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Arenal Hijack Eze Deal!!
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Show Notes
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Transcript
Introduction to the Dirty Primitive Podcast
00:00:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Welcome. whoa must it again what are we doing what are we doing
00:00:23
Nick Britten
I know the new Sting is good, but you don't have to keep playing it.
00:00:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
what like but out of it ah love it love it love welcome by the way if you want to the dirty primitive podcast your everyday listen to all things premier league it's a it's a rapidly moving set situations at the moment we've got a lot to bring you today lot of breaking news lot of views lot of analysis i'm your host ken davis I'm joined by football pundit to the stars.
00:00:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's Nicholas Breton. How are doing, Nick? look in here Look at him sitting there in his Derby shirt. ah
00:00:55
Nick Britten
and I'm all
Nick's Late Night Recording & Isak's Situation
00:00:56
Nick Britten
right. I'm okay. I was so had a late night last night because i was recording the GSPN Daily Newcastle pod.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah.
00:01:02
Nick Britten
ah
00:01:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
How did that go?
00:01:03
Nick Britten
with with yeahk It was great. here I mean, it was ah obviously, as all Newcastle podcasts the moment, it so it was an Alexander Izak special. a Although, um yeah, there's not that much to talk to say at the moment. He's either going to go or not.
00:01:17
Nick Britten
We've reached that kind of impasse. But it was a very interesting discussion nonetheless.
00:01:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
plus I think we'll we'll probably touch on that later on because we want to talk about player power today. you want to talk about a few things. There is some breaking news in the Premier League, which we're going to bring you very shortly. The also thing, which I don't think has been given enough airtime ah since the weekend.
00:01:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well done, Leeds, by the way, for winning their first game. But ah that penalty. ah We need to talk about penalties. We need to talk about handball. We need to talk about Tarkovsky. We need to talk about what's a natural position and what's a natural position. There's a lot to discuss on that. So we're going to talk about that in the second part of today. And in the third part, we're going to talk about this whole player power thing and what direction that is taking us. And is that a good thing and is that a bad thing?
00:02:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we will discuss accordingly.
Arsenal's Hijack of Eze's Transfer
00:02:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nick, ah first things first, breaking news today. what What's been going on with Arsenal, Spurs and Ezzet?
00:02:13
Nick Britten
Well, the extraordinary thing is this. We have been talking for quite some time about Eberachie Eze, who is, as we all know, and Ken, you and I love the guy. yeah He's one of the real real superstars of the Premier League.
00:02:26
Nick Britten
And he's meant to be moving from Palace to Tottenham. He's been on the cards for quite a while.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes.
00:02:32
Nick Britten
Everybody expected the move to be completed by the weekend. And suddenly, and I won't say out of nowhere because these things never, ever come out of nowhere, but suddenly into the public domain come Arsenal, Tottenham's great rivals, who have hijacked the bill, the move, it would appear, with a £67.5 million deal. And suddenly...
00:02:50
Nick Britten
million-pound deal and suddenly from taking the route from South London to North London to White Hart Lane, it very much appears that Eze is going to veer right and head off to the Emirates Stadium instead once he crosses the river.
00:03:05
Nick Britten
It's a real, I say it hasn't, it's not a massive shock. Eze was linked quite heavily with Arsenal very early on in the transfer window.
00:03:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:03:14
Nick Britten
and But it did it did seem, didn't it It did seem like Tottenham had done the deal. They'd agreed terms. They'd agreed terms of Crystal Palace. They'd agreed terms with with the player. And there was nothing to suggest 48 hours ago or even 24 hours ago that this wasn't going to be any other than a smooth transfer until just down the road from White Hart Lane at the Emirates, Kai Havertz got injured again.
Arsenal vs Tottenham: Transfer Strategy
00:03:38
Nick Britten
And that that has appeared to spark Arsenal into action. Now, The fact that they've can be managed to do a deal at such speed and get this get this over the line, for want of a better phrase, so quickly means that they were obviously there in the background.
