Transcript
Emeka: Welcome, welcome, welcome to Season 3, Episode 52. of the love of the gang podcast It's your boy. Mecca joining you. on a special podcast recorded on... Thursday. August 20th.
Emeka: in the evening or if you're not aware new Premier League Eve. day before the season starts. and your glorious protagonist, Arsenal Defender Trophy.
Emeka: We're going to be chopping it up and breaking up some of the, you know. previewing the biggest teams in the league. There's no one I'd rather... Do this with, and the man making the magic happen as always. Chin up, Chin up. How you doing this evening, man?
Chino Onwuka: I'm good. I am good. Look we had a good break We have time to recharge. But it's time for a new season we've been getting them extra sessions in Fitness checks are done.
Chino Onwuka: we've got the green light we ready to go so Let's get it.
Emeka: You know, man, preseason's over. We got the Super Cup. The Inglés was last week. The curtains are raised and the season's ready to go, man. Too bad episode this time.
Emeka: You know, it was preseason. People are still struggling to recover from fitness. And, you know, Chico couldn't make it, man, sadly. He's still in the World Cup hangover. Give him an extra week to recover. But he'll be back next episode.
Emeka: But, you know, we don't need y 'all hanging.
Chino Onwuka: So you guys are late. It happens. It happens.
Emeka: It happened. Listen, man. It's preseason. Week one. Everyone's going to miss week one. A lot of guys are going to miss week one. It happens. It happens. We got the dynamic duo over here, and he'll join us. next week moving forward. But as I mentioned, it's a little season preview. We're going to talk about...
Emeka: The big six or seven. Yep. might touch on that and then uh give us our thoughts of where we think they finished but before we do that you know It is the dawn of a new Premier League season. I think it's only right.
Emeka: before you look forward you gotta look back and reflect and especially When you're champions, you have to look back and reflect. You know, I'm not asking this last episode, but I'm asking it again, because why not? We're now a full summer since we saw Odegaard lift. Premier League trophy.
Emeka: What are your thoughts now? Entering... As we enter this new year, A Summer of Champions, what does that feel like?
Chino Onwuka: It just feels... Good. Like... I was thinking back. just the other day and It's crazy how much Bing's guest things get lost as time progresses because I remember clearly the last time we won the prem and the invincible seasons but A lot of my emotions in and around that time, I don't know whether it's just because it's been 22 years.
Chino Onwuka: Or because of the age I was then I just don't remember. I don't remember how it I remember how it felt winning the title, but I didn't feel the same way it does now. I don't remember how it felt during the summer.
Chino Onwuka: what my thoughts were going into the new season expectations so It's like... It's almost like I'm experiencing all this for the first time and it feels good. you know you read all the statements anything with guard Related to Arsenal you know they said the defending premier league champions and when you see that you're just sweet
Emeka: Sounds real good.
Chino Onwuka: this sweet body So like it feels really good. You know, you see people. say things and It just don't. it just washes off you because it's like okay well wore a trophy like we the champions either defending champions and you know,
Chino Onwuka: We are looking to run it back. It's it's been good like you know, just again. What makes this club special is...
Chino Onwuka: The club itself. and the people you get to share those feelings and memories with. It's been exciting, you know. Look, summer is... there's no football so there's other things that are preoccupying your mind but that's been fun too because Imagine.
Chino Onwuka: how this summer would feel for us if we weren't champions and a lot of it is like sure there's stuff that you want but it's like i we're still the team to beat And so that's been a lot of the perspective.
Chino Onwuka: going into the season and Look. Nothing is won on paper. Everything's still Got to be done in the field, but you know and I'll talk I'm sure we'll get into it more about my views on how this season could go, but, you know, it just felt good, you know, coming into the season as defending champions and having...
Chino Onwuka: a lot of that pressure a lot of that anxiety is is just gone and it's just pure excitement
Emeka: Yeah, I know, like, it's...
Emeka: I hear what you're saying. It's funny because one, like you're so right. on Hmm. The last time we won... Because social media wasn't there Like obviously I'm not reading the tapes. I'm not reading the news. I'm a little kid, but I distinctly remember I used to think it was normal.
Emeka: Arsenal won three titles in five years, my formative years. I just thought we did we just won things so yeah we wouldn't undefeated and it was Great to follow, but... I was like, yeah, we're going to win the game probably.
Emeka: In worst case, two years later. And to go 20 years without it. I couldn't fathom. It would take that long. So I... enjoyed.
Emeka: So much. Just reveling in the summer. You nailed it. Every time I read a headline. It's the defending champions. Can Arsenal defend the title? Defending champions also are signing... Oh, it just...
Emeka: It just feels great, and we're going to go into it more, but... especially seeing how all the other teams around us, it feel like they were struggling and had. you know, chaotic windows and just Even just the fact that we kept our manager. We weren't even worried about manager changes or anything like that. It's just such a...
Emeka: Ugh. It's a great feeling, I gotta say. It's a great feeling. I've had a high on hopium entering the season for a lot of the years we had. and A lot of times I ended heartbroken, but...
Emeka: I've never felt... The last time I felt this highly about Arsenal entering into a season would literally be the Defensibles, like, honoring years. Like, I just feel... supreme confidence and you're right.
Emeka: League isn't played on paper. So I want to get to ahead of myself, but It's a great feeling this summer I've had. The World Cup especially, too. My mind was just off the prem. Now I'm back. And the funny thing is, you can hear me say all this talk now, and then...
Emeka: God forbid we draw against Covertry 1 -1 and we come back next episode and I'll be recording with anxiety and pain in my heart. But let's not get those bad thoughts in there. Before the season starts, everything is rosy and sunshine and beautiful. So, you know, it's a great time, man. It's a great time.
Emeka: No better time to start this. Preview off. by just kind of dovetailing. into what we just talked about like we're just talking about our our club the Arsenal.
Emeka: You know I sat here last, literally season preview episode last year, and I picked Arsenal to be champions. A lot of it was I believed, but most of it was just my heart. I couldn't take.
Emeka: Another year of finishing second. and we just talked about how great this summer was, and now we're sitting here again. It is surreal to see every single Season preview. Podcasts, article.
Emeka: everything, unanimously. Every single one of them. Have Arsenal to be the champions. And before we go on to anything, I just wanted to just ask you. Do you think that's fair?
Emeka: Like I'm not seeing a single season preview. that didn't have Arsenal repeating as champions. And that's kind of crazy to me. But... Also kind of valid, so I'm just curious. Do you think that's a fair assessment of the league right now?
Chino Onwuka: I hate. to see it. because obviously there's some superstition involved there but You know, if you look at it from just a rational point of view, I get it why Arsenal...
Chino Onwuka: would be the favorites going in look in previous years You know, maybe it was 60 -40 where you were seeing Arsenal. Getting you know 40 % you know expectations to win the titles when it came to previous season previews and Now you're in a whole different element where We've just won the title so there's some incumbency there you know a little bit more state stability compared to some of the other clubs who you might say are going through transition periods
Chino Onwuka: and like look the biggest thing is Pep. is gone. Rodri is gone, so... who you would have viewed as our biggest challengers.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, they're in a down period but now they're even weakened more because of that. So I think just when you consider all those things I can see why. you'd have I can see why you'd have Arsenal as...
Chino Onwuka: the favorites now The thing with me is, is... I think it would have been even more... our chances would have been even stronger if not for the world cup because the world cup is putting a little bit more jeopardy than you would normally see because you have guys coming who are coming back from the world cup who knows in what condition who knows how long it might take them to to get up and running And then...
Chino Onwuka: You know... I... three of our biggest players One's already out for a couple of months, and two... can flip a coin as to what their fitness status is at. i think that's the only jeopardy but when you look at you know stability the players we have, the solidity. yeah i i think we're were definitely the favorites and It makes sense why that's the consensus view.
