In short
ESPN FC episode “Real Madrid’s Money Moves” (Dan Thomas, Craig Burley) with Don Hutchinson and Alex Kirkland. Topic: Real Madrid’s major contract and transfer moves, how Jose Mourinho’s tactics may fit star attackers, and the knock-on effect of Rodri’s reported choice to join Barcelona instead of Madrid.
Guests
Don Hutchinson (football analyst/commentator) and Alex Kirkland (Spain-focused reporter).
Key claims
Vinicius Jr. has agreed a new deal through 2032, ending a long deadlock; Diamande (Amadou/“Diamande” as named) is confirmed as Real Madrid’s record signing from Leipzig for €125m plus 15 add-ons, raising pressure on a 19-year-old. Mourinho is expected to use his “power” to manage dressing-room infighting and fit Vinicius, Mbappé, Bellingham, and Diamande, possibly via a 4-2-4/three-forward structure. Rodri’s camp is said to believe Madrid dragged its feet; Hansi Flick personally sold Barcelona’s vision, so Rodri may prefer Barca, shifting title odds.
Notable examples
Rodri’s World Cup form; Spain’s World Cup success; Barcelona midfield fit with Pedri and Frenkie de Jong; Newcastle selling Bruno Guimaraes to Arsenal.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOReal Madrid's Major Signings
0:45 to 4:20
Analysis of Vinicius Jr.'s contract renewal and Diamande's signing.
“signed a new contract at the club, but Diamande has been confirmed as the most expensive signing in the club's history.”
Mourinho's Challenges
4:20 to 6:00
Discussion on Mourinho's strategies and challenges with the new squad.
“It's really hard to tell which way it's going to go.”
Potential Changes in La Liga
6:00 to 8:00
Exploration of how Real Madrid's changes could impact La Liga standings.
“Now, we've all known when we've talked Real Madrid over the decades, the power is inside the dressing room with the players.”
Rodri's Transfer Situation
8:00 to 10:00
Examination of Rodri's potential move from Manchester City to Barcelona.
“But neither him nor Valverde were sparkling.”
Barcelona's Midfield Dynamics
10:00 to 12:00
Analysis of Rodri's fit within Barcelona's midfield alongside Pedri and de Jong.
“I suppose maybe Frankie de Jong had a bit of an injury rabbit season at times.”
Ferran Torres and Future Prospects
12:00 to 14:00
Discussion on Ferran Torres' role at Barcelona and his future amidst transfer talks.
“Very rarely do you get a player where he's a plug-in player.”
Ferran Torres's Future at Barcelona
14:00 to 22:24
Discussion on Ferran Torres's performance and future at Barcelona post-World Cup.
“Petri dropped out of the team in the end.”
FIFA's Integrity Issues and Infantino's Leadership
23:40 to 28:00
A critical look at FIFA's governance and Infantino's position amidst controversies.
“FIFA, talking about the future of Infantino, the FIFA Secretary General, and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance, reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino.”
Spain's World Cup Worries
28:00 to 30:40
Explore Spain's anxiety over the hosting of the 2030 World Cup final amidst political tensions.
“the big European countries in particular, and the players that are on that FIFA payroll, they have to get out there and distance themselves from that man because whilst they're not doing it, they're in his pocket.”
Self-Interest in Football Politics
30:40 to 31:41
Discuss the conflict between national pride and the broader issues in football governance.
“I think it probably started a long time ago, well above my pay grade, but I think he got ideas well above his station when he was dancing with Donald Trump in the World Cup draw.”
Show all 16 chapters
Bruno Guimarães Transfer Insights
32:47 to 36:05
Analyze the implications of Bruno Guimarães' move to Arsenal and Newcastle's transitional phase.
“Bruno Gemma-Rais is on his way to Arsenal.”
Arsenal's Strategic Signings
36:05 to 42:00
Examine Arsenal's potential signings and the impact on their squad depth and tactics.
“I think even though they missed out on Vinny Junior, it was still a good look for Arsenal being in for that type of player.”
The Value of Strategic Signings
42:00 to 44:26
Explore the financial strategies behind player transfers and value in the market.
“I mean, Martinelli gets a bit of a bad rap.”
Navigating Team Dynamics and Transfers
44:26 to 46:44
Discuss the impact of player moves on team morale and locker room dynamics.
“None of those players are playing on the right side.”
Best Joke Tellers in Football
46:44 to 47:54
A light-hearted discussion on humor and storytelling in football dressing rooms.
“jokes I don't think I don't think I don't think Craig's been in any dressing rooms where you've got a guy that's stand-up.”
Final Thoughts Before the Break
47:54 to 49:00
Wrap-up discussion reflecting on the show's highlights and upcoming breaks.
“Do you want to hear a quick Spenny story?”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Hey Chicago, class it up with Crocs. You know back to school is coming in fast. So why wait to find your new fave footwear? Step into a local Crocs store and step into your new look. Try it. Style it. Make it yours. Because the right pair doesn't just show up, it shows off. First day fits, handled. Walk out ready for whatever's next. Visit your nearest Crocs store today.
0:35Craig Burley:Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas, joined by Craig Burley. A very good day indeed if you're a Real Madrid supporter. Not only has Vinicius Jr. signed a new contract at the club, but Diamande has been confirmed as the most expensive signing in the club's history. €125 million plus 15 add-on from Leipzig. Leipzig to discuss this more. Don Hutchinson joins us, as does Alex Kirkland from Spain. Alex, let's start with you. Bigger deal's got to be Vinny, isn't it? You know what, Dan? I might just question your premise right off the top. Has it been a good day for Real Madrid?
