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Episode 5: Ten Hag In/Out ?, How would you rebuild Manchester Utd ? image

Episode 5: Ten Hag In/Out ?, How would you rebuild Manchester Utd ?

The Love Of The Game Podcast
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25 Plays1 year ago

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Transcript

Welcome and Gratitude

00:00:10
blackjag_3
Hello and welcome to another episode of the love of the game podcast. That is so good to be back with y'all today. I mean, fingers crossed, but I think this might be the first time where we're actually making it back to back weeks for this.
00:00:25
blackjag_3
So shout out to y'all for with us.
00:00:27
Emeka
We got the first two weeks.
00:00:28
Chuku
Shout out for consistency man.
00:00:33
blackjag_3
I'm here with, I'm here with, you know, you know, my brother is again, let's, you know, Shout-out Chuku Chuku yourself to the phone And again oh as well a makus do you throw And you know guys
00:00:43
Chuku
Hey, what's up guys? Thank you for rocking with us. You know, we're trying to be consistent here But you know, hopefully we have a banging episode and let's see how it goes today
00:00:58
Emeka
a Shout out to everybody again, rocking with us. You know, episode five, man, five. You know what I'm saying? We getting them out there now, production.
00:01:10
blackjag_3
probably, you know, you know some of you who might know us personally might maybe you have better insight, but You know the two of us, you know, this is you know, this part is is our is our is our so is our side job It's not our is not our main.
00:01:25
blackjag_3
He's not what brings the bread every night and I Think we've all been through it the last couple of weeks. I think we can all agree on that. So, you know or You guys for for for for finding the time.
00:01:34
Chuku
Oh, for sure.
00:01:38
blackjag_3
I appreciate me for finding the time. I
00:01:41
Chuku
Yes, sir.
00:01:41
Emeka
He said dedication, man. We do this for y'all, for the listener.
00:01:44
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:01:44
Chuku
Amen.
00:01:45
Emeka
This is how much we appreciate you.
00:01:45
Chuku
It's the love of the game. It's the love of the game.
00:01:47
Emeka
Love the game, man. This name was a powerful word.
00:01:50
blackjag_3
All All right. So we're going to jump

Manchester United vs Tottenham Analysis

00:01:52
blackjag_3
right to it. And, you know, we're going to talk about what, what again, what's really been, you know, the, the, the, the, the biggest topic and in football right now, which is Manchester United. I will start with, let's start with talking about what we had, you know, talked about was, was, was the big game of the weekend. Tottenham versus Manchester United.
00:02:14
blackjag_3
We gave our predictions.
00:02:17
blackjag_3
And I think some people were happy. you know so Some of what was called for actually happened. So but let's let's let's dive right into it. you know For those of if you who were under a rock and you didn't see it, it was through nothing, Tottenham.
00:02:32
blackjag_3
It was honestly it could have been worse.
00:02:35
Chuku
Should have been worse.
00:02:36
blackjag_3
There was a red card, Bruno Fernandez. you know in the first half, which we'll talk about as well. So yeah, I don't know if who who wants to start.
00:02:48
Chuku
i
00:02:48
Emeka
What a time to be alive, what a time to be alive.
00:02:51
Emeka
For people of a certain generation, this is aging us a little bit, but I'll say like 28, 30, 37, that age range. You grew up in peak Fergie time.
00:03:03
Emeka
The era of Man U, people hate on Man City these days, obviously not to the same extent, but it felt like the same extent. Man U would win everything. And they'd win in dubious ways. And people think Man City bribed refs. I'm telling you, growing up, I fully believe that Man U bribed refs. So just to I could go back in time and tell all young me that you now see a Man U that's six games in the season are minus three gold difference. Oh, what a, either he wouldn't believe it. He wouldn't believe it.
00:03:32
Chuku
What a time. yeah
00:03:33
blackjag_3
We need to tell me that there's still a lot of positive gold difference.
00:03:38
Emeka
Every week I check the table.
00:03:39
Chuku
They owe the league goals, you know, they owe the league goals.
00:03:40
Emeka
That's the first thing I look for.
00:03:44
blackjag_3
Oh my goodness.
00:03:44
Emeka
It's an overdraft It's an overdraft.
00:03:45
Chuku
This is a travesty.
00:03:47
blackjag_3
Oh my goodness.
00:03:50
Emeka
It's crazy. But regarding the game, I feel like it's only a fair, though, to our man-new brethren to mention that when Bruno was sent off, it was 1-0. And that red card's already been overturned. I don't know about you guys.
00:04:02
Emeka
Immediately, I saw the hi at the replay. I said that was a ridiculous red card.
00:04:06
blackjag_3
i I agree. I did not think that was a red card at all. That is i is a yellow card. He slipped.
00:04:11
Emeka
He slipped.
00:04:11
blackjag_3
He was petulant. He was petulant. But that's a yellow card.
00:04:14
Emeka
well
00:04:15
blackjag_3
That's what a yellow card is for.
00:04:15
Emeka
and
00:04:16
blackjag_3
It wasn't violent. It wasn't dangerous. It was stupid. And that's what a yellow card should be for.
00:04:20
Emeka
mr No he slipped.
00:04:22
Chuku
But see, I tend to agree with you guys.
00:04:24
blackjag_3
These refs.
00:04:26
Chuku
I tend to agree with you guys heavy with that point. But one thing I've come to also realize is that if you look closely though, I think what it was is the fact that his studs were a little bit up though when it came when he was when I was falling.
00:04:39
Emeka
Because he slipped.
00:04:41
Chuku
And I agree. And I agree. but It's not acting like we've never seen this in the past, though. I'm pretty sure Arsenal, I can't remember if we recall the exact example, but another club has had a similar situation where a guy was slipping, but because of his ah ah you know studs showing, I wish wish I had the example to bring it up.
00:05:02
blackjag_3
Yeah, situations where they slip and then, but I think what might be different in those cases is that the contact is pretty hard there and dangerous and this wasn't the case at all.
00:05:09
Emeka
Right?
00:05:12
Chuku
It wasn't up to that level. Yeah, I agree. It wasn't up to that level. But I can see the... I can see...
00:05:17
blackjag_3
yeah and i
00:05:17
Emeka
hi
00:05:19
blackjag_3
Honestly, depending on the reference, I can understand him giving it because all he sees is the action from Bruno. But what isn't that what VAR is for?
00:05:29
Emeka
How does VAR see the replay and not overturn that?
00:05:29
blackjag_3
it's
00:05:31
blackjag_3
Well overturned anyway, that is what VAR is for Yeah So And that is it and that is a clear novel here, it's look No, no, no It is clear
00:05:35
Emeka
That's crazy to me. Again, we said we're all in a group shot together.
00:05:37
Chuku
Yeah.
00:05:38
Emeka
And i after one replay, we all agreed that wasn't a record.
00:05:42
Chuku
Fox.
00:05:42
Emeka
How does VNO with all the camera angles not see that?
00:05:46
Chuku
I guess with VAR, the thing about VAR is like, it's blatant and obvious.
00:05:51
Emeka
That was probably nice to me.
00:05:56
Chuku
True.
00:05:59
blackjag_3
that it is a clear and obvious error because guess what they did they overturned it so means they
00:06:03
Emeka
so That's not safe.
00:06:05
Chuku
i
00:06:05
blackjag_3
the
00:06:05
Chuku
That is true.
00:06:05
blackjag_3
and
00:06:06
Chuku
Yeah. You know what? That's a fair point. Yeah.
00:06:08
blackjag_3
yeah
00:06:08
Chuku
The fact that it overturned the red afterwards.
00:06:09
Emeka
Definition is clear and obvious, it was overturned.
00:06:10
Chuku
Yeah. Yeah.
00:06:12
blackjag_3
yeah
00:06:12
Chuku
that doesn't make the yeah that does not let the refs or br look good at all if you're gonna yeah yeah that's yeah that's a good call that's a good call out
00:06:15
Emeka
My thing is, how does, sorry. How does last week, Los Angeles Martinez jump, like literally jump and two foot stomp the ball and that's a yellow, but then Bruno does that and it's a red, it just doesn't make sense to me.
00:06:27
blackjag_3
that it is a clear and obvious error because guess what they did? They overturned it. exactly it's yeah
00:06:36
blackjag_3
i
00:06:37
Emeka
I don't know, that's the oldest thing I'm giving my.
00:06:38
blackjag_3
I don't know what rulebook these guys are looking at.
00:06:39
Emeka
He's still gone. we
00:06:41
blackjag_3
I don't know what training these guys get. It's it's utter work nonsense.
00:06:47
Emeka
hey
00:06:49
Emeka
It's the Carmel Ferguson coming back in time.
00:06:50
Chuku
but I just want to put this out there, though.
00:06:52
Emeka
That's
00:06:53
Chuku
I just want to put this out there.

Manchester United Struggles and Expectations

00:06:55
Chuku
Regardless of that record, I promise you with the way that game was going, you United were always going to lose that game.
00:06:59
Emeka
what to say, yeah, no, fuck.
00:07:01
blackjag_3
but
00:07:01
Chuku
They were always going to lose that game, in my opinion.
00:07:02
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:07:02
Emeka
100%. 100%. 100%.
00:07:04
blackjag_3
For sure. For sure.
00:07:06
Chuku
i mean yeah
00:07:06
blackjag_3
I think it would have been about three mil anyway.
00:07:09
Emeka
ah ah If Timo Verda could finish, it would have been 3-0 regardless.
00:07:12
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:07:12
Chuku
Yeah, facts, facts, facts.
00:07:14
Chuku
You know what I'm saying? United have nothing... like I just... And some might even say like after the red card, funny enough, even after getting plaster 3-0, United showed a little bit more resilience without we with 10 men, you know, the in terms of, hey, compared to what they were playing with 11, some could say they were playing a little bit, bit, ah put the playing went a little bit better, but regard regardless, regardless, regardless.
00:07:29
Emeka
i
00:07:41
blackjag_3
and I think it's ironic, right? Especially considering the whole Arsenal Man City discourse of, oh, man, you should have showed more.
00:07:46
Emeka
ah't what I want to say.
00:07:47
Chuku
does That was another thing I was going to bring up.
00:07:50
blackjag_3
Yeah, okay. Yeah, you showed more, you showed more, but and yeah you got pumped. Two more goals. So, I mean, what we are we what are we here for?
00:07:56
Emeka
It should have been much more. It should have been much more.
00:08:01
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:08:02
Emeka
It should have been much more.
00:08:02
Chuku
It should have been a lot more.
00:08:03
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:08:04
Emeka
Timo Werner, man, if you can finish.
00:08:04
Chuku
oh
00:08:06
blackjag_3
Because what i what I think happened by United going down, is it forced them to tuck in more? and try to play more on the counter, which is sort of what Ted Hogg is not trying to do this season.
00:08:16
blackjag_3
He's trying to play more of his, you know, possession-based game.
00:08:21
Emeka
is though
00:08:21
blackjag_3
I think that, sorry, but that leaves them a lot more open. So I think that actually, just the fact that they were down to 10 men and so naturally they had to be a little bit more, you know, pessimistic in their game style and then try and I think that helped them.
00:08:36
blackjag_3
Yeah, it was still 3-0, but if they kept playing the way they were in the first half with the 11 men, They would have been way more open than they ended up being second So hear me out, what has gone what has gone wrong?
00:08:43
Chuku
way more open, exactly. And now that just goes to show like the fact that they went a little bit more defensively and then still got pla still got plaster two extra goals and could have been more just goes to show to me at least that I just feel like regardless of whether it was 10 or 11 men on on that pitch, you're not ever losing that game.
00:09:05
Chuku
It was just, they just didn't all look good.
00:09:07
Emeka
right
00:09:12
blackjag_3
We did our preview at the beginning of the season. And yeah, we did it it's not like we were predicting you know United to to win the league or anything like that. But we had started seeing some positive signs based off of the the end of the season, the beginning of the season.
00:09:27
blackjag_3
you know I think I had them fifth in my predictions. I don't know where you guys had them.
00:09:30
Emeka
The 56th.
00:09:32
blackjag_3
what wasn
00:09:33
Emeka
but
00:09:34
blackjag_3
what What is going wrong or what is going on or is are they still who we thought they were and other teams are better?
00:09:38
Chuku
I mean, is it that we without those... work Because I mean, I don't recall any of us have been having them in top four. Did we?
00:09:45
blackjag_3
No.
00:09:45
Emeka
Yeah, none of us had them 13th, which is what they are now.
00:09:47
Chuku
So, like, I just don't... I just think they are what they are, like, they're not going to be 13th. I mean, look, they're 13th right now, then I don't believe they're going to finish 13th, but like, you yeah, you know what I'm saying?
00:09:53
Emeka
Yep. No, I agree. Your table is useless right now.
00:09:59
Chuku
Like, Chelsea were literally in a similar position last year, and they finished top six, or the top eight.
00:10:06
blackjag_3
Yeah, like I mentioned and think their underlying stats under Pochettino were way better than what we're seeing with...
00:10:12
Chuku
True? Way better. Way better. True?
00:10:15
blackjag_3
and I guess I'll speak on this. When we did our preview pod, I... So let me let me even backtrack a little bit. I love Manu fans.
00:10:25
blackjag_3
I love Manu fans because, you know, given the credit, a lot of them were sort of... really you know lukewarm about tenhag you know staying staying and maybe it was just uh i'd rather have tenhag than southgate sort of thing and you know they they were you know they were respecting themselves at the end at the end of even though they tried to they tried to talk nonsense sense but the whole part yeah trust me trust me i have to shut a couple of fans up
00:10:45
Emeka
Nah, I will challenge that. What to say? I will challenge that.
00:10:54
Emeka
I will challenge that statement.
00:10:54
blackjag_3
But they were still trying to, you know, it's one of those things where, you know, the dog is, you've seen that meme where they, you know, the one guy pushes the guy, you know, to the side.
00:11:04
Emeka
yeah
00:11:05
Chuku
Yeah yeah yeah yeah.
00:11:05
Emeka
i will
00:11:06
blackjag_3
We'll try and talk small, but then the second he came back, they'll go and hide. But then the thing that always happens with United fans happen again. They signed Euro.
00:11:17
blackjag_3
Oh, we beat, we beat, if we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat, we beat Then they signed the lit. Oh, Indians has changed my life.
00:11:28
Emeka
Yeah,
00:11:29
blackjag_3
Then they signed Ugarthi.
00:11:31
Emeka
I will.
00:11:32
blackjag_3
I would throughout this whole period, we were talking in the group chat about all these signings, then all of a sudden, and Xerxes, all of a sudden.
00:11:37
Emeka
Xerxes as well.
00:11:40
Chuku
don't forget myway de canca can't forget maerari
00:11:42
blackjag_3
mon ma mazuma And all of a sudden, we started I started seeing predictions united, third, second, above Arsenal.
00:11:44
Chuku
yeah
00:11:52
blackjag_3
And I said, hmm. And so that's why I came on the preview plot. I'm like, you know what? Yes, my name has made signings that can be good, but I had, I had worries about a lot of those signings.
00:12:03
blackjag_3
Xerxes is a guy that I love my job boy, but the two question marks are hard over that signing arts.
00:12:05
Chuku
Don't forget Maserari. You can't forget Maserari.
00:12:10
blackjag_3
One, you just signed Holland, a young striker. You just paid big money for another one. And these are both strikers that have not scored a lot of goals in their history.
00:12:20
blackjag_3
So these are good, young, promising talents, but they so far have not proven themselves to be goal scorers at any level. So that was my worry with Xerxes. He does a lot contributing in general play, but he's not a goal scorer yet. He doesn't generate a lot of shots, and Holland has that same problem. Now, Lenny Euro. Hey, i on that's that's a guy that I always sign in and FIFA. I always sign in FM. He is a talent.
00:12:49
blackjag_3
You know, of course they were saying, oh yeah, Saluda come outside, we've got the next lead and everything. And you know, two things, two issues I had with that is one, they paid 16 million when he had one year left on his contract. You know, with all the issues you have, was that wise, but okay, so what you're rebuilding team, but trying to get young talent, you know, you do what you need to do.
00:13:12
blackjag_3
My issue with that is people are already saying, Oh, we now have the best center back pairing in the league. And I'm like, this is a young 18 year old defender who is talented, but he will have his growing pains. So Libra, we didn't get to see his growing pains in league because he did his, his, uh, internship in France. Van Dyke.
00:13:37
blackjag_3
at Salinas age or still playing in Groningen or Celtic or something like that. I don't know the last big center back

