It's a Season Wrap

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Transcript

Jerrell 0:05

​took a week off 'cause we were too stressed about the Champions League, and it still didn't go our way. But we're Football Fellows, and we're back to close out, uh, the '25-'26 campaign. Will, how you doing?

Will 0:19

Doing great. Feeling blessed. Wagwan?

Jerrell 0:22

Nice. Uh, no Christian today. He is busy. but we are

Will 0:27

Let's bus

Jerrell 0:28

you the news and our socials. Uh, we have Twitter, Bluesky, Instagram, uh, the email's there, thefootballfellows@gmail.com. But with us on those socials. Uh, skeet at us. Our intern will skeet back.

Will 0:44

He hit at us on Blueska.

Jerrell 0:45

do... Yeah, we have a new location. Well, Bill's Mafia has checked into the chat.

Will 0:53

Shout out Josh Allen, 6'5", built like Jesus, MVP, his wife, Hailee Steinfeld. Love that for you, bud. Won me my fantasy football championship. Sorry, Drill

Jerrell 1:05

listened and said, "Hey Josh, you should listen to this."

Will 1:10

Hey, Josh. He probably cooks, plays guitar. What a king. What a king. Won me $250.

Jerrell 1:17

From, from Wyoming.

Will 1:20

Oh, yeah. Yeah.

Jerrell 1:21

Wyoming, right? Yeah, Yeah,

Will 1:23

yeah, he did go to Wyoming

Jerrell 1:24

he was Dakota, I think. Whatever. Whatever. Thanks, Josh Allen. Thanks for listening. You know, I'll smash a table for you anytime.

Will 1:31

Hell yeah. It just honestly just looks kind of sick, so

Jerrell 1:35

right? Uh, is there any news coming down the pipeline? Any transfer rumors you heard that were kinda interesting?

Will 1:42

Um, roughly, uh, yeah, you got something?

Jerrell 1:45

Arne Slot getting sacked

Will 1:47

Yeah, that happened real quick. Life comes at you fast. Um, so Xabi Alonso goes to Chelsea. Aurelio Iraola, he's gonna go to Liverpool. Arne Slot's gone. Uh, Mourinho, um, because it's 2010 all over ago- again, is going to Madrid.

Jerrell 2:03

He wants players who are hungry

Will 2:05

Marco Silva is going to Benfica, ending a five-year run at Fulham. Uh, who, who else is going? I feel like everything just started happening immediately.

Jerrell 2:16

going to Man

Will 2:17

Maresca to Man City, which was like rumored around when he left Chelsea. Pep's gone officially. Shout out Pep. What a run.

Jerrell 2:24

Yeah

Will 2:27

Christian Pulisic, boo, but, um, you're not here, so fuck it. Um, who else? I just feel there's so much. Uh, Spurs stayed up. We didn't like... I guess we'll touch on a little bit. Spurs stayed up. Uh, they just got their coach, obviously. I think that's it. Is that it?

Jerrell 2:45

the Women's Champions League

Will 2:48

Shout out to Barcelona women. Um, another dominant performance. Uh, Iwa Pajor, she gets her first Champions League. Um, we're gonna have, uh, what is it? Alexia Putellas. She's leaving Barcelona after 14... Putellas, sorry, leaves Barcelona after 14 years and dominating over there. Um, a lot of rebuild, but that, that final went well for me. That was, um, roughly about two weeks ago, but we didn't get to touch on it on pod, so.

Jerrell 3:12

That was a good final. Yeah.

Will 3:14

It was a fantastic final. A rematch of, like, teams that have gone at it, um, over, like, the last half decade a lot. Almost old guard, current guard, and then we'll see what the future holds as the Barcelona looks to be in transition a little bit as Spain's a little less competitive, obviously, versus, like, um, the English league and the, um, US leagues. But, you know, it is what it is

Jerrell 3:34

right. Uh, for the people who haven't checked the match day 38 results yet, do

Will 3:40

Where have you been? yeah.

