I'm sure he will be returning the favor before the season is out. I wonder if Chelsea are on to something here. Not just two great talents, but also two great friends playing together. I mean, can you imagine playing with Gary all your career? >> Gary and Phil. Yeah. No, but it looks like a real genuine friendship. You always feel like two strikers. They're always looking after themselves maybe or people at the top end of the pitch. But I genuinely do think that, you know, they will be setting each other up all season scoring goals and not taking too much into it about who's got the goals or the assists. Jabi Alonzo uh doing all that we really he could hope for with Chelsea tonight getting that first victory at um at Craven Cottage first up. Your question Gary to him about the goalkeeper. He's got Mike Penders there who's who's in reserve as well and and was at Strasburg last season and he's a young goalkeeper I think 21. A lot is talked about him being the successor. Would you have expected him to answer that question differently that that you asked him? No, I mean look, I felt like I had to ask the question about the goalkeeper and couched it in such a way which obviously because we saw him speaking to him at the end and sort of put his arm around him. It's undeniable. Look, Javi Alonzo has been brought in as the manager of the football club, not as the coach. And when you're managing a football club, and I know from the manager that I played under, you have to make some pretty brutal and ruthless decisions. And they've strengthened in every single position on the pitch in the forward areas. They've brought brilliant players in, brought Danny Wellbeck in his experience in midfield. They've obviously got John Henderson that's come in along with obviously very good players already and then they've got defenders that have come in. You cannot take a chance with goalkeeper. I've said before it's the most difficult position on the pitch. It's the one that carries the most scrutiny. It's the one that if you have got a goalkeeper that's making mistakes and he's anxious. It will undermine everything that you're trying to do. And I think in the next seven or eight days, Jabi Alonzo may have to just make a decision that he needs to bring in an experienced goalkeeper because his job is to be successful for Chelsea. And it may be that he sticks with Robert Sanchez, but I think he has to protect himself. Well, we're not saying anything we haven't said for the last two or three seasons. Unfortunately, listen, he's consoling them. But Chelsea will never win the league with Sanchez in goal. Impossible. It can't happen. And you think of the teams who've won the title. Last three teams who've won the title have all changed the goalkeeper. So you think of Pep bringing Edison in. He now Joe Hart had won the league, but he made a decision this goal in first. He was brutal with him. >> So he brings Edison in. It makes a big difference to win the league. Allison comes in for Liverpool. Liverpool win the league. Arsenal don't win the league if they have Ramdale in goal. Not rare. Impossible. So one of the biggest reasons why Arsenal won the league last year was rare. They wouldn't have won the league without him. You you can go back through history. Every team who wins the league have got I would say 99 times out of 100 the manager has made a big decision in terms of like I need to go and get my goalkeeper who can win me the league. >> So why would he not? Why would he not Gary? >> No D look I' I've got experience with this. We had we had in my first period in my career at United, we had Peter Schmeichel in net for six or seven years and the difference is enormous. And then we had a period of about four or five years where I think we only won maybe one league in maybe five seasons when Jose Arson Ben Rafa was at Liverpool as well. But it was that period where it was really tough and we had a mixture of goalkeepers in around that time that were very good goalkeepers but it's a massive personality. It's a massive character. It's a brilliant goalkeeper that wins a Premier League title or a league title. And then we brought Edwin Vanderesar in and everything felt normal again. And I just think that that back line of Chelsea's isn't perfect, but I think if they've got a goalkeeper behind them that's making them slightly more nervous, it's going to be a bigger problem and exacerbate it. And I'm saying this quite calmly because we're talking about a human being here, but the reality of it is Chelsea do need a goalkeeper. And it's one thing that I'm surprised that they've not dealt with in this transfer window because it has been coming this for a couple years. We've said goalkeeper, we've said center back, and we've said some experience down the spine, haven't we? and he's dealt with most things, but that's the last piece I think >> because clearly they have so much quality now at the top end of the pitch. Jamie just said um one of the best top threes, front threes that's now in the Premier League. But but it wasn't interesting to hear from Cole Palmer there talking about the emotion that he felt this summer and the hunger that perhaps he's got back for the game that maybe went missing last season. Yeah, maybe. Listen, you'll look for reasons why it didn't happen for him. And I always think it's difficult to play really well or at your best when the team's really struggling. So, you know, Chelsea finished 10th last season. So, probably not an easy environment to be at your absolute best, but I I felt in his first 18 months at Chelsea, couple of years, he was good as anybody in the Premier League at that time. And he's had a drop off for the last 12 months, maybe a little bit more, but there's certain things players do, and I think special players do. Don't forget, he scored in a in a in a final for England when he came off the bench. He absolutely took PSG apart, who were the best team in the world by a mile 12 months ago, was it? maybe a little bit more in the Club World Cup. Didn't just like score a goal against him. Was the best player on the pitch by a mile. >> That lad for me talentwise is as good