Become a Creator today!Start creating today - Share your story with the world!
Start for free
00:00:00
00:00:01
Episode 126 – Champions League Contenders Decided! Bidding Farewell to 2024/25 Premier League Season
51 Plays1 month ago
The 2024/25 Premier League season has ended with a bang! The last European spots have been clinched by teams like Manchester City, Chelsea, and Newcastle United. Aston Villa is left with a bittersweet feeling as they missed out on Champions League football due to goal difference! Liverpool has officially lifted their 20th Premier League trophy, with Mohamed Salah and Ryan Gravenberch receiving individual awards for their sensational campaign.
Join Michael Thompson and Michał Czarniecki as they review the final matchday action of this season’s Premier League. Tune in and enjoy!
Our Sponsors
Bioniq - Don't settle for off-the-shelf solutions made for ANY body. Get what's right for YOUela. Right now.
We’ve spent years analyzing blood markers to develop our patented algorithm, enabling us to create a 100% personalized supplement to support your health by optimizing your micronutrient status.
Follow the link and use code GSPN2025 for 40% off your first month’s subscription.
Zencastr
Built for quality - Designed for growth
A new era for creation is here.
The only complete audio + video platform to get best-in-class recording, intuitive editing, AI-powered growth features, and top-tier distribution tools — all in one place.
Get started for free!
We highly recommend it!
Global Sports Podcast Network - Creating the world’s first network of 30-minute daily podcasts for the world’s biggest sporting export, the English Premier League.
For advertising and sponsorship details or to learn more about the scale and demographics of our audience – email Ken Davies, VP Business & Development at:
ken.davies@globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
www.globalsportspodcastnetwork.com
Copyright | 2025 Global Sports Podcast Network | All Rights Reserved
Recommended
Transcript
Final Day Premier League Overview
00:00:44
Mikey
Hello and a very warm welcome to the final day of the Premier League season. It has arrived and we are here to review it with you. Who clinched the title? That was done months ago. Who is going to be relegated?
00:00:59
Mikey
That was done months ago. However, today was the crux of European football and decided which teams would go fourth. in the 2025-2026 Premier League season and play European football next year.
00:01:16
Mikey
um On a day where Villa had an opportunity to put themselves in Champions League football and a disallowed goal could be the difference between that and happening.
00:01:27
Mikey
Chelsea banished away Day Blues to defeat Forest and Villa missing out, as I've already said, on Champions League controversially. ah with a man sent off.
00:01:38
Mikey
There's a lot that's gone on today and we're going to jump straight into the Premier League results.
Key Matches Summary
00:01:45
Mikey
I'm joined by the one and only Mikhail. How are you, sir?
00:01:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hi, I'm super, super tired but after the rehearsals for the opening ceremony for the Conference League Final in Wrocław. So that is why like you see the different setting ah behind me. So I'm in Wrocław, Poland, and we are just getting ready for the final. But of course, I did not forget about the final matchday of the Premier League. I mean, what what kind of a Premier League podcaster would I be if I forgot about the final matchday, right?
00:02:11
Mikey
yeah
00:02:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So...
00:02:14
Mikey
You're not kidding. So in the games that mattered, um we had Nottingham Forest against Chelsea. That was a huge game for Forest and they've had a fantastic season. However, Chelsea came out on top with a 1-0 victory.
00:02:27
Mikey
Man City played against Fulham, who were also chasing European football. but City managed to do a comfortable professional result and performance, getting a 2-0 victory over Fulham away from home.
00:02:40
Mikey
Bournemouth saw a 2-0 victory to Leicester. Wolves and Brentford shared the result with a 1-0 finish there. Man Utd had one of the first clean sheets for a very long time against Aston Villa, who needed a win to creep into Champions League football.
00:02:57
Mikey
However, today it wasn't meant
Champions League Qualifiers
00:03:00
Mikey
to be. We're going to jump into that and how that affects the Champions League and European football. Newcastle, however, did need a result but didn't get one against Everton as they lost one nil at home.
00:03:12
Mikey
However, they managed to clinch the final spot in the Champions League position. and Other results, Ipswich Town lost 3-1 to West Ham and Tottenham got absolutely smashed by Brighton, who were chasing European football.
00:03:28
Mikey
However, that didn't alter things. So as it finishes the Premier League season and we wanted to know who qualified for what. Liverpool and Arsenal, as we knew before this game week, had already qualified for Champions League football.
00:03:42
Mikey
The teams joining them make up Man City in third place. Fourth place was Chelsea and the final Champions League place goes to Newcastle.
00:03:55
Mikey
with also Tottenham Hotspur, which I can't quite honestly believe it, who finished almost, I think it was seventeenth in the table, 16th, down there somewhere, clinched the final one for winning the Europa League final against Manchester United.
