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New York Times
05-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Are Manchester City now favourites to finish runners-up this season?
By their own lofty standards it's been a disappointing season for Manchester City, but Friday's 1-0 win over Wolves, sealed by Kevin De Bruyne's 35th-minute strike, kept them firmly in the hunt for second place. With three games remaining, City now sit just three points behind second-placed Arsenal, with Pep Guardiola's side being the Premier League's in-form team with four straight wins. Arsenal have managed just one victory in their last five as all focus has shifted to the Champions League. Advertisement On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson was joined by Colin Millar to discuss whether City are now the favourites to finish as runners-up this season. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on 'The Totally Football Show' feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. James: Man City beat Wolves 1-0 on Friday thanks to Kevin De Bruyne. Is the runners-up spot there for the taking now? They've got seven wins and a draw in their last eight games in all competitions. Colin: Yeah, Manchester City are in a strong run of form and, after such a disappointing season, they could still finish the season in second and they could win the FA Cup. You might look at that and think, 'That's actually not that bad at all'. But when you still look at the individual games, especially on Friday night against Wolves, they did look vulnerable for large parts of that game. They certainly did before they took the lead, which was massively against the run of play. Wolves hit the crossbar a couple of times, too, and Matheus Cunha was again fantastic. With how Wolves set up and how they play in general, they don't mind not having the ball and they're really good in that transition phase. Man City still struggle with that and they were saved again by Kevin De Bruyne, who we all know is going at the end of the season. That is going to leave another gap in their squad and they're in a slight period of flux, which they haven't really been in for about seven or eight seasons. You still look at this transfer window coming up and think, 'They actually need maybe two or three big signings to complement what they have. And even with that, can that address the vulnerabilities they have at the moment?'. It's going to be really interesting to see. Advertisement But when you look at how they are playing now and the fixtures they have remaining, too, you'd probably think they are now favourites for second if things go to plan. James: Man City's remaining fixtures do look great. They're away at Southampton, home to Bournemouth and then finish the season away at Fulham. They have to factor the FA Cup final into all of that and preparations for the Club World Cup. But Arsenal's run is Liverpool away, which admittedly isn't quite the fixture it would have been a couple of weeks ago. Then they play Newcastle at home, but they do finish with Southampton away on the final day, so if they need something that day, they should be able to get it. Colin: Arsenal have the Paris Saint-Germain game coming up this week as well. It just seems like so much emotional energy went into the Champions League games against Real Madrid that once they came off that high it's been difficult for them to recover — certainly in such a short period of time. After Liverpool's defeat to Chelsea, I don't think they'll be taking the Arsenal game lightly. They are going to want to beat Arsenal, especially in front of their fans, because it will be a party atmosphere. From an internal point of view, Liverpool maybe would have thought, 'OK, we've got that game at Stamford Bridge, but there are still three games left of the season after that'. They'll now want to get as many points as they can. And you've got players like Mo Salah who want to score as many goals as they can, too, so Liverpool still have quite a bit to play for and there is some pressure on Arsenal's league position now. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
15-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Could Newcastle finish… second?
Newcastle United's dominant 4-1 victory against Manchester United at St James' Park on Sunday made it four successive Premier League wins and lifted them to fourth place. Eddie Howe's side still have a game in hand over their Champions League-chasing rivals — on Wednesday night, they host Crystal Palace. Advertisement A win would see Newcastle leapfrog Nottingham Forest into third and close the gap to four points on second-placed Arsenal, who they play in the penultimate game of the season. In the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson was joined by Daniel Storey, Duncan Alexander, and Matt Davies-Adams to discuss whether Newcastle could finish as runners-up in the Premier League. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on 'The Totally Football Show' feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. James Richardson: Sandro Tonali got Newcastle on their way to a 4-1 thumping of a hapless-looking Manchester United. That first goal was pretty special, wasn't it? Daniel Storey: Newcastle were brilliant all game, and they're really in the mood. Since winning the Carabao Cup final, they have looked nailed on for at least a top-five finish. They are the best team in the country at the moment. When they're at home, and when everything feels high energy, they're fantastic. They've not been great in every game since beating Liverpool at Wembley — especially in the 2-1 win against Brentford — but they are just way too good when they click in the final third. Their midfield embarrassed Manchester United. The quality gap between Bruno Guimaraes, Joelinton and Sandro Tonali and what Manchester United had on the pitch was night and day. United got back into it, but there was only ever one team that was going to win the game. They're in such a good place and I think they'll finish third this season — and they deserve it. James: Good lord, ahead of Forest, do you think, Daniel? Daniel: Yeah, ahead of everyone other than Arsenal, and even that depends on Arsenal's form as well… Duncan Alexander: They could even overtake Arsenal. If Arsenal progress in the Champions League, they will have their eyes on that, and we saw what happened on Saturday with Arsenal (1-1 draw against Brentford at home). People forget that a football season is a very long time. You see it all over the country. Look at Walsall, they were brilliant for the first half of the year and have really fallen away. Advertisement Newcastle had spells where they weren't very good but they are the form team in the country. It won't last forever, but it's come at a really good time. They also have depth now. Look at Harvey Barnes today — Anthony Gordon was out injured, but it now feels like they can carry some injuries and still do well. James: Has Harvey Barnes been the forgotten man of the Newcastle squad? Matt Davies-Adams: Yeah, he has. It's difficult to supplant Gordon when he's fit. Plus, Barnes had his own injury issues as well. But Newcastle a bit of depth about them now, which is what you would expect. They have also been somewhat limited in the transfer market lately. It was big for Barnes, he hadn't completed 90 minutes since September, and now he's done it in back-to-back games. You'd imagine Gordon would probably come in before not too long, maybe as early as Wednesday night against Palace. But it's a nice headache for those selecting the team to have. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
New York Times
28-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Brazil are a mess. What will it take to fix them?