Manchester United Management and Strategy

00:13:45
blackjag_3
that had a big club at such a young age. So there was questions there. are Yes, he's promising, but you know, you're going to have to pay with the results.
00:13:53
blackjag_3
I thought that was a good signing, you know, for a team that's trying to make their way back in the Champions League. You get him at 40 million. You know, he has experience with 10 hog. He has pedigree. You aren't paying too much. That's a good sign. Is that, oh, this is best center back pairing in the league. When you had your cities and you had your Liverpool's, you have your Arsenal's. but That's the, that's the problem. They start doing too much. And then Ugarte, I had, I had massive worries about Ugarte.
00:14:21
blackjag_3
He's very limited on the ball. He didn't cut it in France. I talked about him sort of not being being able to match up to the pace of the French league. And he's coming to the prem.
00:14:32
blackjag_3
How would that work? But I was like, you know, he's young enough. Maybe there's still something there. So far, he's proving to be not an upgrade on Casamiro. And they paid a heavy price on him.
00:14:42
Emeka
<unk>
00:14:43
blackjag_3
They funded.
00:14:44
Chuku
And it's too early, though. It's too early on regard to it, though.
00:14:46
blackjag_3
It's not only bob talking about you know what we've seen so far and it it takes time to that's my whole thing you're bringing up all these guys and These are guys where? It's gonna take them all time to show something.
00:14:58
blackjag_3
They have the ability to show something, but it's gonna take them time to show something But they they were not thinking Oh second third, right?
00:15:06
Emeka
I mean,
00:15:06
blackjag_3
I mean is it the best outweigh of money?
00:15:08
Emeka
Delusional fans were thinking second or third. Let's be that's I but give would give would give I would give like no one had them second like Come on second Yeah top four top four but second
00:15:11
Chuku
Yeah, that's crazy talk. The second I thought it was crazy. When the point I was another reporter there, no way, no way, no how.
00:15:18
blackjag_3
Yeah. Okay, so this is not even just delusional fans. I so i saw your Nevels, and maybe we can call those guys delusional fans, started pushing United higher ah higher up in the table in their prediction. Yeah. I so i saw were your your Stratford paddocks and the Adam Micola and all those guys had United second.
00:15:44
Chuku
That's crazy.
00:15:45
Emeka
I said, second is delusional.
00:15:45
Chuku
right I mean, those are those are some delusional guys though, you know?
00:15:48
Emeka
That's not second is delusional. Let's be real. Second is delusional. Top four to me was delusional. Second is a was real, extra delusional.
00:15:52
blackjag_3
yeah yeah
00:15:54
Emeka
But listen, bro, you you you you nailed all the like the signings. like It is what it is. like They signed all these guys and like Every year they do this with a quarter goal win the transfer window, and then, you know, the season comes, and it is what it is, it is what and but I mean, that's first of all it's all back up here, we're six games in six games everybody so and't try to make any sweeping generalizations, I will say.
00:16:12
blackjag_3
Yeah. Yeah. Not really.
00:16:19
Emeka
I thought keeping ten hag was the stupidest thing in the world. I was a record saying that and I would not be swayed by winning an FA Cup.
00:16:23
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:16:26
Emeka
I also won plenty of FA Cups. Let me tell you that. Wengo winning FA Cups right up to the end and I still thought it was time for Wengo to go and ten hag is many things.
00:16:33
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:16:34
Emeka
Wengo he is not. Like you you you can't, especially know in management and sports to me, you got to either back the manager 100% or let him go. And just the fact that they were holding interviews of people this summer, meeting candidates for like months into the summer before finally coming back to, you know it's like if you have a girl And you're going on dates with other people.
00:16:56
Emeka
You're taking them out. And none of them work so. And you come back to your girl like, hey, man, I was just playing. Like, you're really the one for me. Like, come on, man. What were you really doing here? What were you really doing here?
00:17:08
Emeka
And, you know, before I left my brother, Triple Talk, I just got to say, it's funny. Ten Haggis bought every single person from IACS. And yet the one guy he let slip through the art store is playing 10 times as good as anybody there.
00:17:19
Emeka
Like, it's just it's.
00:17:21
Chuku
but Forget about the Arsenal forget about the a school one
00:17:22
blackjag_3
flip to ars soul And when the one guy he lets look to Liverpool Think he was there went and I was there
00:17:26
Emeka
How did it pull as well?
00:17:27
Chuku
And the one guy last slipped to West Ham. don't forget my kudos oh my days huh really wasn't there okay okay okay okay fair enough fair enough
00:17:32
Emeka
How did Cruz was there was Maybe he was. I'm sure that could be done for a while.
00:17:44
Emeka
my point is the You know, we it is ah ah I hate to harp on them because, you know, back in it, if we had this podcast last year, all the answers would be the same.
00:17:56
Emeka
Glazer, glazer, glazer, glazer. Glazers are terrible. Get the glazers out of here. Oh, the glazers are gone now. Now it's this Radcliffe, Sir Jim Collins.
00:18:03
blackjag_3
it And that is why it was so surprising, because Inyas comes in, Sir Jim Radcliffe, you have the chance to make a clean sweep. Hey, Tenhag, thank you for the f FA Cup here. We're going to pay you off. You can go retire. Go on gardening leave once you find something else. Got the opportunity to make a clean sweep. Even if you're bringing in Southgate, you know somebody, because sometimes you need you need that manager to to to consolidate things before you increase. But then now you bring back Tenhag, who hadn't shown anything and enough to keep him under a new regime, and then you now back him with signings, and I guess you maybe you you were out on a rock in a hard place because if you're bringing him back, you then have to back him in the transfer window, but then now you're in the same situation again with a manager who you know just got a vote of confidence, but you've already backed him with another, what, 200 million?
00:19:01
blackjag_3
and so
00:19:01
Emeka
It's a big one.
00:19:01
Chuku
Yeah, acting heavy.
00:19:02
blackjag_3
You know, we're going to talk about, you know, what our thoughts on the 10 hack decision are shortly. But then, you know, if you're not trying to bring in another manager, you know, have the same situation that all these United teams have had where, you know, a new coach has to come in and are they going to want the players that have been bought?
00:19:21
blackjag_3
Because that is the problem.
00:19:21
Chuku
Yeah, it's a mess.
00:19:22
blackjag_3
That is the problem that they have now, if they want to bring anybody else in is because you have all these investments that have just been made recently and that new coach is going to have to work with them.
00:19:34
blackjag_3
And maybe that limits the type of coach you can get.
00:19:39
blackjag_3
little one but Go ahead.
00:19:39
Chuku
Yeah, 100%. I just think in United is ah is a complete mess. you know You have literally a situation where the club's owners and management, they're wishy-washy on the manager. And with all that, they're still, like I said, buying they're hurting the team by buying all these players that The manager, I guess, has to have some sort of impact as to who they're bringing in because a lot of these players that we talked about are players that at one point have been under management with 10-HAG. And at the same time, like if you're a United fan, ah you have to be coming a coming out of this thinking, is 10-HAG really the man that's going to take you or take us to the promised land?
00:20:33
Chuku
i feel like in the fan base, majority of the fans shoot at this point can probably no come to an agreement that I don't think 10 hug is the guy. So we if the fan base can see this, how don't you know does the the management side of things see this?
00:20:52
Chuku
And maybe they do see this, you know maybe you know maybe how we know.
00:20:54
Emeka
They saw it though.
00:20:56
Emeka
They interviewed half of Europe in the summer. They clearly interviewed people.
00:20:58
Chuku
Well,
00:20:59
Chuku
Well, hold on, hold on. They interviewed, I agree. Yeah, they saw this. why this That's one reason why they were interviewing, but they clearly couldn't couldn't find anybody who they one wanted to come and step into the job.
00:21:11
blackjag_3
No, I think it's even, I think it's, it's not even that I think the people that they wanted probably did it with them at that time.
00:21:11
Chuku
and i help i mean
00:21:16
Chuku
Okay, fair enough. Regardless of whatever the case may be, they weren't able to find or locate somebody for the job.
00:21:22
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:21:27
Chuku
And now I've just, I've stuck with, you know, their guy, 10 hug, you've given him the in a one year, you know, one, and not another year. And on top of that, not just, not just given him the one year, but have now doubled down and and bought major signage.
00:21:42
Chuku
Like you can't tell me the Maserari and the lit signage don't happen. That happened without 10 hugs influence. You know what I'm trying to say?
00:21:53
blackjag_3
Yeah, I should say that's a good sign.
00:21:53
Chuku
So we talked about.
00:21:56
blackjag_3
15 million. That's a good sign. yeah tim That's a good sign.
00:21:59
Chuku
and I mean, good these are decent players. I'm not going to say here, but one thing I can honestly say is United have talented players.
00:22:09
Chuku
Like you can't, they're squad, they're lost, they're team.
00:22:11
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:22:14
Chuku
You can't tell me that they don't have talent on that team.
00:22:17
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:22:17
Chuku
The question or the issue is, is Tanhag the man to cultivate that talent and take them to the next step? Because again, Since Tenhag has been at the club, he's not really shown that he can take that next step with the crop crop of of talent that he has at his disposal.
00:22:36
Emeka
Hey man, well one of the second most trophies since he's been in England, y'all get what you expect.
00:22:38
Chuku
He's just not...
00:22:41
Chuku
Well, Eiffelkopin and... Eiffelkopin...
00:22:44
Emeka
Second most, I think he's breaking up every single interview, you know, he's won the second most trophies.
00:22:50
Chuku
and two
00:22:50
blackjag_3
And look, apart from the way in which he he says it's with arrogance that I don't know where it's coming from, look, when you're in your building club and you're not getting Champions League for a while, that is what you want to see. You do want your team to to win a league cup. You do want your team to win an FA Cup, but let that not change the perception of where you actually are, which is what I think the problem is, is, yeah, you want an FA Cup, which is good.
00:23:17
blackjag_3
But if you sort of compare it to sort of being in champions, no champions league is not a trophy, but being in a champions league position says something about the quality of your team over a long period of time. And I think that's what it really says, apart from the added bonus of playing in champions league and the money that comes with it. So I think that's the issue because you're right. I do think they have talent, but, and I do think, you know, 10 hag is not,
00:23:43
blackjag_3
the best coach, but the problem is I think the the problem is they have talent, but then they still have serious holes and maybe even the talent that they have do not to me, they've never fit.

