In short
ESPN FC debate on Liverpool’s optimism heading into the Premier League (round 3), centered on their transfer window, squad depth, and upcoming Ipswich match, plus a later segment on refereeing comments and players’ emotions when leaving clubs.
Guests (backgrounds)
Shaka Hislop (former goalkeeper, ESPN analyst), Shaka Bak (co-host), Kane Murray (co-host), Stevie Nichol (former Liverpool defender, ESPN analyst), Frank Leboeuf (former Chelsea defender, ESPN analyst), Beth Lindhoff (Liverpool correspondent for ESPN).
Key claims
- Liverpool are “happy” with signings but the squad is still “light,” especially at right back; only Bradley Barcola has been added since.
- Coach Andoni Iraola’s positivity is seen as sensible value-for-money: avoid overpriced players who don’t improve the XI.
- Concern remains because Liverpool’s bench options were limited in a 2-2 vs Nottingham Forest; tougher Champions League fixtures will expose depth.
- Fans feel mixed: excitement for Barcola, but frustration at lost leaders and lack of numbers.
Notable examples
- Ipswich vs Liverpool predictions: most expect 2-1; Frank predicts another 2-2.
- Liverpool’s 2-2 vs Nottingham Forest: Iraola used five subs; unused included Mamadashvili, Endo, McConnell, Kumas.
- Discussion of Mike Dean’s podcast remarks about avoiding whistles/center-circle time and backlash in the UK.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOLiverpool's Transfer Window Overview
0:34 to 0:56
Discussion on Liverpool's recent transfers, including key signings and losses.
“Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC.”
Iriola's Perspective on Signings
0:56 to 3:18
Analysis of Andoni Iriola's comments on their signings and squad improvement.
“They've strengthened the defence as well.”
Debating Squad Depth Concerns
3:18 to 4:52
Discussion on Liverpool's squad depth and the need for additional players.
“It would have been nice to maybe see them get another body in midfield but they're putting a lot of trust in Trenione who has had a really promising pre-season.”
Fan Reactions and Manager Pressure
4:52 to 7:18
Exploration of Liverpool fans' feelings regarding the squad and managerial pressure.
“But I wouldn't be keen on going out and signing another three guys, paying over the odds for, at the best, aren't any better than what you got.”
The Importance of Young Players
7:18 to 10:49
Discussion about the opportunities for young players and the need for stability.
“I think a lot of people share Stevie's concerns that the squad is a little bit light.”
Predictions for Liverpool vs. Ipswich
10:49 to 14:00
Hosts share their predictions for the upcoming match between Liverpool and Ipswich.
“Well, they've put themselves in a position where the young players are going to have to step up, really.”
Liverpool vs. Ipswich Analysis
14:00 to 16:50
Discussing predictions and tactics for the upcoming match.
“Well, I started thinking about Ipswich against Manchester United is what made me change my mind.”
Sponsor: Grainger
16:50 to 17:28
Promoting Grainger's professional-grade products and services.
“As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy.”
Referee Mike Dean's Controversy
17:28 to 20:34
Debating Mike Dean's comments on refereeing and its impact.
“To many people, Luigi Mangione is a modern-day Robin Hood.”
Emotional Players and Transfers
20:34 to 27:52
Exploring the emotional impact of player transfers in football.
“It definitely doesn't help Shaka to get those in the game right now.”
Show all 21 chapters
Reflections on Leaving Clubs
28:01 to 29:29
The hosts share personal experiences of leaving clubs and the emotions involved.
“his is more about anger I'm sure he got on great with everybody in the dressing room as we all, most of us do but I'm not going for the emotional but I'm going for the anger of the situation who would have thunk it?”
Emotional Returns to Former Clubs
29:30 to 32:44
Discussions center around the feelings and nostalgia associated with returning to former clubs.
“You know, we all very quickly realised that when you're involved in professional football, as soon as they're done with you, they can't get you out quick enough.”
The Surreal Experience of Being a Former Player
32:45 to 35:06
The hosts describe the surreal feelings of reflecting on their past as professional players.
“as a player I didn't feel it, I was ready You've just been back, Shaka, you've just been back to Newcastle do you get those similar feelings like that?”
Welcoming New Players to a Team
35:07 to 38:58
The hosts discuss how to welcome new players into a team and share humorous initiation stories.
“And last week I was watching Chelsea against Luton and I thought the game was pretty slow and blah, blah, blah.”
A Trip Down Memory Lane with Football Stories
38:59 to 41:29
The conversation shifts to fun anecdotes and memories from the hosts' playing days.
“everything goes, and you just become like everybody else.”
Mourinho's Documentary and Rollercoaster TIFO
42:00 to 43:20
The hosts discuss a recent documentary on Mourinho and a fan-created rollercoaster TIFO at a game.
“As for Mourinho, you'll have all seen the recent documentary, we know Craig Burley did.”
Extra Time Begins
43:20 to 45:00
The hosts transition into 'Extra Time,' sharing their thoughts on Liverpool and the rollercoaster.
“Stevie started the show quite positive by his standards, talking about Liverpool and his negative again after seeing a rollercoaster in the stands that was made by fans.”
Liverpool's Current Form and Predictions
45:00 to 47:20
The hosts analyze Liverpool's performance and make predictions for the upcoming games.
“until you will seriously consider yoga and take Xhaka with you.”
Rogue Predictions for the Premier League
47:20 to 49:10
Discussion around unconventional predictions for the Premier League season, including surprise teams.
“You can see with so many players they brought last season, they're still not adapting to the system.”
Defensive Strategies and Goalkeeper Challenges
49:10 to 56:00
A deep dive into modern defensive strategies and the challenges goalkeepers face in today's game.
“Craig said Brentford would finish 6th or 7th and Xhaka had Sunderland getting relegated.”
The Art of Defending in Football
56:00 to 58:34
Explore the nuances of effective defending strategies and the mindset required.
“What is more important is how to play with the ball.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00In ESPN's wild world of college football, every Saturday begins with a ritual. And then, the migration turns to mayhem. Predators hunt, territories are defended, rivals clash. In this wild world, legends are unleashed on Saturdays. No one brings you closer to the wild than ESPN. College football on ESPN continues Labor Day weekend. Witness the wild on ABC, ESPN, and the ESPN app.
