Mallorca, Girona Relegated

23:49Craig Burley:Or a complete shocker. Brilliant. Thanks, guys. Just a reminder, a lot of this top-notch analysis as we say goodbye to KC on Football Americas. Can I go? No, you're not allowed to. You're welcome to. KC will be joining Mo and Herc on the next edition where I imagine they will talk about this squad in depth. 8.30 Eastern. The NFL schedule dropped and it's time to settle up. There's road trips to plan, hotels to book, tickets to split, tailgates to cover, scores to settle, all the things for the season. But now when you send$10 or more to a friend with PayPal by May 28th, you could win two tickets to every home game of your favorite team.

24:28Yep, the whole season. Visit paypal.com slash P2P sweeps. No purchase necessary. See website for details, including how to enter by mail. Brought to you by PayPal, official peer-to-peer payment sponsor of the NFL. Ian Fitzsimmons here, and I'm going to be brutally honest with you. I was skeptical about ordering plants online. Like this is actually going to show up alive at my house. But after my wife and I ordered from fast growing trees, convinced they have this thing down to a science. They've built a whole system to protect your plants until they arrive. They even have a lab where they test against cold, heat, humidity, you name it, any condition, they've got it.

25:07And they thrive. We couldn't believe how good our plants looked when they arrived at our doorstep. And everything showed up exactly how we expected. A perfectly healthy plant that was easy to unbox and ready to go. Every order is backed by. They're alive and thrive guarantee. And you'll get ongoing support from real, knowledgeable experts. They have unbelievable deals on spring planting essentials. And right now, you can get an additional 20 % off your first order with the code SPORTS at checkout. That's 20 % off at FastGrowingTrees.com with the code SPORTS. Terms and conditions apply. Again, that's fastgrowingtrees.com.

25:45Craig Burley:Code SPORTS.

26:12Craig Burley:this would have been but VAR proved to be a nightmare. Yeah, she was in offside position. We were calling the first goal of her in the Women's Champions League. Her last game with Olympique Lyonese imagine it could be a dream. But here again a chance, Lillenez, but this time Colt with a good stop. Yeah, Catacol one of the best players of the game, the best player for sure from FC Barcelona. But then the moment that really changed everything. Ten minutes after the break, Peor makes it 1-0. Yeah, in the first half, Barca was defending more, in the second half had the opportunity, the space and Eva Payor don't miss this clinical finish.

26:49He finished amazing.

26:50Craig Burley:And then 14 minutes later, when it's your day, it's your day. Look at this, Sefeor, right place, right time. Thank you very much. Yeah, Barcelona was higher on the field and created more chances and Eva Payor again was ready to smash the ball in the goal. And there was no real comeback, really not the wind out of Liones' sails. There will be two late goals, it's the best of them, Perriello here. Yeah, this is a goal to enjoy. Let's see what is the execution, the weight impact with the surface of the feet, with the centre part of the foot, the ball was unstoppable. And then it will be Peor into Perriello here to get her second and Barcelona's fourth.

27:29Yeah, they switch two-two, right? Two goals for one, two for other. Salma Perriello finished this way again with her left foot.

27:39Craig Burley:Barcelona then celebrate a convincing victory in the end. This, as we said before, their sixth straight final. They've now won four of them. No doubt who today's MVP was. Let's hear from Eva Pio. Eva, congratulations. After so many tries, this must feel so special for you. It's special, it's special. I don't know what I have to say. I'm just very happy and proud to my team. Is it every bit that you thought it would be? Now you've reached this moment, you finally made it to the top of the mountain. Is this how you thought it would be? Yes. I even never dreamed of a moment like this, to be a player of Barcelona and to win Champions League in something special.

28:34and I am grateful for this moment now.

28:38Craig Burley:I know there is so much importance in the team, but you played your role today as an individual. How important was it that you stayed patient today? I think we played from the first minute to the end like a team. We fight for every ball. We fight for the win. This is the mentality for this team. This is amazing. And for you personally, I mean, I'm sure you didn't need much tempting to join Barcelona, but you must feel now that this is one of the best decisions you've ever made. Yes, yes. The change for this club was the best moment in my career and I am grateful, just grateful and that's it. If ever an interview sums it all up, that does beautifully, doesn't it?

29:29Yeah, an emotional moment for her. She has lost the fourth final that she played before. Today she wins and she finished in the top of the score, about goals, 11 goals in the season in the Women's Champions League. This is a dream for all the players.