as anybody >> in this country. And he was the one where when you look at Thomas Tukul's squad, there was lots of claims about certain players. He was the one that I thought he needs to go. He should have been taken. >> Gary, what will Thomas Tulle think watching this tonight? Cuz no doubt he will be. >> He made a decision. Look, maybe it's the best thing that's ever happened to Cole Palmer because maybe his career is just drifting a little bit and he gets a massive kick up the backside and sometime my dad used to say to me, sometimes you need a kick up the backside and a reminder in life that you've got to basically retain that hunger every single minute of every single day. And there's points in your career, I had a a point midway through my career where I just sort of formed, dropped off for about a year and a half and all of a sudden you just you get a reality check and you realize things don't come easy. You've got to maintain that standard and that tonight was the old Cole Palmer that we used to seeing a couple of years ago or a year or so ago and he is unbelievable to watch. It is brilliant to see a player. That's the best performance I've seen all weekend. It makes you smile every time you watch someone like that. And he's a brilliant player. 2017 the last time Chelsea got their hands on the Premier League trophy. Could it happen again under Jabi Alonzo? Uh maybe that's getting a little bit carried away, but they certainly started well. 31 seconds in, Gary. Yeah, I just couldn't believe what Fulham were doing. I just couldn't believe how split their center backs were and making things difficult for yourself. I mean, and then look, he gets pressed on that side and then obviously if Chelsea win the ball back, all of a sudden those three narrow forwards for Chelse, this is brilliant from Cole Palmer. They're in a perfect position to exploit it and counterack. Look, the first touch from Xiao Pedro is amazing. They'll see it again from this from this angle. But look, I think splitting your center backs, I don't think Gerard Pique and Pu back in sort of 2009 with that split and they could play. So yeah, I that was the surprise. But what a finish. The touch from Cole Palmer, the first touch, this first touch from Xiao Pedro now. >> How about this for the first >> there >> first touch of the season, I think. >> And then the little look up the dink. Absolutely beautiful goal. But >> he's a player him, isn't he? >> Yeah, absolutely fantastic. >> 15 goals last season. He should have been in that interview with Cole Palmer and Morgan Rogers Xiao Pedro cuz he deserves to be as good for him in the uh in the interview area. This is where you think the the goalkeeper is an issue. J. >> Yeah. Yeah, we know that. It's obvious. But what's interesting is Chelsea setup. That's why I asked Shab Alonso because they weren't too scared to drop into that deep block. You know, 541. We speak about the system before the game. You know what he did at Leverkus, but it's quite evident there. It was five players in the back. Now whether that was to do with the wing backs that he had was sort of really out and out defenders and the goalkeepers got to do a lot better but we don't need to go out over that again. It was just interesting getting that sort of tactical sort of answer from Shabi Alonso what they looked to do early on pressed them high but after that they were more than prepared to sit back on the lead that they had. >> If you just said before the game that a Javi Alono team would have less possession than our team you'd been surprised wouldn't you? >> Yeah exactly and that's probably where that stems from. But listen we're getting we're getting used to the you know two new managers in the Premier League. But do you think this is a coaching thing that the center half >> goes like this? >> Not so much. I just think he's passed and he's followed it forward. But listen, you're talking about quality players, you know, >> in a back. Yeah, they make movements off each other. >> And a back three, Dave, you can do that. >> You know, played it well under Glenn Huddle with England. He used to say one of the center backs in the back three more than happy to, you know, step in and when you step in, carry on going and that's what he does. I mean, that that that take of the ball on the half turn on the back foot from Cole Palmer's absolutely. This is the invitation that Morgan Rogers wanted, wasn't it? Yeah. >> On his debut. >> It's that when you talk about Cole Pal before, I think that's a great sight in football when you can see someone let the ball roll across the body. Miles Lewis skelly does it off. Brilliant. Love seeing it. >> What's happening here? >> This is a 3-1, I think. >> Yeah. No, 3-1. But I mean, you were you were both exasperated by the defending at this point. >> Yeah. I mean, the two Spencer backs split again. I think that's Sandberg who's gone back with them and then the the defender who's initially with Cole Pal. I think it's Quank doesn't actually follow him. So you see there. >> Yeah, Castania's gone in and then Bassie's gone in. I mean that that's that's Anderberg the central midfield player actually sweeping up at the back. >> But then Quen who's actually with Cole Pal just let him run back. I don't know how they think Cole Palmer is not going to have a free shot at goal. >> I mean really naive defending all night from be really interesting going forward whether Fulham or you know Marala actually alters things and tweaks things because that I think everybody watching at home thinking you can get out Fulham. But if you're looking for positives for Fulham, Gary, they didn't give up and they showed plenty of fight. >> Yeah. And Oscar Bob, Josh King, >> Gonzalo Garcia, >> Garcia, they they they were lively at times and they were bright and they got a little bit of encouragement. Uh they tried to play. I mean, that's obvious. I mean, they're trying to play at times cost them, but yeah, they can take the fact that they score two goals away. They'll play a lot worse teams than Chelsea. I think that just bouncing back off obviously Sanchez and yeah, listen, the goalkeeper's got to do