0:34Hello and welcome into the latest edition of ESPN FC. Me and Shaka Bak, Kane Murray, Shaka Hislop here in the studio. Stevie Nichol joining us today. Just in time to talk about Liverpool. Oh, great. Imagine on Ipswich tomorrow. It's going to be a fun show. On the road. It is round three of the Premier League. And just a reminder of how things have been looking in the transfer window for Liverpool. Big marquee signing in Bradley Barcola. They've strengthened the defence as well. But as you can see, they have lost some of their leaders too. Ahead of the game, Andoni Iraiola was asked if he's been happy with the transfer window.
1:10I'm very happy with all the signings we've made. I think three or four signings with Jeremy. I'm very happy with all the signings. I know the next question. You wanted more signings in other positions, you know. So at the end, the club has decided that those signings that we've done are the ones that improved our team, improved our position. And there were other options that we decided not to take for different reasons. Sometimes it's sporting reasons because you don't improve what you have. Sometimes it's because of economical reasons. It didn't make sense in terms of the market to do those movements.
1:49But I'm happy now that I know what we have. I have a lot of quality in the team and now is the moment for us, for the players, for me to develop what we have. Frank Leboeuf now joins us. So too does our Liverpool correspondent Beth Lindhoff. What we just saw there from Iriola, Beth, was he kind of answered ahead of the time the second question that he knew was going to come. And he said all the right things, but is there a feeling that even though there have been some big signings here, the squad is not yet complete? Yeah, well, I think the most telling thing in what Andoni Arreola said was the club decided that those are the signings that we were going to go for.
2:29He didn't say, yeah, that's absolutely the amount of players that I want. I'm super happy with it. He basically said, you know, he's very happy with the players he does have. I think all of us in the room today at that press conference afterward, we sort of looked at each other and said, you probably feel he'd have liked a few more signings there. He didn't really shut that down. And I do think the squad is light. He said a couple of weeks ago, the squad is very thin. Since then, they've only signed one player, and that's Bradley Barcola, in a position where they were already probably the most stacked in all places of the squad on the left-hand side.
3:02So, yeah, I think right back for me is the biggest concern. It's been a problem position for a little while now, since Trent Alexander-Arnold obviously went to Real Madrid. Jeremy Frimpong has struggled for form. Connor Bradley, we know, is out for a while. so I think that is where they should have strengthened really. It would have been nice to maybe see them get another body in midfield but they're putting a lot of trust in Trenione who has had a really promising pre-season. I think they just could come unstuck a little bit if injuries start to bite, which they certainly did last season. Have Iriola's cheery words today in the press conference eased your negative outlook, Stevie, on the season ahead?
3:38Listen, I liked what he said. you know I do think that there's no point in going out and spending money on players who are not up to it I mean that doesn't make any sense I know people talk about you need bodies and there is no doubt that you know last year we sat and listened down the slot talking about this team's knackered because he's got to play the same 11 or 12 or 13 and that was probably it so we better get ready for that But at the same time, I like the positivity of Areola, you know, talking about, you know what, I've got what I've got. I do have quality, which they do. Now I, and I like when he said I, have to make them better.
4:23That's all you can wish for. If your coach is sitting there talking about he's going to try and make everybody better, and there's no question everybody has to be better, then I'm good with that. But there's no question. in terms of numbers, they are light big time. But I'm also okay with not going and buying in somebody who's not better than what you got, maybe the same, but overpriced. You know, even Barcala is overpriced, but they had the money to do that, and that one is worth the gamble. But I wouldn't be keen on going out and signing another three guys, paying over the odds for, at the best, aren't any better than what you got.
5:04So a lot of it makes sense. What if you were to split up the Barcola money for players who are maybe not as top tier, but three players in specific positions that Liverpool need right now? Would you take that? If they were able to turn around, which they clearly are not, if they were able to use that money to sign three players who make them better, then from the big picture, that makes more sense. But it seems to me, by the statement, that wasn't available. And so that's why I think paying the extra for Barcala does make sense right now. Yeah, he sounds very like he's turning a corner, Steve.
5:41I'm trying really hard. He does, but oddly, between him and Iriola, I'm not that convinced at all. Well, listen, I get what Iriola is. They were going to be second a couple of weeks ago. That was a couple of weeks ago, Stephen. Two weeks ago, price is not today's price. A week ago, a week ago. A week ago's price is not today's price. Let me make this point. So now, while I get what Steve's saying about value for money, and you don't just buy players because you need warm bodies, Liverpool just drew with Nottingham Forest at home. Irayola used all five substitutes. Here's who was not used. Mamadash Vili, the goalkeeper, Endo, McConnell, Kumas.
6:27That's it. so now when Iriola comes up against dare I say tougher opposition than Nottingham Forest and you start looking down the bench you've got five players you can go for and and and all those were used in a drawing effort with with Nottingham Forest and so while yes Bakula comes in and again I'm with Steve I'm bright I don't get but I think he improves Liverpool and what they're able to to put out as a starting XI by some measure. Still, when things get tough, when the Champions League starts and those twice-a-week games start rolling around and you start looking on your bench for options to change things up, there just isn't an awful lot for Irola to call her.
7:18Beth, what's the fans feeling on it right now? What's the perspective of them? Is it negative? Is it positive? How are they feeling? Yeah, I would say it's quite mixed. I think there is a lot of concern. I think a lot of people share Stevie's concerns that the squad is a little bit light. I think the whole idea of, as you say, would that Barclay money have been better split more equitably around the squad. I think Liverpool's position on that was that in today's market, 40 million doesn't necessarily buy you a lot. So they'd be buying possibly three quite average players to go into the squad. And they have decided that they would rather have one potential world class player in the squad who can.
