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Let It All Work Out: Eze Homecoming, Spurs and Newcastle Make Moves, Man Utd. Crash Out To Grimsby & Micah Parsons Traded !
28 Plays2 months ago
Transfer Frenzy:
- Eze to Arsenal
- Xavi Simons to Spurs
- Garnacho to Chelsea
- Woltemade to Newcastle
Man Utd Capitulate
- Shock cup upset to Grimsby Town: Is there any hope for Amorim ?
Micah Parsons Trade
Game of The Week
Recommended
Transcript
Introduction and Weekend Edition
00:00:10
Chino Onwuka
Thank you.
00:00:10
Emeka
Welcome, welcome, welcome to a special weekend edition of Love of the Game. We're here at episode 32. You know, we've got to switch things up. which We try to be consistent, just trying to give you some surprises.
00:00:23
Emeka
So why not? you know A big week happened. We just kept waiting to accumulate all the news and coming to you live and hot to start the weekend with.
Excitement for the Weekend and Sports
00:00:32
Emeka
As always, and I'm here if my man QB1, YD01, Flex1 channel.
00:00:38
Emeka
On the Keys, what's up, Chena? are living this weekend?
00:00:41
Chino Onwuka
I am good. I am good. I am good. We made it to the weekend. I don't know where you are in the world, but here in Calgary. don't if was supposed to say that, but it is the long weekend, the last weekend of the summer. The weather is beautiful, so it's time to relax.
00:00:59
Chino Onwuka
Premier League is popping. We've got college football starting this weekend, so it's a good time. It's a good time. Time to, you know, again, this is not our day jobs. Time to put all of that to the side, recuperate, you know spend time on the things that refresh us, recharge us, and and um i'm I'm glad to be here. We made it
00:01:21
Emeka
We made it indeed, man. Coming at you live in the end of summer.
Arsenal's Bold Transfer Strategy
00:01:25
Emeka
ah ah It's always too short, I feel like. you know, end of summer means the start the football season and going in first round in every draft this summer. I mean, shouts out my man Chukwu. How are you living this weekend?
00:01:37
Chuku
Man, you know, I'm just hopefully just, you know, ready to have a good time with the boys tonight when it comes to chatting about, you know. We have a lot of things to to talk about, but I think it's going to be a pretty low-key weekend for me. Ready to enjoy some, you know, some big games that I hope we're going to talk about, hopefully.
00:01:55
Chuku
And, yeah, we'll see how the how long weekend goes, you know.
00:02:00
Emeka
Yeah, absolutely. But ah not not to disappoint you, Juku, but so much has happened. Instead of our usual weekend recap, I thought we I switched things up this episode a little bit because we are of now recording this two days from the end of the transfer window in European soccer. where you know One of my favorite times of the year.
00:02:20
Emeka
And teams like me look like they've been procrastinating and things have been popping off near the end of the window. A lot of moves have been had in the last week. we can't i could be here for five hours and talk about all of them, but like my man Chinon said, we have day jobs.
00:02:35
Emeka
So we're going to talk about just a handful of the most recent ones that have really been making waves and just give our thoughts about how they affect you know the teams that they went to, maybe the teams that they left, and also some of the people who might make an impact down the line in the season.
00:02:50
Emeka
mean We homers and we gunners and we gunners here, so we've got start off with the one. Last week, we recorded this episode, Chinon said on the pod.
00:02:56
Chuku
I'm sure what saying.
00:02:59
Emeka
he doesn't He doesn't feel this window was done well. and you know He needs more from Arsenal. And I guess we got some reach because three days after we recorded, opened up the wallets. They thought he was going to Spurs, and then God spoke, and God did.
00:03:10
Chuku
I'm not sure what I'm saying.
Eze's Journey and Impact at Arsenal
00:03:12
Chuku
I'm not sure saying.
00:03:12
Emeka
Everett, he said come into Arsenal for a hot 60-plus million pound transfer. going to start with you, Chinon, because you you kicked it off last week when you said it wasn't cutting it for you anymore. So I ask you right now.
00:03:24
Emeka
Is Esay doing it for you? Is the window success now?
00:03:29
Chino Onwuka
See, that's a good question because I think when you look at it in totality, it is a success in that a lot of business was done and, you know, Arsenal acted in ways that we haven't seen them act probably for the majority of our our Arsenal fandom. Eze is a... a a brilliant signing and I'll caveat why he's a brilliant signing in that he's a, everyone can admit he's a wonderful footballer with a wonderful story.
00:04:02
Chino Onwuka
But for those who don't know, he was, he was cut from the Arsenal youth teams at the age of 13.
00:04:08
Chuku
Thank
00:04:08
Chino Onwuka
It's all over social media that, you know, he has a deep love for Arsenal and his dream has been to, to make it back and play for Arsenal. he he He went through numerous youth teams, got rejected, found his way to Millwall, then from Millwall to QPR, then from QPR to Crystal Palace.
00:04:23
Chuku
you.
00:04:27
Chino Onwuka
a Crystal Palace tore his Achilles, came back, and then did did what is almost impossible to do, led Crystal Palace to an FA Cup, to a community shield, and You know, was on his way to Spurs. had been reported that he'd been wanting Arsenal. There were lots of reports early in the window that Arsenal interested for him, but then nothing seemed to happen.
00:04:52
Chino Onwuka
Seemingly, seemingly bought Madueke and that was it. And Spurs were there for him and, and you know... it's one of those things where, you know, us as fans, you know, we love Arsenal. So it's like, okay, Tottenham is a thing that will never happen, but it's professional football, but we know that's not the case. There are probably so many footballers who have their favorite teams who will probably never play for their favorite teams and as professional, do what you have to do. So seemingly he was willing to go to Spurs because why not? Thomas Frank is the coach. They play Champions League football. He gets to stay in London.
00:05:25
Chino Onwuka
know, it is what it is, but... But before the I's were dotted and the T's were crossed, he made one last call to Mikel Arteta saying, please, Mikel, can we make this work out?
00:05:43
Chino Onwuka
And Mikel said, and Berto said, and the Lord said, let it all work out. And he found his way to the team. So I think in in that way, it's brilliant when you consider the story, when you consider the type of player that he is, a flair player, creative player, which is which are things that we've said multiple times on this plot that Arsenal need more of or a little bit too structured in the attack.
00:06:04
Chino Onwuka
So he he fits really well in that way.
Arsenal's Tactical Depth and Flexibility
00:06:06
Chino Onwuka
He's primarily proven. you know he He's been a leader. He has a great personality. So I'm really pleased at that. you know Seemingly, it came as a result of Kai Havert's injury.
00:06:15
Chuku
Thank you.
00:06:18
Chino Onwuka
i love how quickly Arsenal reacted to that. It looked like they sort of had Eze in the back burner and had everything ready to do a deal. I don't know what was stalling them before. I don't know what it was about the injury that pushed them to make this move because it's not like it's a like-to-like replacement. But...
00:06:36
Chino Onwuka
You know, they they did the deal and, you know, it's just a wonderful story. I think we've all seen the videos by now, his his reaction signing the deal, his interview with Ian Wright, his walkout into Emirates. Like, the vibes are just immaculate. So in in that sense, I'm really, really happy. Now, it's been pointed to me elsewhere that, you know, before the completion of this signing, I had, you know, mentioned some some apprehension to some aspects of the signing. And I will just state that just so just so it's clear and not changing my mind. you know This is spending 68 million pounds, pound sterling on a 27 year old player coming from mid table team.
00:07:24
Chino Onwuka
you know Those are the facts. As brilliant as he is, he plays primarily as a left eight, And in the Arsenal team, that is a position that is filled by the best players in the world, Declan Rice.
00:07:39
Chino Onwuka
So he will play on the left wing for Arsenal. He has played there or he operates in that area in a different way, but not in the way that Arsenal currently plays.
00:07:45
Chuku
Thank
00:07:48
Chino Onwuka
So it'll be interesting to see, not that it can't work out, but you know you're spending $67 million on something that's... not his main position. So I will say those are there and it's it's honestly the the board have put their money where their mouth is.
00:08:05
Chino Onwuka
We needed an upgrade at left winger. you know i would have preferred a touchline speedy winger, but you know if it's not that, the next best thing is is someone like Eze. So again, let that all work out. It's on Arteta. It's on the players too to now do their job because the board, the Cronkies, the transfer team, the acquisition team, they've done their part.
00:08:30
Emeka
Choukou, I've heard Chennault get positive mainly on the off-the-field stuff and then a little hesitant on the on-the-field stuff. What are your thoughts about how Eze will impact Arsenal's play on the pitch moving forward this season?
00:08:44
Chuku
You know, I've had some time to, obviously we've had some time to, the you know, kind of digest, take this all in, you know. know don't get this don't Don't get it twisted. This is a huge, huge signing for Arsenal.
00:09:02
Chuku
And so huge to the point that it has me rethinking everything I was i was talking about you our last podcast. podcast when we're. Because the thing about this like purchase, like Juna was explaining earlier, is like, you know obviously, it would be nice to have a you know of speedy, by the touch line, uses the width type of a winger.
00:09:31
Chuku
Well, Eze is not that, which you know i understand. We clearly understand. He's not that type of winger. But the reason why me personally, I'm so kind of I'm really hyped about this signing is because what Eze brings to the table is something that this current Arsenal attack lacks.
00:09:52
Chuku
Okay. And that is a sort of unique game changing or game breaking type of, you know, player that all it takes is one moment, one, you know,
00:10:09
Chuku
brilliant movement or one brilliant attack shot. What a talisman type of player.
00:10:21
Chuku
And this is I don't think is being accounted for enough. I just want to say, can't believe it for enough. When it comes to the election, What is it going to bring?
00:10:34
Chuku
Like, if you think about it, I'm all you got. Me, I've grown tired of seeing the buildup when it comes to Martinelli. We give the ball. Now, granted, know, some may say this because we have not really provided enough support when it comes to our left-hand side.
00:10:49
Chuku
But I've seen enough of Martinelli to know, yes, you know, he can, you know, do some things on transition. But as far as when it comes to facing low blocks, and certain type of mid-blocks that we come against a lot when it comes to the the league, he doesn't really offer much in creativity.
00:11:08
Chuku
This is something that Eze is going to change right away because his ability to be able to beat a man, carry the ball, make certain passes, and not just all that, but also shoot,
00:11:25
Chuku
This is why I'm saying Eze is going to be a huge, huge addition to us. And the fact that we're able to bring him in and add the perfect type of profile, in my opinion, when it comes to a bombing left back, which we but hopefully we're going to talk about soon here a...
00:11:43
Chuku
Again, i'm going to probably pronounce his name wrong, but in Capier, as well as also having a guy like, hopefully, if he can stay fit, a guy like Calafiore, who, you know, in my opinion, it fits perfectly because he has the ability to not only invert when being asked to when Martinelli is on the pitch, but can also...
00:12:03
Chuku
bomb on the, you know, bring some width to the team when guy, a profile like Eze, who I also believe is going to start the left wing, is going to be probably asked to be, you know, to be a more inside forward, which I think works really well to what Eze does.
00:12:23
Chuku
I think is really going to work really well. And, know, I'm just convinced that with the additions we've also made, such as Jokoraz, such as Zubimendi, these are all signings that when I look at the entire picture, I'm starting to believe again. Like, I'm really starting to believe Arsenal.
00:12:40
Chuku
I mean, look,
00:12:43
Chuku
All I can say is I believe Arsenal is going to win a trophy. If you ask me what that trophy is right this minute, I don't know. I couldn't really tell you. But my bold proclamation is this is the year Arteta brings serious silverware to the club.
00:13:00
Chuku
And by serious, want to make this very clear, boys. I'm talking either a Prem or a Champions League. i can I just think this is a squad to do with a team.
00:13:15
Chuku
But yeah, guys, like i was saying, i just think with the additions of Eze, Jokka Ress, Zubimendi, and now bringing in this left back to go along with a Calafiore in Hincapie, who I believe is going to be the perfect insurance policy to ins ensure whenever we're playing Eze, we have a bombing left back that can provide width.
