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Episode 111 - Forecast Friday Matchweek 34
17 Plays13 days ago
Japtej Ghura and Marcus Ramtohul debate whether or not this has been a vintage English Premier League season and look at the weekend's key fixtures with a must-win game for Chelsea hosting Everton, and of course, the chance for Liverpool to be crowned champions
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Transcript
Liverpool Nears Premier League Title
00:00:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello, hello. Welcome back to the Daily English Premier League show on the Global Sports Podcast Network. It's been a long season. It's game week 34 of 38. It's the last game of game week in April. We are very much coming to the end of the season.
00:01:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
This week, surely we will see Liverpool crowned as champions of the Premier League. and No one thought we'd be saying this Thank you. ah we are and look at all the other games coming up this game week as well i am joined by jupage
00:01:21
Japtej
Hello, hello.
00:01:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
and i'm marcus ranol and we've we've figured out i think possibly it was november you and i were last together recording a podcast
00:01:29
Japtej
yeah it's been ahs been a very, very long time. Busy time for both of us.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Busy time indeed. you know You've been busy travelling the world, reporting on football. I've been away as well. um Nothing as glamorous, I think. um But we have had an incredible season. I cannot believe sitting here as a Liverpool fan, it's only a matter of time ah for that glorious twentieth title.
00:01:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I wanted to kick off our discussions today with coming to kind of a time of reflection towards you end the season. Yes, pretty much with four games to go, Liverpool will be crowned champions. Yes, two of the teams ah have already been relegated and probably the three that will go down are the three that came
Season Reflections and European Competition
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
up.
00:02:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I believe, contrary to popular opinion, this has been an incredible English Premier League season. And at this point in time, It could be a clean sweep for English clubs in Europe.
00:02:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I'm looking at the bottom half of the table. You've got Crystal Palace, who play Villa in the FA Cup on Saturday, who could still win some silverware despite being in the bottom half of the table. um You've got Brentford, who lost Ivan Toni and still managed to bang in 18 goals with Umbermo.
00:02:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
And this is the craziest thing. This is why I love the Premier League, OK? Potentially, we've still got 10 teams that could qualify for Europe. Six for the Champions League, three for Europa League, one for the Conference League.
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And just a quick recap of how that could play out. Liverpool guaranteed Champions League already, regardless of the results coming into this. Liverpool, Arsenal, Forest, Newcastle, City could all finish top five.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Villa or Brighton finish sixth and win Europa League. Bournemouth seventh could get Conference League because Newcastle have already got their place. They'll hand that out from the Cup.
00:03:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Chelsea could finish eighth but win the Conference League and qualify for Europa.
Lack of Drama in Premier League?
00:03:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Palace could finish tenth but win the FA Cup and qualify for Europa League. And Man United or Spurs, who are nestling near that bottom half of the table, could qualify for the European Champions League by winning the Europa League.
00:03:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think this has been an amazing season. And I'm not just saying it's a Liverpool fan, but Jupptage, you're prone to disagree.
00:03:46
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, i have to think that there's some bias there as a Liverpool fan, which is understandable. Listen, if if my team were winning the league, I'd think that as well. I do think that probably what a lot of people are saying is that there's not been much...
00:04:02
Japtej
drama in the league in in terms of the three teams that have come off have gone straight back down. And with the Premier League, it was sort of done and dusted you know and the by November, December time. And an it's just gotten larger and larger the gap between Liverpool and Arsenal and Man City.
00:04:18
Japtej
I think... In that sense, it's not been such a fun league season, but actually what you were mentioning about the teams in like the FA Cup, I think that's amazing you know to see three teams who you'd never expect in the semi-finals. and Also, you know,
00:04:35
Japtej
Arsenal in the Champions League semi-final, that's something that you never see either.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:04:39
Japtej
So it's been a good season for a few different English clubs, but think for the Premier League this season, it's not been that great. we you know We're coming into... Some teams still have five games left in the season, and really the only battle is is for Europe, like you mentioned.
00:04:55
Japtej
you know The league's done and dusted and relegation's done and dusted. So... I just feel like people are probably looking at it from that angle. you know We'd like to see you know Liverpool and City you going at it till game week 37-38 and the same with relegation.
Premier League vs. European Football
00:05:12
Japtej
But yeah I also think the general quality of football is just sort of on the way down a little bit, which probably a lot of people are thinking. I do feel games are more boring to watch, um which probably comes into people's thinking as well.
00:05:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I did see Gary Neville talking about no one goes to watch Brighton to see them play out from the back.
00:05:34
Japtej
Yeah, I mean, it was interesting the way he explained that, actually, because i agree with him. He's saying, you know, everyone's trying to play out from the back. No one's going to see the centre-backs have the most touches on the pitch.