8:04That's going to make more of a difference to their fortunes than having three kind of average squad players. But I think there is concern, definitely, because it already felt last season that the squad was quite light. certainly as you get into the business end of the season it did feel like they needed an extra body or two already and then on top of that they obviously lost some big characters some big leaders in the dressing room so I think there is a little bit of concern but I think there is also excitement too I think Andoni Arreola, the way that he's spoken throughout the summer and at the start of the season has given some people reason to be encouraged I mean it's even working on Stevie so he must be doing something right it's true encourage TV it's a very good fight Frank let's talk about Barcola and what he's going to bring here can he have the impact on this team that a player like Mohamed Salah did
8:59well hopefully yes I would be great for Bradley but I think that would be a different kind of player so far what we know about Bradley he needs spaces behind the defences so therefore you know if you don't have how he's going to be able to manage uh and change maybe his game um but he has the talent that we saw him with the national team when they have a little bit of space uh and and with his pace he can make the difference and i really hope for him and for liverpool that he will have a big big impact but you know what i hear everybody talking you know complaining about numbers if you go throughout liverpool history and they have a big one um it's the word stability it was more convenient to that club than buying, buying and players and buying overpriced players.
9:49Because if you check them with all the new big signing that we saw in the Premier League, over 100 million, aren't they all overpriced? I think so. And just want to say one thing, you know, before you become huge, big player like Steve Nichols and Xhaka Islop. You are a young, average player. You know, so you have to show to the crowd and to your club that you deserve to be there. And that's what Liverpool has been the best of doing. They put out some young players that nobody was counting on and they became stars. And we can name a hundred of them. And the first one is Steve Nichol. So, you know what?
10:33I'm pretty confident that, and I think that the club made the right decision. They showed last year that they made mistakes By buying too many players So this year they want to show stability Counting on the coach to do his job And he has to do the job to find the chemistry And the way of making Liverpool Being the top of the top I have to disagree with Steve there With Frank there Steve has never been average And I am 99 % saying he's never been young either Never So are you wrong He's never been young What do you think of what Frank was saying there, Stevie? Well, they've put themselves in a position where the young players are going to have to step up, really.
11:14You know, we're talking about FA Cup, Carabao Cup, even Champions League. The younger players are 100 % going to get an opportunity. And that will either turn out to be a godsend or it's going to fall flat on its face. and if it falls flat on its face that means that the worst transfer window everybody talks about is the January one where you get players overpriced people don't want to sell that means they're going to have to do business because if they want to be in the Champions League and it doesn't work out with the younger guys they're going to have to they're going to have to gamble the way they said right now they're not going to It's back to back 2-2 draws for Liverpool so far in the Premier League, Beth?
12:01And I suppose there's two ways of looking at it in that they've had no wins so far, but they have had to come back and they've done so in both of those games. What's the pressure like right now on Iriola with no wins so far? Yeah, I think within the fan base, I think there is an understanding that this is a bit of a period of transition. I think there is an understanding. I think a lot of the frustration actually hasn't been directed at the manager. It's been at the hierarchy. It's been at the people above him, the sporting director. So I think there's an understanding with the Raiola that it will take time for him to be able to implement what he wants to do with his squad.
12:35But obviously, until he gets that first win, that will be hanging over him, that pressure. And I think obviously it was a great opportunity to do that at home against a Forest team that had looked pretty poor at the start of the season on Saturday. I think the Ipswich game, again, you'd expect Liverpool to win on paper. But the Ipswich have started the season pretty well, even though obviously they were heavily beaten against United. They did well for large portions of that game. So I don't think it'll be easy at all. And I think one thing that I always said in his press conference today, actually, was that, you know, 90 percent of this season already, pretty much Liverpool have been behind in games and they've been having to come back.
13:12And that was a theme of last season. And, you know, as soon as you concede that early goal, you're on the back foot then and the game plan goes out the window. And we saw so often last season that the honour slot was having to revert to sort of backup plans to try and get back up in back in the game. and that's no way to really try and build a team and build a way of playing. So I think, as I already said today, the first thing Liverpool need to do is start games quicker, stop conceding those early goals and then be able to sort of feel their way into games a little bit more. Let's get your predictions then, guys, for the game between Ipswich and Liverpool.
13:45Funny story here. Stevie Nicol, 2-1, it says here. Beth and Shaq are both going with 2-1 as well and Frank going for another 2-2 draw. Stevie picked 2-2 at 11.05am, and then four minutes later he changed it to 2-1. So what changed him four minutes, Stevie? Well, I started thinking about Ipswich against Manchester United is what made me change my mind. Because as unlucky as they were to go in at halftime at 1-1, in the second half, they absolutely collapsed. Just with the pressure that Manchester United put on them. and I think this game is going to be about Liverpool putting pressure on Ipswich Town and when I said initially 2-2, I'm thinking about the counter-attack which Liverpool have not last season and the start of this season, they've not been able to deal with it and that's why initially I said 2-2 but then, as I said, the more I thought about the way Ipswich Town defended, then I thought, you know what, if Liverpool can put the pressure on right from the get-go and get ahead then this team might collapse again, even though they are at home.
14:55Frank didn't change his prediction though, he thinks it's going to be another 2-2. More dropped points, Frank? Yes, I don't see anything else happening. Yeah, I agree with Stevie, he switched down, collapsed the second half but they didn't the first half and they should have been leading the first half. if the defender didn't slip. So I want to believe that with a doubtful Liverpool, Ipswich Tien playing at home in front of their fans can make the difference and trouble the Reds. So, of course, if the Reds play from the first whistle of the referee at the top of the top, there is no game. But that's far from being the reality of Liverpool lately.
15:40So I want to believe that a 2-2, and as we say in France, I don't know if you say that in English, never two without three so two draws, three draws Never two without three I thought he meant 3-3 there We would like to correct you Stevie was once young and we have proof
16:02Somebody please tell me that's AI Oh boy
16:09I'm not sure how to recover from that That's ahead of here How old are you there Stevie? How old were you there? 19. That was a wig. Oh boy. 19. I thought Stevie was born 58. That was a wig. That's impossible. That's a chupy. I mean look at it. Plenty of it. You can look. You must be so jealous, Frank. I mean look at it. It's thick. It's solid. It's colourful. It's got everything you need. It's got a shape to it. A lot. Long, long, long. long, long time ago. Make sure to join us tomorrow to talk more about that game and more. ESPN FC will have you covered as it is on every single day. Be sure to be with us.
