Men in Blazers x Here We Go! w/ Fabrizio Romano January Preview presented by Verizon, part 2: Men in Blazers 12/23/25

0:00You're listening to the Men in Blazers Media Network Suboptimal Radio.

0:16Welcome to a Men in Blazers pod special second in a series of three pods focusing on the transfer window. We're releasing this in mere eight days before the window opens, signalling a period during which every single one of us grabs the phone off our nightstands first thing in the morning, see if the signing of that star striker has finally come through. who hands off Tierno Barry football world. We're joined today by the gens who sent the tweets that you're doom scrolling through, probably as I'm speaking, the transfer god, getting ready to pack up his sleigh and head around the world dispensing transfer nuggets.

0:49From the Here We Go podcast on the Men in Blazers media network, someone and only Fabrizio Romano. So my friend, how are you? Always a big pleasure. Ready for it. Before we get into it, this episode is brought to you by our good friends at Verizon. Proud supporter of the global game and the players who inspire us on and off the pitch. It's an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026. Verizon is honoured to help share the stories of the world's top players. Stay tuned for more on how Verizon can get you connected to the game we love. Buon Natale! Thank you. Buon Natale to you. We are very excited here in Italy.

1:22It's really important here in Italy. We're always all together with the families, but I am on my phone. I know, I want to know. What is Christmas Eve like in the Romano household? what is the Christmas dish that's on the Romano table? We eat a lot of fish here in Napoli on Christmas. Napoli is always about fish, so we stay all together, the whole family, more than 20 people all together. Every single day, 24, 25, 26, that's the tradition. And again, a lot of good fish. What fish, Fab, what fish? The world needs to know exactly what fish. It depends. We can eat orata, we can eat different kind of things, spaghetti vongole as the first, as the main dish.

1:58So it's fantastic, trust me. It's all of the Romanos. And then just in the corner, Scott McTominay just munching away on his tomatoes. It's really beautiful. Let's get into it. It's a very special episode of our Transfer Window special, which we're giving you, dear viewers of the Men and Blazers Media Network, a chance to pose fab your questions face-to-face. Who's coming? Who's going? Who will Everton sign to lift them into that top-four finish we know is inevitable? Well, we begin it with Paul R from our Discord. Join our Discord now who says Liverpool clearly need to improve and provide depth to their defensive roster given recent form.

2:36Can they afford to do it without departures from their summer spending spree? What options could be possible beyond the continued Gahy saga? Fab, it's been a rough, rough, rough couple of months for Liverpool fans. Can you bring them a glimmer of hope? Yeah, look, Liverpool's plan was not to add any defender in the generally transfer window and to keep following the Mark Gehi situation, but for the summer. So the plan was Gehi eventually on a free, if they can beat other clubs to the signing, and not to go for Mark Gehi in the general window. Now, as you've been mentioning, it's been a complicated first part of the season for Liverpool.

3:08Sometimes in the market you can change the strategy in five minutes. At the moment, what I can say is that Liverpool focus is still on different positions rather than going for a new centre-back. Eventually in the summer it's going to be completely different. But again, I think this Mark Gehi situation is one we have to follow till the very end of the window, because you never know, there could be new injuries. The market in general is very quick sometimes. And so Gehi remains for sure on the short list. We did talk about Gehi a fair amount last week on the show. I'll send you all, dear listeners, back to that one.

3:37We talked about Liverpool. We talked about the Spanish giants. We talked about Bayern Munich. But let's go to the North London part of the show. On Instagram, Peter Sonic asks, Will a new money infusion at Spurs come into play this January window? New money infusion. Three words that as a football fan of both a reason to live and also a potential way to die. Fab, will Thomas Frank make it rain this January? I think there will be movement. Yes, I think Tottenham will do something for sure. Might be one, might be two signings based also on what kind of opportunities they find. But for sure, for example, the winger position is something they could cover in the summer transfer window.

4:13You remember the Savinho negotiation was very long with Manchester City. They tried for Morgan Rodgers, but now he signed a new deal at Villa and he's untouchable. They had several targets in that position and it was not possible to make things happen. Semenio has always been a dream for Tottenham. Let's see if they can find a way, because at this stage it seems very complicated. But I think Tottenham will be active. And as always, Tottenham in January find an opportunity, find a last-minute deal. You remember also last year with Matissell, with Danso. So I think it's going to be something similar.

4:41Maybe one, two signings for Thomas Frank. Would Manchester City let Savinho go or even consider that a possibility? I think it's more than complicated in January. In the summer, let's see, because we never know. But in January, I don't think Man City want to change anything in terms of Savinho's situation. And they recently signed a new deal with him. So I think they trust him for this season, for sure. Now, to our Getting Closer segment presented by Verizon, where Fabrizio Romano will give you front row access to the drama of this January's transfer window. A big Tottenham question from Roger Bennett right here on this microphone.