00:13:37
Chuku
This is going to be huge for us. in a lot of games where we're going to be having to, you know, ask different questions of the opposition's defenses.
00:13:48
Chuku
As they, you know, as you may know, we always like, they like to play us. A lot of this these lower teams like to, you know, play that low block. So we just having options to be able to face and deal with these different sort of defenses that we're going to face throughout the year just has me believing that we are going to come away with something.
00:14:09
Chuku
And, you know, either way, I'm just really excited for the season. And, yeah, I definitely, definitely am a lot higher, you know, and when i look as opposed to, you know, a couple a few weeks ago, you know, with the additions that we made. i mean, like, I'm just, yeah, I'm just been in dreamland, guys. I don't know one more to say.
00:14:30
Chuku
But, yeah, oh what what are your thoughts?
00:14:33
Emeka
what do you wait I mean, listen, you guys have touched on the positives and negatives. Well, negatives are hard, but I'd say it's exciting signing of everything Chenow said.
00:14:44
Emeka
London kid, Arsenal fan, Nigerian at that, like, you know, Waguam with Oluwadex and Maduweke now. We have a whole squad, Bukayo in there. Like, I always like English players, local players, and black players playing for Arsenal.
00:14:58
Emeka
You know, that just feels right.
00:14:58
Chuku
I'm not fool.
00:14:59
Emeka
But, His best position is the position where we have $100 million dollar signing in. He can play left wing, and he's going to play there a lot. too But then he plays left wing. How does that impact MLS's progression there? Because now they're in similar spaces.
00:15:13
Emeka
Yeah, we have a signing coming in. Not official. So I'm not – until it's on Arsenal.com, you know, he's coming. I get it. but Calafiori, fantastic. He's looking great. There's potential there. so Obviously, I would have liked a pacey left winger, but and me I'm not mad at all with Eze.
00:15:30
Emeka
And the biggest thing, like my you mentioned, Chukwu, what I'm most excited for is he gives depth.
00:15:31
Chuku
Thank you.
00:15:36
Emeka
That's how you win multiple competitions. When you have a squad that you can rotate. We have Odegaard out. We have Kai Havertz out. We have Saka out. And yet I'm not... you know, pooping my pants heading into Anfield because for once we have adequate replacements.
00:15:51
Emeka
This happens last year. I'm looking at Raheem Sterling starting potentially. That's not a pretty thought to have. So, you know, the team is good now. I'm very curious to see how Arteta rotates.
00:16:03
Emeka
That's going be a big test for him. He's not really a manager. user usually rotates. I love it. And even before this transfer, I picked Arsenal to win the league. That was my heart. After this transfer, I'm even more believe it now.
00:16:15
Emeka
Now it's gone from a joke to a maybe a
Tottenham and Xavi Simon's Signing
00:16:17
Emeka
reality. So, you know, love to see it.
00:16:18
Chuku
So,
00:16:20
Emeka
And now before we let move on, you know, you have any final closing thoughts?
00:16:24
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, and again, when I you know when i said those Kavits, I guess they they come out as negatives, but it's just every single footballer, there's going to be pluses and negatives unless you're some blend between Cristiano Ronaldo and and Lionel Messi. So I think you know in addition to what you guys both said, like in in apart from just depth, what it does, even apart from the depth, is it gives us different options.
00:16:51
Chino Onwuka
We know that on the right, it's going to be... It's going to be Bukayo Saka. The left is where we've had issues for so many years, but now we've got multiple options. If you just want you know a a a runner with speed who can give a counter, counter-attacking threats while you know protecting the back a little bit, you play Martinelli.
00:17:16
Chino Onwuka
And that maybe can can lead to some sort of combination in in the left eight striker. You want some of that pace, but a little bit better one-on-one dribbling and you know instead of you know and you want to be able to to get down the byline and and and get more crosses you can play Matuike.
00:17:39
Chino Onwuka
If you want someone more secure in possession, and while you're trying to add a little bit more creativity into the team to break down defenses, interchange in the middle,
00:17:39
Chuku
started. going ahead I'm going started.
00:17:53
Chino Onwuka
We've got Eze who can do that and maybe a little bit of some of the other stuff as well. So I like, you know, in for the last couple of years, you almost know who Arsenal's going to play, where they're going to play, and how we're going to play. now Now, you've got to be wondering in a lot of positions who's going to start. At striker, when Kai Havertz fit again or Jesus, we've got multiple options there which can change how we play.
00:18:19
Chino Onwuka
you know Chuk and I had a conversation about this earlier, but you can have games where you want it to be a little bit more attacking, so you shift, As they left a left eight, you play either Declan or Zuby at the six, you play Odegaard, or you play as they left a left eight, Declan, right eight, or so many different combinations we can do in midfield.
00:18:34
Chuku
So
00:18:39
Chino Onwuka
I haven't even talked about the different combinations in the backfield, so I really, really like that aspect as well.
00:18:46
Emeka
Hey, yeah I'm really really curious to see Attenta switch it up, rotate, actually you know use this squad because like you said there's so many different options you can you can go with it and maneuver and it's gonna be yeah I mean This is what you's what you look dream for as an Arsenal fan, I got to say.
00:19:04
Emeka
like Growing up, I lived through the check window. I lived through the, you know, Yaya Sanogo being the first signing for months.
00:19:11
Chuku
Thank you.
00:19:12
Emeka
It's nice to see a team splash cash. I refuse to hear any signing from other fans, man. We were the original net spend team. Yeah, now it's our turn to to spend some money too. it's and It's nice on the other side.
00:19:23
Emeka
I got to say, it's nice the other side.
00:19:23
Chino Onwuka
And on top of what you said, and the fact that it's deadline day, deadline weekend, and we're not stressing, we're not we're not refreshing Twitter every 30 seconds to see what's happening. It's it's it's so it's a weird feeling, weird but good feeling.
00:19:36
Emeka
Long may continue. You know, as you mentioned i at the start, I mean, I want to repeat it again because it honestly sounds so good to be true. Eze was about to sign for Spurs and then he get a last-second call to Arteta and said, is there any chance can go to Arsenal?
00:19:52
Emeka
This goes to show you, ladies and gentlemen, just make the phone call. Just ask, you know, what's the worst that can happen? Sometimes they say yes. It really is a life lesson there. Sometimes they say yes. I'm sure Eze would have been scared to make the call, but hey.
00:20:05
Emeka
Just make the call sometimes in life, man. Sometimes they say yes. And the team that you know he said no to took the L, took a lot of memes over the weekend. Had a good weekend. I'll give them that at least.
00:20:16
Emeka
Beat up up Man City. And then late yesterday, move I thought was a lock all summer to another team in London. It gets announced that Tottenham Hotspurs have signed Xavi Simon, one of the best names in sports,
00:20:31
Emeka
You know, listen, you lose on an Eze, 27-year-old. You get past someone 22-year-old, 21-year-old. So you get a lot younger, equally pacey and talented and skillful.
00:20:41
Emeka
I'll start with you, Chukwu. If you're a Tottenham Hotspur fan, God forbid that's the case, but if you're a Spurs fan, you lose Eze and you get Simon, how would you react? How would you feel? you be happy? Would you be still be upset?
00:20:54
Emeka
Neutral? How would you judge those that transfer and shaking out for Tottenham?
00:20:59
Chuku
Removing my, you know, of course, arsenal bias aside, okay, in all fairness, in all reality, you know what I'm looking at the situation and the question you're asking. If I was a Tottenham fan, God forbid, but if I was a Tottenham fan and seeing how things played out,
00:21:20
Chuku
I mean, I feel you've got to be happy. I think you've got to be happy, man, because I think for you for you to lose out on Eze, sure, you know to one of your biggest rivals, I mean, I'm sure that would definitely hurt.
00:21:32
Chuku
But when you look at the profile of ah ah of a Xavi Simmons, I mean, one can make the case, you know, they could be, you know, more upside. They could be, you know, like these are things you you know you can, these are arguments that you can make just by nature of the fact that you know Simmons is the younger talent, has been you know playing in, I guess, higher leagues for a longer period of time you know for his first age, at least is compared to where they were at at the same age. know I mean, yeah yeah I can i understand it. I mean, when you factor in also the additions they made with Kudos as well to go along with that, Tottenham are starting to know look –
00:22:17
Chuku
presentable when it comes to their their attack. And, know, their defense has always been a little bit underrated as far as the pieces that were there. Obviously, when they played, you know, with the tactics that, you know, Ange deployed last year, you know, with the high line, high line,
00:22:32
Chuku
you know, it wasn't really the the best way to utilize the pieces that, you know, that are there. Because, look, say what you want. I've i've been ah ah fan of Van de Ven. I think Van de Ven is a pretty good defender.
00:22:45
Chuku
And, you know, you could talk, you know, smack about Romero and, you know, some of the, you know, some of the attitude problems and, you know, Sometimes, you know, he can you know lose himself and you know become a little bit too overemotional in the game.
00:23:01
Chuku
But, I mean, these are things that, you know, again, you you kind of just have to live with when it comes to a player that that has the kind of qualities that Romero has. And Romero, I've seen Romero be one of the better defenders. i mean, you got one World Cup, you know, with Argentina. Like, he is not a bad player. So, I mean, when I look at things objectively,
00:23:21
Chuku
and look at the team that Spurs have, and I look at the additions they made now after missing out on a couple of signings, you know, Eze and whatnot. Yeah, I think I got to come, if i was a Spurs fan, you got to come out of this feeling them a little bit, you know, feeling definitely a lot better, know, now than you were a couple of weeks ago.
00:23:38
Chuku
So personally speaking, I think Spurs are going to be actually pretty good this year. I mean, I'm pretty certain top six is going to be, i mean, Barry know, you know,
00:23:49
Chuku
crazy further you know injuries or whatnot, and they can stay healthy their main core. I don't see any reason why Spurs couldn't go for top six. you know And by top six, I'm really talking five or six.
00:24:01
Chuku
But yeah, i mean did it so far, i mean they've looked good this season. Their manager, Tom Frank, I think he'll be one the candidates of the year with what he's going to be doing with Spurs this year.
00:24:13
Chuku
And I'm Yeah, I think as a Spurs fan, you have to be yeah have to be at least a little bit over the whole Isaiah situation now that you're able to get this deal over the line and you know snake your fellow no Londoner in Chelsea for for the signing. I think you've got to be feeling good about it. So, yeah.
00:24:35
Chuku
Thank you guys.
00:24:35
Emeka
Yeah, no, it's preseason. One of the big things I said about my issues with Spurs is that I didn't know where the creativity was coming from. Madison had his ACL injury. Kulusevsky still injured.
00:24:50
Emeka
They addressed that big time with with Mr. Simon. I don't know, man. Like, i've been seeing a lot of Xavi, but I've been seeing the hype about him. So I call him Simone.
00:24:58
Chuku
Thank you.
00:24:59
Emeka
Like, you he just seems so exotic and and fresh. But it's easy to feel that way when I'm just watching YouTube highlights. It's a lot different now than I'm watching you week to week. so I'm really, really curious to see. always hey I always like when people come to the Prem, even though they're going to teams I don't really root for.
00:25:13
Emeka
So I'm excited to get to see him week in and week out. And he definitely feels like he addresses a big area of need for Spurs. They have some creativity now. Frank has them looking secure at the back and well-drilled.
00:25:27
Emeka
I'm still worried about where the goals are coming from, but this I'm with you, man. I think the Spurs are going to be a pretty solid lock to finish top five, six in the league. and you know Props to them behind Thomas Frank. been saying it consistently.
00:25:41
Emeka
What a manager he is. I hate that he's a Spurs. Man, so hopefully he crashes down. Hey, Big Ang started fast when he start when he was the the coach, so I'm hoping I'm rooting for that to happen too. But I got to say, if I was a Spurs fan, but you know, you lose Eze, you get a young gun back there. Kulusevsky's coming back.
