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LinkedIn Jobs
As a small business owner, you don't have the luxury of clocking out early. Your business is on your mind 24 7, so when you're hiring, you need a partner that grinds just as hard as you do. That hiring partner is LinkedIn Jobs. When you clock out, LinkedIn clocks in. LinkedIn makes it easy to post your job for free. Share it with your network and get qualified candidates that can manage all in one place. Here's how it works. Post your job LinkedIn's new feature can help you write job descriptions and then quickly get your job in front of the right people with deep candidate insights. Either post your job for free or pay to promote promoter jobs. Get three times more qualified Applicants get qualified candidates at the end of the day, the most important thing to your small business is the quality of candidates and and with LinkedIn you can feel confident that you're getting the best. Based on LinkedIn data, 72% of SMBs using LinkedIn say that LinkedIn helps them find high quality candidates. You can let your network know you're hiring. You can even add a hiring frame to your profile picture and get two times more qualified candidates. Find out why more than 2.5 million small businesses use LinkedIn for hiring today. Find your next great hire on LinkedIn post your job for free at LinkedIn.combaseballshow that's LinkedIn.com.
- [02:32]
Intuit QuickBooks
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LinkedIn Jobs
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- [02:37]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.
- [02:44]
Ayo Akimolere
Welcome to the Athletic FC Podcast with me, Ayo Akimolere. Marcus Rashford is set to sign for Barcelona, leaving his boyhood club Manchester United. But is it a deal that suits everyone? With us today, we have our Manchester United writer, Karl Anker, as well as our football correspondent David Ornstein as well, David War Marcus Rashford off to Barcelona finalizing his loan. Talk to us about this deal and how quickly it's materialized.
- [03:19]
David Ornstein
Well, this has been a long time coming because Marcus Rashford has been linked with Barcelona for many years. It actually came close. I don't even know, maybe four or five years ago. People will have to check some reporting at the time and it relates to Barcelona liking him and his style of play, his characteristics, and Marcus Rashford absolutely liking Barcelona and the idea of it. And I think it would have been his preference in the January window when it was clear that he was surplus to requirements at Manchester United and Ruben Amarim was not counting on him. Barcelona weren't there or in the same position that they are now. But interestingly, even with the Aston Villa transfer intermediaries involved included Arturo Canales, who is very close to Barcelona. He has remained one of the intermediaries involved in the situation now and therefore it's clear that they were always going to come back to this Barcelona possibility. Over the last number of weeks I've been hearing optimism from around the situation that a deal could be done. Now I don't think it's any disgrace by any means on Marcus Rashford that maybe Barcelona were favoring or some within Barcelona were favoring, say Luis Dias and Nico Williams, for example. But Rashford was always there as a candidate they liked, who can operate in the wide attacking positions, who can operate up front that wanted to come to them, who had a conversation with Hansi Flick, the head coach, and Hansi Flick really liked him. Of course there are more people involved. You've got Laporta as president, you've got Deco as sporting director. We reported in the Athletic deal sheet a few weeks ago that Rashford himself was open to other possibilities, be it a loan, be it a swap deal or a permanent transfer. He also was prioritizing a move abroad, so his commitment was now firm to getting this done in in some way shape or form. And Manchester United, they really need to get shifting unwanted players that they can be in a stronger position in terms of the incoming work they want to do and so everybody working on this. And it would have included Rashford's main representative and brother Dwayne Maynard. It would have included individuals at Barcelona's end, of course, and Manchester United fair play in this sense. They've all managed to reach a consensus that involved loan with an option to buy. It seems he'll be taking a bit of a salary reduction but all of the salary is going to be paid by Barcelona, whatever that figure is, none of it by Manchester United and then we'll see what happens at the end of it. You know, I think everybody wishes Marcus Rashford well. It's a box office move, it's really exciting for football. But it seems that Barcelona will be returning to the NOU camp with Marcus Rashford in their team and that's a bit of a mouth watering prospect and fair play to him in what's a World cup year. Let's not forget that Marcus Rashford has big ambitions to get his club career back on track and to earn a place in his national team. And meanwhile Manchester United can crack on with their plans and maybe it's a win, win all round.
- [06:26]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, good point, Good point, Carl. Mark Critchen wrote a piece on the Athletic right now actually stating that, you know, this needs to be the final chapter at Manchester United for Marcus Rashford's career. Now with you and your Manchester United hat on, how do you feel about this departure? Because yet again, this is a player that was hailed as one of England national team's best. It was hailed as the future of Manchester United. It's a prize asset that Manchester United are letting go of. Any sad feelings about it or is this a really opportunity, a great opportunity to have a fresh start just with.
