🎙️ Football Weekly (The Guardian) •August 19, 2026 •⏱️ 49 min

Premier League season preview: Arsenal to Fulham - Football Weekly podcast

1. Executive Overview: Core Theses & Key Revelations

The annual Premier League season preview on The Guardian Football Weekly has long served as a bellwether for the ideological and financial state of English football. Yet, the opening installment of the latest campaign review—spanning Arsenal to Fulham in alphabetical sequence—transcends standard media previewing. Hosted by Max Rushden alongside a panel comprising investigative journalist Philippe Auclair, historical authority Jonathan Wilson, and veteran cynical realist Barry Glendenning, the discussion presents a sobering forensic audit of an elite game operating at the extreme limits of technical pragmatism and financial risk.

The central thesis emerging from this panel is bold and uncompromising: Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal have transitioned from ambitious challengers to a formidable title-winning machine, positioned to claim back-to-back league crowns for the first time since the legendary Herbert Chapman and George Allison era of 1933–1935. This prospective dominance is catalyzed not merely by Arsenal's aggressive squad refinement—highlighted by the marquee arrivals of Bruno Guimarães, Christos Tzolis, and Élan Meslier—but by the severe structural decay, tactical stagnation, and regulatory paralysis afflicting their primary competitors.

Chief among these revelations is the acute financial fragility of Chelsea Football Club. Far from stabilizing under private equity stewardship, Chelsea are portrayed as trapped in an existential debt spiral. Philippe Auclair brought to light the existence of compounding Payment-in-Kind (PIK) debt instruments carrying punishing interest rates between 10% and 14%. As Jonathan Wilson observed, the Premier League's enforcement mechanisms have proved entirely toothless, allowing Chelsea to navigate severe financial misdemeanors with superficial fines while their long-term economic foundation erodes. Simultaneously, Barry Glendenning advanced a provocative critique of Manchester City, positing that Pep Guardiola may have passed his peak, forcing the manager to over-compensate for an unbalanced, aging squad stripped of structural pillars like Bernardo Silva and John Stones.

Across the broader mid-table spectrum, the panel identified a systemic turn toward balance-sheet manipulation. Through player swap structures, questionable fair-market-value dispositions, and short-term squad engineering, clubs from Brighton and Tottenham to Aston Villa and Crystal Palace are navigating stringent Profit and Sustainability Rules (PSR) by prioritizing accounting mechanics over traditional roster building. The episode thus marks a decisive moment in sports broadcasting: a transition from assessing form and tactics to diagnosing financial solvency and structural durability.

2. Context & Background: The Landscape Leading to This Conversation

To understand the urgency underpinning this season preview, one must examine the macroeconomic and regulatory environment governing English football. The implementation of PSR and multi-club ownership frameworks has fundamentally altered how Premier League executives build squads. Where previous eras rewarded organic team development and long-term project building, the modern regulatory architecture incentivizes aggressive amortization, capital gains realization, and high-risk balance sheet maneuvers.

Arsenal's emergence as title favorites represents the culmination of a multi-year project under Mikel Arteta. Having broken their league drought in the prior campaign and finished as Champions League runners-up, the North London club entered the summer from a position of profound strength. However, as Barry Glendenning noted, Arsenal’s march to glory was characterized by a calculating, risk-averse tactical style that often polarized neutrals and strained the nerves of their own supporter base. Arteta’s obsession with set-piece efficiency, mid-block caution, and physical territorial dominance produced results, yet it left open questions regarding aesthetic satisfaction and long-term squad adaptability.

Conversely, Chelsea’s ownership model under Clearlake Capital represents the radical financialization of football asset management. By offering unprecedented eight-year player contracts to spread transfer cost amortization, Chelsea sought to exploit regulatory loopholes. However, as the debt matures and operational deficits expand, the reliance on high-yield PIK financing has exposed the club to staggering capital costs. When combined with managerial turnover and an inflated roster, Chelsea embody the systemic hazards of corporate financial engineering applied to elite sports.

Meanwhile, Manchester City stand at a critical crossroads. After years of overwhelming domestic supremacy under Pep Guardiola, signs of structural fatigue have surfaced. The departures of key dressing-room leaders, coupled with recurring injury layoffs to primary creators like Kevin De Bruyne, have left the champions reliant on a thin core of senior figures and unproven talents. The panel’s analysis arrives directly after Arsenal’s convincing Community Shield victory over City—a fixture that, while traditionally exhibitionist in nature, offered stark empirical evidence of a shifting power dynamic at the summit of the English game.

3. Deep-Dive Thematic Breakdown

3.1 Arsenal's Supremacy and the Post-Chapman Imperative

3.1.1 Tactical Evolution: From Traumatic Caution to Fluid Domination

A central pillar of the panel’s assessment of Arsenal is the subtle yet significant shift in their attacking fluidity. Philippe Auclair highlighted that despite previous reservations regarding the signing of Bruno Guimarães, the Brazilian midfielder has immediately provided a commanding presence in the central third. Operating alongside a fully fit Martin Ødegaard and a restored Bukayo Saka, Guimarães brings physical assertiveness and progressive passing channels that liberate Arsenal's frontline.

The panel reflected on the aesthetic tension that defined Arsenal's previous campaign. Barry Glendenning articulated a widespread critique among observers, noting that Arteta’s tactical approach prioritized structural caution over spontaneous attacking expression. This reliance on low-risk possession sequences and set-piece disruption often made for harrowing viewing, even for ardent supporters. However, the pre-season displays and Community Shield performance suggest an evolving tactical posture. The emergence of young talent like Myles Lewis-Skelly, who delivered a sublime assist in pre-season action, demonstrates that Arteta is beginning to integrate creative dynamism into his rigid defensive framework.

3.1.2 The Disposable Asset Strategy: Short-Term Engineering at the Apex

Jonathan Wilson introduced a compelling theoretical framework regarding modern squad construction, pointing to Arsenal’s handling of incoming and outgoing personnel as evidence of a new paradigm: the "disposable asset strategy." Rather than viewing every transfer as a multi-year commitment, elite clubs are increasingly purchasing specialized players to fulfill specific short-term operational mandates before moving them on.

This dynamic is illustrated by the trajectory of Martin Zubimendi. Brought in during the previous window to bolster midfield depth, Zubimendi performed his designated role effectively but now finds himself surplus to requirements following the integration of Guimarães. Wilson noted that a swift transfer to Real Madrid makes absolute strategic sense for all parties. Real Madrid require a controlling deep-lying orchestrator in the mold of Rodri, while Arsenal can cash in on a player whose value has peaked within their system. Similar dynamics govern the departures of Leandro Trossard and Christian Nørgaard. This hyper-pragmatic approach to roster maintenance indicates that squad building is no longer about preserving an immutable core, but maintaining dynamic asset rotation to maximize short-term winning windows.

Nevertheless, structural vulnerabilities persist. The panel emphasized that central defender William Saliba faces an extended absence until December due to a persistent back injury. With Saliba sidelined, Arsenal's backline loses its primary insurance policy against quick transitions. Furthermore, while the squad possesses depth across midfield and wide areas, both Wilson and Auclair agreed that upgrading the center-forward position—moving beyond Viktor Gyökeres and refining wide depth past Noni Madueke—remains the final frontier in Arteta’s quest for total European dominance.

3.2 Chelsea's Financial Alchemy: PIK Loans and High-Yield Mortgages

3.2.1 The Mathematics of Compounding Debt: 14% Interest Traps

The most alarming investigative revelations in the podcast centered on Chelsea’s balance sheet. Philippe Auclair presented a scathing financial critique, uncovering the mechanics of the high-yield debt instruments used to finance the club’s aggressive transfer spending. Unlike standard commercial bank loans secured at modest interest rates, Chelsea’s debt portfolio heavily features Payment-in-Kind (PIK) structures.

PIK loans allow the borrower to defer cash interest payments by adding the accrued interest directly to the principal loan amount. While this provides temporary cash flow relief, it triggers an exponential compounding effect. Auclair noted that the interest rates attached to Chelsea's PIK instruments range from 10% to an astonishing 14%. On a debt load running into hundreds of millions of pounds, annual interest liabilities balloon relentlessly. This financial structure resembles a high-yield subprime mortgage: cash flows are shielded in the immediate term, but the underlying capital obligation expands to colossal proportions, creating a severe structural drag on operational revenue.

