Barcelona Splashing Cash

13:45Dan Thomas:That's why he had to get away and get on the yacht. Get away from our yacht. You know what, Kay? You know what, Kay? Do you know how we call somebody who supports two teams in the football world? We call him a footix. A footix was the puppet we had for the World Cup 1998. I don't know how he came out, but somebody who doesn't know how to make a choice between two clubs, meaning that it's impossible to support two clubs. How is it possible? You have one heart, you don't have two hearts, so you have to make a decision. Good news. That's a simple question. What is your club? Give an answer to everybody.

14:23We want to know what is your club.

14:26Julien Laurens:My club is PhD, as you know, obviously. I've been in London 23 years now. My wife has very strong ties with Arsenal and the children, the three of them, were very much brought up with the two clubs. There's two games they watch every weekend. It's the PSG game and the Arsenal game. So for them, I can understand how difficult it is. So the general is talking. The general is talking. Thank you. Happy wife, happy life.

14:54Dan Thomas:Well done. Well done. Frank, you did take a position, and it's PSG 3-1. Tell us why.

15:04Because I consider that from what I've seen from Paris Saint-Germain offensively, if they are 100%, nobody can stop them. So 3-1, even if it's Arsenal, even if in the goal, I think right now one of the best goalkeepers in the world, if he's not the best. And with the defense that they have with Saliba and Gabriel, it's possible for them to hold them a little bit. But the arsenal of players that Paris Pesce have is so big, so strong, so talented that it won't be possible for the Gunners to cope with them. So it's why I see a 3-1.

15:46Frank Leboeuf:I'm still confused as to why the kids don't get to watch Champions League because Jules is conflicted as to who they should be supporting. No, they are conflicted more than me. Jules has just disowned his kids. That's them. They're the ones having issues. I'm all right. I'm all right. I'm good and I'm enjoying it.

16:10Dan Thomas:Jules, even though you've gone against them and your kids, would you like to make a case as to why it might just be Arsenal?

16:18Julien Laurens:Yeah, I think so. So I think they've got a lot of tools to cause problems to this PSG team. I think they're the best team without the ball in Europe right now. Their defensive structure is really, really impressive. On top of Raya and Gabriel and Saliba, like Frank just mentioned, I also think if there's a team that can control the tempo of a game and the rhythm of a game, is this Arsenal side, really? That's why they're very good at. And I think PSG haven't really come up against teams like that this season. So we can look at, you know, can PSG press them and press Arsenal really high and Arsenal haven't really faced that.

16:48Julien Laurens:But on the other hand, PSG have not really faced a team like Arsenal this season. They face low blocks and things like that. But not a team as strong without the ball as Arsenal. If you look at the semifinal against Bayern, it was a very open game. That suits PSG. Liverpool was quite an open game and slot stupid tactics in the first leg. That suits PSG. Chelsea was quite open. And Chelsea did really well trying to match up PSG in the first hour of the first leg, for example. That suited PSG too. I think to face this Arsenal team that has, I think, a lot of versatility and variety in the way they play as well, as well as being so strong defensively.

17:22Julien Laurens:I think for PSG that could be a challenge. And if Arsenal start asking PSG the question that PSG usually asks the opposition, then I think it could become a very interesting matchup between the two.

17:33Dan Thomas:It's hard to talk to you two when you're not actually giving us your predictions.

17:36Frank Leboeuf:I'll tell you, for somebody who picked PSG, he just made quite the argument for Arsenal. He said everything I would have said, to be honest.

17:44Dan Thomas:Everything I would have said. Are you going to surprise us at all this week, guys, with your predictions?

17:48Frank Leboeuf:You just have to wait, Kate. Oh, my goodness. How can we wait any longer? I'm trying to preempt. No, you'll have to tune in tomorrow. We'll be at work tomorrow. Will you be at work tomorrow?

17:58Dan Thomas:No. Oh, well, tune in. No. Sorry, guys. Part-timer. Some of us were here for the Bakal final.

18:08Frank Leboeuf:Let's talk about France.

18:10Dan Thomas:Seeing as though we've got two Frenchmen on the panel, we want to talk about France and look ahead a little bit to the World Cup 2026, because France are up there when it comes to the favorites, but still behind Spain right now. All right. Why are Spain favorites? Because in World Cup play, they actually haven't passed the last 16 since 2010, when they went on to win it. Is it the players that they've got now that puts them at the top of the pile?

18:36Frank Leboeuf:Are you asking me or are you asking the French squad?

18:38Dan Thomas:Yeah, just quickly, before we get to the Frenchies.

18:39Frank Leboeuf:Well, we just got to the French squad.

18:41Dan Thomas:All right. We'll go to the French plays. Now that we've got the squad up, let's talk about the roster here. No Camavinga, that was one of the bigger missions. Jules, anything else that really stood out from this squad?

