Gaizka Mendieta Exclusive Interview: Xabi Alonso, Victor Munoz, Mikel Arteta, and Kane's Ballon d'Or

Speaking exclusively with Casinolyze, former Spain and Barcelona star Gaizka Mendieta has given his thoughts on the Premier League, La Liga, the transfer window and more.

Mendieta, who also played for Valencia, Lazio and Middlesbrough, has given his thoughts on Xabi Alonso’s start at Chelsea and tipped Mikel Merino’s importance to grow at Arsenal.

Other topics include why Harry Kane should miss out on the Ballon d’Or, Anthony Gordon’s impression at Barcelona and why Jude Bellingham will go down as a Real Madrid legend.

Premier League

Q: Is fellow Spaniard Xabi Alonso the biggest threat to Mikel Arteta’s Premier League crown this season?

“I think Chelsea’s approach to signing players is telling. We saw what he did at Real Madrid, and I think most would agree that he just needed time. He wasn't given enough time to implement the style of play Xabi wanted. 

“That doesn't seem to be the case at Chelsea, where things are working straightaway. His decisions are being respected, and he's bringing in players to accommodate his system. It certainly looks like they'll be the biggest threat to Arsenal, Man City might be too, but we’ll see how those changes settle. 

“Regardless, Chelsea currently looks like the biggest threat to the champions.”

Q: Would it have been painful for Xabi Alonso to drop Robert Sanchez?

“It would’ve been a painful decision for Xabi Alonso to drop Robert Sanchez after one game but the expectations at Chelsea are huge, and they are expected to win every competition they are involved in. So, any chance they get in the market to get the best, or some of the best, they will go for it if they believe it will give them that little extra. 

“It's tough for Robert, because he's probably been waiting for this for a very long time and now you have the competition for the number one spot and it didn’t take long for him to leave the club, which I think is a good decision.

“He was going to have to compete with one of the best goalkeepers in the Premier League and the world, so moving on was the right call.”

Q: Are you backing Cesc Fabregas’ Como FC to cause some shocks in the Champions League? They play Barcelona and Man Utd?

“I think it's amazing what Fabregas has done at Como FC. I've been following them quite closely and I've watched a few games, it's very exciting. 

“They play very offensive, attacking, high-intensity football with great players who are technically very gifted. I think they beat Napoli in the weekend fixtures, which was quite a surprise for everyone, though maybe not if you've been following them. I expect the same in the Champions League, maybe even more, because  in the Champions League you usually get punished more if you make mistakes, but Como is not a team that concedes a lot. 

“The football is a bit more open, which I think suits Como in a better way. So yeah, I'm looking forward to seeing that. Obviously, with the connections with Cesc Fàbregas, he has many big clubs in the competition, but especially Arsenal and Barça. It's going to be interesting to see those huge games and I think they will cause some surprises."

Q: What did you make of the summer transfer saga around Julian Alvarez?

“I don't think Arsenal was a bad option for Julian Alvarez, but we know it took him time to settle at Atlético Madrid. We all know Cholo’s teams are tough to break into and adapt to what he demands of his players. 

“So, for him to return to the Premier League, where he has already gained experience, was something to consider. I don't think his previous experience there was great, but Barça made a real effort to sign him.

“The whole situation could get messy, and I don't think he wants another season where things aren't going well. Obviously, if a club pays big money, they expect results from the beginning. If that doesn't happen, he might end up in a place he doesn't want to be. 

“In the end he decided to stay at Atlético Madrid. Cholo has said the team is still built around him, though it was said with 'small mouth,' so it wasn't entirely convincing. Still, he is clearly part of the team.

“We saw a similar situation with Antoine Griezmann, who went to Barça and then came back to Atlético Madrid, when you score goals, things get a bit easier. So now he has stayed, he'll have to perform, score goals, and win the fans back.”

Q: Could Arsenal have gone for the quadruple this season if they signed Julian Alvarez?

“Arsenal obviously have great squad depth, and Julian Alvarez would’ve been a fantastic addition to the players and signings they already have. They can certainly compete for any trophy. I think Arsenal have broken that barrier where winning makes you believe you can win. 

“They are now in a position where, after winning the Premier League and achieving what they did in the Champions League, they believe they can win it all. Adding another top player like Julian Alvarez would’ve taken them to the next level, but it wasn’t possible.”

