, what every Champions League week, there's storylines up and around. But i don't know, for least the places I've seen, one of the biggest takeaways this week and and talking points has been the so-called dominance of the Premier League.
00:33:59
Emeka
As in the Champions League, you know, all the eight automatically qualifying teams, five of them, first place, fourth place, seventh place, and eighth place,
00:34:10
Emeka
And, sorry, Tottenham as well. Five teams are from the English Premier League. with are you know Gunners, 7-0, undefeated. Liverpool, fourth. Tottenham, who can't buy a win in the league, are winning every home game in the Champions League. Newcastle and and Chelsea rounded out.
00:34:28
Emeka
Man City, of all the teams, aren't in the only ones who are not in the top eight, but they're in the 11th and easily could finish there. You know, the Bermuda's about, well, we stopped the Super League, but the real Super League is now the Premier League.
00:34:41
Emeka
You know, talk about how all these teams look turgid and can't create when they play against other, like you know, against the Brighton or Brentford. If they go into midweek, can they slap up Inter Milan or slap up Dortmund? So, you know, just talked about the and unfairity. is Is it money? Is a quality? Like, you know, and I guess I'll start with you, Chinna.
00:35:00
Emeka
What is your stance on the relative quality of the Premier League to every other league in in Europe right now? And is this something cyclical or is this a sign of a gap that it's only just going to get wider?
00:35:13
Chino Onwuka
I mean, my stance is, won't be a surprise to anyone, and it's something we've talked about here on this pod in previous episodes. v
00:35:25
Chino Onwuka
The 15th best team in the Prem would qualify would have a chance to qualify for depending on how many slots each country has, Champions League or Europa in pretty much any other league in Europe.
00:35:48
Chino Onwuka
Like last year, at at the time of the final, you had the 16th and 17th best team winning the Europa League and beating all those other teams, right? Like the proof is in the pudding.
00:36:07
Chino Onwuka
The quality of players you see arriving in the Prem at each season and going to, to quote unquote, you know mid-table or lesser teams, whereas in the past they would be going to bigger teams in in Spain, Italy, Germany, or France.
00:36:29
Chino Onwuka
The other leagues can't compete because of the financial strength. of the Premier League. I know Deloitte just released its its it's list of of the the richest teams by by revenue and, you know, the majority of the top 20 were Premier League teams.
00:36:44
Chino Onwuka
You know, yeah, your Real Madrid and Barcelona will always be at the top, your PSG and Bayerns, but, you know, after that, it's Premier League, it's, I think it was, what, five Premier League teams in the top 10 and your former giants like Milan,
00:36:55
Emeka
you
00:37:02
Chino Onwuka
Inter, Juventus, you see them further down on the top. So it's just, but the the the league is so strong, not just financially, but you're seeing those finances being put into Players being put into the coaches. Look at the level. I think as it was in the pod with Chukra, I think I was mentioning this. like People talk about the lack of you know top class, high quality coaches. and And my argument to that is some of these coaches that you would have seen at other clubs in Europe winning championships are now coaching Bournemouth, are now coaching Brighton.
00:37:39
Chino Onwuka
Emery, when he went to Villa, Villa were at in 16th at the time, Emery went to Villa. So that is the allure of the Premier League right now. So like I said, he's going into players, he's going into coaches and staff.
00:37:55
Chino Onwuka
You can see in the intensity of the league, the the the the the coach of Inter, who are a really good team, said, you know, I tell my players the level of intensity that these guys had, but they had to experience it for the themselves.
00:38:09
Chino Onwuka
Malmo, who just beat Man City, you know, last year they got thrashed by Tottenham, a very poor Tottenham, and that made them change the whole way they train and prepared for the season. And we're seeing we're seeing the effects of that. So it's just...
00:38:25
Chino Onwuka
that's that's That's the way the world is right now. And it's going to continue until other people start investing more in in other leagues, until other leagues clock that the reason the Prem became so popular and so big is because they didn't unfairly... I mean, we werere gonna we joke about United all the time, but In terms of prize money, you know, and and and TV distribution, it wasn't all weighted to just two teams.
00:39:02
Chino Onwuka
And that just bastardizes the league. It is in a situation, okay, maybe in the Premier League, you have your... big six and and anything else, but at least you have six six teams rather than two teams or one team at the top and where all that that singular team or or duopoly, all they do is just poach from the lower league so you can never have other teams you know become stronger for a consistent period of time.
00:39:30
Emeka
Chukua, my question is for you, I guess, would be, for all the things Chino said, I couldn't agree with, but you know little before my time, what I've heard, like the biggest league in the world was Italy.
00:39:43
Emeka
They all the stars, the return of the 2000s, Italian league was the league. I would say the twenty ten the two thousand s twenty ten a little bit,
00:39:53
Emeka
we was picolaliga domination especially you know Ronaldo and Messi when they were playing for Madrid and Barcelona. I think that was easy to say they were the biggest league in the world. Starting from the 2010s, late-mid 2010s, the Premier League definitely took another level up as all the money came in. We've had two sets of all Premier League, Champions League and Europa League finals. No other league has had more than one set of that with multiple different teams in each way.
00:40:20
Emeka
It's easy, fair to say the Premier League right now is the strongest league. Will that change in the next years or has just the the snowball of now the game is getting commercial now, everyone has these broadcasting deals, the Prem's revenue is just growing, and because of the revenue sharing they had, they have multiple teams that people care about and generate more money.
00:40:40
Emeka
Is that too much to overcome? Or in 10 years' time, we'll be talking about how, oh, now the Spanish League has rebounded. Now they're the biggest league in the world.
00:40:51
Chuku
Yeah, i think this is a very easy, easy answer. And I mean, personally think there's, and I mean, there's only one answer. And the answer is, this is just going to continue.
00:41:03
Chuku
Yes, the EPL, by far, is the best league there is. Like, I don't know what more proof needs to be shown in the pudding here, but like,
00:41:16
Chuku
the money plays a big factor. There's no question about it. If you have the money, you're able to attract the players. You attract the players, you have a better product. You have a better product, you're able to commercialize on that. You're able to make money on that. And that's what EPL has been doing really for the last, you know, I mean, just as so like you said, I celebrated this the last 10, 15 years, you know it's yeah It's crazy to see how times have changed. But, you know, I mean, let me just put it to you this way. We talked about how, you know, the Italian league right used to be such a huge league.
00:41:52
Chuku
We're in a world likere in a world where a Crystal Palace striker is getting, like, you know, talks, negotiations to be going to one of the top teams in Italy, Juventus.
00:42:08
Chuku
In 2026, I mean, if if i if we told if I told you back in the early 2000s that there'd be players from Crystal Palace going abroad to play to play for a team like Juventus, I mean, like, can you just, yeah I know it's going to be hard, but like, can you just think about that for a second?
00:42:25
Chuku
Like, is that, like, that's not something that's normal or that happens.
00:42:29
Emeka
To echo your point, I'll go one further. a guy left from Crystal Palace and is now arguably top three at Bayern Munich right now. Olise was in Crystal Palace and he was looking.
00:42:40
Emeka
but Look, he was a standout player, but to your point, he didn't look out of place in Crystal Palace. And he went straight from there to starring at Bayern Munich. Like, you're right. The level of the guys in the Premier League at, quote-unquote, mid-table clubs is insane.
00:42:55
Chuku
It's ridiculous because again, we have to understand.
00:42:57
Chino Onwuka
And I want to emphasize a point you make.
00:42:57
Chuku
it Oh, yeah, go ahead.
00:42:59
Chino Onwuka
and another part of that exact point just made is he looked good in the Prem, but he looks a level above in Bayern.
00:43:10
Chino Onwuka
Why is that? Because, you know, I don't know if you you guys saw the but the comments Diaz made. He said there's so much space Bayern. Things are so much easier. He's not as tired. He doesn't have to work as hard because, again, it's a lot easier to express yourself in other leagues than it is when you're going against these demons in the prem every week.
00:43:32
Chuku
Exactly. though I know like exactly the point. like This just goes to show the Premier League just has a better product. I mean, like the fact remains, you have players that come abroad that come so customer from abroad, they play in the league for the first time, and they just notice quickly how...
00:43:52
Chuku
how intense the game is, how physically gifted all the players, not even va like the 18th team in the league versus you know fifth place or second place, you still have games where there's not always a guarantee who's going to win that game. It's you know it's it's definitely been you know something enjoyable to watch as a as a fan of the game personally, but I can understand how you know if you're a fan of these other the leagues,
00:44:20
Chuku
vice you're obviously going to be disappointed because the EPL Premier League has just outshone and outgrown these other leagues around them. And it just shows with the ratings. It shows with the product. It shows with, you know, what's going on with European competitions, how we're getting – I've seen a huge surge with English teams, you know, pretty much dominating in all different levels of the game. And unfortunately for those who aren't fans of the EPL, this is going to be that's going to continue and going to continue. And I think it's actually going to get worse and worse because I just don't see how and why the top talents in the world wouldn't want to come and play. for, you know, in the best league in the world, which is, in my opinion, the Premier League. you're going to have those because the beautiful thing about the game of football is there's so much talent everywhere, right? There's going to be always talent that's going to be scouted. And, you know, there's going to be times where these players, you're going to notice some of them playing. for other clubs, you know, spread throughout, you know, throughout Europe, sure. But I just believe some point in most, know, good to great players' careers, there's going to be a time when they would want to play in the best league. And right now, the best league in the world seems to be the Premier League. And just think it's going to something that's going to continue to grow. And, yeah, I don't see it stopping anytime soon. So, you know, you're seeing it more more with, how lot teams now are starting projects, projects of like recruiting, you know, young talents in South America. You're seeing what Chelsea's doing.