29:42Craig Burley:It has been a dream season, of course, of Barcelona overall. Just look at their complete dominance, not only of course in Europe, but domestically as well. For more on this, let's welcome pitch side. Juliane Leroy joins us as does Gemma Salet. Hey, I tell you what Gemma, at half time, not many would have believed this was going to be a 4-0 game. Yes, the first 45 minutes were very difficult for Barcelona. They tried to play their game, they were unable, they couldn't control the ball, the positions were not good, they were struggling in defence. But I think what changed everything is the mentality.

30:18They were playing the first 45 minutes, they didn't want to lose. After the break, they wanted to win and they believed it. I don't know, I want to ask Pere Romero what he said in the half time, the picture of the team is absolutely different. I think the result is lying a little bit. I think it's not a 4-0 win because Lyon had the chances. Actually, the possession is 50-50 and there were a couple of missed chances by Hegerberg, Chihuahua and that could have been the 2-1. But eventually they believed more and they have so much power in the final third. and they managed to win this fourth Champions League title.

31:00Craig Burley:Jules, this was all about chances that Lyon had in the first half. They just didn't take their opportunities, did they? Yeah, absolutely. I agree with you. I thought they were good in that first half. The game plan worked really well. The problem is as well, when your game plan is to go and mark individually Alexia like Lindsay Hibbs did and the same for Lili Ioannis on Serra Jordi, the problem is it's tiring because you follow them everywhere and that's why Barca could not really play in the first half the second half as soon as the two players especially Alexia got a bit more space it was difficult but if you look at it that first goal comes from a mistake by Hegelberg who loses the ball and then yes there's a long way to go still for Patrick to go and give the ball to Payal but with this Barca team there's so much talent that one mistake and they punish you and if you look at the stats it's five shots on target and four goals I think the four-neal is a bit harsh on Lyon because they did well in that first half but you can't make any mistakes against a team like this Barcelona side who deserve completely to be champions today.

32:00Craig Burley:And Natalia, this is why Barcelona are the best, because they'll punish you. If you give them an inch, they'll take a mile. Yeah, Barcelona is the winner. They won the four Champions League and this is amazing and they are a new era for me in the teams in Europe, right? Until now, Olympique has like eight trophies and now Barcelona is taking this responsibility. I think Barcelona play a game really mature, playing like a two-half. The first half very suffering, defending, staying back, but in the second half they were higher on the field, creating more chances, arriving more around the box, and I think here was the difference.

32:42And the clinical finishing for Payor and Salma Parajuel, of course.

32:47Craig Burley:Gemma, of course, six finals in a row. there's no reason to suggest that this streak isn't going to continue. Yeah, you know, at the beginning of the season, they said that this team was not good enough. They lost at Leeds, they lost key players. The first, after the first game of this competition, the second, sorry, the best player in the world, Aitana Bournemouth, gets seriously injured. They couldn't sign new players. They wanted to sign Clarable. They didn't have financial fair play. So I thought, I had the feeling that this was the end of an era. We ask Alexia Puteas because we think he's more outside than inside Barcelona.

33:25She doesn't want to say yet. We'll see what happens. But the thing is that all these bad things happen to Barcelona. Then they look at La Masia. They find Clara Serra Jordi. They find Julia. They find amazing players. Clara Serra Jordi, she's 19. She didn't have a first team number at the beginning of the season. And she played like a rock star in the midfield of a final of the Champions League against the most powerful team in Europe. Eight Champions League title has, oh well. So I don't have the feeling that it might be the end of an era, of course, if Alexia Putejas ends up leaving. But I think that this way of working at Barcelona, with financial struggles, but working very well with young talents.

34:07And I think what we have in Spain, both in the national team and in Barcelona, this factory, this mentality, it's something different. and I think, yeah, I mean, next final is in Barca, in Poland. Eva Pajor, she was the MVP. I'm sure she's looking forward to that final again.

34:24Craig Burley:Very much so. Gemma, thank you. At what stage of the final did you have to start wiping Jules' tears away? Oh, yeah. I didn't look at her. I was not looking at her. I was in the middle. She was on the left. I was not looking. Yesterday, we predicted results. Natalia was right. Barcelona will win, so you get the big ball. Oh.

34:47I said Barcelona will score four. They did. I see that I missed the three. And Jules, you got the small one. The consolation prize. You are very nice, Gemma. Giving him the small goal. Don't do this to me, Natalia. I said it would be tight. It would be physical. It was. And then they made a mistake. And after that, it was over. I didn't even look at the end of the game. Is a game of football 55 minutes or 90 minutes?

35:11Craig Burley:I'm not really sure. So guys, thank you very much. Much appreciated. Natalia, thank you for joining us. Thank you. Just a reminder, NWSL action continues this weekend. Tomorrow, Bay FC take on Chicago Stars, 5 p.m. Eastern on ESPN+.

