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New York Times
2 days ago
- Business
- New York Times
Could PSG dominate European football for years to come?
Paris Saint-Germain's stunning 5-0 demolition of Inter on Saturday night will go down as one of the most one-sided Champions League finals ever played. The scoreline was record-breaking, marking the largest winning margin ever in a European Cup final. While the performance was just as impressive as PSG outclassed Inter in every single department. Advertisement With such a young and talented squad — and the weight of winning the Champions League now finally off their shoulders — the question now is how much more this PSG team could go on to achieve? On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson was joined by Duncan Alexander, Daniel Storey and Tim Spiers to debate whether this PSG side could dominate European football for years to come. 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: It was a perfect night for Paris Saint-Germain. Did you guys not get a sense that this is a team that's beginning to realise its potential and beginning to bring through players who can take them to another level? Are we witnessing a generational outfit in the way that the AC Milan team of the late 1980s were, or the great Barcelona side of the early 1990s? Duncan: It reminded me in some ways of the previous great performance in the final, which was Barcelona at Wembley in 2011. I remember after that everyone was like 'This team are going to win the European Cup for the next 10 years.' But they've only got to one final since. Unless you're Real Madrid, it's very hard to plan for successive seasons of glory in the Champions League. As it stands: yes, it looks like PSG are not only a great team, but they're almost reshaping how other teams are going to set up for the next few years. So it is exciting from that point of view. But we've all watched enough football in our lives to know that it's never that simple. And in underground layers across Europe, your Pep Guardiola's and Arne Slot's will be planning counter-offensives. So we'll see what happens, but for now let's just enjoy a superb display. Daniel: There's one broad theme of the last two or three years in international and club football. It's these superstar teams increasingly giving chances to teenagers that people hadn't heard of three months ago, and then those players becoming some of the most famous players in the world within a matter of weeks. Spain with Lamine Yamal at the Euros clearly lent on that, and Barcelona have done the same. Advertisement It does feel that by moving on Messi and Neymar, PSG have understood increasingly that not only is Paris one of the most fevered hotspots for creating talent in world football, but also that if you get those players in and give them the chance, then that's how you make them flourish. They can peak at 18 or 19, you don't have to wait until they're 22 or 23 to break into the team. That is perhaps slightly antithetical to how Serie A has always been about using young players and giving those players a chance, because in Italy they rely upon experience. The whole framework is that you're in a final, so you need experience: you need your hardened guys, and you need your Giorgio Chiellini's to get you through. But I don't think that's the case anymore. You can use that exuberance of youth to act as a complete game changer in a tournament because people don't know how to defend these players, and they haven't scouted them as much. It looked like Federico Dimarco had never seen Desire Doue play football before. And obviously he has, but he hasn't played a talent who is just going on pure adrenaline and exuberance of youth. Tim: To the final whistle, they were absolutely incessant and relentless with their pressing. It was 4-0 and they were still going for a fifth. Then you had Senny Mayulu coming on and scoring, and his celebration was just wonderful. In complete contrast to Achraf Hakimi's apology for scoring the first, which was just insane. But it's their aggression which was so impressive. It's Hakimi touching the ball more in the opposition half than he did in his own half as a right-back. It's every time Vitinha was getting the ball, just being unbelievably positive, like the quick dart forward he did for the third goal. It was two one-twos, and then in three seconds he was outside the opposition box having just been outside his own. Advertisement Duncan: And that must have come from the manager instilling that understanding in the players that they don't have to be scared to make mistakes, which probably lessens the mistakes. Even the things that look like mistakes from PSG aren't mistakes. They took the kick-off and kicked it straight out for a throw-in. They questioned it on the commentary, but they've actually been doing that quite a lot in games this season. It's almost to pen the opposition in the corner. So even the stuff that looks bad is actually by design. Daniel: I remember there was a quote from Luis Enrique when he was the Spain manager. Unai Simon had made a really bad mistake and Enrique was consoling him after the game. And he said, 'There's a difference between a failure of process and a failure of execution. If you make the wrong decision, I'm annoyed because I want to teach you to make the right decisions. But if you make the right decision and make a mistake, that's fine — that's just a failure of execution. You're good enough, so you'll get that right.' There's something really scary at any level of football about playing against a team whose players look like they're having fun and enjoying themselves. Inter looked like they had a plan to set up, but it didn't work and they couldn't shift from that. Whereas the flicks from Dembele and Doue, even at 1-0, it just looked like they were having so much fun. That's really scary for an opposition because it was like they were taking the mick out of them, and they were enjoying themselves while doing it. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo:)