better, but Cole will's got to do better as well. And that was a little problem for Chelsea in the second half. He they found it difficult to to deal with direct play and balls over the top and form caused him a few problems. Could have easily got something from the game. >> It was that big moment at 32 which which meant it it could have actually ended level this. Anthony Robinson who we know loves to rampage down the left hand side Jamie. >> Yeah he does for a lot of the game he was find himself left wing the way Alvarado had set the team up. But uh this goes back to something I mentioned throughout the second half at Chelsea just seem to struggle with balls over the top. I mean if it's on his other foot it's probably you know the equalizer isn't it and you know they get out of the game probably with a point but >> yeah Gary said um we're going to play that way whatever happens and and I think you were both as former defenders quite alarmed at times to see the distance between the two center halves and bearing in mind that that one isn't terribly comfortable on that right side >> that that was forced to play there tonight. What what do you think of that? Is it is it brave? >> No, I think we used Look, we're used to coaches now uh playing in a very different way than we played, which is to split the center backs to play them very deep sometimes on the sixyard box. What we've seen in the last couple of years is them quite narrow though, haven't we? Closer to the goalkeeper. So, at least if they have to knock it long, they can push up and they're in the central positions. It's a long time. I mean, I remember the first time I ever saw fullbacks split that deep was I think it was Yay and Gerard Pique in the 2009 Champions League final United in Pep Guardiola's first Champions League winning season and he literally split them to the center but they weren't that wide but they they're world class players in a world class team with Messi and Javi and Esta Buskets. This is Fulham who've got very good players but they're playing against Chelsea. I I don't see the the rewards that you're going to get for splitting your center backs into those positions. Bassie, you know, Bassie's there, left footer in the right channel. What what benefit you have in being there. So, I'm not sure the rewards are there for the risk that it brings and the risks tonight have been >> and also what you got got to remember not just tonight is this is the first time people at home or you know coaches, managers watching full watching something. So straight away think, oh, and I always think when whenever you were a a team or you're setting up and you want to press, one of the triggers to press is a long ball or a switch of play and when the ball goes a long distance, that's that's that's sort of the key. As soon as the ball gets switched, we all get over and because that difference is so great when that ball gets shifted over, that' be a trigger for people to go. It won't change. >> And it is indeed prediction time on Monday Night Football. But before we hear from Gary and Jamie on their picks, we're actually going to take you to what the fans think is likely for them this season. So remember, these are fans voting on their own clubs and we've taken as an average where they see their finishing position and only Arsenal fans think they will win the league with Manchester City in second place. Liverpool, Man United, and Chelsea fans all think their team is likely to finish third with Villa fifth. Spurs fans feeling bullish. I should say that this was before the weekend that people were voting. So, Spurs is sixth. Uh 81% think that. Brenford to build on last season with a seventh place finish. Boris climbing up to eighth. Bournemouth and Everton ninth and leads into the top half in 10th. So what about the bottom? Well, the good news is that no one's getting relegated this season, but that was the same as last year. Nobody thought they were going down last year either and unfortunately three did. So whole fans think they will finish 17th. Comry and Ipsswitch both have themselves at 16th with Sunland Newcastle. Brighton, Fulham, and Crystal Palace making up that bottom half. I'm surprised by Brighton actually. I thought Brighton fans might be a bit more optimistic than that. But but um Sun and Newcastle tied in 11th. We will see. Uh they'll be fighting for position all year, no doubt. So Arsenal to be champions say the Arsenal fans. What do Jamie and Gary think? And we didn't make them vote before the weekend. We've let them watch all the football across the weekend >> to see if anything would change. So, let's start with the Champions. Jamie, who you going for? >> Yeah, I mean, a few weeks ago, I thought City might have a a chance maybe uh because I thought Arsenal might be thinking a lot about the Champions League and City would be desperate to get that uh trophy back, but it was all around Rodri. I think if Rody stayed, I'd maybe make a case for them, but without Rody, I just can't see it. >> Gary, 100% Arsenal. I know when we say this, Arsenal fans think that we're somehow sort of applying pressure to them, but they're excellent. They're way out in front. They really are right now. And the squad that they've sort of assembled, the signings of KZA and Gimme, Solis, and maybe one more coming in in the next week, I what squad they are. >> If they didn't get that one more, would you be hedging your bets a little bit? >> No, I think they're fine. I mean, they've got still loads of options in forward areas. I know that Jay makes a good point on Friday night about they haven't got the one with the stardust. But if they get the one with the stardust, then they're just going to be further ahead. But I think with what they've got already now in defense and in midfield with the sort of good good attackers that they've got of a really good standard, then they're fine. All right. So, who's finishing second, third, and fourth? Who's getting closest to Arsenal? We've got a little bit of variation. So, Jamie's gone City to be second with Chelsea and Liverpool. Gary's gone Chelsea second with City and guess who? United. So, first