00:03:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's it.
00:03:55
Nick Britten
This was on the back burner, but it was all ready to go if they needed it to be ready to go. And they must have been having conversations with Crystal Palace throughout all of this behind the scenes, whilst in the public domain, Tottenham seemed very much the the the winner of this particular race.
00:04:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, they they were definitely a ahead, entering the final furlong, if you like, ah for SA Signature, I think. um But you're right, you put your finger on it. I think the Havits thing was ah was a massive factor in this.
00:04:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think the other thing on this, do you think, obviously obviously Daniel Levy's got a bit of a reputation for you know getting the best deal he can. Why not? I mean, that's what he's paid to do.
00:04:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But he has got a bit of a reputation for being a bit of a low baller, hasn't he? Yeah, he just has. Because, you know, you don't you don't do one over on Daniel Levy. i mean, no one does.
00:04:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think in a way that played into Arsenal's favour, Arsenal would come across as being, ah you know, we're going to blow this deal out of the water. we're just which We want him.
00:05:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nothing's getting in our way, but it it's got to happen. It's got to happen in next hour. And they made it happen.
00:05:06
Nick Britten
Well, there are two different ways of looking at this and and it kind of very much depends on your mindset. It depends on your mindset whether or not you want to just spend, spend, spend and that comes with great financial risk. It comes with PSR risk ah or or whether or not you feel in a slightly more cautious way whether you are paying value for the player and the deal that you do both with the club and indeed with the player sits within your value structure, sits within your wage structure, sits within all of that.
00:05:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:05:33
Nick Britten
So there are two different ways of doing it. I think it's probably unfair to criticise Daniel Levy on this because to all intents and purpose, this deal was done. Now, whatever it's like in business or football, if you feel a deal is done and then somebody just comes along and and wants to pay more and has more favourable terms, then ultimately it's going to be up to the player to decide what he wants to do. And I'm going to ask you the question now, do you think Eze is better served going to Arsenal or Tottenham?
00:05:59
Nick Britten
And I We don't know the conversations that Tottenham have had with Palace. We don't know the real ins and outs of the structure of the deal. But it was clearly good enough. It was clearly good enough. It's not a case that Tottenham have been offering low, offering low, a bit like Liverpool and Isaac, and they've been rebuffed by Palace.
00:06:18
Nick Britten
Yeah, it's not that. And therefore Arsenal come in. Then I think you probably could criticise Levy.
00:06:22
Nick Britten
But it's quite clear that Tottenham have met Palace's valuation. It's quite clear that they'd done a deal with the player and arranged that. It's just that Arsenal have come in at the last moment and trumped it. And that can happen. That happens in football all the time.
00:06:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:06:36
Nick Britten
And strangely, 99% of the time you don't get to hear about it. But honestly, I've worked in football a long time. I know how transfer treor windows go, particularly as they reach the climax and everything gets a bit frenetic.
00:06:50
Nick Britten
Honestly, you think you've done a deal one minute and 30 seconds later you haven't.
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:06:54
Nick Britten
Things change all the time. So this isn't, it's a real, it's ah it's a great headline. It's a great shock, particularly as it's Arsenal and Tottenham. But it's probably not that huge a surprise if you were to look holistically at the whole process and what's been going on over the summer.
00:07:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's very interesting. and Just coming back to your point there and your question about has he done the right thing going to Arsenal rather than Spurs? I think he has. I think from a player perspective, Arsenal were pushing at an open door. I just think Arsenal are just in a different place than Spurs. i think Spurs have got a lot of rebuilding to do.
00:07:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean they they I'm sure they'll do it, but it's going to take time. Arsenal are already there. I think it says something also about Arsenal's ambitions, quite honestly. um I think you know they've said, you know we've got a chance here of winning the Premier League. We're not that far off.
00:07:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Eze, particularly in relation to Havertz, Eze is going to go to make us a better team. I think Eze would have met ah made him a better team, even if Havertz wasn't injured. i think I think one of the issues Arsenal have had is I don't think they've been as dominant up front as they need to be.