Emeka: And... Honestly, I think it's not even so much about Arsenal and positives. I think a lot of it is just the negatives of all the teams around us. Like I mentioned... It's...
Emeka: I've never seen... Manager changes like... This time last year. Every other team in the big, quote -unquote, big six. had a different manager. Oots.
Emeka: It's mind -boggling. Pep, the biggest op there is. Gone. Well, I'm a written scrub map, but now he's gone and characters. just came back in January. Jabby Alonso signed for Chelsea.
Emeka: Yariola for Liverpool. the zombie was just signed in april for like there's no stability in everywhere else whereas now we have the longest serving manager in the league the deepest squad in the league.
Emeka: You know, it's just like I... i know what you're saying about the vibes and curses and like there's a part of me that Doesn't want to see it, but I just think if I read any preview Pick another team.
Emeka: I just think they're lying. I think they're capping. I think you're just trying to get clicks. So... it that's the truth and it's the truth and i gotta own it like i truly think our star prohibitive favorites and I hope I'm right. I don't want to be jinxing it, but like...
Emeka: I just can't pick an... This exercise came to me as well because... We're gonna get into it, but I was trying to think about who I... half -finishing second. It is hard. I can't even.
Emeka: I don't know what team it's going to be. I had some thoughts on some teams, but then the closer I squint and see them, I just... see the weaknesses and i i i don't even know like i wouldn't shock me if it's like I don't say sizable gap, but like...
Emeka: a distinct tier of We finish first and there's a group of people. Mocking about kind of the same. Now, obviously, as you mentioned, The thing that could always hurt is injuries. You know, fingers crossed, like writing down a big soldier with Saliba.
Emeka: I don't like judging guys who are preseason, but... God forbid we ever need to lose Ryan for a stretch. I don't know about Kepa. But... You know, I was horrible as a lemur.
Emeka: For all intents and purposes, like I said, we're recording this Thursday, so this might be moved by the time it's out. I'm going to assume he signed Konza. I think, you know. We're deep enough now in the stories that I can assume that fairly.
Emeka: And that alleviated all my worries about... Saliba being out. I don't know what better option we could get to replace him than Konza in the market. So. The only thing people have, and it's what I want to ask you about, is the million -dollar question, as Arsenal fans, is...
Emeka: Entering the summer, if you polled 100 Arsenal fans and said, what is the number one area they need to address? we all would have said left wing. We're now here. Four months later, We signed a Greek.
Emeka: so this yes my man Go and take us in the Odyssey to the Premier League to the top. I love this is all this but You know, are we really seeing us this far signing? Probably not. We have the Vinny saga.
Emeka: Thank God we didn't put a podcast out during that because I would have been saying some crazy takes. Didn't work out. We had the Morgan Rogers talk in the beginning. didn't work out. Barcola has been slipping up there.
Emeka: Not really there yet and yet The only left -wing talk we're hearing. is allegedly the club trying to force Martinelli out. Do you think the failure to really address the left wing area?
Emeka: is a danger for Arsenal this season.
Chino Onwuka: I think it is. A danger. among some others because There have been some areas that we have been lacking for a long time that we have failed to seemingly address properly.
Chino Onwuka: Now at least some of them we've made attempts to and It panned out maybe not in terms of quality, but in terms of getting the job done with your grass and so the next area and I think You look at Arteta's statements coming out of...
Chino Onwuka: The Champions League final and the loss. And you see that game and you see. Defensively we were solid you know our spinal solid but unfortunately the difference in attack was was stark.
Chino Onwuka: was very very stark and so That was an area everybody and their mama could see we needed to address and What this means now is this could be the second year in a row where we fail to address that problem now it's not all It's not a doomsday scenario. I think we are still a very strong team, but When I look to some of the elite clubs i just see that as an area of lacking and i don't want it to be a situation where
Chino Onwuka: if you remember if we go back to the invincibles and Right after that period, it was, oh. everyone could see you need to you need to replace Vieira and it's not easy to do that right so fair enough with the quality that we have finding areas ways to upgrade is difficult but Every year we need to adjust we need someone to replace viera replace viera and we never did that and it had an effect so
Chino Onwuka: do i think it's going to be a problem in the prem i don't think so apart from the lack of depth if we sell martinelli and then maybe you can do things with Eze and Madwiki and other other things there. But.
Chino Onwuka: when i think about this year i know we're going to be going for all four trophies And when I mentioned that other possible risk with the premise. We're going to be going for Champions League. and If we if we can be frank about it, we had a fairly favorable draw in the knockout rounds.
Emeka: What you mean, man? We went to the Giants of Leverkusen and the Titans of Sporting Lisbon.
Chino Onwuka: Exactly. So let's say it's very plausible. You I think some teams had it you get rumored within the quarters. Ortho - Some Bayern in the semis.
Chino Onwuka: Bar Sloan in the final like if you get a run like that, you're gonna be distracted from the pram and so one do you have the depth to rotate some of those pieces during that period and two those are the type of games where you need that that one moment of magic from those players that can make a difference and you know,
Chino Onwuka: If Sokka's healthy, he can be that, but... It sure would be nice to have somebody else. In that attacking lineup that can can do the same thing because when you look at those competitors at that level.
Chino Onwuka: You look at. Bayern, they have... Olise Kane. Then wherever you want to slot Diaz who's playing well for them you have that that trifecta Real Madrid.
Chino Onwuka: What's understood doesn't need to be said. PSG. What's understood doesn't need to be said. Barca, I know they're losing Lewandowski, but when fit, they still have... Laminia Mall.
Chino Onwuka: You still have Rafinha, so you've got multiple guys that are problems, and I think... That's the level that... you know we're trying to compete with
Emeka: I hear it. I fully hear it. The only... Devil's advocate I will throw in. is It gets lost in the shuffle because we won the league.
Emeka: and went to champions league final but We won the league and went to the Champions League final. Without... Oh the guard Kai Havertz for the majority of the season. and a healthy soccer for the majority of the season.
Emeka: there's a world, there's a world where just getting those, I sound like Wingo with the like a new signing, but. truthfully. Just getting these guys fit. would actually be like a new signing.
Emeka: And there is a world where... They elevate the quality of the attack and the club because a lot of what we were struggling with to see last year. was the dreaded Martinelli, Yocarez, Maduike. trifecta of death.
Emeka: And... You start replacing some of those guys with fit, quality players. Maybe things start cooking a little bit more. Maybe. I don't know And maybe Tozola's... steps up and keeps us goal or assist every game streak. Either way, like...
Emeka: As much as I had dreams of Vinny. I really did think we were going to get him. And. I am softer on birth than a lot of people online because, truthfully, I think... The fact that we got that close is worth some plaudits. I know he's spinning plates and playing chess.
Chino Onwuka: I don't think that...
Emeka: and losing chess on six targets.
Chino Onwuka: Berta had anything to do with that though.
Emeka: Hey, I just gave him credit for the overall philosophy like I'm okay putting all my eggs in the vini basket and getting burned. I'm okay with that.
Chino Onwuka: But I think what we've seen...
Emeka: But I think.
Chino Onwuka: I'm sorry to cut you off.
Emeka: No, no, please
Chino Onwuka: is I feel like he's been doing his job in spinning place, but when it's come down to lock things down Or, hey, this is what needs to get done. It seems like it's really...
Chino Onwuka: ownership that's driving things getting done So all his spinning plates, where has it gotten us?
Chino Onwuka: Like Vinny is clearly one of those things where in the industry I work in, it's a similar concept where... hey we have a budget these are the things that we're looking at and then boom this like goldilocks opportunity comes up And we're not the ones that sort of find it. CEO talking to CEO saying, hey.
Chino Onwuka: This thing is going on. Drop your pens everywhere else. This is the focus and I feel like that's what happened with with Vinny.
Emeka: I mean, listen. fair it might easily just be that but My point overall is just For the left wing spot, like... If we enter, if we leave... The fact that we went all hard as we did for Vinny gave me...