00:05:45
Japtej
And he's right. i feel like I feel like the most obvious time to notice it is if you're watching a general Premier League game and then you watch the Champions League quarter-final, for example.
00:05:57
Japtej
ah You know, I watch Premier League games every single weekend. And then when you watch Arsenal against Real Madrid, for example, the difference in quality and tempo and excitement and jeopardy, it's just like, it's absolute streets apart. Obviously, you're never going to get Bournemouth v Fulham as exciting as a Champions League knockout game, but I think people are a bit fed up of just seeing, know, passing around the centre-backs.
Resurgence of Traditional Strikers
00:06:24
Japtej
Yeah.
00:06:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, we did also see a fantastic game, the Man United-Leon game um recently in Europe.
00:06:29
Japtej
Yeah.
00:06:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
I thought that was an absolutely amazing match and pretty much sums up United's season, the week that they've had. um But you're saying about players playing out from the back and games being boring. I feel like this season we have seen the the rise or the return of the rise of the out-and-out striker.
00:06:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:06:48
Japtej
Yeah.
00:06:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
but We've seen Salah just absolutely tearing up the league with his goals and assists. Interestingly, for those who are going to write off City for the next upcoming seasons, Erling Haaland's second for the golden boot.
00:07:03
Japtej
That's not surprising, is it?
00:07:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And City, I think the second in most goals scored. I think they've scored 66 goals this season. um Not a bad season. Could still end with silverware.
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I talked about Mbremo at Brentford, 18 goals. I found that quite exciting. Chris Wood at Nottingham Forest.
00:07:23
Japtej
Yeah.
00:07:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, oh my gosh, you can't miss Isak.
00:07:24
Japtej
He's like...
00:07:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Isak's joint second, actually, with Haaland. So, I understand this idea, you know, OK, everyone's trying to play out from the back. Everyone's trying to kind of play um that kind of modern football.
00:07:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we have seen some incredible goals and some incredible strikers. Incidentally, we talk talk about kind of the bottom of the table. Wolves will play Leicester this weekend.
00:07:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
They were safe quite quite recently. And Kunia's goals have made a massive difference to
Everton's Managerial Success
00:07:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
that.
00:07:56
Japtej
Yeah, well, he's he's some player and I think he's probably on his way to Man United, which will be interesting because what whilst he's you know an excellent player, he's also factually a troublemaker. you know All you need to do is look at social media antics, you know disagreements with the fans, the manager.
00:08:16
Japtej
It just feels like the sort of person and signing that Manchester United need to be avoiding, they need to be rebuilding their culture and you know getting back on track.
00:08:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:08:26
Japtej
And Kunja is a great player, but if if something goes wrong, if he gets benched and he's not happy with getting benched, you know he's probably going kick off. So i don't really know what they're thinking there, to be honest.
00:08:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, so i I agree with this this sentiment. and I don't like the the lack of discipline. But something else I'm seeing a resurgence of and I'm quite enjoying is this that tenacity, I think, is coming back to the league.
00:08:52
Japtej
Yeah, yeah.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Players aren't friends of each other anymore.
00:08:54
Japtej
That is good.
00:08:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Players are going out and they're actually they want to go out into battle for their clubs. You know, Keane's talked about it for years, this thing of like, you know, seeing the opposition player and giving him a hug in the tunnel. You never see that with, you know, when an Arsenal were playing United in those those fixtures that Vieira and him were having those bust-ups.
00:09:06
Japtej
Yeah.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And again, starting to see that. um we'll We'll talk about kind of what's happening with with ah Chelsea this weekend, but Everton, yeah I think it's a fantastic story how we almost lost one of the most important teams in the league and they've managed to turn it around.
00:09:21
Japtej
Yeah.
00:09:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
um In fact, we will talk about that, but let's that's first of all hear about Bionique.
00:10:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, Bionic sponsoring the Global Sports Podcast Network. ah We are previewing the the weekend's fixtures. The 12.30 kickoff on Saturday is Chelsea versus Everton. Jopte, you're covering that, right?
00:10:24
Japtej
Yes, I will be at
Chelsea's European Qualification Struggle
00:10:26
Japtej
the bridge. Yeah.
00:10:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Saying that through gritted teeth.
00:10:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's nice to get paid to cover a football match, especially if it's your own club.
00:10:35
Japtej
yeah
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everton, as I said, um i actually wasn't a fan of this idea to sack Dyche and Breein Moyes. I've held my hands up and I say I've been proven wrong. um Tricky fixture forever for Chelsea?
00:10:51
Japtej
100%. mean, Chelsea making most pictures currently look pretty tricky. I mean, the game against Fulham was, you know, edge of the seat. Well, it wasn't. and It was quite a boring game. But the the end of the game was edge of the seat stuff as it turned around so quickly. And and it was ah it was a genuine must-win game. I mean, we were just talking about the lack of jeopardy, you know, over in the season, whatever.
