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Season 2 ! EPL Season Preview
18 Plays3 months ago
Season 2 ! We made it ! We kick of a new sporting calendar by previewing the upcoming English Premier League Season
- Top 8 Predictions
- Relegation Candidates
- Transfer Window Analysis
- Game Of The Week: Manchester Utd. vs. Arsenal
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Transcript
Season Two Kickoff
00:00:09
Emeka
Welcome, welcome, welcome back to season two of the Love of the Game podcast. We come to you here on the eve of a new sporting calendar season.
00:00:21
Emeka
Excited and reflective as summer, I'll say quote unquote summer, has come to an end and we're entering into fall.
Team Lineup for the New Season
00:00:30
Emeka
We have to know bring up the whole squad back.
00:00:33
Emeka
No transfers out this season.
00:00:33
Chuku
That's
00:00:35
Emeka
I'm still joined by my man, Chinook. Chenna, how are you living this season Eve right now?
00:00:41
Chino Onwuka
Hey, man. Hey, man. Glad to be back. Season two. Season two. So nice. We had to do it twice. Now, man, I'm excited, you know, but I'm also nervous, apprehensive, scared, curious.
00:00:59
Chino Onwuka
Like, you know, that's what we love about sports, you know. you know, you can sit here and debate and talk through things, but the game is not played on paper. its played on the field, on the court.
Premier League Predictions
00:01:10
Chino Onwuka
on the gridiron and um'm who knows what this year is going have in store for us. So let's get it
00:01:17
Emeka
Exactly. ah ah You know, teams came knocking in. There were some bids received. Contract negotiations were tough, but at the end, we had to put our foot down and retain him. So joining us for season two, my man Chukwu. How are you living, Chukwu?
00:01:34
Chuku
What an intro, man. I'm just glad to be back. Running it back with my boys again. I'm excited for the season, you know, with a lot to talk about, a lot to, you know, digest, a lot to chop it up with the boys.
00:01:46
Chuku
But yeah, man, I'm just excited, you know, anxious, a lot of emotions going on. But overall, I'm just ready for the new season to begin. Falls, you know, around the corner and, you know, it's the start of a new season when it comes to all things sports.
00:02:01
Chuku
So yeah, I'm just ready to chop it up with the boys and I'm very interested to see what, you know, what y'all are thinking. you know, let's get it.
00:02:09
Emeka
Exactly. And again, we we're recording this on a Tuesday night, three days before the start of a new Premier League season. This podcast, we're going to go through, give you our top eight predictions, teams we think are going to get relegated, some superlatives, predictions going to be handed out, like player of the year and signing of the season.
00:02:30
Emeka
But before we get into all the nitty gritty, I'm just going to ask open-ended to whoever wants to answer first. We know you've said we're we're nervous and and all about the sport sporting season, but what is one thing you're looking forward to heading to the start of a new Premier League season?
00:02:47
Emeka
I'll start with you, Chukwu. are you looking forward to next year?
00:02:51
Chuku
Honestly, man, I'm just excited to see all the different striker or forward sign-ins that have come through this summer into the you know into the league. Like, I'm just, I mean, as much as, obviously, I can talk about Jokeres and Arsenal, but as much as I'm excited to see that, you know, play out in the season, I'm very much excited to see all the other teams, man. Like, you know, seeing Cesco join United.
00:03:13
Chuku
We've seen Jao Pedro join Chelsea. We've seen Eketike join Liverpool. Like, I'm just excited for this new faces when it comes to, you know, forwards in the league. You know, i feel like we've been missing, you know, this excitement of, ah know, crop of no forwards. You know what I'm saying? I think entering this year, the new crop of forwards entering the league is definitely one that has caught a lot of people's eyes. And I'm just very interested to see how it all plays out, you know? So that's what I'm most excited to see entering the season.
00:03:43
Emeka
Hey, you're not wrong about that. a lot of exciting forwards. I look forward to seeing who's going to be the first guy to catch the dreaded 007 meme on Twitter. You know it's going to be somebody. Chinna, what are you looking forward to entering a a new Premier League season?
00:03:59
Chino Onwuka
Honestly, it's it's pretty similar to what Chukwu said. And for me, it's just, you know, all the new signings. And so maybe I'll just give a little bit of a different flavor to it. Like, I don't know about you guys, but it it seems like nobody did grief for anybody this season. Like, every team is going for it.
00:04:19
Chino Onwuka
No one, teams either aren't resting on their laurels or maybe they had disappointing season and they are... they are going into the market to to fix up their issues and even upgrade. You know, I'm sure we'll we'll maybe dig into it a little bit, but Liverpool win the title. What did they do?
00:04:37
Chino Onwuka
They spent a British record, German record on Florian Wurtz. signed a Kitsie Kate and still going after Isaac. you know Arsenal, we've got Zubomendi, hopefully finally have the the nine that we've been looking for.
00:04:55
Chino Onwuka
Manchester City spent $200 million in January, have spent another $200 million this summer.
00:04:58
Chuku
Thank you.
00:05:01
Chino Onwuka
Now it looks like they might be getting Rodrigo and Donnarumma. Chelsea, they just won the Club World They always have new signings. Manchester United, it looked like they were dead and buried. Somehow they spent over $200 million on blue players that you know should be able to lift them up.
00:05:22
Chino Onwuka
Tottenham, they've got a brand new coach. They've signed some players. they' They've been recently linked with some more. you know You've got Sunderland spending over $100 million, you know just activity up and down the league. So I just think it's just going to be a really competitive season. I think we're really going to see a lot of really entertaining football. There's going to be a lot of drama.
00:05:44
Chino Onwuka
There's going to be a lot of storylines. There's going to be a lot of banjo. There's going to be a lot of pain. So I'm just, as as a whole, as a football fan, i'm just looking forward to that aspect of it because there's so many different things to look at.
00:05:59
Chino Onwuka
and enjoy. as an Arsenal fan, nervous. I'm nervous, kid.
00:06:05
Emeka
Oh, man.
00:06:06
Chuku
Thank you.
00:06:07
Emeka
When aren't you nervous?
Title Race Openness
00:06:09
Emeka
I mean, I'll i'll build up what you said by what I'm looking forward to the most this year is I think for the first time since I can remember, it's been a while where I can truly say I truly think the Premier League title is wide open.
00:06:26
Emeka
And there are at least three, someone could argue four, And someone could even throw out there and say five teams that can enter the season and and dream of winning it. Realistically, I'd say four teams. And it's rare you get a season like that. I mean, we're coming off a near decade, felt like, where it was either City or Liverpool.
00:06:43
Emeka
And then Arsenal just kind of joined the party the last couple of years. But now I think all the big boys, including the team we slanted on this very podcast last season, Chelsea, are sitting here. Like you said, they all retooled.
00:06:56
Emeka
No one rested on their laurels. And we're going to have an exciting open Premier League season that I'm sure we're going to sit here and talk about injuries and refereeing decisions and all that ah stuff that makes your your blood boil. But before I i start losing my blood pressure, I...
00:07:12
Chino Onwuka
I didn't talk about that yet.
00:07:12
Emeka
carbon like
00:07:14
Chino Onwuka
I'm not looking forward to that, but I'm sure it's going to be a big part of the season, unfortunately.
00:07:17
Emeka
You know, that's what it is. Like, before we get to that part, let me just be positive and hopeful and just think about, you know, all the exciting. It's nice that every time I tune in the Premier League has just grown and grown and grown. And now there's so many good teams and new signings and new exciting forwards that I, at least for the first couple of months, first couple of weeks at least, I'm going to be super excited to start watching football again just for the international break to come by the end of the month. and then I'll be mad again.
00:07:42
Emeka
So what can you do? so
00:07:45
Chino Onwuka
That is is like the biggest buzzkill in the whole world. I'm sorry.
00:07:48
Emeka
It really is. It really is, man.
00:07:50
Chino Onwuka
who who Who's putting the calendar and like, no, stop it.
00:07:55
Emeka
Because it's right after the transfer deadline.
00:07:56
Chino Onwuka
like
00:07:57
Emeka
So there's always that signing on deadline day that doesn't debut.
00:07:58
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:08:00
Emeka
And have to wait two weeks to see him.
00:08:02
Chino Onwuka
It's literally the worst.
00:08:04
Emeka
It's the worst. yeah
00:08:06
Chino Onwuka
Or the other thing where, okay, you're excited for a new season. you know, players are back, you know, you go through all of preseason to get, they get sharpness and then they get injured during that international break.
00:08:17
Emeka
Exactly. But, yeah, that's the negatives.
00:08:19
Chino Onwuka
well so Was that the one after that?
00:08:20
Emeka
We're going to be positive.
00:08:24
Emeka
We're going to be positive. We failed already. Eight minutes said we're negative. It's going to a positive podcast. ah ah Everyone's beginning of the year. Everyone's the best shape of their life. Every team is gelling in the training pitch. Everyone's hopeful this time a year.
00:08:37
Emeka
If you are a listener, I hope you join us on episode one when we went through and we gave you our top eight prediction. We're going do the same more or less here, but I thought I'd switch it up to format a little bit this year.
00:08:48
Emeka
Instead of being scatterbrained and we're all saying whatever, I'm going to list what I think will be the top eight teams. And i want to when I say a team, I want you to tell me where you think they're going to finish and and what your thoughts are about their summer and their prospects entering the season.
00:09:04
Emeka
And I think all know who we're going to save for last on this podcast. So I'll start with, I'll start with, like my man, Chinon, mentioned the reigning champions, Liverpool,
00:09:08
Chino Onwuka
like that. That's good. let's get
00:09:18
Emeka
Won the Premier League at a cancer, it's I think it's fair to say. And then came into the summer and he has the outlines. Broke of British, though they'll tell you they didn't break it. Transfer record for Wurz.
00:09:30
Emeka
has Spent almost close to that for Eketike. Got Frame Pong. Got Kerkhez. Lost Trent for sure, but hey, still kept everybody else. Lost the Diaz and tragically lost Jota as well as Nunes.
00:09:46
Emeka
A lot, you rarely see a team make these much changes after winning a title. I think it's pretty safe to the most changes I can remember a team making is that are starting at 11 at least after winning a title. So I'll start with you, Chinon.
00:10:01
Emeka
Where do you think Liverpool will finish this season? And what are your thoughts are about them entering next year?
00:10:09
Chino Onwuka
you You know, I'll start with the Kavit by saying I agree with you. And I think this is probably the most wide open title race to start the season that we've had in a long, long time where, you know, I think that there are three teams in it.
00:10:23
Chino Onwuka
But as the defending champions, you know, with the business that they've done, you know, I still think I'd have to to have Liverpool as the favorites coming into the season just because you said they didn't rest on their laurels. You know, probably wasn't the most competitive title race last year with the injuries Arsenal had and Man City he had, but they still were were worthy champions. You still have probably one of the greatest Premier League players, two of the greatest Premier League players in Mo Salah and Van Dijk, even at their older ages, still still doing the goods. And then they brought in
00:10:58
Chino Onwuka
Wurtz, who is, you know, has been a superstar, you know, obviously he's coming to the Premier League, how will he adapt? But if there's anyone you'd bet on adapting, it'd be him.
