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In short
The Guardian Football Weekly panel does a Premier League season preview, predicting where teams will finish and debating how summer transfers and “intangibles” (mentality, squad cohesion, injuries, managerial fit) will shape the table. They argue Arsenal’s squad has improved (signings including Martin Zubimendi and Victor “Jokeres”/Jokere’s profile as a nuisance who frees Saka), but question title-winning mentality and over-reliance on set pieces; notable examples include Arsenal’s collapse after setbacks last season (e.g., Saliba red vs Bournemouth) and their tendency to lose momentum. Aston Villa are discussed as stable under Unai Emery but vulnerable if the core drops off and if they lose Ollie Watkins. Bournemouth are assessed as resilient despite losing much of their defense, while Brighton are trusted for their model but face pressure to sustain brilliance. Chelsea are dismissed as title contenders due to squad instability and “player trading” rather than a football team. Burnley are predicted to struggle after heavy recruitment/panic and losing James Trafford. Everton are split: new stadium and Jack Grealish optimism vs relegation fears under Moyes. Fulham are expected to stay mid-table despite minimal transfer activity.
Guests
Barry Glendening, Johnny Lu, Jordan Jarrett-Brien.
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOArsenal's Transfers and Season Start
0:59 to 1:30
Discussion on Arsenal's transfers and their season opener.
“On the panel for part one today, Barry Glendening, hello.”
Panel Predictions for Arsenal
1:30 to 2:24
Panel members predict Arsenal's performance and league position.
“They brought in Martin Zubomendi, Victor Jokerez, Nani Madweke, Christian Mosquera, a centre-back from Bilbao.”
Analysis of Arsenal's Title Chances
2:24 to 6:40
In-depth analysis of Arsenal's strengths and weaknesses for the season.
“As a category error, that's arguably worse.”
Arsenal's Mentality and Future Prospects
6:40 to 9:45
Discussion on Arsenal's mentality and the outlook for the season ahead.
“They need a calming presence as a leader and he's not a calming presence.”
Aston Villa's Quiet Summer
9:45 to 10:14
Overview of Aston Villa's transfer activity and season outlook.
“But the more I look at my league table, I think, man, I've made some mistakes this year.”
Aston Villa Performance Expectations
10:14 to 11:28
Analysis of Aston Villa's key players and potential performance issues.
“They've had a quiet summer, Jordan, but they have Unai Emery.”
Bournemouth's Defensive Overhaul
11:28 to 14:01
Discussion on Bournemouth's significant defensive changes and upcoming challenges.
“Who's going to give them the little boost that Rashford and Asensio gave them in the second half of last season?”
Bournemouth's Prospects for the Season
14:01 to 17:45
Analyzing Bournemouth's squad changes and injury concerns heading into the new season.
“If you look at their likely starting XI, it's still a good side.”
Live Show Announcement
17:46 to 18:33
Details about the upcoming live show and guest appearances.
“Welcome to part two of the Guardian Football Weekly.”
Brentford's Challenges Ahead
18:34 to 22:23
Discussion on Brentford's player transfers and potential struggles this season.
“Keat Because some Keats are Keats, right?”
Show all 20 chapters
Brighton’s Rebuilding Efforts
22:24 to 28:00
Exploring Brighton's player acquisitions and the challenges they face this season.
“We may have to explain this to our younger listeners if we have any.”
Brighton's Prospects This Season
28:00 to 30:20
Analysis of Brighton's potential performance in the upcoming season.
“Like, at what point does he start to get a little bit?”
Burnley's Challenges and Predictions
30:20 to 33:20
Discussion on Burnley's squad changes and their predicted performance.
“So I think they're going down, down, down, down, down.”
Evaluating Chelsea's Title Chances
33:20 to 35:58
Insights into Chelsea's current squad and their ability to contend for the title.
“So I kind of expect them to be up there, but not particularly challenging for the title.”
Crystal Palace's Outlook and Conference League
36:01 to 39:44
Examination of Crystal Palace's plans and potential in the Conference League.
“Crystal Palace Welcome to part three of the Guardian Football Weekly.”
Everton's New Season Predictions
39:44 to 42:00
Discussion on Everton's squad changes and their chances of survival this season.
“I'm sending them down no you're not I am you're relegating Everton I am How are you relegating Everton?”
Everton's Struggles and Recruitment Issues
42:00 to 45:31
Discussing Everton's challenges and poor recruitment strategies.
“Obviously, a lot depends on their new striker, Barry, because that position has been a slightly poisoned challenge.”
Fulham's Transfer Dilemmas
45:32 to 47:16
Analyzing Fulham's lack of signings and potential season outcomes.
“I actually thought Producer Joel had just forgotten to fill it out when he'd done the ins and outs.”
Concerns for Fulham's Squad Age
47:17 to 48:30
Discussion on the aging squad of Fulham and its implications.
“He's worried that, you know, this is the oldest squad in the Premier League last season.”
Predictions for the Premier League Season
48:31 to 52:49
Sharing predictions and thoughts on team standings for the upcoming season.
“I have them 9th, but I might revise that.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00Jonathan Liew:This is The Guardian.
0:30manager and some vital players have on Brentford. Brighton have bought lots of people we don't know much about. No doubt they'll all be brilliant. Burnley have bought a whole team but lost James Trafford. Chelsea are the best team in the world and they bought some excellent players. Palace have had the best season in their history. Might the demotion, however unfair to the Conference League, actually work out in more silverware? Everton have a shiny stadium and a shiny Grealish and Fulham are Fulham. We'll predict where they'll all finish on today's Guardian Football Weekly.
0:59On the panel for part one today, Barry Glendening, hello. Hi Max. Welcome Johnny Lu. Hi, how you doing? And Jordan Jarrett-Brien is here too. Hello mate, can I just say, sorry, this is the first time I've done a podcast with you guys in person. Ever? Ever. Wow. This is exciting. Will the takes be hotter? Oh, they're flaming hot, they're coming. Just to say, we're recording this on a Tuesday, so it'll go out I think on Wednesday. So, you know, if something's happened to Alexander Izak or something else and we don't reference it, it's because it's Tuesday right now. Shall we begin with Arsenal? They brought in Martin Zubomendi, Victor Jokerez, Nani Madweke, Christian Mosquera, a centre-back from Bilbao.
1:37Kieran Tini's left, Jorginho, Thomas Partey, Raheem Sterling, Tommy Asu have gone. They begin at Old Trafford. They have Leeds, Liverpool, Forest and Man City in their opening five games as well. They finished second last year. will of course predict the whole table as we go. Barry did very well last year, didn't he? His pressure on you to repeat that.
