PL Review: Xabi Alonso joins Chelsea, Salah slates Slot

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1:46Hello and welcome to the Premier League Review. The title race, relegation battle and race for Europe are all going to the final day. Michael Carrick will be United's manager next season and we now know Xabi Alonso will be Chelsea's at Liverpool. Can Arna Slott really survive the summer after yet another defeat for his side? That's their 19th of the season. Analysis of all that to come with former Premier League midfielder Nigel Riococca and the BBC's senior football correspondent Sammy Mockbell. Hi to you both. Are you excited for the final week? There's loads going on, isn't there? And it's going to be exciting, Pierre.

2:26And there is this title race that hopefully, and Arsenal fans won't like me for saying that, but hopefully he's still open next Sunday on the final day. And obviously we've got this relegation fight going at the moment. West Ham have had a difficult afternoon, shall we say, at St James' Park, and I'm going to speak about that later. And the door's open now for Tottenham on Tuesday night to clinch their Premier League survival. but they are obviously in a position that they should never really be in. Nigel, go on. Do you love it at this point of the season? Are you talking from now retired or as a player?

3:00As a player, I've been involved twice to last days of the season where we stayed up at West Ham to go to Old Trafford to get a win and then relegated with Bolton on the last day as well when Aguero scored that winner for City to win the title because it was between us and QPR. So for fans and being on the other side now, It definitely is great. And when you look at the Premier League as a product from not living in England anymore, the worldwide aspect of it, it's great that it goes down to the last day of the season. That's what you want. You don't want it to be concluded so early on and players and teams don't have nothing to play for.

3:33It's so competitive from top to bottom. And that is why most people say the Premier League is the best league in the world when you talk about the entertainment factor and what's at stake. Let's talk, though, about one of the most recent results that's literally just finished. 3-1 win for Newcastle. It is a tough result, though, for your former club, West Ham, Nigel. Tough result, but you've got to give credit to Newcastle. Newcastle played well. I think for me, when you look at goals that they conceded today, West Ham, it's just poor goals. You can't be in a relegation fight with everything at stake and you go away to St.

4:02James's Park and be so open and so careless in how you approach the game and then just concede some poor goals defensively. There's always going to be a mountain to climb. And watching just the first half in general, I thought that if West Ham can get a goal before the end of the first half, then it'll be game on. But if they didn't get a goal, I just felt that Newcastle just looked so comfortable and strong. And now they've probably handed advantage massively to Tottenham now. And again, you probably might question Nuno a little bit in why Tati didn't start. And I know he started. Callum Wilson is up top, where for me, I don't know if it's because he's playing against his old club or why, but Tati's been playing most games.

4:41And for me, it's an odd one when you look at team selection. But they've handed advantage to Tottenham. and I think it will still go down to the last day. Did you see the Tati Castellanos goal? What a goal. What an absolute strike that was. Unbelievable. I don't know where he's pulled out. He's done it a few times though because I used to obviously have followed him when he was at Lazio as well. So I've seen him have goals like that in the locker but what a fantastic strike. That was unbelievable goal and you think that could give back some energy but you could have thought there would have been a difference if he started.

5:12Sammy, what kind of hope do you give West Ham after a result like this because it just feels like this is it for them now really doesn't it yeah zero hope I think I think Tottenham will will get the point they effectively need I know if they get a point they would still need another point to be absolutely certain but the goal difference is so vastly in their favour that a draw against Chelsea on when is it Tuesday night that that will be enough I think they'll get I think they'll get that point Chelsea have got basically nothing to play for. They're not going to be in European football next season.

5:49You know, I know we're going to talk about Jabby Alonso later, but I guess you could say that some of the players will be out to prove a point to their incumbent new manager. But so much is riding on this game against Chelsea for Tottenham on Tuesday night. And I just think that extra kind of 5-10 % that that motivation will give them, we'll see them through. And I think, unfortunately, for West Ham, And their fate after today is effectively sealed. You're putting a lot of faith in this Tottenham side. A lot of faith. Yeah, given the season that they've had. But they have had an upturn in Fortune under Roberto De Zerbe.