00:08:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Havertz is a good player, but he's not a great player. I think Eze could be a better option for them up front. ah I think it works well for Arsenal. I think it works well
Eze's Role at Arsenal & Ambitions
00:08:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
for for Eze. Actually, I don't think they've overpaid for him.
00:08:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think in the context of some of the other deals that we've seen, ah looks looks like good business to me for for all parties. So my view would be, yeah, Eze's better off at Arsenal. I think he'll have a better career there and I think he could propel them to great heights.
00:08:28
Nick Britten
One of the things that has been on my mind on this since i since I first saw this story breaking this morning is, and you've kind of mentioned it there, I wonder if this is, as it how much the Havertz injury has impacted on it.
00:08:44
Nick Britten
Because ah my mind, as a makes regardless of Hazard, ah sorry, Hazard. Yeah, Hazard's not playing for Arsenal. Chelsea already did anybody else in there.
00:08:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
That would be hot. That would be breaking news.
00:08:55
Nick Britten
Yeah, apart from Havertz, and take take the him aside completely, Eze just makes Arsenal a better team.
00:09:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. No.
00:09:04
Nick Britten
So why would you need to wait for Havertz to get injured in order to buy Eze? It's not like a direct replacement, is it? It's not like, oh, striker's got to buy striker.
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
No. No.
00:09:13
Nick Britten
They're very, very different players. Eze's a better player than Havertz. Eze, I think, would walk into any team in the Premier League. I rate him that highly.
00:09:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i say i think I think that's right.
00:09:22
Nick Britten
ah i want So I just wonder whether Arsenal were just sitting in the background ready, ready, ready, ready ready and and and have moved at a time where they see it to be most opportune because they felt that Tottenham were about to do the deal and they're about to lose their player.
00:09:38
Nick Britten
So there may be lots of that have been going on in the background.
00:09:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:09:41
Nick Britten
They've just sat waiting and waiting and waiting. it just It's just the way it's happened. It looks like they've sprung out of nowhere, but I don't think they have. I don't think they have.
00:09:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
that's interesting.
00:09:49
Nick Britten
I think it's a great move for the club. ah It's a great move for Eze. He's going to have obviously have the World Cup in mind next year. He wants to be a regular part of the England team. He should be a regular part of the England team. And um this, providing he gets regular game time at Arsenal, and that might be
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:10:05
Nick Britten
only slight should I choose Tottenham over Arsenal well Tottenham you're going to guaranteed to be I mean he's massive fish in in in a smaller pond there you're guaranteed to play every minute of every game that you can Arsenal don't know yet um but and we'll have to see what else Arsenal do in terms of outs in that kind of creative wide man position the likes of Tross Harden players like that but for me as a he's the signing for 67 million pound he plays every game
00:10:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I think you're right. And you but say that about Spurs, though. Richarlison, two goals on the weekend. Is he going to push his way past Richarlison? I mean, I think I could push my way past Richarlison, to be honest. book ah but
00:10:41
Nick Britten
Thank you.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But, you know, I agree.
00:10:44
Nick Britten
like
00:10:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's a very interesting point we made there. We've actually come to conclusion that maybe the Havoc thing is a bit of a smokescreen. Maybe that's a little bit of a red herring. And in fact, the Eze deal was always going to happen.
00:10:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they just got boxed into a corner saying, it's now or never, guys. Are we going to ah were going to make the offer and and hijack the deal from Spurs? And they've done it. Good luck to them. I think it's a good move for everybody.
00:11:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, apart from Spurs, As we know in football, it pays to get your team selection right. So here at Global Sports Podcast Network, we spend a lot of time selecting our delivery partner.
00:11:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was a clear winner. That was Zencastr. Makes it easy to bring your vision to life and share it with your audience.
00:11:21
Nick Britten
Correct.
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So with full video recording, easy AI editing tools, and the very best distribution all in one place.