1:56Max Rushden:Yeah, and I found it really difficult this year, perhaps because I know there's a lister out there now collating these predictions, making note of them, and he has decided with firm evidence that I'm the best. Did you win, though? Did you? We're just not the worst of the bunch.
2:16Jonathan Liew:I mean, you predicted Liverpool to win. And that's the headline. But also, didn't you predict Forrest to get relegated? Yeah, we both did, yes. As a category error, that's arguably worse. It is worse.
2:28Max Rushden:I think my worst error was predicting Manchester United to finish 12th, which drew a sharp intake of breath from Max. And it was completely wrong because they were even worse than that.
2:39Jonathan Liew:It just depends on the metric because Max actually got three spot on and you only got two. Are you the listener who studied it? I do my research. Good stuff. off um let's start with us Jordan you're an Arsenal fan second for three consecutive seasons can they go one better they can um will they it's probably the more interesting question um I have concerns I think the summer feels like summer of remaining competitive I think they've read you know they've reloaded if you like with some players to ensure that they can they can go again I'm not convinced that they have done enough to make me think that they are the team that come may will lift the Premier League trophy they've done some good business it's not business that if I'm Liverpool or Manchester City I look at and think oh it's business that I look at and think oh do you know what I mean so so so yeah so I'm I've spoiler alert they aren't my Premier League champion this season but I've got them in the top two okay second but it's a couple of players just briefly before the gentlemen come in and gokara is it gokara is or gokara Jokeres is what I'm saying.
3:47Jokeres. Okay. I'll wait till I hear him say his name before I butcher it. I'll go with Jokeres for now. Good signing. I'm not sure it's a difference-making signing. I think he'll score goals without being the difference, i.e. in those games where low blocks, in the small gaps, half chance, turn, bang. I'm not convinced he's that guy. Are you convinced? I mean, because the talk about Arsenal is, do they need a striker? We're going to have to think of something new to ask this season. But they have Victor Jokeres, and it's important that they found somebody to stand there.
4:18Jonathan Liew:Yeah, well, I think he is a game-changer and I don't know whether he's going to score nine goals or 19 goals or whatever, but I think he's a game-changer for the reason that he takes a huge amount of pressure off Saka. I think the way you play Arsenal, the way you defend against Arsenal, is you double-team Saka, you push him out to the side of the pitch, crowd him out, and if you keep him out of the game, you know that they don't have the central threat to hurt you. Jokeres is a nuisance. You can't do that with Jokeres because however you think Portuguese Premier League reform is going to translate to the Premier League, he's a nuisance.
4:52Jonathan Liew:He is very good at sticking out a toe, knocking it off his tibia. He will occupy defenders and he'll create space for Saka. And it wouldn't surprise me if Saka has a Salah type season. He's basically been producing at 15, 20 goal standard while being double teamed, while being his team's main threat and everybody knowing that, if he gets unleashed, it wouldn't surprise me if he has a 25-goal season. Yeah, and I suppose if you are a centre-forward, it's quite harder. It's harder for the defence to push you out to the byline, isn't it? You know, if you're Jokeres, it's hard to say, listen, we'd like you to go over there.
5:26I mean, how much pressure do you think, Barry, is on Arteta?
5:29Max Rushden:I think there's a lot of pressure on him. He's got everything he wants. He's got his number nine. He's got cover all over the pitch. He doesn't have any excuses not to win the league for lack of personnel, for example. If there are any excuses available, he will obviously grasp them with both hands, as he always does. But my concern about Arsenal now that they have got these good signings, I think Christian Nürger is a great signing. I know he's only going to be a sort of reserve midfielder, but I think he's a great man to have in reserve. And Maduweke, despite the petition launched by those weird Arsenal fans who signed it.
6:14Has it reached 100 ,000? Do they have to discuss it in Parliament? I don't know.
6:19Max Rushden:He'll take some of the pressure off Saka. Saka won't be obliged to flog him every single game. So I don't think Arteta has no excuses. But Arsenal, I think, still probably won't be good enough. and I think they lack the mental fortitude to win the title and I think that's largely Arteta's fault. They need a calming presence as a leader and he's not a calming presence. He's the most animated man in or around the squad and I think their over-reliance on set pieces could be their undoing as well because they focus so much on them and every corner is like a set play in American football It just takes all the rhythm out of their play.
7:06And I think they're going to come up short again. I thought because Wilson's on the second half, we would survive someone saying Arsenal have mental weakness and we wouldn't get yelled at. But Jordan, you were nodding. I was, because you've taken my point. My thing is, I don't think the issue is Arsenal's personnel. We talk a lot about transfers and players. Arsenal have a very, very good team that can win the league if you look at their personnel. my concern is it's that thing that you can't really it's that intangible the mentality I have concerns about whether Arsenal have that thing they have it that it really takes when it really matters when the pressure's on can you really go that extra mile and I'm concerned they don't have it just quickly as well finally for me on Arsenal I have concerns about Martin Odegaard I think it's a big year for him and I predict that he won't finish the season in the starting 11 in the same way I think Madiweke after 15 games will take that left wing spot from Martinelli and Trossard.
8:04That's interesting because Madiweke doesn't normally play that. He doesn't. But I think unless they sign a left wing, which I don't think they will, I can see Madiweke taking that spot very quickly. Okay, then where are we putting Arsenal? Barry? Third.
8:17Jonathan Liew:Johnny? First. Oh, really? Yeah. Zubamendi, we need to talk about Zubamendi, he's an incredible, incredible sign. If you can't get Rodri and you can't get Vettinia, he's the guy you get and Arsenal got him. Zubamendi, Rice, Odegaard, that is the best midfield in the league. There is this kind of idea that Arsenal, basically it was the injuries that did for them last season. Actually, they lost the league in November. They lose the league when Saliba gets sent off against Bournemouth. They go on a run of four without a win. Liverpool go nine, ten points clear. And Arsenal lose their fucking minds.
8:49Jonathan Liew:And that's what's going to do for them if it comes to that. This idea that it has to be this season. It has to be this season. Arteta's got to do it. the whole project, why? Is it not going to be other seasons? There are other seasons after this. You're ruining the phone in, do they need a trophy? You're ruining it. There's other seasons after this, but also, they're an incredible team and I think Arsenal fans just need to chill out a little bit about this. They have an incredible team that stand for something, right? They play a style of football, they represent their city in a way that previous Arsenal teams just haven't.
9:27Jonathan Liew:I think Arsenal fans I should just chill out about this stuff a little bit. I think if they get a really good start and Arteta can, I think, learn from some of the mistakes that he's made in previous seasons, they have 1-11 or 1-18 or 1-20. Who knows? They have a team that can win the league. Okay. Jordan, where are they? I have them second as well. But the more I look at my league table, I think, man, I've made some mistakes this year. All right, Aston Villa then. I haven't done a lot of business. They brought in Evan Gassar from Nice for£30 million. A striker, Yazin Ozkan, a centre-back. They've brought in Rashford and Asensio De Sazi as well, who were all on loan, have gone as well.