of all, Gary, you think Chelsea are next best? Why? >> Just purely because of the fact that they've got no no European football. Um, and I think that if look, it's a bit if they keep Enzo and they can keep Enzo and Cassedo in midfield with that front three and they're only playing 45 games and they can play in the Carabal Cup the rest of the squad players, they're going to amass an enormous amount of points based upon the fact that they're going to have a more more free weeks, not going to have the injury pressures, they're not going to have the the traveling that that comes with European football and the sort of mental fatigue that comes with that. And I just think they'll just edge past Manchester City. I felt that you were tinkering between City and Chelsea as next best. >> I was I wasn't quite Listen, Man City are better than Chelsea, but as Gary said, the European factor can play a huge part. We saw Manchester United last season. You go back maybe 10, 15, I don't know how long it is now where Brendon Rogers's Liverpool almost won the league title. A lot of that was on the back of not having European football. So, it is it gives them a big big lift. Chelsea, I'm like that. And just I think probably at the last moment having watched them tonight even though they've won I mean the goalkeeper I mean some of the issues they had at the back as well I'd say yeah I'd just pip go for Man City. >> Why do Manchester United have the advantage over Liverpool? >> Look Do you want me to be honest? >> Yes. >> I I I I can't separate United and Liverpool in fourth place. I I I genuinely have no idea. >> I tells me you've ch changed it four times over the weekend. So after United played, he changed it to Liverpool. Liverpool something. A couple of weeks ago, I had United in third. I didn't have Chelsea where they were, but as as it just you sort of get nearer to the season, you start to look at the squad and you start to think about it. You think about Chelsea and the fact they've got no European football. That'll give them a big edge. I think City are in a better position than United. Look, at the moment, I'm not convinced by United or Liverpool really, but I do think they'll finish fourth and fifth. I've just gone United fourth just purely because I'm a United fan. >> Would that be success, do you think? I would take fourth place now and a and a cup. Do >> you think do you think the the the Chiefs would? >> I think they would. Yeah. Because I mean to to cope with European football the big question at the end of last season was can Manchester United can Michael Carrick do this when they've got European football. So to finish fourth with European football and maybe do well in a cup. That would be a fantastic season I think. And that's not being defeated. That's just where we're at right now. >> You had lots more questions about Liverpool after your analysis earlier on Jamie. Um would would fourth be reasonable for and don't eat your Iola first time round? >> I think I think these want more but I think just looking at sort of this the Chelsea situation Liverpool where they are right now the transfer window's got a week to go. Who knows what's going to happen in the next week. He could maybe change a tune and maybe say could they sneak into the the top three but I don't see any way they'd be in the top two and I don't see any way they can mounted a title challenge. So, a little bit of what Gary's just said there. If you said to me now as a Liverpool fan, you'll have Champions League football or, you know, you've been in the top four or five and you could win a cup, I I'd shake on that right now. >> How far have you got Liverpool ahead of Manchester United then? >> Uh, one place. >> He's not that confident. He's not that confident. >> One place. There we go. Uh I mean watching Liverpool on Sunday I was worried watching it but uh would you look better than Manchester United at whole >> Dave if we're being honest the teams that are below Arsenal right now are of a standard that has been as low as we've seen probably in the last probably six seven years. Let's be if we're being honest that >> but do you think any of these teams are actually ready? I mean post World Cup with the transfer >> the managers the we've had some of the best managers in the world in the last seven or eight nine years in the Premier League managing these clubs. We've got a lot of youth managers. Mikuel Atet has gone from being the apprentice in the last few years. Lots of questions about him and doubts. Now he's the master and obviously then there's old managers that are behind him in terms of sort of trying to prove themselves. So we're in a position of transition with the managers that are in these clubs with the squads that these clubs have had and that it's not at the standard that we've seen in the last few years. But it makes it interesting. It makes it intriguing. They're all going to get beat. They're all going to beat each other. They're all going to lose points and drop points. And that's what we want in the Premier League. We don't want it to be perfect. >> I think a good point to make is the best players in the world unfortunately still don't come to the Premier League. We've had some great players and we've lost two absolute superstars in the last couple years and Salah and Kevin De Bruyne. But in the main, we always know they go to Barcelona and Real Madrid. The the worry is some of the top players now at Bayern Munich. They're at Paris Sanain. I go back to the World Cup semi-finals and if you think of all of those four teams and they are the four top teams in the world, if you think of the attacking players for all of those teams, so Argentina, England, Spain, and France, there was only Morgan Rogers from the Premier League who started the semi-final. I thought that was a bit of a worry, but as Gary said in the past, what's massed is the managers. We haven't got those managers right now. And this is almost like going back to about 2015 16 when we had an influx of new managers but those managers were Pep Conte Kloppino >> was around at that time. Yeah. It's it so a lot of teams have got new managers but