16:57As you know, managing maintenance, repair, and operations is never easy. But for the ones who always rise to the challenge, Granger has your back. From professional-grade products you can count on to fast, dependable delivery, they're there to help you keep things running smoothly. 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 in protecting both your people and your facilities. Call 1-800-GRAINGER, click grainger.com, or just stop by. A new podcast series from ABC Audio in 2020 goes inside a case that has captivated the nation.
17:34To many people, Luigi Mangione is a modern-day Robin Hood. People were cheering the demise of this person they'd never met, who was a father of two and a husband and had a life and was just doing a job. From the manhunt ending in a McDonald's in Altoona, Pennsylvania, to what authorities are saying about a possible motive. I'm ABC News legal analyst Brian Buckmeyer. Listen to Burden of Proof, Luigi Mangione, wherever you get your podcasts.
18:09Former Premier League referee Mike Dean's been at it again, causing a bit of a stir. He said, on the Jamie Vardy podcast, we used to say we'll kick off now, right? See how long we can go without blowing a whistle. Done that a few times in the Premier League, before VAR, obviously. Went 20 to 25 minutes without blowing a whistle. A few times, let it go, let it go, let it go. Another thing with me in the Premier League, I used to stand in the centre circle and see how long I could stay in the centre circle before I had to leave. That was just me joking about, got about 15 minutes once in one game without leaving the center circle.
18:47Mini games and yes, a little bit of upset. It says all. He does say it all, Frank. It says all. He's had a lot to say. I mean, let me get your thoughts on it then, Frank. How serious is this? It's not serious. I mean, the guy is, shut up, you know, shut up. Don't say it at least because now we understand why you were so bad during all your career. you know, and why we didn't like you. I mean, that's insane. I've never thought a referee would say something like that. I would have thought that they're all very professional and they don't make. I mean, there are many things at stake. Saying that after makes you being a fool and a kind of a joke.
19:28And I don't respect you. Well, I didn't respect you too much, only as a human being. But now as a referee, I dislike you, really dislike you, because you showed that you are unprofessional. And it's not funny. It's not funny. How has it gone down in the UK, Beth? Has there been a bit of a backlash? Yeah, there has. I mean, it doesn't take too much in the UK for fans to jump on refs' backs. And I think he's absolutely given people ample reason to today. And it's his colleagues now who are still working in the game that I feel sorry for because, you know, they do have a hard job and they do get things wrong sometimes.
20:07and sometimes I'm sure they would like a little bit more grace from fans, but then when you have a former colleague coming out and saying things like this, it just completely throws into question anything that any current referee is doing. It just sounds ridiculous anyway, doesn't it? There's no way he's ever been refereed again where he's not left the centre-circle for 15 minutes, so it does all feel a little bit Alan Partridge, really, doesn't it? Like he's just completely plucked it out of thin air. But yeah, I do feel sorry for the refs that, you know, I'm sure probably saw that today on the social media timelines and thought, oh, you know, that's exactly what we didn't need to come out at a time when, you know, refereeing is under so much scrutiny.
20:48It definitely doesn't help Shaka to get those in the game right now. I have to say, those were my sentiments exactly when I first saw this. Listen, Mike Dean can, you know, kind of disappear from the podcast universe now and go back to whatever he was doing before and carry on. But now you have. And let's be honest here, for all the criticising we do of referees, that is a hard job that they're doing. And a lot is expected of them. Yes, they're also human and judged by a higher level, almost by nature of the job that they're doing. So for Mike Dean to come out now and say this, again, he disappears into the shadows at this point, but it just reflects so poorly on those referees who are doing jobs and trying to do the jobs to the best of their professional ability and may make mistakes and now everybody's going to see those mistakes through this lens i mean it's just i find it just so stupid on so many levels is it a big deal to you stevie no why is everybody getting carried away he's on a podcast as Brett said Alan Partridge he's on a podcast but to say he's playing games in a pretty serious podcast I'm sure he's gone I'm sure he he'll take the field and go right I want to try and not blow the whistle if I can help it and then all of a sudden that gets stretched and now it's 15 minutes and then and then he's running around he's not leaving come on calm down I mean how can how can how can people see how can anybody with any common sense turn around today and start having a go at referees today and try and use what Mike Dean was saying.
22:25I mean, come on. Absolutely they were. Anybody with any kind of sense knows how much garbage and how stretching stories that is. Come on. Do you really believe that? Do you believe that? Absolutely, fans. Well, no. Whether I believe it or not is irrelevant at this point. I'm not going to sit down and look over Mike Dean's games and make an assessment on what he did or didn't do. Which weren't that long ago. I was going to say that. Do you think DeFries is sitting at home going, oh, I can't believe he's done that. Now we're going to get pelts. Oh, no. Absolutely, they will get Peltas. More than they get anyway.
22:58It's not going to make any difference. They're going to get Peltas anyway. So what's the difference? They have a hard enough job as it is. They don't need a former colleague coming out and saying, yeah, we have a little banter between ourselves. We're not going to do this. We're not going to do that. That's helping nobody whatsoever. Let me ask this. What's the value in saying it? He's on a podcast. We do a podcast of the show. That's not the point. My question is... What we're doing now. Here's your answer. Why are you doing it? What's the value of him saying this about his job? Just what we're doing right now.
23:37People are talking about him. He gets to be talked about. Well, yeah, I guess. If you want people talking about him. He gets to be talked about. That's one way to do it. Anyway, a number of ways you could get people talking about you, but that's for another show. You get the final say, Frank. Well, you know, when I started it, I think it's a big deal for, and I agree with Xhaka, for his colleagues, or his former colleagues, where they will have to whistle and do something. And if one stays over a minute in a circle, maybe he will have a song about that, you know, asking him to get out and start running.
24:17So, yeah, it's a joke. Yeah, maybe he made it big and he was bragging a little bit. Maybe he was even lying about what really happened. But I don't see why. You know, it's not because you are the podcaster that you have to say all the aces in the world. It's a serious job. It's a hard job. I'm with Xhaka. And I support the referees because normally a good referee, you don't see him. It's because it's invisible that he's a good ref. It's terrible. But it's what it is. and saying that it's like, oh, I want to appear somewhere. I want to say, I was doing that. It's funny. I was done running. I was staying in the circle.