00:11:15
Japtej
I mean, for Chelsea right now every game in the Premier League is must-win because, as you mentioned, the race for Europe, the Champions League in particular, is so tight. You know, there's conceivably four teams vying for one or two spots.
00:11:29
Japtej
ah You know, Liverpool, City and probably Arsenal have got it secure. So you've three or four teams going for that last spot. um So, yeah, and and with the draw against Ipswich that Chelsea had a couple of weeks ago, that was supposed to be their easiest game left.
00:11:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:11:47
Japtej
So, you know, messing that one up has put a lot of pressure on the rest of the games.
00:11:50
Japtej
And if I read out the fixtures that Chelsea have still got to come in the Premier League, Liverpool, Newcastle, Manchester United and Nottingham Forest after Everton tomorrow.
00:12:01
Japtej
I mean, those are four of the hardest teams in the league. So, And tomorrow as well is a must-win game, and and the mood is turning slash turn sour at Stamford Bridge.
00:12:15
Japtej
I mean, i don't know if you'd have seen on social media or whatever, the but the team's been getting booed off at times. You know, Enzo Moresca's tactics and st substitutions at times have been getting booed.
00:12:28
Japtej
Fans are starting to lose faith. you know i see it a lot ah you know when I'm doing our social media posts for haters whatever. a lot A lot of the Chelsea fans are in the comments saying, sack him, get him out of here. It's the vast majority, honestly.
00:12:42
Japtej
I don't know exactly how that correlates to what match-going fans think. I don't think that they're as you know cutthroat, but there have been a lot of boos inside the stadium. So yeah're you're talking about five or six games now between now and you know the end of the season that could define Enzo Mareska's future and also the confidence that he has from the fans going into next season.
00:13:06
Japtej
I don't think he's going to get sacked. There's no way, really. even if we even Even if Chelsea weren't to get Champions League football, I think the board would stick by him.
Liverpool's Championship and Future Prospects
00:13:15
Japtej
But the fans could completely turn on him going into next season.
00:13:19
Japtej
So he really needs to secure Champions League football.
00:13:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And it's interesting, I think we we spoke last time, the early days, we had a lot of, the season's been quite a long one. We spoke about the the strange recruitment, the size of the squad.
00:13:32
Japtej
Yeah.
00:13:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then at the beginning of the season, we were talking about, oh my God, have Chelsea got this right? Is this working?
00:13:41
Japtej
And
00:13:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. And now with with you know a time to kind of reflect on the season and and a real kind of precious time for Chelsea now in terms of results, in terms of potential si silverware at the end of what's been a hell of a rollercoaster of a season.
00:13:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
and You mentioned you nothing but Champions League. is Is that fair?
00:14:03
Japtej
I think that it is fair, especially given how well Chelsea started the season. I mean, if if you were to look at a form table or like a table that showed you points gained in the last sort of 16 games, I'd actually quite like to see that. How many points Chelsea have gained in their last 16 games compared to the first 17?
00:14:23
Japtej
Because I think the difference would be incredible. That first half of the season is the reason why Chelsea are still sixth or seventh or whatever and in with a chance of finishing in the top five.
00:14:35
Japtej
i think that dramatic fall off is probably what has made things so sour. No one should have expected Chelsea to be second or third. yeah But then also, they shouldn't have been this bad in the second half of the season. Because, realistic, well when you actually look at the squad and injuries, not much has changed, really.
00:14:56
Japtej
Obviously, Wesley Fofano's gone out and Romeo Lavia, two brilliant players. But... You can't use two players as an excuse for a poor season or a poor half of a season.
00:15:08
Japtej
You know, Arsenal had, you know, Havertz, Saka, you know, Gabriel for a while, like serious amount of key injuries and their squad is smaller than Chelsea's. You can't say that two players in Lavi and Fafana have defined, know, a complete drop off.
00:15:25
Japtej
And there's not many other excuses. You know, the the Conference League isn't an intense competition. Chelsea are playing a team who I'd never heard of, Djergård, in the semi-final of a European competition.
00:15:36
Japtej
So you can't say, oh, but Chelsea are playing in Europe. It's not a valid excuse. So really, Maresca doesn't have much to fall back on. I mean, it also doesn't help that the football is boring.
00:15:47
Japtej
you know, we've been the first half of the podcast talking about boring football in the league.
00:15:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:15:53
Japtej
I can tell you that the fans at Stamford Bridge hate the passing out from the back.
00:15:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:15:59
Japtej
When Robert Sanchez gets the ball, fans, you can feel the tension in the crowd. Actually, it was interesting. One of the goals that Chelsea conceded against Ipswich a couple of weeks ago was a direct result of Robert Sanchez getting the ball and going long.