00:46:06
Chuku
You know, I just think, again, this is just something that is going to continue to build. But, yeah, go on, guys. What do you guys think?
00:46:14
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I just have like two points I wanna make further on this. And I think there's a really good question you brought up. You know, so many avenues to talk about. You know, one to the point Chuku just made, you know, is that
00:46:30
Chino Onwuka
In the past, you would see, okay, maybe before, you know, i talked about coaches, maybe before a player would go, you know, and play for the big boys, he'd first go to, you know, an Ajax or a, you know, FC Porto or Benfica, you know, Dortmund before, you know, making his way up. But now even those teams who, oh, we're the talent developers. Now those teams have competition because now you have English teams who have said, hey,
00:46:59
Chino Onwuka
We can do that too. We can be the incubator, but we can pay you more. So, you know, the clubs, they're happy to, they're they're willing to take that because that's more money for them than what these other teams can offer. And then the players, well, it's like, okay, one, these guys are going to pay me more. And now these guys also have a track record of showing that they can develop players and then that can lead to bigger opportunities, not just in England, but you you know you have Houston going from you know Bournemouth to Real Madrid, the other defender going to PSG, so you know that that pathway is now there and from all over the world, so that's that's super interesting, but Emeka I really like, I was really thinking about this after you mentioned it, like the English Premier League is
00:47:51
Chino Onwuka
is you know very similar to what the Italian league was in the late 90s and early 2000s, where you had a situation with they had all the money, they had multiple top teams. You had Juventus, Inter, AC Milan, Napoli, Lazio, AS Roma, Atalanta, Fiorentina,
00:48:20
Chino Onwuka
You know, so many good teams and, you know, they had everything they needed to keep that dominance.
00:48:24
Emeka
you
00:48:59
Chino Onwuka
I wouldn't be surprised if some that's something the Premier League has studied and and been aware of. So that's why they've insulated themselves with these, you know, those teams were dependent on maybe money that they were borrowing from somewhere, you know, maybe some other, you know, third party interference, but they they went broke.
00:49:04
Emeka
you
00:49:19
Chino Onwuka
They couldn't, They couldn't sustain it. Premier League is more sustainable just because of the the large TV contracts. So as long as those TV contracts don't boast don't burst, sorry that's a bit more sustainable. But you know something that you have now that you didn't have that then is all these, as much as teams chafe at some of these PSR rules, you know that those rules that you're seeing in England and in Europe are protecting a lot of clubs from themselves as well.
00:49:51
Emeka
No, no, absolutely. And like, you know, we we joke about the broadcasting. I don't think people understand just how much revenue the Premier League gets from their TV deals. And, you know, we can say, oh, you know, they got lucky because the world speaks English and and whatever.
00:50:07
Emeka
The domestic TV deal is bigger than every other country's combined TV deal. It's the people in the UK who make the Premier League that big because they get scammed. What they pay for rights. Like, i always complain about, oh, man.
00:50:21
Emeka
I'm paying like $200 a year to football in Canada. If we lived in UK, we're spending at least $500, $600 for everything combined to watch Premier League. like it's It's a different world out there. But, you know, sadly for other people, but maybe good for me because I watch it, i just I'm with you, Chukwu. I don't think it's going to change anytime soon. For the point you made, Chino, it's sustainable.
00:50:44
Emeka
it's It's not because of, I mean, Man City and Newcastle aside, but even them is not, you know, owner revenue. It's just the broadcasting deals, the sponsorships, all the commercial revenue. These teams, the ticket sales like West Ham are the 20th biggest club in the world. And that's majority are off a TV deal and playing in London Stadium.
00:51:05
Emeka
Like it's All that revenue is not going to go away. And as more and more as the Prem dominate Champions League slots, they get, you know, they were six last year. They're going to get five next year.
00:51:17
Emeka
They get more and more teams getting that Champions League revenue. They spend it on transfers to players in the Premier League. Those teams get revenue. It just all perpetuates the cycle in. I mean, barring the collapse of TV, in which case every other league will get destroyed with it. I just don't see how the Prem doesn't reach these heights going forward even more. And, you know, it is what it is. And we're going to see more and more.
00:51:40
Emeka
like you Like you mentioned, man, chaag I fully echo, like, if I'm a young prospect, why even bother going to Ajax? I can just go to Bournemouth and I'll make more and I'll be in the shop window.
00:51:53
Emeka
I will be on the biggest not international league. People will see me. People will notice me. Even if we get a football, that's going to get me brand deals. That's going to get me in TV. They're going to get me spots. They're going to get sponsorships.
00:52:06
Emeka
Why would I not? Unless I'm playing for Madrid or Barcelona. If I'm playing versus playing in Bournemouth versus playing for Lazio, it's not even a question to me. I'm playing in Bournemouth. I will get my move faster there, make more money there, and have a great life there.
00:52:22
Emeka
Yeah, I just think it's of if I was a fan of another league, I would be jealous and I would be disappointed. But, you know, it it is what it is. i mean, on the beauty of football, I guess, is that it's not played on paper. It's played on the pitch because here we are waxing and waning about Prem dominance.
00:52:39
Emeka
We talked over it. I know like a lot happened Champions League, but i think it's worthwhile to actually kind hone in on the results here. Mo, you know, Bodo Glint, who I saw Tottenham slap up last year.
00:52:52
Emeka
In fairness, in April, so it got a little warmer. They get to get Man City in January in the cold. And for the first time, beat English team. I mean, it is what it is. We don't to go too deep into it. i First of all, give them their flowers because it was a comfortable win. It wasn't a scrappy. It scored some beautiful goals. But, you know, i mean, we are...
00:53:15
Emeka
in a, some would say, title race with Manchester City. So I guess for you, Juku, as a, looking at it from an Arsenal lens, when you see Man City get slapped up like that, what are your thoughts about, you know, not even the Premier League race, just Man City in general? Like, what's going on with them right now? You know, losing to Man U, not losing to Boto Galen, like, what's what's what's happening?
00:53:37
Chuku
Honestly, I can't tell you what's going on. I really can't tell you. I don't know what's the situation because, I mean, look, on paper, you know, it's not like Man City or putting you know put in our put out a weak team out there.
00:53:54
Chuku
It's a pretty pretty strong team with big names, you know, big personalities. Like, they're on the pitch. And you'd think, you know, i mean, with the with the Norwegian Viking on the out there,
00:54:06
Chuku
they always have a chance of know scoring multiple goals, especially with the talent they have around with Forden, you know, Adon Semenyo, now have Mamosh back, you know, Doku.
00:54:18
Chuku
Like, the names go on and on, but for whatever reason, they aren't able to put it, you know, seem to be able to put it together on a consistent enough basis, you know, against some of these weaker sides, I mean, all teams that we deem weaker sides. So I think right now, for sure,
00:54:35
Chuku
you know if you're going to look at the, know, the city situation, you you know, you can look at it and not talk about the injury situation to their back line. But I mean, for a team that's, you know, kind of boasts, you know, the kind of records and, and, you know, previous history that they've shown as far as dominance in the league, you would think that they would have, know, squad, know, squad depth enough to be able to kind of manage through these type of, you know, situations when it comes to, their back line injuries. And granted, they have some serious known names that are not playing, but that shouldn't be enough to have you fall that know that far back behind. So for for me looking at it as an Arsenal fan, I mean, if this is the competition that no people are telling me that you know is what's going to stop us from you know winning the league, I just got to think to myself that you know really the only person that can stop us from winning the league is ourselves. And I'm not as worried or scared as at least as I thought earlier on about this Man City team, because for whatever reason, they've just not shown that, again, they're able to go on those you know crazy runs where you know they're winning 10, 15 games in a row nonstop. I just don't see that right now. And for whatever reason, hey, I mean,
00:56:03
Chuku
teams seem to be able to get at them and they're not, you know, teams aren't as scared to play them, you know, as they were in previous seasons. So, you know, I think this is a time to kind of get at Man City. And as of right now, you know, if they're going to, if you're going ask me if if i think they're going to be able to figure it out, I'm going to have to say, I don't think so because at this stage, like for you to still be trying to work out the kinks and, you know, things when it comes to your system,
00:56:31
Chuku
it doesn't bode well for no for me at least long term while we're still in the entering the second half of the season. So I mean, I'm going to be very interested to see how City perform.