24:55That's fun. I wasn't even being professional. I'm so happy. That's insane. And guess what? Good referees will still not be seen. You know why? Because they miss in the circle. LAUGHTER LAUGHTER Thank you so much for being with us. You got to see a positive Stevie and a Stevie back in the referees so you won't get that again. Yeah, you'll never see that again. And he's here. Take a picture.
25:23It's all on the podcast. Thanks so much. Stay up to date with Stevie's negativity and his positivity over on our YouTube channel ESPN FC.
25:38Now the 2026 summer transfer window in the Premier League has officially broken all previous records to become the single most expensive spending window in the league's history and as you can see there it's 3.5 billion pounds. We spoke yesterday about what this means for some players. We saw Betis' Pablo Garcia crying after 15 years at the club because he'd had to move on to make space to help register Dani Ceballos. However players who've been in the game a long time like Xhaka Hislop were hardened and cynical and then you had those soft-centered players like Craig Burley saying that sometimes it is really tough.
26:22When you're in the game as long as Craig and I have been you become cynical you recognize that yeah you're you're an asset. Well actually in saying that I was quite I was a little emotional when I left Chelsea. No I'm serious. No but that wasn't. Why am I finding it so hard to believe? I'm serious, it wasn't the club per se, I had nothing against them, but it was a realisation that I was leaving the dressing room and a bunch of the boys, you know, that's where it was, people come and go. But sometimes when you leave a dressing room and all your buddies, you think I'm never going to walk into that again, I'll never have that atmosphere in the dressing room again.
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27:02But actually, I did. We did. At Celtic, it was equally as good, if not better. So these things happen. Yeah. You know, football players move on. That's just the way it is. You're an asset. Craig does have a heart after all. I don't believe that for one minute. Frank and Stevie still with him. Do you believe him, Stevie? Did that surprise you? I'm very sceptical. Right, right. I was like, yeah, OK. His emotional would probably be closer to anger. Because his situation is not normal that he was in. He was a young player coming through who was getting better and better. But at the time, Chelsea were going and spending money on big names.
27:46And spending big money on it. And paying big money. And the players like Craig, who were coming through, weren't seeing any of that money. And weren't getting games when they should have been to get better. so that's that's why he's probably his is more about anger I'm sure he got on great with everybody in the dressing room as we all, most of us do but I'm not going for the emotional but I'm going for the anger of the situation who would have thunk it? Frank, maybe you can shed some light on the situation for us Yes, I'm going to defend Craig because when I signed for Chelsea it was the last season that Craig played for the Blues and I remember signing for the club that I found a team with really a big friendship.
28:33And Craig was a lot with Hitchcock, with David Lee, with Ellen Jensen and some others, Marcus, for example. And I found that they were bonding with each other very well. And that was a real friendship between each other. It happened the same to us in 2001 when I left. with Poiet, with Ferrer, with Petrescu, Di Matteo. And we created the new Chelsea. But I felt the same with Craig. And we arrived with Di Matteo, Zola, Viali, myself. And all of those players had to leave at the same time. And, yeah, there were maybe some anger from Craig and the others. But an end of an era as well. So it's why maybe it was emotional like I was when I left Chelsea.
29:28Stevie, did you get emotional when you left any of your clubs? No, I was ready to go. It was time to go. You know, we all very quickly realised that when you're involved in professional football, as soon as they're done with you, they can't get you out quick enough. But we all accept that. We all know it and we all accept it. And there are odd occasions, you know, if somebody's falling out with a manager and they get stuck with the under-18s for six months or they get rid of them for whatever reason, then, yeah, you kind of go, hold on a second. But that's not normal. 99 times out of 100, we all fall in to the same category of, your time's done, thanks very much, but somebody else is playing and you're not.
30:16So, see you later. OK, so Shaq is right. Your oldest assets at the end of the day. yep we're all just cattle oh you your assets at one stage okay when you're at the door you're no worth a monkey go ahead frank now i say yeah we all we all had to be cynical and and and believe that we were of course assets and that that's what it is but it's uh it depends on you on your on your career you know when i came from strasbourg to chelsea it wasn't like you know i was leaving the club because uh i was afraid that somebody was seeing my place. I was a captain of Strasbourg and I was feeling good. It was a promotion.
30:52But it's true that when I left Chelsea, I was like Stevie was saying. I felt JT, John Terry was about to take my position. And I said, well, time is over and I have to find another club in order if I want to play, still want to play and be in the first 11. So it's why I went to Marseille. But it was hard for me. It was hard because of the friendship that we had at Chelsea with many, many players. and it happened all the same time. Like, bye-bye, good money is about to come up with Abramovich so the oldest, get away from here. We know, we are ready for that. But at some point, it's still hard to swallow.
31:32You know, the thing you shouldn't forget though is as much as you know your time's done and you're at the door and somebody else comes in, when you've spent a long time at a club and had success with a club, I found that it wasn't until I went back years later where I was feeling emotional. The first time I went back to play at Anfield for Sheffield Wednesday, I was all over the place. It took me 15, 20 minutes to settle down in a game. It just felt weird. And you're thinking about all the good times. And that's when I felt emotional. Not the day I left, but the first day I went back. And every single time I go back, every time I walk to the stadium, it comes back again and I start feeling it Even if it's not a game even just now if you were to go back it feels strange now Yeah because there's all kinds of you see things that not that there's that many things in the building still there but there are certain things and it just your mind just goes back to a certain situation in that time so yeah going back is absolutely emotional but at the time as a professional walking out the door for the last as a player I didn't feel it, I was ready You've just been back, Shaka, you've just been back to Newcastle do you get those similar feelings like that?
32:55I got the feeling of I'm not sure nostalgia really is the right word for it because maybe it's been so long but it feels almost surreal and I was there with the entertainers for Kevin Keegan and the tribute that the club made to Kevin Keegan before that first game of the season. So I'm sitting there, or certainly we get to the ground two hours before kickoff, and we're all kind of sitting around and just sharing stories about time at the club and what's been happening since. And then we sit in the stand and watch the game. And it was kind of surreal to be a part of that again, you know. And I caught myself kind of looking around and thinking, look at all these people.