35:42It 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. Buster Olney here for La Quinta by Wyndham. When you're on the road this summer traveling for work, your routine can fall behind faster than a 3-0 count, especially if your hotel gym is non-existent. But at La Quinta by Wyndham, every location features a full-size, fully-equipped fitness center. So whether it's cardio, weights, or a quick workout before a long day, you can stay on top of your game.

36:21No excuses, no shortcuts, just your full routine, ready when you are. And when you book at LaQuinta.com, you can earn Wyndham Rewards points with every qualified stay. Tonight, La Quinta. Tomorrow you shine. Terms and conditions apply.

36:40Craig Burley:It is the final day in the Premier League on Sunday. All of the matches being played at the same time, but most will be focused on what's going on at the bottom of the table. Spurs taking on Everton, West Ham against Leeds. A draw or a victory for Spurs, and they will be in the Premier League next season. But if they lose and West Ham win, then Spurs will be relegated to the championship. Gab Marcotti joins us. This should be easy for Spurs, shouldn't it, Gab? Yeah, on paper it should be very straightforward. The stars are aligned for them. Problem is there's a reality of Spurs, there's a negativity surrounding Spurs, especially Spurs at home.

37:24And you look at this and yeah, it's very much I think squeaky bum time and they're going to be a lot happier when this is all over, if they stay up. But, of course, they may not have to win because, obviously, West Ham got to... Yeah, I said if West Ham win. Yeah, yeah. I did say that. Kenny wasn't listening. Well, it's been that kind of day. They're obviously playing Leeds, who have got a bunch of injuries as well. Obviously, they're safe. So, you would think fighting for their life taught them half to believe West Ham. You've got to bank on West Ham getting the three points, even though it might not happen.

38:03But you can't think any other way. could you trust Tottenham or do they look a bit better under Deserby yeah, could you trust them no, if they stay up do you think there'll be a much better side next year under this coach I think they will but that's all ifs, buts and maybes they have this home form this home, Gab mentioned this crowd that get very angsty and restless because they've seen so much negative this year particularly in the first half of games if you think back to Thomas Frank's short reigning charge they often played better in the second half because they were so bad in the first half, the crowd got on the back and they came out and they fought and blah, blah, blah.

38:40And it's just felt that their support has never trusted them since very early on in this season. And of course, they had the chance recently to, I can't remember which game it was, it was a big game they were winning and Danso makes that mistake at the end and they drop points. All these kind of little mistakes come back to bite you in the backside. So if they make any mistakes against an Everton side that, not exactly sure, what their permutations are in terms of Europe. But certainly they're playing with a lot less pressure. There's not a guarantee here for Tottenham to get the job done. So a big, big day at home once again for them.

39:17Craig Burley:A big crowd expected, of course, for this tie gab. But one key man won't be there. Romero in Argentina in rehab.

39:27That's right. Not for the first time. He rehabs away from home. look, Zadby tried to minimize things, saying, well, he spoke to the medical staff and whatnot but then he also pointed out that Ben Davies, who could have gone home to rehab is sticking around, even though he's not playing either of course, Ben Davies would just be going down the road to Wales but I think it's pointed I think it's an open secret that you look at the number of center backs that Spurs have, as well, of course, is the guy, I'm blanking on his name now, who did so well on loan last season in the Bundesliga. And Romero is an asset who I think a lot of people are pointing to and saying, well, he's a guy who could be moved on.

40:22They've amortized his fee. If he has a big World Cup with Argentina, clearly Argentina is priority. It would have been nice to have an extra fan in the stadium, but I think it's pretty evident this guy's mind is already on the World Cup. It's your captain, Craig. Yeah, I think it's just a dreadful look for club and for player. I get it there's a World Cup coming up, and I've been in that scenario where you do everything to play in a World Cup, but surely a multi-billion dollar outfit like Tottenham are have enough medical facilities to get him the treatment that he needs, certainly short term, before he goes back to Argentina.

40:58to prepare for a World Cup, which by the way is not next week. His club, that he's captain of, are in one of the biggest dilemmas with a beautiful, one of the best stadiums in European football, one of the most expensive stadiums in European football that might be gracing the Championship next year. And whilst he can't affect what happens on the field, he can affect the mood in the dressing room. And he can show the support for his team. And in no way, shape or form, if I was playing for any team and I was in that scenario, would I be anywhere else other than standing shoulder to shoulder with my teammates, which by the way, he hasn't always done this year because of his disciplinary problems, but I would be stood shoulder to shoulder in that dressing room trying to get every ounce out of that squad, the players and the staff to make sure that they were going to do enough to stay up.