Patience with Managers: Arteta vs Ten Hag

00:23:56
blackjag_3
They've never fit 10 hog. Look at his Ajax team and the guys that he, that he had, right? He had, who's the guy that went to Chelsea and failed?
00:24:10
blackjag_3
z it was zch man
00:24:14
Chuku
Frankly Young here.
00:24:15
blackjag_3
dion
00:24:18
Chuku
Van der Bies.
00:24:20
blackjag_3
and for who was earlier young man you who i would have thought that he would have been able to revitalize his career but he didn't care so they So they had players that played
00:24:26
Chuku
didn well
00:24:26
Emeka
begin
00:24:30
blackjag_3
very technical so superior and played a possession-based game but look at the guys who were the main men for United or were the main men since their hug has been first of all I don't know what happened with Anthony that's just a disaster we don't have enough time to talk about that but these are the things you have so you have Rashford who's your main guy and you have Bruno who's your main guy and those guys are guys that thrive in a
00:24:41
Chuku
Yeah, a lot of cable coming in.
00:24:43
Emeka
It happens,
00:24:57
blackjag_3
counter-attacking or transition system which is not 10-hand ball so it's like it's never and then so they're not doubled down okay you have Bruno in the midfield and I remember talking about this with you guys when those things happen and then you add Mount and Casamiro to that I'm sorry how are you going to play that technical possession based game with those three as your midfield dynamic it doesn't make sense So that's the pro-talented players, but it's never fit.
00:25:22
Emeka
Yeah.
00:25:26
blackjag_3
And I think that's right to this point. You haven't been able to see a clear style of play from Tenhag because the pieces don't fit. Sure you have talented players, but they don't fit.
00:25:37
Emeka
But I've always felt that the mark of a good manager is making do with what you have.
00:25:37
Chuku
I mean,
00:25:42
Emeka
Obviously, yes, you need some certain signings to to shape the squad in your vision. But the truly elite managers are able to get, we all agree, you don't have a talented squad. Yes, I have holes in it.
00:25:54
Emeka
But you cannot tell me that there's no manager in the world who, if they go give it to the squad, couldn't get them better than negative goal difference. Like, there's no way.
00:26:02
Chuku
hundred percent
00:26:02
Emeka
There's certain levels above. That's why, to go, ah of our questions we're going to ask is, you know, would you fire, keep Ted Hogg? I just don't get how you can keep him. Like, this
00:26:12
blackjag_3
Yeah, but let's do that let's do that right now, let's let's go one by one in inside, you know, I
00:26:15
Chuku
100%. Before we do that, before we do that, I just want to just piggyback you off your point, Emeka, about of the whole like, if you're the son of a good manager, and being able to, you know, use of what what's in your disposal, right, and at least show some signs of, you know, progress or at least some sort of, some sort of stability. And I was i believe, honestly, the perfect example of this, you guys should recall, if you remember when Artisa took over Arsenal, right? We were having guys like Socrates, guys like Kalasnac, guys like, you know, basically horrific defence. And one thing I thought I did find right away is we were looking goals like it was nothing.
00:27:01
Chuku
what did it What did he do to suffice or to at least keep us afloat till we got the players that we needed that that could help you know solidify our team, solidify our defense? He went to a five in the back. We had Saka playing left back. We played with five defenders until we could go to a space where we could eventually move up and switch to a more no formidable formation and with the four, three, three that we're seeing today.
00:27:29
Chuku
The problem I'm trying to make is you've got to be able to adapt to what you have. So I just don't see TenHag adapting and that's going to be to his detriment.
00:27:39
blackjag_3
And and and you know yeah, you know let's let's move on.
00:27:39
Chuku
one
00:27:42
blackjag_3
we yeah we can We can belabor that point a lot more. I generally agree with you guys. OK, so 10 hack in, 10 hack out.
00:27:49
Emeka
I mean, we all just talked about how he turned out. go like i just don't He hasn't shown anything in the three years now that he's been a manually manager to justify backing him, get him all these expenses. But the issue is, they already backed him. So it was a little too late now. The best time I've done it, like you said, they went to the f FA Cup. Perfect. And they got a new owner simultaneously. That's the perfect time for a clean slate. Pay him off. Thanks for the memories.
00:28:12
Emeka
you know, and move on, but they did it. But I felt Tanag out after the FA Cup. I still feel Tanag right now, some games in. Like, it's... You got to get it. There's definitely better management out there you can get from Matthew than what they have currently.
00:28:26
blackjag_3
Choo-coo
00:28:28
Chuku
Man, this is tough because, I'll tell you why this is tough.
00:28:35
Chuku
I don't wanna sound hypocritical because, look, the answer should be 10 haggouts, it should be, yeah? It should be 10 haggouts. I guess the only thing I was just wanna say is, it's crazy to me that as I'm saying 10 haggouts, this guy still has found a way somehow put how terrible they've been in the league to win, at this point in time, more trophies than any other manager, not named Pep Guardiola, during his time in England.
00:29:11
blackjag_3
I mean, that's not true factually, but...
00:29:15
Chuku
a During during his time doing
00:29:18
blackjag_3
If we're counting FA Cup and Lee Cup, why are we not counting Super Copa?
00:29:18
Chuku
do it
00:29:24
Chuku
What are we doing?
00:29:24
blackjag_3
He's tired.
00:29:26
Chuku
What are we doing?
00:29:26
Emeka
I don't have time for this.
00:29:26
blackjag_3
He's tired.
00:29:26
Chuku
Okay. No worries, no worries, no worries.
00:29:29
blackjag_3
Okay.
00:29:29
Chuku
We're not going to go into that.
00:29:30
Emeka
I don't have time for this.
00:29:31
Chuku
But either way, either way, long story short, the answer is definitely 10 haggles. I think that's the best way to put it.
00:29:38
blackjag_3
okay
00:29:39
Chuku
10 haggles should be out.
00:29:40
blackjag_3
So it should be our eye. You look like we've talked about it. You have to give the man more time. Give him time.
00:29:51
blackjag_3
Turn hard in. Hey, look at what clock would. Look at what our tester did. Turn hard in.
00:29:57
Chuku
Oh.
00:29:58
blackjag_3
You have to be patient in this game. Back them up with more signings.
00:30:03
blackjag_3
Turn hard in. Then you don't need to let the other person in. Natural offside who knows where they'd be right now ten hard in that's that's clearly where I'm at
00:30:03
Chuku
I can't tell if this is serious or if this is just trolling.
00:30:11
Chuku
Let's see. The only argument I can to i can hear are on that 10-hug in, which honestly I can hear it, is if that was the case, but if

Rebuilding Manchester United: Ideas and Proposals

00:30:23
Chuku
we're saying 10-hug out, our tether should have been fired
00:30:27
Emeka
going to say that and I got to stop you.
00:30:27
Chuku
Two years ago.
00:30:29
Emeka
I'm stopping you there. stop i can't I can't deal with this.
00:30:32
Chuku
Hey, please tell me, then tell me, talk to me.
00:30:32
Emeka
I can't deal with this. Every manager is not Arteta. Every manager is not. Every single time a manager struggles, everyone brings up Arteta. I'm tired of hearing about this.
00:30:42
Chuku
We have to, I can't finish, I can't finish eight, back to back years.
00:30:42
Emeka
I'm tired of hearing about this. His first year, this is year three for Tenha, year three for Arteta. He was finishing fifth.
00:30:52
Chuku
Okay, wait, wait, wait. oh
00:30:54
Emeka
But also he tripped.
00:30:55
blackjag_3
but teta's first season that he finished eight was not a full season he came in halfway made
00:30:59
Emeka
I don't want to say.
00:31:00
Chuku
And the next season, we had a full year, finished eighth.
00:31:02
blackjag_3
Yeah, yeah Yeah
00:31:03
Chuku
Next season, we had another full year, finished fifth.
00:31:06
blackjag_3
so yeah
00:31:07
Chuku
And bottled, bottled top four. Top four was literally in our hands.
00:31:12
blackjag_3
yeah
00:31:12
Chuku
And we, I'm not here saying we should sit. Obviously, we've made progress since then. But let's not act as though Ted Haag, right, in his three years, hasn't done more than what I've done in the next three years.
00:31:24
blackjag_3
Well, here's the difference. I clearly saw a difference between the season we finished eighth and the season we finished fifth. And the season we finished fifth was a disappointment, but you could clearly see the progress.
00:31:37
Chuku
Oh, we'll do something. 100%. 100%. Yeah.
00:31:41
blackjag_3
with the youngest team in the league. This is different than United with Rashford, with Bruno, with Casamiro, and what is, how do they play?
00:31:54
blackjag_3
We still don't know a negative goal difference. That's different, I think.
00:31:59
Emeka
That's what I'm saying.
00:32:00
Chuku
Yeah. Look, I'm just trying to be devil.
00:32:01
blackjag_3
That was different.
00:32:02
Chuku
I'm just trying to play devil's advocate here because I gotta be based.
00:32:03
Emeka
and but You and everyone in the world picks up this and I'm tired of hearing about it.
00:32:06
blackjag_3
so People just like, people tried to say the reason people tried to use Arteza and they go back to Korp.
00:32:08
Emeka
I'm tired of hearing about it.
00:32:14
blackjag_3
That was also wrong as well because that was definitely not the same context because you had Korp who was a Bundesliga winner over Bayern who had taken them to the final of the Champions League.
00:32:27
blackjag_3
Of course you give him time.
00:32:30
Emeka
The club also made their final as first season. People would leave that part out too.
00:32:33
blackjag_3
yeah The reason you give Arteta time is not the same reason you give pop time. The reason they give Arteta time was because we we were literally starting from bottom and we were okay with starting from bottom, which I think is the difference with United.
00:32:49
blackjag_3
And to think people always forgot is this is legit Arteta's fourth year total of coaching.
00:32:57
Emeka
Fifth.
00:32:59
blackjag_3
Fifth now, sorry. Period. And I think people can confuse that.
00:33:05
Emeka
i They really do.
00:33:05
blackjag_3
nope Yeah.
00:33:06
Emeka
They really do.
00:33:07
blackjag_3
when Apart from Pep, when all these guys were in the fifth year of coaching, these guys' club was was managing. I know the club.
00:33:17
Emeka
They're in minds.
00:33:17
blackjag_3
I can't remember it now, but yeah, mine's exactly. So so it's not even just That's the reason why you're keeping him.
00:33:28
blackjag_3
You can't say, oh, because of club, because of our tetra.
00:33:30
Emeka
i
00:33:31
blackjag_3
You can say, yes, they use patience, but why did they give those guys patience? And so why should you give 10 heart patients? So we believe.
00:33:39
Chuku
I should be asking you that question, though, because you're the one that's saying 10 hug in, then. Me me and amicus are saying 10 hug out, so why should you now please tell us why should we give 10 hug more time, please?
00:33:46
blackjag_3
Oh, if you.
00:33:46
Emeka
Because he's trolling. He's trolling.
00:33:51
blackjag_3
Because if you're a natural wasn't, if not for that upside,
00:33:51
Chuku
Tell us.
00:33:55
Emeka
He's trolling, man. I'm tired of hearing about this, But um'm far to ahead them it was got honestly, though, I want talk about something Chino pointed out, though, because, like, it's honestly it worth repeating.
00:33:57
Chuku
He's definitely trolling, 100%. We just got him!
00:34:00
Chuku
We got him! This guy is trolling.
00:34:01
blackjag_3
yeah
00:34:04
blackjag_3
guys My face right I'm serious. I'm so serious but but
00:34:17
Emeka
Man U fans, when they signed Ugarte, would would be saying, you know, Casamiro's legs are gone, we got Ugarte, you can replace him. But then when you really, you know, broke it down, they their best player, in my opinion at least, and their captain, Bruno, 10, doesn't really control the ball, doesn't really have the pausa, he's direct, fine. You gotta play people who can control the ball next to him. Otherwise, what are they doing?
00:34:43
Emeka
ah ah people
00:34:43
blackjag_3
exactly
00:34:44
Emeka
The go-to menu phrase I always hear, which I so agree with, is that every game is a basketball game. It's always back and forth because there's no control of the midfield. And I hate to pick on young guy, especially the young black man, but mind who I like, I do like mine. But just because he can dribble and had make nice touch passes, people ascribe a game to him. That's not really his game. He doesn't really pass.
00:35:08
Emeka
He doesn't really, you know, control the tempo. So I really set my guy up because they're playing him next to another guy who doesn't do that. And now you're playing it either with Casemiro, who you're asking to be jabbing Alonso, essentially, or Orte, that's not his game at all.
00:35:23
Chuku
you know why my whole take about this mainual talk is
00:35:23
Emeka
so just
00:35:25
blackjag_3
Analysis and critical before you go going into that i just want to expand on the methods point is because again like am I I love my new Y'all know me. I've been watching all these kids since 15 So I've known my move for a long time in his game He is someone that has supreme technique that can control the ball in tight spaces And then what he does is, you know, he's able to beat the press and then and then you laid it off to
00:35:48
Chuku
Do you know what my hot take about this menu talk is?
00:35:51
blackjag_3
to the guy who who does the rest of the work. That's his game right now, because he's still young. He's not a deep-line playmaker who's controlling things from deep. So the dynamic of that midfield means he's not able to to utilize his talents to the most effective way. And so he's now miscast and has all these and has all these responsibilities that he's probably not yet ready for. And so to an extent, you know his talent's not being used to the best. but i hat you Sorry for cutting it off.
00:36:19
Chuku
So it list no fine and again, that's perfect perfectly what you've said. And I can just want to piggyback off that point. my again but Honestly, it shouldn't really be a hot take. Because if you watch Menu, the player, and you look at the team, honestly speaking, the reason why it would never work with Tenhag is because he makes the mistake of thinking that Menu is a deep line playing in the fielder.
00:36:47
Chuku
when In all honesty, for this United team, Bruno should not even be starting. Like Bruno shouldn't even be playing. Like in my opinion, May Nou needs to be, you need to, at this point, like you see how our, when Nativa came in, we started taking off, you know, Ozu started taking off, Obama young. I'm telling you right now, you need to start, you need a course that can just, that comes in, starts fresh. And the biggest change that United needs to make is Meinu needs to be that most forward-facing midfielder.
00:37:22
Chuku
He is so good creative creatively that I feel like what...
00:37:22
blackjag_3
OK.
00:37:26
Emeka
Is he? Is he?
00:37:28
blackjag_3
You know what?
00:37:29
Chuku
in you Okay.
00:37:31
blackjag_3
Here's just what I want us to do so that we can talk we can delve into these a little bit more. so So guys, if you're listening, what we are going to do now is we are going to do a Manchester United rebuild.
00:37:43
blackjag_3
but We're going to a assume the position of sporting director for Manchester United Club de Football and bring this team back to fourth place.
00:37:44
Emeka
I will see.
00:37:48
Emeka
tim
00:37:55
blackjag_3
That's what we're going to do. And I feel like we're uniquely qualified to do this because one, you know, We've all had seen our club go through a successful rebuild and you know, we've seen the blueprint as how to to To do this as well. You also have you know, not to to my own home. We have two people on this part who are multiple-time Premier League winners Champions League winners Trebles quadruple sex tuples.
00:38:26
blackjag_3
We've done it all I'm like I had a stadium named after me. I don't know if you had a stadium Yeah, so we've we've done it we have we have the CV We know what we're talking about Carrie Okay, so all right
00:38:31
Emeka
My son played for the squad. That's how long I played the same.
00:38:43
Emeka
Okay.
00:38:46
blackjag_3
So I'm going to lay down the parameters for this rebuild.
00:38:50
Emeka
This is a very one man.
00:38:52
blackjag_3
So go ahead.
00:38:53
Emeka
This is a one man rebuild book. do
00:38:56
blackjag_3
OK. I've trusted you guys. yeah Here are the parameters. One, we're going to pick select who the new coach for Manchester United. And we've also have to unhag out.
00:39:08
blackjag_3
Select the new coach. And then Manchester United has 100 million pounds 100 million pounds to spend, not including what they can generate from sales. So if you can talk about who they can sell to generate more funds, but they have to be realistic. You can't just say Rashford to Saudi for 120 million. You can't say Casamira to Saudi for 60 million. You can't use that as a cheat code. So you have 100 million plus whatever you can generate from sales.

