Wayne Kicks Spurs OUT Of The Big Six?!

23 Feb 2026 · 41 min · 14 chapters

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In short

The Wayne Rooney Show - Episode Summary: Rooney Reacts: Wayne Kicks Spurs OUT Of The Big Six?!

Podcast Overview Wayne Rooney, in collaboration with presenter Kelly Somers and comedian Kae Kurd, explores various topics surrounding football, including personal anecdotes from his career, current league standings, and player performances. This episode focuses on the implications of Tottenham Hotspur's recent struggles and compares players from rival teams.

Episode Highlights

Spurs' Big Six Status

  • Discussion on Tottenham's Position:
  • Wayne Rooney raises concerns about whether Tottenham can still be classified as part of the Premier League's "big six" following their loss in the North London derby.
  • Rooney expresses that Tottenham's squad does not measure up to their historical status and is currently closer to relegation than expected.
  • Potential Relegation:
  • Rooney is confident Spurs will not be relegated but acknowledges their precarious position, being four points away from the relegation zone.
  • He criticizes the club's recent performance and decisions, highlighting the ongoing managerial issues and injuries affecting player availability.

Player Performances and Comparisons

  • Arsenal's Number 10 Debate:
  • The episode delves into a debate about who should occupy Arsenal's number 10 role: Eberechi Eze or Martin Ødegaard.
  • Rooney expresses skepticism regarding Eze's consistency this season and emphasizes that a player must perform consistently to warrant a starting position.
  • Declan Rice's Leadership:
  • Rooney discusses Declan Rice's recent performances, suggesting he exhibits significant passion but sometimes lets that drive lead to mistakes.
  • The conversation reflects on the pressures faced by players aiming for a spot in the national squad, particularly with the World Cup approaching.

Young Talent Emerging

  • Emergence of New Players:
  • Rooney highlights the rise of young talents like Morgan Rogers and Nico O'Reilly, suggesting that they are making strong cases for inclusion in the national team.
  • The discussion around these players emphasizes the competition for positions in the England squad.

Rooney's Punditry Experience

  • Match of the Day Insights:
  • Rooney reflects on his role as a pundit for Match of the Day, describing it as the most demanding role he has undertaken in broadcasting.
  • He expresses a desire to improve in this capacity, acknowledging the challenges of delivering analysis under time constraints.

Key Takeaways

  • Tottenham's Current Struggles: Acknowledgment of Tottenham's decline and the challenges they face in maintaining their status as a top club.
  • Player Performance Influences: Insight into how individual performances affect team standings and the upcoming World Cup selections.
  • Passion vs. Composure: The balance between a player’s drive to win and the need for composure and consistency in performance.
  • Rooney's Growth as a Pundit: A commitment to evolving in his role as a football analyst, demonstrating a reflective approach to his new career in media.

Conclusion The episode serves as an engaging commentary on current football dynamics, player evaluations, and the pressures of maintaining elite status in the Premier League. Rooney's insights provide a blend of personal experience and sharp analysis, making for a must-listen for football fans.

Written by AI. May contain mistakes. Listen to the episode to check what was said.

Chapters

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Wayne's Take on Tottenham's Performance

0:46 to 2:39

Wayne discusses the shortcomings of Tottenham's squad and their current position.

“With the Wealthfront Cash account, your uninvested cash can earn up to 3.95 % APY.”

Concerns About Relegation

2:39 to 4:32

Wayne shares his thoughts on Tottenham's relegation fears and the club's history.

“I suppose we've always known Spurs as this top six club.”

Managerial Decisions and Squad Issues

4:32 to 6:34

Discussion on managerial choices, injuries, and the need for changes at Tottenham.

Assessing Eze's Role at Arsenal

6:34 to 9:26

Conversation about Eze's performance and potential fit within Arsenal's squad.

“But you've and-jadded last season with a lot of players at Tottenham they've had this season.”

Comparing Key Players for England

9:26 to 12:14

Comparison of players like Jude Bellingham and their significance for England's squad.

“Do you think now he warrants that chance to kind of build on it?”

Debate on Number 10 Role

12:14 to 14:02

Discussion on who should play in the number 10 position for Arsenal and their impact.

“So he, for me, has to go and even if he doesn't start the tournament, I'm pretty sure he'll finish it.”

Discussion on Arsenal vs Spurs Performance

14:02 to 14:30

Wayne discusses the impact of a young player on Arsenal's recent performance against Spurs.

“Well, for me, the player they should have had, Wayne, was Wanieri, but they sent him on loan.”

Wayne's Favorite Opponents

14:30 to 15:17

Wayne reflects on which teams he enjoyed playing against the most during his career.

Tough Matches and Player Atmosphere

15:17 to 16:41

Wayne shares experiences of tough matches and the intangible factors that affect performance.

“And you just knew it was always going to be a tough game.”

Declan Rice's Performance Analysis

16:41 to 18:50

Wayne analyzes Declan Rice's recent mistake in the match and its impact on his play.

“Because he is that kind of player that what makes him so good is that he plays with that passion and his heart on his sleeve.”
Show all 14 chapters

Captaincy and Leadership in Football

18:50 to 22:10

Discussion on the qualities of good captains and the role of leadership in football.

“Maybe what Wayne's saying, Mikel Arteta will know his players really well and maybe that's why Odegaard is captain, for example, or club captain.”