41:52You cannot be such a high-profile player and your club may be heading to the Championship and you are Tottenham Hotspur and you are thousands of miles away getting rehab. I mean, it's just absolutely ridiculous. It should not happen. Gab, there's no rhyme or reason why he should not be at that club in one of the biggest moments, not a successful moment, but one of the biggest moments in the history of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club, they could be heading to the Championship. It's all hands to the pump, whether you're on the field or whether you're off the field. Look, the thing is, Craig, this isn't the first time it's happened.

42:38It happened last season, too, that he was injured and he disappears and then pops up on the other side of the world. But, Gab, they were not playing the last day of the season, possibly going to the Championship. No, they weren't. But that's the scenario. But, you know, I agree with you. But if you remember, they had a real stinker, and I think they finished one spot above relegation last year. And, of course, they won the Europa League. So there were big games. By the end, he was back. But I think this is just one of those players who, look, Zadby didn't give him the captain's armband. This is something that I think it was Thomas Frank and then was sort of inherited down.

43:16Zadby is more important thing to do than create controversy by taking the captain's armband away from him at this stage. But I think the club, and certainly you don't have to be a mind reader to read the Zervi's words, I genuinely think they've moved on from Romero. There are certain players who are tremendous leaders when they're on the pitch and they're examples to others, when he's not getting himself sent off, of course. But they compartmentalize everything. And he's looking at Argentina and he says, okay, now it's Argentina's turn. I can't affect anything. I'm moving on. Do you want somebody like that as your club captain?

43:55That's the question I would ask. And if, unlikely as it is, he stays at Spurs next season, and far more likely, Spurs are in the top flight, I don't think he's going to be the Zadabies captain.

44:08Craig Burley:And we'll, of course, be reflecting on those games on the next edition of ESPN FC and talking about whether it's West Ham or Spurs who will be in the championship next season.

44:23Craig Burley:Right then, Craig you've missed a few things over the last few days. Let's start off with Mo Salah shall we? Of course put out a criticising tweet about Arna Slott's tactics. It was liked by 12 members of the current Liverpool squad. This is what Arna Slott had to say about it. I think Mo was really happy with the style we played last season because that led to us winning the league.

44:49Craig Burley:Meanwhile, Bruno Fernandes has got the record assist in the Premier League and his reward for that is that he's been named the Premier League Player of the Year, confirmed there ahead of Declan Rice and Erling Haaland. Yeah, I don't have a problem with that. I mean, I can't. No, we're doing all. I'm giving you all and then you get to talk, you see. Oh, all right. Well, I've forgotten half of me. Michael Carrick has been confirmed as the new Manchester United coach. He's been given a two-year deal. Well, I know that. I've not been on the moon. Elsewhere, did you know that Arsenal have won the Premier League for the first time in 22 years?

45:28Craig Burley:These were the scenes at the training ground after Manchester City failed to beat Bournemouth. Meanwhile, Pep Guardiola is leaving Manchester City after 10 years in charge. His last game will be at the weekend. Speaking of goodbyes, you may have missed as well. Antoine Griezmann is in tears as he said goodbye to Atleti. Casemiro looks much happier to be leaving Manchester United. Lewandowski, meanwhile, playing his last game for Barcelona today. Of course, scoring in that defeat against Valencia. Neymar has been called up to the Barcelona squad. This is a bit of a surprise there for Karni. much to the delight of Brazilian supporters.

46:16Craig Burley:Harry Maguire out of the England squad, Colt Palmer and Phil Foden as well on the sidelines. Even Tony, meanwhile, called up to the squad. Here is Thomas Tuchel. Very difficult decisions, painful conversations. It comes with a job. I like these kind of decisions. Cristiano Ronaldo, meanwhile, has won the Saudi Premier League for the first time since making that big money switch, scoring in the final game. And he was also called up by Roberto Martinez to the World Cup squad. Once again, he'll be representing Portugal in a World Cup. We stitched up Stevie this week. Someone found this in the archives.

47:02He will absolutely 100 % not be playing in a World Cup. Why do you say that? We're talking about two years' time, Dan. There is absolutely no way in two years' time he's going to be leading Portugal.

47:16Craig Burley:And here's Don and a puppy. Which one's Don? The non-cute one. Right, which of that... By the way, I've... He's just saying Don's off social media. He's saying he's off social media now because he's got a bad shoulder. He'll put it back up tomorrow. Okay. Smallest board of things that you missed, mate. No, no, I don't have the time. You don't have the time? To discuss everything that popped up and all those little montages. Just choose a couple of things. No, I do have the time. Where do you want me to start? What strikes you the most from what we talked about from those ten different subjects that you kind of wanted to...

