Chelsea Stung by The Bees!

20:00Gab Marcotti:Obviously the Madrid derby is very special while it's worth the same number of points as a match against any other rival it definitely has that unique feel because it is a derby we are fully locked in and focused we want to give our fans and the club the kind of performance they deserve So we're going to try to give 120 % to steer the match the way we want it to go.

20:30I know Real Madrid is a major opponent. This match is crucial for the club and it is for me too. You try to approach every game the same way. With Argentine national team, the veterans taught me that. Whether it's a friendly, an official match or anything else, you try to tackle it with the same mindset. That's how we're approaching this one.

20:54Kasey Keller:All right. Well, as promised, we're going to go live to Madrid now where we have Kay Murray and Luis Garcia back in their trench coats and their jackets in Madrid. I can't believe it, but Kay, I know you do say that it drops a few degrees in the night, but the city must be feeling the heat as we get closer and closer to the big one this Sunday. Oh, absolutely. We're colour coordinated tonight. He got the memo. I've at least got a friend with me tonight, Alexis. Yes, so much to talk about with El Derby on the horizon for us. We just heard from the Atleti players there. You'll remember, Luis, that in this fixture last season, Atleti got that big win.

21:30What would they need to do to beat Real Madrid again at the Metropolitano? We try to think all the time that because they managed to get the result, yes, exactly the same. But as you know, every game is totally different. I think the most important for Atletico Madrid is that the consistency that they are trying to find stays there. That they kind of find themselves into the rhythm of the idea that Simeone is trying to build for this Atletico Madrid, new Atletico Madrid, because we've seen a lot of different 11s. Now Grimaldo looks like he's going to be involved more on the left, so that's important.

22:04At the park, some players that they have changed also. Julian Alvarez, we are waiting to see if he's going to be able to play. Hulman into the middle of the park. So there are a lot of different positions where there have been new players, and those players need to understand what this game is all about, what Simeone wants them to be delivered at this kind of situation. And the most important is that they believe that they can do it. Last year, I think that was the feeling into the field. We were there, we were watching them, and we could see that Atletico Madrid went into the field, just ready to trash and to overplay Real Madrid from the first minute, and that's what they did.

22:39So let's talk about Julian Alvarez, because he's been in training, he's trying to get back for the game, and the thought is that he'll be ready and he'll be available to play the game. Atleti have just had two big wins behind them, 3-0 against Real Sociedad, then 4-0 midweek against Ossesuna. He wasn't involved in those games. What does Simeone do if he is ready to play? It's a good call. It's a very good call. I think that at the moment, because of the situation, that Julio Alvarez has been involved with the crowd, I think that Simeone knows that the crowd is going to be very important in this game.

23:12Maybe introducing Julián Alvarez is important also for the team because he's one of the best players. Maybe he's coming from an injury. That's something that has to be a concern. But I think the most important is psychologically. I think that Simeone understands that having Julián Alvarez into the field is not probably the best situation, the best feeling for an atmosphere that you want to create a hostile for the opponent. And so we'll have to wait and see. Of course, we are not inside the dressing room. We don't know the latest news of how Julián Álvarez is feeling. But the way Desimione tried to build these kind of games where atmosphere, team mentality is very important, bringing Julián Álvarez, I'm not sure if he's going to be the best thing to do in this kind of occasion.

23:59Interesting. Definitely had some extra intrigue. On the Madrid side of things, we've got to talk a little bit about Jan Diamande because we saw him putting his second start for Real Madrid midweek against Elche. But the player's journey in the capital of Spain started well before that record-breaking move to Madrid. His La Liga journey began at Leganes in the southwest of the city. And it's the story behind our latest bicycle diaries. There are players whose lives are changed by a single game. Games that build legends. that launch careers. What makes our story so unique is that it wasn't even an official game, but its impact was unmatched.

24:58It happened in Leganese, a team fighting relegation, with just 10 games left and and desperately searching for hope.

25:16That's where an 18-year-old from the reserve team named Jan Diomande stepped up.

25:29They say the hard drive that held the footage was lost, And yet, two years later, the memories are still vivid.

26:03So unique that he's getting to the ground. Until he reached the 15 minute. He was not in the middle of the field. He controlled the ball, he got to the ground. But this time, instead of centering or cutting, he hit him with the turd. He was silent in the stadium.