- [06:56]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
My Manchester United hat on, but also in the interest of clarity and visibility, I'm someone who's written books with Marcus Rashford as well. I think listeners should know that there was some sadness when Marcus Rashford approached his January loan to Aston Villa. I was there for Rashford's final game in the United shirt to date, which was a Europa League game against Victoria Pilsen in the Czech Republic. And he did not have a good game. He looked very much off it. He didn't have a great first half and he picked up a yellow card and he was substituted shortly thereafter because he looked in danger of getting a second yellow card. Rash Richard has had excellent seasons in a Manchester United shirt. He's also had seasons where he's been inconsistent and or injured. Now there are tactical reasons into why he's not had great seasons. We can talk about, say the 23, 24 season where he's playing further away from goal and wider, where he ideally wants to be playing as a left inside forward, as a second striker. We can talk into team situations in that Marcus Rashford, if you were a left sided inside forward who likes to cut inside, he's shooting you a stronger foot. You tend to play better when you have a overlapping fullback who can help you break down the defense. I also think the relationship between Marcus Rashford and Manchester United has changed dramatically. He's gone from being Marcus Rashford, 39, who comes out of nowhere and scores and nearly every single debut, apart from his FA cup debut, his England debut as well, and he felt very much one of our own, to Marcus Rashford, who goes to wearing the 19 shirt, who goes to wearing the number 10 shirt, who then becomes possibly. Is Marcus Rashford good enough to win Manchester United the Premier League title? The answer to that now seems no. There is also the things he's done off off the field, his charity work, his philanthropic cases as well. So Marcus Rashford is more than a. He's a football player that people who aren't into football talk about. My mum, who knows next to nothing about football, looked at England's Euro 2024 squad and went, where's Marcus Rashford? He's of that sort of entity. However, when you talk about him as a football player, he's not been at his top level for a little bit and I think that has caused a strain between him. Manchester United football club, Manchester United managers, more than one, it seems, and inevitably Manchester United fan base. So while there is a tinge of sadness that he's leaving, I think there is also an understanding that the best case scenario or the best resolution to this is Marcus Rashford to leave and hopefully reignite his football career elsewhere. So this is a deal that probably works for all parties.
- [09:23]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, for sure. And David, let's flip it around. Marcus Rashford is on his way out, but who's on their way in to Manchester United? Any incoming? Because I've seen news of Brian and Buemo finally getting over the line at Manchester United.
- [09:37]
David Ornstein
Well, that was the big target for Manchester United after the Cunha deal. And with Liam Delap choosing to sign for Chelsea, United came into this window with the finances available to do two deals without needing to sell their preferences were Matthias Kuna 62.5 million pounds release clause Liam Delap 30 million release clause I've got To say that Brian Mbumo was always at the top of their list for a wide attacker in and amongst that was Antoine Semeno too, but Mbuemo was above that. There was even a time where they might have gone for all three. Cunha, Mbuomo and Semenyo. You know, in the absence of finding the number nine that they wanted after the De lap situation and with everything we've seen going on with Victor Jocherez and other names and we'll come on to the number nine in a bit. But as it materialized, Manchester United have have managed to close out deals for two top targets in Cunha and Mburmo before they leave for their preseason tour. So a bit of credit where it's due after that. United are clearly going to focus on other areas. In no particular order, the goalkeeping department needs to be addressed. That doesn't necessarily mean Andrea Nana is going to leave. He's got an injury at the moment. There may not be suitors for him. There may be. Let's see how that develops. We've seen a lot of speculation around Emi Martinez and. And we don't know of movement on that. And there will be more goalkeepers in the frame as well. And number six I think is on the agenda as well. So defensive midfielder and then of course the number nine. They want to sign a striker now, we don't know of them actively sort of moving on Sesko Watkins reports on both in the last 24 hours before recording this. No doubt that they are on the list of Manchester United like they are on the list of pretty much every top club. And Laurie Whitwell, our colleague, was first to report about Watkins and they've since been dispatches on Sesko because that possibility of Arsenal didn't materialize. And of course things can change as the market goes on. Prices shift, they go up, things become less possible, they come down, things become more possible and they will have other options as well. I can't say the direction of travel on that just yet, but I think as a starting point before the preseason tour, they're in good shape. There is a lot more work that needs to be done. They want to get rid of a load of players and. And that will raise some more funds. On top of the Rashford salary saving Carreras, the sell on income, the Anthony Alanga sell on income. And I know there is a lot of anxiety among all club fan bases right now about why are we taking so long to get our business done. Guys, we're in July, like we're not even at the end of July yet, by any means. Like we've got the rest of July, we've got the whole of August. Yeah, I know everybody wants to get their squad settled before the season in an ideal world, but Manchester United are by no means alone in not having that so far and they are ahead of quite a few clubs in what they've done. This is not a fine science, nor is it easy. So it's a decent start. Loads more to do. And no doubt that will define or influence the success of Ruben Amarim and his team in the short term.
- [12:58]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah, Carl, Obviously Marcus Rashford of Manchester United's wage bill would be interesting in terms of what kind of business Manchester United are able to do moving forward. But I wonder if you have a word for the fans, as David said, who are slightly anxious that the Manchester United team that are going to come into the new season, how can I put this politely, might not be as competitive as they might want them to be.