10:08They begin against Newcastle in the PSR derby. Play Brentford, Palace, Everton and Sunderland as well. So quite a nice opening five games. They've had a quiet summer, Jordan, but they have Unai Emery. So it's interesting. It feels like a sort of air of calm, quiet summer, as opposed to the panic in Newcastle. No, for sure. And I think having a summer where you don't bring in lots of transfers is underrated. We get so excited about, we haven't bought anybody. Sure, Liverpool last year. Exactly. Sometimes stability can be better than just bringing in three names for the sake of it. Everything I'm saying is about to say is predicated by the fact that I think they'll lose Watkins' window.
10:43I think Newcastle will take Watkins by the end of the window. So that's why I've got them a little bit lower than I think most people probably will. but I think Unai Emery Point is valid in that I think he's a leveler in that he's a quality manager I think when you've got him on your team you're good for 10 points already because he's that good a manager defence is decent is Martinez still there or is he gone? He's still there He's still there Okay The tears were for nothing Yeah They've got a very good goalkeeper decent defence I love their midfield Kamara Tillemans Morgan Rodgers Jacob Rav they've got really good midfielders and if they can know if they can keep Watkins they've got a guy they know they can get 15 goals minimum so I think they'll have a decent season but I do think they'll lose Watkins which I think will impact them.
11:28Jonathan Liew:Johnny? My concern with Villa is that for the last two or three seasons they've been relying on a core of players I get you know that's Spine, Martinez, Konse, Tielemans, McGinn, Watkins who have basically been I think I think have been playing at their ceiling and these are guys who have been playing out of their skin for two or three seasons and if two or three of them have a drop-off, I worry about who's going to step up for them. Who's going to give them the little boost that Rashford and Asensio gave them in the second half of last season? Is Marlon going to step up? Is Ian Mutz going to have the season that he's always been threatening to?
12:02Jonathan Liew:It's going to be something like George Hemmings. They've got a very good academy and they talk very highly of some of the young players coming through. Who is George Hemmings? Son of Eddie? No, no, exactly. He's got a name like a Victorian industrialist, but I think he's 18, 19, midfielder like very like they speak very highly of him I can't say I think they signed him from Forest a couple of seasons ago and they're going to have to rely on those fringe players because I don't see that core turning out another season like they have done and then Emery fourth season you know a little bit of a drop off Sevilla they still won the Europa League obviously but you know there was Emery in the fourth season at Valencia and Sevilla there was a noticeable not a huge collapse but a drop off Right the famous fourth season drop that I didn't know about until now but they are in the Europa League and Emery wins the Europa League Barry he does
12:53Max Rushden:and if he wins it this season it'll be the fifth time he's won it I think I'm inclined to agree with Johnny that I expect a drop off from Villa they had a good season last season but it ended badly they missed out on placing the Champions League because of their failure to beat a terrible Manchester United on the last day of the season or a failure to even draw with them. And they got walloped by Palace in the FA Cup semi-final. And I would imagine that was quite a blow or a couple of hammer blows to come at the end of the season. I'm concerned by their lack of activity in the window. And they very much need to improve away from home.
13:38Max Rushden:But yeah, I'm inclined to agree with Johnny and I have them in ninth. Ninth. Jordan. 10th Johnny 9th I have them 6th I should have done more research You might be right I might be right Bournemouth then are brought in Georgie Petrovic a goalkeeper from Chelsea Could Chelsea afford to lose one of their goalkeepers interesting Adrien Truffaut as well left back from Rennes they've obviously lost their entire defence basically apart from Tavernier at right back so Dean Hoyssen's gone to Real Madrid Zabani is on his way to PSG Kirk has gone to Liverpool Kepa's gone as well jane anthony left as well they begin at anfield on friday night they play wolves spurs brighton and newcastle as well in their opening five barry look they flirted with european places for a bit last season didn't they but it is difficult if you lose basically your entire defense and goalkeeper it is difficult but i still fancy them to do well this season i think they have one of the best managers in europe in charge of them they're one of those teams like brighton and brentford who don't seem to suffer unduly when they lose big-name players because they've got more weighting in the wings to take their place.
14:47Max Rushden:They haven't brought in too many yet. If you look at their likely starting XI, it's still a good side. I do notice Lewis Cook is injured again. He's a mainstay for them. He played a lot at right-back last season. He's got a knee injury. I don't know how bad it is. I hope it's not too bad because he's already had two bad ones. The record high point, Sally, last season of 56, I think they'll be fine. I just think their manager is so good. Anthony Areola, struggling to remember his name there. He's that good, man. I just really think he's the real deal. I expect him to be absolutely fine.
15:29Jonathan Liew:Johnny? Yeah, I think the issue last season is that they had a terrible block with injuries. so you know yes they had that Perspex box they put like the David Blaine box at all their injured players and actually went on a good run when they had all those players yeah but obviously I think they ran out of steam a little bit towards the end of last season yeah like I say they've lost the whole defence but I think a certain amount of churn is built into the business model new signings seem quite good Truffair from Ren right he's a very attacking left wing back he's their Kerkos replacement they're bringing in I think Diakite from is it T Lille yeah sorry thank you Barry's like your assistant Johnny I can just follow him around finish his sentences no I just have my notes at a better angle but he was basically Lille lost Lenny Yorra last season and he kind of stepped up he's a real leader I think he is the Dean Housen replacement I guess so yeah I think if they have better luck with injuries I think no European football is a blessing in disguise for them to be honest and they are multi-tooled and they have enough goals from enough different sources, I think they'll be fine.
16:41I think they'll have a worse season this year than they did last season, but still a good season for Bournemouth, if that makes sense. I agree with Barry, their manager, Arielle, is a really, really top manager. If they have another good season, I'd be surprised they keep him for another year. At the point of recording, they've just sold Zabani for £55 million. you wouldn't do that unless you have thought about what you're going to do with that money and I don't know if it's patronising but if a team like Bournemouth stay in the Premier League is that a good season? I think so is that they're not a big club they're still newbies don't be nervous these are your hard times they're not a big club so if they stay up that for me still I've still got them in the just stay in the Premier League kind of mind frame mindset I don't know if that's going to piss off a lot of Bournemouth supporters but I've said it there you go I have.
17:31There aren't any. It's been, oh dear, one more than me. That will piss them off. Where are you putting them? I've got them 12th. I've got them 14th. Johnny? 7th. 7th. 7th. Oh, wow, that's a big gap. Holy moly. All right, that'll do for part one. Part two will begin with Brentford.