47:52Well, actually, something on Bruno Fernandes, and Roy Keane was talking about this last week, and I tend to agree, is we're getting bogged down in all this assist sort of scenario. Assist, assist, assist, pass, hears and assist, but we get bogged down in that and actually get away from how good a player he actually is and that sort of thing. The England squad announcement was interesting because, you know, obviously Harry Maguire seems to have taken it the hardest. Yes, you were telling me his family. Well, I believe certain family members have also taken to social media to voice disgust. It's almost too cold.

48:26And look, I can understand any player being upset about not going to a World Cup. I was never in that scenario because fortunately I was selected. Sorry. Oh, sorry. There's an echo.

48:39Craig Burley:Well done. There's an echo. I didn't even have to worry. Didn't even bother. It was a potentially World Cup winning Scotland side. Right. But, you know, Harry Maguire's obviously, particularly second half of the season, he's been very good. But it's hardly France leaving out Kylian Mbappe, it's hardly Luminium Al not been in the Spain squad. England's World Cup hopes are not going to hinge in Harry Maguire. but he seems to have taken it very badly and taken to the media to criticise Thomas Tuchel. Of course, the introduction of Dan Bunn is basically his direct replacement but I think that tells you the fact that he can play in pretty much every position along the back four so he's a little bit more versatile.

49:21That was interesting. The England squad is... He must have some air miles, Thomas Tuchel because it turns out he's been going to Saudi Arabia quite a lot to watch Ivan Toni or he's watching videos. I would have thought maybe somebody like Danny Welbeck in that position, you know, being in fact he's been very good at times for Brighton, he's getting a bit older, but that was a little bit of a surprise. And if Palmer and Foden not been in, is that a huge surprise with their form? No, but maybe one of them, Palmer might have snuck in as a potential game changer. And of course, some people And I think you were.

50:00Did you not have an argument with Stevie a few days ago? Because was you another one that didn't like Arsenal celebrating? No, I had no problem with that.

50:07Craig Burley:The thing that got angry, that Arsenal fans angry with me again, was the fact that I brought up how much did it help Arsenal that other teams regressed this season in them winning this title. And then everyone gets angry. Well, Man City didn't regress from last year, but they certainly weren't the powerhouse that they were. Liverpool were a big surprise. that did obviously play its part in taking a bit of the competitive edge out. Not at all, but a bit. But I don't understand where... And it seems to be a lot of people have an issue with Arsenal celebrating. Stevie's issue was they were all in their training kit.

50:42Craig Burley:It's like, why are they all sat 10 o 'clock at night at the training ground all in their training kit? Yeah, well, that's a question that you may ask. I certainly wouldn't get angry about it. But as we know, it doesn't take a lot to get him angry. But no, congratulations to them. I mean, they deserve to win the league. They were the strongest team. They may win the Champions League. I think it's the odds are against them. But they were the strongest team. City faltered. They did their job. And for those that say Arsenal didn't play good football, at times in the season, they did play good entertaining and attacking football.

51:16But that was kind of early on. As the season became more stressed and more pressurised and City did put a run together, it wasn't a great surprise that Arsenal, you know, started to sort of get nervous and all that. I don't know, Craig, we had to watch you. Well, you know, if you've been in that situation... I'm sorry, I wasn't part of the Celtic winning side. Well, no, but Stevie will tell you, don't post-Gorm on stuff. You have to grind these things out sometimes. It's not all pretty. So I don't have an issue with that. So, yeah, they deserve to win the league. and what else was on the list?

51:52I don't know. Gab, is there anything on the list you'd like to bring up?

51:57No, it was just funny just watching the three legends, obviously Griezmann, Kasimir and Lewandowski, saying goodbye, especially in the case of Kasimir and Lewandowski. Of course, they did their best work at other clubs, but they kind of reinvented themselves when many people, including myself in Lewandowski's case and to a lesser degree Casemiro's case had pretty much written them off, said, oh, look, they're just moving for one last payday. Look how stupid are Barca and United for picking them up. And we were wrong. They showed that they were pros and they showed that they could still contribute even at the venerable age of, what is it, 34 and 38, however old they are.

52:43No, one of the things I would say, and this is not against the player in particular, because Casemiro was, without doubt, one of the great midfield enforcers, shields of the back four, brilliant, brilliant player. But there seems to be some sort of euphoric ending for Casemiro at United, which I think belies the whole period of his time at Manchester United, where he did obviously, and listen, I was really pleased to see Casemiro playing well or playing better because what we saw for periods, particularly under Ten Hag and Ruben Amarim, was a player who looked like he didn't want to be there, not because he wasn't professional, but because everything was going wrong for him.