00:56:44
Chuku
But as of right now, they don't seem to be a team that's won kind of trophies and gone on crazy runs that they've done in the past. They don't look like that same team, at least not this season. So yeah, I'm always worried.
00:56:59
Emeka
I mean, everything I echo everything you you said there. i have three three thoughts about Man City. Thought one, I mean, the boring thought, but it's the truth. You mentioned it. I want to just echo this. Like, the injuries they're going through, if it happens to any team, they will suffer.
00:57:16
Emeka
But I will also say, snarkily, as an Arsenal fan, when we were going through stuff like this, nobody cares. But it is fair. and Just real quickly, they're, you know, against Bodo Glint, the injury list,
00:57:28
Emeka
Nunes, they're starting right back out. Their first three choice center backs, John Stones, Vugardio, and Diaz, all injured. Kovacic and Nico Gonzalez, both injured. And then two wingers, Oscar Bob and Savino, all both injured. That is essentially a starting 11 side.
00:57:45
Emeka
And then Semenyo and Gueye were not registered, so they couldn't play. So that's a starting 11 of world class, not world class, but starting 11 of talented guys injured. And yes, any team that loses their three best center backs will struggle.
00:57:59
Emeka
The second point, though, they were forced to play my young kid, Alain, who I liked previously, but I'm reminded of a great quote from Arsene Wenger. He says, when I play a young defender, I pay for their education in points. what saying.
00:58:14
Emeka
That was sadly, i feel honestly, even as a city hater, I felt for the kid, man. The guy's like 18. He was playing in Watford to start the season. And now I'm starting a away games the Champions League, had some brutal errors and got punished.
00:58:29
Emeka
And, you know, it is what it is. But injuries lead to him playing. My second point is they were relying overly on Haaland, and when he stopped scoring, that's what I always was curious to see.
00:58:42
Emeka
Like, you know, it was all sweet beginning of the year. He was banging goals left and right, and, you know, everything's Gucci. But when he stopped scoring, yeah, no one else on this team – Really contributes with goals.
00:58:54
Emeka
I love Foden, but has some cold spells. This is why they needed to sign Semenyo. But my third intrusive thought, and it's something I'm really going to be honing in on the rest of the season, is...
00:59:06
Emeka
There's a chance Rodri is washed. And this this is... I want to write a guy's funeral because, you know, this is a Ballon d'Or winner, class. I put him up there in the pantheon of Premier League midfielders. In fact, midfielders in Europe I've seen my lifetime. He's up there.
00:59:22
Emeka
But watching him since he's come back from his injury, he does not look... great And I've seen DMs, that sixth spot is one of those spots that when you lose it, boy, you lose it fast because it requires so much from a player.
00:59:38
Emeka
The mobility you have to cover up and, you know, now his watchness was shown perfectly by how he got sent off in this game because before he could, you know, he could tackle in and stop a counterattack and, yeah, people say he fouled all the time, but at least his fouls were... were Hidden enough that it wasn't automatic yellow cards whereas he was getting driven by so easy he had to just grab because he couldn't you know keep up with the pace and in three minutes he just did that twice two yellow cards and got sent off and he hasn't cities dropping for him
01:00:13
Emeka
You know, coincides, funny enough, with him coming back. I am really curious to see how he looks the rest of the season. Maybe he's just a blimp. I'm going to give my guy some grace. He tore his ACL and had a big injury when he came back afterwards. Maybe he just needs a year to recover and then just whatever. But I am curious to see how he looks moving forward because if you're telling me Rodri takes a level down,
01:00:39
Emeka
I am not that terrified of this Man City side. Like, god I'm just going to be dead ass. Like, for the rest of this season, especially until they get all their guys back from injury next year, yeah, i'm i'm not I'm not too terrified of this Man City side. And not going to lie, it looks pretty good for the boys if that's the case. But, you know, I'm going to count my chickens before they hatch.
01:00:58
Emeka
want to see how they bounce back this weekend and moving forward. But I guess I'll throw it to you, Chinon. What are your thoughts about Man City's, how they're looking like right now?
01:01:07
Emeka
Okay.
01:01:07
Chuku
and So real quick, guys, just real quick.
01:01:09
Chuku
I just want to quickly just add on to that Roger topic. I just want to just say I hear you on the Roger is washed or looking washed commentary, no doubt about it.
01:01:20
Chuku
But the one thing will say to add to it is I feel like part of that narrative, the onus has to be on pep, in my opinion, as far as that narrative being talked about because because simply you can't have a guy coming off of the kind of injury ACL injury that Rodri had where you know he's coming back trying to get into fitness and you're throwing him out there in terms of reliance in the whole Rodri's the one CDM and then pretty much have all kind of attackers that just go forward type of thing and have Rodri be literally the are you you know your main defensive cogs cog in the middle. like
01:02:01
Chuku
You've got to be able to pair him next to a guy. I don't understand the injury list. And probably, you know, when guys like Nico Gonzalez and, you know, maybe a guy like Kovacic gets, you know, gets better, you have to understand that you have be able to play Rodri next to a guy like that in a pivot rather than what they've been doing in the past of just leaving him as the lone DM. I don't think it's going to work. I don't think Rodri is that guy to be able to, you know, has the legs at the moment to kind of do that or at least is showing him. Doesn't have the legs to do that at the moment until he can prove us. Otherwise, I'm just going to stick with. I don't think he is that guy anymore as far as being that, you know, one one DM in the in the middle cog that kind of was just controlling the game. like he was before, I think he's probably going to need to play with another guy, similar similar attributes, but maybe a little more progressive next to him to kind of help with that. So that's just something to watch out that I think it'll be, I'm intrigued to see how Pep, you know, operates second half, because I think that's something that's going to be probably more required now than before, you know, in the past with Rodri. So,
01:03:13
Chino Onwuka
I mean, you guys have really said it all, but, you know, Chupa, to your point, maybe the answer is like Emeka just rattled off the injury list. What other options are there at this point? You know, we weave we've seen the situation that's going on with one of the players at Arsenal and Kai, where we see how he's he's he's he's being managed. And, you know, thankfully, we have the ability with other options between Jokarez, Jesus, his comeback to give us More than we thought he could, you know, Marino as well. So, you know, we it's, it's, that's the thing, you know, sometimes it, it doesn't happen every time, but you know, situations like this, where we realize these players aren't robots, but funnily enough, if I was Googling, so i was going to make a joke, but apparently Calvin Finn Phillips is still at Man City.
01:04:05
Emeka
I know, right?
01:04:05
Chino Onwuka
And has even played for the NBA season.
01:04:07
Chino Onwuka
So, you know, Pep, I know you've frozen out this guy for a couple of years, but you spent 50 mil on him. You better dust him off and and and throw him out there because, yeah, he's definitely been struggling, you know, coming back from the initial injury, got hurt again at the Club World Cup.
01:04:23
Chino Onwuka
And so, you know, Rodri is a huge, huge piece of of of the machine that City have been. you know, he won the Ballon d'Or for a reason. And, you know, if he's not...
01:04:34
Chino Onwuka
If he's not firing, if he's not there to hold things together, then City are definitely a a a weaker version of of themselves. And that is why, you know, sorry, Manchester United fans, but Man City are dropping at least $80 million on Elliot Anderson this summer. Like, I can see it.
01:04:56
Chino Onwuka
I can see it.
01:04:58
Emeka
yeah I mean, Daddy Sheik, Daddy's not needs my money. But, yeah, I know. like it's i actually I like that point, Chukwu, that you know they should put a double pivot. But if you do that, you know, Reinders, Foden, Cherky, like, some guy's going to have to hold the bench. So, yeah, I'm really, really curious about how Pep figures this out. And...
01:05:20
Emeka
Hey, not going to lie, man. like I kind of think if I'm Pep, I'm thinking to myself, how much how many more years do I want to be sitting around doing this? Maybe it's just me being a wishful thinker, but yeah I'm just saying.
01:05:31
Emeka
yeah
01:05:31
Chino Onwuka
And also, the other point I forgot to mention, other point is, this is why it was so, so big.
01:05:38
Chino Onwuka
You know, this is this is a six-pointer, really, that Arsenal got Declan Rice and not Man City, because not only did it mean that Arsenal got Declan Rice, but it also meant we kept him away from Man City.
01:05:52
Emeka
I'm glad we did. Boy, am I glad we did. Yeah, and also I fully agree. i think Elliot Anderson, start looking at homes in Manchester and not the red side because you're coming to City. They need steel in midfield for sure.
01:06:05
Emeka
Funny enough, you said if I was a Man City fan, i'd be and if I was a Man U fan, I'd be disappointed. I thought you were saying in a sense of like, if I'm a Man U fan and we come off smacking City of the weekend, Manchester Derby, 2-0, could have been easy 3-0, I'm flying high.
01:06:21
Emeka
not going lie, if I see them go to a knee and get slapped up by Bodo Glint, I'm starting to think maybe that'll that impressive. You know, man maybe Sydney just suck. So, you know, but for the Red Devil guys out there, you're going to get a real nice chance to see how good your team is because, you know,
01:06:41
Emeka
This weekend is – I'm biased. I think we're all biased in this podcast. I'm sure objectively someone can tell me that Liverpool and Man U is the biggest football fixture in England. And I think – to Fiaqua.
