In short
The episode is a football-focused round-up mixing Premier League title-race analysis with FA Cup final build-up. Topic 1: Arsenal’s title push. Wayne Rooney and co-hosts argue Arsenal handled a tricky Newcastle game by scoring early and managing the game, prioritizing points over chasing extra goals. They claim Arsenal’s fixture run-in is tougher than City’s on paper, and that Saka’s return late season is “massive” psychologically and tactically, citing his leadership and connections with Timber and midfield/number nine.
Notable examples
Arsenal’s 1-0-style win approach; City’s rotation concerns; Saka’s impact off the bench. Topic 2: Chelsea turmoil. Guest Rory Jennings (Chelsea fan and YouTuber) reacts to Chelsea reaching the FA Cup final after beating Leeds at Wembley.
Key claims
players “downed tools” under Liam Rosenior; standards have dropped under new ownership; managers are appointed without club identity; senior leadership is missing.
Notable examples
Rosenior being treated like a “substitute teacher,” and Enzo Fernandez’s pitch-staring after a loss as “showing he cares.”
Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.
Chapters
Tap a time to open that second in VOReflections on Bruno's Interview
1:49 to 2:26
Wayne and guests discuss the impact of Wayne's recent interview with Bruno.
“Like, did the players at Chelsea down tools?”
Wayne's Experience at Wembley
2:26 to 4:40
Wayne shares insights from his time watching Manchester United at Wembley.
“It's obviously, you don't know how it's going to go, do you?”
Analyzing Arsenal's Title Race Performance
4:40 to 6:04
Discussion on Arsenal's recent performance in the title race and tactics.
“Manchester United, of course, haven't played at the time of recording because they play on Monday night, but it's been a busy weekend of football.”
Title Race Psychology and Pressure
6:04 to 7:47
Exploring the psychological aspects and pressures of being in a title race.
“I've been there as well and you want to do that, but you also want to win the game.”
The Importance of Fixture Schedules
7:47 to 8:10
Discussion on how fixture schedules impact title contenders.
“on a Monday night knowing that they've got a game in hand it's you know a game it flips it can flip either way Wayne did you prefer playing first or second in the title race?”
Arsenal's Key Players and Strategy
8:10 to 9:45
Analyzing the impact of key players like Bukayo Saka on Arsenal's strategy.
Comparing Arsenal and Manchester City
9:45 to 12:18
A detailed comparison of Arsenal and Manchester City as title contenders.
“I think all the pressures is definitely on Arsenal to the time we win the league.”
Nostalgia in Title Races
12:18 to 14:00
Wayne reflects on his experiences in title races and their significance.
“And they don't get a look in most of the time, but they can still come in and do a job.”
The Thrill of a Title Race
14:00 to 14:32
Exploring the excitement of a competitive title race in football.
Manchester City vs. Southampton Analysis
14:32 to 16:20
Analyzing Manchester City's performance against Southampton in the match.
“but it's even better when you win the title a little bit earlier.”
Show all 21 chapters
The Importance of Game Rhythm for Players
16:20 to 17:26
Discussing how regular games benefit player performance over training.
“when you hear managers or players complaining of how many games there are.”
Interview Insights with Jeremy Docku
17:26 to 19:47
Wayne shares insights on his interaction with City player Jeremy Docku.
“Would you have liked to have played with a player like him, Wayne?”
Chelsea's Rollercoaster Season
20:28 to 23:23
Rory Jennings discusses the ups and downs of Chelsea's recent performance.
“who are going to be in the FA Cup final are Chelsea and we're joined now by Chelsea fan and YouTuber Rory Jennings.”
Analyzing Player Commitment and Management Changes
23:23 to 28:01
Exploring the implications of managerial changes on player commitment at Chelsea.
“If you look at the game, we kept a clean sheet.”
Leadership and Standards in Football
28:01 to 29:10
Exploration of the impact of player leadership on managerial decisions in football.
“And that's part of the disdain that this new ownership has shown to the previous era.”
Ownership Changes at Chelsea
29:11 to 30:18
Discussion on the effects of new ownership on Chelsea's footballing culture and structure.
“When Bluko took over Chelsea, we'd won the European Cup, the Club World Cup and the Super Cup.”
Pressure on Liam Rossini
30:19 to 31:28
Assessing the pressures faced by Liam Rossini as Chelsea's manager and the challenges of expectations.
“but I think they need to employ the right people to run the club rather than trying to do it themselves.”
Fan Communication and Ownership Issues
31:29 to 33:08
Insight into the lack of communication between Chelsea's ownership and fans, drawing parallels with other clubs.
“they stayed out on the pitch for ages just staring did you see it like where they just stood I saw Enzo Fernandes.”
Chelsea's Long-Term Challenges
33:09 to 34:32
Examining Chelsea's long-term problems related to player contracts and management decisions.
