Episode 1616 - Ariana Grande

[Music] Hello and welcome to another AskAns Texture as always with James from GunnerBlog James, good morning to you from a good afternoon here. Thank you very much man. Good morning to you as well. Yeah. How's things? They are quiet. I think it's fair to say. It's pretty damn quiet. We've had some good weather so I spent quite a bit of time over the last few days in the back garden cooking stuff reading my book about George Michael. Really good book actually. I do recommend it. What's it called? I think it's called telepography. Yeah. Tonight the music seems so loud. Is the book I think. Yes, that's exactly what is called. It's very interesting whether you're a fan of George Michael or not a fan of George Michael or somewhere in between. There's my literary recommendation for this week. That's great. I like George Michael. I do too. He seemed to be a very good guy. Yes, we need more of that kind of thing in the world I think. Absolutely. Well, I still haven't eaten the deep dish pizza just to respond to the many people who have asked me either online or in person about that. Yeah, you must have got quite a few questions over the course of the weekend. Sing as you did a bit of an event in Chicago with the Chicago gooners and Elliott and Paul and Tim. Not Tim. Tim Clark from Arst to mouse. Tim Clark, a deep cut Tim Clark for sort of yeah, long I was a listener to the arstom house on cost. The first podcast that I believe inflicted Elliott on the world it birthed him into the arstom sphere. Oh, do they have a lot to answer for? They have a lot to answer for. And it was sort of it was kind of a tale for a darker time that podcasts. It was very do me. It was kind of in the height of the banter era. What I remember it most for is Elliott's utter disdain for Olivier Giroux at the time. Right. Yes. Yeah. He was never a few of his. He's basically his fury that Olivier Giroux wasn't to carry on really. I think it's because you know not to tell a secret. I think it's because of how good looking he was. Olivier Giroux I think you know Elliott doesn't take kindly to that kind of thing. No, no, doesn't like this competition. But so yes, Elliott's very kindly seeing as we I was in Chicago, Paul and Tim live here in Chicago. That an hours flight away Minnesota arranged with the Chicago goon as a kind of live pod event. Which was up near. Uh, Riggly and it was great. It was really, really fun. We had I don't know. I think about 150 fans come down and hang out and have a chat. So yeah, as these experiences always are fantastic. Till we did so many really dedicated, uh, our still fans and reflect on. We're still we're still basking, Andrew. We're still basking really on last season. I was going to have to all like what the hell did you talk about? Uh, because there isn't much going on in the arsenal world really apart from, you know, all the medical people seem to be leaving. But we can touch on that a bit later perhaps. Yeah, yeah. This has appeared to be a bit of an exodus from those departments. Um, but yeah, we talked about about last season. We talked about. Michele, you know, our various journeys with Michele. Tim spoke quite interestingly about the two eighth place finishes and how his conviction at the time was kind of that. It wouldn't be turned round, you know, that it was kind of, you don't really recover from that. And he then spoke about how his mind kind of was changed and has been changed. And of course, Gels ultimately kind of led us to the promised land of the title. So I was quite interested in conversation and the what ifs along the way. We spoke a little bit about transfers. Um, you know, who we'd sell, who we'd keep. What we think about Bruno. Oh, yeah, yeah. That's probably the best news since you and I last spoke. That is true. That is the biggest story. It's sort of, it was a weird one because it sort of filtered out via, I think, a new castle friendly journalist, I think. And then I think like hope, I think. Yeah. And then it was in a Brazilian outlet called Globo. I was going to text Tim Stillman and say, Hey, what is the story with this Globo? Is this like, you know, is it reliable? Is it not reliable? Where do we put it on the sort of the pooometer that we use on our Spog news? You know, how do we, how can we properly gauge the pooometer unless we know how reliable this Globo is? And then I thought, actually don't give a fuck. So I left him alone. I didn't text him at all. But then of course, you know, there was, is one of those where it looked like, yes, there's something to this. I mean, it does seem like there's something to it, but it also seems a bit weird. Age of the player, 28, 29, etc, etc. Newcastle, determined not to sell. And obviously Sandra Tennale is a player who has been linked with Arsul and who is being linked with a move away from St. James's Park. Like, can they sell both their, their big name midfielders in the one summer? But then, you know, you and David Ornstein came in with affirmation that this was, this was assuredly a thing that had been explored if not quite in a direct way between clubs. There was talk of intermediaries and agents and that's not unusual, of course. So I mean, do you want to sort of expand just a little bit on what you know as this situation is playing out? Yeah. And by the way, I think we should say, like although Bruno is known to have quite busy agents, it's not unusual for a club to club negotiation to be. Quite far, something that happens quite far down the line. It's not actually unusual for a buying club to use the player's agent to kind of negotiate on their behalf, you know, because they're motivated to get the player out most of the time. So, you know, you, many clubs, I think Arsul included will say, well, yeah, okay, we're, we are interested in the player. This is the price we're prepared to pay. Go and speak to the other club and see if you can wangle a deal basically. That's a pretty common sporting director tactics. So, and I think that's probably a little bit what's at play here. The Arsul do appear to have some level of interest in Bruno. They have had a certain degree of interest in Sandra Tnale who you mentioned, but Newcastle are looking for a fee in the region of 100 million pounds, I think, for him. Yeah. That's, I think, a bit steep for Arsul's liking and I think that should be steeper now to be honest. He's a good player, but I think it's too steep. Well, I'm ready. Yeah, and I think it looks like he could well go to Spurs. Well, they're idiots. So, though, you know, then it, then it really is. There it is. And they're also desperate, Andrew. Desperate idiots. Yeah. So, they probably will pay whatever's required in terms of both the and salary, I imagine, because they're desperately trying to, you know, write the shit. This, this, this sort of Arsenal, we think, made a verbal offer, I think, in the region of about 55 million pounds. It was dismissed by Newcastle, say the player is not for sale. Certainly, I find it very hard to see how Newcastle can credibly sell to Nali and Gimarech. I think, I mean, that to me is sort of the end of that project, especially having lost ease at the year before. We may be at the end of that project, frankly, it does feel like they're Saudi owners have sort of grown increasingly frustrated with the limitations of their spending power under the current financial regulatory rules. Who knows, it wouldn't even surprise me if at some point next year's day, I should try and get out of that because there are probably other clubs in other countries where they might be able to accelerate their plans far quicker than they currently can at Newcastle. So you think they might be, they might be looking at, I don't know, someone like PSG, for example, and going, how do they do it? How do they, you know, operate in a way that builds their squad and make some really good and somehow we can't at Newcastle. That kind of thing. I think so. I think it's been a quite constricted process for them and I think there's been a bit of frustration about that. You've got to remember as well that like City, as a kind of example of a sort of, you know, petro super club, their rise came in a time where those financial controls were not as stringent. And the level of investment, a bram of itch made, the Abu Dhabi made was kind of uncontrolled and allowed clubs to change and evolve really, really rapidly. And that's not quite in the case with Newcastle. And again, it's not really been