Our football experts wrangle over EPL hopefuls Man City, United, Chelsea, and transfer talk ahead of kick-off
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NewsTranscript
00:00Hello and welcome back to Golf News Kicking Back.
00:03We've had Euro 2020, we've had the Copa America
00:07and we've had football action from the Tokyo Olympics
00:10to help us get through these last two or three months.
00:14But the return of the English Premier League is just days away
00:18and life will have meaning once again.
00:25I'm Imran and I'm delighted to be joined once again
00:28by my football mad mates, that's Matt, Shamsir and Sahil
00:31and as you can see, we're all dressed up in our favourite football shirts.
00:35We're all looking very cool I would say.
00:37I like that Man City shirt there Matt, it's pretty cool.
00:40It's one of my favourite ones.
00:42We've all got a bit of a retro thing going on with these shirts as well.
00:46Yeah, it's good, it's good.
00:50Anyway, welcome back guys.
00:52In today's show we're going to preview
00:55who we think is going to win the Premier League
00:58come the end of the season,
01:00who we think is going to finish in the European slots,
01:03that's the Champions League and the other two spots below.
01:06We're going to talk about who's going to win the two
01:09domestic cup competitions, that's the FA Cup and the League Cup
01:12and of course who's going to finish in the bottom three,
01:15the relegation positions.
01:17But before we do that, as usual, like we've been doing for all the Euros,
01:21we're going to bring you a bit of transfer news
01:25and I think you know exactly where I'm going to start
01:28because there's only one person to talk about at the moment
01:31and that's Lionel Messi.
01:33Apparently he's scheduled to have medical today
01:36before completing a free transfer to...
01:40Paris Saint-Germain.
01:42Sorry Matt.
01:44And then apparently...
01:46It's fine with me, I'm just worried about their front line, Matt.
01:49Look at this, apparently he's going to be unveiled as a PSG player
01:52at a special ceremony at the Eiffel Tower.
01:55That's what they're saying is going to happen in the coming days.
01:58So look, we can only start with Matt because Matt's a big Man City fan,
02:01he's got the shirt on.
02:03And as we know, last year Man City came quite close to signing Messi
02:07but then it didn't happen.
02:09So come on, mate, tell us your thoughts.
02:11Are you pleased that you're not signing him?
02:13Are you disappointed?
02:15I am pleased.
02:17He's one of these players that I've always admired
02:19and I hope he does well, just not at our expense
02:22in terms of the European tournaments.
02:25PSG are...
02:28Well, they are what they are.
02:30They've got a bit of money to throw around
02:32and they've now got Neymar and Mbappe and Messi.
02:36The last time that they booked the Eiffel Tower
02:39was when they were unveiling Neymar
02:41so this definitely looks like it's all happening today
02:43in terms of getting it all done and dusted.
02:46Clearly agreed wages, Neymar will be delighted.
02:49His old buddy's there again.
02:52What it will mean for Mbappe, I'm not quite sure.
02:55And also what it will mean for Aguero
02:58because Aguero's gone to Barcelona to link up with Messi
03:01and now he's not there.
03:03So there's all these different moving pieces still going on there
03:06because Mbappe's been linked with Liverpool
03:09and Neymar's been unsettled at that club for a long time.
03:14In terms of PSG, they'll be happy.
03:17They'll be very happy.
03:19But I don't think City will miss him.
03:22I don't think he'd be the right fit for City
03:25because they've got such a unity there.
03:27He could be quite an unsettling factor
03:29and put us back a few seasons.
03:31So I think that...
03:33But with the Prima Donnas at DSG, he'll fit right in.
03:38You're going to be kidding.
03:40Lionel Messi doesn't fit in Manchester City?
03:43Oh my goodness.
03:45He can fit in any team in the world.
03:47He can improve any team.
03:49There's no doubting his talent.
03:51It's the other factors that come with it.
03:54The money.
03:56The demands to be playing every game
04:01and be number one at the club.
04:03The wage structure would have to change.
04:06And also FFP.
04:08Where is City going to justify the money and the expense
04:11when we've already just spent £100 million on Grealish?
04:14So I think he would be more unsettling than...
04:18But of course he brings the great amount of talent
04:22that he brings everywhere he goes.
04:24But I think he's better off in Paris than he is in Manchester.
04:28Another big talking point is
04:30he's always been compared with Cristiano Ronaldo
04:33as the best player in the world.
04:35Ronaldo's gone everywhere across Europe,
04:37played for all the different teams, all the big clubs,
04:40and he's proved himself everywhere he's been.
04:42Messi, as we know, has stayed at Barcelona for his whole career,
04:45for 21 years.
04:46He hasn't moved anywhere.
04:48So now he's finally going to have to move
04:50and he's doing it at the age of 34, 35.
04:53He's not a young player anymore.
04:55So to go to a different league...
04:57La Liga is pretty different to the Spanish league.
05:00He's going to find it a little bit tricky, of course.
05:03He's one of the most skilful players in the world.
05:05When you're that good, you can adapt your game to any league.
05:08But I think just with that age,
05:10I think he's probably a little bit better suited
05:13to playing in France
05:15than he would have been in the Premier League.
05:17I get a feeling that he'd probably get bruised and bad
05:20in the Premier League a bit.
05:22But it's a shame that we're not seeing him in the Premier League.
05:25Of course, it would be great if he could have come along.