26:24I remember when the teammates were down. I thought, this guy has something different. So unique that his game lasted just 45 minutes.

27:00European region. Why? Because he has that ability to dismantle a defensive system. So they are players who mark the difference. Four days later, he debut in Bernabéu and the rest is history. From Leganes to Real Madrid with a stop in Leipzig, the most expensive signing in Los Blancos history, who started all by playing a game that exists only in the memory of the few who were there to see it. this is the Bicycle Diaries see you on the next journey

27:36great stuff from Martin and quite the story as well yes, Yandere Monday now at Real Madrid and it's been seen as his best display so far for Real Madrid in that game against Delce however, it looks as though it will be a spot on the bench for El Derby with Jude Bellingham coming back into the side we're going to be seeing Mbappe, Vinny, Bellingham and Gouler in Madrid's attack, aren't we? Yeah, there are rumours around here, around in Madrid, but I have to say that I've been impressed with him. We've been watching him at the World Cup. We saw the transfer, the big transfer to arrive to Real Madrid.

28:14And in the last couple of games, I've been really impressed because we don't see any more this kind of player. We don't see this kind of player with that ability to beat players on 1v1, with that strength, the power, going against two defenders and pass them quite easily, looking for the right decision in the last year. Something that on this day we don't see them anymore. We are used to the players who run a lot, who fight a lot, who defend. The other day, Jan Diomande was defending, was attacking, was beating players on 1v1. A couple of times he made good crosses, but the Real Madrid player didn't understand what he was doing.

28:52So I think we are on the edge to see an explosion of a player. And I will surprise him if he doesn't have a lot of minutes in the derby. Do you think he should start? And if so, who would it be over? If I was me, if I was me and I want to make an impact and try to break Atletico Madrid's atmosphere, I will do it. because right now Real Madrid is relying a lot on Vinicius and Mbappe and Juve Bellingham goes to that left side. So the right side is kind of a little bit for Kiven. So Diomande instead of Gouler? I would do that. You'd do that? Yeah, I would do that. I would put a good and strong midfield, probably with Juve Bellingham behind, and I would put Diomande because that's going to give a big worry for Atletico Madrid.

29:39And if Atletico Madrid is still thinking that they can play with three and Grimaldi, that win back on the left. Space there, who is going to stop this kid? Because right now, I don't see players who can stop them if you don't double up, if you don't put two players with an eye on them. Well, wow, we are on the subject of unstoppable. That's just how Barcelona seem right now. They'll be taking on Sevilla away from home tomorrow. Sevilla have had a good start themselves, just one loss in six games so far. It's been a great start for them. But look at Barcelona's results, winning all of their games and scoring an average of over four goals per game.

30:15How many goals are they putting past Sevilla tomorrow, Luis? Well, actually, Sevilla is growing. It's a team that is doing better and better. And I think that it will put a good stop to this Barcelona side. But I don't see a team right now in the league who can stop this Barcelona of scoring goals. We might see because Barcelona is still making mistakes, still being exposed in some occasions. I think they are better than last year with that high light, with that high press and high intensity. But the amount of quality and talent that they got from, not only on the 11 starters, but also waiting on the bench is crazy.

30:54And Hansen Flake is doing so much well, so good with the rotation. He's giving opportunity to different players. So everyone in the group is feeling important. And I think that's going to be very good for the team. So I don't see Sevilla stopping Barcelona for scoring another three or four, yeah. Three, four, five? Three, four, I think it would be, I mean, we are getting used to this four. It's not easy to score four goals, but I think that right now Barcelona can score four against Sevilla easily, yeah. Yeah, it looks like it's easy for Barcelona right now. We'll see if it can continue.

31:24Kasey Keller:Alexis, I'll send it back to you. Thanks so much, guys. Hope you enjoy the Madrid weather for us indeed. All right, well, let's just remind everyone that it is a big weekend in La Liga coming up on our networks. Barcelona, how much will they score against Sevilla that game Saturday? And then the big one, El Derby Madrileño, Atletico Madrid hosting Real Madrid. Cholo Simeone against Jose Mourinho, Sunday, 10 a.m. Eastern Time on ESPN2. This message is brought to you by Apple Card. With Apple Card, you earn unlimited daily cash back on everyday purchases, like groceries, merch, or tickets to the game.

