Summary
Juventus makes a strategic move by acquiring Nick Voltamado on loan from Newcastle, aiming to unlock his potential in a less intense Serie A environment. The discussion highlights the challenges Voltamado faced at Newcastle, where he struggled to find his role, and the hope that Juventus coach Spalletti can effectively utilize him. The upcoming match against AC Milan is set to be a significant test for both teams, with both having made strong starts to the season.
In transfer news, the French Ligue 1 sees a significant outflow of talent to the Premier League, with seven players moving for a combined total of approximately £432 million. The hosts discuss the implications of this trend for Ligue 1 clubs, which rely heavily on player sales due to limited domestic broadcasting revenue. The conversation touches on the impact of these transfers on the French national team, suggesting that while Ligue 1 may be weakened, it continues to produce top talent for international competition.
The episode also features insights from the co-managers of Viking, who reflect on their team's journey to the Champions League and the importance of teamwork in their coaching approach. They emphasize the growth of Norwegian football and the increasing competitiveness of their league, which has seen a rise in clubs participating in European competitions. The discussion concludes with a light-hearted exchange about the dynamics of their partnership and the excitement surrounding their upcoming matches.
Show Notes
John Bennett is joined by Mina Rzouki and Julien Laurens to assess the aftermath of the transfer window on Ligue 1 in France after many of its young stars departed for the Premier League. Julien also gives us the lowdown on Malick Fofana's dramatic deadline day move to Sunderland. We're also joined by Bjarte Lunde Aarsheim and Morten Jensen, joint-head coaches of Norwegian side Viking, following their qualification for the Champions League league phase. The team look at whether moving to Juventus can revitalise Nick Woltemade's career. And we find out how SV Elversberg, from a town of 13,000 people, have reached the Bundesliga. TIMECODES 02:30 - The transfer window and France 03:30 – Malick Fofana, Sunderland, Palace and two private jets 10:00 – Ligue 1 selling their stars to the Premier League 17:30 – Can Juventus rejuvenate Nick Woltemade? 25:50 – Viking’s joint-head coaches on their Champions League qualification 40:30 – Osnabruck’s TIFO 44:00 – The fairytale of Elversberg 5 LIVE/BBC SOUNDS COMMENTARIES Saturday 3pm: Nottingham Forest v Tottenham Hotspur (5 Live) Saturday 3pm: Manchester City v Coventry City (5 Sports Extra) Saturday 5:30pm: Hull City v Aston Villa (5 Live) Sunday 2pm: Everton v Manchester United (5 Live) Sunday 4:30pm: Arsenal v Chelsea (5 Live)
More from Euro Leagues
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This week John Bennett is joined by James Horncastle (fresh back from his trip to Como) and Julien Laurens where the focus is all on that remarkable scoreline from Italy after Como beat Manchester United midweek. They show the Italian side some love and hear from Cesc Fabregas. James also sprinkles some Hollywood stardust on to the match after Superman was spotted in the stands – and John and Jules ask that all important question… does James have as much power as Superman? The guys take look at some of the out of work managers on the continent who could be interested if Michael Carrick leaves Manchester United, and Antonio Conte certainly gets a mention. Attention then turns to the injury to Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and what impact that will have on PSG’s season. And delve into Serie A and Ligue 1 where it’s tight at the top. John, Jules and James (the three J’s) then look ahead, not only to El Clasico but also the top of the table clash in Dutch football taking place this weekend where Marcel van Der Kraan joins the pod ahead to PSV Eindhoven v Feyenoord. Timecodes: 02:00 – Como focus 05:40 - Cesc Fabregas interview. 10:00 – The names across Europe who have been linked to Man United. 17:00 – The injury to PSG’s Khvicha Kvaratskhelia. 25:00 – Serie A focus. 30:00 – The health of Ligue 1 38:00 - Marcel van Der Kraan on PSV v Feyenoord. 42:00 – El Clasico chat.
Mikey Moore is the youngest player to turn out for Spurs in the Premier League, doing so at the age of just 16. He is still only 19 now but after a prior loan at Rangers is now on loan at Bundesliga side Cologne from Spurs after joining them at the back end of the summer transfer window. In this revealing interview, Moore discusses his new life in Germany - explaining why having two other English lads in Reigan Heskey and Jahmai Simpson-Pusey alongside him has really helped, German lessons, his hopes for the season and the prospect of playing against Harry Kane. And after the interview Euro Leagues regulars Julien Laurens and Rafa Hongistein join the pod to discuss Moore’s loan move and why young English players like the Bundesliga. TIMECODES 0 mins - Mikey Moore on his new life in Germany and playing alongside two English players at the club. 2 mins - The challenge of learning German. 4 mins - Sight-seeing in Cologne. 5 mins - Tony Woodcock 6 mins - What Moore is learning and what attracted him to the league. 7 mins - The difference between the Premier League and the Bundesliga. 9 mins - Keeping in touch with Tottenham. 10 mins - The prospect of playing against Harry Kane. 12 mins - Moore’s long-term ambitions in the game. 16 mins – Julien Laurens and Rafa Honigstein join the pod to discuss why the Bundesliga is a good league for young English players - and Moore’s prospects of success this season.
Are Barcelona and Paris Saint Germain the teams to beat in the Champions League? Julien Laurens and Raphael Honigstein are with John Bennett to reflect on their big wins against Galatasaray and Manchester City this week. They debate how Manchester United have handled Lisandro Martinez’ criticism of their technical director Jason Wilcox, after he apologised to the club’s hierarchy for his outburst. Elizabeth Conway joins the pod after paper airplanes and bouncy balls being thrown onto the pitch stopped Rayo Vallecano’s match against Athletic Club. And was Bayern Munich’s draw with Viking the Champions League game of the week? They discuss Michael Olise’s red card and reports that Harry Kane is set to extend his stay at Bayern Munich until 2029. Timecodes: 00:52 - Lisandro Martinez’ apology 06:50 - How good were PSG? 10:06 - Could Barcelona be PSG’s biggest Champions League challengers this season? 19:20 - Paper plane protest at Rayo Vallecano 24:15 - Bayern's draw with Viking 29:27 - Kane set to extend his stay in Munich
You may not have heard of Andreas Engelmark – yet! – but the 42-year-old is closing in on his first league title – and what a story it would be. He is in charge at Sirius, who play in the university town of Uppsala and have never won the top-flight but are eight points clear with eight games left. He speaks to John Bennett about his ambitions to coach in England, the Swedish national team players he has coached, including a very young Viktor Gyokeres, managing a team alongside Olof Mellberg, the club’s brilliant recruitment policy and how he has transformed Sirius into a side closing in on the title. TIMECODES 0 mins – Why it is such a great time to be involved with Sirius. 3 mins – The club’s recruitment policy and the example of Scot Robbie Ure, who they bought from the reserves at Anderlecht and sold for a big profit. 6 mins – Engelmark’s varied coaching journey. 8 mins – The players from the current Swedish squad that he coached – and who he met for a coffee during the recent international break, including Arsenal’s Viktor Gyokeres. 10 mins – What he learnt from two years as a head coach with former Sweden international Olof Mellberg. 12 mins – How he survived a tricky start at Sirius. 17 mins – His hopes for the end of the season and their approach to the final matches. 19 mins – Engelmark’s ambitions for the future and why he would love to manage in England.