Q: Are Arsenal among the favourites for Champions League glory?

“Bayern Munich, Real Madrid, Barcelona and Arsenal are also in the mix with PSG to win the Champions League. Let's see how the teams with new managers adapt. 

“I think the international break will be really important this season, it's a bit longer. It will give us a better sense of what these teams are about and whether things are working. 

“But yes, the usual favorites will be there, maybe Como could be the surprise. I would put Arsenal right up there with Barcelona, Madrid, and Bayern Munich.”

Q: Do you fear for Martin Zubimendi’s starting place at Arsenal?

“It's an interesting situation. Martin Zubimendi could have gone to any club when he chose Arsenal. He went there with a coach he knew, and with Mikel Merino already in the team, there were people to help him settle. Things haven't quite worked out as he expected, and he isn't playing regularly. 

“He needs time to adapt, which is normal, but when you go to a team like that, there's no time, nobody waits for you. You have to keep moving. 

“He hasn't been given the chance, but I still believe he has so much to offer and is a fantastic player. If he doesn't play or start regularly, he will be looking somewhere else. 

“He’s already missed out on the World Cup squad. Of course, he’s part of a team that won the Premier League, but players are normally a bit selfish in that respect.

“It’s fantastic to win collective trophies, but you want to feel part of it in a major way by participating in those games.”

Q: Is Mikel Merino ahead of Viktor Gyokeres in the Arsenal pecking order?

“I think the playing style probably suits Kai Havertz and Mikel Merino better than Viktor Gyökeres. I think Merino is the perfect combination for the other players, which I think means he will play regularly, as well as bringing something different. 

“He's a midfielder who can link up, come and play, and create superiority in other parts of the field. Of course, he's a player who has proven that he has the ability to score goals. So, I think for Arteta, he would be one of the preferences, for sure. It might not bode well for Viktor Gyokeres’ playing time.”

Q: Can Andoni Iraola handle the expectations of him at Liverpool? 

“I think Andoni Iraola needs time. Again, time and football do not always go hand in hand. This is especially true for clubs like Liverpool, one of the biggest in the Premier League. But he needs that time. 

“There are a lot of players who didn't work out last season, plus a new manager, new systems, new training methodologies, and new signings. There are a lot of things that need to be set in place.

“He is a proven manager. At Bournemouth, Rayo Vallecano, and everywhere else he’s been, he has delivered. I hope he is given time, and I hope the Liverpool fans and the club understand that and give him the opportunity to succeed, I'm sure he'll have them at the top of the table very soon. 

“I understand that personally, I expected he would need time to absorb the whole Liverpool dimension, as a club, from the outside and the inside, as an organization, and especially as a dressing room. It’s a new experience. 

“I don't mean that in a way that suggests he cannot do it, because I truly believe he can, but of course, it takes time for both sides, players and the manager, to understand and adapt to each other.”

Q: With all the pressures on other attackers including Alexander Isak and Florian Wirtz, can Victor Munoz go under the radar and thrive at Liverpool?

“I think Victor Munoz has already shown what he's capable of. He's fast and excellent in 1v1 situations. He was amazing last season at Osasuna. Obviously, playing at Osasuna is not the same as playing for Liverpool, but he has certainly shown that he is not shy and has a lot of character. 

“Last year, he took the team on his shoulders many times, not only with goals but also by taking on ball-carrying responsibility.

“We have already seen him win a penalty and score a goal recently. He is a player who wants to prove his value, and having a Spanish coach who knows him very well will certainly boost his confidence. He's a player I like very much, and I'm sure he will give a lot to Liverpool.

“Less pressure helps in a way. It's a very good point that the media and fans talk more about other players in the team than him, which might take a little pressure off. However, normally, a player puts more pressure on himself than anyone else. 

“As I said, Victor is a player who wants to shine and prove himself because where he comes from, it feels like maybe he wasn't wanted. Liverpool is a big team in Europe, and it's an opportunity for him to prove it. He is quick and the kind of dynamic player that Premier League defenses find tough to deal with, so he will be very valuable for Liverpool.”

Q: Will signing Bradley Barcola only put more pressure on him if Barcola doesn’t hit the ground running?

"It is. I think the moment he decided to leave PSG, clubs and PSG themselves, understood that they didn’t want to hold onto a player who didn’t want to be there. 