6:28And I think that's where the problem has been. West Ham did have that little mini resurgence, didn't they? March, April. And it did look like they were going to avoid the drop and put a run of results together. But unfortunately, they just haven't been able to sustain that mini revival. Whereas Tottenham under De Zerbe look a different prospect altogether, in my opinion. I am putting a lot of faith in that Tottenham side against Chelsea, but I genuinely think they'll get the point. It's not a victory and I'm not sure it will go to the last day. Let's move on to Chelsea because there's quite a big talking point about them, isn't there, that we've recently found out.

7:02Of course, they lost the FA Cup final on Saturday, but they then announced their new manager on Sunday morning, Xabi Alonso, signing a four-year contract starting in July. He won the Bundesliga title with Bayer Leverkusen in his first job. Sammy, what did you make of this news? Were you surprised that he's taken this on? I am to a point. Yeah, I was to a point in that I'm sure Xabi Alonso will have other options if he was just to buy this time and stay put. But I know Chelsea are going through a period that isn't necessarily linked to the vast success that they've had over the years during the Roman Abramovich era.

7:41And there is a, I guess there is a transition away from that era and they've been less successful in recent years. But let's not forget, they're still one of, I think, European football's iconic clubs. And when the opportunity comes up to join a club of that size, certainly one in London and certainly one in the Premier League, I think managers like Jabir Alonso would be silly just to disregard it and to dismiss, though, such an opportunity. There is the elephant in the room, isn't there, of could he one day be Liverpool manager and what impact would him taking the Chelsea job have on any desire he has to go and manage at Anfield one day?

8:17But that's in the future. You know, who's to say if or when Arlie Slott will leave Liverpool? That job may not come up in the too distant or near future. Yes, I understand that there is going to be a surprise that Alonso has taken the job, given his standing in the game and the job that he did. Certainly at Bayer Leverkusen, I know the Real Madrid job didn't go according to plan to him, but he's still one of the, I think, most exciting young managers in European football. And if Chelsea can give him the kind of level of control that he would want over recruitment and other areas of the field and the club, they've got a really, really good manager there now.

8:58he said in five directors of football sammy yeah sorry with the five directors of football they're going to give him control i'm sure but i would say about that nigel and you're absolutely right to point that out and i think uh what time has told us is that certainly in the new in this era of under the american ownership the the head coach doesn't generally have much control over over recruitment and the footballing operation but well i think what's pertinent here nigel is that I think if you've noticed the announcement today, Jabby Alonso has actually been given the title of manager rather than head coach.

9:33And listen, that might just be a symbolic gesture, but I do think that's important. And I do think that indicates that the ownership are willing to give Jabby Alonso a great say in how the club is run from a football perspective, but also almost certainly with regards to the recruitment. If you're a player, Nigel, you've got a manager like Jabby Alonso. as Sammy just said there, is he's a young, exciting coach. Is this the kind of manager you want as a player to be sort of in charge, but also having that sort of brains and knowledge and the experience that he's got, the things that he's won to bring that into a club like Chelsea?

10:08It's an individual thing is the best way to answer that question. I think when I look at Chelsea and the dynamic of that dressing room, I can see why Javi Alonso would take that job. It suits him well. You look at his time at Leverkusen. It was a bit of a young side. The thing that he had on, which was to his advantage, was having a Granit Xhaki in the team, another mini-manager who was on the pitch and was his mini-manager. And you look at the young players and the players around him, it's great. You go to Real Madrid, it's a different dynamic. You're talking about superstar egos, big egos, a club that's historically used to winning.

10:41Some players who obviously won World Cups and won so many things, and it becomes a different element of management. You have to kind of have a different approach. You can't go to these players and think you're going to coach them to become better, which is what he did at Leverkusen. So it's a different approach. I think now when you look at this Chelsea dressing room, there are a lot of young players in there. And then you question leadership. And then the problem you've got in this dressing room now is you look at your captain, Enzo Fernandes, with what he did and how smart he was in the media not too long ago.

