The Champions League Is Back 

13:52Alan Shearer:Yeah. But the youngster, George Hemmings, I'd not seen much of him. Obviously, he's only 19 years old. He's been getting a few minutes, and I thought he was really good. He played in the Super Cup, didn't he? And he looked really good. And you know when it's sort of young players, you look at them, and yes, you want them to make the right decisions, but have they got the confidence? He does his defensive work, but he's also happy to go one-on-one. The timing of his runs is also very good as well. And the manager obviously trusts him, playing in these big games. He's a real talent. And if the manager's playing you week in, week out, it just shows you how good it is.

14:32Long may it continue because he looks like a real star in the future.

14:36Alan Shearer:We mentioned number nine. It's important for Nicholas Jackson, I think, to get a goal. And it always helps the confidence at a new club. We know he's a little bit inconsistent over the years. You know, with Ollie Watkins leaving, they'll be very reliant on someone. And it's massive for his confidence.

14:53Gary Lineker:Yeah, I mean, I guess it was tough for them and the way it happened with Oli leaving and the way he did, getting them in quickly. And you know what it's like, you're right. The longer you don't score them, the more difficult it becomes. So yeah, that'll be, for his confidence, it'll be huge, yeah, going forward. I'm going to say something quite controversial here. Ooh. Ooh. I think Jackson's absolutely amazing. Is that controversial? Yes, because Chelsea didn't keep him, didn't they? He goes to Bayern. Obviously, he's not going to play ahead of Harry Kane. But watch his hold-up play. Watch his movement.

15:26You guys are strikers. It's just that little bit at the end, that composure. That's quite important for a striker. It is important, but we get sent stat pack every week from the companies that we work with. And everyone's just fascinated with stats and its goals or assists or whatever. But if you actually use your eyes to watch the game, he's got so much ability on the ball, his touch around the corner, his awareness, when to run him behind, when to drop D, Lincoln, he's got everything. He's just, if he could work with one of you two on just finishing that composure when he gets into that final third, I think he could be one of the top strikers in Europe.

16:09That's how highly I rate him.

16:11Gary Lineker:And I think it's definitely in there. It's definitely in there. It's just the inconsistency which stops him going, I think, to the next level. There's a player in there. it's just can he do it every single week that's the only thing you would see

16:25Alan Shearer:it's raw talent and it's just sometimes whether you can turn that into consistent ability to finish and you talk about he gets a little bit excited in front of God that is obviously the most important thing so I totally agree he's quick he can hold it he knows he moves well it's just that final thing but that is also the most important thing. You've got to have a calmness to you, I think, in front of goals. But it's a good start for him. His debut season, though, at Chelsea, didn't he get some, like, 14 Premier League goals? I'm sure he got something like that. Well, 14 Premier League goals, for me, would be a disaster.

17:06In your first season, in your first season, in a club that's going through change, and he came to Chelsea when he was 21-22? I am right. Forgive me for that. They cease these not bad rules.

17:21Alan Shearer:You know, we were talking about Haaland, and I know he's on a different level, but if Haaland had come in his first season and scored 14 goals, we wouldn't be very impressed. 14 goals. 14 goals is, for me, is distinctly below average, right? If you're playing regular, I think a minimum of 20 for if you're going to be considered to be a top class striker. Now, I think he's got that in him. and I think it's but he's got to show it and you've got to do it and you've got to deliver and as Alan said you know there are inconsistencies there and with strikers there's always inconsistencies you will always have games where you don't do well where you miss chances do you let that bother you?

18:01Alan Shearer:Harlan doesn't does Jackson? maybe we'll see I hope it works it's really important that he got that goal yeah did you see the miss from Jude? oh yeah I mean the way he arrives in the box is great and he's playing so well at the start of the season. But I thought it was quite a funny one, but he only needed just to nod it in. Just to go 3-0 up as well, wasn't it? Yeah. That pissed me off that dude. Because he had two. He had two. Yeah, he had another one that was, the keeper got back to double save, didn't he? Is it my fantasy? I had him captain. Is there a Champions League fantasy? Because of the Champions League.

18:35A little plug. Champions League. Yeah, UEFA. Champions League. Yeah, Big Beaks League.

18:40Alan Shearer:Well, we know what Champions League is. Yeah, Champions League fantasy football. Oh, so you're, I've seen that on social. So that is for Champions League only. Champions League only. Yeah, I didn't really, obviously I didn't want to look at your team. And you're doing all right in your own league, Micah? I would have done if Benadam would have put them in.