“We knew the price tag would be massive, over a hundred million, and he's ended up at Liverpool. He obviously adds great value to that club. I don't think he will need much time to adapt because of his style of football, his pace, his 1v1 ability, and his goal-scoring record are well-suited for it.

"I think the Premier League is, in a way, easier for those types of players to adapt to, and fans will enjoy him very soon. Having competition for the other attacking spots is great for Iraola to have that level of quality. 

“But as we mentioned before, he comes with added pressure. Of course, players need to deliver, but the manager will also be scrutinized for how he manages and gets the best out of those players."

Q: Can Enzo Fernandez be a replacement for Rodri at Man City?

“Enzo Fernandez is certainly not a like-for-like replacement for Rodri, as they have very different styles. I think Manchester City is going through a change of identity. Obviously, after the Pep years and that specific brand of possession football, things are changing with a new manager and a new sporting director. 

“It’s a new structure that they were looking to implement when they brought in the new technical director. It hasn't been a subtle change, it’s been pretty fast, intense, and quick. 

“Changing after so many years under Pep isn’t easy, but they are clearly looking to challenge for trophies, and that will take time. Enzo is a world-class midfielder, but he is completely different to Rodri. We’ve seen other players leave while some have stayed, and others are taking on more of a leading role than they did under Pep.”

Q: Have Newcastle signed a mini-Rodri in Nico Gonzalez? Were you surprised that Man City let him go after selling Rodri? 

“Newcastle have definitely signed a great player in Nico Gonzalez. I was a bit surprised by the move, because you usually want to keep your best players, especially when you are competing for trophies. 

“He is a versatile player who brings something different to the team. However, I assume this is part of the transition that City is going through. They want to change anything related to the previous coach and era, bringing in new players and new blood to adapt to their new style. But it has benefited Newcastle.”

Q: Would you vote for Rodri over Harry Kane for the Ballon d’Or?

“It is going to be interesting to see how the Ballon d'Or is determined this year. Usually, there is a clear candidate who has won a league title or the World Cup, but in some cases, players performed well in one but not the other. Personally, I would give more credit to the World Cup than the leagues.

“Leagues are all different and never easy to win, but for clubs like Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Manchester City, or Arsenal to win national competitions is perhaps not as difficult as winning a World Cup. 

“In my opinion, the winner should be someone who has a World Cup trophy in their cabinet. I feel for Harry Kane, who had a great season and a great World Cup.

“The World Cup is a major trophy that should determine the best player in the world, if you haven't won it, it is hard to claim that title. Fabián Ruiz achieved both, but unfortunately, he doesn't have the same media profile as others to highlight what they did a few years ago.

“Fabián is a fantastic player who has won the league, two Champions Leagues, and now the World Cup, being key for the Spanish national team. If you look at his achievements, he certainly ticks all the boxes.

“However, we know how this game is played, and unfortunately, I don't think he will be the one taking that trophy home.”

Q: Do you fear that Unai Emery could get fed up at Aston Villa and part ways given their struggles in the transfer window? 

“I know the club, the coach, and the staff around him very well. They are all very committed to the club and the ownership. I believe Unai Emery is sticking with the project because he still believes in it and has that same enthusiasm. However, I am surprised by how the transfer market has gone for them, specifically in terms of how many important players have left and the level of the signings coming in. 

“The new arrivals are perhaps not at the same level as those who have departed, and losing those key players has completely changed what the team was about, the identity we saw under Emery in previous seasons, especially last year.

“It is going to be a tough year for them, but I don't think he will leave. He will do his best with whatever the club could get in the market. 

“He is personally committed to the project. That said, I am as surprised as the fans and those close to the club. Given that they finished in the top four and are playing in the Champions League, the options available to him now are not as strong as people thought they would be just a few weeks ago.”

Q: What do you make of the Spanish takeover at Fulham?

“For these players, if they were not at Real Madrid, they would have offers from other La Liga clubs. I think the opportunity to go to the Premier League, to Fulham with a Spanish coach, is a step up for them and a way to reach a higher level. 

“Like many other players from Madrid in the past. They have great talent, but being at Madrid makes it very difficult for them to get into the team.

“Gonzalo is a great signing for Fulham in the sense of what they can bring to him. In Spain, they are highly rated. It is just a matter of them being at Real Madrid and wanting to stay there or move to another big club. 