Emeka: enough to hold through the year like all right we tried We tried. and It is what it is. If we don't... Bye, anybody. I still, you know I still think it's a pretty solid squad. And there's enough in there for me to believe and hope and pray.
Emeka: and squint my eyes and think that with healthy guys maybe it doesn't look as bleak I want the pressure off. All the things fans tell themselves why things would be different. As much as I like to play the, all right, we champions.
Emeka: I even I could admit it got pretty bleak at times last year. I would like Not to repeat that. But all of these negatives being said, the question is simple, you know. What position do you think Arsenal finish next season? Do we repeat as champions or do we not?
Chino Onwuka: Yes, I believe that Arsenal finishes first Simple.
Emeka: I was doing... Guy took a pause for genetic effect. My answer is Corky is... Resounding yes. Resounding yes. I think... We talked about left wing or whatever you want, the depth of this squad. is Yeah.
Emeka: Immaculate. Like it's... From years of when we were one half -jig away from seeing... Frimpong in the field. to now We have a whole... I don't even know if...
Emeka: Why Nieri and Martinelli can even make a 23 -man match squad? Like, it's... It's a beautiful time. I could easily go on for 30 minutes about Arsenal, but for the sake of this podcast, we've got a lot of teams to cover.
Emeka: I think we can just square it away. Arsenal, repeating as champions, just make the trophy already. We'll move on. Now the most interesting team for me and a team that I made some new moves with some sales today And I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on that.
Emeka: or the team we've been battling with for the last five years. Manchester City. Now, if you're online, I'm sure you've seen the clips. from this documentary that they commissioned because i know when they commissioned it they thought they were going to get. A juicy last season where Pep wins the league and walks off. And instead I'm seeing this man cry because his captain is a drunk.
Emeka: And he's telling the teams he's getting divorced. If you know Pep Guardiola personally, check in on this guy. Like I... I don't know why you can watch that documentary and not come away thinking like, you know, this guy is not well.
Emeka: Well, that crazy man is no longer in the Premier League anymore, and a bald fraud has stepped in to replace him. I don't want to say anything too much about preseason, even though the Supercopa didn't glitz.
Emeka: technically really isn't preseason, but... I've never seen Man City looked at. Useless. Even when we did them up 5 -1. They didn't look as bad as they did. In my opinion, on Sunday. I couldn't, this is not the Man City I was seeing.
Emeka: And... I just can't help but think. is a sign of things to come. They've lost. Pep, they've lost Rodri, they've lost Bernardo Silva, they've lost Kevin De Bruyne. They now sold Savino.
Emeka: They've sold Reinder. They're going to sell Marmouche. They're buying young guys who don't really have that kind of credit. You know, I'll turn it over to you and just say. As an Arsenal fan, Do you consider Man City to be...
Emeka: our biggest threat for this upcoming season.
Chino Onwuka: Yes, I do and that is solely due to one man. And you know who it is. because... For as long as I live This man.
Chino Onwuka: We'll continue to put the fear of God in me every time we play him. anytime he's playing someone else and that is the viking Erlen Hallen, and solely because of him.
Chino Onwuka: Just him. That is why I have... City as. who will be i'm not sure how close or far it'll be but I think they'll be our biggest challengers.
Emeka: Does anyone who deserves that kind of... respect in the Premier League. It's Holland, I think. universally, unanimously fair to put him as the best player in the league. I'll just pause it to you.
Emeka: Who is getting hot on the ball?
Emeka: Like... Donku's out. hamstring Apparently a couple weeks, close to a month, he's out. Sibelio! He's not a creator. He's a finisher. You really look at the team. I don't.
Emeka: The way they're constructed, I just don't... understand the control games.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, I think we're going to see. As long as he behaves a lot of the keys handed to jerky we know that on his day he is He's a maestro. he's gonna have to do a lot of heavy lifting carrying that creative burden Who knows what photo is gonna give but yeah, I think it's gonna be on Turkey to create and try to get it to the finishers in some menu in Holland That's that's
Chino Onwuka: Gonna be how they have to play Maybe though be a little bit more solid in midfield they'll have legs With Anderson and... You know, it's funny.
Chino Onwuka: I was thinking about this the other day. We've been talking about how long things have taken, but this Buadida City thing has taken...
Emeka: Could you go?
Chino Onwuka: Forever it should have been locked in by now. It just shows how when you're not locked in on something it just seems okay but if it was on the other foot we'd be going crazy about that Well, not Saga, but...
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, that's to me. That's what I would say to do. You know, Doku's gonna come back eventually, but it's... You know, Turkey in that 10 spot. Semenya on one wing, Doki on the other, Howland and, you know...
Chino Onwuka: Everybody else, lock it down. O 'Reilly, too, I think he's going to be a maverick in his position. That's what they're going to have to depend on now. The thing is there's not a lot of depth behind that so that's That's something that... City.
Chino Onwuka: has not been used to and it'll be Hey some of these guys that they've been buying are they going to step up or not?
Emeka: The lack of depth is the... It's so funny, as an Arsenal fan, I felt like six years ago or so, The talk was always... How high up the table would City's B team finish?
Emeka: Back when they had Jesus. You know, McMorris, all these guys, like, oh, how high up would they finish? Now, I feel a way about Arsenal. I look at Man City's death and I'm thinking... Ugh! You know, man, if Holland ever gets a knee sprain.
Emeka: You know, if Ellie Anderson... Pulls a hamstring. It can get... Doc, real fast. real fast and Bro, this Boati, you nailed it. This Boati transfer, everyone just acts like it's a done deal.
Emeka: It's been going on since the World Cup. World Cup ended a month ago. Over a month ago. Like... It's been going on for two months now. We're about to close.
Emeka: And if I'm Leo, The closer we get to deadline day, the price goes up even more. Now I can get a replacement? Or now maybe they even get the... All right, we'll solve it to you, but... Gotta give us the loan for a year. Maybe they even get that. Plus, City of August is sniffing around Enzo Fernandez. So, like...
Emeka: It's so strange. It's a strange thing, and yet all they do right now is make sales. That's all they do. The squad was weak enough. to begin with, and yet they're just making sales. I came into it when I sat down to actually think about my table.
Emeka: I had City second by default. And then as I sat down and looked at all the other teams, I just, even though... I don't feel great about anybody else. And the team I have second, I don't feel great about them at all. I just let them slightly over City just because I don't believe in Enzo Maresca.
Emeka: And I think... The downgrade from Pep to him. is significant enough. and the downgrading squad talent as well. I can't just get, no, they were a confident second. They were struggling at times last year.
Emeka: I just feel like the primers are going to catch up to them. You know, they do have the best guy in the league. They have a guy like Holland, but... How his play style means that he can only do...
Emeka: So much. You can only finish the challenge that they create for them. He's not the type of guy who takes over a game by himself. or carries the team, for lack of a better word, by himself. He will still get his goals. But...
Emeka: It is what it is. So I... I actually have Man City finishing. and it's i hate that i say this but i have them finishing Fourth. I have them finishing fourth, I think.
Emeka: I know. From second to fourth, but I just don't trust this team.
Emeka: At all. And the two teams that have a finishing above them. I can tell you it hurts my soul to say, but... It is what it is. What about you, Chino?
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, like honestly A big thing is... How do you feel about Maresca and... I'm not convinced. by him to be very honest but again Those other teams do have questions And I will talk about the team. I'll have third next. I still think you still have Holland.
Chino Onwuka: You still have Semenyo. You and I both really rate Anderson. At the back. way he is was a great signing they did really well with their january signings Vardio.
Chino Onwuka: You know when fit he's he's like our Our Italian stallion, so Guardiola, he's a supreme talent. Donnarumma for all his warts. We know what he can do at the back. So I still think They have some really solid pieces.
Chino Onwuka: to work with and They have... blue chip stock that could pan out so just almost by default. That's why I'm going with them second, but I do...