18:58Gary Lineker:Did you see his response to his, or was it his Instagram afterwards, saying what the fuck was that doing? Sorry about the miss, yeah.

19:05Alan Shearer:I did. I mean, he's had a cracking start to the season. I saw Trent played in midfield as well, which is interesting. Did you see the whole game? or did you just see the highlights of it? I was flicking around. The game was strange. Yeah. Inter Milan, probably the better team in the first half. Real Madrid was sort of typical Mourinho in terms of the defensive midfielder doing all the hard work and then the score at any because they've got great players. But he said something, I think he said in a press conference, that he doesn't want Jut to defend, which was strange. I don't think that's necessarily strange because I think Jude's great strength is going forward.

19:48Alan Shearer:And I think sometimes when I've watched him, and I think it's a strength, but also can be a weakness that he does chase back so hard and he's brilliant at winning the ball. but a little bit like if you want to play more as a forward player which i think ultimately that's what he is he's either a 10 or a false nine and i think if you want to play him that way in some ways they're totally different but there are also similarities in the fact that he he's got incredible desire his work rate is unbelievable he runs everywhere and i think that's jose's way of saying i want to reserve some of your energy more of your energy for what you do best when you've got the ball.

20:27Alan Shearer:And he reminds me a little bit in that way of Wayne Rooney. Not in terms of how he plays, but the sense that he chased back Wayne Rooney. And I used to watch Wayne going, he's doing too much going the other way. You want to save a little bit. That's just a personal opinion. And maybe that's what Joe says. When you've got Vinny Jr. and you've got Mbappe as well, at times within the game, if Inter were more clinical, they could have had big problems. Cottoir was unbelievable in the game. Made like nine saves. So looking at the team, the way they started in La Liga, although they lost the last game in the weekend, didn't they?

21:07But they looked sharp. Bellingham looks good. Mbappe's happy. Vinicius looks happy. Signed a new contract. So on the basis of it, they look good. You know why Mourinho's gone there to install that confidence in the players. But I just thought the game became very stretched because he gave the licence to Bellingham, Vinicius and Bappé don't really have to run back as much as he does.

21:32Alan Shearer:Okay, let's take a breather there and then we'll look at some of Wednesday night's matches. This episode is brought to you by Guinness. With the Premier League kicking off again, it's time to restart those pre-match rituals.

21:46Gary Lineker:Well, I started mine first day of the season. I had to have a pint of Guinness in the house and then taxi picked me up into town, into my mate's bar, Harry's, couple of pints of Guinness again, and then walked to the cathedral on the hill. Beautiful. Absolutely perfect.

22:04Alan Shearer:My pre-podcast routine is a Guinness. So there you go. There it is. About you, Micah. You know what? I wasn't drinking alcohol for a year, but I was drinking Guinness Zero. Lovely job there.

22:19Gary Lineker:Whether you're at home or the pub, Guinness and Guinness Zero are the perfect pre-match pints.

22:25Alan Shearer:Match day is always a lovely day for a Guinness official beer and non-alcoholic beer of the Premier League. 18 plus. For the facts, visit drinkaware.co.uk. Please drink responsibly.

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23:22Gary Lineker:Before treatment, get checked for infections and tuberculosis. Tell your doctor if you have an infection, flu-like symptoms, or need a vaccine. Explore what's possible. Ask your doctor about Trimphia today. Call 1-800-526-7736 to learn more or visit trimphiaradio.com. Dirt. Sweat. tears. Working hard can take its toll, but your relief doesn't have to. With Icy Hot original no-mess roll-on, you get maximum strength, fast-acting, mess-free pain relief. So you're ready to go again. Ice works fast. Heat makes it last. Icy Hot. You're so back. Learn more at icyhot.com.

24:16Alan Shearer:Welcome back to the Restless Football with Michael Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. Well, Arsenal continue their winning start to the season. Took them a while to get that goal, but they were on top the whole game. Very dominant performance.

