Episode 100 - Can this €63m wonderkid be Real Madrid’s Lamine Yamal? + CWC Check In
On this episode, Patrick and Neel discuss the Club World Cup attendance issues, players and teams to watch at the tournament, why this tournament matters for teams, and what YOU should care about in this competition. Then, Real Madrid have made a €63m for 17-year-old Franco Mastantuono. How does he fit the squad, what position will he player, and is this a smart move for Real Madrid? The episode finishes with a pair of transfer rumours, Tottenham linked to Arnaud Kalimuendo and Andy Robertson's potential move to Atletico Madrid. Enjoy!
Neel's CWC Players to watch: https://www.thetransferflow.com/p/5-young-talents-outside-europe-to-watch-at-the-club-world-cup-59ec
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
01:10 - Club World Cup attendance
02:20 - 500 people in attendance? + Why attendance is so low
03:40 - Timing + Cities the games are being played
04:35 - Does the CWC matter?
05:30 - Clubs who this tournament matters for + is the CWC too long?
06:25 - Bayern vs Auckland City = FIFA or OFC’s problem?
09:05 - Game that were more fun to watch
10:00 - FIFA vs UEFA competing for big games
11:03 - FIFA love money, but the CWC is great for small teams
12:35 - Rewarding teams for their Champions League success
14:10 - Pulling anti-racism campaigns + Fair trade analogy
15:38 - Gianni Infantino vs Sepp Blatter?
16:25 - Practical Issues with the CWC
17:48 - European Clubs may not be super interested
19:22 - The other teams are really going for it (money + proving themselves)
20:18 - All European semifinal?
20:35 - Other teams to watch out for - Al Ahly
21:34 - Botafogo + Lyon’s financial dependency
22:22 - Boca vs Benfica and Flamengo vs Esperance
23:09 - Mamelodi Sundowns
23:46 - Al Hilal and Inzaghi
24:38 - The talent Al Hilal have
25:36 - Why neutrals should enjoy this tournament
27:13 - Players linked to bigger clubs at the tournament
27:38 - Franco Mastantuono to Real Madrid for €63M
28:22 - Will he go straight into the team? + Diaz and Rodrygo
29:45 - What’s his best position?
30:42 - The talent coming out of River Plate
31:31 - River is VERY reliant on Mastantuano + his numbers
32:12 - Julian Alvarez comparison
32:56 - How will this transfer to Real Madrid?
34:12 - He will have to adapt his game a lot
35:10 - Similarities to Guler + Endrick, Diaz, and Rodrygo
36:25 - What will Xabi Alonso want to do?
37:23 - No clear path even in the long term? + Options if it doesn’t work
38:11 - Technical difficulties + How does he fit with Trent Alexander-Arnold?
38:57 - The CWC is a good place for Xabi Alonso to experiment
40:05 - Many of the European teams are in flux at this tournament
40:35 - Tottenham linked to Arnaud Kalimuendo + Will Son and Richarlison leave?
41:14 - He’s been getting interest for a while
42:15 - Does this move make sense? + fit with Thomas Frank
43:50 - What is his place in the squad?
44:59 - Jonathan David is free? But Kalimuendo is still just 23
46:07 - Andrew Robertson linked to Atletico Madrid?
47:10 - Atleti’s use of fullbacks + Robertson’s flexibility
48:30 - Atleti’s increasing squad age
49:40 - It’s ok only if it’s a reasonable fee
51:17 - Trippier comparison
51:45 - Atleti’s scouting is based on the amount of dog in a player
52:25 - DAZN’s Billion dollar spending
53:17 - Neel’s Players to watch at the CWC