05:29We need a big player there.
05:31Ever since Ronaldo has gone,
05:33we've kind of missed a really big-name sort of talent.
05:36Saheel, do you think Solskjaer is putting in a cheeky bid there
05:40for Messi before he signs to PSG?
05:43I wish that was true, but I don't think so.
05:47Because now the signing of Jadon Sancho
05:49means that the right wing has been filled now
05:53with both Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho.
05:56And I know how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer operates.
05:59He believes in the youth, Ole.
06:00I don't think he would want Messi.
06:02But obviously, every fan would want Messi in Manchester United.
06:06So I don't think United would ever go for Messi now.
06:09It's all over.
06:10Maybe a Cristiano Ronaldo in maybe two years.
06:12You can say that.
06:13But this season, Messi is very unlikely.
06:16And it's almost done to PSG.
06:17So I'm very happy for Messi, to be honest.
06:20Yeah, it's an exciting move.
06:21Saheel, I'll just stay with you
06:22because the next bit of transfer news involves Kieran Trippier.
06:27Apparently, Arsenal are going to be making a move
06:30for the Atletico Madrid defender
06:33because Man United haven't been able to agree terms
06:37or a transfer fee for him.
06:39So are you upset?
06:41Are you disappointed that you might not be signing Trippier?
06:43Do you even need him?
06:45First of all, yeah.
06:46I mean, Kieran Trippier is a wonderful player.
06:48I really like the creativity.
06:50He's got a good cross in him.
06:51But he's a 30-year-old guy.
06:53I remember the news about the 40 million valuation.
06:56I think it's a lot for a 30-year-old right back.
06:59I don't know.
07:00But he is a great player.
07:01I think he's better than Deleux, for sure.
07:04He's better than Diogo Deleux.
07:06So it'll be a good competition
07:07between Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Trippier.
07:10But even though if United don't get a loss, it's fine.
07:13They have Deleux.
07:14They can trust him, give him time.
07:16He's 22.
07:17He didn't have the best of seasons at Man United in 2019.
07:21He had an all-right season at AC Milan.
07:23So even though if Man United don't sign Trippier,
07:26there's no harm done, for sure.
07:28What's happening with Paul Pogba?
07:30Is he staying? Is he going?
07:31Do you want to keep him?
07:33I would like to keep him.
07:35But you know what they say.
07:36If a player does not want to stay,
07:39you should let him leave.
07:40You need a guy who has to give 100% to the club.
07:44But there's no doubt.
07:45This guy is a fantastic player.
07:47That link-up between Bruno Fernandes
07:49and Paul Pogba is outstanding.
07:51If he stays, that would make a huge, huge difference
07:54to Manchester United.
07:56But if a guy does not want to stay,
07:58you should let him go.
07:59Just let him go.
08:00He's not going to give his 100%.
08:03Yeah.
08:04Actually, Sahil, I shouldn't be talking to you
08:06because I'm upset.
08:07It was pre-season friendly on Saturday.
08:10Don't worry, dude.
08:12Don't worry, mate.
08:13It's pre-season.
08:14It's all about game awareness.
08:15Everton will be perfectly fine.
08:18Wait till we talk about the relegation battle,
08:20then you can get upset.
08:23We'll see.
08:24We'll see.
08:25Right, Shamsir, I've got one for you.
08:26Lukaku, as we know, has been linked heavily.
08:29He's on the verge, apparently, with rejoining Chelsea
08:32for something like £97 million, £100 million
08:36from Inter Milan.
08:37We know he's a tremendous striker.
08:39He's brilliant.
08:40And in the last two seasons at Serie A,
08:43especially under Conte as the manager at Inter,
08:45he's really improved.
08:46He's become a really all-round good player.
08:48Is he the last piece in the jigsaw
08:51for Chelsea to mount a proper title challenge,
08:55if you sign him?
08:56I totally agree with that
08:58because ever since the departure of Diego Costa,
09:03we never had a striker who could bully the defenders
09:07and score some goals.
09:08We have seen the likes of Morata coming and failing,
09:11Gizmo Werner's conversion rate is abysmal.
09:14But this guy, he is an absolute monster.
09:18We have seen in the Belgium score,
09:20how he has become a world-class striker.
09:23Some people are still thinking of him
09:25seen in a Man Utd shirt.
09:27Yes, he had an average spell at Man Utd,
09:30but he was banning in goals for Everton,
09:33Baggies, and even for Man Utd,
09:35he was banning in goals.
09:36But then that move to Serie A
09:39and to play under Antonio Conte
09:42had made an absolute immense.
09:45He has improved a lot under him.
09:47He has improved his hold-up play.
09:50He has improved his link-up play.
09:52He can run down the channels intelligently.
09:54All the intelligent runs he makes
09:56while in the counter-attacks,
09:58absolutely incredible, man.
09:59And the kind of system that we play under Tuchel
10:02is very similar to the one that he has been playing
10:05under Conte at Inter.
10:06And that could suit us very well.
10:10When you look at the stats,
10:12apparently after Tuchel took over,
10:15we have been creating a lot of chances.
10:17We have created a lot of goal-scoring chances
10:21from open play.
10:22We haven't been converting them.
10:24And you can see our Premier League top scorer
10:26has been Jorginho with seven goals,
10:28all coming from the penalty spots.