they're not at the level of those yet. They might go on to do that but but they're not they're not big beasts. They're not sort of Champions League winners. We haven't got that. >> Who knows what Jeb Alonzo for example is going to grow into. But do you think that the best attacking players perhaps as you're saying don't come here because it the physicality that this league has got right now? >> Well, that was league arguably and listen I I did a newspaper article about Florian and I know we've analyzed him tonight but my point was at the weekend was that Liverpool obviously desperate for him to succeed but in some ways the Premier League needs him to succeed. You know we we need those flare players. We need those attacking players. We don't want this league to be seen as probably it was a little bit last season of like power set pieces players like that kind sort of come to fruition in the Premier. Listen, he's got to do that himself. But I think when you look at some of those players around Europe who are playing for Bayern Munich, who playing for PSG, are playing for Real Madrid and Barcelona, it's probably a lot easier than playing in the Premier League, every probably lot less competitive and they're probably getting better numbers. >> Yeah. Uh right, so where have we got to? We've got to six. Remember what Spurs fans were saying? They they are pretty confident they are finishing six. Jamie agrees. Gary doesn't. Go on Gary. >> Yeah, I think this was a late change. I >> did you have Spurs there originally then? >> No, I had Brighton six. I had Brighton's European long weekend Dave. >> Even Even though they didn't end your 7:00 sh from Newcastle to London, >> you do very well. Let me ask you, let me make it easy for you then. Why don't you think Spurs will finish top six? >> I I I don't trust them yet. I don't think that I Sometimes you look at that Spurs and you think, "Oh, they've spent a lot of money and over the summer thinking quite exciting for Spurs fans. They finally splashing the cast, but then I look at the team and I think where's it all gone?" And you know, maybe they have to sign the players this week and I think that'll happen and that'll strengthen them. Ceino and Marmoose um and that'll make them a lot better. But I just don't know whether they'll pull it together and that's the question. So I know Brighton are a good unit. They're reliable. They're consistent. And I think Brenford and Brighton and I could have put Brenford in there as well. By the way, I think those two teams this season may just get in there because they're consistent and they know what they're doing and they've well drilled. And a wellorganized, well- drilled team, I think, will beat a team of talented players who, to be fair, are still trying to find their way. >> Yeah, they could force their way into the Conference League. They're not quite there yet. Uh Brighton, one to keep an eye on. European contenders. Uh Gary has put Spurs in that category. Uh Brenford who missed out on goal difference last season. Jamie and I guess what this tells us is that you think they're here to stay effectively. >> Yeah, I've been really impressed with with what Andrews has done at Brenford last season. A lot of people say and there may be something in it that when when you're managing a club like Brenford which is so wellrun behind the scenes and the hierarchy it makes it easier for the manager. Of course it does probably does make it easier but you know watching them this weekend watching them last season all the talk this summer feels like Spurs have almost been you know the the big name in town basically all summer and to beat them the way they did and of course when you talk about other teams like a Brighton they have got European football this season Brenford haven't. So I think that will be a big plus point for and that's why Memphis Spears in six because it's not just not playing the games surely it means you're gonna have a lot less injuries as well when you haven't got European football. So you know you can normally keep your your team together solid week after week and yeah I really like love watching them play and for me that was the best performance of the weekend Brenford. >> Uh but Aston Villa of course who are playing the Champions League this season nowhere to be seen in those predictions. What's I mean I it's a mystery to me what is going on there. Look to that team yesterday that Unai Emry at field and the substitutes bench and I've got a lot of love for Aston Villa and Emry. What's going on? >> Well, remember they had a really slow start to last season as well. Scored in the first five years. >> No, this is very different Dave. You know when you think about what's gone what's left Tieleman's Rogers >> KZA >> KZA you >> maybe Ollie Watkins >> that is a that that squad's been obliterated of its experience I talk about Emmy Martinez who's a massive personality by the way don't underestimate the the value that he has and then how are they going to even think to compare look Una is an unbelievable coach and he gets the best out of teams but I'm really worried for Villa I don't know what's going on >> the average age was also 29 for Aston Villa last year. So, did it need some surgery at some point? >> Listen, there's always this talk, isn't there, around that, you know, the PSR with Aston Villa? No. And I know it frustrates this the supporters and and they get ripped apart and then they look at Spurs finishing 17 two years running and they go and spend 100 million on on on Tali. So, it must be a frustration for them and whether these rules in in the future will be tweaked or changed or whatever it may be. But it does feel like teams like I think probably even Newcastle in the last couple years and Aston Villa they got to a certain point and you just can't go any further. >> Right. What about relegation clubs Gary? Do you see any of the promoted sides surviving? >> I hope that one of them or two of them stay up. I've not got the faith that I had last season. The last season if you remember the first weekend of the season we did leads game didn't we against Everton. It was really positive. And