17:54Welcome to part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. We've got a live show on the 11th of September at the Troxie in London. Johnny, you're coming. Yeah, am I? Yeah, on the panel.
18:01Jonathan Liew:Oh, great. Yeah, I'll just check my diary. Please check your diary. But hopefully, you know, the fans, the Johnny Lou fan club can shift 1 ,000 tickets. I don't know that many people. Right. I think they would generally have to know me to come along. Okay. And we have obviously lost all Australians in London by putting Johnny on the panel. But that's okay. Jonathan Wilson, Nicky Bandini as well. Cameos to be announced. can you make it do a cameo of course great tickets can be purchased by heading to theguardian.com slash football weekly live we're live streaming it as well tickets from the same link link will be in the pod description you can find it over our instagram blue sky and tick tock so brentford then uh they've bought in antoni melambo an attacking midfielder from fire nord michael coyote a right back from purantina cuyvin kelleher from liverpool and jordan henderson as well on a free they have lost brian and bumo christian norgaard mark flecken joanne wisser might be off as well thomas frank of course and some of his coaching staff they start away at forest then they play villa sundland chelsea and fulham in their opening five games they came 10th last year it feels barry like a tricky season for keith andrews and his wonderful hair they may struggle
19:15Max Rushden:but i have literally got no idea whether keith andrews is any good as a manager or not most people know him as a pundit from Sky Sports Is he a Keith or a Keat?
19:25Jonathan Liew:Keat
19:25Max Rushden:Because some Keats are Keats, right? No, I don't think so Well, a lot of Irish Keats are Keats This is the key stuff that people are going to this So I've no idea whether he'll be any good or not I mean, Brentford, very good at scoring from set-pieces very good at defending set-pieces He was their set-piece coach so, you know, he's clearly good at that aspect of the game Otherwise, I've no idea. No one knows, apart from Brentford's players, one presumes, they'll have a fair idea at this stage. In terms of who they brought in, Michael Coyote was already there. He looked really good towards the back end of last season.
20:05Max Rushden:Jordan Henderson, he'll probably... He's good to have around the place, I've heard. Is he? Yeah. Right. Yeah, I mean, there was talk he might return to Sunderland. I'd have been happy enough with that before I became aware that Granit Xhaka was on the radar. But yeah, he'll probably be all right. I wouldn't be surprised if they really struggle and get relegated. I'm not relegating them. Jordan? The three Bs in the Premier League, there's an element of trust that I have with them, the Brighton, the Bournemouth and the Brentford. Yeah, as Barry started by saying, the narrative seems to be, oh, they're going to go down.
20:41They're in trouble. They've lost all these goals. It's a lot of goals. They've lost their manager. But I trust them. I trust that they kind of planned this. Where are Burnley and your B's? You don't trust them. Go on, planters as well. I don't trust them. That's the untrustworthy B. They're the rogue B. I forgot about them, yeah. But I trust that they have a plan and they would have foreseen that they may lose some of these key individuals. So I don't think they'll have a great season, but I don't think they'll go down.
21:05Jonathan Liew:I don't trust them. You know, well, people lump in Brentford with Brighton and Bournemouth. You know, I think largely through alliteration, as we've discovered. That's what I did. Because, you know, obviously because they're small teams, you know, smaller teams punching about their weight because of their recruitment model. And, you know, fair enough. But on the pitch, there's one big distinction, I think, that marks Brentford out. Bournemouth, as we talked about, they have a lot of goals from different sources. Brighton, like, they have goals from all over the pitch. They have very multifaceted threats.
21:37Jonathan Liew:Ford's playing model, by contrast, has basically been, we will construct a team to get the ball to these guys and these guys will score. And obviously it was in Burma and Whistler last season, previously it was guys like Watkins, it was Ben Rahmer, it was Ivan Toney. And I think once you take those guys out, I really struggle to see where Brentford are going to score enough goals to stay up. There's been a lot of talk about the set pieces, apparently. The set pieces have been looking pretty funky in pre-season. And the other issue I have with them is their injury record. I think they have quite a lot of players like Christopher Ayer, Kevin Sharder, Pinnock, who have a history of getting injured, like Igor Thiago.
22:15Jonathan Liew:who they may end up relying on for goals. He hasn't had an injury-free season in his whole career. I'm getting Norwich 2013-14 vibes off them. You know, like the travelator in Gladiators. We may have to explain this to our younger listeners if we have any. I think it's back. It's back, I think. Is it back? It's in the mark. So basically, it's this really, really fast downward escalator that you have to run up. And if you get over the top, you're fine. But a lot of teams get right to the... Sorry, a lot of contestants get right to the top and then they end up falling right back to the bottom. And I think Brighton and Bournemouth have just about made it over.
Read the full transcript
22:44Jonathan Liew:I think Brentford they're not quite there it's no awooga for them no awooga for Brentford where are you putting them? I have them 13th 13th I have them 16th Jordan? 14th Johnny? 19th 19th relegated let's go to Brighton then they brought in Charalampos Kostoulas a forward from Olympiacos Maxson de Kuyper a fullback from Bruges Tom Watson who obviously scored that winner for Sunderland in the playoff final and Diego Coppola, a centre-back from Hellas Verona. Jao Pedro's gone. Adingra's gone. Estepinian's gone. Evan Ferguson's out on loan. Carlos Baleba might be off to Manchester United. They play Fulham, Everton, Man City, Bournemouth and Spurs in their first five.
23:29They came eighth last year. But as we've established, Jordan, you trust them. I trust them. I wait to see where I've placed them in my table. That's it. I mean, again, my prediction where they will finish is predicated again on them keeping Baleba. I think he's a brilliant player. I think he'd be better suited to stay for another season I know United are lurking I would stay another season establish himself I think if he does he could prove to be the hottest prospect in the league come this time next summer I think he's a brilliant player and he's an example of their model working and me trusting what they do the manager he's like 12 or something he's very very young I've forgotten his name forgive me what's his name Fadi Hatzeler Hatzeler that's the guy it's an interesting year for him because the first year I think he might have just kind of got through on energy and vibes second season and it's like, okay, now let's see what you're really, can you do it again?
24:17And I think he will. I think he will. I think they've got Minta, and Mitoma, sorry, who I'm surprised nobody has tried to get. I rate him so highly. One of the smartest and effective, I think, Premier League wingers out there at the moment. They do have Minta. They've got some really good players in there that I think are going to really kick on this year and surprise lots of teams. Yeah, 32, Hurtzula. Barry?