33:45albeit a long time ago I used to be down there it just felt really surreal the best way I could probably describe it and tell you that I've ever felt was going on the field I went back when I was doing the book and there was 40 ex-players who were on the field I can't remember what it was for but from walking off one end of the field all the way down across on different parts of the field. You know when you see a movie and they go to flashbacks of something that's happened? I must have had about a dozen flashbacks on different parts of the field. It was fantastic. I will add, even as ex-players, you don't get that experience a lot.
34:30Fields are so manicured now that even as ex-players, as soon as the game's done, they've got the ropes up, you can't step onto the field. I've only stepped back onto fields as a player, coming back to my previous clubs. And I'm with Steve. Just being on the field, it really does, again, involve strong emotions. On the flip side, go on, Frank. Sorry, I like the word that Xhaka used, surreal. Because it's true that sometimes I come back to Stamford Bridge and I see the stadium and I say, I played there. I played 200 games for the club. But who remembers that? Is that real? And last week I was watching Chelsea against Luton and I thought the game was pretty slow and blah, blah, blah.
35:21So I put a game, one of our games that we played with Chelsea to compare the pace of the game. Well, not really, not really, not a big difference. But suddenly I realized that I was playing that game. That was me playing at Stamford Bridge. And I was comparing with the player playing nowadays. And that's what it is. I felt that it wasn't true, that it was surreal, because it's too far away from what it is now. And it was another era. It was a little bit of another stadium. And we have another life. And sometimes we don't think anymore that we were football players. and of course it's good it's not the nostalgia I think it's the worst word in the world nostalgia it's when you regret something that will never happen anymore so it's the worst of the worst for me it's a beautiful world but it's the worst and it is what it is we loved and we didn't think when we were playing we loved the game and it's only as Stevie said when you come back years after and you say, I did that.
36:29That was amazing. But it's over. And it's sad in a way. How did you play in that game on the highlight that you watched back, Frank? Well, you know what? I didn't want to mention that because you asked. I checked the 97 final against Middlesbrough. I enjoyed it. Maybe we should ask you, Keith. How did Frank play that game? I tried to protect you. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. But that was at Wembley, right? Yeah, yeah. Yeah, that was at Wembley. Yeah, so you're just being mean. That was at Wembley. Let me tell you. No, no, no. Just try to check. Try to check. Okay. Sorry, go on. Let me go on the other side of it.
37:17The new players coming into a club, you think of a team like Spurs now where so many new players have come in. You're a new manager or you're a manager of that club. You've been a manager, Stevie. how do you make them all feel welcome? What do those players want to be made to feel welcome? What's the initiation? What's the best way? To be honest with you, the first thing I would do is take the mic out of them. Try and do something, you know. Honestly. Welcome! I'll tell you, the first thing we used to do, if we had a guy on trial, anybody who was joining us, for any whatever reason as a player, the first thing we would do in the warm-up is as we're running around, we'd say okay and jog backwards and so everybody so you got 30 guys jogging backwards and of course what happened is we've done it so many times there were two or three of the guys positioned themselves behind whoever it was and so what you do is somebody you go right start jogging behind and then somebody will get behind them and crouch down and over they go right way and then that's just hello, welcome.
38:19And there was not one player who didn't have a smile on his face. And everybody laughed, everybody chuckled. And any nerves they might have had or anything would just disappear. And by the way, we had Garcia, the golfer, trained with us a couple of days. It's the first thing we did. He was playing at the Hartford Open. So get him, start warming up. It was one of them. Right, ready, yep. Same thing. Sergio Garcia. and jog backwards. Somebody got behind them, bosh, down he went. So that was just... As soon as somebody feels like they belong, then the nerves go, everything goes, and you just become like everybody else.
39:02Go ahead, Frank. Shaka, were you at Newcastle when Ginola signed and Gaza came with a wig, with a long wig, training, warming up? No, I joined after. Well, I joined that same summer, but a month or so later, than Anjanola. I joined just before the start of the season. Because I saw that video lately that when Anjanola, I think it was just when he signed and I think Gascoigne was there and he came to the training ground and he started to train next to Anjanola with his long blonde hair pretending he was him. That was really fun for a welcome. It's always nice. That was really nice. Nice stuff. Frank, I can suggest some relegation material tonight from Middlesbrough if you'd like to go down a deep dive on YouTube.
39:47seeing as though you're into that sort of stuff. I'm sorry, what did you say? There's a few relegations you can look up if you'd like to see Middlesbrough's misery and your next YouTube venture. Oh, I will. I will check the face of the game. Don't worry. Okay. There's plenty of that. We need to talk about Hollywood star Hugh Jackman, friend of the show, of course, is in talks to buy a steak in Norwich City right now. So just joining the likes of Ryan Reynolds and those who are doing the same, who've done the same. Now, I mentioned that he is a friend of the show. He actually did meet Stevie back in those ESPN FC days.
40:28Let's remind you of having that one. Oh, my goodness. You have to laugh. Really? Did you have a favourite player? Did you have a favourite soccer player when you were growing up? I always loved Craig Johnson because I just remember staying up watching him play for Liverpool. Wasn't that him against Liverpool FA Cup? Is it three? It is. So Stevie used to play with Craig Jones? Oh really? Stevie used to play football, which I know. I don't know. So you were in that team with Rash, Johnson? Yeah, Krugyb is in front of me. Really? Yeah. What was he like? Sorry. Hold on, we're on air right now. I can only tell you the VG's.
41:02I'm glad you've not got the A spike thing going on.
41:08Stevie? Ah, bro. You want to see the look he gave me though when you told him I played though? He went like that. Wasn't it? You a footballer?
41:19Where did it all go wrong? I've still got the bruising. He beat you several times. That was Stevie a little bit younger. I love it. Yeah, yeah. I still have my dough to go. Nice stuff. Yeah, make sure to check out the latest edition of Extra Time over on our YouTube channel for more moments like that. That is a classic, though. It's a belt, isn't it? It really is.