Chino Onwuka: I do see your point of view with a lot of what you said.
Emeka: All right, well, you teased it. Who do you have finishing third?
Chino Onwuka: I have Liverpool finishing third. I don't know if that's you had, but look.
Chino Onwuka: I like. Iriola. Can he do it at this level? It's funny, I almost said Trabi Alonzo, but that's another conversation. Can he do it? at this level we've seen really good managers step up.
Chino Onwuka: to the big club and they've fallen flat on their face for however much They seem to be the type of people that could handle it. We saw it. Really early on with David Moyes.
Chino Onwuka: You saw it last season with Thomas Frank. Now we're seeing it with. We're gonna see what he can do The reason I have Liverpool third is... I have a lot of questions about their Backline, you know, they've got The GOAT van dyke But he's 35 years old.
Chino Onwuka: and Some guys some young center backs that I really really like Jackie I really wanted Arsenal to sign him. leone but those guys are question marks you have to see if they sink or swim they have potential but You know me until I've seen it.
Chino Onwuka: You gotta prove it to me. But if Isaac can get back to who he was. It works with another season in a different system. can heal.
Chino Onwuka: Those are some. Ballers. Those are some ballers. If they get Barkalo. With areola system run and gun you know, close to their their prime of heavy metal I just really like a lot of those pieces and I really value high -end talent and I'll always sort of default to that so for that Potential of the star power that they have if those guys perform can stay fit
Chino Onwuka: That is why I have Liverpool third.
Emeka: That literally your argument you just made is why I have them second. I didn't feel great about this. I was... I hemmed and hawed for a while, and I just, like...
Emeka: There are weaknesses which you outlined. you know, the young kids in the center back. And who are they going to get as a winger? are very valid. I guess this is the second with a hedge that I am assuming. They are going to sign. At least one.
Emeka: Winger. I don't know who it'll be. The money's on Barkalot. The money on Mente, I don't know. But this is a... I'm going to assume they're going to buy at least one winger. We'll see who it is. But even Setting aside.
Emeka: I just think that their weaknesses aren't as severe as some of the other teams are going to mention. You just nailed the top -end talent they have. Yes, city, have Holland. But...
Emeka: Liverpool have... four guys Who I consider... world -class If they live up to their potential Isaac, words. Shabazz lie. and Van Dyke.
Emeka: And even Allison in there, even though he's getting a little washed. That's just... heavy hit when you have those kind of Elite A -plus type of guys. There's always going to be something.
Emeka: like there's always a chance you can produce And I look at all the teams around him. And I don't see them to have that kind of top -end talent. No. Easy rebuttal is to say Wurtz was garbage last year.
Emeka: And I can't challenge you too much. Isak broke his leg. It didn't do anything last year. I can't challenge you too much. You don't lose. quality in the season. Isaac, bro, we all watch the Premier League. We know who he is. I don't need to go on.
Emeka: Words, I'm an Aggregate, I'm an Abundance League fanatic, and I know the Abundance League attacks is real, but... People much smarter than me. Have said this guy was the guy in the Bundesliga.
Emeka: Winning player of the year. over the top talents of Bayern. He was the guy. And I saw some flashes last year. So I'm willing to... There's a chance that I could see him produce.
Emeka: And become that. And they just like... I also really like Iriola. And I'm worried about him. With two games a week. Can you do this pressing style? When you're not playing just one game a week, that's a big question. He's a very talented manager with a very talented squad.
Emeka: Again, the weaknesses they have compared to everyone else. By almost default, I had Liverpool finishing second. So that's. Is it you know, I I feel like you you thought I was gonna be lower. No, I'm With you man. You like you made the argument for me. He's knocking words if they show 85 % of what they could be,
Emeka: might be A comfortable second, honestly, if I'm being fair.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, like there's some other Things I didn't mention and you know nothing is perfect but Again, I've got a great player in Shobhas Lai. gravenberg i really like him I think...
Chino Onwuka: Maybe they might be that's another area. They might be a little bit light in is the midfield but in terms of their stat starters you know Words, rubbish line, Macalester, but...
Chino Onwuka: They've been looking for Someone at the six for a long time still haven't filled that Curtis Jones has left. so they they've lost that there so That's another area that could be weak, but yeah.
Chino Onwuka: in terms of their first 11.
Chino Onwuka: Everyone fit on form? Yeah. tough to deal with
Emeka: As my resident Wonderkid guy, and a funny thing, I asked you about this in January, but now we're here, season's starting. Do you think... Jacket. First year in the prim. makes a saliva type of impact or We...
Emeka: Put a little too much on the young kid. Too soon.
Chino Onwuka: I really think he can. He is really, really good. He will have the advantage of playing with Van Dyke. Again, I need to see it in.
Chino Onwuka: in the pram like When Saliba did what he did, I didn't expect him to be that good that quick. But he had three years where he was loading. You know in France and doing it against Mbappe and Ting So, GK.
Chino Onwuka: Look, it's gonna be a baptism by fire, but And I think maybe to some extent. Burmese, Liverpool style, see what I said. might leave him a bit more exposed but I think he has a lot. There's a reason.
Chino Onwuka: When Arteta really wants a defender, that should tell you everything you need to know. And let's not forget the guy they signed before him who unfortunately tore his ACL before the season started, Leone.
Emeka: No fair.
Chino Onwuka: He's a prospect as well. It might take him some time to... to recover from that but you have the two perfect archetypes for setter backs. a black French CB and an Italian CB. That's...
Chino Onwuka: Those are always good places to start.
Emeka: It's fucking good. Yeah, you're not wrong. And also got Araujo. So, you know, they got some vet cover while the young kids. kind of bleed in i look i i'm i'm in it man i'm in it i'm a little pull of my second and I'm curious your thoughts on the team I have third. It's somewhat controversial. I've seen them placed.
Emeka: all over the place. I have Chelsea finishing third. And... I struggle with this. I struggle with this. And I'm going to be honest to keep it short. This is purely an Alonso pick.
Emeka: This is purely Alonzo. And they're playing one game a week. Because when I look at the squad. I'm still not convinced. Tune out! However, the team spent a billion pounds.
Emeka: And Robert Sanchez is still their goalkeeper. It just... doesn't make sense to me. like W -w -w -what? It's fraudulent, I would say. Like, how is this happening?
Chino Onwuka: I don't think he'll be their keeper for long, but yeah, I'm going to let you cook still.
Emeka: The new keeper is on the team right now. I'll tell you that for free. But.
Chino Onwuka: Is Pender's not there?
Emeka: You think Brandon's gonna, he's gonna bet you?
Chino Onwuka: I think so eventually. the way they talk.
Emeka: All right, fair enough.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah.
Emeka: I might be wrong. I mean, like I've seen it played before, but. Either way, our point is I see the talent they have. I'm not moved by it. And they're out here signing. and Welbeck, but... in a weird way Those signings are part of the reason why. I have them finishing third.
Emeka: Because those signings, and even them getting linked to Xhaka. That told me... Or as large as I can call it in the shots. a lot of those actually having impact here. he's We're not buying kids anymore.
Emeka: or buying men. And we're going to get men in here and we're going to change things. That... tells me signals to me at least They're going to commit to him. They're going to clear your system. They're going to get the guys he wants.
Emeka: And I truly think. I'm also good enough of a coach. Even if I don't rate most of these guys, there's enough talent there. He can make it work and give him one game a week. They'll finish top four.
Emeka: And I'm pulling above Sidney just because I don't believe in Maresca. So by almost the default. Don't get too excited, Chelsea fans. It's almost by default. I'm putting Chelsea third. What are your thoughts on that?
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, I honestly thought that that was the team i had next so i'm not surprised you have them third so i have them fourth and Two things I really rate shabby Alonzo. He's coming to the Prem sure, but He knows the Prem. He knows what to expect.