32:05Plus, it can be used anywhere MasterCard is accepted. No matter your team, no matter where you shop, AppleCard is here to help you tackle game day. Apply in the Wallet app on your iPhone today. Subject to credit approval, AppleCard is issued by Goldman Sachs Bank USA Salt Lake City Branch. Terms and more at AppleCard.com. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. No two football players are exactly alike, and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gets to know you, so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

32:48Kasey Keller:Bayern Munich took on Union Berlin in the Bundesliga, and it was seventh heaven for the Bavarians. Harry Kane broke the record for the fastest player to reach 100 Bundesliga goals as he managed to score a brace, But it was Michael Olisse who got his first Bundesliga hat-trick as Bayern won 7-0. But Frank, oh my days, what an absolute dismantling. But before I go to you, Frank, let me just come to Xhaka. Because Xhaka, yesterday, in your power rankings, you had Bayern in number 7. And now they got 7 goals to see and 7 reasons to see if they can make a case to go higher up, Xhaka. Well, clearly, clearly I upset everybody in Munich, apparently.

33:30that's what it is. Listen, Bayern were down in seven. They drew their opening game against Schalke and when it's this early in the season and everybody's won, it's kind of tough. But we know exactly how good Bayern can be. They showed it against Union Berlin. So now you'll have to tune in next week to see where they are in the power rankings.

33:53Kasey Keller:Where they are in the power rankings indeed. Alright, so 7-0 Stevie. Any issues with running up the score like this? We've been talking about it with Barcelona, you of course don't have any issues.

34:02Gab Marcotti:Running up the score, if you can score 20, score 20. That's nonsense about running up the score. No. Yeah. You're actually doing a disservice to the opposition by taking it easy. And actually what happens is when you start taking it easy and getting complacent, number one, the opposition can get close to you to kick you and then of course, somebody ends up getting injured. So no, you score as many as you can from the first whistle to the last whistle regardless.

34:34Kasey Keller:Frank, you sound like you agree. I do agree. I followed Mourinho's documentary when he thanks another coach because the coach took it easy for Mourinho's team to not concede because they were under one or two men to not concede too many goals. But it's disrespectful to the fans. It's disrespectful to the football and it is disrespectful towards your opponent. Tonight, Bayern Munich players, they show professionalism towards the club, the fans, and the opponent. You respect the opponent by playing seriously. When you run out a game, you show laziness for me, unprofessionalism, and that's against football.

35:23So if you have to score 20 goals, you scored 20 goals. I remember playing against Azerbaijan and we won 10-0, I think. And we played seriously and we respected the opponent. It wasn't to tease. It was to play football.

35:41Kasey Keller:Well, somebody who plays football so beautifully, Frank, is one of your boys in Michael Olisse. I know I mentioned Harry Kane's record, but Michael Olisse, the one getting the hat trick in this one, plus an assist, just he is so good to watch. He's a different class. I mean, with the style, everything is perfect. The haircut, I mean, how he put the shorts down. I mean, everything is perfect. I mean, the guy doesn't do anything wrong. And it's a pity that for France, we lost it, I think, starting a little bit against Paraguay. And after the semi-final, we didn't see him because he's such a talented player.

36:19I mean, you go to stadiums to watch a player like that because he's classy, he's efficient, he's fast, he's technical, and his involvement into the game is unique. So I love those type of players, and I'm ready to pay to see a player like that playing. It's absolutely fantastic.

36:40Kasey Keller:Absolutely fantastic. But we do know that Michael Olisse is not one for interviews, and someone who you would think wouldn't be one for interviews, Xhaka, is the goalkeeper for Union Berlin after an absolute thrashing like this. But Shaq, he was the first one that they went to interview in the post-match interview. If you're in his position, what can you even say? It's not a lot to say. It's not a lot to say on the day. And let's be honest, Steve maybe criticised him for his seventh goal, but at this point, you've got all this stuff knocked out of here by a very good Bayern Munich team. I'm not sure what you say in that circumstance.

37:14You just kind of take it on your chin. No, this isn't how your season is going to be judged. What happens against Bayern Munich, even at home? And you move on. You just hope to maintain some dignity about you and recognize that, yeah, it'll be easier games in the not-too-distant future.