11:09Cucuré is another one who's a regular starter for this Chelsea team, talking and questioning the direction of the club and the lack of experience in the dressing room. So it's a different dynamic he's going to have to handle with this Chelsea team. And again, the big question is whether they're going to back him in recruiting the type of players that he feels he needs. But I'd also say overall, it's also really all eyes on Xavi Alonso now. It was great what he did at Leverkusen. Fantastic achievement. Didn't go down well at Real Madrid. Yes, Chelsea's a big club, but it's not as big as Real Madrid.

11:40Now he really has to do well for his own personal self as a manager. He has to start well and he's got a very interesting dressing room that he has to get on side because I'd still look at Chelsea as a lot of young boys who are not ready to turn into men yet when it comes to the footballing side of things. Sammy, when you look at the quotes from Alonso when it was announced he was going to be taking over, he said that he wanted to build a team that's capable of competing consistently at the highest level and fighting for trophies. What is a successful first season for Alonso at Chelsea? I think the bottom line for Jabby Alonso next season will be to qualify for the Champions League.

12:19I think that's in terms of the way Chelsea is set up financially and the sort of the amount they spend in the transfer market and the player trading, etc, etc. That club requires the financial input that Champions League football brings. And so to not be in that competition next season will come as a blow. and it will be interesting to see how the lack of that financial injection will impact the amount that they are able to spend and the type of players, more pertinently, they are likely to be able to attract to Chelsea next season without having top-level European football to offer those players.

12:58The one thing that, in my mind, Jabby Alonso needs to get right there, and it sounds simple, but it's to keep and build a nucleus of the team. They do so much player trading. It does appear that they would sign. Look at Alejandro Garnaccio, for example. Signed last year for big money,£60 million. We understand now and there are loads of rumours and reports linking him already with a move away from the club ahead of next season. Now, when you do that kind of continuous level of player flipping, it is very hard for a football manager to build a team when you can't keep a core group of players together so that's what I think the challenge will be look you know his his role now as manager rather than head coach suggests he's going to have at least some control and say over who goes and who leaves but you know I guess history tells us that it isn't that easy at Chelsea when it comes to player trade in the recruitment.

14:00So with regards to whether he's going to be given the leeway to do that by the ownership, I think the proof will be in the pudding. Let's move on to Liverpool because you mentioned it, Sammy, that we will have to wait and see whether Alonso going to Chelsea will have any impact on whether or not he would ever become the Liverpool manager or head coach in the future. We spoke as well about the Fernandes-Cucurea situation where they were speaking out at Chelsea. Nigel, similar story at Liverpool. this season with Mo Salah coming out to speak publicly against the club. Now for the second time. This is all very extraordinary again, Sammy.

14:39So just take us into what's happened behind the scenes. Why is he doing this once again, coming out on Instagram and making a statement? When that tweet or that Instagram post dropped yesterday, my phone just started blowing up. You had work on, you had your mates on saying, you know, other journalists on your phone saying, Have you seen this tweet from Mo Salah? And not for the first time this season. He appears to have taken a thinly veiled dig, shall we say, at the manager who I think is pretty clear to everyone, at least from the outside, looking in, that his relationship with Arnie Slott, probably at rock bottom, I think, certainly given by his comments on social media yesterday.

15:22And it just leaves an unsavoury taste in everyone's mouth, I think heading into the final week of the season here, we have a Liverpool legend, arguably, you know, in the top 10 players who have ever played, played for the club to go out in this manner is unfortunate, really. And, you know, you, you can't, you can't apportion blame to any part of the story. If we don't know the full ins and outs of, of why Mo Salah feels the way that he does, but it will now be interesting to see going in the world. to that final game of the season at Anfield, which is supposed to be his farewell, right? His farewell to Liverpool supporters and his farewell to the city.

16:06How, firstly, Arnie Slott reacts to that with regards to possible team selection. And secondly, how Liverpool fans react to that. Because, you know, they've got a player there that is a legend in their eyes, but he's going out in an unsavoury fashion. and you just wonder if maybe the Liverpool fans haven't taken too kindly to it. Nigel, what's your opinion when players do this, when they speak out against the manager publicly or speak out against the situation at the club? I think, again, it depends though because it's different for different players and what they're going through. In this case alone, when you look at Mo Salah significantly, I think you've got to say this, Mo Salah is very calculated.