“Of course, big clubs in Spain are not going to be able to sign them because Madrid won’t take the risk. 

“Going abroad is the alternative. Unfortunately for them, we saw very rare cases, Raul maybe is an exception. Other strikers in the past for Real Madrid have had to leave because they are not given the time, the choice, or the consistency they want. 

“But I think it is great for Fulham. They are showing great financial power and they are building a good team. 

“It hasn’t started very well for Fulham, which doesn’t help, but Arbeloa will try to get the best out of them. It is also challenging for him because everyone is watching him closely to see what he is about. It is the first time he has a permanent senior job.”

Spain

Q: Will Gabriel Jesus want to prove Arsenal wrong?

“Gabriel Jesus will want to prove Arsenal wrong, he hasn't quite had the consistency in his game, mostly because of injuries. In Spain, opinion is divided, maybe fifty-fifty or sixty-forty. 

“It’s great because he’s a style of player that Barça hasn't got, but there's a question mark for some: how is he going to be? Is he going to be the same player as at Arsenal, with a lot of injuries and not really being there when Barça needs him? 

“Although the price tag hasn't been massive, I think Barça are more concerned about that position being filled than who the player actually is, especially now with Raphinha scoring goals for fun and adapting to a new position. It’s still a bit of a mixed feeling about it. 

“How is he going to perform? Of course, Barça fans hope he will be at his best, as he was before Arsenal, but certainly without having so many injuries. 

“We've seen with Hansi Flick that he’s been able to transform players with his high-line football, there haven't been massive muscular injuries related to the fitness preparation. 

“So, maybe that would also be good for Gabriel Jesus.”

Q: Which side are you on in the feud between Atletico Madrid and Barcelona over Julian Alvarez?

“Atletico Madrid had their say on social media, Barça obviously answered back saying that they didn't know what they were talking about. There are two completely different stances, and it's hard to know who or what to believe.

“For me, as a former player, the saddest thing is for Julian Alvarez. He's in a place where he didn't want to be, and we saw how he was left kind of alone. Even if the comments suggested that if he stays, he'd be our main player, the actions speak differently than the words in this case. 

“I'm sure that if he stays, the club needs him if they want to challenge Barça and Madrid in La Liga, and also in the Champions League. After how they left last season with good feelings about the competition, they need him.

“It’s going to require great performances and goals. The dressing room will be okay with him, but the fans are different. It happens in football, players come and go. Some want to leave and don't, but the fans will need some time to love him again in the way they did when he first arrived.”

Q: Can Barcelona win the treble this season? Where else do they need to strengthen? 

“I wouldn't say there is pressure on Barcelona to win the Champions League, but certainly excitement about it. Regarding La Liga, he's made it pretty clear that he wants to win a third consecutive championship. 

“However, I think for the club, the fans, and especially the players, the Champions League is the trophy they want most this season. They've been so close for the past two years, and as you say, ten years is way too long for a club like this.

“Now that they are back among the elite after all those financial troubles and the resulting difficulty in signing players, they have found their identity again with the right coach and players like Lamine, Raphinha, and Pedri. I think the Champions League is now the unspoken priority for the club and the players.”

Q: Do you think Anthony Gordon will be able to live up to his price tag at Barcelona? Was he right to be annoyed at Yamal in his second appearance?

"Anthony Gordon has already created two assists on his debut, which is the best in La Liga history, so he's already breaking records. The fans love him, I was commentating on the match against Rayo Vallecano and the fans chanted his name when he was subbed off. 

“He has big competition, of course, but I think he’s doing well, especially with Lamine Yamal there.

"Also, the way Barça plays now with Raphinha, a player like him, with his speed, his direct style of football, and Hansi Flick's system, means he has settled very quickly. 

“So, I think goals are just a matter of time. It’s obviously about performances, assists, and goals, and he’s winning the battle for a starting spot right now. It will be competitive, but he’s performing.

"Regarding his frustration with being frustrated with Yamal, it's like the situation with Mbappé and Vinicius. In the big games, when they go to the edge of the box, sometimes Mbappé is going to shoot when Vinicius is alone. 

“If he scores, it's great, but if he doesn't, everyone wonders why he didn't pass. It's the same with Lamine. Everything is fine, these things happen."

Q: Is Jose Mourinho the perfect manager for Real Madrid? Can you see him getting the better of Barcelona this season? 