24:41Max Rushden:Yeah, I agree. With Jordan, I think they had a good season last season despite an injury crisis, despite their inability to beat some of the worst teams in the league. I think of the three sides that went down last season, they didn't beat any of them at the Amex. An awful lot of cheap, sloppy points last season that if Herzler can tighten things up won't happen again. They've got some terrific players. Goals come from all over the team. I think in Diego Gomez, they've got a fantastic midfielder. There's quite a few. Tommy Watson's the only one of their signings that I know much about. And they tend to sign good players.
25:26Max Rushden:Even their duds who get moved on tend to be pretty good. And I have high hopes for Brighton this season. I have ninth hopes for Brighton. Johnny, what do you have? I have them... Twelfth. Twelfth, okay.
25:40Jonathan Liew:Did you read the Fabian Hutzler interview in GQ? I didn't. This was a few months ago. A few months ago. He wanted to be a model when he was a teenager. Okay. And I want to quote this. It turns out, he says, that no company really wanted to hire me. I had to accept that my body and face are not perfect for being a model. But he had that kind of, you know, he's very clearly a nutter. He's very clearly a strange young man. He's not a bad looking guy. You could see him as a model. Right, but nobody wanted him. Who has that ambition without, you know? It's mad.
26:12Max Rushden:Did you read the Sharon Stone interview in The Guardian yesterday? I didn't. It's sort of the polar opposite. If anything, she's too beautiful and she's too smart, and that's what's been holding her back. Doesn't Sharon Stone have an IQ of like 150? Right. But did she want to be Brighton manager? No. That's a good question. Well, if she did, she didn't tell Simon Hattleston. Right. I understand.
26:36Jonathan Liew:The point being that he believes that human potential is ultimately limitless. He genuinely believes in the idea of the perfection of humanity. He wears a sleep mask. He talks about melatonin production. And the trouble at Brighton is that you come up against the reality that there is a very clear limit to human potential. And that is the point where Chelsea sign up. And so I worry slightly what happens at Brighton when that model kind of hits a rough period. I always feel like... Don't say that model. That's not fair on Fabian. Oh, I'm sorry. That's probably very triggering. I always feel like at Brighton, they're more likely to get booed off after a drab home draw, I guess, another mid-table side than they are at, you know, than, say, Bournemouth or even like Everton.
27:31Jonathan Liew:I think you can't say they're more likely to get booed off than Everton that just I mean I think look it's hard to explain because I still I still think they'll be fine I think you know I think they're a great side but there is an expectation now of mind-bending brilliance that they may not be able to sustain like I think they obviously have great players I think Mente could be a£100m player but this time next year we don't their ability to develop talent is insane but I wonder what their why is like you know see Tony Bloom just brought a stake in hearts, right? Like, at what point does he start to get a little bit?
28:05Jonathan Liew:Does he think now that Brighton can basically run on autopilot? It's an interesting question.
28:10Max Rushden:I would say Tony Bloom has very high hopes for Brighton of them getting in the Champions League. And I think this season, the fact that they're not in Europe will stand to them incredibly. And I think they're going to finish fourth. Fourth? I have them ninth. You have them twelfth. I thought mine was one. I've got sixth. Sixth? Okay. This is very interesting. Well, I mean, the thing is, they were only eight points behind Chelsea last season. Chelsea finished fourth. And Brighton left a lot of points out there, if you know what I mean. And if they can, I think they could be up there. This is interesting.
28:45Burnley have brought in, I mean, 1 ,000 players. Someone called Luam Shauna from Lazio. Bazia Humphries, not Barry Humphries, sadly. Marcus Edwards, who was there already. Jayden Anthony. Quite a few of them were there already. Yeah, yeah. Kyle Walker, of course, is an interesting signing. Martin Depravka comes in because James Trafford has gone. They begin at Spurs, then they play Sunderland, Man United, Liverpool and Nottingham Forest. They came second in the championship last season. Rich, everyone appears to have us down as 20th. Can you make us 19th for some variation, please? I have them 19th.
29:18They've signed a lot of players, Johnny. And they've lost James Trafford, which seems key to me.
29:23Jonathan Liew:Obviously, everyone talked about the defence last season. incredible defensive record, 16 goals conceded in the championship. But it was off an XG of 38. It wasn't even the best in the division. And I don't want to... It's basically the same... They had a similar level defence to the company promotion team from two seasons earlier. And I don't want to posit that the difference between that is between James Trafford and Moorich, who was their keeper two seasons earlier. But I noticed that Moorich isn't being snapped up by Manchester City. so I don't think the Championship is as strong a league as it used to be.
30:02Jonathan Liew:I think the gulf between the Championship and the Premier League is huge. I think a lot of their summer business smacks of panic to me. It's a club that I think doesn't really know how it's going to approach the Premier League because you can't just sit 11 men behind the ball. You will get picked apart with the Championship level side. So I think they're going down, down, down, down, down. It's going to sting when they get a draw at Spurs in the opening day, isn't it?
30:30Max Rushden:What about you, Baz? I think they'll struggle as well. And I was trying to find a case, trying to come up with a way of making a case for them staying up, and I just can't, by all means. Prove me wrong, Burnley, but even the fixture generator has conspired against them because they've got quite a brutal start to the season. Sean Dyche will be back. I reckon. Sean Dyche will be back by January. Okay. I mean it's highly possible isn't it yeah I mean I don't think Trafford's a huge loss I don't think there's the slightest hope they can be as defensively solid as they were last season goals were hard for them to come by last season they've signed Armando Brogia I mean with the best will in the world he I think there's a good player in there somewhere do you yeah right well I've yet to see him yeah I've bought it that way where are you putting them Baz I have them bottom 20th just briefly I tried to find a reason I'm a bit a bit generous maybe I've not got them going down although I might reconsider that all the talk last year was about as Johnny was saying oh defensively they're solid they'll be good next year that will serve them well next season in the Premier League I agree I think the gap between the Premier League and Championship is so big I don't think you can do what they were doing in the Championship and think you can survive I've got them 15th nervously but I like how you say you can't do that and survive I might change that there's two or three think might be worse obviously yeah that's why i've got the 50s no fair enough um chelsea then a boy in jao pedro liam de lat jamie gittins um amongst others they have sold a lot of players as well madweke jao felix uh they begin uh home to palace they play westland full and brentford and man united in their opening games they came fourth last year uh real bagel says i think the rescue ball might just work jordan the talk around chelsea is really pissing me off because people are making the same mistake they made last year i was on this podcast at december when they were i think three points off the top no chelsea the title race and i said they're not in title race they're not contenders and they as i predicted fell off you don't win a title with a keeper like sanchez in goal you don't win a title or even compete for a title with defenders levi colwell and tossing out a bio in defense you just don't do it i accept their midfield is excellent and they've upgraded up front but I'm just not having them as title contenders and everybody's got them in like a four horse race that they're not for me the manager is a good manager but it's his second year in the Premier League he's still learning they've got European football again to a higher level I'm just not having them in that kind of clutch of teams that can compete for the title just not having it well I would say to Jordan that they're unlikely to have Levi Caldwell in I know he's out yeah he's done his ACL I think but I take your point my concern for Chelsea is how their exertions over the summer will affect them I think it will affect them at some stage whether it's the start of the season towards the end of the season they haven't really had a proper pre-season and I appreciate it sounds stupid because they haven't had a proper pre-season because they were away playing games but how rested are they how fit will they be how will they drop off towards the end of the season.