00:04:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:04:10
Mikey
We've also got European and spots going to Aston Villa and respectively Crystal Palace. They're both getting Europa League positions in the Europe next year. And finally, Nottingham Forest, who have had an extraordinary exp like i don't know exponential season for them.
00:04:28
Mikey
However, it only feels disappointing that I'm saying they've clinched a conference league place. Mikhail, I've said so much there.
00:04:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
this
00:04:36
Mikey
um Please correct anything that was inaccurate.
00:04:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah To be honest, everything was accurate here. And when you just look at the table, I mean, ah when you just, for example, look at how this table is shaped up, especially in the positions four and five, ah you just can't quite believe that the only reason Newcastle, because like Newcastle and Aston Villa, they finished that season with 66 points each.
00:05:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
points each So the only reason Newcastle United qualified for Champions League League phase next season is because of a superior goal difference. And that is such a sorrow way to lose or to miss out on on on Champions League football from Aston Villa. But that again, all they needed to do was to defeat Manchester United, which seemed so easy throughout the entire season.
00:05:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yet they didn't do it. So that is not our problem, from of course, from a Man United perspective. um But just, you know, to just just seriously now, I think you and I, Emeril, will have a huge hungover ah hangover from from this last matchday as he had Champions League at the grasp, really at the grasp and just let it slip through his
Impact of Chelsea's Position
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
hands.
00:05:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
um and also And also what is quite intriguing is, I think we already mentioned that, and many times in our previous instalments of Daily English Premier League, that the position of Chelsea, the final position of Chelsea in the table, would ah like would be the main decider of whether the eighth position in the Premier League table would grant European football.
00:06:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And the answer is no. Why is that? It's because Chelsea finished too high for that condition to be met. So Chelsea finished fourth, Newcastle finished fifth.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah So Chelsea already got granted the Champions League football. So which means even if Chelsea won the Conference League final, the Europa League spot will not get transferred to Nottingham Forest.
00:06:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
So... Well, if there is no transferring going on, that means that Brighton, which finished eighth, will not get any ah European football. And to be honest, sadly, because to be honest, looking at how Aston Villa played today, looking at how Nottingham Forest, just did did they just let that slip as well ah in terms of...
00:06:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
some you know more but better quality European football. um It just seems kind of harsh, really, because Brighton, like they just destroyed the Europa League holders at Tottenham Hotspur.
00:07:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
I guess that is the the champion curse, I guess. Unfortunately. So, oh God, I'm just terrible. So yeah, and so so just all in all, that was a super exciting season, and and I'm going to miss it from the neutral standpoint, but I'm sure as hell I'm not going to miss it from Man United perspective.
Aston Villa's Champions League Hopes
00:07:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I'm
00:07:27
Mikey
Talking about the Man United perspective, and I think two games to look at really that could have been the big difference here is ah Chelsea playing away at Nottingham Forest. and They had a shocking record going into this, winning just one.
00:07:43
Mikey
of their last 10 away games and nor did the fact that they'd ah already lost at every other top seven side this season. They've managed to shake those away with ah a comfortable win. Chris Wood had a couple of really big chances for Forrest but You've got to give it to Chelsea. Their season has been, you know, it's been very turbulent at times.
00:08:07
Mikey
ah They've been questioned. and Mareska was asked at the start of the season or towards the start of the season whether they could be title challengers. They heavily slipped off and then regained form. And for them to get Champions League football next year...
00:08:20
Mikey
is a huge, huge, huge step in the right direction for them as a club. I also have to make an honourable mention to Aston Villa. I'm a little bit disappointed. i know that sounds a bit strange coming from a United fan.
00:08:33
Mikey
um But Villa needed to go to Old Trafford today and they were the difference, I'm just going to check this, of one point. So a draw today would have put them into Champions League football ahead of Newcastle.
00:08:45
Mikey
um and And that's where the controversy happened. ah Martinez was sent off um in a very similar circumstance to the FA Cup final and Dean Henderson, not with a handball, but challenge and it being going to VAR and seeing if it's clear and obvious.
00:09:01
Mikey
I have to say that it was a sending off and that's not a biased opinion.
00:09:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:09:05
Mikey
I think it was a clear goal scoring opportunity and it was a foul. So I think that decision in itself was correct. The one that I'm not sure about,
00:09:16
Mikey
To the letter of the law, yes. But i also think that the referee has potentially and caused a ah rod for his own back because he the only reason it couldn't go to VAR was that the whistle had gone before the ball was put in the back of the net. He'd already given the foul.
00:09:32
Mikey
ah So the decision had already been made, hence why they couldn't go to VAR and check that decision.
00:09:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm. Mm-hmm.