00:25:58
Emeka
Madison might come back a year from now. Who knows? There's something to build for it. And that's always a positive feeling. Chinon, what are your thoughts?
00:26:08
Chino Onwuka
Like, honestly, you i don't even have to say bias aside.
00:26:10
Chuku
Thank you.
00:26:11
Chino Onwuka
i think this is a ah ah great move for Spurs. Like, considering, you know, they've been trying to target someone for that number 10 position. ah was First, it was Morgan, Gibbs, White. We all know what happened there. Then it was Eze. They got gazumped in a pretty cruel manner by Arsenal. And, I mean, flora for your plan C, Simmons is as good as it gets. Honestly, if you polled...
00:26:38
Chino Onwuka
Everyone at the beginning of the transfer window, you know, Gibbs, White, Eze, Simmons, you know, who would you want? It's not far-fetched to say maybe Simmons would have come out on top in that poll. So forget to get that deal done. He's a younger player than Eze.
00:26:57
Chino Onwuka
a cheaper price too. Really good price. I think they've made out really well. I mean, Simmons, I think he's someone we've spoken about here and there on the pod. Definitely in the group chats is someone we we would...
00:27:09
Chino Onwuka
like to see some of that type of talent and age and profile play at Arsenal. you know i think, honestly, this is a better fit for him you know as a number 10 versus a left wing, which is what he might have had to be at Arsenal.
00:27:23
Chino Onwuka
And I just think it's just, you talked about Emeka seeing someone from afar and you know it's great to watch him week in, week out. It's really interesting because Singlund was one of these like child prodigies who was
00:27:35
Chuku
I'm just going to help you with this.
00:27:37
Chino Onwuka
Insta famous at like 13.
00:27:38
Chuku
just going to have few seconds.
00:27:40
Chino Onwuka
And it was one of those things where, okay, he was famous, but would the talent actually match the hype? You know, he was at Barcelona, he was at La Masia, but like when they were doing sort of all the best talents, he was the most famous one, but was he was was he always the best?
00:27:57
Chino Onwuka
Maybe not.
00:27:58
Chuku
she
00:27:59
Chino Onwuka
And then, you know, he goes to PSV and we play them in what the Europa League and Bro, he balled. And I was like, oh, so this guy is not just about the social media. Like, he's actually a baller. And then just since then, I've been keeping track of him. we've played He's played against Arsenal in a couple of games. I've seen him for Haaland. And he has he really has the quality. So honestly, I just want to give him a shout-out. Someone that has that exposure at such a young age.
00:28:28
Chino Onwuka
You know, we see so many of these guys fall off. And it's nothing but hype. And their parents... you know putting them out there, but he actually had the talent and the hard work to back it up. It's funny because there's videos out there of ah ah really young Xavi Simmons washing Marueke's boots. Marueke, who was, what, like 17 himself, and a young Simmons was watching his boots, so it's really full circle now that that that he that he's in the prem.
00:28:53
Chino Onwuka
But again, to wrap it up I think it's a brilliant move by Tottenham.
Chelsea's Transfer Strategy Questioned
00:28:58
Emeka
Hey, man, Spurs fans, see, we can be we we can be free from bias occasionally. And, i yeah, i you know, I echo everything you said. It's always interesting seeing those wonder kids and where they pop up. And I am looking forward to seeing him in the Premier League, even though it's for Tottenham.
00:29:08
Chuku
Thank you.
00:29:11
Emeka
Yeah, we'll see. but From Simmons to the team that we thought, I mean, I feel like it's fair to say everyone thought was going to get him. Chelsea decided this week, I guess, to, I'm sure it came down to the board saying you can't get both. Mraz can only get one.
00:29:26
Emeka
whoever runs transfers these days. And they and maybe he made a promise priorly, but they got a different wonder kid as Chelsea, a move that has been linked, I swear, all summer, finally complete their transfer for Alejandro Garnaccio.
00:29:40
Emeka
He escapes the sinking ship that is United and goes over to Chelsea. I'll start off by saying I've been very kind to Chelsea throughout the summer.
00:29:47
Chuku
Thank you.
00:29:49
Emeka
A lot of their moves and, then wow, and what it's all these transfers they make and they're great, blah, blah, blah. I do not understand this move for Garnaccio. And for everything Chino just said, I would have gotten Simmons easily over Garnaccio. I do not understand. Yes, he's young.
00:30:05
Emeka
Yes, he has talent. Is he better than half of their wingers? like they haven't no They just bought Giddens already this summer. I don't understand the transfer strategy there. This is a guy who is famously petulant.
00:30:18
Emeka
Now he's going to a team that didn't see him grow up and could be like, oh, he doesn't really mean that. you know I know him. He's a good kid. New situation now. different team, competitive for spots. You're young.
00:30:29
Emeka
You need to be playing every week. I don't get the career management on both ends. I don't get why Chelsea would spend money on a guy who they can probably will barely not start. And I don't get why Garnaccio wants to go to a team where he's not at least guaranteed to be one of the first names on the team sheet because that's what he needs now in his career.
00:30:45
Emeka
But, you know, they've been monitoring him all summer. Ruben Amarin, we'll get to them later. But famously after the Europa League final, in the locker room, told Garnacho, you're not playing for me again.
00:30:56
Emeka
So that was that. And he got his move he wanted all summer. So I'll open up with you, Chinna. What are your thoughts on Garnacho abandoning his childhood team, you know, and finally moving over to London?
00:31:10
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, it's a weird one, but i like I think even before the summer, since January, the story's been going natural to Chelsea. So I think, honestly, there's been some stuff.
00:31:22
Chino Onwuka
This isn't like a negative way or anything, but there's definitely been stuff behind the scenes where that's been nailed-on transfer since about January. There were all these links of going natural to Chelsea.
00:31:34
Chino Onwuka
Once he... he he
00:31:38
Chino Onwuka
checked himself off of the team or forced himself off the team, he'd always said, the only place I'm moving to is is Chelsea and and and nowhere else. So, yeah, I feel like i feel like this is just blue coal signing for some reason. You know, he's Argentinian, plays for the Argentinian national team. He's young.
00:32:00
Chino Onwuka
he's He's homegrown. So I think it's one of those things where I feel like Chelsea just has this...
00:32:01
Chuku
you
00:32:08
Chino Onwuka
board of like checklists of of wonder kids that we're going to sign and he fits a lot of them and so regardless of the fit they sign him and we've seen that them do it a lot and it's kind of working you know we've given them a lot of praise but you know people talk a lot about oh arsenal has spent so much there they should expect to win Well, I think the part where we sort of discuss and then forget and then discuss again is Chelsea has spent twice as much as Arsenal. So if there's pressure on Arsenal to to win the title, if there's pressure on Liverpool to repeat the title, there should be the same pressure on Chelsea as well.
00:32:46
Chino Onwuka
Because... they don't They don't get a buy because of how they've chosen to spend the money. They still spend the same amount or double of other teams. They just keep spending it on young players.
00:32:58
Chino Onwuka
And in my opinion, I think this is the they've acquired a really, really great talent of young players. and I think they're at the point where they need to start getting some some older professionals to take that team to the next level. Or or maybe they see that as...
00:33:13
Chino Onwuka
You know, a couple of years down the line where they begin to do that and they're still in town accumulation. But yeah, they just signed Gittens. You know, i wouldn't think, you know, that is something that would be priority for them. But again, honestly, no one really knows.
00:33:32
Chino Onwuka
how chelsea or blue code do things because i'm sure you guys have seen you know not only did they pivot to garnatra but you see all these stories with fermin lopez now then they sign ncso but it's for blue co so they keep doing deals with brighton and then not only did they sign ncso they signed buonote but it's only a loan from brighton again so lots of stuff going on i don't really get this one, but Garnaccio, he's still ah a good player. He's a good young player, Premier League experience.
00:34:08
Chino Onwuka
ah It'll just be interesting to see how they integrate all of that into the Chelsea team.
00:34:14
Emeka
Chukku, any thoughts?
00:34:19
Chuku
Man.
00:34:21
Chuku
Yeah, no, I mean, Chelsea and Garnaccio, I just don't, I personally don't understand it. I don't get it. I mean, I look at the signers, Garnaccio and Gittins, and I look at Spurs with Kudos and Simmons, and I mean, don't know about you two, but.
00:34:40
Chuku
I'd rather have Simmons than Kudus. That's just honest truth. and I mean, this is what that's what Spurs got. And Chelsea are supposed to be i mean supposed be trying to build on what they did last year, finishing in top four.
00:34:51
Chuku
Like, I just don't know if they really got... I mean, I really like the Pedro addition. He's going to be... I think he's going to be really nice upgrade for them.
00:35:03
Chuku
But I don't know if they... Looking at it right now, i don't know if it's going to be enough to... you truly, you know, oh win trophies right now, you know? I mean, say that these guys won the Club World Cup, but, I mean, that was cool preseason and all, but, mean, they're going to be there. They're going to be competing. Like, they're going to, you know, they're going to definitely be in and around it, but I just don't think,
00:35:32
Chuku
They added enough quality in those sign-ins to truly, you know, I guess be a difference maker when it comes to, know,
00:35:42
Chuku
Lifting a silverware this year. And, yeah, as like I said, I guess I just truly don't see the hype or I just don't see what people see when, when we look at, or when we talk about Garnaccio, because I just think he's a pretty average player at best.
00:35:57
Chuku
So, mean, hopefully, you know, well, no, not hopefully, but, We'll see if he can prove prove me wrong at at the very least, but just don't I just don't see, A, Ganacho being a difference maker, B, him even being a regular starter for Chelsea, and C,
00:36:18
Chuku
Chelsea really, you know, being significant players when it comes to the major honors this year. I just don't i just don't see it. So, obviously, one thing I will say about Chelsea is there needs to be a formal investigation on the relationship of this blue coach, Chelsea, whatever you want to call it, and Brighton because what is truly going on, guys? Like, did you see today the signings of, like, what was it?
00:36:48
Chuku
I can't remember, Bonamante, and...
00:36:50
Chino Onwuka
i I literally just ah literally just mentioned it.
00:36:51
Chuku
and
00:36:54
Chuku
But i was what I'm saying, if you... I know you mentioned it, right?
00:36:57
Chuku
But saying the fact that we've seen those signings, right?
00:36:57
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
00:36:58
Chino Onwuka
yeah
00:37:01
Chuku
We've just seen those signings today, right? With the Bonamante... I can't... I'm going to mispronounce it.
00:37:07
Chino Onwuka
Buonotte.
00:37:08
Chuku
Bonamante. god That... I'm pretty sure that deal just literally just happened today. Like, it literally just... Rumors, like, it popped up Chelsea were interested, and before I knew it, we've seen it, here we go.
00:37:22
Chuku
And with Ncensio, I'm pretty sure one point I thought the deal fell through, and all of a sudden, his deal's back on. He's going to go to Strasburg, be part of the Blue Coast system, and eventually become a future Chelsea player.
00:37:37
Chuku
like These are signings that I'm pretty certain Chelsea know these guys are never going to play like nothing more than a handful of games for them. And then somehow in a year or two's time, they're to be able to flip them up for profits because some other the team is going to pay more than what they just paid for these guys right now.
00:37:52
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:37:56
Chuku
I just don't get it. like They're treating players like like literally government bonds, are like you know like like ah like like investments. like I'm saying we're in the stock markets.
00:38:07
Chuku
ah You're buying stuff.
00:38:07
Chino Onwuka
Yeah.
00:38:08
Chino Onwuka
but natural Financial instruments. Yeah. that's how they That's how they see a lot of their business.
00:38:10
Chuku
it's It's insane. That's how they move.