“I think Stuart and Wynn Stanley, it's all very well sacking Liam Rossini.”
Finding the Right Manager for Chelsea
34:33 to 35:49
Discussion on the type of manager Chelsea needs to restore its former glory.
“That's a massive issue for them in the next few years.”
Relegation Battle Insights
35:50 to 36:55
Analyzing the ongoing relegation battle in the Premier League and its implications for rival teams.
“And I mean, as much as I would love it to be West Ham that go down under normal circumstances, I mean, I'm basically one of the Cockney boys at the moment hoping they pick up points because I'd love Tottenham to go.”
Transcript
Automatic transcript. May contain errors.0:00This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.
0:29CFO. LinkedIn has a word for that. Bull spend. Now you can invest in what looks good to your CFO. LinkedIn ads generates the highest ROAS of all major ad networks. You'll reach the right buyers because you can target by company, industry, job title, and more. So cut the bull spend. Advertise on LinkedIn. The network that works for you. Spend$250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get a 250 credit for the next one. Just go to linkedin.com slash broadcast. That's linkedin.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply. Formula One is all about precision, tiny margins, massive ambition, flat out performance.
1:16And that's exactly why it's exciting to see Cadillac entering Formula One, bringing an American luxury brand with performance pedigree onto the biggest stage in motorsport. But this isn't just about the grid. That same racing mindset, the obsession with engineering, the pursuit of perfection lives in the Cadillac V-Series line-up, giving you the chance to experience the precision and performance of the grid on the open road. Cadillac V-Series, distinctive luxury performance engineered to thrill. Discover the V-Series line-up at cadillac.com. To get Saka back at this time of the season is going to be massive.
1:53Does that actually happen? Like, did the players at Chelsea down tools? 100 % and I've had it before with a team mate who I want name names where name names I want somebody that gets the club somebody that knows the history of the club somebody that has that has been there when the standards were what they should be you went John Terry innit I would have had John Terry now you know instead of McFarlane well first things first Kay should we both be grateful to be here as Wayne had such a great time without us last week with Bruno I know I was ready to ask for my P45 when I saw the Bruno interview sorry but the intro yeah the intro yeah the beginning was interesting wasn't it I'm looking forward to it actually I think it'll be good because Kay and Kelly are not here with me I'm doing it alone it's nice being here without Kelly and Kay you see I don't know how the event edited that because that wasn't the whole situation so no I think it was obviously because it was my first time interviewing someone and it was meant to say like it's probably if I'm doing it it's probably better than me doing it one on one because having more people in the room was it made it even more difficult i think so that was the meaning of it so apologies if you take it was funny because i put it in the whatsapp group saying because i i saw it on the transcript on like podcast i was about to listen to it and i saw that that was at the beginning and i was like wow thanks a bunch i did still listen to the podcast though and when i saw wayne at wembley yesterday so it wasn't meant like that i know it wasn't and as someone that does interviews i'm a little bit worried you're coming for my job wayne you um You settled into it quite well, didn't you?
3:24No, it was all right. It's obviously, you don't know how it's going to go, do you? And because I didn't have a script, I didn't have any questions to ask him. So it was purely just... Was it? Go with the flow, really, see what he answers and then ask whatever questions come to me. So that's how I'd done it. But that was great. That was great because it showed like, it was just a natural conversation and the mutual respect for you two just came out. Yeah, no, exactly. so no he was brilliant Bruno was brilliant I filmed something in the afternoon with him as well which I think will come out will be good as well so no he was great he was in good form and obviously with United a very good position to make Champions League I think it made it a little bit easier as well You saw everyone there didn't you?
4:10I saw United put out a post it looks like you were really mingling Yeah no I went to watch training and I always find it awkward you know Why? He's trying to get a coaching role that's why he was he's saying to Michael come on I'm not but I always find it awkward I don't know I think when you're going back because I know what it's like as a player when I've seen ex-players turn up and watch the training when I'm training and you're like what are these doing here and stuff like that so yeah so I always find it a bit awkward but no it was fine the lads were good okay let's not talk too much about that because otherwise Kay we really will be out of a job we don't want to big him up too much but on a serious note if you're listening to this and you haven't gone back and listen to Wayne with Bruno.
4:51It was a really good interview. Manchester United, of course, haven't played at the time of recording because they play on Monday night, but it's been a busy weekend of football. Let's start with the title race because Wayne, Arsenal did exactly what they needed to do on Saturday night. They did. And obviously, I think it was a very, it could have been a very tough game for them. I think going in Newcastle, obviously, can be a tricky team to play against and to score early, to get the early goal, I think then they've obviously seen the game out and done what they had to do and I know people are saying should they go for more goals because of goal difference and try and score a few more goals to give them that extra cushioning goal difference but then you're in two minds do you go for the second and then go for the third or do you risk it and give Newcastle a chance to go down to the end and nick a goal and get a point so it's a difficult position to be in there And I think the points are more important just at this minute rather than going for gold.