Victor Jokers and Arsenal's Striker Role

22:10 to 25:58

Wayne discusses Victor Jokers' performance and the role of strikers in the current Arsenal setup.

“Victor Jokeres, Wayne, because you've spoken quite highly of him and said that you do like him as a player.”

Discussion on Arsenal's Season Progress

25:58 to 28:00

Wayne reflects on Arsenal's season, the challenges ahead, and their potential to win.

“Yeah, I think the Wolves game, they were poor.”

Episode Discussion

28:00 to 42:02
“And he went into centre-back and he was there for about five minutes.”
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Transcript

Automatic transcript. May contain errors.

0:00Kae Kurd:This BBC podcast is supported by ads outside the UK.

0:30Kae Kurd:the highest B2B return on ad spend of major ad networks. Spend$250 on your first campaign on LinkedIn ads and get$250 credit for the next one.

0:39Wayne Rooney:Just go to linkedin.com slash broadcast. That's linkedin.com slash broadcast. Terms and conditions apply.

0:45Kelly Somers:It's time your hard-earned money works harder for you. With the Wealthfront Cash account, your uninvested cash can earn up to 3.95 % APY. That's a 0.65 % boost over an already high rate for three months just for being a new client. Plus free instant withdrawals to eligible accounts. Start today at Wealthfront.com. 3.3 % base APY via Program Banks as of January 30th, 2026. It is representative variable, requires no minimum, and is earned on funds swept to Program Banks. Boosted up to$150 ,000. Cash account offered by Wealthfront Brokerage LLC member Finra SIPC, not a bank.

1:18Wayne Rooney:Follast have got a better squad than Tottenham. They're being a bit naive in thinking that they're the top 16. They're not. They're miles off here.

1:24Kelly Somers:Is he the number 10 that Arsenal do need now?

1:26Wayne Rooney:I don't think he's been good enough this season. I think with Declan, watching him over the last four weeks, you can see he's getting animated. You know, he wants to win that much. It's not helping him. For some reason, I just couldn't pronounce his name.

1:38Kelly Somers:Go on, have you learnt it now?

1:39Wayne Rooney:I'm not even trying. I called him Stoke, I think.

1:42Kelly Somers:Yes, you did. Well, I think there's only one place to start this week's episode, isn't there? The title race, starting off with the North London Derby. Firstly, Wayne, as a game, it didn't really disappoint, did it? It was good.

1:55Wayne Rooney:Yeah, it was a good game. I think Arsenal showed the class obviously throughout the game Tottenham they're just not a good team we're 10 seconds in and he's gone

2:08Kelly Somers:he's gone for it

2:08Wayne Rooney:no I just don't think they're a good team and you know you're talking about them being a big six club and actually if you go through the squad and the players man for man they're probably in a position where they should be so obviously it's a big club and obviously a nice new stadium a nice turn around, but I just don't think the players are good enough to compete at the top end of the Premier League. So they're probably in a position they should be.

2:34Kelly Somers:There's so much we can go into from an Arsenal point of view, but let's pick up on this Spurs thing. Because Wayne, I can tell from your face, it's almost paining you. I suppose we've always known Spurs as this top six club. They're now four points outside the relegation zone and they've got to be looking over their shoulders, haven't they? We've said it for a while. West Just how concerned are you about them being relegated?

2:57Wayne Rooney:I'm not concerned.

2:58Kelly Somers:No, no. Or how big a concern is it? I know you're not concerned about that. How big a concern is it for the Spurs fans then? How seriously should they be taking the possibility of relegation?

3:09Wayne Rooney:Yeah, I think they'll be fine. I don't think they'll get relegated. I think for West Ham to pick up the point of need, it would be difficult. but they're there, they're down there and they were there last season a little bit closer to the relegation zone this season so yeah, I think they'll be fine I think they're just about good enough to not get relegated but it is a big worry obviously with Daniel Levy leaving the club and Ange last year in the summer and Thomas Frank as well I think it's a big concern for the club and where it goes, whether it stays in the Premier League or not because Tottenham over the last 15 or so years have been towards the top end of the table and they've spent a lot of money on the stadium and to be fair they've spent money on players, maybe not the salaries but so they have spent a lot of money so if they get relegated I think that's a big worry for them.

4:14Wayne Rooney:But I don't think

4:15Kae Kurd:they've bought well to be honest with you like if you look at a few years ago they had Son and Harry Kane players that are like well I mean Harry Kane's world class but they haven't been able to replace those players with anybody of the same sort of calibre and I think that's been a massive part of it as well

4:33Wayne Rooney:Yeah I agree and I think I was watching the Forest-Liftpool game today and Forest have got a better squad than Tottenham I think so and obviously they're in a similar position in the league so I think they're being a bit naive as whether that's the fans or the club in thinking that they're a top 16 they're not they're miles off it

4:55Kelly Somers:Were you surprised at Igor Tudor being the man that they've decided to go with? He hasn't got any Premier League experience of course

5:05Wayne Rooney:Yeah I think he's done it over in Italy hasn't he quite a bit where he's gone in to save teams from getting relegated but the Premier League is completely different and yeah so surprised but who else is out there Robbie Keane he keeps getting overlooked for some reason he's done a fantastic job in the place he's been

