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Daily Premier League in English: Episode 104 - Who Are Chelsea REALLY Facing? Legia Warsaw Preview ft. Jakub Jeleński (CANAL+ Poland)
0 Playsin 3 hours
Chelsea fans — this one's for you.
We sat down with Jakub Jeleński, top football journalist from CANAL+ Poland, to break down exactly what kind of team Chelsea will face in the UEFA Conference League quarterfinal against Legia Warsaw.
In this episode, we cover:
🇵🇱 Legia’s current form & squad profile
💡Whether Polish football is becoming more competitive
🔍Legia’s playing style + key players to watch
🧠Gonzalo Feio – the “Polish Jose Mourinho”?
⚖️ Chelsea’s inconsistent form and possible lineup challenges
🏟️ Why the first leg in Warsaw could be a factor
🎯 What’s really at stake for Chelsea in this competition?
This preview is your one-stop guide to Legia Warsaw — whether you’re a Chelsea fan, football analyst, or just here for quality European football coverage.
📌Timestamps in comments
📣 Let us know your predictions down below!
#chelsea #legiawarsaw #jakubjelenski #uefaconferenceleague #chelseafc #uefa #canalplus #chelseafans #chelseapreview #footballinterview #conferenceleague2024 #roadtowroclaw
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Transcript
Introduction to Special Episode
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello and welcome to a special episode of Daily English Premier League here brought to you by Global Sports Podcast Network. My name is Michal Tarniecki. ah Well, and I am joined by my, I can say co-host easily because Louie, you're free to ask any questions whenever you feel like it.
00:01:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Louie Easton, Liverpool fan, great glad to have you here.
00:01:00
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:01:04
Louie Easton
ah Thank you very much for having me. It feels like a yet another special episode here on Daily English.
00:01:10
Kuba
you
00:01:10
Louie Easton
Yet another one.
00:01:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, and I love it. I love the thrill. I love the hype around those episodes, and I'll tell you why. Because
Historical Matchup: Legia Warsaw vs Chelsea
00:01:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
for the first time in recent history, English and a Polish team will meet in the European Cup competition in the quarterfinal.
00:01:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
like i'm I was born in 1999, so I do not remember the last... instance in which, during which Polish club and an English club would meet together the quarterfinal. So that is a first for me. And of course, it's Legia Warsaw taking on Chelsea in the very first leg on April 10th for and that place in the semifinal of the Conference League. So we had to come up with something special and lo and behold, here is the guy who knows everything about Legia Warsaw or Legia Warszawa, as we Paul say.
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
The guy who works for the official broadcaster of Champions League in Poland, Canal Plus. And he used to ah work for many years in Legia as well. And his name is se Kuba. Thank
Legia Warsaw's European Legacy
00:02:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
you so, so much for joining us today. I'm really excited.
00:02:12
Kuba
It's my pleasure, guys. I'm i'm pleased to meet you. i Actually, at the beginning, I have to say that i hope to tell you that I played against the Premier League team in, I think it was even semi-final. It was Cup Winners' Cup, so you definitely don't remember that.
00:02:23
Kuba
1991, played against United's Legals.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:02:27
Kuba
ah unite ah like ao And it's it's not a surprise, but Legge was leading in in ah in that game. 1-0 in Poland. And then they scored three goals. And that's how the Legge's episode in the Cup Winners' Cup ended.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I am so glad that I that i did this disclaimer that ah in the recent history that I might remember. I'm so glad that I did that disclaimer because now I'm not embarrassed in front of an entire audience.
00:02:49
Kuba
if
00:02:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So um the main aim of this episode is to give a more detailed look at the opponents of Chelsea, Le Geouso, and to present that Le Geouso should not be treated as some just any other team in Conference League that ah Chelsea can just easily put in the W column.
00:03:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Kuba, obvious first question is, if you were to give us a ah summary of what Legia Warsaw is and what but Chelsea should expect from them, what would you say?
Current Season Focus of Legia Warsaw
00:03:23
Kuba
It's quite a wide question, I would say. Because LEGO Orsó, what LEGO Orsó is, this is the most titled club in Polish football history. and This is the c club who played in Champions League as the last Polish club.
00:03:36
Kuba
It was in 2016, so it's ah quite a long time ago. But still, that was some kind of a achievement for us. But OK, maybe not in Champions League, but LEGO quite regular plays in European competition.
00:03:49
Kuba
ah Two times in history in Champions League, very often in Europa League, now in Conference League. And I think that's, I guess, quite meaningful in the Conference League. So, as I told you, the most titled club in Polish football history.
00:04:02
Kuba
ah a lot of ah championships, officially 15, unofficially 16, but it's a hell of a different story. So, officially, it's 15 championship titles, 20 caps, five Super Cups.
00:04:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And,
00:04:14
Kuba
So, it's ah the strongest side in Poland, definitely.
00:04:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:04:20
Louie Easton
ah Sorry, Michal, I just want to say Legia obviously not having their best season they've ever had recently. um Is this a sign of Polish football potentially becoming more competitive in recent years or is this a very good time for Chelsea to be playing Legia?
00:04:39
Kuba
ah Yes and no. Yes, Legia doesn't have the best season. It's quite, I would say it's quite a kind of an elphemism because fans are furious.
00:04:51
Kuba
Legia lost the chances to win a title. Like like mathematically, Legia can win, but it's just mathematically. ah Legia hopes for titles in the game.