supported by on field success. I mean, ultimately, if you qualify regularly for the Champions League and bringing in those kinds of revenues, you can push the boat out a bit more. We've seen Asdenville do that, but even then, you're living very dangerously under the financial regulation. So that's all to say, maybe they do have to sell both. Maybe it really is the end of the line for this project. But I think there'll be very reticent to do so, very reluctant to do so, rather. And as for our interest in Bruno, this is more sort of speculation on my part, but it almost feels like having explored the Tynale thing and perhaps it a bit of a dead end there, or it reached a level in price that we're not prepared to do. I feel like there's something almost opportunistic really about going, well, what about Bruno? What about Bruno at less half that price? That said, I am still a bit surprised. And I think for me, the big surprise is the age. I have my own kind of feelings and grievances about Bruno, the guy, which I would like to ask you about. Sure. Because we have a checkered history with this man, I think it's fair to say. Yeah, I think that's true. I mean, before we get into that part of it, do you think it's potentially a sort of midfield augmentation that is trying to consolidate? Did we talk about this or was it. I can't remember if it was me, New York, if it was Tim last week on the arse cast, where I think it was actually Tim. We were talking about maybe the opportunity being there for Arsala over the next three to four, maybe five seasons to really consolidate a position of power and strength in the Premier League because of the age of our squad and because of how this team has been built. So maybe, in that sense, despite the fact he's 28, I think he does turn 29 in November, which makes it slightly. I know, it makes it slightly. (laughs) Slightly atypical in terms of how we've been building the squad. But obviously they brought in Christian Norgar last year. It was 31, 32, to fill a specific role, which I don't think he was. Certainly, Michael Arthetta didn't think he was capable of filling that role within the squad in Premier League terms, anyway. So do you think it might be a case that they are looking at his age and saying, "Okay, it's not ideal. You prefer a 25-year-old or 26-year-old, so you get a bit more value, a bit more bang for your book, and you've got a few more years with the player." But as in pure footballing terms, and we'll come back to what you're talking about with the character and all that kind of stuff, doesn't make sense in that regard because whatever you do think about him as person or his spiky nature or the fact that he can be an absolute prick on the pitch, and I worry a little bit about how much he'd be able to get away within a red and white shirt, as opposed to a black and white shirt. He is a really, really good player. You know, he is a really, really good player. And I think whatever misgivings you might have about the character, which I understand, if you're looking at it in pure footballing terms, if you've got Declan Rice, you know, we all think he needs a rest. He needs something to, needs a bit of time after the World Cup, and maybe Bruno might need a bit of time after the World Cup as well, because who knows how far Brazil will go, they're playing tonight. But you need the credible alternative to Declan Rice. So maybe they're looking at him as that, and looking at this in pure footballing terms as a deal that, for at least two seasons, gives you a really high quality alternative or companion to Declan Rice in midfield. Yeah, I think that's fair. I think, you know, whatever I might say about the age, Arsenal signed a 31-year-old central midfield in last summer in Christian Norgon. And if you're looking at it in pure football terms, Norgon out, Bruno in, is that an upgrade? It's a huge upgrade. And I don't sort of use that comparison to denigrate, give my ass and say, oh, he's just coming in to be a backup. I say it because in signing in, you wouldn't just be signing a backup. You would be signing, as you say, a real option to start and play a lot of football matches. I think he probably would become the first choice partner for Declan Rice, even if he doesn't. He's a very, very adequate replacement. Someone who genuinely affords you the potential to maybe rest Declan Rice here and there. A guy who is literally playing through low back issues and nerve pain and, you know, having to be rested in England games and England training as well. So I think anything we can do to kind of alleviate the burden on him, particularly actually in that early part of the season, which, you know, Bruno might not be the man to do that at that particular time, I think is beneficial. So yeah, listen, football wise, I do understand it. He's a really good player. He's Premier League player. He's totally ready to kind of plug and play in Armored Field. He's a good fit. He's a good fit. I mean, there's part of me that thinks, well, we spent quite a lot of money, a similar amount of money on Martin Zubimendi a year ago. It's another investment in that kind of number six part of the pitch. It does feel like we've not quite nailed that probably even going back to Declan Rice really in terms of like, who's going to be that guy at the base? But I suppose one other potential benefit of the age, by the way, is kind of the Marzlouis Skelly question of how he may be fits in. You know, if Arsenal was sort of looking to sign a central of a field player now who was, I don't know, 23, let's say they went for an Alc Scott, for example, of Bournemouth, does that present more of a barrier and obstacle to the development and opportunity of Marzlouis Skelly in midfield than Bruno, who probably has three years left at the top, top, top level. You know, then might, you could argue there's sort of an element of succession planning and a good spread of ages through the midfield by going for a more experienced player there. So what about the character question? Well, he does seem like a wanker. That's the only thing that I was going to say. Like, as you say, we've had first-hand experience of his wankerdom. He is, you know, his, yeah, he's been a snide prick. He is a bit physical. And I think that's in part because, you know, he's a bit like that himself, because I've seen him make some challenges in international games, but I also think Newcastle as well, under Eddie Howe and that serial killer looking dude who's his assistant, they, Jason Tindle, that's his name. They have a particular style, I think, and it is deliberately very physical. It's not just Bruno Gimmarage, by the way. He's not the only one who gets stuck in, but he is the only one, for example, who elbowed Georgina in the head and got away with it. He's a hot head. He is a hot head. He is, even within the context of that Newcastle team, he is an emotional player. He has moments for sure. Almost in a kind of, and no doubt we'll talk about this man later in the show, but almost in a granite shacka, Esk fashion, I think. Kind of, but a bit more wankery. I think he's, you know, if you're going to do like a tear of wankers, Bruno is pretty much near the top. Does it feel a bit at odds with the kind of characters that Mika Latetta has built this squad with to you? Like, I mean, is there something wrong with a bit of edge or should we be more concerned that he is a guy whose hot head in this could cost us? And I understand if people are listening to this and they're like, I really don't like that guy, I completely get that. But yeah, does it feel like he's a player who is at odds with the kind of characters that have built this squad to the point where we ended up as Premier League champions? I mean, we're nice boys, aren't we? We are. Very nice lads in this team. There's a cynicism about the team at times and a gamesmanship and a bit of dark arts, but like, I don't think we're nasty. And in fact, I think I'm right in saying we finished top or bottom. I told you how you look at it of the disciplinary table. Yeah. No red cards. Maybe that's not good enough for Mikael. Maybe he's like, I want to win everything, including the disciplinary table. I'm coming for it all next season. Bruno's five red cards. Well, mean, we take this plenary points title. I think that something that has occurred to me, just as we've been speaking now, as I've been, because you were talking about the squad and the types of characters, I was thinking about the players