Liverpool Bounce Back?

9 Aug 2026 · 57 min · 22 chapters

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In short

ESPN FC “Liverpool Bounce Back?”—Liverpool’s pre-season form vs Monaco, expectations for Alexander Isak and Virgil van Dijk, and transfer-window debate (especially Joao Pedro/Barcola rumors). It also covers Mourinho’s comments on Bernardo Silva fitness, Xabi Alonso’s remarks about Chelsea’s Lavia needing confidence to play 90 minutes, and Manchester City/Enzo Maresca talk around Omar Marmoush minutes.

Guests

Dan Thomas (host), Stevie Nicholl (co-host), Shaq (co-host). Frank Le Boeuf (former France/ Chelsea/ Liverpool defender, main guest). Extra Time segment adds Shaka Hislop (former goalkeeper) and more Q&A.

Guest backgrounds

Le Boeuf is a former elite defender/coach; Nicholl is a football analyst; Hislop is a former pro goalkeeper and community supporter.

Key claims

Liverpool aren’t back to “two seasons ago” dominance; Isak should score 15–20 league goals if fit; Van Dijk must be calm/leader and not get frustrated; signing Barcola for £145m would be a mistake unless Liverpool also fix other squad gaps. Mourinho’s public fitness criticism of Bernardo Silva is questioned. Alonso’s “psychological block” explanation for Lavia is seen as risky for fan perception.

Notable examples

Liverpool vs Monaco ended 3-2; Van Dijk conceded a penalty in that match; Barcola’s PSG competition (Dembele, Doue, Zirkzee/Graskelia mentioned); Eden Hazard referenced; Lavia’s 90-minute milestone; City’s Omar Marmoush scoring in a pre-season match vs Atletico Madrid (3-1).

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

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Liverpool's Pre-Season Struggles

0:04 to 0:31

Discussion on Liverpool's recent match against Monaco and current squad issues.

“It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks.”

Liverpool's Pre-Season Struggles

0:45 to 1:42

Discussion on Liverpool's recent match against Monaco and current squad issues.

“Liverpool were in action as they continue preparations for the start of the new season.”

Evaluating Isak's Performance

1:42 to 3:06

Analysis of Alexander Isak's potential impact in the upcoming season.

“You think this time 12 months ago, Shaq, you were crying about Isak leaving Newcastle and heading to Liverpool.”

Van Dijk's Comeback Concerns

3:06 to 5:25

Discussion on Virgil van Dijk's performance and leadership as he returns from injury.

“he's going to get between 15 and 20 okay which which I think is reasonable you know his best season we saw there at Newcastle, he got 27.”

Transfer Talk: Barcola's Future

5:25 to 9:59

Speculation on Barcola's possible transfer and how it could impact Liverpool.

“I remember when I was in the preseason, I knew exactly how late I was in my preparation.”

Liverpool's Transfer Strategy

9:59 to 11:40

Debate on Liverpool's need for multiple players versus focusing on big signings.

“He has to be better in the finishing, but to create troubles to all defense is the real guy because he has confidence of his skill on his pace.”

Ferran Torres and PSG's Plans

11:40 to 13:53

Exploration of Ferran Torres's potential move to PSG and its implications.

“Well, the point is, I don't know whether they...”

Luis Enrique's Strategic Adjustments

14:01 to 17:08

Discussion on Luis Enrique's need to adjust PSG's strategy with players.

“But I think Luis Enrique has earned the right to take these chances, to take those gambles.”

Fame and Privacy in Football

17:09 to 20:06

Exploration of how players deal with fame and public attention.

“it's kind of a revolution right now in France where everybody is expecting something fantastic.”

Coping with Fan Attention

20:07 to 23:42

Players share experiences on managing fan interactions and public life.

“I remember Marcel having a tête -à-tête with his wife in Milan, and the fan came and sat with him.”
Show all 22 chapters

Mourinho's Public Comments on Silva

23:43 to 26:50

Discussion on Mourinho's remarks about Bernardo Silva's fitness.

“Bernardo is a really important player for us, but the poor guy is another one who benefits from not doing anything when they're on a holiday.”

Mourinho's Public Comments on Silva

26:51 to 27:55

Discussion on Mourinho's remarks about Bernardo Silva's fitness.

“My thinking, it is in response to criticism he, Bernardo Silva, has come in for in this preseason.”

Mourinho's Public Comments on Silva

28:00 to 29:05

Discussion on Mourinho's remarks about Bernardo Silva's fitness.

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Arsenal's Premier League Dominance

29:50 to 37:09

Analysis of Arsenal's standing and competition in the Premier League.

“We talked about Bruno Kimmarias joining.”

Mamouche's Future at City

37:10 to 42:00

Discussion on Omar Mamouche's prospects and competition in Manchester City.

“But now under Mureska he's going to wait and see.”

Lavia's Psychological Challenge

42:00 to 46:36

Discussion about Lavia's return from injury and the psychological effects on players.

“I'm a little sympathetic here in that I liken this to...”

Extra Time and Shaka's Return

46:46 to 48:43

Conversation about Shaka Hislop's return and the upcoming Extra Time.

“He was offside and then he was substituted.”

Personal Updates and Weekend Plans

48:43 to 51:49

Casual conversation about the hosts' personal lives and weekend plans.

“Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time.”

Transfer Deadline Discussion

51:49 to 56:00

Debate on the timing of the transfer deadline and its impact on teams.

“It's holidays, except that I have to work with you guys, which is also a pleasure.”

Discussion on Player Skills

56:00 to 57:02

Learn about the skills and impact of players like Emmanuel Petit and Gianfranco Zola in football.

“putting Emmanuel Petit with those two guys is quite unfair because I was in the same positioning.”

Memories and Football Rivalries

57:02 to 57:58

Explore personal anecdotes and football rivalries, including the Dockers derby.

“Shaka, are you looking forward to the Dockers derby?”

Memories and Football Rivalries

58:55 to 59:05

Explore personal anecdotes and football rivalries, including the Dockers derby.

“I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:01This episode is brought to you by Google Chrome. You think you know a browser, but Gemini and Chrome? That's new. It can help you with practically anything on the web, like restoring a vintage motorcycle from a 50-page restoration block, or finally break down that long article you've had open for weeks. Gemini and Chrome is here for it. Ready to make anything online make sense? There's no place like Chrome. Check responses set up required, compatibility and availability varies 18+.