33:47Max Rushden:So I kind of expect them to be up there, but not particularly challenging for the title. I mean, they have got a really exciting midfield and attack now, Johnny.
33:57Jonathan Liew:Yeah, I mean, the level of the squad is pretty good. I mean, I don't know if it's better than any of the teams they're going to be challenging for the title. Is there a plan to improve them? Like who is really improving at Chelsea? Is there a coaching structure there that is going to get the best out of them? Or is this basically a club that is... I don't think Chelsea would win the title. I can't remotely see them because they are not a football team. They are a player trading vehicle. They are a floating entertainment orb in the ether. And I think however good the players you assemble are, you're not going to get to the business end of the season and win those 10, 12 games in a row that you need to.
34:37Jonathan Liew:Don't you think you can develop a soul? You know, like the players, even though the players who become part of the first team set up and aren't frozen out, etc., will just organically become like a football team, even if they are a hyper-entertainment... I think they can do it on an illusory basis for maybe two or three months. I don't think they can do it for 38 games. I think there are too many disparate interests there. And I don't think they need to win the title. I don't think the Chelsea entertainment vehicle needs to win the title. I don't think they need it enough. and I actually don't think their signings this summer have been like everyone assumes they've brought in incredible talent.
35:14Jonathan Liew:Have they brought it? Is there anyone there who's a potential Cole Palmer? Maybe Esteval? Pedro is a brilliant player. He's good. He's an upgrade. He's an upgrade on Jackson but marginally I think. De Lapp is a very good player but is he a title winning? Is he a Premier League winning striker? Is João Pedro a Premier League winning striker? Is Sanchez a Premier League winning goalkeeper? I don't think so. Where is your Van Dijk? where is your de Bruyne
35:37Max Rushden:fans will argue that they've just won the Club World Cup so they they are winners
35:44Jonathan Liew:well they may well win the Club World Cup again yeah and I've got them just again previewing earlier on I've got them winning the FA Cup so I think they can win something this year I just don't think they'll be title contenders this year I have them fourth Barry fifth fourth where are we going next oh we're ending part two and part three we'll begin with Crystal Palace
36:09Welcome to part three of the Guardian Football Weekly. I start with Crystal Palace. They've signed a left-back, Borna Sosa from Ajax, who hit the bar with that penalty in the shootout in the Community Shield. Not that it mattered. Geoffrey Schlupper's left. I noticed he was playing for Norwich at the weekend. You know, they're basically... Joel Ward has left, Max.
36:26Max Rushden:Joel Ward has left. They're waiting. They're just waiting for the window to end. I think they want to sell Mark Gay. They're hoping SA doesn't go, but apparently Spurs are now interested. Of course, they are. Arsenal as well. They begin at Villa, then they play Sunderland, West Ham, Liverpool and Everton. They came 12th last year. Since we last did a pod, they've lost that appeal, demoted to the Conference League from the Europa League, which feels like complete bullshit to me, but it has happened. Do you think that will have an impact on them, Johnny?
36:55Jonathan Liew:I think it'll give them extra motivation to want to get back into the Europa League. And I think the Conference League is an incredible vehicle for them to do that. I think they'll go out there we'll show UEFA we'll show everyone and I think they're a really good shout to win the Conference League It'd be quite good to see Steve Parrish shaking Seferin's hand getting the Conference League and then coming back next year and winning the Europa League I think it must be so galling for those fans but it could work out for them and extend another bit of silverware Yeah and they probably won't have to put out a full strength side for most of the group stages there's not a huge amount of competition there I mean Fiorentina are there obviously because Fiorentina are there every year but it's I think it's Mainz and and Raya Valicano and and like the Palace should be targeting that to to win to win that trophy and get back in the um get back in the Europa League um and and I think but it has had an impact I think on their summer because they've not been able to plan they've not been able to budget properly Glasner I don't think is very happy with the the lack of business that they've done but they're like if they can stay injury free like relatively free of injuries that their 1-11 is I think good enough to get them off to a decent start.
38:05Yeah they have a good side don't they and if they it does I mean it's really hard to talk about because we don't know what's going to happen with Eze and Gay will probably go I think they want to sell him because they want to make some money.
38:15Max Rushden:As far as I can tell most Palace fans would not be happy to see Gay go but be they would accept it without complaint because of the money he would bring in. The problem with I think Gay would possibly be better off staying there for for the season running up to the World Cup because he's been linked with Liverpool. Would he get in the Liverpool side ahead of Virgil and Kanata? Don't know. He might, given Van Dijk's performance on Sunday, but I'm not going to read too much into that. They have a really good side. They have a very good manager. I'd be concerned about their lack of strength in depth.
38:53They do have a playoff to get through
38:57Max Rushden:before they go into the conference league group stages. It would be hideous if they mess that up, but it seems unlikely. I think they'd be fine. I have them 11th, Jordan. I have them 11th as well. Just to say, I think the game is interesting because I think him staying or leaving, I think could determine whether they win the conference or not. I think he's that good a player for them. I think if he stays, I think they could be one of the favourites to win that. I think he's a really, really good defender. One of the best in the league, I would say, and a big fan of Mateta as well. so they can keep Ghegi, Eze and Mateta coming in the window I think they can have a palace season in the league but do something quite special in Europe
39:34Jonathan Liew:I think if they're safe mid-table in February March and they're still in with a shout out at the conference league I think they sack off the last couple of months so that's why I've got them 15th but I think they'll be solid mid-table 11th for me let's go to Everton who obviously have a new stadium they've brought in Tierno Barry a striker from Villarreal Carlos Alcaraz who was there last year wasn't he a left back from Bayern Adam Asno Neil Mopay has left but they have brought in of course Jack Grealish they begin at Leeds then they play Brighton Wolves Villa and Liverpool a lot of enthusiasm Barry a new stadium they finish the season brilliantly under David Moyes they have a new hero in Jack Grealish is there reason for optimism?