then obviously Sunderland, we saw them beat West Ham and I just thought there's no way they're going down Sunderland. But I just having having watched what I've seen this weekend, I I'm going to go for the three relegated team, sorry, three promoted teams to go down. But I do think having I'm not going to go too early on my relegation risk, but watching Fulham tonight, that's that's a risk. That's a big risk. young players splitting your center backs like that being open. I we'll know a little bit more after they go to Sunderland next weekend to see if they adapt. But you've gone Sunderland down by the way. >> Wow. >> Yeah. Go on. Have a go at him for that. >> I I I don't see that. >> But I mean Well, if you did, you would have done it. >> No, but where's that come from? Well, the fact that they've got European football, so they're going to be playing positive. >> Pardon? >> There's a positive factor. Well, they're going to be doing a lot of Thursday Sunday and I think I think it was I think Sunderland last season reminded me a little bit of Sheffield United under Chris Wilder where they came up and they had a really you know brilliant season finished high up the table but a lot of the games like Sunderland where you win by the odd goal. I'm not saying to look but sometimes you just win by the odd goal. I always think a team then if they start flipping the other way and you maybe lose it by the odd goal and there's very little in the performance and when you look at their underlying numbers last season their underlying numbers were pretty ad them not far away from relegation and I just think with this the the European football I think that could be a problem for them. >> Yeah and look it's unfair to judge commentary on Friday night because they're playing against the best team by a mile and that was a horrific start for them in terms of a fixture. So I wouldn't judge that. And likewise, Hull just a a massive experience beating Manchester United. I won't pay too much attention to that. And the Ipswich win against Sunland. There's a long way to go, but I I I just Yeah, I couldn't get to any of the three teams. I think that Fulham and Palace are the ones that I think I'd be most worried about. I'm not that concerned about Sunderland right now as I sit here. But >> go on then. Let's have a look at relegation risks. >> And I had for them before this game. >> Oh, sorry. I I I too. I'd forgot to uh nail it down. >> You're right. I think those two are the ones I would have picked. And to be fair, I was moving between I picked Fulham this morning before this game tonight. That's not a late change. Um I Yeah, I obviously young manager, young forwards, lost all their goals, all the hallmarks of risk is are there with Fulham >> and Crystal Palace added to that mix. >> They haven't had a great preseason. That hasn't gone particularly well for them. They lost the first game at Everton, which to be fair, they were actually very unlucky when you actually look the chances they had in the first half. >> Two, I think. Yeah. They probably should have got something from the game. They've still kept Adam Warren who's, you know, probably, you know, the best player. >> He's not going. No, he's not going to go anywhere. But I go back to the European football again. They're going to go into the Europa League as well. I know they've done Europe last season, but new manager, new in the Premier League, lost a few players, still in Europe. >> Yeah, I'll probably go Crystal Palace. Have a scare. >> So, you're going Crystal Palace? >> I'm going Crystal Palace. Take Fum off. >> Thank you. >> Okay. Uh, top scorer. Let's see if there's any surprises. >> No. Well done, Erling. Congratulations. Do you like his new haircut? >> I love it. >> It's good, isn't it? >> Me mom doesn't like it. What was he doing yesterday with that missed chance? >> Did you not see it? >> Yeah, I did feel it. He's lost his power. >> I just I just thought it was one of them where he just goes h Yeah, it's a stunning one that >> impact signing. >> Uh Jamie's gone Fernandez of Spurs presumably. >> Yeah, I I really like Oh, sorry. I really liked him last season at West Ham and I thought to be honest I thought man you might I thought there might be another few teams in for and he got a better team than Spurs in terms of Spurs were 17th last season and probably looking to get top six. I thought maybe someone a little bit higher would have taken him. >> They wanted him. I mean I think United wanted both and Fernandez but I think the money was rising at such a level and the wages rising such a level that they just bowed out. Similarly with Anderson I think the fee was big also. I think he wanted to go to City. So, but I think United wanted all those three players, but they just decided that I think >> so. United can't afford the big boys no more. >> But I think the problem with United was that because of I mean, I'm not saying that they would have relied on Agati, but because Ugi gets injured, they then end up with a situation where they've got one midfield player, so they need three. So, let's say you've got 150 million, 160 million for three, if you if you blow 95 million on one, you're not going to get the other two that you need. So, I think United had to make a decision to to sort of remove themselves from the Fernandez and Tanal. I think they're they're good players, but they were massive fees. Um, what do you think the impact of Bruno Gimme at Arsenal will be then? >> I think it's the best signing by a mile. >> Shame he wasn't playing Friday, wasn't it? >> Yeah, I think he's the best signing by a mile. The one risk that Arsenal have the if you take a player out of Arsenal's team anywhere, probably Ry the one the other one, but in the outfield parts of the pitch, there isn't a drop off between the first and second choice anywhere apart from Declan Rice. There is a massive drop when Declan Rice moves out of the team. So if Declan Rice gets injured for three months, that would be a risk to Arsenal. The signing of him removes that risk. He is a massive personality. Different player than Declan Rice, but you talk about the personality and