Mailbag: Who will surprise us the most this season?

0:00Thank you for calling the Bombas Comfort Line. Bombas make socks, slippers, tees, and underwear made with the highest quality materials. Press 1 for comfort, 2 for style, 3 for donation. You chose style. Bombas is styles for whatever you enjoy. You can run in Bombas, lounge in Bombas, dress them up, dress them down, but always give back in Bombas. Because with every item purchased, another is donated. Bombas, comfort worth calling for. Go to bombas.com slash audio and use code audio for 20 % off your first purchase. That's B-O-M-B-A-S dot com and use code audio. Hi, it's Mark Bittman from the podcast Food with Mark Bittman.

0:34It's back to school time, which means many of us are going to be busier than ever. But from getting out the door in the morning to enjoying delicious meals together at the end of the day, Whole Foods Market can help with convenient options and delivery. Plus, because it's Whole Foods Market, you can feel good about the quality of the ingredients.

0:53Vishal Sinha: Shop back to school must-haves at Whole Foods Market in-store or online. Hey, it's Paige from Giggly Squad. You know when you finally get started on a project around the house and then five minutes in you realize you're missing one thing? Somehow it's always that one thing that sends you back to the store. That's why I love this from Lowe's. If you're a My Lowe's Rewards or My Lowe's Pro Rewards member, you get free same-day delivery. Honestly, Lowe's will make the run for you, making it that much easier to get what you need. Just place your order and Lowe's handles the rest. It seriously makes life so much easier, especially when you've already got a million things going on.

1:32Members get more at Lowe's. $25 minimum and loyalty membership required. Order eligible items by 2 p.m. Subject to weight and size restrictions and availability. Terms at lowes.com slash shipping terms. Hi, I'm Nick, co-host of The Best One Yet. You optimize your workouts, your portfolios, and that rando startup idea that hit you in the middle of the shower. But if you're not hydrated, you're already playing catch-up. So we keep a stash of Liquid IV in our studio. One stick mixed into 16 ounces of water is clinically demonstrated to hydrate faster than water alone with three times the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, plus eight vitamins and nutrients.

2:09Whether you're traveling, exercising, or podcasting, the best business news ever, Liquid IV makes it easy to stay hydrated wherever life takes you. So shop now at liquidiv.com. Liquid IV hydration that goes wherever life takes you. There are moments that reveal who we are and who we're meant to become. For those born to lead, such moments call for a vehicle of equal distinction. Dynamic by design, uncompromising in execution, the Range Rover Sport was engineered for those rare individuals who demand the world and possess the conviction to claim it. When your time to lead arrives, you need a vehicle that rises to meet it.

2:45The Range Rover Sport. Exclusive offers available now. Explore further at RangeRover.com.

2:51Vishal Sinha: Where's your playlist taking you? down the highway, to the mountains, or just into daydream mode while you're stuck in traffic. With over 4 ,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western is there to help you make the most of your getaway, wherever that is. Because the only thing better than a great playlist is a great trip. Life's the trip. Make the most of it at Best Western. Book direct and save at bestwestern.com.

3:23Vishal Sinha: Hello everybody, welcome to the Football Ramble Mailbag. Promoted teams, this season's battles in the Saudi Pro League are the orders of the day. It's Tuesday, 12th of August. I'm Marcus Speller. I'm Jim Campbell. And I'm Lucian Hukarajan.

3:47Vishal Sinha: Welcome one and all to this thing we call the Mailbag. It's a pleasure to have you with us. If you want to get involved with the Mailbag, you can tweet us on x at Football Ramble, message us on Instagram and Blue Sky at Football Ramble. You can email us at footballramble.com. You can leave a comment over on YouTube. And of course, friends of the Ramble, you can get involved on the Discord. Plenty of avenues to contribute to the mailbag. Right, let me begin with this from Big Con on Discord. Doesn't bode very well. Which Premier League team will be the most surprising this season?

4:22Jim Campbell: Jim Campbell, I'd like you to begin. So I've been scouring the table just to make sure I'm familiar with every team in the Premier League. It turned out I was. And I think I've landed on quite a boring answer. but I'm going to say Brentford because I think a lot of people are tipping them to have a difficult season and I think they're going to be fine I think they're so well run that they'll be able to weather this I don't think they're going to finish higher than they did last season or anything like that but if you kind of break it down obviously they've lost their goalkeeper which is a big thing but they've replaced him with Kevin Kelleher who certainly has the potential to I think be an upgrade on Mark Flecken They've got a lot of experience in Jordan Henderson.