01:06:53
Emeka
My eyes forever, the biggest fixture in football will always be Arsenal versus Man U. we're getting another edition of that this Sunday in our quasi-game of the week. We're going to go talk about NFL games in the latter half this podcast. But, you know, as we love to do, have to pick a game of the week and give you our predictions. And I think it's a very obvious the biggest fixture in soccer this week is Arsenal and Man U. You know, so many plays to talk about. Again, Man U coming off. A big win at the Manchester Derby. A full week of rest. Michael Carrick has no midweek fixture, so we gets to really hone in and prepare for Arsenal. Meanwhile, we flew to Italy and and we're coming in.
01:07:33
Emeka
you know her big, big, big match on the weekend to maybe build off momentum. you know Great win midweek. Smacking up Inter 3-1. I guess I'll start with you, Chico.
01:07:45
Emeka
What are your vibes like entering this fixture first of all from an Arsenal perspective? are you confident? Are you kind of worried? like what are you What are your thoughts are about how this next this big fixture going to play in?
01:07:57
Chuku
The vibes have to be high. They are at all-time high. Seven points clear in the league. Beat Inter Milan away from home. Clear number one in champs.
01:08:09
Chuku
Even if we lose the next game in the champs, we're still going to number one. Like, I don't know what... they The vibes are high. And the fact is the game is home. So, you know, you kind of go into that feeling even better because, I mean, having your... gu You know,
01:08:26
Chuku
again, your full team pretty much still missing that maybe a handful, no less than a handful of players. I would say they're first full team. But for the most part, you have know we have our guys.
01:08:39
Chuku
We're going we're we're not as healthy as can be or try to be at this time in the season. And you know going against you my and i a United team that did show some promise you know in last weekend against Man City, fair. But the fact is,
01:08:55
Chuku
We have shown to be the better team consistently. And our record at home against Man City, Man United it has been one of pretty much, mean, again, this referring to the league, pretty much one of dominance as far as wins are concerned. And that's all we really care about. I don't really care how it gets done. All that matters is that it gets done and we get three points. So I feel confident we're going to get those three points at home.
01:09:20
Chuku
And it's just on the boys to just perform and you know show up. And I mean, Jokras had a, I'm just glad to see know him score midweek. And i'm I'm just praying and hoping you know that he can use that momentum and bring it in because it does look like, I feel like he's going to be the one starting.
01:09:39
Chuku
And as we know, the news with Havertz, trying to still recover from his, so recovering from fitness. with his injury, it's not looking like he's going to be coming in to start anytime soon.
01:09:49
Chuku
And with Jesus starting, you know, midweek, I'll be shocked if he starts him again, is you know, against my United. But either way, I just want, you know, it's a good vibe to have both strikers on form, scoring goals.
01:10:04
Chuku
And either way, you know, we'll go into this game, know, feeling confident, feeling good. And, you know, I don't know, are we doing predictions right now or are we just talking about the game?
01:10:13
Emeka
Just talking about the game. They'll come up. They'll come up. We'll do predictions later.
01:10:16
Emeka
Okay.
01:10:16
Chuku
Okay.
01:10:16
Emeka
All right.
01:10:17
Chuku
Okay.
01:10:17
Chuku
All right.
01:10:18
Emeka
On that point, I can follow up on you, Chino, on Chukwu's point. Who do you think will start this weekend at striker? And if you were the manager, who would you start start this weekend?
01:10:28
Emeka
So who do you think Arteta would start and who would or i would you want to start if you were the coach?
01:10:34
Chino Onwuka
I think Arteta is going start Yokoz. I mean, I think just the fact that, you know, Jesus started the last game sort of sort of gives a window into his thinking, you know, resting Yokoz for the game against United. who would I start?
01:10:55
Chino Onwuka
That's a very good question because Jesus did what he needed to do. to give Arteta a decision to make.
01:11:09
Chino Onwuka
Honestly, I'm trying to think
01:11:12
Chino Onwuka
You know, yeah i know it's it's sort of a bit of of a cop-out, but we say, okay, Yokoz comes in and he occupies the defenders and and gives them a game, you know makes them work, and then maybe he can bring someone else in versus, you know, we saw what happened in the last game when the game is stretched, defenders are tired.
01:11:34
Chino Onwuka
know Then you bring Yokores on. is that Is that a situation that's maybe more suitable to him? you know At this stage, I think that would be good. But you know at this stage, you know you know that Yokores can give you 90 minutes.
01:11:51
Chino Onwuka
We don't know that Jesus can give us 90 minutes at this stage.
01:11:51
Emeka
you
01:11:53
Chino Onwuka
So for that reason, you know, I think I will start Yokoz because you never know what else is going to happen on the field. You never know what game state it's going to be. So give me the guy that I know can actually make it the 90 minutes.
01:12:07
Chino Onwuka
And, hey, he scored goal befitting of, you know, who Yoko Riz used to be in a previous life. And maybe that gives him confidence, you know, where if he gets an opportunity to bust one out the chamber, you know, he has the confidence to take that shot and get it on target.
01:12:30
Emeka
Everything you said, i fully agree with. And that I think Arteta is going to start Yokoz because, like you guys have mentioned, Jesus starts midweek. You want to rotate. But I don't know. Maybe it's delusion. i don't I just think there's something there with Yokoz coming on against tired legs.
01:12:46
Emeka
And this fixture especially with the, I'm assuming, United are going to start Lissandro and Maguire.
01:12:49
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I agree. i agree
01:12:53
Emeka
These are the type of center backs that he's terrible against. Physical guys who get touched tight. I saw what Lissandro did to to Holland, and he's going to do that to Jokeres. I don't want him to start.
01:13:05
Emeka
So, honestly, I would start Marino or even Jesus. Just give me a body to – ideally Marino because he's more physical. Give me a battery ram.
01:13:14
Chino Onwuka
Oh, I didn't know Marino was an option. Yeah.
01:13:16
Emeka
if if if they
01:13:17
Chino Onwuka
If I thought it was just Jesus, yeah, I would start Marino. Yeah, I'm with him.
01:13:21
Emeka
Yeah, I'll give you a battering ram for 60, 70 minutes. And then when the game gets a little bit more stretched, then I'm stopping Yoko Rizal. I want to see that kind of moving forward as as a template because i mean for games like this. Because, again, i just think, especially how men I saw Man U play against Man City.
01:13:41
Emeka
and how they want to counter. So now if Jokrej loses possession, that's how going to use the spring counters and how just tight they played Haaland. I just think this is a terrible situation for him to come into.
01:13:53
Emeka
I get his confidence is high, but I would much rather have somebody else fill in to start and have him come in against tired legs. The game is stretched. But, yeah, I think we're all on the same page there.
Football Transfer News and Squad Dynamics
01:14:04
Emeka
Arteta's probably going to start Jokrej and, hey,
01:14:07
Emeka
I'll be curious to see if Man U starts Sesco because that they that's going to be headlines right there. Tell you that for free. Well, I mean, before we go to any predictions, any, any thoughts, Chinel, on the vibes of the squad or just what you were hoping to see this weekend?
01:14:22
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, the only thing I wanted to talk about, and I know we've gone a bit long on some other topics, which I thought were super interesting, is I just wanted to talk about Eze and what your thoughts are, and and I think maybe we'll probably park that for a different episode.
01:14:39
Chino Onwuka
Obviously, some news in that, and this is all linked to Ethan going out alone. I think Marseille is a good look for him. But again, till this day, I know I keep repeating I think the plan for him when he came in was to play left wing for various reasons. Injury, Odegaard got injured, you know, so he had to step in and take that place because you're probably more comfortable with him than Ethan it in certain situations.
01:15:07
Chino Onwuka
He's had some amazing games, you know, obviously the North London Derby, but so far, and maybe it's a situation of just the way Arsenal play in general, Apart from certain moments, on the whole, even at the 10 he's played in, it hasn't been what I think we would like it to be.
01:15:28
Chino Onwuka
So that's been a disappointment. You guys know that when it came to the left winger signing, You know, Eze wouldn't have been my first choice, but, you know, because Eze is who he is, the history around him, the fact that we got it for for stolen from Tottenham, I wasn't mad at it, but it was it wasn't the signing I would have made for for reasons to profile. You guys know all of this, but for things to work out in the future, I think Eze needs to play left wing.
01:16:00
Chino Onwuka
on this team and I don't think we have time to debate it today so I'm just I'm gonna just put it in your in you guys's minds for us to discuss later but you know as it needs to play left wing because okay we sent Ethan on loan you know he's gonna come back we still have the issue on the left wing what happens then so I'm gonna just pause it there for now
01:16:24
Emeka
I mean, fair. All I'll say is I was hype on Eze, but you know when we're signing him, I try to do my research and listen to the takes from Crystal Palace fans. And I got to say they nailed it. they are know was The most unanimous opinion I saw on Eze was he's a moments player.