that might leave the club this summer. So I was looking, you know, potentially, Kepa, potentially Ben White maybe, potentially Christian Norgard, Gabriel J. Zeus. And it did strike me that many of these are among the elder statesmen within the group. And players who, whether they are kind of captains or people who would ever wear the arm band, I think are looked upon to be kind of social, cultural leaders in the group. And I do wonder how much that might play into, you know, we spoke about the Norgard age, but might play into Mikkel's thinking, you know, there are good sound business reasons to sell the guys who are 30 plus, but you can't strip that experience out of the squad entirely without replacing it. Sure. That's a spec. And I, the thing is as well about Bruno. And I have to be honest and say, if I was here in a kind of objective, journalistic capacity, I'd probably be talking about what a fabulous player he is, but I'm not. I'm here as a fan and it sort of matters that we like the players. And it's at the moment I'm still in that place where I am trying to get my head round it and trying to get myself on board. And I've had to do it before. I've had to do it with, can I have it? Or Georgina or whoever it might be. But yeah, I need the negotiate. If it's going to happen, I need the negotiations to be drawn out enough for me to kind of go on that emotional journey with it. Yeah. Yeah. And I, where are you at? What's your gut feel? Listen, I don't, I recognize he's a really good player and I do think he is a very, very good player. And if he comes into replace Christian Norgard, we have a better squad and a better team. And on that basis, I can sort of get my head around the deal. It is really difficult though when you've spent, you know, a few seasons really, really disliking a player and then they arrive at your football club and you're like, well, fuck, I don't like that. Like pretty much all the ones that came from Chelsea are like that, you know what I mean? It's sort of like, right, willian, you say, fuck. Okay. You know, if you think is you know, pet or check. Okay. Well, I guess, and you know, it's, it's just part and parcel of it. I think, you know, as fans, we certainly think about these things a little bit differently. Don't we then the managers, David Louise, like what the fuck? You know, and we've been there, done that, worn that t-shirt many times, but it feels like it's been a while since we've had to reckon with, you know, that kind of emotional compromise. If that's the right way of putting it. Yeah. And listen, there's ever a time that you're able to get fans on board with something very quickly. It's probably when you just want to primarily. I also think we know that MacKale thinks very long and hard about the kind of psychological makeup of the squad and the different ingredients that are required. Do you think there is a case or an argument that that bit of nastiness may be part of the attraction that he sees that as something that we could benefit from? Hmm. Maybe. I mean, he can't be blind to it because, you know, obviously his players have been on the receiving end of some challenges from this guy down the years. It is. It feels like something we've tried to not eradicate from our game, but I think a certain level of impetuousness was an issue for MacKale Arterra and some of the players that we had. You know, we had too many red cards and that was something he addressed. Like, maybe it's the most MacKale Arterra thing in the world that I don't want to say over corrected it, but I think we were the only team last season not to have a player sent off or not to concede a penalty. Are we the only team ever to have that? The only team in the Premier League to not have a player sent off or give away a penalty in a season? I think. I think that anyway. A bit of edge is always good. You know, you need to be physical. You need to stand up to teams. You need to, you know, particularly if you're the champions and maybe teams are going to come at you a bit more with that in mind, right? Like every team we face next season are, you know, we're playing the champions here today and we want to fucking show what we're about. So how do you do it? Do you do it technically? Do you do it physically? For some teams, I think they can only do it physically. So maybe adding a little bit of that is strategy. I don't know. But like I said, go on. Yeah, sorry. I was going to say that the other thing to say about Bruno and this is probably quite important is that as much as we say, he's a wanker, the new castle fans absolutely adore him. Well, they're wankers as well. You see that's. Well, of course, but he is a player who does seem to be beloved by his own supporters. So like, you know, who knows? I think he obviously has the capacity to really ingratiate himself to a set of fans and I think when he's doing it in your shirt for your badge, it probably feels very, very different. Yeah, because I think like the limited interactions I've had with new castle supporters, they're kind of relatively accepting of the fact that Nali could and perhaps, you know, should go. But the Bruno one, I think, would really hurt them. Right. So from that perspective, given I and my team in Newcastle in recent seasons, I suppose it would be quite a funny thing to do. Yeah, I guess. And then it's a question of whether you can come around to the idea. Well, he's a wanker, but he's our wanker now. And I don't know. Yeah. You can win some of the people over. There are going to be some people who will never be won over because they just, you know, they don't care for him. It is. It is how the game goes, though, you know? You have to play well. If you come in with that sort of mixed reputation, you really have to perform. Yeah. And then I think about, oh, Kai, have it's came in and, you know, there was people were a bit upset, but ultimately he delivered, I think, a considerable amount on the pitch. But I think a case like William, for example, shows you if you come in and people that don't like the deal and then you don't deliver upon it, it just spirals in a really toxic way. Yeah. So it adds pressure. Yeah, adds pressure. The Mikael Sylvester. You dict exactly. Exactly. You know, yeah, okay, well, look, we will see what happens and see if that one's got any legs and see if Arsenal go back. There is obviously a bit of a connection with the agent, same agent as Gabrielle, international teammate of Gabrielle as well. And he's, he's a way at the World Cup with Gabrielle and Gabrielle Martin Alley, who I'm sure will be pleased to have another Brazilian within the squad if it happens. He did mention Granite Jacques and there's obviously a bit of a bit of chat about him over the weekend. We had a question about it from Tony Dolan, who says, I'm worried the Chelsea will sign Granite Jacques. I think he'll make them better and bash some ego-tistical heads together in the dressing room. Do you agree? I mean, do you think Chelsea fans might have a similar view of Granite Jacques, a player who they probably didn't like very much when he was at Arsenal and maybe it's softened a bit because he was away at Bayer, Levycou's and is at Sondland at this moment in time. So it's not necessarily a direct transfer, but I'm pretty sure there's Chelsea fans who don't like Granite Jacques. Does that deal potentially? Were you? I mean, I don't want it to happen just because I quite like Granite Jacques and I quite enjoy sort of being able to kind of root for him at Sondland to an extent. I also think it'd be quite sad from a Sondland perspective. You know, they did so well last season to defy the odds and beat relegation and I think end up in Europe, in the European places or if not certainly very close to it. And then to sort of have their star man, their captain, the guy who kind of led that led that campaign. I know it was it was old as time, but to have him kind of snatched away by one of the big boys, I think it would be a bit of a shame for the league. I mean, I'm a bit less worried about it now. I've seen what Chelsea's opening offer was £7 million, I believe it was reported as, which I think I'm sure Sutherland told them where to go with that. I mean, there's not really any merit or any value in them accepting that sort of deal. But obviously, it would be a sort of shack or a Lonzo reunion, wouldn't it, from that time together at Bylever Coozen? I did speak to my brother about it, as you know, he's a Chelsea fan and he was just sort