1:12Because three things have happened today, one of which you haven't mentioned. Yes, Vinny. Yes, Vinny renews. Yes, Diamante arrives. But Rodri doesn't. That's later on in the show, Alex. Come on, where's the producer telling you what's going on? them all. Sticking to the running order. Yeah, exactly. In terms of Vinny, yes, in many ways it's good news. In many ways it's good news. They didn't until 2032, just a few days ago, you know, there was still this deadlock that had gone on since last year. They finally broke through in this meeting on Wednesday. There are problems around this Real Madrid team and Vinny has been a part of those problems, fitting in with Mbappé, the fallout last season with Xabi Alonso, but no doubt he's still a world-class player and I think Madrid would have been, you know, really gutted to lose him.
1:53So I think that contract, yes, for sure. That taking on its own terms, I think, is really goodness.
1:58Craig Burley:Shall I put the poke back in the champagne then? Shall I not be that exciting? So, Alex, now that Vinny's got his six-year deal, when the fallout with Mourinho comes, when they're arguing about Vinny's work rate and things are going possibly wrong, he's going to win the power struggle, isn't he, once again? If that's the case. well look you know Jose Mourinho has been party to these discussions and has been in favour we understand of Vinicius Juna staying so presumably he has a plan a plan to make this work in a way that it hasn't worked for the previous two years he has an idea of how he wants his team to play it's getting the sort of the equation of fitting Vinny and Mbappé and Bellingham into the team has got a fourth constituent part now with Diamante arriving it's going to be even more complicated perhaps for Mourinho to make that work We've talked about it being difficult, some might argue impossible, to get those three attack-minded players into the team.
2:55Now he's got to do it with Diamande as well, the most expensive signing in the club's history. But yeah, Mourinho must have a plan that he thinks is going to work. Like I say, he's been part of the discussion process that has led to this renewal.
3:08Craig Burley:What a time for the 19-year-old. Diamande, whose star has risen so quickly, coming in to this team, which I think it's fair to say certainly has been toxic at times last season. Yeah, but it puts an awful lot of pressure on a teenager, which he still is. That sort of price tag alone, never mind the fact you're going to Real Madrid, working with all these superstars, superstars that haven't been playing particularly well of the last 18 months or so, maybe a little bit longer, under one of the most vaunted managers, certainly in his early years in Jose Mourinho, who's almost looking to resurrect the end of his club career.
3:46because we all expected Mourinho, and we do expect him, to go into international management. We've just seen Jurgen Klopp do it. We know Carlo Ancelotti is doing it. And you're thinking that's where Mourinho's going, and all of a sudden he pops up out of nowhere at Real Madrid as the saviour. So there's a lot, and we said this at the end of the season, there's a lot for us covering the Liga that I think are going to be great storylines next year. Now, particularly around Real Madrid, but also around Barcelona, which we'll get to. But particularly around Real Madrid, and is that going to be us sitting here on a weekend, Daniel, Saturday or Sunday, whatever it is, talking in very positive terms about this, this new look Real Madrid, or is it going to be the same old, same old, where Barcelona are playing the slick football, Atleti are somewhere in the background, and Real Madrid's problems continue, and we see Mourinho sort of almost losing it.
4:43It's really hard to tell which way it's going to go. It could easily go either way. They could be much slicker, much better, much more organised. We know he's made some defensive changes. Or it could be much of the same where he has the same problems that Ancelotti had in the end and certainly Chabu Alonso had. But you've got to give him this. We'll get to the Rodri stuff in a bit. But he's certainly given them plenty of tools to work with. They've made those defensive changes. They've made those changes up front. New contracts have been signed, and obviously we'll see if there's any more pieces to that puzzle before the end of the transfer window.
5:21But Real Madrid, because we know what we're going to get from Barcelona, Real Madrid really is the million-dollar question. Is Mourinho's type of football going to change? Are they going to be slicker and more efficient than they were? And are they going to get back to winning ways, or are we going to see the same old infighting that we've seen in the past? I think it's going to be really, really intriguing.
5:43Craig Burley:Let's take a look at what the starting XI could look like considering what we've seen take place over the last 24 hours. Diamande on the right, that's what we think. Vinicius Junior on the left, Bellingham, Mbappe. Does this work for you, Don? Yeah, it does. And I think the biggest cog in the wheel is having Jose Mourinho as the manager, Dan, because he's got the power. Now, we've all known when we've talked Real Madrid over the decades, the power is inside the dressing room with the players. I think that's a big reason why Florentino Perez has brought Jose in to handle these types of players and to handle Vinny Jr.
6:17And to sit him down and say, listen, you're going to work. And if I need you to work backwards, you're going to work backwards. And he's going to have this team functioning. I think La Liga this season is going to be Hollywood. I think it's going to be amazing to keep an eye on it because there's going to be a fallout somewhere down the line. That might be Jose with Hansi Flick or it might be Jose with his own players. But he's certainly going to get them functioning as a team, which they haven't been for a long time. But with Denzel Dumfries coming in, with Canate coming in, the forward line with Kylian still staying and Vinny staying and Diamande, they've got some squad.
6:51I think we know Cucurella and Dumfries, particularly Cucurella, are very consistent. Very annoying, actually, but he's very consistent. What we don't know is what version of Ibrahim, Canate, Real Madrid are getting. He, because of his Liverpool form, was omitted from the French team for the World Cup. Not the squad, but the team. And he was holding the cards to that position, which he lost because he was horrendous last year for Liverpool. He wasn't alone, but he was really, really poor. And Dean Hoisin didn't exactly have a sparkling first season. It was difficult for that youngster going in there.