41:45Real Madrid take on Real Betis on Friday and you'll probably remember it was Jose Mourinho who succeeded Manuel Pellegrini at Real Madrid. Well the two of them are ranked number one and number two in club history when it comes to the win percentage. The Chilean was there for just that one season finishing behind Pep Guardiola's Barcelona but did get 96 points. As for Mourinho, you'll have all seen the recent documentary, we know Craig Burley did. Three titles in his time there. El Betis, Real Madrid coming up tomorrow, Friday, 3pm Eastern. Our coverage will begin at 2.30pm. For all the build-up, check out the app and ESPN Deportes.
42:24This was the Osnabrück-Pokal game against Bayern yesterday. This was a TIFO. This is an actual working rollercoaster. I've never seen anything like this and we needed to give it some credit. What? How incredible is this? We gave the highlight yesterday. we didn't actually show what was happening in the stands. How did I do that? Not for me. Would you have ridden that, Stevie? Well, why would you bother doing that? I'd ride it. Yeah, it's not too... I can't believe what I'm seeing. It's not too high, so probably I would ride it, but I don't get it. And the second thing is a bit stupid, to be honest.
43:01Oh, you were so miserable. Yeah, God. The effort that must have gone into doing this. I go to a game of football. What's a game of football? Who would bother to be a whole rollercoaster? Who cares? He turned negative again. Extra Time's on the way next. See you there. Hello and welcome into Extra Time. Frank, Stevie and Shakara with us. Stevie started the show quite positive by his standards, talking about Liverpool and his negative again after seeing a rollercoaster in the stands that was made by fans. There was a whole TIFO that was a live working rollercoaster that don't impress him much. Yeah.
43:43Well, you didn't say it was made by the fans. Who did you think made it? We've admitted the government. I have no idea. I thought it was a club. I thought the club had done it. The players. The players. It makes a difference, doesn't it? You're walking it back now, then? Well, it makes a difference. You think it's quite impressive now, then? No. Look, if fans are going out their way to do something for the club, at the club, then that's different. But if it's a club just trying to be clever and sticking a rollercoaster in... Wait, what? Go sign there. Go sign there's a good player, never mind.
44:18Sticking a rollercoaster there. There is a message. Stevie, there is a message behind the scene. Yeah, this night, the rollercoaster. The history... You cock me up, man. Come on, come on, Stevie, be nice. Stay on a bit history. What's he talking about? You're rollercoaster emotions. You're a second to be in team. You're up against. Hi, Ian. What team was it? Osbrook. Really? Osbrook, yeah. Relegations and all that good stuff. Well, baby, they've been through the rollercoaster. There you go. I love that. Oh, God, my cheese is killing me now. All right. Stevie. The rollercoaster cheese will go up.
44:57How many more games into the season for Liverpool until you will seriously consider yoga and take Xhaka with you. No, it's not. Forget that. What's that yoga bit? What's that about? Alexis said, if Liverpool win the next two games on the trot in the league, we'll have to go to a yoga class. And I went, absolutely, no question, done. Because I knew it wouldn't happen. And they didn't let me down. They drew it home before us. So that's crushed, done, no chance. So you're not offering up a second chance? No. No. Wouldn't you like to see Stevie in some yoga pants? No! No! No, no, no, no. I mean, I would love to see Stevie in a yoga class, really.
45:42I would love to see it and take a picture of it, because that would be amazing to see how, how do you say, supple it could be. Let me tell you something. When I played, I couldn't touch my toes. You don't need to cry. I couldn't touch my toes either. This is more reason to go and get more flexible. Can you imagine? Yeah, you need that. Can you imagine Stevie in full yoga pants? Hot yoga, hot yoga, hot sweaty yoga. Oh, God. I don't have a mask, so I can't do it. I can't let you borrow one. Oh, man. Okay. Namaste. Frank, how long do you think it will take Barcola to adapt to playing as a starter in the Premier League?
46:33The sooner the better, I would say. It would be very good for everybody. It's always good when, especially for Imperial, comes and adapts very quickly. Like I've seen, for example, Jafran Kozola signing and being effective and efficient immediately. but it depends also on the teammates and also the results. So as soon as his teammates will be, I would say, better spot on on every element of the game, Bakula can follow. But again, it's a hard question. Hopefully he's going to be very soon. He's a great player. He's an international player, scored goals during the World Cup. So he has already the experience to be influential for Liverpool.
47:24But how long is it going to take? You can see with so many players they brought last season, they're still not adapting to the system. So hopefully it's going to be quicker for Barcola. Out the box is my answer. Out the box. Out the box. He's going to get an assist this weekend. At least. Love it. He's on a roller coaster with Liverpool, eh? I feel like you are. They're going to be second. They're going to be second. I'm going to see what that one. Oh, Bacola, he's going to be fantastic. I predicted 2-1. I predicted 2-1. Bacola's going to have at least an assist. Stevie, how would you integrate someone like Gakpo?
48:04You're predicting Liverpool finishing second as well, you know? That was two weeks ago. That was last week, Frank. How would you get Gakpo back in the line-up? How would you integrate someone like him back into your line-up? What do you mean? I know what to do. Hold on. Jog backwards. He's played every game, right? He's played every game he's been fit for. Jog backwards? Yeah. I think the whole context is the fact that he's been linked to other places, but he stayed in the end. Well, the only thing that would change what he's doing is if he actually 100 % wanted to go. But he said nothing. kept his mouth shut, nobody said a word, nothing from him, his agents.
48:51So I expect him to play the way he's been playing, including what he did last week when he set up Isak with a great run and a great cross. I don't expect anything different from him. Continuing on from yesterday's answers, what are Stevie and Frank's rogue predictions for this Premier League season? Craig said Brentford would finish 6th or 7th and Xhaka had Sunderland getting relegated.