Jerrell 3:43

Honestly

Will 3:43

Uh, Manchester United, um, they finished their campaign with a 3-0 win over Brighton. Wolves get one more point against Burnley. They are not able to flip from 20th to 19th on the last match day of the season. Uh, Arsenal in what was a victory lap at the time, win 2-0 as celebrations got underway, um, at Crystal Palace's home stadium. Newcastle lost to Fulham 1-0 at, uh, Craven's Cottage. Liverpool, Brentford ended 1-1, Mo Salah with the assist, which, uh, thanks for the note, Drel. Um, and, uh, Brentford miss out on Europe. We'll get there in a second. Aston Villa playing spoiler in the last game. That didn't really matter at this point as the league was clinched. But they get their, get a win at the, at, in, uh, Pep Guardiola's last game in charge of Manchester City. Nottingham Forest ended 1-1 in a tie against Bournemouth. Sunderland, Chelsea ends 2-1 in favor of Mexican Twitter. Shout out, uh, shout out to Stadium of Light. Spurs were able to get it done in a nervy display against Everton, 1-nothing after West Ham also were able to get a win, 2-nothing at the same time. But it's not enough as West Ham, my catfish, no longer... Well, I guess it's not a catfish anymore. They're just down. They get, uh, relegated.

Jerrell 4:56

catfish

Will 4:57

they no, they, they're coming back. They always do. Um, as Spurs finish 17th in back-to-back seasons, and it was bedlam in North London.

Jerrell 5:10

Yeah, so during those games, Arsenal was up 2-0 at that point,

Will 5:16

yeah

Jerrell 5:17

and everyone was like uneasily watching both the Tottenham game and the West Ham game. Ham scored, where I was at, that place erupted. "West Ham scored! They're And just waiting for the Everton equalizer

Will 5:33

Yeah, I really felt like if Everton got one, that pressure might have folded Spurs. But I think all things considered and how their campaigns went, I think it is fair. Um, I mean, just looking at, uh, even just goal differential and almost like the displays West Ham has put through a lot of the season, um, I think it is relatively fair, even though it's just bad breaks all around. Um, shout out Sunderland as well because based off their XG, they should have been relegated, and that's why you play the games. Um, I think they had the third worst XG, um, like net XG in the Premier League, and they will be, uh, playing in Europe. So what are our cha-- what are our European places, Joe?

Jerrell 6:13

Yeah. So, uh, your Champions League is gonna be Arsenal, Man City, Man United, Aston Villa, and Liverpool. Um, in the Europa League you have Bournemouth and Sunderland, and

Will 6:25

palace.

Jerrell 6:26

as well.

Will 6:27

yeah

Jerrell 6:27

And in the League it'll just be Brighton

Will 6:32

Hmm. I'm sorry about that, bud

Jerrell 6:35

Yeah, it's all right. Um, when, when Brentford tied against Liverpool, my attention shifted to Sutherland, uh, drawing, getting the 2-2 draw. But then I saw Chelsea got their, I think, 10th red card of the season, and all hope was lost.

Will 6:51

Yeah

Jerrell 6:52

point I was like, if Chelsea can ti... Well, actually, Brentford still would've been out. It wouldn't have mattered. Brentford had to win the game. But Sutherland in the best case scenario on our scenario board from way back when, everything went right for them to finish the highest they could on the table.

Will 7:05

Yeah, it felt like Brentford, um, I felt like it, the writing were on the cards. Hey, it is what it is. I felt like Everton's, uh, I mean, Brentford's run against Crystal Palace like the previous week is really where that hit came from. Um, 'cause if they got those three points that week, the pressure on Liverpool. Liverpool has been looking like shaky, to put it kindly, over like the last four months under, uh, under Arne Slot. So, um, I think that was a tough result. But, um, all in all, once again, I, I forgot to shout, shout, um, shout him out as well. Um, well, we shouted him out a little bit, but, uh, also shout, uh, Sunderland's coach, Regis De La Free? I forgot how the pronunciation. He's had a great season as well, um, dealing with them. But, um, Brentford still one of my team of the seasons, yeah

Jerrell 7:53

Yeah. Uh, Brentford finishes in the top 10 for the second straight year,

Will 7:57

You motherfucking right.

Jerrell 7:59

Second-best team in

Will 8:00

Everyone knew. Everyone had it in their cards. So who do you think is gonna make Christian really pissed next year when I play that clip back? Um, who, who do you think, if anyone, can sneak into the top five next year to fuck on Manchester United? I need this take to survive. I hate that this is the take that survived, actually. We say a lot of shit on this pod

Jerrell 8:19

who makes the top five next

Will 8:21

Who, I'm just like, I, in theory, right? What-

Jerrell 8:26

Chris- Christian expects Man United to suck ass next year,

Will 8:30

no. I made, I said a take and Christian for some reason committed this one thing to memory when I was like, "Ah, let's see if Manchester United is able to sustain this run. I think they finish outside of top five." And Christian said, "They have Michael Carrick." Unfounded. Yeah. The, so if you had to pick...

Jerrell 8:49

he had Michael Carrick.