00:09:37
Mikey
But the question was whether the goalkeeper had two hands on the ball and and the striker took it out of his hands. I'm not sure that that happened. ah However, as you said, it's a very bitter pill for Unai Emery and Aston Villa to swallow, knowing that goal difference...
00:09:54
Mikey
is the only reason and potentially that decision. ah Yeah, I mean, United play well. i That's nothing against you United. um It's one of the best performances I've ever seen. But I do think that Villa were were poor on a day when it really mattered.
00:10:11
Mikey
ah But that Morgan Rodgers goal being ruled out is there's potentially the difference between them playing Champions League football.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
And to be honest, it's so ironic that the the place where Aston Villa missed out on on Champions League football was Old Trafford, the place where almost every single away team could win.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Even like, you know, we're talking about Wolverhampton, we're talking about West Ham and yet Aston Villa didn't make it. um I guess maybe it's again like we could just take this discussion back to the fatigue, like the fatigue of of a bye by the season.
00:10:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you know what? Again, like you can just use that argument about about fatigue so much until you realize that, well, hello, Aston Villa were praised for the great moves and like during winter transfer window.
00:10:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
So like is is that is that really accurate to say that it's fatigue? like like you know that that is I think that is a legitimate question. how How much can you speak about the challenges of the season without realizing that maybe fatigue wasn't the only reason why you didn't make it to Champions League? Like, I'm really interested in your point here.
00:11:18
Mikey
So what what do you mean? that the The fatigue isn't the reason that Villa of missed out Champions League football?
00:11:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Probably, because, you know, like, because I understand, like, even on this podcast, we've been talking pretty much about the challenges of the season and how Unai Emery is trying to rotate the squad as much as he can, it't as much as he could.
00:11:35
Mikey
Yeah.
00:11:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
And yet, like, against Man United, of course, they played well, just like you said. But so, you know, should we put that defeat but ah by Unai Emery's side on the back of them being fatigued?
00:11:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or maybe there's more? Because, like, you know,
00:11:52
Mikey
Yeah, it's an interesting point. I also think that we we tend to overlook the fact that there's 37 other games that have been played.
Aston Villa's Potential in Europe
00:12:02
Mikey
And because all of this penned on this one result, that we forget all the other opportunities. And I'm sure this there's points in Unai Emery's mind where he'll look back and think, you know, we could have picked up a point here or there. There's definitely going to be points where they know they could have ah got a draw or won.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:12:21
Mikey
When they didn't, I think the hard thing for him here is playing against a side that is away from home and has very little to play for. There's a lot of controversy that goes with Manchester United.
00:12:33
Mikey
And unfortunately for them, they were going to a place where... maybe the the the emphasis wasn't just on them getting the result. It was more about what is that going to look like. You've got players at man at Manchester United who are playing. I'm guaranteed that some of those people won't be playing next season. and In fact, we know like ah Christian Eriksen. I'm pretty sure Johnny Evans won't be there.
00:12:56
Mikey
If he is, I'll be shocked. There's going to be a list of names that we'll see over the summer that that won't be there.
00:13:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Garnacho too.
00:13:02
Mikey
gana i don't I don't think he featured today, but yeah, absolutely, your point is is right. um I think it's commendable to mention what Aston Villa did do. I mean, the fact that they took PSG over two legs, and the Villa park...
00:13:17
Mikey
Second leg for me was was very, very good, taking them to extra time and really, really pushing them.
Manchester United Season Review
00:13:23
Mikey
ah Shows the quality and depth that they've got. I'm just disappointed that they've not made Champions League football. However, maybe ah the Europa League will be a better ah better way for them to manage. I also think his signings this year have been some of the best that we've seen.
00:13:40
Mikey
um the marcus rashford asensio there's so many players and we thought i can't remember who who did they lose uh did they get rid of a player that was massive yeah my brain's my brain's just switched off as i'm speaking um anyway they've managed to account for all of those things and they've unfortunately missed out but you know aston villa are a team
00:13:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like who? Like Aston Villa?
00:13:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:14:05
Mikey
who are now stamping their authority on the fact that they're a side in the Premier League who deserves European football, whether that be the Champions League or Europa League.
00:14:16
Mikey
And I think that that as it as it from a Villa fan perspective... is a high achievement. then no I thought that they would miss out on European football after being a season with Champions League football and Premier League football.
00:14:29
Mikey
ah
00:14:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:14:30
Mikey
So although it's really disappointing today and that maybe results didn't go their way, um for them as a whole, I would say that this is this is an exceptional result and consistency.
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. And to be honest, there is one thing that, you know, if some anybody out there says that, oh, you know, Aston Villa, they missed out on Champions League. Haha. You know, like you basically you've you failed to cross the finish line in time.