Chino Onwuka: everything at Real Madrid was a gong show so I'm not gonna judge him too much of that and You know when I look at their squad like It's I avoid I always have this problem with Chelsea When I look at it from one angle then when i look at it from the other angle i'm like oh And. look if you if i go through their first team squad I read it.
Chino Onwuka: Draw Pedro at striker. Great player in my opinion Cole Palmer in the hole Yeah, his form has been Hot and cold while it's been...
Chino Onwuka: It's been literally cold Palmer.
Emeka: It's really hot today because we've been cold bombing for a while.
Chino Onwuka: But I believe in his talent and maybe shabby Lonzo couldn't get some more of them Do I think he's top five in the world like people were slurping him? i never did but but i think it's somewhere In between that, yes.
Chino Onwuka: Morgan Rogers. Wherever he please look Didn't like the fit for Arsenal, but I don't care as much as of the fit for Chelsea. And I still think he's a good player. So however they use them, I think you'll be good I love me some Estabal.
Chino Onwuka: you'll have another season betting and so that's their top four i like it midfield as of now Caicedo and Enzo.
Chino Onwuka: That's a pretty for all their warts sometimes that's a 200 midfield and it's a pretty good midfield At the back, I'm not sure whether they're going to play.
Emeka: I was waiting for this.
Chino Onwuka: But that Palestra kid, he's looked good in preseason. you know
Emeka: I was waiting for this.
Chino Onwuka: that's all Caldwell is back. and reach James State fit, so... you know if i'm assuming a back four now that's Three of the pieces back there I like.
Chino Onwuka: If they're fit and then Sanchez, I don't rate at all. I'm sure Alonzo's a new coach, so... He'll give him a little bit of a leash, but if he messes up They'll pull the next kid.
Chino Onwuka: So I like their squad. I think there's... the temple there
Emeka: That back line, man.
Chino Onwuka: and one game a week. One game a week.
Emeka: Valid. One game a week is big, but that back line, I just... Again, how do you spend a billion and this is what you have? This is what...
Emeka: This is what you have to show for it. Fair is fair. I'm spoiled. I got to watch the best defense in the world every week, so maybe it is what it is. The talent, I don't know, but one game a week.
Emeka: the best manager of the new bunch. You brushed past it, but before we move on, I do want to... sit on this Morgan Rogers point for a while because There was a while there it looked like he was gonna be the big Arsenal marquee signing of the summer And me and you. I can say. were always consistently lower on him.
Emeka: other people were. Now that we've processed it, he's gone to Chelsea. Talk this garbage about the biggest club in London. Like. As a rival signing.
Emeka: Is one thing when a guy is linked for your club? and go somewhere else. I had guys who I wouldn't want to play for, so when they go somewhere else, I'm like, man, bro. Am I crazy for not eating? Truly am not bothered by Chelsea signing Morgan Rodgers. I'm not bothered at all. Am I a hater or...
Chino Onwuka: No.
Emeka: thoughts.
Chino Onwuka: No, because, look, here's what it's going to be, right? This is the thing with Morgan Rogers. When we see him We will see him. And when that happens for another team.
Chino Onwuka: it'll almost feel like that's all you're seeing. But if you're watching him game in game out for 97 plus minutes every week There are moments when you're actively watching where you will not see him so he's gonna score bangers he's gonna be in the highlight reels but Is he gonna have...
Chino Onwuka: that Effect that Arsenal needed? No. Is he something that Chelsea need? I think so because they need... they need an adult they need a grown -up They were lining up kittens and...
Chino Onwuka: I actually forgot Neto was still there and... i think rogers for his pros and cons Is better than that He did amazing at...
Chino Onwuka: Aston Villa. He can play in a couple of positions, so they have flexibility there. I think he'll hit for them, but I'm not. Bothered he went there Especially, especially at 117 million.
Chino Onwuka: That's crazy.
Emeka: Yeah. God. And the... I won't get into it, but you know, big issue I had with Sidney Rogers was the similarities of Eze. They go a lot similar things I could say about him and Palmer And I just think.
Emeka: If you play two guys who thrive on... taking low percentage chances and trying to make things happen. you're going to play a lot of basketball games. and You add that with Caicedo.
Emeka: That you're, you know. There's a... there's not a lot of control there and yeah you're putting a lot on on a guy enzo Who doesn't want to be there? And... There's a world where there's falls apart.
Emeka: Now... In fairness, they have a really really good coach. and i know alonso is not stupid and he knows all these problems and he's going to make some things to fix it, but. It is something I'm keeping an eye on. But.
Emeka: It goes to show how low I look at the next teams I'm going to mention that even despite all... I find Chelsea's segment has been mostly negative instead of positive. I still have the finishing. third in the league because The next team I'm going to mention.
Emeka: This is a team Compared to consensus, I am by far the lowest on. And that is glory. Glory. Math is still united. You know what? I want to hear your opinion because I don't know if I'm...
Emeka: into deep in this. How would you rate Man U's... transfer window so far this summer. And let's even assume They signed Boliba.
Chino Onwuka: would give it a a b minus And the reason I give that. rating is look coming in every one and their uncle knew they wanted and needed three midfielders.
Chino Onwuka: Three. So they They've done or about to do the job. But... If I was a Man U fan...
Chino Onwuka: i would feel let down because coming in they wanted three tiers of midfielder they wanted a top grade middle grade You know lower grade and sort of what they were looking at was top grade Anderson or Chumeni.
Chino Onwuka: Or Tenali was sort of their tier A. and the tier b they get to unsolid Mateus Fernandez, home with potential, so you get a guaranteed guy. So with potential, and then you get a warm body that can come and play, and that was Ederson.
Chino Onwuka: So all of a sudden, you've gone from that to what they were messaging at the beginning of the season. And as an Arsenal fan, we really know what that's like, where you get... Those March, April war chest.
Chino Onwuka: transfer this and then You get into August and you're signing Socrates Paspatopoulos. We all know what that's like. and they've ended up with Santos, Tielemans, and maybe Bolivar.
Chino Onwuka: So not quite what they were going for but here's the thing I like all those three players for different reasons. And I think this is better for Man U.
Chino Onwuka: In terms of where they are right now where they're trying to rebuild And I feel like... It would have been a problem if they... Their third place was a little bit fugazi in my opinion and it's what they've done in the past where they get overexcited and blow their load and They don't build those foundations now you've brought in a solid vet in telomines at a really great price Shout out to... you know, whoever was able to unearth that. Da -da.
Chino Onwuka: Transfer close. they brought in andre santos who was the midfield wonderkid and sometimes people forget that Chelsea.
Chino Onwuka: and the way they do business really harms a lot of these prospects Chelsea went and signed. Enzo. caicedo Love ya. Andre Santos was the biggest midfield prospect in the world Dario Isugo.
Chino Onwuka: Your brother, Chukwu Emeka. Leslie Ugochukwude signing off.
Emeka: Hey, we here.
Chino Onwuka: They all signed it 86 season of like so people are saying oh he doesn't get on the bench that's that's not his fault when he was at strasbourg He balled there. They brought him over and they mismanaged him because they had 18 other guys there.
Chino Onwuka: So I think Andre Santos is really, and you've seen that in preseason. He's someone that people shouldn't. Hold their notes is that I think He will have the room to develop now and go into his potential. So I think that's a great signing Tielemans is a solid bet.
Chino Onwuka: solid bed and Belieber. He had a poor last season, but we've seen what he can be at his best so Those are the type of signings you need to be making.
Chino Onwuka: when you're in Manchester United's position. Just because of what it could have been. As I'm downgrading it, but I still think Hey, they're still addressing their needs with players who I think are Solid players.
Emeka: I hear everything you're saying and... I will... double down on the urethane elements part like that Fantastic signing. Whoever got that contract clause, like... You deserve a raise.
Emeka: That is... That is fat. No notes. I just think... If your man you. and All last season, you had a year of knowing, okay.