7:30So there are still some questions about what version Mourinho is going to get. Obviously, if Canati puts that season behind him, he's a good defender. He's very quick. He's very strong. He's powerful. He's experienced. But what we saw last year, beside Virgil van Dijk, was not a season that you would necessarily think, well, that's going to get you a move to Real Madrid. So there are still some questions there in terms of what version of some of these players are we going to get. And also, you know, Tumene had a better season than Camavinga last year, and he gets that slot in there. But neither him nor Valverde were sparkling.
8:06And I think that's why there is a bigger discussion down the line.
8:09Craig Burley:This is where Alex and his negativity comes in, obviously. There were suggestions that Real Madrid needed reinforcements to protect the back line. And that person to come and do exactly that is the golden ball winner in Rodri just 24 hours ago. We were talking about the possibility of him moving from Manchester City to Real Madrid. That seems to have taken a dramatic change over the last few hours, Alex. suggestions are that it's not Real Madrid he'll be heading to but Barcelona. Yeah and it's two factors I think it's Rodri being convinced by Barcelona's proposal and not being convinced that Real Madrid were really serious or committed to signing him.
8:48Our understanding is Rodri's camp felt like Real Madrid were dragging their feet. That's after you know doubts from right at the top of Real Madrid about Rodri signing in the beginning. We understand Jose Mourinho initially was looking for a different kind of profile of midfielder. So put that together with Real Madrid not getting this deal done. In the meantime, Barcelona came in. We understand that Hansi Flick called Rodri personally to explain his vision, his place in the team, how it would work. We understand that Rodri likes the way that Barcelona play, has got some really good friends in that Barcelona dressing room from the Spain squad.
9:22So take all those things together. And Rodri basically, I think, got disillusioned with waiting for Real Madrid. felt like, well, do they really want me? Are they really committed to signing me? I'm not being made to feel like that. And by contrast, Barcelona going all out and doing everything they could, including Flick personally, to show him, well, look, we want you here. And so I think that's all happened at the same time. It's a massive turnaround. I think it's, like I say, I think personally it's more important than Vinny or Diamande in terms of where it does prospects this season. I think it changes for me, you know, from being marginal favourites for the title to dropping back behind Barcelona.
9:56I think it's absolutely huge, this. How does it work with Pedri? Pedri playing a bit further forward. How does it work with Frankie de Jong? I suppose maybe Frankie de Jong had a bit of an injury rabbit season at times. He's out with an ACL. Yeah, he's the guy that does that role, isn't he? Yeah. So, yeah, I mean, I suppose he would go from one team not quite as hear him, scare him as the Barcelona back line, but certainly a team in Man City that he's... used to leaving themselves a bit open at the back. So he's kind of used to that. I don't think it's as bad as Barcelona with their high pressing.
10:35But yeah, why wouldn't you? If you think Real Madrid are sort of huffing and puffing, why wouldn't you as Barcelona, if you have the finances to do so, step in there? You know, Rodri, we've seen Eric Garcia go in and do a job in there. You know, I talk about him almost every week as somebody who's so flexible, but did a good job. De Jong did a good job when he was fit. we've seen one or two, Mark Casado come in but I don't think he's the answer he's tidy but he's really a squad player at best so you've now got one of the best players in that position in the world, albeit you mentioned it the other day he didn't have a great season at City, he had a great summer with Spain, he has had some injury concerns particularly a long-term injury he recently got over which is not easy, but to get that experience in there to go alongside the likes of Pedri if Pedri can keep himself fit and playing well and one or two others that are already there, Fermin Lopez, Dani Olmo and more, you're just really strengthening that midfield.
11:35I still think Barcelona have work to do in terms of their backline, but that's another story. But certainly if you can get Rodri and pep him away from Real Madrid, it stops them from solving one of their problems and helps you solve one of yours.
11:49Craig Burley:Don, considering the upheaval we've seen at Manchester City this summer, Pep leaving, obviously Bernardo Silva going, as well. Are you surprised that they're not fighting harder to keep Rodri to the end of his contract? Well, they probably are, but sometimes when you have a discussion with a player and he makes it known that he might want to go back to Spain and he wants to play for Barca or Real Madrid, you can throw numbers at him, you can throw a contract at him, but sometimes players just want to make that move and he's earned the right to make that move. I think he's the best in the world.
12:20Very rarely do you get a player where he's a plug-in player. He walks straight into the Real Madrid side, walk straight into Barca side, any side you want to name, Rodri walks in being the best midfield player in the world. So City will massively miss him. He was magnificent and I thought he was the best player at the World Cup in the summer. Stylistically, he can play for both if it's Barca or Real Madrid. There's a little bit of me that thinks he fits Barca better, you know, where he can sort of dominate and he knows the players that surround him and he can play the position where Real Madrid, he's got so many moving parts in front of him, his job might be that little bit tougher.
12:56So, listen, he's got two huge clubs to choose from. I think if I was him, I think I'd lean towards Barca just because of the style of play. See that City team there? That would concern me. Yeah. That looks weak. That's not in the rundown. We'll talk about that another day. Well, yeah. All right, just looking at that with Enzo Mareska in there, even looking at the bench, looking at what Arsenal and one or two others are doing, that would concern me. Alex I didn't think Barca had too much money yeah but Rodri is relatively affordable you know the sort of money that's been talked about in terms of the transfer fee is something like 50-60 million euros the wages of course are substantial they have had some players that have gone off the books this summer like Lewandowski that have opened up some space there we've been told for a long time their number one target has been Julian Alvarez we don't know yet if that's happening or not we've been told they want to strengthen centre forward with Lewandowski's departure There are doubts about Ferran Torres as well.