0:30Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas, joined by Stevie Nicholl. And we welcome back from his longer holiday than everyone else, it seems. Shaq at Hislark. It wasn't a holiday. No, you're moving house, Shaq. I've been moving house. Are you all right? Your core's all right? Firstful. Yeah. That's good. That's amazing. I think so. OK. Liverpool were in action as they continue preparations for the start of the new season. They were tuning up against Monaco. In the end, they would lose by three goals to two. For more on this match, let's welcome in Frank Le Boeuf. But before we hear from Frank, let's hear from grumpy Stevie.

1:02Liberal fans on the old internet not happy about your negativity so early on before the season's even started, Stevie? Well, I'm not quite sure how to answer that because, I mean, there aren't too many positives. Today, the positive would be exact scoring. Sure. The better scoring. Yeah. But after that, you lose three goals, you lose the game. so again after this game Liverpool are in a position where nobody and I'm pretty sure Irola is the same not quite sure what A starting a living will be maybe and what they're going to get they're certainly not going to get the Liverpool of two seasons ago swashbuckling dominating rampaging over everybody scoring lots of goals not letting any in that seems like a long way away right now and I would argue with anybody who can come up and tell me otherwise right now with what we've seen and what the squad has right now going into the start of the new season.

2:01You think this time 12 months ago, Shaq, you were crying about Isak leaving Newcastle and heading to Liverpool. Obviously, we know how his first season went at Liverpool. Second one, well, can only be an improvement, really. Yeah, and a good start here. It's a very well-taken goal, as Stevie alluded to during the highlights. That is Alexander Isak at his best. that's Alexander Izak that we saw none of, dare I say, at very best, very little of during the course of last season. Listen, I'm less critical. Izak scores, Florian Virch scores, plays reasonably well. Man, pick up sticks and go home at that point, if you ask me.

2:38It's pre-season, and I don't read an awful lot into what happens from there. You want to get the best out of Izak, you want to get the best out of Florian Virch, there's still a long way to go in this transfer window maybe things change in in that regard but I am always reluctant to read too much into pre-season friendlies how many goals is that going to get this season if he stays fit is the question

3:07he's going to get between 15 and 20 okay which which I think is reasonable you know his best season we saw there at Newcastle, he got 27. So if he gets 20, I think you could probably turn around and say that's absolutely what you brought for. I think every team, or certainly all the top teams, are looking for a striker who gives them 20 goals a season. All competitions you want more than 20, surely? Yeah, I'm talking about in the league. Oh, okay. Yeah, 100%. Alright. Frank, do you agree? I do agree. That's the least he can do for Liverpool team and the price they put on him. So 20 goals in the Premier League, that would be a good season for Isaac.

3:54And it's a good start for him. It's always good because what is at stake really on top of the technical aspect of the game is the confidence that they were lacking last season. So it's always good to start even in a friendly game and Anfield Road in front of the fans for him and for Verst to score goal because it's what they need. They need to score goals to free their fears and get the confidence back. So it's always good and let's see how it works. Steve, you mentioned it during the highlight, Frank. Now's the time to get your mistakes out of your system. We saw Van Dijk conceding the penalty.

4:29An obvious statement, but not the first time we've done this on the show. Van Dijk needs to have a cracking season at his best if Liverpool can do anything this campaign. Yes, and everybody who loves football wish him the best because he was one of the best if he's not the best defender in the world at a certain point before his injury but even after when he came back so we want him to be back to his best but he's hard, you know, he's getting older and he has doubts like everybody else, wondering if he can get into that best at him so it's a very big question mark because they need to be to restrain their backside.

5:08They need to make sure that the defense is going to be good and therefore they need the top of the top of Van Dijk. And when you see how he got the penalty against Golovin today, it doesn't bring anything good for the rest of the team because they see that. They say, oh, the guy is not ready. I remember when I was in the preseason, I knew exactly how late I was in my preparation. and how far I was coming too late to any actions. And when you're ready, you know, you're spot on. You know exactly when to put your leg, where to put your leg, and you can feel that Van Dijk is not ready yet. He still has like 15 days before getting to his best.

5:54Again, we want to wish him the best. Many fans, Steven, on Van Dijk and what he's going to do this season. I don't of all the players I don't see any reason why he won't step up and be better than he was last year I mean he's not going to be Van Dijk what three years ago but he absolutely is still a centre back that most teams in this league 100 % would love in their team you know at the end of the day the one thing I would say about him is that I think one of his biggest problems You can look at stats and stuff for a defender, but there's a lot of things that happen in a game that are not entirely down to you.

6:38The fact that he's got either more or less challenges and interceptions and all these things, a lot of that will depend on what's going on around him. And there's no question that everybody around him, and I'm not keeping him out of this, the whole back four were struggling, but for somebody like him who's expected to do certain things when it doesn't happen, And when there's such chaos going on around him, it's hard for him to do his job as well. And I think the one thing he has to do this year that he was guilty of last year is not get frustrated. He absolutely, 100%, got frustrated last year.

7:12And I think that was a lot of his problems. Yes, he's getting older. But I think his biggest problem last year was he got frustrated at too many things and too many other players when really he needed to be the calm and influence that he wasn't. and concentrate on his job and do his job first, because that's what we all have to do first and foremost. You have to do your job first. After that, then you start helping everybody else. So if he learns from his frustration of last year, he will be a way better player this year. Part of that is I can't help but wonder. And listen, I think I'm with everybody here and saying Van Dijk at his best was one of the best centre-backs in the game.

7:50There was no question to it. But he's 35 years old now. and as much as you need Van Dijk to be back to his best as a player, you need Van Dijk to be back to his best as a leader. And I thought that's where things came a little bit unstuck. Different back four, frustrations with Kerkers and that understanding and that relationship of last season. But I also can't help but think, now we're 35, you're going to be 36 during the course of this season. As your ability starts to weigh in slightly, that starts to weigh on you a whole lot more because now you not only have to be the centre-back that you were three or four years ago but you also have to be the leader that everybody around you wants you and needs you to be.