16:47He only speaks when he needs to speak because if other things are going well and everything, you don't really hear from him whatsoever. You only heard from him when he wanted to get his new contract, not when things were going wrong. And then now obviously you look at the situation of him and Arnie Slott. I said to myself that that will never be the same. I think what people need to understand is footballers, yes, they're idolised. They have the best job in the world, but they're human beings as well. And some can have their egos bruised and can get very emotional and insecure about certain things.

17:14And whenever you go through something like that with a manager, not every footballer has that ability to be the stronger person or be able to get through it and really lay that to rest. I think for me that when I look at Mo Salah and you look at really he's creating Liverpool as an absolute Liverpool legend but when it comes to speaking out speaking to the media he's very calculated and knows when to do it and I think for me this was perfectly calculated and perfectly timed for him to know exactly what he's doing taking a dig at the manager and when you look at the performance against Aston Villa as well it's literally kicking someone when they're down and this is something that again on the other side people might defend Arnish not to say that it's very difficult as a manager to deal with something like that when you have to deal with a legend at the club and especially the recent two seasons that he's had at the football club and you have to go as a manager and manage that person with such a connection to the football club and also the fan base but I would just have to say that for me this isn't a coincidence this was calculated and this is basically knife to the back to Arnish slot before most salad leaves the football club yeah no i i agree with nigel there pian with regards to it being calculated because most of all we know that arnie slot isn't the flavor of the month at the moment with large sections of um that that liverpool supporter base a lot of supporter base will want will believe that arnie slot should not be manager of of the club heading into next season so off the back of that I think Mo Salah's probably sensed an opportunity here as Nigel correctly says is to maybe apply even more pressure on I guess a guy that he's effectively fallen out with and I think he's he sensed an opportunity and I think he's taken it.

19:01There was a handful of Liverpool players as well that had reacted to the post liked the post sent an emoji, whatever it was. What do you think that tells us as well, Nigel? The fact that players are also engaging in this with what Mo Salah said. It just tells you that it's not a real good situation or a comfortable place right now for Liverpool Football Club. And I think that what was difficult for me watching that Villa game without the whole comments coming out and everything, just watching the performance of the team. I said it's hard to make an argument for Arnie Slott to stay. Even though you can give some good points, valid points in the season that they've had, the transfer window, you know, Isak not really fit, breaking down and Florian Vert's not adapting to the league.

19:45And then obviously the Mo Salah situation had to deal with that you think that, all right, maybe give him one more season, let him start next season. And he knows he's going to be under pressure. If he gets two or three bad results, then you can clearly see what's going to happen. But now leading up to that, now the performances are kind of like telling me that whether all these players, or it's more than one that's not really buying into him as a manager, that it becomes more difficult to defend him of why he should be Liverpool manager next season. And now with Mo Salah's comments adding on top of that now, it definitely makes it very difficult to keep Arne Slott, where I still feel that there's some people defending to say, give him next season at least.

20:21He's also come out on a slot and said that he can understand why the fans don't have confidence. But he also said that they're underestimating what a transfer window can do and what a new start can do. So that feels like he is ready and looking forward to a new season, that he can see something positive happening with Liverpool next season, Sammy. Is that sort of the vibe that you're getting from Arna Slott, that he is absolutely willing to stay and willing to work hard at this? Yeah, he absolutely is. And why wouldn't he? Liverpool are, you know, one of the biggest clubs in European football.

20:54I don't think there is any manager worth their salt who would want to walk away from that job, despite kind of the difficulties that the team and he has faced this season. but it's one thing saying I'm looking forward to the transfer window and I think the transfer window and if we make the right additions can be revolutionary for our team next season but there's one thing saying that and there's one thing executing a successful transfer window everyone thought last season after the signings that Liverpool made in Isak and Wurtz and Eketike, Kerkesh all of those guys as everyone thought that Liverpool would run away with the Premier League title this season.