01:16:41
Emeka
And he if you just saw his highlights, he looks a lot different than what it is seeing him week to week. And that he's going to be... to have games stretches where he just doesn't show up but he's gonna have games when he it comes off and he looks world-class and you just hope that over a 38 game season he has enough of those games where he makes an imprint that is more positive and you know if he plays 35 games and he has 15 of them where he's amazing and 20 where he's a passenger you take that as a win and i was like maybe something there he
01:17:17
Emeka
Watching him as an Arsenal guy, I think that's described him to a T. He has games with North London Derby or the assist to Martinelli against Mad City where he looks like that final piece.
01:17:29
Emeka
And he also has games where you don't even know he's on the fence. It's just how it is for him. i don't know if it's left wing for the future because... He hasn't impressed me there, but maybe he just needs a good run of games there. But I do agree that it's an interesting conundrum he's finding himself in.
01:17:47
Emeka
He cost $60 million. We're a rich club. I mean, the league just came out. Seven richest clubs in the world. I mean, not bad. But $60 million on a guy who's a rotation player. I, you know, we we kind of have that already with Yoko Rez, and I would hope that we don't have that with Eze, because 120 million pounds spent on two rotational players instead of a starter or a star, it could be better invested otherwise. But yeah, I am hoping that in the second half of the season, Eze kind of comes into his own a little bit more, and we see a little bit more of these moments, because he's not been a disappointment, but
01:18:22
Emeka
He also hasn't been worth $60 million, in my opinion. But I guess we'll see. Any thoughts on SA before we give our predictions, Shuku?
01:18:30
Chuku
The whole thing I'll say is i don't I don't get this whole narrative of like signing a player for $60 million can't be a rotation piece in a championship aspiring club.
01:18:44
Chuku
Like, look – I mean, look look at the teams around us. I mean, I feel like Man City, case in point, like' like these teams don't have guys that they spend money on that are rotational pieces that cost –
01:18:57
Chino Onwuka
are not owned We are not owned by a nation state who, you know, their chairman and director or signing documents next to, you know, President Donald Trump on the Board of Peace.
01:18:58
Chuku
so
01:19:11
Chino Onwuka
We're not a nation state. It's not sustainable.
01:19:13
Chuku
On this top, people wouldn't have to agree to disagree. Look, it is what it is. I'm just going to simply say that...
01:19:17
Chino Onwuka
Disagree on what? Disagree on what? We're owned by, we're backed by a nation state? I don't understand what you're disagreeing with.
01:19:21
Chuku
No, no, no, no, no. I'm not talking about... Look, you're the one bringing up the nation-state...
01:19:26
Chuku
I'm not even bringing that up. We don't have to be owned by...
01:19:26
Chino Onwuka
No, you said Man City is able to have – well, hold on, let me finish.
01:19:30
Chino Onwuka
You said Man City is able to have 60 million players on the bench, and I'm saying that's because they're backed by golf state that has trillions of dollars. We don't have the same backing to be able to sustain having 60 million players on the bench.
01:19:43
Chino Onwuka
That's what I said. So I don't – which part are you disagreeing with?
01:19:46
Chuku
I disagree with that point that we have to be an own state.
01:19:48
Chino Onwuka
Why? Based off of work.
01:19:51
Chuku
wait um'm I'm making the point.
01:19:51
Chino Onwuka
Based off of work. Okay.
01:19:54
Chuku
Sorry.
01:19:55
Chino Onwuka
OK, yeah, go ahead. My bad.
01:19:56
Chuku
yeah making I'm making the point. I disagree with the point that if you don't have to be a team owned by a state to be able to afford. having a rotational piece that may cost 60 million pounds.
01:20:09
Chuku
Like, this is how the league goes. like therere even my Like, the other teams around us have similar quality players that are not always going to be starting games but are part of a squad, squad depth.
01:20:25
Chuku
Like, you go not every piece –
01:20:26
Chino Onwuka
I hear you on that. hear I hear you on that. How is it working out for United that their high price tag signings are not good enough to start for them and that's why they're on the bench?
01:20:38
Chino Onwuka
I mean, you can say, yeah, they rotate four pieces on the bench, but the reason they're on the bench is because it's been found out that they're not good enough for what they paid for it.
01:20:38
Chuku
That's irrelevant to me. Go ahead.
01:20:47
Chuku
Again, i mean, I get your point, but that's totally relevant to the point I'm making, which is regardless of how they got there, the fact is when it comes to teams that are competing for or vying for the league, there are going to be players that are rotational pieces that are going to, on the market, cost $40, $50, $60 million, and that's that's okay. that's I mean, I don't see why it's such a big deal. Like, Eze was brought in because he's a player that we believe can help us win now.
01:21:25
Chuku
Whether he's able to play in the left-wing position, play in the camp position, that to me, the fact is he's able to play multiple roles in team.
01:21:36
Chino Onwuka
and and And I agree with you. I agree with you, right? Because I think on that point, because the push is we need to get over the line and win something this year. And I think Eze will be instrumental to that.
01:21:48
Chino Onwuka
because he came in and filled in you know for Odegaard, and that's helped us be at the point that it is. But I'm just putting it out there that this is something we haven't talked about it a lot. We haven't talked about him at all since the North London Derby, but this is something for us to watch. I'm worried because, again, with some of the decisions that have been made this year, if if it's not left wing, if so far he's not been good enough to play that 10, when Ethan comes back, what's going to happen? Because then you're still going to Odegaard. Then you're gonna have Eze. Then you're going have Ethan.
01:22:20
Chino Onwuka
There's Max Dallman that we haven't talked about. What's the plan for him there? Is this going to be a situation where we have our own De Bruyne and Salah situation? And is is a Premier League title, you know, don't want to say sacrifice.
01:22:39
Chino Onwuka
Is the Premier League title getting it over the line? enough to, you know, not overlook, but be like, hey, it is what it is. As long as we get the title, nothing else matters. Just just some things I'm i'm thinking about.
01:22:52
Emeka
I mean, I think I can't speak for everybody in the world, but for me, the answer to that last question is a resounding yes.
01:22:53
Chuku
Thank you.
01:22:58
Emeka
A Premier League title is worth is worth it. I mean, there's no topic for another it's a topic for another conversation because i I have had that thought in my head about... The squad is very big.
01:23:11
Emeka
How long can you keep a big squad? Yeah, people like to win. They like to play as well. But we can talk about that at another time. Right now, as always, we like to pick a big game here this weekend.
01:23:23
Emeka
And I will start us off. Arsenal at home at the Emirates hosting Manchester United. Put me down for a nice, comfortable win.
01:23:34
Emeka
I think we don't lose to Man U at the Emirates. It hasn't happened in over a decade. I'm not even scared of jinxing it because that's just a fact. Arsenal are are flying right now. Yeah, we had some nil-nils in the Premier League, and the vibe's a little low.
01:23:49
Emeka
Give me down for a 2-0 Gabriel corner, and Saka finally ended his goal drought. 2-0 win for the Gunners. Chukwu, what are your thoughts?
01:23:59
Chuku
Put me in for a 3-1 comfortable victory. i do see United getting a cheap goal because we have been leaking goals of late. But, yeah, no, I still see us winning this game quite comfortably.
01:24:13
Chuku
So, yeah, me that 3-1.
01:24:15
Emeka
Take a soul, Jano.
01:24:18
Chino Onwuka
Man, I mean, when has it ever, ever been comfortable against United? I heard the word comfortable from both of y'all and I'm like, history does not back that up. No matter how much better we are than Man U, it's never equated to a comfortable victory or result for us.
01:24:36
Chino Onwuka
Even in general, the theme of seeing this arsenal is we are the team that loves to make the most straightforward game as difficult and stressful as possible. So...
01:24:48
Chino Onwuka
You know, regardless of how the game goes, regardless of we're the better team or not, you know, it's somehow going to be a a narrow victory than maybe it should be. So 2-1 Arsenal in Buemos scares me on a normal basis. But, you know, there have been issues with our left back situation last couple of games.
01:25:07
Chino Onwuka
You know, if it's MLS, he's getting cooked. Timber can play there, but that's not the best place for him. You know, we've gotten news that Hincapie and Calafiori are back. You know, especially if Calafiori is able to play, that would be great news. Is he able to start? I don't know, but I'm really curious to who we see at left back on Sunday.
01:25:31
Emeka
I hope all of us are right on Sunday. That's all I'll say. I know I said comfortable, wishful thinking because you're right. It's never comfortable, but it is what it is. you know It is what it is. And i I'm sure we'll be breaking that game down in great detail next episode on this podcast.
01:25:48
Emeka
You know, it's so
NFL Playoffs Analysis
01:25:49
Emeka
we've spent a long time on soccer, but we're still in the midst of the NFL playoffs. We recorded this a week after just some excellent, excellent games in the divisional round.
01:26:03
Emeka
I mean, we can go a so a second different podcast on that one. But instead, i just want to say, you know, from the following those four games, you know, just give me one high-level takeaway you've had from from the divisional round games. And I'll start off with, I think...