5:56You're better having the points on the board at this moment in time. Isn't that a bit of a negative way of looking at things though, man? Wouldn't you rather just take risks and score as many? Yeah, no, no, listen. I've been there as well and you want to do that, but you also want to win the game. The worst thing that can happen is, you know, you're thinking, right, they maybe should have done this earlier on in the season, knowing they're nicking 1-0 wins. and maybe a bit early on in the season you say go for the second and third and stuff but now it's the pressure on them it's high, that pressure's high on them and so you're 1-0 up and you're thinking 20 minutes to go should we push that second and third that might make a difference towards the end of the season or if we can go and nick it a second let's go and do it but if not just stay balanced and get the three points and I think that's what they've done Well, they're three points clear now.
6:49Obviously, they've played a game more than City have. Do these things come into play when you're a player, like where you're watching those games in hand? And does it actually make a difference? Hold on. Also, Arsenal will have played again before City even play because they play next Monday too. Yeah, exactly. So it could be six points. So do those things make a difference when you're sitting in the dressing room? It can work both ways. Yesterday, obviously, Arsenal got three points clear and then City reach another FA Cup final. So City are obviously buzzing to an FA Cup final and Arsenal are happy that they've gone three points clear.
7:23But I think next weekend, if Arsenal win by the time City play on Monday night, six points at this stage of the season now, that's big. And then City have got Everton away. If City don't win that game, so that puts an added pressure onto City. But then the same thing, you can say the same thing, if Arsenal don't win and then City go and win on a Monday night knowing that they've got a game in hand it's you know a game it flips it can flip either way Wayne did you prefer playing first or second in the title race? What's better? It depends because if you play first and win that's always that's always the best but if if you're playing second and the team who you're challenging for the title if they play first and lose then the feeling you get and going into that game knowing that if you win you know exactly where you're at it depends but I always think playing first and getting out of the way and winning is always the best way It says a lot about the teams you played in though because you just always played first and always won I guess Also Arsenal this week have got the Champions League haven't they as well Is that That's going to make a difference that's going to make a difference of course it is but you've got to play a full fledged side it's not like City City have played people like Nico Gonzalez City have also got that massive they've got what nine days but I think City have got two midweek games as well to be rescheduled they've got to be rescheduled haven't they because they won't play FA Cup final weekend so you're thinking that the last three weeks of the season City will be playing non-stop midweek as well yeah but City can rotate though Wayne that's the thing you see today it's a makeshift back four but not when you're going for the title I'm not saying about quality but you want your best players playing and if you're saying you're going to rotate and bring players in who've never won the Premier League and you can see what City's done over the last four or five games this team has very rarely changed I know it's just the FA Cup but in that Premier League running I think it'd be very difficult to rotate so City's going to have a lot of games the same as Arsenal if Arsenal's still Champions League coming up but City's obviously will all be Premier League games and you've got the FA Cup final in that as well because the FA Cup final is what 16th of May so City have got a lot of games coming up the same as Arsenal what dressing room would you rather be in right now City's 100 % really yeah for me I think it depends what you're going for in terms of the Premier League race you'd rather be in City's one because I think I think Arsenal win it but it's a challenge of then trying to win it for City again where for Arsenal I think all the pressures are on Arsenal.
10:13I think all the pressures is definitely on Arsenal to the time we win the league. Just a word on a couple of players for Arsenal yesterday, because obviously Eze got the early goal and a few people have said he perhaps hasn't scored as many goals as they'd have liked, but also the impact of Bukayo Saka coming on because he looked like he made a real difference and they're the kind of players Arteta will want back for the run-in. Yeah, Saka's been great, I know, over the last few years and maybe this season hasn't hit the heights, which he has over the last couple of seasons, but he's such an important player.
10:43And to get Saka back at this time of the season is going to be massive and really important. And he's clearly one of the leaders in there as well. He's 60 armband at times as well. So to have him back is huge because Saka on form is one of the best players in the league. No doubt about it. What does that do in a dressing room as well when you basically know your best players back? Because they've missed him this season. I'm just wondering psychologically how that can help Arsenal too. Yeah, it helps massively and you have connections as well. I think Saka has a great connection with Timber, has a really good connection with Timber, but then it's with your midfield players alongside you there, then with your number nine, the connection you have with him as well.
11:24But also having someone you know you can rely on on the pitch is really important and I think all their marginal players on the pitch know they can rely on Saka and they know what he can bring, what he has brought over the last few years and probably more so than the other players who play out wide for them. So that's huge for Arsenal to have him back from now to the end of the season. That is absolutely huge. So where do you stand on it? You still think Arsenal win it? You still think they're favourites? I think Arsenal win it. I thought the Newcastle game was so important that if Arsenal won that, I think they really can go and win every game.