5:29Kae Kurd:I was going to say that Wayne do you not think Robbie Keane would have probably been I mean not to make a comparison but like their version of Michael Carrick I think at this point in time because it's so toxic in there you almost want somebody that loves the club because like you said who is out there to take this job and all the top managers are probably going to wait to the summer where they know what's going to happen with Tottenham anyway

5:52Wayne Rooney:Robbie Keane he's done a fantastic job where he's been and the clubs he's been at and I think you look at it and you think he gets overlooked by Celtic all the time and this time by Tottenham when potentially you know he could have been a good fit but the manager who's come in good luck to him I thought he spoke well yesterday in his press conference but he's got a tough job on his hands to try and keep them and try and get them further up the table for sure

6:25Kelly Somers:also the fact that they've got so many injuries 11 players out I think it is at the moment and it doesn't look like any of them are going to return immediately so yeah, lots of worrying signs

6:36Wayne Rooney:they need to look at the backroom staff and the physios and the sports science because sports are the first to tell you that they've got players on the training pitch and they've had players fifth and ready to train and ready to play in so many games. But you've and-jadded last season with a lot of players at Tottenham they've had this season. So the sun clearly are not right there. They need to check the training pitches, the hotel beds where they're staying, whatever it is, to try and fix it. and the activation before saying sessions, I think it'd be a real concern. And I think for any manager going in there, that's going to be one of the first things you look at.

7:21Kelly Somers:Okay, do you think Tottenham are going to get relegated?

7:25Kae Kurd:My Spurs mates think they are. But look, I mean, it's going to be a massive, massive loss to the Premier League, I think. I mean, whatever you say about them, it is a big club. and I just think it's going to be a shame if they do because, you know, look at that big stadium and they're going to be playing games in a championship in that. But I don't think they're going to be relegated. I think they're going to find some sort of form. They're going to get the points that they need. If you look at all clubs, you know, Tottenham, West Ham,

7:58Wayne Rooney:Forest, Leeds, they're all big clubs.

8:03Kae Kurd:So one of them is going to go. Do you know what the most spursy thing is going to be? if they somehow manage to nick a Champions League win and end up playing in a championship and a Champions League at the same time. I don't think you have to worry about that. There's no chance.

8:19Wayne Rooney:There's no chance they're in a Champions League.

8:21Kelly Somers:One player, of course, Spurs were in four, thought they were going to potentially sign, was Boric Eze. We've already touched upon him and it's been incredibly painful. Not only did they miss out on the signing of him, but he once again was the difference today. As you've already said, it's interesting, isn't it, Wayne? where he fits into this Arsenal side he's had to bide his time he played against Brentford the other week was taken off early his mentality is incredible it seems like to be able to step up in these big games is he the number 10 that Arsenal do need now?

8:51Wayne Rooney:I disagree a bit because I don't think he's been good enough this season

8:54Kelly Somers:Do you not?

8:56Wayne Rooney:No, I think the two Tottenham games have shined a big light on him and obviously he scored the three in the first game and two today but in other games I've watched I don't think he's been good enough so and yet I think a lot of that is through you know not playing consistently it's difficult to come in and out of the team I get that but yeah I think he when you talk about character and mentality then he needs if I was him obviously I'm not but if I was him you know I've I've been making it very difficult for the manager to leave it out or trying to anyway with performances or how you're training and clearly he's not doing enough to warrant a place in the team consistently and I get the old guard is the captain and it's difficult to leave the captain out of the team but you've got to make it almost impossible for Arteta.

9:55Wayne Rooney:I think now he's after the last Tottenham game I don't think he'd done enough when he played after that to stay in the team and And so you just hope now that, you know, he plays better consistently over the next few games to stay in the team.

10:12Kelly Somers:Yeah, has he done enough for you today? Do you think now he warrants that chance to kind of build on it?

10:16Wayne Rooney:Well, he definitely wants the chance to play in the next game. That's for sure. So it's on him, it's up to him. But I just think he needs to perform a little bit better than he has this season.

10:28Kelly Somers:Something that's also going to be on his mind, Kay, and is on the mind of every player who their national team are going to the World Cup, is the World Cup, is in a position where England have kind of got a bit of an embarrassment of riches almost really. He's got that on his mind as well. Tuchel was there today too. He needs to play well now to ensure he's in the squad going for USA in the summer.

10:49Kae Kurd:Yeah, I mean, I just think we're in that situation where it used to be the number nines where we had like so much talent. but I just think now there's so many talented players in that position. He's going to have to do something really special from now to the end of the season. Like Wayne pointed out, he's been inconsistent and he's expected more from him. I think, yes, I mean, it's great that Thomas Tuchel was there today to see it, but I think Thomas Tuchel is not a silly man. He's going to be looking at the season as a whole and there's so much talent in that position like Jude Bellingham as well.

Read the full transcript

11:20Kae Kurd:There's endless names that you can bring up.

11:22Wayne Rooney:I think on that though, I think if you look at the big name players in that position, you've got Jude, you've got Phil Foden, Cole Palmer, even Anthony Gordon from a wide SA. None of them have really had a great season this year. and probably the standout too is of late over the last few weeks, Nico O 'Reilly and Morgan Rodgers, who were probably at the start of the season would be probably the last two picks.

11:55Kae Kurd:But do you not think there are some players that when they get on a big stage, that's when they sort of like turn it up?