Will 8:50

I guess, well I guess, well, hmm, Madrid, right? But so if you had to pick a team, let's say any team in the top five, way too early for us to make these assumptions, um, to drop out of top five, who drops and who goes up? Because I have Manchester United just for the sake of my pride and the fact that it's already been clipped on this damn pod, um, that Manchester United will not sustain this, this momentum next year. Um, so who do you have going up and who do you have going down? Way too early

Jerrell 9:20

Way too early. Um, uh, it's kind of tough 'cause I'm, I'm stuck between Aston Villa, 'cause they always just kind of teeter-totter, like, throughout the entire season, and maybe a hot take, but Man City, to be honest. I think that team has been built for, in Pep's system for so long. I don't... Even l- like Maresca got let go because of rumors of being linked to Man City, but I, I still just don't feel like Chelsea was, like, really gelling all that much under, under his management.

Will 9:53

Okay

Jerrell 9:54

So I think there might be a setback for Man City. Uh, Man City outside the top five

Will 10:00

Ooh, ooh. I wonder, I feel like Christian would enjoy your take more just because he's like, "Fuck Man City." We are an unbiased podcast. Um, but yeah, so if Manchester United go down, Bournemouth is gonna be tough. Give me, mm, mm. I don't feel good about any of this, actually. Give me

Jerrell 10:24

Chelsea coming back into the top five

Will 10:27

Chelsea's like the easiest one, right? 'Cause I was like, Xabi Alonso, he gives them direction on the team. I thought... I mean, I like Chelsea's first half of the season way more than their second half of the season, right? But yeah

Jerrell 10:40

I want to bel- I want to believe in Brentford and I b- do believe in their recruiting, but it comes down to like who gets sold,

Will 10:48

It's also, yeah, I think it's hard. I mean, there's more parity. I mean, we talked about a lot, um, there's more parity in the league week to week than... I mean, it's the short amount of time that I've covered relative to people who followed it, um, way back. But even when you hear, um, discussions about like teams that were winning 20 years ago, like when Arsenal won it or even prior, where it's just like usually your bottom teams were just completely bad. And obviously, our bottom teams, um, this year, you know, Burnley, Wolves, um, almost outliers on the table. But there is talent everywhere, so I think it's just there's a lot more parity in the league, but there is still like almost tiers. So when you see that jump, when you see a Villa making a run, when you see Bournemouth making a run, um, Brentford from where we expect them to start the season, these are big moments. But yeah, s- securing UCL is also tough. Um, but fuck it. Um, uninteresting podcasting would say I'ma, I'ma ride your Chelsea train. I think that is a great shout. Um, I'm excited to see what Newcastle's able to do. Second most boring shout I could give considering they were in the places last year. But I think Newcastle might be able to figure some things out. Um, I'm not gonna think Spurs can do anything, um, for the foreseeable future considering the two years we've ran this podcast. I was like, "You know what? I think Spurs got it," and they finished in 17th, so I'm completely out

Jerrell 12:03

I think we

Will 12:03

on them. I had them third, I think, not this season, the season before. I was like, "Yeah, 17th." I was like, they were injury, i- injury stricken. They finna be all right. There's no way. There's no way! So now it's deservy ball, you know? You never know, but yeah

Jerrell 12:18

Yeah. Uh, it'd be going into our third year of the podcast and always just interesting to see. And it's not just a Brentford problem. Brentford, I feel like maybe 'cause I pay attention to them. There was like, you, you recognize the names that are getting sold and going to other places, but like it's, that is an issue for Bournemouth. Like, uh, when Semenyo in the winter window got, uh, got sold. Um, Wolves suffered s- such things like when Cunha got sold as well, like, um, West Ham when Declan Rice left a few years back. So like these middle of the table teams, sorry, West Ham and Wolves, you, you were middle of the table, not, not so much anymore, but they, they get poached. Um, they do the, the gritty work of finding the, the diamonds in the rough and then they pop off at the Premier League and then the bigger clubs, the bigger clubs want them,

Will 13:09

And yeah, and I think on the flip side, you see just kind of the trend and direction as well as like obviously the recruitment. Obviously, a lot of this is just very much like Hertha, you recruit well, you get good players, you know, you do well. But fitting into systems and their ability to sell, because I mean, West Ham, they got 100 mil obviously for, um, Declan Rice a couple seasons ago, previously before the, they got more for Grealish.

Jerrell 13:30

replace it.