3.2.2 Regulatory Toothlessness and Maresca's On-Pitch Exposure

Jonathan Wilson built upon Auclair’s economic analysis by interrogating the regulatory response of the Premier League. Despite widespread infractions and transparent accounting acrobatics, the governing body opted to impose what Wilson categorized as an "absurdly ridiculous fine." By substituting meaningful sporting sanctions—such as severe point deductions or transfer bans—with financial penalties, the Premier League has enabled high-leverage ownership groups to treat regulatory compliance as a mere cost of doing business.

This macro-level instability directly impacts performance on the pitch under head coach Enzo Maresca. The squad's structural incoherence was starkly exposed in pre-season and early competitive fixtures. Maresca’s tactical setup relies on a high defensive line and positional discipline; yet, Chelsea repeatedly concede simplistic goals via basic long balls into the space behind their central defenders. The lack of midfield pressure and defensive coordination leaves the backline defenseless. Furthermore, bizarre transfer maneuvers—such as acquiring Alejandro Garnacho on loan from Chelsea's own books to Aston Villa—highlight a transfer policy dictated by financial clearing operations rather than coherent tactical planning.

3.3 Manchester City's Twilight: The Guardiola Peak and Structural Erosion

3.3.1 Over-Compensation vs. Systemic Decay

For nearly a decade, Manchester City under Pep Guardiola have represented the undisputed benchmark of tactical excellence. However, Barry Glendenning put forward a provocative reassessment of City's trajectory, questioning whether Guardiola has passed his operational peak. Glendenning argued that over the past two seasons, Guardiola was not necessarily elevating a superior squad to unprecedented heights, but rather performing extraordinary managerial acrobatics to drag an increasingly flawed and imbalanced group across the finish line.

The current City squad exhibits undeniable structural anomalies. The departures of dressing-room anchors like Bernardo Silva and John Stones have stripped the team of positional versatility and cultural authority. Stones, who managed only 11 Premier League starts over the previous two seasons due to chronic injuries, nevertheless provided tactical poise and calm in possession. Without these stabilizing figures, City’s squad contains only two recognized defenders over the age of 25, creating an alarming void of senior leadership in defensive transitions.

3.3.2 Dressing Room Erosion and the Deficit of Identity

The panel expressed serious doubts regarding City's capacity to maintain a sustained title challenge alongside Arsenal. With Kevin De Bruyne increasingly hampered by physical breakdown and the supporting cast lacking the relentless consistency of previous campaigns, City risk falling behind early in the season. Wilson highlighted that if City stumble during the opening month, they could easily find themselves six or seven points behind Arsenal, effectively ending their title defense before autumn sets in.

The Community Shield defeat served as a microcosm of these systemic issues. City appeared lethargic, vulnerable to sharp transitional passes, and incapable of imposing their traditional territorial dominance. Guardiola’s reliance on youthful prospects without adequate senior mentorship has created an identity deficit. As the panel concluded, the aura of invincibility surrounding Etihad Stadium has dissolved, leaving a squad that looks strangely fragile and misaligned.

3.4 Balance Sheet Arbitrage: Swap Deals and Amortization Jiggery-Pokery

3.4.1 Fair Market Value Manipulation in the Mid-Table

Beyond the elite title contenders, the podcast exposed how medium-sized clubs are leveraging complex transaction structures to circumvent PSR boundaries. Philippe Auclair used the term "jiggery-pokery" to describe the intricate web of player swap deals and reciprocal transfers conducted between clubs such as Brighton, Tottenham Hotspur, Crystal Palace, and Everton.

A prime example of this balance-sheet arbitrage is the swap deal involving Brennan Johnson and Dwight McNeil. By structuring player exchanges as two separate, highly valued buy-and-sell transactions, clubs can immediately book the full transfer fee received as an upfront capital gain on their current financial year’s balance sheet. Conversely, the incoming player's transfer cost is amortized across the duration of a five-year contract. This accounting mechanism creates artificial short-term profit margins without requiring net cash outlay. However, Auclair questioned whether these transactions reflect genuine fair market value or represent a coordinated effort to evade regulatory scrutiny, warning that regulatory authorities may eventually intervene to re-assess the true economic valuation of such exchanges.

3.4.2 Aston Villa's £117M Cash-Out and Emery's Europa Rebuild

Aston Villa’s summer strategy presents a fascinating case study in balancing competitive ambition with fiscal reality. Under Unai Emery, Villa secured a fourth-place finish and claimed Europa League glory in the previous campaign. However, sustaining that trajectory required significant squad restructuring. The club executed a major capital realization by selling Morgan Rogers for a staggering fee between £116 million and £117 million, alongside the departure of midfielder Youri Tielemans to Manchester United.

Villa also experienced significant backroom attrition, losing set-piece specialist Austin MacPhee and two key tactical assistants from Emery's coaching staff. Despite these departures and a long-term knee injury to midfielder Amadou Onana, Emery has systematically rebuilt the squad. Acquisitions such as Johan Manzambi from Freiburg, João Gomes from Wolves, Maadou Kabba Cissé, and Suzuki in goal—who the panel identified as a forward-looking upgrade over Emiliano Martínez—demonstrate clear strategic intent. Furthermore, the loan signing of Alejandro Garnacho and the arrival of Bryan Maggio (who produced a stellar performance against Paris Saint-Germain) provide Emery with dynamic options as Villa navigate a grueling dual campaign across domestic and European fronts.

3.5 Managerial Transition: Arbeloa's Fulham Gamble and Moyes' Goodison Sunset

3.5.1 The Arbeloa Experiment and Spanish Coaching Pedigree

At Craven Cottage, Fulham have embarked on a high-stakes managerial transition following the departure of Marco Silva. The appointment of former Real Madrid defender Álvaro Arbeloa represents a calculated gamble on Spanish tactical coaching. Arbeloa has immediately leveraged his connections with Real Madrid's academy, securing promising prospects Gonzalo García and César Palacios from Real Madrid B, alongside midfielder Shea Charles from Southampton and Swedish forward Jonah Kusi-Asare from Bayern Munich.

Jonathan Wilson and the panel expressed intrigue regarding Arbeloa's tactical credentials, noting that managing Fulham represents a vast departure from the pressure-cooker environment of Real Madrid. The spotlight falls sharply on striker Gonzalo García, winner of the Golden Boot at the 2025 Club World Cup. Adding a touch of Hollywood glamour to Craven Cottage, Garcia is the grand-nephew of legendary screen icon Rita Hayworth. However, replacing the offensive output of Harry Wilson (released to Leeds United) and Raúl Jiménez will require immediate adaptation. The opening matchday sets up a compelling tactical duel, as Arbeloa faces off against Xabi Alonso—joining an elite club of just six Premier League managers who previously won the World Cup as players or managers (alongside historical icons like Osvaldo Ardiles and Alan Ball).

3.5.2 David Moyes and Everton's Impending Fracture

At Goodison Park, the mood is decidedly more somber. David Moyes oversaw a grueling previous campaign where Everton finished 13th, but the team's form collapsed dramatically toward the end of the season, yielding a paltry three points from their final seven fixtures. Barry Glendenning offered a scathing assessment of fan sentiment, noting that Everton supporters have grown deeply weary of Moyes’ pragmatic, risk-averse style of play.

Although Everton have executed astute recruitment—bringing in Merlin Röhl from Freiburg, Championship starlet Hayden Hackney from Middlesbrough, and Christian Nørgaard from Arsenal—the squad has lost essential dressing-room stalwarts. The departure of Séamus Coleman after two decades of service, alongside Idrissa Gueye, marks the end of an era. Glendenning unequivocally predicted that David Moyes will not be in charge of Everton by the end of the season. While Philippe Auclair took a more optimistic view, tipping Everton for an eighth-place finish based on expected late transfer activity, the underlying friction between supporter expectations and Moyes’ tactical conservatism points toward an inevitable managerial fracture.

4. Speaker Perspectives & Analytical Contrast

The compelling nature of this Football Weekly episode stems from the sharp analytical contrast among its panelists. Each contributor brings a distinct intellectual lens to the discussion, resulting in a rich multi-dimensional critique of the Premier League landscape.