10:30See, if we can get a goal-scorer
10:32who can score 20 goals in the Premier League,
10:35that itself is enough to mount a title challenge
10:38with the kind of score that we have at the moment
10:40and the kind of vibe they are playing in.
10:43They have already won the Champions League
10:45and the monkeys off the back of the kids.
10:47They can play a three-floor in football next season.
10:50And we already know that our defence is so strong
10:52under Tuchel.
10:53And there are talks about adding Koundé to Chelsea
10:57in the defence.
10:58Even that could add a lot of quality.
11:01Lukaku alone could bring a lot of difference
11:05to that score,
11:06especially when you look at the attacking side.
11:08We have lots of youngsters,
11:09like Kai Havertz, Timo Werner, Mason Mahut,
11:12all of our young kids.
11:13And this Lukaku, as a beast,
11:15who comes in with all his experience,
11:17he's not a kid anymore.
11:18He left Chelsea when he was a kid.
11:20Now he's coming back as a man.
11:21And he can lead that front line for us
11:23and he can score a lot of goals.
11:25I can guarantee he could be up and running
11:28for the Golden Boot for next season.
11:30Yeah, I think I agree with that.
11:32OK, look, the transfer window is open
11:33until the end of this month.
11:35And there's bound to be some pretty big moves
11:38and some shock sales in the coming weeks.
11:40So we'll be keeping an eye on all of that.
11:42Meanwhile, the new season kicks off this Friday.
11:45Can't wait.
11:46With my local club, Brentford,
11:48taking on Arsenal.
11:50So that's Friday.
11:51Then on Saturday and Sunday,
11:53we'll have a full set of fixtures.
11:54Guys, how do we see the opening game going
11:57between Brentford and Arsenal?
11:59Because, I mean, last season,
12:00there was a lot of pressure on Mikel Ateta.
12:02They gave him the time.
12:03I mean, normally when teams struggle like Arsenal did,
12:05they were in the bottom half of the table.
12:07They were flirting with relegation
12:08for some of the season.
12:10But they stuck with him.
12:11New manager, you know,
12:12in the position for the first time
12:13coming from Man City,
12:15under Pep Guardiola over there.
12:17So they've stuck with him.
12:18But I think this season,
12:19they're going to really want to see some progress.
12:21He's got to get Arsenal up the table.
12:23Otherwise he could be,
12:24I think he could be the first managerial casualty
12:26of the season.
12:27What do you guys think?
12:29Oh, it's a big one.
12:30They've taken a few gambles in the transfer window.
12:32They've taken a few gambles in the transfer market.
12:34They've got a few faces in there.
12:35And they've certainly spent a lot of money.
12:37So this team,
12:38there's no excuses for Ateta anymore.
12:40This is now his team.
12:41He's got the people in that he wanted to get in,
12:44according to budget restrictions or whatever else.
12:48But it's now the players that he's brought in.
12:54He's going to have to,
12:55I don't think they can be as bad as last year.
12:58I don't know.
12:59But again,
13:00so many other teams have strengthened.
13:04If things don't go the way at the start of the season,
13:08they could see another slide and then they may find themselves in trouble.
13:13And the board won't have the same patience as they did last year,
13:16last season.
13:17And you may be right in terms of the casualties of Ateta.
13:22But hopefully,
13:25because I do like him with these Man City links as well.
13:28But I think that he's a manager who's got a lot of good potential.
13:32And I think it would be a shame to see him go the way of John Terry or something,
13:37or Frank Lampard,
13:40and maybe get a damaging start to your career as a full-time manager.
13:44Even Wayne Rooney,
13:47he struggled as well.
13:48So yeah,
13:52hopefully they'll be okay.
13:55And the fact that they're playing the new boys Brentford,
13:58the 95th team ever to play in the Premier League now,
14:01something like that.
14:02Who's 50th?
14:0350th,
14:04that's what it is.
14:05That's what it is.
14:06And yeah,
14:09I would struggle to name you starting 11 for Brentford.
14:12So I think Arsenal will be pretty too strong for them today,
14:15on Friday.
14:16They've got a good striker,
14:17mate.
14:18He's called Ivan Tobi.
14:20He's a hell of a player.
14:23But I mean,
14:24this is just from the,
14:25you know,
14:26from the championship in the first division coming up to the Premier League
14:28against,
14:29you know,
14:30proper,
14:31proper strong teams.
14:32How's he going to come?
14:33We're going to,
14:34we're going to see.
14:35So here,
14:36what do you think?
14:37Do you think Arsenal and Arteta,
14:38are they going to be together for a long time?
14:40Or do you think he could be the first one out this season?
14:42Yes and no.
14:43You know,
14:44I like the guy,
14:45you know,
14:46he's not a bad manager,
14:47but you know,
14:48Imran,
14:49you actually said it right.
14:50You know,
14:51he's not going to buy the club,
14:52unfortunately.
14:53But I hope he does.
14:54And you know,
14:55he's got a good,
14:56not a great team,
14:57but a decent squad.
14:58You know,
14:59he signed a good player like Ben White for heavy,
15:01heavy,
15:02heavy money.
15:03But see,
15:04they're all making fun of this,
15:05like how much they paid for Ben White,
15:07but they should see the player they got.
15:08They've got a good player.
15:09Let's be honest.
15:10Yes,
15:11he's come from Brighton and they'll say he's just won a championship for
15:13Leeds,
15:14but no,
15:15he's a good player.