New York Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
The race for European football – and the benefit of not being involved
Heading into the final weekend of Premier League fixtures, Nottingham Forest's clash with Chelsea at the City Ground is undoubtedly the game with the most at stake. Four teams are separated by just a single point in the race for Champions League qualification. Newcastle (fourth), Chelsea (fifth), and Aston Villa (sixth) are all level on 66 points, with Forest on their tails in seventh on 65. Advertisement For Nuno Espirito Santo's side, however, nothing but a win will do — and even then, they'll need results elsewhere to fall in their favour. On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson was joined by Benji Lanyado, Duncan Alexander, and Charlie Eccleshare to discuss Forest's chances of securing a top-five spot, and why they shouldn't be disappointed even if they miss out — considering they will still have European football next 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: Let's start with Nottingham Forest and Chelsea. As you know, a Chelsea win will secure them a top-five finish and Champions League football. Forest, by contrast, need to win the game but also hope that Aston Villa drop points at Old Trafford, or Newcastle drop points against Everton. Benji, which team is not going to get what they need out of those three fixtures? Benji: Heartbreakingly, I think it's going to be Nottingham Forest. I'm saying this maybe as an emotional hedge against what I want to happen, but I can just see Chelsea and Man City squeezing their way through and pushing out the fun teams. I think that there is so much emotion that's been building up to that game at the weekend for Forest, and I just worry for them because of that. A bit like how with Athletic Club against United in the Europa League semi-finals, there was so much riding on it that they bottled it because of the pressure. I think that could happen to Forest as well. James: Are Forest going to get their win, Duncan? Duncan: I'm going to say yes, even though it's been a strange few weeks for them. Obviously, there was the horrific injury to Taiwo Awoniyi, and their form has dropped off a bit as well. But looking at this as a one-off game against a Chelsea team that isn't flawless, and with atmosphere from the crowd at the City Ground, I think they can do it. Whether they get the required results elsewhere, however, I'm not as convinced. Because I think Newcastle will beat Everton, and despite Villa's notoriously bad record at Old Trafford, surely if they're ever going to end it, this weekend is the time. But it's going to be very exciting, and we could see a few changes to the league table as the goals go in. Advertisement I must say I also don't think Forest should be too disappointed if they don't make it into the top five, because they're still going to have European football, and it's still been a great season for them. We've spoken about Spurs not being necessarily ready for the Champions League, I don't think Forest's squad is ready either. We saw even a squad as good as Villa's this season drop off because they were competing in the Champions League. So the Europa League or Conference League for Forest would be a nice and gentle easing into continental football. So whatever happens — and I'm sure this will happen — their fans should probably just celebrate an incredible season with European football. Let's not forget Forest were the team that finished 17th last year, so it just shows that you can go from 17th back to near the top, so well done to them. Charlie: It will be interesting next season with so many teams in Europe, because I think a lot of these teams are going to really struggle. We spoke about it a couple of weeks ago in relation to Newcastle last season. When they were trying to juggle the Champions League and Premier League, they couldn't do it and they had an injury crisis. Then this season, they haven't had any European football whatsoever, and they've been really good again. So there are going to be a lot of teams, like Newcastle, like Forest as you mentioned Duncan, and even Crystal Palace, who are going to be navigating this completely new world. We've even seen the best teams both in the Premier League and in other leagues also struggling to do that juggling act with these extra games. So we could see one or two of the teams not in Europe next season actually feel a benefit. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo:)
New York Times
17-05-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
‘If we win, then what?' — A Palace fan previews the FA Cup final