Player Acquisition Strategies

00:39:39
blackjag_3
And then you can signings of at least one attacker, midfielder, or defender. Obviously, you can get a little creative with that. But just to put together some guidelines to sort of start our Manchester United rebuild.
00:39:52
blackjag_3
So I don't know how you guys want to do this. If you guys want me to start, since I probably did the most research for this, I can start. And then you can go from there. Does anybody else want to start?
00:40:03
Chuku
No, you can start, you know.
00:40:03
Emeka
Please start. Please start.
00:40:05
blackjag_3
All right.
00:40:06
Emeka
Okay.
00:40:07
blackjag_3
All right, so we have 100 million and then I'm going to start with players that we're going to let go to free wages and to get into money. So you have three guys who are coming up to the end of their contract in Erickson, Lindelof and Evans. Honestly, I don't know why Evans is still on that team. Those guys are gone. We're not resigning them. That should be massive wages coming off the books. So there's that.
00:40:34
blackjag_3
And then I'm going to say that these are the guys that I think you can fairly realistically let go. Casamiro. He has one year left.
00:40:46
blackjag_3
Luke Shaw. I'm sorry. It is his time to go. His body's broken. You can't rely on him. Molassia. Apparently he's still there. He's young enough that you can get something for him.
00:40:57
Emeka
See you live.
00:40:57
blackjag_3
And, and yeah, apparently an Anthony. You're gonna have to cut your losses massively on Antony. So that is one, two, one, two, three.
00:41:05
Emeka
Who is bi-athlete? Who is bi-athlete? Now give me a name. Give me a name.
00:41:10
blackjag_3
Send to Portugal to Porto for 20 million.
00:41:14
Emeka
My brother is making $200K a week.
00:41:14
blackjag_3
25 million.
00:41:15
Chuku
I don't believe that, but I don't believe that.
00:41:16
Emeka
He was fortunate enough to pay these wages.
00:41:17
Chuku
but Go ahead.
00:41:19
blackjag_3
It's gonna have to be a team and in Portugal or Turkey that can at least, in Champions League that can sort of pay that 20, 25 million fee.
00:41:28
Emeka
25 million.
00:41:30
blackjag_3
Yeah, i just that's still a huge loss.
00:41:33
Emeka
25 million.
00:41:33
blackjag_3
You're taking a huge loss.
00:41:35
Emeka
That's a generous, generous sale. I believe it or not. That's a very generous he makes $200K a week.
00:41:38
blackjag_3
I'm a really good sporting director, okay? So, Chuck, I'm not saying sell, because you know those people say, oh, we'll sell Anthony for 15. I'm saying 25. I'm saying an average of 25.
00:41:54
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:41:55
Emeka
Mr. Butt, continue.
00:41:56
blackjag_3
Jorge Mendez will will do his thing. So we created four players. We're gonna generate and Wages let go that's probably freeing up room for you know, a hundred million Yeah We have 200 million to spend so here's what I'm here's what I'm gonna do what we're gonna do is Oh, so first of all new manager off to options one
00:42:07
Emeka
Oh Jamilia, oh man. Signed by Guy. Signed by Guy, man. Hey. What's up, Jamilia? All right.
00:42:25
blackjag_3
I don't know if he would would come in is a Nagelsmann.
00:42:30
Emeka
Noggles, man.
00:42:31
blackjag_3
Julian Nagelsmann. Yeah, because I don't think a 2-0 he's not he's not going to want to come in. He's going to want to he wants his own players. He's going to want to spend more money than I think United can afford. They already went through the deserby routes. They already went to the 2-0 route. So I think Nagelsmann is a new name either him or they go again for Kieran McKenna.
00:42:53
blackjag_3
Maybe he he he said no last time, maybe he's ready to go this time. So those those are my choices, Coach. So let's say Mackena, right? Young British coach. And what we're going to do is we're going to target young players who have Premier League experience. That's who we're going to target. So for the attacking position,
00:43:18
blackjag_3
You know, I sort of cheated a bit. I'm sort of looking at players who can play because you you can't get as a striker. You just bought Holland. You just bought Xerxes. You have Cheetor B coming through.
00:43:31
blackjag_3
I'm sorry, it is not a good use of resources to buy another young striker, even though I don't think they have a goal scorer.
00:43:31
Emeka
Apparently.
00:43:37
blackjag_3
So let's get a forward who can also play in the midfield. So I'm going to give you guys some names. Some of them are on the higher end of, you know, the prices and then that will sort of affect what we do lower for the other positions. And then some of them are more midfield. So I'm thinking people that I think they can actually acquire as Manchester United, Richie Izzy from Crystal Pouts. I think his fee last summer was about 65 million. So you're saying maybe about 70, 75 million for Izzy.
00:44:09
blackjag_3
Kudos. Let's go back to that. Well, I think that's those of those are players that they can get again That's on your higher end of of the spectrum Guys who might be more affordable normal I think would be really good a very versatile attacker can play in the middle confirm the wings You can probably get him for about 50 million I think Morgan Waters will be tough to get that's a sort of
00:44:31
Emeka
I don't know, these days, 50 million. I'm Morgan Rogers.
00:44:39
blackjag_3
I think that's probably a little bit less realistic because the word villa are but you know Your Majesty United. Can you pluck Morgan Rogers? Who knows maybe he was a fan as a kid and then draw Pedro. So these are all from Brighton These are all guys who are versatile attackers who can play multiple positions either as an attacking midfielder or a winger that can bring some some versatility some some skill some some some goal threats to the teamll i'll stop there
00:45:12
Emeka
Morgan Rogers. Hey, why not sign, you know, let's go sign Edrick too. He's a goal scorer. He's a goal scorer.
00:45:21
blackjag_3
been but take we are majestyfully united we are majesty
00:45:26
Emeka
We can get Edrick, we can get Edrick bro.
00:45:28
Chuku
Oh my god!
00:45:30
Emeka
He's a young goal scorer. Listen, listen, SA, I can see SA maybe, I can see SA maybe. and some of the names at the end there. Y'all Pedro, Morgan. These clubs, first of all, you try to sign from the prem.
00:45:44
Emeka
All the prem clubs are rich now. Like even a man like Abuebo, who back in the day would get it for 20 mil. These days, who'd have shocked me if Brentford asked for like 60-70? Why not?
00:45:53
blackjag_3
Yeah, minimum 50 for all these players, but I think why I'm willing to spend that much on these guys is one, they're pre-improving and you can play them in multiple positions. So I mean, I see what you guys are saying, but yeah, you have to, you have to, we're trying to upgrade the team and you have to spend money.
00:46:04
Emeka
I mean, listen.
00:46:10
blackjag_3
So I don't know who, do you guys have any other thoughts, names you could list for, for Fords?
00:46:17
Emeka
Uh, you know, it's tough because generally I like magnetic forwards. Like you say all these names and I think to myself, like you said, they already spent on Horland and Xerxes.
00:46:29
Emeka
And like, I like Gordon. I'm um probably one of the bigger commercial fans. Like we're not going to play.
00:46:29
blackjag_3
You know,
00:46:33
blackjag_3
you still have, you still have D'Arnaud, you still have Ahmad, you still have Rashford, those are your wing.
00:46:34
Emeka
but thats you
00:46:38
blackjag_3
And so it's one more guy to be part of that wing rotation, but they can also play across the line.
00:46:45
Emeka
and I see the vision.
00:46:47
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:46:47
Emeka
I see the vision. But like I swear to God, man, you we did they signed these guys, and they'll still suck next year.
00:46:53
blackjag_3
so
00:46:53
Emeka
The guy they signed would lose all their talent.
00:46:55
Chuku
That's hilarious.
00:46:56
Emeka
That's how I feel. like it's theyrenna They fix the Juju in the squad or something, because I asked them. They signed my first cowboy Euro in Jersey preseason.
00:47:03
blackjag_3
I think, yeah.
00:47:07
Emeka
It's crazy out there.
00:47:08
blackjag_3
that's That's why I'm targeting prem proven players. These are guys who have established themselves on the prem. And maybe you did whatever juju is going on, I mean, they're named the Red Devils.
00:47:19
blackjag_3
So I'll be surprised that you know whatever they sold, whatever how but the soul that they sold, the devil has come to collect.
00:47:20
Emeka
i
00:47:28
blackjag_3
But I think that's sort of why I'm driving towards these prem proven guys.
00:47:32
Emeka
Not fair, but I can't lie though. If that's your list, I want to get you Kuma's list because he's going to have some names on there.
00:47:38
Chuku
Hey.
00:47:39
Emeka
He's going to have some names on there though. without you Get me giggling.
00:47:41
Chuku
but Yeah, for sure.
00:47:43
Emeka
Please.
00:47:43
Chuku
hundred That's what you guys going with?
00:47:46
Emeka
That's what I'm saying.
00:47:47
Chuku
I got some names.
00:47:48
Emeka
I need to hear your list.
00:47:49
blackjag_3
I actually made some that are legit and and one more.
00:47:49
Chuku
I I got some names.
00:47:49
Emeka
I need to hear it.
00:47:54
blackjag_3
Okay, you guys laughed off Rogers. Maybe I think if you get Pedro from Brighton, yes, it'll cost.
00:47:57
Chuku
Hey.
00:48:00
blackjag_3
so So maybe Rogers is the only name because he's at Villa and they're already in Champions League and kudos. These are all clubs lower down the table than them. They'll have to pay, but they can get these guys.
00:48:10
Chuku
Like I said, if you're going with the name Power of United, yeah, I got some names, I got some names.
00:48:14
Emeka
Oh, I can't wait to hear this.
00:48:15
Chuku
So, all right, so for me, for me, I think it's very simple with the fours. is i You're not trying to add too much, but I think the biggest, okay, coach, coach, coach, okay.
00:48:23
Emeka
First of all, who's your coach? Who's your coach? Who's your coach?
00:48:27
Chuku
So for me, I'm gonna go, this is a reach. I'm just gonna tell you right now, so he's a huge reach.
00:48:33
Emeka
the hot let's go i i do i do india
00:48:34
Chuku
He's a huge reach. But why not get my guy out of retirement? Zennedy Zidane. I'm against Zennedy Zidane. Bring him out of town.
00:48:44
Emeka
oh i do it that swear i a va like
00:48:46
Chuku
Yo, I'm going for it offensively.
00:48:47
Emeka
as goodness
00:48:50
Chuku
Why not?
00:48:50
Emeka
and' gonna guess the dead
00:48:51
Chuku
We're you were united, bro. We're united.
00:48:54
Emeka
Hey, please put cook, cook, cook, cook, cook.
00:48:54
Chuku
We're getting Zidane.
00:48:55
blackjag_3
is
00:48:57
Chuku
Listen, this is our fantasy right now. So, hey man, we're cooking.
00:49:00
blackjag_3
would you yeah
00:49:02
Chuku
We're going to get Zennedy Zidane, okay?
00:49:03
Emeka
Hey man, let's cook, let's cook.
00:49:06
Chuku
Then what i'm doing I'm doing here, so forwards, we discussed, you know, strikers. We can't really do too much to strikers. We already got, you know, we already bought some strikers in this last couple of years. But one guy I do have on the list that I do see would help United for sure.
00:49:22
Chuku
And he's very versatile because he can play in multiple positions, which, you know, fits around the nucleus of natural.
00:49:27
blackjag_3
the
00:49:30
Chuku
Please relax. So,
00:49:32
blackjag_3
the
00:49:34
Chuku
That fits, again, the name has already been mentioned already. And I've been a big fan of this guy. I would take this guy also in a heartbeat. But Mohamed Kudus is a must, must, must bow.
00:49:44
blackjag_3
yeah why was
00:49:45
Chuku
No, no, he's on my list. He Kudus is on my list. He's a perfect fit because like I said, you can play in multiple positions. Left wing, right wing, through the middle. So Kudus, it's a good fit to fit around that ganacho and the aloe core.
00:50:00
Chuku
I think it's a good fit. Now I'm in the fields.
00:50:04
blackjag_3
i let's Let's let's do position by position because we've done but we We've done attackers.
00:50:09
Chuku
What was mean?
00:50:11
blackjag_3
So let's see see who a Mecca has he hasn't mentioned his coach or his attacker before we move on to midfield.
00:50:16
Chuku
Oh, okay, before we move on, okay, go ahead. sure
00:50:19
Emeka
I mean, and we I just, but maybe my brain doesn't work like y'all.
00:50:20
blackjag_3
I
00:50:25
Emeka
I'm just a pessimist because I can't think of one of these quote unquote realistic names, but we just throw our names out. You know what? Bring Baxter Alex, man. Bring Baxter Alex.
00:50:34
Emeka
He's alive.
00:50:34
Chuku
Stop, what you can't do that.
00:50:35
blackjag_3
Not.
00:50:35
Emeka
He's alive. Bring Baxter Alex, man.
00:50:37
blackjag_3
How about you when you're ready to join the discussion, you can join us as a target.
00:50:38
Emeka
Hey, why not?
00:50:43
blackjag_3
So you just say, we're going to go to midfield chicken. Who are you going to mention from midfield?
00:50:48
Chuku
There we go. So i back to my earlier point of what I'm saying, I strongly believe that at this stage of his career, Menu is not that deep line, the filter that you can ask to all our responsibilities in the midfield.
00:51:05
Chuku
He needs to be more forward. That's just my belief, okay? But regardless, in my midfield, I would have Meinu as the furthest forward, because he links, I've seen it in England, for England, and I just feel like he is really good in front of goal.