12:01If they didn't win that, I think they could have fell apart. so I think to win that game however way they've done it by 1-0 or by scruffy win not playing great that was such a big win I feel for Arsenal I think City have got a couple of tricky games in there coming up and I can just see City slipping up once or twice I've just checked the fixtures but Arsenal as well as having both games against Atletico they've got Fulham at home, West Ham away Burnley at home, Palace away Man City have got Everton away I know what you're going to say about that Wayne Brentford at home they've got the FA Cup finals they won't play that weekend that means their game against Bournemouth will be rearranged and they've got a game against Palace before playing Aston Villa on the final weekend so yeah does it feel like City have got the trickier fixtures in there Wayne?
12:49Yeah 100 % so I think if you look at the four games Aston have got I think well I don't know what you think I think they're really winnable games all four of them and the the city ones there's ones where you can look at things you know they could sit bomb it'll be a tricky game heaven will be a tricky game villa West Ham away will be tough if West Ham still fighting that's it like yeah people they're going to be fighting yeah they're going to be fighting to stay up that's going to be a difficult one as well so it's I just think I give the edge to Arsenal just on the fixtures Kay definitely doesn't no do you know what I I I just think it just it does come down to mentality a lot of the time as well And I do think that City sort of have, I know Wayne says you want your best players on a pitch, but I think you see players like Rinders and Gonzalez coming back today for the FA Cup.
13:40Sorry, yesterday. And they don't get a look in most of the time, but they can still come in and do a job. Whereas I think that strength in depth isn't really available with Arsenal's team, unfortunately for them. I just think when it comes to the games coming so, so, so close together, that's going to be a bit of a concern for Arsenal. but hey it just makes for an interesting end of the season I said it to Micah Richards yesterday actually at Wembley obviously he wants City to win but I did say how good is it to actually have does he he's an Arsenal fan don't start Kate but I said how good it is to have like a proper title race does it does it make you kind of quite nostalgic Wayne does it take you back to all of the title races and remembering what it was like to be in there not really I think it is sorry excuse me then nah rubbish question Kelly move on No, obviously it's great winning the title race, but it's even better when you win the title a little bit earlier.
14:36But no, it is good to have a title race, but also to have, you know, it could go to the wire between Tottenham and West Ham. It looks like it's going to be then too. Okay, let's talk about City then, because as I said, myself and Wayne were at Wembley yesterday to see them beat Southampton 2-1. But Wayne, they got the job done with a much changed team. But did we perhaps see again that they're not up 100 %? Pep Guardiola said to me pre-match that he'd had to change the team because he noticed that he needed to inject a bit of energy and kind of freshen things up. Yeah, no, I actually thought they were okay.
15:09City, I thought Southampton deserve a lot of credit with how they defended because the amount of second half, the amount of blocked shots, bodies to get in front of the ball and City actually were moving the ball well with a quicker tempo second half creating chances, but Southampton just defended really well. so yeah and then Southampton I thought Southampton were excellent they went up and got the goal on the break where they caused City a few problems throughout the game on counter attack and then City showed the you know the quality if you like in Docu I thought Docu was excellent when he came on second half and then Gonzalez with a great strike towards the end to win the game so yeah and they've done what you know good teams do they they were the better team.
15:58They went behind and they found a way to come back and win the game. Wayne, do you think the momentum that you have in other competitions really helps you in the league as well? Like the further you go in other competitions playing well, it makes you go, oh, we're going to do this in the league as well. Imagine if they got knocked out yesterday, for example, that could have really affected them, couldn't it? Yeah, 100%. And it makes it easier. And people, and this is why when you hear managers or players complaining of how many games there are. As a player, it is so much better. You'd rather play a game than train.
16:31So, say you're playing a Saturday, Sunday, Monday, you'll do nothing, you'll recover, you'll be in an ice bath, you'll be in a pool, you'll spin your legs on the bike, you'll walk through tactics, and then you play again. On the Wednesday, Thursday, you'll do the exact same thing. So you don't train, so you don't need to train. That sounds like a nice sport, eh? no but that's what I'm saying he's footballers man towards the end of the season you don't train you're getting the fitness through the games and you're literally just resting your body and recovering and making sure you're ready to go again and then if you haven't got them games if you play Saturday-Satty I'm telling you that training week is hard throughout the week and what managers say is we're not playing so we need to replicate as if you're playing a game throughout the week so you're like well you're complaining that you're playing too many games but then when you don't have a game you're training harder than you will play a game so playing the games is so much easier I promise you I'd like you to tell Pep Guardiola that because I felt in my pre-match interview yesterday he felt really flat actually I mean his team weren't I wouldn't say they were flat but he said he definitely changed it up I think for a manager it actually is more difficult because you're literally finishing then you're preparing you're preparing you know for the players who don't play you're preparing the sessions for them you're preparing your team meetings so for a manager it is constant in preparation and moving on from one game to the next but for players honestly you get into a rhythm of playing weekend midweek weekend midweek and it becomes second nature Jeremy Docky you mentioned him he came over to you guys didn't he at the desk he was quite a good character wasn't he tell us a little bit about that when you kind of interviewed him yeah he was I said to him before we went on air I said when he went round the goalkeeper I said why didn't you shoot well you said that off air to him yes why didn't you shoot when you went around the keeper you said I was on my left foot and I've seen one of my teammates was in a better position I was like you've got an open goal I can't make your left foot just shoot you need to be a bit more selfish and now he was laughing but I thought he was brilliant when he come on in I think he's been a little bit inconsistent over the couple of seasons both this season I think he's been brilliant and it's a nightmare for defenders to play against there's the headline of this one Wayne Rooney tries to help Man City players, something we never thought we'd see.