5:14What about Richo? Listen, six goals this season, not bad, but it does feel like he hasn't quite pigeon-danced his way into Tottenham fans' hearts, the way he did, say, at Everton. He hasn't even thrown a flare back into his own crown at Tottenham yet. Is there any chance that he leaves Spurs in January? Look, he always had the possibility to leave if he wanted, because, for example, one year ago there was interest from Saudi, than there was interest, for example, from the MLS, of course. Also, a few months ago, what I can tell you is that some officials from Orlando decided to travel to London and meet with Richarlison agents.

5:49So there was a meeting, I think it was in October, to tell Richarlison, if you want to come to the MLS at some point, we are ready here from Orlando to welcome you. So there is strong interest in Richarlison. Richarlison's answer has always been, I want to stay at Tottenham, I want to play for Tottenham. So let's see, if at any moment and Ricciardi is not decided to change his mind, he has several opportunities. But his answer has always been, I'm happy at Tottenham. Then maybe after the World Cup, let's see what happens. But in case of MLS, keep an eye on Orlando because they already met with his agents.

6:15I can guarantee that. Oh, like any good pigeon, Richie. Come home, come home. You know we are your home.

6:25I love this next question. Oh, about another bird. Ireland's new patron saint of joy. Screw of all the goals that sent Ireland through to the World Cup playoff. From Azed Alkmaar, Troy Parrott, Claudos, any Premier League teams looking at picking up Parrott? And is one of them Aston Villa? Look, at the moment, no. With Villa, I'm not aware of anything really, really concrete. One of the clubs that called to understand the situation, but to be fair, they called, I think, 10, 12 strikers in the last few weeks, was West Ham. Asked for several strikers. For example, they called for Joshua Zierci. They called for Troy Parrott.

6:59So they called for several strikers to understand the situation. But at the moment, still nothing advanced, still nothing concrete. So I'm sure there will be movement because obviously the boy did fantastic for his national team. But at the same time, we have to wait and see what's going to happen in terms of concrete transfer news. You talk about Villa Alain Zoui on Discord. Poor Harvey Elliott, Premier League Bob Cratchit, Unai icing him, makes it clear he got a go. Where does Harvey end up? Look, at the moment, they're trying to find a solution with Liverpool. So maybe to send the player back to Liverpool and then find a new solution for the boy.

7:32because obviously he can't be happy. He's not playing football. Luna y Emery understand that and people at the club as well. So they are talking to Liverpool to find the best solution for the player. There will be new contacts to understand what could be his best solution. But I don't see him staying at Aston Villa at all. And also because Aston Villa already completed their first signing for the January transfer window. He's a Brazilian winger, 19 years old from Gremio. Alisson, 10 million euros plus two in a donce. The player will be in England for medical very soon. And so Villa are already preparing the future.

7:59And for Harvey Elliott in this moment, I think the only way is to leave the club. Godspeed, Harvey. It is an agony. I mean, normally say to watch you, but to not watch you in this case, it's a human darkness. We wish you well. Another Clara and Blue question now from at Midwest Ham on Discord. What's next in the line for Lucas Paquette in his West Ham saga? The Brazilian attacker, of course, wanted to move back to his home country to join Flamengo this past summer. Ended up staying in London only to snatch red cars from the jaws of yellow. Fab, January, Paqueta, what are you hearing? I don't want to deny the information of our friend sending the question, but Paqueta was not so convinced about going back to Brazil last summer, from what I'm told.

8:42Paqueta wanted at some point to go to Aston Villa, from what I'm told, in the final days of the window, and then that deal collapsed. But in terms of going to Brazil, I think the priority for Paqueta has always been to stay in Europe, to stay at the highest level before the World Cup. So Paqueta wants to make sure that he can play at the highest level possible before the World Cup, and then decide in 2026 what can happen. So at the moment, the situation is still not advanced with any club. Paqueta would be open to a January transfer, but I think with West Ham it's not going to be that easy again.

9:10West Ham made the deal collapse with Aston Villa in the final 48 hours of the summer window. And West Ham will try to convince the player to stay till the end of the season again. Now to a fascinating question from our mate at T Cook, big Fulham supporter, Discord super user, Fab. The Saudi League, what's its reputation right now amongst players? Has it changed at all over the last few years with so many of the higher profile players looking to make the transition back to continental football after brief stays? Look, what really changed with the Saudi league, and I think this is an interesting point, more than the reputation in terms of football point of view, is in terms of lifestyle.