24:30Gary Lineker:Thought they were brilliant. Odegaard was absolutely outstanding. He really has started the season. Saka missed a couple of big chances in the first half. There should have been two or three up at half-time, but there was no panic. And Odegaard, what a start he's made to the season. I mean, he's a brilliant goal and he was outstanding last night. Have you got any new fantasy football, Al? The Premier League one? No, you haven't, have you? Because that's what you do. You jump on the bandwagon. If you would have used your eyes during the World Cup, you would have known that. 6.5 and older, guy. Well, I did see him.

24:59He was brilliant, yeah. I got him in straight away. You've got to see it before, you know?

25:03Alan Shearer:Mike, have you finally started to be half good at fantasy football? No, no, no. I'm not celebrating too early because my problem is, is my captain choice. But luckily, the first couple of weeks, I've got that right. My team's always good. Of course, my team's always good. It's a captain choice that I've got right. That's good. I think they're getting things right at Arsenal. They're still incredibly difficult to score against.

25:25Gary Lineker:Oh, no. Did he see De Bruyne has missed towards the end when he actually chose to cross it instead of shoot?

25:31Alan Shearer:Yeah.

25:31Gary Lineker:What was he doing?

25:32Alan Shearer:Talking of Odegaard, though, it just shows you with football, you know, people start to go, oh, I'm not sure Odegaard's got it anymore and it's all gone. But it's all about fitness, isn't it? I think with him, and I think he had so many injuries and he was carrying them. And then it looks like with the World Cup, he's found his feet. And then he's got that fitness again, confidence in his fitness, which then means you exude confidence on the pitch. Because, I mean, you can't be as talented and have that much ability as he's got and then not perform for a long period of time once you're fit. And I think the fact that he's fresh and fit, now he needs to keep fit.

26:11Alan Shearer:And if he does that, then, you know, Arsenal are going to get better and better. He's always been a top quality player, hasn't he? Definitely. Definitely taking more risks. I think I said that on the pod last week. But it's that confidence as well. I think going back to last season, it was Arsenal, there was a way at West Ham, wasn't it? He brought him on and he changed the game. And since that moment then, he's just got that confidence. I still think to take his game to the next level where we're talking about Bruno Fernandes and Kevin De Bruyne, just affect the game because he always makes good passes.

26:47He always is happy to get on the ball. It's the areas in which he gets on the ball and getting that assist or getting that goal. Now he's scored, what, he's got four goals this season? Something like that. Great start. So it's a great start for him and he's always been a top quality player. He just needs to keep it going now.

27:03Alan Shearer:Liverpool game, Atletico Madrid, got off to the worst start and saw you straight in the group chat about Liverpool's defence, Al. at that point, but they did turn it around.

27:13Gary Lineker:Great credit for the way they turned it around. They were a lot better in the second half than they were in the first half. I mean, we just keep seeing the same errors from Liverpool. We saw them last season, too many spaces, wide open at the back, really poor defensively, poor in midfield, but they got it together in the second half and it was a great comeback for them. For me to say I'd be confident they could go a long way or finishing the top four in the Premier League, I'd have to see a big improvement defensively from them. It was good to see Areola get his first win in the Champions League.

27:48I think the bigger picture, if you actually watch the game, that he wants them to press high, as he did with Bournemouth. That's his game. And one of the goals came from that. So that'll give him confidence. I totally agree with Al in terms of the spaces. I think one of the goals I think it was Kerkes who won the ball back in the middle and that will give him confidence going forward that they can do it I still think the back line needs to work better with the midfield so if they're going to go and the manager wants you to press the back line has got to come up a little bit sooner all in all I think Liverpool have been quite unlucky though and people are talking about the transfers and all that sort of thing Eketike started off so well, he gets injured.

28:38Isak last season got injured. Bacola, thank God, it only looks like a calf injury, but it looked like he spent$100 and Bacola got injured. The biggest problem I see for Liverpool going forward is if he wants to play 4-3-3, Bacola's going to play left, only in the game he played on the right, but his preferred position is on the left. Then when Eketike's back, then where do you put him? You've got Isak who now is starting to hit some form. So I think the biggest problem for Liverpool is one of your star players is going to be on the bench and they're not going to be happy with that. And Liverpool have always recruited well.

29:20They've always had star signings, whether it be Sturridge, Suarez, homegrown talent like Gerrard. But now I think they've overcooked it. I think that is the thing that he's going to have to get right going forward because one of their big hitters is going to be left out. But up to now, in the game, I've seen signs that Liverpool can compete. It's just the need to do it more consistently now.