Panelist Analytical Focus Key Verdicts & Predictions Tone & Methodology
Philippe Auclair Forensic Economics & Macro-Governance Arsenal walk away with title; Chelsea facing PIK debt disaster (14% interest); Tipped Everton for 8th. Investigative, authoritative, uncompromising on financial ethics and corporate governance.
Jonathan Wilson Historical Context & Structural Tactics Arsenal champions (first back-to-back since 1935); Man City declining; Crystal Palace relegated (18th). Historical, analytical, focused on tactical evolution, asset cycles, and systemic squad design.
Barry Glendenning Cynical Realism & Supporter Experience Guardiola past peak; Moyes ousted at Everton before season end; Marco Rose "fails up" at Bournemouth. Cynical, authentic, populist, emphasizing matchday aesthetics, fan fatigue, and human volatility.
Max Rushden Editorial Moderation & Narrative Anchor Framed alphabetical structure; poked fun at administrative errors; guided panel through balance sheet debates. Witty, conversational, adept at steering dense financial discourse into accessible broadcasting.

The panel exhibited notable ideological friction, particularly regarding Crystal Palace and Everton. Jonathan Wilson offered a dark prognosticative view on Crystal Palace, predicting an 18th-place finish and relegation. Wilson argued that despite winning the Europa Conference League under Oliver Glasner, Palace's paper-thin squad, lack of board investment, and unresolved transfer sagas surrounding Jean-Philippe Mateta (who failed a medical at AC Milan), Adam Wharton, and Cheick Doucouré will trigger a negative downward spiral. In contrast, Glendenning placed Palace comfortably in 12th position, viewing their continental success as a foundation for stability.

Similarly, the debate over Arsenal's aesthetic identity highlighted the rift between tactical pragmatism and entertainment value. Glendenning confessed a fundamental dislike for Arteta's cautious methodology, noting that even Arsenal fans endured a "title of pain" characterized by nerve-wracking, low-margin victories and dark-arts set-piece antics. Auclair countered by pointing to a newfound "sense of fun" liberated by Ødegaard and Guimarães, demonstrating how analytical metrics often clash with the emotional experience of football fandom.

5. Strategic & Industry Implications

The analytical revelations detailed throughout the podcast carry profound strategic implications for the future of professional football governance and club administration. First and foremost, Chelsea’s compounding PIK debt scenario highlights the urgent necessity for robust international financial regulation. When private equity models rely on high-interest, deferred-debt vehicles, the long-term solvency of historical sporting institutions is placed at immense risk. If governing bodies fail to enforce strict capital controls, European football risks experiencing high-profile corporate restructurings and insolvencies reminiscent of leveraged buyouts in traditional corporate sectors.

Furthermore, the emergence of "disposable asset architecture"—as demonstrated by Arsenal's swift rotation of Zubimendi and short-term squad depth—signals the demise of traditional long-term roster stability. Modern football analytics increasingly view players through the lens of specific operational lifespans. Clubs that master the art of purchasing specialized talent for immediate tactical mandates, then liquidating those assets before performance amortization degrades their market value, will gain a decisive competitive advantage in the PSR era.

Finally, the widespread adoption of swap deals and balance-sheet engineering among mid-table clubs reveals a structural flaw in current PSR mechanisms. When regulations focus primarily on annual accounting profits rather than net cash sustainability, clubs are incentivized to engage in artificial valuation trades. This financial acrobatics distorts the transfer market, inflates player valuations, and obscures true economic health. As regulatory bodies like the Premier League consider shifting toward UEFA-style squad cost caps tied directly to revenue, clubs relying on accounting "jiggery-pokery" will face severe structural adjustments.

6. Looking Ahead: Unresolved Questions & Next Milestones

As the Premier League campaign unfolds, several critical metrics and narrative milestones will determine whether the panel's analytical forecasts come to fruition:

  • Arsenal's Autumn Resistance: How effectively will Mikel Arteta navigate William Saliba's absence until December? The performance of their secondary central defensive pairing during this stretch will determine whether Arsenal can build an unassailable lead at the top of the table.
  • Chelsea's Debt Refinancing Deadlines: Will Chelsea's ownership group be forced to liquidate key playing assets during the January transfer window to service high-yield PIK interest obligations, or will the Premier League introduce stricter fair-market-value audits on player swap deals?
  • Pep Guardiola's Tactical Response: Can Guardiola re-engineer Manchester City's mid-block structure to compensate for the absence of senior dressing-room leaders, or will early-season dropped points confirm Glendenning's thesis of managerial burnout and squad imbalance?
  • The Goodison Exit Timeline: How many fixtures will David Moyes survive if Everton's home form stalls, and will the recruitment of Hayden Hackney and Christian Nørgaard provide enough midfield control to stave off fan unrest?
  • Álvaro Arbeloa's Premier League Debut: Can Arbeloa translate Real Madrid B's attacking principles to Fulham, and will Gonzalo García prove that his Club World Cup Golden Boot form can flourish in the physical landscape of English football?

Ultimately, this episode of Football Weekly stands as a definitive document of modern football analysis. By pulling back the curtain on balance-sheet alchemy, high-yield debt traps, and tactical pragmatism, the panel has provided a comprehensive masterclass in understanding the true forces shaping the modern game.

💬 Key Quotes & Speaker Breakdown

Chelsea financial crisis

"I think the financial problems [at Chelsea] are of such magnitude that they will have an impact on the club during the season. Even if the Premier League has decided to let them go away with an absurdly ridiculous fine for all their misdemeanors, they're really in a real, real bad state."

— Jonathan Wilson

"There is a debt again, which is payment in kind, which means it's constantly pushed back, pushed back, pushed back, with interest rates, which are well in excess of 10%. Sometimes up to 13.5, 14%. You can't imagine this is absolutely colossal."

— Philippe Auclair

Arsenal Premier League title race

"I think they're just going to walk away with it this year."

— Philippe Auclair

Manchester City form/Pep Guardiola

"I now start wondering whether Guardiola was just slightly getting beyond the peak. Maybe he was actually kind of dragging them to the level they got to. Because the squad looks really weirdly in balance now."

— Barry Glendenning

Everton manager future

"I think Dave Moise won't be in charge [at Everton] at the end of the season."

— Barry Glendenning

Brighton/Spurs transfer dealings

"There is Jiggery Pokery at work here [Brighton/Spurs player swaps], which is basically all about the long-term book value of the players. And there are dispositions about whether deals are done with the representing fair market value."

— Philippe Auclair

Arsenal tactical style

"A lot of people, myself included, don't particularly enjoy watching them play because of our title's approach. His emphasis on caution, but it was effective, but even Arsenal fans, I think, were put through the ringer an awful lot last season."

— Barry Glendenning

Bournemouth manager

"I don't think that Marco Rosa is an over performer. He seems to be one of those managers who seems to fail up."

— Barry Glendenning

Coventry City/Frank Lampard

"I think the Lampard Factor is significant. I mean, I think, for a newly promoted team, I'd have a difficult start, not necessarily the worst thing."

— Jonathan Wilson

Crystal Palace season outlook

"I think the Europa League, which is going to be a bit of a problem, to say the least [for Crystal Palace]."

