In short
The episode is an ESPN FC discussion of Thomas Tuchel’s England World Cup squad selection and the surprise omissions.
Guests
Frank Leboeuf (former France defender, World Cup winner), Nader Manua (football analyst), Julien Leran (football writer/analyst), plus hosts Dan Thomas and Shaka Hislop. Key absences debated: Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Luke Shaw, and Harry Maguire. Main claims: Tuchel prioritizes a functional 26-man group for the “bubble” period, not simply the 26 most talented or in-form players; he wants specific balance/roles and “mobility” in defense. Notable surprise inclusion: Ivan Toney, with guests arguing he offers a different striker profile to Harry Kane/others and may be valued for experience despite limited recent England minutes. Jordan Henderson’s inclusion is framed as leadership and mental stability during a high-pressure tournament. Center-back choices are discussed (e.g., Marc Guehi, John Stones, Ezri Konsa, Dan Burn), with Maguire’s omission linked to pace/modern matchups. The episode also briefly pivots to Premier League managerial rumors (Pep Guardiola leaving; Enzo Maresca as successor) and other football talk.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOAnalyzing England's World Cup Squad Absentees
1:03 to 2:26
Discussion on notable players left out of England's World Cup squad.
“And what we do know is some of the big names that have been left out.”
Tuchel's Selection Philosophy Explained
2:26 to 4:25
Insights into Thomas Tuchel's decision-making process for squad selections.
“You could make the same case for Phil Foden, who's not a regular starter at Man City.”
Surprising Choices: Ivan Toni and Gibbs-White
4:25 to 6:40
Discussion on the inclusion of Ivan Toni and exclusion of Gibbs-White.
“And I think that's also part of the thinking for managers like Tuchel or Deschamps or Ancelotti on how they build their squad.”
The Role of Experience in Tuchel's Squad
6:40 to 10:40
Exploring the importance of experienced players like Jordan Henderson.
“I gave him a big check, you know, so he has to pick me.”
Defensive Choices: The Case for Maguire
10:40 to 14:01
Debate over Harry Maguire's exclusion from the England squad.
“Add in the context and the heightened pressure of playing in those tournaments.”
Maguire's Role and Impact
14:01 to 15:06
Discussion on Harry Maguire's performance and his potential exclusion from the squad.
“But I think he only wanted one of those and it was going to be Stones or Maguire and I think he prefers the styles player John Stones and the versatility that he can bring.”
Arsenal's Triumph and Fan Reactions
16:45 to 22:48
Exploration of Arsenal's championship win and emotional reactions from fans and players.
“Manchester City's draw against Bournemouth means that Mika Arteta's side are champions.”
Pep Guardiola's Future at City
22:48 to 28:00
Discussion on Pep Guardiola's potential departure from Manchester City and its implications.
“If I were in his shoes, if I were in manager, and I know, because his focus is Arsenal and the last game of the season to come.”
Player Loyalty and Manager Changes
28:00 to 28:31
Discussing how managerial changes affect player decisions and loyalty.
“So as Jules alluded, some players will be more than happy to have it.”
Liverpool's Managerial Stability
28:31 to 29:13
Evaluating Liverpool's decision to retain their manager amidst speculation.
“You've spent a lot of time over the last few days talking about Arna Slott and what Liverpool are doing and Mo Salah's posts and the players who liked his posts.”
Show all 24 chapters
Power Rankings Discussion
30:48 to 31:55
Analyzing the latest power rankings of football clubs and the reasoning behind them.
“Yeah, well, I mean, no real surprise that, you know, they leapfrogged PSG just the week that they've had crowned champions.”
Critique of Power Rankings
31:55 to 33:40
Debating the validity and logic behind the current football power rankings.
“I give them some credit for going undefeated.”
Women's Champions League Final Preview
33:40 to 35:12
Previewing the Women's Champions League final between Barcelona and Lyon.
“It is the Women's Champions League final this weekend.”
Match Dynamics: Barcelona vs. Lyon
35:12 to 36:08
Examining the tactical battle expected in the final between two top teams.
“Looking ahead to this, Jules, Barcelona, a huge favourite.”
Key Players and Final Predictions
36:08 to 37:14
Discussing key players and making predictions for the upcoming final.
“defenders but it's really in that midfield battle between the two sets of midfield three if you want that the game is going to get lost or won really.”
US Men's National Team Injury Update
42:26 to 43:33
Discussion on Chris Richards' injury and its implications for the USMNT.
“Bad news coming out for the US men's national team back Chris Richards.”
Frank's Commercial Teaser
44:00 to 45:58
Discussion about Frank's appearance in a humorous commercial.
“Jules also with us and the man himself, Frank Leboeuf.”
Areola's Future at Bournemouth
45:58 to 46:58
Debate on Areola's next steps and potential club changes.
“Where will Areola be managing next season?”
Maresca's Chelsea Targets
46:58 to 48:44
Discussion on which Chelsea players could be targeted by Maresca.
“But no, I don't think he can stay at Bournemouth and again I think he will be very particular in where he goes next because he wants something quite big and something where he feels that is the right project for him.”
Champions League vs Europa League Debate
48:44 to 49:55
Arguments for and against the value of Champions League participation.
“For Bournemouth and Brighton, would it be better to make Europa League, where they'd have a great chance of winning at Shaq, or to make the Champions League, which most likely will result in an early exit?”
Ideal France National Team Front Line
49:55 to 51:42
Discussion on the best forward options for the French national team.
“So would you prefer to play in a top championship side as opposed to a Premier League side that's struggling?”
Southampton's Relegation Controversy
51:42 to 53:49
Analysis of the decision around Southampton's relegation and its implications.
“I would not move him centrally like Deschamps is doing.”
Fantasy Premier League Tips
53:49 to 56:01
Advice for the last game week of Fantasy Premier League.
“And as for the extra stuff, But yeah, I'm not sold on necessarily Borough going through as being the right answer, to be honest.”
Language and Emotions in Football
56:01 to 59:10
Explore how emotions influence language use among football commentators.
“I know, I'm getting in trouble for Frank's commercial.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Julien Laurens:If you've ever wanted real energy without choking down something that tastes like regret, Bucked Up is the answer. The flavor is the thing people keep coming back for. Insanely delicious, which is not a phrase usually associated with energy drinks, and they're built on real science-backed ingredients. Clean energy that actually works without the garbage you don't want. Bucked Up is so confident you'll love their drinks, they're giving away an island vacation just to prove it. That's the kind of brand this is. No purchase necessary. Giveaway ends May 30th. Enter and find your closest Bucked Up at BuckedUpEnergy.com.