Saturday's FA Cup final marks one of the most significant moments in Crystal Palace's history. Not only is a first-ever major trophy within reach, but victory would also secure them European football next season. Both would be remarkable achievements for Oliver Glasner in what is his first full season in charge. Advertisement On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, stand-in host Matt Davies-Adams was joined by Palace fan Reuben Pinder, Natalie Gedra, Duncan Alexander and Liam Tharme to discuss the impact Glasner has made at the club in such a short space of time, and what it would mean for Palace if they were to go all the way. Watch the discussion below. 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. Matt Davies-Adams: Saturday at 4:30 is the FA Cup final between plucky underdogs and 1991 Zenith Data Systems Cup trophy winners Crystal Palace, and a Manchester City side so laden with silverware in recent years that they'll surely take this if it's on offer. But let's not pretend this is a season-saving big deal or anything. The Athletic's Reuben Pinder, a Palace fan, joins us in the studio. Reuben, you'll be in attendance on Saturday, could you ever have imagined this would be a thing? Probably not since 2016 I'm guessing? Reuben Pinder: Yeah 2016 was the last time we were there, but this one does feel very different. The semi-final was a really special performance with a special atmosphere. And going into the final, it does feel very different from last time. At the start of the season when we didn't really win a game until late October, there's no way we would have envisaged this exciting crescendo. Davies-Adams: And it's nice to head into Saturday coming off the back of a convincing win isn't it? Albeit at Spurs, it's still nice to go in off the back of the victory. Pinder: Yeah 100 per cent. With these last few games of the season not much has really mattered in the league. There's no chance of relegation, and it's very difficult to surge through the table into the European places. So the FA Cup is our best chance of getting to Europe, and obviously a great chance of a first major trophy. Advertisement There's been a temptation among the fans to maybe want more rotation in the league 11 as previous managers probably would have done. But Oliver Glasner has really stayed very focused on that momentum. Before the semi-final we had Arsenal midweek, and the focus among the fans was for nobody to get injured. Glasner played a very strong team and we got a 2-2 draw, which was really important after a sequence of bad results, including a 5-2 defeat to City. To maintain that momentum and avoid injuries has been really important. And even though Wharton did limp off against Nottingham Forest, the chat has been that he has a 90 per cent chance of being ready to play in the final, and he'll be hugely important. Natalie Gedra: It's been a funny trajectory with Oliver Glasner at Palace hasn't it? Because when he arrived at the club they started playing some exciting football, but then the season was over. And we were left thinking, 'God, maybe they're going to challenge for the top half of the Premier League'. Then the season started and it fell apart slightly, and no one understood it. But all of a sudden we're here in May and they're playing in the FA Cup final. Everybody talks about the change of mentality that Glasner brought to this club. Can you talk a bit about that? Pinder: Yeah, he really has. The start of the season didn't go to plan, but there were reasons for that. For example, (Jean-Philippe) Mateta was at the Olympics so maybe he came back a little bit late and not as fresh, and some signings also came in late. I remember when I went to Stamford Bridge at the start of the season, the back three was (Marc) Guehi in the middle, whereas he normally plays on the left. I think Clyne started on the right and Richards played on the Left. Now all three of those players are playing in different positions. So it felt like we were starting a bit late, and that was supposedly a trend among Glasner's old teams. The first few weeks of the season were a bit rocky and then it became smooth. So in that sense, the league position looks a bit false. But of course, those early weeks in a season do count as well, so you can't make that excuse all the time. But the mentality that he's installed has been really impressive compared to previous managers, and the unwavering belief of the players during that rocky spell was very clear as well. Davies-Adams: It's tantalising isn't it though, Reuben? Palace's first major trophy is potentially just 90 minutes away. Have the nerves kicked in yet, and what will it mean if you do get over the line? Advertisement Pinder: I'm trying not to think about it… Davies-Adams: This is the best bit right? Because nothing's gone wrong yet. Pinder: Exactly. It does feel a little bit like when England get to finals, and it's like, 'Well if we win, then what?' Because of the fact that we haven't, the excitement and the tension is the best bit. And then it's going to be 90 minutes of horrible nerves. But my friends who I sit with are just saying, 'It's all we can think about,' while being distracted at their desks all the time. But it's going to be a long day so I'll make sure to look after myself (laughs). But it would be incredible. There will be lots of tears if we win. I'm not expecting to win, but I think it's a lot more evenly matched than the league table or history suggests in this one-off game. So I'm cautiously optimistic. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo:)
New York Times
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New York Times
Is Crystal Palace the perfect environment for Eberechi Eze to thrive?