18:52Julien Laurens:No, I think the big miss is the great Kitty K, who I think would have not just been part of this squad, but would have started the first game at the World Cup on the left-hand side of the 4-2-3-1. And unfortunately, that injury he suffered against PSG means that he's not there. And even without him, when you saw that forwards list, is really impressive. I don't think there's any other country in the world that has this kind of attacking power. The starters to start with, whether it's Dembele, Olysses and Mbappé, they're locked in with Barcola or Dwayne or Cherki on the left-hand side, but even on the bench, you know, Aklejou, she's a wonderful talent.

19:27Julien Laurens:Marcus Turam starts to have good experience and he's really solid to come on late. Even Jean-Philippe Mateta, who's maybe one of the surprises inclusion for Deschamps in there as we saw in the Conference League Final on Wednesday night, can come on for the last 10 minutes and bring something very different. And suddenly those kind of different profiles outside of the starting four and four just bring you, again, versatility, different options, variation in your play and where you can give the opposition, really. And I think that this French squad is stacked everywhere, offensively and defensively.

20:01Julien Laurens:For me, Pamecano Saliva is the strongest centre-back partnership in the whole competition.

20:05Dan Thomas:Do you feel as confident as Jules does, Frank? Yes, I am. And it's only fair that Spain is in front of France because of what they've done lately and all the competition that they won lately as well. But it's going to be a very tight competition and many other teams can also show themselves and surprise everybody. And I really think that Portugal has something to say and also England. So let's see how it works. It's a competition. How you start, how you handle it, it's an X factor, and we don't know what's going to happen. But surely, offensively, I'm with Jules, and I won't name the names again, but that's incredible.

20:54Dan Thomas:But you have given us a possible 11 now, Frank. Yes, yes. And I had some question marks, you know, about the left side because everybody sees Theo Hernandez or Lucas. I don't know. I think it's going to be Theo Hernandez. But I prefer Dini. I like Dini. The way he was playing this season, defensively, he's always doing something good. And offensively, I like his left foot. Otherwise, no surprises. There's going to be a challenge for Deschamps between Hupa Meccano and Konate. But according to the season, I think Hupa Meccano has a light advantage. for sure Saliba is gonna play Koundé on the right side I went for Kante I don't know there is something just a spirit maybe a weakness in my heart for for Angolo Kante because he's the kind of engine that I don't want to see on the bench and of course at France I tried to make sure that everybody could play but how how dare I can put all easy on the number 10 where he has been so good on right side but if I do that where do I put Dembele do I put Mbappé on the bench and then be number nine and I put Cherky on number ten that's insane so that's for me the four who should start and let's see how it works and there is not one national team coach he's Didier Deschamps and I'm sure he's gonna find the right recipe to do well.

22:23Dan Thomas:Look at these first world problems from Frank where do I put Alize?

22:26Frank Leboeuf:one of the best players on the planet what am I gonna do I think but to that point I think that is that works in in France's favor in this extended format I think how deep your squad is plays a part in my opinion France and Spain are the two best teams going into this tournament Spain favorites for the bookies because as France mentioned what they're doing in the Euros and and that fairly young attack of two years ago all of a sudden it's a little bit more mature I'm not sure how you say that about 18-year-old Laminya Mal, but they are. But I think when it comes to squad quality, squad depth, France just picked the Spanish in that regard.

23:09Frank Leboeuf:And so, big reveal, they're my favorites, K.

23:12Dan Thomas:France are your favorites.

23:14Frank Leboeuf:France are my favorites. All right. What about you, Ale? Well, to your point about squad depth, I think France are the only team in this World Cup that you could pick two separate starting 11s, and you put them on different sides of the bracket, and both starting 11s would make it at least to the quarterfinals. That's how talented I think this group is. So for me, France's biggest rival is France. It's France. If they can get out of their own way and just allow some of these players to really showcase what they're capable of, On paper, they are stronger than everybody else, and that includes Spain because of the depth of France.

24:01Frank Leboeuf:I don't think Spain has that sort of depth. Certainly, they don't have that sort of depth in the back line, and they don't have that sort of depth in the midfield area. They do have a lot of talented players, of course, in the attacking third, but I just look at France, and they just have everything that you would want out of a team coming into a tournament. Identity, structure, talent, individual talent, group talent, how they work together, how they're able to match in terms of speed against other teams on the outside, 1v1 situations, defending 1v1 situations, pressing in the midfield. That's an area that perhaps you could exploit against France if indeed you get a team like Spain that can dominate the midfield because of the quality of players they have in that area.

24:43Frank Leboeuf:But outside of that, if you look on paper, and again, this is all on paper. You have to play the games. There's no argument to be made against France. You can make arguments for others if you so desire, but to make an argument against France is foolish, given what they have available. And given what they have available, it's better than what everybody else has available.

25:04Dan Thomas:Yes, okay. Jules, are your kids as conflicted with England and France?

25:10Julien Laurens:No, they could not care less about England.