18:53Would you have liked to have played with a player like him, Wayne? Because when he's on his game, he's almost unplayable. Yeah, do you know why? He will frustrate you. If you're the forward, he will frustrate you. And that's with players like that. We used to have that with Nani. You don't know what decision they're going to make, so it's difficult to read them. So as a forward, he will frustrate you, but he will pull off moments of brilliance. I think he's been so much more consistent with that this season. And when he's in that form, he's so difficult for anyone to do.
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20:27Let's talk about the fact that the other team who are going to be in the FA Cup final are Chelsea and we're joined now by Chelsea fan and YouTuber Rory Jennings. Rory, have you literally hot-footed it back from Wembley to be here on the pod with us? Yes, exactly that. And that's why I'm wearing a cap, because London is full of Leeds United fans and I'm not their favourite person in the world. So I've been incognito on the London tube. Well, congrats. Thanks for making it back. What did you make of it? It's been another quiet week for Chelsea. Yeah, no, I mean, it's been a tumultuous week, hasn't it?
20:59We've been all over the place. It's so weird. It's such a weird football club to follow. I think a lot of fans would say this. They'd say the club I follow happens to be the most bonkers club in the world. They bought the championship version of Chelsea Watford. Yeah, so I think lots of fans, exactly Kelly, I think lots of fans would kind of rationalise their club being the weirdest, almost awkward in the world. But I think it's actually true about Chelsea. And look, whilst I'm delighted to beat Leeds United, it's historic. Us beating Leeds at Wembley, it's part of who we are, it's part of our identity.
21:30Any Chelsea fan worth their salt will tell you that Leeds United are one of our biggest rivals. Any Chelsea fan worth their salt will tell you that David Webb is an icon and should have a statue built at Stamford Bridge. so beating Leeds United is about as good as it can get the only thing that I feel a bit gutted about not gut gut is not the right word but I tell you what doesn't sit comfortably we have beaten Leeds United and the reason that we've beaten them is because we showed heart fight tenacity all of those words that should be a natural for any football team but all of those words were completely absent three or four days ago when Liam Resenia was manager so something about this crop of players doesn't sit right with me, but it's hard for me to feel anything other than jubilant at the moment.
22:11Beating Leeds is a dream come true. I was watching it, Rory. I was watching the game before, and I was thinking the exact same because I've been there as a player when managers were being sacked. And I was thinking back, and I was thinking to David Moyes at Man United, Van Gaal at Man United, and Ronald Koeman at Everton. And I was thinking of how I felt. And I felt sad and felt like, I'm a part of the problem I'm part of this why these have been sacked and you feel that and then I was just watching the Chelsea players and I didn't seem to see that in them there seemed to be a relief or a yeah they looked happy yeah so I didn't seem to to see that which I guess happens but then I think that's where as a player you need to look at yourself as well no you're absolutely right yeah but they were in the media saying how much they didn't like the manager wasn't Kukurea saying basically like what have we done and bringing this guy in.
23:05Yeah, I think you're right. I think there was a celebration in the dressing room that he was gone. I think they wanted rid of him. And that level of unprofessionalism is just so dislikable. So look, I'm happy. Of course I'm happy we've beaten Leeds and we go to the FA Cup final. I will always hold the FA Cup in incredibly high regard. But we beat Leeds United. If you look at the game, we kept a clean sheet. We haven't done that for five games. And the word I would use to describe that performance, I don't know, grit, determination, that's the reason that we overcame Leeds. It was a scrappy game.
23:38There were moments Leeds had their opportunities and there was an edge to the game. We came through it unscathed. Where was that fight? Even if you don't like the manager, even if you don't respect the manager, surely you have to respect the office of manager. Surely you, if nothing else, you fight for the badge that's on your heart that you're representing. And that lack of commitment and lack of professionalism from this crop of players has really left a sour taste for me. And we've had a home where we felt a player or two has down-tooled, whether they fell out with the manager or they want to leave the club or whatever.