15:16And I think he's going to be Arsenal's main centre back,
15:18or maybe they can put him in the CDM position.
15:20You never know.
15:21But I hope Arteta doesn't get sacked.
15:24But in the end,
15:25to be honest,
15:26I'm not an Arsenal fan,
15:27so it won't matter to me,
15:28but he is a good manager for sure.
15:30It's just that the last season,
15:32his squad was,
15:33squad depth was terrible,
15:34like really poor.
15:35Like I have to say that.
15:37I think the markup generally on English players is just astronomical.
15:42Ben White's cost,
15:43I think 52 million.
15:44He's a good player.
15:45Absolutely.
15:46Brings the ball out from defence,
15:47composed on the ball.
15:48He's got age on his side,
15:49obviously.
15:50I mean,
15:51is he going to be,
15:52well,
15:53he's going to be a huge player for Arsenal if they're going to,
15:54if they're going to try and get into that top six position.
15:56But look,
15:57the big game of the weekend is Tottenham against Man City.
15:59That should be a great one.
16:00And the big question is,
16:01and again,
16:02we'll start with Matt,
16:03is Harry Kane going to be wearing the white of Tottenham or the blue of Man City?
16:10The closer we get to the end of the window,
16:13the more you might think that maybe this is,
16:17that this might just go on hold again.
16:19And Tottenham,
16:20for all the noises that Kane's making,
16:23Tottenham will still be happy to keep him.
16:25He's not burnt the bridges so far that,
16:29you know,
16:30he won't be back there.
16:31He's already made amends for missing the training and said it was completely normal
16:40and it wasn't anything out of the blue or a standoff.
16:44Whether that's true or not,
16:46it's a different matter,
16:47but he's making the right noises in terms of saying,
16:50I might be staying after all.
16:52He would have been very worried at the news of Messi,
16:55but now that that one's out the way,
16:57maybe you might see something happening with Kane very shortly,
17:01but not in time for the Spurs game.
17:04I think that he'll be not wearing white or blue in that game.
17:10I think he might be conveniently absent from the squad.
17:14Do you know what's going to happen there?
17:15You can just see this, right?
17:16If he isn't moving to City before the weekend,
17:19and if he does a start for Tottenham,
17:21he's going to score the winner, isn't he?
17:23Yeah.
17:24Yeah, he will.
17:25It's just written.
17:27Absolutely.
17:28What do you think?
17:29Is Kane moving?
17:30Is he staying?
17:31What's going to happen there, Kane?
17:32It all depends on Daniel Levy, you know,
17:35how, you know,
17:37very difficult to do business with him.
17:39But Kane definitely wants out
17:42because he's saying there has been a gentleman's agreement.
17:44I don't understand that, first of all.
17:46You know, you've signed a contract until 2024
17:50with a gentleman's agreement to leave.
17:52I don't know that.
17:53But anyway, you know,
17:54Kane not coming for the training has been a bad thing for him.
17:57But he has made clarification.
17:59He has put a post on Twitter and everything.
18:01But it doesn't look good with him, with the fans.
18:04He's a legend of the club.
18:05Shouldn't be doing that.
18:06He can do the same thing that Jack Grealish has done.
18:09Come for the training, do the bits.
18:11You know, training is nothing.
18:13You know, you're having chit-chat with your friends.
18:15You know, it's basically nothing.
18:17You can come for it.
18:18Why do we need to be on the headlines for all these things?
18:21For all the wrong reasons.
18:23Yes, Man City, we have seen from Pep Guardiola
18:26that they want to get that striker.
18:29You know, getting Kane.
18:31Now, already signed Grealish.
18:33Grealish has been one of the most creative players
18:36in the Premier League, apart from Dembroina.
18:39So, Dembroina and Grealish are playing in the same team.
18:42And with Harry Kane up top,
18:44I don't think there is a league title race.
18:47You know, it will be all over before it even started.
18:49So, I wish Harry Kane stays at Spurs for the sake of the league.
18:54Otherwise, it's going to be crazy, man.
18:56Absolutely crazy.
18:58You can just see Harry Kane scoring a ton of goals
19:01if he does move to Man City.
19:03I mean, no disrespect to Tottenham.
19:05They're rubbish.
19:07I don't care.
19:08But if he does move to Man City with that supply chain,
19:12he could be getting, you know, up to...
19:14Well, he could be getting 30 goals this season if he does move.
19:17100%.
19:19Yeah.
19:21So, he's not looking as convinced as the rest of us.
19:24It's automatic.
19:26Jack Grealish is a David Silva replacement.
19:29Like, you know, there was in one team David Silva and Dembroina.
19:32And those guys were inspirable.
19:34Now, Jack Grealish will do the same with Dembroina.
19:37And Dembroina was looking more than Guardiola.
19:39I think Dembroina was looking forward to having Grealish in the squad.
19:43I think everyone has seen that.
19:45And yes, you're right.
19:47Maybe Kane could get 30 goals with this team.
19:49The thing is that, you know, like, at Spurs, he had to play every game.
19:55For Man City, he doesn't need to.
19:56You know, like, that's the thing.
19:57You know, he can be fresh all the time.
19:59You know, he just doesn't need to play all the games.
20:01He can stay fit.
20:03And still banging in goals like left, right and centre, man.
20:07It's going to be a crazy signing if they pull it off.