8:34And as your own superpowers begin to fade I just wonder how all that kind of impacts Van Dijk and concerningly Liverpool. The concerns that Liverpool fans have had is the lack of players coming in that can add that something extra, which they missed so desperately last season. Barcola, of course, is someone that we've talked about extensively on the show over the last couple of weeks. Frank, what are they saying in France? Do you think at the start of the season, or do you think when the transfer window closes, that Barcola will be at Liverpool, at Arsenal maybe, or at PSG? Well, the feeling is Barcola is on his way out.

9:14He's going to struggle finding minutes for Paris Saint-Germain because of the talent that you have with Graskelia, but also Due on the same side. That's complicated because those players are worldwide players. And Barcola, with all the talent that he had, and he started the season very well, but he got injured after that, needs some play time. And he feels that if he goes away, especially at Liverpool, he will have a chance to do that and will bring the pace for the Reds. So the tendency is to see him leaving Paris Saint-Germain and going, yeah, maybe to the Premier League, which could be a very good news for himself.

9:54And for any club, we're going to welcome him because he's a real talent player. He has to be better in the finishing, but to create troubles to all defense is the real guy because he has confidence of his skill on his pace. He has to finish the action. But it could be a great catch for any club in the Premier League. It's a lot of money, Stevie, obviously. But it's a player that Liverpool need. Yes. And I think the price tag is important because Liverpool don't just need one player like Barcola. They need four or five players like Barcola. That's a lot more, man. I think it's interesting that I wonder what the actual thought process is at Liverpool in terms of the board.

10:41Because they must understand that the position they're in now with the playing squad, with the new manager, they can't be sitting there thinking, we've got a chance of winning the Premier League, or we've got a chance of winning the Champions League. They can't be sitting there thinking that. And so it's important that either they decide to go all out and spend a huge amount of money on Bacala, knowing that it's going to take another couple of windows to actually get in the position where you're going to challenge. Because if this is the team that starts against Newcastle, it's a decent team, but it's not a Premier League winning team.

11:14It's not a Champions League winning team. It's questionable whether it gets into the Champions League next year. So that would be my question. If there are going to be three players appearing all of a sudden between now and the start of the season, which is what, 15 days, I think Frank said, then I don't believe they can pay£145 million for Bacala and then expect to go and get another two or three. Because if you're going to buy proper players, you're talking£80-90 million. So what's your point? Well, the point is, I don't know whether they... Do they want to go out and spend£145 million on Bacala when they have so many other problems that they won't have any money to try and help with?

11:56That's my point. Do you decide to throw it all at one? You're kind of repeating what happened last season with Isak and Verts and Iketike, but you didn't do anything about the defence. Yeah. So what do you do? Do you throw all your money at Barclay? But then all of a sudden... Stevie Nicholls says signing Barclay would be a mistake. 145 million. That's what we're hearing. That's 145 million, yes. Right. Yes, absolutely. Doom to fail, he says. Disappointing. Of course, there's a lot of talk about Barclay leaving with Ferran Torres coming in as well, Frank. This is a bit of a head scratcher from us from the outside looking in.

12:32What is it about PSG and Ferran Torres that sees this as a match for you?

12:41Well, you know that at front, they have, Paris Saint-Germain have lots of talents. And they don't really play with a striker. I mean, Ramos barely played last season. They put Dembele at front, but Dembele is not really a striker. they try to put Dwey as well but Dwey is not a striker I don't really know why they really need Ferran Torres the way they play the way Luis Enrique is making his team play like it is for Guardiola like it is for Barcelona playing as well they don't really use a striker so Ferran Torres got lots of confidence lots of talent but he showed during the last season as well that sometimes he's in doubt.

13:32Do you need a player like that? It's not because he scored a goal in the World Cup, in the World Cup champion, that suddenly he's going to change in his consistency. And I didn't see that yet when he was at City or in Barcelona. I didn't see that yet. So why they deeply need him, I'm not sure. And I'm not sure he's going to change anything to his recent Rique plan of playing. Your first show back, Shank. What have you made of the Ferrantola's developments that we've seen over the last few years? Surprising, I'll be honest. But I think Luis Enrique has earned the right to take these chances, to take those gambles.

14:07He's shown that he can develop talent, he can get the best out of players. And maybe he recognises that he has to make some kind of an adjustment around PSG to keep them competitive at every single level at the Champions League, given the fact that they basically played their second team in Liga. for most of last season. But to maintain that run, to maintain that dominance of European football, maybe he recognizes he has to adjust. And Ferran Torres is a part of that. At this point, I do not question Luis Enrique and those decisions. One thing is for sure, Ferran Torres hasn't been particularly shy about his desires and talking about it.

14:51Very much the contrary to Laminya Mahl, who was on a flight back from Colombia where I was on holiday and did everything he possibly could to try and disguise himself. Here he is. How do you know that, Sean? That's very true. And it got me thinking, boys, at your peak, what was it like when you were just trying to not have to deal with fans, just wanting to have some time on your own? Frank, even you who loves the attention, there must have been a time where you just wanted... Oh, really? You told us a good story when your kids were growing up, they got frustrated by it, in fact, because they wanted their dad to themselves.

15:31What did you do? What lengths did you go to to try and get some privacy?

15:38Nothing. Nothing most of the time because, well, as we say, it's part of the game. When I was going to Disneyland in Paris, and yes, I had like kind of bodyguards and a guide, but people were coming my kids were unhappy because they wanted dad to be close to them and 100 % with him but it's impossible, it's part of our lives they said dad why are you wearing your Francois cupcake take off the medal dad just stop it I didn't need it no but I'm not La Minha Mal and I'm not as famous, I've never been as famous as Vladimir Malin, especially nowadays with all the social media where you could see on the plane everybody with his phone.

16:27We didn't have that. We were quiet, you know, and we could have gone to sleep on the plane. Nobody would have taken pictures of you, and it's why he does that. It's unbearable. It's impossible to have a private life or to have a life in a public situation, which was quite easier in our time. But Frank, you say now when you meet up, the 98 squad meets up, Zidane can't go out with you because it just gets ridiculous. Well, that's his excuse. Yeah, because he's the exception to the rule. I mean, everybody can get out and it's 28 years after. But Zizou is an icon. And you could see, you know, being the coach of the national team, it's kind of a revolution right now in France where everybody is expecting something fantastic.

