English Clubs Dominate Europe

Summary

The Rest Is Football

Episode: English Clubs Dominate Europe

Date: January 29, 2026
Hosts: Gary Lineker, Alan Shearer, Micah Richards

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Overview

This episode, recorded after a dramatic night of Champions League action, centers on the dominance of English clubs in Europe, the changing tactical landscape of modern football, and the drama unfolding in both domestic and continental competitions. The trio combines deep analysis, personal anecdotes, and lighthearted banter to explore why English football stands out, how tactical trends are evolving, and what this all means for the title contenders and upcoming international tournaments.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Newcastle’s Eventful Night in Paris

[02:16] – [04:15]

• Shearer recounts attending Newcastle’s game at PSG, describing the electric atmosphere in Paris but admitting mixed feelings: "To go there and get a point and the draw was great. But also knowing that it wasn't enough."
• Referee controversy: Shearer is bewildered by several decisions, particularly surrounding a handball and injuries.
• Credits Eddie Howe’s tactical shift and the return of Dan Burn from injury as positives, despite Newcastle’s elimination: “Performance-wise, much better away from home. Changed the system, looked comfortable... So yeah, it was a positive night despite not getting into the top bit for Newcastle.”

2. Benfica Goalkeeper Heroics & Jose Mourinho’s Strategies

[05:09] – [08:16]

• Gary and Micah highlight the standout moment: Benfica’s goalkeeper Trubin scoring in the 98th minute to send them through on goal difference.
  • Lineker: “The moment of the night had to be Trubin's header. The goalkeeper for Benfica... it was mental. What a moment.” [05:46]
• Reflection on Mourinho's adaptability and personality.
  • Micah: “How good is Mourinho, by the way? I just love him. I know he might not be what he was in terms of success... but his character.” [05:56]
  • Shearer: “What a story. I mean, what an unbelievable story for them to beat them like they did...” [07:05]

3. English Clubs’ European Strength

[09:57] – [11:03]

• Only Newcastle missed out on automatic qualification; five of the eight last-16 spots are English teams—a “remarkable” showing.
• Shearer notes, “To have five of the Eight is really is remarkable for the Premier League.” [10:37]

4. The Modern Premier League: A Shift Back to Physicality?

[11:03] – [17:28]

• Anthony Gordon’s comments spark debate about the current Premier League style being more physical and less focused on technical flair.
  • Lineker: “Have we gone backwards in some ways in English football back to that up and atom thing?” [11:13]
  • Unpacks statistics around more duels, aerial battles, and set-piece phases in England compared to European leagues.
• Micah discusses how wingers are finding it difficult to affect games due to defensive and tactical shifts.
  • “When teams go in that low block... wingers having to do now is get the ball, come back out, and then just recycle the ball.” [12:53]
• Shearer: Physicality has always been a Premier League trait and remains key to its appeal.

5. Impact of Set Pieces & Low Blocks

[16:51] – [18:07]

• Discussion on whether English clubs’ set-piece routines contribute to their European success.
  • Shearer: “That’s one of the good things about our league is that the physicality and all... makes the Premier League stand out.” [17:28]

6. Evolving Tactics, VAR Frustration, & Football Nostalgia

[18:21] – [22:12]

• Lineker reflects on football’s constant evolution, the positives of technical improvement, but warns about a drift back to old habits (long throws, defensive focus).
  • “I think it's now taken a slightly backward shift... there's a nostalgia in the air.” [18:21]
• VAR and officiating are major irritations:
  • “The biggest time wasters in football now are the referees. Every free kick, we have to wait 10 minutes...” [21:41]
• Concerns about proposed offside law changes: possible impacts on defensive structure.

7. Champions League: Which English Team Stands Out?

[24:08] – [27:07]

• Arsenal are hailed for an exceptional group stage, with debate over whether they could beat a European giant in the final.
• Lineker: “They're very well organized and they will hurt you with a set piece...” [25:11]
• Shearer: “I would back Arsenal in the final, definitely.” [26:02]

8. Arsenal’s Goal Scoring Concerns

[27:07] – [29:59]

• Micah: Does lack of a prolific striker threaten Arsenal’s prospects?
• Shearer: “That will prove. I think it will be very difficult. They're gonna have to start scoring more goals. There's no doubt.” [27:35]
• Detailed insight on the psychological pressures of leading a title race.