13:52But I think financially, I think they can do this Rodri deal. One thing I agree with Craig, I think the Petri question is interesting. Because remember, Petri plus Rodri didn't really work for Spain at the World Cup. Petri dropped out of the team in the end. And that was when Spain really started firing all cylinders. So I think that relationship, how those two work together as a pivot, with maybe Daniel Moore ahead of them or Rafinha or somewhere else, I think that is an open question.
14:15Craig Burley:We discussed this yesterday, but I just wanted your views on it, Alex. You mentioned Ferran Torres and with Lewandowski leaving, you think, right, he's going to be the number nine. He's going to lead the line for this Barcelona side. What a great summer it is for him. He scores the winning goal in the World Cup and now we can focus on retaining the title with Barca. Yet he's been doing interviews and he's been saying strange things, saying every time these teams want you, it's a good thing. In football, this is for the link with BSG. In football, you never know what can happen. But the good thing is that I have a contract I can wait and decide on my own.
14:46Craig Burley:What do Barca need to do to keep me? They have to show me they want me. Come to negotiate. And in the end, it's all about talking. This is weird, isn't it, Alex? Because, yeah, you score the winning goal in the World Cup and you think your stock is sky high. But he didn't have a great World Cup.
15:06Yeah, of course. You know, he missed a number of chances, hit the woodwork multiple times before in the end, you know, the biggest moment of all came his way. Look, I think he's making the most of his moment. he's never going to get an opportunity like this again to have this level of public profile, especially in the United States. I think he knows that there are doubts at Barca as to whether he is the guy to be the first choice centre forward. I think he gets that. Who else would it be, Alex? I guess trying to leverage... Well, the question is, if it isn't Julian, if Angelético stick to their guns and refuse to sell Julian Alvarez to Barca, which they have said, that's what they're going to do, I don't know who a realistic and the right sort of plan B would be.
15:48We don't think they've given up on Julian, but the noise came out. Let's go has consistently been, we will not sell him to Barcelona.
15:54Craig Burley:He wouldn't get into the PSG side anyway, would he? Ferran Torres. I'm trying to think. Who's he replacing? So what's their front line again? It's Dewey. Well, Dembele. Dembele. Kavitskelia. Berkola, who's probably leaving. So he's probably gone from the frying pan to the fire, isn't he? And actually, he's probably got more chance of playing by staying where he is. 100%. But it seems that he, I don't know, I'm confused by his rhetoric. He's got a contract, but he wants negotiations. It almost feels like he feels the World Cup has made him the hottest property around, which he's not. He's a good player.
16:35He had a good two seasons with Barcelona. He fell off the cliff a little bit last year when he hit this lull, when Lewandowski came back in the side. Then he came back towards the end. But he has these little lulls. I don't think there's any doubt, since Hansi Flick went there, Ferran Torres is an improved player. He's still patchy, isn't he? He is patchy. But he's a kind of Hansi Flick kind of player in terms of his movement, how dynamic he is, his pressing, his work rate, all that sort of stuff, how Dani Olmo and Fermin Lopez and others can work off him. But he is patchy. he's not an out and out finisher he will go through these moments where he misses his easy chances and then he'll pop up in big moments and he's a little bit in a sense like Kai Havertz in that way where he has other facets to his game that are workable but he's not necessarily an out and out goal scorer Robert Lewandowski is different you know, Harry, well Harry Kingston Elling Haaland is different they're goal scorers Ferran Torres, he gets enough goals but it's about his movement and it just seems to me that he's playing his cards at the moment in terms of Barcelona but I think looking at if I'm Barcelona I'm not selling everything on Ferran Torres there are others out there that could probably come in and do a job so I think he has to be careful on that front and as you said, if he goes to PSG and if they keep the bulk of their forward line he's just going to be another squad player which he's not now at Barcelona particularly not with Robert Lewandowski going unless they go and sign somebody so sometimes the grass is not always greener on the other side
18:17Craig Burley:but is this just a player who knows how valuable he is at the moment after what happened at the World Cup Don and using that as a negotiating tool? Yeah a little bit I'm reading into when he's saying Barca need to show that they want me I'm not reading that into being a contract I think I'm reading that into He's got one year left. He's in his last year now. Yeah, but I think he really needs, like the lads are saying, he's patchy because he's a false nine. He's not a traditional number nine at Lewandowski. So that's why he is patchy. That's why sometimes you can't trust him because he's not prolific.
18:52So maybe what he's saying is he needs to be showing that little bit of love from Hansi Flick to say, listen, if I stay, and do you really want me to play number nine? And are you going to play me number nine? are you going to trust me to play the quota of games and show me, and then the contract's the contract. But I think he's more or less talking like, does the club want me to be in the start of 11? I think that's what's key to him.
19:14Craig Burley:But they're obviously looking at Julian Alvarez. So as a player, Don, what do you say? He's the same in a sense. Well, no, that's levels. But he's not, again, he's a player that fits the profile of the Hansi Flick team, the hard-working Anthony Gordon. Why is he going in there? Because it's about pace, it's about work rate. Yes, it's about end product. Julian Alvarez is the same. There was periods last year at Atletico Madrid he did not play well. He's another that's not coming off the greatest ever of seasons. So there's a few of them. It's not like they're chasing players and probably haven't gone pay top dollar for players that were absolutely outstanding at their clubs.