00:11:09
Chino Onwuka
You know, Akitsuke, who has a profile of a striker I really love, you know, he comes in, he doesn't have to be the man, you know, he has Salah there, he has Wurtz there, and, you know, with his potential, he can really make moves, you know, they've They've got in Kerkhez, who's replacing Robertson, who's been a loyal soldier for them. So I think that's a really good freshly freshening up there. And then Trent is a huge, huge loss.
00:11:38
Chino Onwuka
Feng Feng can bring in a different type of attacking threat from that right-back position. but you know and And obviously, you know, such a tragic situation with Jota. but So after after I've talked about sort of the the positives and how strong they are.
00:11:53
Chino Onwuka
Some of the things I'm curious to see is, you know, if they're going to have the defensive balance, you know, they are very reliant on Dijk. you know, being able to continue playing at his level at an advanced age. Kanate has been injury prone.
00:12:07
Chino Onwuka
So there's a weakness there. there are two wingbacks, fullbacks are very attacking. So is it something where they're going to be a little bit more open, you know, at the back or they just going to try and outscore everyone? You know, as there's a second season syndrome.
00:12:23
Chino Onwuka
People were probably maybe looking down on them a little bit last year after clock left and no one's going be, you know They're the champions, so they're gonna have a target on their back. so Balancing it out, though, I still i would still have them have them i still as the favorites.
00:12:41
Emeka
That is more than fair. I will say my first hot take of the day, and I've gone over this so many times. I this i truly think this is the most open Premier League season I can remember in a while. like I've been back and forth, back and forth.
00:12:58
Emeka
But I'm going to predict a shocking, not really shocking, but something out there that I think is going to be a long season for Liverpool. and I think they're going to finish fourth. Comfortably fourth with a gap over fifth.
00:13:11
Chino Onwuka
Oh,
00:13:11
Emeka
But i I think Liverpool are going to finish fourth.
00:13:12
Chino Onwuka
and
00:13:12
Chuku
Do you think
00:13:14
Emeka
And you kind of touched on some of the reasons why I think so.
00:13:15
Chuku
think
00:13:18
Emeka
I think... They have two, the team the balance of the team they had last year was so perfect and no one was injured. And Salah and Van Dijk had 10 out of 10 seasons and so much changed so fast.
00:13:34
Emeka
And like I got touched on, you don't see teams make these kinds of changes when you had success. And there's a reason for it. Now, all of a sudden they have two attacking fullbacks who bomb forward. Van Dijk's a year older.
00:13:45
Emeka
Salah's a year older. i mean, and it's morbid to to to say this, but One of their men died in the summer like these guys are playing football now and they have to think about that like bro my men passed away in there every game in 20th minute is going to be an applause.
00:14:01
Emeka
There's going to be tributes to them all season is going to be on their brain But Slots came in to a team that has been playing together for close to a decade now, didn't change anything, and it worked out because he had that chemistry.
00:14:16
Emeka
And now he's betting in all these new players. And my real big concern is the Liverpool system Like, max City relied solely on Rodri to be their defense.
00:14:28
Emeka
For years and years, Liverpool relied on Van Dijk bailing their forwards out to be their defense. And i'm not going to call him washed because preseason, I mean, community shield is just one game, whatever. But it was a red flag to me how he looked because he's getting up there in age. And when you rely on players in their high 30s, man, you really got to brace for that one year where it all falls apart. And if he takes even half a step back,
00:14:52
Emeka
I can see the system collapsing on itself. Same with Salah. If Salah goes from being the best forward in the last 10 years to just being an above average season, Liverpool lose half their goals and half their assists. And yeah, they got Eke Tike and they got, you know, Warts to replace them.
00:15:11
Emeka
But I just think it's it's asking a lot of a change. And yeah, this is a bold prediction. i'm not gonna I'm not acting like they're gonna be like 20 points off the top, but I think the top four teams have a lot more chemistry and continuity, and it's going to serve them well. And I just think they had a season magical season last year with everyone being healthy, everything going their way, all the penalties they got.
00:15:32
Emeka
Things tend to flip season afterwards, and it wouldn't shock me if they're struggling a little bit and they finish. I wanted to say third first, but then you know what? I'm going to stick to my guns and put them down comfortably as finishing fourth.
00:15:45
Chuku
Wow, I'm kind of surprised, honestly speaking. I mean, the funny thing is, like, I tend to actually lean a lot towards what you're saying, America, because quite frankly, I look at the Liverpool team and this whole idea of, you know, at least from what I've seen of them in, you know, preseason, they definitely look, you know,
00:16:08
Chuku
very open in the back, especially with, you know, the introduction of their fullbacks that they got, know, just generally how they play. They definitely play with a higher line.
00:16:18
Chuku
A lot is, you know, expected or, know, there's a lot of reliance on Van Dijk to definitely get them out of a lot of transition situations when they lose the ball in midfield or in certain situations where they, you know, get, know, get caught on the break.
00:16:33
Chuku
I just think with, as, you know, age and everything has gone on, like, Van Dijk clearly, I mean, still highly regarded as one of the better center backs in the league or in world football.
00:16:46
Chuku
I just think with the age, Father Time is the reason why we say Father Time is undefeated. And quite frankly... The Van Dijk I've seen so far in preseason, maybe he might not be the same Van Dijk throughout the entire year, but there are signs to show that he's definitely not his same self, you know, that we've known or been accustomed to in in the last know five plus you know five plus years has been and previously at Liverpool.
00:17:13
Chuku
So with that being said, and and also the fact that, you know, right now, I mean, they've lost Kwanzaa. the I mean, we talked about him being injury prone.
00:17:26
Chuku
Who was the other? Gomez. I believe he's hurt currently at the moment, Joe Gomez. the fact that their depth in the center back position is very, very weak.
00:17:37
Chuku
So we're going to be reliant on Keeping their back line fully healthy. I know recently, you know, we've seen that they've been linked to a Mark Gehi. We don't know if that's going to go through or not.
00:17:50
Chuku
But as far as what I've seen, know, as of today, Mark Gehi, you know, for him to make the move to Liverpool, he's expecting to get, you know, assurances in terms of playing time.
00:18:02
Chuku
And as of right now, I mean, with how Liverpool are set up, I don't know if that's something that Liverpool can provide or be willing to, you know, offer Margheria at this time with both Kanaty Van Dijk fit and available.
00:18:16
Chuku
But assuming they enter the season with the current crop of guys that they have right now and no further additions... I feel comfortable in saying that I just don't see how they repeat.
00:18:29
Chuku
you know Repeating, is as we can as we know, is not something that's easy to do. I know over the years, Man City have made that look or seem pretty easy. But again, prior to Man City, i mean you know it's not common to see a team win back-to-back because, again, that's just is isn is it's difficult. you know so you know with all that being said, i have Liverpool finish third.
00:18:51
Chuku
this year. I think there's just some teams that are just, you know, I've just seen are hungrier, are more willing, are they're ready to, you know, kind of take a leap.
00:19:04
Chuku
And just have Liverpool, you know, with their current team, although they're probably going to play but some very exciting football, they're probably going to score, score well, know, above 100 goals this year.
00:19:16
Chuku
i just think, at the same time, they're going to leak a lot of goals. And there are going to be certain games where, you know, with how the league is going and with every, you know, all the teams, you know, getting better and adding players to their, to their squads.
00:19:30
Chuku
I just think there's going to be room to, to kind of, you know, counter and you know take advantage of Liverpool's defense in situations. So there's mentality of, we're going to you know, you can score, but we can score more.
00:19:43
Chuku
I don't know it's going to be enough to see them, you know, win a back-to-back Premier League title. And that's why I believe, you know, yeah, that this year they might come short.
00:19:53
Chuku
And the teams above have above them, I just think, are just going I feel like, have better... click our energy at the moment. And I just think, yeah, Liverpool are going to do to regress this year.
00:20:06
Chuku
So third place is where... like
00:20:08
Chino Onwuka
I have a question for you guys. First of all, I'm really intrigued by you guys' predictions, but do your predictions change if liver if Liverpool get Isaac?
00:20:20
Emeka
Yes. i I bumped up to third, I'd say.
00:20:25
Chino Onwuka
Just one spot. Okay. Chukwu?
00:20:28
Chuku
If they get Isak, I still have questions about their defense because of the lack of depth. I could probably each them to second, but yeah, it'll be tough one.
00:20:45
Chino Onwuka
Wow. So an attack of Salah, even if he's not superhuman, if he's just super Isaac Florian Wurtz. I know what you guys think of him.
00:20:58
Chino Onwuka
Wow. Okay. Interesting. You know, one thing I'll say is you guys talked about, you know, the fact that, you know, what we've seen Liverpool do is not something we usually see. You know, we' we haven't really seen back-to-back champions apart from City in recent years and and the Manchester United of the Fergie days.
00:21:17
Chino Onwuka
And I think that's part of what I like about what Liverpool has done because they haven't sat under laurels. I think they're trying to... step on everyone's necks. They're trying to change the reputation that they've had in recent years and they're trying to make themselves know, there's a certain, you can see, you know, some of the attitude, the arrogance that certain clubs have, which sort of helps them stay entrenched. I think, surprisingly, I think we're all surprised at the way Liverpool has moved. they're They're starting to act with a certain level of arrogance, which I think filters down to the club and the players itself sometimes, you know as we see with Real Madrid, as we see, you know, with Bayern in their league. So maybe I'm ascribing a little bit but of an aspect of that.
00:22:00
Chino Onwuka
You know, might talk about, you know, the... the grief that they might be playing with, you know, sometimes that can spur you on to play a little better, but I definitely hear you guys' arguments. I hear them, but interested.
00:22:11
Emeka
and im And and to fun up to me, I think the next three or four years, they're going to be like fantastic. is going to be a season of transition. And when there's always a transition, you've got to eat your medicine with that. You've got to take your lumps with it.
00:22:26
Emeka
And that chemistry that they had, now it's a whole different. This is the first season Liverpool going enter with in, I want to say, eight years, that Trent isn't their right back. That's a big deal.
00:22:37
Emeka
People have gotten accustomed to how things work. Salas makes makes runs with the understanding that, yeah, Trent's going to find me. And yes, they got Wirtz and they got other people, but things are just different now.
00:22:48
Emeka
And whenever there's big changes, there's always a growing some growing pains. And I just think... The season is so tough. And the top two, and I'm throwing the third in there. I know it wants to go.
00:23:00
Emeka
pains me to say it. But the top is just so tough. And, you know, i'm i' maybe I'm betting on regression to the mean of Liverpool got so lucky last year of injuries and penalties. And if just one of those change, or golf andba both both of those change, things can drop drastically.
00:23:17
Emeka
They're still going to be good. They're going to comfortably be fourth, in my opinion. They're going to be high 70s. to low 80s in points. I just think it's going to be one of those years where the top four is just inseparable and just by the rub of the green, they finish fourth or a third or something like that.
00:23:34
Emeka
Well, going from the top of the table last year to pretty much near the bottom, Team, I'm curious to see. well starting I'll start with you, Chenna. Where you think they finish is, as my brother likes to call them, taunting shits.
00:23:48
Emeka
You know, a big summer. They won the UEFA Cup. and Clap with them, everybody. They won a trophy. And then they fired the manager that won the trophy. So that tells you how much they really value it. Brought in Thomas Frank.