9. Question from Listener: Senegal's Walk-Off at AFCON

[32:40] – [36:29]

• Lineker shares first-hand AFCON final experience: “I've seen a lot of things in my football in lifetime, but I don't think I've ever seen anything quite as mad as that...” [32:42]
• Breakdown of the VAR fiasco, refereeing mistakes, Sadio Mane’s sportsmanship, and the broader impact on African football.
• Richards: “It was justified to a certain degree with the refereeing decisions. So it's more about get the referees better...” [35:43]

10. Chelsea & Spurs: Strong European Progress Amid Domestic Struggles

[37:17] – [40:34]

• Chelsea: Impressive start for Liam Rosenhe, revitalizing the team.
• Micah on Chelsea: “He's getting a tune out of them... they really are playing some good football.” [37:59]
• Spurs: Surprising European form, contrasting domestic difficulties.
  • “Spurs absolutely flying. But then can't do it in the league. It's just weird...” [40:06]

11. Manchester City & Liverpool: Form and Prospects

[41:19] – [42:48]

• Manchester City's comfortable passage and potential resurgence.
• Liverpool racking up goals, with optimism that rested “star men” like Salah and Kane could arrive fresh for key matches and the summer’s World Cup.

12. Champions League Predictions & Final Thoughts

[46:24] – [47:31]

• Alan Shearer: Picks Arsenal as his Champions League winner due to defensive solidity.
• Micah Richards: Also chooses Arsenal but shouts out Bayern as dark horses.
• Gary Lineker: Tips Barcelona for their style and attacking threat.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Gary Lineker on Trubin’s header:
  “The moment of the night had to be Trubin's header. The goalkeeper for Benfica... it was mental. What a moment.” [05:46]
• Micah on Mourinho:
  “How good is Mourinho, by the way? I just love him... but his character.” [05:56]
• Alan Shearer on Premier League dominance:
  “To have five of the Eight is really is remarkable for the Premier League.” [10:37]
• Lineker on football evolution:
  “You go near a goalkeeper and you breathe on a goalkeeper and they used to give a free kick... I've got no sympathy for goalkeepers because they've had it easy for years and years and years.” [24:53]
• Shearer’s advice to Arsenal:
  “They're gonna have to start scoring more goals. There's no doubt.” [27:35]
• Lineker’s AFCON impression:
  “I've seen a lot of things in my football in lifetime, but I don't think I've ever seen anything quite as mad as that...” [32:42]
• Final Champions League picks:
  Shearer: “I'm going to say Arsenal.” [46:24]
  Micah: “I'm going to say Arsenal too, Alan. Just because defensively could be the difference.” [47:12]
  Lineker: “I can't go with both of you, so I'll go with Barcelona.” [47:20]

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Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:16] — Shearer’s Paris/Newcastle match recap
• [05:46] — Trubin’s goal and Benfica-mania
• [09:57] — English clubs’ dominance in Europe
• [11:13] — Anthony Gordon’s comments spark debate on English football’s physicality
• [18:21] — Lineker’s VAR frustrations and football nostalgia
• [24:08] — Arsenal in Europe: strengths and doubts
• [32:40] — Senegal’s walk-off incident at AFCON
• [37:17] — Chelsea and Rosenhe’s turnaround
• [41:19] — Man City and Liverpool’s progress
• [46:24] — CL winner picks

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Tone & Chemistry

As always, the episode is packed with the trio’s trademark humor and camaraderie—the gentle ribbing (Micah teasing Shearer about vlogging), light mockery about Newcastle’s European fate, and playful debates about the “old days” versus modern football. The conversation remains accessible for fans while delivering sharp tactical insights and forthright opinions on the game’s hottest issues.

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Perfect episode for: Fans wanting to understand why English clubs are thriving, how tactical evolution impacts the modern game, and what to expect from the continent’s biggest teams as the Champions League knockout stages loom.

Transcript

[Gary Lineker]

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[Michael Richardson]

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[Gary Lineker]

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[Michael Richardson]

What about that for a header?

[Alan Shearer]

What a header.

[Michael Richardson]

Back in my day it used to be one versus one.

[Gary Lineker]

You're already saying, Mike, it's actually my day. Back in my day you're only 28.

[Michael Richardson]

If Arsenal were in the final right now, would you back them against the big European team no.1 fancy Newcastle.

[Gary Lineker]

Then I think you.

[Michael Richardson]

Well, that's all for the Rest Is Football.

[Gary Lineker]

Hello and welcome to the Rest is Football with Michael Richards, Alan Shearer and me, Gary Lineker. We're doing this after a somewhat chaotic night of Champions League football recording this early Thursday morning. So we'll try and get it out to you as quickly as we possibly can. It was very eventful. But before we start, obviously you were in Paris, Alan, visiting family and by chance there was a Newcastle game in town.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, it was a bit of a coincidence.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

So yeah, we got really, really well looked after from Paris St. Germain last evening. Me, myself, my son and my future son in law went to the game. It was brilliant. It really was. It was a great atmosphere. It was really weird because to go there and get a point and the draw was great. But also knowing that it wasn't enough. But I guess there's lots to take from Newcastle. I mean it was a really, really tough first 35 minutes or so because they put Newcastle under massive pressure. Mr. Penalty, which we'll talk about in a minute with a handball. Some really, I don't know, mind boggling decisions from a, from the referee which I couldn't understand. One of them being a langa getting going against Kravashkilia he goes off injured, but the ref gives the free kick to Newcastle. But then books a langa which I still, I couldn't work out. Newcastle should have had a penalty, I think in terms of the handball. But the second half, I thought Newcastle were absolutely outstanding. Eddie changed the system. Brought Dan Byrne back. I mean Dan Byrne, what, two months ago was out with a punctured lung and fractured ribs and. And he's back in his first game last night. Captain Newcastle at. PSG.