37:34Kasey Keller:Just sit in silence all the way home? Yeah, I'll just go home. Just try to forget my Friday as quickly as possible. Just get seven hours of sleep, too. Yeah, all right. Are we exactly saying we just go in seventh heaven? In seventh heaven. In seventh heaven. Ha, ha, ha, ha. All right. Well, if you ever miss any of our content, you can find it over on our YouTube page. And while you're there, hit that subscribe button.

37:58Kasey Keller:All right, guys, shall we talk about Manchester United still? You tell me, should we? I mean, we're going to talk about Manchester United. If you have a look at the results so far this season, I mean, they left a lot to be desired. So you would think that there's some heat on Michael Carrick. But let's hear from him in his latest pre-match presser about how he's actually not feeling the heat just yet. It's not a catastrophe or a disaster, it's not the end of the world. We're not in a place where we've gone on an awful long run of horrific results. In terms of future and ownership and how long I've got in the job, that's just totally not in, I think, in one part of it.

38:37How long have I got? It's ridiculous to think that way in a position that I'm in.

38:43Gab Marcotti:That's just not on the radar. I understand what we need to achieve and where we need to be as a football club for the owners, what they expect, for the supporters as much as anything, if not more importantly for me, what they expect and what they want to see. I get all that, I get all that. It's two or three games that we haven't had certain results and two or three games too many because I really hate losing. But that doesn't mean that the world caves in. Michael, you speak about not feeling the pressure, but when you're walking off with the players on Wednesday night and the Streatford Ends chanting what it's chanting, That must hurt on a personal level.

39:19Gab Marcotti:We don't like losing football matches. It's not that I don't feel the emotion of losing football matches, but it doesn't affect how I think about what we need to do next. I think that's the most important thing. You don't feel you need to show more emotion? I need to show more emotion. In what way? Sorry? Some fans maybe want to see that. In what way? I don't know. Sometimes they want to see more emotion. I have a mask. What do you want me to show?

39:52Kasey Keller:All right, so not a catastrophe just yet, says Michael Carrick. And if we have a look at the predictions for what our Mark Ogden says is going to be a must-win game for the Red Devils against Fulham this weekend, nobody, well, nobody in actual, well, Frank's laughing, but nobody at least is going for a win for either side because they have left a lot to be desired. Fulham is a whole other story in and of itself. But Frank, you were chuckling a little bit through what Michael Carrick was saying. Because I love the temper. I love the guy. And I think what he did for Manchester United, when he signed, was exceptional.

40:30And he deserved to have the job. And he's right to say that he's not in the radar and doesn't feel the pressure because he only lost two or three games. and comparing to what he's done before, I think in the balance, he doesn't really count. And he doesn't want to show emotion. I mean, maybe you don't know what happened in the dressing room because maybe he got mad, he got crazy, but he doesn't have to share it with the media. What happens in the dressing room stays in the dressing room and you can be fuming the player when you get out. It's none of anybody's business because you don't have to express everything you do and everything you said to the players because that's why you've been named because you know your job.

41:23He knows his job and many things have to stay secret.

41:28Kasey Keller:CV, we hear so many times, of course, and we've talked about it on the show, how everyone has said that probably the caliber of players on Manchester United right now is not quite at the level that should turn out or even to be good enough to challenge for the title right now. But that was also the case last season. Yet Michael Carrick was able to get a better reaction and performance out of them. So what's not quite translating now to this season?

41:53Gab Marcotti:Do you know, the biggest thing is the expectation changed. When there's no expectation, it's a lot easier to go out and play football. it's a lot easier when you come into a club and it's floundering you can't win a game everybody's on a downer and then you get things rolling and then you get on a run and then you're only playing once a week I mean I cannot tell you how important that was for Michael Carrick and United last year that they played one game, one game a week and you get all week to prepare that the majority of other teams weren't getting that was huge but what's changed significantly is the expectation.

42:36Gab Marcotti:So that now, after what, four games, he's having to deal with questions like that. That's the difference. When there's no expectation and you're doing well, everyone in the garden is lovely, you're doing a fantastic job, magic. But as you said, you can't expect Michael Carrick to turn Minsk Mead into New York strip, and that's what he's trying to do. But at the end of the day, if he keeps losing, it will start piling up. And I agree with Frank. I like his demeanour there. He's shown it as if he's not bothered.