21:39And obviously, as we've tightened the fullness of time, we know that they've been nowhere near challenging for the title. And so if they were to add further additions this summer, which I'm sure they will, they're absolutely in the market for a winger, obviously to replace Mo Salah. They'll probably be in for another left back to replace Andy Robertson. So they'll definitely be in the transfer market for reinforcement. But getting those players right and making sure that there is a nice blend to your team and your squad is easier said than done. And if they don't get that right next season or this summer and they don't start next season well, then I think Arnie Slott, if he is to remain in charge next season, which we believe he will be, he will be right under the cosh from day dot if they don't get off to the season really, really well.

22:30It is going to be a tough way back. He knows he has to win the affection of the fans again. But I think before he starts thinking about the fans, he needs to start understanding his dressing room and realizing what players are going to be the players that are willing to perform and backing him as a manager. And then the ones who are not really too sure. I think that's the most important thing for him. He needs to focus on his dressing room because the performances that the players are putting out there are not doing him any favours whatsoever, which is leading to all this criticism and critiques and then obviously players that you've had a personal falling out and making it very public and especially big players like Mo Salah will make it even more difficult for you but like he said he's already alluded to it about how important a transfer window is so they have to get the right players in and make sure that these players have the right mindset the chemistry to know what they're walking into but he knows himself you know we've all we played the game and been in it for so long we know the situations we're Next season, if he's still there, is going to be vital.

23:26He has to start, as you say, hit the ground running straight from the first game of the season. There needs to be some kind of real good positive and buzz around his football club. Let's move on to Manchester United, who have secured Champions League football for next season under Michael Carrick. Still not actually officially announced that he will be extending as sort of manager head coach next season. but we pretty much understand that he will be, Sammy. But how impressed have you been with the job that Michael Carrick has done for Manchester United and then, of course, winning that 3-2 win today at Old Trafford and being able to speak to the fans as well at full time?

24:07He had a few words to say, didn't he, over the microphone and the fans were able to show just how much that they have respect for him and the job that he's done so far. Yeah, he's taken that job so impressively in his stride. Being Manchester United manager, albeit on a short-term basis until the end of the season, is a mammoth task. It's arguably the biggest football club in European football. But he's just taken to it like a duck to water. His press conferences are always on point. The results have been brilliant, leading the club to Champions League football win. Let's face it, under Ruben Amorim, finishing in the top five looked far beyond them, really.

24:52The performances and results were so tepid and mediocre that you feared where they may finish in the season. And what Michael Carrick has done is he has turned a situation where Manchester United were open-minded with regards to where they may look for a new full-time head coach going into the summer into a situation where he was the only candidate. He could have been the only candidate. He's been so impressive that anything other than making him full-time manager from what, as we understand it, an initial two-year contract would have been the wrong decision. And now it's obviously up to Michael Carrick now to grab the ball by the horns and show everyone next season why United have been correct in showing the faith in him that they have.

25:41but everything at the moment that he's touched has turned to gold. Nigel, did you just say Manchester United is the biggest club in Europe? So you're saying Manchester United is bigger than Real Madrid? I said arguably, Nigel. You've got to listen to me, Nigel. I said arguably. Arguably. Oh, you protected yourself. Okay, you pleaded the fifth. Like any good journalist would, Nigel, you've got to protect yourself. Listen, Nigel, talk to me about Bruno Fernandes because how big of a part has he played in the success that Michael Carrick's had. Obviously today, he levelled the Premier League assist record in a single season, 20th assist of a season, which now matches Kevin De Bruyne and Thierry Henry.

26:22He's been brilliant this season, hasn't he? Sensational. Really has been. Even for the upside down kind of season Manchester United have had or rollercoaster of a season Manchester United have had, he's been a shining beacon. And Michael Carrick's come in and actually put him in his proper position of where he should be to affect the game compared to Ruben Amirim. And now we're seeing him blossom and we're seeing the best of him because we never saw the best of him under Ruben Amirim, but we saw that he had the ability and the technical gift that he has as a player and how good a player he is and how vital he is to this Manchester United side.