00:51:25
Chuku
I've seen his course on bangers.
00:51:25
blackjag_3
Hmm I don't I don't think he's your furthest midfield.
00:51:26
Emeka
And I say, is he, I keep saying is he though.
00:51:27
Chuku
That's just my opinion. That's my opinion. So either way,
00:51:35
blackjag_3
I think he's an eight. He's not your ah For sure
00:51:37
Emeka
I think.
00:51:37
Chuku
That's your opinion. That's your All right. So for me, for me, I just think he, I want him in my, in a 4-3-3, the perfect midfielder I can put next to him.
00:51:49
Chuku
Shout out to this guy. Play for Inter Milan. Goes by the name of it Nicola Baralla.
00:51:55
Emeka
Barilla? We really just say in anybody's name.
00:51:58
Chuku
Nicola Baralla.
00:51:59
Emeka
We really just say in anybody's name. All right, and advisor Alex was locked down. And advisor Alex was locked up.
00:52:04
blackjag_3
so anybody yet so yeah but
00:52:06
Chuku
Why is that so laughable?
00:52:07
blackjag_3
It's still a hundred million so you're spending 70 80 on kudos. What is this money to get barrel are coming from?
00:52:13
Emeka
Barilla is a hundred million player.
00:52:15
blackjag_3
It's a hundred million so convert that the pounds
00:52:16
Emeka
YouTube.
00:52:17
Chuku
70, wait, hold on, hold on. I don't want to disagree.
00:52:24
Emeka
Burella is a hundred million player.
00:52:25
Chuku
Hey, we really sticking only with that 100 million. We're united, bro. was when We're going to be selling players.
00:52:32
blackjag_3
no
00:52:33
blackjag_3
PSR not 100 million anything else you have to generate from sales.
00:52:33
Chuku
go be
00:52:38
Chuku
Yeah, so we're gonna be selling, we're gonna be selling, we're gonna be selling Bruno.
00:52:38
blackjag_3
I mean Who to who who My
00:52:41
Chuku
We're gonna be selling Bruno. Bruno, I just, what you, somebody who buy Bruno Fernandez, bro.
00:52:44
Emeka
Bruno that just signed a cultural extension. She just signed a cultural extension.
00:52:47
blackjag_3
sales So cant that's a Legitimate by the legitimate price we can't do it brother.
00:52:50
Chuku
I don't know who, but it'll be sold, it'll be sold.
00:52:58
Chuku
Because I'm back to sporting.
00:52:58
Emeka
Again, we will just say, same names.
00:53:00
Chuku
We're back to where it came from.
00:53:00
blackjag_3
I
00:53:02
Chuku
We're selling back to sporting for 40 mil. We're selling, we're selling them.
00:53:06
Emeka
40 got 40 bills, all right.
00:53:06
Chuku
We're selling,
00:53:07
blackjag_3
yeah But I think after sporting for 40 mil, that's fine.
00:53:08
Chuku
is
00:53:11
blackjag_3
That's legit You have 140 million. So that means you're using up your whole budget then who do some barrel and that's it Okay, I don't know who's playing champion It's coming to United but okay at least you've given us a shout, you know, that's fine so what you're doing is you're signing a
00:53:21
Emeka
Yeah.
00:53:22
Chuku
desert.
00:53:24
Emeka
Brella, how are your agents? How are your agents, Brella?
00:53:34
blackjag_3
a small as good as he is five foot seven player we've just talked about the deficiencies they have you know in the base of that midfield and as good as Brella is we've seen the the the other pieces they have that you're signing a five foot seven player who's not played in the press and we know
00:53:53
Chuku
8 foot 8 So my just be clear the mifuda I'm ruling with was would be Bugatti, Barela, Midu.
00:53:56
blackjag_3
We know the history of Italians, Italians in the press.
00:53:56
Emeka
Hey, Brela's Apollo.
00:53:59
blackjag_3
He said, well, I'm just saying, OK, that's fine.
00:54:00
Emeka
Brela's Apollo.
00:54:00
blackjag_3
That's a just rebuilding. Do you want to take that risk for that price? But that's fine. That's fine.
00:54:12
Chuku
But anyways, just want to put that out there. Yeah, that'll be my good foot.
00:54:15
blackjag_3
All right, let me give my midfield I'm keeping Bruno because he's still your captain. I think he's still talented He has his flaws, but I don't see you know with rose in him Yeah, so I don't see him going anywhere I don't see a Team other than Saudi coming in for him.
00:54:22
Emeka
Brela's Apollo. just started outside of the extension like last month.
00:54:35
blackjag_3
So we're not doing that. So you still have Bruno and You still have mine new, those are your two starters. You still have Ugarte. You still have Mason Mount. So that's it. And so we're going to add one more midfielder. So I have two different types of midfielders that we're adding. Again, prem proven players or young British players. So I still think you need something else at the base of that midfield. So that you can get at decent prices.
00:55:05
blackjag_3
So my first shout out is Joel Gomez from Wolves. He can come in, he can play eight, he can play six. You know, I've loved what I've seen from him this season. I think he's a really talented player.
00:55:16
blackjag_3
He's got somebody you want. Prem proven with room to grow that you can bring in at a good price to come into your team.
00:55:23
Emeka
What's this price? What's this price?
00:55:25
Chuku
What's this good price I'm about to ask because I don't see him going for less than 40, 50 mil.
00:55:28
blackjag_3
well fifty
00:55:30
blackjag_3
40-50 million is the range that I had there. So the two guys I had in that 40-50 million range are Jarl Gomez and Dukurri from Crystal Palace. If you're just looking for somebody with more athleticism to play in the base of that midfield, he's got some techers. But again, we're just trying to consolidate from where we are and and get to fourth place. Or you try and sign, do what you know Ferguson used to do and try and sign really young talented British players that could be superstars. So, you know,
00:56:00
blackjag_3
Arch Grey has already gone to Tottenham. He's somebody I would have put for that position. The next two guys you know on my Wonderkid British list are Chris Rigg and the other Bellingham brother, both at Sunderland.
00:56:12
blackjag_3
Those are two guys that you can get from for about million, so depending on what we spend on the attacker that you can bring in.
00:56:13
Chuku
Joe Bellingham.
00:56:19
blackjag_3
So, Lister Midfielders, Joel Gomez, Jake Dukoure, Chris Rigg, or Joe Bellingham.
00:56:26
Chuku
Wow.
00:56:29
Emeka
Yeah, I'm safe for real.
00:56:31
blackjag_3
You're amazed. I know I'm good.
00:56:33
Chuku
You gotta
00:56:33
blackjag_3
I'm good at what I do. I'm good at what I do.
00:56:36
Chuku
say Joe Bellingham.
00:56:37
Emeka
i sta in so The days I'm hearing, I don't know my Ferguson one, but please let me hear you defend this. Let me hear you defend this. I'm i now I'm real curious. I'll fall to Davies, left back.
00:56:48
Emeka
i I'm sure I'm gonna hear that
00:56:49
blackjag_3
so so here's what um You have the lit and but Another guy I think you could have probably maybe sold to generate money is Maguire, but I'm keeping Maguire because I think I Think he's a useful player.
00:56:57
Chuku
martine
00:57:05
blackjag_3
I think he's a good player He has some experience so you have the lit euro Maguire And
00:57:15
Chuku
Martinez Martinez, you can't swear through
00:57:20
blackjag_3
Let me finish my team is as a new madam that guy's not playing so I'm not having a five foot three guy please send it back for me I'm sorry We've got rid of Luke Shaw, Molassia, we're getting him back from witness protection protections.
00:57:33
Emeka
That's where it goes.
00:57:34
blackjag_3
United is the only, we only have two fullbacks right now who are both normally right backs, but they have to play both.
00:57:34
Emeka
I don't know if it's allowed.
00:57:42
blackjag_3
So I think you're good on the right with Mazzrari and the law. I think that's good depth. So I'm going to shift. I'm going to shift Martinez out to left back. I'm also going to sign, you know, it let let's put, let's call it a target. Outnoury from, from wolves as well.
00:58:01
Emeka
That's a lot of money on wolf players.
00:58:03
blackjag_3
Yeah, it's 100 million to spend on playing around. These are all targets. If I was signing a center back, I would go for the guy that they were stood, that they were trying to get last summer, that they didn't get. The guy that I would target is Brantwaite.
00:58:18
blackjag_3
You hope everything goes down.
00:58:20
Chuku
What?
00:58:22
blackjag_3
You hope everything goes down and maybe they can negotiate something lower. But there's the only center back I'm adding to that rotation is a young British six foot fall lion.
00:58:35
blackjag_3
We are Manchester United, Brown Wave. That's the only guy I have was so like the two guys on my list for for defenders.
00:58:41
Emeka
Where is the baller? Very expensive baller as they've shown last summer.
00:58:43
Chuku
But as a guy, like everything will be good, where adamant is not gonna be sold for less than like, what, 60, 70?
00:58:44
blackjag_3
Yeah.
00:58:50
Emeka
That's what I'm going to say.
00:58:50
Chuku
Like, everything
00:58:51
blackjag_3
theyre we're recordinging eighty So you hope you hope that if they get relegated that price comes down and then So that is my Manchester United rebuild brilliant if you ask me
00:58:57
Emeka
That's fair enough. You don't know.
00:58:59
Chuku
not getting relegated, getting relegated. I've seen enough, they're not getting relegated, there's no way.
00:59:01
Emeka
You don't know. You don't know.
00:59:03
Chuku
So I don't know about all this, but okay, fair enough, no worries, fair enough. All good.
00:59:10
Chuku
All good.
00:59:11
Emeka
Hey. They get those signings, boy. Mind you, about to be trouble, man. Go be trouble to leave. And they And they get those signings.
00:59:23
Emeka
D-naps work, man. Y'all used to have a raise. You used to have a raise. If you could pull that window, that's what I was saying. You used to have a raise.
00:59:30
blackjag_3
it that what you do all we do
00:59:30
Emeka
If you could pull that window.
00:59:33
Chuku
ah ah yeah
00:59:33
Emeka
Nah, Juku, I ain't even using that.
00:59:34
Chuku
Yo, if I'm my United, do you know who I go for?
00:59:34
blackjag_3
my mission
00:59:37
Emeka
Dio Hernandez.
00:59:40
Chuku
No, not quite, but the Scottish Theo Hernandez. I go for
00:59:45
Emeka
What?
00:59:48
Chuku
Tierney man, I don't see why not Tierney is right there available.
00:59:50
blackjag_3
It's not easy to do what we do.
00:59:51
Emeka
Because really, I wanted your left back. I don't even know what he's looking at.
00:59:53
Chuku
Hey This injury injury left back injury like why is it right now turn easy is he hurts?
00:59:54
blackjag_3
So guys, let me let me try.
00:59:55
Emeka
Yeah, I wanted your left back. That's the only thing.
00:59:58
blackjag_3
Oh, yeah, actually I talked about so you guys go ahead much but thought of The broke his neck So injury prone left back with one who
01:00:08
Emeka
Pretty sure he is.
01:00:09
Chuku
I'm pretty sure he's not he's just not playing.
01:00:14
Emeka
Bro, I'm pretty sure he's hurt.
01:00:15
Chuku
Oh It's about oh snap oh snap Say a word. OK. Well, regardless,
01:00:24
blackjag_3
is just as injury prone.
01:00:24
Chuku
we're
01:00:25
Emeka
That's what I'm saying, going to get a third injury from a left back. But all right, man.
01:00:28
Chuku
going to bring them in because we we ain't got the budget team. I'm trying to say we got to be good.
01:00:30
Emeka
Listen, man, I understand my brother took over looking up for arsenal. Always looking up for arsenal. He wasn't even there to exercise.
01:00:36
Emeka
He tried to get up the PSR.
01:00:36
Chuku
You know this, you know what I'm saying?
01:00:38
Chuku
I got a little pee.
01:00:38
Emeka
Get up the PSR.
01:00:39
blackjag_3
He's doing that when you create an extra manager and then just sign.
01:00:39
Emeka
I appreciate it.
01:00:39
Chuku
That's a little pee.
01:00:43
Emeka
You know what I'm saying? I see the vision.
01:00:45
blackjag_3
the mosts for
01:00:45
Emeka
I see the vision.
01:00:47
Chuku
You don't see the vision.
01:00:47
Emeka
I see the vision. It's a check call.
01:00:49
Chuku
You see the vision.
01:00:49
Emeka
You can find your way over there too. I see the vision.
01:00:51
Chuku
You know what I'm saying? You know what I'm saying? Yo, got get back out of here.
01:00:53
Emeka
I see the vision.
01:00:55
blackjag_3
is what, you know, maybe, maybe not all those guys will fit in under that budget. But again, those are the targets is when Artero came in, he was targeting young guys, and he overpaid for a couple of them who have prime experience, who have talented.
01:01:12
blackjag_3
So he had Ramsdale, Benjamin White, those are the two main guys that I'm thinking of. where are Sir?
01:01:18
Emeka
Two separate transfer windows. I'm pretty sure for both those guys. That was over two separate transfer for windows.
01:01:23
blackjag_3
Yeah, but those are the type of guys he was targeting that profile When we're trying to rebuild and those are sort of the names I was I was going for here I wasn't going for exotic or sexy names or guys who play in England who are under the age of 24 and That as matches to United, you know, these are none of them are Champions League clubs that You'd like to believe you can get
01:01:47
Emeka
list
01:01:49
Emeka
Yeah, that's a lot of disrespect to my brother, who's in Miami, Villas Champions League club.
01:01:53
blackjag_3
Yeah, so maybe that's the one that's the one that was like For sure. You're lucky to give me that but forget Morgan Rogers