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0:51Julien Laurens:Welcome in to the latest edition of ESPN FC. I'm Dan Thomas, joined by Shaka Hissoff. It's in a week, of course, we've been reflecting on international announcements for the World Cup squads. Friday was supposed to be England. However, everyone knows it already, apparently. And what we do know is some of the big names that have been left out. Here are the notable absentees. Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, Morgan Gibbs-White, Adam Wharton, Luke Shaw, all stand out, and Harry Maguire. For more on this, let's all come in, shall we? Frank Leboeuf, Nader Manua and Julien Leran joins us. Jules, it was supposed to be Friday, wasn't it?
1:28Julien Laurens:What's going on? That's right, Dan. Tomorrow morning, 9.45. As often with those lists, a lot of things are leaking because Thomas Tuchel would have called some of the players on the list that we just showed who won't be going to the World Cup, for example, so they've known about it and they can obviously express their feelings on social media, talk to agents we then talk to journalists talk to family members we then talk to journalists I think the FA itself and the England setup like for us with Frank in France we often know a few hours before who is very likely to be in who is guaranteed to be in who is not going to be in and things like that I think this is it's very different for each country some don't say anything and don't leak anything and everybody finds at the same time a bit like what we saw with Brazil and Carlo Ancelotti for others more in Europe it's a little bit more freestyling lesser right then name you're the englishman on the panel you get to speak for us all uh let's start shall we with the absence of um where should we start should we like cole palmer's a surprise isn't it um yes and no i think cole palmer's had a distant no i just okay sorry go on
2:44no i'm gonna agree with shaka to be fair for the most part because cole palmer's probably had his most disappointing season so far since he's been at Chelsea. So I understand that one. You could make the same case for Phil Foden, who's not a regular starter at Man City. Morgan Gibbs-White has actually had an excellent season for Nostrum Forest. So that one in itself is interesting. And Adam Wharton, I think for many people, they see in terms of two of the most up-and-coming players is him and Elliot Anderson in that midfield. But Tuchel is somebody who is very principled and he knows what he likes and he's not going to budge from that.
3:12I think another example is, say, Louis Sol. I thought he was one of the best left-backs that England could have going into this World Cup. But again, Tuchel says, no, absolutely not. So I think in some ways it's crazy to think that in a 26-man squad, some of the talent that's there still doesn't make the cut. But Tuchel knows his objective is to win this World Cup and he's not going to do it by making any decisions on people he's not so sure about. And unfortunately for those players, that's exactly how he sees them.
3:36Julien Laurens:It's interesting, Jules, because obviously there's kind of a contradiction here because you could say, well, if he's gone for players in form, why has he left out Gibbs-White? And if he's gone for experience, why has he left out the likes of Phil Foden? Yeah, you're right. I think every case is different. And again, we see that with a lot of those national teams and those squads. We said it often enough on the show, and Deschamps says it all the time, it's not the 26 best players in your country or the 26 most talented players in your country. It's the 26 that for eight weeks we live together 24-7 in a bubble with hardly any contact with the outside world.
4:13Julien Laurens:And you have to make sure that those 26 can actually go through all of that together. in the best of ways. So there's not one that might be super talented, but he's going to mess the whole balance of your squad up, for example. And I think that's also part of the thinking for managers like Tuchel or Deschamps or Ancelotti on how they build their squad. It's very different than what we would have done. It's saying, okay, he's in form. Okay, he's great. He's super talented. He's very good. I want him. Sometimes it's far more difficult than that. So you can understand, even with all that depth, that unfortunately some of the super talented players are not going to make it.
4:48Julien Laurens:Is Ivan Toni a surprise for you, Nadem? Obviously playing his trade now in Saudi Arabia. Yeah, it is a surprise for me, but not necessarily because he's in Saudi Arabia, because we have seen him play before for England. But it's more so the fact that it almost feels like it slid under the radar a little bit that Tuka was going to be turning to him for this World Cup. I think obviously it's our or my sort of living in a bubble or such that I couldn't tell you how many goals he's got. I couldn't tell you the form that he's in. I'm gonna tell you say general style of play right now, but you know those stats there they kind of speak for themselves But the first time I'm seeing in his first time I've chased out myself But is he going as a backup striker for Kane?
5:25How does say Tuchel see him? Does he see somebody that can work alongside Kane in the side? You know these are the questions that you know Tuchel probably thought about and decided that yes Ivan Toni can work really well with a Harry Kane. Maybe the Play that they have it complements each other, but you know I quite like an Ollie Watkins as well So it would be interesting to see that Tuchel, should the game become stretched or you want to make a change, which one of those four is going to turn to. But yeah, the Ivan Toni one, it seems to have come out of left field. But, you know, congratulations to him for making that squad.
5:53Julien Laurens:Frank, I'm sure you've had sleepless nights about this squad. Your thoughts? Yes, but I think Jules made a very important comment in a way that is not the best 26 players that you have seen this season. I think Tuchel is making sure that he has the first 11, then he's going to double every positioning and and therefore you know you're going to have disappointments and I'm sure Gibbs White maybe Cole Palmer or Phil Ford and they don't do double but they triple the positioning so it's why he didn't pick them I mean for sure he's not the best 26 players you can everybody is a coach is a national team coach in England like it is in France and everybody has a different opinion I'm not sure that would have been picked if we would have picked the 22 best players in France at the time that I was picked for France but it is what it is I'm kidding, of course.
6:41Julien Laurens:But really, it's... Yeah, of course. Of course. I gave him a big check, you know, so he has to pick me. But really, I think you have to think through and listen to the idea of what Tuchel has about the team shit that he wants to get. And maybe double positioning or maybe triple one, especially the strikers or maybe in the middle of the park. because he wants to be strong. And that's what Emejake did. And he had his name, his first team, his first 11, and then, again, doubles did. It's why some has been sacrificed, because you have four fantastic players in the same position and you have to make a choice.
7:27Julien Laurens:Xhaka, you lived in England for many a year. You've lived through many of these World Cup and Euros excitements, and you know the fuss that's made of these sort of announcements. Yeah, and the fuss that's made of the tournaments in general, and then somehow it all ends in you upset Dan. Why does that make a smile on your face? I don't know why that made me smile so much I really don't know why that made me happy. I'm with the group here I think the the biggest kind of surprise to me is Gibbs White who I thought had an outstanding season I didn't think he could be excluded if we go in on purely on form and the inclusion of Ivan Tony as Nenem was alluding to again kind of surprises him he kind of given some of the issues that many a team has had with strikers in that position.