Will 13:31

yeah. And then, um, I think, I mean, at the time, Brentford, we were super concerned l- using, losing Yoane Wissa, um, you-- losing other pieces, but their ability to sell for high- higher price points, I think Cunha for the money they got, I think everyone at the time... Sorry, not Cunha, but, uh, Wissa getting like 55 mil because was it

Jerrell 13:50

and Boyo's getting like

Will 13:52

65, Bryan Mbeumo. It was just kind of higher. I think Mbeumo, he hit the ground running. Wissa, he missed preseason, so he had a tough time. But Newcastle almost doing reactionary business to, like, losing Isak. So it's funny how those fall and also just, like, you can see the teams that kind of have a plan, um, based off, like, how they're able to recover from those losses and teams that maybe have plans but just obviously not as good plans when you look at the recruitment. 'Cause even Spurs on paper, they have a good team, but then you also see their inability to connect passes through or whatnot. So also,

Jerrell 14:21

healthy and stop the red

Will 14:23

yeah, South Red cards, their inability to pass, put things together, and almost just, like, the belief getting sucked over there. But it's a new season. It's a new season, baby, right? So we'll see how it goes. Xabi Alonso to Chelsea, I think al- though, um, to put a, you know, a dovetail on the conversation, um, scary, scary. His work at Leverkusen was great and, I mean, realistically, I don't think anyone... Obviously, I'm sure there's things he could have done different, but Real Madrid is just like a whole other show. Um, I feel like relatively, I don't think the problems that they showed under him are anything that he brought along. I think it's systemic issues that Real Madrid, um, have. So I'm sure Christian will hear that and is like, "Wow, talking mad shit when I'm not there," right? So,

Jerrell 15:06

Yeah.

Will 15:06

but Xabi Alonso in the Premier League is terrifying, especially, um, not appointed as a coach, r- r- appointed as, um, their new manager. Um, which does mean something in the hierarchy of the Premier League, uh, in a power six club, especially Chelsea with all their turnover

Jerrell 15:21

Yeah. So moving from the, the Europe spots and the who makes the top five, we'll go to the other side. So the ascended teams are Coventry. It is Ipswich. Ipswich is back, and

Will 15:32

boys.

Jerrell 15:33

sixth place in the, in the championship, uh, Hull City won their playoff and, and came up.

Will 15:40

Can we pick three teams that w-we can't use the ascended teams. How about that? Let's rank our three who we think might go down. Cool?

Jerrell 15:49

Yeah.

Will 15:50

All right,

Jerrell 15:50

let's do that

Will 15:51

you-- Since I put it on you, I'll, I'll go first. Um, my first shout's gonna be Sunderland. I'm not gonna lie, I

Jerrell 15:58

Okay

Will 15:59

I think, I think they overperformed, um, how they were supposed to play and... I mean, they had did have great recruitment over the summer, so I pray, pray to God maybe I am wrong. But now you're also contending with having to play in a European league, so I think it's just gonna be a lot to put on their coffers. I'm sure they'll have sound recruitment. This is also way too early. I think Sunderland might have a little bit of a wobble and a struggle next season

Jerrell 16:23

Yeah. That, that, es-- I mean, goal differential in xG doesn't tell the whole

Will 16:29

Of course

Jerrell 16:30

s- they just had such an incredible home run at the s- in the first half of the season where it was just like you couldn't, you couldn't get three points at the Stadium of

Will 16:39

They were six points out of UCL. I already feel terrible about that shout, yeah. But hey, you gotta pick someone, right?

Jerrell 16:46

Um, I guess I'll also kind of in the same vein, uh, this year's ascended team, uh, Leeds. I'd pick Leeds to go down. Um, they just... They struggled a lot. They, they were kind of in the relegation battle until probably like a month before the season closed out. Um, it's just one of those teams that kind of don't inspire me to be-- to think that they would stay up a whole lot. Um, I would hate to put Crystal Palace into that bucket as well, but they got gashed this season, just losing talent left and right. Can they rebuild that

Will 17:26

Glasner on his way out too, yeah

Jerrell 17:28

from, from the Euro, um, and get, get more, get in more players that can compete? Oliver Glasner is still there, right? Or is he out?

Will 17:39

I think all signs pointed to him leaving, but who knows, um, how that'll go. But I thought he was leaving. I don't think it's been officially announced though

Jerrell 17:48

you'll have a Palace team next year that will have to compete in the Premier League. They will once again in Europe, but at the second tier level. So, how do they handle that? Who can they bring in? Uh, 'cause they lo- they lost Guehi, lost Eze,

Will 18:08

He lost to Lee Sei the s- uh, summer before

Jerrell 18:11

And Olise. So can Palace sustain? Maybe they'll be in that relegation talk next year similar to how Brentford was, uh, this year when, when you look at the team and you're just like, "Where are the goals coming from?"