20:10I only worry about his injury.
20:13He's prone to injuries.
20:15That's the only concern.
20:16But, you know, even Aguero was injured.
20:18But still, he was banging in goals for City.
20:20The kind of richness in their attacking talents, man.
20:24I don't even have words to say.
20:26You know, they have like two or three squads.
20:28Crazy, man.
20:29Absolutely crazy.
20:30They've got a big squad.
20:31They'll be challenging on all the fronts.
20:33I think for sure they're going to be wanting to target the Champions League this time.
20:38Let's have a quick word about my boys.
20:40We're starting against Southampton at Goodison Park.
20:44And we've also got a new manager in charge, Rafa Benitez,
20:46who I think is going to have to make a really solid start if he's to keep his job.
20:50I think, just like Mikel Arteta, the pressure is going to be on Benitez,
20:54you know, to get off and running in a positive way.
20:58Because he's been a controversial appointment.
21:00Obviously, we know why.
21:01The Liverpool links and the stuff he's said about Everton in the past.
21:04But in pre-season, I've got to give him credit.
21:06He's been saying all the right things.
21:07And I've been watching all the training.
21:09And we're looking pretty sharp.
21:11Apart from getting smashed four-nil by Man Utd on Saturday.
21:15But before then, we'd played 4-1-4.
21:17We'd even won a little cup.
21:18So, he's already our most successful manager in the past 10 or 20 years.
21:23In a pre-season trophy.
21:25Get a statue built.
21:27Maybe.
21:30But listen, guys.
21:31The fans are going to be back as well.
21:33It's a big point to mention.
21:35They're going to be back at Goodson, which is one of the most unrelenting places.
21:40If it's not going well, you know, the fans will know.
21:43So, he has to get off to a good start.
21:45Otherwise, you know, he could be the early manager.
21:50How do you think he's going to go on at Everton?
21:54I think he'll be all right.
21:55I think that, as you said, there's a good solid team there.
21:58You might not be a, you know, real game or anything like that.
22:05But definitely solid enough.
22:08Safely top 10.
22:09Don't know quite how high up they'll get.
22:12But there's going to be a lot more teams that are in a lot worse positions come even October, November.
22:22There'll be probably like three mini-leagues with daylight between them in the table this year, I think.
22:29And City at the top, obviously.
22:34I still can't digest the fact that Rafa Benitez is going to play for Everton.
22:39Seriously, I can't digest the fact.
22:41But you know, like Imran mentioned, the most important thing is the fans are back.
22:46And that could be the problem for Rafa Benitez.
22:48Because the kind of football that he plays is negative.
22:51We have been seeing that.
22:52And off late, he hasn't been successful enough.
22:54But he had a good spell at Newcastle.
22:56But there was no pressure at all.
22:58But here, right from the first whistle, the pressure will be on his head.
23:02And the fans will be on his head.
23:04Every mistake will be booed, even by their own fans.
23:08So that's going to be a problem for Rafa Benitez.
23:11And I don't think they have enough to push for a top four.
23:17Maybe a top six could be their aim.
23:20But even that could be fine.
23:22Because their most creative player is Hammers Rodriguez.
23:27And there is a problem between Rafa Benitez and Hammers Rodriguez.
23:31And I don't think he will be playing Rafa.
23:34And yes, they have made some good signings.
23:38Like Gray, Townsend.
23:41These are like smart signings.
23:44But do they have enough to push for a top six?
23:47I don't know. I'm not really sure.
23:49You know, Chinde, Amari Gray, the assumption.
23:52A few years ago, while he was at Leicester,
23:54he was being touted as the next £50 million winger.
23:57His contract ran down at Leicester without him signing a new one.
24:01Without anyone else making the bid.
24:03He ended up in Germany, in Bayer Leverkusen.
24:06And we've snapped him up for £1.5 million.
24:10From £50 million to £1.5 million.
24:12So yeah, it's definitely a smart bit of business.
24:14He's a good player. He's only 25.
24:16He's fit, he's strong, he's quick, he's got plenty of skill.
24:20So he's a good addition to the team.
24:22Townsend as well.
24:23A solid workman-like kind of a midfielder.
24:26But with two great feet, left and right.
24:28So he can pop the balls in from either side.
24:30He's a good signing.
24:31But yeah, if Hammers Rodriguez goes, which I think he will,
24:34Benitez just doesn't get on with him.
24:35I don't know what it is.
24:36Even when he was manager there,
24:38the first thing he did was drop Rodriguez.
24:42So let's see what he does and how they get on.
24:45But the early kickoff on Saturday is Man Utd against Leeds.
24:49Now this is always a good fixture.
24:51There's always couples in action in this one.
24:53Plenty of talking points, I'm sure.
24:55Sahil, how do you think this is going to go?
24:57I think another 6-2 incoming.
24:59Just joking.
25:02I think it's going to be a tough one.
25:03Because, you know, I feel like,
25:06I don't know if this will get on well.
25:08I feel like Leeds is a very, very overrated team.
25:11The way the last season, you know,
25:13they were so overrated.
25:14I mean, the manager is good.
25:16They came 10th.
25:17Oh, that's a big statement.
25:23They are a free-flowing team, I get it.
25:24But they concede a lot of goals.
25:26Last season, they used to concede a lot of goals.
25:29It's not a great thing, you know.
25:30Yes, you're scoring goals, but you're conceding goals.