Emeka: Our midfield is garbage. We got no control. Bruno and Inshallah. And Casemiro scoring corner goals. That's all we have. Guys, the mural is leaving. We need someone that's better than Kobe Maynard.
Emeka: And you come back with... Andrew Santos. And Belieber. I am not highly believable. most people are even out before when he was the hyped guy the year before in the year I thought it was the Brighton propaganda. People, they sold Caicedo. Believer shows up and it kind of just instilled a little bit of that into it. So this is biased on me because I just don't rate Believer.
Emeka: I like Santos. Funny enough, I do like Santos, but... When you look down the... They needed a tier one. a guy. They needed a Tonali. They needed a tour. They needed a guy. And you can't come back.
Emeka: with these people. Because that's not... This was a weakness. Anything? Lost the one adult they had and now they're putting in Young guys who just aren't.
Emeka: Telemans is a vet, so fairly odd a vet there, but he has no legs. End. When Telemans has no legs and Bruno's not tracking back.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah.
Emeka: The next guy you put there...
Chino Onwuka: One thing, one thing about their midfield, they cannot consistently start Mainu and Tielemans because that is...
Emeka: Oh God, no.
Chino Onwuka: barbecue chicken.
Emeka: But that's the thing. Like, Tielemans was great, but he was cheap for, I don't see a reason, but, like, there's a... There's a skill limitation on his thing because as good as he is. The brother, he's not mobile.
Emeka: Great playmaker. Fantastic. But that means that you need a Declan Rice next to him. You need a guy next to him. Because Bruno's not doing that. And. I just don't like Santos or Believer like that's If they start to ride the season with Bruno,
Emeka: Telemans, and Boliba. Every good team they play will dominate the midfield against them. Because when you play with Bruno as a 10, for all the creativity he gives you, you just cede control. That's just the game it is. He's going to be...
Emeka: Ping and Hollywood Balls. And the 10 of them. Five are going to be accurate and four are going to start counterattacks the other way back. And one of those counterattacks now we're going to have. T -Limit is trying to track back there.
Emeka: And it's just they didn't address. the big issues they had, and I think they're going to repeat again this year. And. In fairness to many United fans, The big thing that can shut me up is...
Emeka: If Sesko takes a step. And becomes a goal a game in the league striker. Or, you know, in Buemo and Kunia, I don't want to say take a step, but... maintain the production. Maybe they'll have enough firepower. that it counterbalances it out but For as much.
Emeka: Crap as Arsenal got for being corner... team. Take a look at Man U's goals last year. They were they were relying on Casemiro popping up with some BS. at the back post for a lot of those games.
Emeka: And he's not there anymore. And. I saw a Twitter graphic that made me laugh. Five years ago, four years ago. Man U's backline. Shaw. Martinez, McGuire.
Emeka: Dolo. It will not shock me if opening night, that's the same four guys. back there and how much money have they spent on replacements and yet those Slabhead and Shortman are still going to be the starting back three.
Emeka: Like.
Chino Onwuka: That's it. Breezy.
Emeka: You know, it's crazy to think about. It's... And I know all the reasons why, you know. I'm not stupid, but... You know the...
Emeka: You know, I want to emphasize your point again. We're Arsenal fans. I live through this. war chest stories. It doesn't seem like, man, you... This is Matt United here.
Emeka: I sound like I'm Gary Neville, but this is Manchester United! They're the richest club in the country. arguably top three in the world and Champions League, and... You're going to come out the summer making bargain deals?
Chino Onwuka: i don't
Emeka: I just you know
Chino Onwuka: and part of it is like they They got...
Chino Onwuka: They got caught twice by Tottenham.
Emeka: Tottenham.
Chino Onwuka: Tottenham that almost got relegated twice that that's a big indictment is that people saw what Tottenham was building And. saw that as more promising than what United had because those are two Fernandes and Tenali those guys Look, we've been there. They went after money, but still.
Chino Onwuka: That that money was enough to sway them to go there versus United when you're offering them that opportunity That's crazy.
Emeka: A tier A guy needed to be signed this summer. They needed to get a Tonali. Hello, Bruno! Uh... somebody they needed to get a big name and they didn't.
Emeka: And... He's not looking like they're signing a... I don't really see them getting linked for any big name. strikers or anything forward, so they're still the same. you know, guys running back from last year. I guess Marcus Rashford's back now, but...
Emeka: I don't think their attack was lighting anything on fire last year. They were relying on a lot of corners. So we'll see about that. The midfield is still not addressed. The back line is looking. Eh.
Emeka: And... No disrespect to Michael Carrick, but... He was constantly on vibes because he wasn't... And he was playing a game a week. They didn't play inspired football, and I... I'm not going to say Middlesbrough's the same as Man U, but...
Emeka: The book on him in Middlesbrough was the first year was great. Every year after that was bad. I just don't. I think this season. would increase expectations especially The vibe can get toxic very fast if they're struggling for a while they get Champions League In the group stage, they're getting slapped up by...
Emeka: you know madrid maybe on wednesday they get a 5 -1 and they go play midweek away to Coventry and Drawer. I can see things snowballing pretty fast. That is why I have them.
Emeka: finishing. And this is, it shocks me when I'm saying this now. A humble sixth. I have Man United finishing. Sext. I'll see you tomorrow.
Chino Onwuka: i mean yeah going through my list i have them fifth Right so Arsenal City. Liverpool You have better math.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah. united Chelsea, yeah Chelsea.
Emeka: yeah Chelsea 4 United 5th
Chino Onwuka: No. okay so i'm curious Okay, I think we were both in the same. Did you say fifth or sixth?
Emeka: I said six because I have a shock.
Chino Onwuka: So who do you have first? Who do you have first?
Emeka: Oh. I can't believe I'm saying this.
Emeka: I'll quit talking to them fifth! I'm putting Todd in fifth. This is going to be a heavy caveat with the assumption. that they sign more moves. They already signed Servino.
Emeka: I'm going to... Caveat this with the take that they sign Marmoosh.
Emeka: I... It's funny because I never used to rate Deservey. But this summer, I'll just be seeing the clips. And the way he's talking. And this is...
Emeka: This is borderline blasphemous. So feel free to check me. I get a whiff of Arteta. Just a whiff of early. early Arteta and It's working on me.
Emeka: Because... You can say money or whatever you want. They're talking about paying big money for these guys, but... He's convincing some people to sign for him. And... Like.
Emeka: really come and sign for Tottenham. And let me tell you, That's harder to do than it sounds. Tottenham get big boy and use the stories of William flying to the airport to sign for Tottenham and then signing for Chelsea after having a medical day.
Emeka: This is the history of Tottenham. and Deservey has this cult leader. And, again, it's blasphemous, but the only guy I could compare it to was... early Arteta, even when we were finishing seventh. He was able to convince guys like...
Emeka: Thomas Partey to come sign. He just has this thing where you get him in a room and... I don't know what he's telling these guys, but they believe. And even... Go back to last season. When the vibes were as low as I've ever seen, I thought Tottenham were going to get relegated. I 100 % thought they were going to get relegated. Even when the vibes were that low, he was able to galvanize them.
Emeka: And more than... It's working on me. It's working on me. Again, it comes down to, I think I'm just so low on United. I don't know why. I'm just so low on United. And then happiness is a function. of expectations.
Emeka: United. And Tottenham, I think, have comparable squads. There's a lot of pressure on United. People think. They're actually like, we need our U -Mate Champions League.
Emeka: We need you to take the next step. Tottenham just barely survived relegation. They're like, bro, we're just here. Granted, they spent a lot of money, so fairness, that comes with some increased pressure, but When you finish 17th and 16th back -to -back,
Emeka: You got a little bit of leeway. You got a little bit of leeway. The crowd's just going to want to see. Not what it was last year. The vibes are higher than they are United, I feel like. And.