“The players love Jose Mourinho. There was a significant boost for Vinícius two games ago where he ended up providing an assist. Mourinho subbed him at just the right time, knowing the fans would applaud him. He was acknowledging the support, and it's clear the players speak highly of him.

“Mourinho has already won over the dressing room, all the players love him and he is doing a great job so far. He’s showing a more relaxed side of his personality, and there’s no reason not to be. 

“We’ll have to see how he reacts if things don't go his way, like a red card or a penalty not being given, but so far, he is very relaxed in press conferences and on the touchline.

“He still shows that character and winning personality, but in a more relaxed manner than in the past. Key players like Mbappé and Bellingham are on fire. Bellingham is probably playing the best football he’s played in a few seasons for Madrid, perhaps since his first one. The same goes for other key players in the team.

“At the moment, they aren't playing brilliant football for long periods, but we saw a great opening twenty minutes in the first game, a great second half in the second, and against Malaga they maintained it for maybe an hour. You can see it's coming together, the team is getting to where Mourinho wants them to be.”

Q: Can Real Madrid beat Barcelona to La Liga this season?

“Real Madrid do have what it takes to win La Liga this season. You can already see Jose Mourinho has implemented his mentality. Jude Bellingham mentioned that despite playing well for sixty or seventy minutes, he was unhappy with the final twenty. Instead of focusing only on what they did well, which is a winning mentality, he focused on what they didn't do well.

“There was also a moment where he tells his teammates on the bench, ‘If we play like this in the last twenty minutes against bigger teams, we won't win.’ That’s the beauty of Bellingham, people love him because he’s a winner and a perfectionist in how he approaches things, both for himself and his teammates.”

Q: Does Jude Bellingham look like a completely different player to what we saw last season? Can he go down as a Real Madrid legend if he wins titles this season?

“Jude Bellingham can go down as a Real Madrid legend because he fits the profile perfectly. When we look at all the Real Madrid legends and icons in the club's history, he ticks all the boxes for that. 

“He has the character, the mentality, and the ability. I love how he enjoys his game, how competitive he is, and how he’s such a winner, he’s not a good loser, in a good way, which is what Real Madrid is all about. 

“I mean, it's the same for most big clubs, but that's what the Real Madrid fans want. They want someone on the pitch who, when things are not good or pretty, can go and make  tackles, make fouls, roll his sleeves up, and get dirty if he needs to. 

“Bellingham has all of that in his football. When he can play pretty, he does, but when he has to play tough, he can play tough as well. So, I’d be very surprised if he doesn't stay in Madrid for a long time.

“I think he fits all the characteristics that a Real Madrid player needs, and he's exactly the kind of player anyone, in this case, Florentino Perez would want to sign if he wasn't there already.”

Q: Could you see Erling Haaland joining Barcelona to Real Madrid in the future?

“Erling Haaland’s future is interesting. Let's see how things pan out at Man City and whether it turns out to be successful. Players like Haaland want to win trophies. I agree that if he moves, which could happen, the price tag will be massive, certainly not below a hundred million. That is just the way it is.

“In terms of where I see him, I could imagine him at both Madrid and Barça. However, I sense that Barça's style would be better for him, and perhaps better for the club too. The way he makes those runs and his power in the box suits the Hansi Flick style quite well.

“We are talking about something quite far down the line, but if things don't work out at City this season or over the next couple of seasons, he is still very young and very ambitious. He won't want to stay at a club where they aren't winning trophies.”

Q: Was there sadness in Spain around Lionel Messi’s international retirement?

“There is a lot of sadness about Lionel Messi’s international retirement because, as many people know, his connection with Spain is huge. He loves Barça and has made that very public. He always wanted to stay at Barcelona, but it didn't happen. 

“He even wanted to go back, which he might still do one day, perhaps not as a player, but in another role, so we really feel Messi is a part of Spanish football in a way.

“Maybe some fans didn't feel that way after the World Cup final, but he’ll always be welcomed back. People are sad because we’re realizing this era is coming to an end. 

“When I was covering the World Cup, every game he played felt like it could potentially be his last, even if nobody wanted to say it out loud. We just wanted him to continue, and luckily he stayed all the way until the final.

“Then people thought, ‘Okay, maybe we have the Copa America next, and then another World Cup.’ Nobody wants to admit it in case it doesn't happen, everyone is trying to avoid thinking about the end of Messi's career. 