8:10Julien Laurens:We've not seen any of them in Saudi Arabia, but if you were playing that well, you just felt that we would have heard of a link, even though he's 30 years old, with somebody back in England. He's got a goal of the game in Saudi Arabia, Shane. Yeah, that's Saudi Arabia, Dan. Again, if you were showing that kind of form, I just felt you would have heard some kind of rumour, at least by now, about a return to England. I certainly haven't. So it surprises me to see him in there and that at least Tuchel regarded him and regards his form as highly as he does. That one I didn't see coming. But we've seen it in the French squad, haven't we, call-ups from the Saudi league that worked out, Jules?
8:48Julien Laurens:Yeah, absolutely. The strange things in the Tony case, really, is that Tuchel never called him, never played him. He played two minutes at the end of the game against Senegal that they lost a year ago, pretty much, and then nothing since, which is very unusual. I mean, I like the Tony pick, and I think Tony offers something different to Watkins and Kane, like Nadam said. Also, I think for me, and with all the omissions of the other number 10s, so no Fother, no Palmer, and no Gibbs-White, that means that in Tuchel's mind, Kane can play in that position with Bellingham and Rodgers, who are going to be the other two number 10s, really.
9:23Julien Laurens:And hence, if you count Kane as a 9 and a 10, that gives you another option for another 9, So Watkins and then Tony, when we all thought there would only be two number nines because he's only going to play with one up front. So I think it's interesting to see that. But and that's the only thing I would say is like Tuchel had hardly seen Tony play for England. And yet he thought, let's bring him his experience. He's been at Euros before and World Cups, etc. And yeah, but you're right. We saw Angolo Kante going to Saudi Arabia and still coming back with the national team and be very efficient. We know how Jordan Henderson.
9:54Julien Laurens:Yeah, but I think. Go on, Joe. Sorry. Sorry. I really think that he picked Tony instead of maybe Gibbs-Wye because maybe he knows that Tony won't complain if he doesn't have any minutes during the tournament, that he has a choice with, of course, Kane and one other. I don't remember. Walkins, of course. And if he doesn't use Tony, Tony won't complain. What would be the idea of being on the bench from Gibbs-Wye? Maybe he doesn't know. Maybe he knows too much. Maybe the guy will complain. like Foden will have complained, maybe Palmer will have complained as well so maybe he doesn't want that and he wants to find the chemistry with the team and that's very crucial, very important to find that and Turing is so happy that he will be only happy to be there and if he has a chance to play, he will take his chance but if he doesn't, he won't create any problem, any issue to Turing Jules mentioned it, Nadem, 8 weeks of course in a bubble you have to try and get on with everybody Jordan Henderson's inclusion how much does it factor in how personable he is and how much of a leader he is amongst these players yeah I think Thomas Tuka must have seen something from him that suggests you know he's an important part of that group and obviously I think it's fair to say that he won't be getting a ton of minutes out of the tournament but I think from when the manager will look down the bench to see people who could come on and say have an impact and have an influence and understand the state of the game I think he's good for that and Jordan having played in multiple full of these tournaments, as is the case with fielders like John Stones and others.
11:25You know, that will make a difference because I think it's fair to say even from a human standpoint, you can go stir crazy when you're away for such a long period of time, surrounded by people who you wouldn't necessarily choose to be around anyway. Add in the context and the heightened pressure of playing in those tournaments. And you know, for England and others, the expectation is to win it so every performance is critiqued on a deeper level, like we saw at the Euros two years ago. So I think Jordan Henderson being like a safe pair of hands in there for Tuchel to understand some of these younger players to help pass on the messaging and so on but and still drive the standards on a day-to-day basis i think that is obviously important and you know credit to jordan in my opinion for still being fit and available to be able to do it meanwhile when the first leaks
12:04Julien Laurens:we read this morning was harry mcguire taking to social media saying that he'd been left out he was disappointed uh but he of course wishes the team the standard isn't wish the team uh the best uh you look at these center backs nade and they don't exactly blow your socks off I mean, are they supposed to? Are they supposed to blow my socks off? You're looking at, say, Mark Gehi there. Come on, don't do that. You're better than that. So, but anyway, I think Esri Conce has done very, very well. I think he's been one of the best center halves in the Premier League for the last few seasons. He's Europa League winner.
12:33You know, he's someone that Unai Amu trusts week in, week out. Mark Gehi's been brilliant for these last two years, especially his last six months for Man City. John Stones, we've seen him, you know, play, perform really well for England in the last few tournaments where they've had the chance to be able to lift trophies and obviously it's not worked out well. And then Qantas had a good season and Dan Burnham I think has proven to be reliable, but I think it's more or less going to be those bottom three centre-halves that are going to be looked at by Tuchel to try and progress the team forward.
13:00Obviously things could change, he could spin it, maybe put in like a Rhys James in there depending on what the game state is as such. But I think as far as it goes, whether it was John Stones, Mark Gahey or Esri Qantas starting it for England, if everything else around them works well, I think it gives him a good opportunity.
13:16Julien Laurens:So you agree with the exclusion of Harry Maguire?
13:22I think it's a tough one to be honest. I think for the way that Tuchel appears to want to be, maybe he wants a bit more mobility in and around there. As good as Harry Maguire has been this season, as good as he's been in the past, I think he probably just sees a different type of game that he wants to play from his England perspective and probably sees how the opposition might play against them as well. So I think it's hugely disappointing given how successful he has been for England, relatively speaking. Obviously, he's not lifted a trophy, but he's been a stalwart across these last six or eight years, however long it's been for them.
13:53So I kind of get it in some ways because you can see that he's kind of turning to be on the periphery and as is the case with potentially John Stones in years to come, people are going to start looking the other way and bringing in other types of player. But I think he only wanted one of those and it was going to be Stones or Maguire and I think he prefers the styles player John Stones and the versatility that he can bring. but Harry Maguire to be giving the credit he's had a good season as is Luke Shaw for example.
14:16Julien Laurens:Frank you were a defender? Yeah it's sad for for Maguire but I can understand I mean nowadays you know when you play it imagine you play Maguire plays against France and you play against Mbappe, Olisi, Douay and those players who are so fast he's gonna be he's gonna struggle and having him on the bench And she might be a problem because of his character and the strong character that he has. And maybe Torell prefer Quenza. And Quenza knows that if he doesn't play, he won't create any problems. So I have no problem with the players that Torell should get. It's only sad because it's true that Harry Maguire has been very important for Manchester United.
14:58Julien Laurens:But it is what it is. And again, you have to make choices. and choices that Turell is making are, for me, the best. Be sure to join us on the next edition of ESPN FC. We'll be reacting to Thomas Tuchel announcing his 26-man squad for the World Cup. I wonder who's on it. If you've ever wanted real energy without choking down something that tastes like regret, Bucked Up is the answer. The flavor is the thing people keep coming back for. Insanely delicious, which is not a phrase usually associated with energy drinks, And they're built on real science-backed ingredients. Clean energy that actually works without the garbage you don't want.