00:38:12
Chino Onwuka
name
00:38:13
Chuku
That's how they move. And I'm just, mean, I guess unless, you know, there's a rule that comes up that prevents teams from doing things like this. I mean, Chelsea is just going to keep doing what they're doing. they Obviously, they they clearly know what they're doing because we've seen them do this year in, year out. But I just, the fact that they keep on year in, year out collecting talents, especially from,
00:38:36
Chuku
The same clubs, Brighton being one of the number one places they seem to be you know hawking at the last handful of five five years at this point. just i mean I don't know. I like there has to be some sort of dark entry or some sort of like investigation because like what is going on truly? because I don't know how they keep getting away with it. But either way, long story short, I just don't see the these signings, though, as being good enough on the pitch.
00:39:04
Chuku
to get Chelsea above the hump when it comes to some of the other teams that they're going to be competing with for major honors. And, you know, they've already made, or sorry, i already had a very significant loss when it came to Colwell.
00:39:18
Chuku
And I just don't know, well, we've just seen Palmer also get hurt. I mean, although it might not be anything major, he's going to be missing this week. We don't know how long he's going to be out for. So, again, you know, it's to be interesting to see, you know, what Chelsea, you know, put on the pitch these next couple of weeks. But my honest opinion at this point in time is their signings they've made so far, though it may be a lot of quantity, I just don't know if the quality is quite there in my opinion. So, yeah, what are your thoughts, bro?
00:39:49
Emeka
Yeah, like I said, you know, it's – I don't get it. You've kind of touched on the blue-cold points, but, hey, man, maybe you can prove me wrong. i just don't see a guy like Garnaccio making a – he's not going to play, and, you know, I hope he's learning French because he might end up in Strasburg alone before his career is up on his 70-year deals.
00:40:12
Emeka
Before we move on, any closing thoughts, Chinon?
00:40:16
Chino Onwuka
I will say, I mean, I don't see it as something that should have been a priority for Chelsea in the way that it seemed to be, but I think we're sort of a little bit more down on Garnaccio.
00:40:31
Chino Onwuka
then we should be, again, he's a really young player, he's proven Premier League quality, and he's leaving the cesspool that is Manchester United.
00:40:35
Chuku
good thing.
00:40:40
Chino Onwuka
We've seen how so many other players, McTominay, Anthony, have left that place, and all of a sudden, they look reborn. Like, even Chuby, you mentioned, you know, Simmons and Kourouz, and in a vacuum, I agree with you, yes, maybe you'd prefer those players, but you know Sometimes, like I keep saying, this isn't FIFA-like.
00:41:00
Chino Onwuka
Garnaccio is primarily a left winger. The only guy there is Gittins and maybe Neto can switch sides. And and Gittins is an 18-year-old, 19-year-old coming from the Bundesliga. So if you're looking to have some sort of ah ah really good backup, you can do a lot worse than Garnaccio as a 40 million backup. Or if Gittins fluctuates...
00:41:26
Chino Onwuka
you know as as he adapts to a new league due to his age, Gannaccio will play a lot of games in that position. you know Simmons is more of a number 10 who you'd be shoehorning to left wing.
00:41:38
Chino Onwuka
We've talked about this before, but Kudus is a left-footed player. You already have Cole Palmer. You just bought Estaval. Kandri Paz is at Strasburg. So in a way, in terms of trying to complete a team and having a backup for every position,
00:41:54
Chino Onwuka
In that sense, Garnaccio does make ah lot a lot of sense and more sense than maybe some of those other players.
00:41:58
Chuku
Thank you.
Newcastle's Signing of Nick Valdemar
00:42:02
Emeka
Well, something tells me I'm seeing a lot of Pedronetto starting this season on the left, but that's just me. Well, moving on to another transfer from a ah team that had an eventful week, to say the least.
00:42:16
Emeka
After it feels like the your friend who goes to the bar hits on every single girl in there, and it's 3 a.m., and they finally just say, screw it, let me just settle on the one I lock on. After trying to buy, it seems like, every striker that it can breathe and walk. I mean, we got Love of the Game podcast, even got a bid for Chuka. We had to turn down because, you know, we don't sell players in the year two.
00:42:36
Emeka
Newcastle finally, finally have agreed terms with a striker, Nick Valdemar, who have to look that up to pronounce, 21-year-old striker from Germany for 80 million euros. You've probably seen the stat going around. He scored 12 goals in 28 games and for top league football.
00:42:55
Emeka
And that can get you an 80 million pound transfer these days. Chenna, Newcastle have tried, and more have they tried, to sign a striker this summer. They finally got one. How do you think signing this big German will impact them moving forward this season?
00:43:11
Chino Onwuka
You know what? It's something that they had to do They had to pay and really steep fee, 80 million euros. But again, they they were caught between a rock and a hard place.
00:43:26
Chino Onwuka
your Your employers are Saudi, so but money isn't an issue in that way, although they do have to stop team. Regardless, whatever they had to do at this point after striking out on so many players,
00:43:37
Chuku
Thank you.
00:43:40
Chino Onwuka
It would have been an expensive player. But what I will say is I really like the player. He's a big giant with techers. I don't know if you guys have had the chance to see him play. You know, I watched him a lot this summer because I was doing a lot of scouting on.
00:43:55
Chino Onwuka
You know, like there's a, there's a remontada of the big man striker. You know, we've seen it with a lot of the strikers that have gone this year, the lap, Ekitike, Yokores, Sesko. And he was one of the guys who was always profiled in that group when I was reading a lot of analysis, watching tape, and he's got beautiful feet.
00:44:15
Chino Onwuka
He can strike a ball in the under 21 tournament that just happened You know, he was brilliant in it. So I think he's a a really, really good player. This could be shades of, of Isaac again, where they paid a high release fee to get him out of Sociedad.
00:44:32
Chino Onwuka
And, you know, Bayern tried to get him multiple times. You know, they like poaching from the German league. They'd identified him as the heir to Harry Kane, put in a lot of, of bids, you know, Stuttgart held their ground and, and Newcastle,
00:44:48
Chino Onwuka
probably bought him maybe 15 to 20 million euros higher than need be. But, you know, considering what they've been through, it is what it is. They they need a striker either to replace Isaac or to be there while he goes through whatever he's going through or to replace Callum Wilson. I think he's a good player. Did they spend a lot? Yes. But, you know, sometimes it is what it is. I like him. I don't have, have you guys had a chance to, to watch his tape and what are your thoughts? Yeah.
00:45:17
Emeka
I'm not going to sit here and cap to the good listening people of our audience. I have never seen this man play football in my life. But everything you said is... i what i have I have read about him, and everything you say is true.
00:45:28
Emeka
He has been chased heavily by Bayern. Like, you nailed it. Chased heavily by Bayern. And it says a lot about the power of the Prem that Newcastle is going to get him and Bayern can't. Because back in the days, Bayern had a monopoly on on German talent. And now words and...
00:45:44
Emeka
ah ah voltimot have made their way to Premier League and Bayern are holding the bag. but i want like Newcastle fans, I'll give you that. like you check You're buying a guy who Bayern has been eyeing for, it German talent, and you know tall, all that stuff.
00:45:58
Emeka
I just feel like i would feel a lot better about this transfer if Isak was confirmed to be staying and you're buying him to you know take a year to bet in, groom, and then Isak goes in next summer, you had a year to adjust, and then now you can step in.
00:46:14
Emeka
You're getting him now because, they were like you said with Isak, they bought the release clause. But he bought him. I mean, he's washed now, but people forget. When Isak first came over, he was splitting time with Callum Wilson. It was a 50-50 equal partnership. He started one game.
00:46:27
Emeka
Callum started the next game. Now, Voltemont has to come in and be the the main man.
00:46:29
Chuku
Thank you.
00:46:32
Emeka
Maybe this changes.
00:46:33
Chino Onwuka
Fair enough.
00:46:34
Emeka
Maybe Izak stays or maybe they they sign a Wiesel somebody else.
00:46:34
Chino Onwuka
Fair enough, yeah.
00:46:38
Emeka
But that's the part where it caused some concern where we're asking a young kid who just sha broke into the scene to now be the nine and focal point and main goal scorer on a team that's in the Champions League.
00:46:52
Emeka
and has dreams to return the Champions League. That's a big ask. So I don't know. I'm, again, excited to see him in the Premier League. like you know A big man, the return of the big man is real.
00:47:03
Emeka
But I just don't know if I feel comfortable if I'm Newcastle. He's the guy who I need it to hit. It becomes not even a hope or a dream. I need him to give me 20 goals. And that's a big ask for a young kid with a big price tag attached to his name.
00:47:19
Emeka
So more power to him. And I hope Newcastle can give him some help because if he's just the only striker signing they make, you're asking a lot from the boy. What are your thoughts on the transfer, Chico?
00:47:29
Chuku
but like Just to your point, before I even make my own opinions or talk about the the player, this is the reason why Newcastle haven't sanctioned the ISAC move yet, you know? Because they clearly feel like he, like Walter Mudd, that how we say the name? Walter Mudd?
00:47:52
Emeka
Welcome, are you?
00:47:52
Chuku
He's not Walter Mudd, Walter Mudd, okay.
00:47:53
Chino Onwuka
Walter Muddich.
00:47:55
Chuku
So Walter Mardy, like, he's clearly not and enough to be the out-and-out, you know, number one guy by himself just this minute no just a second. And that's probably one of the reasons why Newcastle, at least it's been reported with Newcastle, are looking to, you know, pair the sign-in with another striker sign-in before they feel comfortable to, you know, kind of sanction that Isak move. And I think, you know,
00:48:22
Chuku
a guy like Awisa, for example, which they've been linked with as well, would be a perfect fit to be not only someone i could possibly play alongside him, but also someone that can actually, you know, kind of substitute it out in terms of, you know, for for rest or, you know, for depth purposes.
00:48:41
Chuku
So I definitely think, you know, oh we're going to definitely see, you know, I'm going to be paying close attention in the final days of the transfer market to see what Newcastle does.
00:48:52
Chuku
but just speaking on the, you know, the player himself, I mean, I'm not, I'm not going to say, yeah, I've been watching a bunch of his games, but from the, you know, research I've done over the summer, because again, like you guys have already covered, you know, when I saw links of Bayern Munich, you know, strongly linked to the, you know, some young up and coming, you know, German forward, you know, you kind of take notice of who that, you know, of who that talent or who that player is. And I mean,
00:49:22
Chuku
Lord have mercy. Some of the things I was seeing this brother do at 6'6", obviously well just i mean just watching YouTube comps here, but i mean the way he moves is is definitely hella freakish you know for somebody of that size. He definitely looks like someone that has a lot of technical ability.
00:49:41
Chuku
Like I said, some of the ways he's able to you know move his body in different angles and just It's it is mind-boggling sometimes. When I was watching some of the highlights, I had to actually kind of no take my time to kind of no go back and know re-watch some things because I just couldn't believe what he was doing at that at that height.
00:50:05
Chuku
So i I'm very interested to see what that's going to look like in the in the league. And this is one of the reasons why EPL is such a you know such an amazing league because it's just able to attract all these top talents from around the world you know to come and play in this one league, I mean, it's just exciting to watch. So anytime we're able to bring in no exciting talents like like like this to to know to bring them into the league is always a good thing, in my opinion, because I want the EPL to have all the top talents that we can watch on a week-in, week-out basis. So, yeah, I'm interested to see what Nicasso does because I do agree.
00:50:44
Chuku
Just him alone is – going to be no far too much pressure and it's not going to be enough for the kind of heights that Newcastle probably have set for themselves.
00:50:59
Chuku
They're definitely going to probably want to bring in one more, probably someone a little bit older, and more but you know more mature, has more experience, I'm thinking. We'll see. But as far as, know, again, the kid and his talents, I really do think, you know, he has the makings of someone that could be, you know,
00:51:16
Chuku
very, very big and in the sports. And I mean, when a team like Bayern is trying to recruit you, I mean, you would you'd figure that this is ah is a top talent here that we're talking about. So it's amazing to see that Newcastle were able to get this deal over the line. It was amazing to see that the player was even willing to make the move to Newcastle.