25:16Frank Leboeuf:you better man

25:18Dan Thomas:the guys will say well you're saving them some heartache no doubt there Jules that's good parenting alright good stuff make sure to be with us all summer because we will have you covered for the World Cup every single day with two shows a day

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26:28Dan Thomas:We did mention Jean-Philippe Mateta there. Well, actually, Frank did. So that brings us on to talking about Crystal Palace. It was obviously the Frenchman whose goal won the Conference League Cup for them against Rayo Vallecano. And now Oliver Glasner will be leaving on a high. But look at these scenes. What a couple of years it's been for Crystal Palace. Oliver Glasner leaving on quite the high, leaving quite the legacy as well. But his name is now one of a handful that we are seeing linked with the Milan job now that Max Allegri has gone. you can see Marco Silva, Chiellini, Morito Pochettino, get to that, Ruben Amarim, Felipe Luis, Xavi Hernandez, and Doni Iriola, although the word is he said he's not interested in the project right now.

27:15Dan Thomas:So let's get into this because it's Pochettino I want to start with actually. Jules give us the latest here because we know that he's had talks with Milan, he's been open about that but it's not gone down too well obviously with the World Cup coming up for US men's national team that he is the head of.

27:32Julien Laurens:Yeah, you're right. Although we knew that his contract was expiring after the World Cup in September anyway. So I think it's a bit harsh to criticize him for already, you know, you can be committed into your current job, but also thinking about what could happen next and be contacted by other clubs, like is the case with AC Milan. And from that list, we know that Felipe Luis, for example, has already gone to Monaco. This will be official. I expect tomorrow that Andoni Ereola is getting close to buy a Leverkusen who will not keep Hulman. And that maybe the Milan project was a little bit too early for him, considering the task of it and the size of it as well.

28:10Julien Laurens:So that makes that Pochettino, I think, becomes one of the leading candidates on what is left on that shortlist, for example. It's a big project that I think he's keen on. It's a project where, again, he'll be off contract with the U.S. men's national team in September. So he can take that after the World Cup if Milan are ready to wait for him. And I think from US soccer, I think you can, you know, you guarantee that Pochettino is going to be focused on the World Cup. He's spending a lot of time working on the squad, preparing for the World Cup. Milan would come after if he's the manager that he decides to go with.

28:45Julien Laurens:But I don't think he should be criticised for thinking about what could come next after the World Cup because he's going to be fully committed to it anyway.

28:51Dan Thomas:Do you think Jules is right, Frank?

28:56He's right in a way that his representative have the right to talk to the clubs and try to find the future for Pochettino. But what I don't like and what he should avoid is to answer to the press. The simple answer and the only answer should be, I'm 100 % with the national team. Don't bother me with my future. I don't want to answer to any question about my future because it's disrespectful to the U.S. national men team. That's the only thing I can say. Yeah, you have the right to talk. There's something can be said and done, but don't answer to the press. Don't put that on the table. It's not the time for that.

29:40You have a World Cup to prepare, and don't bother with any questions. Just kick them out.

29:48Dan Thomas:Who balled Americas?

29:50Frank Leboeuf:Oh, Shaq?

29:51Dan Thomas:There's the whole penalty.

29:54Frank Leboeuf:Here's the thing. And in theory, what Jules is saying makes a whole lot of sense. But the issue is with Mauricio Pochettino is that this conversation hasn't been just about Milan. A couple of months ago, the conversation was about Spurs. And a couple of months before that, it was about somebody else. There's been flirtation going on throughout. And so we can talk about the commitment to the United States men's national team, and we can talk about how he's fully focused on the World Cup. But that's only talk. That's only conversation. That's only rhetoric. And he could have been the first one to say, to Frank's point, not just on this matter, but on other matters that have come up in the past, I'm not talking to anybody.

30:36Frank Leboeuf:This is my priority. This is my only priority. This is the only thing that I'm focusing on. And he wasn't taking that position. He wasn't coming out front and saying, this is not for me to discuss. This is for somebody else to talk about. It's not something that matters to me right now. The United States is what matters to me right now, given that it is a World Cup and given that it is a World Cup play in the United States. So he himself hasn't done a good job of doing away with the speculation and allowing all of us in this sort of space to have these conversations because he allows the speculation to come up, to grow, to take shape, and to get out of control because he doesn't take a position.

31:16Frank Leboeuf:And he hasn't been taking a position. And that's where I have an issue. Look, you're looking out for your future. You're looking out for yourself. It's probably not what I would be doing, given the fact that in less than two weeks or in two weeks you're starting a World Cup. Okay. You've decided to go in that direction. So be it. But at some point you have to take the position, and he has never taken the position of this is my priority. This is what I'm focused on. This is what we're doing. All of that is not important. That should be concerning. Added to that, we're only a couple of months removed from Mauricio Pochettino, taking exception with Timothy Weir, for daring to see that regular soccer fans here in the U.S.