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16:44Julien Laurens:arsenal fans loving life aren't they after sealing the deal without having to kick a ball Manchester City's draw against Bournemouth means that Mika Arteta's side are champions. For the first time, we got to hear from the coach himself. It's one of the best feelings I ever had. I was supposed to be here at Colony watching the game with the boys and certain stuff because that's what they wanted, but I couldn't. I think 20 minutes later, before the game, I had to leave. I couldn't bring the energy that I wanted. and I think it was their moment as well to watch it together, to be themselves and just see what the outcome would be.
17:22And I went home, I went outside to the garden, I started to build some fire and I started
17:28Julien Laurens:to do some barbecue. I didn't watch any of it. I was just hearing some noises in the background, in the living room and suddenly the magic happened. My oldest son opened the garden door, he started to run towards me, he started to cry, he gave give me a hug and said, we are champions daddy. And then my two boys and my wife came over and it was beautiful. Just to see the joy on them as well, that they are always with me. It was magical and I think a minute later, Martin was with the video, where are you? I said, come over. Guys, enjoy for a while and see you in a few hours somewhere in London. And yeah, it was beautiful.
18:15Julien Laurens:Jules, where were you with your Arsenal ways? No, I was in France because I did the Lyon media day before the Champions League women's final. So I was watching it with my dad in Paris in the house. Jules, you've of course got a household full of Arsenal fans who have suffered over the years. How much has it sunk in yet? How much did they enjoy that moment? Yeah, it was incredible really when you've been waiting for that long, 22 years. This is a long time for a top club. And I know football is cycles. We say often enough on the show, sometimes you have to wait a long time. Liverpool had to wait 30 years for another league title, for example.
18:54Julien Laurens:So it's not easy. This season was tense. It was a tough season. We said the quality wasn't there throughout the league. But even for some extent to Arsenal's point of view as well, I still think they were the better team and they deserve to be champions. But it was tense. It was very nervy towards the end. City are still a wonderful opponent. and yet this time they came up short but for all those years before where they just overtook everybody at the last hurdle this time I think Arsenal kept their calm maybe wrought their luck a little bit too but yeah for the children for my wife it was very special and I think for the whole Arsenal family you saw the scenes at the Emirates you would see on Sunday at Palace when the trophy is handed and then the parade after the Champions League final whether they win that final or not it's not that it doesn't matter it's important sure but the objective was to win the Premier League at the start of the season and they did what they had to do.
19:42Julien Laurens:Where did you watch the Bournemouth game, Nathan?
19:47From a bunker somewhere, if you're trying to mind my business. No, but if I can be completely transparent, obviously Mikel Arteta gets a ton of grief. Some people have had issues, and my issue was that he would never tell you who's fit and who's not fit for fantasy football. But I think looking at him there, talking about that Premier League title and seeing the scenes and the tears and the emotion around it, There is something within me and lots of other people where you think oh that's such an amazing feeling I think a club the size of Arsenal having to wait as long as they did to have that moment That's why there's such an outpour of emotion Everyone's known for how many decades how good they are as a football club and they should be achieving more and now they've done it They've really done it and the feeling the emotion that journey that so many people have been on like so many people You know they hadn't seen Arsenal win a title in their lifetime, but we could talk about how great they were So in my lifetime, when I say the 90s and the early 2000s, the invincible season, 2003, 2004, and now that's all been put to the side because it's happened again.
20:47That defensive record that they have, it stands alone in the Premier League, one of the best defensive records in all of European football, it looks like. And that's given the opportunity to be able to lift that trophy. And they are deserving winners. They've hit the level of consistency needed to give themselves the opportunity, and they've done it. so many years of being so so close and falling short and getting so much grief endless grief from people like yourself dan thomas good but now it's the case if you know drinking it and celebrating it and you know now i'm looking forward to the next week as well there's julian leron uh derby where psg play against the household is going to be a war zone wow
21:25Julien Laurens:frank it's interesting because obviously we talked about them looking nervy in the last three months of this campaign will that change now going into next season are they better equipped now to go on and win the title or go on a run where they dominate this league hopefully he's going to change his attitude because i think he had a an affect to to his player when he was on the on the touch line and he was too nervous so now that he he won the title and congratulations congratulations to to the gunners and to my mikhail arteta even if i don't believe a word of what he said about his story that he didn't watch the game blah blah blah i'm sure he was watching the game but whatever but i i think it's uh yeah i think it's uh it's it's good for him it's good for his experience and uh it would love to uh to settle down and to come down and to you know maybe step back a little bit to make sure that the players don't feel the pressure that he was uh giving to them so yeah he's gonna be he's gonna be useful yeah Frank is an actor let's remember Frank is an actor so knows an actor when he sees one Frank so there we go I disagree I don't think Michael I bought everything he said but I am a big Arteta fan
22:41Julien Laurens:I don't think he watched the game I if I were in his shoes I wouldn't have you If I were in his shoes, if I were in manager, and I know, because his focus is Arsenal and the last game of the season to come. If it means nothing, great. But as of, well, Tuesday night, City Bournemouth, I totally understand that feeling of, I can't watch this, let me just separate myself. Meanwhile, Naim, it's the first time you've been on since Pep Guardiola said that he was off. What was your reaction? Did he say he was off or did people say he was off? and play just i know it might be semantics yes but i'm just trying to be on friday there you are frank says friday
23:29Julien Laurens:everything everything on friday yeah so i've heard i've heard the rumors about him potentially leaving and enzo mareska coming in but until you know this sort of week had come in where it was starting to feel a bit more official you're just never too short. And I think if he was to leave, it would be a huge blow for Old City and I think in some ways it's very interesting the timing of it in sort of the history of the Premier League as well because you've got him leaving, you've got say people like Jarrell, you've got Arna Slott under pressure, you've got Chelsea bringing in a new manager. So it's a season of real significant change where after a decade you have that continuity in terms of knowing what to expect from a side and what you would expect more often than not is a side that would compete for basically every title throughout the season.
24:09wouldn't necessarily win them all but definitely would do that so I think for him to leave it is a big blow but there's no way I thought he'd be at City for 10 years you know the majority of his managerial career and then in some ways be successful as he has been because when he first went to England all the talk was tiki-taka football's not going to work here his style of play is just not going to be functional to be successful in the Premier League but instead he walks away well potentially walks away not just being successful for City but in some ways change the way that people within England see football as well.
24:37Julien Laurens:Does Moresca get you excited?
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24:43Get me excited? You know, you keep asking me some really weird questions, Dan. But what I would say is... No, I think it's a fair question.