Brazil aren't a nation accustomed to many low points on the international stage, but their 4-1 humbling by Argentina in Buenos Aires on Tuesday night was undoubtedly one of them. The loss marked Brazil's heaviest ever defeat in a World Cup qualifier, compounded by the fact Argentina had already secured their qualification before kickoff thanks to Bolivia's failure to beat Uruguay. Advertisement On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson, Charlie Eccleshare, Benji Lanyado and Michael Cox were joined by Sky Sports reporter and Brazil fan Natalie Gedra. Natalie broke down how the turmoil within the Brazilian FA, coupled with a shortage of top-class coaches, has led to the team's recent struggles on the pitch. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on 'The Totally Football Show' feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. James: Natalie, what have the repercussions been in Brazil and who are they talking about there? Also, what is the position of Dorival Junior (head coach), and why is it the fault of the man at the top? Natalie: There are so many things to address. With Dorival Junior, since he started working with Brazil, no one was convinced because Brazil hadn't really played well, apart from his first couple of games. There's a meeting between him and Ednaldo Rodrigues, the president of the Brazilian Federation, scheduled for this Friday. The Brazilian media is already reporting that they are back in touch with Carlo Ancelotti, and there is hope of getting Ancelotti. Another name would be Jorge Jesus, who was the head coach of Flamengo and is now at Al Hilal. It's almost certain Dorival Junior won't make it to the World Cup in 2026. But there is a big question mark because I've mentioned Ancelotti and Jesus, and everybody is talking about these two names, but they're both involved in the Club World Cup this summer. So the big question is, 'Will Brazil have a manager in the next international break?' Because it's before the Club World Cup and there's a possibility Dorival Junior won't even make it to June. And even if he is the head coach for the next international break, what will happen after that? That is a big question mark. The next matches are against Ecuador and Paraguay, but people aren't concerned about whether Brazil will qualify or not, because everybody will basically qualify, it feels like 150 teams will be at the World Cup in 2026… The bigger concern is how we are going to look in the United States, Canada and Mexico because it's been really bad. At the top of the hierarchy, you have Ednaldo Rodrigues, who just got re-elected the day before the Argentina match with no opposition. This was concerning and also shocking because no one likes him. Ronaldo tried to run for the presidency of the Brazilian FA, but the state federations — of which there are 27 states in Brazil and all needed to be on board — weren't even talking and weren't willing to open talks with Ronaldo to back him up. So Ednaldo Rodrigues was re-elected without opposition. Advertisement There is a lack of perspective of some order in the structure of Brazilian football, and it's quite sad. Maybe we can rock up and perform well in the World Cup after these poor qualifiers, it's happened before in 1994 and 2002. But there's this reliance on the talent, and that's it. There's an assumption that because we have talented players, we can just sort this out. But it runs deeper than that. James: In 2002 and 1994, though, Natalie, were you this bad in qualifying? Natalie: In 2002, it was really bad. We only got through in the last game, and there were two changes of managers, so it was a bit chaotic. As for 1994, we had Romario, who basically just went and sorted out the whole thing. The process of 2002 was really chaotic, but in the end, we had Luiz Felipe Scolari, who brought some order in those final rounds and matches. But the thing is, we can't keep relying on pure talent to win a World Cup. It's been 24 years now in 2026. But there is hope, and I think that's the mentality of the Brazilian FA. Benji: Natalie, with Ancelotti, what is this obsession? Natalie: What is being reported in the Brazilian media is that Ancelotti did like the idea of managing Brazil. There is this idea that top managers would like the job because there is so much talent, plus the style and brand of football are very attractive. But at the same time, the Brazilian FA is just a mess. I think the conversations with Ancelotti started in a positive way, but then he saw that it was a mess. We didn't even have a Brazilian FA president when he said no to the job; this was one of the main reasons he turned it down. People keep talking about Ancelotti and Pep Guardiola, but these guys are used to dealing with well-structured environments. But there is a clinging hope of Ancelotti because the FA believe the talent and brand of Brazilian football is going to sort it out and convince him. Advertisement Charlie: Is there any thought of Brazil finding their Lionel Scaloni equivalent? A former West Ham winger, maybe… or just someone who's not necessarily a big name. I don't think Scaloni came into Argentina with a huge amount of fanfare. So, anyone outside of Ancelotti or Guardiola? A more low-key person who can launch a cultural change? Natalie: Argentina stumbled into Scaloni, and things have worked out really well. They've been rewarded by keeping him and trusting his process because the players have been responding to him. But there is a big crisis in Brazil in terms of management. Brazil hasn't been forming managers. This argument has been happening for so long now because Tite was the head coach of Brazil for two World Cups. People have been talking about this topic for almost 10 years, and they still haven't come up with a solution. It's not like, 'Oh my God, Tite all of a sudden just left and we're now left with this problem.' No, we knew Tite was going to leave after 2022, and everyone knew there was this problem with Brazilian head coaches. Fernando Diniz had some time, but it didn't work for him, and maybe in terms of profile, it wasn't right for him, even though he's a brilliant manager. But there are no options. This is why the Brazilian league keeps turning to Portuguese head coaches. They don't have Brazilian coaches, or any young Brazilian upcoming coaches like Scaloni with Argentina. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. 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New York Times
25-03-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
Will it ever happen for Phil Foden with England?
While England's performances in wins against Albania and Latvia in their opening 2026 World Cup qualifiers over the past week were far from perfect, there were still positives to take from Thomas Tuchel's first two games as head coach. Arsenal's 18-year-old Myles Lewis-Skelly became the youngest England player to score on his senior debut, and captain Harry Kane got goals 70 and 71 for his country. However, Tuchel did not mince his words in his assessment of his players' performances, particularly when critiquing Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford after the 2-0 defeat of Albania. Advertisement On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson, Tom Williams and Seb Stafford-Bloor discussed whether Foden will ever be able to replicate his Manchester City form while wearing the Three Lions. A partial transcript has been edited for clarity and length. The full episode is available on The Totally Football Show feed on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. James Richardson: After England's 2-0 win against Albania, Thomas Tuchel cited Phil Foden and Marcus Rashford and their lack of attacking intent, or at least their lack of dribbling in their roles as wingers. What were your thoughts on that, Tom? Tom Williams: I feel a bit sorry for Foden when he's asked to occupy the role he occupied last Friday, because Tuchel clearly wanted his two wingers to stay very wide. And I think the further you keep Foden from goal, the less effective he is. He was trying things, he was trying to dribble and provide width on that right side. But we know that he's not an exceptionally quick player and his dribbling style is one that is suited to more central areas. A wiggle of the hips to get away from a defender and get a shot off — that's his game. He's not good at picking the ball up wide and going past people. My suspicion is that it might never happen for Foden with England. He's won 44 caps now, he's only 24 years old and he's already one of the most decorated English footballers of all time. But I think he's just such a Manchester City player. He's just such a Pep Guardiola player. And he's probably not going to get a chance to play as a No 10 for England on a regular basis, because of Jude Bellingham. So if he's going to play for England, he is going to be slightly shoehorned into this role on the right where you don't see him doing any of the things that he does for City. Advertisement When you think about Foden's entire international career, what are the 'Foden moments'? What has Foden done in an England shirt? Not to justify his selection, because we all know what a wonderful footballer he is, but what has he done to make a mark on the international stage? I remember saying during the Euros (last summer) that, ultimately, England will have to have to choose between Jude Bellingham, Cole Palmer and Phil Foden. And I don't think anything that we saw in that game against Albania suggested anything different. Richardson: Also, with Bukayo Saka set to return at some point (having been out injured since Christmas) and very much with first dibs on that place on the right, those problems could continue couldn't they, Seb? Seb Stafford-Bloor: It's very early in his time in England to start saying things like this but when I look at a Tuchel player, I completely agree with Tom that Foden's best moments seem to always be in congested spaces when he's taking the ball on the half-turn, and creating space where there isn't any in the middle of the pitch. When you look at Morgan Rogers, particularly when he plays for Aston Villa, he's an amazing transitional player. He is so strong on the ball, so skilful and can be so direct when he needs to be. That just seems to fit into what Tuchel has done at club level much more than Foden. Phil Foden is almost like a component who has been carved specifically to play for Manchester City. It's really interesting, and I'm ageing myself slightly here but I see Paul Scholes' England career and Foden's as quite similar. Just in the way it's kind of like, 'Oh he's a gifted player, we'll just use him anywhere.' As a result, you take a nine out of 10 player and make him a seven out of 10 player because of circumstance. Instead of Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard (as was the case with Scholes), Foden's competing with Jude Bellingham, who's always probably going to be given the keys to the team in the middle of the pitch. It's just unfortunate. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.