— Philippe Auclair
📜 View Full Episode Verbatim Transcript 51,706 characters
This is The Guardian. Hello and welcome to The Guardian Football Weekly. It's the Premier League previews in alphabetical order and it's a front-loaded alphabet. No W's, nothing past T. We only get to F in this episode. I also have the longest serving manager. They're the champions. They've met a couple of good signings and everyone else is in flux. If they don't win this, what a bottling that would be. Hi apologies. Villa have lost some real quality and have champions league football but they still have Unai Emery. Then onto the well-run clubs, beginning with B, Bournemouth, Brentford and Brighton before moving on to the poorly-run clubs, beginning with C, Chelsea. Although might they be good this year? We welcome back Coventry and Frank Lampard while Barry lookalike PSR begins at Palace. That's a compliment to Barry. Might ever to actually win the Everton Cup, will it switch to be better than the last time they were in the top flight and full on a 12? This is The Guardian Football Weekly. On the panel for this bit, Barry Glenn Denning, welcome. Hi Max. Hello Jonathan Wilson. So did you say, if switch? Yes. Well they're not in the first, we're not in our bit. Oh dear. Max's alphabet is a bit different from ours. Are they not in our bit? Are they in a 12? Who have I missed out? There's a hole before we get to if switch. We are not doing a hole. No, that's true. Why did I add if switch into this? Let me just check. Hang on a second. Arsenal, Juan Villa, Bournemouth Brentford, Brighton, Chelsea, Coventry, Palace, Everton, Fullham. Yes, I put it to it. You hadn't mentioned Eston Villa. More as you'll say that. I did mention Eston Villa. You did it. I just added in Fullham. You'll have to wait for tomorrow for Fullham. No, Fullham said I used to switch to I did it. That's great. Well this is going very well. I'm so ready. I've been speaking for seven a long time. You didn't have West Ham twice. Or even once. I'm sure we start with Arsenal then. If I start that badly, it makes everyone feel good about themselves. It's just getting good touch early, Don. That's all people looking for the stage. I think to my first touch was I've come for a throw-in and I've kicked it over the stand. That's what's happened. So Arsenal, the Kellard Setter, the longest serving management in the Premier League, they bought in Bruno Gimmaris, they bought in Crystal Solis, the deep-voiced Ilan Melier, the Trossa has gone. Christian Norgard has gone, Barry. More of him in this bit, I think. They begin at home to Coventry, Mickey Quinn not playing for Coventry this time. Then they go to Villa, home to Chelsea, Sunderlowe, Brighton away. Last season, of course, they won the league and will run us up in the Champions League. Philippe, I mean, after, and I'm obviously, Reasonsy Bias after watching the community shield, I think they're just going to walk away with it this year. Walk away? Yeah. No, I'm not sure they're going to walk away, but there's every reason, I think, to be confident and actually to look forward with a certain sense of fun to this season, which wasn't the case in the previous ones. No, it wasn't. No, it wasn't. It was said, you remember, that was the title of pain. And this one, the way they've started to be honest, take any drawing conclusions from community shield, especially against that Manchester City team, which we don't have to talk about. No. No, they were mightily impressive. I have to say like many people who have a special place for Arsenal, I wasn't too keen on Bruno Gilmaris to start with for reasons which I've got nothing to do with footballing qualities, but now it's our bastard, but that's a bad as far as I will go. And he was, I mean, the midfield looks terrific. It's funny actually how there was a lot of discussion, lack of creativity. Maybe there should be a better center forward that one your career has to offer. And those questions now, and nobody's asking them. Do you think that's because we talked about it, in my money, but Erdogan looked so good. He was wonderful. And Sacka was out for a long time last season. And if all these attacking players are fit, you should just play better, more interesting entertaining football. Yeah, absolutely. And I have to say the midfield looks absolutely smashing. I mean, the way that Louis Kelly, as well as Blossomd, I think that pass was, you know, you've probably been... Oh, sorry. Yeah, absolutely. It was wonderful. But having a fit other yard for the whole season, that's going to be the key. But honestly, the way they played, as well, there was a sense of fun in what they did, which was not always obvious last season to be honest. The big question mark is, will the defense hold better than it did in preseason when it was a bit shaky? Sally Bayer is absent until December, with this back injury. So that would be the one question mark. But other than that, especially when you look what's happening around them, the clubs which should be contentous for the title, none of which looks particularly convincing at the moment. So you think, yeah, absolutely, why not? Hasn't been done for a long time, though. They haven't won the... Well, they haven't won back to back titles since 1935 when they won three in a row. What were those years like, Philippe? I kidding. Thank you very much. I was, actually, after Herbert Chapman died, actually, towards the end of the year. And the 1934, I mean, a champion, as would I, charity field, they beat Manchester City, four and a half. As ivory, oddly. And I think it's been in October, but the omens are there. What chances do you give them? I think they'll win it quite easily. I think they still probably do need a centre forward. If they're gonna... Yeah, I think that's an area where they can get better. I think there's an odd sense that, apart from Ezra, every signing they made last summer, is probably expended. I think Zubba Mendi will leave, because I think I've got too many material there's now. But it would make sense to me for him to go to El Madrid, given that they clearly want to play like that, haven't got a rotary, well, we can't get a rotary, get this back up in the Spain national team, who's a bit younger than them. And Zubba Mendi seems a logical move. I don't see how he gets in that Arsenal. Anyway, near that Arsenal first team, if everybody's fit. But yeah, I mean, Gioca is, I think, they can upgrade. Madureka, I think they can upgrade. No guards, gone. Zubba Mendi was the other one who came in. Now, that's not saying any of them are bad signings. They did the job they were brought in to do. We should get them over the line. And I think it's a slightly... Maybe it's a way we've got to sort of slightly revise how we look at team building that maybe bringing in short-term options is actually all right. That you need to blend of them. Those players did what they had to do last season. So you can be a success then, be there for one year and you play, you know, eight games or whatever. Yeah, I mean, success is maybe too strong a word, but the... No guard was always brought in as backup, right? Barry, do you want to be more entertained by Arsenal? Yeah, and it'll be interesting to see if we are more entertained by them. A lot of people, myself included, don't particularly enjoy watching them play because of our title's approach. His emphasis on caution, but it was effective, but even Arsenal fans, I think, were put through the ringer and awful lot last season. And many of them would say they didn't enjoy watching Arsenal play for completely different reasons because it was often quite traumatic. Such was the heavy weather they made of winning certain games. Obviously, their behaviour at set pieces is always in focus or was in focus throughout last season. That looks possibly set to continue on the evidence of what we've seen in the community shield. I'm not that fussed about that. It's up to refs to crack down on it and they certainly aren't the only team who do it. But, yeah, I would like to be more entertained by them. I think they're definitely in the boxy to win the title such as the uncertainty surrounding so many of the other big dogs they've done it. They've still got the same manager. They're more or less the same players. They've seen should be concerned over, Will Jettlen Rice be tired? Will Bikai's sack will be tired? They probably will. But, you know, we're all tired. We're all tired. I've just come off a big long break. I'm tired already. I have them winning the league. I do too, Wilson. Yep, Philippe. Yep. OK, so congratulations to Arsenal. Is there any point? Harry Ingon. Aston Villa under Unai Emery. They've brought in Johann Manzambi's. Cosumpt, Newcastle for that from Fryberg. Jal Gomez has come in from Wolves. Maudu, Cabe Cise, a centre back in Alejandra Garnacho has come in on loan from Chelsea. Rodgers has gone, Telemens has gone, Sozlucodinia and Daniel Marlin. They begin away at Brighton. Then they home to Arsenal, away to Hull, home to Forrest, away to Spurs. OK, fourth last year. When the Europa League, of course, feels Barry like this will be a more difficult season for Villa. Yeah, I mean, look, Morgan Rodgers is a big loss. I think Yuri Telemens is also massive loss. I think he'll be brilliant signing for Manchester United. I think he's an absolutely terrific player who's quite underrated. They've also lost Aston McFeen. Yeah, I know. Not the only coach they've lost. Yeah, two other members of Emery's coaching staff. I don't know the circumstances there at the paratroopers, whether they were let go or whether they went for their own vision. Lucodin obviously gone as well. But Unai Emery has shown how consistent he can be with Villa. He's done a tremendous job there. The volume of games they have to play don't seem to be an issue. Their main hiccup, a wobble lassies and came at a period when the three main midfielders were all injured at the same time. So that was always going to be a problem and