43:06Kasey Keller:You don't feel he needs more passion, I guess publicly.

43:09Gab Marcotti:Listen, you be the way you are. He was like that when they were winning. And he's like this right now when things are not going well. That's exactly what you want. You want to know exactly your managers on an even keel regardless. But if you think for one second, when he gets in his car and drives home, he's not feeling it. He's absolutely feeling it. Shaq? Listen, I think there's a lot wrong with this Manchester United. A lot for Michael Carrick to get right.

43:36Kasey Keller:You remind me every day. Happily, happily, I do so. He does. We'll continue to as well. Yeah. Listen, but as far as Michael Carrick goes, I don't think he's under any pressure yet. They stuck out longer with Ten Hag when things weren't going well. They stuck it out longer with Amarim when things were going well. well, Karik has at least earned a little bit more loyalty than this. And we'll see what happens over the weekend, but we'll speculate for the next two or three weeks. That's what we do. But I don't think that that fairly reflects maybe the conversations he's having or should be having with his ownership group at the same time.

44:17Manchester United, let me put this in perspective. So we had Phil Jones on yesterday, former Manchester United Phil Jones, who made the point that Manchester United are missing Casemiro, who is well past his sell-by date, one of the best midfielders of a generation. But I don't think he was great enough at that level. But he makes the point that Manchester United are missing Casemiro and Dogu. Who said that before? And I think that kind of puts things in perspective as to where Manchester United are right now. I will say, I do think Manchester United are missing Armand Diallo like no other. Because even as you look at this squad, there is nobody with the skill set of Diallo.

45:06Nobody who plays the game unpredictably and takes on defenders and runs of people. So Manchester United, without Amadiello, have a fairly expected feel about them. Listen, you know Mbwemo and Cunha and what they're good at and how they're going to get at you. But there's nothing unexpected about the way that Manchester United approaches the game right now. And I feel, as a result, Manchester United have become easier to contend with. I compare that to the second half of last season when Carrick comes back in and starts bringing players in. Getting the best of it, getting a performance out of Manu, who was not featuring before that.

45:52Sesko was outstanding back in every season. Now he's not performing. So there's a lot that just somehow has not clicked this time around that worked so well for Micah Carrick back in the last season.

46:06Kasey Keller:Right, shall we move on from Manchester United? No, let's keep going. I'm enjoying this. For my mental health. It's been a long week, guys. It's been a long week. Let's talk about Brighton and Arsenal, who have been enjoying good weeks, shall we? They are on in action tomorrow. But, Frank, everybody has gone for an Arsenal win, except for you. You have the Gunners dropping points in this one. Why? Because the others are boring, you know. At some point, you know, you have to move on. No, but first you have to respect Brighton. I mean, I'm sorry. Brighton right now, hard to play. And you know that very well by experience.

46:43But at Arsenal, they're not going to win every game. They're going to play away from home in Brighton, at Brighton, sorry, and drawing there. That's not a fall, I would say. It's a decent result to draw. Now we'll see how they draw. But I really think, yeah, they might draw. So they might win, of course, but they might draw.

47:08Kasey Keller:Cutting-edge analysis there. Respect Brighton

47:11Gab Marcotti:Let me get this right So they might win Lose or draw Yeah Fair enough That's exactly right Fair enough Can't argue with that

47:22Kasey Keller:Alright well don't forget ESPN FC will be on Again tomorrow Looking back at all of the action We might be on Or we'll be on We might be on Or we won't be on We might be on tomorrow Or we'll be on tomorrow And if we're not on We're off But we'll actually be on Looking back at all The Premier League action And counting down to the Madrid Derby on Sunday.

48:09USA Salt Lake City branch terms and more at applecard.com. This episode is brought to you by State Farm. No two football players are exactly alike and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gets to know you so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.

48:35Kasey Keller:All right. Well, that's going to do it for this edition of ESPN FC. We're going to laugh some more, though, and talk about goalkeeper howlers. Let's talk about Manchester United. Yay! Extra time is next. Please know more questions about Manchester United.