00:16:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yes
00:16:15
Japtej
against Mureska's instruction. And the reason he went long is because the fans were booing and jeering and putting real pressure on. So there is a disconnect at Chelsea. And the only thing that can ease ease the end of the season is winning the Conference League and finishing in the top five.
00:16:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i was I was going to say, you absolutely hit the nail on the head before I could get there. In terms of injury, terms of players not being available, in terms of squad size, it's not been Chelsea's issue. um But is it lack of quality? Is it the tactics?
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Why have Chelsea found themselves now scrambling towards the end of the season?
00:16:53
Japtej
I think it's probably ah bit of tactics. it know It doesn't help when your best player has fallen off a cliff called Palmer. Now, he is being used slightly differently.
00:17:04
Japtej
I don't think he's got the same level of freedom as he had last season, the start of this season.
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:10
Japtej
But also a lack of individual quality and an increase in individual mistakes. know, Christopher Nkunku's been getting chances and he's been really poor. um You know, Colwell makes a few mistakes. Robert Sanchez makes a lot of mistakes.
00:17:27
Japtej
So I do feel for Maresca in some ways. I also, i think I probably said this at the start of the season, but the makeup of the squad is just not not correct. You can't have a squad full of youngsters with no one else.
00:17:40
Japtej
When Manchester United had the class of 92, they had you know Steve Bruce, Eric Cantona bringing these young guys in, and then you achieve success. If Chelsea still had an Antonio Rudiger, Thiago Silva, Jorginho,
00:17:54
Japtej
easing in you know the Kaissados, the Palmers, the Lavias, all these guys, it would be easier because one when you've got a full group of young talent together and the going gets tough, maybe you've got two or three bad results, who's who's that leader who's bringing everyone together? And actually, that's another issue, the lack of leaders.
00:18:14
Japtej
And Enzo Moreska has spoken about the lack of leaders in his squad. He said that Rhys James is getting their... a couple of others are trying to chip in. i mean, that's not what you want to hear. James the captain and he he should be already a leader and you'd hope that you'd you'd have a couple more leaders. But if if all the squad are 21-year-old and 22-year-old, how are they supposed to be leaders? They've not won anything. They've not experienced anything, you know, in order to become leaders. So, and that's not on Mureska. That's fully on the board and the sporting directors.
00:18:46
Japtej
So it's sort of a ah calamity of, you know, a few different errors.
Can Liverpool Maintain Dominance?
00:18:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think we could we could ah pick apart Chelsea's season for for many more episodes to come.
00:18:55
Japtej
Yes. yeah
00:18:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wonder, not to get any ideas to go off topic, but I wonder, does this mean another heavy transfer at the end of you know the big summer for Chelsea? Do they need to buy in some experience?
00:19:05
Japtej
yeah
00:19:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But time will tell for them. They still have a chance. They still could win a European trophy. They could still get Champions League. So there's a lot to play for, but they've probably got the hardest job of the lot.
00:19:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. One thing that's pretty much certain, but mathematically not done yet, is that Liverpool will win the Premier League trophy. ah it's just i got to say I like saying It it just feels nice.
00:19:28
Japtej
Yeah, I feel like we've we've got to give you the floor to, well, I'll ask you, that it's basically the end of the season, you know, Arne Slott, like, he's just done an incredible job, hasn't
00:19:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, he has. enough ah ah need to compose myself. And in order to do that, I think we should hear about Zencastr and then then we'll get into the inevitable discussions about this glorious football team.
00:19:46
Japtej
Yeah.
00:20:10
Japtej
yeah
00:20:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, do check out the link to learn about Zencastr. I will try and be as professional as possible talking about this.
00:20:31
Japtej
Yeah.
00:20:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
i still To be honest, I can't believe it. um but it It feels like a lifetime ago we sat here and we talked about, as a Liverpool fan, being very happy with a season of transition.
00:20:44
Japtej
yeah
00:20:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
um where Where do you start? Let's start with Arna Schlott coming in for Jurgen Klopp. um I think a lot of things have been said already. very different approach, very kind of pragmatic. What i disagree with, though, I think a lot of people have said, OK, there's more control.
00:21:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
completely agree with that. ah But I think sometimes people mistake that for not as intense. I think the intensity of how Liverpool play has still been there. it's just It's done with a bit more of a measured approach.
00:21:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
the The players are still... pressing together and attacking together. You talked about leadership. I think Van Dijk and Salah and even you know Trent Alexander-Arnold, there's a lot to talk about what's going with him.
00:21:23
Japtej
Yeah.
00:21:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Andy Robertson, a lot of people who have been there and and done it and know that it's not over. Arnish Schlott talked recently about actually, you know i think it was interviewed by Jamie Carragher and he said, you know pretty much the league is done now.