Emeka: I said it in the group chat. I feel like, you know, there's a meme in the hood of Captain America. It's like Captain America wanted for murder. Sunglasses on. being ashamed. I truly feel that way.
Emeka: as a civilian stand. I don't... The... The last most recent year, I dedicated myself to watching La Liga. Just so happened to be the edge during the finish fourth. And this guy looked like... the next Robinho.
Emeka: And that image is seared in my head and I can't let it go. There's just flashes he has. I like pacing wingers with technique. Tottenham forwards were garbage last year.
Emeka: He's going to be a massive improvement. The midfielders, they signed massive improvements. I like the defenders they signed. I like that they have depth. I like the coach. They play one game a week.
Emeka: I've talked myself into it. I think... They sneak a fifth, and the way the prime has been in the Champions League the last couple years. That might be Champions League. I don't know. Tell me if I'm crazy, but I had Tottenham finishing fifth.
Chino Onwuka: Yeah, I get it. The Zerby can be a little bit Jekyll and Hyde, but... You know at his best we've seen the type of football that They play.
Chino Onwuka: You read a lot of the reporting and... players seem really excited to to play for him apart from the money they yeah they spent a lot of money you know, to other clubs or the fees, but...
Chino Onwuka: you know a lot of a lot of the players have come on said speaking to the zerby Made me want to come and play for this project and you know We've heard that similar with all the top coaches. Hopefully they can be a little bit more stability there. Hopefully. I hope there's no stability. If there is...
Emeka: What to say?
Chino Onwuka: And while he's there, you know, Deservey's a really good coach. Look. Arsenal were devastated by injuries last year. There was no club more devastated than Tottenham.
Chino Onwuka: Even just 10 % better injury luck will put them in better position. they've made some really good signings smart signings yeah they spent a lot of money and if they can get that to coalesce and they have just one game a week to do it then I think that gives them an advantage over the team that I'll have.
Chino Onwuka: I'm sort of in competition as to... You know, sixth and seventh keys.
Chino Onwuka: You know, they made a lot of signings, but they have... a lot of level to go but they have one game a week They've signed some good players. If they can get that number nine signing. Right? I think that's all that they need left then.
Chino Onwuka: yeah then then it could go crazy but I feel like... Word. Disrespecting Emery and Aston Villa a little bit yet again.
Emeka: I won't. Fair.
Chino Onwuka: I just remembered they literally just lost Tielemans and Rodgers and... concept so you know what maybe not
Emeka: This is... that tells exactly to why i i have villa i don't think i have been facing seventh but Before I actually sat down and deeped it,
Emeka: If you just ask me who's had the worst summer window, I'd have said Newcastle. They lost Tonali, they lost Bruno. haven't made any big signings. How can you think villas had the worst window?
Emeka: When you deal with like... They made Champions League. One Europa. Vibes are high supposedly And yet all I'm seeing is... Telemans is gone. Konza is gone.
Emeka: Watkins is... trying to move to Abu Dhabi What's going on right now? Or not on toys ACL Out for the season. Oh.
Emeka: Man, I know Emory signed a contract extension, but the Los Rogers like
Chino Onwuka: That's true.
Emeka: This has been a horrible summer.
Chino Onwuka: I forgot about it.
Emeka: This has been...
Chino Onwuka: as well
Emeka: Summer.
Chino Onwuka: That's true.
Emeka: like There was Lucadini.
Chino Onwuka: The whole Mozombie thing and him. whispering it.
Emeka: Yeah, fair enough the Goblin zombie and I love those I'll be the World Cup so
Chino Onwuka: That's the one thing, but you're right. Yeah, that is a... i know emery's sort of plugged things together in the past but this might be a bridge too far
Emeka: They signed Suzuki. and yet The next day, their sale of Emil Martinez falls through. So now they got two goalkeepers there. Bye. This summer... Everything.
Emeka: Put it this way. OBSTER! Man zombie. And, Fairness, Joe Gomez. You can argue the big marquee signing for Aston Villa is Garnaccio. Disgusting.
Emeka: Like, disgusting. Alright. If Emery manages to finish top four with this, I was... squash my beef with him. from his time at Arsenal. Officially. I'll let go of all my negative thoughts if he can pull this off.
Chino Onwuka: Never. Never.
Emeka: If he can pull off Champions League with this team.
Chino Onwuka: Peace. He conceded 30 shots to Watford. I will never.
Emeka: That's it, man. That's why the beef still lives with me, man. The beef still lives with me, man.
Chino Onwuka: i wonder
Emeka: If he can pull this off, I want him to be a bigger man. It wouldn't be the Europa League or the top four. It would be the top four of this squad.
Emeka: I'm willing to concede.
Chino Onwuka: He's a great coach. I have no problem saying that.
Emeka: That was a great coach, bud.
Chino Onwuka: I'll never forgive him for that, ever.
Emeka: Like you said, we're conceding 20 goals to Watford, man. Some things can't be forgiven. Some things can't be forgiven. People wonder why I give a touch of all the rope in the world. But you know what? I'll let you cook because you said you had them kind of similar. What do you think?
Emeka: Sets Villa apart from Spurs. Because it's been looking bleak.
Chino Onwuka: Cheers.
Emeka: from my point of view.
Chino Onwuka: Just that. Just that i've seen emery do it
Emeka: Fair enough. Was that a...
Chino Onwuka: we talked about the impact of coaches before oh this guy i'm convinced about this guy's to wait and see Emery. has consistently done it.
Chino Onwuka: You know, whether that be fourth or just... Qualifying for Europa that seems to be a swing and I will give him the benefit of the doubt because he's a good coach. He thrives at being the underdog.
Chino Onwuka: It can be a bit. high and low but you can see when they get hot they're really hot
Emeka: Would them selling Watkins Change that for you. without a replacement.
Chino Onwuka: Yes, but who's the player? Who's the striker? they were linked with the game that i was commenting on that i was like oh i get it Mm -hmm.
Emeka: I don't even know. I've seen them with the guy they signed, the next Lukaku, that guy.
Chino Onwuka: Oh yeah, Majo. Yeah, but it wasn't him.
Chino Onwuka: It was somebody else they were linked with. But yeah, if they lose Watkins, it's already a bridge too far and they're just... They're just if that is then they're just having a reset because that's too much.
Chino Onwuka: We'll lose. Got to lose five starters. You can.
Emeka: It's crazy. That's all I can say. If I was a Villa fan, I don't know what I would be thinking right now because...
Emeka: We made Champions League.
Chino Onwuka: Yes. What's your team based on? John McGinn?
Emeka: It's a good joke. Begin a Buen Dia.
Chino Onwuka: Okay.
Emeka: Those are the men who carried us to the promised land. I know he's a good guy, I'm not going to disrespect. But... You can't lose Watkins. I don't know, for some reason, the fact that Walkers is fighting like this...
Chino Onwuka: that's why they're resisting the money from saudis because they know they can
Emeka: To Saudi? Like, come on, man. Come on, bro. Like...
Chino Onwuka: in a normal way.
Emeka: I don't even like it, but I think that's too much.
Chino Onwuka: The normal year he'd be gone already because you don't want to say no to that kind of money for a guy that age But they can't that's the only reason they're saying no right now kind of fortune.
Emeka: Nah, they can't. True, they can't. They've sold enough. I know they have financial problems. If the sale they've made so far can't cover that, then... Pack up the club. But...
Emeka: Listen, you know what? You're very bad. I literally had Chelsea third. purely off of Emery's aura. I mean, a lot of those aura. So I can't be mad. at you having Villa 6th. Now that we have this conversation, I'm looking at the...
Emeka: I'm looking at the table to see if there's anybody I put above the man. I'm not there yet. So, you know what, begrudgingly, I will...
Chino Onwuka: Teams will surprise we've seen that the last
Emeka: Cool facts.