5:06Jim Campbell: He's a perfect sort of lighthouse player in this kind of scenario. I think people are sleeping on how good Kevin Sharder is. He had a really good season last season, but obviously Mbumo and Wissa got the credit there, understandably, because of what they achieved. There's more to come from Fabio Carvalho. Igor Thiago is a bit of an unknown quantity. Barely played last season because of injury, but he came in to replace Ivan Toni. And they're very good at their due diligence with that sort of thing. Brentford so I think there's a good chance that he'll he'll contribute they've got a strong defense um they've got some very very sort of tough uh midfielders in there and I just think even actually if they do lose Wisser I think they'll be all right I really do Keith Andrews is obviously the key there and he's a little bit of an unknown quantity but again it's it's consistent he's been in the setup for a long time he's been in the setup a reasonable amount of time may I sort of

5:56Vishal Sinha: amend your statement with your blessing yeah fair enough yeah um uh and you know to maybe throw throw some fuel um or some fire onto what would it be jim fuel on the fire or fire on the field

6:09Jim Campbell: it's hard to throw fire i mean either's gonna combust isn't it i suppose if you if you're throwing fuel on the fire you're making the fire worse if you're throwing fire on the back yeah that's more fun yeah okay um don't try at home or anywhere quite frankly um everybody

6:24Vishal Sinha: you're listening to this. Keith Andrews, it's his first job as a number one. But may I remind you, what had Pep Guardiola done before he managed Barcelona? What a comparison. What a comparison. What are you worried about, Brentford fans? Yeah, we obviously don't know what Keith Andrews is going to do. But I think that is the area, isn't it? With Mbouma going and Norgaard and one to others, I totally take the point, Jim, that they've survived this before with Ivan Toney. I think this is more of a profound change, so I don't think they would have as good a season as they did. You've already mentioned that.

7:05Vishal Sinha: It's all about the manager, because Frank, such a great Premier League operator with Brentford, the club was not moulded around him, because it was, of course, bigger than that, but this is the test of it. We're going to find out how much it was moulded around Frank, or actually how much Frank was moulded around Brentford. Again, I'm mixing up things, but you get the picture. So that is the question. As long as no one's on fire. Yes, exactly. No throwing fire or fuel, please. I like that. Vish, what about yourself? Is there a team that you think are going to surprise people this season in the Premier League?

7:39Vishal Sinha: And it could be for better or for worse. I do have a for worse answer, and that is Bournemouth because of the players that they've lost and the players they could still yet lose by the time the window's done. But still got the manager. their entire back line. Yeah, they do start with the manager, but they're losing quite a good and young back line and be very hard to replace, especially if you're going to replace them with players of a similar age profile. Yeah, it'll be very tricky. But my better answer, which is actually the worst for all of us, and isn't a particularly really insightful answer, but Chelsea.

8:16Vishal Sinha: That's what I was going to say. I think the Chelsea we're going to see this season will have the bit between their teeth a bit more than they did last year because I think last year was basically Enzo Mareska feeling out his squad and trying to find out what worked. Bear in mind, even if you look at this time last year, he basically came out with a quote saying how integral Raheem Sterling was going to be to their plans and then a week later he's turfed out on loan to Arsenal. I think the way that they've recruited has been very similar to how they've done it previously but some of the outgoings have been quite surprising even you know there's talk on Monday morning of Nicholas Jackson being moved on to Newcastle Christopher Nkunku going to RB Leipzig all this stuff is happening because you know I feel like the squad's size is basically going to be the same but Mareska is fine-tuning the kind of people he wants in his squad.

9:16And if you look at someone like Gio Pedro, who they brought in, very much someone you can set your watch by in terms of his Premier League experience. Liam DeLabs are offering a bit more of that youthful exuberance. Jamie Gittins as well. I don't really know what he's going to bring, but he's there and it's quite exciting. There's obviously a type of forward that he wants and he's pretty set on his back line. And so I think they'll be a bit more ruthless. they weren't necessarily chaotic last year but because it was such a rolling cast from weekend to midweek you didn't really get the sense that there was any genuine I suppose progression for team understanding because even in March there were Chelsea fans saying look this guy's awful we need rid of him

10:03Vishal Sinha: Way before March they were saying that No but generally they were in a position to push for and at times were accommodating Champions League spots and there were people like, look, this is really dull. We don't want this guy at our club anymore. And now I think there's a bit more to it. There's a bit more to him and there's a bit more to Chelsea full stop. I would agree. I was going to say Chelsea. For reasons you've said, I think they have a very good squad and it's more in depth than I certainly thought. I know they had the club woke up and people will say well that could be an absolutely exhausting thing yes and i understand that this is maybe a silly point to make but if you win the thing and you end it with such a good feeling of course you know you if you if you have tired legs you have tired legs but the mood and the feeling and the uh i don't know the um the exuberance or whatever you want to say that you get from winning it and the good feeling around the place is priceless and I think what you were saying about the fans there that a lot of them were on Maresca's back as you say and they were a little bit unconvincing at times that now I think the Europa Conference League win we all knew from as soon as they were in that competition anyone with two brain cells rubbed together were like yeah Chelsea will win that and of course they did the Club World Cup whatever one may think of that tournament it is a statement from Maresco and Co.