40:17I'm sending them down no you're not I am you're relegating Everton I am How are you relegating Everton? Because I think they'll finish 19th. Stop it. Yeah. Okay. Well, tell me more. Well... This seems like the hottest of hot takes. I'm getting warm off of it. I feel so bad for them already, and it's hypothetical, and they won't get relegated, but I... Yeah. Oh, man.
40:42Max Rushden:The bottom seven in my predicted table, you can more or less have thrown the seven names up the air, or picked them out of a hat. So I will say that. But I foresee a struggle for Everton. I am not convinced by David Moyes at all. He did brilliantly last year. He did okay. Okay. He did okay. There was a low bar and the vibes. There was a lot of vibes. But I think when we get into sort of entrenched Moyes territory, I'm thinking back to you know his last spell at Everton his spell at Sunderland his spell at Real Sociedad the final season at West Ham so much has been made of this move to Bramley Moordock I just think they're going to have a nightmare of a season and possibly get relegated I may well be totally wrong and to be absolutely clear it doesn't matter what I think and another reason is I really don't want to relegate Sunderland in my predictions.
41:51Max Rushden:Ah, here we go.
41:55Because I sort of think when you add Grealish and if they free him up in the 10, Johnny, and Ilena Nadai is a brilliant player. Obviously, a lot depends on their new striker, Barry, because that position has been a slightly poisoned challenge. You know, Calvert-Lewin, Beto sort of did okay. But I am surprised to have heard them be 19th.
42:16Jonathan Liew:I think they'll be okay. I mean, if you look at West Ham's home form, the season they moved to London Stadium, they have a decent season, but it's their away form that does it for them. Their home form falls off a cliff. The stadium is going to feel really weird for a while, and they're going to try and force things because that's what you do with a new home. You try and fill it with memories. It gets in your head a little bit, the consistent football that you want to play week in, week out, because you're just feeling so many feelings. Grealish is an interesting one because Everton have, again, they've disobeyed the rule.
42:50Jonathan Liew:It should be the iron law. They should put it, they should just stick it on the wall in huge letters. Don't buy players from clubs that are better than you. Just stop doing it. They have, Moise Keane, Dele Alli, Fabian Delph. Stop doing it. James Garner. Stop buying. They see you coming. I think... Iwobi. Yeah, Iwobi. be like that i think everton's recruitment has been so bad for so long because they are still enamored with the idea of themselves being a big club and and being able to attract big players everything to ask themselves why no other club in europe was prepared to take on jack greelish at his age on on his wages you know obviously the financial package is a is you know something to consider but why is no one else taking why is it everton it's it's always everton lining up Yeah, we'll have him.
43:41Jonathan Liew:We'll have this broken... James Rodriguez. James Rodriguez, who again, he was great for like four months, then he got injured and then cost them tens of millions of pounds. Did they buy Morgan Schneidlin off United? They did buy Morgan Schneidlin. Even you're getting it now. Wow, I'm relegating me now. Donny van der Beek. This is not what smart clubs do, but it is what fallen giants do. Tionio Barry looks like a decent signing. you'll probably need half a season maybe to adapt to the Premier League and Beto will have to will have to fill in I think he'll have to step up pretty big time in his absence I think it'll be a disaster for them as well and to the to the point that Johnny's making there if you think of the one player in that team who the last couple of years been injured but I think has been a success is the guy this time from Burnley on the left Dwight McNeil yeah he's good do you know what I mean, solid Premier League player who they got from a team who they would consider below them.
44:37I think it's going to be a disaster for them. They haven't got particularly good players, in my opinion. Njai is a good player, but that's about it. Jack Greenish, I think, is a car crash. I would have stayed well clear of that. That would be fun for a few games. I think the fun will stop very, very, very soon on that one.
44:54Max Rushden:They also don't have a right-back to speak of. Jake O 'Brien isn't a right-back. He's been playing a right-back. Seamus Coleman is, you know, he's called me. As far as I know, the preseason's been a mess and David Moyes is already getting his excuses in. I've seen this before and it happened at Sunderland when he was there. I've got them 12th. The giddy heights of 12th.
45:16Jonathan Liew:And I thought I was being a bit harsh, Johnny. Yeah, I'm not as down on Moyes as Barry is. I think they'll finish 13th. But I think it'll be, they'll be in relegation trouble for quite a bit. 19th. 19th? 19th. Holy moly. Now, this is from AB Chaplin's Boots. It says, Fulham have signed no one. I actually thought Producer Joel had just forgotten to fill it out when he'd done the ins and outs. I was just like, hang on. Transfer's in. Nothing. Transfer's out. They're showing a reserve goalkeeper. They go to Brighton, then play Man United, Chelsea, Leeds and Brentford. They came 11th last year. Are we in trouble?
45:54asks AB Chaplin's Boots. Are we fine? Do we not know what we're doing? Are we geniuses? What is there to say? I mean, I suppose... As far as I can remember, I had nothing to say last season. I was just like, 11, yeah, good, next. But they were more fun last year. They were more fun, but they still finished resolutely mid-table, as everyone predicted. But they were more interesting, and they had that sort of Expendables vibe. You mentioned Iwobi, they got him and Adama and Raul Jimenez and managed to resurrect these careers. I'm just desperately trying to be nice to Fulham. I can see, I can see.
46:31They've got some good players. They've got a good keeper in Leno. They've got some exciting wingers. They've kept hold of the left-back, Robinson. Raul Jimenez, I've always liked him. He had a poor period for understandable reasons after his horrific injury. I think they're a team that will just finish mid-table again. I think the Fulham fans that I know and speak to, as long as they can get some good football to watch and they can get the odds upset in terms of beating a big head every now and again, they're happy with that. That for them is a good season. a mid-table, maybe a little cup run, beat United or a national every now and again.
47:00Happy days. That felt... You were worried about patronising someone earlier in the time. That's what they told me! That feels like it.
47:06Jonathan Liew:That's what they told me! So, yeah, I didn't... You know, I was struggling to generate opinions on Fulham. So I asked my friend Andy McGrath, who's a Fulham fan. He's a cycling... A brilliant cycling journalist and a Fulham fan. And he's worried. He's worried that, you know, this is the oldest squad in the Premier League last season. They haven't refreshed it. I looked up Anthony Rock. I couldn't believe he's 28. but yeah they have all of their decent players are either late 20s early 30s there hasn't been enough refreshment in that team he reckons my friend Andy I'm borrowing his opinion and and he basically gave me his opinions uh in return for a plug for his his forthcoming Tadej Pogacar book which is coming out later this year I think so so he's a very good journalist but and thank you for your opinion but yeah he also he told us to watch out for Joshua King um who's not the not Not the Norwegian Joshua Key.