17:13And I really hope that it's going to work. But Zizou, yeah, Zizou cannot get anywhere in Paris or anywhere else where it's going to be followed by people. But that's the kind of life I didn't want to have. Hopefully, I wasn't good enough to have that kind of life. But it's a real nightmare. Really, it's a real nightmare. I don't, I'm not envy anybody like that, like Messi, Laminya Mal, Mbappé, Zizou, and so many others. because they don't have a life. Their life is to hide from people because people want to jump on them. Jack, you think Newcastle, a small city, very passionate about sport. You look at it when you were there at your peak.

17:59What's that like? So how we dealt with it as a team, and it's probably the only time I've had to deal with it as a player, those Newcastle years, in Newcastle specifically, because of what the football club and senior Italian football team meant to the city. But what you find yourself doing is, well, we all went out as a team, first of all. 30 strong, from the top pros to the young pros on first-year contracts. We all go out together. And you all end up just going to the same places. You go to the same restaurants or shop at the same stores. If we're going out for... Because you know you're going to get looked after?

18:34Yes. So they know the players are coming here. We're going to put them in that. We have a back room. We're going to put them there. They'll be fine. and the owners and the staff know how to manage us. And so you just end up doing the same things over and over whenever you want to go out. And that's kind of how we coped with it, how we dealt with it. When you go back to Trinidad, does anyone bother? No, we don't. We don't have that kind of fan culture. Right. People come and say, hello, well done, whatever, but then move on. Nobody lingers. And then during the course of my own career, So my eldest daughter, who just turned 30 yesterday, I thought...

19:14Congratulations, happy birthday. Happy birthday, Milana. She was born my first year at Newcastle. And as a result, my wife, who's also from Trinidad and Tobago, every summer we'd go straight back to Trinidad and Tobago. That's where family were, that's where friends were, and we could leave the kids with grandparents, and we could do stuff ourselves. But because we don't have that fan culture, it was easy for us. I didn't go anywhere else on my summer holidays. So I never had to, I was anywhere close to the level of a Laminya Malo or a Zidane, but I never had to deal with that kind of fan adulation in Trantebago.

19:53If I may say something before Stevie talks, and showing us or telling us that we couldn't get out of his house in Liverpool. but

20:05it's really different between England and Latin countries it's crazy, in Italy or Spain, even comparing Paris to Marseille, when I was playing in Marseille I couldn't go to Marseille, I've been only once in two years in downtown Marseille and I pretended to be on the phone for two hours because people wanted to talk to me and they were jumping on me and they said, Frank, we need to talk about the game They want to be part of that. It's part of their lives. I remember Marcel having a tête -à-tête with his wife in Milan, and the fan came and sat with him. And he said, I want to talk about the game.

20:41And he said, get out of here. That's what it is. That's what it is. You belong to them. And so Lamine-Yamal belongs to the people. So I think it's quite different in England. I mean, as Shaq said, you go where you're known and where you're used to, basically. Right. I mean, I once fell out with my mother. We went to Albert Dock in Liverpool just after it had opened. And this guy stopped us on autographs and the whole thing and spoke to him for a couple of minutes. And I went, OK, thanks very much. And off I went. And he kept following us. And I kept just ignoring him. And my mum kept grabbing me and going, you've been very rude to that man.

21:22I said, I've just spoken to him, giving him an autograph. Right, we're good. Two minutes later, she's pulling me again going, that man's still there. Why are you not talking to him? I'm like, calm down. I'm not going to encourage him. I said, do you want him to come back for dinner as well? She's like, oh, oh, oh.

21:42Okay. Which I nearly did because he probably would have said yeah. But no, in Liverpool, though, it was... How long did he live with you? I had to wake him up before I came in here. Eleanor's cooking him another shepherd's pie. But in Liverpool, Liverpool was a very working class. Certainly was in the 80s when I had the majority of my time there. It was very working class. And everybody wanted to be treated as though they were as good as you were. Right. And so people didn't go overboard. You know, you got the occasional one. But generally, people were just kind of... It's as if they were your mates.

22:19That's what I found when we were in Madrid together for the final, when Liverpool were playing Spurs. All these guys were coming up to go, Hey, Stevie, how are you? How's the family? I was like, do you know them? I know no that's what they're like the guys say we're doing great I have and then off they would go yeah and that's what it was like in the 80s yeah so yeah generally generally was like that there's always the occasional but what's interesting that you've told me and Craig's mentioned it as well when you went back to Scotland there was a kind of air of oh you're a Billy Biggs buds now you'd be a big time really well there's that was that was down to the press to be honest with you right so in Scotland for some reason as soon as you go down south, that's how they used to call it, as soon as you go down south, you become...

23:03Well, England is south. Aye, but it was used as... It wasn't... The term was used in a derogatory manner. Right. And it was almost like, well, you're not one of us anymore. That's what it felt like. And of course, whenever Scotland played, if things didn't go well, it was always the Anglo guys that got the blame. It was all the guys who played down in the English league that got the blame. And so there was always this sort of air of... You were different. He wasn't one of us anymore kind of thing. You turn your back on... Aye, it was really weird, but it was because of the press. Right. That's the reason behind it.

23:39I haven't had any of those issues. Jose Mourinho, meanwhile, has been talking about Bernardo Silva and his fitness. Bernardo is a really important player for us, but the poor guy is another one who benefits from not doing anything when they're on a holiday. It does him good mentally during his time off to not do anything, so he's come back in a poor physical shape. He has to improve. Why say this publicly, Stevie? I've no idea. Is he trying to be kind? Is he trying to kick him up the backside? I've no idea what he's doing. How is that kind? Well, he keeps throwing in as if he's a really good guy in the middle of all this slaughtering him.

24:15Right. So I don't understand what he's getting at. I don't get it. It's almost like he's trying too hard to say something. He can't spit it out. Right. So I don't understand what he's on about. The message I get from that is that he's not fit, but then he's a good guy because he deserves to have a rest mentally. And he's had a mental rest. I mean, it makes no sense what he's doing, what he's saying. Frankie? Well, I really think that maybe he has the memory of Eden Hazard signing for Real Madrid and coming with maybe£10 too much. And so maybe he doesn't want Bernardo Silva to do the same. and because he really thinks that Bernardo Silva can help him out and working with the team and being the mudrich of the present time.