11:39Vishal Sinha: The fact is they beat PSG who were up for it and the way they beat them in the final. Yes, it's only one game, but my goodness, it's against a team who people, a lot of people think, myself included, were thinking, bloody hell, PSG for the next few years could start to emulate some of the really best teams we've seen in the last 10, 15 years in European football. Chelsea hammered them. So in one-off games, obviously they're good, they prove that by winning two cup competitions but I think it's all about the league what are they going to do I think they will be challenging for the title I don't necessarily think they'll win it but I think they'll be involved and I think that you know if you remember last season there was a very tentative talk around what was it November maybe something like that as we were going into the winter months of oh are Chelsea could they there was all that kind of thing and And then as the months went by and that Christmas period, it became apparent that they weren't going to challenge.

12:38Vishal Sinha: But that was partially to do with Liverpool's brilliance, of course. So I think as well, I think there's potentially a little bit more maturity in the squad just with certain individuals, which is something that they really lacked. As we know, it's a very, very young squad. And some of the sort of insider information and whatnot was saying that you are lacking that older leader. Certainly when, you know, the likes of, say, Cesar Asper-Lacueta, when he left the club and maybe one or two others, they were just kids. And it was, I think, Enzo Fernandes is what the club captain is. So, you know, I think a little bit more maturing, a little bit more realisation that, no, if you're in your late 20s or even mid-20s, you are one of the eldest statesmen in this side.

13:27Vishal Sinha: So a little bit of that. Maresca with a season under his belt as well. Blah, blah, blah. I think Chelsea are definitely a team that could surprise. I think people will... When I say surprise, I have to put that suggestion down that they're challenging for the title. Because if they finished fourth or fifth next season, I don't think that would surprise too many people. Yeah, yeah. So that's not what I'm saying. I'm not saying, oh, yeah, they'll be in a similar boat to say Newcastle and Aston Villa and, you know, whoever else that are going to be challenging for the top four or five, I think they're going to be pushing themselves in that bracket with Liverpool and, dare I suggest, Arsenal as well.

14:07Jim Campbell: Yeah, I would agree. And I think what they've done very well and what they've actually done fairly consistently over the last few seasons is they're very good at, like, levelling up their squad in a quite video game-y way. Yeah. Like where there's suddenly a big sort of kind of big raising of the ceiling. and obviously their transfer policy is very very unique and we've spoken about it a lot but it's starting to make a bit of sense now because obviously they've aside from them selling their own women's team and and things like that where there's a little bit of kind of chicanery going on all within the rules obviously um they are they also make an enormous money amount of money out of sales um i think they've sold four players last week and made 100 million quid out of it they're very very good at that so what that means is there are players that they're not really using that much that are quite handy in a conference league squad which is now irrelevant and you know the players coming in to replace those players are very likely to be Garnaccio and Xavi Simmons so like you know very very good players that level up that squad and I think they're going to probably have a title till and you know what I think they'll do well in the Champions League as well I think they could go quite deep in it.

15:13Vishal Sinha: I love the fact that they're going after Garnaccio it's like we love wingers at this club just more wingers please more wingers so many wingers and goalkeepers get them all in okay well they are big con so we're we're we're thinking Chelsea perhaps a team that could surprise some people

15:32Jim Campbell: Irish Kev has been in touch on Discord and Kev asks do you think there will ever be a point where the Saudi league is respected if they stay picking up the players they currently are for the next 10 years for argument's sake do they become legit or will they always just be the weird stain on your sheet that we don't talk about. That should be stain on one sheet. Leave my sheets out of this, Irish Kev. There's a related question to this from Scott on X. And Scott says, with many flops such as Darwin Nunes being snapped up by Saudi Arabian teams, is there a way back to the big leagues from the Saudi Pro League if a player does well?

16:05Jim Campbell: Or is it a sign that a player is finished at the highest level? So two questions there really, but they are related. I might start with the second question first because it's easier to answer. because we have seen players leave the Saudi Pro League and basically make their way back into football. I appreciate Jordan Henderson, as the most high profile from these shores, has ended up taking the scenic route back to the Premier League, but he is back in the Premier League as an older midfielder. Yeah, there are various many other players who've just gone back to continental Europe because they haven't fancied it, or quite simply they've made enough money that they're happy with and are now heading back.