Will 18:25

Yeah. Oliver Glasner confirmed apparently he's in talks to, um, potentially head to AC Milan, um, and talk with the Rossoneri. Yeah, so

Jerrell 18:34

yeah, the U- US men's coach is also rumored to go to AC Milan

Will 18:38

Yeah, not good vibes when your, uh, coach is already rumored to be taking other jobs. yeah,

Jerrell 18:42

Cup?

Will 18:43

yeah. Um, you- to bring four, four midfielders saying, "Yeah, we're gonna fucking have a back three and wing backs, so get ready to defend, boys. Buckle up." Fuck a midfield control

Jerrell 18:55

I get out of the World Cup, the quicker I get to

Will 18:57

He said, "God, I knew this was bad, but Jesus Christ I didn't know it was this bad." So, um, yeah, can't wait to do that World C- We're... Do we have to do the World Cup, like, preview next week actually before the show?

Jerrell 19:09

We'll talk about it.

Will 19:10

Oh. He said,

Jerrell 19:11

we'll,

Will 19:12

he said we talked about pregame about how little time we have.

Jerrell 19:15

it. Yeah.

Will 19:17

Um, but yeah, I think, yeah

Jerrell 19:19

with the consensus of Palace, Leeds, and Sutherland all going down on, on our way to

Will 19:25

I'm somewhere bet-

Jerrell 19:26

had a different

Will 19:27

I'm somewhere between

Jerrell 19:28

Forest.

Will 19:29

Yeah, I'm somewhere between fourth. I think Palace is a good shout, but I can't imagine them not up. Um, so my, my funny take is gonna be Spurs is gonna do it again. Um, but, um,

Jerrell 19:41

to believe.

Will 19:42

and just when you lose belief, that's when they'll, that's when they'll make you believe again. So until I see them finish

Jerrell 19:49

has been, like, the longest tenured top flight team, and I just, I, for, for, for just historical reasons, I'm like, they can't get relegated,

Will 19:57

It,

Jerrell 19:57

can't... They've had point deductions and

Will 19:59

yeah, if they didn't die like two years ago when it was looking real bad, I don't, I don't think they'll go down, so. But you never know.

Jerrell 20:06

reduction is so huge they can't overcome it. They actually get relegated

Will 20:09

Yeah, right? I mean, we'll, we'll see if that deduction... I feel like we've been talking about that deduction for like years at this point, so,

Jerrell 20:15

Since our first episode.

Will 20:17

You know, it's, it's what the people want. You gotta give the people what they want.

Jerrell 20:20

wanna hear it,

Will 20:21

So yeah, but

Jerrell 20:22

record it

Will 20:23

Coventry, and Ipswich, and Hull up, Hull, um, coming through, um, through that playoff final we covered, so cool. Um, we had, we did the league final last week, right? We talked about Crystal Palace winning, correct? The conference league

Jerrell 20:37

Yes. Crystal Palace won, uh, Conference League, Aston Villa won Europa, and we could not get the sweep this year as Arsenal falls to PSG, uh, 4-3 in penalties. And we didn't get to talk about it a whole lot,

Will 20:52

No, we just got to feel

Jerrell 20:54

we were, we were definitely in an Arsenal hater bar, which is crazy. And the chants of PSG, PSG were crazy 'cause

Will 21:01

I, I went to the bath-

Jerrell 21:02

they

Will 21:03

I went to the bathroom twice, and each time someone came up to me as I was wearing an Arsenal jersey, and they were just like, "I'm not a PSG fan. I, I got permission from my wife to watch this game as a Manchester United fan because I wanna see you guys fail." I was like, "Sir, I'm holding my penis." And he's just like, "You seem like a good guy, but I hope all the bad things in the world happen to you and only you." I was like, kinda wild. Did... But you know, you know the general vibes. Apparently, um, football won, whatever that means. Tight game. I thought it was a sty- a game of two different styles.

Jerrell 21:39

of football was on the line.