Chino Onwuka: is where a couple of teams You know, Forrest the year before. This year, Bournemouth. So we'll see. I don't know which team that will be. Maybe Brighton, but we'll see a team.
Chino Onwuka: We'll see a team, you know, scrap with them boys.
Emeka: Oh, absolutely. For the sake of, you know, expediency, we just did the big seven, quote unquote. But listen, we saw Sunderland. Brighton and Bournemouth are in Europe this season.
Emeka: Chelsea and Tottenham are not. Like... Yeah. It's the swings and roundabouts. It's Wings and Roundabouts, but... I guess before we move on, open -ended, is there any team?
Emeka: Outside of the Hornico Big 7. that you want to keep an eye on. either for positive or negative, to see how they perform.
Chino Onwuka: I'm going to keep an eye on Sunderland. You just mentioned him. you know what they did last year was a huge surprise You know, I thought they had the worst team in the league last year and Their strategy was really smart they took a little puns on Young guys from France.
Chino Onwuka: And those guys... They made a bunch of signings and that collective did the job. you know, backstop by. you know, a leader in shotgun. This year they've done the opposite in that they barely signed anyone, so...
Chino Onwuka: and they're playing in europe so It's gonna have the bounce with those young guys having another year of getting better With the Kvitov, do they have the depth to... to to battle on on both ends this year and that could put them in jeopardy. maybe that's even the reason why they decided not to Throw money at it because they've seen.
Chino Onwuka: the pitfalls of that and how they slunk to league one and they're being pragmatic about it and saying hey this might just be a flash in the pan let's just continue to slowly consolidate
Emeka: Yeah, I feel like... When you've dealt with the... financial difficulties Sunderland have dealt with. I do not blame them at all for being like, all right, let's let's not do anything too hasty even with this new europe money let's calm things down and I am surprised they haven't made many moves. I will say that, but like I said, when you...
Emeka: remember settle until i die it doesn't shock me that they're trying to keep things a little calm. For me...
Chino Onwuka: Okay, yeah.
Emeka: Alright. FULL ROOM! are the most like... 11th place, mediocre, average team. You know, I usually only think of Fulham recently as just, oh, we're the hairline guys who don't make it. We just...
Emeka: shift them off to. The fact that they managed to get Arbeloa and then he came in with two Madrid youngsters I'm intrigued. They already got my Arsenal, my Sun, ESR.
Emeka: And Wolby, they got some Arsenal guys there. So I always have a soft spot for Fulham. I'm so curious to see how this... Madrid B team experiment works out because Listen, man, if you're a Madrid... If you're Gonzalo Garcia type of guy, you come from Madrid.
Emeka: I've seen him score some pretty impressive goals and show out. Like, that's a guy who could probably be a mid -table. in the Premier League. Like, Palacios, I'm like, I've seen him play, but if you come from Madrid Academy...
Emeka: That's something. And Alvaro, like, yeah, he was an interim manager. He still managed Real Madrid. To go for Real Madrid... to fulham It's something and the last time we saw A guy like this, take a mid -table... team was Carlo and Everton and...
Emeka: They were pretty good. They made Champions League so they don't get that hype up. Under Carlo, Everton were consistently finishing in Europa and finishing... Top 10. you know i i'm Obviously, look, Arboleda is nowhere close to Carlos Archibaldi. I'm not even trying to equate the two. But I was curious to see how it plays out. A team that's so...
Emeka: Mediocre, just always finishing between 11 and 9. every single year. took a swing on something different. So I am very curious to see what Fulham look like. for this next upcoming season.
Chino Onwuka: That's an interesting one because I think... Marco Silva was actually a really good coach. So I feel like I think he decided to leave but
Chino Onwuka: Below is a question mark and I think that that transition might actually Hurt them more than more than we think
Emeka: It might not work at all. Like I said, they're interesting. I just... I like when teams try something new. It's just something like, oh wow, this is We're just going to be Madrid B. We're going to bring Madrid's coach. He's going to bring his boys from Madrid. And we're just going to be that team. All right. Let's see how it works.
Emeka: But... For all I know, Arbeloa is a fraud. And they suck. and he doesn't do it again but it's just you never see a guy go from madrid to pull up In his first two.
Emeka: Managing your spots. Like... That's a hell of a way to start a career. And I got biased. I always like to see the Arsenal boys. They got ESR. They got Iwobi. They're Oscar Bob. I forgot about that, too. They sound Oscar Bob.
Emeka: So they have some guys. I'm curious how he plays out.
Emeka: well The... We usually do on this podcast. And it feels so strange to say it now. After... summer of not to be able to say We have games this weekend. The Premier League is back.
Emeka: I look at my calendar now and I have to start making plans. When someone asks me, Are you free? weekend morning. I have to look at my phone and look at the games. That's just... A beautiful thing to do. Before we end this podcast, we'll wrap it up quickly here with the game of the week.
Emeka: We've got Newcastle at home hosting Liverpool. Shut up. Give me your score.
Chino Onwuka: That is such a sweet tie. Because if you remember... everything around that. particular game last last year with These are leaving and then there are some red cards And it looked like you were going to get the Newcastle win. And then somehow Liverpool came back. And that was that period where.
Chino Onwuka: the ripple won five in a row and Looks like they were gonna walk the league and everything changed after that. So You know, you just seeing that just brought back those memories and it's funny how different things are a year from now.
Chino Onwuka: But I think Newcastle are. In heavy transition, I don't know what to expect I've heard a lot about the new coach, but let's see what he can do. So just for that.
Chino Onwuka: I think playing away from home, your YOLO ball first game is going to actually benefit them so they can play their counterattacking style. So yeah. Liverpool 2 -1.
Emeka: Damn, he took it right off. Writing my exact prediction. Give me a humble Liverpool. 2 -1 away win. Areola. Era starts off with a bang. counterattacking football, no possession.
Emeka: Pure vibes. Warts and Isaac. you know, show up and and change how the system looks or something i don't that's just the sense i'm getting for some reason Newcastle just can't beat Liverpool. I don't know why. I've seen this game play out all the time.
Emeka: Last year, you literally nailed it. It was emotionally charged. Everyone was hyping it up. You guys are going to be out for revenge. Out for revenge. Still got packed up. Just because... There's something about, even before I went to Liverpool, I doubted 10 men.
Emeka: and Dora Nunez scored the most fugazi. uh, whatever hat trick or brace it was. Like they just. Mentally can't beat these guys. I don't think it'll change much. Either way.
Emeka: I'm happy to see it. And most importantly for me. Isak missed that game last year. So curious to see. the reception he gets a year later. Are they still going to be upset?
Emeka: I feel like I know the answer, but, hey, I'm looking forward to it. More importantly... Shout out of the week. Shout out is simple. The Premier League is back, man. That's what's...
Emeka: That's what I care. Listen, I love the World Cup. I love summer. I love the Premier League, man. I love the Premier League. It's a beautiful thing. Every weekend now I get to see. And man, for some reason, the colors feel brighter. The food tastes better. Everything feels nicer because Arsenal.
Emeka: are your defending Premier League champions. And I told the team. in March or April or May. takes that from us. Get used to hearing me say that the entire time throughout this podcast. Arsenal are the defending.
Emeka: premier league champions i think it's only right to end the podcast. On that note. Thank you for joining us today. We're one man down, but, hey, man, ball up top. Game never stops, man. It's been a great time. Chin up. I always appreciate you. You did make the magic happen.
Emeka: Producing behind the keys and giving the hot takes in front of it Double duty over here. He plays both ways, man. Two -way player. i mentioned over here man Thank you for joining with us. Season three. You're going to be back in better episodes every week.
Emeka: hysterics, hysterics, but... For the most part. We love you for rocking with us, man. I always have a great time yapping up my boys on this podcast. I appreciate all the listeners out there. Thank you for rocking with us again.
Emeka: Tune in next time. episode 53 of the Love of the Game podcast.