- [13:19]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
Of course, it makes totally total sense. This is a Manchester United squad that finished 15th in the league last season. They lost the Europa League final to Tottenham Hotspur. They will be without European football for the first time in just over a decade. And while United are ahead of a number of clubs, they also finish the season behind a number of other clubs. And I think that is the frustration, that is the fear, that is the difficulty. It's difficult for Manchester United because they do not have the transfer war chest. That is, is very. That word war chest is very often put across newspapers when a new manager comes in. Oh, we're going to give them a war chest of 200 million to spend. Amarin doesn't have that, in part because previous war chests have been spent. Your mileage may vary on how those war chests have been spent.
- [14:07]
Ayo Akimolere
I'm saying nothing.
- [14:08]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
I think it's. I, I think it's very interesting. If we talk about the. The current Manchester United five, which are now four now Marcus Rashford seems to be departing. Three of them were players signed for, of them is an academy graduate. There was a two year long process in getting Jadon Sancho over to Manchester United and now he seems to be on the move for a price that is a lot lower than the 120 million that Borussia Dortmund initially quoted Manchester United in the summer of 2020. Antony still remains one of the most expensive Premier League signings of all time. So United don't necessarily have the big money to spend to get all of these players in. I think I've seen two or Three United fans online say United should have made four signings before the US tour has begun. To which I sort of hear my dad's old voice going, with what money? Absolutely. I think David is very, very good in reminding everyone about the picture going into this summer in that United really wanted to get Liam the Lapp, not only because he is a good Premier League proven or Premier League tested striker, because that Release clause of 30 million would have sold a bunch of headaches. We know Manchester United were among a number of clubs who had a meeting with the Lap face to face. He opted to move to Chelsea and I think that threw a complication into a situation. Onana's injury and Onana's erratic form has caused complications here as well. So the problem is United have been in need of a rebuild for several seasons and one of the issues for United that perhaps doesn't affect other top six clubs is that they are in need of a rebuild and they're in need of trying to strengthen positions that in theory should have been strengthened two or three years ago with players that were bought for excess of 50 million. Ian Graham, who had fantastic success with Liverpool, has a wonderful book out right now called how to Win the Premier League, which is all that data analysis and how that plays into recruitment. And he says a good indicator of a successful signing according to a man who's won a Premier League with Liverpool, is if you sign a player and that player is playing 50% of your Premier League minutes two seasons down the line, then that player can count as a success using that metric. Manchester United. Yeah, that hit rate is perhaps not the best.
- [16:20]
Ayo Akimolere
That's a really good way of putting it, actually. And you know, on the subject of unwanted players, David, you know, by that I mean maybe Jadon Sancho, Anthony and also Garnacho. Any news on what those outgoings might look like?
- [16:32]
David Ornstein
Jadon Sancho has been heavily rumored to be closing in on a move to Juventus. That is not accurate as I understand it at all and I'm not quite sure where that's emanating from. There's an element of interest from Napoli for sure. Let's see how they weigh things up. They've bought in Noelang and so is that a viable possibility? And I'm sure there will be more clubs interested in Jadon Sancho as the window develops. He didn't have a bad season with Chelsea and we know the talent that he possesses, but he's. He's on a very handsome salary at Manchester United and. And so that's a complicating factor not only for them but for clubs who are looking to take him, but really his technical and age profile. I would expect possibilities to arise as the market moves on. Anthony is a case he had an extremely strong loan with Real Betis and no doubt there will be further interest maybe from them from elsewhere in Spain in particular seems to be a happy hunting ground, but unfortunately for United, patience is required to try and establish what sort of fee could be agreed on transfer and salary coverage. Is it a loan? Are there options? And yeah, Malacia is probably less onerous for Manchester United from a financial perspective in terms of the salary, but they do want to move him on and there may be other opportunities that arise as as the window develops in other positions as well. Like the Inanna situation seems to be sort of unresolved. Another one is Rasmus Hoyland. Very good chance that he moves on and and it could all be intertwined with Manchester United's progress on maybe a new striker that would educate them on what they'd be willing to part with Hojlund for. Because I think there is a fair amount of interest in Hojlund, even though I assume his desire would have been to stay and get things right at Manchester United. It doesn't always materialize how you want it. So I don't think there's reason for doom and gloom on that front, but I think there is a need to allow time and these situations to develop.
- [18:36]
Ayo Akimolere
Okay David, I know you've got a head off busy time for you, but appreciate you jumping on as well. Thank you.
- [18:41]
David Ornstein
Pleasure guys. As ever.
- [18:43]
Ayo Akimolere
All right, Nice one, David. And also there'll be more from David over on the deal sheet on the Athletic on Tuesday. Next we'll look at where Rashford will fit in at Barcelona.
- [18:54]
David Ornstein
You're listening to the Athletic Athletic FC podcast with IO akamolere.