thus it turned out to be but they got through it. Amidue and Anno obviously he's out long-term, I think, with a bad knee injury so he's a bit of a loss. And they've signed Alejandro Caronacho, Can Unai Emery for his magic on him. Because there is a player in there somewhere but nobody's been able to get a consistent tune out of him. But I think Villa will be fine this season. They may not finish fourth but I can see them finishing outside the top half or anything. Well, isn't? I think they'll be good. I've now got them third. Oh, right. Well, well. Now I think the signings, I think the business they've done all make sense that probably would have liked to have kept watches but if you're getting 116, 217 million, I can't remember which way around the 117 he was, wasn't he? That's good money. I suspect they'll reinvest some of that before the end of the window. They brought in Suzuki in goal who I think is probably an upgrade on Martinez. Oh, certainly it's looking to the future. And that was a very... Is the motorbike in the Premier League quite possibly yet? But the way that deal happened the end of last week was all very odd. It looks set for PSG and then it sort of suddenly collapsed and Villa Pants and also they've got Brian Maggio who I have to say had not really crossed my radar than being vaguely aware of the cast case about whether somebody born in Enfield could move back to England when he played for Luxembourg before he was 18. But he looked unbelievable against PSG. I mean, clearly his finishing is not the finished product yet, but his willingness to keep going... I mean, the goal he scored is arguably the hardest of a four chance to the add in the first half. His strength, his movement... I think the idea of him and Manzambi playing together, I mean, that probably means Ali Watkins isn't there, but that's also a good thing. They've got potential to move on from him. I think that's really exciting. So they may be our one short in midfield, particularly with the Anano injury, but I think they look really solid. There is a youth player at Fulham called Harley Davidson, so he could... No, there is a lot. Philippe, I have Villa Rite, what about you? I have Villa Sixth. I don't have any particularly strong thoughts, but from the fact that maybe with those young players coming in, we will see... I'd be very happy to see what kind of change we have in the way they play, having lost. I have to say to elements for me is a huge, huge loss. And he really was... If you don't have him and Anana, that's a lot more than a beer. Yeah, which is one of the reasons why I've put them six and not in for a Champions League place, which I would have normally, other than that. Third for you Wilson Barry? Fifth. Fifth, okay. A Bournemouth under Marco Rosa. A lot of people congratulating me on getting the job. Another silver fox, welcome. They put in Antonio Silver, who is a center back, a right back from Benfica, Juan Luz Sanchez from Sevilla, right back in Alvaro Rodriguez, a striker from Elchey. I presume they're all absolutely brilliant. Sanchez has gone to Tottenham, Sinistera has gone to Cresero, and Hammond Troyoro has gone to Marseille. They begin away at Man City, home to Everton, away to Newcastle, home to Brentford, home to Liverpool. Philippe is a tricky opening, and apparently Eriola and Marco Rosa sat in Eriola's office on the last day of the season, chatted for hours, and they're big fans of each other. During pre-season, Rosa said and Donnie, didn't leave a lot of space to improve. The pressure is on. There's an awful lot of space to get worse, to be honest. And I have to say, I have my doubts about Marco Rosa. I don't know what you guys think about him, but I think it's one of those managers who seems to fail up, showing great football. Why are you looking at me, Barry? My thoughts immediately turn for some reason to reverse to Martinez. Yeah, but I mean, not you. He makes his name in a team that wins everything at home, which is Red Bull Soundsport, right? Okay, fine. It does well. There's a couple of decent things in Europe. He really makes his name at Borussia, I'm not sure if you like that. I remember at the time, German friends telling me, he's the next big coach that we're having. That, okay, he does that. Then he moves to, it finishes, doesn't finish very well at Gladbach, by the way. Goes to Dortmund, which honesty doesn't go well at all. And he goes to Arby Leipzig, and he is, I mean, always a Dortmund were kicked out of the Europa League by Rangers. I think that's his everything. And then he goes to Leipzig, and he's sacked. And then he takes a sabbatical, then then he arrives to replace one of the very best managers in the Premier League. I'm sorry, I think it would be a very difficult season for them. Right. I mean, they've kept a lot of their, they've kept most of their squad, Alex Scott, Kruppi, they were both winners that they might go up so far, right? So far. Yeah, I mean, Kruppi's injured, isn't he, for at least three months. I wouldn't surprise me while Alex Scott goes to all the wind, I think Chelsea really keen on him. Yeah, but I mean, they lost 70 players last season. Yeah, I know that they got over that last season, but they got over that without you. And that's the huge thing. How do they adapt to playing European football? I mean, I think it's a huge issue for you, I love it, Liverpool as well, that he's never had it in his career. So yeah, I think you look at the depth of the squad and you have concerns. And I got exactly the same concerns about Roses for the person. And also, I just, I feel as a sort of category of German coaches who, the Bundesliga was so focused on a particular style of pressing that they all just do the same thing. That's slightly unfair, but a lot of them do a similar type of thing. And then they come up in Europe again to teams who don't do what they're expecting, like Rangers. And, ah, oh, I don't know how to deal with that. And I think we've seen it with Nagelsmann. He's been a bit exposed, both with Germany and with Bayern. I feel we may see it with Roses. So yeah, I think it'll be the tough season for Bournemouth. I put them 10th, but if I'd listened to you two before I'd done it, and maybe I'd gone lower, Barry, wherever you got them. I have them 11th. One thing to note about Bournemouth is, I think of all the teams, the Premier League, their opening set fixtures is really tough. Yeah. Man City Way, Everett in the Home, Newcastle Way, Brentford Home, Liverpool Chelsea, Sondula, Manu. That's pretty tough, that. But I have them 11th. I will add the caveat. My entire knowledge of Marcarosa is based on what I've just heard. From the lads, and I now think he's a complete fraud. So where do you, Japs, have them? I've gotten 15th. I've got them 18th first. Wow, relegated. Relegated, all right. Yeah. That's another thing as well, is that... They've spent quite a bit of money on those players. Well, all very young players who will take time to adapt, they will have to sell. And I think if the group is being absolutely phenomenal for them, but if they lose him, should they lose him? I mean, it doesn't, you know, we have to remember that how Erella has... And before him, you know how? I've basically overperformed all the time. And I don't think that Marcarosa is... He's not an over performer. No, he doesn't host the overperforming podcast. No. Well, there's also, because in the year they've got a different financial fair play model, a stricter financial fair model for a play model to adhere to. And I think given... I know they're filling in the corners. It's a vitality to take it up by 800 seats to 11. That's just over 11,000 seats. It's really hard for Bournemouth to generate revenue. So I think they're under pressure from that direction as well. They're filling in the corners, like John Beckie, so it came with a sad, which is the way football should be played. All right, that'll do for part one. Part two will begin with Brentford. Welcome to part two of the Guardian Football Weekly. Brentford then, Keith Andrews, the manager, who did really well last year. They bought in Mamadou Saint-Gauré, who's a central midfielder from Laus, who Philippe is doing it for people not watching Jubbies doing a French. Ah, he is excellent. Sin. Yannick Schuster has entered back from Salzburg. Jaden Anson, he's coming from Burnley and Callum Wilson, a free transfer from West Ham. Jordan Henderson's gone to Chelsea. Frank Onyekka has left as well. They begin at home to Tottenham, go to Leeds, a way to Bournemouth, home to Chelsea, Barry, your Brentford thoughts. Well, they've had a far less eventful summer than 12 months ago when they lost their manager and several key players. And every... This time last year, a lot of people were predicting that they'd be relegated on their novice manager, Keith Andrews. They only missed out on European football by a goal difference as it happened and Keith Andrews did a brilliant job. And he seems like a good guy. So they haven't lost any key players. Just Jordan Henderson counters the key player from that season, I don't know. And I think, while their fans would probably love a European adventure, it might be easier for them. And for Andrews to consolidate, not having to worry about that this season. I think they'll be fine. Which will depend on whether Egor or Tiago picks up where he left off last season. He was second in the race with a golden boot behind Ireland, Dango, Tara and Kevin Shade. Will they provide service for him? There seems to be a lot of teams in the Premier League who have good wingers, but wingers who are very blow-hot and cold. And I think Brentford are one of many teams in the Premier League with wingers who aren't consistent enough. Tell us with sound about Sangari. I was very impressed last year by him. I have to say I didn't know much about him before. He started showing up for loss. And he was one of the reasons the other being PSAGE, the manager, where loss had such a fantastic season, winning