00:11:26
Nick Britten
me
00:11:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
you got a story to tell, tell it with Zancaster. Check the show notes for more details. Nicholas, now, ah you're a qualified referee.
Referee Insights: Tarkovsky's Penalty Decision
00:11:42
Nick Britten
correct
00:11:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
What is anna your thoughts on the Tarkovsky handball that handed Leeds their first victory of the season?
00:11:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it's an interesting debate to be had about that.
00:11:59
Nick Britten
My view is that it was handball and the referee did exactly the right thing by pointing to the spot and awarding a penalty. Because if you look at Tarkovsky, the thing that did for Tarkovsky...
00:12:11
Nick Britten
was his movement. It wasn't his arm position. It was his movement. Now, if he's standing directly upright and the ball hits him in that position in his arm, so he's got his arms kind behind his back, but the ball hits him kind of on the on the forearm or just below the shoulder, wasn't it? just The armpit being the yeah ah the line, the cutoff line for handball.
00:12:31
Nick Britten
If he's standing still in the ball hits him there, it's not a penalty. because it's not an unnatural position and he's not deliberately playing the ball and all the kind of all the various things that referees look at for giving penalty. He doesn't really meet the criteria for any of them.
00:12:48
Nick Britten
However, I think what did for him and what swayed it in the referee's mind is the fact that he's deliberately lent in with his body to the ball in order to stop it, because the ball's going on target, by the way, might be going in.
00:13:02
Nick Britten
And he's deliberately lent in with his body to stop the ball going in, and he stopped the ball with his arm. And therefore, technically, he's kind of deliberately handballed it.
00:13:13
Nick Britten
And you could also argue, if you wanted to, that by leaning in, he's made his body unnaturally bigger by having his arm by it. It's not the position of his arm that's the problem. It's the fact that he's leaning into the ball to stop it that's the problem.
00:13:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I wouldn't disagree with that. i think I think it was a definite penalty. theres But it does raise some interest interesting issues ah in the sense of handball. There's never been a more misnamed rule in football. It's not to do with the hand, is it It should be arm ball.
00:13:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
We should be saying, arm ball, ref, arm ball.
00:13:43
Nick Britten
What's waving your arm in that way?
00:13:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it ball to arm. Yeah, arm ball.
00:13:47
Nick Britten
That was a good ah good penalty Well done.
00:13:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah on
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's arm ball. And he clearly did lean into it. But ah just in his defence, there's some confusion, I think, around this whole subject in the sense of you've got players, you've got managers, you've got spectators, got everybody saying, well, the rule is clear.
00:14:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Everyone, we know the rule. If the arm's in an unnatural position, it's handball. If it's in a natural position, it's not handball. this His arm was in a natural position in relation to the side of his body.
00:14:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we're in this grey area. And, you know, do do you think refereeing officials are gonna are going to take note of that?
00:14:26
Nick Britten
I don't think
00:14:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Are they going to do any clarification on that ah on the back of the Tarkovsky thing?
00:14:33
Nick Britten
so. There's nothing the No, I don't think so, no. I mean, there's there's new there's new rules come out and and amendments come out to the laws the game every year. Little tweaks here or there. This year, handball's got it's been messed around with over the last few years, but there's nothing in it.
00:14:49
Nick Britten
And don I don't see it because I don't see it as being a problem. I think the referees interpreted the rules in the correct way. there's there's There's two or three things that a referee must look at when considering handball, okay?
00:15:01
Nick Britten
They must consider whether it is deliberate.
00:15:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arm ball.
00:15:04
Nick Britten
Why deliberately, yet as it boy yeah. Hand or arm below the armpit. So, for example, moving the hand or the arm towards the ball. They've got them they've got a sort of And this is this is kind of where I think Tarkovsky fell foul of the law.
00:15:16
Nick Britten
So is it is it in some way deliberate? Or... And you said natural position. Let's flip it around. It's are you using your hand or your arm to make your body unnaturally bigger? That's the that's the phrase in the laws of the game.