24:14And we take that upon ourselves as a group of players to say, what are you doing? Get your head with it or otherwise you won't be playing, you won't be in the team. But do you know with that though, Wayne, do you know what's fascinating for us to be able to talk to you about that? We say these things, but we don't know. Like it's very easy for me to say the players are giving up, the players are down-tools. does that actually happen? Like, did the players at Chelsea down tools? Yeah, 100%, I think, with some of them. And it was interesting today to see a couple of players back fit. And I've had it before with a teammate who I won't name names.
24:49Name names? No, I can't name names on this one. But they were out injured. And they were saying they were out for six weeks. And the manager gets sacked and they actually start at the next game. I'm going to go back through all of the clubs you've been at with managers and work out who that is. We could track that down, yeah. And as a group of players, we pulled them. A few of us pulled them and said, listen, that's out of order. You cannot do that. That doesn't represent this club. And you can fall out with them, but you've got a duty for your teammates as well and to the fans. I think sometimes the fan base don't have a manager from the start and it seeps into the players and in the dressing room as well because I felt like Chelsea fans weren't having Liam Rossini from the beginning.
25:30Rory, I saw some of your videos. I don't think a lot of the Chelsea fan base was having him. I wasn't. I certainly wasn't. But that's the player's responsibility, isn't it, to be professional? And do you know what Wayne said there, which I think this hits the nail on the head? Wayne said something along the lines of some of the more senior players at the club weren't having that behaviour. Whereas who's the more senior players at Chelsea? We're a team full of children, which is why they're laughing and giggling when they're not following his instruction, which is why they have these nicknames for him.
25:59Apparently they were calling Liam Rossini a substitute teacher. it's because they're all kids when the substitute teacher is in charge they don't behave professionally who is the senior player you know if Petr Cech, John Terry, Frank Lampard, Didier Drogba were still at the club you wouldn't be able to disrespect the office of manager let alone the individual manager whereas there's just no standards at the club anymore and that is a real worry I think beating Leeds you got me on a good day I'm happy because we've beaten Leeds but it's only You still sound quite angry I'll be honest Rory Yeah, because it's so badly run, isn't it?
26:34If you think about the direction of travel for Chelsea, if you think about this ownership model. That was my next question. And I completely understand you all having frustrations with the players and Wayne said it there, like as a player, he would look at other players and you look at your senior players. But is it not a wider problem that the club are kind of trying to find an identity and they've not really found a culture under the new ownership? Like, what does that do if you change a manager all the time? Well, that's part of the problem. But I think what you could say is Roman Abramovich would change the manager all the time, but the motivation would always be to employ the best.
27:08So whether it worked out or not, Chelsea would appoint managers that had an amazing track record. So the reason that Mourinho became Chelsea manager in 03 was because he had won a European Cup. So that's why he became Chelsea manager. The reason that Carlo Ancelotti was appointed was because he was a serial European Cup winner. Antonio Conte won three Scudettos in a row. Even the managers that didn't work, Luis Felipe Scolari, he'd won a World Cup. The normalising of mediocrity is just so bad at Chelsea at the moment. And we've appointed managers. When we used to go and appoint the best, we've appointed managers from Strasbourg, Leicester and Brighton.
27:50It's just not the same. But who are the managers out there that you would get? Because I think football is changing. There's a real lack of those kind of managers that you talk about. But I think, just jumping on that, I think when you say no about changing the managers, when you have a group of players, and if you go back, you mentioned it before, you go back to John Terry, Frank Lampard, Drogba, Peter Cech, McAlealy you've got a group of players where it actually didn't matter that much if the manager was sacked or not because you've got a group of players who will lead and will lead by example both on the pitch they lead by example they'll be the ones going to have meetings and they run the football club we used to have it with Giggsie with Scholder with Ghasnev they run the football club so actually very rarely does the manager come need to speak to you he doesn't need to actually do much apart from tactically we're going to do this and that's where I think it's changed massively.
28:44And that's part of the disdain that this new ownership has shown to the previous era. So the previous era would have those standards in place but this ownership have come in and they've completely ripped up everything that went before it. I've never known anything like it. You know the kind of disdain that's shown to the previous, I think when Brian Clough went into Leeds he did it to the previous era. He just got rid of everything that went before but they've come into a club, a club that were European champions. It's something that isn't spoken about enough. When Bluko took over Chelsea, we'd won the European Cup, the Club World Cup and the Super Cup.
29:18And they just blitzed everything from before and have done away with all of that knowledge. They could have had Petr Cech still at the club. They could have had Marina Granoscovaia still at the club. But they got rid of it all because they wanted to run the club in their vision, their way, which is like a Silicon Valley tech startup. Just to go back to your point about who were the elite managers out there, This ownership or an ownership that decided Luis Enrique was not good enough to manage Chelsea in 2023. They went for Potter. You know, like that's what we're dealing with. That's what we're dealing with at Chelsea.