24:48Julien Laurens:Like, Moresca, are you dancing in the streets? Are you excited that he's coming? Yeah, to be honest, I think that Xhaka gets it. I think, to be honest, the fact that whoever would be coming in after Pep Guardiola would be very, very tough to replace. because obviously no one expects it to be the same, but the standard has been raised so high that it'll be judged according to Guardiola's prior successes. And I think Maresca is somebody that has worked with Guardiola, so he has an understanding of what he was like on a day-to-day basis because Maresca was an assistant when City won the treble in 2023.
25:20And Maresca has had the experience of going to somewhere like Chelsea where maybe the infrastructure isn't great and really good for coaches to be successful. So perhaps with the resources he has at City and the set-up that he's seen before and knows well, maybe he can be successful. Maybe the Premier League's in a different position now to where you don't need to be getting 90-plus points to win a league title, as we've seen this year. And if that's to be the case, then Maresca, as far as all the managers in the league go right now, is probably as good as most of them, to be honest. So, yeah, I guess it's fine.
25:50Julien Laurens:Best of a bad bunch is what I'm hearing. Jules, does he have the gravitas to keep the big players in this squad? We're already hearing rumours of Rodri, maybe to Real Madrid. if someone comes knocking for Haaland, is someone like Mareska going to be able to have the ear of these players to keep them? It'd be very interesting to see. He will have to step up in, you know, it's very different. It's the step up from City, from Chelsea, sorry, even more from his experience at Leicester, for example. So the key would be that first contact with the squad, with the players. I think Rodri, even if Pep had stayed, I think we kind of knew there was only one year left on his contract.
26:31Julien Laurens:If Real Madrid comes calling, it's hard to say no for him as well. Haaland is not going to go anywhere. Sheki neither, Doku neither, Semenyo neither. And if you look at the squad that Guarjola will leave Maresca, you know, the two of the over 30s are Bernardo Silva and John Stones. They're also going. It's a young, super talented squad. Maybe not fully complete yet, but you expect City to go and spend some money this summer for Maresca, it's really good. If you're Maresca, you're very excited. And if you're the players, you are still going to be coached by a manager that for some of them, most of them, you know already, you've worked with, albeit as an assistant, who's done a good job at Chelsea.
27:10Julien Laurens:And I know in the end, he was psyched and that was a mistake. We know that. But before that, there was a lot of good things that he did, including the Club World Cup, obviously. So I think it's quite an exciting time if you're a City fan. Are you as excited as Jules is, Frank?
27:26Julien Laurens:Well, the thing is when you have Pep Guardiola for 10 years, of course, it's going to be a disappointment. Any coach that you could get because you had the best of the best. Even if the last two years you can have question marks about the tiki-taka not working anymore. But overall, overall, you have the best coach in the world. So you can pick anybody else. It would have been a disappointment. So it's a good news that Mariska knows the house and that he's been good with Chelsea when he started and knows how Pep Guardiola used to work with the players. So as Jules alluded, some players will be more than happy to have it.
28:04Julien Laurens:But some players came because Pep Guardiola came to City because Pep Guardiola was there. And they can say, well, Pep is not there anymore, so I'm going to leave. And I think about Erling Allen, that would be a real question mark for him. whether he's going to stay or not, according to some other players like Rodri, Bernardo Silva, living, maybe he will try to do the same. One last thing, and I don't want to spend too much time with you. You've spent a lot of time over the last few days talking about Arna Slott and what Liverpool are doing and Mo Salah's posts and the players who liked his posts.
28:37Julien Laurens:The reason we just want to mention it today, Jules, is there were some suggestions that Liverpool were going to sack him at the end of the season we saw today. However, those have been quickly squashed, is that right? Yeah, I was told tonight as well that that was not going to be the case and that they haven't changed their mind in the sense that they are happy to give him next season. And you know I'm not a big fan. I would not have kept him. I think we saw enough mediocrity this season from him that he doesn't deserve to stay on. But I know he's got a credit from last season or certainly the first half of last season.
29:08Julien Laurens:OK, no problem. I've got that. But yeah, I don't think they will sack him after the last game of the season on Sunday. He will be there at the start of next season to continue that transition. for how long. Let's see if we can turn things around because SoFi has been so poor this season. Jules, are you on the Gabin Jules podcast today? Yes, we did. Very good show. Very good show. Be sure to check that out. That is available now.
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30:19Julien Laurens:So I talked to my doctor about self-injecting with the Vivgard Hytrulo Pre-Filled Syringe, which contains F-Gartigamide Alpha and Hyaluronidase QVFC. It's injected under your skin subcutaneously. It means I can inject in my space on my time. It's my treatment, my way. Visit VivgardMyWay.com. That's V-Y-V-G-A-R-T MyWay.com. And talk to your doctor about Vivgard Hytrulo. Brought to you by Argenics. Shaq's power rankings also won. Yeah, well, I mean, no real surprise that, you know, they leapfrogged PSG just the week that they've had crowned champions. Aston Villa are in for obvious reasons, winning the Europa League.
31:00Julien Laurens:And then the usual suspects in Bayern, Barca, Inter. Porto crowned Portuguese champions, heavy Portuguese influence today. Benfica who gone the season undefeated, finished in the second. Benfica finished third, undefeated. Sporting finished second and into the cup final, make up the top ten. I was tempted to put Minersboro because nobody's had a better week in world football than Minersboro this week. But they're coming at 11th. So just 9 and 10, just explain those to me again. Who's 9 and who's 10? Sporting finished second. Sporting finished second but are playing in the Portuguese cup final this week.
31:38Julien Laurens:Benfica finished third but undefeated for the entire season. But surely finishing second is finishing better than undefeated. So what are we getting at? So surely sporting should be higher than Benfica because second is better than third. Yeah, well, they've got the cup final. Come, give them that. Just wait. Wait, wait, wait. That still doesn't make any sense. Why does it make sense? Forget the cup final. Right. I give them some credit for going undefeated. Here you go. Benfica, yes. Right. But sporting should be higher because they finished second, surely? No, no, no. No? Because they lost games this season down.
32:09Julien Laurens:Because they lost games. That's how it works. You're not following, Dan. I apologize. Clearly. Yeah, that's... Apology accepted. Apology accepted, Dan. And you think Arsenal are going to win the Champions League? No, I didn't say that. Well, if Arsenal are higher than PSG in the Power Rangers, Arsenal have had a better week. Arsenal have had a better week. They're crowned champions. So they're in the Power Rangers season. It's not a forecast. It's this week. Which is why I say, I was tempted to put in Millersboro, because they've had the best week. Not that they're going to win the Champions League final.