00:15:29
Nick Britten
So are you doing anything with your hand and your arm that will make them bigger than your body shape?
00:15:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he did that, though, because he had his his arm was right ah down against his side. it His arm-side width was no bigger in that moment than normal.
00:15:46
Nick Britten
ah No, I agree. No, I agree. But I don't think that's i don't think that's why he he was penalised. I think it's because because he's moved into the ball and he's hit it with his arm. It's deliberate handball.
00:15:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I still think this is...
00:15:57
Nick Britten
I don't think it's only think iss unnaturally make i onlys that but that particularly bit.
00:15:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:16:01
Nick Britten
and So you've got therere they're that they're the kind of two things. We also kind of look at, although it's not in the laws of the game, we do kind of look at how how um how quickly the ball has moved from being touched and therefore hits your arm.
00:16:16
Nick Britten
So if you're yeah a minuscule amount of away and your arm, even if it's in um and and even and if it's un in an unnatural position or even if it's naturally making your body bigger, if you simply can't get it out of the way because of proximity, the referees will always take that take that into consideration.
00:16:31
Nick Britten
So, So that's they're the they're the things that we look at. But the problem is because it's sort of open to interpretation and and this, that and the other, it's just become very very it's just become a really gray area.
00:16:43
Nick Britten
And you know I know from both refereeing and coaching and indeed spectating, so all those three things, I know that everybody and playing, although it's a little while since I played properly,
00:16:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm playing. Hmm.
00:16:54
Nick Britten
ah everybody thinks differently about handball. Supporters don't know the rule. That's the problem. That's half the problem. Coaches at a certain level don't know the rules either, which is also part of the problem.
00:17:04
Nick Britten
But the rest of it is interpretation by a referee. So the only the only way to kind of, I guess, combat this to make it a black and white situation is change the rules to say if it hits the hand or arm, it's penalty.
00:17:18
Nick Britten
And if it doesn't, it isn't. And that's it.
00:17:21
Nick Britten
That's it. The only way to take the...
00:17:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
whicht is Which is and it's the same in other sports, ah you know, in hockey and things like that.
00:17:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It doesn't matter what the intention is. doesn't matter It doesn't matter when anything. if it touch If it touches, I think it touches your feet. it's ah it's it's ah It's a free hit. Now, would that have been given as handball or indeed armball if that had taken place on the halfway line?
00:17:47
Nick Britten
Yeah, I think so, yeah.
00:17:48
Nick Britten
Yeah.
00:17:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, that's the acid test for me.
00:17:51
Nick Britten
but underki my In my opinion, yes, because he's deliberately moved towards the ball. Therefore, he's deliberately played the ball. Which part of his body then has he then deliberately played the ball with?
00:17:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now we're not...
00:18:02
Nick Britten
His arm, underneath the armpit, handball.
00:18:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay, interesting. I reckon if that had been 10 yards away from the ah from the touchline and it hit his arm and gone out, I reckon a throw-in had been given.
00:18:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway...
00:18:17
Nick Britten
what not quite but Why though?
00:18:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because you see inconsistency like that all over the pitch for what happens in the penalty area and what happens outside the penalty area. That inconsistency is rife through football.
00:18:26
Nick Britten
That's not some people really an argument, is it?
00:18:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, if we're not going to get through it today.
00:18:33
Nick Britten
Well,
00:18:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there's another question about penalties, and that is actually, are penalties ruining the game? I want to have that conversation with you, but we can't do it now because we're already 18 minutes into what is a very interesting episode. And we've got one more subject to talk about.
Promotion for the Daily Arsenal Podcast
00:18:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
But before we get there, before we get there, Nick, thanks for listening to the Daily Premier League. I hope you make tuning into this part of your everyday ritual because...
00:19:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Me and Nick have a little bit of a ritual before we come and here. with my little little We say a little prayer, don't we? And all this kind of stuff.
00:19:08
Nick Britten
No. We don't do any of
00:19:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
So anyway, like make you part of your ritual. Get your latest news, views, analysis from the best club league team in the world. And the best team, because it's me and Nick's on it. And it's available wherever you get your podcasts.