00:21:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Was there ever a worry that players would drop off? And he said, not this squad. these players aren't going to let it up. They know the job isn't done.
00:21:46
Japtej
in
00:21:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think that's a massive factor, talking to your point about Chelsea earlier. um And another thing, not to to belittle at all what Slott's done, I think it's been an incredible job. He's improved upon um what Klopp's done with a squad you could have argued. We talked again beginning this season.
00:22:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Lack of investment. Is this first XI good enough? Well, they're going to win the league. So, Yes. um I think unlike any other manager coming in, usually you bring in a new manager because things aren't going right.
00:22:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something's not happening. and And not the case with this manager managerial appointment. He's not starting from the bottom. He's got a good basis to move from. But credit where credit's due, he didn't come in and go, right, we're changing everything.
00:22:19
Japtej
Yeah.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm bringing in my players. I'm bringing in my philosophy. did bring his philosophy, but he said, OK, we've got the players. I believe we have the players. um And I think that's that's a big part of that winning formula.
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then kind of the other missing piece, perhaps something I've talked about with the England international team, certainly when Southgate was first in charge, is that lack of expectation can sometimes do you a lot favours.
Liverpool Squad Depth Concerns
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
um The pressure to win the league come you know but November, December, Liverpool fans were just happy to be where we were. And I think Liverpool fans, unlike the rest of the the footballing kind of followers, were like, yeah, we'll enjoy this while it lasts.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then about February, we're my God, we're to win the league.
00:23:16
Japtej
Yeah, I mean...
00:23:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:18
Japtej
yeah i mean yeah So interesting throwing it forward to next season now because you've mentioned this season, you know, you've won the league and deservedly so.
00:23:30
Japtej
i think i think the that there could be ah period of a couple years now where Liverpool may be the favourites because Manchester City are very much in a transitional period, far ah far more than Liverpool specifically.
00:23:44
Japtej
They're completely needing to overhaul the squad. De Bruyne are going. Gundogan needs to Kovacic is getting on. like There's a lot of problems in that squad. Arsenal, they're there or thereabouts, but they've never actually made it there. Liverpool are now... This is a squad that's won two Premier Leagues together, right? 2020 and this one.
00:24:03
Japtej
And now Arnazsla has got a feel for it. you know You've renewed Salah. You've renewed ah Van Dijk. Do you feel that next season... you put You said you know that this season you didn't have the pressure of being the favourites.
00:24:17
Japtej
I think next season you're the clear favourites. do you feel like Do you feel like they'll be able to handle it? Do you feel like that might add a different layer of complication?
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
um i feel like next season you're going to see even more competition. I think, you know, no one's really talking about Manchester City's season. Yes, in the Manchester City fans' eyes, for recent years, it's been a failure. But let's not forget, they have scored 66 goals this season. They have...
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
They will finish Champions League. though' you know They'll qualify for Champions League. They'll come back. OK, I understand there's a lot of rebuilding needs to be done there, um but they have resources as well.
00:24:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they they know what they're doing. um Arsenal, their players, defeat's only going to make them stronger. Players like Saka, you talk about Gerrard not winning a Premier League.
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're starting to have that conversation now, I think, where you're looking at a player as wonderful as Saka going, do you know what, actually, we need to start seeing that. And I think we're going to start to see him take more of a leadership role at the club as well.
00:25:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And even kind of the teams that have started to push, you know, Forest are one of the only two teams to have beaten Liverpool this season.
00:25:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And i they've got Europe coming up. That could be a potential, um you know, what we see happened to Villa this year. My point, I suppose, is the league is is competitive.
00:25:31
Japtej
yeah
00:25:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And think, Actually, if we go back to the beginning of this season, a lot of Liverpool fans are like, hang on a minute, FSG, are we going to renew contracts? Are we going to sign players?
00:25:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I feel that they will be justified in the way they've run the business this year, this season.
00:26:00
Japtej
Yeah.
00:26:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they could potentially not invest and not build whilst everyone else around... starts to go, hang on, we need to get our house in order. And I think that's the danger. You could see a you know ah period of dominance, but I think there needs to be coming some sort of investment.
Alexander-Arnold's Potential Move to Real Madrid?
00:26:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
i think it's a great squad.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's proved it's good. I still worry about how, you know if you lose a Mo Salah, for example, due to injury, who steps up and starts.
00:26:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know i love Javier and I think he's fantastic and I'd love to see him start more games. so
00:26:26
Japtej
Yeah.
00:26:30
Japtej
He's Momo Salah.
00:26:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, Mo Salah, 75 goals for Liverpool this season altogether, 27 from Salah and 18 assisted by Salah.
00:26:41
Japtej
Jesus.
00:26:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think that's more than half he's accounted for.