31:53Frank Leboeuf:are being priced out of this workup. He goes on record in response to Timothy Weir saying that, to say that you need to be focused on the workup, on playing the workup. Nothing else should matter. while that is an issue now you're asking us to accept and in a vacuum i'm with jules i have no issue with him talking to clubs about post-workup in a vacuum but you cannot criticize timothy weir for daring to say that regular soccer fans are being priced out and that he's wrong for making that point and he should be focusing on the workup and then asking us to accept that well i'm talking to Milan about what's to come after the World Cup.

32:32Frank Leboeuf:Those two things don't go hand in hand. I am sorry. It is far too big a contradiction for me.

32:39Dan Thomas:Frank, that made you chuckle.

32:43No, because it's funny. You forbid somebody to do something and you allow yourself to do the same thing. That's not very nice, but that's why I was kind of laughing about the situation. But I'm with the guys. Nothing much to say. You know, just be concerned about what you have to do, what you have to achieve, because it's a big task. And don't say a word about what your future is going to be.

33:08Frank Leboeuf:You know, if I were the press officer for U.S. soccer right now, for the U.S. men's national team, I would avoid as many press conferences as I could avoid with Mauricio Pochettino. Because every time he opens his mouth, something happens. Something happens. For whatever reason, he starts talking and gets into cul-de-sacs and can't get out. He can't get out of his own way. So, look, let's limit the interactions. It's no longer a case in which you're pushing the World Cup. It's not your job to market the World Cup. The World Cup is happening regardless of whether Mauricio Pochettino is marketing or pushing the product out there or not.

33:44Frank Leboeuf:It's happening. And now the best thing that you can do as a manager for the United States is present a team that wins matches, and that will speak for itself. You do not need to give any more press conferences.

33:55Dan Thomas:Okay, let's get to the Antoni Iriola point, because you mentioned, Jules, the Football America is coming up, by the way. If you want more of this.

34:02Frank Leboeuf:Well, hey, hello. I'll be shouting some more.

34:08Dan Thomas:Hello. I'm sure there'll be a lot more time. Take that, take that. 8.30 p.m. Eastern. Yes, Jules, you mentioned Iriola to Leverkusen. And you said that he, at the time, maybe Milan, not quite yet, that Leverkusen could be a better fit for him? Because we're hearing reports out of Germany that this is going ahead. What more can you tell us?

34:29Julien Laurens:Yeah, I think it's quite well advanced between Bayer Leverkusen and who have, you know, like Spanish bosses, if she want. And Anthony Araola to take over from Kasper Hulman, who did a really good job there, taking over from Eric Ten Hag, or a decent job, let's put it that way, after missing out on pre-season and just replacing Eric Ten Hag's disaster after, what, three games in the season. And it was pretty clear from early on that Schulman was not going to be there next season. And I think in underneath Raola, they probably got the perfect guy, I think, for their project in terms of the young players that they have, the identity that they are still looking to reconnect with after the departure of Xabi Alonso.

35:12Julien Laurens:For him, it's a step up compared to Bournemouth, but it's not yet a step as big as going from Bournemouth to an FC Milan club, for example, that needs rebuilding completely from bottom to the top, really. And I think the project at Milan, certainly the one that was presented to Andoni Raola and being told, was like, listen, we need you to also pick the CEO and pick the sporting director and pick the technical director. And Andoni Raola is there looking and saying, OK, great, but I want to coach. I'm here to coach and to keep progressing as a manager. I'm a young manager here. So maybe him and Milan just were not wanting the same thing at the same time.

35:50Julien Laurens:However, him and Leverkusen, I think really right now, I want the same thing and I'm looking for the same thing. So for me, it makes sense that he decides to go for them.

35:59Dan Thomas:That would be quite the get, wouldn't it, for Leverkusen? That's good. You've got Crystal Palace in, Milan interested in this manager and it's looking like he's going to favour Leverkusen.

36:07Frank Leboeuf:It seems to me that Bayer Leverkusen are trying to rekindle some sort of Xavi Alonso fire here, some sort of vibe and juice from Ida Ola, the young Spanish manager that will bring a different set of ideas and sort of a different type of putting a team together, working with the team, developing the young players. It all seems very much rooted in, hey, this work with Xavi Alonso, who was at a similar place where Iraola was when he came to Bayer Leverkusen, it may just work with Andoni Iraola. Maybe. It is a good get for Bayer Leverkusen. I think it's a step forward for both Bayer Leverkusen and Iraola.

36:47It should work, but as we know, in this profession, it's not always a perfect match.

36:53Frank Leboeuf:This seems like a perfect match. It should work. We'll see. All right. Okay. That is my stamp of approval, right there. As good as it's going to get. As good as a stamp you'll ever get from Ali. It's more of a...

37:08Dan Thomas:It does start a little bit of a coaching carousel, which often happens when there are a number of big-name coaches out and positions going and vacancies going. and that's what we're seeing here with Arayola's name. Obviously, we've just mentioned Milan, Crystal Palace there. We're just seeing that knock-on effect of where the dominoes might land. Obviously, Pochettino's name coming into the mix here as well. So that's really interesting. Which is the one that's standing out to you, Jules, as to which person could land where?