19:53They were not. They were not. They had their moments but they were not. So it's a difficult one. The one thing I would say about Barcelona and the president, it's the president, isn't it? John Laporta, whatever we call it. Yep. I think there's a lot of trust in what Hansi Flick has done. Definitely. You know, they've trusted him to work with players, to make players better, to bring the likes of Rashford in on loan. They've trusted his decision-making. So I think he's certainly at the moment holding enough sway that if he says, look, this is what he's worth to me and if it's not suitable to you, we will move in a different direction and you need to trust me on that.
20:29And I think with the results that he's achieved in his time as a Barcelona coach, I think Jean Laporte would respect and trust that. So sometimes as a player, you have to be clever because at this moment in time, and it can change, it certainly can change, Hansi Flick's in a pretty powerful position in terms of the decisions that he's made and how successful they have been. What's the Barca media making of it all, Alex?
20:55I mean, there's a lot of focus on it. You know, Ferran is one of the talking points there. Of course, today it's been about Rodri. It's still about Julian, still the pursuit of Julian. But yeah, I think really, really for Ferran, he should be pretty happy with the Bichini's goal, which is backup striker Barca, backup striker for Spain. And on top of that, just scored the winning goal in a World Cup final. But I guess it's natural for a player of that level to want more and maybe sort of overstate or overestimate a little bit your own abilities. But there's been focus on this. But much like, you know, as the second striker, it's not the main talking point it's sort of a it's sort of a back up talking point as well
21:32Craig Burley:he has not only won the World Cup he threw the first pitch out at Yankee Stadium for Neil Yang not bad at all there he is he's loving life at the moment was that a fastball? a curveball? what was it? it was a ball knuckleball it was a ball was it underarm? right go on get onto the pitch yes right here we go right there we are yeah definitely not a fastball there we are Ferran Torres Meanwhile, Gavi has dyed his hair pink. He said he'd do so if Spain win the World Cup. There it is. Oh, it's proper pink. You never do stupid stuff. There it is. If there's always a reason to get out these old archives.
22:12And yours wasn't even for winning the World Cup.
22:13Craig Burley:Was it for getting out of bed? I was just forgetting to. Just for being at the World Cup. Just a reminder, every single La Liga match will be live on ESPN+. All 380 of them. and as Craig said, it's going to be a blockbuster season. So many talking points. Yeah, they're your games. We're in the big game. They start, of course, later on. A week after. A week after, yeah, exactly. Because damn it, Spain got to the World Cup and won.
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22:55They'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. Hey, Chicago. Class it up with Crocs. You know back to school is coming in fast. So why wait to find your new Fave footwear? Step into a local croc store and step into your new look. Try it. Style it. Make it yours. Because the right pair doesn't just show up.
23:33It shows off. First day fits, handled. Walk out ready for whatever's next. Visit your nearest croc store today.
23:44Craig Burley:FIFA, talking about the future of Infantino, the FIFA Secretary General, and members of the FIFA Management Board in attendance, reaffirmed their full support for FIFA President Gianni Infantino. The meeting also addressed the FIFA Forward Enterprise proposed where mistakes made were acknowledged. It was further acknowledged that errors were also made after the proposal was leaked to the media. An apology was made for these errors together with a commitment to ensure they do not happen again. With the project withdrawn, it was agreed that FIFA will no longer tolerate any attacks on its integrity, good governance and due process and will take all necessary measures to protect and safeguard its name and reputation.
24:28Craig Burley:Alex and Don, I hear it. Listen, whenever I see the word FIFA and integrity, I laugh my cotton socks off because the integrity of this organisation has gone down the toilet and went down the toilet a long time ago. I think it was Sid that was saying on social media, Sid Lowe last night, when this crap came out about an error has been made. It wasn't an error. It was a plan. And it was a plan that got absolutely kiboshed and went sailing down the river. It wasn't an error. Right? It was a plan. It was a plan so people would make a lot of money, including Gianni Infantino himself. His salary was going to go through the roof.
25:19They were going to be selling all these rights and whatever. And there's one or two confederations or organisations that have come out and supported. Yeah, Africa has, isn't it? And we are not surprised at certain ones that are doing it. And I'll just leave that there. I think it's going to need... and I saw Lewis Figo come out the other day and slammed him where are all the other former players that are paid by FIFA get your head above the parapet show some respect and slam this man slam this organisation and don't put the money first put the game first, where are the rest of them get out there get out there, stop hiding behind the sofa until this goes away, it's not gone away.
26:08That's first and foremost. These players need to get out there, the high profile ones that are on the FIFA payroll. And Arsene Wenger, there's another one. Where's he? Where's Arsene Wenger? He knows this is wrong. And then we have UEFA and the big European countries. That's the crux of it. If UEFA and the big European countries say no, you are removed from your position or we will boycott every FIFA tournament that's maybe what it's going to take and I will be so disappointed if the Spanish and the English FA have withdrawn their support for Infantino that's a start I want to see the rest I want to see Italy I want to see Spain I want to see Germany and all the elite big level countries come out and withdraw their support for a man whose position is untenable.
27:05He cannot be allowed to be able to somehow sail through this. It cannot be allowed. And I'll be so disappointed if that happens. We need somebody at FIFA for the governance of the game that has clarity, integrity and honesty. And if they make mistakes, that's fine. Because people make mistakes. but as long as you have the correct mindset and your heart's in the right place and we're talking about protecting players, we're not talking about adding games, we're talking about how we can protect players and how we can help countries and how we can do all that, we're not lining our own pockets. And if he can somehow make it through this Infantino, I tell you what, then he's going to almost see himself as again untouchable.
27:57So UEFA have to take a big stance, the big European countries in particular, and the players that are on that FIFA payroll, they have to get out there and distance themselves from that man because whilst they're not doing it, they're in his pocket.