00:14:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would just I would go, you know what, guys, at least Aston Villa will get any European football, which is more than we can say about Manchester United. So if anybody out there now wants to jump on the bandwagon of of basically um using Aston Villa as the butt of a a distasteful joke, I'll just say, guys, read the room.
00:15:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Really, read the room. Unai Emery really deserved this European spot. He got it. Of course, it's not Champions League, but then again, they will be getting ah you know European football and they will be getting money as a result of that because this is also important.
00:15:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Man United will not. So... I guess that that sums up our entire discussion here.
00:15:35
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. And I guess to conclude, as we are both Man United fans, on this section of it um is to talk about Ruben Amorim and the fact that he will probably or more more than likely definitely be there ah when we start the new campaign.
00:15:50
Mikey
And just to touch on that, something that I did think about the other day when it immediately came out after the loss in the Europa League final, ah that maybe he might be sacked after after the result.
00:16:01
Mikey
um It's probably important to mention that Jurgen Klopp lost the Europa League final in his first year at Liverpool. ah He then went on to buy Mane, Wijnaldum and Matip and they sold six or seven players in his first summer.
00:16:19
Mikey
They didn't sack anybody and they gave a manager proper time. And all I get from Ruben Amerin is someone who's really honest and has a method.
00:16:30
Mikey
He also doesn't tolerate... ah he's got He's got an expectation on players on whether we agree with what's happened with Rashford or Ronaldo. He hasn't tolerated it. hasn't allowed that those big names in the club dictate how you can approach his... is it is is he What's the word? Ethos.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
hang
00:16:52
Mikey
um and And I hope that that is the time that he needs and he's able to put his ethos...
00:16:58
Mikey
further into the football club um as they've only now got the Premier League to focus on.
00:17:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah,
Liverpool's Future Prospects
00:17:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah. And to be honest, okay. ah About this discussion about Ribbon Amorim's rule over Man United, would say that there is one decision that I kind of ah kind of wish that he hadn't made, and that would be about Marcus Rashford.
00:17:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yes, you know how many you know there are so many opinions as there are Man United fans all over the world about Marcus Rashford, really. Whether he should so he should have stayed or he should have gone and the way he did.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah like For me, like personally, I think that by getting rid of Marcus Rashford, and probably we we will never see him as long as Romain Amorim is in charge of Man United.
00:17:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
in the Man United shirt. ah That was just short-sightedness because I remember like how fit Marcus Rush was in those first games of the season and and how much he was just trying to make a difference.
00:17:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he just got sidelined. It's just like that. like For me, it's unacceptable. That is an next up unacceptable way how to lead like a football club.
00:18:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Like, at the level of mind of of of Premier League. So, yeah. But other than that, i have a lot of hopes in Rabun Amorum. And, like, just like we said after, like, a one-bet Manchester United game, um like, somewhere, like, in in in like a mid-spring, we said that now all we want is for this season to end. And this is this has just happened. The season has just ended.
00:18:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now... the cleaning begins, the cleansing of the dressing room begins. it it And just like you've already touched on that, that like it's already happening. Like Garnaccio is already shown the door.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ericsson is already but shown the door. ah Hopefully Bruno Fernandes will stay. but But like hopefully there will be no new financial nuance because I think that would be the only reason why Bruno Fernandes would have to leave.
00:18:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
But other than that, I have hopes for Bruno Fernandes, Mateus Cunha connection for next season.
00:19:04
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely.
00:19:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hopefully.
00:19:04
Mikey
And I think one thing that it does do, and I know that financially there's a huge loss for the club, ah but it does mean that your signings have to be extremely tactical.
00:19:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:19:15
Mikey
You have to sign players that maybe you wouldn't be able to afford.
00:19:18
Mikey
And that means that we're not requiring a big name to come into the club and do a huge job. We're going buying people that maybe are less well-known. But he can build and and and they have the right capabilities that he wants. I think it's a fantastic opportunity and I have a lot of hope leading forward, as many people should. So as Manchester United to transform themselves, how about you transform yourselves with Bionic?
00:20:24
Mikey
Yeah, make sure you check that out. And now we're going to move into the awards section of our podcast today. The people who come away with the accolades, the stats that will remain stats for the rest of their lives.
00:20:38
Mikey
And I think we can start with no other place than the Egyptian king. he is an absolute joke of a footballer. One that I begrudgingly say I'm very fond to watch.
00:20:52
Mikey
ah It is, of course... Mo Salah, who has won, again, accolades that go beyond it. He's one of... Very few who've joined the exclusive club joined in the two-time winning best-voted Premier League player of the season.
00:21:10
Mikey
um He's also gone on to join and Nicole and ah Alan Shearer in the match in their most goal involvements against Crystal Palace as he scored to equalise for them at Anfield today. ah I've already said it, he's a ridiculous, ridiculous footballer that...