Managerial Impact and Future Choices for Manchester United

01:02:00
blackjag_3
all the other names or guys that They should be able to
01:02:04
Emeka
I mean, listen, I joke and I laugh and I kid, literally because yes, there's a very artistic name to my opinion, but I see the vision. I understand the vision. i just I just, my brain doesn't work for transfers because it's it's it's hard to sign somebody as Arsenal fans we've seen. It's hard to sign people. It's very hard to sign people. Even for a club like Man U, it's hard to sign somebody. They couldn't even sign a break before last summer.
01:02:30
Emeka
Everything said, nah, fam, 70 mil. So buying it from prep clubs nowadays is a scam to me. And i i know i i you know it's tough for me to see all these, because they're all great players, great players.
01:02:43
Emeka
I just feel like, man, you come in and say, we want to sign, play your ex. And if I'm the opposing general manager, I think, sweet but but ah oh, we charging them everything.
01:02:50
blackjag_3
Jack of the products. products. Well, that's true.
01:02:53
Emeka
You kidding me?
01:02:55
blackjag_3
That's true.
01:02:55
Emeka
We charging them everything.
01:02:57
blackjag_3
That's true.
01:02:57
Emeka
So hey.
01:02:58
blackjag_3
And all you have to do is wait because they will cave.
01:03:02
Emeka
And it will get you.
01:03:03
blackjag_3
They will cave.
01:03:05
Emeka
It's a, I mean, look, if we could fix man here, we'd all be rich. So Jim Ratcliffe, come sign the boys. We don't help. We'll help you all out. But I understand what y'all are saying, but to me.
01:03:13
blackjag_3
as chair then If you hear this part and you like what you heard, Hey, you know, you you can find not the resources to find me.
01:03:20
Emeka
All right.
01:03:23
blackjag_3
I'm down.
01:03:23
Emeka
all like
01:03:24
blackjag_3
um
01:03:26
Emeka
I just feel like what's the most important for all we've sought is the manager. And if we can, if you can nail the manager, even with the squad they have, you can make something happen. Like, let's not act like a manager.
01:03:36
blackjag_3
Okay.
01:03:38
Emeka
but but
01:03:38
blackjag_3
Manager. i I don't know why I thought you had a name before.
01:03:41
Emeka
I had a name, I was just, I mean, and you and your guys, Zidane, Zidane, listen, if we if we look at Zidane, Zidane and Morgan Rogers and
01:03:44
blackjag_3
one
01:03:49
blackjag_3
but for Chikumma that was realistic. Chikumma didn't say I can actually just see is it down?
01:03:55
Chuku
Wow, this guy is sick.
01:03:58
Emeka
like But on a serious note, I also get negative as well.
01:04:01
Chuku
The funny thing is that Nagusman was actually the one I was going to go.
01:04:06
Emeka
Thank you.
01:04:06
Chuku
The two of me were actually on my list, really so really like real will talk, were Nagusman and Tuco.
01:04:06
Emeka
That goes to me a long time.
01:04:12
Chuku
Those were the two guys I would have i was looking at.
01:04:13
Emeka
That goes to me at crazy to me.
01:04:16
Chuku
so
01:04:16
Emeka
But regardless,
01:04:19
blackjag_3
Like no realistic, but I could see in world where he goes united, but he just he notes them for all his worth He says I'm only coming here if you guys give me 500 million to spend your payment Yeah like Give me a name before we move on
01:04:29
Chuku
Oh, facts, yeah. Yeah, no facts.
01:04:32
Emeka
yeah yeah I a name, I had a name, I had a name. People's funny because we've spent all our long podcasts always bringing up the Arteta comparison. So I'm going to make the Arteta higher. I'd hire Michael Carrick. He's been doing pretty decent in Middlesbrough.
01:04:48
blackjag_3
Yes, good job.
01:04:49
Emeka
He's married, married and approved.
01:04:51
blackjag_3
Good job as well.
01:04:51
Emeka
He's a young British manager. You know, I like, i've I'm not acting like I watch videos where I play regularly, but you know, I see them here and there and when they're currently coming stuff, they play some good football. And he's a man that is a legend.
01:05:04
Emeka
I don't call him a legend, but he's ah ah he the equivalent of Arteta.
01:05:04
blackjag_3
I mean, he's as much of a legend as he might be, more so than probably Arteta is the arsenal.
01:05:06
Chuku
Call to your own. Call to your own.
01:05:13
blackjag_3
so
01:05:13
Emeka
and be more than area Yeah, so he's got, he can get the institutional buy in. And it's a big ask, don't get me wrong, to go from Middlesbrough to, you know, Man U. And I don't know if he can make that jump.
01:05:25
Emeka
But I just feel like Man U just got to commit to a three year back to basics plan.
01:05:32
blackjag_3
Mhmm.
01:05:32
Emeka
Hire some point, y'all. And more importantly, I use someone would cheap and have them actually work with what they have. Spend like what people did with Peter Bosch.
01:05:39
Chuku
Hey.
01:05:41
Emeka
First summer, don't forget how much money. Look at the squad, find who you like, figure something out, and then we can build on that slowly. Like Chukumama mentioned, Arteta's first season, people always forget this, he took the squad he was given and made it work.
01:05:56
Emeka
Why would we stop expecting managers to do that? No, all of a sudden every manager comes in and they'd be wondering how to spend 300 mil to execute their vision. I've never understood that. If what are we paying you for?
01:06:06
Emeka
If we got to have a whole new squad every time we hire someone different. A good manager can take a squad. These are all good, highly paid players. A good manager should be able to take a squad and transform it into something better than what it is.
01:06:19
Emeka
That's what the added value of a manager is.
01:06:22
blackjag_3
Sure, sure.
01:06:22
Emeka
So.
01:06:23
blackjag_3
But if you now want to take them, yeah, you can do that and consolidate. But in the Premier League, unfortunately, if you want to rise up above the teams above you that are doing the same thing you're doing and spending money, you also have to spend money.
01:06:38
Emeka
I'm not even spending money.
01:06:38
blackjag_3
That is not the problem.
01:06:40
Emeka
When I was arguing that, they're going to spend money. I just, like I said, it's just hard for me to do transfers because I just know that it's hard to sign a player. So I look, all I know, you guys could be right.
01:06:50
blackjag_3
Yeah.
01:06:52
Emeka
And I can see next year, we come back here. I'm glad you signed some names off of you guys list. And I'm just an internal pessimist. But I'm sorry. I heard Nagelsman. I mor good rogers ah ah heard I I'm hearing these big names.
01:07:04
blackjag_3
I wrote why you just focus on those names and not the other ones.
01:07:08
Emeka
But even those guys, like I said, they're good. A guy like Joe Gomez is a very good player. you and Wolves ask for $70 million. I want to be shocked. Because nowadays, that's the prices everyone comes for.
01:07:19
Emeka
Mateus Nunez, $150 million. Like, the premise is crazy.
01:07:23
blackjag_3
yeah
01:07:23
Emeka
Everyone calls that game.
01:07:24
Chuku
Hey man, I could be saying names of Adam Wharton, and you know, even the like...
01:07:27
Emeka
That's what It's going to cost me $80 million.
01:07:30
blackjag_3
g really that for be the top of the league that's a brilliant name thanks creepy yeah
01:07:35
Emeka
Everybody's going to cost me $80 million.
01:07:35
Chuku
But like, that's about it. I want to bring him up is because I got out Chris Pauls who could say, hey, you want 80 million for this guy, you know what I'm saying?
01:07:41
Emeka
That's what I'm saying.
01:07:42
Chuku
Like, it's ridiculous.
01:07:42
Emeka
It's worth it as big names because I just.
01:07:44
blackjag_3
new if but You do pay a million for it's that type of player especially
01:07:49
Emeka
Oh, I paid a lot of work for sure.
01:07:50
blackjag_3
Especially with how they how they got to where they used to young British superstars and especially He's a deep-line playmaker the type of position we're all saying. Oh, that is a brilliant brilliant sign.
01:08:03
blackjag_3
Good name. Good name thats Yeah, that's 80 million easy
01:08:05
Emeka
It's just but like you said, i Crystal Palace, if I'm Crystal Palace and you come in out of Warren, I'm asking for like 100 million.
01:08:14
Emeka
And that's why I just, you know, this exercise, which is fair, it's just hard for me to to really comprehend it and deepen it because every name you guys mentioned are all good players, like all great players even.
01:08:26
Emeka
great players nowadays cost big money. You gotta get them really, nowadays you can't wait for the back end of the year when we were growing up, it used to be you come from some small club to a medium club and you go to a big club.
01:08:38
Emeka
Now you gotta to just get them from the small club because after they do one transfer, the price is now $100 million.
01:08:40
blackjag_3
Yeah.
01:08:44
Emeka
like
01:08:44
blackjag_3
bill It's so funny. i saw i saw and It's funny, because I remember when this came up, someone retweeted something when Manny were trying to sign John Duran from Chicago Fire for $10 million. And I just laughed. And I just laughed, because again, that's a chance where they had the opportunity to do the right thing. It was the same thing with Kaiseido.

Player Performances: Van Devine and Brennan Johnson

01:09:08
blackjag_3
you know, you didn't do it.
01:09:08
Emeka
Yeah, Alvarez, forget that.
01:09:10
blackjag_3
and and And now, now you're going to cost you 100 mil.
01:09:16
Emeka
Oh, he going to cost you some money.
01:09:18
blackjag_3
Yeah.
01:09:18
Emeka
Well, funny, but we're spending all this time talking about, which is fair, the topic of the day, that we're neglecting.
01:09:19
Chuku
I'm interested to see where that guy goes actually sidebar
01:09:27
Emeka
you know First of all, as much as I hate to to to do this. We haven't even said a word about the team that beat them this weekend. Funny enough.
01:09:35
Chuku
a
01:09:36
blackjag_3
and do i just do doing need do we need to i a a let's Let's talk about them for for for a little bit.
01:09:39
Emeka
Obviously.
01:09:43
blackjag_3
Van Devine is an amazing player. I remember when he first got linked you know in the space where we talked, not a lot of people knew who he was. And my scouting report on him was very talented and very fast.
01:09:59
blackjag_3
That's what I knew.
01:09:59
Emeka
Oh boy, it's fast.
01:09:59
blackjag_3
about him And he is a great, great, great, great player for Tottenham. And they meet him with with the way they play his recovery pace.
01:10:10
blackjag_3
And it's not even just about his pace because he asked the intelligence to utilize that properly. You know, he's he's a great, great player. You know, Solanke, you know, he's with their system, they generate chances and they just need someone to put them in the back of the net, which is what Solanke does.
01:10:26
blackjag_3
So shout out to him, Brennan Johnson, he heard the haters.
01:10:30
Emeka
I believe it works.
01:10:30
blackjag_3
He said, buy haters, buy haters. And he scored a straight game.
01:10:33
Emeka
ball believe work
01:10:35
blackjag_3
So yeah.
01:10:37
Chuku
Solankios are doing some things.
01:10:38
Emeka
I mean, what was sliing me while quickly say, if you have a chance, go back and watch the amazing Band of Innocents, which again, it was amazing.
01:10:47
Emeka
Oh my God, you're so fast.
01:10:48
Chuku
Amazing run, yep.
01:10:49
Emeka
When you watch that run again, look at the lift and how fast he's trying to run and how slow he looks compared to that event.
01:10:57
Chuku
Yeah, it's crazy.
01:10:58
Emeka
It's actually eye opening. It's actually eye, my guy's sprinting.
01:11:01
blackjag_3
like things where You know all of a sudden Wanger couldn't scout French players anymore and the French players we got were horrible Same thing. That's another one. We forgot that's a Dutch player ten.
01:11:09
Emeka
You really think so?
01:11:10
blackjag_3
Hi, this should be in your wheelhouse Yeah
01:11:15
Emeka
And I mean, I like the, I want to like the lit, but it can't be a coincidence that Juventus sold him, Bayern sold him, like guys like Doug Young and that, you know, hype don't get moved that often. Something's going on there.
01:11:29
blackjag_3
I'm saying he he's he's not live up to that. He still has some pedigree. He knows ten high. He was only 40 million We talked about how expensive players to get a Dutch international center back about six foot four That's a ball playing the pender for 40 million Yeah, I give it I give it a good B plus Stay especially with the midfield you have in front of you
01:11:47
Emeka
Look, I can't remember the signing, but.
01:11:53
blackjag_3
Don't come and say, oh, we now have one of the best center back pairings in the week. That's the problem. It's not that, but that's a good solid defender.
01:11:59
Emeka
But. I mean, Eric Dyer benched this guy last year. Like, let's be real here, though.
01:12:04
blackjag_3
Yeah.
01:12:05
Emeka
Eric Dyer benched him last year.
01:12:07
blackjag_3
yeah
01:12:07
Emeka
He's not even saying he's the best defender in the league. Like, i I can't accept that. And I want to keep an open mind, but has it hasn't looked good. I saw Paul Scholes give a point, and I agree with it. What has and what is he done, the league done this year, that you could confidently say he's better than Harry Maguire?
01:12:25
blackjag_3
Yeah, no, he's he's literally just a Dutch Harry Maguire that's left footed.
01:12:25
Emeka
You really can't.
01:12:31
Emeka
And they, you know, so like, why are we, like, you know what I'm saying?
01:12:32
blackjag_3
And not as good in the air.
01:12:37
Emeka
Like, man, you, they they make these signings, but like, why did they have to sign the lick? Yeah, it was good. But why did they have to sign the lick? They didn't really have to. And they did it because he's Dutch, he's young, he's got pedigree.
01:12:49
Emeka
And then now he's here making all this big money. And I've seen him get out spun by his national team colleague, like,
01:12:56
blackjag_3
not gonna make but Again, that's so that's the thing where when you're coming into the prem, it takes time to adapt. That's the thing.
01:13:03
Emeka
sure
01:13:03
blackjag_3
So you always got to make that risk gain. Okay. So we we've we've we've we've talked manually. Let's talk about some other key things from from the weekend or or the week that's been where we're having this discussion on on a Wednesday night. We saw on Prime Games on the weekend. We've seen you know the two Champions League match days. So what else do you guys want to talk about? And Mac, I'll come to you because I know you specifically wanted to talk cold