47:56Jonathan Liew:He's a teenage midfielder who they rate very highly. But he reckons they'll get sucked into a relegation battle. And Marcus Silva's not that happy there. And they were really inconsistent last season. And it's an issue because Spurs and United aren't going to be as bad, I wouldn't have thought, as they were last season. I have them 13th.
48:18Max Rushden:Their big problem last season is they couldn't hold on to a league. They gave up 28 points from winning positions last season, which is diabolical, you'd have to say. But they were still fine. I have them 12th. 16th. I have them 9th, but I might revise that. You can't revise it. Sorry, no, okay, it's locked in, it's locked in. It's been recorded. I'm thinking it's a terrible idea, but there we go. Well, look, that's the first half of the alphabet. A few questions. Nicholas says, now Dyche has gone, even though you think he'll come back, who is the hardest Premier League manager? There aren't any standout candidates.
48:50you know, Pulis Deich, Aladice would run a mock in the modern game. It is difficult for the which manager would do X when Sean Deich isn't in the Premier League.
48:59Jonathan Liew:I think Glasner. You think Glasner? Glasner's pretty hard. Tough elbows. Moyes? Ah, Moyes. No. He's 60. Sure, he's old. He's old, but he won't give up. Well, what are we talking here? Is it a manager most likely to... Just his hardest. I don't know. I don't know if he's most likely to knock you out. I'm not sure what the... Nicholas hasn't given me the parameters of the question. Moise isn't hard. Moise is not a hard man. Moise is a nice man. People just think he's a hard man because his teams play uncompromising physical football and he is Scottish. But Moise is a pussycat. Yeah, producer Joel says Scott Parker has a bit about him.
49:36Scott Parker has had a bit about him since he was 16. Hoi Palloi, boy toy, says, we know the eight-second rule will apply to David Rea, but how long will it be for other keepers? 15 seconds, 20, 30? I did like this bit of conspiracy theory. from the Arsenal fans.
49:50Max Rushden:Well, we did forget to mention in our assessment of Arsenal how many points they'd lose because of the refereeing conspiracy against them. Seven already. I just hope we don't have to put up with that absolute balderdash. Well, you just don't have to look at social media. I think there are normal Arsenal fans out there, like every other club. There's a couple. I think so, yeah. Jordan and Johnny, because you're not here for the second half of the alphabet, so I'd like to hear your league tables in full, but have you got any other, strong thoughts on teams from the second half of the alphabet. I'll jump in first.
50:24I've got, and this is going to surprise so many people and also get me chucked out of lots of WhatsApp groups. Spurs third. You've got Spurs third? Yeah, I've got them third. I've just got, and I accept this could go badly wrong. Is this after they sign Eze and Savino? I didn't think about that. I rate Thomas Frank really highly. I think they'll make some more signings in this window that will be smart. and I think the monkey of not winning the trophy or having that off their back, I think there's just a pressure that's just not there so much anymore from the fan base. I think the football will be better.
50:55I think they'll concede less goals. It's a bold shout. I accept that, but I think they're going to have a really good season and I hate saying that.
51:03Max Rushden:Give us your one to seven and your bottom three. I've got Liverpool to win it, Arsenal, Spurs, City, Chelsea, Brighton, Newcastle, United, Manchester United. And who are you relegating? My bottom three are Sunderland bottom, sorry Barry, Everton going upwards and Leeds. Okay. Johnny, your second half of the alphabet thoughts and your top seven and bottom three.
51:25Jonathan Liew:I have Manchester City sixth. I think the trajectory that we saw last season wasn't a blip. I think what we saw towards the second half of last season, that was the blip. I do worry about Guardiola and his ability to create a third new team. I think it's hard because the characters that you're dealing with, because you're building a team basically 10 years after your first team, the characters that you're dealing with are so different. You have to rebuild the mentality, the champion mentality as well. I think they've lost too much experience. Rodri's injured for the start of the season. I don't know how long Rodri's going to be out.
52:01Jonathan Liew:It's 10, but I think this is. Right. And I think there's a lot of promise again, but I just, yeah, I don't see them. I didn't like their trajectory last season. I saw a lot of downed tools at certain points last season. I think that's a little bit of a warning sign. We have the charges coming at some point. Do we? Again, that helps to create the emotional temperature. It's Guardiola's last season, probably. Maybe that gives them a little bit of an extra push. Maybe the whole thing disintegrates. I suspect it might just disintegrate. What's your top seven? We have Arsenal, Liverpool, Newcastle third, Chelsea fourth, Tottenham fifth, Manchester City sixth.
52:39Jonathan Liew:Bournemouth 7th and going down to Sunderland, Brentford and Burnley. And hang on, Newcastle, third. Because that will surprise a lot of people. Yeah, they have a very good team, Newcastle, and they play very good. What I do, the way I do my, I always do my Premier League predictions on the day after the previous season finishes. Okay. Because I think you just get too swayed by who won the window, by transfer intrigue. I think, you know, we probably spent like 50, 60 % of the time talking about new signings, right? who's coming in and who's left. When in fact, what determines how well a team does is how much the existing players have improved in that summer.
53:18Jonathan Liew:How much time you've had to work with them where there's been an international tournament. So I think the fundamentals of Newcastle, for all the shenanigans that have gone on in the transfer market, the fundamentals of that team are really, really sound. And Eddie Howe is a great coach. I was a doubter, but Eddie Howe is a great coach. I think they'll be third. Lovely stuff. Well, look, that'll do for part one. Thank you, Jordan. Thank you, mate. Thank you, Johnny. Thanks. I'll see you for the next one, Barry. Okay. Which we're recording in about three minutes time. Producer Joel writes, this feels like desperation, but as it is the start of the season, these apparently are our biggest pods of the year.
53:52Did you know that? Here is an earnest call out for reviews on Apple and Spotify. Because normally Spotify is just, can we have time codes for when you're talking about Liverpool? So wherever you get your podcasts, as it is the start of the new season, follow us on Instagram, TikTok, Blue Sky. we are doing lots of fun stuff on there throughout the season apparently Barry on Blue Sky? we're doing fun stuff on TikTok there's no fun stuff on Blue Sky we've never done anything fun on Blue Sky you know it's wholesome it's nice but it's boring that is true yeah so leave a review it's the least you can do for us exactly well you can come to the live show and come to the live show leave a review if it's five stars if it's not if you're just like don't be just an upset Everton fan specifically about this pod, give us one start.
54:36Think of it holistically, that this has, you know, been great company to you for a long time. And you can watch these preview podcasts in colour, it says here. Well, it says Technicolour. In colour, guys. I'm serious. Colour TV. If you've ever wondered what the panellists look like, but you probably know that. Anyway, thank you, chaps. Football Weekly is produced by Joel Grove. Our executive producer is Danielle Stephens. Back with part two tomorrow.
55:05This is The Guardian.