- [18:58]
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- [20:22]
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- [21:26]
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- [21:36]
David Ornstein
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- [21:37]
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- [22:03]
Ayo Akimolere
Joining us now is our Barcelona writer, Paul Ballouz. Paul, this is the big one, Marcus Rashford coming to Barcelona on a season long loan. Big paycheck for wages and as we know in Barcelona money is always an obstacle. How are they affording this?
- [22:18]
Paul Ballouz
Well I mean of course this is a good question and a question that we are all asking in a way here, but from all the names that we've been hearing around this summer, I'm going to tell you what, Marcus Ratchford is going to be the easiest one to register and you might wonder why.
- [22:32]
Ayo Akimolere
Please break it down, break it down.
- [22:34]
Paul Ballouz
Because it is a loan deal. It's not a signing and a permanent signing with a multi year deal and everything, which is what would have involved Nico Williams or Luis Diaz potentially if they had the money to do that. But if you do these sort of deals, you have to take into account the amortization of the player, you're going to have to take into account the five years of salary that he's going to have into a deal. You don't have to advance for all this money beforehand, but LaLiga takes that into account when they have have calculations of your salary limit. So RA is not going to get into those figures. So that's good in that regard. And on top of that, as we all know, he's taking a pay cut, which is going to be handy for Barcelona and which in a way, from my point of view, and I think I've been saying that in podcast and in everything that we've done over the past weeks, I think that from all the options that Barca had for that department, Rashford was a sensible one.
- [23:27]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
Paul, you just saying it's only a loan deal, so it's not as big on amortization and other regards, that sounds promising. It also sounds like to put my cotton hat on, this sounds very much more like a rental rather than because it's an option to buy rather than an obligation to buy. And if, and looking at Barcelona's recent history of loans, they loaned Yao Felix, then gave him back, they loaned Adama tr, then gave him back Canelo Cancelo, they've loaned and given him back. Obviously a bull hasn't been kicked yet, but if everyone's now talking about Marcus Rashford does really well and he can be a Barcelona player going forward. From what you've said there, it sounds like Marcus Rasha could have a very good season at Barcelona, but that doesn't necessarily mean Barcelona are inclined to make that deal permanent because of these long standing financial problems.
- [24:18]
Paul Ballouz
Absolutely. And if I'm honest with you, that was Barcelona's plan from day one. Barcelona never entertained the prospect of signing him on a permanent deal, basically because it was impossible for Arsenal not to do it or really difficult for Barcelona to do it. Barca knew that Rashford was crazy for the move, was really keen on the move and that's something that has given them a strong hand in talks, in negotiations, in everything. And that's why as soon as they realized that, okay, we have to go for Rashford because Nico Williams is gone and Luis Diaz is not feasible, that was the first offer basically that they put on the table because that's what they were able to do. They know that it's a good scenario for Barcelona. In terms of one, as we were saying, Rashford really keen on the move. Two, Rashford, it feels like his last rescue vote or the last big chance that he has at this stage. So he has a point to prove in that regard. And two, there's the World cup ahead of him. So there's a lot of elements in there for Barcelona to be optimistic in. Rashford trying to be willing to prove a point, to join the club with this humbling perspective of, right, I'm not the main man here, but I'm going to try to make the best out of it. And if Rashford joins the club with that mindset, with the, the raw conditions that he has, I think that it's a really good move for Barcelona. Then of course there are a lot of caveats and you never know in football how this is going to pan out. But I think that the upside of that deal for Barcelona is big and the downside is, well, the money that they will have to pay him this season. But assuming that he's going to take a pay cut and that all the other options that Flick had approved were more expensive than that. Yeah, it's not too bad for Basa.
- [25:50]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah. Karl, this is interesting because with that in mind, if for the minimum, this is a year long loan, what does this represent then really for. For Marcus Rashford? A chance for redemption? Because if it's a chance for redemption for the football world, I mean, this is a massive gamble. This is Barcelona. You need to shine. There's a whole heap of talent on that team. And could this be, I mean, look, with the World cup in hand, but this is massive for a lad like himself to back himself in such a way.