Cole Palmer's Premier League Standing

01:13:29
blackjag_3
palmer. So the floor is yours to to to to bring the topic you want to talk about.
01:13:35
Emeka
I mean, I want to talk about just because I saw the Monday Night Football. They asked the question. I'm going to ask the question to you guys, too. Is Cole Palmer the best player in the Premier League? Now, obviously, it's convenient timing.
01:13:46
Emeka
This question is asked after he scored four goals against Brighton. And my goodness, I saw he was watching who watch that game fully. Why didn't Brighton play the suicidal line against Arsenal? That's all I have to ask.
01:13:56
Emeka
But regardless, Cole Palmer
01:13:58
blackjag_3
his so teams you Here's the thing, teams are scared of Arsenal. So teams do not play other teams the same way they play Arsenal. If Chelsea continues playing this way, teams will also start to adjust to the way they play Chelsea. Because we saw that against Arsenal where we were finding some success, teams adjusted, and we have to find a new way to beat it. And you know as ah Chelsea Chelsea keeps doing what they do, teams will have to start adapting to them as well.
01:14:27
Emeka
But again, I ask my question. this Is Cole Palmer the best player in the Premier League?
01:14:33
Chuku
No, he's not. There's a guy named Erwin Howland, who is a better player than Cole Palmer. I mean, look, okay the what do you define as best player? Because, okay, like, you know, one thing I will come to, I was having a debate about this with a Chelsea fan. I think I can see the point that they make where if you look at it as like,
01:14:59
Chuku
a player as in like what they can do with the ball, like their overall attributes and what they bring the note and to the game of football, right? I can make a case that, you know, Cole Palmer is better than Sokka.
01:15:13
Chuku
Actually, I can make that case.
01:15:13
Emeka
You can. That is a really good thing.
01:15:16
Chuku
ah ah I can make that case.
01:15:16
Emeka
But you can. That's a good thing.
01:15:17
Chuku
um'm Honestly, when I really deep it, like, as much as I look so i love Sokka, Sokka is amazing. Wonderful, huge, one of the best right wingers in the world. But as an overall footballer, right? A footballer, I just think Palmer has more to his game at the moment than Saka does. And another one we say, I don't know how this is going to be saying that, personally speaking, right? But to say he's the best footballer in the Premier League, I don't know about that when there are guys that, again,
01:15:58
Chuku
Guys like Holland exists, KDB exists. I mean, I know KDB is still out the know towards the end.
01:16:08
Emeka
I think you can't even look right now, but you know.
01:16:09
Chuku
and Hey, I get it. you know People want to say but one healthy is still a a threat at all times. Mo Salah, I mean, we're just going to ignore Mo Salah.
01:16:25
Chuku
I mean, they they're guys.
01:16:26
blackjag_3
i was i was fish because I was gonna literally tick off the guys who I think are I would rank above Palmer.
01:16:36
blackjag_3
So let let me let me and you name Best player right we used we used the word player early Howland Kevin de Broglie Roger so that's three players from from Man City who I think are better than cold Palmer and
01:16:38
Chuku
OK, go ahead.
01:16:43
Emeka
Your cut is clear.
01:16:54
blackjag_3
We've got to move on to Liverpool. Yes, yes, Roger. Move on to Liverpool. I have Mo Salah, Virgil van Dyck, and Alison as people who are rate higher than Cole Palmer. And then at Arsenal, again, just because I'm always more externally, externally, I'm always more not as braggadocious when it comes to arsenal players. You know, I'm always, so Saliba, I would put above Kopama. And then I can see the debates with, you know, different play styles, different things they're asked to do. So if you want to say Kopama, you know, above Saka, I can see that, but you know, with arsenal, you also have to have a conversation with Saka and Odegard. So but those are three players from
01:17:51
blackjag_3
three other teams. So that's nine in total who I would have above or in the same, a similar category to Cole Palmer, who is amazing. It is, it is no dis to call somebody a top five or top 10 player in the prem, but that is just to say I do not think he is yet, yet the best player in the Premier League. Cause you have some of these guys that have been doing it at this level for, I don't know how long Salah and Van Dijk have been doing it.
01:18:18
blackjag_3
KDB for years. So he's only, you know, part of greatness is not just being a talent, but doing it consistently. Now he's on that trajectory, but as of right now, there are nine players who, maybe five of those, definitely above Palmer and then others in his range. And we didn't mention other talented players like Phil Foden,
01:18:41
blackjag_3
Declan Rice, Ruben Diaz.
01:18:43
Emeka
hey
01:18:43
Chuku
oh
01:18:46
blackjag_3
So, yeah.
01:18:48
Emeka
For the record, I don't think he's the best player in the league, but watching that segment on on Monday Night Football, let me play devil's advocate for Chelsea fans listening and screaming right now.
01:18:48
Chuku
no you
01:19:00
Emeka
Holland's entire argument for best in the league is usually based on stats, and I use the argument on time. Production-wise, no one comes close.
01:19:08
Chuku
uh
01:19:09
Emeka
Palmer scores the most goals, and it's not even close.
01:19:11
Chuku
uh uh
01:19:12
Emeka
If you go by, you know, the classic, you know, we're not advanced people here, forget your XGs and your XAs, just goals and assists. Over the last two years, Palmer has the most, even more than a man like Erwin Harlan.
01:19:25
Emeka
Palmer has the most goals and assists since he's tried for the Chelsea, et cetera. So if we're going to, you know,
01:19:29
blackjag_3
yeah
01:19:31
Emeka
You know, give oh how this flower is based off that. I think it's fair to give Palmetto flowers based on that too. Now, obviously, counter argument.
01:19:39
blackjag_3
Yeah, we're giving proper as far as I think probably the difference between him and in Holland is we've seen how and have a track record of doing this in multiple leagues over How many years now and Palmer if Palmer keeps doing this every single year.
01:19:41
Emeka
p
01:19:50
Emeka
Fair.
01:19:54
blackjag_3
He's definitely going to be Definitively at the top of that list is just we've seen one year It's coming into year two. And that's just the way I am. I like to see a tracker. It was the same thing with Harry Kane.
01:20:05
blackjag_3
When he did the first season, I'm like, okay, well, can he do it again? And then he kept doing it again and again. And then it wasn't even a debate that, you know, Harry Kane was, you know, one of the top three, top five players in the Premier League.
01:20:17
blackjag_3
And yeah,
01:20:17
Emeka
Eric it is the only ten season 10 year one year wonder I've ever seen in my life.
01:20:22
blackjag_3
it's definitely on that trajectory.
01:20:23
Emeka
To be fair to the Monday Night Football panel, the question says right now, you know it wasn't it's which I think is different than you know overall, cuz you're right.
01:20:34
Emeka
I'd like to see sustained greatness before I give people that kind of clout. But for right now, I mean, you're saying we're playing next week.
01:20:42
blackjag_3
Well, let me put it to you this way.
01:20:43
Emeka
i
01:20:43
blackjag_3
If you are starting a team from scratch, money is not a problem. Who would you start your squad with? Holland or Cole Palmer?
01:20:51
Chuku
cool pa Yeah, go come on now.
01:20:52
Emeka
Again, I'm I'm not picking gold Palmer.
01:20:53
Chuku
Exactly!
01:20:56
Emeka
I just feel like we all agree is bad podcast. Let me just play devil's advocate But But I agree this is always my best I've been on this podcast say from the beginning of the entity obviously thought I died I don't understand how people don't read Holland It's don't see what the eyes are seeing but I also kind of feel the same also, you know, this is I ain't gonna you know Be hindsight mister here, but you guys can back me up I've been a consistent cold pomper fan even when it was on his bench
01:21:05
blackjag_3
you
01:21:19
blackjag_3
yeah ye
01:21:21
Emeka
I've seen with this kid. He's great. And like, I also can see the argument where you try to give him a man his flowers right now. Obviously, convenient timing. They have this conversation. He scored four goals on the weekend.
01:21:32
Emeka
That's going to boost your stats and make you look nice. So I was going to leave with Chelsea fans. I tried, man. I'm trying to pick up your boy. That's all I'm going to say. I'm trying Chelsea fans.
01:21:41
Chuku
Hey, no, listen, Cole Palmer needs to be definitely talked about, definitely more in the footballing community.
01:21:42
Emeka
the government
01:21:44
blackjag_3
Yeah. Yeah.
01:21:49
Chuku
The guy is an absolute stud. I can't believe Chelsea got him for less than 60 mil.
01:21:55
Emeka
Oof.
01:21:55
Chuku
It's ridiculous, like what he has gone on to be. I mean, look, I knew he was good from his time in Atlanta City, but I'll be lying if I said I thought he was going to be this guy.
01:22:10
Chuku
It's going to be this good. I mean, like, yo, if this continues, there's going to be some more comfortable conversations that need to be brought up as to who's really the PFA Young Player of the Year, Foden and Hope Palmer.
01:22:25
blackjag_3
It's called a poomer.
01:22:26
Chuku
That would have been interesting, but the problem I'm trying to make is moving forward, who truly is going to become the better player?
01:22:28
Emeka
Right now it's a good ball. I know you're saying that city chose to hold it over a farmer. Yeah,
01:22:35
Chuku
That is a conversation that I think At this point in time, there's going to be someone that's going to need to be had in the next coming years. We'll see how it goes.
01:22:46
Chuku
Obviously, right now, Putin has done his bit. you know he's proven of He's a star player.
01:22:50
Emeka
Ranting play of the year. phil
01:22:52
Chuku
you know No question about it. But i mean it's going to be very interesting interesting to see what that you know future holds when it comes to both of those players' careers and how do they project you know in the next five, five to 10 years.
01:23:06
Chuku
so You'll be one to watch for sure. But I know Cole Palmer is definitely showing he's doing his thing. And man, i'll be I'll be lying if I said I wasn't jealous of Chelsea having a guy like that on it.
01:23:18
blackjag_3
Yeah.
01:23:19
Chuku
Anyway.
01:23:21
blackjag_3
They've got their super max player on the team, and they've got a lot of good max players as well on the team.
01:23:26
Emeka
For real.
01:23:30
blackjag_3
So we we spoke about this in the last episode, but Chelsea are definitely a team you know that are on the rise. And what they have that is tough to get sometimes is that foundational piece.
01:23:40
Emeka
early
01:23:40
blackjag_3
OK, so we're coming. <unk> we're It's about time to start to start wrapping up. So, you know, two things that we're going to discuss now. One, is there anything else from the the the rest of the weekend football that we want to talk about? If not, we'll talk about our game of the week for this weekend. We'll definitely talk about that. And then we just, kiss because, hey, this is the love of the game podcast. We don't just talk football. We talk everything.
01:24:12
blackjag_3
quickly touch on, you know, a big blockbuster trade that happened in the NBA. Carl Anthony Towns to the Knicks, Julius Randall, Dante DiFincenzo and other pieces to to the Wolf.
01:24:26
blackjag_3
So we have just a couple of minutes left. So let's just rapid fire go through those. So starting with anything else, football anybody else wants to mention?
01:24:33
Emeka
or
01:24:37
Chuku
Well, we can't, exactly.
01:24:37
Emeka
It's a good way to be an hospital fan. It's a good way to be
01:24:40
Chuku
We can't just, how we just went to go the whole episode, we're not talking about Arsenal beating PSG 2-0. That's a crazy and amazing result. I mean, obviously, you know, PSG are without Mbappe, but to see us, you know, still, you know, deal with the team of that caliber and show that we, it remind you mind you, I remember seeing the start of PSG over the last few games they played in the Champions League.
01:25:07
Chuku
They have no team has ever held them without a goal. And somehow we are the first team I've done this to in a while. Over 50 appearances, something like that.
01:25:17
blackjag_3
It was like 61 games or something like that.
01:25:19
Chuku
Something crazy like that, yeah. So, hey, also show our defense, amazing. Can't talk enough about David Ryer, amazing goalkeeper on track to be one of the best goalkeepers in the world.
01:25:32
Chuku
And I mean, defense is amazing. Timber, oh my God. Urian timber this guy my Anyways, I hope he can just stay healthy Lord.
01:25:45
Chuku
He is so important. Like this is one of the guys that you know again I I can't like Big up enough I don't know you've never seen that one run where bakula just went you know guys thought bakula was gonna be free and clear and somehow timber came back was able to market one-on-one and get the ball and not just get the ball, but go and take the take the ball forward.
01:26:09
Chuku
It was overall an amazing play. And I just think, you know, the the best is yet easier yet to come when it comes to Yuri and Timber. um yeah, overall, I think the Arsenal win was very big or it was a big win.
01:26:23
Chuku
And then also seeing Aston Villa of all teams beat up Bayern Munich today.
01:26:28
blackjag_3
Big big wave
01:26:28
Chuku
It needs to be said a huge Not enough is being talked about when it comes to the Duran kid. That guy is going to be, wow, a huge steal. How he was gotten from the MLS for the feed that Villa did got him. Amazing scout work. Like he is going to be special. I kind of want to see where he ends up you know in the future. And then lastly, Roma Jilos and the little crazy stuff. We saw a Canadian boy score the winner with the penalty. but
01:27:01
Chuku
Yeah, kind of shocking to see Madrid lose that game. I was one of so with one of my housemates here talking about one of the little defender.
01:27:12
Chuku
Is it from something, Thiago Santos or something on those like that? I can't remember. I can't remember his name correctly.
01:27:17
blackjag_3
Yeah, he's a baller.
01:27:18
Chuku
But he's a baller. He was keeping those Madrid boys in check. But yeah, just a quick run through of the results there. But anything you guys can add?
01:27:29
Chuku
Before we talk about, we'll talk basketball.
01:27:32
blackjag_3
Yeah, I'll just go through quickly again. Yeah, it's been after some some some games that we've had to grind through. you know It's been nice, you know the three games we've had since the City game.
01:27:44
blackjag_3
No, a lovely day in the League Cup. It was reminding me of the League Cup of of my youth when Wenger would but trot out a team of all 17-year-olds. Which we pretty much did. We even had a 16-year-old goalkeeper, but Ethan, my son, with two goals. Oh, you guys don't know how glad it made me.
01:28:04
blackjag_3
You guys don't know how glad it made me. Oh, beautiful moment. So happy for him, so happy for his family. know, we talk about the victories. I know it's a good thing. is it's it's You know, we spoke about this a little bit in the preview pod, but, you know, Arteta has clearly, you know, when it comes to playing youth, which was a big point of discourse over the summer. For him, it's not about just playing youth. He has to feel that you are good enough.
01:28:34
blackjag_3
And yes, he will try to manage you in game so that you're not he's not putting you in a position where you know it's something that will affect your your belief, you know putting you in harm's way. But we've seen him play, you know bring on Ethan, North London Derby to see out the game, bring him on against Leister when we're trying to get a goal to win the game and him making an impact. Bring on MLS against Man City down to 10 men,
01:29:04
blackjag_3
to sort of to see out the game and bring him on yesterday against PSG. you know he's played He's a midfielder, he's putting left back. Brought him on for sake yesterday. So clearly, if you have the talent, you know it's not that he he he's not going to play you. You have to be good enough to play for this Arsenal side. So that's something that's good to see. Lots of other things to talk about, but running out of time, so I'll just stop there.
01:29:33
blackjag_3
Am I getting anything?
01:29:35
Emeka
I thought we were doing a quick fire. I'd say it's going to be an Arsenal fan.
01:29:38
blackjag_3
Okay. Sounds good. All right. Game of the week. Game of the week. i think
01:29:45
Emeka
It's got to be Villa United. It has to be, I mean.
01:29:47
Chuku
Yeah, it's got to be building magic, bro. Yeah, it's colored.
01:29:49
Emeka
Right on the theme of this podcast, too.
01:29:52
blackjag_3
that's that's That's a juicy one.
01:29:54
Emeka
Will Ted Haak save his job? Like he always does.
01:29:57
blackjag_3
That's a juicy one, because yeah, he's got Porto tomorrow and then Villa on the weekend, not easy games.
01:30:04
Emeka
He's got to make some shake.
01:30:05
blackjag_3
so And Villa is at home too.
01:30:06
Emeka
He's got to make some shake.
01:30:10
Emeka
Villa's at home.
01:30:11
Chuku
Yeah, it's a home.
01:30:12
blackjag_3
Alright, you know what we do next, score predictions.
01:30:16
Emeka
2-1 menu. I'm a surprise. I feel like Villa are going to be on an emotional high off his buyer game.
01:30:19
Chuku
what
01:30:23
Emeka
And 10 hog, as much as he's a rat, he saves his job. I don't know how he's going to do it, but he's going to save his job.
01:30:27
blackjag_3
That is so true. Anytime he pulls out a win.
01:30:32
Emeka
So I'm gonna, you know, take that thread and it holds to one menu.
01:30:36
Chuku
What Yeah, y'all are dreaming man to zero Aston Villa Brown this is gonna be Masterclass again Villa at home Duran going to be on the score sheets.
01:30:51
Chuku
Morgan Rogers. Oh my God. This guy is a baller.
01:30:54
Emeka
Hey, future menu player, Morgan Rogers.
01:30:58
Chuku
And know yeah. Amen. Our team on They're clicking at the right time. And yeah.
01:31:09
Chuku
I know they dropped points against...
01:31:13
Emeka
Ipswich.
01:31:13
Chuku
which yeah But that was just an unfortunate course of action here. But yeah, I think they picked it back up. And yeah, they're going they're go they're go to deal with this humanity.
01:31:24
Chuku
This their team is not.
01:31:24
blackjag_3
that is That is the other coin of Unai Emery that people love to forget about. That's what you will always get when your coach is Unai Emery. When you're playing a big team, he has a game plan that is pragmatic. You do what you got to do to win. Sometimes teams games against better teams will turn into a basketball match. So I feel like this will be a basketball match, but a basketball match in which Villa will, for the most part, run over and through Manchester United. They will get the first goal, probably through Ollie Watkins. But then due to that high line that they will play against United, that they wouldn't play against City or Arsenal, they will United will score a goal in transition. Rashford will finally get a goal. Either a counter or Emi Martinez in overconfidence will gift them a goal after making a couple of good saves. So it'll be one-one, but then that man,
01:32:22
blackjag_3
Batman will come off the bench and lob Onana from halfway line to win the game for Villa.
01:32:28
Emeka
right Duran
01:32:30
Chuku
You're on the run.
01:32:31
blackjag_3
To win Aston Villa, that is my prediction for the game.
01:32:36
Chuku
Fair play.
01:32:36
blackjag_3
And it probably means I still don't, they they you can't sack 10.
01:32:40
Emeka
i too Although it's national break, if you're the second manager, usually second duty, it's national break. So you never know.
01:32:47
blackjag_3
Yeah. We should wait till the end of the season. There's no point doing it now. Because then, i what I've heard is, rule van Nisro interim coach until the summer. And to me, it's just like, yeah, just keep it.
01:32:57
Emeka
Yeah, at that point, just just keep the time going. so
01:33:00
blackjag_3
OK. All right. So we've talked about the game in the week. Now, let's talk a little. Let's talk some basketball. oh We had a big Big, big blockbuster happened. That's the thing we love about the and NBA. These things can always happen. I don't think anybody saw this coming. Kyle Anthony tells the Knicks, Julius Randle, DiFincenzo the other way. What are your thoughts on the trade? Who do you think won the trade? What do you think these means for two teams who are contending in the East and West respectively? Does this help their chances? Does it hurt their chances? Let's go.
01:33:38
Chuku
mean i don't know how you can I mean, I don't know how you say this helps the Knicks and this hurts the Timberwolves in my opinion. The Knicks got better. They got a big man that can shoot more efficient than Jewish Randall. He's not going to be asked to be the main player on the team. He's going to be an auxiliary piece. He just has to come in, hit wide open jumpers, help on defense.
01:34:06
Chuku
and just be an efficient efficient player. And yeah, I mean, I don't i just don't see how the Knicks don't win that deal.
01:34:20
Chuku
Yeah, it sucks. They lost the Nova Knicks, which i know what I did want to see them you know all play together. But I mean, basketball is business, man. You got to do what's best for the team.