00:24:00
Emeka
Lost Sun, lost Madison to ACL injury, brought in Kudus, Palinja. In the news right now, talking about some big transfers. So this prediction clearly could change depending what happens the next two weeks. But i was sitting here right now, Chinook, where do you think Tottenham Hotspurs are going to finish in the end of the season?
00:24:21
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, a lot has happened for the team up the other team in the North over the summer. It's a tough one because I don't know whether to to hedge and assume that they're going to make some ah ah additions. I mean, if they get Eze or Savino, which, again, I can't believe, you know, that definitely changes things. But I really, really rate Thomas Frack.
00:24:49
Chino Onwuka
They are going to be a very, very solid team. And the way he plays, you know, they're going to be really tough for the big teams to beat.
00:25:00
Chino Onwuka
And they're going to be pretty solid against the lower league teams where maybe they just win on talent. So in terms of where I'd have them, this this is really tough. Like some of the other teams I flip-flopped,
00:25:18
Chino Onwuka
on a lot right now i have them seventh only because they have had some injuries which has sort of lowered their lowered lowered their standing for me and they're gonna have champions league as well so maybe that could have them a little bit distracted that usually takes a lot out of teams so yeah i think again we're talking about an improvement of 10 spots in the league mostly driven by Thomas Frank and what he's going to do.
00:25:49
Chino Onwuka
think we're going to see, you know, improvement from a lot of players. We're going to see them be a lot more solid. They have really good players on the team. You know, there's there' there they they were a Champions League team before that. They have Champions League players.
00:26:05
Chino Onwuka
They have pedigree. They have young players who could take a leap. You know, if they don't have the injury issues that they had last year, i I see their their ceiling be even being higher than seventh, but just because of how bad they were last year, you know, and accounting for that, yeah, have them seventh.
00:26:26
Emeka
Chukwu, what are your thoughts about our lovely noisy neighbors? where are they going to finish this year?
00:26:33
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, I don't have them too far from where Chinon has them. i Look, I think the best addition they've made was hiring Thomas Frank. I just think the job he's done at Brentford is just so underrated. Like, he is, through thick and thin, like the guys, know, made Brentford a relevant team.
00:26:55
Chuku
As far as relevant, I mean, a team that is a mainstay in, you know, Now, Brentford is going to be a pretty interesting topic of discussion, but obviously we're focused on Tottenham right now.
00:27:08
Chuku
And with you know the additions of what they've made so far, I mean, I still think they need you know a lot more. And obviously this can change depending on if they get certain names through the door, as we know, as of today.
00:27:22
Chuku
They've been strongly linked with Eze. Eze. um And was the other person, guys, that that they were linked to with?
00:27:27
Emeka
Servinio.
00:27:28
Chuku
Oh, Savino.
00:27:28
Chino Onwuka
Reunion.
00:27:29
Chuku
There we go, Savino. I mean, Savino, I don't rate as much as and I know some of the guys on the panel rate him. But Eze, though, if they if they got Eze, I mean, damn, I'll definitely feel some type of way.
00:27:43
Chuku
But without those additions at the moment, I still see them as more of an eighth. eighth. is what I'll give them. as a eight Eighth is ah is probably a good spot.
00:27:52
Chuku
know I think they're going to finish definitely a lot better than what they did last year. That that that is, to me, not even, you know, no questions asked.
00:28:00
Emeka
I would hope so, otherwise they're relegated.
00:28:02
Chuku
Yeah, yeah, you know what I'm saying? No question about it. But, yeah, I definitely still don't see them as a top 16. sixteen So, yeah, I think somewhere that 8, 9, 10 is a fair, you know, fair range. And I'll just, for now, I'll go with eighth is where have them.
00:28:21
Emeka
<unk> I'll keep it brief to keep this moving, but it's only out of respect to Thomas Frank. And like you don't mention, i truly think he's an amazing manager. I'm going to put them at eighth because I really want to say bottom half of the table.
00:28:34
Emeka
I am just all the way out on Tottenham entering this year. And in fairness to them, a lot of is out of control. Madison blew his ACL out. That's just horrific timing for a guy who one time I was dreaming of coming to Arsenal.
00:28:48
Emeka
Kuleshevsky's out with a knee injury. No one really knows when he's coming back. They lost Son. There's just no creativity. And this might change. Again, recording this August 12th, if they sign Eze and Savino, I'll reserve the right to reflect my opinion. But right now, i I see their team, and I just don't see where the goals or the assists are coming from.
00:29:09
Emeka
You're really relying on Solanke and Brennan Johnson. And yeah, the guys will get you 10 to 11, 12 goals. Kudos, maybe get you 10, and then it gets drastic very fast afterwards.
00:29:23
Chuku
Pedro Puro can just get some goals too.
00:29:26
Emeka
And look at the names we're mentioning now.
00:29:26
Chuku
Okay. Go on.
00:29:28
Emeka
Like, they need one of Tell or Odobeir to take a step. All the wonder kids are in the midfield. None of them are as in the forward position. They plunked $60 million on Solanke.
00:29:40
Emeka
God bless him. I don't know if he's the guy. 50 million over Charleston. Again, I don't know if he's getting you 20 goals in the season. ah ah took
00:29:47
Chino Onwuka
But, okay hey, let's remember, the system Thomas Frank plays gets his forwards goals.
00:29:54
Emeka
ah ah Fair enough.
00:29:55
Chino Onwuka
Like, where is Brent...
00:29:56
Emeka
Those forwards are also in Guamo and Wisa, two very good people.
00:29:59
Chino Onwuka
Tony was banging in goals. Like, what were we saying about Mbwemo and Wisa before they got there? Tony was banging in goals. We thought, oh, they're in trouble. He leaves. Wisa and Mbwemo bangs in goals. So obviously, they're really good players.
00:30:13
Chino Onwuka
But I just think Thomas Frank's system, the way they play really solid and then hitting you at lightning speed on the break, the team will score. The team will score.
00:30:23
Emeka
And listen, I love Thomas Franks. I'm not going to sit here and cast any doubt on his name. He is a fantastic coach. i just When I see how tough the Premier League is, and we we joke about it, this is still a team that finished 17th and now has Champions League football.
00:30:43
Emeka
to juggle. That's a lot of games to add to this. It's one thing to be playing those Europa League teams. You can rotate a little bit. Now, if you rotate, you're getting killed. And I just think it's going to be... i want it i want to say the finish bottom half, but out of respect to Thomas Frank, he's too good a coach to not get them boys in shape a little bit. But, man, I just don't think... cause i think it's going to be a long season for Spurs, and they'll be lucky to get Conference League something like that next year.
00:31:10
Emeka
But, hey... Time will tell. Sticking in London, I'll keep it here and I'll start with you, Chukua. Team, I'm very curious to see what everybody has them finishing. The unofficial, I guess, actually official, best team in the world, in heavy quotes, Chelsea Football Club.
00:31:29
Emeka
Entering the year, Kemp Mareska. Who didn't they sign? I guess I'll put it that way. Signed Rory DeLapp and said you're on number nine and then said, psych, Ja Pedro, come through. Signed Gittins.
00:31:40
Emeka
Sancho left. They said, that's that's fine. We have a Brazilian wonder kid, Estevão. Maduike left. Jao Felix left. They're still in the market for Garnaccio. Still in the market for Xavi Simons.
00:31:51
Emeka
Baut Hato. Carwell blew his ACL out. like I thought Liverpool transition. Chelsea had a summer of transition, and now they're entering next year.
00:32:01
Emeka
And what are your thoughts, Arturku, about Chelsea's finishing spot in next season?
00:32:06
Chuku
ah cart li boys I lie. It pains me to talk about Chelsea right now. It truly does man, because I'm ashamed to say i enjoy watching them. I've enjoyed watching them play this this summer, man.
00:32:23
Chuku
These guys play good football, football man. And Jao Pedro, I don't know what it is. It's definitely definitely summer hype for sure, preseason hype for sure. But I just – I look at the way Chelsea have been playing with how they're clicking.
00:32:37
Chuku
Cole Palmer is just like – I mean, how Man City let him go for the price they did, less than 50 M's, is absurd. I really do think Chelsea are going to make noise this year. i really I really believe it. I mean, I hope I'm wrong.
00:32:55
Chuku
ah ah really I really do hope I'm wrong. But I just think Chelsea are just, you know, they're goingnna they're going to give a lot of teams problems this year. And with that being said, I still don't have them winning the league.
00:33:08
Chuku
But, guys, I'm going to be so real. if If I had more faith in their, you know, center back parents and goalkeeper, and Reece James staying healthy all year, I could envision a world where i would have predicted Chelsea to win the league.
00:33:24
Chuku
But since that's not the case, at the moment at least, I have them still coming as strong second place this year.
00:33:32
Emeka
Wow!
00:33:32
Chuku
And I just think, yep, I have them coming second place.
00:33:32
Emeka
Wow! yeah wow
00:33:38
Chuku
Yeah, I just think they are – They are ready to take that next step. They showed us even with having a horrible, terrible start, they found a way to finish top four.
00:33:53
Chuku
And that was with Nicholas Jackson leading the line and...
00:33:58
Chino Onwuka
A terrible start. I would say it was the opposite.
00:34:00
Chuku
Well, sorry.
00:34:01
Chino Onwuka
They had an amazing start.
00:34:01
Emeka
they had a great... There was chance to see you in the title race talks in December.
00:34:02
Chino Onwuka
And then, oh,
00:34:04
Chuku
sorry Well, so sorry. where Okay, hold on, hold on. They had a great start. They dropped, and then they picked it back up to come and get to finish fourth place. Because there was issues. There was ah question in between that that middle half of the season where it looked like they were going to fall off, but then they did enough to, you know,
00:34:25
Chuku
clinch top four. And what I'm saying is I just see them being a more consistent team year round. And that's going to be enough for them to not only clinch top four in a much easier manner, because again, mind you, did last year, last season, they had to clinch top four based off the last game you know get with the season.
00:34:43
Chuku
I can assure you this year is not going to take the last game the season for them to clinch that top four. And I just think they're just going to be a more consistent team year-round.
00:34:54
Chuku
they're They've gotten better, in my opinion, with the forward options that they've added. I don't know what they're doing, sniffing around with Garnaccio, but regardless of whether they bring in Garnaccio or not, with the forward options they already have right now, mean, Gittin, with a little I've seen him so far, has looked pretty nice.
00:35:14
Chuku
ah ah Same goes for Estavio. Ja Pedro has been... scoring goals like, know, in the sleep. Cole Palmer is Cole Palmer. He's just, he's just ridiculous. And like, I just think the team, the squad that they have, they're built.
00:35:29
Chuku
I think they're ready to, you know, compete in all fronts. And I, again, I have them. Yeah. I have them finishing a strong second place this year. So I definitely think they're going to well.
00:35:38
Emeka
a why I love it. You know, I thought I was going to be the highest on Chelsea. I love it. because And this all shows you how fast things change. Because at this very podcast, our first ever podcast we watched, we have a mutual Chelsea friend who refused to listen to this podcast anymore because he felt we were ah too abusive of them. And now, here we are singing their praises. So if you ball, you get the call. We call it as we see it. And i I thought it was going be the highest, so I had Chico beat me, but i'm i I'm right there with you. I had Chelsea finishing third.