00:05:02
Kuba
maybe not in January, but in February. So it was very early as as for Legia. But you have to remember one thing. When Legia realized that they will not win a championship, and I think that they put all the effort in a cup. Because if you win the cup, Legia now will playing in the final. Yesterday was semi-final. They beat Rukosov, the second division team, 5-0. So as I told to you, it's it's kind of mini it's ah It's a meaningful thing to to play in the cup and to win the cup because it gives you the opportunity to play in European Cups.
00:05:36
Kuba
But so believe me, that ah it's completely different team in European Cups. European Knights in Warsaw are something different than and regular days. It's not just about Chelsea, but previously. Maybe Bacchak or Pola or Dynamo Brest, they weren't the the best teams, but still, we're a bit of Real Betis-Sevilla this year.
00:05:57
Kuba
And this team is quite good, I think.
00:05:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:06:01
Kuba
So where you cannot underestimate like yeah when Legos is playing in the European Cups. Never. Because even the biggest teams were coming to Warsaw, like Real Madrid. Real Madrid didn't win in Warsaw. It was throw.
00:06:13
Kuba
a free free aston villa was playing against like at a premier league team in it's not uh it wasn't even a long time ago it was two years ago and as a via came in with martinez the world cup winner in a goal and also be lost to free a lesser city to play in the war so uh three four years ago they came here they lost zero one so uh As you can see, and like i going like i has quite too good quite with results again guess a primary attempts in in recent years so
00:06:43
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:06:46
Louie Easton
You've made it interesting now. Well done.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, of course. Yeah, and and you know what? this is ah There was basically no reason to bring it up during our regular episodes because, like unfortunately but ahly fortunately unfortunately, depending on how you look at it, ah this is a Premier League podcast, so I really do not have a lot of opportunities to throw in some snippets about Jagiellonia even playing in the quarterfinals of Conference League.
00:07:08
Louie Easton
You still find a way to bring Poland into the discussions all the time.
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yes, I do. Yes, I do. And of course, and somebody would also point out that I wear this Poland shirt from Euro 2024 almost every single chance I get.
00:07:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
But come on. I only have one Man United shirt. So come on. it's just just It's just a lack of variety here.
00:07:25
Louie Easton
one too many.
00:07:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
one to all Oh, right, right. Yeah, a Liverpool fan would say that, right?
00:07:30
Louie Easton
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:07:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, we're going to take a quick ah break and then we will delve more into the personalities, the squad of Legia Warsaw and how they will ah why they can compare against the squad of Chelsea.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But first, let's hear about our awesome sponsor, Bionic.
00:08:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, Bionic, for sponsoring our podcast. You're listening to Daily English Premier League Podcast. Special episode in its entirely the entirety du all only around i even like yeah involved just with Legio Warsaw and Chelsea taking on each other in the Conference League quarterfinal.
00:08:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Before I ask about their personalities, let's just look at quick facts provided by um well a certain well-known website. I don't know whether I can bring their name. because they didn't pay us.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah So the total market value of Legia Warsaw is valued as 36.4 million euros.
00:08:54
Kuba
I don't know. I don't know.
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
In comparison, Chelsea's value is 922 million euros entire squad.
00:09:00
Kuba
like
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
million euros
Market Value Disparity Challenge
00:09:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
as entire squat Three national team players provided by Legia as opposed to Chelsea's 14. Those are the national team ah players.
00:09:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Most valuable player from Legia Warsaw is Ruben Vinagre. He was born in 1999.
00:09:22
Louie Easton
Oh.
00:09:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
He is a portuguese um Portuguese left back and his current market value stands at 4.5 million euros. In comparison, Louis, who do you think the most valuable player of Chelsea is?
00:09:31
Kuba
opinion
00:09:36
Louie Easton
Off the top of my head, I have to go Cole Palmer, surely.
00:09:37
Kuba
yeah
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Correct. Absolutely correct. Cole Palmer, he was born in 2002, Manchester, 22 years old. He is, of course, an attacking midfielder. 130 million euros.
00:09:49
Louie Easton
Pfft.
00:09:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, Kuba, based on that disproportion, just pure based purely on statistics as far as market value goes, how do you think this compares to the football prowess of players of Legia and Chelsea? How would you compare?
00:10:05
Kuba
You know, it's I could say the cliche that money doesn't play, and and it's true, especially when you play in Warsaw. ah There is no point of comparing them, because when you look at the statistics, the market value Chelsea is 10 but sent time so ah what did you say?
00:10:22
Kuba
I think 20, 30 times so more than So them.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, 36.4 million to million, yeah.
00:10:28
Kuba
there is no point
00:10:32
Kuba
Of course, it's ah not very precise when you look at transfer markets, but still. So, this proportion is huge. But as I told you, of course, you value British players higher than Polish players. This is the first thing.
00:10:48
Kuba
And the second thing, I... It's hard to say that there is that big disproportion when we look at the game playing in Warsaw because we have to add some significant factors to and to that that's to the game. But maybe you know just start asking questions because when I'm talking about Legia, this podcast can then can take, a I think, longer than an hour. So maybe yeah ah ask me a few questions and I will do my best to to answer them.
00:11:18
Louie Easton
Well, what I'd like to know is um what sort of style of play we can expect to see from Legia. Because obviously in the Premier League, we look at it, they all play in triangles, very fast paced. um But is that something that we can expect to see or can we expect to see more of a physical battle when we look at the this team?
00:11:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:11:41
Kuba
its It's definitely a physical battle because if you would like to play open football against Chelsea, ah you will get easily three, four goals and there will be nothing left to to do. So it can be physical battle.