Will 21:40

I wish for, um, you know, at the same time, it's just like I thought Arsenal did a good job of putting their foot forward and dictating tempo of the game. Um, PSG were able to get, um, penalty, a second-half penalty. Uh, Mosquera, not, not a natural right-back. I thought he performed well, but, um, you're playing against a world-class wing like Kvaratskhelia. He gives up a pen that equalizes. We go to penalties, and you know,

Jerrell 22:06

Yeah, just a tough penalty 'cause it's just like, yeah, it's a pen,

Will 22:10

Yeah

Jerrell 22:10

but just... kind of hard to watch, and that be- being M- Mosquera's, uh, last action on the field before he gets subbed

Will 22:19

He was on that yellow, so I think it was Christian because, um, shout out Elixir. Um, we're doxing. Um, what a shit show. Not the best viewing experience. They did have AC and seats though. Um, but

Jerrell 22:32

recommend for the, the viewing

Will 22:34

if you have something that means something to you, maybe don't go there. Um, and Phil may-- And one of our friends may or may not have gotten food poisoning as well from them. So

Jerrell 22:42

shit.

Will 22:43

out Elixir Orlando.

Jerrell 22:44

the Caesar salad

Will 22:45

Yeah. Do you want to describe the Caesar salad? This is the content that people are here for.

Jerrell 22:50

Yeah, so usually when you order a Caesar salad, they kind of tell you if it's a wedge or not. This one, it didn't say. They gave me a wedge and drowned it in dressing, and everything was awful. It was Aramark sa- lettuce and dressing. I hate Elixir.

Will 23:07

Yeah, I got a grilled chicken sandwich. I thought it was fine. But, um, you know, um, but yeah, so audio was all messed up. They had three different displays playing. Shout out US taking, um, sport, uh, soccer serious, football seriously. Um, so at some point we defaulted to watching off of phone screens, um, headphone on and

Jerrell 23:24

the pen happened, when the pen happened, we ha- we had to know

Will 23:27

Yeah, yeah, yeah. Christian was reacting every time something good went Arsenal's way, and other people were just like, "Are you watching it?" And I had to look, um, a fellow Arsenal fan, he was watching the delayed screen, and his girlfriend looked me in the eyes to see what happened, and I th- it was the smallest, just small head nod, and she was like, "Oh, God." She looked immediately to her partner. That, I hope they work out. I, I, I'm rooting for them after that, because she looked... I've never seen such hurt and concern. I think she combed his hair back, while he's just like, "Here it comes," and Gabriel sky-d it. Um, but you know, that's how the cookie crumbles. It's, uh, penalties, it's almost like a coin flip. Um, I think if Arsenal has a target, I think, uh, Safonov, I don't think he was saving much. He was, like, late to everything. He wasn't very decisive. Yeah, so

Jerrell 24:10

he wasn't-- he stood between the post, but he didn't have to, he didn't have to work very hard. Um, I thought Raya was heating up on that third save that really evened it up

Will 24:20

Yeah

Jerrell 24:21

was just like, "Oh, once, once Raya gets going, like, I think we're, we're, we'll be solid. Um, just gotta hit the shots." The Eze one hurt a lot just because, like, his run-up and everything he did to try and make the keeper jump early just, in hindsight, just looked

Will 24:38

It,

Jerrell 24:38

clumsy.

Will 24:39

it w- it w- it's consistent with his run up. It's just kinda, yeah, it... When you miss with that type of run up, it just, it doesn't leave room for it. But,

Jerrell 24:48

one hurts a

Will 24:50

Yeah, kinda hurt.

Jerrell 24:50

the Gabriel one because Gabby kicked with, even though he skied it, he kicked with conviction, so

Will 24:58

It's one of those where it's like when you see someone kick it that hard, you're just kinda like, "No, no, no, no." And then if it hits roof of the net, you're just like, "A perfect penalty." Never worried. Cool as a cucumber. So yeah, it was tough, tough all around

Jerrell 25:10

can agree with me if you, if, if you want, but in my opinion, just think the keeper did-- he guessed correctly, and if it was any lower, he was gonna block it anyways. So, um,

Will 25:20

Yeah, so

Jerrell 25:21

So that one I'm just like, yeah, he skied it, but I feel like it would've got blocked. The SA one just hurts a little bit more just because, like, I watched this man score bangers, uh, in the, in open

Will 25:32

yeah. He's been, yeah, he's been very reliable, especially once he got a consistent run of form. So seeing it like that, especially... I mean, also, um, shout out, shout out Eze for the moment. We didn't get really a chance to talk about it last week, but imagine like joining your boyhood club, waiting for the move. Might not have had a chance to get it, but, um, PSG, two-time champs, back-to-back champs, first team to do it since Real Madrid. Um, so yeah, yeah, yeah. So I mean, shout out, shout out. I guess football won. Football won.

