Isak Undergoes Surgery

0:28So good, so good, so good. Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas. I'm a Shaka Hisslop here in the studio. We also welcome to the programme Mario Melchior is with us, as is Nader Manua, as we kick things off. Should we see them? Nah, don't bother. That's fair enough. We'll start off. No one wants to see those faces anyway. We'll start off with news of Alexander Izak's injury. We heard rumours that he broke his leg. That was confirmed today by Liverpool. After diagnosis, an operation was completed today on an ankle injury that included a fibular fracture. Ezek's rehabilitation will now continue at the AXA training centre with no time frame yet placed on his return.

1:11Mario and Nadim are indeed with us, but I want to start with you, Shaq, because you suffered this exact injury. Pretty much. We're talking about comebacks. How long did it take you to return? I played six months after breaking my leg, but I came back too early. So with mine, and I guess we're still waiting on the exact details of Alexander Isaacs, mine was a couple inches above the ankle, had a plate put in to stabilize the fibula, but I also tore the ligaments on the inside of my ankle. So that had to be stitched. This was in February 2000, I broke my leg. I came back and played the first game of the following season, away to Chelsea-Stanford Bridge.

1:49I'm running across the box as I do warming up, and my ankle would just give out every so often, randomly. I wasn't used to you running. Well, maybe that was it. But the thing is, six months after the operation, I still wasn't ready to come back. I really shouldn't have been playing. So now we talk about this with Alexander Izak, and while granted, we are talking about 26 years of advancing in the medical technology, you just wonder, well, they may put a shorter time frame on this. will he really be back to his full fitness back to who he having full confidence in that ankle Natham there's no way of sugarcoating it's an absolute disaster for him in what has been a really horrible few months yeah that's exactly right and I think Xhaka saying they're trying to get him back to his best well I think as far as his time in Liverpool shirt goals he hasn't been there obviously it's been for different reasons whether it's to do with the pre-season or early injuries as well but it's a nightmare start you know and having his leg or his ankle being broken as such, that's so unfortunate as well.

2:57I think the rehab, as Shaq has said, is going to be really, really tough, but they just need to make sure that it's right because, yes, there could be an idea for Izak and others to try and get him back as soon as possible because he wants to try and leave his mark at the football club, but it's got to be right, it has to be right, otherwise these type of things become chronic and as a consequence, you probably won't be able to see the value of, in a way, essentially the highest-priced player in the history of the Premier League. But like I say, it's a real shame for him And unfortunately, things like this do happen within football.

3:23I don't think there's much malice, if any malice at all, in the tackle. But, you know, he's going to be out for a good few months now and it's going to be tough for him. Yeah. Mario, the irony, of course, is that he scored a great goal to give Liverpool the advantage in the game. And yet he's out now, as Xhaka said, probably for six to seven months. Yeah, it's sad. You know, like the moment when it happened, you understand? Because, you know, if you look at the situation, and he had that strike and you're thinking like, okay, this is a perfect timing for him and see, like, make him grow. And then he gets that injury.

3:56You know what the worst part is I think about this injury is that during the time frame when it happened, he was already trying to catch up and trying to get himself back to the level that he wanted to be to bring his confidence back. And then you get this thing back. It's just like mentally, and I think it's going to be a very important moment, a time frame actually, how he comes back. But it's not only the leg that he has to fix. is also the mindset and saying like a making sure that he's 100 i don't want him to come back before he's 100 because he's just gonna hurt himself if he doesn't do that so what does this mean for going forward we saw Salah score today for Egypt made him does it mean there is absolutely no way you can get rid of him in January because you need numbers within this squad wow that's um that's a really good question i think perhaps that is the case as such but you don't necessarily want to be holding players hostage if they don't want to be there because that could in itself could have a bigger effect i think we look at liverpool in the summer and you know there was obviously the passing of uh diogo jota but then they also let down with nunez go and come the start of the season it felt like they were a little bit light so maybe there is some idea of you know trying to move people and if they feel that that's the right move for that individual and for the football club but yeah as i say maybe this is going to be a blessing for more salah as such although you know essentially he plays on that right side by himself anyway so i don't think it's going to be almost a like-for-like issue as such.

5:17But, yeah, it does cause another issue for what has been a very, very sort of like turbulent season for Liverpool so far. But I think Salah would have stayed anyway, to be honest. But I guess this might just confirm that. Do you agree, Shaq? Yeah, I don't think, I don't see how you let more Salah go now. And listen, Liverpool, I'm sure, will be linked and have been linked with strikers already in terms of making a move in January. That won't stop. That'll be escalated, as a matter of fact. But as of right now, given the injuries to Gagpo as well, the only warm bodies you've got, other than TK, is Keiza and Young Rio.

