Once a week for an hour, AthleticismSubscribers can ask me for my opinion on everything related to the world of football.
I’ve collected some of my favorite questions and answers from the latest questions and answers below. Thanks to everyone who participated today.
Do you want to ask me a question? I’ll be back next week for another session.
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Jonny C asked: Hi David, will Chelsea be back for Michael Olise this summer?
David Ornstein: I think that boat probably sailed after what happened last summer, Jonny. If Olise leaves Crystal Palace in the next window, I think it would only be for one of the few most important clubs in the Champions League.
He is said to be an intelligent and thoughtful player who knows exactly what level he can reach and who will clearly decide if, where and when it is right for him to move.
As with his previous contract, there appears to be a release clause in the new terms he signed after the Chelsea saga. The clubs will therefore have a good idea of what they must do to have it. To my knowledge, there have been no significant developments so far, but there is obviously a good chance that this will change in the coming weeks and months. As for Chelsea, they seem to be pretty well equipped in Olise’s place, so I suspect they will focus elsewhere.
Sean M asked: Are there any updates on Chelsea’s summer review on Mauricio Pochettino?
Orstein: Hello Sean, I have no update on this because – as you say, and I have regularly reported – they will be looking at everything (including this situation) this summer, rather than now. Obviously, the hierarchy will form their opinions on a daily basis – good, bad, indifferent – but I don’t expect any definitive conclusions to be drawn before the end of the season. So much can still happen between now and then and Chelsea have so many huge games coming up that I don’t think they can or should focus on anything other than these games, starting with Manchester City on Saturday in the semi-final of the FA Cup, and moving on to huge tests against Arsenal, Aston Villa and Tottenham afterwards.
GO FURTHER
Chelsea and Project Pochettino: How a grueling campaign takes its toll on manager, owners, team and fans
None of this is unique to Pochettino or Chelsea, rather it’s a natural thing for any club to do when their head coach is one year into a two-year contract (plus an option to extend for 12 months). It goes without saying that the journey ahead is crucial as Chelsea’s season so far has fallen short of the expectations of everyone involved, so it’s time to step up.
Everything you hear around Stamford Bridge suggests the owners won’t accept an apology; everyone, including himself, must keep his promises. By Saturday night, Pochettino may have led Chelsea to their second cup final of his debut season and there is still a good chance for them to qualify for Europe via the Premier League. I’m sure this will all be part of the assessment, but you can’t make a judgment on this alone.
As we hear from INEOS about Erik ten Hag at Manchester United, they look at everything (on and off the training and match pitch) to formulate their thoughts and decisions on the way forward. There is no doubt that it will be the same at Chelsea. There is a strong argument that, after all the changes they have experienced, Chelsea need continuity and Pochettino deserves time. It also has many excellent young players. Like most other managers and coaches, he will be judged on his performances and, above all, on the results.
Kristian M asked: With Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney, Eddie Nketiah, Reiss Nelson and possibly Emile Smith Rowe rumored to be leaving Arsenal this summer, do you think they will look to bring in players classed as ‘homegrown’ » to help with the quota?
Orstein: Good question, Kristian. While it’s not something that has been specifically brought up in the conversations I’ve had around potential Arsenal targets this summer, it is a consideration for every Premier League club when planning their squad. Excuse the boring answer, but it will all depend on who and how many leave, and who and how many stay, which can obviously be influenced by academy graduates like Ethan Nwaneri and Myles Lewis-Skelly.
GO FURTHER
Arsenal’s Myles Lewis-Skelly decides matches and does ‘things you can’t coach’
At this point, the majority of names I’ve heard as possible signings wouldn’t be considered local, whereas at the start of last summer many of those that – for example – Tottenham had on their radar were very deliberately locals (like James Maddison). On a broader note regarding the production of homegrown talent, this is certainly an area that Arsenal are looking to improve in and it’s a topic we covered at the end of the latest episode of The Athletic podcast FC, which you can listen to here.
Mac Alli A asked: Hi David. Any further updates on Ruben Amorim and what are Liverpool’s plans for the summer?
Orstein: I don’t have any significant updates yet and as soon as we do we will bring them to you. Amorim is in the mix, as has been well documented, but we’re told he’s not a favorite or a nailed-on top pick at this point. Liverpool would conduct a truly in-depth and wide-ranging process which also highlighted alternative candidates.
Those involved in the search will complete the due diligence on these candidates, and from what I’ve heard, they should be able to make more concrete moves on who emerges as their top target very soon. New sporting director Richard Hughes and FSG football CEO Michael Edwards won’t be afraid to look beyond the obvious names if others fit their criteria – and they’re ready to put on a brave face instead than popularity.
As you can imagine, they will focus on key criteria such as the style of play and identity they want to see Liverpool produce under the new man, a brand of football that suits this team and the way who the club has been recruiting for some time now. an ability to connect, energize and exploit the Liverpool fan base, robust data on player fitness and availability, and a good track record for improving players and ensuring they realize and maintain their potential. I emphasized this during an appearance on NBC a few days ago.
Nigel G asked: Dele Alli mentioned recently that he would like to play in the 2026 World Cup. Do you think he has enough left in the tank to be called up at least once – and will it be with Everton or not?
Orstein: Stranger things have happened, Nigel. Clearly, that’s far from the case given Dele’s recent problems, his age and the fact that the next World Cup is fast approaching. However, we all know the abilities he possesses and whether he may be close to returning to the form that saw him become such a key player. player for club and country, it would be foolish of us to rule him out completely.
GO FURTHER
Dele Alli and the light at the end of the tunnel
I don’t know if it will be at Everton… my gut says it won’t, as his contract expires this summer and he hasn’t really been able to justify a new one (that’s before mentioning Everton’s financial situation and whether they could afford it). But if Dele is fully fit, I’m sure plenty of opportunities will come his way – and it will then be up to him to reinvigorate his career.
Vincent H asked: Have Manchester United’s new management team started looking at potential ins and outs this summer or will they wait before making a decision on Erik ten Hag?
Orstein: They have a duty to examine the ins and outs and Ten Hag is part of that process. If anything changes in his position, everyone will deal with it accordingly, but in the meantime, you must continue or you will be left behind.
GO FURTHER
What we hear about Erik ten Hag’s future at Manchester United
Chris T asked: Afternoon David, are there any further updates on Newcastle’s search for Dan Ashworth’s replacement?
Orstein: It’s at an advanced stage, Chris, but not finished yet. The process is being led by a recruitment company and there will undoubtedly be different preferences within the ownership group. They will want to come to a consensus very soon and then it will be a matter of trying to reach an agreement for the candidate they have chosen and getting him into the building. If this happens before a deal is reached with Manchester United over Ashworth, it will be interesting to see if their tough stance on him remains or softens.
GO FURTHER
Inside Newcastle United’s post-Dan Ashworth world – and what they’ll do next
Abdulaziz H asked: What are Manchester City’s plans for Kevin De Bruyne?
Orstein: As far as I know, City want De Bruyne to stay, but that doesn’t mean he will. The player will have to make a decision himself (if he hasn’t already done so) about what he wants to do. If he chooses to stay and renew, so much the better. Otherwise, let’s see if/what offers come in, how City respond and – if he leaves – whether a direct replacement is brought in or Phil Foden becomes his successor.
(Top photo: Michael Olise; Alex Pantling/Getty Images)