01:26:20
Emeka
Even though they lost, I just want to give a special shout out to Chicago Bears in particular. If I was a Bears fan, I would have just great vibes and feelings for the next 10 years.
01:26:33
Emeka
I have been personally hard on Caleb Williams. you know I'll give Chukwu credit. He's been higher on him than I have. I have i haven't really seen it. i don't i don't like guys who miss easy throws and his inaccuracy.
01:26:45
Emeka
He is clutch. He is clutch, and my goodness, that throw he had – I've watched that throw maybe 60 times, and I still don't understand how that happened. And if I'm a Bears fan, I love Drake May. Don't get me wrong. I wouldn't trade Drake May for the world. But if I'm a Bears fan, I would also be pretty happy with my QB moving forward. And, you know, it saw that's even though even though they lost, it was tough loss. But, man, like, if I'm, again, if I'm a Bears fan with the coach and that QB, I'm feeling great.
01:27:18
Emeka
So I got flip it to you, Chenna. What's one high-level takeaway from the division around team that lost or team that won that you had?
01:27:27
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, my take is on the Buffalo Bills. I know we've sort of buried the lead here with some of the other topics we've talked about. But, you know, after the game, you know, Bills lose again, lose in Devastating, as it always seems to be devastating with the Bills it in overtime. Josh Allen leaves the field crying.
01:27:46
Chino Onwuka
And the next day, McDermott gets fired. Again, like we've said with some of the other coaches, this seems to be a recent thing. I get it. I don't think it's what I would have done.
01:28:00
Chino Onwuka
McDermott has done a lot with that Bill's team. I think they've been good for so long now that we forget how bad they were before McDermott came in. In fact, at the time they came in, they had the longest streak of not making the playoffs in North American sports total. They had the longest playoff drought, you know?
01:28:23
Chino Onwuka
And so he's been fired. It's going to be hard to get somebody as good as him. Yes, he didn't take him to the promised land. Some of that is his fault.
01:28:34
Chino Onwuka
Some of that is probably his GM's fault. And a lot of that is a certain Patrick Mahomes fault. So sometimes you have to make a change just to get a fresh face in, but it's, you know, the situation where we'll see is, is, is the, is the grass greener. So again, I know we're trying to keep it fast. I'll just pause there. And it's something that we can probably expand on in, in more episodes.
01:28:56
Emeka
Trigger.
01:28:57
Chuku
For me, I think, i mean, there's definitely lot of know great performances, but I just got to shout out the best team in the NFC, the Seattle Seahawks, man. What a performance.
01:29:13
Chuku
What a beatdown. I mean, look, I know the 49ers had injuries coming into the game. I get it. But at some point, like the dominance that the Seahawks showed, I mean,
01:29:27
Chuku
I have to give him a shout-out for sure. But for me, the real no the real team and player, i mean i've been talking mean, we were talking about this last week, and was shocked that, Emeka, you didn't have as much confidence as as me and Chinon did when we were pick making the picks. But, man, Drake May is the real – I mean, he's – look, went against a very, very tough defense and came out of it, you know,
01:29:55
Chuku
with a morning good enough performance that will have me confident in his ability to take this this team to the Super Bowl. And I really do feel like the Texans, like if not for this yeah if not for the Seahawks, it's between them and the Texans, like for me at least, who has the best defense in the league. And the Texans' defense is no joke.
01:30:17
Chuku
They are no joke. And, you know, may have some pretty nice throws in that game. And, you know I just think the the whole team as a whole, the Patriots,
01:30:27
Chuku
The fact that they're doing this, I still can't even say, apart from Diggs, and again, mind you, Diggs, I mean, he's been really good this year, but this is not the Diggs of all that we're accustomed to, right? This is still Diggs that is, I won't say 100%, but he has a little bit of juice left in his game.
01:30:51
Chuku
And, you know, Drake May is doing this with like no big name receivers or not many big name big name receivers out there. And I mean, I just think like just his ability to lead the team It's definitely one to kind of just know put a spotlight on, especially as well with the the coaching staff and the plays they're calling. I just think, yeah, the Patriots are definitely – they got my eye. They're probably as a dark horse to win it all.
01:31:20
Chuku
But, yeah, no, those are the real two teams wanted to kind of shout out
01:31:26
Emeka
who We'll talk a lot about Jake. Well, a lot. We'll talk more about Jake May when we preview the games. But it's funny that was your takeaway because, listen, he had a great game in my eyes. I think people were really hard on him for the fumbles.
01:31:37
Emeka
He's a second-year guy against one of the best defenses in the league. And look at his stat line against Houston versus all the other great QBs against Houston.
01:31:43
Chino Onwuka
Drake's game is very strong.
01:31:51
Emeka
I'm going to even want to curve because, again, look at the other QBs that played Houston.
01:31:54
Chino Onwuka
my
01:31:56
Chino Onwuka
I mean, i think Drake May is a... I ranked him higher than Trevor, and Trevor didn't have this much trouble against Houston.
01:32:08
Chino Onwuka
And we played him twice.
01:32:09
Emeka
Josh Allen had trouble against Houston.
01:32:11
Emeka
Patrick Mahomes had some trouble against Houston.
01:32:12
Chino Onwuka
I know.
01:32:13
Chino Onwuka
know. I'm saying at this stage in the playoffs, when you're talking David, there's no grading on the curve, right? We know he's young. We know it's only his second year, but he didn't have a great game. He was just lucky that CJ Stroud had a worse game than he did.
01:32:33
Emeka
Oh, fair.
01:32:33
Chino Onwuka
Let's call CJ Stroud.
01:32:34
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
01:32:35
Emeka
I mean, last broadcast, I said i thought the Houston and Texas were the best defense I've seen in in whatever year.
01:32:36
Chino Onwuka
I'm
01:32:41
Emeka
That's the curve I'm talking about. And, I mean, got to be a homer right now. Mahomes against the Texans, no touchdowns, three picks. Josh Allen against the Texans, no touchdowns, two picks.
01:32:52
Emeka
Stafford against the Texans this year, one touchdown. Rodgers, no touchdowns, an interception, pick six. Herbert, one touchdown, one interception. Trevor Lawrence, he had a no-touchdown game, one pick.
01:33:04
Emeka
Sam Darnold, one touchdown, one interception. Drake May, three touchdowns and an interception and a fumble. But still, three touchdowns. Like, that's what I'm saying on the curve. This Texas defense,
01:33:16
Chino Onwuka
How many fumbles?
01:33:18
Emeka
yeah, he had two fumbles. But, I mean, three touchdowns.
01:33:20
Chino Onwuka
only only only Only two fumbles? I'm pretty sure he only lost two, but he had like four, so...
01:33:24
Emeka
think I think he lost two. He lost two.
01:33:28
Emeka
The only one that you lose that count. He had a okay great, i don't know. To me, he was great because this Texas defense is scary.
01:33:36
Chino Onwuka
yeah I get it from your point of view, right? Because he did what he needed to do to to win. But, you know, I guess he's bearing the lead. Again, the reason why I'm speaking passion about this because Drake is my boy. So I know and i feel like i know when he's played well and when he's played badly, you know, when we talked about him coming in.
01:33:55
Chino Onwuka
people I called him to you know Josh Allen, because there are times where he can. He can be a bit of a maverick and he's done a great job taking care of the ball so it's worried me that in these games obviously these are big moments he's a second year player.
01:34:09
Chino Onwuka
You know he needs to rein in those turnovers because you know I will say the Patriots are lucky that Bo Nix is injured because if Bo Nix was playing I would have the Broncos over the Patriots because.
01:34:25
Chino Onwuka
We've talked about how great of a defense Houston is, but if you look at the things they bring, you know, a pass rush and really good corners, Denver has that same thing on the backside. So I think this is a big break for the for for the Patriots.
01:34:41
Emeka
Oh, and you would be very, very, very right. It's funny we're going to tangent with Drake May because what point I going to make is, you know, I think the bigger storyline coming off that game is not Drake May, CJ Stroud.
01:34:54
Emeka
Listen,
01:34:55
Chino Onwuka
And i need I need you to come and speak about it.
01:34:59
Chino Onwuka
Boy, boy, Chukwu.
01:35:01
Emeka
listen, listen, listen, listen.
01:35:03
Chino Onwuka
Hey, Chukwu, Chukwu.
01:35:05
Emeka
listen listen
01:35:06
Chino Onwuka
Code takes expose, my brother.
01:35:09
Emeka
If I'm the Houston Texans, I have a real serious conversation this summer about what I'm doing with CJ Stroud. I am not giving him an extension. And if his agent had the nerve to ask for one, I'd laugh in their face.
01:35:22
Emeka
He's playing out this year. And all of that, I'm, and maybe I'm Davis Mills, but I'm coming into the camp with a viable backup QB that if I need to pull the plug on Stroud, I'm pulling the plug on Stroud.