00:11:54
Kuba
People from outside, people who will and players who who came to Poland from different leagues, even from top five, because, yeah, we actually have
Polish Football's Physical Edge
00:12:03
Kuba
transfers from top five from from time to time. Ruben Winagor, the highest value player is is that kind of but a guy. He played in Premier League also. He was in Wolverhampton, in Everton, I think.
00:12:13
Kuba
He played for Sporting.
00:12:13
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:12:13
Kuba
So and now he's rebuilding his career in Warsaw. He gets awesome, awesome run on Atom. And now he's a little bit weaker, but he had an injury and we have to look also for that.
00:12:26
Kuba
But everyone will tell you this league is very physical very physical. I think it's more physical than you can expect. I know that English league is known for being physical, but here the physical playing is some kind of a different level, I would say. So I expect that leg will close itself.
00:12:45
Kuba
and who will be waiting for opportunities to punch. And believe me, Legia can punch, especially when they play in Warsaw. ah I'm talking all the time about Warsaw because you have to add one important factor, fans.
00:12:59
Kuba
And so when people from the great region or from America will listen to this, like they say, why why are we talking about fans? It's it's a cliche. No, it's not cliche. When the Rangers came here, they played against Legia in a ah Europa League. Steven Gerrard told that ah He has never seen something like that.
00:13:17
Kuba
When Leclerc played against Celtic, And like I won 4-1 against Celtic. It was in 2014.
00:13:23
Louie Easton
wow
00:13:24
Kuba
i I remember Virgil van Dijk, now with the star of Liverpool, and he played for Celtic at the time. And Virgil van Dijk said it was impossible to communicate at the pitch because so the crowd was so roaring all the time and it was simply too loud for him.
00:13:41
Kuba
So it can be surprising, especially, OK, Premier League, they have the highest possible level of football. No doubt about it. Greatest players, greatest teams, richest teams.
00:13:52
Kuba
I won't be discussing against ah about that because it's obviously true. But believe me that you may have the best football and you have it. But the fans, Polish fans, there is no comparison between supporting Poland to to come to to support in England. It's just a different kind of team completely.
00:14:11
Louie Easton
Yeah, and I'd just like to also ask, sorry, Michal, obviously yeah that's an advantage, a huge advantage. We all know that ah when the fans get going, especially in a European night, it can be suffocating and it can also give ah huge boosts of adrenaline ah to the home team.
00:14:30
Louie Easton
ah But... What else is an advantage with this Legia team? You talk about the physicality, ah but how do they work as a team? Are they a cohesive unit that can defend um very well? ah Are they good at switching to it from defence to attack? What's the main strength in play ah for this Legia team?
00:14:51
Kuba
I think when you will look at like at two goals which I guess scored in Europe, 90% of those goals scored against those high level teams. There are counter attacks and like it can be very difficult in a counter attack.
00:15:04
Kuba
ah In extra class, ah like ah is Every year, Lega is a favorite to win a championship. So when Lega plays in extra class, ah it struggles a lot because the teams from lower, lower the teams from from the down from the table, the lower teams, they are very close and it's not easy to create something.
00:15:24
Kuba
But when Legia has some space, it can really play a good football and for sure it's going have space against Chelsea because Chelsea won't come to Warsaw and won't be defending itself. Chelsea will attack and Legia can take advantage from that. The counter attacks can be really, ah really dangerous. The wingers...
00:15:43
Kuba
sad they are the best in counter-attack. For example, we have one winger, his name is Kasper Hodenak. He's not a very tactical player. I think his greatest advantage, which he presented in extra class, and is like when he was botched to leg, were counter-attacks. He's really fast and when he will take the ball to his leg, he's really hard to catch. So I think our wings during counter-attacks can be a huge advantage for leg.
00:16:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sure. So you just said there um about like, OK, we just discussed the Lega style of of play and how it will compare to Chelsea's approach, because so Chelsea obviously will go so full steam ahead all the way to the final in Wrocław.
00:16:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But the question is about Chelsea's last encounter with Copenhagen. um Is there anything to take away for Lega from this game? Because I remember that in the first 45 minutes at Parken,
00:16:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah it wasn't like Copenhagen was in a completely lost position. They closed all of the possible ways on how the Chelsea could heart could hurt them. And they only caved because it was just that you just couldn't hold on with parking the bus for 90 minutes. Like it just had to cave at some point and it did.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
So are there any lessons to take for Legia from ah Copenhagen's mistakes? One be lack of them.
00:17:06
Kuba
I think, yeah, because I mentioned about counter-attacks, but don't to get me wrong. Legia won't close itself completely. There won't be a formation of 10 players in defense. It will it won't happen.
00:17:18
Kuba
Because for Legia's players, it's a great opportunity to finally play football. both As I mentioned, you in extra class, ah they are at the attacking side. The other teams are closing themselves. They are defending really, really deep and it's hard to create something. Those games are really often, to be honest, ugly.
00:17:35
Kuba
But when they have an opportunity to play football and of course, every player will tell you that, yeah, I'm professionalist. I'm concentrating on every game. I have the same approach to every game, but it's not true.
00:17:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:17:45
Kuba
European nights are different.
European Matches as a Proving Ground
00:17:47
Kuba
And they were players from, especially from abroad, who come to Poland, who are 23, 24, 25, they know that if they will show themselves in Europe, they can go to much higher club.
00:17:55
Louie Easton
the church.
00:17:59
Kuba
Ernest Mucci is a great example. he scored three goals against sorry two goals against Astro Biela and he was bought for 11 million to Besiktas.
00:18:09
Kuba
Besiktas is a huge club in in Turkey. in comparison to Legia, he's much, much higher in in this European football. So for the players who have finally opportunity to show themselves, to create something, not only try to punch this defensive wall of other Polish teams, but they can create something, they can play football.