“But announcing his international retirement is a step closer to that. Now he only has MLS left on a two-year contract, and it makes us all sad to see Messi's time coming to an end.

“It's something nobody wants to mention or acknowledge, but here we are. I think the whole football world feels it, even if some people don't follow or like Argentina for whatever reason, if you are a football fan, you have to love Messi.”

Q: Similarly, do you think we’ll see Lionel Messi return to Barcelona in some capacity after he’s finished at Inter Miami? 

“I think Lionel Messi will definitely go back to Barcelona at one point. It was really between Miami or Barcelona, but he will definitely spend time over there as well in retirement.

“Things with Laporta don't seem to be in great shape right now. That might change, we don't know. But if another president or someone else is there, I know Messi will want to go back to the club in some capacity. 

“It might not be a very demanding role, but give him the decision-making power that he wants. Knowing him and his surroundings, he wants to do something in football because that's what he loves, rather than just being an ambassador. I see him in a role where he can advise on signings, managers, or players, rather than being purely a figurehead for the club. 

“But we have to see who will be the president or the owner who is able to convince him to do that.”

Q: What do you think Cristiano Ronaldo will do after this season? What will be his motivation?

"1,000 goals, I think that's his target, isn't it? That's his motivation right now for Cristiano Ronaldo. Every player, especially him, like Lionel Messi had at the World Cup, needs these targets, these moments in their career to stay motivated, and definitely, that's it for Ronaldo. 

“He hasn't made any announcement yet, but I think we all know the next World Cup is very far off for him. I wouldn't be surprised if we see an announcement from him soon.

“He wants to stay in football, he's already involved with some clubs. I think when you reach that level, you don't want to be involved in the daily duties of a football club, but you certainly want to be involved in how to structure it, how to organize it, what players to sign, and how to give them that identity and philosophy. 

“You don't want to be just the face or the image of a club, you want to be involved in how to make it work and how to be successful. When you are a winner, you are a winner in any position and in any role in a club."

Q: Have you been encouraged by Valencia’s transfer window? Is European football still too far away for them?

“At Valencia, the signings are not bad, it could be a great opportunity for Harvey Elliott, but. I think fans and anyone following Valencia who has a bit of love for the club, after seeing these first three games, won't be very optimistic about the way things are going. 

“Already, the manager and players are making statements that this is not the way to go. We're only three games into the season, but obviously things need to improve.

“Last season, they were struggling, then they improved. Two seasons before that, they were fighting relegation. In the last game of the season, they were fighting for Europe. But for the fans, when you are so close to relegation, you fear every new season is going to be the one where you get relegated, because you don't see any major improvements in signings or, especially, in the way the team plays. 

“So, unless that changes massively, the fans will remain worried. I think even the fans are tired of looking up to the ownership and complaining about it because nothing is happening. 

“It's similar with the players, I think they've reached a situation where they feel quite a bit of despair, wondering what the next step is. It's painful to say, but it looks like a relegation battle. Hopefully it won't be, because the newly promoted teams are also struggling a little bit.

“I hope Valencia will eventually get to a place where maybe Europe is an option, but right now it seems like a quite difficult task for the club.”

Q: Do you think Xavi was disrespected by Nigel de Jong when he publicly announced that Pep and Arne Slot were their first options?

“I like to think that Xavi knew about it, because I was watching and Xavi didn't blink. I'm assuming that if it had caught him by surprise, he would have made some sort of expression. I agree that it's not the right way to present a manager like Xavi for the Netherlands job.

“Saying he's the third option doesn't make the situation look very good. It’s like saying, ‘Okay, we only got our third choice.’ I would have sacked the sporting director for only getting the third option.

“It doesn't show much confidence in Xavi, but again, I would have thought he already knew. Regardless, it's not the best way to present your new manager or show confidence on their first day in the office.”

Q: Do you think Harry Kane could see a move to Barcelona as his next destination? Is he the player that this Barcelona team is missing? 

“I still think if the opportunity was there for Barça to get Harry Kane, they'll go for it. It's a matter of what Harry Kane wants to do. I think with the Champions League, winning the league, and winning trophies, he's obviously enjoyed an amazing season for Bayern Munich. For them, the Champions League is the next thing. Whether they can do it or not, let's see this season. But if it doesn't happen, another season winning only the Bundesliga might put him on the market. 