32:38right okay jules would you like to add anything to this he's all right i mean this has to be one
32:44Julien Laurens:of the worst power rankings of the season i mean three portuguese team in there why i mean did you make the algorithm in portugal or something i don't know i thought yeah you know what right go on he didn't want to invest if you don't want to invest in lance he's too too far away up north So he swiped. I think Lance deserves some credit. Fighting against Paris Saint-Germain all year long. But forget about the one, Mr. Mitter-Hislot. The fourth, right? But they lost. They don't play in Portugal either. Exactly. We finished Schaac. Well done, Lance. Nadeem, you have the last word on this. Congratulations.
33:25No, I've got to say it's probably the best part of the show. But I think it's probably time for Schaac to invest in new data center because his Supercomputer is dying a death here. He needs to figure this out. Come on, Xhaka.
33:35Julien Laurens:Just a reminder, we continue to answer your questions on Extra Time. I hope we've got a very special video of Frank, if Mike's been able to sort it out. Oh, boy. You really have to see it. Oh, bad. Oh, no. Oh, no. It is the Women's Champions League final this weekend. Familiar foes facing off. It's Barcelona against Lyones. Let's get some thoughts ahead of it from Mati and Potele ahead of the game. Lyon is always a very hard rival. I think that from those who come from when we are professional, for me, my personal opinion is the hardest rival. We've always been playing with Lyon. We've been playing them ever since we became professionals.
34:22Julien Laurens:To me, they are our toughest opponents. We've only beaten them once in that final in Bilbao. They don't like losing and they have a great squad. They have a manager that's with us, that knows us perfectly, knows how we play. It'll be a very physical final but also enjoyable to watch and to play. These are the matches that make you a greater player. I don't think it's a bestie. I think it's a great rival. A team with great players, with great trainers that we know well. I don't think they're our bogey team. I think they're a great opponent. They have great players and a great manager that knows us well.
35:02Julien Laurens:But anything can happen in a final for either team. We can only depend on ourselves and try to do everything possible to win the match. It's 90 minutes from here on out. Anything can happen and we'll try to control it.
35:18Julien Laurens:Looking ahead to this, Jules, Barcelona, a huge favourite.
35:24Julien Laurens:Do you think? I'm not sure. I would not say huge favourites, no, because as we saw in the games that they played, and this is the best that the women's game has to offer. This is the classical of the women's Champions League. This is the two best teams, I guess, with Arsenal, but really this season, they've been outstanding both domestically and in Europe. They're incredible. Like Aitana and Alexia said, the Lyon current manager, Jonathan Giraldes, won two Champions League with Barcelona, was there when they beat O.L. as well the last time and he knows exactly how Barcelona are gonna play but the depth in that Lyon squad is impressive, the way they play, their physicality, how aggressive they can be especially in that midfield where the game will be decided.
36:07Julien Laurens:You've got great forwards in the two teams, really good defenders but it's really in that midfield battle between the two sets of midfield three if you want that the game is going to get lost or won really. Whoever controls that best, whoever is on top of it, I think will get the win. It's going to be fascinating really on Disney Plus on Saturday evening. It is interesting what Jules said. This is kind of the best of the best on the show, Nadeem. Yeah, absolutely it is. I think the only way I could sort of make a comparison to say men's football, for example, would be when PSG played against Bayern Munich.
36:42having been lucky enough to go and say trail the Women's Champions League this season you see Barcelona you see Leon and they feel so different to some of these other sides you know and that's why they were number one and number two in that league phase and then you get into the knockouts and the goals that you're seeing some of the talent that you're seeing I think Barcelona have so many players already in the top scorers list for the competition but Leon themselves have a whole host of experience and you know they are one of the most successful sides in the history of the competition as we can see there and what I love about both sides is that neither will be on the back foot.
37:13Both teams want to go for it. And Barcelona's strength is their ability to score goals and apply pressure. But then that's also at times their biggest weakness and they can get hit in transition so quickly and so often as we saw from Bayern Munich in the last round in the second leg. And Lyon are more than capable of being able to do that as well. So it's a fantastic game of football. And as Jules said, these are the two best footballing sides in Europe and in my opinion, Jules' opinion, probably the opinion of many people. So it's great that this has ended up being the final this year. because it might not necessarily feel like, say, last year when Barca played Arsenal and Arsenal were more so on the rear guard.
37:46Obviously, you know, they wouldn't deserve to win it and so on. But these two teams here, as far as entertainment value goes, they are 1-2, possibly 1A and 1B.
37:53Julien Laurens:It is six straight finals for Barcelona, Jules, but we have seen them. As Nader mentioned, against Arsenal last season, they have fallen a final hurdle in the past. Yeah, they have. Last season was, I think, the template that Lyon are looking at and thinking, okay, how did Arsenal do it? Why did they do really well against this team that scores four or five against everybody that is the best footballing team that we've seen ever in the women's game? And yet they had that aggressive approach to it, especially in that midfield with kind of a medium block. They had fast forwards. They took their chances really well and you have to be a bit lucky when you play against this Barca team for sure.
38:34Julien Laurens:And this Barca team has even less depth in their squad than last season. They've got a lot of youngsters coming through because they had to make cuts, they had to let some players go, important players too. So it's probably not even as a powerful squad as it used to be in previous years. Whereas if you look at the Lyon squad that Michel Kang has built and invested a lot in, it's the best in Europe, really. And they've got great players everywhere in all the positions, international players. Somebody like Dumont can dream of winning the Ballon d 'Or if she wins this tournament. She wins the final tomorrow.
39:06Julien Laurens:So it's huge for Lyon. And for Barcelona as well, because as you said, two years running, two years in a row, so if Barca get to the final and don't win it for what was their competition, I think it would be a really bad sign for the club. Yeah, like Manchester City losing those two FA Cup finals that we discussed, just about getting past Chelsea last weekend. What's your prediction for this, then, Nadeem? Just about getting past Chelsea. Interesting. I just remembered them winning, but cheers, Dan. I think I am going to go for... I'm going to go yeah you were talking to me that is a surprise yeah I'm going to go for Barca just because as Jules has said for them to lose two finals in a row it just doesn't seem likely this is a side that doesn't lose many games at all and I think they've probably learned from the lesson learned the lessons from last year losing to Arsenal and I think with the amount of goal scorers that they have available on that pitch at any particular moment you know it's going to be very very tough to score more than them so I'm going Barca and of course we know who Jules will go for
40:06Julien Laurens:Yes, that's right. And also I have to go against my brother. So, you know, I'll go tight game. I'll go 1-1, then he goes to extra time and then Lyon just nick it at the end and win 2-1 and we party. Xhaka, you get the deciding vote? Barcelona 2-0. Thank you very much. Just a reminder, that game is live on ESPN Deportes. Be sure to check it out. Barca against Lyon, 12 p.m. Eastern.
40:31Julien Laurens:and for a full preview of that time be sure to take check out a special edition of football w which is available now on espn plus
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42:53Eastern.