00:21:28
Mikey
I think ah Liverpool is a necessity that they keep hold of him for next season if they want to retain any success um because I think he's he's somebody that you could class irreplaceable.
00:21:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, if if it wasn't if it wasn't for Mohamed Salah, ah probably Liverpool fans would have to suffer through Darwin Nunez' misses. ah which we like ah That was a delight to watch for us, but it was ah like some dreadful ah for four Liverpool fans. But luckily, there was also the Egyptian king and he...
00:22:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
He basically shut our mouths. And if there were any critics of the Egyptian king, now there're there should not be any, really. And also what's also worth mentioning is that Salah achieved um like this all-time... Him equaling the all-time record for most combined goals and assists by a player in a campaign...
00:22:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that feat was also achieved by Andrew Cole and Alan Shearer, like you said. Salas, like what makes Salas' feat all the greater is the fact that he actually he has achieved it in a 38-match season, and whereas Cole and Shearer reached their 47-goal involvement in 42-match seasons because, well, the Premier League was slightly bigger in 1995-96 than it is now. So, wow, mean...
00:22:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
than than it is now so wow i mean We have to bow. We have to bow like, no, Salah should take a bow and we should just applaud him, really.
00:22:56
Mikey
Yeah, i think I think you're right.
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:22:57
Mikey
I think we've definitely got to acknowledge his achievements and the fact that you know that they've got a two-year contract extension at the club and they got you know pulled that off in April.
00:23:08
Mikey
He's now third on the highest goalscorers for Liverpool behind some incredible names, Ian Rush, Roger Hunt. um And he's 245 goals.
00:23:20
Mikey
So he's 101 goals behind Ian Rush. And he's got two years to to to try and catch that. ah At his rate currently, that i think I think that will achieve across all competitions.
00:23:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank
00:23:32
Mikey
ah he's He's got a stellar chance of of of maybe getting close to to becoming an all-time great at Liverpool, if you can already class him as being an all-time great.
00:23:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. And to be honest, I just can't wait to see what's going to happen next season with him. And probably maybe there will be some new exciting linkups within Liverpool's squad between Sala and other players.
00:23:57
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Because I cannot believe that Liverpool will not go shopping. I mean, with so good, great prospects, I really think that Liverpool will go shopping this season. I love, excuse me, not this season, but this transfer window. Sorry, I'm just so tired from rehearsals.
00:24:12
Mikey
Yeah, no, I agree.
00:24:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just don't know what I'm saying.
00:24:14
Mikey
think I think you're
Premier League Awards Spotlight
00:24:16
Mikey
bang on. I think keeping Salah for another two years is fantastic, but building a a stronger side around him or adding to the depth, they're just in such a great position and at the minute.
00:24:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:24:27
Mikey
as As you rightly say, over the summer, I'm sure they will add names and get rid of a few names that maybe haven't lived up to expectation um this season and they've managed to go on without.
00:24:38
Mikey
We're now going to move on to goalkeepers, And this actually makes me quite proud because if you went back into the archives at the start of the season, I actually predicted that I maybe went a bit overboard, but I did say that David Rea is an exceptional goalkeeper. um And maybe he isn't an exceptional goalkeeper. And maybe there are a couple of doubts over his consistency as a goalkeeper. However, he does come away with the Golden Glove, ah joined by Matt Salles,
00:25:10
Mikey
ah for Nottingham Forest and it's you know it's it's it's a great achievement um that they've managed to do. 13 clean sheets between them and and respectively, I know that Arsenal fans will feel that they've underachieved this year ah but both clubs have put in you know a stellar effort.
00:25:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:25:31
Mikey
Arsenal significantly dropped away towards the end of the season which when you need trophies, is going to be disappointing. when you when Especially when you look at like the Champions League results, pulling off the Real Madrid fixture and then going out in the fashion that they did against PSG, I think will be highly disappointing.
00:25:51
Mikey
And it just proves that it's a little step too far for them. But it's good to know that they've got a solid goalkeeper in Raya. And also for... for ah Forest going forward, having cells between the sticks as they enter the Conference League and I'm sure will want to hit the hopes of regaining a similar and ah similar output that they did today today this season.
00:26:18
Mikey
um
00:26:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:26:19
Mikey
Having those two people as goalkeepers is is a great thing for a club to go into the next season.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. ah To be honest, like i would like if I do not really think that Arsenal will make this mistake and just let Raya go because like if they did, they would just be like that would be the biggest blunder of the summer transfer window. He's staying and he's here to ah basically have this opportunity in the next next season to try to join Reyna and Hart as the only goalkeepers to win the award three seasons in a row.