48:54Kasey Keller:Welcome into Extra Time, everyone. Alexis Nunes here with Shaka Hisslop and Stevie Nichol alongside Frank Leboeuf. I was just looking at the questions and making sure there weren't any Manchester United ones, and I seem to be okay for now. Can I say something, Alexis? I didn't know that Shaka, when he's upset, could have his voice going so high. That's very nice. Usually when he's trying to defend goalkeepers and finds out he doesn't have a leg. It's been a tough day, Frank, for the goalkeepers. And then Steve just blaming goalies for no reason. Oh, gosh. All right, well, remember when I told you...

49:32Kasey Keller:Well, no reason? Yeah, of course. I'm the basketball. It's a reason. Remember when I told you that Brentford finally got a home win over Chelsea for the first time since 1938? And Stevie Nichol happened to be around the last time Brentford did that. Well, we have some footage of Stevie back in the season.

49:52Gab Marcotti:That was 1932.

49:58Kasey Keller:CD, explain to us these pictures because I picked you wrong. Oh, look at that, Barney.

50:03Gab Marcotti:Look at that here. Well, I'll tell you what, that team had the 50-year reunion in Scotland last weekend. Unfortunately, I couldn't go.

50:11Kasey Keller:Why?

50:13Gab Marcotti:Because I was here.

50:14Kasey Keller:But I'm sure our bosses would have let you go knowing it was such a monumental occasion.

50:19Gab Marcotti:It was my daughter's 40th birthday as well. Oh, okay. And because of the second picture, because that was rugby, that was a rugby team. Oh. So there was two or three of the boys in the rugby team was also played in the football team, the soccer team when we were younger. And so they sent that picture in. We were 10 years old. Oh, man.

50:40Kasey Keller:In 1938? Wow.

50:41Gab Marcotti:Yeah, 10 years old. Yep. Oh, man. I'm very surprised at the pictures. I'm very surprised that that pitcher is in color I know You're the first one No, yeah

50:58Kasey Keller:I love it, we're never going to stop Alright, well, Misery Does Love Company And Shaka, the first question is for you And it's about goalkeepers Shaka's a former goalkeeper Should you always come out to punch on corners? What did you think about Martinez? Well, the short answer to the first part Anthony's question is no. You have to see where the ball is. You can't just decide you're coming around.

51:21Gab Marcotti:Jordan Henderson sent that question. Yeah. What was that? I didn't get that. What was Emi Martinez supposed to do there? Nothing. Deep last post cross. Headed back across goal. Anthony heading from two yards out. Three defenders around him. What's the goal he's supposed to do there? He was five yards past the far post. How was he meant to get that? I have absolutely no idea. None.

51:45Kasey Keller:It's just one of those things where you have to look upset and do something, you know, after you concede. Well, maybe. I'm not sure. I'm not sure. Go on, Frank. I'm not sure that Anderson and Emiliano Martinez were, how do you say, fighting against each other in a way. Yeah, because I think it was more Anderson asking why the guy was alone or why nobody, It wasn't maybe a foul from the jump, from the guy who made the assist. I think it was more asking to Emiliano Martinez what happened. But not really why he didn't express any anger. I don't think so.

52:29Gab Marcotti:Never ask a goalie what happened. I thought it looked a little animated. So one or two things. Either, I don't know what Henderson was thinking, why he's blaming Emi Martinez there. Or the only other option to this is that he's kind of scapegoating Emi Martinez because he knows he can take the criticism unfairly and maybe in an effort to protect the other players who were more at fault. That's the only... But then one of those players is Welbeck. If Welbeck can't take criticism at this point in his career, you know, he's been there, done it, seen it all. So I just don't get it.

53:10Kasey Keller:If only we knew someone who knew Jordan Henderson very well. And we do. Natham Anoua. We'll get Natham to ask you, maybe. Yeah, Natham. We have to wait for City to smash somebody. And then bring Natham on. And then bring Natham on. When he's happy. All right, next question is for Frank and about Chelsea. Frank, Chelsea's lack of midfield depth was heavily exposed today. Without Caicedo and James in the central midfield positions, there's not enough intensity to win the ball back. With the loss of Fernandes in the summer, who would you like to see brought in to reinforce the midfield?