16:47And conversely, I suppose through answering that, it's easy to answer the first one about whether it will be taken seriously. And I think fundamentally, yes, in time. I don't necessarily think it'll be in the next 20 years, though. I think just generally with what you're seeing in world football and the way that a country like Saudi Arabia is going about, I suppose, quite literally their business with the public investment fund, with regards to going to various industries and essentially trying to buy up real estate in these particular industries. They're doing it really well in football. I know we're talking specifically about the Pro League here, but if you look at Saudi Arabia's imprint on global football, I mean, they're nailing it.

17:34They've got a World Cup. They have people eating out of the palm of their hands with whether it's Newcastle, whatever you might think of them as a neutral, they've got an entire city there who they've changed the fortunes of, they've brought success to that club, and they've done it in a way that still makes it feel wholesome if you are a Newcastle fan. And that's even as a Newcastle fan who might be querying where that money has come from and this, that, and the other. I think you get those days out like a League Cup final, and can be quite hard to recall where that money has come from and the means with which your club has been taken over by a particular nation state.

18:21It is harder, though, to get that actual real football authenticity with your league in particular, even with the grip that they have on certain broadcasters, that Saudi Arabia have on certain broadcasters and with the way that they're able to pull in some of the biggest names in contemporary football, at least. So, yeah, I don't see it happening anytime soon, but I won't be surprised if the way football is trending and the way that everything is so transactional that it does come in the future. I'll go further than that. I don't see it happening in my lifetime, but football will go on long after I'm dead.

19:01Vishal Sinha: Yeah, I would say that I wouldn't see it becoming well-respected in Europe to answer that part of the Irish Kev. I think they have more of a chance than... Well, it's respected full stop, isn't it? Not respected in Europe. If you were to compare it to, say, the Chinese league, which is the only one I can think of which has really kind of quite overtly splashed an enormous amount of cash to try and get their league profile, like, just zoom it up. The chances, if you like. the Chinese sort of backed off after doing that a little bit because you know the wages it was similar to the Saudi Pro League there are comparisons there but I think with China you know very different country to Saudi Arabia I personally thought they were going to host a World Cup soon enough perhaps the thought of lots of journalists from other countries poking around and seeing what was going on there didn't appeal to them so for whatever reason China has backed off on the football front Saudi Arabia as Vish has said not just in the football front in the sporting world has is you know in fifth gear buying up stuff and whatnot whatever one may think of that I'm sure we all have you know or a lot of people have very strong opinions on that so then they're not here to kind of just have a little look and see how it goes they're going to be here for a while I think doing this however football football fans you know Money talks, yes it does, but actually your national team and the players you produce and the quality on the pitch talks louder.

20:39Vishal Sinha: If Saudi Arabia, if they suddenly start producing players, if they put money into academies there, which perhaps they are, and suddenly you've got the kind of talent conveyor belt that Man City do, and Premier League players are going, have you seen this new young Saudi lad? Oh, he's the Saudi Messi and all this kind of chat. that's when it'll start to be respected that takes a lot longer of course I think the United Arab Emirates had a little go at this and maybe they still are but Saudi as I say is on a different level to them and other countries mentioned but I think that is when it would start to become respected but that that is a that's a very long-term thing so right now I think if you're throwing wages at players, it's also an admission of, this league's a bit crap, so we're going to have to chuck tons of money at you.

21:32Vishal Sinha: And that's where they are. So until they start producing players, but time will tell, but I don't think it will be respected, because if there are any decent players there, then they'll be whisked away to Europe. MLS, I would say, is probably beginning to get respected by a number of people in Europe, but there will still be some people who go, if you haven't really made it in Europe, maybe that's an option, or it could be for pre-retirement. So I don't think it's going to get the kind of respect that other European leagues get. And not all leagues in Europe are respected, by the way. There's a huge amount of leagues, of course.

22:11Vishal Sinha: So that was what I would say there. With regards to Scott asking about flops coming back, I don't think that if a player goes to Saudi Arabia for a season or two or even three seasons suddenly becomes rubbish they might not have that competitiveness that you would get in say Serie A or the Premier League or something and yes they might be a touch rusty if you see what I mean I think it I think it's an individual um case by case there depends on the player depends on the character depends on how good they are what stage of their career the hunger the desire all the rest of it you're if you're if you're a good player and you're suddenly available, you'll always have suitors, even if your best moments were two or three years ago.

22:53Vishal Sinha: So I think that Darwin Nunes, we could see him back in one of Europe's top leagues in a couple of years. I think that's within reason. Probably not the Premier League, I think. But who knows? Definitely not Liverpool. He's never going to go back to Liverpool. I'll be clear about that. But who knows? Maybe a newly promoted Premier League side in two or three years' time.