the Cup, pushing PSG almost to the line for the title. It was the heart, soul, lungs of that team. He was in the league team of the year, absolutely. He was the African player of the year in league. Which is not exactly when you know the number and quality of African players in league. That has you something about what he can do. Complete player, complete midfielder. And when I see some of the songs which are banded about with teams recruiting defensive midfielder or six slash eight kind of players and they paid 41 million. That's just fantastic business. He is absolutely phenomenal. I would be very, very excited if I were a Brentford fan about to see that player. I've got the ninth Wilson. I've got the eighth. Any other strong thought? I think if you're looking at where they could improve on our season, well faded a bit. And Sangara is clearly a younger, much better player in that position. So the fact that they haven't lost any of their stars. Why would it not carry on as they did last season? But maybe slightly better. So I think they'll be on the fringes of European qualification again and see any reason. The only thing you'd say that won doubt. I think they proportionally, within the top five leagues in Europe, they were third in terms of what proportion of their goals came from set plays. If there is a crackdown on grappling, holding, wrestling, maybe that affects them. But that's the only doubt. I don't think it's a massive doubt. Okay. Very tent. Philippe, seventh. Seventh. All right. Brighton then Fabian Herzler, the manager. They bought in Luka Veskovich, a centre-back from Spurs for 46 million pounds. A right-winger from A.I.K. called Zadok Yohana. Pascal Strikes come in from Leeds. Costinia is a right-back from Olympia. Marcos Michael Svoboda, a centre-back from Venetia and Rodrigo Riga, a right-winger from Benfica B. Jampel Van Hecker has gone to Spurs, Carl Rushworth, Diego Coppola, and Danny Welbeck have left. Welbeck going to Chelsea. They start home to Villa. They go to Chelsea. Home to Leeds, a way to commentary. Home to Arsenal. It came eighth last year. So they go into Europe. James Milner has retired. Welbeck has gone as well. You had them in the Champions League last year, Barry. Same high hopes. Not quite as high. I think the fact that they're in Europe will hinder them in the league. I think them being in the conference league they should go all out to win it. And there's no excuse. No reason why they shouldn't win that tournament. So that may take their mind off league matters. I still expect them to do well. I think Pascal Strikes, great. Love him. Love watching him for Leeds last season. He'll do well, I'm sure. Luca Voskovich is a weird one. I don't think he ever played for Tottenham. No, but when Tottenham and Brighton do a deal where one player goes one way and one goes another, I think most people go, I'm sure Brighton. I've got the back. That's different. Yeah, and I think that might be the case here. I have heard a lot of Tottenham fans complaining about the fact that Spurs sold them. Fabian Hurtzler, he's almost one of the Premier League's elder statesmen now in terms of head coaches, isn't he? I'm a fan of his. But I find Brighton somewhat infuriating. There can be anyone on the day, and they can also get a high enough, anyone in the day. The memory serves seem to draw a lot of matches. They shouldn't and throw away points from winning positions. But will Castulas get more game time this season? You'd presume so now that Danny Welbeck is gone. But yeah, I think Brighton should. I expect him to do well. I think they may well qualify for Europe again, but I think they should put most of their eggs in the conference league basket. Philip, do you want to talk about that? Send to back, do you? Yeah. I mean, there's nothing illegal about it, but you have to look at the amount of money that was spent. Little bunny ears there on both players. There's 52 million for Van Hecker, 46 million for Voskovich. That's insane. And that is clearly, right, lawyers, lawyers, lawyers. Jiggery Pokery. Yeah, there is Jiggery Pokery at work here, which is basically all about the long-term book value of the players. And there are dispositions about whether deals are done with the representing fair market value, FMV. And I would look at this one as being an absolute textbook example of why there has to be FMV in football, because for who's being under overvalued? I'd say it's not the question. It's basically there's a six million differential here, but the swap is absolutely fine. The valuation is not. And just Evan Ferguson has still a bright and clear. Right. And it looks like he's going to be loaned out again. I think January's the latest team. That's nice. Nice place to go. Lovely place to go, but I just don't know what's going on with Evan Ferguson. About two years ago, he was being touted as a great thing since sliced bread, a potential £100 million signing, and Brighton seemed to want to hold on to him, but they don't want to pick him and play him in their team, so I don't know what to make of it really. I've got Brighton's seventh, Wilson. 11th. Barry. Sixth. Philippe. 11th. Chelsea then. Jabi Alonza. The manager they bought in. Deep breath. Marco Polestra from Atlanta. Georgia. Quenda. A right wing of sporting. Valentin Barco from Strasbourg. Emmanuel Omega from Strasbourg as well. Yes. Pepe Chavira from Rayavayakano. Danny Welbach and Jordan Henderson have come in. Andres Santos, Kukareya, Chalabert, Tariq George, Gunaaccio and Philippe Jorgensen have gone. They start a way to follow him home to Brighton, a way to Arsenal, a home to Hull, a way to Brentford, came 10th last year. Does anyone have any idea if this is going to be good or not? Wilson. I think it will be good. And I think one of the reasons it'll be good is they don't have Europe. I agree with this. And that gives them a huge amount of time. I think Jabi Alonza's football you need time. I think you saw that in preseason that they started pretty ropeily and got, you know, the improvement three preseason was quite significant. I think those first five fixtures, the furthest after leave, is Brighton. So we're not even having too much travelling. A lot of their players know how to get there too. So I mean, in turn. In terms of maximising time on the training pitch, it's a great start for a new manager. I think the signings make sense. I'm still not convinced by the keeper. But I so like the shape that's emerging. I think Polestra is a useful signing firm because he can play either side. I think he's had a good preseason. I think Laquois, they were really missing. You may remember I tipped them to win the title last season. Yes. Only because the producer Joel wrote it just there. Well, I assumed that they'd upgrade the keeper and bring in another centre back. And Colble wasn't injured when I made a prediction. Okay. So they were two centre backs down. Well, they have brought in one of those centre back. Colble is now fit. They haven't upgraded the keeper. I wonder if they need a, I mean, this is ridiculous. So Chelsea needing players. I was saying Alex Scott, they're interested in. I mean, Alex Scott, they're interested. I'm not convinced they're not half considering another centre. They're not half considering another centre forward. A low-shout Pedro, again, as a good preseason. And I think he's looked a lot more of a gold threat since Maresca left. So I don't know if there's... I don't know. If you're always being asked to play, it's different. And you think if they can get Rodgers and Palmer playing well together, Philippe? Yes. And which is why I've got them quite high in my table. I had them at third, then I moved them to fourth. But certainly up there. And I think the problems for Chelsea are going to be of the field, not on the field. They're in a really bad, really, really bad situation when it comes to the ownership. There's now a lot of talk about... Well, we know Mark Walter, who has got nearly 13% of the shares, is now trying to salvage what's left of his big empire by setting his share in Chelsea after a setting leak at the leak. And Todd Bully, as well, is thinking of doing the same. They have debts which are well in excess of one billion with punishing interest rates. Because everything is payment in kind. And everyone listening will be like, can't they just... I don't know. They sell Jamie Gitton's back to themselves. Well, they've run out of things to sell to themselves. Right. And they might have to... I do think the financial problems are of such magnitude that they will have an impact on the club during the season. Even if the Premier League has decided to let them go away with an absurdly ridiculous fine for all their misdemeanors, they're really in a real, real bad state. And can I do a little plug here? We outscooped the financial times yesterday at Josima. Paul Brown wrote an absolutely fantastic piece on the financial crisis at Chelsea and Walter's situation at Todd Bully's. I mean, Chelsea fans listening. Is that the future of the club? Yes. Yes, absolutely. Absolutely, because this level of debt is simply not... I mean, you cannot survive. And also, it depends on the kind of debt you have, I suppose. But there is a debt again, which is payment in kind, which means it's constantly pushed back, pushed back, pushed back, with interest rates, which are well in excess of 10%. Sometimes up to 13.5, 14%. You can't imagine this is absolutely colossal. And so just the debt repayments are... And the club keeps losing money. So just for people who don't understand what payment kind is, what it means is rather than paying interest, the interest just accrues on the debt. So the debt is getting bigger all the time. And the assumption is that at some point in the near future, you will be generating profits, means you can pay it off. They're not in Europe. Yeah. I mean, even if they were in Europe, it would be very, very difficult. So they sell bananas. No, the help, of course. I mean, that's