00:18:29
Kuba
It will be great pleasure for them and believe me, they will be motivated not for 100%, for 200% or 300%. Because in a previous game in of Lega, what I saw from from from the players, form from they from their performances, it was hard to believe that the players who used to be average, play so mature, so intense,
00:18:42
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:18:51
Kuba
and with such a good vision. So where if you look at Lege in extra class, it's really a different team in comparison to this European Lege, let's say.
00:19:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And speaking of how those players who seemed average, they started to um get their way far, far more often.
00:19:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I think that this should be accredited to one person in particular, which is the coach Gonzalo Feo. And I'm sure that if there are any Leger fans listening to me right now, they could be
00:19:26
Kuba
Bye.
00:19:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
and They could be ready to throw whatever device they're listening our podcast on out the window ah violently because they might just they might they might have had it with Gonzalo Feo.
00:19:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Okay, but before I go any further, could you please, Kuba, tell us something about the coach of Legia Warsaw or the controversial Gonzalo Feo?
00:19:46
Kuba
i don't if I don't think that we have enough time, to be honest.
Gonzalo Feo's Coaching Style
00:19:50
Kuba
ah Yeah, he is, I think, the most controversial coach in extra class right now, for sure.
00:19:51
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:19:57
Kuba
ah He's a very young coach, talented. so But how would I say, say er imagine that Jose Mourinho is 30 years younger. So this is that that kind of approach.
00:20:11
Kuba
Every player, even the player who are at the bench. And this is significant because, you know, when you play is some in some teams, in some coaches' team, you will ah be the soldier of the coach. Yeah, because he he lets you play. But when you are at the bench and you sit at this bench for the whole time and still you are supporting the coach and still you are saying that he is the best coach you have ever worked with,
00:20:34
Kuba
this is significant so he has huge tactical knowledge he has huge football knowledge uh he really is really into football like he can analyze things that you wouldn't have even think that can be analyzed but uh yeah i think that his biggest problem is uh his personality is uh how to say that politely Sometimes he just he ah he he just doesn't control himself but very very often.
00:20:59
Louie Easton
Heh heh. Heh
00:21:04
Kuba
It was very popular images in Poland, but in Europe also, ah when Legge played against Brenby in qualification, he showed the me middle fingers to Brenby fans, for example.
00:21:15
Kuba
so where entity And yeah he's not for that.
00:21:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bye.
00:21:16
Louie Easton
heh.
00:21:19
Kuba
He had problems in previous clubs when he worked with he He had a fight with the president of the club. and So, we yeah, I don't know any details, to be honest, so I won't be saying anything. But ah yeah, he is a very controversial controversial person. Great coach, but sometimes he he gets crazy all the time.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Wow. I mean, yeah, yeah, yeah. And I actually remember all of the fuss going on at the internet ah right after that reverse tie against Brent B. Also, because of course, Gonzalo Feo showed the middle finger to to the fans, which wanted to accommodate the league get away fans, which had come to the first leg in Denmark.
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
It was kind of, um but let's just say that it wasn't the best of choices by Gonzalo Feo as a whole. um Yeah, but I think I should agree with you that Gonzalo Feo has that great tactical thinking that his predecessors, I do not think that they had either the chance to show or they didn't have the inclination to show it.
00:22:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, like that could be another secret weapon.
00:22:24
Kuba
and will I will add you one thing.
00:22:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:22:26
Kuba
I will you one thing. He's thinking two steps, three steps ahead. And I remember that when we had in Poland the break between the Ryan's, I think it was ah and think it was in December.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:22:40
Kuba
Premier League was still playing, but but the extra-class I stopped for a month. Feyo flew to England to watch the Everton against Chelsea game. And so everyone was making fun of him. That's why he's even watching Chelsea. Chelsea will never face Leggett's impossible.
00:22:53
Kuba
And now Chelsea is is facing Legos, so he is really like a few steps against in front of most of the people.
00:23:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, well, um really, that there are so many aspects, there are some for me so many angles from which one could look at the game. And it's just like super exciting to just go look at look forward to this April 10th and just to see that incredible encounter. maybe not the most Maybe not the most sexy encounter out there in European football, but still, it will have some certain significance.
00:23:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I want to switch the focus to Chelsea, but before that, let's hear another ad this time to the platform which we use to record our podcast, which is Zencastr.
00:24:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you, Zencasta, for but allowing us to create our web ah our podcasts and our the episodes of this podcast using your platform. You are listening to daily English Premier League podcasts provided to you by Global Sports Podcast Network.
00:24:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
And our guest is Kuba Jelenjski, the reporter of Canal Plus Poland, who is the official broadcaster of Champions League in Poland. He also used to work in Legia Warsaw for many years. So, of course, he knows what he's talking about when it comes to the Polish team.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But... I would like to switch the focus to Chelsea. And of course, since we've got Kuba here, and probably he's really like really just anticipating that Chelsea, Legia encounters just as much as we do.
00:24:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah If you were to pick out some weak spots, like some some really weak formations or some weak aspect about Chelsea team that could be an ah an advantage or a problem some promising situation for Legia, what would that be according to you, Kuba?
00:25:04
Kuba
That's the question for me.
00:25:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:25:06
Kuba
I think that's... To be honest, it's it's hard to say. Of course, I watch Chelsea from time to time, but, you know, I think I'm not in the greatest position to do speaking about the weak points of Chelsea. First of all, I'm not so watching and I'm not working in in in the Premier League...