9:48That's one of the crucial points that many people in terms of players, managers or whoever is living there is selling as a point for the Saudi pro league. even when there are negotiations now to talk with the players, the salaries are not the same salaries compared to three years ago. So forget about those crazy contracts. It's still very good salaries, of course, but not that crazy as it was three years ago. And what they're trying to sell to players they want to bring in is about the quality of life, lifestyle they can enjoy there. They can feel safe. That is something that sometimes players can't feel, sometimes in some specific countries in Europe.

10:23And so this is their crucial point when they're trying to convince players ahead of the workup. they will have in a few years. So they are still trying to bring in top players. The perception in terms of football point of view is that they are growing, but still they have job to do. And I'm sure in the summer after the World Cup, they believe that more superstars can join because some player can say, okay, now at the highest level possible in Europe, I did my job. I played the World Cup with my country and now it's time to go. Connected from our Leslie Dickens on Discord. Who's the next big player to jump to MLS and has Messi's triumph added to the league's legitimacy as a possible destination?

10:59Look, Messi completely changed everything, for sure. So now the destination is way more attractive. In terms of next player, we have to see because there is going to be a lot of movement. I'm sure I was mentioning about Ray Charlison, but there are several other players they have on their short list, Inter Miami as well. If you want a name, I can tell you Sergio Reguilón is going to Inter Miami 100%. He's going to be the replacement for Jordi Alba. I was mentioning the story a few weeks ago, then it got quiet, but I can guarantee that the deal is done. So Sergio Reguilón will play for Inter Miami and there will be more movements in terms of important players coming maybe from the Premier League or from Europe to the MLS.

11:32So get ready. One last question for Matt Chris-Knobs. We talked a lot about players. What about the managers? There's lots of rumbles about Marco Silva and Doni Irola, Oliver Glastner. Will they stay? Will they go? Which of those do you anticipate will move first and what's the possible pathway for each of them? Yeah, these two names are super interesting to follow for the upcoming summer. At the moment, it's still quiet, of course, it's December, so it's not time to move eventually for managers. But in terms of summer, there is a lot of attention to these two managers. Marco Silva, I think, has a really serious possibility in terms of some clubs.

12:10For example, last summer he was in the list at Tottenham, he was in the list at Juventus as well, if you want something behind the scenes. Juventus made some calls to understand the situation of Marco Silva, so I think Silva is going to be one of the names for the summer manager's window. And then Donira Ola, fantastic job at Barmout. I also expect Donira Ola to be one of the names being monitored for the summer. At the moment, again, he was one of the names as well as Silva in the list of Tottenham. Now they have Thomas Frank. Let's see what's going to happen because for managers, he's still early, but I'm sure that these two names are going to be very interesting.

12:39Where else could he go and Donira Ola? Manchester, either club? Could be, could be. Could be an option for sure. Could be an option for sure. But it depends on what's going to happen with Amorim, with Pep, so it's still early to predict that. And then one more name I wanted to bring to the table to make it three is Cesc Fabregas. I think Cesc Fabregas is also going to be very attractive in terms of top, top, top clubs in the summer window. What about Oliver Glasner? Oliver Glasner as well. For example, if you want my feeling now, I'm not sure if Oliver Glasner will accept to sign a new deal at Crystal Palace.

13:12And so that's going to be a very interesting point as well.

13:19Will any of them, Marco Silva, Andoni Irola, Oliver Glasner, be managers that the clubs are at come next season? It's very unlikely, if you want my prediction now. It's very, very unlikely. So I would say 90 % I see all of them going. Football is an agony. Save at everything you've got while you have it. Fab, we want to thank you for your time, your candor today. I've got to say, where else in the world can you listen to the world's foremost authority on transfers talking about the feast of the seven fishes on the Men in Blazers media network? Before we go, a quick reminder. This episode has been brought to you by our good friends at Verizon.

13:57Proud supporter of the global game and the players who inspire us on and off the pitch. As an official sponsor of the FIFA World Cup 2026, Verizon's honored to help share the stories of the world's top players. Stay tuned for more on how Verizon can get you connected to the game we love. Before we go, one quick question. I do want to know, outside of football, this is a question we had from three people. What's your hobby, non-football, Fabrizio Ramonic? My hobby is always about football, playing football. I play five-side football with my friends, so that's one of my hobbies, but it's always about football.

14:31There's nothing outside of football. You're not really into trains or cooking or you've got a dance move. I like going to restaurants, but I'm not good at cooking. So no, my obsession is with football. I love the game. God, I love your love, Fabian, everywhere. And we want to let people know we'll be back next Tuesday for the final episode in our series leading up to the January transfer window. We're going to cast on my back on the year that was. Look at the top five transfers of 2025. Until then, have a beautiful holiday, my friend. Turn that phone off. Thank you. Even for an hour. Buon Natale and Caraggio.

15:03Buon Natale to everyone. Thank you. Ciao, ciao, ciao. AVA Hij büyük tamb 국가