28:13Craig Burley:Spain very much at the heart of this conversation as well, Alex, given that they are co-hosts for 2030. Yeah, it's an awkward position for Spain to be in, isn't it, with that UEFA boycott coupled with the fact of hosting the 2030 World Cup. And all of this Infantino affair has really been viewed through the prism of one issue here in Spain. And that issue is, are we getting the World Cup final or not? When Spain won the right with Portugal and Morocco to host the 2030 World Cup, it was a given here in Spain that of course we'll get the World Cup final. Of course it'll be, you know, at the new Bernabeu or maybe at the new camp now.
28:46But certainly here in Spain, in the last few weeks and months, there's been more and more kind of worries and doubts. Are we going to get the final? Is it going to go to Morocco? And of course, Infantino spent the last week or so in Morocco. There's a close relationship there. It's understood that he's sort of using Morocco to shore up support in North Africa, in the Arab world as well. And that is worrying here in Spain. The fact that maybe we won't get the World Cup final. What sort of deals are being done? Because where the final is, isn't voted on. it's essentially a decision of FIFA and the FIFA president.
29:21So if he wants it to be in Morocco, it can be in Morocco. And so that's what people here in Spain are most worried about above all else. Yeah, but surely there's got to be a bigger picture here, Alex. I get it. You want a World Cup. I get that. But there's a long game here. And if Spain are only worried about Spain and getting the World Cup, that's wrong. That's wrong because the removal of this man is more important for the longevity of the game than your country getting a World Cup. I understand it's worth money and it's worth prestige and the gravity. I get all that. But this is so egregious that I think you have to rise above that and say, no, this is the right thing to do.
30:06We don't support this. We want the World Cup. We're really desperate for the World Cup, but we cannot support this man. And if that means we don't get it, then we're going to have to swallow that. Because if Spain back Infantino, then they're showing themselves for what they are, and it's just all about them. It's not about the bigger picture. And that's part of the problem anyway, is self-indulgence. And we can't have that around this guy who's in charge of FIFA at the moment. Don, your thoughts?
30:39Off the back of what Craig said at the end there, that's never going to happen. You know, people look after themselves. That's human nature. I think it probably started a long time ago, well above my pay grade, but I think he got ideas well above his station when he was dancing with Donald Trump in the World Cup draw. Then the whole Balogun red card scenario where Donald Trump was then involved. He's got people in the hierarchy that he can lean on and he's friends with. And I just think he got ideas well above his station. I'm not surprised that he rode back. I worked with Alex a couple of days ago and I said his PR team are a shambles because they should be saying to him, listen, you've gone too far with this one, trying to sell parts of the World Cup off.
31:18You've gone well too far there. No one advised him at the time to rode back and apologise. Last 48 hours, he sort of has, and that's the right thing to do. But I don't think you're going to see a different man in charge in a couple of years' time when the re-election's up.
31:31Craig Burley:Thank you very much. We'll say thank you to you, Alex. Just a reminder, a lot more on what's going on in Spain that over on our YouTube channel as we continue our countdown to kick off, which is in just less than two weeks' time.
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32:47Craig Burley:Bruno Gemma-Rais is on his way to Arsenal. Arsenal, of course, made a big impact when he made that move from Lyon to Newcastle. Yet another one leaving Newcastle. Don, what a lovely summer you've had as a fan of Newcastle. That'll be a little screenshot tonight of the team that beat PSG 4-1 in the Champions League. There's only three of them left, can you believe? Wow. Three of them left. Listen, I think it's one of them. Bruno never faked these tears when he won the Carabao Cup with Newcastle. He did fall in love with the city and fell in love with the football club. In two months' time, he's going to be 29.
33:23I think he's probably done the right thing personally. He said the right thing at the same time. He said, listen, I want to chase some titles. I want to win some things. And you can't blame him for that because he's seen everyone around him Tenale leaving, Isak leading, Anthony Gordon leaving. You know, the squads, the managers left, the squads just getting dismantled left, right and centre. So really, you know, why should he stay? It'd be amazing if he did. You know, fans would absolutely idolise him and adore him. But you've got to respect the player to move on. And there's a group of the guys that have moved on for a huge fee.
33:57So the best thing Newcastle could have done when you're selling Tenale is get the£100 million. Same for Gordon and Bruno Gimaraes. and you get top dollar in. And then what they've done on the left-hand side of the graphic is they're trying to bring younger, faster players in that's going to be hard to play against. And that's the model of Jaesla. That's his team. They work hard. I've seen some clips at work in La Manga. And I like the things that he's been saying. He's saying, we're going to be hard to beat. We're going to be full of running. We're going to try and stop teams from playing. That's the only thing he can do because they're now a fresh young side that can try and move on.
34:30It's going to be difficult because short-term-wise, Newcastle will be nowhere near the Champions League spots that have been under Eddie Howe so the table will look very different at the end of this season where they're probably going to finish at best 10th but it might be a case of, listen, we've moved those players on for a long, long time. Anthony Gordon, by the way, wanted to leave a year ago so Newcastle fans, and I think the club were well aware of that Liverpool were in for him Tenali hasn't been the same for the last six months because he's wanted to go Bruno was the big one that's, I think, killed Newcastle fans and that's a sore one to take.
35:01Well, with this Saudi investment that came in some years ago, it was going to take them to... And look, Eddie Howe took them back into the Champions League and that was a pretty good job. But they don't want to hear it. It's a great club. They don't want to hear it. They're a selling club. They're a selling club. It's a great atmosphere. It's a great city. But players go there and then they look to move on to bigger and better things. That's just a fact. now some of the money they've got in for some of the players is very good but if they're bringing the younger players in now and most of them we haven't really heard of and certainly not don't know much about the manager is they'll bring them in and if they're any good at all the price will go up and and they'll sell them again that's kind of where they are and that's not i don't think that was the story that the newcastle fans bought into a few years ago when all this investment come in, it was we're going to be challenging Man City and Arsenal and Liverpool and Chelsea year in, year out and that really, A, is difficult to do and B, is never really materialised.