12:01Wayne Rooney:Yeah, I think Jude is the one for me from that point of view. I love Phil Foden as a player, but I think in big moments, Jude has big moments in games and he can be the difference. So he, for me, has to go and even if he doesn't start the tournament, I'm pretty sure he'll finish it. Do you reckon Eze is going to go, though? I'm not sure. I think what Eze does give you, he gives you, you know, he can play out wide as well. He can play off the left and he can play as a 10. Anthony Gordon can play off the left. He's been played as a 9. in recent weeks. O 'Reilly can play in a number of positions.

12:41Wayne Rooney:So yeah, I think players who can play in different positions are very important in the tournament. So maybe that will be on Eze's side.

12:50Kelly Somers:Going back to Arsenal, okay, Odegaard or Eze, for them, in the number 10 position?

12:55Kae Kurd:Like Wayne said, I'm not really concerned. But do you know what? I think...

12:59Kelly Somers:We can't just talk about Man United and England because they're the only things you're concerned about.

13:02Kae Kurd:No, no, I'm playing. I'm playing. I'm playing. I think there's so many times I've watched Odegaard and where you sometimes wanted a pass in a final third, that's a bit more risky. He hasn't provided that and it's often gone sideways or he's tried to dribble back and turn. And I think if you give Eze a run of games, we saw what he can do at Crystal Palace. I think if you give Eze a run of games, he's probably a brighter spark in that position than Odegaard is?

13:35Wayne Rooney:I think just around the penalty box, Eze is a better player and then a little bit deeper. Odegaard's a better player than Eze. I think Odegaard is a very clever player and he picks up some great positions. His movement is very good. You just want to see a little bit more from him in the final third. So if you can combine the two of them into one, then you have a great player. But yeah, I think the different players for that role

14:02Kae Kurd:and I think... Well, for me, the player they should have had, Wayne, was Wanieri, but they sent him on loan.

14:08Wayne Rooney:He's still a young lad, isn't he? And I think he'll learn from that experience. But yeah, no, I think for me, I play as a overall the lad.

14:17Kelly Somers:Also, I mentioned it before, didn't I, that he loves the North London derby and you said it, Wayne, like he made a difference in the first game. He's made a difference in this game. Five of his six Premier League goals this season have come against Spurs. Who was your favourite team to play against in your career? Did you have a a kind of team that every time you played them you thought yes I'm gonna I'm gonna play well here

14:35Wayne Rooney:scored a bit against Newcastle yeah Newcastle um and Arsenal I think um scored quite a few against Arsenal and they had a good record against them um Villa as well never lost to Villa Park um so I'd probably say Arsenal just because they're the bigger team out out of all of them and I think I've had some big moments big goals against Arsenal I think my first Premier League goal my 100th Premier League goal I had the goal which stopped them getting the 50 games unbeaten so yeah I'd probably say Arsenal

15:14Kelly Somers:Does it kind of change when you're going into a game against a team like that do you kind of know you get like you can kind of like sense it taste it almost

15:22Wayne Rooney:Yeah and the other way as well I remember under Chelsea, under Mourinho, used to hate playing them because they were big, they were physical, they were strong. And you just knew it was always going to be a tough game. And so my records weren't great against them or Liverpool. I think my records weren't great. Was it just the team or was it the atmosphere as well, surrounding it? No, not so much the atmosphere. Stamford Bridge was never intimidating atmosphere, really. No, it wasn't. But I think that team under Jose, that was way more intimidating than the atmosphere.

16:05Kelly Somers:A couple of the players that will get the headlines for different reasons. Firstly, let's start with Declan Rice, because of course he's been so pivotal, been one of Arsenal's players of the season, potentially one of the Premier League's players of the season. but it was his mistake, of course, that gifted Spurs their goal only 24 seconds after the restart from Arsenal scoring. What did you make of that? Because it was quite out of character, Wayne.

16:29Wayne Rooney:Yeah, it's a mistake. I think you make mistakes on the pitch and the amount of times I think we've probably seen him in there and wriggle out of a tight situation or pass through it. So he's made the mistake. I think it was probably you know when he's got the team after they scored and brought the team together and then he makes the mistake right after it probably highlights the mistake a little bit more obviously we remember Steven Gerrard as well years a few years back where it was a similar situation but yeah no I think I think with Declan watching him over the last four weeks you can see he's getting animated and he's he wants to win that much that sometimes it's not helping him, I feel over the last few weeks so I think just to take a deep breath sometimes and listen, I've been happy I was exactly the same but sometimes just taking a deep breath and composing yourself will probably help him in this running

17:37Kelly Somers:It's tough, isn't it? Because he is that kind of player that what makes him so good is that he plays with that passion and his heart on his sleeve. Kind of different, but in kind of the same way as you, Wayne, in terms of that passion was a big part of what you were as a fan.

17:49Wayne Rooney:Yeah, and I mean that with a compliment in terms of he wants to win that much. It's probably eaten up on him and, you know, you see after when you haven't got good results, there's frustration a little bit at the end of the game. So, yeah, I think just a deep breath.

18:10Kae Kurd:He does seem like the leader in the team, more so than people like Saka and Odegaard. He seems more like the leader.

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18:56Kelly Somers:Maybe what Wayne's saying, Mikel Arteta will know his players really well and maybe that's why Odegaard is captain, for example, or club captain. You don't know. I think sometimes you can have different types of captains

19:11Wayne Rooney:and some more vocal. David Beckham, for instance, was a fantastic captain but was never shouting or, you know, we're on the other end. You've got Roy Keane who's completely different. So I think it's knowing your players, knowing your teammates as a captain and knowing what that individual player needs to help them. I think that's what makes the best captains.