00:36:11
Emeka
And I think, like, for me, I truly think there are four teams who can win the Premier League this year. And I put Chelsea up there with all the arrests of all the things you mentioned. they got to give apology to Maresca. I thought he was a fraud. I thought that Leicester promotion was a fluke.
00:36:29
Emeka
And he was in over his head. And he came in there and he laid down the law to start. He put the bomb squad out, kicked everybody out, found his players.
00:36:34
Chuku
Thank you.
00:36:37
Emeka
And yeah, there was the middle rough patch like you mentioned. But he's found something that's cooking now. Putting Palmer at the 10. Now he has two actual strikers. And I like Nico Jackson. I think he's overhated.
00:36:50
Emeka
But... Even I have to admit, the Lapu I really, really, really liked. And Jao Pedro, who, spoiler, I'm going to be talking about later on in this pod, has looked like... Looking like 2023 Gabriel Jesus is the biggest compliment can give him, honestly. Like, he looks fantastic.
00:37:08
Emeka
I still don't like their defense, and especially the goalkeeper. I know he's improved a little bit, but... Roberto Sanchez, man, he's just took the bozo gene too much for me to to to be confident in them.
00:37:20
Emeka
And then Caldwell blowing his ACL out. It's a huge loss. But I really think they're cooking something there in in West London. And everyone was making fun of of blue Blue, whatever they call themselves. Now can't remember. I don't care to remember.
00:37:33
Emeka
And they were going to buy 18,000 Wonder Kids. I remember laughing as well, but I remember thinking like, by numbers alone, it's going to work out eventually. And, you know, they have teams like Arsenal keep bailing them out by buying their cast-offs to keep the PSR things and selling their hotels, and I'll leave it at that. But, man, they've built themselves a squad.
00:37:53
Emeka
I would also say you probably should build yourself a squad if you're spending a billion pounds in three years, but... Neither here nor there. It's coming together. I really want to... Man, there are a keeper upgrade for me putting them second with you, but because of Roberto Sanchez, and when you look at the top five, he's like by far the weakest goalkeeper.
00:38:13
Emeka
I'm keep them a humble third, which is, I think, eight spots higher than I printed them in this very pod last year. So, hey, Chelsea, stepping up, stepping up. Where do you have them finishing, Trina?
00:38:25
Chino Onwuka
I'm not going to take too long just for the sake of time, but I have them finishing fourth. that's because, again, I just think the three teams I have out of them are just really, really strong as well. Like you said, Emeka, I think it's going to be a really...
00:38:38
Chino Onwuka
a really narrow band for for those top four positions. I really like what Chelsea has done. You know, again, I think when we've given Chelsea their flowers many times and sort of given me a culpa as to our predictions for Chelsea at the beginning of the season versus instance where they finished up, you know,
00:38:55
Chino Onwuka
Last year, previous years, your strategy seemed really scattergun, but I really like the business they've done this summer. I really like the players they've brought in. You guys have mentioned them already. Obviously, they have a ah ah budding superstar in Cole Palmer, you know, Kaisseto, you know, in midfield.
00:39:14
Chino Onwuka
I will say, though, is I think, you know, they're a young team and they're still growing. You know, I like the parallel you gave. and like i think they're a little bit like Arsenal coming into that 2023 season where we'd finished.
00:39:27
Chino Onwuka
You know, they're a young team. People thought we're getting better and they could really make that leap. The things why, reasons why I still have them fourth, you know, you guys have mentioned some of them already. You know, they got Sanchez and goalie.
00:39:40
Chino Onwuka
You know, coalal that Cole injury is really, really devastating. And I know they said you know, the union news there they still have like 11 center backs or something on the book. So the signings they've made, you know, big shoes to fill, but you'd hope someone can step up.
00:39:49
Emeka
Yeah, I swear to God.
00:39:56
Chino Onwuka
So that's a concern. And one aspect for me that um haven't heard it mentioned yet is just the fact that, you know, last year, you know Part of what helped them is that they were playing, what, conference league. So they really could just focus on the league and play their bomb squad to a certain extent you know in Europe and get some rest for that. They are going to be back playing Champions League again this year. They do have a deep squad, but you know if this is a young team, sometimes we see Champions League really affect players.
00:40:27
Chino Onwuka
teams and so that's that's that's something i'm adding to to the mix as a factor and i i still i have them fourth but you know a team i'm actually honestly going to be watching a lot this summer i've been you know esteval messina you know someone i've been on my radar for a while you know it's funny because the first team that were ever linked with him was actually arsenal but We know how that usually ends up. We we do the scouting, and then Madrid and Chelsea say, oh, who's this Brazilian? And then the fee goes up, and they get him. So I think he has you know a lot of physical development he has to to go through with the way the prem is, how physical it is. But you know in terms of just talent, he's got it all. So really excited to to see him getting explosive, dynamic.
00:41:14
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, a lot of good things, but Chelsea fourth.
00:41:18
Emeka
Hey, we'll see. Again, Chelsea fans listening, listening listen to the positive reviews we're giving you guys. We're not just blind haters. On that last point you made, Chernal, the next team I want to talk about is a team that when I first sat down to do this, I had finishing lower until I really reflected on the point you raised of When you don't play midweek football, it really changes the dynamics.
00:41:42
Emeka
And that is another team we've signed with a lot, Manchester United. i initially had them finishing pretty low, but after that, to bump them up to sixth for me because...
00:41:54
Emeka
I continue to not believe in Amarin, and I continue to think this team is lopsided, but when you play one game a week, it changes things dramatically. And Chelsea fans, you essentially were playing one game a week last year.
00:42:09
Emeka
Cole Palmer wasn't going on the plane half the time. when you were flying to the Estonian Farmers. He goes, Chile and London resting. Now it's going to be United this season. You get so much leeway to have.
00:42:20
Emeka
you You get to rest up a full week every week, and this is especially in the season when it feels like half the league is played in Europe. I think it's nine teams are in Europe right now, and Man United aren't one of them.
00:42:32
Chino Onwuka
have really Almost literally almost half.
00:42:32
Emeka
Cool. Yeah, literally almost half the league is playing Europe and United aren't one of them. And that's a huge benefit to them to get to rest everybody. I still don't like Bruno's fit in this system.
00:42:47
Emeka
I think playing Bruno in a two-man midfield is asking for trouble. But I also think he's such a good player that if a manager can tell him to stop the hero ball and then you have just hold his position, he's still talented enough to contribute.
00:43:02
Emeka
And for a team that finished fifteenth And cutting the lunch lady's salary and claiming to be destitute, they really opened up their pockets and splashed on Cunha, splashed on Mbwemo.
00:43:14
Emeka
I really, really like those two players. And then they signed someone who we're going to talk about a little bit more, I think, in Benjamin Sesco. Personally, hands up, not a fan of Sesco.
00:43:24
Emeka
But the bar he's competing with is better than Hoyland and Xerxi last year. And I have to believe he's better than them, at the very least. It remains to be seen. But I have to believe he's better than them.
00:43:37
Emeka
And he gets a full, again, no midweek games, full training to better the system. They just have so much talent. I'll give them sixth humble Europa League spot.
00:43:50
Emeka
And United fans, that's a nine spot improvement. So, you know, I'm saying that there's some work to be made, but I just think that one game a week is such a boon for them. I have them finishing sixth.
00:44:01
Emeka
Where do you have them, Chinna?
00:44:03
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, Manchester United, Manchester United. I have them sixth as well. Like, it's it's weird because I, you know, Amorim is really on fraud watch.
00:44:16
Chino Onwuka
But he has all the conditions to this, his vaunted system that he's sticking with. He finally has the conditions to make it work.
00:44:26
Chino Onwuka
you know, one game a week. He has a full preseason. He's been able to bring in the players he wants, you know, shifted out the players he doesn't want. They just have a lot of talent, especially attacking-wise. I know you don't write Cesco.
00:44:42
Chino Onwuka
I think he has so many attributes, you know, if any. First of all, actually, before, like, I'm not going to lie. I thought Manchester United was dead and buried. After finishing fifteenth With what Sir Jim was saying about how they have no money, I thought like, yes, finally the team that tormented me all my youth, you know, we can finally say bye-bye as they slowly fade into oblivion. But hey, when you're big, you're big. And, you know, without Champions League, even with all the issues, you know, they have gotten players that other big clubs were in for and they've snagged them.
00:45:18
Chino Onwuka
Have they had to pay for it? Sure. But somehow they found the money to do it. And when you've had a season like that, you know, all you need is just players to raise the floor, to raise the ceiling. And they've done that. So, you know, still a lot of things for them to work on. Their midfield needs a lot of work. And that link to Beliba really scares me. But, you know, i really, they really revamped their, where they've been like, think the last two seasons,
00:45:46
Chino Onwuka
They've been below zero on goal difference. They've revamped it.
00:45:50
Emeka
click No, no, no, please. Don't you don't stop. Say that again one time for the audience in the back. The last two seasons, they've been what?
00:45:54
Chino Onwuka
I think their goal difference is minus four. Over
00:45:57
Chuku
That's
00:45:59
Emeka
Man United. Goal difference is minus four. Sorry, please continue.
00:46:03
Chino Onwuka
76 games. Goal difference of minus four. But yeah. so but but yeah So yeah, sixth place, really Amorim, he needs to put up or shut up.
00:46:20
Chino Onwuka
If it doesn't start good for them, you know, I can see him but potentially being one of the first managers sacked.
00:46:28
Emeka
Wouldn't that be something? Chukwu, what do you think Man United are going finish?
00:46:33
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, honestly, i think United are actually going to, I mean, think they're going to do better than, as you know what, I don't know. I don't know what people's thoughts of United are because for me, when I say better, I'm still, just because I think they're going to better, i don't I still don't see them as a top four club at all.
00:46:52
Chuku
But I do think, you know, with the squad that they have, with the additions they've made, even without Champions League football, and the fact that, again, you know, the important thing is they're playing it one game a week.
00:47:05
Chuku
Like, well, one game a week with the squad they have. I literally seen Kunia carry a dead-ass Wolves team, kept him afloat, you know, off the strength of his back, just scoring goals out of nothing.
00:47:19
Chuku
I got to believe he can, even if he recreates at least half of what he was doing at Wolves, know, with with a Bruno Fernandes, with Mbremo, who I think, again, ah don't expect he's going to have the same kind of season he had last year.
00:47:34
Chuku
But again, if you can give just half of that with Ahmed and as you know Benjamin Sesko, who Chinon has been very high of in terms of you know, what he thinks or what he believes he could be or turn out to be. You know, hopefully, you know, in this case, hope it doesn't come to light at United.
00:47:53
Chuku
But, you know, the point is, there's a reason why he went for the prize that he did. And, you know, if things come together, can see them finishing sixth. I have them finishing sixth. You know, I think...