00:26:44
Japtej
That is insane. that is Those are crazy stats. I mean, you're right. The the thing with Salah he's got that messy Ronaldo trait of just never getting injured, as well as being a world-class player.
00:26:58
Japtej
He never gets injured. i mean, that is priceless.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:27:01
Japtej
But before before we move on from Liverpool, I need to ask you your take on the Trent Alexander-Arnold stuff. you know I mean, listen, he's easy. He's probably as good as gone. Listen, you've probably read the reports.
00:27:17
Japtej
I know as well. He's he's he's basically as good as gone. ah My question is, do you feel annoyed at him? Because I've seen a lot of Liverpool saying, oh he's a snake, he's this, he's that.
00:27:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:27:30
Japtej
He shouldn't be going Liverpool to the pinnacle.
00:27:32
Japtej
He's a boyhood fan. Why does he want to stay? my My perspective on it is, and obviously I'm no Liverpool fan, but my perspective is, Liverpool are a great club, but you know we all have careers, right? You want to progress in yours, I want to progress in mine.
00:27:47
Japtej
So does Trent. Real Madrid are a better club than Liverpool. They win more trophies. Spain is a nicer country than England. like To me, it's logical. If I had the option between the club I support and Real Madrid, I'm choosing Real Madrid. like but Do you see it as like, oh, you know I'm annoyed at Trent, or can you see his reasoning?
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm probably the only Liverpool fan you'll meet who'll be like, absolutely, it makes sense.
00:28:11
Japtej
Yes.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:28:12
Japtej
Thank you.
00:28:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
and And for all of those reasons you just said, um and I feel like it's not a case of, oh, give us one more season and then you can go. No, he's he's at the prime of his career. He's also, bear in mind as well, this is a world-class right-back who for years in England, people have been saying, oh, he's not that good at defending though.
00:28:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
So why not go to Spain where no one's really going to ask you to defend?
00:28:35
Japtej
Yeah. yeah
00:28:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
so but and You're going to be able to be on the ball more and play more of those amazing passes that cut through um and also play with the best players. One of the things, you know, i was I was gutted with the whole kind of Bellingham not coming to Liverpool, but I also, i knew he wouldn't come because, you know, Real Madrid, particularly at that time, Real Madrid, Liverpool, no choice.
00:28:55
Japtej
Yeah.
00:28:58
Japtej
Yeah.
00:28:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think it's fantastic for England because they're getting better playing with better players, but also, know, The intensity of the league means they're fresher for international duty.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course, you know, top level football is no joke.
00:29:08
Japtej
Yes, sure.
00:29:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But if you can have Trent and Bellingham playing in Spain week in, week out and knowing that they don't necessarily have to kill themselves like you see in the Premier League and then come fresh into an England squad, I will happily take that.
00:29:22
Japtej
Yeah.
00:29:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:26
Japtej
Wow, that is a very mature response, yeah. Because, i mean, if you look at social media and what you see from Liverpool fans, just, i feel like some people aren't thinking logically about, well, what are the reasons why Trent my one might be wanting to leave?
00:29:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
thats
00:29:42
Japtej
It's not like he's leaving for Valencia or Napoli or like,
00:29:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or Manchester United like we've had with Michael Owen in the past.
00:29:47
Japtej
Yeah, it's like this is this is the greatest, most successful, biggest club in the world.
00:29:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:55
Japtej
Like, it's just... And Liverpool are very good. You know, they're winning the Premier
Liverpool's Recruitment Strategy Success
00:30:00
Japtej
League. But, you know, Real Madrid are a different level. They just are. So, yeah.
00:30:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think, you know, like say, a lot of it is driven by, um you know, obviously it's his boyhood team and he's from Liverpool because actually it wasn't until very recently we didn't know if Salah was staying and people were like well, he might go to Saudi.
00:30:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much for your service.
00:30:19
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:30:21
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you know thankfully for for everyone in the Premier League, not just Liverpool fans, we get to keep one of the best strikers to grace the league. I mean, that's whole other conversation because I feel like he has not been given the credit he's deserved for a very long time.
00:30:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And i don't know what else he has to do to win the Ballon d'Or or to get that recognition.
00:30:36
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:39
Japtej
during
00:30:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I say Trent's at that age where if he doesn't do it now,
00:30:47
Japtej
yeah
00:30:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
don't think he's going to do it. And I think it would great for European football.
00:30:49
Japtej
Yeah.
00:30:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
You imagine how it's a real fit for for Real Madrid. um And, you know, we're starting to see Conor Bradley is coming up. We know he's not the same kind of right back, but we've had people crying out for ages saying, oh, he can't defend, he can't defend.
00:31:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if that's what you believe, let's stick a defender in there.
00:31:09
Japtej
you Yeah, change it up.