49:43I actually watched the show at extra times. That's crazy, but maybe Spurs, you know, not getting good at all. That would be insane. That would be insane to see the third years where they're going to fight for relegation and maybe go down. With all the pre-player that they bought. That's a big quarter. That's a good rogue shout though. No, no, no. I don't see them going down. No, I don't see them going down. bought 17th again but they're just rotten basically well bottom half of the table yeah bottom half 13th 14th and below that's a good rule prediction i'm thinking of mine don't get me wrong take it in mind that's it guys so stevie saw the show i think you got to thinking on of your own then right no no
50:32i'm trying to figure out you're trying to figure out the roller coaster I've never I'll tell you what I can't even figure out what I'm thinking Tell me you're going to
50:45I actually watched it No Well you tell me Can I think of one now Concentrate Am I thinking of one I can smell wood burning so maybe No yesterday I actually watched Exotime yesterday And so when you ask Craig that question, Brentford was the thing that came straight to my mind. So I would have said Brentford, but I like Frankie's with spurs, except not getting relegated. You know what? Another one, another one. Arsenal not being champion, that will be a rogue for me. It feels rogue right now. Everybody feels different than winning it again, right? Yeah, it does feel rogue. Okay, start, bench or drop most goal contributions this year.
51:36Bruno Fernandes, Cole Palmer or Ryan Cherky?
51:44I think again Bruno Fernandes most goal contributions. I will put Cole Palmer second round and Cherky third. Don't ask me to explain or give me my reasons. I'll just give my reasons. Can't argue with that. Because every single thing going forward goes through Bruno Fernandes. Correct. So that's why he has to be a force. Frank? I agree with the guys. And on top of it, even if he scored a hat-trick, he's more a giving person, Bruno Fernandes, than the two others. The two others can finish the job. I think Bruno Fernandes loves giving assists. OK, Shaka, Ben Foster, while describing Cole Palmer's recent goal against Brighton, said that it's impossible for a goalkeeper to move if the player gives you the eyes before taking the shot.
52:35Is that true or do you think there are things you can do to avoid conceding in that situation? Not with a player like Cole Palmer. Not with a player like Cole Palmer. Coming in, I think it was on his left foot, I think it was, and he sees where you are, you can't guess. No, there are players on the park who, coming in at that angle, can only do one thing with your ball, put it far post. they can't grip it back near. Cole Palmer is not one of those and which is why it makes it so difficult for goalkeepers against players like Cole Palmer. The other thing, I'll pay defenders a lot of credit here, good defenders also in closing down players take away half the goal.
53:19You know we could talk and coach defending about you know how to keep your eye on the ball and get your body position and then in this manner good defenders get themselves in position that take away half the goal that leave you as a goalkeeper with with half the goal to to worry about um in the absence of um trying to remember the first setup but um in the absence of a defender close enough especially again with a player like Cole Palmer uh yeah all you can do is stand and hope that he hits it somewhere a yard or two around you. So do you, in that moment, do you think, oh God. Yeah, you do. Like, oh, you're going to let Colt Palmer have that kind of space.
54:01Let me just, let me just wait back in the net. Let me just walk in the back of your net now. How many players, what percentage? Frank, what percentage of players today actually think about that when they're defending? Because that's, I mean, you're of an era after me and I'm assuming you were brought up the same way, that the best outcome is that you take the ball off the opposition. But then after that, there's little steps that you can do to make sure that they can't set somebody else up, make it easier for the goalkeeper, all of those things. That used to be the first page of defending. It wasn't about winning the ball, per se.
54:46It was about affecting what was going to happen. and I don't see that today with players defensively that they do what Xhaka was talking about because you realise that with some players you can't get too tight because you may give a free kick away but what you can do is exactly what Xhaka said you can cut off half the goal of your body and that way you're actually looking after the goalkeeper I just don't see football players in today's game when you watch it you can see they're not thinking that way by the movement and where they're letting the players go. So Frank, what percentage is of players today who are actually thinking that way as they're in and around the box, how am I defending?
55:33How many think properly? Well, I would say 10 to 15 percent, you know, you have to name names. People like Gabriel do it. People like Saliba might do it. I'm pretty sure Lacroix tries to do it. Van Dijk at the time used to do it and knew exactly where to position himself. Some players, they knew. But it's true that nowadays, defending is not natural for a defender. What is more important is how to play with the ball. And that's insane because the basics are the wrong basics right now where it's true. You have to cope with somebody attacking you. You are in the reaction system, not on the action system.
56:21And that's what it is. And that's why it's a hard job. It's like goalkeeper. They have to react to something and it's hard to act. So it's a dark job, but it's an art for me. And we have throughout all the history, defenders, they were masters. like Marcel Desailly, didn't have to tackle because he knew exactly how to position himself and to force somebody to make a mistake when he was in front of him. So yeah, it's a different way of thinking the football, not something that we like, but we have to comment it. The best defenders would take the kit to the wash lady, and she would just go like that and say, don't bother, you don't need to wash this.
57:08Just put this sweaty kit back on next week. Didn't need to bother. But that's why I always got told, because you didn't have the grass stains, because you'd already cut out the danger before it came to you. Oh, because you don't need to slide in. You don't need to go on your backside. Now, as a defender, the only thing you need to slide is last gasp. And if it's a last gasp, generally, not always, because you could be covering up for somebody, but a last gasp generally means either somebody's done something wrong or you've been in the wrong position. These guys that Frank's talking about, the Bickham Bars and Desailles, and I mean there's a lot of them back in the day.
57:43Very easy. Hanson I played with. He never had to wash his kit because he never went on his backside. Was thinking though. It was clean. Stevie, I love to tackle. I think it's also something that you can anticipate where you know because I love to do it. you have to push the guy on the side and therefore tackle to recover the ball. That was something that I loved doing, especially in England, because it was raining a lot and it was very nice to do it. No, me too. No, sometimes you do have to tackle. It's still option number one. Again, if you can do it by using that, then the outcome is going to be in your favour all the time.
58:34And with that, we will end the show right there. Thank you so much for sending in your questions. Make sure to join the team tomorrow on ESPN FC with lots to look back on.
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From the publisher
The FC crew react to Andoni Iraola saying he's happy with the signings Liverpool made this summer and explain why the club are optimistic despite the squad imbalance. Plus, the guys criticize Mike Dean for comments saying he used to play various games while refereeing Premier League matches. The crew also reflect on different times they left a club during the transfer window and how it affected their emotions.
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