00:51:36
Chuku
And for me, just screams are one of those things where, you know, he comes to Newcastle, we come to the EP, the premier league, bright lights. No, if he ends up being the player, the kind of player that he is, that we that that we think that he he is, no, he's probably going to be at Newcastle for anywhere from two to four years at the most.
00:51:56
Chuku
And he's probably going to be not picked up by a bigger club at some point. Probably who knows, but maybe Byron circles back in in the year or two's time, but either way,
00:52:06
Chuku
you know Not a bad you know potential you know replacement if Eastside gloves end up leaving. And I think Newcastle did good for themselves to get a talent like this to their club.
00:52:17
Chuku
But yeah, what do you guys...
00:52:20
Emeka
No, I think that's really it. Like, you know, it's the Premier League. we want We're English-speaking people. We grew up sporting Arsenal. We watched the Premier League every week, so we just take it for granted.
00:52:32
Emeka
It is crazy the financial disparity that this league has compared to other people in the league. it's Bayern Munich can't even get the German players anymore. like That's crazy. like It's really Madrid.
00:52:44
Emeka
can't say Barcelona because Barcelona broke. It's really Madrid, and then if you don't go to Madrid and you want to get big paid, it's either Saudi or the Premier League. that's so That's a position to be growing up.
00:52:53
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, mid-table teams are buying players
Manchester United's Struggles and Amarim's Future
00:52:56
Chino Onwuka
from AC Milan.
00:52:57
Emeka
Like, it's it's crazy out here.
00:52:58
Chino Onwuka
Like...
00:53:00
Emeka
Growing up, the Brazilian national team, you would never see anyone in the Premier League. They all play for Real Madrid, Barcelona, AC Milan. You've all these big teams. Go look at the Brazilian national team. They're mid-table Premier League players there now.
00:53:12
Emeka
but It's actually a different world. But, hey, i as get as a guy who benefits it, I love it. I'll just say real quick, though, seeing all the prices for these strikers in the the market has made me feel lot better about my man Victor Yokoz coming Arsenal for what he what he came for, you know.
00:53:31
Emeka
We can't touch the weekend games, i was going to say. It's two. It's nice little two for my man Victor. and I hope there's many more to come. We've talked about, you know, Volta Madre, my Yo Karez.
00:53:44
Emeka
Chinon said the resurgence of the big strikers. And it's been a very positive podcast so far, but we've been saving the biggest, in my opinion, biggest news in football for now.
00:53:55
Chuku
you
00:53:55
Emeka
The Big Strikers Association, there was a guy, Benjamin Sesko, who made the decision.
00:54:00
Emeka
He said, I don't want to comp compete with Kai Havers. That guy's a little too scary for me. Let me go to Manchester United. And he he had his first start of the season in a humble midweek game.
00:54:14
Emeka
Manchester United, the glory, glory man United, visiting lowly Grimsby Town in the second round. Let me say second round of the Carly Cup, not even the third round. Second round of the calling cup for the teams who don't qualify for Europe.
00:54:26
Emeka
Man unit United has strolled up in there, and before they could know it, it was 2-0 in Grimsby Town. And I would say I couldn't believe it, but couldn't believe it, and I actually put a little cheeky wager beforehand on Grimsby winning because this United team, and we've caught we've covered it on the podcast many times, but, man, it bears repeating this week are horrendous.
00:54:47
Emeka
I don't know if the came back and made it 2-2 because the fact that they were down 2-0 like that to begin with, is a joke. And they put a full-strength team out there. And with the penalty shootouts, and if you haven't seen it, I promise you, listeners, it's worth your time.
00:55:01
Emeka
Pull up the penalty shootouts and watch Onana have one of the worst performances I've ever seen a goalkeeper have in a penalty shootout.
00:55:08
Chuku
you
00:55:09
Emeka
Eventually, twelve eleven they lose. Two signings this summer happened to miss the penalties. First, it was Cunha and then Mbwemo. You couldn't script it better. And I just want to point out that the guy who went 10th, literally, you can't go later than that in the penalty shootout was one Benjamin Sesko.
00:55:30
Emeka
My striker could never. I'm going to start with you, Chukwu, because this is a topic and dear to all our hearts. going to just say, take it however you want to leave it. This week, as a Manchester United hater, how has it been to see and observe?
00:55:45
Chuku
Man, it's been beautiful being a Miami United hater, man. I feel like at this point, i almost want to say i feel like kind of bad.
00:55:55
Chuku
Like, I don't It's not crazy to say. Like, I actually might feel...
00:55:58
Chino Onwuka
Nope, nope, nope, we're not doing that over Nope, nope, we're not doing that over here.
00:55:59
Chuku
Kind of, I hear it. Listen, I hear it.
00:56:04
Chino Onwuka
Nope.
00:56:04
Chuku
I hear it. I hear it still. But that just that just goes to tell you how shite United have been. Like, for you to lose to a Division 4 team, like, you were down 2-0. Should have been 3.
00:56:21
Chuku
But, you know, we're not going to get into it. You come back. You know, you bring all your you bring all your your big guns, second and a half. You make a comeback. You know, tie the game. Not able to win it in regular with time. Get forced to go to penalties.
00:56:35
Chuku
And your marquee striker. The marquee striker. You're telling me that had all this hype, all this talk that, you know, We're thinking, hey, man, look, I'm i'm not expecting him to take the EPL league by storm, but my goodness, I do expect top signing like that to at least have some sort of an impact.
00:56:59
Chuku
when it comes to playing a cup competition that you should ever be in in the first you should not have even been in this position in the first place, but obviously due to the fact that, you know, I had such a horrific season last year, you find yourself in these qualifiers, and you still are not able to put a strong showing in a game like this.
00:57:19
Chuku
Man, if I'm, I mean, look, I'm not going to write him off just so fast because obviously he's still very early and he's a very young, he's still a very young man, has a lot to, you know, there's a lot of time for him to still, you know, turn this around.
00:57:33
Chuku
all I'm going to say is, so far, as you know, he's looking spooky a little bit, you know, looking spooky in United right now, you know. And im mean maybe it's not the fault of the player. Maybe this is more the fault of the the coach and his tactics and instructions that he has, you know, when it comes to, you know, I guess navigating the players that he currently has in Amren.
00:57:56
Chuku
But, say what you want. I was of the belief, I was trying to tell guys, you know, outside, like, I don't care what sort of tactics, what sort of instructions, what sort of, you know, coaching that you want to say.
00:58:12
Chuku
You could have put a you know, don't know, a kindergarten teacher out there. I'm saying with the kind of squad and players that United have, there's no way you should be even like getting down 2-0 against a Grimsby. Like, didn't even know this team existed before this game came up came about. Because, like, you don't understand, the cost of one player is the entire squad value of that Grimsby football book club.
00:58:48
Chuku
One player is can be used.
00:58:50
Chino Onwuka
but what not not not Not even the football club. Like the whole town.
00:58:56
Chuku
That's insane. And you lost to that? no the the like Again, like I said, I mean, look, Amran has a lot of faults. ye He has a lot of blame in all this.
00:59:10
Chuku
But I'm so sorry, man. The player is going to take some some accountability as well because there is no way... you go out there on that pitch and you let a Division team play you out the park.
00:59:24
Chuku
Like, it almost thought they were playing Juventus or something because what I was seeing in that first half was, like, I had to almost scratch my eyes a little bit because i there's no way you're telling me one team is in Division IV and the other one is in the Premier League. I could ah ah couldn't tell you which one was which. I mean, I could, but I'll tell you I would have been wrong.
00:59:44
Chuku
So, it just... Yeah, like enough. I don't know what more can be said on on this. Yeah, you know, United, this did they just they don't look like they've they've done anything to improve at all.
01:00:01
Chuku
even with all the additions they've made. i mean, again, still early in the season, and I don't want to write them off so quickly, but so far, these additions don't seem to have made much of a difference, at least as of yet, when it comes to the outlook of United, and I'll be very you know interested to see how it all plays out in the coming weeks.
01:00:25
Chuku
But so far, it's not looking good over there in Manchester. But, yeah. That's my take.
01:00:32
Chino Onwuka
well So I have a lot of things to say. But first, I just want to say, so you talked about Cesco. How about I was waiting for you to talk about Cunha?
01:00:41
Chuku
Well, Kunya, you know,
01:00:44
Chino Onwuka
Mm-hmm. Continue.
01:00:46
Chuku
yes Kunya has shown flashes you know of his jubilee ability. You know what I'm saying?
01:00:52
Chino Onwuka
OK. OK.
01:00:53
Chuku
He's shown flashes.
01:00:55
Chino Onwuka
okay
01:00:55
Chuku
well i mean, as far as doing what he does,
01:00:58
Chino Onwuka
How about his penalty?
01:01:02
Chuku
It was very poor.
01:01:03
Chino Onwuka
Okay.
01:01:03
Chuku
Very, very poor.
01:01:04
Chino Onwuka
All I wanted to say is, look, let's let's just let's just put our cards on the table. You guys wanted Yokoz. I wanted Cesco. So I know you're going to have agendas against Cesco.
01:01:16
Chino Onwuka
the whole time which is fine but let's not do what I just heard where we scapegoat Cesco who had his first start where when you had Cunha who also didn't have on any impact against a week to team guys after League two is no league Cunha didn't have any impact to who Chukua said is his signing of the season Bruno didn't have any impact who we all know is a great player.
01:01:46
Chino Onwuka
Almost got a goal, but he also missed a key penalty. So as a collective, we're going to talk about Amarim. Sorry, this is a League 2 team. Everybody on that team carries shame.
01:02:00
Chino Onwuka
Now, if you want to do a Janice Gancesco, fine. mean, it's this is really his first start. So if if it's the 10th game and things are still looking like that, then I think that's fair. But I think it's...
01:02:14
Chino Onwuka
it's it's It's a lot. It's doing too much. It's doing a little bit of Gen Z Twitter to start making any proclamations about Cesco after one game. Now, if you want to see why is he taking up the 10th penalty, I think that's a legitimate argument. But if all the other things you're going to talk about, and I feel it's kind of weird that he's the first thing mentioned in spite of all the other names. Now, back to the bigger picture.
01:02:42
Chino Onwuka
This is disastrous for Manchester United. First game of the season. They played well, better than Arsenal. Lost the game. Amorin comes out and says, this proves that we can beat any team.
01:02:56
Chino Onwuka
I guess it's good that he said Premier League because they can't beat a team in League 2. Like, Chukwu, you said it. That first half, Grimsby outplayed them. They were deservedly 2-0 up.
01:03:10
Chino Onwuka
They could have been 3-0 up. One, they missed a good chance in the box. Two, a goal was ruled off for what one could say was offside.
01:03:18
Chuku
I'm not sure what you're
01:03:19
Chino Onwuka
And I think they had the ball in the net another time. They had the ball in the net four times. And Man U was playing a a strong team.
01:03:25
Chuku
doing.
01:03:26
Chino Onwuka
So, I just... I just don't know where to go from here. Now, look, I think you need you need to give Amorim more time.
01:03:37
Chino Onwuka
You need to give him a year, maybe two, maybe three in that job. You can't make any rash decisions. They made a rash decision on Ole, who we wanted to stay.
01:03:48
Chino Onwuka
Look what happened. They made a rash decision. Who was that Austrian guy? we we we We told board, Agnick needs to stay.
01:03:54
Emeka
Ragnarok. lord
01:03:57
Chino Onwuka
They didn't listen to us. Okay, Ten Hag came in. He won them an f FA Cup. We told them, you can't sack Ten Hag. They didn't listen to us again.
01:04:08
Chino Onwuka
And it just keeps getting worse. United board, Sir Jim, you can't sack Amaran. You know, you got to give him time. got to give him time on the field.
01:04:19
Chino Onwuka
Let him buy more players, more wingbacks, left wingbacks, right wingbacks. You got to keep him. can't make any rash decisions because it is really peak for that team. Like, I don't know.