23:16Jim Campbell: I don't know. Yeah, I mean, presumably Darwin Nunes will at some stage play for Napoli or Atletico Madrid or both. Yeah, definitely. Which is perfectly suited for both of those teams. Absolutely. And I hope we see that, obviously. Yeah, I think actually it's probably more likely than not that eventually it will become respected as a league. As Vish says, it might take a while. It could be a decade or decades. But essentially, the Saudi strategy is fairly simple, isn't it? It's make the product very good by filling it with very good players and get eyeballs on it. And as Vish alluded to DAZN, they already have a media organisation that is set up to provide that sort of thing globally.

23:58Jim Campbell: I'm sure that will be part of the long term strategy. And, you know, a lot of the Premier League's fan base doesn't have any particular loyalty to England or the Premier League itself. It's just where a lot of big players are and where a lot of exciting competitive seasons take place. So it's very possible, I think, that Saudi will be able to...

24:20Vishal Sinha: You're suggesting that fans around the world at some point, whether it's in 50 years or, you know, I don't want to put time on it, could be watching Saudi Pro League more than the Premier League.

24:28Jim Campbell: Well, what I base that on, Marcus, is that this is obviously what their strategy is, right? The idea is of being a disruptor. The idea is of getting the best players in the world over. And obviously from that, you fashion the best league. They already have DAZN as a platform for that. And they made it very clear that they're here to stay on that front. As you've alluded to, it was very, very different with China. And part of the strategy is obviously with the whole kind of focus on entertainment that we're getting across all the sport and lots of different entertainment from Saudis to move away from fossil fuels and bring in money from elsewhere.

25:04Jim Campbell: So I think long term, they're absolutely looking at knocking the Premier League off of its perch, so to speak. That'll be the one that they're aiming at. And it's not to say that they will achieve it, but they are going to throw absolutely everything at it. And I think as time goes by, loyalties change or they become indifferent. I think a vast, vast element of the Premier League's global fan base, obviously, as I said, doesn't have a particular loyalty to England. So if there's better football somewhere else, they'll watch that. I think it's very, very possible that they achieve it. I think it'd be a shame, obviously, but that is what they are trying to do.

25:37Jim Campbell: But I think one fly in that ointment is that the best of the best in world football is in the Champions League. And I don't think the Asian Champions League is likely to ever be able to compete with that. So that will be something that they'll have to kind of navigate. But yeah, I think we all know they're here to stay now and they're going to do everything they can to achieve what they want. Yeah, I mean, when you say they're trying to knock the Premier League... Why have you finished with that point? because now I can see it, they're going to join the Champions League, aren't they? They're going to join the UEFA Champions League.

26:07But your point about they're trying to knock the Premier League

26:10Vishal Sinha: off its perch, I wouldn't go with that because they've invested a lot in the Premier League in Newcastle. Yeah, but they want to have their cake and eat it, don't they? Well, indeed they do. I just think that the idea of another, you know, a very wealthy group who have got their broadcast and all the rest of it, and when you say that people don't have a loyalty to the Premier League, I would, on their behalf, and I would be very comfortable saying this on other people's behalf around the world, would massively push back on that and say fans of clubs around the world are very much entrenched in their supporterships of Premier League clubs.

26:48Jim Campbell: Sure, but that doesn't mean that they're not there to be sort of wooed over to something else.

26:52Vishal Sinha: I think it would take generations, and as Vish may have said without misquoting him, it could happen after our lifetime, but I couldn't see in our lifetime the Saudi league becoming as respected as any of the top European leagues.

27:04Jim Campbell: I mean, that's a slightly different conversation, isn't it? Because, you know, whether it's about being respected or about it being popular, I suppose, is the case. But I do think it's inevitable that people will view it very differently from how they view it now.

27:19Vishal Sinha: All right, then.

27:20Jim Campbell: Well, time will tell, annoyingly.

27:23Vishal Sinha: And we'll be dead. mercifully we'll all be dead at the time of recording it's not that respected just in case that changes by this afternoon you never know do you you never know

27:41your phone is your lifeline calling your kid to say goodnight waiting on a job callback or just sending a meme to your best friend when it's been that kind of day wherever life takes you the text now app keeps you connected for free get a real phone number unlimited talk and text and 5G data for your favorite apps, all for$0 a month. No fixed contracts, no hidden fees, no panic when bills pile up, just phone service that's there when it matters most. TextNow. We've got your back. Download TextNow in your app store today. Wireless plans require the purchase of a SIM card. Visit textnow.com for terms and conditions.

28:11In 2023, a source sent me a tip. It tied baseball's biggest star to a vast, illegal sports betting operation. Shohei Otani! But then someone surprising confessed to me, his best friend.