53:32And certainly from a next player's point of view, I took no gratification in watching that because this guy had been the absolute top of his tree and he was struggling. And every time the ball went to him at certain games, the crowd were getting nervy and the player himself looked like he was actually nervous and it looked as if he wanted to just the ground was going to swallow him so great credit for turning it around but it wasn't a magnificent period at Man United for Casemiro. The fact that he finished better was really pleasing to see from a professional point of view but in terms of the move itself being a success, it really wasn't and if anybody's out there telling you it was, then then they haven't been watching the whole period of Casemiro's time at Man United.

54:19However great a player he was, particularly at Real Madrid.

54:22Craig Burley:A lot more reflections then of what we've seen over the past few days on Extra Time, answering some of your questions. You can check that out over on our YouTube channel.

54:34Craig Burley:It's the A-League final. Auckland taking on Sydney FC. Oh, look what they're playing for. That's what they're playing for. and there'll be one goal in it and it would be Auckland who would get it. Jordan, Courtney, Perkins with the deflection and Auckland FC win by one goal to nil. That great part of Australia, Auckland. I don't know what this is. Is it New Zealand or Australia? It's the grand final, Craig. I thought it was the A-League final. Well, you can have a bit of everyone, can't you? English Premier League, they have Swansea and Cardiff in it. I don't make the rules up. I don't know why you're moaning about it.

55:15Craig Burley:Auckland are the champions of your A-League, winning by one goal to nil. And confirmation then, that's the first time they have won the tournament established a couple of years ago. That is it, that brings us to the end of the day. It's not the first time today you've looked at a graphic, I had no idea where it was. Well, I think I didn't cover that very well. Yes, yes, no, no, no, yes. Let me do another complicated graphic. Drop it in there. Just drop it in. Gab, back for extra time. Stay with us.

55:51Craig Burley:Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Saturday night with Gab Marcotti and Craig Burley. Craig, back. I was just saying to you earlier. From your holiday? Yeah, well, it was. People suggesting you weren't on the show because you didn't want to say anything nice about Arsenal. No, we're at the FA Cup final. Yes. That was work. That was terrible. And then I had three, it wasn't a very good cup final, but there you go. And then I took three or four days off to go up and see our oldest son in Nottingham. Was he happy to see? Yeah, nothing to do with Arsenal. However, on my return today, to watch the bottom of the league and other stuff, I did mention to you that I think I could self-combust very early in this World Cup.

56:31Yeah, and it's not even started yet. I'm already thinking about it, Gab,

56:35Craig Burley:and all these games. Yeah, but Gab likes all those little minnows and the stories and the 48 teams. He's like the anti-you. I'm just putting that out there. For whoever we hire, and I have no idea who we're hiring, if anybody can come in the studio with us. What difference does it make we hire? You're going to be angry. Pre-won them. Pre-won whoever it is that I may show. Good hobby here. Let's World Cup. Craig, now that Arteta has finally managed to win a trophy, do you expect to see... That's wrong! He's won the FA Cup before. Okay, that's not... I didn't question out. OK, I didn't... No, no.

57:09Craig Burley:Do you expect to see his team play a more attacking and free-flowing brand of football, or do you think he'll double down on the formula of heavily relying on set pieces and corners? I don't think he's going to change much. I think to change the set-piece scenario, and this is a broader discussion, I think we have to look at the clock scenario with the time wasting on set pieces, particularly corners and also the scenario around goalkeepers I think that's the only thing potentially within laws of the game and within the time of the game how much time is wasted I think that's the only thing that could change I don't think, why would you change?

57:58If that's brought you success, why would you change? And I think it's up to other people to look at how the game is going in that situation and make some positive changes to try and A, stop all this scrum around the goalkeeper and B, speed the game up from set pieces, particularly corners, which I don't think anybody really wants. We don't all want to sit here and wait for these corners to be taken. Some of them to take, it's not just Arsenal. Every team does it. Some of them take an age. It's crazy.

58:30Craig Burley:Gab, my uncle, recently went on a rant about how England's 1966 World Cup was very fraudulent. Pele being injured, switching the semi-final venue last second, controversial goal in the final. Is he right or is this just anti-England bias? Can I just be clear about one thing? I may be old, but the 1966 World Cup was many years before I was born. So I cannot give you an eyewitness account. The goal in the final. Look, the goal in the final. I'll tell you why people say it was fraudulent, okay? Because I've heard them all. I remember interviewing Eusebio, the legendary Portuguese player, about this.

59:18working backwards from the final. Did the ball ever cross the line? There was a linesman who seemed to be known as the Russian linesman, even though he wasn't actually Russian, who immediately gave the goal. And that's where part of the controversy is from. Earlier in the competition, of course, the game against Portugal was switched around. I remember Ozevio telling me almost in tears a few years ago, run up to Euro 2004 in fact he said like you know they stole that that World Cup from us I'll never forgive them blah blah blah they switched to semi-final at the last minute we had to travel up to Liverpool I think it was so they didn't even say Wembley whatever the the the famous game against against Argentina where Alf Ramsey said that the Argentines behaved like animals and There were fist fights.