- [26:17]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
This is a one season spot sprint. It's a one season sprint to show world football, to show clubs with aspirations of winning the Champions League that he can be a top level performer. Yes. We're talking right now about Marcus Rasher taking a degree of a pay cut to get this loan deal through. I don't think that's a pay cut that makes him, let's use the word, affordable for Brentford, for example. I think this is a pay cut that still puts him in the realm of some of the highest paid players in Europe. So Marcus Rashford will be 28 post World Cup. If we are now talking in in the ide. Well, one, you want to have a good season because you want to get into the World cup squad for England, Thomas Tuchel. Two, you want to have a good season at Barcelona. Two can talk to Flick, Deco and others that, hey, you want to keep me and we can continue to have this conversation and try and find a way to get this deal done in a way that you possibly didn't get. Find a way to make the deal done for Nico Williams. And then three, in the event that Barcelona go, hey, that was a, a fun year. Hear the accountants say no and shake your hand and go, go away. That there's still a scenario where a team like say Bayern Munich or Inter Milan or I mean, you can't go to Real Madrid now because you spent a year playing for Barcelona, but you understand the idea that other clubs can do it. I also think the quality of the squad at Barcelona and the way Hansi Flick has had them playing incredibly entertaining football since he's arrived means that the. I've spoken before about the tactical problems or other issues that affected Manchester United that made Marcus Rush's game inconsistent. They're largely not there anymore. There's been more than one player who's left Manchester United and then kicked on and had a great season to which people going, oh, wait, maybe Manchester United were the issue. I mean, most notably his last season where Scott McTominay has gone from being a okay defensive midfielder to looking like a complete conqueror at Napoli and winning a Serie A title. And look, Scott McTominay was so good at Napoli last season, I had to eat humble pie and eat crow. I didn't think he'd be that good. And again, Scott McTominay, I'm so sorry. Sorry. You're so much better a football player than I thought you were. I think that's one of Marcus Rashford's objectives too. Of Marcus Rashford going, actually, the things people were saying about me being inconsistent or things people were saying about me not understanding some of the defining nuances of attacking play have more to do with just the other issues at Manchester United rather than me. So can he do it? I hope so, because if he can't, then it becomes a very, very interesting juncture in his career. Career.
- [28:48]
Ayo Akimolere
Yeah. I can also say, though, Paul, that we talk about where he might be playing or how frequently he might be playing because you've got the likes of Hafinha, Almo, Fernand Torres, Lewandowski, an incredible attacking lineup. But I just think about Hansi Flick and actually what he offers a player like Marcus Rashford. If you want to, you know, maintain your, your worth over this season, a team that knows itself and a coach that knows what he wants to achieve. And a bit of, of. I rarely use this word for Barcelona consistency. I mean that that's not a bad place to slot in, surely for a season at least.
- [29:21]
Paul Ballouz
No, no, absolutely. And, and I think that from the tactical perspective, for a start right now, when you ask Barca, they see Rashford coming in as a left winger that just to lay it out, because number nine is going to be Lewandowski and the backup is Ferran Torres in there. Then if you analyze how Barca play in attack, they're basically relying on La Minamal, of course, and he structures all the attack and he's the focal point in the. Then Laminal likes to cuts in and just to be a bit more inside. And as he cuts in, he just looks up and see what's available. And this is a space that if Rashford is sharp enough, he can take a lot of advantage of. I mean, he's not going to be that required or he shouldn't be that required to make things happen on the ball, but he's going to be asked to read the spacing. And you have a lot of players such as Lamina, but Pedri as well, players that can keep the ball and just have players just close to them that they are not going to lose the ball. And once they have players close to them, there's like a lot of free space for other players. And that's what Rashford will need to be reading and just to be willing to run in behind and stuff like this. And then the biggest challenge in my opinion is going to be the work of the ball flick for the way that he plays. He needs relentless pressers up front and people that is willing to follow orders and to, yeah, just to follow the patterns that they have for pressing because that's vital with the high line that they have in the defensive end. Lewandowski, as much as they are happy with him, he's going to be 37 now. There's the vision inside the club that he might not be able to play the same amount of games that he played last season. And that's going to be fine with it. They're going to be fine with it. They're going to assume that it's a Price to pay. So that's another reason for Rashford, because last season, if we go back to last season when Barca played in crunch time of last season, they played against Real Madrid, Inter and Real Madrid. In that straight of games, Lewandowski was injured and Flick basically only had Rafinha. Ferran Torres, De la Minamal, that was the front line and they were knackered.
- [31:17]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
This guy's saying only when he's talking about Rafinha.
- [31:20]
Paul Ballouz
Yeah. No, no, no. That's unbelievable. False.
- [31:23]
Ayo Akimolere
A hard life.
- [31:23]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
Ayo was watching this scene playing Mikel Marino as a false knight. Please, some humility.
- [31:28]
Paul Ballouz
Yeah, yeah, yeah, Sorry.
- [31:29]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
Okay, okay, sorry.
- [31:31]
Paul Ballouz
I mean, we're both victims here. Sorry about that.
- [31:33]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
One thing I'm interested in, because you've mentioned Rashford as the left winger, where does this leave Raphinha? Because Raphinha has had a phenomenal season last season. So with this sort of. Is Raphinha as the number 10 now or.
- [31:46]
Paul Ballouz
Yeah, so that's the thing. Like, because when we imagine Barcelona last season, Raphinha was the left winger. But if you really analyze where he actually played in the pitch, he was more of a number 10. Flick likes him a lot, being this sort of central roaming force that can run him behind and everything. And the width was provided by Alejandro Valde in the left hand side. So maybe Rashford can be the one who pins like on the left wing and just Raphinha comes in. There's been a lot of talk of Dani Olmo being used as a false nine as well. So basically it gives Flick the new layer of options in there and you, you just can play around. If Raphinha is used practically as a number 10, which was the case last season, there's still a gap for Rashford in there. So that's why I was saying that left wing is possibly now the spot that is more envisioned in Barcelona for Rashford.