of an enthuse that Chelsea were bidding for a player over 30. Because obviously, they've sort of had the opposite problem recently where they bring in a lot of younger guys as kind of investments, but there's not really any sort of backbone or leadership or experience within the squad. I think that's exactly it. You know, it tells you that Chabby Alonzo has identified Chelsea as a club with a dearth of leadership and maybe experience because even some of their more experienced players are still sort of mid-20s. Like, would it, would it, like, leave aside what it might do for Chelsea? Would it bother you as a former arsel player that he goes there? Or do you think, well, he's 33 years of age now. He's going to be 34 in September, but until then, 33, et cetera, et cetera. You know, they're not necessarily getting prime granite jacket, even if he would probably add something to that team. Yeah, exactly. I think it's, it's not a signing that worries me massively from a kind of sporting perspective of, you know, is it going to have some big transformative impacts on Chelsea? I think it was Elliot who said yesterday, by the way, might have been Tim, forgive me, who said, you know, they've obviously got a bit of a hot head of their own in Moises, Kaisedo, but the idea that granite shackles going to be this ideal role model for him. I don't know how true that will hold. I mean, and it's been a little temper of his own as well. And so for now, that's a bit spiky as well, isn't it, you know? Yeah, right. And shackle was brilliant for Sunday, last season, and he's a really, really good footballer, but does he take Chelsea forward on the pitch? I think really it's more about what he offers in terms of, yeah, leadership and his experience that he can bring to the group, but it would be a little bit, a little bit sad, I think, from an Arsenal perspective, to see him wearing a Chelsea shirt, even after, well, maybe especially after all that we went through with granite, sort of felt like this rollercoaster journey, which actually ended in all right place for him to turn up on the other side of London in a blue kit would be another twist in the tale of his. The answer fans. I guess so, yeah, if you play for them, you're a wanker. I mean, that's just what it boils down to. I don't know if you've seen this, but they've released a very funny statement to day Chelsea, obviously in it. I have seen this, yeah. This is hilarious. They put a statement out on their website talking about. So, Enzo Moresco was unveiled as Man City Manager. Yeah, leave is what prompted this. Exactly. And they go through the timeline, for example, they say, in autumn last year, the club was informed by our former head coach that there might be an opportunity for him to succeed Pep Guardiola at the end of the season blah, blah, blah. But they keep referring to him as our former head coach, not once within that statement, do they mention Enzo Moresco's name? It's so funny. Like, what are you? 12? It's delicious. It's really bad. It's so like, for one, of a better phrase, like, but hurt, you know? Yes, what's the sign off? It's something looking forward to next season in Chabuilonzo. We have a manager who has an exceptional football mind and is a professional of the highest integrity. So good. Like, a guy putting up a photo with his new girlfriend, you know what I mean? Yeah. I've moved on. Yeah. My former wife has taken the car and the children. Yeah, I'm nice. And I'm living in this bachelor pad, but it's much better. I'm having more fun. The most intriguing part for me is it sort of reveals that a part as well as Manchester City paying compensation, I think I'm trying to find the exact confidential settlement has been reached with the with the former head coach as well. Under which he will pay compensation. That's what the statement says. That is really unusual. So there must have been something within his contract, right? That meant he had to do that because that's really weird. Football managers resign all the time. I don't think I've ever really heard a situation or seen a situation before where a guy resigns and then has to pay compensation. It's like not getting your deposit back on your bachelor flat or whatever. It is weird, but I mean, obviously Manchester City will pay that for him. He probably knows someone who's got the money now, I would say. He's probably good for it. But yeah, good fun though. Anyway, I enjoyed that. Do you think he'll be good there? Mariska, like do you think, do you look at that and think, yeah, that's a great appointment to follow Gaudiola and he'll continue their success. What's your takeout? I guess he's a bit guaradial like, isn't he? Because he worked with PEP before and they're looking at it as a kind of continuation. He does make sense. He's got Premier League experience. He did an okay job at Chelsea, I think. But obviously the fact that that club is a fucking lunatic madhouse run by twats and idiots didn't help him too much. He was probably a big reason as to why he wanted to leave and take over from PEP. I suppose the broader question is, you know, how does the institution of Manchester City deal with the departure of a manager like PEP Gaudiola? Because as we've seen elsewhere, when you have a guy who's been there for that many years, who's been there for a long time and has been so fundamental to the success because I think, you know, and we talked about it before and grudgingly, I think we accepted that despite Gaudiola's abilities as a coach, Manchester City was a really well-wrong club. Obviously, one with 115 plus charges against it, which we're still waiting to find out about, but they have good people at the top, you know, running the football, running the executive side of things. So it's not quite like, for example, when Arsene Venger left Arsenal or Alex Ferguson left Manchester United, where those guys were like baked into how the club was run. They were so important in every aspect of the football club, whereas I think the job of Gaudiola and the operation of Manchester City were probably more distinct than Venger and Ferguson United and Arsenal. And we saw United and Arsenal both suffer, obviously, when their big name, hugely important legacy managers left. I think City are more or better placed to cope with the departure of Gaudiola than we were with Venger and United were with Ferguson. So I think he probably is a good fit, but obviously, I hope he, he does a terrible job and fails miserably. Oh, of course. I mean, yeah, the greatest sign of his intelligence is that you wanted to get out of Chelsea. Yeah. I mean, one crucial component could be that he does have experience getting teams promoted from the championship. Maybe they've seen that on his CV with less than thought. May well need now. What's those? Well, 15 charges come in if they ever do. Yeah. But yeah, now, I think it's interesting because, you know, City with their wealth and their reputation, they could pretty much have any coach in the world. So purely from that perspective, I think he's kind of an interesting choice that clearly value the sense of continuity and the idea that he's a kind of Gaudiola disciple. But yeah, curious to see. I mean, I'm looking for forward to those city versus Chelsea games as well now. They could be quite funny based on all this all this hullabaloo. Yes, the former head coach against the new head coach who is a man of impeccable integrity with a great football mind. And it's Rannichaka keeping a cool head in the middle of the park. Rannichaka versus 116 million pound Elliott Anderson. That can't be a coincidence, right? Oh, wow. That's very funny. Yeah, they wanted it to be 115 in City. We're like, that's not great for us optically. Yeah, we'll give you one more. Give you an extra million. Yeah, just just to keep it good. from our perspective. Yeah, so that's kind of everything that's been going on really, I think. Yeah, a bit of World Cup action. I mean, because Sakamoto's returned, didn't he? Well, to the starting team anyway. Yeah, he got an assist. With an assist. Out swinging corner. I know, Declan Rice has been at it as well. Yeah. The out swing. Yeah. Wonderful to see a bit more of that Arsenal next season. I suspect not, to be honest, the in swing is so effective for us. But, and then the round of 32 or 64 or 128, whatever it is, kicks off. Kicked off last night. Oh, you're right. Yeah, right. Canada. Congratulations, Canada. Canada went through against South Africa. It wasn't a