Read the full transcript

25:03So he wants him to be fit. And it's very strange, you know, you're standing for Real Madrid and you don't get prepared. I'm very surprised about that. So I don't know why players do that when they want to put them into trouble. and especially when you have a new coach, Mourinho, Portuguese, that you know you have to do everything to please him. So you take five days holidays after the World Cup and then you start working because otherwise, you know, you're going to be in trouble. And there it is. He's in trouble already. How would you feel, Shaq? I saw that statement and I wonder if it's more around the fact that there's an expectation as a Real Madrid player even in pre-season to perform, even in pre-season friendlies, where I think in my experience in playing in England, there is an acceptance that you're not going to be at your best in preseason friendlies.

25:58It will take you a while to really get going and file your rhythm, as we saw with Van Dijk in the Liverpool-Monaco game. There's an understanding and an acceptance of that. Now I wonder, and Frank mentioned Eden Hazard, I wonder if it's kind of born out of that, English players coming over to Spain or Real Madrid specifically, and there's an expectation around performances from the time you hit the ground, even in pre-season friendlies. And that is what Mourinho is, I want to say, protecting Bernardo Silva around. Maybe that's too strong a word, but that's what he is kind of alluding to. He's come out, if he's trying to protect him, he's come out and slagged him.

26:38This makes no sense. Why doesn't he turn around and say, Bernardo Silva has had some time off and it's going to take him a little bit of time to get back. Well, again, my... This whole paraphernalia... My thinking, it is in response to criticism he, Bernardo Silva, has come in for in this preseason. That's how I saw that side of it. If I was Bernardo Silva, I'd be chatting the door saying, can you explain this to me? Yeah. Because you're making me look bad. Yeah, can you just explain this paraphernalia? Yeah. You're making me look bad. That would be much appreciated. Not long until La Liga kicks off, every single game will be live on ESPN Plus for you.

27:21Espanyol against Real Madrid, Elche against Barcelona is when the big boys kick off. That is two weeks' time on the Saturday and Sunday, respectively. Before then, though, we see the other sides in La Liga start their campaign. All starts on the Saturday, Alves against Etape, Sevilla against Ravel Cano. And then on August the 19th, Atletico Madrid take on Malaga. A lot, of course, still to be filled in with regards to the story of Julian Alvarez and who he will be playing come the end at the transfer window. If you've shopped online, chances are you've bought from a business powered by Shopify.

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29:16But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Grainger 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. Plus, their technical product specialists are here to help answer your toughest questions. And because Grainger knows safety is always a priority, They're committed to being your partner and protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRANGER, click granger.com, or just stop by. Dorman won the Emirates Cup, defeating Arsenal by three goals turned to. I don't think Mikhail Teta will be too bothered as the Germans lift the trophy.

29:54Frank Leboeuf is still with us. Frank, we've talked about it. We've talked about Arsenal a lot. We talked about Bruno Kimmarias joining. This is the team to beat in the Premier League this season. It will be, yes, for sure. And because the others, we have so many question marks. We don't know where they're going because of the coaches' changes, or because of many, many signings and because of the bad season they had. And Arsenal were the only one, I would say, a little bit consistent, the only one who showed the strength to win the Premier League and did win the Premier League. So there is no doubt that they are the favorites again.

30:35And with Guimaraes on top in the middle of the park with Rice, that can be a fantastic pair. So yes, no doubt that they they're going to be ready for for for the get go. And and I have the only question mark that I have is how Mosquera will deal why Saliba is still is still out with his back problem. But otherwise, what a squad. Yeah, that's six one. And this is it. This is the difference when you take a look at the depth. You can argue that some players in the starting XI are better than the others. But when you look at this sport as a whole, it's very difficult to put up an argument as to why they won't defend their tides.

31:10It really is. Right now, I think the only contender to Arsenal and for threat to their retaining Premier League crown is Manchester City. Of course, there's still a lot of questions about Manchester City. New manager, how does that all work out? I don't see the likes of Manchester United or Liverpool or anybody else being able to challenge Arsenal at the top of the table. I will say, though, I continue to be unconvinced by their options as that out-and-out striker. Julian Alvarez signs if they're able to get that over the line. Somehow, if that happens, not even Manchester City, I think, comes even closer to laying a glove on them.

31:50In terms of their options, in terms of their quality, and most importantly, in terms of their experience, Now you get over the line, as you did last season, you know what it takes. And that is absolutely invaluable to Arsenal at this point. Who's anti-Arsenal now? Meanwhile, Manchester City in action in South Korea against Atletico Madrid. Atleti would take the lead. This would do just before. What lovely numbers Atleti have these days. Why don't we have numbers that no one can read? Dominguez will make it 1-0 here.

32:25Well he's rather fortunate the ball actually gets through to him but in the end it's a good finish. Into the second half we go Omar Mamouche makes it 1-1. Yeah it's a tap in for Mamouche just about. But Antoine Semeny on this left hand side look at this little flick here. I think it was intended it was special Semeny was different class today. And then Mamouche again makes it 2-1.

32:56And then into the 90th minute, Atnori makes it 3-1. Yeah, nicely taken in the bottom corner. This is what Enzo Mureska had to say about the future of Mamouche. The answer has to be similar to the one I answer about James Trafford. Players work every day, they want to play, so when they don't play, they are not happy. James Trafford has obviously gone to Leeds. If you're Mamouche, what are you thinking, Frank?

33:25I'm thinking that the door is not completely open. It's far from there. And if I have a possibility to go outside and find some game times better than Manchester City, I will ask to go but if I don't have anything secured you know I would fight and he's only been there for like a year and a half I'm not mistaken so it's still time for him to settle down and to prove the coach run the issue is look who you're fighting against yes you have Alan but you can play alongside him you can play around him so it's going to be hard for sure but you have to make sure that Enzo Mariska is being pushed to put you in because you work so hard during the training session, every time you've got a chance to go in, like today, you score goals, and you will be forced, I'm talking about the coach, to put him in.