- [32:33]
Ayo Akimolere
Okay. Carl Paul talks about tactical discipline and he talks about the orders that Hansen Flick likes to, you know, give his men to. To obey. Marcus Rashford capable of that. But only recently Reuben Amarin was saying how, you know, saying how much he criticizes defensive work. Is this something Barcelona fans have to worry about or does this actually seem. Because of. Because it's really technically a year as we're looking at, he's probably in a space to impress as opposed to try and have the trials and tribulations he was probably facing at Manchester United.
- [33:05]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
This one could go down to a coin toss. I think Marcus Rashford at best can be classed as an Inconsistent defender or inconsistent presser. I think he would freely admit it's not the strongest part of his game. And I think that has caused friction with him and the fan base and with more than one Manchester United coach. Okay, Ralf Ragnick was only an interim manager, but Ralph Ragnick, he likes pressing and I think that might have caused some friction there. And I think the way Erik Ten Hag reorganized the team during Rashford's career year, that reduced some of the defensive burden on Marcus Rashid and He responded with 30 goals in all competitions. But also it is a huge contributing factor to, to him and perhaps may have played a role in why some clubs are, I want to use the word hesitant to perhaps commit to, to a large sale about him in, in that look, Marcus Rashid is not the only talented left sided inside forward who doesn't really defend all the time. We can look at Real Madrid, we can talk about Kylian Mbappe, we Vinicius Junior, we can look at AC Milan and talk about Rafael Lea in that these are all incredibly talented football players on the ball. But then off the ball, their application and the consistency of their application has caused frustration and conversation with managers and their fan bases. I think Rashford, in having a year long sprint and having these objectives, he has to get more consistent. I think one thing that is in his favour is that Rashford, Rashford, when he is fit, has had a reputation of being a dedicated trainer. When he's fit, he's. I mean he's athletically. There's been two or three times where Rashford is running in a straight line and you're going, that boy is running 100 meters in 1212 seconds or sub 12 seconds. That is something Hansi Flick likes. And I think one difference between Hansi Flick's Barcelona and Xavi's Barcelona is the level of fitness. This, this Barcelona team. On the, on the Flick is a lot fitter, a lot more athletically robust there. I think the fact that Rashford Ashwood is an attacking player who likes to run in behind defenses rather than say come to feet more. He did come into feet a little bit more towards the end of his time at Manchester United, which I think can frustrate because again you're going, Marcus, you are one of the fastest players in the world. Why are you dropping deep to receive run that way if he can run that way and you've got players like Pedri giving through balls and you've got the minimal getting his head up and doing things, you've got Danny Elmo looking up and doing things. Rasha could have huge opportunity to score at the back post in particular there. But then this is the thing. Can Rashford be the running in behind threat instead of the drop deep and coming in defeat threat? Can he be the defender that Hansi Flick would want him to be? I would not be surprised if by Christmas Balvey is all over Marcus Rashford's Instagram account and they're hugging and having loads of time hanging out because. Because as we said previously, Rashford tends to play better when he's got a left back who can do loads of overlapping runs and whole width and Balde can do that. So those two and their relationship on left right wing, if that goes well will be really beneficial to him. The idea of Rashford playing slightly wider as Rafinha is cutting inside. Question mark about that one because Rashford wants to cut inside and shoot as well. So there are questions over whether or not it can be a traffic jam. So it's this is one where it tactically makes sense. But there are also a lot of you can put maybe quite Asterix, maybe you can call it a footnote, but there are loads of things in there that mean I can't quite call it a slam dunk. You can call it a layup. But there are, there are two or three things that need to get sorted out, both from Hansi Flick and both from Marcus Rashford there as well.
- [36:35]
Paul Ballouz
Having said that, I still think that Rashford is going to start the season being being on the bench. I think that, I mean at the start of the season you have to assume that the front line is going to be the ones that took Barcelona onto this giant leap last season and then it's going to be up to Max Rashford. But yeah, we are just like to put the dose of reality to that high because I think that it does make sense. And as Carlo saying that there's a lot of things that tick boxers. But yeah, I don't expect him to start next week for Barcelona in the first preseason friendly that or like be the main man.
- [37:04]
Ayo Akimolere
So yeah, all right. Haven't discussed how Rashford could fit in at Barcelona. We'll explore how he could adapt to life in La Liga.
- [37:13]
David Ornstein
You're listening to the Athletic FC podcast with IO Akamolere.
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- [39:48]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
This is the Athletic FC podcast with IO Akmolera.
- [39:55]
Ayo Akimolere
Little fact check, but Rashford will become the first English player since Gary Lineker to play for Barcelona. Gary left in 1989. Paul that's 36 years years ago. I think he's just one of three Englishmen to play for Barcelona. I think Mark Hughes played for Barcelona, but obviously he is Welsh now. Big question, why have so few English players played for Barcelona Is it. Is it an English player tax thing or just not a style thing?