00:48:06
Chuku
they should be a lot better than where they did what did where they were last year. That, I guess, is that that is a given, considering, like, you know, you can't go or can't do worse than, you know, finishing 15th if you're United. So I just think, yeah, I think with this year, with the four additions they made and possibility, especially, you know,
00:48:29
Chuku
what I'm hearing with the whole Baliba news if they're able to get that one through the through the line I just think yeah this this is a good enough team to top six
00:48:36
Chino Onwuka
God, no. God, I beg. No, please, no. They can't keep getting away with it. no
00:48:43
Chuku
hey hey I hope so too but I hope no I hope no too but again like i'm only going off of what's being reported and what I'm seeing is the fact is a possibility is a possibility is enough if it happens I mean, we're in for, you know, I still don't think it would be enough for them to be challenging top four, but definitely enough to secure, you know, top six easily.
00:49:06
Chuku
And I just think, yeah, they should, even with, you know, Amarillo's coaching, I mean, they look, he... He's got to show something this year, man. and personally speaking, if United finish outside of top eighth, I'd be surprised he if he keeps his job. But you never know with this with these guys, man. But as far as where i have them for now, yeah, 6-6 sounds reasonable. you know I still have them somewhere between 6 and 8.
00:49:34
Chuku
But for now, I'll just go 6. I think that's the first ball for them.
00:49:40
Emeka
Hey, God forbid they get Belieba as well. Sticking with you, Chico. A team I think has been not talked about really at all this summer, and and that might be a good thing or or a bad thing, depending on how you slot them.
00:49:53
Emeka
Where do you think Aston Villa are going to finish next season?
00:49:59
Chuku
Yeah, Austin Villa, man. That's a tough one. That's a tough one to say. I just, I don't know. the you know If you believe in vibes, i just the vibes in Villa, although they've been pretty good in preseason, from what I've been keeping up with, I just still think with the loss of Asensio, the loss of... There were a few people they lost that they had on loan. I mean...
00:50:25
Chuku
we'll get it We're going to see, i guess we're going to have a a chance to see one of the, you know, Arsenal young boys, or from as the former Arsenal Academy product, Malin, I think this year, really get an opportunity to play more, out I would imagine.
00:50:40
Chuku
Ollie Watkins has been super consistent. We still don't know, you know, I mean, as of right now, it's looking likely he's going to probably stay. um um and they still got the amazing kid mor Morgan Rodgers that we all saw we all seen no step into the limelight last year.
00:50:57
Chuku
like I think they still have enough to be a ah ah relatively competitive side. I just don't know that they're going to have enough to manage or stay in the top six per se, but I probably have them you know going somewhere, let's say,
00:51:17
Chuku
Just behind. So I had Spurs. had Spurs 7th. Is that? Where did I have Spurs?
00:51:22
Emeka
Yeah, it's Spurs 8th.
00:51:24
Chuku
8th. Yeah, okay. So somewhat in between that crop of... I have Asmila somewhere in that Spurs. United. So I'll say Let's just go 7th. Yeah. Just behind United.
00:51:35
Emeka
All right. Chinna, what do you think Aston Villa finished next season?
00:51:41
Chino Onwuka
I have been finishing fifth. know, so they still have the bulk of of the squad that they had last year. I think they're a team that, you know, it's tough to play against.
00:51:52
Chino Onwuka
You know, Emi Martinez is still there. They still have Ollie Watkins. You know, Truco already mentioned some other players, and maybe they do some more business at the end of the season. You know, they've already had a season where they've,
00:52:05
Chino Onwuka
you know, had the league and and and and Champions League. So they're they're experienced playing both in the league in Europe. So I have Aston Villa in fifth.
00:52:17
Chuku
Actually, you know, can I just actually make a switch?
00:52:23
Emeka
Alright, what's the switch?
00:52:26
Chuku
I'm going to actually stick with, I'm actually going to piggyback off Chino there. I think I'll have Asimvilla Fifth. Yeah, Asimvilla Fifth.
00:52:34
Emeka
Wow.
00:52:36
Chuku
Yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:52:37
Emeka
And you know what? To save some time, I'll also say I had Villa 5th. I thought I was going to be an outlier on this. I guess we're all on the same page. so Two teams we agreed on, Man you United and Aston Villa. That's interesting.
00:52:49
Emeka
and for all the reasons Chinon said, I think having a boring season is helping them. They really only lost Jacob Ramsey, and I really like Jacob Ramsey, but Morgan Rodgers, let's be real, is pretty much confirmed.
00:52:58
Chuku
Is that confirmed?
00:53:01
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it's a new show for $40 million.
00:53:01
Emeka
I'm acting like it's confirmed.
00:53:04
Chino Onwuka
forty million
00:53:05
Emeka
And and much as much as I like Jacob Ramsey, I think Morgan Rodgers took his chain and
00:53:06
Chuku
Yeah, I knew you were, okay, fair enough. Okay.
00:53:12
Chuku
Oh, he's clear. He's clear.
00:53:14
Emeka
And became the man there.
00:53:14
Chuku
No, Morgan Rogers is clear.
00:53:16
Emeka
And they kept him. They kept Watkins. They kept Emi Martinez. People forget, Emi Martinez was crying and acting like he was a wrap, his last game of the season. Unless something drastic happens, he's coming back next year.
00:53:29
Emeka
And yeah, you know, it's disappointment how the season ended for them, especially the last game, losing to Man U and then finishing in the Europa League.
00:53:29
Chuku
Thank you.
00:53:37
Emeka
i think it's going to be a benefit for them. Like their squad isn't big enough to really handle Champions League and Premier League. Europa League, you got a little bit more opportunity to rotate. Again, they kept that they kept everybody. And I really thought with all the PSR chat that they were going to have some big, big losses.
00:53:55
Emeka
They kept all, I would say, the top, you know, starting 11, candidly, I'd even say. No offense to Jacob Ramsey. I thought they kept all their good players, added a couple signings. I'm not going to act like I'm familiar with them, but added some, you rated names.
00:54:10
Emeka
Emery, have my slander for Emery from the past, but he's shown he's a great manager at Aston Villa. And I think now that he doesn't have to worry about rotating with the Champions League, I think Villa are going to surprise people and finish fifth. So, you know, i was im i'm I'm shocked that of all the two teams you agreed on. It's Aston Villa and Man U. It's interesting.
00:54:32
Emeka
Well, from one of the most talked about, less talked about teams in the top eight, to my opinion, the the most talked about team in the top eight, Chenna, sitting here today where we don't know what's going on with their star striker, where do you think a Newcastle finish next year?
00:54:50
Chino Onwuka
Man, what ah what what a summer it's been forever for Newcastle. You know, if you if you were to rewind back to May and say, you know, what Newcastle have just, you know, finished in a Champions League place, you know, and the Champions League two seasons in a row.
00:55:07
Chino Onwuka
Isaac looks like he stayed because they're in Champions League. We have salary backing, you know some of our competitors, Manchester United and Tottenham are in the doldrums. You would think that this would be a summer for them to kick on, but the opposite has happened.
00:55:24
Chino Onwuka
you know They've been rejected by almost a a starting lineup of of ah players and targets.
00:55:30
Emeka
He have benched.
00:55:31
Chuku
the
00:55:31
Chino Onwuka
so And for some reason, players haven't wanted to go to Newcastle. There's been a lot of just... This organization, you know, in terms of in the leadership side, and I'm pretty sure they don't have a sporting director. They don't have a director of football.
00:55:49
Chino Onwuka
So it's really just Eddie Howe sort of running things old school. They fired Amanda Stavely, who was the one that... brought the Saudis to Newcastle and helped them get a lot of the players that have gotten them to where they are. So it's really just been a mess. And so all of that mess compounds with Isaac, Isaac, all of a sudden putting in a transfer request, even with three years left on his deal. I know we talked about this a little bit in the previous pod.
00:56:16
Chino Onwuka
And so it's just been a really, really bleak summer for Newcastle. Now things are picking up a little bit. You know, Jacob Ramsey looks to be coming through the door. know, they signed Malik Thio and set her back from Milan for some money. It looks like Wiesa might be able to go through. So, you know, a little bit.
00:56:38
Chino Onwuka
Better late than never, but I think just with the bad vibes and obviously, you know, we've heard, you know, we saw from Ornstein's report earlier this morning that Isaac has said he's not playing for them again.
00:56:51
Chino Onwuka
So he's hes he seems to be drawing a hard line and he's there. He's there. there. He's there. He's there shining lights. And, you know, without Isaac Isaac, you know, throwing a tantrum, I think that's really going to,
00:57:05
Chino Onwuka
affect them, you know, leading to a lot of bad vibes. So I have Newcastle in eighth place.
00:57:13
Emeka
Chukwu, where do you have them?
00:57:15
Chuku
Yeah, I mean, I'm not going to talk too much on this.
00:57:15
Emeka
yeah
00:57:17
Chuku
I mean, it's just sticking with the theme of just the bad mojo over there in that club and how their star player has decided with three years up on the contract, how to go about handling you his career, his future and well know what he's been doing.
00:57:32
Chuku
mean, it's just not good vibes and at that club at the moment. But yeah, long story short, I mean, i almost didn't want to even have them in my top eight, honestly speaking. But you know what? With the incomings they're doing, you know they they're making a right move with spending that Isak money because let's be real, man.
00:57:49
Chuku
It's situation where we've seen this suck kind of saga play out so many different times. Isak is going to get his move. He's going to get, know, he's going to get sold. And Newcastle is going to get money from it. It's all about what Newcastle does.
00:58:04
Chuku
With those funds, and I mean, so far, I mean, you know, that Thaw guy from AC Milan and, you know, Jacob Ramsey, they get that through the door. Ja'ad Awisa, that's, I mean, you know, those are pretty decent signings to go along with.
00:58:17
Chuku
I really like the Alanga signing, you know, they got Ramsdale, you know. Yeah, I just think. they they they did enough even with even if they were to lose isak i think there's two they did enough to come to to you know finish top eight i would say so i have them finishing seventh is where i got them so i think they would do just enough to to to remain in the top eight but yeah it's just bad mojo you you know for a team that
00:58:49
Chuku
you know we got got themselves into Champs last year, you would think that they would have been pushing on. And it's just a shame that even with the Champions League football secured, it's just not enough for them to know to to truly push on to that next stage.
00:59:05
Chuku
But you know the drop isn't going to be too crazy. So I think seventh place a good spot for them.
00:59:13
Emeka
is the one prediction where I wish I reserved the right to make a change depending on what the next two weeks play out because they could you know shock everybody and pull some signings out their butt that make up for the loss of Isak they can enter next year with Osulas, their main striker.
00:59:33
Emeka
They're all over the place. I can only go off what's in front of me right now, and I'm going to go off the board and say Newcastle finish ninth next season because I just think the vibes are terrible.
00:59:47
Emeka
You're playing Champions League now, so again, you can't rotate. They're entering the season as we stand where Osula and Gordon are going to be rotating as their striker. Yeah, they're in talks for Wisa and they're in talks for half the strikers in Europe.
01:00:01
Emeka
But until I see the signings to Kier, I just don't like it. And now if you sign somebody, he's, you know, take it time to acclimate. And it's an African Cup of Nations season.
01:00:12
Emeka
And they're linked to two African strikers. So if the bookies are right and they sign Nico Jackson and Wisa... month of January, they they're both gone. And then the back, they're rotating Gordon and Osula as a striker. in that And I just, it's it's a shame after how last season it went for them and them getting top five and getting Champions League.