28:28Vishal Sinha: I'm Epe Mizuhara, and you do have permission to record me. From 30 for 30 Podcasts, this is The Betrayal of Shohei Otani. Listen now, wherever you get your podcasts. Hi all, this is Kim and Penn Holderness from Lifeline. Summer is here, which means it's officially travel season. And when you're out there making plans, you need somewhere reliable to stay. That's why Best Western is such a solid option. This summer, get 1 ,000 bonus points and a chance to win 250 ,000 bonus points. So wherever you're headed, make it count with this limited-time offer. Life's a trip. Make the most of it at BestWestern.com.

29:04No additional purchase necessary for sweeps. See bonus points, T's and C's, and sweeps rules for details, and visit BestWestern.com for complete terms and conditions. Back to school is busy enough. The last thing you need is shopping that makes it harder. Whether you're moving into a dorm, your first apartment, or just getting organized for the semester, Wayfair makes it easy to get everything you need in one place. Furniture, bedding, storage, decor, study essentials, all at prices you'll love. With fast shipping before move-in day. Get everything you need for back-to-school season. Shop Wayfair.com today.

29:41Wayfair, every style, every home.

29:49My question comes from SupernovaDragon on X. Which battle do you think will be the most interesting this season? Now, he's given a list of battles, the battle for the league, the battle for fourth, which is essentially the Champions League spots, and the battle for the European places beyond the Champions League spots, or the battle for survival.

30:11Vishal Sinha: Ooh. Damn it all, I'm going to say the title. I like that. I think so too. Go on. Yeah. Well, the battle for survival, people are predicting that to be quite boring and desperately trying to think of a side that was in the Premier League last season and will be in this season. To think, oh, who could they join? I don't want to get into all that because it's a bit... The battle for fourth or European places is always keen to contest. And particularly last season, that was the only thing we had to hang our hats on. But I do think that having just witnessed a couple of days ago the community shield, so clinging to that, and also I do think Chelsea are improved and I think Arsenal are improved.

30:57Vishal Sinha: I think Arsenal will have a proper go at the title much more than they did last season. I think Liverpool, the genius of Arna Slott last season was getting into Klopp's slipstream. That was obvious. Mo Salah had yet again another outstanding year. But they have different combinations to kind of figure out. I think they're going to be brilliant no matter what. Don't get me wrong. I'm not saying, you know, are they going to struggle? I don't think they're going to struggle per se, but I'd just be surprised if they ran away with it like they did last season. Some people will say, what are you talking about, you idiot?

31:32Vishal Sinha: They've improved. Yes, of course they have. There is the, you know, the sadness, of course, the extreme sadness of Diogo Jota not being there. But I think the bigger reasons are as well about how Slott now really goes about his business and how he tries to put his imprint on this team. And he will. And I think there'll be a very, very effective side and they will be in contention for every single trophy they're going for. But as I've mentioned, I think Arsenal and Chelsea will be up there as well. So I'm sort of trying to will this into existence as well. So I'm going to say the battle for the league total.

32:15Vishal Sinha: Have you left that Man City on purpose there? Oh, yeah. I think I have, Jim. And do you know why? It's because I wrote them off last season when really looking back on it, they had like a two and a half month period where they were a bit dodgy. But either side of that, they were fairly consistent. And I was like, it's over. The empire's done. It's in ruins. And I really went big on it. and then you kind of, I started to see their business and then I said, oh blimey, I tell you what though, that Al Hillel loss in the Club World Cup final, oh that was, that was very welcome and I thought that's kept me on fire burning.

32:56Vishal Sinha: So we'll see what happens this season. Could have egg on my face. I probably shouldn't have reminded everybody what I said last season but I did go big on it. So as a very, very wise man once said, don't back down, double down. And that's what I'm doing.

33:12Jim Campbell: Yeah, I mean, I think you're both right. I think it is the title race that's got the potential to be the most exciting just because obviously the stakes are higher. But I do think, I desperately hope as well that the points totals are closer together than they were last season, however it pans out, just because it's more interesting, isn't it? There was a sense from about January, it's like, yeah, Liverpool, we're just going to romp this, aren't they? And then they did. but hopefully those gaps have closed and as you say who knows maybe it will take Liverpool a little bit of time to adjust to the kind of slightly different style and the change of personnel who knows I do think as well though that if we do get an actual entertaining relegation battle or one that threatens to have a little bit of variation in it because it's been a while since we've actually had that that will be a really welcome return Says the Arsenal fan at the top of the table.

34:06Jim Campbell: Indeed. Who would you like to see in there? Man United? Fulham. Actually, yeah, Fulham and Man United is what I'd like to see. No, I mean, so let's... It probably only really takes one of the promoted teams to do surprisingly well, right? And then that makes it a little bit more chaotic. Who knows? Maybe Bournemouth will replace four of the five defenders they had last season with four absolute disasters. Maybe they'll get it so, so wrong that the front of the team is brilliant, the back end of the team is terrible. A friend of mine is a West Ham fan. I saw him the other day, asked him how he feels about the next season and he just refused to talk to me about it.