character on the pitch. We talk about no leaders, you know, no players who sort of got massive personality that can car. He is a brilliant personality and character. He believes he can win every single football match for his team. He believes he can tackle. He's aggressive. He's somebody you'd want alongside you. I think he's an amazing sign. And by the way, 75 million compared to some of the others that have gone for more is value, I think, in this market. >> Is he getting a cut of the agency? >> Wow. He's 28. >> He's It's interesting because I spent money on a couple of 28 year olds. >> He's 29. He's 28 before he's 29. >> He's 28. But what we said he's old. >> I mean, what you signing a player? >> You're not getting that money back, are you? >> But what I'm saying, we're not talking about We're not talking about We're talking about replacing Declan Rice here. You're not talking about a 21-y old. You we talk about a player who can go into that team in the best champ. You want to win the Champions League in the Premier League. That's where Arsenal want to be. You can't bring a 21-y old in or a 20-year-old in to replace Declan Rice. You've got to bring somebody who's ready. So, you know, Manchester United over the years, they signed some experienced players at times to be able to cope with the demands. You know, signed Sharing at the age of 32, 33 as a a third and fourth striker. >> No, you didn't. You signed him to play. >> 31. You signed him place. >> He was 31. I know. Yeah, but you sign, but you can't replace cancer now with a 21-y old or a 15y old. You got My point is you sign experienced players sometimes to replace players who you know and >> I'm sure Liverpool may sign an experienced midfield player this week. James and maybe they need an experienced fullback or two. They can't have them two wingers playing at fullback. >> Oh, tell me about it. >> Full stop, James. Okay, players to watch. Jamie, who have you gone for? Jac. >> Yeah. >> Is he in the future? >> Yeah, he's listen, he's played one Premier League game. He's only one played one preseason game for Liverpool and he he's looked really good in both games, but you know, sometimes when you look at a player, they just look the part. >> It could be any position. Sometimes you see a center forward or a midfield player, you just think he looks good. So, you think he's you can almost envision him being good. So, he looks the part. And the reason I'm picking him as well as as they want to watch is because I think this is the first season where a player alongside Van Djk is going to have to play his own game and at times look after Van Djk. I think we're at the stage now where Virgil van Djk for me as an individual he'll still be one of the best center backs in the Premier League. But he's going to need help and he's not at the stage where I think he can look after other people. So when you think of Joe Gomez, you think of Matip, you think of Canate playing alongside Virgo Van Djk. I think they all looked 15 20% better than they actually are because they were playing alongside him. I don't think that's going to be the case with this lad. >> Are you starting to imagine a life without Virgil van Djk? You referenced his age earlier as well. >> Yeah, but I just think it might be interesting because I think his contract's up. He's obviously on on a right few quid and deservedly so. How Liverpool would would bridge that. I think it's probably they wouldn't know now. you know, see how he helps Jac Leone coming through as well and he'd probably buy someone next summer, I would imagine. But, uh, it'd be interesting to see what happens with Van Djk in 12 months time. >> I was really impressed with Jac yesterday. I think you I think you can spot a young defender who's got the balance and the poise and the way in which he passes the ball. They just set up. Sometimes you see a young defender and they're wiry, the gangly, it's like their arms aren't connected to to the hips and to the legs. It's all like they're all over the place and you they haven't got the balance on the pitch, but he just looked like he was totally in control. Look, he'll make mistakes. He's young, but I really like the look of him. He It takes a lot for me to say that about a young defending. He looks like he's got a a good a a good thing going there. >> What do you think Morgan Rogers could develop into as your player to watch? >> Well, look, I just just the fee um and when you're 12 million pound player, we've seen the way in which Jamie spoken about verts earlier on today. You've got to hit numbers. You've got to be 12, 15 goals. You've got to be 10, 12 assists or else you're going to come under pressure. And this is that to me, we all sort of went, we know he's a good player, Morgan Rogers. We'd all like him at our clubs. You'd love it at United. You'd love him at Liverpool. But think 120 million. Wow. But I think that to me, he's the player to watch because I think if he can deliver this season for Chelsea, they can get they can go and push Arsenal. Um, >> should we change the predictions? >> No, no. I No, tonight to be fair, I think what we thought earlier on in the week or what we thought in the last couple of weeks about Chelsea, we saw tonight what it was, and that's without Enzo Fernandez and and Cassedo, who I think are incredible players, fantastic midfield players. So, you've get them two in midfield, you have them three up front, you're going to do a lot of damage because that's a fantastic front five. And I mean, would it be a need to keep >> Would that front five be the best front five in the league? Cassedo Fernandez, Rogers and Palmer and Xiao Pedro. If you saw Arsenal with, you know, Madwki or Saka or Havz and then you've got the boy Solace and then you also got Declan Rice in midfield with say, I'm sure I think Luis Skelly, I think you'd go for Chelsea's front five over most in the league, but the defense and the goalkeeper is not at the level of Arsenals or cities maybe. >> There does seem to be this question still hanging over end of Fernandez who got a lovely reception from Fulham fans tonight. He actually got difficult reception from