01:00:35
Emeka
It's just a mess back there. Like Trinidad mentioned, like Eddie Howe is the de facto sporting director and he because he kicked out everybody else, essentially. He won the power struggle, and now they're just all over the place, getting rejected left and right.
01:00:49
Emeka
The vibes are low. In fairness, besides Isak, they've kept everybody else. They've made some good signings. They're going to Botman back, who's are always great. Their midfield was the the best part of their team. It's still there.
01:01:02
Emeka
They got in Langa. So they could shock me and you know get some good signings in it and finish higher up, but I can only go off whats in front of me. I'm having them finish ninth. But again, I feel like I reserve the right to change this in the event that they shock me at the end of the season.
01:01:20
Emeka
And just to save time, I'll just throw in that the team I have finishing seventh is Brighton. You know, they're always solid team up there. Last year they were playing Europe. Yeah, they lost Yau Pedro, but Rooters, you know, they bought it for big money for a reason.
01:01:33
Emeka
And I think they can find a way to, without Europe especially, surprise some teams. I've always liked their squad.
01:01:39
Chino Onwuka
I think that's going to be good.
01:01:40
Emeka
and yeah so Yeah, exactly.
01:01:41
Chino Onwuka
Thank you for him.
01:01:43
Emeka
So I think they're going to sneak into seventh. But again, I reserve the right to change this if Newcastle surprise me. Now to the two teams I saved last for a reason.
01:01:54
Emeka
And I'm going to start with Chukwu because I'm very curious about this answer. Where do you think Manchester City are going to finish next year, Chukwu?
01:02:06
Chuku
Oh, man. Oh, man. Guys, i think Man City are here for revenge, boys. I really think they're about to, know... They heard all people laughing at them last year.
01:02:19
Chuku
few guys making jokes, you know, how they were stumbling. You know, i just think... Pep is out here for revenge. And I just think they get back to winning ways, guys.
01:02:32
Chuku
I got them finishing number one, man. they don't know what They're going to win the league, man.
01:02:34
Emeka
Wow!
01:02:35
Chuku
They're winning the league. They're winning the league, bro. okay are
01:02:38
Emeka
I did not expect that.
01:02:41
Chuku
They are winning the league. I know. I know. But, yeah, I have them winning the league. I just think people don't realize, like, yo, know they still got Haaland. You know what saying? It's not like Haaland is out. Like, Haaland is there.
01:02:52
Chuku
The machine there.
01:02:52
Chino Onwuka
Cheers to are sleeping on him for
01:02:56
Chuku
what Why are people thinking as if he's gone? like You tell me you got to have Haaland. You go and add creative energy around there with Turkey in the squad. He's took off Foden. I'm very high on Mamouche. I think he's amazing. And you're telling me there's a possibility that they can go ahead and add Rodrigo to the mix?
01:03:16
Chuku
Listen, man. Add Rodrigo playing left wing, createing creating for a machine like Haaland. Bruh, I mean, look, Issa can go to to Liverpool. It's cool.
01:03:27
Chuku
But give me that. Give me that Man City front three. I just think with the addition of, you know, Rinders as well, like this guy, you add Rinders and you still got Rodri cooking up. I know he got know hurt again or whatever the case may be, 100%.
01:03:44
Chuku
But I can assure you Rodri's going to want to come back with full vengeance. And I just think... Yeah, I mean, I just think City is just going to be too much. I know their defense is the question. It's a question mark.
01:03:56
Chuku
But I just think Man City is Man City, man. They will find a way. I mean, they've been cooking up ri Rico Lewis for for a while for a reason. He's got to fit in for a right back.
01:04:07
Chuku
You know, they've got Inori, a very offensively talented left back. They've still got Vardio, who – I mean, I'm pretty sure we all rate him pretty highly.
01:04:19
Chuku
They still got Ruben Diaz. They got that Kershnav, whatever his name is. I don't know if I'm pronouncing it correctly. But they have guys. They have options, man. They have a squad. And I just think, you know, they're getting stepped on too much. And I just think Pep is going to come out with a vengeance. So I got them.
01:04:39
Chuku
I got them finishing first. for example First.
01:04:42
Chino Onwuka
Wait, hold on. You haven't even mentioned like the main man on the team.
01:04:47
Chino Onwuka
Oscar Bob. What is going on? like Last year, you couldn't stop talking about Oscar Bob. He got injured. was going to screw over their season. It's the reason you didn't have them first. Now he's back, and you don't mention him as the reason they're finishing first?
01:05:02
Chino Onwuka
I don't understand.
01:05:02
Chuku
I know you're speaking this sarcastically, but you know, at the end the day, and hey, hey,
01:05:03
Chino Onwuka
I'm not even sarcastic. You couldn't stop talking about Oscar Wilde last year as a reason why they weren't going to finish first.
01:05:14
Chino Onwuka
Now he's back. You don't even mention him once. What happened?
01:05:18
Chuku
There are other of names in the list, okay? So anyways, like I said, I have Man City finishing first for certain reasons. I still think Oscar Bob has a chance to probably, you know, come in, you know, not but not being talked about a lot considering was out last year with the injury.
01:05:34
Chuku
Hopefully they're able to, you know, slowly integrate him into the team. But the point is Man City have a squad and I just think, you know, with the incoming additions I'm seeing,
01:05:46
Chuku
and what they already got going on with this current squad that they have. Haaland still being there. You know, Rodri still cooking up, coming in. i just... And then the addition of, you know, James Trafford into their... go As a go new goalkeeper. I know Edison last year.
01:06:02
Chuku
was a little shaky with certain things.
01:06:03
Chino Onwuka
Donnarumma.
01:06:05
Chuku
I just think...
01:06:05
Chino Onwuka
Donnarumma. Maybe you know even Trafford. Donnarumma.
01:06:08
Chuku
Oh, they might that they might exactly. That's true. That's true. Either way, I'm just saying, I just think, yeah, Pep heard all the noise. You know, it was all fun in games when were you know teams are beating them nicely.
01:06:21
Chuku
But I just think this year they're going to come back with a vengeance. And, yeah, I have them winning the league for sure.
01:06:28
Emeka
Chenna, where do you have Man City Finishing?
01:06:32
Chino Onwuka
I've been finishing third. You know, Chiku made a very compelling case. I do think are going to be back with Avengers. I think teams are really underrating them. People are really underrating them when it comes to this title chase because Pep is hungry.
01:06:48
Chino Onwuka
he will have that team motivated again. He's back with his wife. Rodri is back. Haaland, I'm sorry. like I feel like this guy is being so disrespected. We talk about it a lot on this pod, how people just sleep on Haaland so much.
01:07:04
Chino Onwuka
That guy is a beast. teas As long as he's semi-fit, that's a guaranteed 30 goals every season. you know I'll be really curious to see how Cherky adapts to the league. He's so, so talented, but you know I wonder how...
01:07:21
Chino Onwuka
Two things, you know, how Pep, Pep is a very demanding manager and, you know, a lot of the concerns of Turkey aren't with what he does on the ball. They're more off the ball.
01:07:33
Chino Onwuka
Reason, so curious to see how he adapts, but, you know, you would expect some sort of bounce back from Foden. He's not going to be as bad as he was last year. They got Marmush in for a full season. I don't know where and how everyone's going to play, but they have a squad.
01:07:47
Chino Onwuka
I'm a bit concerned that they're willing to let go of Savino. I think he was really, really good last year. They don't have a lot of natural wingers. It's just him and Doku. But do Pep is a whiz with this system, so who knows? and I think the big, the you know this is a little bit of ah ah of a preview, but the big, big signing for me is Tijani.
01:08:09
Chino Onwuka
you know, Reinders, and he's looked amazing in preseason. I think he's going to be ah ah huge, huge addition for them Man City in third.
01:08:21
Emeka
I gotta be honest with you guys. This is the most last minute change I've ever made to. I literally made it as Soon as Chukwu said his team, it hit me. I originally had Man City finishing first for everything Chukwu just said.
01:08:36
Emeka
People disrespecting Haaland. They really acting like this man isn't the best player in the Premier League. I wore his top three and has not been scoring goals, 30 goals every season. They got Reinders in, who I love, Cherokee, and I'll give a giant asterisk and say if they sign Donnarumma,
01:08:55
Emeka
then I probably... No, forget Donnarumma. To me, it comes down to this. If you tell me...
01:08:59
Chino Onwuka
and too Your is GG. i'm changinging all like I'm changing all my predictions. every
01:09:04
Emeka
and we talk to aruba it's but without doroma If you tell me right now, sitting here, they get 30 games of Rodri, I pick them to win the league. But sitting here, I just can't think...
01:09:16
Emeka
They're going to do that. And they their defense still is soft to me. It's still soft. They still get beaten on the break too easily. And I really think last season teams finally, I've not been crying about this for years, realized that the only way to beat City isn't to sit down in the box and and absorb them. You have to go at them. Take risks.
01:09:39
Emeka
When you take risks against them, you're going to catch them out. They start. Too many slow players, and especially slow players in key positions when you're playing high line.
01:09:42
Chuku
Thank you.
01:09:49
Emeka
So I think they're going to get caught out a little bit. And, you know, i speak about transitions. is a team that lost De Bruyne. they they I don't know. like I just think it's going to be – even though want to my heart and head wants to put them as first – My heart won out and I just thought, you know what?
01:10:12
Emeka
Let me stay true to myself and I'll pick the team to finish first who I actually want to believe was going to finish first. But we'll get to them later. As for Man City, just want to put quick note that it's so funny how Pep, famous for the false nine, famous for the sweeper keeper,
01:10:28
Emeka
come Came to England for 10 years, and now my guy's playing proper 4-4-2 direct football, big target man up front, and signing a keeper who's terrible with his feet but can save shots. Like, it just goes to show, hey, man, you do what you can with the players in your disposal. Fuck systems and all that principles.
01:10:47
Emeka
When the best player is available, you make it happen. And that's why I like when managers do that. Put the big man up top. Put a keeper in the box. As they get older, something about that just speaks to me.
01:10:58
Emeka
And I'm curious to see how it looks at Pep's system if he has Haaland and Donnarumma. But regardless, I'm change it last second. and i'm I'm happy with it. I have Man City finishing second.
01:11:10
Emeka
And I have that because... The last team, and I'm very curious to see, like, now looking at the last spots that are available, how we all view what's going on. You already know. It's the Love of the Game podcast.
01:11:23
Emeka
We're all Gunners here and not that kind. We're all Arsenal fans. Last year I had this prediction and it didn't go so well. We're going to run it back again. i have Arsenal winning the league this year.
01:11:35
Emeka
Is it wishful thinking? Absolutely. Can you call me a homer? Fair enough. What I've seen from Zubimendi and what I believe I'm going to see from Jokarez, you add those two people to a team that I will put up there with anybody in Europe,
01:11:52
Emeka
And more importantly, you don't lose Bokairo Saka for three months in the middle of the season. Yeah, I like what I'm seeing from this team. I believe in the manager. I believe in the squad.
01:12:04
Emeka
We've got depth. do i Do I want a left winger that's sexy? Absolutely. But give me
Arsenal's Prospects: Signings and Strategy
01:12:10
Emeka
Zubimendi. Give me Yo Karez. And knock on all the wood of the universe. Give me fitness.