00:19:22
Nick Britten
this. Right.
00:19:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
So subscribe.
00:19:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Make sure it's delivered straight to your device. Leave us a rating and let us know your thoughts. You can reach us at dailypremierleaguepodcast at gmail.com. Now,
00:19:34
Nick Britten
Can I just jump Ken, before we get on to the last topic? I should say this, and I meant to say it a moment ago. ah Obviously, the the GSPN, part of the daily daily, sorry, part of the GSPN stable network is the Daily Arsenal.
00:19:46
Nick Britten
and They will be, I am sure, all over this as a story. So if you want to hear more about the SA story, SA move to Arsenal, what's going on, opinions, thoughts, and all of that kind of stuff, tune in to the Daily Arsenal podcast. You'll find it on Spotify. You'll find it on Google. You'll find it on, sorry, on YouTube rather, on Apple, wherever you get your podcasts, go and check out the Daily Arsenal for more on the SA story.
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
But there'll be they'll be high-fiving strangers, won't they?
00:20:10
Nick Britten
Yeah, I
00:20:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
They'll be having a throw-in-a party. It'll be the Daily Arsenal Party podcast tonight, I would imagine.
00:20:17
Nick Britten
would have thought.
00:20:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Doing one over on their aisles like that. Wow. Right.
Player Power Dynamics in Football
00:20:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
OK. I want to talk about player power. in it ah We're seeing it. We're seeing it. i mean, we're seeing it principally with Isaac.
00:20:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we're also seeing it with Wissa. We're seeing it with Fofana. We're seeing players say, i I'm more important than the club. I don't care what we've got in terms of a contract. I'm moving.
00:20:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
See you. ah What have you...
00:20:48
Nick Britten
I think players are finding out very quickly that they don't actually hold all the cards, that they don't have the power, and that by downing tools or going on strike or refusing to train or doing whatever they're doing, ultimately doesn't get them what they want.
00:20:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:21:01
Nick Britten
Because if you look at the two high-profile examples this summer, Alexander Isak and Johan Wisser, neither of them have moved. They stay remain with the clubs that they are contracted to, and quite rightly so.
00:21:13
Nick Britten
i was saying on the Newcastle pod last night, how I'm really pleased with the way Newcastle have behaved in this situation because they made it very, very clear to alex Alexander Isak that they own his registration. he's he willingly, by the way, willingly signed a contract that paid him a certain amount of money over a certain period of time.
00:21:33
Nick Britten
And why? Just because he's had enough of that should they bow to his demands and let him go. Now they are prepared to let him go, but they're only prepared to let him go for what they see as the right value and the value they place on him.
00:21:45
Nick Britten
And they've got every right to do that. And Alexander Isak is finding that throwing his toys out of the pram and whatever advice he's taken has been wretchedly bad advice, is is not working.
00:21:55
Nick Britten
And and um yeah I think clubs ah have got every right to dig their heels in. Why should players just decide, having signed a contract and having agreed the terms of that contract with their employer, why should they decide to just up, down tools, not play, not train, and and and this, that, and the other?
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:22:11
Nick Britten
I mean, I presume... Like any employment contract, they could serve a bit of notice and just leave. ah But ultimately, if you are being paid and you expect the club to abide by the terms of the contract on their side, well, you should do the same themselves.
00:22:26
Nick Britten
You Whistler's the team. Now, he's been integrated back into Brentford a little bit more than is actually been integrated into Newcastle so far. And I think probably that move to Newcastle will still happen.
00:22:39
Nick Britten
But I also expect Alexander Isak to be a Newcastle player on... ah September 2nd when the transfer window closes and he's going to have to reintegrate himself back into that team.
00:22:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Interesting, isn't it? Newcastle at the pivot of both of those things, but in different directions.
00:22:54
Nick Britten
Correct.