Chelsea fans a couple of weeks ago. How crucial is it that Chelsea keep him, do you think? Or or should they actually cash? >> I think they have to keep him. He's an He's a brilliant football player, a brilliant player. Um, and do you know something? I I used to get booed at times at away grounds. I'm sure you did as well. I I think that the idea of being booed is a sensational thing. It means that you are really are doesn't mean that you're unpopular. I It does. But what what it actually means is look fans don't boo players who they don't care about. >> They're booing him because of the Argentina. >> I know. But they also to boo him because they also boo him because of the fact that he's he's a bit of a I can't use that word, can I? >> Used to be called. >> Yeah. Yeah. What I'm saying to you, you can be a bit of a well done for selfensoring. >> You can rile people up and you can wind people up and you can get people going. And that's a personality. That's a character. That's someone who to be fair got something about them. So I I don't see being booed by Fulham fans as being a negative. I think that's a massive >> What did they hear the full and fans sing to you? >> The Nevilles could play. >> Did you think the booing would stop when you retired? >> Oh no. I think I'll be the only bloke in history to get booed into my own funeral. They'll be car they'll be carrying me into my funeral. We'll finish on managing to watch. And again, we're looking at at a positive lens on this. You you've got a you've got a little thing a little twinkle in your eye for the Newcastle boss. >> I stayed in Newcastle last night. >> He just asked me a question. Can he stop? I'm just saying he says >> you could talk under water. Stay the whole to be fair. I'll let you talk for the first hour and a half. I'm only here to do these predictions. You wheel me out once a year at least. Let me have a chat. >> No, but you he came in. He had something to eat in the restaurant. You chat with him? >> No, I didn't. Let him let him just relax. And also, it's interesting. You watch a manager walk in and you think to yourself, "Ah, he must be so gutted just to have conceded that goal in the 96th minute, but it was a good day for him." Anyway, carry on. >> No, I I not even yesterday. I just seen a couple of his press conference. He see, you know, he's only young, but he's got he's got that little twinkle in his eye. I think he'd be a a fiery character in the Premier. I like that with managers. He was a bit like sharp and on the front foot with the, you know, the lads on the uh I think it was Daniel and Micah. Yes, he was in a good way. And there was just something about him. He's coming to Newcastle, huge football club, put in that performance yesterday, but I think he's got I think he's got something about him. >> So, no Pep Guardiola, no Jurgen Klopp anymore. Could Jab Allonzo be one of those that that rises up to fill that space? If he gets the recruitment right and he keeps the players in those front areas of the pitch that I just mentioned before and he sorts the defense and the goalkeeper out, he could be the emerging manager out of that five that are below Mikuel Arteta that are trying to win the league. He could be the next one to win the league. Um, and that's why I think this season's critical for him because he's got to finish second or a good third because if he if he finish if he doesn't finish second or a good third this season without Champions League football with that squad that he's amassed uh without European football then there would be questions. But I I I actually believe that he will go and go and do it there. I liked his interview tonight. I you shouldn't read too much interviews because sometimes managers do do interviews well and sort of they can speak well. But just thought he had a presence about him. But I'll be interested to see what he does in the next eight or nine days. And I throw back to what I said before. He's he's the manager of Chelsea. That means that he basically I think makes the final decision on on transfers, on recruitment, it looks like he's sort of saying, "Look, you're not doing what you're you've been doing for the last three or four years, it comes through me." And I think if he goes and do one or two pieces of business in this next week or so, he's got to look after himself and demand that he gets that one or two players in this next week. And we know where those areas are. >> Can I just have one more one to watch? Go on. Will you okay wear them trousers again? >> Stand up. Hey, why why you think I'm closing up? >> I've gone for a wide trouser for the first time in >> honestly. He thinks he's Frank Wington. >> What you'll normally find is that Carol will start wearing these in not two or three years. >> No, after Jamie Rednap. Jerry Redn 6 months ago and he's had a little >> What did he say before? What did he say? What did he say tonight before the uh before the show? He said, "I I've been told the Browns the right. >> What's on the feet?" >> Oh, these I went I went shopping stand next to I went shopping on Saturday in London. This guy styled me. I tell you what, I think they're pretty cool, you know. >> Yeah. >> Do the dance. Do the dance, Gary. >> I tell you what, I like these. >> Yeah. >> What are they? The bowling shoes don't be bowling. >> We have we have descended into fast. Gary, shall we book you in now for the for the last one of the season and come back. >> Yeah, to be fair, I was booked in for the last one of last season, but you kicked me out because you put a Patrick Vier in because Arsenal won the league. So, yeah, I'm happy always happy to come in and do the By the way, why have we not done who won the most points out of last year's predictions, which is what we normally do because I actually won it again. >> Okay. >> I won it three years on the bounce. You do know that, don't you? >> Walk over. Yeah, I think Jamie's accepting it. >> Absolutely. He knows. >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Nottingham Forest going down two seasons ago. By the way, Sunderland could eas this year. >> Probably will. I'm encouraged by Jaime's prediction.