29:47Alan Shearer:Did you see the McAllister stuff and about he was disappointed he wasn't offered a new contract? And then he, you know, to say that publicly, he looked really disappointed.

30:00Gary Lineker:He's got two years left, doesn't he?

30:01Alan Shearer:I guess that's a club decision, but I think a couple of these mates obviously got new contracts and he got a bit emotional. It's an unusual one, isn't it? You don't very often hear a player come out and say, I've not been offered a contract, blah, blah, blah. Unless, you know, you do if it's right towards the end of your contract. But as you say, Al, he's still got two years left. What did you make of that?

30:26Gary Lineker:I was a bit surprised, to be honest. I mean, when you've got two years left, you signed your deal anyway. I know others might have got new ones, but why come out and say it? I mean, I guess it's the modern thing, the modern day, I don't know. But speak to whoever you have to speak to. Why do you have to bring it out into the public? He's not stupid, though. He's playing against Atletico Madrid. The Spanish press are going to be there. He's letting people know. He's not stupid, is he? Was the timing right? Probably not.

30:55Alan Shearer:Do you think there's an element in there, Mike? I just get a feeling from the way you worded that, that this was like, right, Liverpool have not offered me a new contract. I want everybody to know, but not necessarily for the fans, but it was more aimed at possible buyers in the future, clubs like Atletico. 100%. Hey, if it was playing Bodo Glimt, he's not going to do the press conference, is he, and say that about a new contract. He thought, oof, Atletico Madrid, the Spanish press here. big club maybe he's that type of player you know so he knew exactly what he was doing which was quite naughty but then if you're going to do that you've got to back it up and then he scores a wonder strike didn't he with his left peg great goal wasn't it that's the way to do it that's the way to do it they might be offering him a new contract next week Bradley Barkley we mentioned him already and he got injured obviously which is hopefully nothing serious as you'd suspect it's not but it was I think it was very similar to what we've seen from Barclay.

31:59Alan Shearer:You know, quick, dangerous, final finish wasn't quite there. That's the one aspect of his game he needs to improve on now.

32:08Gary Lineker:Yeah, I think everything else is superb. Work rate and his ability, technique, touch, going past players. There's no doubt he'll excite, but you would hope that those numbers will improve and have to improve because that's the one thing that you'll see to him is not quite up to scratches yet, but everything else is superb, I think. Another thing on that though, just quickly before we move on, Rio and Gamora played really well. But surely if he buy a player for$100 million, what was it? $25 million? $27 million? Whatever it was. He put him in their favoured position? Like, I don't remember the last time he's played on the right.

32:49Yes, if he comes on a sub for PSG in recent seasons, you might have to if Duhay's playing or Kraviskeli is playing. I get it, but he's the main star. Surely put him in his best position, which I found wasn't a little bit strange, but in the end it worked, so, you know. What's their best front three? That is a conundrum. That is a conundrum. That's why I asked the question, Micah. If you go off names, you'd probably go Isak off the left because he likes that area. You go Ekotike up front and you have to go back all on the right. That's maybe what he's trying or thinking.

33:23Alan Shearer:When's Ekotike a fit? I'm not even including Ekotike at this point because he's not available. Okay, okay. And he probably won't be for a little while yet. So I'm saying at the moment, because obviously Gapos started the season quite well. You've got Barkler also plays on that side. You've got Ungamoa as well, all in that similar position. Isak obviously at the present is the automatic number nine, I would probably suggest. So they're good problems to have.

33:48Gary Lineker:Yeah, they are. Maybe Gakpo, Isak, Barker. Yeah, but even that, one of them's playing out of position. Yeah, yeah. Gakpo on the right of the day, he did well, didn't he? He put in a nice ball for one of the goals, but he wants to play on the left. That's the whole point.

34:03Alan Shearer:That's why I thought the Barker thing was quite interesting, but maybe he just thought, I can see him playing on the right. Maybe that, and, you know, he was a threat. It's a different skill, though. I totally get you. It's a different skill playing, you know, showing people line and having to go down a line and put crosses in. Mark Hall is one of those guys who, he faces you up, he goes inside, he's got that shoulder move, and then he goes wide, then he comes back onto his right foot and slots it, or he'll drop it left and come back and have a shot. So, yeah, I don't really understand it, but the manager is figuring it out, isn't he?