great game, not a great game. I was glad of the goal, so we didn't have to have extra time. So, yeah, Canada threw to the round of 16. I think who they're going to face? Netherlands or Morocco, I think. Okay, they played tonight. And today, Brazil, Japan, which I think is one of the. Yeah, that's the standard round. Yeah, one of the standout fixtures. I'm really looking forward to that, not least as well, because it's at half past six over here. I love it. Nice and early, not sort of nine o'clock, not 11 o'clock and not two o'clock in the morning. So, I think that could be a really good game. I think that could be a really good game. Arsenal involvement, obviously, with Gabrielle and Gabrielle Martin Alley and potentially a certain Newcastle wanker. And X, X Arsenal interest with Tommy Asu. He started for Japan in their last game. So, we'll see if he starts again in this one. But I think that could be a really, really good game, actually. So, I'm looking forward to sitting there. Watching that one. A fun team to watch. Yeah. OK, well, look, why don't we take a little break here? We do have questions. And there's a few more World Cup bits and everything else. So, we'll take a short break here. And we will come back with your questions and more in part two right after this. Welcome back to the Ask A. I'll stick to this part two of the show where we answer the questions that you sent to us on Blue Sky at GunnerBlog.be Sky. [email protected]. Also, on the Ask Blog Discord Chat server, which you get access to, if you are an Ask Blog member, on Patreon. Before we get into the questions, James, there is one thing we mentioned at the top of the show. That is another bit of movement, outward movement, from the medical department. And over the weekend, it was reported that Sam Wilson-- I think he's a face that people will recognize, because he's always on the videos with the players who are coming back from injury. And he's there on the bench. And he's the lead performance coach. He is to join another European club, rumors of Juventus. I'm not sure how true that is. And then this afternoon, we learned that Tom Allen, who is the head of sports science and performance, is also leaving the club or has already left the club. We know that there's a new doctor coming in. There is a guy coming in from Rail, Betis, apparently, who's going to be a rehab specialist. But those are two significant departures from the backroom setup. What do we know about this? And what do we know about potential? What's the word I'm looking for here? Not like rebirth. That doesn't sound right. Rejuvenation of the coaching staff and the medical staff. Yeah. So I think these two are quite surprising departures for people within the club, because they follow up, you know, Dr. Zafar Iqbal, the club doctor who left. And that was anticipated by Sam. But these two, Sam Wilson and Tom Allen, are perceived to be people who are pretty close to Mikkel, who works really, really closely with him in recent seasons. And a very much part of his team will have been until now. I think clearly there is kind of a new broom going through the medical and performance departments. And I think it's probably pretty straightforward. I think Arsenal, I suppose it's twofold. I think there's a sense in which having been at the club for six, seven years of Mikkel, a set of fields and need to refresh, rejuvenate his staff, as you say. And I think a degree of change is perceived as necessary to get fresh ideas, fresh inputters. And we know he's not beyond being ruthless with people who are close to him. I mean, you remember Steve Round, for example, who was one of his assistants and then was-- Murdered in the whole blood. [LAUGHS] Like I'm pretty unceremoniously. So we have seen this before. I think it's interesting that a lot of the new faces coming into these departments are Mediterranean, Spanish speakers. I think we can probably see the influence of Mikkel in that. And I would suggest that reading between the lines, this feels like it's about player availability and trying to improve player availability. Be that through injuries, be that through fitness, be that through periodization, rehab plans, whatever it might be. Arsenal have clearly decided we want some fresh. Ideas and fresh outlooks and fresh approaches. But it is a surprise because Tom Allen was really seen as one of Mikkel's guys. I think he was brought in originally by Darren Burgess in his time as head of performance and then kind of stepped up when Darren left to become the head of sports science. So played a huge role in managing training allowed training schedules, player returns, things like that. Sam Wilson was, I think initially a strength and conditioning guy, but someone who built a really good bond with a number of players in the group was really one of the boys. I think I'm right in saying attended a number of players' weddings is considered like a close friend to many of them. So again, it's a big tie to cut. I think he does have opportunities in Europe, in Italy, particularly. But yeah, clearly there is some sort of directive from high up in the club to reshape these departments. And that process is ongoing. And there are casualties in that process and here are two more of them. Yeah, there was a question which I didn't really understand on the discord, but it is kind of related to this. It comes from Rambo 8, who says, having watched the overlap episode with Tom Brady, and the conversation regarding injuries and how Tom dealt with it and how he implemented it at Birmingham, surely you would think Arsels medical team is being revamped in this style. What are your thoughts? My thoughts are, I don't understand it because I didn't watch that. And I don't really know what he did or any of that. But I don't know if that's something that makes more sense to you than it does to me. Yes, interesting. I've not seen the overlap interview. I did see a clip, I think, where Tom Brady was talking about being advised to have surgery and then decided not to or vice versa. It was about him kind of seeking his own medical advice, not certainly following that of the team that he had and taking matters into his own hands. Now, I'd have to watch the full interview to understand what exactly he implemented at Birmingham. But we know that Michele is someone who is very open to fresh ideas, ideas from other sports. Oh, yeah, because he had that kind of hook up with the LA Rams, too, didn't he? What's his name? Sean McVeigh. Yeah. He's part of a coaching seminar, Michele, like a group of coaches who meet semi-regularly and share ideas. And this is across multiple sports and multiple disciplines. People like Eddie Jones have been involved in that. And I think Michele is someone who's always open-minded and looking to learn from every possible avenue. I found it interesting. It was Josh Kronke who wasn't talking about after the title and taking Michele to an NFL game. And Michele, almost in a state of wonder, remarking every player is a set piece and taking that back to London Colney with it. But yeah, I'm sure there was a kind of internal review conducted of Arsenal's practices and procedures in this area in the second half of last season. I call it an internal review. It was kind of a Michele-led review, really. And I think his influence at the club is probably greater than ever at this point in time, especially with the success he's experienced. And I think a lot of this reshaping will be to his specifications. Which is interesting. I mean, that is a very powerful role for a coach or a manager to be in. I wonder how involved Andrea Berta is, for example, in this. I mean, we think of him as a transfers guy, but he's also involved in the reshaping of this particular department. You'd have to imagine so. But yeah, it's certainly creating initiating a potential subplot next season. Because I think whatever happens now with Arsenal and injuries and player availability, conclusions will be drawn, I suspect, from this degree of change taking place. So whether that's fair or not, you know, and whether, I think it takes time for any new practices to be implemented and adopted and become habituated. But, you know, I can already see the kind of online fallout. If we have a positive season in terms of injuries and availability, these guys will be hailed as the geniuses. Yeah. We don't I'm afraid it'll be the inverse. So yeah, very, very intrigued to see how that plays out. But I think I broadly accept and understand