01:35:36
Emeka
I think this is a concern now. He had a great rookie year. Fantastic rookie year. I think that rookie year went to his head. This is my hot take on Stroud. We're making fun of Chukwu for having you know all takes exposed.
01:35:49
Emeka
I'm making fun of CJ Stroud as a rookie quarterback ranking himself the third best QB in the league. Because, brother, that's just one year, and he has not even touched...
01:36:00
Emeka
were remotely those heights he had in his second and third year. And this guy has the nerve on his postseason interview after five top interceptions and five fumbles in two playoff games to say, well, I'm not Superman because I have a great defense. Brother, you're not Superman because you're not Superman. How about that?
01:36:20
Emeka
I think I hope for his sake, this experience has humbled him because you're not that guy. don't Stroud understands that. You have a great defense.
01:36:31
Emeka
Be a game manager. Why are you taking risks? You're not that guy. No one's asking him to be Superman. We're asking to be a game manager, to be competent. Be Sam Darnold.
01:36:42
Emeka
And if I'm the Texans, I'm really, really, really, really looking hard about this. And like CJ Shroud, if you're probably dreaming about signing a $55 million dollars contract and laughing this summer, he's going have to earn it next year. And if he's done if he has a a year like this, again, with this defense, de defenses don't last long in the NFL. There's just too many guys to pay.
01:37:07
Emeka
i only have to keep I can only keep this unit for so long. I'm really thinking about something crazy. Like, if Stroud didn't show me something next year, I'm like, yo, I'm calling the Bengals like, what's up, Joe Burrow?
01:37:19
Emeka
What was just he calling? I can't waste this defense. i'm I'm thinking about it. So, I mean, I'm going on rant here because i i've I've always been a little lesser on Stroud than other people, i find. But I just think that's the that was my takeaway as a Patriots fan watching that game. I promise you, if they had Trevor Lawrence,
01:37:38
Emeka
as a Texas QB, we're losing that game. Like, we won that game because of Stroud. So thank you, Stroud, for your service. And, yeah, I don't know, man. If I'm the Texans, I'm really, really, really looking at Stroud moving forward with a close eye about, am I giving the keys to the front test of this guy?
01:37:54
Chino Onwuka
Chukku Thoughts.
01:37:58
Chuku
but Yeah, I mean, just like i guess just kind of go back a little bit. when With Drake May, very simply, I want to just make sure that it's said that, you know, with context, I'm looking at his performance more of playing it one of the best defenses in the league without having, in my opinion, really a top group of offensive weapons, to say the least, as a second-year QB.
01:38:22
Chuku
These are things I'm factoring in, and the performance, and why I believe in my opinion, at this stage of his career, I thought it was a a great performance. But to the to the point of CJ, CJ, I mean, I don't know what to say. I mean, like i I really bought the hype early on that like he was going to be one of yeah out the talents and the makings of being in one of the top or better QBs in the league.
01:38:48
Chuku
But I think at this stage, he's kind of put enough on tape to show that he really is, at this point in time, a game manager. and now these I know you know from his perspective, he probably sees himself more than just a game manager.
01:39:03
Chuku
And no, I mean, you want any top, you know, any you know yeah any player of you of yours to want to have that kind of confidence, especially if one of them play in the QB position.
01:39:13
Chuku
But the reality is just simply the case. If you want your team to win, you got to change how you approach things because you know how you know how you have a top defense There's no need for you to be trying to make all these crazy plays, throwing the ball, you know, loosely and, you know, not being careful and, you know, know thinking about, you know, next downs and trying to get field goals and points on the board. whether that be a field goal or you know a simple play, you know you have a good defense. And the fact is you can't you can't be taking some of those risky plays that you'd be doing just to try and to prove a point you know as far as no making a statement of yourself being a very top QB in the league. Sometimes you've got to just learn to take what's there, and if not there, throw the ball away. And I think –
01:40:06
Chuku
If he can come to that understanding, Houston has the potential to really, really, you know, challenge for Super Bowl, in my opinion, because they have the talent. the talent is there, and at least in the defensive end. And even on the offensive end, they have talents out there at wide receiving position to be able to do, you know, to to make some noise. But, yeah, no, it's got to be there's got to be a change in the offseason. CJ's got to approach next season completely different from how he kind of did this year. You know, if he's willing to make those adjustments and, you know, again, try and, you know, play more like a game manager,
01:40:43
Chuku
you know I think things will bode well. and He may not may not get the kind of contract he's looking for, but I'm pretty sure regardless, he'll still be getting paid because quarterbacks, starting QBs at least, no matter what, still get still get paid. It's just about whether or not he's going to be content with that contract.
01:41:01
Chuku
you know, situation as far as, you know, not being viewed as more of like a game changing QB, right? As opposed to being a game a game manager QB. So we'll see how that goes, but it's up to him to decide how that plays out.
01:41:17
Emeka
Yeah, up to him and up to the Texans. Like, you know, yeah, him and hip and Bryce Young, I'm really, really curious about what their next contracts look like because I think the era of giving every QB that breathes and is young, 50, you know, record-breaking deals, probably coming to an end. But do we plenty of time to talk about the Texans and all the other teams that are outside of the playoffs in the future? Because right now, we are about to have the last weekend of multiple-game football.
01:41:44
Emeka
I cannot believe we're already here. It is Championship Sunday. my New England Patriots... Caught the brick of the century. And I've watched sports for a long, long time. I can't recall fewer times. I've been stunned by a tweet that when I read Schefter say, Bo Nix is out for the next week.
01:42:11
Emeka
Injured on the second or third last play of the game. People are still kind incondecided, but got rolled up on by a Boz, I think, and then a kneel down. It made it worse, but broke his ankle and still was going out there and giving post-game interviews.
01:42:27
Emeka
When I tell you sometimes these athletes are just meant to me, I promise you if break my ankle, you will hear me screaming on the sideline, but not again, they're not there. The Denver Broncos, the number one seed in the AFC, are hosting my New England england Patriots.
01:42:41
Emeka
One versus two is the early game on Sunday. if you haven't heard by now, Jared Stidham will be starting for the Broncos. He has not thrown a pass all of this year and all of last year.
01:42:55
Emeka
Three seasons ago was the last time he threw a pass in an NFL game. And yet despite that, People think I'm crazy when I say this. I really, really think that Ember has a great chance of winning.
01:43:09
Emeka
Stidham is a former Patriot. I always liked him when he was a Patriot. I thought he he was kind of unfair. He lost his job to Cam, but when Cam could not throw the ball. So he has the revenge game factor. And like Chinon said, that Denver defense is real.
01:43:25
Emeka
The Pats offensive line is not holding up more like I would have liked it to during the playoffs. Denver still has weapons. They still have great receivers. Okay, great receivers. They still have good receivers, good tight end, good offensive line, you know, a decent running back and a great coach.
01:43:45
Emeka
Kobe has been good. He's still looking the kind of rookie-ish. And I can see a world where he has a multiple turnover game and the Denver Broncos sneak something. Maybe I'm just being overly pessimistic, so I'm actually curious what you guys' thoughts are about this game. But I think anybody whose automatic thought is, oh, Bo Nix is out, easy Patriots W, isn't really seeing reality. The Denver Broncos very, very, very well could win this matchup.
01:44:12
Emeka
Am I being crazy or overdramatic, or do you guys agree with me? Start you, Chukwu. Sure.
01:44:21
Chuku
I completely disagree. I think this is going to be, you know, Patriots, you know, yeah. This is going to be Patriots game to win. I just don't see Stidham coming in and carrying this Denver team. Like, for it to work, there's going to have to be a lot of mistakes made by Drake and me on the other side of the the game. And I just, I mean, look, respect to Denver's defense,
01:44:47
Chuku
To me, again, i don't see them being better than the Texans' defense this year. And, you know, I just think with how the the New England have been coached, you know, the talent of Drake May and the play calling, you know, that the Patriots, you know, do, I'm just confident that it's just going to be enough to be able to get that win, especially with the loss of their starting QB. I don't care, know, what anyone says, like,
01:45:17
Chuku
bringing in a QB that's not thrown a pass in how many years and expecting him to come come in and and and be the difference for you in a championship game. I'm sorry. i don't I'm not buying it.
01:45:30
Chuku
And yeah, my money is on the Patriots to win this weekend. No question.
01:45:35
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I mean, if I had, you know, the Patriots overcoming, you know, Houston with the defense and not anticipating that CJ would have a disaster of a game, I'm definitely not going to pick Broncos with Jared Stidham over the Patriots.
01:45:57
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, to keep it short, yeah, I think Patriots are going to... win this one. I don't know how comfortable it's going to be, but yeah, Patriots should win this game. If, you know, Drake may, you're calling him the MVP. We're not grading him on a curve for that MVP.
01:46:13
Chino Onwuka
You know, we're calling, giving him that because he played at that level. and And that's what he needs to keep doing. Because if the Patriots don't win that game, you know,
01:46:25
Chino Onwuka
you know, you know where I'm going, but that's the standards we're at now.