01:04:32
Chino Onwuka
We were all excited by their attacking signings, but we we've said here that they need something in midfield. They definitely need a ah good goalkeeper because like Emeka said, that wass one of the worst goalkeeping performances we've ever seen.
01:04:47
Chino Onwuka
And I just don't like, as a coach, I'm sorry, if you have that group of players, yes, there's some warts in there. Part of your job is to be a coach.
01:05:01
Chino Onwuka
And you can say you have ah ah philosophy, you can say you have your principles, you can come with the Dior jacket and the styled out hair, but I'm sorry, your first job is to coach.
01:05:12
Chino Onwuka
And I don't know what coaching he's doing because they have good players. They do. They have good players, but for some reason, i don't know what he's doing there.
01:05:26
Chino Onwuka
I know Emeka is ready with the stats in terms of how but how bad how many games they haven't won. We've talked about their goal difference, but you can't lose to the Greensby time. Even if they somehow managed to win on penalties, I think the the the the skeletons have been have been made bare. They have to win tomorrow against Burnley because after that, I don't know if you guys have it in front of you, but what's their schedule what's their schedule after Burnley? it's I'll just pull up here.
01:06:04
Chino Onwuka
After Burnley, they've got Man City and they've got Chelsea. So if they don't beat Burnley tomorrow, They could get to the point where they're five games into the season and they have one or two points.
01:06:19
Chino Onwuka
out of the out Not in Europe. Out of the Carling Cup. Bruh.
01:06:28
Emeka
His peak. Oh, before I get to quote or quote stats, I almost switched things up and I have a quote. I have a call for Ruben Amarim who gave it May 21st, 2025.
01:06:41
Emeka
And he said, if Manchester United board does not believe in me anymore, I will resign and I will give up all my salary. You don't have to pay me any compensation. What I would pay for a reporter to ask him next press conference if that offer is still on the table.
01:06:56
Emeka
Because i asked a man who was talking with his chest who i thought he was bigger than the curse that has followed Man United.
01:06:56
Chuku
Thank you.
01:07:03
Emeka
And this curse is real. I said in the summer, and I always love saying it I don't care who Man Utd signed. I saw them sign Cristiano Ronaldo. For some reason, there is something rotten in this club.
01:07:16
Emeka
And it just, as an Arsenal fan, it give brings me so much joy to see... If you are not a a thirty s we know late 20s, early 30s, and you missed a Ferguson United, you don't understand the the joy this gives to see them do this. Man United had a reign of terror on that red-nosed man, Alex Ferguson, that lasted and felt my entire life.
01:07:41
Emeka
I never thought I'd see them like this. Yes, the stat is. Ruben Almerum has coached 29 games. People say give him time. you said that jokingly, but he goes higher November 1st.
01:07:52
Emeka
It's September. It's 10 months. Two transfer windows. You got to show me something. In the 10 months he's been coached, 29 Premier League games,
01:08:00
Chuku
you
01:08:03
Emeka
seven wins 28 total points. Do you know that's relegated? We joke and say, this is actually do the relegation form. And also, same way we joke and laugh, they finished 15 last year.
01:08:16
Emeka
And these Spurs can pretend that the Europa League covers up the blemish. Man, you have nothing to show for it. 15. It's crazy. And the truth of the matter is,
01:08:28
Emeka
Like Chukwu said, and perfectly, I should be able to put a scuba diving instructor out there and they should beat Grimsby. This is Man United. This team is in the Premier League. Everyone in that team makes in salary one week what this club operates on yearly budget. Like, this is levels we're talking about here.
01:08:46
Emeka
And they couldn't... um and You guys just nailed it perfectly. They outplayed them. It wasn't a smash and grab. They out... genuinely outplayed them. It was unbelievable to watch.
01:09:00
Emeka
And the saddest part is I saw it coming. Do you know how low confidence i you have to have in a team like Man U that I looked at the schedule and I saw Grisby away and I thought Grisby can actually beat these guys.
01:09:12
Emeka
That's how bad Man United have been. This season is just a shambles. And I just got to say, I saw who actually like believed him a little bit.
01:09:20
Chuku
Thank you.
01:09:21
Emeka
I was kind of jealous when they signed him. In this less than a year it's been, there is nothing I hate more in a manager than a manager who refuses to adapt to his surroundings and just has a quote-unquote system they have to implement and are dogmatic and refuse to make changes.
01:09:36
Emeka
Why is they still playing 3-4-3? Ruben, this is not working. I don't know. This is not working. This is clear. It's been two transfer windows now. You've had chances to guide these players.
01:09:48
Emeka
This is trash. Change it. You can't get away with playing Bruno in a two-man midfield.
01:09:53
Chuku
Thank you.
01:09:54
Emeka
If we don't work you you see...
01:09:54
Chino Onwuka
Did you see what they did when when they tried to make all their subs, when they brought on Mason Mount and you thought, okay, they're putting everyone in attack, going to go to fourth or back? No, what he did, he put the low LCB and he played Mount at left wing back. That's how stuck he is.
01:10:10
Emeka
It's crazy. You're going to a league two-center. You're playing three centerbacks. Why, Ruben? Why? i just don't. The dogmatic nature of it, it just it if I was a United fan, it would fill me with so much anger to see this.
01:10:27
Emeka
We're losing players. Garnacha, who I don't like, but whatever. He's still a young, homegrown guy. you' isolating him. Hoyland, who you bought for big money, he kicked him out the squad. He's gone.
01:10:38
Emeka
Kobe Maynard was begging to get a loan. This is the impact it's having on your team. The players are not... in If you haven't seen the interviews he gave after that Grisby loss, the only manager ever seen try harder to get fired was Antonio Conte.
01:10:53
Emeka
Because he pretty much just said, all these players are trash and all they to be fired. You saw what they did out there. You saw what they did out there. They made a decision out there. They're talking like a guy who wants to get that severance pay.
01:11:04
Emeka
So, again, I'll full circle and say what I would give a reporter next press conference. Ruben, May, you said you would be willing to quit and give up all your severance. All you managed to find in the world willing to know is that offer still on the table.
01:11:20
Chino Onwuka
I want to ask, how many hours did y'all spend either checking for Man U fan reaction on Twitter or watching Man U fan reaction ah ah before the game? is You have to watch it before the game because...
01:11:37
Chino Onwuka
A lot of them were complaining about the thing. and they were saying, okay, we'll beat Grimsby. Like, they they totally overlooked Grimsby. They thought that was a banker, which I don't blame them for. So the the before reaction, the during the game reaction, and after, I spent hours i spent hours watching. I'm going to put my hand up. Like, I don't know if you get guys did as well. If you haven't, please, please. It is beautiful, beautiful viewing.
01:12:05
Emeka
I know you're watching Chukwu. We'll delay the last week, my United fans out there. Give us like give us a report. how did they I'm sure they were calm and collected in handling this result.
01:12:16
Chuku
yes ah ah meltdowns I've watched in the last couple of hours, I'll say it's been just just chef's kisses, man. It's been, yeah, is it's been bad. It's been bad. And you know what?
01:12:33
Chuku
Rightfully so, because like I said, like we've talked about this enough. You can't be... Like, forget about even being the the the biggest team in the EPL, bro.
01:12:45
Chuku
Like, forget about that. You can't just be an EPL team in general and you lose to a fourth division football club, let alone...
01:12:58
Chuku
Being the team that calls themselves, again, you know, and they have every right to call themselves this, by the way, but the team that calls themselves the biggest club in England, and you go and lose to bottom feeders.
01:13:11
Chuku
You do realize, Queensborough are not even first in their league. I can't remember where they were. don't think they're even top three right now in their league.
01:13:23
Chuku
And you went, and you found a way to not beat them. It's just, yeah, no, like I guess said, the the the United fan base is definitely in shatters. They're in shambles, you know meltdowns all over the gaff.
01:13:40
Chuku
mean, yeah, i ah if you haven't watched yourself or you haven't seen it yourself, you need to go check out the Saeed podcast. you know, after the game, you know, match reaction.
01:13:53
Chuku
And that he's my go-to for all things my United meltdowns because you start from there and it takes you...
01:14:01
Chino Onwuka
It's a gold bridge for me.
01:14:04
Chuku
Oh, I mean, that's the thing. You start there and then it's, you know... It takes you towards this whole you know dark webs where you start seeing the gold bridges of the world and the other in other you know contact creators.
01:14:18
Chuku
you know KG is another good one. But yeah, you just I just love seeing the tears and the meltdowns. It's been it's been beautiful to watch. And no long but long may continue, you know? Long may continue. I mean, we'll be on your United Front Watch again this weekend as they play Burnley.
01:14:38
Chuku
And I'm hoping Burnley can do something for the boys. But we'll see. We'll see. But, yeah, you know, ah United fan base has definitely been in shadows. And I've enjoyed trolling every single one of my – you know United boys that I know so closely. so yeah it's been ah It's been a great couple of weeks be to be a United hater, that's for sure.
01:14:59
Emeka
Hey, I long may continue. Channel, I ask you this with as much sincerity as I can. We record this podcast next week, early next week. Is Ruben Almarin still United's coach?
01:15:15
Chino Onwuka
If they lose, he he's out by the international break. if
01:15:21
Chuku
you
01:15:21
Chino Onwuka
I don't even know if draw is enough. They need to win.
01:15:26
Emeka
Honestly, if I was the Man United owner, I would pull room in my office and I'd tell him two things. Like you said, you have to win. If you draw or lose, you're out. And if I see you line up in a 3-4-3, I'm firing you halftime.
01:15:38
Emeka
Like, this is, yeah it has to end. but has This has to end at some point.
01:15:43
Chino Onwuka
Here's just the thing, and I know you have to move on. Here's the problem with, again... what they do They just backed him with $200 million in signings. Now, I will say at the very least, you know these are signings that could fit in in other systems. It wasn't like they spent $200 million on winbacks who can't play any other the position. But you now have to hope that if you do sack him and maybe they don't even have a choice, that these players and how they spent their money are...
01:16:15
Chino Onwuka
players that the new manager likes or has to work with because then you now get into the same cycle that every United manager has been in.
01:16:23
Emeka
and I get that, but to your point, I feel like it sure ah but how they moved this summer tells me that the board doesn't believe in him. Because this man is addicted to 3-4-3, and he has not bought a single wing back and through in two windows.
01:16:35
Emeka
Clearly, the board is saying, we don't believe in the system, change it up. And he's just being so stubborn about it.
01:16:40
Chino Onwuka
True. True.
01:16:41
Emeka
like it'
01:16:42
Chino Onwuka
That's a good point.
01:16:43
Emeka
it's so its um I love it as a hater, but if I was a fan, it would infuriate me. that he He refuses to adapt even though his team is not built for this. He doesn't have a single wing back on their roster and they still play 3-4-3.
01:16:58
Emeka
It doesn't make sense. He put Mason Mount there. He puts Diallo there. like just Just try. Just switch it up. Just see give it a five-game stretch and if it doesn't work, you try.
01:17:10
Emeka
I just don't understand managers. People hold Pep up as the most dogmatic. He's oh, we have to play Pep football. I've said last season when Man City were losing, they were trying everything.
01:17:21
Emeka
Pep would, at some point, he just he just put his hands up and just say, I don't know it's going on, bro. We'll throw you, if you can breathe, we'll throw you out there because don't know what's going I'm trying to fix it.
01:17:27
Chuku
Thank you.
01:17:30
Emeka
That's the kind of manager I want. Arteta came up. He was playing four at the back. Leaking goes left to right. Put through in the back. Shored it up. And when he got some better players, switch it off from that.
01:17:41
Emeka
You can build your team to suit your players. It's not illegal. You'll have to commit to something and just live with it. I don't understand managers who do this because the best managers, the peps, the Arsens, the Fergusons, change their systems to suit the players that they have. That's literally Ferguson's whole mantra.