00:22:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah in In the sense that there's Wisser saying, I'm down in tools, I want to go to Newcastle. And there's Isaac saying, I'm down in tools, I want to go to Liverpool. If only we could find a Liverpool player prepared to down tools and go and join Brentford.
00:23:08
Nick Britten
Derby? Yeah, go to Derby.
00:23:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
we yeah we would complete a virtuous circle and and the world would all be a happy place. But ah it's interesting. One of the things i notice in this, because um I've got an interest in American sport, NFL particularly, this happens more in the NFL.
NFL vs Football: Contract Comparisons
00:23:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah where And the rules are different, but I think they're quite interesting in relation to this, where players... a year out from the end of their contract say, you better give me a pay rise right now and renegotiate my contract right now or I'm sitting this season out. And we see, I'm a Cincinnati Bengals fan.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
we've got We've got one issue with a player doing exactly that right now. And he's a great player. And he's saying, I'm not playing. I'm sitting out. It's a sit-in or a sit-out.
00:23:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Now, the NFL has got different rules on this in the sense that he does that, they ain't getting paid.
00:23:57
Nick Britten
Okay.
00:23:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
They just ain't getting paid. So forget your £100,000 a week. You're not getting it. if you're not If you're not playing, you're not getting paid. It'd be very interesting to see what Newcastle's approach and Bournemouth's approach is to that situation.
00:24:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
in relation to their players, whether they say to Isaac, if you're not playing, you you ain't getting paid. I don't know what that situation is ah at the moment, but it'll be very interesting to know that. Have you got any any insights on that, Nick, by the way?
00:24:29
Nick Britten
Well, there'll be legal recourse because ultimately it's an employment contract. So there'll be legal recourse on both sides ah without knowing obviously the details of both Mwissa and Izak's contracts.
00:24:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:24:42
Nick Britten
and There is a suggestion that there are FIFA rules that the the players could instigate and because they believe that their clubs are being unfair on them. But that's the kind of legal recourse that I don't think is in but anybody's best interest to to go down.
00:25:00
Nick Britten
I think well what needs to happen in all of these cases is just a bit of common sense and a bit of understanding, particularly from the players' side, that doing going down this course of action, and I never understand it. i never understand this kind of going on strike business.
00:25:16
Nick Britten
It never, ever works because never leads you anywhere because all clubs do is dig their heels in. I imagine that if Alexander... Look, say okay. So take Esle. He's a great example. We've just been talking about him. He has been linked with...
00:25:28
Nick Britten
Tottenham for weeks now and everybody's expected him to go to Tottenham obviously yeah he's now going to Arsenal looks like but that's not the point everybody expects him to leave Crystal Palace and what he's done is he has trained and he has played and because he's done it the right way I imagine the club has supported him and for in facilitating this move
00:25:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah you
00:25:49
Nick Britten
OK, when you have a player that goes on strike, you're only as a club going to dig your heels in and go, well, why should I help you get a move away from here if you're just going to behave like this? Now, I know Isaac has said old promises were made and I was told that I could leave the club. But nobody that nobody knows any more detail on that. and Nobody's seen anything in writing. There doesn't seem to be any evidence.
00:26:09
Nick Britten
And in that... no In that flurry of exchange of exchanges very, very bold statements a couplelin day and a half ago now, Newcastle made it very clear that in their view, no promises had ever been made. So a backroom conversation that may or may not have taken place with people who have probably left Newcastle by now. So maybe Mitchell, maybe Stavely, maybe these pete people who were there but aren't there anymore.
00:26:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
and There wouldn wouldn't be anything right at that effect.
00:26:33
Nick Britten
They're meaningless. They don't mean that if they carry no currency or value because there's no proof of it.
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
no I'd agree with that. Just couple a couple of quick final points to make on it, I think. The point I'm making about the NFL might might seem a moot point, but actually I think it's relevant because a lot of these agents, a lot of these advisors, they're big global companies now.
00:26:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
They're big global organizations.
00:26:54
Nick Britten
I think it's a very good thing.