Jerrell 26:02

Yeah,

Will 26:03

and I'm sure

Jerrell 26:04

if I learned anything that if it's not your team, you want the plastic team to win, so

Will 26:08

Yeah, yeah, yeah. I mean, hey, whatever's convenient for, uh, for the narrative, right? For, uh, for my personal bias, so

Jerrell 26:14

soccer circle jerk immediately was like, "The world is healing." I was just like, "Oh, okay. Why? Because one's actually cheering for this

Will 26:22

There wa- there, there was a good bit that shows up on, uh, my feed where it was just like someone was putting like, "Four hours since football one." Just continuing. It's like, "87 hours later, we're still here. We're still here." So I thought that was neat.

Jerrell 26:38

Yeah. Oh, yeah, they, they really cared somehow. but yeah, you know, you go again. So it's, uh, it is hard to make it back to the final. Like, I think when we left, the guy was like, "You guys will get it next year." I'm just like, "You know how fucking hard it is to make the final?" Like, Bayern Munich could've been there. Barcelona could've been there. Um, Atleti had a good run as well, you

Will 27:00

Yeah

Jerrell 27:01

Uh, shit, even Bodo/Glimt was showing

Will 27:03

Photo Glimpse.

Jerrell 27:04

so

Will 27:05

out the real MVPs. Yeah, that football would have really won, yeah. But, um, no, yeah, it's never guaranteed. You get your chances, and you just try to build on it. So all you can do is get in the position to be there end of the day. So

Jerrell 27:17

also

Will 27:17

I thought it was a good,

Jerrell 27:18

get it

Will 27:18

yeah

Jerrell 27:19

year, but they're gonna be fucking there hating on Arsenal again, so

Will 27:23

I mean, hey, Arsenal, I mean, all you can say is just like, hey, they're, they're continually contending for trophies and as one of the top seasons, it all feels sustainable. Um, rumors of another splurge with their winnings from the Champions League and the, um, EPO. Um, some outgoings planned, but, um, looking to upgrade, it looks like the front line of their attack and whatnot. So we'll see. Arsenal, who knows? Um, the medal in the league and Premier League this season, um, you saw that open play goals were down, goals and all were down. But, um, we'll see what the next innovation is across the league and what that looks like, so.

Jerrell 27:57

All Arsenal's fault.

Will 27:58

those dicks. I'm just saying when Inter in 2010 beat free-flowing Barcelona, it was hailed as Jose Mourinho's master job. No one was complaining. I think people just like to complain a little bit nowadays, and I kind of like it, so

Jerrell 28:12

Yeah. Yeah. Uh, I just wanna go on record, 'cause I've said this before outside the pod, but Tottenham had the second most set piece goals and they finished 17th, so...

Will 28:24

It,

Jerrell 28:24

And it was only one

Will 28:25

complaining about that didn't fit the narrative, Gerald. It didn't fit the narrative. We So the fact that play- teams were getting coached up by it, yeah, yeah. Teams were getting coached up by it by like MMA, um, fighters or whatnot, this is how you're doing it. And Arsenal, their efficacy obviously went down in the second half of the season as teams really started selling out for it. But, um, honestly, I think at the end of the day people were just mad that if you win a certain way, cool, but at the end of the day, no one remembers the complaints of the season. Everyone remembers the trophy. So, um, excited to see where the league goes going there as we head into the World Cup, as friendlies are being played. Um, cup starts in about a week. Yeah. Yeah.

Jerrell 29:09

Mexico tonight. Um, I'm gonna be watching that one, and then, Team USA... Actually, s- well, as we switch over to the World Cup, Team USA beating Senegal a

Will 29:20

Yeah, yeah, good result. I think, um, Cote d'Ivoire was able to get a win over France as well today, which was a nice little upset as well,

Jerrell 29:27

This

Will 29:28

Not that the US necessarily was upset with Senegal. I think they're relatively close. Senegal usually performs better, um, in AFCON though, so

Jerrell 29:36

Yeah, for sure. Um, just narrative-wise, I think Team USA, because when you look at the friendlies that remained this week, it was Senegal and it's Germany, and I think, like, beating Senegal, which they're ranked... Senegal is ranked two places higher than, uh, Team USA. Um, it was a big confidence boost to get a result

Will 29:56

Yeah

Jerrell 29:56

up 2-0 early. Pulisic ended his, uh, goal drought. He also assisted. Uh, Balogun also scored. Um, so

Will 30:06

For a Marshall man,

Jerrell 30:07

clicking.