01:18:00
Emeka
You're Man United. Man United famously was, we don't have a philosophy. Our philosophy is win. That was the whole thing. And yet, here's this guy who, like you know what said, came in with your slick hair, your jackets, and acting all sweet, and now you're getting slopped up by Grimsby Town.
01:18:16
Emeka
You can't even watch the the penalty shootout. You're so afraid. You're playing football manager on your iPad in the rain. Oh, goodness.
01:18:23
Chino Onwuka
Bro, that moon will feed generations, bro. They aren't ready.
01:18:26
Emeka
hello
01:18:27
Chino Onwuka
They aren't ready.
01:18:31
Emeka
The only thing that you to circle back to Chukwu's first part about how you almost feel bad. God forbid I feel bad for Man U fan, but there's a small piece of me. Seeing him twiddle with that thing in the rain, I couldn't help but feel, damn, Ruben.
01:18:44
Emeka
left sporting for this. You left sporting for this, bro. Oh, man. It's not our game of the week, but boy, oh boy, am I going to be locked in to when they play Burnley because if they don't win that game, I think we're recording this episode next week and we're seeing some comunicado officials get sent out. But, yeah, Man United fans, don't fret.
01:19:06
Emeka
Don't worry. Jose Mourinho is available. And if that's not your speed, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is available. Always at the wheel. Get Rio back in. Give him a contract. He'll sort all this out.
01:19:18
Emeka
So don't worry. Help is on the way, guys. Help is on the way. Oh, as we know, it's been a great episode.
NFL Trade Shock: Micah Parsons Deal
01:19:24
Emeka
We've talked about, you know, the beautiful game and and the transfer window. But football and sarate soccer, apologies, isn't the only sport where transfers are happening right now.
01:19:34
Emeka
This is the Love of the Game podcast. We've been football heavy to start the season, but as more sports start kicking off, we're trying expand our coverage, of course.
01:19:41
Chuku
Thank you.
01:19:42
Emeka
And transfer windows in all sports, apparently, because but yesterday, out the blue, I was in court just chilling, and my phone starts blowing up. I'm looking at the judge like, what's going on?
01:19:54
Emeka
I sneak off, and I see my group chat exploding. When a group chat explodes, usually means a big move has happened. And boy, oh boy, that a big move happened. The Dallas Cowboys, after putting up with Micah Parsons all summer and his antics, decided, you know what?
01:20:08
Emeka
We're done with this. And traded him to the Green Bay Packers for two first-round picks and Kenny Clark. I don't even know what this is. You never see moves like this in football, is in NFL, I'd say. like It's rare you trade a guy who immediately signs a $47 million-year-per-deal contract because the highest-paid player in the league.
01:20:28
Emeka
Chukwu, I don't i know how to start with this. Warrior, what was your instant reaction when you saw the headline come through your phone that the Dallas Cowboys really traded Michael Parsons?
01:20:39
Chuku
Shock. I mean, surprised. i Lost for words. Dumbfounded. mean, I don't know. This is just, yeah, this is just, it's it's crazy what's going on, man. Dallas, in the span of a year, have seen two generational talents leave, you know,
01:21:05
Chuku
leave their be their state. Like, it's incredible. Like, i honestly, I'm just in shock. Like, man, we thought Nico Harris could be be one of the worst GMs in all sports.
01:21:22
Chuku
And, yeah that goodness gracious, dallas Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones said, hold my beer. I think I got something for you because – I mean, look, Kenny Clark is not a bad player.
01:21:37
Chuku
And getting two first-round picks, I'm sure, is great and all. But Micah Parsons is Micah Parsons. He is a first-ballot Hall of Fame. and like like He's a Hall of Fame player. I don't know what we're doing here. like How do you trade a guy like that who is entering his prime or it is in his prime, still has many years to go in this league,
01:22:05
Chuku
plenty to offer and you're just going to just trade in just like that. Like it it doesn't make sense to me. You know, it doesn't make sense to me. And yeah, I've just been, I'm still in the middle of trying to process this. Like that's just like in my head, I, it was one of those things where, you know, I know the deals happened,
01:22:25
Chuku
But it won't truly hit me until I actually see him playing in that green bay, you know, green and yellow. Because I need to see ah and you see it. But either way, I mean, I just think, yeah, Dallas is just, they're not serious. And it just goes to show what bad ownership or bad, you know, I guess leadership can do.
01:22:47
Chuku
i mean, not to say that Jerry Jones is a bad owner, because obviously in over the course of his time, know, being the owner of the Cowboys, he's won. you a few rings under his belt, but his, know, his leadership over the last decade plus, a little over decade plus, has just gone to show that, shown that he's clearly not doing, or at least not well-equipped enough to be, you know, running the team the way he's been running the team these last few, you know, couple of years. And, um, And,
01:23:19
Chuku
It's shown on on the football field you know with some of the decisions that they've made. So, yeah, when you ask me about this topic, I'm just – I'm still trying to process because, like I said, I just cannot believe something like this, a trade like this could even happen or even take place. And congratulations to the Green Bay Packers, man. You just got yourself a first battle hall of favor to your to you to olla defensive line.
01:23:44
Chuku
And they're going to be very interesting to watch. I'll tell you that. But yeah, what about you guys? What do you guys think?
01:23:53
Chino Onwuka
Yeah, like, first of all, my commiserations, condolences to to Dallas Sportsbet. You've really been through it, but just because of time, I... look Jerry Jones, it's it's it's really full circle because I've been watching the the Jerry Jones Cowboys documentary on Netflix, and it's really interesting to watch because he's... it's It's quite the story, let me tell you that, but...
01:24:22
Chino Onwuka
After watching that and seeing this deal, my mind immediately went to, oh, he's going to tell himself he's doing what he did when they traded Herschel Walker for five players who were who were cut and then turned into draft picks that they turned into into diamonds. And in his mind, he's doing the same thing again. And what do you know at the press conference? That's the first thing he says.
01:24:45
Chino Onwuka
i think this is terrible.
01:24:49
Chino Onwuka
Different because and I won't go into that but you're truly a generational player for two potentially low first round picks and a solid but maybe
01:24:57
Chuku
you
01:25:04
Chino Onwuka
the Regressing defensive tackle and If that was your intention the whole time, if it was a situation where there was no way you could rec resign him and then you were able to at least get something for him, that would be a different story to me. But this is all because you messed up the negotiations.
01:25:26
Chino Onwuka
You could have signed him last year, but no, you do this thing where maybe for clicks or I don't know what other reason, you like to drag it to the last minute and then pay top of the market anyway.
01:25:38
Chino Onwuka
But no, because you dallied, you had TJ Watt sign his contract, you had Miles Garrett sign his contract, so you got to pay, you got to pay Micah Parsons more than that.
01:25:52
Chino Onwuka
And then the whole fiasco of what happened when you tried to get it get him to agree to a contract without his agent and all the back and forth that has gone on since then, you're trying to force him to sign a fifth year Like, because of that whole aspect for it, I think this is a terrible deal because your first choice should be always to keep Micah Parsons, and they had the chance to do that.
01:26:18
Chino Onwuka
I believe he was willing to play for them, but with everything that went on with the negotiations, it didn't work. So there is no way you can spin the the optics of the trade as a win for Dallas. Now, who knows what happens when things actually happen on the field.
01:26:35
Chino Onwuka
you know Maybe those two picks turn it into something. Who knows? We won't be able to judge that until five years later. But as we look at the deal today, it is a a huge, huge L for Dallas on the Micah Parsons side of things.
01:26:51
Chino Onwuka
on Good job, Young Buck, on getting your money. 47 mil. Damn! as that's That's quarterback money we're talking about. 47-0. He goes to the Packers.
01:27:03
Chino Onwuka
Packers are now probably, I don't know what you guys think. maybe Maybe the favorites, I don't know if they're above the Eagles now, but I'm seeing a lot of people out there.
01:27:11
Emeka
Well the favorites
01:27:13
Chino Onwuka
I'm seeing a lot of people having them as the favorites coming out the NFC now. So I wanted to know what you guys think about that. But, you know, the Fleurs always had a top five offense. You know, they seem that they may be finally have ah their wide receiver one in golden.
01:27:27
Chino Onwuka
I'm seeing a lot of people have them as number one in and NFC. I know Chukwu doesn't. and And I'm curious as to to your thoughts on that aspect. What does this mean for the Packers? Because we've talked a lot about the Cowboys side.
01:27:40
Emeka
I mean, i I can see why – I mean, i not for – they're not my favorites, but I can see why, you know, it's natural sure to feel that way. it just, you know, it's an exact echo of Reggie White.
01:27:52
Emeka
little before my time, but I haven't read the history.
01:27:54
Chino Onwuka
Yeah. Yeah.
01:27:55
Emeka
and NFC East team traded him.
01:27:55
Chino Onwuka
27. Fred Favre was 27. Jordan Love is Reggie Yeah.
01:27:57
Emeka
Yep.
01:28:01
Chino Onwuka
not Nice one.
01:28:02
Emeka
It just seems like an exact replica of Reggie White, but – just so Before i talk about the Packers, I don't know, maybe I'm i'm off base here because and initially when I saw the reaction of the trade, ah ah trait I was like, this is crazy, blah, blah.
01:28:16
Emeka
And then I start thinking about it, and I'm really, Micah Parsons is fantastic. I don't want say I'm slandery. and He's fantastic. Hall of Famer. First ballot probably even. He's not Luka Doncic here.
01:28:28
Emeka
It's not the same thing to me. Trading Luka made no sense to me. Trading Luka is like trading Mahomes. In the NFL, there's very, very few players I wouldn't consider trading for two firsts and a decent player.
01:28:40
Emeka
To be fair, Micah Parches is probably one of them. But... Jerry, you listen, you own the team. You can do what you want with it. But Nick, you pointed out and kind of we didn't talk about it enough.
01:28:52
Emeka
Jerry trying to negotiate with him without his agent is just so shady. And I understand why Marka I got to exit after this. And i for the record, I wouldn't have traded Michael Parsons. However, I will say, in an i in ah ah ironic move, i respect Jerry's selfishness of he's about to croak.
01:29:12
Emeka
He's very old, and yet he's making moves for the future. Because let's be real here. The Cowboys are going to suck with Parsons and they're go to suck without him. So I'm going from what an eight win team to a five win team and I'm saving pain 47 million a year.
01:29:26
Emeka
I kind of get the logic behind it, but that's neither here nor there because said the Cowboys going to suck with it without him. I would have done the trade it if I was them, but I respect Jerry bully for the future. To your question though,
01:29:38
Emeka
The Packers being the favorite, I just feel like I need to see it. I need to see it from Golden. need to see it from Love for a full year. I need to see it from all these young receivers they have.
01:29:49
Emeka
I just need to see it. I just don't know. They're in a tough division, maybe the hardest division in football, to be fair. They have all these new pieces. They're all young. like Favors is hard, man. Listen, the Eagles are the Eagles. i can't No one else can get the favorite tackle for me besides the Philadelphia Eagles.
01:30:06
Chino Onwuka
and And that's fair because I thought, yeah, I thought maybe I was tripping because when I like this is i was watching NFL Live, watching NFL Network, and I just kept seeing it.
01:30:06
Emeka
And that's the
01:30:11
Chuku
sorry.
01:30:16
Chino Onwuka
I was like, man, were there but there's some other moves that I missed? So hey glad to see it's not just me that feels that that's a little bit premature.
01:30:24
Emeka
Yeah, it just feels premature. And that, man, gun to my head right now, I'm picking the Lions to win the division still. So I don't – to not be the favorites in the division, in my opinion, I'm definitely picking the Lions over them. So, I mean, I like i love trades. I'm curious to see how the Packers plan out the season.
01:30:39
Emeka
I just, you know, I get – I kind of – let me be the one guy sticking up for Jerry and Zagat on this and say I respect a GM. Usually GMs can't build for the future because they think if I suck, I'm going to get fired.