53:47I think it's pretty harsh to Barco and Anderson. I think they're very good midfielders. And I think if they keep on playing because of the injuries of Caicedo and James, they can settle down and be good enough for Chelsea. I mean, they showed in the past, and I saw Barco playing for Strasbourg, of course, in a different league, in a different level. But the guy is part of the Argentinian national team, so he has proven that he has the talent to play for Chelsea. So I'm not very concerned about that. That was one game, and I wasn't...

54:28I didn't feel that it was because of the middle and the midfielders that we were in danger. That's more defensively.

54:36Kasey Keller:Do you agree, Stevie? No concerns midfield?

54:40Gab Marcotti:No.

54:40Kasey Keller:You think there are concerns in them at midfield? Aye, absolutely. Yeah, I mean, you know, for me, when you lose a goal, the guts of your team is the one that has to go around everybody, particularly Henderson.

54:55Gab Marcotti:and unfortunately it would look as though that Barker isn't ready quite yet to be starting at midfield because I don't really remember him particularly impressing on any part of the game you know, it wasn't like even though he's only saying hi to his Dan it wasn't like he's passing it wasn't like his passing's incredible he certainly doesn't scare you physically I don't know how quick he gets around the ground because it didn't look today as though he was quick so I'm not sure what his strength was certainly I never saw any strength today and Henderson did okay but when I'm looking for a response I want the middle of the field to be as strong as any other part and the middle of the field for me is the part of the team that has to drive everybody forward whether it's getting the ball or whether it's stopping the opposition.

55:58Gab Marcotti:And I didn't really see that. Certainly in the second half, I didn't. So Chelsea have concerns in midfield. They've been awful at the back and they don't look like they're going to score a goal. Aside from that, they look a top four team.

56:10Kasey Keller:Some would argue top three. Aside from that. I was just Googling to see how tall Barco really is. He's 5 '7". That's a bit tall for Dan. I'm 5 '6.5". What is that? Come on. I played with I played with Denis Wise. I think Xhaka played with Batty. I'm not sure. They weren't that tall, but they were wires and you needed those guys, you know, those crazy guys in the middle of the park. Baku has to be a little bit more nastier, I would say.

56:44Gab Marcotti:Well, yeah, and I was just going to say that. I mean, Denis was a nasty little you-know-what. And every other player you mentioned had one thing that stood out that they were the masters of. Unfortunately, Bako is only young. I was going to say, he's only 22. Yeah, he's only 22, but when we watch the game, we can only go on that. We can't give everybody a pass. At the end of the day, there was nothing, none of that was there.

57:12Kasey Keller:Alright, next question, shall we? And it's for Stevie. Stevie, Mauricio Pochettino has called up eight teenagers for the international break, including a 16-year-old and two 17-year-olds. How might having that many young players change the team dynamic, especially for the veterans?

57:32Gab Marcotti:Well, it depends if they're any good.

57:34Kasey Keller:We'll have Kevin Sullivan, who probably is the biggest name of the young ones, and he's enjoying quite a good time with the union.

57:40Gab Marcotti:He's bringing them in to have a look at them, see what they're made of.

57:43Kasey Keller:So it pressures up. See their personality, see how they handle it.

57:50Gab Marcotti:I mean, they're there for so many reasons. And probably the main reason they're not there is to start. So, yeah, as an experienced player, it's great to see young guys coming along. And it kind of peps you up.

58:08Kasey Keller:Yeah. Because you want them to be good.

58:11Gab Marcotti:You want to see them being good. But you want to help them as well if you can. And so, yeah, I mean, as long as he's not going to rely on them from the word go, then you can't lose. You can't lose. I will also...

58:27Kasey Keller:Yes, Football America. I would also like to let the armchair footballer know that you can see this dissected wonderfully by Hook and Jeff Carlisle on Football America. I was just along for the ride. A new episode. That was our entire A segment. So please definitely check it out right now. I don't know what was happening, but Jeff and Hook. Shaka spoke beautifully about Kevin Sullivan and Xavier Goso. They feel like they're ready for the big time. Watch it. All right. Next question for Shaka. What? Shaka. In an earlier extra time, you assured Mario that you never used excuses to go out because you just didn't go out.