that some degree of change, somewhere within the staff, somewhere within the setup, maybe particularly after having experience success, is necessary. That bit of abrasion, that bit of friction, that bit of a new idea to give not just the players, but also the remainder of the coaching staff. Just that slight novelty and that sense of freshness. I think that could be a helpful and perhaps even necessary ingredient. Maybe so, maybe so. I mean, we saw how Gary Alliance had an impact last season. And I just googled what did Tom Brady implement Birmingham City and the results are a bit mixed. But apparently the goal that Tom has committed to is to make Birmingham City a respected leader in nutrition, health, wellness and recovery across the world of football. Wow. Wow. If he can do that, then he must be doing something right. He's going to make them the most respected nutrition dudes in football. There'll be clubs everywhere going, what are they doing at Birmingham? Why can't we do that? They're terrible at football, but they're gut health off the chart. They have the fucking cleanest microbiomes that anybody has ever seen. They don't even need toilet paper. We can, well, we can make a saving there, Andrew. Imagine all the money the club currently spends on toilet paper. Rediverted into the transfer market. Okay. What more questions do we do? Peter Hust asks. Last season, you discussed whether winning the Premier League or the Champions League mattered more. What's your view on that today? Have you been confirmed that the Premier League was more important and how do you feel about priorities for the coming season? Interesting. I think I have been confirmed. We have been confirmed correct that the Premier League had to be the one this year. We have confirmed. Obviously winning the Champions League would be historic in its own right, but I sort of dread to think where we'd be emotionally. How do we not win the Premier League this season? Even if we'd won the Champions League, there would have been so many people saying, yeah, but you know, they still can't get it over the line in the Premier League for runners-ups in a row. Any whancers can win a cup competition. You know, just need a little bit of luck in the draw. And Arsenal's draw was kind, etc. We would not have been able to move for that. You know, try to agree with me. But what's throwing it forward? How do you feel about next season? Like, do you think having gone so close to the Champions League is the holy grail and that's the number one priority? Or is it more important for Arsenal to build a little domestic dynasty of their own by retaining a Premier League for the first time? You know, I think you can very easily prioritize the cup competitions, right? With EFL Cup is the fourth priority, FA Cup is the third priority. I don't know that you can really now separate the two, the Champions League and the Premier League. I think now if you ask people, you know, come next May, if I could give you one of them, what would it be? I think the vast majority of people would now say Champions League. And there would have been people who last season said, I want the Champions League, we've never won it. My view was always, you know, as aligned with yours in that, after 22 years, which is, you know, too long for a club like Arsenal, not to have won the title, we absolutely had to get that done. That was the holy grail. The Champions League now becomes a bit of a white well, but I think having won the Premier League, we've got a bit more of a safety net or wiggle room or whatever that might be, you know? Because I remember chatting to my brother, who's a Liverpool fan, a Liverpool went 30 odd years without winning the Premier League, if you remember. And having won it twice, it sort of mellowed him in a big way. He was like, well, you know, we've won it twice now in the last couple of years. And, you know, I can live more easily with a season that doesn't quite go the way we might want, which isn't to make any kind of excuses or anything like that. But I think it does obviously take away that that pressure you feel or that desire, you know, the itch has been scratched. If that's the right way to put it, you know? I just don't think Micka Lartetta will, unless, you know, we get to March and we're down the table somewhere, publicly prioritise one competition over the other. I think if we're in the race for both, he'll want to win both, you know? But I suspect that it might have flipped a bit from a fans perspective that if you get to May and someone guarantees you, which I know is just nonsense. And it's a sort of, what's the word? What's the word I'm looking for? You know what I mean? Where it's a false dichotomy, I can know. Anyway, the thing is, if you offer people one, hypothetical, thank you so much. It's been quiet. So I've been using my brain as much as I would like. Even though it's a hypothetical, I think that would be, you know, an answer that comes back strongly in favour of Champions League next season because we won it last year. But I think even if we'd won the Champions League and hadn't won the Premier League, we would be feeling quite a bit differently about, you know, probably how our season finished, because really it was so all encompassing, wasn't it? The Premier League, it was, it really felt like something we just needed so badly. I think so. I mean, I think Michael will fill in bold and that at no stage in our season did he really prioritise one over the other and he very nearly pulled off both. So while we can discuss it as fans and say like what our preferences and priorities are, I just don't think he will frame it that way at all. I think the Champions League has the Premier League. I offered you one now. If I like guaranteed you this moment in time, you can have one of them next season. What would you pick? I'd pick the Champions League. Yeah, I would too. I would too. Yeah. Because we have that safety net of winning the Premier League last season, if we were 23 years without winning the Premier League, I think my answer would be, would be different, you know, because I think you, as a fan, your experience of the Premier League is weekend, weekend, you know, with your mates, with your WhatsApp groups, with the guys you play football with whatever it is, you know, it is the day to day, if you like. And I think you just get more out of it after 22 years of not winning it than you would do of winning the Champions League. But next year, you know, I know it doesn't work that way, but I would take Champions League. But, you know, if it's both, I'll live with that too. You can live with that. Mm-hmm. Okay. I think I can live with that. Yeah. I'll pass that on. Okay. What about this from Venger Boys, who says, you've done your squad ratings, but what about our loan players? Did they increase or decrease their value, either as potential Arsenal players or sellable assets? Well, there weren't too many of them, really. Carl Haynes, I think five. He's gone. Is he? He is. Great question. Is he gone? I actually am not 100% sure. I think he is. Or maybe he is. Yeah, it's done. It's done. It's going to join in wet advice. I'm going to put it on permanent. Yes. Yeah. Yeah. Kivvy or is gone. That deal was made official before the end of the season, I think. It was. And by the way, congratulations to pure and cap. Yeah. You normally becomes an Arsenal player this week. Yes, that's true. That's no official. Why are we getting questions about pure and cap. Yeah. And Sabrina Carpenter. Why don't know. I'm out of the pop culture loop. You know, I'm a man of a certain age. But what is it? There's no way you're going to go near this question. Well, no, it's just I saw it on the discord and I saw it on blue sky as well. I was like, what is going on there? Online speculation, which as we know is always right. Suggest that singer Sabrina Carpenter and Ecuadorian football appear in cap. Are dating. Right. She liked what she saw. What we all saw because she's never had a player from Ecuador. Well, that's true, actually. But yes, the short, the short, incident. Yeah. Why not a legion of admirers. He became the most sought after man on the planet after is DMs blew up. Yeah. People sliding into his DMs the way he slid along the Emirates pitch. Was was it our pitch? It was our pitch, wasn't it? It was. I believe. Yeah. Anyway, the other lone players Fabio Vieira, did he increase or decrease his value? What did he do? I mean, he had an okay season for well, he