37:36Julien Laurens:Yeah, I think it's going to be quite fascinating because as we know, Real Madrid, we know some of them, where they're going to go, but a lot of those top clubs will change managers And that's, even just for us, is very refreshing because we will start the new season with different observations to make. Because Jose Mourinho over Madrid will be an incredible story in itself. And Zomareska, who we expect to also take over Pep Guardiola, Manchester City, will be great on top of Xabi Alonso at Chelsea, for example. Then there's obviously the Italian teams where there's a lot of movement, a lot of changes.

38:10Julien Laurens:Milan, we mentioned. Napoli, of course, with Conte leaving. but Atalanta are changing managers. Lazio have changed managers. So for Milan, one of those players named, managers mentioned on that list, will be there in France for me and Frank. At Leeds, there will be a new manager, very likely to be Davide Ancelotti. At Monaco, we mentioned Philippe Luis already. At Marseille, there will be a new manager. They've just appointed a new sport leader. So everywhere, in every league, you've got some of those big clubs changing managers and some will succeed. I completely agree with Ali. Nothing he guaranteed right now.

38:43Julien Laurens:He might look great on paper, but nothing is guaranteed. Others will find him more difficult, and it will be very interesting to see who adapts how quickly and where and when and how they play. But with so many changes, it's good for us. I think it's very refreshing.

38:56Dan Thomas:It can't be worse than Eric Ten Hag to Leverkusen. That didn't last long. Not trying to jinx anybody here. Anyway, thank you so much, Jules, for being with us. We'll let you get back to your fun time on your yacht.

39:10Frank Leboeuf:Without the care. I need to put the sails. Yeah. Yep.

39:15Dan Thomas:All right. We'll see you soon, Jules. You can make a decision on which team's going to win. Whether the kids can watch the game. Oh, hey, all right. Well, there you go. Okay. Now we know who he's back. Jules is on the Gavin Jules Show. You can check it out wherever you get your podcasts.

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40:04Frank Leboeuf:This is what everyone's talking about. Everything's on the table. this is what champions come to take this is what everyone came to see no do-overs no second chances no more Mr. Nice Guy this is winner take all and it's all happening now on the home of the NBA Finals don't miss it June 3rd on ABC and the ESPN app

40:38Frank Leboeuf:Oh, oh, oh, oh. I'm not sure if this is the last one or second, the last one. But anyway, I've left Arsenal.

40:44Dan Thomas:We are told it's the last club power rankings of the season.

40:48Frank Leboeuf:We still have one more club game to go. I'm just putting that out there. Anyway, Arsenal and PSG. Are you asking for more work? No, I'm not. Well, I was hoping it was going to be the last one. Just pew. Anyway, another conversation.

40:58Dan Thomas:He's definitely got more work because it's national teams after this.

41:01Frank Leboeuf:I'm trying to get through this Villa are third kind of gave them the week that they gave them the couple of weeks they had to finish the season Liverpool, City and winning Europa League, Bayern Munich in fourth Barcelona fifth, Inter Palace are in after winning the Europa Conference League I thought it was the least they deserved kind of give them almost a couple of seasons that they had, great way to cap off their season this time around PSV and Benfica are in they finished third and 0 but they go the entire season in Portugal undefeated. They keep their position in the top ten. Even though you did not give a prediction as of yet for the Champions League, given your power rankings, are we to assume then that you feel that Arsenal is more powerful than PSG?

41:44Frank Leboeuf:Well, you have them at number one and PSG number two. But the power rankings are not a forward-looking rankings. Okay, so as of right now, you're suggesting that Arsenal is stronger than PSG according to your power rankings. Not mine, yours. Right now I'm suggesting you'll have to tune in tomorrow to find out, along with Kay, to find out who I find Z. But you will have more power rankings tomorrow? No, not tomorrow. Oh, OK. Not tomorrow. Predictions are totally separate. They don't feature the algorithm. Oh, yeah.

42:13Dan Thomas:Frank, how do we feel about his power rankings? Why are you so sad? Well, good with Ali. We already know the answer for the prediction tomorrow with Arsenal and Paris Saint-Germain. I'm very concerned about Aston Villa. I mean, okay, they won the Europa League, they finished fourth in the league, but how they can be before Bayern Munich, how they can be before Barcelona and all teams who won their own league, I'm very surprised, let's say, about Aston Villa being third. I think all the villains would be very happy about it, but I want an answer from Shaq.

42:59Frank Leboeuf:As I said, given the couple of weeks they had, they finished the season by beating Liverpool and Manchester City, and then within the Europa League. I thought that was deserving of a third-place finish. Okay. Okay. So, a top four in the Premier League, in your mind, is more impressive than winning your league in Germany. Again, what I'm saying is, given the couple of weeks of the Nepal rankings, are taking current form also into consideration. And it's a complex algorithm, I admit. It's a complex algorithm. It's a moving target is what it is, your algorithm.