59:03Kasey Keller:That's right. Yet in another extra time, you recalled us tales of going out with Tino Asperia. in Newcastle. No, I didn't go. I've never worked out with Tino. So wait, hang on. So which isn't Neil? Not the first name. Not the government name. So which isn't Neil? And what are you hiding from us? I did not go with Tino. I never told a last story. Shaka, plead the fifth. I plead the fifth. I knew this was coming. I have been advised by my lord. I shall plead the fifth. I will not. I don't remember going out. I don't remember ever going out. Newcastle is such a great city to go out in, Shaq. So I've heard, Alexis.

59:48So I've heard. You told me that. No, no, no, no.

59:51Gab Marcotti:Here's the thing. I would understand if you said, I don't remember coming in. As opposed to going out. But I don't remember going out.

59:59Kasey Keller:It's the next level. I don't think any of us had hit. I don't remember ever going out to Newcastle. Not once. Not even for dinner. That carried on a little later. I didn't deliver. I didn't deliver. but got it, got it, Uber Eats, or there are other delivery apps available. Mm-hmm. And we'll leave it at that. We'll leave it at that. Final question. No team has conceded more goals so far than Chelsea. Is playing three centre-backs now outdated? Could that be the reason Liverpool wasn't interested in Xabi Alonso? Frank, what do you think? This is your area.

1:00:39That's possible, yeah. But I think at some point Xabi Alonso won't be stubborn. If it doesn't work, I think he will have to change. And right now, it doesn't work. I think you would rather play with Caldwell and Latrois as centre-backs and play two full-backs and see how it works. Because it doesn't work. Is it because of that, that Liverpool didn't get Xabi Alonso? it seemed to be that they'd never been interested. And we talked about with Stevie last season that they never wanted him. I don't know the reason why. Maybe Stevie knows that now, but I don't know why. It was an obvious choice for me.

1:01:22I've always been surprised. I've been surprised when they decided to not get him. So maybe Stevie knows better.

1:01:29Kasey Keller:Stevie, why didn't you guys want him? Liverpool legend.

1:01:32Gab Marcotti:The only thing I heard was that it was to do with data.

1:01:36Kasey Keller:Data? do?

1:01:37Gab Marcotti:Well, Liverpool is, you know, you know, FSG, obviously we know were with the Boston Red Sox and all data. And they brought that to Liverpool. And let's be honest, it hasn't done them too badly. Since they come to Liverpool, they haven't done too badly. Let's be honest. That would be the only thing I can say about that. In terms of the three centre-backs, it should be, the way you set up my opinion should be about what you have available in terms of the players you have. I would say that Fafana absolutely is not comfortable playing on the right-hand side of a three. And so if you've got one of the three who isn't sure what he's up to, that completely affects everybody.

1:02:25Gab Marcotti:It affects the two at the side of them and it affects the two wide guys as well. So you have to set up depending on what players you have available. you can't you can't sometimes you can get away with shoehorning people in for a game or two if you have injuries or something but if you're putting the wrong the wrong pegs in the wrong shape of hole then you're going to lose goals and right now they're shipping lots

1:02:53Kasey Keller:alright that's it that's it for extra time that's it no Man United questions no Man United questions that's a shame couple goalkeeper questions there Shaq I'm going home I'm not going out Oh, Stevie, Stevie, have you seen that Zizou took Jacquet for his first cap with France?

1:03:12Gab Marcotti:Good, good. Yeah, I've been... The Liverpool player. Yeah, I've been quietly impressed. I mean, he's still young, but he's... He deserves the chance. He's been better. He's been better so far this year than anything Canati did over the last 18 months. And he's only 20, I think, Frank. Is that right? Yeah, yeah, something like that. Yeah, I'm sorry. I'm not sure. Yeah, very young, very young. Glad to hear it.

1:03:41Kasey Keller:All right, we're going to go out with Shaka now. No, no, I'm not going out. Shaka's going to take us out on the town, the mean streets of Connecticut, USA. But be sure to join us again tomorrow on ESPN FC, where Shaka will be back. Shaka, you'll be back for this. I'm here tomorrow. Yes, I will. Shaka's here tomorrow.

1:04:04This episode is brought to you by State Farm. No two football players are exactly alike, and the same is true off the field. That's why State Farm gets to know you, so they can help personalize coverage for your life and budget. Like a good neighbor, State Farm is there.