34:19What are you doing if you're Mamouche? I'm trying to get a move. Listen, if I'm Omar Mamouche, of course I'm seeing this differently from me sitting comfortably here. As a player, I've always spoken about this kind of almost fatal self-belief, but truth is, Mamouche can score two or three goals in every pre-season friendly and come his start of the season, come the most meaningful of games, Erling Haaland is going to start. You know how good Mahmoud can be. You saw that at the end track, Frankfurt. Maybe he can play that Julian Alvarez role around Erling Haaland, but I still think Haaland is at his best when he's up front, on his own.

34:57He's the sole target man and there are no distractions around him. I think Omar Mahmoud is far too talented to just kind of be a bit part player for Manchester City. Is he? I do. You think he's far too talented? I do. I think what you saw at Eintracht Frankfurt, he's too talented. Now, again... We've seen a number of strikers come over from the Bundesliga who were good in the Bundesliga. I'm not saying that he slots into Arsenal or Barcelona or Real Madrid, but there are very good options around that that I think Mahmoud graces. And you play. I am all for playing as opposed to while City maybe have a very successful season if you only feature in 20 % of those games.

35:43I don't think it's that rewarding. Well, I think as soon as he found out Pep was leaving, then he pepped up. And he would think, before that he was thinking, well, I'm wasting my time here. Because he was wasting his time here under Pep. Because he wasn't playing. Right? So what, Enzo is going to dump Haaland and start him? No. Look at his wee smarty pants. You've got his wee smarty pants face on. You're trying to... Oh, you're still the bench. You know what? You did it 10 seconds ago with Shaq. When he was talking, you were giving it all that. You sat back in your tune. You give it the old face.

36:19No, if you're Mamoosh, under Pat, you know you're not playing, right? You know you're not playing in a round-up or any of that stuff. You're not playing in one of the white guys. Right. So you're going out the door. As soon as you find out he's gone and Marissa's coming in, exactly what Frank said. all of a sudden it's like, well, you know what? I'll wait and see how we're going to play. Because maybe I can play in and around him. Maybe Mariska might want me to be one of those, not a wide guy, but somewhere in between. So his whole attitude would change. Do you want to be that player if you see yourself as a striker?

36:52I don't believe that Mamouche came to Manchester City thinking that his task was to oust Haaland. I think he came to Manchester City and said, how do I play with this guy? Where am I going to play? How am I going to fit in? That's exactly what he was thinking which he was absolutely squashed under Pep after a very short period of time. He's doing it again. But now under Mureska he's going to wait and see. See what happens. See what happens in pre-season. There's no Haaland. Maybe I can take a claim somewhere. And then when the season starts he will know very soon where his position is in terms of whether he's going to play or not.

37:28Where do you think his position will be? His position will be After about three months He'll be getting ready To go on the transfer Less than January Right But I'm just telling you That Marmush is thinking When Mareska comes in Right It's completely different Than it would be Under Pep But his situation won't change It depends how they set up Depends how they play You said he'll be on the transfer list In the winter If he's not playing Well you said he's not going to play If he's not playing Right

37:59Stop No, he's definitely playing that. Well, I asked you what a situation would be in three months' time. I just explained it to you. I just explained it. It's going to be exactly the same. Despite all of your waffles, it's going to be the same thing. I just explained to you that he'll see what happens, whether he's going to play off of and maybe one of the other things. I don't personally think he will. Well, there we are, then. That wasn't what I was telling you. I was talking about Mamusha's mental state. Let me see him. Let me see this. Don't go for it. You're too busy trying to be clever.

38:28Let me just see it. He's too busy trying to be clever. He's not interested. His show has been off for a couple of weeks. I've been off for another week on top of that. Nothing's changed. Nothing has changed. We're going to be here 50 years. Hanging on. Can you go on another cruise or something? Shaq, take him away with you somewhere. I'm not leaving you to have it. We are less than a week away now for the curtain raiser of the Premier League season. Ask them against Man City. Mamouche likely to start. What an impact he can have. We'll be with you 10 a.m. Eastern Live on ESPN and ESPN+.

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40:09Who wins the division? Who makes the playoffs? Who's lifting the trophy at season's end? On Kalshi, America's number one prediction market platform, you can trade those predictions in a live market. Will Pittsburgh qualify for the playoffs this season? Right now, they're trading at 40%, meaning a$100 trade would pay out over$250 if they clinch a playoff spot. 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. Trade the draft pick, the game, and more on Kalshi. Download the Kalshi app and use code TRADE25 to get up to$500 in bonus credits when you trade$25.

40:49K-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. Kalshi products are not available in all jurisdictions. Prices, values and available markets may differ from those mentioned. For more information, see Kalshi.com slash regulatory. Chelsea in Malaysia taking Joao Dorul Tazeem. It would end 3-3. Not Rory de Lapley, and de Lapley getting a brace of penalties in that game. Frank, are we going to talk to Frank about this? Should we just go to the quote? I don't want to hear Frank talk about this.

41:21Should we just go to the quote? I'm quite intrigued to see what they say. Oh, there is no quote. That's very good. Just give us a quote, Frank. Why don't you just give us a quote? Kill two birds in one stone. I thought it was interesting, Frank, the quote that obviously has been binned with Xavi Alonso talking about Lavia and he hasn't played 90 minutes for such a long time. And Xavi Alonso made the point for him to get over that kind of mental block that he wanted to make sure that he played 90 minutes, which he did so and it said that he's tired but it was important for him to do that and just take me into the psychology of that a little bit I don't know what to think about that you know a player is afraid of playing 90 minutes so that's the first time I hear that in my life so well he got injured a lot so maybe he needs some his confidence back and it's a good thing that he could do that 90 minutes but that's only a normal thing to happen you are a football player you have to expect to play a lot of 90 minutes even more with the extra time so uh lavia should better be ready for that if he wants to be part of the of the of the team and the first 11 and it's a good thing that xabi anonzo showed him that it's possible for him to play 90 minutes without being injured so that's the only thing matters and maybe he's tired but maybe you need those kind of games to get your your your sharpness back and your confidence back.