00:26:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's also interesting. But you know what? There is one more thing. I've just looked at, tookckle I've just taken a look at the Golden Glove winners from 2004 all the way until today.
00:27:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
And from what I saw, like if I see correctly, David Raya and Matt Sells and their 13 clean sheets are the fewest ever by a Golden Glove winner.
00:27:12
Mikey
yeah Yeah, I saw that stat and i did I didn't know where to go with it.
00:27:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
what What does that tell you about the season?
00:27:17
Mikey
I don't know what that means. Does it mean that the but they the levels of goals being scored in an average Premier League game has improved? Or does it mean that the goalkeeping or defending as ah as a whole has has has gone worse over the years? I don't know. It's difficult to say.
00:27:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
To be honest, like if I were to follow my gut instinct, I would say that Premier League is becoming more and more competitive. And basically what worked in the season longer works today.
00:27:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
So ah there are new ways how to approach the goal of the opponent. There are more ways how to open this defense up so that you can just penetrate it and and just just go for the goal.
00:28:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's becoming more and more difficult for goalbeakers to keep clean sheets. And i like unless we have like some change in trend, again, ah maybe we will just go to some Neo Tiki Taka, for example.
00:28:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Unless we see that, I am pretty sure that the winners of Golden Glove will have less and less clean sheets gradually as we move on to the future.
00:28:30
Mikey
Yeah, interesting. I mean, just to to highlight, because obviously Rhea played in a team that the finished second, was playing Champions League football. You know, your expectations of them would be a lot more, whereas Nottingham Forest would would would naturally come under more pressure throughout the season.
00:28:45
Mikey
ah as as just they're they They're not as established as ah as a ah top of the table side. So just a shout out to Sells, there's a few facts here. that He comes the only second Forest player to win a Premier League Golden Award, right behind Teddy Sheringham, who did it in And he won the Golden Boot.
00:29:05
Mikey
um and he won the golden boot ah He's also the only second Belgian goalkeeper to win the Golden Glove straight after Thibaut Courtois and also it becomes the first goalkeeper outside of Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Man City and Man United to win the award since it was launched in 2004-2005.
00:29:33
Mikey
I think those facts tell you two two things, really. They say how well he's done as a goalkeeper, but also why we shouldn't underestimate how well Nottingham Forest have done this year.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I mean, and to be honest, that also goes to, you know, and and that this is the kind of like a slight problem I have with the Golden Glover word, because of course, like we should honor goalkeepers. that's that like what That is, of course, obvious.
00:30:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what I mean is that clean sheets are more times than not achieved not only by the goalkeeper, but also by the the entire defensive block. And I think we should have basically take a look at those first games of Forest, like from this first half of the sea of the season, and you will see that Milenkovic on form, among other set-backs of Nottingham Forest, they have done incredibly well.
00:30:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And they made the basically the the task... for the Belgian goalkeeper of Nottingham Forest easier slightly to reach this Golden Glove of award.
00:30:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
So and that award for Cels is not only the reward for him, it's reward for the entire defensive block of Nottingham Forest, especially for this first half of the season. Nuno Espirito Santo, again, so we can link him up here as well for for choosing the right tactics as well.
00:30:57
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. and And as we continue with the plauders, let's move on to Premier League Young Player of the Year, which calls to a man who you really just can't argue with. And it kind of solidifies my theory of having a strong ah spine of a team is is is pivotal ah to be able to have a successful campaign.
00:31:19
Mikey
And I think that's what Liverpool have got. They've got people who are up front, can finish in Mo Salah, who's been ah notably mentioned for that. You've got a goalkeeper that is classed as one of the best in the world, i sent a centre-back that's classed one world. And you've got Ryan Gravenberch, who's also now named as one of the best young players of the Premier League season.
00:31:42
Mikey
um He ranks so highly in all the stats, But he's such a pivotal role in there. He's the anchor of that midfield. And doing that job defensively, you've got to be, you know, you've got to be matching or or hitting the top three, I think, of of most of these stats that I'm about to read to you.
00:32:00
Mikey
He's ah the the leader of interceptions with 59 ranks among the top Liverpool players this season who ah but time possession one, so he's one possession for his team, ah with a total of 109 being... the fifth most anyone in the Premier League has ever done.
00:32:17
Mikey
um He ranked second for passes, third for duels, tackles made, minutes played. Although, despite his defensive role, he's done loads going forward. He's contributed with assists.
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:32:28
Mikey
And um obviously I think it's been a really pivotal part Liverpool's winning season title. And that's the kind of football club that, you know, I look through green eyes at and they've got young players who are coming into this team and and and having such a drastic impact and allowing that the established players around them to to make that a safe area.
00:32:52
Mikey
And if you compare that to other teams, such as Man United, you've got young players like Kobe Maynard or Garnaccio who are coming into a squad with tea with players that are not um that are not established, that are not confident and expecting them to do the job of a confident person.