43:35Dan Thomas:Is it the Nadeem Premier League goggles from yesterday?

43:38Frank Leboeuf:That algorithm changes and shifts and goes in different ways. It's complex. It's complex. It doesn't mean anything. No, it doesn't mean anything. Because Bayern Munich didn't win the league throughout a month ago. They won the league like 10 days ago. So your drench days, you know for Aston Villa doesn't doesn't work my dear Yes, but also Bayern Munich won for car last but if you want that to see it I was away for that. I know. Oh,

44:16Frank Leboeuf:boy. They won the double by the lowest in Vela. I see. All right.

44:23Dan Thomas:Okay. Checkers power rankings. You'll be happy to know. I'm going to be here all summer.

44:30Frank Leboeuf:Oh, my God. Stick around now, though.

44:35Dan Thomas:It is the end of ESPN FC, but we will be staying on to answer your questions in extra time. Frank LaBeouf joining Ale and Shaka to do so. See you over there. Welcome into the latest edition of Extra Time. Shaka and Ale are here. We've also got Frank LaBeouf joining us, too.

44:53Frank Leboeuf:Okay. You want to tell the people why you're angry at us?

44:55Dan Thomas:You left me for the Pokal final, the German Cup final. you and my Bundesliga boys and neither one of you were there

45:04Frank Leboeuf:but we had good reason

45:06Dan Thomas:I mean yeah I'm fine your family's very important and fine so is yours Shaka but so is the Pukul final

45:14Frank Leboeuf:we can't all be like Jules just dismiss our kids

45:24Dan Thomas:some fun in the main show Jules' kids in there

45:27Frank Leboeuf:he's off on his yacht all in his own Split decisions with teams. But somehow the kids are blamed for the conference. Like, well, they couldn't pick between PSG and Arsenal, so they couldn't come and watch the game. What?

45:38Julien Laurens:What?

45:39Dan Thomas:Yeah. Oh, well. A little Football Americas to start the show. Elian Shaka, if you were a player on the U.S. men's national team squad, how would you feel if you knew your manager was interviewing for other jobs while you're preparing for the World Cup? Do you think this will be a distraction for the U.S. men's national team?

45:56Frank Leboeuf:I don't think it's a distraction anymore and as Ali pointed out in the main show this has been going on for quite some time this is not new that Pochettino is talking to other clubs or two clubs about what to come next he's tried to deny it but it's nothing new I don't think anybody expected Pochettino to continue as US Men's National Team manager after the World Cup even though there was some kind of weird release a week or ten days ago about that nobody believed it So I think the players have kind of accepted it and just dealing with it as they would. And while players may accept it, let's turn this around and let's just say one of the main players for the United States, you pick one, whoever it may be.

46:44Frank Leboeuf:say for example Chris Richards who had a really good season at Crystal Palace that he was in conversation to go to a bigger club somewhere and he was in the middle of contract negotiations going on right now right now ahead of the World Cup and that he had to leave the camp for a couple of days because he had to go and either sign or take a physical whatever the circumstances may be. Would Pochettino be okay with that? Or would that be a distraction to the preparation for the team? So if it's not acceptable for the player to be doing this, then it shouldn't be acceptable for the manager to do it either.

47:19Frank Leboeuf:That's just what I'm saying. Context.

47:22Dan Thomas:Okay. Frank, with Nelmo. If I may, if I may, if I may, put myself on that conversation, I think it can create tension because players already know that Puchesino won't be there next season. So if the World Cup doesn't go well, you will have some players maybe allowing themselves to argue with the coach, argue with the way they play and why they didn't win or why this happened or that happened. So if you know that the coach might be still the same coach and therefore decide for your future in a way that he could select you or not, maybe you can keep your tongue in your mouth. But if you know that the guy is gone, if there is a little bit of problems, a little bit of tension because of a choice or a non-choice from the coach, it can go far.

48:18So it's why it's not the perfect situation. To that point, I have a feeling, looking from the outside, that the U.S.

48:27Frank Leboeuf:players have already moved on past Pochettino. And the only question becomes how much authority does he have in that dressing room if this team goes a little bit far in the tournament or they have a difficult moment. I think they've kind of moved past him and, again, whether the question is authority. And the reason I say that, during the show I mentioned Pochettino having something to say about Timothy Weir, who was advocating for the regular US fan and the cost of tickets. And Pochettino had some pretty strong ways to say about him. Timothy Weir responded by being front and center with New York Mayor Mamdani in announcing the$50 tickets for New York residents or a certain number of New York residents.

49:10Frank Leboeuf:So Timothy Weir didn't shy away from, he didn't respond to Pochettino. He actually went above and beyond and was very public in almost going against what Pochettino was saying. So that for me kind of says that Timothy Weir is done with him. Him being Pochettino. Timothy Weir is done with Pochettino. And I now question how many other players also feel the same way because, again, he's been kind of flirting with clubs for quite some time. You know, this is off topic, Zach. You know how we did the power rankings in the main show? Yeah. And I just happened to turn this. What a power rankings. Carry on.