00:25:25
Kuba
um Yes, because we're from from the next season we are but we're going to play. Of course, I watch the game, but but but believe me, thats so watching the games and working with that, analyzing everything, this is some different cup of tea. you But so from a normal person, like from normal fan point of view, I ah don't think that that Chelsea... you know Chelsea is is' not ah the greatest team in England now. It used to be great, but it has a lot of but lot of weak points. I don't know how many players played in Chelsea today.
00:25:54
Kuba
in in the season, how how big was the squad. But it was it was a madness that Todd Ballet, he was so buying the players as he wanted to. You could score one goal in Barcelona, I'm talking about Gujo, and he went he went to Chelsea. So I think that this team is not bonded.
00:26:12
Kuba
So I don't know if you if you know what I mean, but this this notice they don't understand each other like...
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:26:19
Kuba
like like let's say previous Chelsea when you had 15 players who were playing the whole time and the squad is changing very often. The squad playing in European competition in Conference League is completely different.
00:26:30
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:26:33
Kuba
So it's hard to say something about Chelsea more, but from my perspective, it's not a... that huge opponent to beat that done than the previous stress for example if you were talking in 2012 that would be a completely different a different cup of tea but from my perspective chelsea's players are the players who are still rising they
00:26:50
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:26:57
Kuba
didn't reach this high level of football yet. They are still going to that high level of football. Of course, they are 20 times better than Legia if you compare them normally. But this is not, I think, an unbeatable team.
00:27:11
Kuba
and the The defensive line is... can have a lot of problems. We know how many problems, how how big problems Chelsea had with with scoring goals, so with form of the strikers.
00:27:23
Kuba
So it's hard to say me like from expert's point of view, but from fan's point of view, I'm not looking at Chelsea as the greatest team in in football history.
00:27:34
Louie Easton
Yeah, I think with Chelsea, they've become sort of flat track bullies because they only win games against teams that are really struggling. um Obviously, this year, who have they actually beaten? i mean, they beat Southampton convincingly earlier this season.
00:27:50
Louie Easton
ah They picked up three points at home against Leicester and Wolverhampton. but As soon as they play anyone decent, for example, Aston Villa a couple of weeks ago, um they lost when they went there.
00:28:01
Louie Easton
They lost when they went to Arsenal. um Obviously, we're recording this. At the time of recording this, ah they are currently playing Tottenham Hotspur and they have Brentford still to play. so um ah we can't comment on those games as much.
00:28:15
Louie Easton
But um I think this Chelsea team just lacks a bit of consistency and lacks a bit of guile. Obviously, they're still challenging for ah the top four places ah this season, and they've had some boosts coming back to their squad.
00:28:25
Kuba
and this is a great question. This is not a great question. I'm going to ask you question.
00:28:29
Louie Easton
Obviously, Cole Palmer, Rhys James has also come back, and i mean he did very well for England in the international break.
00:28:31
Kuba
I'm going to ask you question.
00:28:37
Louie Easton
But one thing that they absolutely cannot do is they cannot underestimate this Legia team. ah Obviously, they've gone into Europe and this season and played significantly weaker squads. I mean, I remember when that was the only time that Joao Felix was getting any time in the first half of the season.
00:28:55
Louie Easton
ah They were playing Mark Gou, who's obviously injured now. um They've still got their fair share of injuries. Obviously, ah Romeo Lavia is still a doubt. ah Wesley Fafana has been injured since forever.
00:29:07
Louie Easton
So it it will be difficult to see how Chelsea line up, um but they definitely have to um play a strong side to stand any chance. And to their advantage, the return leg will be at West London.
00:29:21
Louie Easton
And also, um this is their first trip a away to any stadium since they went to Copenhagen outside of London. they played They've played at London for the entirety of ah March since that Copenhagen game and ah in April as well.
00:29:34
Kuba
Thank you.
00:29:38
Louie Easton
ah Brentford and Spurs and Arsenal, they've all had to make very short journeys. So maybe and lacking a bit of travel fatigue to their advantage as well. um So it'll be interesting to see what happens to Chelsea in this game. But so it's such an unpredictable match, ah to say the least.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm. And of course, once we have those conversations about Chelsea and are doing our regular programming, sooner or later, that one question will always rise.
00:30:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is the the debacle of the goalkeeper of Chelsea, Robert Sanchez.
00:30:12
Louie Easton
Hmm. Yeah.
00:30:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I just want to get your thoughts, Kuba, in there.
00:30:13
Louie Easton
yeah
00:30:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah chelsea the Chelsea, sorry. Leggeo Warsaw, they have... Plenty of strikers that could take advantage of Rova Sanchez's sloppy um goalkeeping. If you were to pick out plenty...
00:30:26
Kuba
plenty.
00:30:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Well, okay.
00:30:29
Kuba
No,
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It could be a matter of perspective. So right that's that is why I'm asking you then. ah If you were to pick out like two dangerous players or maybe even three dangerous players of Leger Wolfsburg that could try for a and shot from the distance that could actually ah go in to the demise of of Sanchez and Chelsea, who would that be?
00:30:51
Kuba
ah To be honest, Legia has problems with shooting from distance. I don't remember when for the last time Legia scored from outside of the box. I think yesterday Gwal scored, but to be honest, I don't remember if it was in the box already or a little bit outside from the box. Hard to say, but it was not typical for golf from distance. So, frankly speaking, I don't remember when Legia scored for the last time from from the distance.
00:31:17
Kuba
Seriously, I
Key Players and Team Form
00:31:18
Kuba
would have to think about it for for a while. ah But talking about those strong points, we have a striker who for many people is the most irritating player in this team in recent five years.