00:33:10
Mikey
And that's the huge difference in how the clubs are being run at the minute. So hats off to Ryan Gavin Birch, I think.
00:33:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:33:16
Mikey
what What an incredible achievement and he's destined for great things.
00:33:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he really is. And basically, in Arnaz Slott's puzzle, Gravenberg was the dude who was... like He needed to be put in that midfield, and he was basically the missing piece of the puzzle.
00:33:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
and now And that is was one of the reasons why, for example, Mo Salah, he did not have to worry about having to go back to defense a lot of times. like He didn't have to do it at all, because he had some great, great midfielders, including Gravenberg,
00:33:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
for this season for Liverpool. And I mean, terms of fellow nominees who also were up for this award of the young player of the season, Lae M. De Lape, Anthony Ilanga, Dean Heysen, Cole Palmer, João Pedro, Morgan Rogers, William Saliba.
00:34:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
and That is quite a competition. And to win fat and like To win the award over those all those other nominees that I just read, that is an incredible achievement.
00:34:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So grant Ryan Graverberg joined Cole Palmer, Elling Haaland, Phil Foden and Trent Alexander-Arnold from those ah last ah seasons, those recent seasons. um Yeah, and congratulations to him. And I'm really, really curious as to how the Dutchman will grow, how he will improve, how big of a pain in the neck he will be for ah the teams playing against Liverpool.
Premier League Competitiveness
00:34:41
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. and he' he's he he doing it in a position that is so pivotal in in the modern day. You know, that link-up play between defence and giving respite to to the team defensively, but also breaking down other teams. It's just such an it such an established role, i think, in in the modern day that that you can you can hang your hat on names that...
00:35:02
Mikey
we know through history that have made like the McAlealy position, you know, Claude McAlealy made that position. and There's just so many people that have have established really well in that position. And I hope that he continues to do so as we continue to put out fantastic podcasts to you using the fantastic platform that is Zencastr.
00:35:55
Mikey
Absolutely. ah Check it out. Make sure you acknowledge it. And as we hear on the Daily English Premier League podcast wrap up the Premier League season, we thought it'd be nice to do so, to commemorate all the things that have gone on, all the podcasters that have taken place um over this season and look forward to our summary of what we think has been fair unfair, unfair,
00:36:20
Mikey
over-exceeded our expectation, under-exceeded our expectations, but also honourable mention to the Liverpool fans that have been on our show, who are a staple part of our show here at the Daily ah English Premier League podcast.
00:36:35
Mikey
And yeah, Louis being one of those guys who's, as we know, at Anfield today and enjoying those celebrations and making memories with thousands of Liverpool fans. um Yeah, it must be a ah really nice and special day and one that I don't want to go on about too much, as it is Liverpool, but a fair acknowledgement is key.
00:36:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Yeah, absolutely. And yeah, so ah well all the but congratulations to Louis Easton for celebrating the the title, the 20th title of of of of Liverpool as far as Premier League goes.
00:37:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
um ah We will not be super outrageous just to say that Liverpool did not deserve the Premier League trophy as much as we hate to admit it, but they did deserve it ah because 25 victories, nine draws and only four defeats joined with Arsenal as well. wede So they shared those four defeats each.
00:37:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah But 10-point difference over Arsenal at the end. ah Well, of course, 84 points of Liverpool, 71 of Manchester City, and then just 69 of Chelsea, 66 joined Newcastle-Aston Villa.
00:37:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was no match for Liverpool. um To be honest, if there was one upset from this season in terms of the final position, I have to say... Manchester City, you lucky dogs.
00:37:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
How on earth did you pull this top five finish after losing nine games? Like, that is unheard of Losing nine games in a single Premier League season.
00:38:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's just beyond me. Like, I don't know. Maybe... Okay, of course. Like, we have to give code to work credit where credit is due. Like, in the last five games, four victories. Pep Guardiola, like, he somehow finds those last ounces of of of magic and he just...
00:38:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
put it right into the squad again. And there you go. Manchester City third. Although, i think it would be more fair if Manchester City finished sixth. Like, when we look at the entire season. But maybe it's just wishful thinking. don't know.
00:38:35
Mikey
hu I think, ah yeah, I think City have done really exceptionally well to get third place this year. and Considering the run of form they went on, ah the foller at the club, I think they've they've disappointed in in in in so many ways for their standard.
00:38:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hmm.
00:38:51
Mikey
um I think i think i think i'd I'd tend to agree with you. and But that's the sign of a really quality team, I think. I think When you can win or end up in a place where you're in a good place, a third is a fantastic achievement for them considering the season they've had.