34:44Alan Shearer:Before we finish, and obviously we have to do what we do and we have to pick our winners of the Champions League because it's the first one of the season. So I think we should do that. But before we do, we should take into account that Barcelona beat Feyenoord 5-1 and PSG beat Slovan Bratislava 6-1. Those two teams have to be probably favourites along with maybe Arsenal. but Barcelona

35:08Gary Lineker:they're looking a bit tasty at present clearly it all depends on how the draw goes but I'm going to go Barcelona to win it beating Arsenal in the final Barcelona's midfield is scary Rodri Pedri and Olmo it's not fair it's not fair now we're talking about potentially the best midfield in Europe yeah but they're not much they haven't got much up top it's ridiculous isn't it Oh, it's so good. Lamina Dream was up to his old tricks. He's looking good. He's looking good. So you're going Barca as well, are you? Adiemi. Adiemi. Hey, do you remember what I meant? Adiemi. Ooh. I mentioned Adiemi. What a goal that was.

35:49Two years ago. He's a player.

35:51Alan Shearer:I think it's out of PSG and Barcelona. I mean, it's hard when two years on the track. You've got to remember that, I mean, PSG have had a poor start today. They haven't won in the league yet. But they always do that. They always start slow. They don't generally play most of their players in Liga anyway.

36:08Gary Lineker:That would be unbelievable if they went three times. We did it three on the spin. That would be incredible, wouldn't it? That's why I'm going to go Barcelona.

36:16Alan Shearer:We can't all go Barcelona. I mean, obviously, I think it'll be... I mean, I fancy Barcelona this season. I think they're due. I've got a feeling PSG are not going to win it this season. And I think that it'll be between Barcelona and Arsenal. Do you not rule out Real Madrid? Well, Jose's got your track record, obviously. In a one-off game or a, yeah, tactic-wise, player-wise, confidence-wise, I won't be ruling out Real Madrid. Well, you can't. I mean, it's their competition. I mean, they're so good in it. Even when their teams are not great, they tend to be great in the Champions League as well.

36:52If I had to pick one, I'd say PSG, only because they can rotate their players throughout the season.

37:00Alan Shearer:That is a big advantage, isn't it? Although if they continue to start badly in the league, then maybe they won't be able to do that. But I suspect they will.

37:10Gary Lineker:So you've mentioned about six teams. So you wouldn't rule out Real Madrid. So what I've done, you know, I've given the audience some context, Alan. You know what I mean? That's what Punditlis is about, you know?

37:22Alan Shearer:So just to be clear, you're going PSG, are you? He's going PSG. He just said it. I'm going Barcelona. Of course you are. Rafinha, interesting, playing as a nine. I played there one day, back in my day. Oh, Mr. Club Ambassador for Manchester City's having a pop at me. Hey! They don't pay me a penny, Mike, at Barcelona. You know what? Can we get this straight? I think we need to get this straight. I have not received a penny from Manchester City Football Club. Since last month. Although I have had some niceties going to the F1 every single year. going to the games in the boxes and put me up in there's no salary involved then but I do not take a salary I feel like it would be a conflict to do that because everyone then think I'm being biased towards Manchester City the club that I love but yes I do not take any money from Manchester City this is Micah Richard's claim alongside Alexis McAllister to show that he's now available to be an ambassador for another club where he might take a salary

38:33Alan Shearer:so good timing Micah that just before Man United play so they might take you on you've done a very similar thing here and okay that's it for this episode of the rest of the football hey you've got the R band on the wrong wrong arm out you're supposed to

38:48Gary Lineker:have your left left side that is my left look it's just because I'm sat opposite you on a film you fucking idiot my bad

38:59Alan Shearer:oh dear right okay that's it for this episode of the rest is fucking idiots goodbye from me goodbye from me goodbye from me

39:11Gary Lineker:have a great weekend

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39:56Alan Shearer:This episode is brought to you by ChatGPT. Hey, it's Bill Simmons from the Bill Simmons Podcast. Have you guys heard about ChatGPT work? It's the new way to use ChatGPT for bigger multi-step projects. And when you need more than just answers, give ChatGPT work access to your apps and files, and it can create real work documents like spreadsheets, slides, and structured reports. Get started at ChatGPT.com by selecting work mode available on Plus and Pro Plans. Ouch. This knee is killing me. But I can't stop training. The marathon is in two weeks. Let's get on ZocDoc and find a doctor to take a look at that for you.

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