19:39Kelly Somers:Yeah, and Dex clearly a leader. You see it from the fact that he took those players away into the huddle just after or just before he made his mistake.

19:47Kae Kurd:The one thing I will say about a huddle, though, is it never bodes well. Do you know what I mean? Anybody you've seen do a huddle, it never looks good because if you don't win that game really, really well and have a blinder of a game. They do in the end. Yeah, I know.

19:59Wayne Rooney:We started to do with England, as we had some brought to me with England. And I always thought, what's the point? What is the point? Because you've said what you need to say in the dressing room. So you go into the huddle and you're basically not even saying anything, really. It's just reminders of what you've already just said two minutes ago.

20:21Kelly Somers:I always wonder if it's just to kind of almost intimidate the other team or to send more a message to the other team than actually.

20:27Wayne Rooney:I think it's more for the fans, isn't it? For your fans. And, you know, I've been in some huddles where you've all come in and someone's told a joke. It's because it's just basically a waste of time, really. And I think it's purely for the fans, for the fans to...

20:45Kelly Somers:But after a goal, after a goal, does that make more sense to you, Wayne? Like, as in, no?

20:50Wayne Rooney:No, you celebrate, but I don't get why you go into a huddle.

20:54Kae Kurd:It's something that's come from American sports. they'll do that in American sports because they have timeouts and they actually need to give instructions to each other and in football you don't I find it performative that I do find performative yeah

21:06Wayne Rooney:you can get messages across after you score you're walking back to the halfway line or into your own half and you can get messages across there you don't have to all come in and do a huddle and I think teams are doing it now where they're waiting at half time to all walk off the pitch together and just get off the pitch you can go in the Zastrowing it's just crazy

21:30Kelly Somers:I'm clearly like a gullible football fan that loves like oh they're all getting in the huddle I like all that but obviously that's why they do it for fans what do you like it if they put their hands

21:39Kae Kurd:in the middle and go go Gunas yeah one two

21:42Kelly Somers:no we used to do that

21:43Wayne Rooney:in the MLS

21:46Kelly Somers:really oh did you

21:47Wayne Rooney:yeah when I was at DC United I was captain so before the game it was like traditional over there you do the huddle and what was it you say? On three you say it whatever I can't remember what it was so I had to do it it was embarrassing.

22:10Kelly Somers:I'm surprised you didn't refuse.

22:12Wayne Rooney:My first game for Derby I was captain.

22:14Kelly Somers:You didn't do it then?

22:16Wayne Rooney:Everyone's come in and I've done it. I always remember Andre Wisdom was just looking at me

22:25Kelly Somers:thinking what are you doing what so on the take me on the pitch you were doing it like paint a

22:31Wayne Rooney:picture yeah but i must have just been used to doing it at dc yeah go rams go rams did you feel

22:38Kelly Somers:like a bit of an idiot when you realized where you were and you never did it again i'm presuming no did anyone ask you about it after like wayne what was that you're just laughing yeah i explained

22:47Wayne Rooney:what it was and then yeah you were laughing yeah we need to find some footage of that someone

22:52Kelly Somers:and I've got footage of it somewhere. Victor Jokeres, Wayne, because you've spoken quite highly of him and said that you do like him as a player. And obviously he's had difficult periods to start Arsenal, but it does look like now he's coming to his own with a lot of people saying today was his best performance.

23:08Wayne Rooney:I think the game's changed slightly in terms of you're getting a lot of the goal scores come from the sides. And when people were talking about Arsenal needing the number nine, I think they've needed the number nine to give them what he's given them. Not necessarily the goals, but what he has given them. There was a point in the game today when it was 2-1, and I think it was Deflin Rice actually cleared the ball down the line with his left foot, and he's just ran and challenged for it and wins a throw-in high up the pitch. It's little things like that which make a big difference to the team. That's why I've said all season, I like what he...

23:46Wayne Rooney:Can he score more goals? Yeah, I think he can. but I like what he's given to the team and maybe a bit more freedom and space for maybe the more creative players so yeah I think he's been a plus for Arsenal and I get why people maybe don't think he has but I like what he's given to the team

24:10Kelly Somers:What did you make of the two finishes today as well because they were top class finishes in a big game Yeah they was

24:17Wayne Rooney:I think both goals, second goal in particular, is strength and a great finish off that. First goal, touch and finish from the edge of the box. So, yeah, I think Sky Neville said to me it's his best game. I haven't watched every game of Arsenal this season, but I think it's as good as I've probably seen him yet.

24:44Kelly Somers:As for Arsenal overall, there's been a lot of noise this week, hasn't there? And that phrase, which I absolutely hate in general, are Arsenal bottling it. Has today done enough, do you think, Kate, to dampen that noise?

24:56Kae Kurd:There's still so many games left. I don't think anybody should be getting carried away. But all they can do is keep winning and not listen to anybody else when they're losing and stuff as well, because that's only going to derail you. But look, they've been playing wonderfully all season. They've had a few hiccups. That's bound to happen. All the great sides have had that before. But for them, I think this needs to be the year where they finally get over the line. They can't be second all the time. But I don't think Man City are as good as everybody else is making out. I mean, they had a decent win yesterday as well.