00:39:09
Mikey
And when you can do that, it's a sign of a really good team, I think. It shows depth in the squad.
00:39:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:39:15
Mikey
I guess one thing I wanted to mention as we as we wrap up the league, the season, is, and i have brought it up before on the podcast, but the the depth in in ability to to stay up this season has been, you know, more obvious than than ever, I would go as far to say, and with with those teams going going straight back down.
00:39:38
Mikey
I don't know. I don't know where you feel about it. Is it a financial problem? Is it is that a lack of depth in the squad? Is it Is it a naivety to how they play the football in the Premier League against Premier League sides? um I'm struggling to understand because we we have seen so many teams do it successfully and they're now very well-established teams in the Premier League.
Next Season Predictions
00:39:58
Mikey
One of those has just come back up. and You know, in in Sunderland, ah Burnley have never become an established team, but they're always up and down. Leeds, again, not for, ah you know, over 20 years have they been an established football team.
00:40:14
Mikey
So I find it really interesting, in this this yo-yoing that teams are doing. It seems to be similar teams. Huge, huge achievement for Sunderland getting up. But I don't know, what do you think? What what what do you think the the crux of that matter is?
00:40:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah I guess the fact that I think we've already mentioned that and that the fact this Premier League has become is like it become like becomes increasingly competitive.
00:40:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So those teams from Championship, I think like before, like when we talk about, you know, 2000s or 2010s, like those times of of of English football. I do not think that there was such a big gap in terms of like sporting quality between those bottom, let's just say those bottom teams, like from the bottom half of the table of Premier League and top ah half of the table of Championship.
00:41:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think now... ah like the competitive tip competitiveness of Premier League forces those um top championship teams to step up next season in the Premier League because if they do not, then they will end up just like Ipswich Town, for example, or just like Southampton or just like Leicester.
00:41:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah, I mean, I guess i guess it's the level. The level of Premier League is going increasingly high every single season and Would I say that level of championship stays at this this stays the same?
00:41:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
Of course not, because like that that is the that is the nature of development. But it's not growing as high as Premier League at the moment. I think that is the reason why all of those ah those shortcomings of of Leicester, Ipswich and something Southampton could be explained. I think like that's my take on it.
00:41:52
Mikey
Yeah, absolutely. It's an interesting one. And I really hope that the teams coming up ah do, you know, do justice to being in the Premier League and the hard work they've done because getting out of the Championship is an incredible feat.
00:42:05
Mikey
um And yeah, they should be should be very proud to do so.
00:42:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:42:08
Mikey
I guess i want to conclude this episode um by asking you for two predictions. so um The first one, i want you to go here on the 25th, 26th when this goes out of and May.
00:42:23
Mikey
Who is going to walk away this time next year? So in 12 months time, who's going to be having the title? Is it going to be Liverpool lifting it again or do you see another team doing it?
00:42:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'll throw the curse and I'll say Arsenal will finally clinch the title next year.
00:42:39
Mikey
OK, interesting. I'm going to back City to do it next year. um i think I think they'll come back stronger than than we we could probably expect. so It's a really low total as well this year. If you look at how many points Liverpool won it with compared to previous seasons,
00:42:55
Mikey
Yeah, it it wouldn't challenge many other people many other seasons. However, we will see. And then the other one is quite a nice one. how what What's one one shock that you expect to happen? It can be a bad one or a good one. So what's one shock that you expect to happen next season?
00:43:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
That is a difficult question. Wow, what a shock.
00:43:15
Mikey
I'll go first. United will get in the top half.
00:43:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah
00:43:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
I see what you're doing here.
00:43:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah Okay, so if that's the caliber that we're going with, then I will just go out on a limb and I will say that the biggest shock will be... Okay, maybe not the biggest shock, just any shock, let's put it this way.
00:43:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nottingham Forest, top three.
00:43:40
Mikey
Nottingham Forest make the top three.
00:43:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm
00:43:42
Mikey
I mean, I hope you're right. They've got a team and and a stadium that's set up for European football. So why not go all the way to Champions League and and ruin the party twice?
00:43:52
Mikey
and
00:43:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Amazing.
00:43:54
Mikey
Mikhail, it's been an absolute pleasure. ah We will be putting out special episodes as we read lead up to the one ah conference league final that you're heavily involved in. and But as we conclude the 2024-2025 campaign...
00:44:08
Mikey
where Liverpool clinch the Premier League title. so Leicester City, Ipswich Town and Southampton have another year to clinch back into Premier League status.
00:44:19
Mikey
Can Man Utd make the top half of the table? Will Nottingham Forest make European football again next year? It remains to be decided. But what is for sure is that GSPN will bring you daily content out of the Premier League for you.
00:44:34
Mikey
It's goodbye from me.
00:44:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.