34:41Jim Campbell: So I think that sort of tells its own story. I think there's a lot of kind of pessimism within the fan base. They're worried that things could take a little bit of a slide there. I think they'll be fine, personally. Wolves have lost players and not replaced them. I think the manager's kind of canny and wily enough that they'll probably be fine. but he's also got quite a chaotic history. So you never know. There might be a team who gets sucked in there and make it entertaining and make it so that it isn't obviously the three promoted teams that come up. So from a neutral perspective and maybe an evil neutral perspective, as you've touched on, Marcus, I think it's very possible that that could be fun just if we have one again at all because it'll feel a bit like a novelty.

35:23Jim Campbell: All right, coming up after this, which other footballers get the Rob Lee treatment?

35:29Jim Campbell: Yes, as Marcus hinted at before the break last week, Luke said that Rob Lee was one of the few footballers who always gets called by their full name. Our friends on Discord have come up with a few more examples. El Shinito and the Notorious BMT suggested Ben Mee. Absolutely. Definitely agree with that. Moon suggested Joe Cole and JJ Ococha. And From Our Ball suggested Solly March, which I know you're a fan of that one, Vish. Yeah, the Solly March one is pretty common. Akotcha was yeah I feel like he was often given the just the Akotcha moniker on comms so I'm not I don't get that Ben Mi is spot on because it just sounds weird isn't it passes to me what you like it's just you know it just sounds weird to say it as a commentator or even just say it in in normal conversation I was trying to think of I kept going to brothers Philip Neville any cult yeah

36:23Vishal Sinha: Phil Neville Gary any cult Yeah, but I think with Gary Neville, I think you could just say Neville. I feel it's those with one syllable, first and second names, as in one syllable each name, or those who have very common names, so Andy Cole, Joe Cole, Ashley Cole. You couldn't just say Cole. Yeah. And Keane as well. Roy Keane, Robbie Keane, never just Keane. I feel there's a little bit of that going on. um Pele Paul Pele no just Pele um uh if we school to call it by his first full name Pele so uh yeah I think that you know there are some ones that we we do I mean I feel like Hannah Hampton became one in the Euros that's a good one

37:15Jim Campbell: that's a really good one yeah yeah I like that it's just it's pleasing to say isn't it if the iteration is good as it is as well as another one yeah Also worth noting that Hannah is an anagram of... Which sort of explains some of her quite demonic behaviour in the shootout. Yeah, chucking that bottle away. Maybe demonic's harsh. As a Christian, I'm pushing back on that.

37:39Vishal Sinha: You're right to, Marcus. Yeah, chucking the... I forget the Spanish keeper's name bottle away was lovely work. I thought that Alison might do that. Fantastic. Because Dean Henderson obviously had that written down. But Dean Henderson had his swaddled in his towel, didn't he? Because he kept opening it up. He was checking if his baby was still asleep. Alison is a strong Christian, so he wouldn't get involved in demonic behaviour. That's a good point.

38:10Jim Campbell: Perhaps the word I was looking for is devious. With apologies to Naha Hampton. Very good. There's a lot of deviousness in the Bible. Yeah, famous. There really is.

38:20Vishal Sinha: There really is. But it doesn't end on that note, most importantly. Now, Vish, you have the final question. I do. And I feel like I've set myself up to be nominated in this, but it comes from Barney on Insta. Who is the biggest prat of the 2020s in football? I mean, there is only one answer here. There are notable mentions, but if anybody suggests anyone other than Gianni Infantino, they are wrong. They are incorrect. You're so right. It is the answer. Yeah. Like seldom on the mailbag do you get an answer where all you hear is when somebody says it, you hear bing, bing, bing, bing, bing, bing, bing, bing.

38:56Vishal Sinha: You know, that is...

39:00If this was Family Fortune and you go out first and I'm in the room that all the noise is cancelled out and so you say that answer, which is the top score,

39:11Vishal Sinha: Johnny Infantino, I go out for my go. I would also say Johnny Infantino and that gets struck off and my next one would be Amanda Stavely. That's a nice one.

39:23Jim Campbell: Yeah, that is a nice one. That's a good one.

39:28Vishal Sinha: Worthy.

39:29Jim Campbell: Very worthy of a mention there. Yeah, because Infantino's behaviour is obviously sort of despotic and terrible and is kind of really compromising the very soul of the sport that he's supposed to be a custodian of. But it is also, it's just really embarrassing, isn't it, the way it goes about it. Jim, the trainers in the suit at the Club World Cup. Yeah, you hate the trainers. Which is point of the case. A lot of people wear trainers with a suit, and it looks absolutely fine. But you're right. Something about the way he does it, just, what are you doing? It's just so pissful.