00:31:22
Louie Easton
Thank you.
00:31:31
Kuba
I'm talking about Mark Wahl. And yeah, that's true. He's...
00:31:37
Kuba
He plays in irritating style. For example, for 60 minutes he cannot be present at the pitch. But then you have this this moment when he gets ball and he can easily dribble two players and score. For example, look at the goal like which LaGa scored against Molde.
00:31:53
Kuba
which gave Legge a promotion to enter the quarterfinal. and That was this blink of genius of Gward.
00:31:58
Louie Easton
Bye.
00:32:00
Kuba
So he was irritating for that almost 90 minutes, but in the one crucial moment, he took the ball, he dribbled two players, and then then he scored a goal.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
See you.
00:32:10
Kuba
I think Morishita is interesting player. he's He's a winger. He can only also also play in the midfield as an offensive player. ah He's rising. every Every game he's rising. So now I think he has a double-double already, which he never did, I think, in his entire career.
00:32:30
Kuba
When he came, he was really average, but from the game to game, he's getting stronger. He's quite fast. He is quite telling technical.
00:32:40
Kuba
And I think he can be can be a serious threat. Ruben Vinagre, I still believe in in this player. He's left back, but he he has amazing passes, amazing crosses, and that vision which is awaking in these big games. And the game against Chelsea for sure will be a big game.
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so since we already mentioned the maybe the weak points and the strong points so weak points of of of of Chelsea, strong points of Legia, then maybe we should do some justice for our beloved Chelsea fans listening to our podcast right now and tell one thing that maybe it's not going to be all nice and peachy for Legia players out there. So, Louis, if you could just tell me ah what is the one thing that Legia players have to watch out for from Chelsea team, a one-playmaker,
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
a one footballer that could just bring all to who could make all the difference.
00:33:38
Louie Easton
Well, to be honest, and obviously, we'll all talk about Cole Palmer. We can say that he hasn't been as good in the second half of the season. He's gone a bit quiet, but we all know his quality.
00:33:51
Louie Easton
um Perhaps he'll be back to his best ah before Legia in in one of these ah next matches ah at the time of recording. and But I just think that team, at Chelsea midfield in particular, has so much quality. You've got Enzo Fernandes, who has been one of the best midfielders of the season. He went on a few games of a scoring streak in the first after of the season. If you remember when Chelsea were at their best, Caicedo obviously has improved so much.
00:34:19
Louie Easton
ah This season, obviously, there was a lot of pressure on him last season when he signed. ah Plenty of talk around his transfer saga, walking away from a Liverpool deal, opting to go to Chelsea, having a pretty difficult start there.
00:34:30
Louie Easton
But suddenly he's come into his own a bit more. And I think Pedro Neto is a fantastic player as well. um he's got a bright future ahead of him um maybe not one of the most talked about chelsea players um this season uh across the entire premier league but whenever you watch him you just sense that he has that special something about him just that sort of uh wonderful cross uh that pace that change of pace as well um he looks like a proper threat and a proper sort of
00:34:42
Kuba
Thank you.
00:35:01
Louie Easton
ah modern winger that we will love cutting in from the right and creating angles, creating chances. um So I think those players will definitely play a huge part.
00:35:12
Louie Easton
And I'll also be interested to see ah who Chelsea play at right back as well, whether they'll stick to Malo Gusto, ah whether they'll move chalibre across or maybe they'll just play reese james there uh if they feel like he's better his best and we all have seen the quality of reese james with a dead bull um we saw that ridiculous free kick he got for england so you could just look across the entire chelsea team and see the quality that they have however
00:35:14
Kuba
Thank you.
00:35:17
Kuba
my
00:35:40
Louie Easton
This is a very different environment for these Chelsea players. This is not the Premier League. This is Warsaw. This is a hostile environment to go to on an away night in Europe. So I'll be interested to see how they deal with the hot cauldron that is a European atmosphere.
00:35:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will Leggear have any response to the to to what Louis just said there? Because it looks pretty it scary for Leggear midfielders, what Louis just said there.
00:36:09
Kuba
You know, I will tell you one thing.
Legia's Hopes Against Chelsea
00:36:12
Kuba
If you compare the football quality of each player from the goalkeeper to striker, there's no chance that any LEGO player will be higher than Chelsea player. That's simply impossible.
00:36:24
Kuba
And so do I believe that LEGO is going to get promotion? No, to be honest. so You know, in football there's always 1% or 0,5%, but I don't believe it. But and maybe ill I will be regretting those words, but I think that Lega is not going to lose the first game in Warsaw.
00:36:44
Kuba
I think Lega is not going to lose it.
00:36:45
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:36:46
Kuba
ah Generally... in the second game in London, I think no chances, because so when you asked me about the weak sides, that was a strange question for me, because from my Polish perspective, talking about weak sides of of Chelsea, it's ah almost disrespectful.
00:37:03
Kuba
That's a how I would say that. But as I mentioned, this is not the strongest Chelsea in history. Of course, they have great great players, but you have to remember one thing. They are not playing in Champions League. For them, Conference League, it's nothing.
00:37:18
Kuba
Like, maybe not nothing, but they are not 100% serious on at this Conference League.
00:37:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:37:23
Kuba
From the Polish perspective, from the perspective of like, yeah, it's Conference League and against Chelsea, it will be fighting for your life. Like, you have on Netflix Drive to survive, they will be playing playing to to sort of survive. And I think that this is the only chance to win something, because...