29:53So I do think that there's a major issue in the direction of the club. And if you look at the transfer strategy, Bluco have signed 60 players. I think five you could perhaps consider to be a success. They're actually successful businessmen, Andy. I think being that successful, sometimes you need to listen to other people as well and let the people know football. I think they actually will get it right in the end, but I think they need to employ the right people to run the club rather than trying to do it themselves. Wayne, do you think that Liam, looking back on it now, will regret going in there?
30:30I don't know. I don't know. I think Liam's a confident person. and listen I've worked first and close to with Liam and I've said many times I think he's a fantastic coach he's never been at a club with the pressure which going to Chelsea would be and I think he got put under a huge amount of pressure straight away really from the media and then I think quite quickly some of the players and I spoke to Liam and I felt and I did say to him I'm sure he won't mind me saying less is more sometimes and then but I think the players and the the media quite quickly I think judged them and then when you're not getting results I think we all knew what was coming and it was so hard for him wasn't it by the time it went that wrong it felt like there was no way of steering it back because it was such a young squad I was presenting that game on Wednesday night and those scenes at Brighton where the players stayed out I don't know if you were there they stayed out on the pitch for ages just staring did you see it like where they just stood I saw Enzo Fernandes.
31:35Yeah. Yeah. Enzo was really weird. Like it was. Really showing us how much he cared. Yeah. Yeah. That was, that was what that was. I don't know if you, did you, did you not, did the message not land? That was Enzo Fernandes showing the world quite how, how affected he was by Chelsea losing a game in the same week where he flirted with Real Madrid. Just in case that didn't, the message might have passed you by Kelly, but what, what Enzo Fernandes was doing there was showing us that he loves Chelsea. Despite the fact that he put in that kind of performance and flirted with Real Madrid in the same week.
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32:05Rory you've still made it to an FA Cup final yeah which is and almost more significantly than that we've beaten Leeds at Wembley which is a dream come true it's part of who we are so look there's I'm obviously really happy about today but the message still has to be that Bluco are destroying this club from the inside out like the ownership model isn't working what do you want to happen next then? I want I mean Bluco selling Chelsea is a dream that needs to be the message I've just spoke Has there been any communication with the fans from them? No, no, no, no, no. That's not how it's done. They operate on a different plane.
32:42They're the billionaire venture capitalists who know everything and we're the mere football fans and elite football players who know nothing. But this is what's been going on with the Glazers at United for years and years and years and years. And it's seeping through all of football. It's going to happen to most Premier League clubs that are up for grabs. And if there's money to be made, there's going to be a private equity firm that are going to go in there and asset strip it from the ground up. So, yeah, it's frightening. It's a sporting director issue as well. I think Stuart and Wynn Stanley, it's all very well sacking Liam Rossini.
33:18But nobody's asking the question, how was Liam Rossini ever appointed? Who appointed Liam Rossini? Who met Liam Rossini and went, you're the guy, you're the man for the job? Because whoever did that should also lose their job, surely. It's such an abominable appointment. Nobody can keep their job if the person that you appoint loses their job in four months. The person that appointed you is as culpable as you, surely. Yeah, going back to the Glazers, they did have success, didn't they? So I guess that's the difference. Under the brilliance of one man when he went. Yeah, yeah. But yeah, I take your point.
33:56But yeah, we probably should remember that there was some success, which Bluco is still searching for at Chelsea albeit it's quite early days there Wayne what do you think Chelsea should do next and what profile of manager can lead as Rory said a pretty young group of players forward or maybe that's something that also needs to be rectified they need a bit more experience in the dressing room but the problem they've got is they're giving all these players like seven and eight year contracts so if you want to get rid of them it's going to cost teams way more than it should so teams won't pay it so they're going to be sat there the players are going to be sat there thinking and not playing, but getting paid a lot of money and no one will take them.
34:31And this is the problem we have. So many players. That's a massive issue for them in the next few years. And they're doing it because of the amortisation to put the money on the back end of it. But actually in this next two or three years, I think that's going to be a huge problem for them. Yeah. And so many of the players aren't good enough, which is, sorry, Kelly. I just wanted to say that so many of the players weren't good enough. and ultimately the next manager that comes in after McFarlane it has to be somebody that can unify Chelsea Who do you want Rory? Who's that? I want somebody that gets the club somebody that knows the history of the club somebody that has been there when the standards were what they should be Are you and John Terry?
35:11You and John Terry I would have had John Terry I would have had John Terry now you know instead of McFarlane I certainly would have had John Terry now Is JT still at the club? He works for the club but he's not he's obviously not in the role that he should be in. And he was completely overlooked. It's a complete shambles. But out of, like, I feel like the standout candidate now, somebody to get the club, the standards back, like, we went 86 games not losing at home when we were good. Like, we're losing at home every other week now. So somebody that knows the standards and I think the standout dueling the crown of the candidates would be Cesc Fabregas.