5:51Neither of whom have started a game this season. Premier League game anyway. So you're now looking for experience and proven quality at this level. And again, unless something amazing happens during the course of the January transfer window, I don't see how you let Mo Salah go at this point. Inevitably, there are rumours, Marius, who could come in. Certainly not a like-for-like replacement, but someone like Semenya, of course, has been so good this season for Bournemouth. Yeah, no, definitely. Look, if you want a forward that has the drive, the confidence, his team, he plays well. I know it's a step up because people forget that sometimes when you go on a step up, it's a different kind of level that you're playing at.

6:31But still, he's got everything, you understand, as a player. He's confident, he's strong enough, he's got the pace and the understanding of how the score goes. And I think, you know, what the guys already highlighted, you know, the Salah situation, I think they have to wait with. But they definitely have to get more buddies in because letting Diaz go, I can almost guarantee you, that is one thing Liverpool will always think about, you understand? And if it's not the fans, it will be the people, you understand, the coach and all them. Letting him go will be one of the biggest loss. Why? Because the way he was as an individual, he was very, very important for the team in the sense of his direction and the way he played.

7:08So they don't have that anymore. But for now, I think the hardest thing for them is going to be is making sure they don't catch up any injuries or people dropping out because then it's already a ship that is trying to stable himself. And if they carry on, it's going to be even worse for them. He's linked to your lot as well, isn't he, Nadem? Yes, he is. And I think that left side, to be fair, has been taken up very well by Doku at this point. And City's squad is a little bit on the larger side. but in terms of a signing that could very much make an impact, he is that. I think we've seen for a few years the potential that he's had, but then when he started the season on fire in the way that he did, it seemed like it's become more of a reality.

7:44And at times, this has been in a Bournemouth side that overall has been struggling relative to their, say, performances last season. But I love how direct he is. I love how he suits Bournemouth South being on the front foot and really going and taking on those fullbacks. And I think Mario was right. If he was to end up at Liverpool, he does feel a little bit like a Luis Diaz-type signing. and I think he has the ability to go to that next level, whether it's for a side that will be playing in the Champions League, hoping to be winning Premier League titles and so on. So it'll be interesting to see where he goes if he does leave in January.

8:11Just a reminder, the Gavin Jules podcast is available every single week. The latest one dropped today as they look back on what happened, not only in the Premier League, but other big matches right across Europe.

8:31Every match from the opening stage all the way to the final. Spain is currently trading at 17 % to win it all, meaning a$100 trade pays out over$550 if they win soccer's biggest prize. On Kalshi, you're trading against peers in a live market, meaning there's no house. And as the probability changes, you can buy in and out of your position. For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code FC to get$10 when you trade 10. K-A-L-S-H-I. Kalshi. Trade on anything. 18 plus only restrictions and eligibility requirements apply. Event contract trading involves risk and may not be suitable for all investors.

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9:59to eat over Christmas.

10:29Imagine one player in the house perfect and ride with three kilos more. He will be Manchester. He will not travel to Nottingham Forest.

10:38Now let me read you what producer Mike wrote to me, Xhaka. He said, Xhaka would fail the weighing. Which I thought was absolutely uncalled for. Absolutely uncalled for. I have never failed the weighing. I've never failed the weighing. Very rude indeed. Was it that strict when you were playing? It was fairly strict. A weigh-in before Christmas and after? Not just for Christmas. Sitting at West Ham, I remember well, every week. Yes. Every week, everybody would take their weights so you know where you are. And I never failed one in my life, Dan. Shall we retell Stevie's famous weigh-in story? Please do.

11:21This is when him and Eleanor went on a cruise. They got off and for some reason they decide to weigh themselves. Stevie had put on£20 and realised he was still holding the shopping bags, which was weighing him down. 100%. Oh, boy. True stuff. Nadim, you're slim and fit. You don't worry about this sort of stuff, do you? No, I was slim and I was once slim and I once was fit, but now I'm just very happy. So I think I don't really worry about this type of thing. Yeah, tell me thanks. Are you so happy? if you go back a few years ago I think it was around the World Cup in Qatar in 22 do you know Calvin Phillips came back and he was criticised and he didn't play much for City in the period directly after that because Guardiola is somebody who keeps an eye on players' weight, not in a way to say that you have to weigh this number to play for the team, but I think what he has is the baselines of all those players and I think when people's weights do start going up or potentially going down you can sort of see that there may be other issues there and I think he knows the importance of this period of time and he wants a bunch of players who are focused on football even when they're away from it which is a little bit exhausting to be honest yeah and i'm glad that i am retired but i think overall i see where he's coming from but yeah it's not it's listening it's certainly not going to be me this christmas at all no chance mario no i i've been through it especially when i went when i left england i went from uh i went to france i played in ren oh my god the first day I got there was on the scale and I was like, okay, no problem.