40:01Vishal Sinha: But, I mean, that's the thin end of the wedge. Some of the stuff he came out to in the Qatar World Cup.

40:06Jim Campbell: Anyway, give him the trophy. He's made in competition that he's pushed hard for. No one wants to do it. And the moment Donald Trump goes, can I have that? he just goes yeah yeah actually you can it's just weak as well oh dear oh dear

40:23Vishal Sinha: what about Neil Morpay yeah desperately trying to be like oh I'm Mr. Shithouse yeah and that's why it's pratty a shithouse just

40:31Jim Campbell: gets on with it yeah because it's not always been the case is it yeah it's a fairly new thing it's like you know what I can make myself a bit interesting here exactly yeah I'm going to rebrand myself as a prat yeah some of us have earned that some of us have been doing that our whole lives Neil exactly could I could I nominate someone who this isn't necessarily a derogatory prat but Emi Martinez would you describe that as pratty I think the difference with Martinez and Mope is because I think I think Martinez is better at getting getting in people's heads with it and therefore it gives you a competitive advantage Martinez won the World Cup

41:08Vishal Sinha: doing it indeed

41:10Jim Campbell: and the Golden Glove and Neil Mope's yeah yeah Mope got got a move to Marseille and Maza are a fine club although it's interesting you say that but Martinez did only win the World Cup because of Neil Mopé because he of course injured Bernd Leno Emi Martinez then got into the team at Arsenal won the FA Cup got his move to Villa got called up to the Argentina national team and obviously the rest is very confusing history I don't think Emi Martinez is a proud

41:40Vishal Sinha: I think he's I think he lives the sort of shit ails a real bit more and is more effective. So, yeah, I tell you, if Luke was here, I reckon Luke would say Sean Dyche. Or Gary Cottrell, which is also a strong answer. I know I put those words in Luke's mouth. I honestly don't think he'll mind, but Sean Dyche can come out with some pratty stuff.

42:03Jim Campbell: Yeah, I think there's often some performative masculinity from Dyche, but also he's a quite sort of, he was quite vocal remainer as well. There are things about Dyche I do like, But at the same time, the whole kind of jacket off in the snow thing is a bit tedious, isn't it?

42:17Vishal Sinha: I quite like that. Because I'm a bloody bloke. Thank you for listening to the Football Ramble Mailbag, part of the ACAST Creator Network. We're back tomorrow, of course. So do listen out for that. Please do send us your responses, opinions and questions for next week's mailbag and subscribe on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts. And of course, you can all sign up to the Football Ramble Patreon to join the conversation on Discord. and remember if you sign up for an annual subscription before the end of August you will get 15 % off. Head to patreon.com forward slash football ramble to sign up now.

42:50Vishal Sinha: See you tomorrow.

42:59The Football Ramble is a Stack production and part of the Acast Creator Network.

43:10Hi, I'm Nick, co-host of The Best One Yet. You optimize your workouts, your portfolios, and that rando startup idea that hit you in the middle of the shower. But if you're not hydrated, you're already playing catch-up. So we keep a stash of liquid IV in our studio. One stick mixed into 16 ounces of water is clinically demonstrated to hydrate faster than water alone with three times the electrolytes of the leading sports drink, plus eight vitamins and nutrients. Whether you're traveling, exercising, or podcasting the best business news ever, Liquid IV makes it easy to stay hydrated wherever life takes you.

43:39So shop now at liquidiv.com. Liquid IV hydration that goes wherever life takes you. Back to school is busy enough. The last thing you need is shopping that makes it harder. Whether you're moving into a dorm, your first apartment, or just getting organized for the semester, Wayfair makes it easy to get everything you need in one place. Furniture, bedding, storage, decor, or study essentials all at prices you'll love with fast shipping before move-in day. Get everything you need for back-to-school season. Shop Wayfair.com today. Wayfair, every style, every home. Where's your playlist taking you?

44:18Down the highway? To the mountains?

44:20Vishal Sinha: Or just into daydream mode while you're stuck in traffic? With over 4 ,000 hotels worldwide, Best Western is there to help you make the most of your getaway. wherever that is because the only thing better than a great playlist is a great trip life's the trip make the most of it at best western book direct and save at bestwestern.com hi this is page from giggly squad and today's episode is brought to you by mcdonald's honestly caesar sauce and a diet coke at mcdonald's might be the perfect girl dinner and mcrispie strips dipped in Caesar sauce, no notes. Right now at participating McDonald's, the$2.99 Caesar snack wrap is making me rethink my entire go-to order.

45:05Caesar sauce is at participating McDonald's for a limited time, so go try it before it's gone.

45:10Vishal Sinha: Prices and participation may vary.