1:00:12Funny enough, the referee in that game was a German, and the referee for Germany's game was English. That's the kind of sort of cross-referee appointments, which FIFA no longer do because they're ripe for controversy. And, of course, Pelé was injured. So, look, you need to have some luck to win a World Cup. I think England definitely had it. It doesn't mean they were undeserving. In terms of the individual incidents and whatever chicanery went on, I don't know, but I do know a lot of people feel aggrieved that way. And, you know, same way England feel aggrieved over Diego Armando Maradona and the hand of God 20 years later.

1:00:55It's in 1986. It's football. It's part of the game. Did you ever meet any of those players that played in the 1966 World Cup final? I once met Martin Peters. Oh, yeah? You know what I'm talking about?

1:01:08Craig Burley:Yes. And then years later I met him again and I didn't reckon it. It was a bit, I felt a bit bad. What a brilliant story. Craig, it was a game, it was coming along, I met him at a car dealership and I was a young up-and-coming whippersnapper at Chelsea and this guy was the World Cup winner. And then when we played England in the Euro 2000 playoff, he was, the whole 66 team that were still alive came along the line and he had to remind me who he was, which was a little embarrassing for me. Wow, because he'd remembered you from the past? You remember me from being the young boy. And he was obviously the World Cup winner.

1:01:43Oh, there you go. So I talked to him briefly that night again, yeah. It was very emotional. Yeah, thanks.

1:01:49Craig Burley:Emotions tomorrow at Anfield. Craig, if you were Slott, would you start Salah?

1:01:57You know, I probably would, just to show myself as not being somebody who is petty and bitter. Because the only one that's seeming a little petty and bitter at the moment is the player. I understand his grievances in a sense that he wants to go out. He's talking about rock and roll football and all that. So it's to get back to... The rock and roll football long left Mo Salah. His numbers were great last year, but it was more calculated. He's been part of the issue for Liverpool this year. He's been part of the problem. I don't... As much as in-house you have that frustration, I kind of feel you want to go out with a little bit more grace even if you don't like the manager which clearly he doesn't so no if I was Alny Slott I wouldn't and I don't think he could anyway I think he's got very little leeway with the Liverpool support now as it is so why would you cut yourself off even more so yeah I think he has to be very gracious and professional about it and I would imagine that's what he'll do like you will be during the World Cup I'm working here.

1:03:04What?

1:03:05Craig Burley:Gracious. Why would it be gracious? Because you just said that's a nice character to have. Maybe you could just follow that sort of... Well, he's trying to save his face. Right. And his lot. Your face has gone... Your face went a long time ago. I don't care about saving mine or who gets upset. Joe Felix is the Saudi Pro League Player of the Year, Gab. Do you think he's rediscovered his form and enough as... and had enough growth to return to Europe and be successful?

1:03:32Maybe just because he's playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo. So that gives him more upward knowledge. Just kidding. Look, there have been so many false storms with this guy. In terms of individual technical ability, he's probably one of the top ten players in the world. But can he get it done consistently? Has he gotten it done consistently at a top European team? The answer is no. So a lot of people thought they could fix him over the years. I don't know if El Nasser has fixed him. I mean, if you talk to some of the rival teams, they'll say they're very unhappy, let's put it that way, with the way the league has gone, including your friend Ivan Toni, by the way, who you called Ivan Toni earlier.

1:04:15I know, I'm sorry. I'm sorry.

1:04:17Craig Burley:I lived in Madrid, and I just pick it up, Gav. Ivan Perisic, it's just all there. I'm just a sponge when it comes to Spanish culture. I have a different one. It makes him sound more exotic. Nothing wrong with that. Ivan the Engine. You think of Ivan Lendl, wouldn't you? Ivan Lendl? Ivan. Ivan. You remember Ivan the Engine? He lives in Connecticut, by the way. Yes, he does near you, doesn't he? No, not near me. Quite near you. Yeah, well, half an hour away. That's quite, I'd say that's near. Half an hour away. Just hope my back garden is showing off. It's on the drive. Gab, with all the leaks of the national team rosters being released publicly before the official announcements, will national team federations take steps in the future to curb this behavior?