01:12:16
Emeka
I really think three years of finishing second... It's our time to finish first. Give me Arsenal winning the Premier League trophy in the 2025-2026 season.
01:12:30
Emeka
And we're going to go sequentially reducing to Chino. I think I can guess you have them finishing second. Why do you think we're going to finish a second four years in a row?
01:12:42
Chino Onwuka
I've just realized Chico has Arsenal finishing fourth.
01:12:44
Emeka
Or I'm going to end with him. Don't worry.
01:12:46
Chino Onwuka
it
01:12:46
Emeka
What for now?
01:12:47
Chino Onwuka
So interesting. Yeah, I almost want to just like stop talking and listen to that. But why do I have us finishing second? i agree with you. I think we are one of the best teams in Europe, but I don't get that feeling that we're the best. And that's the feeling I wanted to have going into this year. We've had two seasons where we were so, so close and then a really, really disappointing season in which...
01:13:10
Chino Onwuka
Almost everything that could go wrong went wrong, from injuries to you know how that affected our style of play to, don't know if this is part of our predictions or not, PGMOL.
01:13:22
Chino Onwuka
I think we've made some really good signings in Zubomendi, you know, Yokores, we needed a nine, so hopefully he can be that player. He saw some good signs in the last preseason game in the Emirates Cup.
01:13:36
Chino Onwuka
But I just feel like, I just have this feeling of good but not great. And I think...
01:13:44
Chino Onwuka
I would have liked for us to have a a great offseason. Now, a lot of people could argue with that, but a lot of the business we did this year was business we should have done last year. So to me, this is still us playing a little bit of catch up.
01:13:59
Chino Onwuka
And I wanted us to go out and say, hey, we finished second three times. Let's go out and do all the business that we want to do. Let's do what Liverpool has done in last year. We have a good team, but you know we finished second three times in a row. We need to make a huge, huge statement.
01:14:15
Chino Onwuka
And I just feel we we we we didn't do that. And the biggest reason is really that left wing position. I think we have really, really good players there. We have a lot of options, you know.
01:14:29
Chino Onwuka
Martinelli, still love the boy. He brings a lot of things. i I'm hoping that, you know, as we play a little bit more vertical this season, he can be back to his best. you know, I think Nani can do a job there and even progress from there.
01:14:43
Chino Onwuka
But I just think if we had made that marquee left wing signing a a Rodrigo, Liao, a Mikko Williams, someone of that profile, even a Gittins, I just thought that would have really said something about how we're trying to move a little bit different of the club. I think we needed to have a similar summer to when we, we against all odds, you know signed Declan Rice. in And I just remember the euphoria that gave me. i think a little maybe some of the others on this pod felt that way. Yawkeres, I didn't really...
01:15:17
Chino Onwuka
It didn't really move me that much for Jokras, although I think he's a good signing. But I just think it was... We did good, good enough, but we didn't take that next level to where I feel that we are definitively the best team in the league.
01:15:31
Chino Onwuka
And so I have us finishing second. As well as the other reason, apart from the refs, we do have a really, really stuff targeted tough start to the season. And that is part of it. You know, we you know we're willing to come out of those first five games of the season in a decently healthy position.
01:15:49
Emeka
Shockingly to me, Chukwu has Arsenal back in the 2016 days, I guess, or back in Wenger, Arsenal finishing fourth. why Why have you forsaken us, Chukuma?
01:16:02
Emeka
And you have Arsenal dropping down two spots after I, off the record in the podcast, felt you've been very positive. To change like this is a surprise to me. So please, why do you have Arsenal finishing fourth?
01:16:17
Chuku
Yeah, no, like I'm not, I don't want to say I'm down on the team because I'm i'm not. I'm definitely not. It's just, i look at what other teams have done and They have just done more.
01:16:33
Chuku
Like, it's just, like, I feel like the business Arsenal have done is more of just replacements. You know what saying? We talked about how in-depth... An area that we have very good depth at is our defense.
01:16:46
Chuku
No question asked about that. But i just I wanted us to be a little bit more ruthless when it comes to additions to our forward line.
01:16:57
Chuku
And the fact is fact of the matter is right now we've chosen or opted to... you know I love Waineri, but I just think we could have done better with addition of Eze as the backup to add another guard.
01:17:12
Chuku
I don't know if Buonieri is ready right now to take that next step as far as helping us you know win a league as of right now. look at what we did in the left-rung position. got Maduweke, who...
01:17:25
Chuku
and Essentially, we're thinking it was supposed to be a soccer backup, but now it almost feels as though that was our marquee left-wing signing, at least from the club perspective. I don't know if that's going to be enough.
01:17:37
Chuku
I look at, you know, Zubimendi addition. He's great. I'm really high on Zubimendi. The thing, though, is a lot of these signings were basically like-for-like, one-for-one changes. You know what I'm saying? Jorginho for, you know...
01:17:53
Chuku
Norgard, Partey for Zububbundi, you know, What I wanted to see from the club was us making, sure, we can do the like-for-like replacements, but I wanted us to make a statement sign-ins on top of that, of what we already had. you know And the truth of the matter is, when you look at the incomings and outgoings that we've seen so far, really we're only up or surplus by one sign-in, and that's really the Yoko R. signing that we made, which I'm very high on. I think he's going to do great things for us.
01:18:28
Chuku
in the club, but do I think it's enough to compete in terms of actually, you know, being, the you know, the know most consistent and best team in the league?
01:18:39
Chuku
I'm not so sure yet, you know, I'm just not, I'm not there, you know, I would like to be proven wrong, obviously, but what I will say though is, Me picking Arsenal to finish fourth does not does does so does not does not bode to my belief of like us not being able to win a a ah a cup or win something.
01:19:02
Chuku
Because the way I have it set up, I believe that we're going to...
01:19:03
Chino Onwuka
I think it's a great sign. I think it's a great sign.
01:19:08
Chuku
Huh?
01:19:10
Chino Onwuka
If you're picking Arsenal 4, we might actually win the league this year.
01:19:13
Chuku
Fair enough, fair enough. I pick us more it's more likely to win in a cup competition. And reason why i feel that way is because with the team that we currently have, I just see us being a better side when it comes to playing against other teams that are more open or more willing to play football.
01:19:37
Chuku
in terms of like attacking and and leave spaces in behind. I just don't have the full confidence in terms of us being a true team that can beat all certain types of coverages or all certain types of, you know, team layouts. Like I still think we're going to struggle this year when it comes to dealing with the, you know, the know the low press or sorry, the, you know, dealing with, you know, basically teams that sit back.
01:20:05
Chuku
I just think we're still going to have an issue breaking those types of teams down and and actually winning those games, you know, being consistent with winning those types of games. And that's partly one of the reasons why I believe that we're going to probably and end up being, you know,
01:20:22
Chuku
in that not not basically not able to win the league, right? that's That's where I have it or that's how I view it. But as far as like cup competitions, I think I can honestly honestly see us doing a lot better in those type of so scenarios. And I do expect, whether it be an FA Cup or hell, even the Champions League, I just think I expect to go for further or far in those competitions than I do when it comes to a season, the season long, know, league.
01:20:51
Chuku
And a lot of that is definitely to do with, I just feel like we just didn't do enough to add to add to the squad. i Again, I like the additions we made, but again, a lot of it, like i mentioned, is is more of like for like rather than adding, you know,
01:21:07
Chuku
more in terms of, you know, to our overall attacking options and us not being, know, ruthless enough when it comes to letting go of certain players to be able to you know, add a lot more. And, you know, I mean, entering the season, it looks like we're probably still going to enter the season with, you know, Martinelli and possibly Trossard. I know we've seen reports that he might be sold, you know, to Turkey.
01:21:32
Chuku
But again, Until I get the year we go and I get the book confirmations, as of right now, it no it's it's looking like we're entering with, the you know, still with Martinelli and Trossard and Maduweke's situation. So, do I think that's going to be enough?
01:21:51
Chuku
No. I honestly don't think it's going to be enough. And, I mean, I look at the teams around and Liverpool, Man City, and Chelsea, they just, like, I don't know. just...
01:22:03
Chuku
ah ah Apart from the fact that we have a better defense than those three, I believe, i just don't see our forward line doing enough in key moments in a season to warrant us...
01:22:19
Chuku
Finishing number one. And that's just where I'm at at the moment. So, yeah, that's why I believe we'll be fourth. But, again, say, not to say that, you know, again, we don't win a trophy, but I think we're back to those days of, you know, finishing top four, but I think we're going to be able to at least finish with some silverware, whether that be an FA Cup,
01:22:41
Chuku
calling, know, domestic cup or even the champions league. I just think we're going to be better suited for those types of competitions without, know, without
Arteta's Job Security: What's at Stake?
01:22:49
Chuku
we're set up at the moment. So, yeah.
01:22:53
Emeka
Interesting. you know I'll pose you a question. Let's say Arsenal finished second, like you predicted again, without a trophy. Would you, A, consider it a failure of a season?
01:23:07
Emeka
And if so, would you, B, think Arteta's job is a question?
01:23:12
Chino Onwuka
Good question. I was actually thinking about this the other day. oh and know a lot of people aren't going like the answer, but it depends on how we finish second. If we're playing good football, you know, we're being dominant, the new signings bed in, we're healthy, and there's just another team that's better than us.
01:23:32
Chino Onwuka
then i don't think it would be Arteta out. If I think we we maximize the team, then again, I would look to, you know, sort of the sort of our transfer business and and look at that as a as an issue rather than the coach itself.
01:23:53
Chino Onwuka
Now, if with the signings we've made, with the decisions they've made, you know, going for Yaka Rez, I'm not addressing the left wing. We come out. We don't really see any improvements in the way we play or, you know, it's a clunky fit.
01:24:10
Chino Onwuka
The vibes are bad. Then I think there are going to be a lot of calls for Arteta out. Do I think the Cronkies are actually going to make that decision? no I don't think so.
01:24:22
Chino Onwuka
Unless we have a season, unless we do a Tottenham or Man U and finish fifteenth That's the only reason i could see us them firing him or if maybe he doesn't make Champions League.
01:24:35
Chino Onwuka
If it's still second, Kroenke's aren't firing him.
01:24:42
Emeka
You know, you guys are all speaking the truth. I'll just say briefly that Juku says we only made one addition to the front line of the team.
01:24:53
Emeka
And just glosses over that that one addition is a guy who scored 100 goals the last two seasons. Yes, they were in Timbuktu, Portugal.
01:24:58
Chuku
Whoa.
01:24:59
Emeka
But...
01:24:59
Chuku
Sorry, I got to stop you one second. I got to stop for once. I'm not saying that we made only one addition to the front line. I'm saying that when you look at our incomments in the first team and our goings, we've only really gone surplus of one extra addition. The rest have really just been no replacements, if that makes sense. You know I'm trying to say? like
01:25:21
Chuku
We've not really added to each other. Okay, but fair enough. Okay, okay.
01:25:21
Emeka
no but I that was one hell of a replacement.
01:25:25
Emeka
It was mean hello one hell of an addition. And we're talking about losing guys like Jorginho and Sterling.
01:25:27
Chuku
Sure.
01:25:32
Emeka
As how much as i don't rate Mandoeke, I tell you what, he's what he is. He's much better than Sterling. Regardless, one that one addition we added is a guy who banged it 100 goals in the last two seasons. And signing him is going to let Kai Havertz be able to rotate.