25:33Kae Kurd:But yeah, look, all they can do is keep doing what they're doing. And if they go like this, then yeah, they're bound to win the champion. They're bound to be champions, sorry.

25:41Kelly Somers:Yeah, Mikel Arteta said post-match, Wayne, that he knew, he saw it in the players' eyes that they were going to react after Wolves. He had no doubts that today he was going to get the performance. Obviously, it's easy to say that when he's won. But did you feel from what you saw today that they have kind of put that little blip behind them and they've got enough to go all the way?

26:00Wayne Rooney:Yeah, I think the Wolves game, they were poor. There's no denying that. They didn't deserve to win the game, I feel. And you get them games and, you know, the run-in to win the title, it could change so quickly. I remember, I think we were seven points clear with four games to go and lost the title. We drew with Everton at home 4-4, then we lost to Wigan, then we lost to City, and all of a sudden the season's over and you've lost the title. So it could change so quick. So I think both teams, City and Arsenal, will both drop points from now to the end of the season. It's who handles that better.

26:45Wayne Rooney:and the experience of Guardiola and a few players in there might help them but I think the quality of Arsenal and they do look like they've got a strong backbone in there and they've had a few results this season where they've been criticised but they've bounced back every time so it's going to be interesting running I think just whoever handles the next defeat or the next draw better will go on to win him

27:14Kelly Somers:It's also fascinating It kind of depends Who plays first In the weekend It's like So they've done their job Now over to you And vice versa And it was Man City of course Who played first This weekend Wayne We heard your analysis On match of the day But just give us An overview of what you made Of their performance Against Newcastle It was a good game

27:32Wayne Rooney:I really enjoyed The City-Newcastle game Obviously Nicole Riley I thought was excellent Playing More than number 10 In possession And His composure you and I mentioned it yesterday is patience in that position the hardest thing for me I think in football the hardest thing to do is to stand still I know that might sound a bit mad but the hardest thing to do is stand still and let everyone else move and then actually create space for you I'd be a really good footballer I'm good at standing still and that's what Nico O 'Reilly was doing really well yesterday and then Haaland And I thought he was like a man possessed, wasn't he, at times.

28:17Wayne Rooney:And he went into centre-back and he was there for about five minutes. But I think his game's adjusted slightly as well. He's picking up different positions. He played a lot more towards the right yesterday. And, yeah, maybe we're seeing more of a complete play of him.

28:34Kelly Somers:There's a lot said, isn't there, about players having to adapt to Pep's style when they come in and learning the way they have to play. But I guess it must be the same for the players that are already there. and it feels like with the players that City have brought, your likes of Semenyo, maybe Haaland's had to relearn a little bit. Do you think that's been the case?

28:49Wayne Rooney:Yeah, well, I think if you look straight away, Semenyo was coming into a number 10 position yesterday. You see where Bernardo Silva started with Pep to where he is now. We've seen John Stones at centre-back, we've seen him in midfield. O 'Reilly at left-back in midfield, in a number 10 position. So I think good football players can play in different positions and I think when Pep sees something in a player, I think that's where you give him a lot of credit because he's not afraid to change the position and put them in there. And Nick O 'Reilly's keeping Phil Foden out of the team and when we go back to talking about England, he's certainly got to be in the squad, I think.

29:32Kelly Somers:Yeah, it's exciting, isn't it, Kay, as an England fan to see a project, one of Pep's projects, as Wayne said there, he's English and it should potentially benefit us this summer.

29:44Kae Kurd:Yeah, I hope it continues. That's the one thing. Like I'm always a bit weary of piling the pressure on like a young player after they have a couple of good performances. But that was a fantastic performance. And if it continues, then yeah, why not? You've got someone for the future. But I just feel like with Pep, sometimes he'll get someone that has a great performance, plays a decent way, and then they're out of the team for six weeks. And you know what I mean? Is this going back to our Phil Foden shirt? No, but you just can't get too excited about it too quickly. If he carries on the form he's shown, hopefully.

30:16Kae Kurd:That's what happens when you've got that many players,

30:17Wayne Rooney:that many good players. You've got the luxury of picking and choosing for certain games.

30:24Kelly Somers:What's his best position, Wayne? Where do you think he'll end up?

30:29Wayne Rooney:I really enjoyed him in that 10 position, midfield number 10 position yesterday. and I think for the size of him as well like you look at his header goal you know it was a really well-timed running towards the back post and a great header physically I think he you know I think he's I don't think he's a left back like a natural left back you know you've seen his run for his first goal his timing and his header for the second goal so yeah I really liked him in that position yesterday I'd need to see more of him in there, of course, but I'd like him there, I think.

31:07Kelly Somers:Could we be talking about him as a starter, though, Wayne, for England?

31:10Wayne Rooney:I think with Tushin, you don't know, do you? You don't know what he's going to do, and probably not, I'd say, but Morgan Rodgers is a perfect example of that, and he's started the last few games. He's been really good, and I'm probably expecting him to start the first game of the tournament, so I think all you've got to do is try and make sure you're in the next squad and you've got your opportunity taken.

31:36Kelly Somers:Okay, so there's plenty at stake, obviously for both of these teams and players that could feature for England in the summer. But the title race, it looks like, I don't want to jinx it and everything go wrong now, but it looks like this could be a title race for the ages and it could potentially go down to the final day, couldn't it, Wayne?