- [40:23]
Paul Ballouz
Yeah, no, I think that there's like. Like the starting point is that right now English players are expensive and that they earn so much money and the Premier League is a league that pays well, is a league that switch their sort of upbringing, of course. And I think that if you're an English player with the current setup of the industry, the paths that you have to go to Spain are either just don't find your place in the Premier League, be out of contract and try to revamp your career. Going to a Pilareal Betis, sort of that, or be a Trent Alexander Arnold, Jude Bellingham, this sort of level of play. Players that, yeah, go just to an extra level and that Real Madrid and Barcelona can do. The effort to sign you in that regard, possibly Raj 4 falls more into the first category. But he's not going to Villareal, of course, he's going to a Barca because he has that skill set, basically. But I think that's the main reason because for how the industry is built, it's so difficult for, for this to happen now.
- [41:18]
Ayo Akimolere
And I've been to Barcelona. I'm sure Carl's tasted Barcelona.
- [41:22]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
I've been to Primavera Music Festival more than once.
- [41:24]
Ayo Akimolere
You know it, we've been there. Paul, you're a Barcelona resident. Talk to me. If you, if, if you were advisor Marcus Ra right now on that transition from Manchester to Barcelona. What are you saying to him, man? What is he to expect?
- [41:36]
Paul Ballouz
Yeah, I mean, I've lived in Manchester seven years and I've. And I'm for Barcelona. And I'm telling you something, I mean, when Rashford gets his head out of the window in his home, I don't think that he's going to miss a lot looking at the sky. And I love Manchester. Don't get me wrong, I went to Manchester last weekend. I went at one of the Oasis kicks. I love Manchester, but it's just not the same. He's not going to. I don't think that he's going to struggle with life at the city. I mean, possibly like more. More like the fact you can get too comfortable in this city, you can get too used to that city and that's one thing that you have to take into account. But in myself, I think that he's. So there's so much at stake for him with this move that he better like make it work, basically.
- [42:17]
Ayo Akimolere
Did you buy that, Carl? I see it as a breath of fresh air away from the English media. A new environment, new culture, for instance. I mean, there's a lot to be relished here. But Paul is right, right. He needs to make this work.
- [42:29]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
He does need to make this work. And Paul is absolutely right about how Barcelona is lovely, but also too lovely. It is. They've got beaches. You can very easily. You can very easily go on a night out of Barcelona and not get home until 4:00 in the morning. And I'm sure you've done that, my friend.
- [42:44]
Paul Ballouz
No, I've never done that. I've never done that.
- [42:46]
Ayo Akimolere
It is a drink I know you're talking about.
- [42:49]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
So. So there is that. This is not quite at the level of Michael Owen when he was at Real Madrid and he talked about. About how he would constantly go outside to the hotel to pick up copies of the newspaper because there was only one of English. The culture shock is not as large as it used to be. I am aware now of the very, very large aspects of pastoral care that these European super clubs are now offering their top players to make sure possible language barriers are not the same level that they used to be. I remember years ago where Callum Hudson Odoi when he was pitched by Bayern Mun Munich and Bayern sort of explained how they'd help him learn German and they'd pair him up with certain individuals so he wouldn't be alone and have no one to talk to as well. So, okay, it's only alone. But I'm sure Rashford will make friends or have the opportunity to make friends very, very quickly at Barcelona. But as Paul said, and as we're all sort of playfully skirting around, ideally for this to work, Rashford needs to not enjoy, enjoy too many things in Barcelona because he's spending loads of time in the gym and he's spending loads of time watching X's and O's footage on the training ground and he's spending doing this and doing that and having long conversations with Balde about, when I do this, you do this and when I do this, you do this. So this is the coin flip. When you go to a football team as good as Barcelona in a city as good as Barcelona as well. Okay, you're not going to be subject to the English media. You are going to be discussed by the, the Barcelona media and you are also going to be discussed by the Madrid media. So, I mean, 18 months ago, if I told you Clasico is going to have Trent Alexander Arnold up against Marcus Rashford.
- [44:29]
Ayo Akimolere
That's a good point. Yeah.
- [44:30]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
What would would have flown off your face And I'm sure Rashford, if he does play in a classico, he will get an outsized amount of attention in a way that Danny Alma will not get. Because Marcus Rashford, regardless of English media or not, is still one of the most recognizable football players in the world. So he has to do well because he has to put himself in the shop window, not just for Barcelona, but for everyone in world football who can afford him. So all power to you. I'm not going to send you a recommendation of my favorite carver place in Barcelona.
- [45:02]
Ayo Akimolere
Let alone the food. We haven't even spoke about the food. All right, all right. Real talk though. Paul, you spoke about skill set earlier and I personally, personally think he's off the stature and a skill set that could work in La Liga because potentially he's offered a little bit more space than maybe he would be in the Premier League. That's a matter of opinion. But do you think he has the skill set to thrive in La Liga?