12:52And then the coach let us know. He said, every Monday, everybody's getting away. But you know, you always get to players that say like, oh, I got some clothing on. He said, don't worry about it. Here, you're always naked on it. So everybody, no one had no tricks. You could not try and say like, oh, I got a trance or so and I got my shirt on. He said, no, you all get up, take everything off and stand. And then we stood and then the guys that were overweight, let me tell you something. Sometimes in France, they can train twice a week, right? You know, like on one day, you train twice. Normally, it's only a pre-season in England.

13:25There in France, oh my God, if you're overweight, you've got to come in twice a day. And that is not fun because the second training is only running. And you're naked in the second training. I made it. No, no, Dan. Not naked outside, only inside. Oh, it's cold. Meanwhile, Magic United, of course, struggling in the cold as well, particularly in the second half of games. We saw it yesterday, of course, losing 1-0 to Villa in the second half. And you can take a look. Only 45 minutes, they're OK. You know, fifth place, second half. Only Wolves are worse than them, which shows you how bad they are.

14:02Natham, how do you explain this? What does this tell you about the side?

14:09That is a good question, because I thought in some ways they would be able to do better in second halves, especially playing home and pushing for results. and even when they were on the good run they were on, I think it was like a month ago, you thought they would be better. But I think some of it indicates that teams really fancy going up against them and I think arguably, you know, I can't necessarily prove this point as such, some of the changes that Amory makes within games never seem to be changes which sort of take the side to the next level. Whereas you've got some managers and some clubs whereby it's not necessarily like for like but it's something that's maybe a bit more attacking, something a bit more exciting.

14:40I think for the last year or however long it's been now, you're almost seeing every sort of second half taking off a centre half or another centre half or going like for like in a position which doesn't really affect the momentum. So perhaps that's got something to do with it. But yeah, I think overall, I think maybe it's a discussion about the depth that they have or rather don't have or the way that the manager seems to not be able to get the team to go to the next level in those second halves. That's a good point, Mario. And where's the spark from the substitutes bench that maybe you would expect in the second half of games?

15:10You know what the biggest thing I think when I watch the menu is the discipline. You know, it looks like in the beginning when the game starts, they're very disciplined. The team plays in a certain way, and you see everybody is doing the job that is expected from them. The second half, they always get carried away. And I think you as a coach have to see that because, okay, one, okay, the fitness levels, you understand, could happen, right? Because when you're a team and play against Man United, you are not as strong as Man United. So what do you do? You make sure you can, you know, you run more, you're fitter, and you be in their face all the time.

15:41That's one of the key things that you do. It's like standard when you face them. But then you also have the other thing that Man United helps you with is they open up and they become wider. It takes them longer to really change on certain attacking styles. And I think that is one of the key things that Man United really have to focus on because if they carry on like this, people are very happy to play against Man United nowadays. It's not like back in the day anymore. Now you're like, ooh, yeah, I'm facing Man United. Let's go. Fergie time, blah, blah, blah. you know, Manchester United epitomise late comebacks, yet they've completely flipped that on their head now.

16:15I mean, this is so far from that version of Manchester United. Who's to blame, would you say, the players or the Manchester United? I think a bit of both. And to Mario's point, I wouldn't say discipline, I'd say Manchester United are predictable. You know exactly how they're going to play, you know the personnel, you know exactly what they're going to do, they're not going to do anything different. And the thing I've felt about Manchester United this season, when things are going well for them, they can be a good team. But from the time you change things up, if you make the game physical, if you press them in a different way in the second half, if you just ruffle their feathers, they are unable to respond.

16:53And then why you also have to put that on Amarim is because the changes he makes in those moments when the game changes and the clock is starting to tick down don't change who Manchester United are. It doesn't change what they're doing. It doesn't change their threat. And so, as an opponent, you kind of know exactly how they're going to be from minute one to minute 90. And it's how you work around that to get the better of them. Lesser teams, fall by the wayside, but Villa are a good team. And they showed it. Even though I don't think Villa were that great themselves. But they're a good team and they know what to expect from Manchester United.

17:29And in the end, got the better of them. Just a reminder, ASPN FC with you throughout the week. Shaggy, you're here every day, aren't you? Just about. Hey, what a Christmas treat for everybody involved to join us on the next edition show. Just a reminder, we are with you every single day through the festive period. What a treat for you all. As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly.

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19:20That's E-T-H-O-S dot com slash sports. Application times and rates may vary. Now, some big calls this weekend. I know when we did the show on Saturday, there was a bit of outcry on two particular shouts that didn't go the way that the panel thought they should. This is the first one. This is a Saliba challenge on Barry. The referee's call of no penalty to Everton was checked and confirmed by VAR, with it deemed the contact from Saliba on Barry wasn't sufficient for a penalty. Mario, did you think it was a penalty? I think, yeah, definitely. In the situation where we play the game nowadays, he doesn't kick the ball, so what do you want him to do then?

