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Frank Mellon's avatar

From the chat on the Pod cast and the data on Inamura I can't, for the life of me, see why he's played as a CB. At the risk of making a complete fool myself, I predict he will be playing as a mainly deep lying, box to box midfielder next season.🤪

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Mark Nugent's avatar

Ah, the much talked about Wanyama-type! HH

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Frank Mellon's avatar

Haha, EXACTLY what was going through my mind.

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James Reilly's avatar

Maybe I'm giving FIFA too much credit but I did wonder if they were trying to position this club tournament to be ready for if/when there's a European Super League. I'd imagine a ESL would lead to less games per season for the top teams and there would be an appetite for a further tournament. Essentially replace the Country specific leagues and Champions League with the ESL and the Club World Cup.

It's kind of how I thought the football landscape might go if there was a Super League. Clubs will want there to be plenty of games to maximise revenue generation.

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Paul Martin's avatar

World club cup . Wow how did the gers get on , did Luke Madrid make his much anticipated debut

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Argen MacLaine's avatar

Great episode as usual. Just throwing in that I've been getting my summer football fix from watching the League of Ireland who do play their season through summer. Obviously the level isn't incredible but neither is the SPFL's at times to be fair. I enjoy the good vibes + passion at the games and may see a team or two in Europe.

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Aido's avatar

The Saudi Arabia Public Investment Fund (PIF) has a war chest of $925 billion. One billion for the Club World Cup is a small price to pay for the 2030 World Cup and the soft power that comes with the sponsorship. Expect the 2029 Club World Cup to be held in Saudi Arabia after another billion in rights/sponsorship from PIF/DAZN.

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Mark Nugent's avatar

Saudi is the only reason I need to not pay the competition ANY mind. Justice for Jamal Khashoggi's family. HH

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Alan Morrison's avatar

Thanks for the detail Aido

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Aido's avatar

You’re welcome. Follow the money. At least the Romans got bread, we just have the FIFA Club World Cup circus.

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