probably going to bring 120 million. I think that will happen. I think he will go to Sydney now. I mean, they had the 5pm deadline on Friday, Chelsea. They said, look, if you want to sign them on this deal, which is 120 million, structured in a certain way, 5pm Friday. Now, from Chelsea, one of you, they will make that deal harder for people coming after the deadline. I suspect the valuation will be quite similar. Right. But probably the way the structure will be more upfront. I would never do business with anyone who's set a deadline of 5pm and of 5. That's an all way to operate. Where do you have Chelsea? Where do you have Chelsea? Where do you have Chelsea? Where do you have Chelsea? Where do you have Chelsea? You don't do things at 5 o'clock. You're sending an important email at 5 o'clock on a Friday. That's why it's a deadline. You're saying, don't go after that. Where do you have Chelsea? I have them. Second. Second. Oh, fourth. Fourth. Second, as well. Coventry that under Frank Lampard, a boy in Karl Rushworth. Keep it from Brighton. Lam Schauner, right winger from Birmingham. He's got one brilliant goal last year. Tower one, he's coming from Forest. Orrell Amenda, a centre back from Frankfurt, Gus Harmer, from Sheffield United. Frank Oñeko from Brentford, and Kalabi Yarenki, a centre mid from Nordschaland. And Kalam Perry has gone on loan to Cambridge. Thank you. Norman Bassett has gone to Westerlow, wherever that may be. They go to Arsenal to begin with, then home to Hall, away to City, home to Brighton, away to Forest. They won the championship last year. Barry, thoughts. Well, my thoughts are, after Bournemouth, they probably have the second most difficult situation. Opening games. You're already looking at that home game against Hall, look on six pointer, because after the Forest game, you mentioned there's new cast of spores. I have no idea whether either of them will be any good or not. They might be good, they might be rubbish. We still don't know of Frank Lampard's decent, well, Premier League manager. When he got to Coventry job, I was quite sniffy and dismissive and said I couldn't understand why anyone would give him a job. He's really made me look a mug there. He'd done really well to bring them up. Looking at their signings, they've got bodies in all right. Now, Kara Rushworth was with them all last season, so I think he played every minute of every game in the championship. He's a good goalkeeper, has been good for them. But there seems to be lower-end Premier League, top-end championship players, and it's... They've got a lot of players in, but say, unlike Sondland last season, who they bought a load of players that I'd never really heard of, and they all turned out, more or less, all turned out to be really good. Now, I still don't know whether that was blind luck or incredibly rude recruitment or a mixture, probably a mixture of both, but I don't... something like, you know, Loom Chalmer from Burnley, and I give him a chance of staying up. I don't really give either of the other promoter teams a chance of staying up. But look, this is a club who's been absolutely through the ringer in the past. They've been to League 2. They've had awful owners. They were homeless on two separate occasions. This is a free hit to back in the Premier League after whatever it is, 25 years. Just enjoy it. And I'd be very excited if I was a commentary fan. I'm... I'm the bottom, actually, but I'm quite possibly completely wrong. I agree with Barry, I think, of the three from Roadside. They've probably got the best chance. I think the Lampard Factor is significant. I mean, I think, for Newly Pro, I'd have an a difficult start, not necessarily the worst thing. I mean, that whole game is massive, because if anything they get at Arsenal or at City, which are their first two away games, that's a massive bonus. Of course. But even if they get beat 5-0, it's fine. So is that difference of, you have the ball so much and you have to just change so much when you... I think that's almost a mentally easy adjustment to make when you're looking at... Yeah. Christy's people are really famous. Yeah, yeah, yeah. And also, you know, I mean, getting to City early in the season, that might not... Well, in the evidence of Sunday, that's not the worst thing. But that's then predicate on the beating hole at home, because if you waste that opportunity, you suddenly really are under pressure. So, I mean, I've got them fourth bottom. What's that hang on? 17. 17. I have them 17th as well. Oh, be true. And there you go. Right. And should they be relegated, it wouldn't be a disaster. It feels a bit like... The way they've... I mean, they've brought in 12 players in total, and she's an awful lot. But it seems... It can be one of those... They can do it kind of burnly, which is like, we go up, we get some players, we make a lot of dough, we go down, we've got the dough, so we'll go up again, and every time we go up again, we're a bit... Okay, listen to Eddie Van Halen. I'm thinking that... Oh, just a sort of... This is the way Philippe runs a Belongerie. Veggie has so much dough. It's by... I just put them bottom, because I didn't want to put a whole bottom, because I presume everyone's putting a whole bottom. I just wanted to be a bit different. If Ella Sims and had you right, can score a goal. Yeah. That obviously is going to be huge. I think Jack Rudoni in their midfield, I think he is potential to be a brilliant Premier League player, whether he be a brilliant Premier League player or a Coventry, or someone else, is an entirely different matter. Ella Sims, I think, is actually... I think he's a genuinely good player, and I sort of quite a bit of him, it's London. And then... Did I see him score for Evidence Samford Bridge? Is that a thing that happened? I think it could be. I think he was at Evidence for a while. He would never play for Chelsea, did he? So he must have been Evidence Samford Bridge. He came to everyone's play for Chelsea. So I remember him scoring a key girl, the Samford Bridge, and then yeah, I thought he was good when I saw him, it's London. So... I mean, the question about Lampard, I guess, is he's good when things are going well. We saw, at Evidence, at Chelsea, he got quite quickly, quite quickly, when things turn against him. Coventry are going to lose games this season. Yeah. How does he respond to that? That's the question. All right, that'll do for part two. Part three, I'll begin with Crystal Palace. Welcome to part three, the Guardian Football Week, Clee Palace then, then you manage a PSage. They've been in Anankalali, a right back from Union, San Giovanni, they've been in Evan Gassan, from Villa, Dwight McNeil, they've been part of that Brennan Johnson swap deal, Tommy Asus coming from, I was an Arsenal, and Oscar Minguesa, Ahmed Fielder, they have lost La Coa and Johnson, and Commada's gone as well, along with Daniel Imran, Ricardo Cardinas. They begin at Everton, then home to City, a way to Fulham, home to Ipswich, a way to Leeds. One of the conference Leeds came 15th last year. Tell us a bit about PSage. Terrific manager, whom nobody, absolutely nobody knew, just a few years back. And when he came to Lyon, at the time when Lyon was in the real pickle, and did extremely well there, and didn't even better, with Lance. I think, I would be quite excited, if that were a Palace fan, because if he tries to replicate the style of play that Lance had, which is unbelievably quick on the break, and I mean unbelievably quick on the break, they were by far the fastest on the break in Liga. He has also, his system, on the paper, will not be unfamiliar to the players. It's still, it's a 3-4-3-5-3-2, usually. So, yeah, which Palace is absolutely natural. The big question Mark, I have, is about the Europa League, which is going to be a bit of a problem, to say the least. And also, I'm very interested to see what, and Ankalali is going to do. Very strange transfer that, because he was on his way to Inter, wasn't he? And he failed his medical, and it's only after he failed his medical, for reasons which haven't been made public, that Palace moved in, and actually got him at a lower price that Inter would have. And it's an interesting, yeah, because he's an Arab Israeli, and I mean, who can play on the wing, who can play a wing back? It's a very, very fine player indeed. So, I'm in two minds about them, because on one hand, I think, they should do well, but there's a Europa League, but there's PSAGE, but there's this, but, but, but, which is why, I think, they'll struggle a bit. They won't be in danger, but a lot will depend on what they do in the Europa League. That's what I mean. You couldn't live in Milan, but you could live near Croydon. It's what, what I think, yeah. After all, much of a much of a big Milan Croydon. I've got on 14th, that's how you, how do you feel about Palace? I don't have much really to add. They still have Jean-Philippe Matetta. They still have Adam Orton. They still have Jay Canville. Will they still have them? When the transfer of window closes, somewhere, all of them don't know. The Brennan-Johnson Dwight McNeil swap deals, struck me as slightly odd, but I have them 12th. And, interestingly, Matetta also failed a medical. But, where he was AC Milan, wasn't it? So, there is something that means you can. You can play, but you can play for Crystal Palace. Wilson? I've got them 18th. 18th? I just don't. It's turning the squad big enough. And I think there was, although they obviously won the conference league, and that gave them a huge high at the end last season, there was that sort of on the line frustration last two or three months of season. A lot of which was to do with Glaston and his situation. But, I think, the lack of investment has started to frustrate people, and I can see them getting pretty quickly into a negative spiral, whether Sarge is good enough to overcome. That maybe is. Well, but having a manager called Sarge is good, if he sort of wins a