42:54Is it me Shaq? Why is Alonso saying that? You know I'm... Why does Alonso have to say that? I'm a little sympathetic here in that I liken this to... La Vie has suffered a lot of injuries and struggled to deal with it. it's it's like you you hear it all the time you're coming back from a bad knee injury and it's until you get that first challenge right you play within yourself until you get that first challenge and you know hold on i can i can do this and and it's fine i can stand up to the rigors and then all of a sudden things just fall into place psychologically most importantly and i i see this along those same lines given the injuries and the injury history that labia has had to endure he just needs to get that first challenge, that 90 minutes.

43:41And then once you get that and you feel, yes, I can do it. Because psychologically, that last 20 minutes, you're starting to think, maybe I'm going to hurt myself. Exactly. And, you know, sometimes you play in a game and you get to 80 minutes and you get injured and you think, why didn't he take me off on 70 minutes? If he took me off on 70, I'd be fine. And those things get into the back of your head, especially when you've had a long run of injuries and an injury history like Lavia has. so I this is why I say I'm sympathetic I see that along those same lines which we all talk about and maybe between Frank and Stevie have actually had to deal with themselves yeah I get that bit I get the psychology of it for the player but I don't understand why the manager's coming out and saying that because particularly today with social media you know what fans are like you know if he's getting substituted in the first couple of games after like 70 minutes all of a sudden it's going to be oh he can't play now minutes.

44:39People are going to jump on it. And Alonso's not looking after a player by coming out and saying something like that. I mean, all he's got to do is, it's great for him to get 90 minutes under his belt. It's along the same lines of what Mourinho did earlier on in the show. You don't have to see these things. You can go up to the player and go, you know what, now you know you can do it, and then walk away and leave it. And then that's him. But you don't go, why are you going to tell everybody, telling fans that, oh, he's got a psychological block that he can't play 90 minutes. Well, because if Xhaka says maybe fans will have empathy towards that.

45:14And moving forward... That is true. Absolutely, that could be the case. But the problem is if he goes out and plays 90 minutes for the next 12 months, nobody's going to say a word. But I'll tell you what, when he starts getting taken off after 70, first cut two or three games, whether he's injured or whether he's done or whatever, then... You're saying it's opened a door that didn't necessarily... It's absolutely opened the door. Man, he's just kicking his mouth shut. You don't have to tell anybody anything unless you want them to know something. Extra time will be available on YouTube. We'll be staying late to answer your questions.

45:47Be sure to check that out. That was Stevie's special tie yesterday. Very nice. I think unique would be the word. I don't know.

46:07Plus, receive four times O rewards points. Stop by your local O 'Reilly Auto Parts store or shop online at OReillyAuto.com. I like things my way. My coffee, my schedule, and my treatment. So I talked to my doctor about self-injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo Pre-Filled Syringe, which contains F-Gartigamide Alpha and Hyaluronidase QVFC. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit VivGuardMyWay.com. That's V-Y-V-G-A-R-T MyWay.com. And talk to your doctor about VivGuard Hattrulo. Brought to you by Argenics. Let's head to Brazil.

46:50Have you seen this, Stevie? Hi. Poor guy. Oh my goodness. So, lovely goal.

47:00Ready? Goes to celebrate. Oh no. and the goal was disallowed. He was offside and then he was substituted. Absolute shocker. I was close to doing that once, you know. Oh, wow. Yeah. Meanwhile, this is in Uruguay. Look at this for a stray shot. The ball's played out. And look at this. The bouncing ball causes ruptures. The car stops. Oh, damn. No, look! Oh dear. Oh boy. Oh, there we are. Good luck experimenting at Sean's company. Well, there's a footballer bouncing down the highway. At least you've got video evidence of it. When did you nearly fall down a hole in the ground? Benfica away. Yeah? Yeah, it was like 82, 83.

47:59The old stadium. I was chasing the ball, actually. and I just jumped over the board and it had one of those moats. No, no. When you go down to the changing room. Oh, right. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And I just noticed it in time and I got my feet before the hole and then I sprung over the gap. I could see him on the bench looking at me going, what's he doing? Yes, I am. Look at that. Quick thinking. I didn't see it. I just jumped over the board and then I was like... I think that'd be a good way to see that right now. That brings us to the end of today's show. Frank LaBeouf returns, Shaka Hislop and Stephen Nichol as well to answer your questions on Extra Time.

48:44Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Frank LaBeouf joins us. Hello, Frank. Stevie Nichol is here as well. And boys, can we all join in a round of applause for the one, the only Shaka Hislop is back. Shaka, hero of the week, Hislop. There he is! You won the match at once. Wow! You got a hero ball and everything. And you didn't collapse! Fantastic! That's always good news! Silverlight, they get anywhere! Win-win everywhere! What was your role as hero of the match? So, New England Revolution, I was at New England Revolutions game against Atlanta. New England Revolution support my foundation where I gave back equipment to Trantobago.

49:28They gave me equipment earlier in the year. They did a drive during the course of this game. I'll gather all this. I'll ship it out to Toronto, to Bego. As soon as things settle for me, and I get to go back home and give out to kids in need. Yeah, this is very cool. Shaka does this every year. You go around not only New England, pretty much all the New England states share to get equipment. I say that. I've got a lot of friends who now support me. I've got a friend in California who sends equipment. We've got a couple of friends in Florida who collect equipment and we ship down for, as I say, kids in need we support.

50:05They're trying to be a good police service and their community programs. I love it. I really do. It's humbling and rewarding at the same time. You really are a hero, Sean. Very much deserving of that. Thank you. Thank you, Dad. Stevie, you done much? Sorry?

50:28First question, Shaka returns, how was your nap, Shaka? I did not nap. I haven't seen you since. Did you fall asleep at another World Cup final? No, no, I didn't. No, I didn't. No. We were here for that. Yes. And ever since the World Cup final, I was excited. You've moved house, Shaka. You've actually moved closer to the studio. Well, first of all, I moved my daughter back into college where she's at. we moved house then two days later moved my son into college it has been non-stop wow so you've got two kids in college now yeah nice again what a hero playing for that people looking for some more than 10 every time I've got two kids in college Frank how's your weekend been?