had an okay season for Hamburg, I believe. Alongside Samuel, a conga who joined them for three pounds whole bag of potatoes. Did he increase or decrease his value? Well, I'll let you be the judge of that when I tell you that he's got like a 20 million euro permanent clause in that transfer and hamburger eager to negotiate a transfer substantially below that. Right. I mean, whether that was ever a realistic figure. You know, it was kind of put to me that it never was particularly realistic, but it allowed Arsenal to sort of feel good about their potential player sales. So I don't I feel like he's his value as kind of neither increase nor decrease really. I think he's still a player who we're going to struggle to get much more than. I don't know if 15 million. Yeah, we're I mean, we're not going to get anything close to what we paid for him. Maybe the question really should be about how much we paid for him back in the day. Was that you know way too high a price for a player coming from the Portuguese league who I don't know how to couple at some moments, but didn't really look suited to Premier League football. Like where they just sort of trying to unearth the next. Bernardo Silva Bruno Fernandez kind of player. Do you think that's what the logic was. I think that's exactly what it was, but it didn't work. It didn't work. So sack those scats. Let's who else? So give you the air. Oh, then it's Reese Nelson. I am decreased. Yeah. But I don't know what the value was anyway. I thought about Reese Nelson very much. No, no, I think he's a guy whose career is sort of drifting into the doldrums in kind of a sad way actually. Because there is talent there certainly and I know he's had injury problems and he you know it was doing quite well for full and last season and then he had that big. Really bad hamstring strain. Um. I mean, he's just a guy that needs to go somewhere and play regularly and I think Arsenal. If they're looking to extract any value. From Reese Nelson are going to limit his chances of finding somewhere half decent to go and play. And they're within their rights to do that. But I don't know who really is going to look at Reese Nelson. Look at his playing time. Look at his stats. Look at his injury record and give you anything that's, you know, worth a great deal. Which is sad when you consider how highly rated he was. He's 26 now. Yeah. He will turn 27 this season. I do wonder if his future might lie. Outside the Premier League, he had a couple of lone spells. Did he with half and high and with fine or a long time ago now, but relatively successful. I wonder if he might find an opportunity on the continent maybe in the league that's a little bit less physically intense as well because he's really suffer with a lot of injury issues too. He could go to Spain like, you know, one of those guys that goes to Spain and you go, oh, wow, he did really well. Who was that guy? That Vinnie Samways. Yeah. He just ended up in Spain and like became a hero at one particular club and it was just like this very journey man player. He played for Spurs, didn't he? I think he was at Spurs. He was at Everton. And yeah, he went to Las Palmas and became a fixer play for severe. There you go. Season. Maybe that's his thing. He can be the new Vinnie Samways. Oh, that's a terrible. And then the last one is Ethan Winery, of course. I don't think his value will have increased, but I don't think it will have decreased either simply because he's got a contract with Arsenal for a good number of years. He's young. He's English. He's talented. There's quite a bit of noise about that, isn't there? About sort of him departing and, you know, could be financial. There could be moves behind the scenes for him to, you know, go somewhere else and go somewhere new. Which I think we talked about a couple of weeks ago, which is a bit of a shame, unfortunately, but. Yeah, I think his value will have held where maybe a good loan spell would have. Would have increased it a little bit, but a few million more on. More on his value, not more on. So yeah, that was it. I think with our loan players, though, wasn't it? Pretty much, yeah. Yeah, pretty much. Not hugely. I mean, that's the thing often, I think, you know, we talk about the needs, use loans and. But this I think this just shows you it's very difficult. It's actually, you know, I'm not saying we couldn't and shouldn't be better at it, but it's quite difficult to. Find the right move for a player. Yeah. Even when you think you have in an area, it can all blow up for you. Yeah. Yeah. John Larkin says, goodly afternoon, Jens, it's the end of June, which can only mean one thing. When is the transfer predict a drawn episode? Won't be today, John. Tell you that. Not today. Should we do it next week? Will we commit to next week? Do you think that would be a good one? Okay, we'll do it next week. The ins and outs, it gives us time to think about, you know, we won't, of course. No, we'll just do it on the spot on the fly as we normally do, which is, you know, how we get everything is right as we always do. We trust our instinct. That's it. We use the force. That's essentially, you know, we're predicted, drawn jedis. We just sort of use the force, let it flow through us and it all works out. All right. I think it's all done by force. Yeah. Skymajor 73 says, we seem to have lost the race to sign PSG's young left back in Manuel and Bemba, who is a player we were linked with, talked about a couple of weeks ago. Tom Canton reporting is going to Monaco. I think he can play center half as well. Given the ongoing injury and fitness issues, we have a fullback. Are you concerned about the lack of transfer noise around those positions? Can we afford one of each? Or are we looking for someone who can cover both left and right back? Do we need the new Tommy Asu? But, you know, less injury pro? Well, first of all, on November, I would say, I don't think we've necessarily missed out. That's certainly not my understanding. I think there was a level of interest there, but I think I said on here that the wages were quite, uh, aggressive, the wage demands, so, you know, they were quite challenging and Arsenal, I think, had reservations about. Give me a grand a week or else you can't. Basically, yeah, yeah. Well, not that figure. Okay. You know, I know I know, but it's more about the aggression. And I think Arsenal were pretty, yeah, I think they'll be pretty relaxed about that. I don't think there'd be too heartbroken. Fullback. I mean, I don't know. Do we need a leftback? I don't think we do. We're signing one this week. Yeah, and well, in capier, he's not too busy. He can play and Califurie who's having a grand old time on his holidays, singing songs on his guitar and everything. It's great. Well, I mean, We sort of joke about that, but like the fact that he's not the world cut with Italy could be a real bonus for us. Sure. For sure. For a guy who does and has had some injury issues, as much as he would have loved to be there and Italy would have loved to be there from our perspective, very selfish, arsel fam perspective, it's probably good that he's not the right back situation. We've seen Ben White. Oh, have you seen the Ben White training picks? I have, yeah. Blimey. Blimey. Minus 5% body fat. Yeah. I've seen every scene you of Ben White. After seeing inside Martin Odegar's thigh muscles, he's now seen every bit of Ben White as well. Not that we can complain about that. I love treats. But he's obviously training hard during the summer and trying to get back from this MCL injury that he has had. If arsel are minded to spend big money elsewhere, then maybe there is room for Timber and for Ben White. But we don't know what the situation is. We're sure he in Timber and what the future or the immediate future I should say holds for him in terms of this groin injury that he's been dealing with since March, whether or not he requires surgery. Have you heard anything on that? No, don't know. I mean, it was certainly a discussion about whether he was going to have to have it. But I don't know what the latest on that is. Yeah. I don't know. I think there probably will be a fullback signing. My gut would say it would be more focused on the right back area than the left. Although they have definitely looked at left backs. But then the Califury Madrid stuff has really caught him down, hasn't it? I saw a report from. Yeah, I saw a report from. What's it? Tutu Mercato Web, the bastion of reliability saying