01:25:46
Emeka
So really is getting two bodies up there.
01:25:46
Chuku
Thank
01:25:49
Emeka
And... It may be delusional. Maybe I'm just speaking of my heart. Chino made a joke that lo yeah I was thinking of. The fact that you're so down on them to make them finish fourth gives me more confidence. Now is going to be the season.
01:26:00
Emeka
We're going to finish first. Maybe I'm wrong and is whatever, but I'd rather go into it. I like that we're all picking three different teams. I like that we're different tables. I'm going to be back back to boys. I think this is the year.
01:26:13
Emeka
No one was picking Liverpool this time to win, so why not us? Regardless, it's going to fun to follow, and I'm sure we're going to talk about it a little lot. So for the listeners at home, just a quick recap.
01:26:24
Emeka
I have so in order, Arsenal 1, City 2, Chelsea 3, Liverpool 4, Villa 5, United 6, Brighton 7, Spurs 8.
01:26:30
Chuku
three
01:26:36
Emeka
Channel has Liverpool repeating, Arsenal 2nd, City 3rd, Chelsea 4, Villa 5, Man United Newcastle and Spurs finishing 8.
01:27:01
Chuku
Thank
01:27:01
Emeka
Three pretty different tables. And I'm very curious to look back at the end of the season to see who is more right. We've
Relegation Speculations
01:27:09
Emeka
been running along. So ah next couple of topics, I feel like we're going to speed by just a little bit.
01:27:13
Emeka
I know we teased us giving you our signings of the seasons, the flop of the seasons. You know what? Let's be patient. Two more weeks left in the transfer window. Who knows what's going to happen after that?
01:27:23
Emeka
We're there's going to be some deadline day moves that you know shake the shake us a little bit, and we might change our answers to those questions. So we'll park that near the end. We've talked about the top of the table.
01:27:34
Emeka
I think it's fair we talk about the bottom of the table. And I'm going to ask know, just to start. Instead of giving you sort of you giving me the team you think are going to get relegated, I'm going to ask you like this.
01:27:47
Emeka
Aside from the three teams who got promoted, do you think any other team will be relegated this season? And if so, which team?
01:27:56
Chino Onwuka
Yes. Yep. I think that the team I had, uh, two promoted teams getting relegated and I had wolves being relegated.
01:28:05
Emeka
And that's just because they they lost Cunha?
01:28:08
Chino Onwuka
They lost Cunha. Really, I haven't really seen, i think, on some of the other teams you know in and around that level. you know I've noticed a bit more in terms of their signings and nothing about Wolves really stood out to me. And I'm just thinking at least one of the promoted teams is going to break the trend. And so, yeah, Wolves was just the the weakest of ah of the incumbents for me, in my opinion.
01:28:36
Emeka
Juku, do you think a team that was in Premier League last season is going to get relegated?
01:28:42
Chuku
100%. And, I mean, yeah, Wolves. I mean, I feel like that's the easiest pick to select because took everything Kunia had to just help them get scraped by enough to survive and to not get rid them. Can you imagine if you took away Kunia's goals and the points that came from those goals?
01:29:10
Chuku
Where would Wolves have been? I'm pretty confident in saying that they would have probably been relegated, if not relegated, damn close to relegation. So you removed Cunha from that team.
01:29:22
Chuku
yeah love your, you know. hopes on Strand Larson. Is that how you say his name? I mean, look, I just don't see how or where the goals are going to come from on a consistent basis.
01:29:34
Chuku
And, yeah, I mean, i I definitely think there are teams that that I just got newly promoted that are better than than Wolves right now. Sunderland are clear, in my opinion. And, yeah, with that being said, I definitely have Wolves being the team, you know, to to go down.
01:29:51
Chuku
Yeah.
01:29:53
Emeka
Interesting. I'm going to give the boring answer and say the trend continues for the third season in a row. All three teams that came up are going to go back down. I wanted to also pick Wolves to go down.
01:30:03
Chuku
of you.
01:30:04
Emeka
But when I look at the teams that get promoted, i just don't... Sunderland are trying. and If I had to pick one who did stay, I'd pick Sunderland. But I just think the gap between the Prem and the championship just keeps growing and growing and growing. and I put up Wolf squad versus Sunderland squad and and i give me Wolf squad. like People really underestimate how good Brun Larson was last year.
01:30:27
Emeka
He added 15 goals in the prep. That's not easy to do. I don't think anybody in Leeds or Sunderland or Burnley are capable of having a season as good as that. And when it comes down to the margins, I just think Wolves just have more, even with the absence of Cunha, who I do agree did carry them at times.
01:30:43
Emeka
I think they just have enough talent to just barely scrape and just... You know, boring answer, but the three teams that went up go back down. i guess I'll ask both of you then, if you think Wolves are going down, which of the promoted teams do you think has the best chance of for staying up?
01:30:59
Chuku
Again, I just answered that question not too long ago. Easily, easily Sunderland, man. like i'm I'm telling you, Sunderland are going to be the next mainstay team.
01:31:09
Chuku
I just think with how their owners have moved and what the club is doing and the additions they made and how they're run, I just think Sunderland is, yeah, I think they're going to be here to stay.
01:31:22
Chuku
They're going to be here for a while. So I think Sunderland by far.
01:31:27
Chino Onwuka
I love move Sunderland has made. Unfortunately, there's a little too much Black Mom blood because there is something called African Cup of Nations this year.
01:31:37
Emeka
Preach.
01:31:39
Chino Onwuka
And I don't know if they factored that into their decisions or probably they're assuming they're going to get relegated. And that's why they signed a lot of young players with potential so that with parachute payments, with those young players, they can bounce back quicker and really entrench themselves.
01:31:55
Chino Onwuka
I've really followed Sunderland since Sunderland until I die. They have a ah ah young, rich owner whose dad used to be the owner of Marseille. And their strategy has been investing in a lot of young players. So...
01:32:08
Chino Onwuka
the the Where the team was and where they needed to get to to play in the Prem, it was really quite the difference. They were not even they were not close to as good as Leeds and Burley were last year. So they needed to do a lot more work to even just get to Premier League level, which I think maybe people aren't considering for. So anyway, cut the long story short, I think I really like what Sunderland are doing, but you know Prem is a different beast.
01:32:32
Chino Onwuka
We'll see them again in two years. I have Leeds staying up.
01:32:37
Emeka
Hey, fair. um yeah I hope I'm wrong because it's boring that everyone goes up and goes back down. i just I just think the gap between the money and the prem is so much that all these teams now, even with the parachute payments, the the gap is just too much the to surmount.
Season Opener: Arsenal vs. Manchester United
01:32:52
Emeka
And even teams like we all Wolves and Brentford and all these low teams, they have ballers on their team.
01:32:59
Emeka
Like, really look at the table and look at who's going to finish 16, 15, 4. sixteen fifteen four That's like West Ham, know, Fulham, Forest, Palace. These are balling teams right now. Like, the to finish above those guys is tough to do. And that's why I think it's, you know, I think it's going to be really, really, really difficult for a team to come up and stay up. But I hope one of you are right because it's getting pretty boring seeing the same 17 teams now for the last three years.
01:33:27
Emeka
We'll see. One of those things I'm very curious to see, and want to echo Chinon's point where I don't think suddenly realized there is a thing called the Cup of Nations because all they've signed are African brothers. And I love African brothers, but goddamn, man, that's going to be a tough January for them.
01:33:42
Emeka
As mentioned, you know, we're going to say the superlatives, our player of the year, signing of the season, and all the arrests to after the transfer window just because things can change. I mean, we're giving these predictions and we can wake up tomorrow and Man City sign Rodrigo and Donnarumma and of a sudden we're all changing our minds. Or Liverpool sign Isaac or blah, blah, blah. So wo we will revisit our predictions and give you further at the podcast during that dreaded international break after the transfer window ends.
01:34:10
Emeka
But for now, you have our top eight, and our thoughts on relegation. And as the season starts on Friday, very, very curious to see how it plays out. Season just starts on Friday, and on Sunday, you might ask some fans and it's season it might end because our game of the week is a classic.
01:34:30
Emeka
Man United at Old Trafford hosting. The first, second, or maybe fourth place, Arsenal Football Club. I really believe if Arsenal lose this game, I'm going to log on Twitter and the sky is going to fall down.
01:34:45
Emeka
like is This is is is a tough opening game to start the season. We could be playing the Invincibles and then going up against Man United's reserve team, and I still wouldn't like our chances at Old Trafford.
01:34:57
Emeka
It's just a stadium that doesn't do good for us. So i want just it pains me to say this. I want to pick us to win. I picked us to win the Premier League, for God's sakes. But i even picking us to win the Premier League, I'm still predicting a 2-2 draw at ultra. No, a 1-1 draw. I mean, what am I? kidding.
01:35:16
Emeka
A 1-1 draw. I'm hoping Yoko Reyes scores. I hope Sesco starts, though I doubt it, because I want to see Sesco versus Yoko Reyes. But it's going to be a drab game. Amarim's going to put the boys back. We're going to be playing the U-shape of sadness.
01:35:30
Emeka
I think a 1-1 or I'm going stick 1-1 now because don't think it's going to be high scoring. Sky's not going to be falling, but it's going to be pretty shaky to start the season, sadly. But hopefully better times are ahead.
01:35:42
Emeka
Chinat, what do you think is going to happen this weekend on Sunday?
01:35:46
Chino Onwuka
Yo, if we lose, bro, if we lose, even Todd, if Todd's gone in from 40 yards or if Todd's a header, bullet head into the corner, you know you guys will have to to check up.
01:35:52
Emeka
Like I said, season might be more.
01:36:04
Chino Onwuka
now I'm going to be church during win that game. Yo, yo, I can't – like, why would they why why would you do this Why would you do this on the first game of the season on a Sunday?
01:36:07
Emeka
will
01:36:12
Emeka
First game on a Sunday. I know.
01:36:14
Chino Onwuka
Come on, man. Like, I'm going to go with Arsenal because I need it to be 3-1 Arsenal.
01:36:20
Emeka
Amen. Amen.
01:36:21
Chino Onwuka
Need it to be 3-1 Arsenal, so that's what I'm going with.
01:36:25
Emeka
And Chukwu, what about you?
01:36:27
Chuku
I'm going go with a 2-2 draw.
01:36:31
Emeka
Just, yeah, I mean, it's Old Trafford. Like I said, we could be the Invincibles, and we're going up against the Reserve squad, and I just... What I would give for a flogging at Old Trafford. It would really make me feel whatever. But should not mention it. And, like, if Sesco, God forbid we lose or draw, and Sesco scores, and Jokeres doesn't.
01:36:52
Emeka
I don't want to go on to the internet the next day, but... Hopefully, Chennau's right and I'm wrong and it's ah ah it's a comfortable Arsenal win. I'm not holding my breath, but any anyway way you put it, I'm just excited that the Premier League is back.
01:37:08
Emeka
Guys, thank you for sitting here with us. Long episode, but had to be a long episode. It's the season two, season two opener. hope you stick along for the ride. We got 30 more of these to pump out and hopefully much more. as Join us as we navigate the beautiful world of football and beyond on the Love of the Game podcast.