51:11you had a lovely time? yeah very good time we've been cycling with my lovely wife around the place that we are in, in Normandy, and swimming pool, enjoying the sun, it's sunny, and I'm going to go to the beach very soon, which is only 40 minutes away. We're having a great time. It's so much holiday. It's midnight. What, were you finished here? It's midnight in France, isn't it? Yeah, it's midnight, yeah. Do you go night swimming in the sea? You're going skinny, Dippon. No, no, I'm going to go in some days to the beach, you know. It's been 40 minutes away from here. Now we're just enjoying our time.

51:58It's holidays, except that I have to work with you guys, which is also a pleasure. Oh, well, bloomin' heck. Good life, aren't you? You're trying to pay for college as well. Should leagues move the transfer deadline to before the season starts so teams begin the season with their squads finalised? Surely that seems like a no-brainer. I don't understand. I still don't understand the reason why it is the way it is. Because that makes absolutely zero sense to anybody. What about the fact that some leagues start before and others start after? Let's say England is dead middle. You have to manage all that at the same time.

52:41But all the leagues are well underway when the transfer deadline is... September the 1st. That's fine. So you change the majority for the minority. What I'm saying is, so for instance, so for instance, Germany starts a week after England, you know, why do they have to have a close a week before they start the season? Well then stop it when the German league starts. Yeah, they can do for the extra week. But then that's after England. You can get a couple of little exceptions. So moving to the end of August, there's only two games. But it only one game though. Yeah but what's one more game between friends?

53:22Ajax's Mika Gotts was named in the starting 11. Now Eredivisie started this weekend, you can see it live on ESPN, but was scratched minutes before kickoff and confirmed a possible move to PSG after the game. How would that have gone down in the locker room, Stevie?

53:41Well, I don't know the player, I'll be honest. But if he's your best player, or one of your best players, then it certainly becomes a big problem for that day. But I think anybody who plays in Holland, they don't have a problem when they see the teammates moving. But when it's the day of a game, and again, depending on who it is. Minutes before the kickoff, Steven. Yeah. He was warming up and everything. Yeah, I don't... I don't... Yeah. I don't think too many of you are that bothered. No. Not really. No. I don't think players are bothered about that at all. Just get on with it. Right. All right, it's 1-2-0.

54:20That's exactly what they did. There you go. See? Frank, which of these four... Well, you know what? You know what, Dan? Dan, sorry about that. You know? Different situation, but it happened to me when I was playing for Strasbourg, where we played in Monaco, away from home, and we lost that game and Martin Jetu who played with us, played after for for Monaco and was a great defender, he was on the coach after the game with us and suddenly the coach called him and he went out and he signed for Monaco and we didn't see him anymore and I wouldn't say he affected us but I said wow that's a big change because Martin was a great player and a young player and I thought he would stay but it can affect the dressing room especially when you lose the game and the better team pick get somebody on top of it so that was that was something strange I would say.

55:18I thought I thought Frank was going to talk about the World Cup final again you know because you know he's like always banging on about Ronaldo and the World Cup final I thought that's what he's going to talk about. Frank which of these? You don't know me very well Mr. Shakai Sloth you know. Frank, which of these former teammates have you? Right, right. Zola, Genoa or Petit? Who had the most ability with the ball? Oh, I know.

55:48Oh, my God. I would say David Genoa was the most skillful player I saw playing. But Gianfranco Zola was more complete. putting Emmanuel Petit with those two guys is quite unfair because I was in the same positioning. Emmanuel Petit was the best at defending let's say and giving the first pass to the attack so Emmanuel Petit was indispensable for me in the middle of the park for Arsenal or for Monaco before, Barcelona after and for France for sure. I would say that the guy who impressed me the most was Gianfranco and maybe Xhaka can witness that. I'd agree. So, strictly as the question is worded, it's David Geno.

56:39On the ball, going forward, at times he was just unplayable, including at Newcastle. But in terms of, Frank usually description of complete, passing the ball, range of passing, free kicks, dead ball situation. Listen, Gianfranco Zola is one of the best the Premier League has seen in those aspects. Do you want anything, Stevie? No, that's good. Shaka, are you looking forward to the Dockers derby? Millwall against West Ham this season, considering it hasn't been played in 14 years. Do you have any notable memories from playing in it yourself? No, I did not. I did not play against Millwall in my years at West Ham.

57:21Thankfully, I would not. Don did, didn't he? Because Don played for West Ham, went to Millwall. He said it was the biggest mistake of his life. because everybody hates him. Yeah. Which is quite funny for us. I was about to say, you don't have to be a Millwall fan to hate dogs. It kind of comes with being a football fan. Don's family have gone to Legoland, but he hasn't gone because he's had to stay home and look after the dog. That was his excuse so he could go and play golf at Wentworth. Okay. Dog is Darby. Should we send you Shaq? Would you like to go? No, no. I'm good at that. No? No. All right.

57:56Wonderful to have you back, Shaqa. Thank you, Dan. That was wonderful. Lovely. Stevie? Thank you, Dan. It's good to know that nothing has changed. Frank, have a lovely night swim at the beach. Have a great time there. Yeah, sure. ESPN FC returns tomorrow as we continue. Are you here tomorrow? Yes, I am. We're back tomorrow again. Are you, Shaq? I'm on Football America tomorrow. Football America, Shaq. Yeah. Wow. We need to be using it. Double dip, isn't it? You have to pay those college funds now. I'm off tomorrow. Of course, yeah. Oh, well, we're making some sensible questions tomorrow, Chuck.

58:33Oh, God. Stevie, back tomorrow with his paraphernalia. Close your eyes, exhale, feel your body relax, and let go of whatever you're carrying today. Well, I'm letting go of the worry that I wouldn't get my new contacts in time for this class. I got them delivered free from 1-800-CONTACTS. Oh, my gosh, they're so fast. And breathe. Oh, sorry. I almost couldn't breathe when I saw the discount they gave me on my first order. Oh, sorry. Namaste. Visit 1-800-CONTACTS.com today to save on your first order. 1-800-CONTACTS.

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The FC crew look ahead to Liverpool's season and argue if the club can bounce back from an incredibly disappointing year. Plus, the guys look back at moments when their fame was too much after Lamine Yamal posted a photo of himself trying to hide from fans on a flight.
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