35:44But it won't happen. Yeah. It's got Gary O 'Neill written all over it. Do you know what? I played a charity game last year and McAuley was there and I absolutely loved it first time I've been in this company and we sat down after the game and had a glass of wine and I loved them and I was thinking at the time someone with his mentality and his mindset someone like him having a round of plays would be great for Chelsea Great minds think alike Wayne
36:14Rory if it can't make you happy that Chelsea in an FA Cup final is it at least making it a little bit better that the two teams involved in the relegation scrap are two of your rivals? Yeah, it certainly does. And I mean, as much as I would love it to be West Ham that go down under normal circumstances, I mean, I'm basically one of the Cockney boys at the moment hoping they pick up points because I'd love Tottenham to go. Like I'm kind of checking West Ham's results. I'm hoping West Ham win. When they got that last minute winner, I was over the moon the other day. So no, as much as yet, I can't really lose.
36:49West Ham or Tottenham going down is only good news. Out of the two, there is a clear winner. And I am dreaming that it's Tottenham. It's a fascinating relegation scrap though, isn't it? That penalty, Steve, what should have been forever. This is why I hate there. That is an absolute disgrace. You've not mentioned it before, mate. Just so I just wanted to get that out there. Yeah, I know. The handball that came through. I know, it was absolutely ridiculous. It was absolutely ridiculous. But thank God it wasn't given. Are we saying then, I know Forest obviously had that massive win on Friday night.
37:18And are they completely out of it now? because then obviously Spurs and West Ham. Morgan Gibbs-White won't allow it. What a player he is. You know, turning up when it most matters. Turning up for your team when it most matters. They're not going down because Gibbs-White and Elliot Anderson won't allow it. It's not going to happen. So it's now between the two London clubs. Chris Wood's back as well, isn't he? I think he'll be important. Yeah, he scored, didn't he, as well? Rory, thank you so much. Please try and enjoy the FA Cup final. An honour. Oh yeah, no, I will. No, by that point, it'll be a dream come true.
37:47Thank you so much for having me. who goes down then Wayne and I'm going to ask you this every week until we know I think Tottenham scarding it the two points West Ham are ahead at the minute will be really important and then tie to Wayne you're not wavering are you you're Arsenal all the way you've said it since match week one Everton are going to destroy Man City that's what you're thinking isn't it I hope so but no I think for me I just think City's fixture is a little bit tricky than Arsenal's Arsenal is a little bit more straightforward and I think Arsenal will win every game and City will mess up once or twice, which means Arsenal will win the league.
38:28Okay. I think City might do it. I think it's going to be City because of the experience of Pep Guardiola, some of the guys in that squad, the depth. And I think them getting into another final already gives them loads of momentum and confidence to go through and win it. But look, I don't want either of them to win. I mean, I'd rather Arsenal want it, to be fair. Sorry, one of them will win it, Kay. Yeah, no, I'd rather Arsenal want it, to be fair. But if City win it, no one cares. So it doesn't matter. Okay, I've got splinters in my bum. I don't have a clue who's going down or winning the league.
39:03I change it week on week. Okay, that's where we'll leave it. By the way, Wayne, one bit of criticism or positive feedback, constructive feedback. I noticed you didn't do the closer. You always hammer me when I sometimes get the closer wrong. and you didn't do it at the end of your podcast that you did on your own. Do you remember what you have to say? It's not my job to do that. Okay, well, I'll do it this week. A reminder, you can listen to the Wayne Rooney Show on BBC Sounds or you can watch on the BBC Sport YouTube or iPlayer. That's how you do it, Wayne. Bye.
39:43insights and analysis from across the women's game. Dame Serena Vigman, welcome to the... Are we including Dame in your title now? You know how much an honour that is. And it's remarkable team! And it's remarkable women! We want to play in a way that they can show their skills, so that's what we're trying to do. Win the World Cup. It's a dream. Listen. With the BBC Sounds app.
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Will Arsenal really hold off Manchester City and win the league? Wayne Rooney makes his big call, breaking down Arsenal’s win, Bukayo Saka’s return, and the pressure of the run-in. Do Arsenal have the easier fixtures, or will the pressure still open the door for City?
Wayne is joined by Chelsea fan and broadcaster Rory Jennings who despite reaching an FA Cup final is furious. Are the players, ownership and culture all broken? Rory criticises the club’s direction under BlueCo, comparing it to years under the Glazer family at Manchester United, and questions whether ripping up experience and leadership has left Chelsea without direction. And who does he want as the next manager?
Manchester City are back in another FA Cup final, are they building momentum at the perfect time? Wayne explains why City’s experience under Pep Guardiola still makes them so dangerous, even when they’re not at their best, and praises Jeremy Doku’s performances this season.