00:37:33
Louie Easton
well
00:37:37
Kuba
Football quality of Lege and football quality of Chelsea, no, you cannot compare that. ah We see the quality of this player of the players in league every week, in the cup, every three days. Lege is playing recently.
00:37:50
Kuba
And this quality can't be compared to Chelsea's quality. But I think that the stadium, the atmosphere and the approach to that game, that are the factors that can make a difference.
00:38:05
Louie Easton
Well, a counter-argument to that would be this is the only chance Chelsea have to win a trophy now. And they haven't won a trophy since 2021, which for that for a club of their size is not good enough.
00:38:19
Louie Easton
And... Let's not forget the fact that Legia still have the Polish Cup final to be thinking about. So that that that's the counter argument I'd make to that.
00:38:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:38:29
Louie Easton
But um obviously the occasion of this match is far greater for Legia than Chelsea, um in my opinion.
00:38:38
Kuba
But you have to remember that for Chelsea playing as against Legia is like for Legia playing against four division team. You will never be 100% focused, 100% concentrated and 100% motivated.
00:38:50
Kuba
Polish players will be because for Legia facing Chelsea is like facing for Chelsea, I don't know. Real Madrid, five Real Madrid.
00:39:01
Kuba
So, this is that's kind that kind of a...
00:39:01
Louie Easton
Yeah.
00:39:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Right.
00:39:03
Kuba
Of course, Chelsea wants to win the Conference League, but you won't convince me that when they were playing against, okay, Copenhagen maybe, but the teams like Shamrock, I think, Noah from Armenia,
00:39:17
Kuba
that they were focused on 400%. Because they weren't, that's that's for sure. They will be focused on 400% when they will be fighting for Premier League or or in Champions League. Yeah, then they will be. But in Warsaw, there is no chance that they will have the same approach as Polish players.
00:39:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which brings us to the final point about the approach, not only about the the honor of the club, of Legge and Chelsea, but but There is one final aspect that I would like to
Impact of European Performance on Polish Clubs
00:39:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
touch touch on in this special episode, and that is the country coefficients.
00:39:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that is yet another reason why Lega will be super motivated to bring the best results possible, even to snatch just one small victory, because one small victory will contribute to the coefficient.
00:40:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
What's important is that Poland now currently sits in top 15 of the European leagues, which... ah in two seasons time will grant us three, ah us the polls that is, three ah teams in Champions League qualifiers, which, well, two teams.
00:40:20
Kuba
ah two james Two teams in the Champions League qualifiers, one team in Europa League and two in a Conference League. So for us, this is a huge change.
00:40:31
Kuba
Because for the Polish clubs, ah qualifications to the European Cups were much more difficult than playing in the European Cups. It's strange, but it's true.
00:40:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:40:45
Kuba
But now when you have two two places in the Champions League, you have to win only one to get one game against one team. to qualify at least to conference league. When you call qualify to conference league, you play in Europe. When you play in Europe, you have really good money in the in enough for our values, because for Chelsea winning the conference league, it's not significant amount of money. For us, every every victory in conference league is significant amount of money so if you have more money you can take more players and you can see it even now extra class is really developing i know that for for english people it might sound stupidly but we have great studios those that you saw for and the teams play is way better than they used to play 10 years e ago and we really have good players
00:41:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:41:33
Kuba
we did some transfers for 2.5 million. I know that in English Premier League, 2 million is nothing but for us is.
00:41:40
Louie Easton
Thanks.
00:41:42
Kuba
Last record-breaking transfer ah from above those current era was, I think, 1 million euros. Now we can buy players for 2.5 million. Legia, Alek, the biggest teams in Poland, they can invest significant amount of money. So we're...
00:42:00
Kuba
it will It will change anything. This 15th place we got in European competitions in the UFO ranking is huge for for all the Polish fans.
00:42:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you're absolutely right. Those are two teams and in Champions League and five teams overall in in in Europe. Of course, I stand corrected. um So, yeah, so I guess the guest you can see now, Louis, why this tie with Chelsea and, of course, in the meantime, another tie of Jaguilónia-Bewista taking on Real Betis.
00:42:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why they are so important for for for the Polish football fans?
00:42:31
Louie Easton
Well, that point that Kuba made at the end um really did drive it home. I already knew how much of a huge occasion this is ah for any team in Europe, um one outside of the top five leagues, ah let alone outside of the top ten, is to be playing against a big Premier League giant. But yeah, I'll definitely be supporting Legia for this one. I don't like Chelsea particularly anyway, and I always ah fancy the underdog um And what a story it would be for Legia to make it to the Conference League semifinals. And they have the chance. And I honestly think, I agree with you, Kuba, I don't see Chelsea winning in Legia. I can see them just underestimating as soon as they play anyone decent or anyone ah who makes a huge opponent.
00:43:14
Louie Easton
Like in this case, I just think the the home advantage for Legia will be too much. But um I can't wait to watch the match and best of luck to Legia.
00:43:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, oh yeah, sorry, Koopa, go on, go on.
00:43:28
Kuba
No, no, because and maybe at the end I would say one thing to describe the atmosphere on these European games. I remember the games against Astro Villa.
00:43:39
Kuba
Legge won freeto against Astro Villa. And when Legge was leading 3-2, we have a left back. He is not very, very very skillful, rub be to be honest. He is an average player in in extra class and he is not technical.
00:43:51
Kuba
His name is Patrick Kuhn. And I remember the moment when like I was leading 3-2 and Patrick Kuhn made a tackle and he took the ball from Aston Villa player. And believe me, the roar after tackle was louder than the roar after dandero after the go in after the goal in league.