- [45:25]
Paul Ballouz
I think that the skill set is to be a world star, if I'm honest. I mean, the day that Marcus Rashford did his debuted against Mid Gillian, I was at Old Trafford in that year. I was blown away by Michael Rashford. And I think that I've spoken to, to Premier League managers that have faced him over the years and they, I mean they have like nothing bad to say about the raw talent that he has. I mean, it's all there. And I think that these sort of players can adapt to anything and he will adapt to La Liga. I sort of disagree with the fact that he will have more space because Barcelona, basically all the teams that they face, they are like sitting deep and he's going to have to live with that.
- [46:00]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
This is why Balde is probably so important and the left back is so important because.
- [46:04]
Paul Ballouz
Yeah, and that's why I was saying that the best thing that in my opinion right now, and I'm just like making a movie in my mind, but I think that the best thing for him is just to understand that he can be really good off the ball and just leave the on the ball duties to players like Pedri Dani, Olmo Laminamal, who they are really good in short spaces. They can attract a lot of attention and then boom, just launch it. To Rashford, this is how Raphinha made an outstanding season last season, possibly the rest of his career in what we're going to see in the coming years, possibly as well. And I think that Rashford Hart, to learn from it and take that role into it, I Think that, by the way, Karl did a really nice point about his feet in the dressing room and the cultural barrier. And I think it's fair to point out that I think that he's going to have no problem because Flick speaks in English. He gives a lot of the directions in training in English up front. Raphinha speaks perfect English. Lewandowski speaks perfect English. Laminal speaks English. He doesn't dare to speak in Polish, but he can speak in English. Oh yeah, yeah, yeah.
- [47:04]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
He's someone's hiding their real personality from me.
- [47:08]
Paul Ballouz
I mean, he's still a bit chill Kai and he doesn't like dare to have a proper conversation, but he understands English perfectly. Frankie De Jong. Danny almost speaks English. So he's going to have no problem in that regard.
- [47:19]
Ayo Akimolere
I like that. I like that. Can he thrive in La Liga car?
- [47:21]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
He should. The only reasons right now why I think he shouldn't is this off ball application that we've spoken about. He has to commit to what Hansi Flick wants and commit to that high press. Because also when you want to press as aggressively as Barcelona do, if there is one member of your front three that doesn't press that first line, just one chip three ball, you're going through a midfield and for. For all of Barcelona's qualities in midfield, you can run at it as we saw Inter Milan do. I love Pedri. I think he's one of the best football players in the world. Pedri can be. You can shoulder barge him. Frankie De Jong, you talk about his defensive qualities again, another phenomenal football player. You can shoulder barge him as well. So Rashford has to commit because he has to protect those players. I think also he's got to say injury free. Even if we talk about his. His best season under Eric Ten Hawk, he did miss parts of that season due to injury due to muscle knocks. I think he's rash is one of those players where he plays best when he is everything a bit like a Formula one car. Everything is tip top. Correct heat, correct conditions. All the muscle fibers are absolutely twitching in. In the correct way. I can't believe I phrased it that way.
- [48:26]
Ayo Akimolere
You said it.
- [48:27]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
You said it. Yeah. So fitness has to be a thing. He's got to have a clean. He has to have a cleaner record of health in. In compared to your how he has had in seasons previous. So you've spoken about how good the food is in Barcelona again, unfortunately you might not have to be able to enjoy some of that because you've got to do other things. There as well. But on paper, this should work in a way that a move to a club like Aston Villa. There are less question marks over Marcus Rashford at Barcelona than there are question marks over Marcus Rashid at Aston Villa. I hope that's not taken as an insult to Aston Villa. But Aston Villa, the tactical fit there wasn't quite to the same level as Barcelona. So, yeah, should work, but I'm only saying should because we've spoken. There's been multiple seasons where we've come in and gone. Marcus Rashid should be having a good season and unfortunately that hasn't come to pass due to things to do with the player and things to do with the team. So let's see what's next.
- [49:19]
Ayo Akimolere
Well, in fairness, if I had the option of tapas in the West Midlands or tapas in Barcelona, I think which.
- [49:24]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
One we're picking, tapas in Barcelona is cheaper.
- [49:27]
Ayo Akimolere
Much cheaper. Much cheaper. All right, gents, let's leave it there. Carl, Paul, thanks for your time. And also David, thanks for joining us a little later earlier. We'll be back for more this Wednesday. We'll catch you then.
- [49:38]
The Athletic FC Podcast Network
You've been listening to the Athletic FC podcast. The producers were Guy Clark, Mike Stavro and Jay Beal. The executive producer was a moorhead. To listen to other great athletic podcasts for free, search for the athletic on Apple, Spotify and all the usual places. The Athletic FC podcast is an athletic media company production.
- [49:57]
Paul Ballouz
The Athletic FC Podcast Network.
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The Athletic FC Podcast Network
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