NBA Trade Analysis: Towns and Randle

01:34:32
Chuku
And I mean, Randall is always going to be the the talk of the of of the town when it came to being traded as the as a piece that, you know, that the Knicks had that, you know, was going to be talked about as a potential trade piece. And, I mean, for for them to be able to turn Randall and, you know, Devin Cenzo into a call into the towns, i just I just don't see how that's not a win. I don't just don't see how that's not a huge dub.
01:35:04
Chuku
think the next definitely got better. Minnesota on the other hand, man, i don't I guess it's yet to see, is is to be determined what what's happens you know with Julius Randall because we'll be interested to see if they're gonna keep him. I mean, I did hear some talks about like, know he could be used as a flip, they won't probably look to flip him. Who knows, we'll see how it goes or what what what it ends up turning into at the end of everything.
01:35:34
Chuku
But as of right now, as things stand, I just think the Knicks have to be the top three team in the in the East. They just have to be like, I mean, apart from what? The Celtics.
01:35:51
Chuku
Who was it? What am I thinking? Celtics.
01:35:53
Emeka
I think so.
01:35:55
blackjag_3
Saltics was Give me your giving your power rankings in the east now after this trade What?
01:35:55
Chuku
Six.
01:35:58
Chuku
Saltix, I mean really, Saltix, do you know Saltix bucks?
01:36:05
Chuku
That's what I'm trying to say. That's what I'm trying to say. Saltix has to be number one, regardless, right? So they ain't going nowhere.
01:36:12
blackjag_3
Funding chance
01:36:12
Chuku
What I'm telling you is interesting. It's interesting. I gotta go number two, Nix. I'm sorry, Nix, look to me. You got number two? Number three? 76ers?
01:36:25
Chuku
Number four? Bucks. That's, I'll be my top four.
01:36:30
blackjag_3
man, no, no faith in your magic, eh?
01:36:34
Chuku
Are you kidding me? no but We are not ugly.
01:36:35
blackjag_3
No faith in your magic.
01:36:37
Chuku
We're coming up.
01:36:37
blackjag_3
You don't have to, yeah, you don't have to help.
01:36:38
Chuku
But yeah, at least we're on top of that. Yeah, we we're not top four. That's but the the magic in top four. But top four, those are easily the these lead to top four best teams.
01:36:43
blackjag_3
Right.
01:36:46
Chuku
And I think the Knicks, as of right now with their roster, I got to put them with this move. I got to put them second man. I really do. Like they, they really,
01:36:55
blackjag_3
Well,
01:37:04
Chuku
opinion
01:37:04
blackjag_3
i i um meca
01:37:07
Emeka
You can go chicken, I'll go last.
01:37:10
blackjag_3
Yeah, I think it's in. I've thought about this several ways since the trade happened. And sometimes I'm like, why is Minnesota doing this? Then I'm like, can see what they were trying to do and why they did it. And then sometimes I'm like, huh.
01:37:26
blackjag_3
the Knicks maybe push all their chips in too quickly. Cause if you start from the ground up, you know, sometimes you talk about, you know, best player, but whichever team got the best player wins the best player in this trade is definitely Karl Apton in towns. He comes in, they had a needed center with Mitchell with a hardest thing going to OKC and Mitchell Robinson's injuries. So Karl Town slots in at the center position. So that gives you a starting five of your captain, Jalen Brunson, OG, and Michael Bridges. You can you know rotate either of them at at that four spot. you know Those are versatile wings. You got Josh Hart, and that's your starting five. Now, a couple of things with Carl Anthony Towns.
01:38:18
blackjag_3
you know Yeah, they love shooting with Dante, but he can shoot
01:38:24
Emeka
Oh, cock-a-choo.
01:38:24
blackjag_3
How will they hold up defensively? Because in the East, you got guys who are coming for you down low in Joel Embiid and Giannis. So that is the one question that I have. And then with Colorado Anthony Towns, they are they're capped out. So they have to really work towards the the margins to to make sure they have depth of pieces for guys coming off the bench. That's what made Boston so dangerous because they had that dangerous starting five.
01:38:54
blackjag_3
and pieces off the bench. So that's what I'll say for New York and I pretty much have it the same way as Chukua, Boston still at the top. I think six years if healthy if healthy in the playoffs can be dangerous, but I'd probably lean towards the Knicks just because they have a ah ah more more versatile squad and then you still can't trust and beat when it comes to playoffs. So, Knicks second, Sixers third, Bucks fourth. Giannis saying that him and him and Ding hadn't gone together at all over the summer was a bit concerning for me, and I still have have questions about Doc, so that's my top four.
01:39:36
blackjag_3
Now, when it comes to the Timberwolves, a couple of things I have thoughts on. I think this is, one, the owner being cheap.
01:39:43
Emeka
children.
01:39:45
blackjag_3
What's Grant Taylor? This guy is still trying to find, he eeg he cheated. A-Rod and the other guy out of, he walked he backed out of a deal that was agreed. He's been known to not, sorry.
01:39:56
Emeka
They ain't got money.
01:39:59
Emeka
They ain't got the money. you got Our deal was you got to give me $5 billion by May come. You give me all this, I'll give it to you.
01:40:06
blackjag_3
look but at but The money was there Taylor either didn't want to see it and he and he backed up well regardless There's money issues these guys this With the stifle tower Gober, with Anthony Edwards, with Kat, they were maxed out to the max. They were paying deep into that luxury task tax. They were against the second apron. They just paid Naz Reed. They just paid Jayden McDaniels. you know This is definitely a financial move.
01:40:43
blackjag_3
So I think this makes them worse. i thought I would think that with them getting to the Western Conference Finals, they'd want to at least give it one more run before making this kind of move. But, you know, Julius Randall is not the worst thing to get in this situation. You have a guy who, you know, one of the things with Minnesota is they struggled offensively. Now they're going to have shooting problems, but I think Julius Randall, he'll be their second option.
01:41:11
blackjag_3
And he will sort of solidify, you know especially late game offense. He's someone that can get you a bucket. Now, how that translate to the playoffs? We'll see. But for having to train Kat for financial reasons, it's not the worst player can get back.
01:41:21
Emeka
Oh, I can.
01:41:27
blackjag_3
Unfortunately, it's how long can you keep him? Because you're still you know up against the wall financially. And again, this, I think, brings you down the pecking order in the West.
01:41:40
blackjag_3
so
01:41:42
Chuku
already competitive was too.
01:41:44
blackjag_3
Yes, very competitive.
01:41:45
Chuku
Like, I don't know, man.
01:41:46
blackjag_3
bus I gave this a C plus for for for for Minnesota because we've seen some other super superstar trades recently where the team training the superstar got like nothing back.
01:42:02
blackjag_3
All of these picks and pick swaps, they actually got a legitimate piece which, you know as Chuka mentioned, maybe they could you know flip to something else down the line.
01:42:13
Emeka
Yeah, I'm gonna what we wanted to go last because I'll keep my short and I hate to be a hot take artists, but I'm gonna be hot take artists. This is the loose loose trade. and
01:42:24
Chuku
oh Lose lose, okay
01:42:26
Emeka
lose, lose, trade. Look, Nick's got the best player in the deal. And I am no fan of Julius Randall. He's very good. I just personally, I hate his game. And I think you're not going to go anywhere if he's your best player or if you're your second best player. So they've got graded on talent, getting, and getting cats. But sometimes in life, basketball is not played on paper. Cat already has beef with fibs. He's going to come back in there and they're going to reignite all this again. Because last I checked,
01:42:55
Emeka
is still soft and he's now your starting center. He got away with this in in Minnesota because they already go bare doing all the dirty work for him and then whenever Carl's will pick up his dump files they submit Nas Reed who covers up for him and honestly gives you 80% of what Kat gives you at like a tenth of the cost. That's beside the point. The point is Kat is now getting paid 53 million next year, 57 the year after and 61 million the year after that.
01:43:26
Emeka
yeah That's a lot of money for Kat. And Kat is a very good player. But as your starting center, he's got a rebound now. He's going to protect the rim. And he's going to not get dumb files. I don't know if he can do it. And like I've mentioned many times in our group chat, the New York media will eat this man alive. I'm going to leave it at that because I don't want to go get canceled. But the New York media will eat this man alive. And when he gives a dumb interview after he goes,
01:43:53
Emeka
you know 10 points and 7 rebounds, but fouls out in 20 minutes in a big game. It's not going to be free. For Minnesota, it's like I mentioned, I said it's clear, this was a 100% money saving move. And it doesn't sit right with me that a team that made the Western Conference Finals is making money moves, trades to save income.
01:44:16
Emeka
Although I will give credit to my man Brian Winhorse, he said that this season the Timberwolves lost close to $100 million in income. Now, I never trust these billion dollar companies when they report their earnings because they always make somehow every company loses money.
01:44:32
Emeka
crazy how that happens. But I can believe this for the typical just because their payroll is crazy. And a team like the Minnesota to be paying too much in billion in salary, like that's not sustainable. So I understand why they made the trade. I just personally not a fan of Julius Rando. And I also just feel like you have a guy like Anthony Edwards a stud like that. You should be making you know money saving moves. It just doesn't stay right with me. Glenn Taylor, sell the team. If you're going to be doing stuff like this, just sell the team. like why we like What are you doing, man? but
01:45:06
Emeka
I don't know. To me, it's the rare lose-lose trade.

Wrap-up and Future Topics

01:45:09
Emeka
We're doing power rankings. I still have the Knicks, you know, tied for second. I have them. Boston number one, clearly. Second tier. I have the Knicks and Sixers tied. And if they meet in the playoffs, this is gonna come down to who's more healthy. And I can't, obviously, if you're gonna bet now, you probably bet the Knicks being more healthy because the beats always hurt, but you never really know. And the Bucks are fourth.
01:45:33
Emeka
They're all going to lose to Boston, the playoffs. I don't know why we're having this debate in my opinion. But yeah, I don't hate to be a hot take guy, but I sound this trade. I just think it's losing to both teams. Knicks are going to be great. The playoffs against Boston. Cats are going to pick up fouls quickly. And there ain't no doubt we're going to have to bench to bail them out.
01:45:52
blackjag_3
And look, you made some very good points, right? Because like I said, I'd gone back and forth between it, and my concern is defensively, it's gonna hurt them. Is he gonna be able to make up for it? Or will other players in the team, such as OG and Bridges, be able to make up for it in some other way? You know, Thibs is a defensive wizard, so maybe he can come up with something. You know, there is the history between the two of them. That is going to be very interesting to see.
01:46:20
blackjag_3
So I think you know we're going to wrap it up here. I think it's been another good, strong, interesting episode. know Again, Sir Jim, if you're listening, holla at me. you know we we We can talk. We can talk salary. I am a lot more affordable than and than these other guys. So we talked Man United. you know let's Let's see what happens in the next week. Let's see if by the next time we talk, if Tenhaag is still in.
01:46:49
blackjag_3
You know, it's an exciting time of the year where, you know, football is up and running. Prem is up and running. Champions League is back.
01:47:00
blackjag_3
and NBA is coming soon. So a lot more that we're looking forward to discussing and debating on this podcast. Thank you for riding with us. And we look forward to seeing you next week on the Love of the Game podcast.
01:47:15
Emeka
Love it again, baby.
01:47:17
blackjag_3
Thanks, guys.
01:47:17
blackjag_3
See you next time.
01:47:18
Chuku
Yes, we will.
01:47:20
Chuku
Take care guys.