00:31:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. And it will be a loss because he's so creative. um And I think that was it was ah Jamie Carragher recently was saying, you know, OK, you need to replace his creativity. Let's get that in the midfield. Let's get some more of that going and have that. And I think that's where some more investment needs to come. The other thing, back to your previous question, in terms of injuries, I am worried about this back line.
00:31:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
We saw what happened when we didn't have Virgil van Dijk after that horrific injury.
00:31:37
Japtej
well Canarte injury prone i yeah it's true I mean it'd be interesting to see who Liverpool try and replace Trent with because there's no there's literally no one who couldn't replace him at right back and in terms of midfield as well you know
00:31:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Kanata. Yeah, yeah.
00:31:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Bye.
00:31:55
Japtej
I don't know how many creative top-level midfielders are available at the minute. I'm trying to think. It seems like it's mainly defensive-minded midfielders in the market the minute. There's Zubimendi.
00:32:06
Japtej
I'm trying to think. like there's There's not much out there.
00:32:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, the only one that comes directly to mind is not the sort of player that FSG would sign. um It looks like De Bruyne might be out of his way of City. Very creative, wonderful player.
00:32:18
Japtej
Oh, are you thinking De Bruyne? Yeah.
00:32:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah He won't come. ah they won't They won't look for him. He's too old for what FSG tend to sign.
00:32:23
Japtej
Oh, he he also would never join Liverpool purely because of the rivalry with City and Liverpool in last few years.
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, some of the press, and I think it's clutching at straws because, ah you know, my my press might be slightly skewed towards the red side, have been saying, well, you know, he was a Liverpool fan, his dad was a Liverpool fan and stuff like this.
00:32:35
Japtej
can
00:32:39
Japtej
No, I think as he'd just be he'd really be ruining his legacy with Man City. Fans, if he went to Liverpool, I don't think that would happen.
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:32:49
Japtej
But hey, you've got have some hope.
00:32:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah, and I think also generally over the years, the FSG model of recruitment has played out. Don't tend to sign big names, don't tend to sign stars, but sign players who will develop, who will mature um under a manager who likes to develop players, clock and slot, very similar in that sense.
00:33:01
Japtej
yeah
00:33:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
and So it'll probably be someone we've never heard of who's who's got some ability to kind of
00:33:14
Japtej
yes
00:33:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um slot in there. It's going to take time. um But in the grand scheme of things, maybe that's a good thing that Lyft will don't tend to go for a big name or don't tend to kind of search for a big name anymore.
00:33:29
Japtej
Well, it's paid off.
00:33:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
um It's worked.
00:33:30
Japtej
It's paid off for years.
00:33:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:32
Japtej
Mane, Salah, Firmino, Van Dijk, Alisson, they've all paid off and none of them were big names. Not one of those players. i mean, Van Dijk was seen as a good
Manchester United's Rebuilding Challenges
00:33:44
Japtej
centre-back, but none of them were and had any real reputation.
00:33:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:33:48
Japtej
So, yeah, I mean, Liverpool will probably get it right. That's the thing. You don't get many things wrong. and i mean, an interesting player who, I don't know what you think about him, I think Curtis Jones is a really good player who could, you know, take on more responsibility, get more minutes.
00:34:05
Japtej
I mean, he could be the guy.
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So yeah interesting, Louis got his opinions on Curtis Jones as well. um i feel I understand what you're saying about you know he could take on more responsibility, he could be more and involved and he looks like he's got the ability.
00:34:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I feel that about Harvey Elliott. I feel like that's somebody who really deserves a lot more game time and is a sort of player who, when he comes on, looks hungry. He looks like he wants to change a game and be impactful.
00:34:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Curtis is a fantastic footballer. I'm not sure... he has that same gravitas when he comes onto the pitch.
00:34:40
Japtej
Right.
00:34:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But I think, you know, he's definitely a player you don't want to lose from that team.
00:34:45
Japtej
Hmm.
00:34:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And we have had some scares with with contracts this season. and I want to, know, look at the opponents for Liverpool this weekend. We're saying it's a foregone conclusion that the league will be won.
00:34:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Liverpool only need a point. They're at home. They're against Spurs, who actually could... I can't believe I'm going say this, could win a European trophy this year, despite hovering above relegation for most of the season.
00:35:07
Japtej
Ha ha.
00:35:13
Japtej
It is is's crazy. I mean, when you actually look at the league table, if the teams that had come up were a bit more competitive, Manchester United and Tottenham could feasibly be in a real relegation battle. I know every season there's maybe like a joke, oh, they're near the relegation zone.
00:35:32
Japtej
I mean, West Ham are 17th, so they're the last team that aren't going to get relegated. And Tottenham have one point more than the 17th team in the league.