20:04They're both going at it, but he kicks his foot. So, then I give the pen. Nathan? Yeah, I would agree. I think, if anything, they're basically trying to say that Barry's gone down too easily, which I don't think is something that they should be saying. I think they should be looking at the contact or not and deciding whether that's enough for a foul, because I think there's been enough times in games where, say the ball's been on the floor and there's been a similar amount of contact, and that type of penalty has been given. So, yeah, I'm not so sure about that one. I think that one's potentially mine as a mistake.

20:35It wasn't sufficient enough contact. I don't get it. It feels like they're scratching around for an excuse here. I really don't know how you look at that and don't think it's a penalty. And try to make an excuse about it. I'm a little bit lost. I can't even play devil's advocate with this one. Well then don't Dan. Well I won't, I'm going to get on with it. Good. Well done Dan. Next challenge was of course Chaliver on Anthony Gordon. The referee's call of no penalty to Newcastle was checked and confirmed by VAR. With the contact from Chaliver on Gordon deemed to be side to side in a shielding action and the ball within playing distance.

21:15I'm sure you did this challenge pretty much every game, didn't you Nadeem? You agree? No penalty?

21:23Yeah, nice done. nice way to introduce it i don't think it's a penalty wow but i do think he's just gone and he's gone yeah crazy i know but i think it's just you don't need to go with that much force because it drifts it towards the line which is borderline because i could see how some people would say that is a penalty i think in some ways he's there and he's a dominant figure within that and he can shield the ball and someone said you know if it was anywhere else on the pitch it'd be a free kick i don't think so because if it was anywhere else on the pitch he'd do the shoulder then you take the ball because he's the one who is still standing and I think the fact that he's been so much stronger than Gordon in this instance I think it makes it look worse but I would feel uncomfortable if that was given as a penalty but I just don't think it's a good idea to be going in that strongly especially in your penalty box from one defender to another Mario oh you know my answer then come on now that's not a penalty but look at his leg his leg comes across as well surely Oh, look, it's...

22:17And we'll see it from this angle. Now look at his leg as well. That comes right across. Like you're talking about shielding the ball. I think if he would have given it the penalty, I don't think, you understand, there was a lot of fighting going on. You couldn't really fight it because it was really in the middle. He would have given it, I wouldn't have been like, yeah, it's possible. But now that he... Yeah, so your internet hates your opinion as well, Mario. I eventually didn't think it was a penalty, if I put it that way. Really? In that, when I'm watching the game, I start screaming on the television straight away.

22:54I thought it was a penalty. But then as I saw the replays, and I get your point with Chalabar's leg coming across, but all the contact was shoulder to shoulder. All the contact was shoulder to shoulder. But he shoulders it, and then he trips over his leg. No, I don't think he was tripped by leg. I thought it was shoulder to shoulder. But ordinarily, when we talk about shoulder to shoulder challenges, it's two players kind of running for the ball and that can casual, certainly in relation to this, contact. But this one, to Natham's point Chalabar comes an awful long way around rather aggressive with it but the contact is shoulder to shoulder.

23:30So, I even supported Newcastle I was alright with it not being a penalty. Wow, you agree with the Varkles? Yeah, well, that one, not the first one. Not the kicker one, no? No, no. The Arsenal one was ridiculous. And Nainem, why don't Chelsea play more like that than they did in the second half? They were excellent. Oh, wow. Well, I think they needed to be because they were pretty much a disaster in that first half. Yes, that's true. I think the fact that they can be that inconsistent kind of sums up the feeling that we have with them, whereby at times they can look really good, but then you look where they are on the table.

24:03They're never really in with a chance of winning the title as such. And I think in some ways that's the way that you see sides who are so young, because sometimes it's good, sometimes it's a disaster, but when it comes together, it looks really, really good. See, you know, I saw this differently. I saw this as Newcastle folding. Right, as they've done a number of times. As they've done, and a lot was made during the game about the number of points, I think it's 13, that Newcastle have dropped from winning positions. Well, they're playing well, and all of a sudden, they get that punch in the face, and they just fold.

24:35And now, for me, I thought Newcastle certainly would be better of the two teams in the first half. And then Rich James scores that free kick right to the start of the second half, and Newcastle just falls as a result. And Chelsea, to their credit, dominate the second half. So I just, again, just watching this game from a Newcastle perspective, I just saw this as Newcastle conceding from a said piece and not being able to respond. And that has been the concern for Newcastle all season long. for me and why they're mid-table as they are. One more decision to discuss. Xavi Simons, is it even a discussion?