that it's over. The Madrid pursuit of Califury is over and he'll stay at Arsenal. There was a link Mark McFall has a question that says with Mertis Hacker going, "A lot of suggestions at several youth players, including Emerson, one Erie, who's Ethan's brother, are leaving the club. Are we in need of a bit of an overhaul? There is a. Is he Dutch or French guy? Belgium actually. Belgium. Combine those things. Yeah. But yeah, you could find a Frenchman and a Dutchman together, you could get a Belgian. At Frenchman times a Dutchman. If a Frenchman and a Dutch woman have a child, the child will be Belgian. His name is Pascal de Mashlach. Mashlach. I don't know. I wrote this story, but I didn't have to say it, which was ideal. Mashlach. Yeah, something like that. He is in being. he's in talks about the potential academy manager, Rale. He has held that role previously at Monaco and he's currently technical director at Strasbourg under the blue co umbrella. I think he's the man who hired Levi Rossinier. Liam. Liam, Liam. Forgive me, that's his dad. Okay, well. So you're making that what you will? Yeah, not much, I have to say. Not much. You probably. how much sway he had in that, I don't know, because blue co obviously, they move people around as they see fit. Are you saying there are human traffickers? That is exactly what I'm saying. Okay. All right. I aggregate that. Yeah, I've heard the same about Emerson Winnery. Right. Potentially leaving the club and one or two other young players in the academy going, there's a ladder, it looks like Mike Goats, Spursville things. Dear, dear, what would he do that for? I don't know. Well, probably in the first team within a week, where they're going. So yeah, I mean, it's a time of change, isn't it? It's a time of evolution and. I think the feeling was that James Ellis, who was a previous technical director, did have a bit of a grip on the academy and was kind of pulling it in a direction. And then he got the boot, basically, and now we're sort of waiting for the next guy to come in and lead it. Maybe it will be the spellgen chat. I think it's interesting that Arsenal, I'm talking to someone who is from that blue co set up an organisation and maybe understands the way that Chelsea. I have no comment. Monetize. Sure. Monetize. Yeah, there's a academy. I can say that. Yeah, yeah, I think that's fair. I think that's fair. Okay. None of that is serious to anybody listening, of course. Yeah, we have to say that's us having a jolly little laugh, clearly. We love blue co. Yes, we love. My not involved in human trafficking t-shirt is doing a lot of. We're answering a lot of questions, etc, etc. What about this one just to see us out because we'll get this part out. I thought this was quite a fun one. John Treat says, "For the World Cup and every single Arsenal player at the World Cup, their country made it through to the knockout stages." Which is. Wow. Very impressive. France versus Sweden, obviously, we'll see someone go home. But anyway, you can. Yeah. There was an interview at Yacquerez before the World Cup and he was sort of asked, "Which Arsenal player wouldn't you like to play against?" And I think he said, "Saleeba." Which I understand. Anyway, he says, "Which players in the current Arsenal squad are their country's best-ever Arsenal players?" As in, Martin Odegard is our best-ever Norwegian. Which I think is true. Martin Odegard is our best-ever Norwegian. In Cappie, certainly our best-ever Ecuadorian. Until those Quintero twins come along. Yeah. Well, you know, he can. Yeah, that's a good shout. I think. I think. Gabrielle's got to be pushing pretty close to our best Brazilian. Yes. I know Jalberta want to world-cut. And it's an invincible. Yeah, maybe Jalberta still holds that, I think. Because of the success, yes, because of the teams he was involved in, but I think maybe in terms of influence and importance, Gabrielle just. Just edges it? Yeah. It's a close one for sure. What about. Well, the Spaniards, I'm sorry. I think it's tough for them. Very tough. I think tough for an Englishman, tough for a Frenchman, even Williams-Eliba. Yeah. What about. What else have we got? I don't think Yorkez is our best Swedish player. I still think that's Freddie Eunberg or. And his limpar, maybe? And his limpar. Depending on your vintage. That's for sure. Is Trossard our best Belgian? Yes. Yes with his. With his Dutch mother and his French father. He is our best. Yeah, of course. Qualified's play for all three, of course. Everyone does from Belgium. But I. He's having a very good world cup, actually. He is, yeah. He has scored a couple of the other day, didn't he? So. What about the Germans? What can I have it's currently? Where does he rank? Premier League Champion. I think probably Meza Erzel. The good Meza Erzel. It's probably our finest German, I would say. When he was at his. In his pomp. In his pomp, yeah. In terms of quality and influence that he had. The BFG, of course, as well. He's right up there, don't get me warm. Don't get me warm. I don't think we can say Timbura is our best Dutchman. No, he'd lose out in that one, that's for sure. What about Califuri? I mean, we haven't had a lot of Italians. No, we had Georginho, he was like a pretend Italian. So yeah, I'll give it to Califuri. Who else? That's about the. I mean, Vito Manone. And then the other goalkeeper who didn't play. What was his Emiliano Viviano? Yes, I was screaming Emiliano Viviano. It's my microphone. Yeah, we got a call. Arturo Lupoli Andrew. Yeah. I'd give it to Califuri, I think. I think so. I mean, Georginho would have a shout. True Italian, I heard too. Yeah, he is an Italian international. Yeah, of course. I always loved that story that Dara O'Brien told. He was doing it. You know the way they do like a charity. night for the club. And one of the things that people could bid on was to play on the Emirates pitch and Emiliano Viviano bid on that and want it. That is so funny. But yeah, he's not at the World Cup though. So that discussion about Italian players is completely moot. I'll of course, yes. Norris Christian norguard. Well, there we go. Norris timber actually. So yeah. Yeah. There's a couple, but we've been blessed with a very rich history of that is true. Obviously, you're looking forward to all the football today is Brazil, Japan, Germany, Paraguay, Netherlands, Morocco. And then it continues. Ivory coast against Norway could be a really good game, France against Sweden, Mexico, Ecuador, South American. Well, Mexico is Mexico considered North America. Central central. I think people keep saying the tournament is in North America. So I don't know, probably should find out Mexico. I just googled it says country in North America. Okay. So the bottom of Mexico is the bottom of North America. Yeah. If you're in Guatemala or somewhere like that. But then it becomes central America. And at what point does it become South America? If your dad is from the Netherlands. If your dad is from Venezuela. Yeah. And your mom is from Canada. Then your South American Mexican. I think is how it works. Something like that. I think so. Anyway, there's some good games. There's some good games. How, by the way, is the show going? Is it a good experience? Yeah, it's good fun. And nice people and great city. I mean, the last round of the I feel like the group stage, there were some great individual matches within the group stage, but I do feel it like jeopardy, I must say. But this round of day two on paper, there's some great ties in there. And it looks exciting. And there are actual stakes. So let's see what we get. I think today's three brilliant games. Brazil, Japan, Germany, Paraguay and I think Netherlands, Morocco could be really, really good. Yeah. So yeah, particularly first and last game today, I think of well worth the watch. All right. Well, we'll see what happens there. And right, I think we'll leave it there for this particular episode to everybody. Thank you so much for being with us. Thank you for indulging our nonsense and ignorance at times, but we really do appreciate you being here. What else can you do in the summer? Anyway, you know, there's not much going on. We got to make our own fun along the way. As ever, thank you for downloading and subscribing and for all of it. We'll have something for you later in the week and ask us later in the week with lots of football, lots of World Cup knockout games to discuss for now. They'll take it easy and we will catch you on the next one. Bye bye.