Davis. Yes, Sarge. No, Sarge. Hopefully, in his first post-match, he's dressed in full army for teens, a big moustache like that. Ah, a riding clock. Yes. Milk chocolate. Everton, then, David Moyes, they brought in Merlin Roll, who played a bit for them last year, from Fryberg Hayden Hackney, who anyone who's watched the championship absolutely loves. You'll make Christian Norgard has come in, and, as I said, Brennan Johnson, Dwight Manille's gone. No shameless Coleman, for the first time in about 200 years. Addressa Gona Gays gone as well. They begin at home to Palace, go to Bournemouth, then home to Manchester United, away to Tottenham, home to Ipswich, came 13th last year. You relegated them last year, Barry. I did, yeah, and I got Lord Abuse for it, and I was expecting lots of, I told you, souls at the end of the season online. I didn't get it. And I think that's because of their season, while decent for a while, I see it really fizzled out into nothing. And I think they only got three points from the last seven games. I think Everton fans were getting very sick and tired of Dave Moise's style of football. And they could have relegated Tottenham, and they didn't. Yeah, and they could have relegated Tottenham, and they didn't, and they should have, and boo, you know, do something more as well. Will there be any relegation scrap this season, probably not, that the signings seem to be pretty astute. Norgar is a good player, presumably who get more game time than he did at Arsenal. I know everyone raised about Hayden Hackney. I don't think I've ever seen Hayden Hackney play a match, because I can't remember the last time I saw Middlesbrough play a game. I think Everton would be fine, but I also think Dave Moise won't be in charge at the end of the season. Wow. Philippe, I've got them in Evans. I've got them into Tottenham. Okay. Where? Eighth. Okay. There's absolutely no reason behind my resume. I will say your notes for the camera. No, I've got, it just says David Moise. Well, I've got it. I have copious notes, show the camera. Yeah, yeah, yeah. I have copious notes on everybody else, but except on Everton. No, the thing is that, I don't think that their transfer window is finished at all, and I think that they will bring other players in. Well, they need a couple of fullbacks, I think. Yes, but I expect them to actually do something on the transfer market and to be maybe a stronger proposition on paper than they are right now. But also, Paulins having shoot on his notepad in the match, which I don't recall. It's good advice, isn't it? Wilson. I've got them 13th. Right. And 16th. Full and then, Avaro Arbeloa is the manager coming in from Marco Silva. They bought in Gonzalo Garcia's and Cesar Palacias from Real Madrid B, somehow they've got a connection there. Shay Charles has come in from South Hanson, fairly highly rated, and Jono Coussi Asare from Bermunic, who's a centre-forward. They've lost Susa Luchic, and he's a D-Op to Ipswich, and Harry Wilson has been released. Where's he tipped up? Leeds. Leeds, that's right. Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah. Of course. Which is a big blow, I think. They begin our home to Chelsea, go to Sunderland home to Palace, a way to Liverpool home to Manchester United, is Arbeloa good? Who knows, Wilson? Well, that's the question. Is he any good? I mean, I think there was a significant reason for doubts at Real Madrid last season, but the Real Madrid is very different. It's very different. It's very different. It's a different barrel of apples to full them. I think I was thinking, as bad apples spoiling the barrel, but maybe the barrel's bad. I think that's where my brain was going. Oh, that's fine. They are a different barrel of apples. It's just not afraid. I think we'll catch on during the season. But if there's any way you want to phrase to catch on, it's safe to me, and I'll try and run with it. So, is he a good... I know, I don't know. I don't know. Is he a good... Is he a good... Orchardier? Yeah, right. I mean, Fulham probably does have an orchard in that bit if you play three and a half grand for a season. That now seems like a really good deal after the workup. There's an orchard in Fulham Palace. Yes, there is, yeah. Which is well worth a visit. If anybody's going to... Oh, it's not good. Fulham fans. Absolutely delighted. This is the road we've gone back, isn't it? Well, I always say things. I won't pass it the other day. The stand looks incredible. From the other side of the river, it just fits in. It's kind of... It could have been a monstrosity, and it's not. It has been really well done. Very nice place to pop in for a coffee or a bit of lunch as well, if anybody's in the area. On the pitch. On the pitch. I mean, Garcia, I think, is interesting. He was the Golden Boot at the Club World Cup in 2025. So, obviously not useless. But he's an experienced and to ask him to step in for Valimineth straight away. I think, ideally, he probably would have liked to see... You'd have a tournament at the Club at the same time to take a bit of pressure off. But if he... If he ignites in the way that he possibly could, then that's pretty exciting for them. Harry Wilson and Royal Imino's will need some replace. And I think they played a part in more than half of Fulham's goals last season. I think Ryan Sessignon is there. I think it's time for him to shit or get off the pass. He's been unconvincing for a very long time. They've Josh King, obviously, was really good for them last season. You'd hope he'd kick on as well, Oscar Bob. I mean... It's Fulham to be fine, won't they? Yeah. 12th. I was going to say it wasn't convinced by Ariba Law as a manager. Well, if I'm giving Jabi Lanzo a free pass for his time at Rio, I think Ariba Law will probably deserve as well. So I've got them 13th. I've got them 12th. Monday, the first game, Ariba Law against Jabi Lanzo, they are two former World Cup winners playing answer on the Premier League. There's only ever been six Premier League managers who've ever won the World Cup as Ariba player were manager before. Can you name your other four as I know desperately think can I do it? Okay, won the World Cup. So there's only been six managers, six Premier League managers who have won the World Cup, either as a player or as a manager. Betriguero. Betriguero is one. So one of them is a manager, two of them are players. As a manager, we've fully biscuit down it. So there's two players who won the World Cup who went on to manage in the Premier League. I think it was probably branded as the Premier ship when they both did it. Oh, okay. We're talking mid-90s, early to mid-90s. Oh, you haven't. Do you want me to give you the nationalities? Mm-hmm. There's an Englishman and a nice gentleman. Alan Ball. Alan Ball. Yeah, Alan Ball, yes. And then a really famous Argentinian. He's very angular. Faradona. Let's famous him out a little bit, not much. Oh, Aussie. Aussie. Okay. No, good quiz, enjoy it. I've got one thing to add for full of. Please. I'm really interested in Gonzalo Garcia because he's got... He's a distant, but he's genuine relative of one of Hollywood's greatest stars of yesterday. Is this another quiz? Oh, is it Rita Hayworth? It is Rita Hayworth. Wow, okay. Gilda, the lady from Shanghai, the sublime Rita Hayworth, is a grand nephew of Rita Hayworth. Lovely. Yep, because you're not doing the second half. Can we have your top four, or your top five, please, Philippe? So Arsenal, men united, Liverpool Chelsea City. Okay. And who have you relegated? Bournemouth Ipswich Hole. My top five, Arsenal Chelsea Villa City Liverpool and the bottom three, Palace Ipswich Hole. Barry, keep your powder dry. Okay. Because you were appearing on the next episode. And you weren't impressed with City. You brought a piece about that. You look at the squad and the squad looks weirdly. He's written a piece saying he was in praise of City. I'd be slightly concerned. I mean, I mean, I'm a welfare checker with you. I mean, yeah, so far off it. I know you can have a quite judging community shield. But the point is, if you're thinking of them as potential title challenges, they're so far off it, even if they do click in three or four weeks. They're going to be six, seven points behind Arsenal by then. So, already for them, probably the race is run. And you know, I now start wondering whether, yeah, my assumption of the last two seasons was Gwadiola was just slightly getting beyond the peak. Maybe he was actually kind of dragging them to the level they got to. Because the squad looks really weirdly in balance now. I think these are injuries a huge blow. I think they've lost a lot of the personality of that side with Bernardo Silva, John Stones. I mean, okay, John Stones. I can only start 11 games over, 11 lead games over the last two years. But it's somebody who kind of holds the squad together who represents the sort of values of a club. I think losing him is a problem. Really got two defenders over the age of 25. So, yeah, I think significant issues. And the way that first goal was scored, I know it's a lovely bit of skill from Lewis Scully. But Chelsea can see a lot of goals where they just simple balls or passes behind the backline, not enough pressure on the ball. When there's a defensive pushes up. So, maybe that is a meresco issue. All right. Well, that'll do for part one of our previews. Thank you, Philippe. Thank you very much. Thanks for having us. Jersen here. Thanks, Buzz. Thank you. It's the start of the season. And these are our biggest podcasts of the year. Why do we bother with the rest of them? So, this is an earnest call out for reviews on Apple and Spotify, wherever you get your podcasts. Follow us, please on Instagram, TikTok, Bluesguy, YouTube. We'll be doing lots of, it says here, fun stuff on there throughout the season. Football Weekly is produced by Jesse Howard and Matt Bentley Viney. Our executive producer is Joel Grove, back with the second half of the alphabet tomorrow. This is The Guardian.