00:26:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
And and whoever is advising...
00:26:56
Nick Britten
I think it's a very good thing. think it's very good thing. I think it's a very good thing.
00:26:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
these players, and we might argue they're giving them some bad advice, there's a trend.
00:27:00
Nick Britten
think very good thing. think it's very good thing.
00:27:03
Nick Britten
I think a very good thing. I think it's a very good
00:27:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a global trend towards player power.
00:27:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's a global trend, I think, towards... Well, it's it's like a relationship. It's like a relationship.
00:27:12
Nick Britten
thing. think it's very good
00:27:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah know There is always a power imbalance in relationships, any relationship. And whence when that power imbalance gets in the head of one of those players, I think i think i think you get these kind of situations.
00:27:18
Nick Britten
thing.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think we've got a power imbalance... at play here. I'm very pleased that Newcastle as well have taken the line
Newcastle's Striker Situation
00:27:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
they've taken. I think they've think they have been quite conciliatory.
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think they've said door's open, Alexander. You're always welcome. You're always part of the Newcastle family.
00:27:41
Nick Britten
we He might have to i have to be because the the part of that part of that statement excuse me potter statement was ah was around also Newcastle accepting that they don't have another striker and if they don't buy anybody between now and the end of next week, they might have to integrate and welcome Isak back to the team.
00:27:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we all know
00:27:59
Nick Britten
Because I don't know if they're
00:27:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
I know it's going to be a really interesting to watch unless the whistle comes. but it's ah But, of course, at the root...
00:28:04
Nick Britten
like Even if he does, Newcastle is so short. I mean, they've got they've literally right As we stand, they've got William Asula as their only striker.
00:28:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:28:13
Nick Britten
Okay?
00:28:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:28:14
Nick Britten
Now... We saw Rasulic when he came on loan at Derby a couple of years ago. He's a great guy. He's a very good player, but he's going to have to have the season of his life if he wants to compete that level. And we saw when when Newcastle played Villa last week in the opening game of the season, Anthony Gordon was playing through the middle and didn't score. They couldn't score. They created so many chances and couldn't score.
00:28:33
Nick Britten
So it's glaringly obvious they need two strikers through the door. Whistle might be one of them, but they also need somebody else. And that somebody else might be his act. We don't know.
00:28:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, i think I think you're right about that. The way to leave this really is normally these negotiations are is on a three-year contract. those kind Those contracts are in place. They're normally only changeable by the agreement of both parties. That's why there's a contract.
00:28:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if both parties don't agree, there's no need to change them.
00:28:57
Nick Britten
I think that's
00:28:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's what normally happens in any
Podcast Sign-Off & Upcoming Content
00:29:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
commercial contract. That won't be any different in relation to... Isaac and Newcastle. So well done for Newcastle for standing your ground.
00:29:06
Nick Britten
a good question.
00:29:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's it. That's been 29 minutes of absolutely A1 top quality football and Premier League analysis from myself, Ken Davis and Nick Britton. I've just heard in breaking news that Nick is going on strike now, demanding a move to the Daily Cricket podcast.
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm going to stick my heels in and I'm going to say, Nick, no, we signed a contract with Pennies ah only a few years ago. And I'm insisting you're going to carry on and fulfill your contractual obligations on the Daily Premier League podcast. You're just gonna have to get used to it, mate.
00:29:46
Nick Britten
umm I'm actually just demanding a professional to work with, please. so
00:29:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Brilliant. Well, that's it. Thank you very much, everybody. See you next time. Hope your team wins. I think we'll probably see you. Will we see you next? Probably Saturday or Sunday. I'm at the Wrexham game on Saturday. I'm at the Derby game on Friday.
00:30:00
Nick Britten
um but i'll be here I'll be here on Saturday afternoon to bring you the the wash-up from the day's games.
00:30:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I look forward to that. That'll be great. All right. Have fun, mate. And have ah everybody have fun out there in the great listening community to the podcast. See you next time.
00:30:18
Nick Britten
yeah