Will 30:08

yeah

Jerrell 30:09

Yeah, those things were clicking, and it's a good boost, and then when you go into Germany and you're just kind of like, "Hey, let's try some tactics. Let's, let's do some different things." But to have, to have that win, especially losing to, um, Portugal and Belgium back in March

Will 30:28

Yeah

Jerrell 30:28

there, so you want to make sure that things are progressing. Uh, Mexico beat the Socceroos. I love the fact that the Australia's the Socceroos.

Will 30:38

Socceroos in the US group, yeah

Jerrell 30:40

Canada of business against... I know this one. Oh, God, help me. Do you know who Canada played?

Will 30:49

I don't remember off the top of my head

Jerrell 30:53

I can't find it as I click through everything. Somebody yell it to me, please. Uh, but Canada got a result in their game as well. So the host country's getting wins and final two nils. So that'll be exciting.

Will 31:09

Yeah, I'm sure we'll touch on it, um, if we schedule, uh, for next week. I think following week we will be abroad, um, traveling away from the World Cup, but you know, it is what it is. Yes. Oh, yes, we'll be up late every night. Um, oh yeah, realized, um, today that my flight, um, will not carry the Knicks game, and there's no way for me to purchase Wi-Fi to watch the Knicks game, so I might, I might have the flight landed. I might not, I might not make it to Europe. Just gonna go ahead and throw that out there. Unless,

Jerrell 31:46

Uzbekistan

Will 31:47

unless Knicks and For- there it is. Trail found it. I was just stalling for time. Knicks and Ford. Knicks and Ford, catch me outside.

Jerrell 31:55

Nixon four. You can't, can't run up against the World Cup. Nixon's gotta wrap it up quick.

Will 32:01

Pretty much

Jerrell 32:02

Um, teams you're looking forward to watching in the World Cup as we wrap up this pod?

Will 32:08

Um, obviously, I mean, you know, France is just perennial power, powerhouse, you know, um, and they, they're attacking front line and their pieces are fun. Spain, of course, just continuing with, um... They've been like one of the s- pretty much the strongest team, I feel like one of the strongest teams in the world over like the last, what, three, four years. Um, those are probably...

Jerrell 32:28

itself

Will 32:29

Yeah. Though, but, um, also seeing, just saying like, "Hey, can Brazil rise to prominence again under Carlo Ancelotti?" See if those pieces kinda fit. Um, top, top of my head, those three off the top of my head. Seeing Germany again will be fun. I think, you know, obviously they might've been robbed in the Euros with that missed handball, but um, Germany with a lot of quality and attack as well. Musiala, Vertz, um, Havertz up top with all the pieces in their midfield. So we'll see.

Jerrell 32:55

A lot of

Will 32:55

How about you?

Jerrell 32:56

last World Cup as well. Um, just checking in on those teams. Um, Portugal will be one to watch. Croatia, I've always, I've always enjoyed, uh, watching Croatia play. they're just fun. a fun. team. So,

Will 33:14

Modric looking like he's gonna be hanging up his boots. Yeah

Jerrell 33:19

I thought he wasn't gonna make it past Euro, uh, but here he is. Um, but Egypt too, Mo Salah will be playing. Uh, the end of the golden age for Belgium, if it not, has not already left.

Will 33:35

I think it was last time. Yeah, but yeah. Yeah

Jerrell 33:40

So there's a lot of, lot of superstars out there who we've-- those names that we've heard, this, this will be their final ride. Unfortunately, Poland couldn't make it or we'd be also talking about Lewandowski too. So,

Will 33:54

That, I mean, he, he-- him leaving Barcelona was another w- was a sad moment for me as well, but, you know, it's all good. Um, but Norway back in, um, making it to the World Cup as well, that should be fun. The Haaland-Ødegaard connection, Oscar Bob on the team and whatnot, so. Um, yeah, it'll be fun. It'll be fun. Can't wait to dive into it, um, potentially next week, um, if the, the squad can fit in one more before, before, uh, before we start the World Cup

Jerrell 34:22

Yeah, we'll have to find a way to format that. But we will conclude this episode. We will see you guys next week, TM maybe. I don't know, TBD. If you

Will 34:34

TBD.

Jerrell 34:35

listen. Yeah, take a listen.

Will 34:37

Yeah,

Jerrell 34:38

know we're having a great time wherever we are

Will 34:42

That whatever I'm drinking, it's to you guys. Yes, yes.

Jerrell 34:45

Yeah.

Will 34:45

delicious food. Yes, the sights. Oh, yes, this is for the pod. This is a tax write-off, so

Jerrell 34:50

Yes, exactly. All right, till next time. Peace.

Will 34:55

Peace