“It's a similar situation to Robert Lewandowski, he was there for a long time, needed new challenges, and went to Barça. So I'm sure if that happens next season or in two seasons, I would not be surprised if Barça is keeping an eye on his contract situation.”

EFL

Q: How difficult will this season be for Middlesbrough having come so close to promotion to the Premier League? 

“For Middlesbrough, eighth is an achievable position. It's great that they have extended the playoff spots because otherwise, it would have been difficult for them to reach the playoffs again after coming so close to promotion, mentally, it's tough to replicate that. 

“In a way, this takes a bit of pressure off them, though that doesn't change the fact that the league is tough. Having said that, making the playoffs is a must for them, and it's obviously more possible with these extended positions.”

Q: Will Lankshear has been compared to Harry Kane. How vital is it that he meets expectations in terms of the club’s promotion chances?

“Will Lankshear is doing well, it’s a great start for a very young player. However, is it fair to place so much pressure on him, hoping he'll be the next Harry Kane or expecting him to score 30 goals in a season? 

“It looks, a great signing, and starting well is always important for strikers, finding the back of the net early gives them the confidence they need, which in turn helps in the push for the playoffs and promotion. 

“But let’s go easy on the boy, he needs confidence, love, and patience. It rarely works when you pile high expectations onto a young player right from the start.”
International Break

Q: England face Spain at Wembley later this month. What’s your prediction for the game and where do you see the game being won?

“That’s the big question, isn’t it? Will England play like the third place game, or the one before, where they were winning and then threw it away so quickly. Everyone wants to see them play on the front foot. 

“France, obviously, were not at their best, but Spain will not change, they will definitely play in a similar way if all their players are fit and ready.

“The question mark for me has always been the approach. It seemed like things changed in the World Cup, we saw moments of great football, but in the key moments and situations, the manager went back to what many others did before him, which is what the fans didn’t want to see. 

“Let's see how they set up against Spain. I hope they’ve learned from that last game in the World Cup and built from there, because you could see the players were more comfortable playing that way.

“They enjoy it more, they give more, and they perform better. For the sake of England and football fans in general, I hope we see more of that attacking intent.

Q: Which England players will stand out?

“Jude Bellingham will be determined to win, it's always special. It happened to me when I was playing in Italy or England, you go back with the national team to play against the country where you play your club football and it's special. 

“It’s not about vengeance, because people in Spain love Bellingham, but it’s a challenge to show who is better. When you go back, if you win, you always walk a bit taller.

“If you don’t win, you don’t even want to talk about it, but if you win, you want to talk about the game all day. It’s a great motivational situation and I’m sure Bellingham will want to play and be as important as he usually is.”

Q: In Spain, is France seen as a bigger threat than England? Where does England rank as a team in international football?

“I think it's mostly because of what France has done in the past and also the strength of their squad. When you look at their players, they perform for their clubs and they perform for France. With England, most players perform at club level, but when it comes to World Cups, they don't reach that same level. So, in Spain, France is seen as the biggest threat.

“If there was a World Cup tomorrow, I would rank Spain, France, Argentina, and England as the top four favorites. France and Argentina are currently ahead of England. I think England needs to reach a World Cup final to make a major statement as a national team. While there is no doubt about the individual talent or the strength of the league, putting it all together as a team hasn't worked so far.”

Q: Spain has had success with Luis de la Fuente. Do England need to adopt the same approach and hire an English manager? Could Eddie Howe be that option?

“I mean, it is so different in Spain. We are used to having Spanish coaches in the clubs and Spanish coaches in the national team.

“For us, it is ideal because the philosophy and the idea of football is very similar, regardless of which club you are at or where you come from. I think that is why it works so well for the national team, the footballing idea is very similar for all of us.

“In England, there is such a contrast. Every club is different in how they approach their grassroots and how they bring players up.

“By the time they reach the national team, they are already very different. Then you bring in another exterior factor to add to those already different styles. I think it is more about being able to unite everyone under one idea than it is about nationality. If you can bring in a manager who has been in England and understands that style very well, that is perfect.

“But as we said before, even the players are different in the sense that when they come to the national team, they don’t really play as a unit. They play as a combination of players from different backgrounds. The priority for England should be to play as a team, not just a collection of individuals.”