42:53Julien Laurens:Bad news coming out for the US men's national team back Chris Richards. Here is Glasner. Chris will miss the Arsenal game as well and it's now 50-50. For him, for us, that he can play the final at Leipzig so he tore I think two ligaments in his ankle. Fortunately we I think four or something. So it's stable, but it's quite swollen. And now we have to deal with the swelling. And of course, he needs to get back on pitch to be available. And it will be really a race against time. They'll be discussing this at length on the next edition of Football Americas, which drops tonight. Alexis Herc and Xhaka Hislop with you.
43:40Julien Laurens:Join them at 8.30. That is it. That brings us to the end of today's show. I'm smiling because I know what is next on Extra Time. Be sure to stay tuned as Frank is back and we have Frank's latest commercial.
44:00Julien Laurens:Welcome, ladies and gentlemen, to the latest edition of Extra Time. Shaka Hislop is here. Yes, I am. Maidam joins us as well. Jules also with us and the man himself, Frank Leboeuf. Frank, do you want to say anything about this video before we show it? I don't know anything about that video. What is that? The commercial really? Or what is that? Okay. I don't know anything. That's going to be a surprise. Right. Here we go. Right. Oh my God. This woman is very excited about her clean washing. What's even more exciting for some reason is that this man's on the phone. And look now, this next bit I don't quite understand.
44:37Julien Laurens:I can't do that. Ah! So, Frank... Well, Juice will explain to you. Maybe Juice will explain better. It's not a commercial. It's to tease a commercial about washing liquid, which makes you a little bit high. And in fact, when the lady gets high, she sees me. And I am in a commercial where I sell cars in France. and I always say, hi, it's Frank LaBeouf, and that's becoming viral. So I come into a craziness and I just say, hi, it's Frank LaBeouf. Well, they tease me and they tease the lady and the commercial. So the selling point of this washing up liquid stuff is that it gets you high. No, no, no, no, no, no.
45:26Julien Laurens:It's just somebody, it's Cyprien, he has like 15 million people following him and it tears all commercials. And we, how do you say, Jules, we shot something to tears commercials. Right. That's not a commercial. We don't sell anything. It was just that. I see. So it's a sketch about commercials. Exactly. Exactly. It's not a commercial. There we go. Voila. And I wasn't paid for that. That's why it's not a commercial. You were so good in it. Jules. Where will Areola be managing next season? Is there any chance Bournemouth will convince him to stay, especially since they've qualified for European competition next season?
46:13Julien Laurens:No, I mean, it's a good idea. And I think a few of us, we were talking about it the other day on the show as well. It's a bit of a shame when you get to that point, if they make it, because it's not guaranteed, obviously, but if they do make the Champions League, you would want to see him leading that team into the Champions League. Obviously, that would be very special but no there's there's no way back he wants a step up and a bigger club I think for a long time he was hoping that maybe Liverpool would get rid of Arnault slot and that would be the perfect fit for him that's not going to happen for now so you know I don't rule out the fact that he might not have a club at the start of next season and he would take a bit of time to make sure that the right offer comes which might come at Liverpool if Arnault slot doesn't last until November for example, that's a strong possibility.
46:58Julien Laurens:But no, I don't think he can stay at Bournemouth and again I think he will be very particular in where he goes next because he wants something quite big and something where he feels that is the right project for him. Which Chelsea players should Maresca target? Only one allowed. Who are you having? Only one?
47:19Good question. That's easy.
47:27Julien Laurens:I mean, if Rodri leaves, Caicedo is just perfect.
47:34Do you know what, I think there are different types of players, but if it's not Caicedo, I think I'd like Enzo Fernandez. I actually do think he's a good player and I think he would suit the way that City would try and play under Maresca. And I think as well, we spoke earlier on the show about whether Maresca would be good with the big names of the players players at City and so on. I think it's been interesting a lot of the big-name players at Chelsea said have been saying how they should never have let him go. So yeah I think bring over an Enzo Fernandes and I think that could potentially be a good signing.
48:04Julien Laurens:How would you sell Enzo Fernandes Manchester over Madrid?
48:10Just say what you have in Manchester is this thing called liquid sunshine and it will always pour on you. So, with that in mind, do not worry, yes, the grass will never go dry. Come to Manchester, you will love it. Forget West London, forget Madrid, come to Manchester, it's a fantastic place to live.
48:35Julien Laurens:There you are, Zach. It's got to be Caesino, isn't it? Yeah. Especially with the expectation that Roger's going on, it's got to be Caesino. Frank? Yeah, I totally agree. Caesino, first choice. For Bournemouth and Brighton, would it be better to make Europa League, where they'd have a great chance of winning at Shaq, or to make the Champions League, which most likely will result in an early exit? That's fine. I'd still take the Champions League. Yes. I don't see... I understand the point, but if you get an opportunity to play in the Champions League against the best teams in European football, the best players in the world, you take that all day long.
49:13Julien Laurens:Frank, you're going to be asked this a lot, I imagine. Oh, sorry, Frank. I'm sorry, but if it's to lose games, you know, I don't know the interest of playing in the Champions League. So I'd rather play in a competition that I can maybe win than knowing that I won't go far in the Champions League. Well, we don't know that. Maybe they're going to go far. Maybe they're going to surprise everybody. But I guess as a football player, I want to win games. And if I know that I'm not strong enough and I used to play for Strasbourg, for example, and we played against Milan and we knew that we could go through.
49:47Julien Laurens:I was disappointed. I wanted to play against a good team and go through. I don't care about losing games. So would you prefer to play in a top championship side as opposed to a Premier League side that's struggling?
50:04Julien Laurens:I prefer to play against a Premier League team struggling. So then therefore you're going to lose games, aren't you? No, to play for, I prefer to play against. No, I prefer to play against. No, I prefer to play, of course, playing for a big, big team. I want to win the title. But would you like to... I don't know, who should we pick? West Ham. West Ham. Would you prefer to play for West Ham or would you like to play for Millwall?
50:37Julien Laurens:Wow. Well, neither. Can I go somewhere else? I have a very bad agent.
50:53Julien Laurens:No surprise that Don Hutchinson's played for both of them.
51:00Julien Laurens:Frank, what's your ideal front three or four in the World Cup for France?
51:13Julien Laurens:Mbappé, oh my god it's so complicated.
51:20Julien Laurens:Mbappé, Dembele and Douai because I put Olize as a number 10. Okay, Jules do you agree? Yeah, I mean Dembele, Mbappé, Olize are nailed on really, guaranteed. the fourth spot would have gone to Aikiti K on the left hand side unfortunately as we know he got injured so it's either then you have three players and then you can reshuffle your front four but it would be Barcola, Cherky or Dewey for that fourth spot then you know then you depend what you want maybe depending on your position and things like that I am with Frank on Dewey I love Dewey if you want to be more pace and to run in behind Barcola is great If you want Cherki, and that's I think the most interesting thing for me, I would leave Olysses where he's the best in the world, on that right wing.