25:32It's not a great thing you're doing.
25:34You know, by giving a lot of goals.
25:35Not because of the Man Utd game only.
25:37I've seen them losing in many matches.
25:40So, it will be a tough one for Man Utd.
25:43You know, Varane has not come back.
25:45Sancho might not be fully fit to play.
25:47You know, big game.
25:49Big test again for Pogba and Fernandes.
25:51And Rashford is not there, as you guys know.
25:54Martial, he's not played a lot of football.
25:57He had a very poor season.
25:58So, it's going to be a tough one for Man Utd.
26:00And I hope it's a cracker of a game.
26:02You know, I can understand what you mean.
26:04I think the word I would use with Leeds is they're naive.
26:08They're very naive.
26:09But that's what makes them really fun to watch.
26:11They just bump forward and, you know,
26:13it's all or nothing kind of style of football.
26:15And they've been called out a few times at the back,
26:17you know, when they've been doing that.
26:19But, yeah, they're a good watch.
26:20And like you say, 6-2, who knows?
26:22It could be another high-scoring game.
26:24Chelsea start their season, again, in a London derby
26:27against Crystal Palace, who's got a new manager in charge now,
26:30Patrick Vieira, the former Arsenal captain.
26:32That's going to be very interesting to see how he copes
26:34with the demand of the Premier League.
26:36He was last at, I think it was Nice when he was sacked in France.
26:41Look, Shamsir, if Chelsea are serious about a title challenge
26:46this season, then I think this is the perfect fixture,
26:49I think, just to prove everybody that you're serious.
26:52I always think that you can blow them away by three or four goals.
26:55How do you think it'll go?
26:58You can't blow any teams away in the Premier League.
27:01We have seen that.
27:02It's going to be difficult.
27:03But, yeah, I don't know how the Crystal Palace is going to turn up.
27:07It's Vieira's side.
27:09It's an unknown entity for everyone.
27:12But, yes, we have had a good pre-season.
27:15We have, you know, got our players fit,
27:18especially the likes of Zh.
27:20He's playing some good football.
27:22And Kante, he's back.
27:23And Kolo, Kante, he's back.
27:25And Mason Mount is getting minutes.
27:27Guy Havertz is getting minutes.
27:28I think we'll be good enough for Palace.
27:31And like what you've said, we need to have a strong start.
27:34See, this is the Premier League with City, Liverpool, Man United, everyone.
27:38And you can't afford to drop points against the likes of Crystal Palace,
27:43especially at home.
27:45When the bridge is full, it's going to be amazing.
27:47And we have to start with a good win, with a statement win.
27:51I can see us winning, like, two or three goals.
27:54But you never know in the Premier League.
27:56Especially with Vieira.
27:57We have absolutely no idea how he's going to turn up.
28:00With all the youngsters in his court,
28:02especially they have got a Chelsea youngster in them, you know, Mark Gehy.
28:07I think he's going to be a Premier League superstar
28:10because he's got all the attributes and talents
28:12to be one of the best defenders in the league.
28:15We sold him for, like, £18 million.
28:17But, yeah, I regret that.
28:18But he's going to be one of the biggest defenders in the league.
28:22Watch out for him.
28:23OK, let's have some predictions.
28:26Who will be the champions this season?
28:28I'll start first.
28:29I think there's a lot of ifs and buts involved right now
28:32because the transfer window is still wide open.
28:35If City can sign Harry Kane, then they're going to be even stronger.
28:38If Chelsea can sign Lukaku, then, yeah, they're going to be really strong.
28:42But I do feel it will be a title race between Man City and Chelsea.
28:47Yeah, Man United and Liverpool are going to be up there.
28:50But I've got a sneaky feeling that we're going to be seeing...
28:54What's that going to be?
28:57I think Chelsea are going to win.
28:59I think I'm really impressed with what Tuchel's done
29:03ever since he took over from Frank Lampard.
29:05He's really improved the team.
29:07They play a really good style of football.
29:09They're attacking, they're strong.
29:10You know, they don't let up.
29:11Even when they're two or three up, they're still going forward.
29:14So I've got a feeling Chelsea are going to...
29:17I think Chelsea can do it.
29:18Matt, what do you think?
29:19Can City defend the title?
29:22There's a reason you're an Everton fan, mate.
29:24You clearly don't know what you're talking about.
29:29City...
29:31I was not confident last season
29:33just because the way that Liverpool...
29:37You know, their domination from 2019.
29:40But we're just stronger again.
29:45And we won that at Canter last year.
29:48And you're right that Chelsea are the only team
29:53that can pressure them.
29:54Lukaku, you just look at how he helped Inter
29:58break the stronghold of Juventus
30:00almost single-handedly in Italy.
30:03And I think he can make all the difference.
30:05You'll see the likes of Timo and the guys
30:08will actually really learn and grow for them.
30:12Liverpool will be very worried about this situation as well
30:15because they've been fairly quiet
30:18and there's not been vast improvements
30:20despite their very limp relinquishing
30:24of the title last season.
30:26He's going back now, so he's going to be...
30:29Sorry, we'll call on Pickford again
30:31and we'll get that sorted.
30:36Yeah, he'll be back.
30:38It's an unknown when you're coming back from injury
30:42so they'll need to wait for him to bed in a little bit as well.
30:46United, they've made some good strong signings
30:51at the back there.