Forbes
22-03-2025
- Sport
- Forbes
Manchester City Lose The One Thing That Matters
MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Carlos Baleba of Brighton and Hove Albion battles for possession ... More with Nico Gonzalez of Manchester City during the Premier League match between Manchester City FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images) A perverse pattern emerges when you examine the team in English soccer that has managed to generate the much-lauded 'fear factor.' Back in the 1980s, Anfield's reputation was so lofty that Liverpool players could sense they'd get a victory in the tunnel. 'Teams would come to Anfield and be negative,' explained ex-Reds defender defender Mark Lawrenson. 'We would smell it. We would think to ourselves that it was not even going to be a contest.' Suddenly, without warning, in the early 90s, that sense of inevitability disappeared. Liverpool fell from regular title challengers to a side that blew hot and cold. Having won seven of the previous decade's ten titles, it would take the club 30 years to be crowned English champions again. Ironically, while Anfield was losing its fear factor a short distance away in North West England, bitter rivals Manchester United were putting together a string of leaguechampionship wins that gave their players a similar feeling of invincibility. 'When I was playing for Manchester United, you thought you had teams beaten in the tunnel,' former striker Mark Hughes said of the era he wore the Red Devils shirt. However, that feeling vanished just as had been the case with Liverpool. 'It's not the case [teams are beaten pre-game] now,' Hughes added in 2014 when United's home record became abysmal in the absence of legendary coach Sir Alex Ferguson. The gods of soccer wanted to punish any side that stood at the summit because as soon as United fell, Manchester City's English stadium was where the teams seemed to melt in the tunnel. And so this season, opponents' fear of facing the Citizens appears to be fading after a similarly dominant spell. Journalists Tim Spiers and Jay Harris articulated the City's sudden decline well on a recent edition of the popular podcast The Totally Football Show. 'Just simply looking at that starting 11 for Man City, and I know they had people like Phil Foden, Bernardo Silva, Kevin De Bruyne and Jack Grealish on the bench, but it's not amazing when you look at it,' said Harris. MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - MARCH 15: Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola during the Premier League ... More match between Manchester City FC and Brighton & Hove Albion FC at Etihad Stadium on March 15, 2025 in Manchester, England. (Photo by) 'City used to possess a bit of a fear factor about them but that went long ago this season.' Or as Spiers rather more concisely put it: 'It's like when Sir Alex Ferguson left Manchester United and it was like, 'Oh, they weren't that great after all.'' Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has admitted that the fear factor opponents had when visiting his home stadium has evaporated. As a result, teams are taking a more aggressive approach. 'Everyone came to the Etihad and stayed back,' he said last month. 'Now everyone comes here, doesn't matter, man to man. They just jump to Ederson, Stefan [Ortega], so then you have to adapt. And after that do it better with the ball. Otherwise you will be happy not qualifying for the Champions League.' In Guardiola's opinion, the outlook is so bleak that he's simply looking to survive this campaign to reboot next time. 'Next season, we will be back,' he said bullishly. 'Really now, it is a question to survive, to qualify, to fight for the title if it is possible, otherwise to accept the reality is completely different from the last eight or nine years.' It's undoubted that injuries have played a role in derailing Manchester City's season. The club has had key members of the team sidelined, including Rodri, the team's most important player for the past three seasons. But you have to wonder how much of a role the fear played in their success. In the four back-to-back title-winning campaigns that preceded this season's collapse, rivals often complained about a feeling of inevitability that each year City would just click into gear at some point and steamroller the league. The same atmosphere ran through Anfield's halls in the 1980s and Old Trafford in the 1990s. The belief in both the team at the summit and their opponent that the established side would find a way. Once that dissipates, it is very hard to get back. You only have to look to the other side of Manchester, where the sense of inevitability associated with United finding a way to win a game, often in added time, has become a historical trait. Whenever there's an odd modern example, it provides a cruel reminder of the way things used to be. Great talents have trodden the Old Trafford turf, from Cristiano Ronaldo to Paul Pogba, steeped in Sir Alex Ferguson-era winning machine culture. Yet, none have been able to recapture that brilliance. The difference for City is that their legendary coach has not yet departed, and there will be hope that, in Mark Twain's famous words, rumors of their demise are greatly exaggerated. At the moment, it looks like they've lost the one thing that matters most: the feeling that they are going to win.