00:44:09
Kuba
So you can imagine how these European games taste in Warsaw.
00:44:20
Kuba
Unimaginably, I even pronounce it.
00:44:23
Louie Easton
Unimaginable.
00:44:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
unimaginable
00:44:25
Kuba
Yeah, definitely. I was looking for that word. Yeah, but it's it's hard to hard to explain, hard to hard to hard to imagine what does it mean for the people and for the players who are involved in those those games
00:44:28
Louie Easton
yeah
00:44:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know, actually, just to maybe not to add salt to to the wound, but it's just one ironic thing. Just how much Polish club fans and overall Polish football fans crave those European nights is, for example,
Excitement for the Upcoming Match
00:44:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
the fact that the last time ah there was Champions League, that there was basically any Champions League game held in Legia Warsaw Stadium was the game of Szakta Donetsk.
00:45:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
That was that was the the only reason why it was because Shakhtar Donetsk could not play in Ukraine because of the war going on in the country.
00:45:08
Louie Easton
Wow.
00:45:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah I think this is actually clear enough as to why, and you know, just bringing on some other teams from other countries, of course, like Ukrainian club, they are in need because there's war going on.
00:45:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
But still, Champions League being brought by the Ukrainian team to Warsaw it's it's it's really I think it's really disrespectful to the legacy of the polish or of the Polish football in a way that Polish clubs should have done better in those other previous years. But now they are doing better.
00:45:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, well, of course, um um I just cannot hope for any other result than a nice, maybe slight 1-0 victory ah just to you know bring those hearts up of of of of the Liga fans. How about your predictions? Kuba, what do you think?
00:45:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
First leg.
00:45:54
Kuba
us You know, I can compromise myself saying anything. But as I mentioned to you, I think that Legia is not going to lose the first game. In two leg games, there is no chance.
00:46:04
Kuba
let let's let's be Let's be honest. For there's no chance.
00:46:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Louis.
00:46:10
Kuba
but i think said First game has everything to become something really significant in Legea New West history. I think Legea is not going to lose. For Legea, even a draw against such a good team like Chelsea would be something good.
00:46:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
louis
00:46:31
Louie Easton
I'm saying this out of want more than logic, but I'd like to see... i think it will be... 2-0 Legia in the first leg. And I think... ah I... I... I...
00:46:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry.
00:46:46
Louie Easton
I do think Chelsea will run away with it in the second leg, but I i can see two nil to Legia and then they'll go to Stamford Bridge very, very defensively. And then I think Chelsea, once they get one goal...
00:46:59
Louie Easton
Then another one goes in shortly afterwards. It'll be one of those. um But I'm hoping that doesn't happen. I'm hoping Legge get enough done in the first leg for it to be put away in the second leg.
00:47:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, so I'll do something that I thought that I would never do, and I will say this. If Legia manages to eliminate Chelsea, and if they are to proceed to the semifinals of Conference League, then, Louis, you come up with a challenge that I have to perform at the opening of of the review episode, and I have to do it.
00:47:34
Louie Easton
Oh.
00:47:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
If you want me to take my shirt off, if you want me to, i don't know, make a, like a extravagant and
00:47:38
Louie Easton
No one wants to see that, mate. No one wants to yeah if
00:47:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
and I know, I know, I get it. But if anybody if you want me to do anything extravagant, please run your imagination wild. Please just do not make me, you know, shave my hair, you know, and you from anywhere.
00:47:50
Louie Easton
that. I won't do that. if if So if Legia win or if Chelsea win?
00:47:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Thank you.
00:47:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
If Legia proceeds to the semifinals of Conference League.
00:47:58
Kuba
You can end up like Garo Lineker in one studio, just in underwear.
00:47:58
Louie Easton
Ha
00:48:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:48:02
Louie Easton
ha ha ha ha.
00:48:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:48:03
Kuba
invest in just in underwar
00:48:05
Louie Easton
is Is getting a tattoo...
00:48:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
My underwear isn't so classy. Come on, man. i can't do that.
00:48:10
Louie Easton
Is getting a tattoo so far?
00:48:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, ah perhaps, perhaps my wife will kill me if I get it.
00:48:15
Louie Easton
Okay.
00:48:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
If I get it, two you'll think of something, you'll think of something. And until then, guys, stay tuned because there are some good times happening. And ah luckily and hopefully, um well, okay. If Chelsea wins, then we'll be able to continue with reviewing their games in Europe. But if Lego win, oh my God, you'll be able to see one of the most epic review episodes after this return against Stamford Bridge.
00:48:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kuba Jelenski, thank you so, so much. for being a part of our special episode today. Thank you again.
00:48:42
Kuba
Thank you guys. It was a pleasure. I hope that I managed to say anything anything meaningful and anything good.
00:48:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bowing down.
00:48:50
Kuba
It was actually my first time ever speaking about legge in English.
00:48:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bowing down.
00:48:54
Kuba
So that's a huge catch moment for me.
00:48:55
Louie Easton
Oh, well done, mate.
00:48:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kudos. Well done.
00:48:57
Louie Easton
Very good English.
00:48:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well done.
00:48:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hell yeah, exactly.
00:48:58
Louie Easton
I've thought of something for you, Michal.
00:49:00
Louie Easton
Just quickly, you can down a Taiski next time. I don't know if I mispronounced that and yeah the name of that Polish beer.
00:49:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
askkin Aha. Oh, oh my goodness. Okay, we're going to well'm gonna have to clear up. of the Thank you so much, guys. Subscribe, follow us, and we'll hear you and see you in the next one. Cheers.