30:53I've never been a big fan of Varane
30:55so we'll need to wait and see how he does.
30:58But they'll still get their 20 penalty goals from Bruno
31:01so they'll be okay on that level.
31:04But I think that those two will be fighting it out
31:07for third and fourth with Tottenham and Arsenal behind them.
31:13Yeah, for me, if City signs Kane, it's game over.
31:19Apart from that, if City doesn't sign Kane
31:23then it's wide open.
31:25I think even United are contenders for me.
31:28The thing is that the kind of signings that they have made
31:31look at their back four now.
31:32It's world class.
31:33Wan-Bissaka, Varane, Maguire and Lukaku
31:36looks really good.
31:38And look at their attacking strength as well.
31:41They have a very experienced striker in Cavani.
31:44They have a youngster who's creating havoc
31:48in the Bundesliga in the likes of Aiden Sancho.
31:53Then you have Bruno Fernandes.
31:55But their only problem is in the midfield.
31:57I still don't think Fred and McTominay
32:00is the answer for a proper title challenge.
32:03Apart from that, they look really solid.
32:05This is Solskjaer's team.
32:07If Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is not going to make
32:10a title push or win a cup, he has to get Bissaka.
32:13That's what I believe.
32:14Because now it is his team and he has been given enough time.
32:17Apart from that, when you look at Chelsea,
32:20what Mikey mentioned, I completely agree with that.
32:23And bringing in Lukaku changes the game
32:26and the scenario completely.
32:27Because he's the one who fits the bill properly for us.
32:32Like I've mentioned before, he plays the similar system
32:34that of Antonio Conte.
32:36And he can bang and go.
32:39The only problem for us was a clinical finisher.
32:42And Lukaku will be a clinical finisher.
32:45And we have seen him banging in goals in the Premier League before.
32:48He has got almost 108 goals in the Premier League already.
32:51And Alan Shearer will be worried about Lukaku
32:54coming back in the Premier League.
32:55In the next five years, he's going to score 100 more goals.
32:58And even if he could, he might probably beat that record.
33:02We never know.
33:03Because he can bang in goals.
33:05So I think City are the favourites for me.
33:07If they sign Kane.
33:09Otherwise, I still go with Chelsea.
33:12That's my prediction for the title challenge.
33:15And you can't rule out Liverpool.
33:18Jürgen Klopp's men have got a good pre-season.
33:21They haven't made enough signings.
33:23But they play as a team.
33:25And the most important thing is that Van Dijk is back.
33:27We don't know which Van Dijk is back after the injury.
33:30But that makes Fabinho move into the midfield.
33:34Which is really important.
33:35Fabinho is the most important player on the Liverpool side.
33:38Who is a glue to everything that they do.
33:41And Fabinho playing in the defence was a problem for Liverpool last season.
33:45But now getting him back into the midfield.
33:47And Thiago Alejandro getting a full pre-season.
33:50And he's going to be strong enough to lead that midfield for Liverpool.
33:55And Mo Salah, Mane and Firmino.
33:58All are going to still score goals for them.
34:00So, can't rule out Liverpool as well.
34:03Faheel, we've all tipped to see Chelsea.
34:06And there's a Liverpool there as well.
34:08What about Man Utd?
34:09What are their chances?
34:10Of course, they have high chances.
34:13Come on.
34:14Yes, they've made two signings.
34:16There are more to come, I think.
34:18It's all over the news.
34:19Maybe Saul or Kamavinga.
34:21I don't know how Kamavinga plays still now.
34:23Because I've not seen much for the French League.
34:25But there's still more to come for Man Utd.
34:27And I think they are definitely title contenders.
34:30Come on, look at the squad.
34:31But yes, they will miss Rashford for two months.
34:34Huge loss for the club.
34:36But can Martial cope up?
34:38Can Greenwood do it for United?
34:40Can Sancho and Cavani?
34:42I mean, Cavani will be fine.
34:43He's an experienced guy.
34:45It's just to get Martial firing again, which was not there last season.
34:49Martial was really, really poor.
34:51And hopefully, Sancho and maybe Lingard can be the magical guy for United.
34:57Maybe Lingard can fit in with Bruno Fernandes.
35:00Maybe they can rotate the squad.
35:02And I think United are definitely title contenders.
35:05You're forgetting Van de Beek.
35:07Where is he?
35:08Sorry?
35:09Tony Van de Beek.
35:10Tony Van de Beek.
35:11Of course.
35:12Good mention, Shamsher.
35:13He's the guy.
35:14Now everyone is saying that Van de Beek should start with Fernandes if Pogba doesn't play.
35:18Or maybe they were talking about a midfield three with Fernandes, Van de Beek and Nemanja Matic,
35:24who I think made a mess of Everton this pre-season game.
35:27So I think there's a lot to come for Man United.
35:30But they are saying Man City and Chelsea.
35:33It's definitely a good season coming up.
35:36So let's see what happens.
35:37A three or four horse title race.
35:40That'll be interesting.
35:42Right, that's the top of the table.
35:43Let's have a quick talk about the bottom of the table, the relegation zone.
35:46Three teams are going to have to go down.
35:48I've got a funny feeling that the two promoted teams, Brentford and Norwich,
35:52I think they're going to go straight back down.
35:54I think Watford are going to survive.
35:55I think they've been in the Premier League before.
35:58They know how to handle it.