01:30:54
Emeka
Well, maybe the one benefit of being an owner like Jerry and being the GM as well is you get to make decisions like this. And you get to say, I'm going to make this trade and it's going to benefit the Cowboys five years down the line instead of right now.
01:31:00
Chuku
going going see going I'm I'm
01:31:06
Emeka
The issue is he might not be around five years down the line.
01:31:08
Chuku
see you. going you.
01:31:08
Emeka
But, you know, respect to him doing it.
01:31:09
Chuku
you. going
01:31:11
Emeka
Like you said, you know, it's the Hershel Walker trade.
01:31:12
Chuku
you. you.
01:31:13
Emeka
This is not the same at all.
01:31:13
Chuku
see I'm going
01:31:14
Chuku
see you.
01:31:14
Emeka
Michael Parsons very, very, very, very good.
01:31:17
Emeka
And more importantly, he's not a running back.
01:31:17
Chuku
going see
01:31:18
Emeka
But I kind of, again, there are very few players I wouldn't trade two firsts for.
01:31:18
Chuku
you. going to I'm going going going going
01:31:23
Emeka
That's all only defend I'll give of Jerry is.
01:31:26
Chuku
to going to see
01:31:26
Emeka
He didn't trade him for scraps.
01:31:26
Chuku
I'm to
01:31:28
Emeka
They traded him for a lot of value. And they also traded him away, and he ends up signing the biggest non-quarterback deal in league history. You're signing a guy that kind of money.
01:31:39
Emeka
Green Bay, you better win the Super Bowl because Jordan Love is making 50. Micah Parsons is making 48. Paying two players, borderline $100 million, that's not a recipe for long-term success. So all these rookies they have, they really better hope they hit when they're all still cheap because when they start have to pay the GM and reads, and you have to start paying the goldens of the world, it can fall apart very quickly when 40% of your cap is tied up to two players.
01:32:06
Chino Onwuka
and know like like Again, two first round picks, a good DT. My problem is just the way in which it happened is that
01:32:15
Chino Onwuka
the they they brought about the scenario in which they had to trade him where probably, definitely their first choice would have been to keep him.
01:32:27
Chino Onwuka
They had every opportunity to keep him, but the way they did things made it into fiasco where they had to trade him, and I guess they did well to get what they got.
01:32:38
Emeka
No, I agree. Listen, it was so shady what Jerry was doing to negotiate without his agent. like now it like We brushed past it. It is shady as hell to do it. I can just say, like I said for Green Bay, i think they really, when it came down to it, they said if we're paying Dak and Parsons combined $100 million, we already suck.
01:32:58
Chuku
So good.
01:32:59
Emeka
What are we going to do now when we pay these guys even more? And they just sat down and, again, I'll give Jerry credit for this. He's taking a financial hit on this. The Cowboys are going to be less good. They're not going to sell as many tickets.
01:33:11
Emeka
Parchers is the big name. But he made the decision of, I'm tired of being an 8-9 win team. Let me be a 4-win team for one year. Maybe I'll hit on a draft pick and maybe we'll make something happen.
01:33:23
Emeka
I respect an old man owner doing that because – The benefits of this trade might come after he's dead. And, you know, that's it takes a, what they say, society progresses when men plant trees that their kids will grow up and see.
01:33:39
Emeka
It's a deep haram, but that's what Jamie Jones is doing here. He's saying, you know what, all this whole all-in, it's such a hilarious this trade comes out the year after he's like, I'm all in on everything. Yeah, all in on that lasted one year. And he said, yeah.
01:33:52
Emeka
Guess what, man? Cowboys are still going to be the Cowboys. The news came out this week. They're the most valuable franchise in sports. He's saying, man, we sold all our TV rights. We've sold all our tickets.
01:34:01
Chuku
Thank you.
01:34:02
Emeka
why why Why am I paying all this money to Michael Parsons for? Let me try and do some shady negotiations. As soon as he said, nah, bro, you go to the proper channels. He said it's too rich for my blood. Hey, man, I kind of understand it, even though I don't agree with it fully.
01:34:17
Emeka
I'll say for once, Jerry, I kind of see the vision. Any closing thoughts, Chukwu? What are your thoughts on the Packers? ah ah are there You've heard me say they're not anywhere near the favorites, but do you have them higher than me?
01:34:29
Chuku
Hell nah, man. I definitely don't. I just like i mean, I really don't got much to talk about when I hear any proclamations of Packers being the favorites in the NFC. I even take that seriously. You know what I'm saying? know Eagles, you know, champions, of course, were the favorites.
01:34:48
Chuku
And like even like the way you put it, like I would still take the Detroit Lions over Green Bay right now. So Packers are even the favorites in their own division. So. Yeah, I think, know, let's calm down, let's calm down. I know they just added a, you know, top, top talent, but, you know, there's two sides of the ball.
01:35:06
Chuku
You still got to see, you know, Love show out, ah ah the you know, in the quarterback position, and he actually has to stay healthy, you know, which he's been struggling to do, you know.
01:35:17
Chuku
And, yeah, I mean, even with their receiving core, you know, Jadon Reed, I'm pretty sure has played, I've been seeing reports of him playing with the, you know,
01:35:28
Chuku
an injury that's pretty or could be pretty serious and might involve needing to go go to surgery. So, I mean, and you've got the you know golden kid, the rookie, you know how rookie receivers, it's not typical that rookie receiver, you know, balls out to the point where, you know,
01:35:50
Chuku
they're going to be leading their team to number one seed. it's it's It's very rare, so you've got to account for the fact that there's going to there's go to be some adjustment time there for him. And then, you know, you've got other characters on the team, the receivers on the team that, I mean, quite frankly, you know, they're not really anything as far as, you know, Hall of Fame-wise worthy enough to even kind of, you know, mention as far as you know being a ah concern you know when I look at their team. So quite honestly speaking, i just think even though Detroit lost their offensive coordinator, the talent that they have on their side of the the field when it comes to offense, I just think they're much better team offensively.
01:36:41
Chuku
And granted that they get back their top defensive player in Detroit, I forget his name, but So the white boy, either way, he should be back from an injury some point this year.
01:36:55
Chuku
And I just think Detroit is just going to be a much better team. So um um on the Dallas side of things, I do get your point, bro. Like, it does make sense in terms of thinking long-term for Dallas, knowing that they're kind of already hard stuck with the talents that they have on their team and the fact that even with those talents, they're not really, you know,
01:37:18
Chuku
much of a ah ah threat when it comes to winning silverware. It probably was in the best interest of the Cowboys to, like, I can see the case that, I can see the case of someone thinking it's a better outcome in that scenario.
01:37:39
Chuku
But, yeah, for the most part, really ain't got much left to add to this. So I just think, yeah, Packers are going to be, you know, all right, but not going to be enough to make any serious dent when it comes to winning the Super Bowl, ali at least not for this year.
01:38:03
Chuku
And with the Cowboys, hopefully with this trade, it helps them kind of kickstart their rebuild. But we'll have to see about all that. So, yeah.
01:38:16
Emeka
You know, fair enough. Like, hey, it's the last podcast of recording before the NFL season. It's a beautiful time of the year where every one day a week I sit down on the couch and I don't move for nine hours during the day.
01:38:29
Emeka
It's a beautiful time. I'm looking forward to it. We're going to get you covered and straight on the Love of the Game podcast. Don't worry. All the big news. we'll be We'll be talking about it. But, you know, it's the weekend of the year. I feel like.
01:38:42
Emeka
filled with the most fantasy drafts. So all our listeners out there, I'm wishing you good fortunes in the wars to come because I know draft season is always an intense time for me. We're glad we're sticking with us for this podcast. We always end with the same segment every week.
01:38:56
Emeka
Our game of the week, and boy, oh boy, it a game of the week. I hate that it's so early, but that's neither here nor there. The mighty Arsenal come away to Anfield to play Liverpool.
01:39:09
Emeka
Liverpool been Give it up two goal leads in back-to-back games. So, you know, leaking little leaky. Arsenal coming off smacking leads. Liverpool, ah ah ninety we haven't talked about it.
01:39:20
Emeka
A 95th-minute winner against Newcastle. A lot has happened this week. No matter what happens, though, there'll be no ISAC or Liverpool against us. That's always nice. But what are your predictions, boys, as Arsenal go to Anfield? I will point out we have not lost at Anfield for three seasons now.
01:39:37
Emeka
Arteta has 22 games undefeated against other teams in the Big Six. Does that streak end on a Sunday? That's the question. I don't know. Start you, Chino.
01:39:47
Chuku
shall
01:39:47
Emeka
You were down last week. You were up this week. We're going to Anfield. No Saka, no Odegaard, no Kai Havertz. Does Arteta's streak against the Big Six continue? Or does Liverpool finally finally beat us after three years of of some fluky draws, I'll tell you that, at Anfield?
01:40:04
Chuku
canton Wait, hold up. Is it confirmed Odegaard is not going to be available?
01:40:12
Emeka
Zaka's confirmed. Odegaard is, I'm reading in between the lines and at the press conference. he's dark He's not giving... Anyway, Arteta has usually pretty coy of injuries, but looking like Odegaard's not.
01:40:22
Chino Onwuka
I think he'll play.
01:40:24
Emeka
think play?
01:40:25
Chino Onwuka
I think he'll
01:40:25
Emeka
I'm i'm moving with i reading between the tea leaves.
01:40:26
Chuku
Play.
01:40:27
Emeka
I'm thinking he's not playing. All right, well, maybe he plays.
01:40:30
Chuku
think
01:40:31
Emeka
Regardless, what are your what are your predictions for the weekend at Arsenal and Liverpool?
01:40:36
Chino Onwuka
play. I'm going to go with 2-2. I think it's been 2-2 the last couple of seasons. So i think...
01:40:43
Emeka
Really happy for you to see.
01:40:44
Chino Onwuka
If we can get a draw Anfield this early in the season, I think that's a good result for for Arsenal. I think it's a good, well, maybe not the best result for for Liverpool, but Liverpool is still a great team.
01:40:59
Chino Onwuka
It should be a good game. i'm going to go with two two
01:41:06
Emeka
you
01:41:08
Chuku
Yeah, what I'm telling you I'm feeling confident with this squad. I'm telling you I feel confident about this squad. 2-1 Arsenal. arseno We're going to get a win. We're going to get W. This is our year, man. I'm starting to believe.
01:41:25
Emeka
Hey man, I love the belief.
01:41:25
Chuku
starts with a win at Anfield.
01:41:29
Emeka
I love the belief. Sadly, i even I don't believe that much. And I want to say 2-2 with Chino, but you know what? i'm The values have been too high.
01:41:40
Emeka
Maybe it's the pessimist of me. The values have been too high. We're due for some PFA nonsense. They're going to get a penalty for some soft thing. We're going to get a second. Ryan's going to hold the ball for 8.3 seconds instead of 8.1.
01:41:53
Emeka
Bro, the whistle will be a corner. And then that's going to be a corner.
01:41:55
Chino Onwuka
Why did you have to bring that up, man?
01:41:58
Emeka
I just, goodbye to the sky.
01:41:59
Chino Onwuka
PTSD, bro. Not cool.
01:42:02
Emeka
cause The vibes are bit too high, man. I hate to say it, but I would predict 2-1 Arsenal loss that we're going to come in next week, and we're going have a lot to say about. ah just I just smell some effery is afoot.
01:42:15
Emeka
And, hey, sadly, i my heart's – I wish Strickland was right, but I think the Liverpool are due for a win at Anfield. We suck at Anfield historically, so the fact there's been three years that win there for them, that's probably going to change soon.
01:42:29
Emeka
I also predict some heartbreak for Chinna, internal conflict, as his boy, Kitike, scores against him. But that's what is last what I think has happened. hope I'm wrong. And you better know, next week, we're going to come back and review that game, transfer market deadline madness, and more and more and more as we ja navigate through this season.
01:42:50
Emeka
Join us next week on Love of the Game podcast.