00:35:43
Japtej
I mean, it's remarkable, really. And it's such an interesting position that they're in because the fans, relationship between Posto-Cogl and the fans has been almost irreparably broken at this point. i mean, i ah so I was at Stamford Bridge when Chelsea played Tottenham a few weeks ago, and Tottenham scored the goal that was eventually ruled offside.
00:36:07
Japtej
And Nance Postacoglu looked at the fans and he went like this. And he just stared at the fans for... Did you not hear about this? So he cut his ears at the fans and he stared at them for a solid 30 seconds.
00:36:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:36:21
Japtej
And, you know, all the journalists were like, oh, what's he done there? and And then after the game in the press conference, he got asked about that. And he said, like, oh, I was just wanting to hear them cheer because we've we've not scored a goal in ages.
00:36:35
Japtej
So he tried to spin it I mean, people didn't really buy it. But that was the sort of straw that broke the camel's back with fans. You know, I don't know a single Tottenham fan that still wants him, to be honest. And I've seen...
00:36:49
Japtej
you know from Matt Law, one of the most reliable sort of Chelsea and Tottenham journalists, has said that Tottenham are considering getting rid of Antipasso Cogli whether they win the Europa League or not.
00:37:02
Japtej
And I think that's probably the correct decision because... It does feel like there's just a damage in that bond that can't be fixed. you know If they win the Europa League, he goes out on a high.
00:37:14
Japtej
you know It's great for his CV and his career. The fans have won a trophy and they can move on fresh. and And if they don't win the Europa League, he has to go because then they'll have finished sixteen one point behind 17 players and have won nothing. so And Man United are in the complete same boat.
00:37:34
Japtej
<unk>d I'd be interested to hear what you think about Ruben Amarin, because I think that he's not getting the criticism he deserves, actually. he
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
So I
00:37:43
Japtej
He's been at the at the club for like a long time now and nothing's improved. What do you think?
00:37:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
i ah tell you why disagree. i think part of the issue in football a lot lot of times is the lack of patience, particularly with with managers. think I saw this Man United squad at the beginning season. I saw Ameren came into and I don't believe there are many people out there, Man United fans certainly, who would look at that team and say, that is a Manchester United squad.
00:38:12
Japtej
Yeah.
00:38:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't think he's had a chance to really build his squad. And really, he's not going to get a chance to do what everyone thinks he should do, or I certainly he should do. He should really clean house completely. I think there's a good, good number of players who fantastic footballers, Premier League standard footballers, sure.
00:38:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Manchester United footballers. I don't know.
00:38:33
Japtej
yeah
00:38:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Whereas when you look at you know what Spurs are doing at the moment, it's it's kind of, yeah for want of the recurring joke, it's
End of Season Reflections
00:38:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Spurs. This is what we've we've come to expect um over the years.
00:38:45
Japtej
Yeah.
00:38:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I wouldn't put see it past them to make the final of the Europa League and then lose to someone we've never heard of. Yeah. And I think that's the difference there. He is a good coach. He's proven that.
00:38:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I feel sorry for him that he left a club that he'd really built with players and a style and a philosophy to pick up the pieces of what was left at Manchester United and go, oh, oh, this is Manchester United.
00:39:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
oh um no.
00:39:09
Japtej
that was a good but That's a good point, actually, because when when that whole negotiation was going on, he was clear, can we wait till the end of the season? want to see out this season. I want to come in in the summer, you know, sort out the squad, have a pre-season.
00:39:24
Japtej
And United were basically like, it's now whenever. And obviously, understandably for Almorim, you know, the Manchester United job maybe comes around once in a lifetime. So he had to take it. And yeah, I mean, i agree with what you're saying, actually, about fans needing patience. I also do think that he should have done more between since he came in and now and he's been too rigid with his system and sometimes you have to adapt to what's around you right you can't just lose every week and say oh but we don't have the players who fit my system I don't i don't buy into that so he he will he will obviously get the summer and he'll get at least you know probably six nine months of the next season to see how he goes on yeah it'll be a it'll be an interesting few months at the start next season to see how they do
00:39:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:40:12
Japtej
with no excuses.
00:40:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah yes Yes, that will be interesting. and This is a transfer window. I'm sure plenty of clubs have got their eyes on things already because um you know the league is pretty much done. We know this weekend that bar some kind of miracle, Liverpool will be crowned champions. We probably will see the three that came up will be the three that go down. Two out three have been being confirmed.
00:40:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
We're starting to have a little bit of an eye on what's happening next season. I still believe it's been an incredible league season and I'm not biased when I say that.
00:40:44
Japtej
That's good.
00:40:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Jupptej, I understand if you disagree, but thank you very much for joining me again.
00:40:49
Japtej
your
00:40:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Guys, you've been listening to the English Premier League daily GSPN podcast and we'll see you next time.