49:53Frank Leboeuf:Well, yes. Carry on. Memorable. Yes, yes. Just as memorable as the shoes you're wearing right now. Yes, my, my. Can you please show the people and tell the people what kind of power ranking this shoe is? My red suede. Oh, hello. Front and center, baby. Oh, my God. You gotta go.

50:10Dan Thomas:I like those.

50:11Frank Leboeuf:Hello, Jack. I know why he became a goalkeeper. When you have feet like that, you know, you're talking goals.

50:22Frank Leboeuf:Man, the power ranking is strong in those. Yeah, baby. You put those in the algorithm. Oh, baby. I'm still in here.

50:28Dan Thomas:Next question Frank, with Neymar out for a few weeks due to a muscle injury, is it better for Ancelotti to call up a replacement like João Pedro or risk Neymar missing some games?

50:45It's a tough question. I will be Ancelotti according to Neymar's latest past. I would say yes. I wouldn't take any risk. I will call Jao Pedro and make sure that you have all the players 100%. Neymar is a big star. It's hard to take a decision like that because of the fans because of what he can create still on the field but i wouldn't take any risk and i would say no no no i need a full squad and i'm very sorry uh for for neymar but i have to to change

51:22Frank Leboeuf:and and take another decision maybe ancelot is just flat out a genius maybe he saw this coming And maybe he named Neymar to the initial squad and everybody went crazy. And now there were no longer stories about whether Neymar was going to the World Cup or not, which was essentially eight out of ten stories about this Brazilian national team was about Neymar and that very same question. And the fact that Ancelotti picked him, well, you no longer have to answer that question. Maybe he knew that given Neymar's recent past, there was a likelihood that within the next month, his fitness concerns were going to be an issue and they would come up.

52:05Frank Leboeuf:And if they came up, it gives you an easy out. Neymar, you cannot go because you have calf problems. João Pedro, come on now. You were my number one the whole time. Welcome to the Brazilian national team. Maybe Ancelotti is that kind of genius. When's the deadline to nail the squad, your final 26th? No, no. June 2nd. June 2nd. Oh, baby, yeah. Well, I'm all in on this conspiracy theory.

52:32Dan Thomas:OK. You know one of those magic eight balls? Yes.

52:35Frank Leboeuf:Well, here's an overall picture when it comes to Neymar and Brazil. If Brazil are depending on Neymar to be a difference maker or the difference maker for this team in the latter stages of this competition, then the issues for Brazil are much bigger and wider. He cannot be the guy and the hope of a nation. If he is, then Brazil are in trouble. I was going to... Hold on, I was just going to say... I feel the same, but I was reluctant to say it. I've been on far too many documentaries already. So I'm not going to say anything. I'm just staying off this one. Talking about Neymar. Yeah, we... Yes, I...

53:15Frank Leboeuf:In not a very positive way. I was just one of the documentaries I've been on, so I'm just, you know...

53:20Dan Thomas:But now you've said it, you've put it back out there.

53:22Frank Leboeuf:No, no, Ali said it.

53:23Dan Thomas:Yeah, but now that you've mentioned documentaries.

53:26Frank Leboeuf:I've never met him in my life.

53:27Dan Thomas:It's going to hit the algorithm.

53:28Frank Leboeuf:I've never met him in my life. Don't try to get me involved in whatever he's doing over there. I don't know him. Shaq. Very quick, you went with that finger. It's that guy. Yeah, him. Never seen him before. Like Jews with his kids. I've never seen him before in my life.

53:45Dan Thomas:Signing of the Premier League season. Frank, Semenyo, Gehi, Lamens, Xhaka, Cherky, Rufus. Anyone else?

53:57You know what, I'm hesitating between Gueye and Xhaka. Cherky had a tough start. Semino only signed for half of a season, if any, if he was absolutely fantastic. Gueye as well, half a season. Xhaka was the, I think, was the ex-fighter for Sunderland. and if Sunderland is positioned in that position at the end of the season, it's because of a guy like him, because of his leadership, his mentality, his hard work. And he suffered so much at the beginning with Arsenal, so I want to give big credit to Xhaka. This season, he was for me the best signing.

54:41Frank Leboeuf:Agreed. Grand Xhaka. Sunderland, I expect you to go down. Let's be honest. If you ask Sunderland what a good season looks like, it will be to finish 17th and stay in the Premier League. And all of a sudden, I'm playing European football next season. And I think Granit Xhaka is a big part of that. He's the best-selling of the season for me. 100 % Granit Xhaka. And Frank was just talking about it there. When he left Arsenal, it's almost as if he was left for dead in terms of the Premier League perspective. He went to Bayer Leverkusen and had the sort of success that he had at Bayer Leverkusen. and then what I thought he brought to Bayer Leverkusen and then he carried on to Sunderland is leadership, mentality, presence, maturity, things that were not part of his game when he was at Arsenal and things that he was criticized for and lacking those sort of things, those sort of intangibles.

