Episode 106 - Why Newcastle should sell Alexander Isak + Xabi Alonso’s biggest problem
On this episode, Patrick and Neel discuss Newcastle rejecting a £120m bid for Alexander Isak from Liverpool. How does this play into where Hugo Ekitike lands, should Newcastle accept that Isak wants to leave, and what should they invest the money from his sale in? Then, Xavi Simons has been linked to many clubs, but which is the best fit for him? And finally we close out the Club World Cup with the biggest problem Xabi Alonso is facing at Real Madrid and how Chelsea was able to take advantage of PSG's midfield. Enjoy!
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Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro and Neel's trip to London
03:17 - Newcastle's Ekitike bid and What it means for Alexander Isak
04:12 - Other moves are complicating this deal
04:27 - Ekitike as a target for Newcastle + Marmoush
05:10 - He thrives in transition heavy sides
06:24 - Ekitike's ball striking + Similarities to Isak
07:10 - The main differences between the 2
08:00 - What do you do if you're Newcastle?
09:36 - If there's any possibility of him wanting to leave you must sell
10:44 - Isak's contract length is a key part of this deal
11:25 - Market shrinking and no options left?
12:04 - Is Ekitike worth a superstar price?
13:16 - Ekitike + £40m lets you address other issues
14:06 - Frankfurt are the biggest winners of this
16:11 - Are Liverpool strong-arming Newcastle?
17:12 - IS 40m worth the risk of replacing Isak with Ekitike?
19:04 - Becoming even more of a transition side
20:16 - An interesting one to follow
20:44 - Cristhian Mosquera
21:39 - Good physicals, bad aerial ability
22:50 - Bozo gene?
24:03 - The price is so low
24:34 - Xavi Simons and Bayern Munich
25:01 - Leipzig are bringing in wide players
25:40 - Bayern is kind of a no-brainer for Simons
26:26 - Similarities to Musiala
27:55 - Fixing a hole in Bayern's squad
28:50 - Sales Bayern need to make?
29:50 - fit at United (If no Cunha?) or Arsenal?
30:30 - The hope is you get 23/24 Simons
31:32 - Why have Bayern not bought Rodrygo already?
33:14 - Not much choice left at LW?
33:50 - CWC and Real Madrid's pressing problems
34:48 - Positive for Real Madrid from CWC
35:19 - Arda Guller and adding creativity to the squad
36:00 - Out of possession is still a mess
37:01 - Missing Mbappe helped with the press + Raul Asensio
38:00 - Does Mbappe/Vinicius ever work?
38:55 - Forcing Mbappe and Vini to defend
39:57 - Vinicius was a good presser when he first arrived
40:26 - Luis Enrique video on repeat
40:50 - The game passed Carlo Ancelotti?
42:06 - The ceiling for his is pretty low + adding good pressers?
43:18 - Chelsea surprise winners + did they get aa lucky draw?
44:05 - Chelsea completely outplayed PSG tactically
44:56 - Crowding the middle vs PSG keeps them quiet
46:42 - Issues with PSG's defensive approach
47:19 - Nuno Mendes had a bad day
47:54 - Not pressing Robert Sanchez? + Fatigue?
49:00 - Good result for Chelsea + getting a big bag