36:05Does Bruno start for Arsenal Don? Yeah, he starts I mean he's I think what he is, I talk about Rodri being a plug-in player, he's that for Arsenal also allow Declan Rice to have a breather because he's been absolutely shattered you saw that in the World Cup, so he starts all day long I think it just emphasises the strength of Arsenal. I think even though they missed out on Vinny Junior, it was still a good look for Arsenal being in for that type of player. So I think Arsenal fans have obviously seen Bruno Guimaraes play against Arsenal and stopped them from getting Champions League football a couple of years ago.
36:41So he plays with that bit of spite, he plays with emotion. You'll see him shout and scream and cry in any given minute of a game. Arsenal fans are going to love him. Great signing, isn't it? You look at that potential bench there for Arsenal and it reminds me of Man City when they were at their pomp, when they were really dominating English football for that four or five year period. And they were also not dominating the Champions League, but they should have done. They should have had more than one. They did not, but they should have done. And looking at that bench with the Ezeys and the Marinos and the Zubimendis, it reminds me of that.
37:13It reminds me of strength and depth and more signings to come. And that's what Arteta has. And at the moment, they're head and shoulders above everybody in terms of retaining the Premier League title.
37:24Craig Burley:Just a reminder, we stay late to answer your questions on Extra Time. And tonight is no exception. You can check that out over on our YouTube channel.
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38:36Craig Burley:That's it. ESPN FC back on your screen tomorrow.
38:43Craig Burley:Welcome in to the latest edition of Extra Time. Craig Burley with this here. Don, you said you're recovering from the flu. You look like it. Yeah, my eyes are a bit bloodshot. I mean, Craig's still giggling there. He's dropping in there. He's had birds at the house. Let's just leave it there. All right, Don. But you're feeling better now, mate? I feel all right, mate. Just a bit of man flu. I'm fine. Yeah. There you go. Violin's hour. Is it important that Rodri come to Barcelona because he will make Barca better or because he doesn't go to Madrid, so they don't have a winning midfield. I've always said grammatically incorrect statements.
39:20Craig Burley:It could have been my reading, to be honest. So what's better? What? Look, Rodri isn't at Real Madrid and at Barcelona. Which is the better part of this? So, is it better for Barcelona that Rodri isn't at... No, I can't do it. I can't. I'm trying to do it. I can't. I told you, it's grammatically incorrect. Is it more important that Rodri come to Barca? Is it because Barcelona will be better or Real Madrid will be worse? It's both, isn't it? Both, isn't it? Yeah, it is both. But which one more, Don? I mean, either way, Barca win. Yes. Winner, winner. I expect that one. Winner, winner. Boss. Mike's back.
40:02Mike? Just a mate or the boss? Producer Mike. Sat in his backside in the house. That's my job for the day.
40:10Craig Burley:For Mr Burley, with the signing of Diamande, do you think Mourinho will try something different? Or will he see the same 4-2-4 formation Ancelotti used in 2024 to fit all the big names into the line-up? What was the 4-2-4? So 4-2-4 is what we showed, wasn't it, pretty much? I know what a 4-2-4 is. Yes. So he played Bellingham. He played a... Yes. So it was Bellingham, Mbappe, Vinicius, Rodrigo. We can argue semantics all day about formations. Right. He played three up front, one wide left, one wide right, striker with Bellingham doing both roles. So you can argue, but yeah, I could see that because you want to get Bellingham.
40:54We saw how powerful Bellingham was at the World Cup. Yeah. That's just complete, that nails it for me if I'm Mourinho. because we did see Ancelotti over a period moving them from pillar to post, left side, right side, a bit deeper. And that was to try and find the balance in a struggling team. What we saw from Bellingham at the World Cup was exceptional.
41:21And Mourinho will have seen that. So it's a no-brainer, really. And then, obviously, Vinny Mbappé and Diamandio there, that takes care of itself. It's what he does with his midfield.
41:31Craig Burley:So, yeah. Who does Arsenal go after now left wing? Barcola, Nico Williams. Those rumours that he was going to... Vinicius Junior was going to go there, Don, obviously. He's staying at Real Madrid. Barcola. Barcola? Barcola would be the one, wouldn't he? Yeah, I mean, he's a lot of money, by the way. 140 million. Do they need him? I think there's players that you can find. Well, they've got Martinelli. No. They've lost Trossard. Trossard's gone. They've lost Trossard. I mean, yes and no. I mean, Martinelli gets a bit of a bad rap. I still think he's a good player, but there's more value out there in players.
42:09You can go and get Kenan Yildiz for 100 million less than Barcola. So you don't have to go and spend 140 million on Barcola when you can get Kenan Yildiz for 40 to 50. And there's potential in him. So, yeah, there's players that you can buy across Europe that can play on that left-hand side. I wouldn't be in a massive rush. It might be the difference between winning the Champions League with that left-sided player. So if you want to go fantasy football, you'll sign Barcola for 140. But I think there's value elsewhere. You wouldn't bother with Nico Williams, would you? No. No, I don't think so.