55:36Frank Leboeuf:He brought all of that with him. So it shows you that a player may not have success early on. He goes and finds the place in which he really fits, in which he can really have the presence of a player that he wants to be, continue to grow, continue to evolve, continue to get better. And then from Bayern Leverkusen back into the Premier League, and there were no questions as to whether his lack of pace or lack of maturity or lack of leadership or lack of presence. He brought all of those things. I think Granit Xhaka in going back to Sunderland and playing the manner in which he did was outstanding.

56:08Dan Thomas:Yeah, that leadership and mentality so needed by so many clubs right now. Granit Xhaka bringing it to Sunderland. All the guys unanimous in picking Xhaka there. All right, Alonso or Dezerbi? Who's the better coach? And who's stepping into the better situation, Frank? Who will finish higher next season? Chelsea or Spurs? Are you kidding me or what?

56:37We have Spurs in our hands for like 30 years, you know? I have Spurs fans close to me as friends, you know, so I have no problem saying that. But I've seen De Zerbe doing well with Marseille, but Spurs after that. I want to believe that Xabi Alonso is a better coach than De Zerbe. Of course, he will have to prove it. De Zerbe did well at the end of the season, you know, saving Spurs. but I want to believe that Xabi Alonso, what he did with Bayer Leverkusen has proven that he can be a fantastic coach and if he has all the control, he can do very well. So I want to believe that he's going to do better than the Zerbe whispers.

57:26Okay.

57:26Dan Thomas:All right. I concur. You concur. Ale, who do you think is going to have the best World Cup campaign among these three players?

57:36Frank Leboeuf:Are you going to tell me who the three players are?

57:38Dan Thomas:I just got a message in my ear, but I'm worried now to continue. I need the producer to tell me what he just told me then.

57:43Frank Leboeuf:Okay. All right. You want me to read the play? Okay. Okay. Are you having a conversation with the producer right now? I'm having a conversation with the producer right now. What kind of secret girl? I'm a little bit concerned.

57:53Dan Thomas:He gave me a concern. When I was about to read the question, there was a concern with the fact that Xavi Simmonds is injured, so we don't need to include Xavi Simmonds here.

58:01Frank Leboeuf:Well, I wasn't going to include Xavi Simmonds anyway.

58:05Dan Thomas:And then I got worried that I hadn't hurt him properly. OK.

58:09Frank Leboeuf:Yeah, so Xavi Simons is not part of this conversation.

58:11Dan Thomas:He isn't, but Florian Verz and Duke Bellingham are.

58:13Frank Leboeuf:Yes. And I would say, actually, that in my opinion, it's Florian Verz who will have potentially the better World Cup of those two. Duke Bellingham has had an up-and-down relationship, if you can call it up-and-down, with Thomas Tuchel and what his role is with England. There's a lot of discussion about that. and as to where is he going to play, what's his best position, and whether Thomas Succo will use him in that best position, whatever that position may be. As for Florian Vert, even in the pinnacle of his struggles, reported struggles at Liverpool early on, whenever there were FIFA dates and moments and opportunities to go and play with Germany, this guy showed up on the field under Julian Nagelsmann.

58:56Frank Leboeuf:He was just balling. Da, da, da, goal. Da, da, da, goal. and you're thinking, wait, wait, wait, where is that every other weekend with Liverpool? And that is a question that I imagine Liverpool fans would be asking themselves. But come the World Cup, Florian Verst, in Germany, he's allowed to do whatever he wants in the attack. He's allowed to take positions with freedom. He can come and get the ball short if he wants to. He can go into the left-hand side if he wants to. He can go underneath. He can go on the right-hand side. He can be a playmaker or he can be in advanced positions ahead of the ball.

59:28Frank Leboeuf:He is given that freedom on Julian Nagelsmann, and it's a team that, on the attack, is very talented and has a lot of players that can interchange. Jamal Musiala, for example. And so, I find that Florian Verz will have, if it is between Duke Bellingham and Florian Verz, Florian Verz is more likely to have the better World Cup. I concur. All right, very economical today, Shaq.

59:52Dan Thomas:Frank. I concur too in a way that I agree with Ali. Florian Wurz has been very good with the Mannschaft where Jude Bellingham is having ups and downs. I think Jude Bellingham needs to be physically at 100 % to show all his talent, his energy and his skills. And so far, I didn't see that at all during the season on top of being injured. but I didn't see something sparkling from his game. So I will have to pick for the unburst. Okay. That will do it for the latest edition of Extra Time. I'm just going to go and have a conversation with the predictions. Yeah, sure.

1:00:35Frank Leboeuf:I'm sure it's going to be really exciting. Have you got any plans tonight?

1:00:40Dan Thomas:Anyway, thank you so much for sending in your questions. Make sure to tune in tomorrow if you want to get those predictions. So it's long away from the championship final from LA and Chaka.

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