31:54Wayne Rooney:Yeah, it could. I don't think it will, but...

31:58Kelly Somers:Well, of course, there's also that big game, isn't there, at the Etihad, I think it's April the 18th. And you pointed out on our show the other week, didn't you, about the fact that they could meet in the Champions League as well. They've got the EFL Cup final too. There's so many twists and turns ahead.

32:11Wayne Rooney:Yeah, I genuinely think one team's going to fall off it. But I don't know which team. Oh, that was going to be my next question. Yeah, it could be, I think one will pull away.

32:25Kelly Somers:Really?

32:26Wayne Rooney:Yeah, I do. I think whoever just gets that momentum coming towards the end of the season I think someone will win it by 6-7 points

32:36Kelly Somers:How much do you think the EFL Cup final could play into it as well because psychologically could that affect the team that loses?

32:45Wayne Rooney:It helps obviously if you win it's always nice to win trophies and I know sometimes that trophy gets a little bit disrespected I'd love to win that trophy it was the first trophy I won as a professional footballer and I thought it was a different name I thought it was the Carlin Cup then or something like that whoever wins it gives them that momentum and and you get one over probably more importantly in terms of title race on on your closest rival

33:12Kelly Somers:it's just so good for the neutral though isn't it Kay like

33:15Kae Kurd:psychologically psychologically it's great I think I think when you you had managers like Mourinho when he first come in and they he loved to win that trophy because it just it It gets the players used to winning. And I think that trophy is a lot more important for the Arsenal players than it is for the Man City players. I think a lot of the Man City players are used to winning, whereas I think a lot of these Arsenal players haven't won anything. So if they win that trophy, it's going to bode well for them for the rest of the season. Whereas if they don't, I think it could be more of the same.

33:48Kelly Somers:Well, Ange Postokoglu said something this week, and we know his record when it comes to winning trophies. and he said sometimes we forget that winning trophies is actually what it's all about and it is isn't it Wayne there's no better feeling as a footballer

34:00Wayne Rooney:yeah no they're the moment that's what you play for I know you get Champions League finishing top 10 though something like that

34:15Wayne Rooney:but yeah no when you win a trophy and that feeling when you're celebrating with your teammates that's what you're playing the game for to try and win trophies and obviously I've been very fortunate to win a few you know there's players

34:30Kae Kurd:a whole basement's worth of trophies

34:33Wayne Rooney:there's players who have the whole thousands of players who've had the whole careers who've never won a trophy and when you look back no one's going to be bothered if you say oh but we finished fourth in the season so winning trophies is what you're in the game to try and do and take a trophy over finishing third or fourth in the league.

34:56Kelly Somers:You don't really remember those, do you? I imagine you remember the trophies.

34:59Wayne Rooney:No.

34:59Kelly Somers:Right? Just quickly as well, Wayne, did you hear that Pep was asked about your comments?

35:05Wayne Rooney:No.

35:06Kelly Somers:Yeah, you've said, so you obviously said that you hope he stays in the Premier League and he said it's a huge honour when compliments come from players who've been involved in the game. And Wayne, what a player at United at Everton. I think football in this country, there are thousands of huge personalities who make the sport better and Wayne has been one of them.

35:20Wayne Rooney:It's nice.

35:23Kelly Somers:What is, isn't it? Coming from a City legend. Yeah, no, I think Pep is someone who,

35:33Wayne Rooney:I think when he does eventually leave and go back to Spain or whatever, or he might stay in Manchester, I don't know. I think you'll look back and think he's changed the way football has played in this country I think it's the biggest compliment you can give him when he was coming into the league he was getting questioned that you can't play this way in England and now all of a sudden you're seeing non-league teams trying to play the same way and the trophies he's won and yeah of course I wouldn't have liked him to win with Man City but I think you've got to respect him for what he's done not just in England but obviously in Spain and in Germany as well and he's certainly one of the best in the history of the game for sure

36:22Kelly Somers:Kate does it make you feel uncomfortable when you hear a United legend complimenting a City one

36:28Kae Kurd:nah look I mean sometimes you've got to look at it from the bigger picture he's done a lot in a game and Wayne's a legend so you can't really argue with a lot of his opinions can you

36:38Kelly Somers:also just quickly before we go I just wanted to ask how much of the day was on Saturday Wayne because you've become a bit of a social media star haven't you

36:47Wayne Rooney:well do you know what it was just with the company with Mika and Chappas it was getting a bit boring you were just there to spice things up

36:58Kelly Somers:yeah get them laughing long old day

37:01Wayne Rooney:bring a little bit of energy in there no it was funny actually because for some reason I just couldn't pronounce his name

37:08Kelly Somers:go on have you learnt it now

37:10Wayne Rooney:I'm not even trying Stoke I called him Stoke I think

37:13Kelly Somers:yes you did and I was asked

37:17Wayne Rooney:I asked about 20 times before we went on air how do you pronounce his name and then Mika said he said if you've got you've got to struggle with with it just say the centre back I said no no I'm fine I've got it as soon as I started it his name just went on my head and then I completely lost my analysis on everything I was doing because I was thinking

37:41Kelly Somers:could you see them laughing at you as well? Because it looked like you'd gone towards the screen.