52:12Julien Laurens:I would not move him centrally like Deschamps is doing. I know he's great in that as a 10, he can play there. But personally, I would have Dembele on the left, Olysses on the right, Cherki as a 10, and Mbappe as a 9. But Deschamps is not going to do that, I think, because he wants Olysses as a 10. I just think when you're so good at club level in that position, why moving him even to a more central role? I think Olysee is the best with Lamin-Yamal on that right-hand side. Just leave him there. He's had the season of his life. Don't move him central. You've got Scherke that's the perfect number 10 for you.
52:45Julien Laurens:Him and Mbappé get on like house on fire. Then Bele on the left will be fine. And then Olysee on the right is exactly in the same environment as at Bayern Munich. Do you think Southampton being removed, Nadam, from the relegation playoffs, or from the playoffs, that should be, the right call? And should Borough be reinstated or whole city given the win and automatic promotion? So basically with this, I think one thing I've seen is that there's no right answer because whatever you suggest, people are unhappy with it. I think there's something about Southampton being punished which I think is perfectly valid.
53:19But I'm not one of those people that are in the camp that say that Borough should still be progressed because it feels like a reward. I think I'd like to see more eyes on Southampton in terms of their punishment and then build it from there. I think the time of it is obviously incredibly poor because how do you make the right decision? And how does it feel, for example, if, say, Borough win and go to the Premier League? What happens if you're holding, you should have been playing against maybe a different opponent or whatever? But I think the most important thing through all this anyway is making sure that Southampton are suitably punished.
53:49And as for the extra stuff, But yeah, I'm not sold on necessarily Borough going through as being the right answer, to be honest.
53:56Julien Laurens:Jules, any tips for Fantasy Premier League the last game week? And please tell us you're doing better than Dan. I mean, you don't even need to ask. Come on. That's obvious that I'm doing better than Dan. You know there will be a lot of rotation because it's the last game of the season. And Arsenal will probably play a B team and City probably as well. So go with your guarantee. Bruno to try to break the Premier League record of assists. We'll start, you know that. Look for teams who have something to play like Bournemouth, Brighton, we talked about them. Even Spurs and West Ham to some extent if you want to go with Tati or Bowen up front.
54:37Julien Laurens:Pedro Poro for Defcon especially for Spurs. So yeah, look at those teams that still have something to play because for the others it'd be very hard to even predict who's going to play for them. I'm not sure Haaland is going to start for City at home to Villa on Sunday, for example, or Saka or Giocares for Arsenal either. So, yeah, that's what we said. Just focus on teams that have something to play where you pretty much know the starting lineup already. Nadeem, you can't play fantasy anymore because it gave you a nervous breakdown?
55:09It was too stressful for him, Dan.
55:11Julien Laurens:You know, he's still a baby. It was too stressful for him. He used to text me and say, I can't take this anymore. I think you're right Dan, that's what happened. I had a nervous breakdown. Basically I just got my life back. You know what I mean? Can I breathe? Like all this stuff. Congratulations Jules, you're a champion. Well done Dan, you're playing. Listen, I just mind my business. I watch the games that I want and I relax. So go away you. Sick of you Dan. I haven't just plucked this out of thin air. You did play but it became too all consuming for you. Is that right? Yeah, because with stuff like that, like I take it seriously.
55:45And I was thinking like what am I doing here? Why have I spent an hour trying to pick a team? Like every single day? Like get a life. So I decided to do the right thing after my nervous breakdown, I put the phone down and I have not gone back on the thing in the last two, three years, yeah. Oh, HR. I'm happy.
56:04Julien Laurens:It's your fault. I know. I don't know why. I know. I didn't see anything. I didn't see anything. I know, I'm getting in trouble for Frank's commercial. It wasn't a commercial.
56:19Julien Laurens:Final question. Oh, this isn't going to help HR either. Shaka, when Stevie gets emotional, his Scottish accent comes out. But the only time we heard a hint of Trimbagonian from you is when you call Dan a little chaff boy.
56:44Julien Laurens:long time ago. Still scarred. How do you contain it so well and when are times that it does come out? Well it comes out when I'm talking to my friends from Trinidad, which my kids think is hilarious. It doesn't come out. You said when you used to get angry in goal? Yeah. It would come out a little bit then? Yeah, so yeah that was kind of, I remember one time real Ferdinand saying when you can't understand Shaka you know you've messed up. That's when he's really angry. So it used to come out a lot then. But I don't know if I have any reason to be angry on this show, Dan. Oh no, not at all. Jules, when does your French come out?
57:26Julien Laurens:Yeah, when I get angry, I swear in French a lot. Yeah, yeah, yeah. Football or yeah, basketball stuff like that. And Frank is the same when he's got any technical problems. Yes, yeah, yeah. Before the show, because his camera's not working, his mic, and then he goes full-on French. Yeah, it's sad. Yeah, I'm sorry about that. Not. And what was your language like in this video, Frank? Let's take you through another one. Oh wow, that was French and I was thinking, Allé les Bleus, common blues, you know, for the French team but it was so cold it was minus you can see at the back minus 132 degrees celsius so it's a lot in well yes in fahrenheit it's for three minutes you have to stay there it's an anti-inflammatory it's very nice but it's uh hell the last minute you you it's like you are dying i mean that's crazy but that's very helpful for the body nadin did you do that in your playing days recovery Yeah, I did do it once actually and it is a crazy experience but it does feel good afterwards.
58:37You just have to survive that first three minutes, that's the issue. Right.
58:41Julien Laurens:What? Any comments, Shaq? No, I used to do the old ice baths, but it wasn't minus 600 degrees like that. It's still cold. Yeah, it's cold. Not as bad as that. What was the benefit of those? Same thing. Yeah. Anti-inflammatory and you're going after training after games and it's supposed to kind of help your recovery you can you get used to it you do it enough and you can sit there and not be bothered I'm not sure you can do that with this at least you had your mittens on Jack Frank that is it that brings us the end of today's show what a smorgasbord of subjects to be discussed tomorrow with hate to up now I think I missed the point it's all right michael let it out for us
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From the publisher
The FC crew react to news that Cole Palmer, Phil Foden and Morgan Gibbs-White have been left off the England squad for the World Cup and question why Ivan Toney and Jordan Henderson were included. Plus, Julien Laurens celebrates Arsenal's Premier League title victory while Nedum Onuoha recaps Pep Guardiola's time at Manchester City.
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