35:59They've got Troy Deeney as a big strong guy up front.
36:01And I think Southampton are going to be a surprise relegation candidate this season.
36:07Last season they were awful.
36:09I mean, they just dropped like a stone after, I think, after January or December time.
36:14They started really well.
36:15They were in the top six.
36:16And then after that, they just fell.
36:17And they look absolutely awful.
36:19I think they could be sucked into a relegation dogfight.
36:22Who do you think, Matt, is going to go down?
36:25I think you're bang on with Brentford and Norwich.
36:28Again, I think it's a step too far for teams that still need to grow.
36:32If you look at the likes of Leeds and how they did,
36:38I think they were the exception to the rule.
36:41Watford have been up there before.
36:43They know how to handle it.
36:44Troy Deeney's there to make sure there's no major slip-ups or anything like that.
36:50And he's a great leading head.
36:53They've got Deeney.
36:55But I think the other team will be Palace that's going down.
37:00Because Vieira, I just don't think he cuts it as a manager for me.
37:05I've never really rated him as a great coach.
37:08He seems to have lasted a year or two wherever he goes.
37:11And then he gets thrown out because he's failed.
37:14And I can see it happening again.
37:16If you look at, again, as I mentioned earlier,
37:18how some of the other teams are really strengthened.
37:21And the likes of Leeds United have got a great few players in there
37:28that will be good enough for them to stay up.
37:30And the likes of Bamford and the Houston England boy
37:34that made the breakthrough in the Euros.
37:43Yes, I just think Palace will get left behind.
37:46Newcastle will have a little bit too much.
37:49I think they'll be the teams.
37:51You're not wrong with Southampton.
37:53They'll be down there.
37:54But I think Palace will be the other one that drops down.
38:01It's not so difficult to predict two of them.
38:04It's like what you mentioned.
38:06I have to agree with you guys.
38:07It's going to be Renfrew and Norwich.
38:09And the third one will be the most difficult one to pick.
38:14It could be either Crystal Palace, Newcastle, Southampton.
38:19Burnley.
38:20Because Burnley, what they have been doing all this season under Daesh
38:24is an extraordinary job.
38:26Only for Daesh.
38:28They're staying up only for Daesh.
38:30Because they spent absolutely nothing in any transfer window.
38:34But they still stay up somehow or the other because of Daesh.
38:38But now, with every other team strengthening,
38:41I really feel, I worry for Burnley and Burnley fans.
38:46But apart from that, what matters?
38:48Just jumping in, Burnley, Dwight McNeil might be leaving as well.
38:51So that takes away their attacking threat completely.
38:54That means no one is there to create chances for them.
38:57That's going to be crazy.
38:58They have to rely fully on defence and get 38 points for the 38 draws.
39:01That's the only thing that they can do.
39:04Even then, they need the magical 40 points to stay up.
39:11And Southampton, I think Southampton will be okay.
39:16Yes, Danny Ings.
39:18They'll miss Danny Ings.
39:20And I hope they'll keep Watt Kraus.
39:22Because there have been talks about him going to Aston Villa.
39:25If Watt Kraus stays and Jay Adams picks up his phone from last season,
39:30then there are talks about getting a youngster from Chelsea on loan.
39:35Droha, the striker.
39:36So he can ban him some goals.
39:38And they have already signed an exciting talent from Chelsea, Memento.
39:42So I think Southampton will be okay because they've got a good manager.
39:45So the problem with other teams like Newcastle, Steve Bruce,
39:50I'm not really sure about Steve Bruce's management.
39:53And Barford, like you mentioned, Dini is there but Ismail Sarri is there.
39:58But you know how their management is.
40:01They're going to sack the managers soon after they get into the Premier League.
40:04They have been in that merry-go-round previously.
40:07We have seen that.
40:08I even predict that it's just Kovunos to get the first sack
40:13because that's how Watford works.
40:15So I'm predicting Watford, Brentford and Norwich.
40:19Though Norwich has got…
40:21So the promotion goes straight down.
40:24But even Norwich has got to play some exciting football under Daniel Farke.
40:28And they have got Billy Gilmore, Matty.
40:31So he's going to run that midfield.
40:33But they'll miss the likes of Gundiya who has already gone to Aston Villa.
40:37And it could be another Timo Pukkis show.
40:40But it won't be enough for them to stay in the league.
40:42Who's going down? Sahil?
40:44I have to say Norwich and Brentford.
40:48But I don't like Brighton Hove-Alabion's team to be honest so much.
40:53They are always lucky.
40:55And I want to say about Burnley.
40:57Like how Shamsher said, Sean Dice is a magical guy.
41:00Whatever players he has, somehow he manages to stay up.
41:04With the likes of good strikers like Wood, Jey Rodriguez.
41:07I think Brighton can go down also.
41:10I don't know, maybe Newcastle.
41:13But Newcastle are a funny team to be honest to watch.
41:16With Sten Maxim and theirs, I think they'll survive through him.
41:20But I think Brighton will go down with Brentford and Norwich.
41:24So that's it then.
41:27We've discussed the relegation zone.
41:30We've seen all the fixtures.
41:32I think that wraps it up for today.
41:33Thanks for my guests and thanks for watching.
41:35And we'll be back soon with a new episode of Golf News Kicking Back.
41:38In the meantime, for all the latest news, head to golfnews.com.
41:42And we'll see you next time.