37:46Wayne Rooney:I could feel him laughing and then I think Chap has worked as well on his neckling. But yeah, no, it happens. But I was starting to think of his name and then the actual piece of analysis I was doing, I've completely gone away from it. I was just like, no, yeah. I was thinking, oh my God. No, it happens and it won't be the last time.

38:14Kelly Somers:Yeah, the beauty of live TV, I guess.

38:16Wayne Rooney:Yeah.

38:17Kelly Somers:But Kay, you actually picked up on someone that was complimentary of Wayne, didn't you?

38:22Kae Kurd:Oh, yeah. I saw Henry Winter being very complimentary to Wayne, which is, I mean, as a respected journalist, it's always a bit nice to see that. Yeah, he was full of high praise for Wayne. And I agreed with the high praise because he mentioned the podcast. So I was like, yeah, he's bang on with that.

38:43Kelly Somers:Wayne, how have you found the transition to match of the day? Are you getting used to it? Because as someone that's presented it as well, I obviously present a variety of different things and I have so much respect. I don't think people realise how hard it is, the analysis on match of the day, because you've watched every game. It's a long day, which you've said before on here. And then you have such a short amount of time to nail that bit of analysis. It's quite a skill, isn't it?

39:06Wayne Rooney:It's definitely the toughest one I've done. obviously in the past I've done Sky I've done TNT Premier League Productions Amazon Match of the day is the toughest by far and but it's it's something which I want to I want to do I want to get better at I know I'm not you know at the level I want to be at the minute with it but I want to learn I want to improve and get better so you're going to have to stick with me

39:38Kelly Somers:but also it's nice isn't it? When you see someone like Henry Winter, Henry Winter wouldn't go out of his way and say it if he didn't think it.

39:44Wayne Rooney:Yeah, well do you know, even yesterday we watched the Man City game. So from the time that finished it was what, 10 o 'clock. You've got to go and get a shower, get changed. So So literally as it's going on, you're still doing all the prep. As much as they started, as they're showing the highlights of the game, you're doing your prep still. So it's, and then you come on in, you've got like 90 seconds to break something down. So it's a lot tougher than what people would think. So I think fair play to the lads who've been there for years and stuck with it because it's tough, but it's very enjoyable as well.

40:37Kelly Somers:Yeah, it's rewarding, I think, when you get it right. You can see, I've seen it when the pundits nail the analysis. There's like a real sense of it because it's really hard. It's only like 20 or 30 seconds. I'm sometimes like, how have you just got that through? So yeah, I've got the easy job.

40:51Kae Kurd:I don't think some people appreciate what Wayne's saying there, like the short turnaround time you've got to make something that's sometimes quite complicated make it sound simple for people like us watching going oh right

41:04Wayne Rooney:yeah i see what he was doing yeah but what i will say is there's a lot of you know the staff in the background who are doing incredible job the analysis lads and producers and stuff who who do an incredible job to try and make it as easy as possible for us as well so um it is a big team effort to try and get the show right over the weekend all right that's enough back slapping

41:27Kelly Somers:now. We've been too nice now but yeah.

41:30Wayne Rooney:I'm going in for a new contract anyway.

41:35Kelly Somers:Well hopefully we've just helped you out there Wayne. But yeah it was certainly interesting watching Match of the Day last night. Okay well have a good week guys. A reminder you can listen to the Wayne Rooney show on BBC Sounds or you can watch it on the BBC Sport iPlayer or YouTube and we'll be back on Friday.

41:55Kelly Somers:I'm Rich Hall and this is Sports Strangest Crimes presents Confessions of a Super Bowl Streaker.

42:02Kae Kurd:When people ask me what I do, I say to them, well, by day or by night. The story of one man's mission to conquer the holy grail of streaking the Super Bowl. Mark Roberts is too lively for his body.

42:14Wayne Rooney:He's just like the entertainer.

42:16Kae Kurd:Mark pushes the boundaries of what is socially acceptable. No chance. Texas. It's really strict, but then the moral thoughts about it. The moral thoughts, hang on. What are you, a bonus? Sports Strangers Crimes presents Confessions of a Super Bowl Streaker. Listen on BBC Sounds.

42:38Kelly Somers:If you could put all the wonders of the world into one place,

42:42Wayne Rooney:you'd end up with something very much like Key Largo. Key Largo is the gateway to the Keys and the launching point for the untamed Florida Everglades. In fact, from snorkeling our living coral reef, to fly fishing the Everglades backcountry, Key Largo offers the best of both worlds. For more about Key Largo, visit flakeys.com slash keylargo.

From the publisher

Wayne Rooney has questioned whether Tottenham can still be regarded as part of the Premier League’s traditional “big six” following their defeat in the North London derby.

Wayne, Kelly Somers & Kae Kurd reflect on Spurs’ current position with Wayne suggesting their league standing reflects the level of their current squad. Does he believe Tottenham have just about enough to avoid relegation?

In terms of Arsenal, they debate who should be starting in the number 10 role - Eberechi Eze or Martin Ødegaard? And is Declan Rice thinking about winning too much?

Looking ahead to England, Wayne mentions how several established internationals have experienced mixed club campaigns this season, while emerging players, like Morgan Rogers and Nico O'Reilly, have strengthened their cases in recent weeks.

He also lifts the lid on his work as a Match of the Day pundit, describing the programme as the most demanding broadcast role he's undertaken and how he wants to continue to improve.

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