42:44Craig Burley:Silva gone, Rodri gone, Pep gone. Who is the captain in the dressing room of City? Stone's gone. Yep. Who was a leader in there, had a lot of injuries. Yep. He's another one. Diaz. The chips are falling now, unfortunately. it's new manager we were discussing it a little bit on the show very little bit if I'm Erling Haaland I think if Rodri goes as well as it said there with all the others you mentioned if I'm Erling Haaland I'm looking around I think because it was about all those players before that it was Vincent Kompany and David Selva Riyad Mahrez the manager all those players I've mentioned there and these ones have all gone are going and that's when those dominoes start falling you start looking around if you're Erling Haaland and you go maybe it's time that's the worry if I'm a City fan 100 % Don he'll play for Real Madrid all day long it's just when it's inevitable that he plays at Real Madrid it's inevitable that he makes that move that's been I think the process between himself and his dad like manager i think they want to sort of just you know keep elevating all the time and as craig said pep's gone that's that's a major factor i think he'll stay this season um see where city finish and how they finish in the champions league and if he gets on with reska he should do um you know mareska was there when city won the treble so he knows all the players i just think it's inevitable fast forward 18 months you wear the white shirt around madrid but where does he go how does he play with him mbappe vinny and he's signing the deal he's not going anywhere and Bappi's not going anywhere.
44:27He's not playing. None of those players are playing on the right side. Just worry about it when you sign him. Basta are looking for number nine. Worry about that when you sign him.
44:34Craig Burley:Who's going to be the captain, Donon? That's the original question. What's that question? Ruben Diaz. Is he going to start? Elliot Anderson, Erlen Haaland. Yeah. Who? Diaz. Yeah, he'll start. I'd imagine he'll start. Could even give it to Elliot Anderson. You know, through the door. Put the armband on. Way you go. Don and Craig, Greg, in your playing days, if you used another team to get what you wanted financially with your current team, how would that have been perceived? Obviously, this is in contact with Vinicius Jr. Say that again. How would your teammates have thought about you flirting with another club just to get a big deal?
45:12Craig Burley:See, people think this. Teammates don't mind. People get confused here. But the dressing rooms don't care. As long as you're a good lad in the dressing room and you're pulling your weight and you're one of the lads, if you're a bad apple in the dressing room you're a bad apple the guys will suss you out straight away and they'll just distance themselves players tout themselves and look for moves all the time dressing rooms talk wages, potential moves all that sort of stuff and sometimes it goes away when you're having a great run or you're under pressure but players don't care because it's part and parcel of the game people seem to have this thought process that if a player's looking to go the whole dressing room is going to turn on them it's just not the case not at all as long as you're a good lad in the dressing room the boys don't care Don?
46:07So I know exactly the same I've been in them and there's other players by the way there's other players who want your shirt so there's other players that are going go on then I hope he goes I hope he goes so I can get your shirt that's just the nature of the beast players don't care they're all good lads in the dressing room when I was leaving Celtic it was a bit protracted and it took a wee while and every day I used to come in they'd all be making fun of me you know what I mean still here all that you know shouting at the manager yeah yeah it's part of it they know themselves one day they're going to move on so it's fine
46:40Craig Burley:speaking of good lads Don who was the best joke teller you've ever played with and what made him so funny
46:49jokes I don't think I don't think I don't think Craig's been in any dressing rooms where you've got a guy that's stand-up. I've not played with him, but one of the best talent stories since I've retired is Andy Townsend. Right. He is right up there. He can hold court. He's got so many stories. Well, I was sitting thinking here, John Spencer used to play pranks and do stuff, and he was a funny guy. Ah, Spenny. I had him at heaven. But I was just going to say Andy Townsend because I played as a youngster with Andy, and I work with Andy in TV and he can spin a young. He tells a story, he tells a joke.
47:27It's incredible. Yeah, he's... I can only imagine... Tony Cascarino was the same former Republic of Ireland Millwall and Chelsea striker. I can only imagine what it must have been like in that Jack Charlton Republic of Ireland team. When you had a young Roy Keane, you had an older Mick McCarthy, you had Andy Townsend, Ray Houghton. Paul McGraw. Great characters in the game but yeah, I would say Andy. In terms of telling the odd joke or two.
47:52Craig Burley:That's it? That's the last time we're going to be together until you go on your holidays. Is he all right? What's happened to him? Do you want to hear a quick Spenny? Do you want to hear a quick Spenny story? Yeah, go on, Don. Is it clean?
48:08I'll wrap it up quite quick. He was at Everton when I was there and Howard Kendall signed him. The rumour was Walter Smith was going to get the job. Him and Walter, obviously, Walter was his manager at Rangers and Walter hated him. So Spenny said to us, he went, if Walter gets the job, I'll be gone within a day. Two days later, they unveil Walter Smith. So John Spencer brings these two Rottweilers in, into Belfield, into the training ground, walks them all over Belfield, never saw them again.
48:38Craig Burley:Wow. There we go. I imagine the dogs do. Thank you very much. Much appreciated. Well, that's why I was trying to keep it clean. No, well, thank you very much, Dolby. We will continue to deliver that tomorrow. Craig's here. Some of us are here tomorrow. Yeah, I know. And this is your last day, isn't it? We're going on holiday tomorrow. I'm going on holiday. What are you doing? Just taking some time off. Well, much needed after the last two weeks we had off as well. Well done.
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From the publisher
The FC crew react to the news that Vinícius Júnior has extended his contract at Real Madrid amid rumors that he could have left the club, also the Spanish giants sign young star Yan Diomande to strengthen their attack. Real Madrid talk continues with the latest in Rodri, as he is rumored to be closer to signing for Barcelona rather than Real Madrid; and where does that leave Manchester City? Also, a reaction to the latest statement from FIFA as they apologize for their controversial recent decisions following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
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