1:05:06Craig Burley:The US one, of course, leaked today. Should have came out on Tuesday. I mean, if they're leaked, they're leaked, right? There's not much you can do about it. I don't understand why this is so difficult. Yes, I appreciate there's going to be situations where coaches are going to want to ring up individual players and check on them and maybe even ring up players that they haven't called up. But why Pochettino or anybody else can't sit in his office, drink his mate, make his list, tell nobody except for the people in the office and just keep it there until it's time to make the official announcement.

1:05:50Frankly, that's just beyond me. I don't understand. If you allow something like this to leak, then you as a federation have done something wrong.

1:06:01Craig Burley:Ancelotti did it, didn't he? That wasn't leaked. That was all live. We saw the reaction. Neymar being included in the squad. Was that a surprise? Yes. Yes, it was a surprise. Who did he get in ahead of? He's a professional. Joe Pedro, yeah. He's a very good player. Yeah, well, he's not going. Just looking at the Maguire tweets here. What, from his family? Well, he got... I mean, I don't know. I think they're related. Zoe Maguire, absolutely disgusted. Then Harry. With the decision or something else? Yeah, then Joe Maguire. Yes. Might be related, might not. This might possibly be the worst decision I've ever seen in my life, no words.

1:06:37Well, taking it very well, isn't it? Wow, that's brilliant. It'd be even better if they're parodying.

1:06:41Craig Burley:I want to see Tobey Maguire. Hey! Is Tobey Maguire as he went in? Yeah, he's the Spider-Man, isn't he? Spider-Man. He used to be. Craig, how many new signings and in what position? 14. 14? What positions? This isn't the first on the butter. 14. True. What positions do you think Manchester United need to make to compete for the title next season? What's your priority? Well, a couple of midfielders. Minimum. Obviously, Minos back in the good book, signed a new contract, played well into the season. He's in the England squad. He'll stay. A couple of solid all-round midfielders, which, you know, talk about Elliot Anderson and a couple of others.

1:07:35Who else? And, I mean, talking about Harry Maguire, I mean, you're probably looking at centre-half in one of the full, if not both, full-back positions. Because Luke Shaw played well, didn't make the England squad. Luke Shaw played well as a season on and more importantly kept himself fit. But that has been an issue for him. The fitness. So maybe they'll look at that. And then...

1:08:02Craig Burley:That's all right. We can talk about this later. Final one. For Gab. It's OK. We can talk about Manchester United. We've got a lot of free time over the next few weeks. Well, I'm going to monitor the World Cup and all that free time. Oh, good. I'll be able to cutting him off. For Gab. When can we expect a kick? Allegri to the curve to bring Pep in and make Milan great again? Ooh! That's a good question. You know Pep's been linked to the Italy job. I genuinely do not think he's going to get it, but Conte and potentially the return of Mancini seem to be the two most evident options right now, although more after the elections on June 22nd.

1:08:44Certainly late last week, it was all over the time media. Oh, Allegri won. Allegri staying. Allegri's, you know, Jerry Cardinale has, from Redbird, they've all opted for Allegri. I'm not sure that's the case. I think that's kind of conditional on Milan getting the job done on Sunday, qualifying for the Champions League. You know, the club, I think it's well documented, has turned into Game of Thrones. There are certainly many people, including me, who think that this club is better off long term without Max Allegri. You bring in Pep and Pep works within the restrictions of Milan where he's not going to have the budgets that he has at Manchester City not for a while, not with his ownership anyway.

1:09:32That would be interesting. That would be a challenge for Pep. What value add can you bring when you're working with a different category of players? It would certainly be a very progressive choice. I remind everyone that when Milan last won the title under Fialdi four years ago, they had the youngest squad in Serie A. So you can do it with kids and maybe lesser known players. I just don't think Pep is really thinking about that right now. I just finished Game of Thrones. If they do move on from Allegri… I just finished Game of Thrones last month.

1:10:02Craig Burley:It's going to be somebody else. Very good. Late review. Is Allegri in it? I don't remember. There are things I remember from it. Allegri isn't one of them, Gav. Thank you very much. Thank you, Craig. ESPN FC returns tomorrow, where we'll be talking Spurs or West Ham playing in the Championship next season. What about the Champions League qualification? What do you mean? Liverpool are fine, aren't they?

1:10:27Sixth place.

1:10:45If you've ever wanted real energy without choking down something that tastes like regret, Bucked Up is the answer. The flavor is the thing people keep coming back for. Insanely delicious, which is not a phrase usually associated with energy drinks, and they're built on real science-backed ingredients. Clean energy that actually works without the garbage you don't want. Bucked Up is so confident you'll love their drinks, They're giving away an island vacation just to prove it. That's the kind of brand this is. No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends May 30th. Enter and find your closest Bucked Up at BuckedUpEnergy.com.

1:11:23Grab a Bucked Up and fuel like a million bucks.