Crystal Palace head into Saturday's FA Cup final full of confidence after their 2-0 win over Tottenham last weekend — a result that not only secured a league double over Spurs for the first time, but also saw them match their highest ever Premier League points total of 49. Eberechi Eze was the star of the show as his brace sealed the points for Palace, who will be counting on a similar display from their talisman on Saturday if they're to lift the FA Cup for the first time in their history. Advertisement On the latest episode of The Totally Football Show, James Richardson was joined by Jay Harris and Adrian Clarke to discuss Eze's impressive performance and whether the 26-year-old should be looking to move on this summer. 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: Eberechi Eze was impressive again with the brace that sealed the win wasn't he? Jay: Chess Master Eberechi Eze… James: Chess Master yeah, that's a great story isn't it? Jay: It's a very cool story. James: There's a wonderful piece on The Athletic which people can read that will tell you all about this. It's a lovely piece too because it's such an unusual story. Eze entered a celebrity online chess competition and apparently had to battle through a few qualifying rounds to reach the final 20-player round, which he won. He also won £15,000… Jay: Not that he needs it… James: You're right. Not that he needs it but he did win the competition which is impressive. Also in the piece it's revealed that he only started learning from Jean-Philippe Mateta, meaning it couldn't have even been long ago that he started learning. Jay: Exactly. I do need to give Eze some praise as well. I've said to friends for a long time that he's one of the footballers I enjoy watching the most. The way he glides across the pitch is beautiful, it's so graceful and he's great to watch. For his second goal in particular, he picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch, played a beautiful pass out to Ismaila Sarr, sprinted into the box and was there when Sarr's shot was blocked by Djed Spence. He finished it with such confidence and he was in the right place — he's just such a clever and intelligent footballer. I feel like sometimes his momentum seems to be disrupted by the odd injury here and there, but when he's in full flow he's amazing to watch. Advertisement Inevitably people will talk about whether he should move in the summer and join a 'bigger club'. But firstly, he has got a great opportunity to win silverware with Crystal Palace on Saturday. And you do wonder with players like Eze if they're just better suited to being the heartbeat of a 'smaller side,' rather than going to a bigger team and maybe having less of an influence. He flourishes because the system is built in a way that suits his strengths. So I just wonder whether he would lose some of his individuality if he moved to a different team, because Jack Grealish is the prime case study for this. Adrian: Oliver Glasner's style of play really suits him. They've got that box in midfield with those progressive midfielders who play early passes into the No. 10s where Eze is. But I think it will be now or never for Eze to get a move, won't it? He's getting to that age where if he did want to move on now would probably be the time because his value might start to depreciate. Jay: He's 27 in June, so actually maybe even next year he could get a move. Adrian: Right, and I really think he could play and thrive in the Champions League. We talked earlier about Trent Alexander-Arnold earlier and how you only have one career. I think Eze's talent — like Michael Olise, his old mate who was equally good at Palace — belongs in the Champions League. Olise's been smashing it up in the Champions League, and I think Eze deserves to play at that level, too. So it's going to be fascinating to see where he does land. James: If he goes to Spurs or Man United, he could be playing in the Champions League next season… Adrian: Stranger things have happened… Jay: His contract runs out in 2027 as well, and the two-year point is always the one where players normally decide whether they're going to stay and sign a new deal or whether they're going to leave, so time will tell. You can listen to full episodes of The Totally Football Show for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify. (Top Photo: Charlotte Wilson/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Jurgen Klopp had to be convinced to sign Mohamed Salah and wanted Liverpool alternative instead
Liverpool's former director of research has recalled how Jurgen Klopp didn't particularly want to sign Mohamed Salah in 2017, but was open to being convinced about the merits of doing so. Klopp, who made his first firing as Red Bull's head of global soccer over the weekend, was in fact keen on landing Julian Brandt, a German youngster who was playing for Bayer Leverkusen at the time. However, Ian Graham, who was Liverpool's director of research between 2012 and 2023, was adamant that the Reds should move for Salah, who was 25 at the time and was coming off the back of a 19-goal season at Serie A club Roma. "Jurgen's preferred option for that summer was Julian Brandt, who was a great player," Graham told BBC Sport. "Jurgen had obviously known him very well, coming from the Bundesliga, and knew the German market very well. READ MORE: Mohamed Salah 'slap' on Trent Alexander-Arnold sums up their relationship READ MORE: Gary Neville is right about Curtis Jones but it doesn't really matter "We agreed that Brandt was a very good young player but not a standout in the same way that Mo was. From our data analysis point of view Mo was the best young wide forward in Europe, full stop. "Roma were under pressure to sell because their finances were not in a good place, so we knew he was available for a good price. He played a forward and wide role that we needed to fill at the time, whereas Brandt was more of an attacking midfielder. "It's to Jurgen's credit that he engaged in that debate in an honest way with his eyes open to say, 'OK, I'm open to be convinced, show me that Mo is better'." This is, in fact, not a new revelation, as German football expert Raphael Honigstein recalled the situation back in 2017. 'Michael Edwards (Liverpool's current chief executive, who was the Reds' sporting director at the time) had been getting a lot of criticism in Liverpool for some of the decisions they've made over the last few years,' Honigstein told the Totally Football Show podcast. 'This is one where Klopp has just stepped aside and said, 'I didn't really want Salah, but he convinced me to take him.' They were going for Julian Brandt, who's very talented, but it's inconceivable to think what the season would have looked like if it had been Brandt instead of Salah, because Brandt has been OK but hasn't turned into one of the best strikers overnight the way that Salah has.' The decision to sign Salah over Brandt proved to be the right one, with the 32-year-old going on to score 243 goals and register 110 assists across 393 appearances for the Reds. Brandt, meanwhile, ended up moving to Borussia Dortmund in 2019, where he has been primarily used as an attacking midfielder, scoring 44 goals and registering 60 assists in 252 appearances for the Bundesliga club.