01:46:30
Emeka
I once saw the greatest quarterback of all time, Tom Brady. Ten years, almost to the date. I think it's exactly ten years the season. 2016 playoffs.
01:46:43
Emeka
go into a mile high and lose to, when I say Peyton Manning, you're going to think, yeah, Peyton Manning, that makes sense. Peyton Manning that season, I'm not even exaggerating, was the worst quarterback I've seen play and start multiple games. He had nine touchdowns and 17 interceptions. He was beyond cooked that final season.
01:47:04
Emeka
But that Denver Broncos defense is special. Now, i don't know if this current Broncos defense is as good as that team, but i can that's the game that is coming to my mind right now. I'm not going to lie.
01:47:17
Emeka
It's spooking me a little bit. Hopefully, you guys are right. And I agree. I think i've if I'm giving Mays flowers, he should win this game. I just think, especially away at Denver, if it was in Foxborough, I'd be a lot more confident. But just something about that juju in mile high that scares me.
01:47:36
Emeka
That being said, i think I'm making the queen sweep. All of us are taking, a we're all taking New England Patriots. Is that fair to say? 100%.
01:47:44
Chino Onwuka
Yep.
01:47:45
Emeka
one percent All right, well, I'll take it to Patriots. Inshallah, I hope we are right. The night game, i read repeats of, I think it's pretty fair to say, the game of the regular season.
01:47:45
Chuku
one eighty percent
01:47:58
Emeka
The Seattle Seahawks taking on the Los Angeles Rams. and Just to follow up on a thing, Jugu said, what the the performance the Seahawks gave the 49ers, belt to ass right from the opening kickoff.
01:48:16
Emeka
I don't know how coming off after that performance, I guess I'm curious now, because for me, coming off after that performance, it was crystallized. They are the best team in the league. They're my Super Bowl pick.
01:48:27
Emeka
I'm taking them all the way. I'm curious, maybe, am a prisoner of the moment, or do you guys think the Rams have a chance to win this game?
01:48:35
Chino Onwuka
To me, this is the, go ahead, Chiku.
01:48:36
Chuku
The Rams definitely have a chance.
01:48:41
Chuku
No, no, all I was going say was the Rams definitely have a chance, but do I think that that's going to be the case? Unfortunately, i just don't think the Rams' defense is going to be as potent as the Seahawks.
01:48:58
Chuku
And with how Darnell has been playing and game managing, for the the Seahawks and the way they run the ball. I just think it's going to be too much for the Rams in the grand scheme of things. And that's of the reasons why I think Seahawks are going to win. But otherwise, if there's going to be any team or side that has the offense to match, it's going to be the the Rams. But unfortunately, I just don't see the defense being enough.
01:49:23
Chuku
So, yeah.
01:49:26
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, I think like was, I was saying, I think this is the the real Superbowl matchup. These are the, the two best teams left. the trilogy, you know, the, the last two games, these, these guys played were both great games with some wild ending, especially the last one with one of the craziest.
01:49:45
Chino Onwuka
was was it Was it a two pointer or touchdown? What we've ever seen?
01:49:47
Emeka
Two-point conversion.
01:49:48
Chino Onwuka
Well, two point conversion.
01:49:48
Emeka
Two-point conversion.
01:49:50
Chino Onwuka
So, uh, I think it's going to be a really good game. What I still have, I'm going to lean the the Seahawks to to to to to edge this one.
01:50:00
Emeka
I do think there's the two best teams left in the playoffs. you never did As a Patriots fan, I'm going to give it to the Rams and ball, but... it I won't call it prisoner at the moment because Seahawks were my Super Bowl pick from the start of the playoffs, but it just was crystallized seeing what they did to Sam Fran. However, if they have a weakness, it is their quarterback, and that's never the best thing when I can say that about a team. But Sam Darnold, you know, won 14 games back-to-back seasons, so I'm not going to take it away from him.
01:50:32
Emeka
Tends to shit his pants when he plays the Rams. You know, it is a thing with him. They crashed out last year in the playoffs to them. That first game of the season, he had like four picks. Even the crazy turbulent game started off with him having like three picks in the first half and he bounced back. So I am curious to see if he can shake that voodoo and show up against the Rams in a big moment. But there's There's a small voice in my head that goes, is Sam Darnold really going to be the quarterback of a Super Bowl team?
01:51:05
Emeka
And, you know, it's a lazy maxim, but it is pretty accurate at times. In the playoffs, I always default usually to who has the better quarterback, and nine times out of ten, that's going to be the team that wins.
01:51:20
Emeka
All that being said, like I said earlier, for me, the Seahawks are my Super Bowl team. I've been picking them most of the season. That defense is amazing. They have great weapons, including, at worst, the top three wide receiver from last season.
01:51:36
Emeka
Sam Donald, you know, and we call jokes the one about him, seeing ghosts. He's exercised little demons because he's seeing W's this season. So give me the Seahawks, man. Yeah, and I think it's going to be not a blowout by any means, but I think it's going to be a more comfortable victory than New England good versus Denver. That's my take. I think the Seahawks are the best team in the league, and they're going to show, especially playing at home, they're going to show us why. So
Podcast Wrap-Up and Future Topics
01:52:02
Emeka
I guess that's my my take. out I'll give you the Seahawks.
01:52:05
Emeka
Chin up. Who you got?
01:52:09
Chino Onwuka
Like I said, Seahawks in a Seahawks.
01:52:12
Emeka
And Chukwu, is that a clean sweep?
01:52:15
Chuku
Yeah, I said earlier, Seahawks, man. Seahawks all day.
01:52:17
Emeka
All right, well, we all have the same Super Bowl, New England versus the Seahawks. I hope at least wow that is right because, oh, my God, you're telling me you wouldn't go back in the play in the Super Bowl?
01:52:32
Emeka
Well, we'll see. Either we have a a great podcast, episode 46, next week, where I'm gloating about Arsenal with a w about Drake May crushing it, and you will go to the Super Bowl, or have a canceled podcast if everything goes wrong.
01:52:47
Emeka
Nah, that's a lie. I will still be here and yapping up with you guys. Like we said, it's a not a better way I like to spend my time with than talking with these boys. And I'm really, really hopeful that next time you hear from me, it's with a smile on my face and not me looking like Josh Allen after the super after this last game.
01:53:05
Emeka
Regardless, though, we're going to come back next week with another hot take to warm you up in this wintertime. I love talking to you at Chinel. love talking to you Chukwu. I love the listeners for joining us. Tune and in next week as we talk about everything and more on the Love of the Game podcast.
01:53:20
Chino Onwuka
Hold up, hold
Breaking News: Giannis' Injury
01:53:21
Chino Onwuka
up, hold up. Before we go, just a little bit of breaking news. Shams Sharanya is reporting that Giannis has just told media post game tonight that he's out with a calf strain and expect expects to miss another four to six weeks.
01:53:40
Emeka
Damn, I thought you were going to break some news on the podcast. Like, hey, damn.
01:53:44
Chino Onwuka
I thought I'd have you guys' his heart beating a little bit. I mean, obviously that's
01:53:47
Emeka
Yo, I'm dead. I
01:53:51
Emeka
was like, shut up. I was like, i sha offer you
01:53:53
Chuku
That's actually nasty word because I honestly thought were about to say Giannis got traded.
01:53:57
Chino Onwuka
But...
01:53:58
Chuku
i was about to be like, what?
01:53:58
Emeka
That's what I waiting for. I think the the crazy part is that Giannis came out and said this himself.
01:54:03
Chuku
Oh,
01:54:05
Emeka
That's kind of wild.
01:54:06
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. e e
01:54:07
Emeka
Giannis is a doctor, apparently.
01:54:09
Chino Onwuka
He's seen the last couple of games and he's like, yeah, I'm out.
01:54:11
Emeka
Yeah, I think we've seen the last game Giannis played. I'm watching that game too. He just left the game. Funny enough, he literally just left the game. It wasn't like he got injured or anything. guess he got injured, but he literally left the game.
01:54:23
Emeka
Checked himself out. So, yeah, I think we've seen the last game Giannis has played as a Milwaukee Buck. But if you invoke in the news of of a Giannis trade, oh, my God.
01:54:33
Emeka
so
01:54:34
Chino Onwuka
I'm waiting for that moment where we break something like that on the pod.
01:54:37
Chino Onwuka
i'm just This was just a warm up for that.
01:54:38
Emeka
Oh, my goodness. You got my heart beating there. not going to lie, man. That's funny. That's funny. Well, you almost had the breaking news on one of the podcasts. mean, that would have been cinema, but also would have made this a three-hour podcast, maybe for the best trait that happened this night.
01:54:54
Emeka
Well, if but it ever does happen, that's one of the few things I think would warrant an emergency podcast. So trust me, you will hear from us if Giannis does get traded pretty soon afterwards. Hopefully, it's not the next couple of days because I'm trying to watch the you know NFL football. Do it during Super week, media week.
01:55:12
Emeka
Anyhow, for the real this time, thanks for joining us on a close to two-hour edition of the Love of the Game podcast. Stay safe, y'all.