[Gary Lineker]

The Geordies are out.

[Alan Shearer]

Yes, absolutely. And then Newcastle were really unlucky. I mean they had two great chances. Last 10 minutes or so.

[Gary Lineker]

Enjoyed the videos you sent into the group chat. We're not trying to stick one or two on this episode. You enjoying yourself?

[Alan Shearer]

So all in all it was very positive for Newcastle, albeit they never made the top eight, which was the aim. But performance wise, much better away from home. Change the system looked comfortable. Changed personnel as well. Actually brought Jacob Ramsey in and Willock in, who I thought were really good. So yeah, it was a positive night despite not getting into the top bit for Newcastle.

[Gary Lineker]

And the little trip to Paris, how you've been. I presume you went to one or two museums. You're at the Louvre, no doubt checking out a drone. Plastic guys.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, drove past it on the way to a restaurant. In a bar.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

So Paris is. Paris is lovely, isn't it? It's beautiful.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. It's gorgeous city. It really is.

[Michael Richardson]

Are you a blogger now? Oh, I'm a blogger. We see Gary go to Morocco and do his thing. I think I called him a YouTuber. Now you're doing the same. What have we become?

[Alan Shearer]

What did you call it?

[Michael Richardson]

A blogger.

[Gary Lineker]

Is it not a vlogger.

[Michael Richardson]

With it?

[Alan Shearer]

Man, you. You youngsters don't know what's happening nowadays. Get the right words. Come on.

[Gary Lineker]

I didn't know either. It was only Harry on the side of me going, it's vlogger, not vlogger.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, because of the video involved. So you're a vlogger now.

[Gary Lineker]

You're a plonker instead of a blonker. I was CBS because I'm. I presume you did a goal show version because it's the only way to follow the last night of the Champions League. I did the same with tnt. I thought they did it really well and it was a bloody good watch. It was. I mean, gold flying in everywhere and every little twist and turn and ultimate. I mean, the moment of the night. The moment of the night had to be. Was Trubin's header. The goalkeeper for Benfica, that made them. Normally you go 32 to 4 2. Why does that matter? But the fact that it took the goal difference just higher than Marseille, I think, and it meant they went through 98th minute. It was the only game still playing. So they were firmly on that. And I mean, it was mental. What a moment.

[Michael Richardson]

It was unbelievable. How good is Mourinho, by the way? I just love him. I know he might not be what he was in terms of success and all that sort of thing, but his character. And then when he come out his interview, he said he put two players on to see the game out and then he realized that they needed another goal.

[Alan Shearer]

Another goal?

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, goal. But it's mad. He set the goalkeeper up and left other players back.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, sort of doing it. He was telling the keeper to get up, but he also wanted to guard it. I suppose he's. He doesn't know that all the other games are finished probably. So he's thinking, you know, you can't be too gung ho in case 32 is good enough. But he is. He's amazing personality and character, isn't he? Really is. It's great to see.

[Michael Richardson]

What about the goalkeeper? What about that? It was a run as well, the way he coasted in. And it's just proper header.

[Gary Lineker]

The only thing I was slightly disappointed with the headers, that it didn't go in the top corner because. Because can you imagine you're closing line, you've got a name like True Bin and you could change it to Top Bin.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, what a story. I mean, what an unbelievable story for them to beat them like they did and get the goals.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah. Under the way. This previously worked. Real Madrid who finished ninth and that was. They finished just outside of the automatic qualifying positions. And they would have played Benfica with 24th because it used to be 9th. 24th, 10th versus 23rd, etc. But they've changed it slightly. Where you get a couple of options. It still could happen. I mean, for example, Newcastle, I don't know whether, you know, or PSG will play Monaco or Carabag, which is, I would say a decent draw. Yeah. Monaco have not been great this season, but it's now either Bodo Glint or Benfica. Joe says Benfica against Real Madrid or Inter. So they'll get a. You know, they'll get a good draw. Probably they'll play into all Real Madrid. It'd be brilliant if they played Real Madrid. Obviously he was former manager there and to. To beat them last night. You'd never put anything past Jose.

[Alan Shearer]

I went into the, into the lounges last night after the game and that's all everyone was talking about. Have you seen the Benfica keeper scored a goal. He's scored the goal that's got them through for him to qualify. So it's an amazing story.

[Michael Richardson]

The only thing about this format, guys, is you don't actually get to watch the game, do you? So tactically you don't know what's going on. You just see goals going in, played well, he hasn't, you know, and obviously you can see, see the highlights and stuff, but you don't get a true.

[Gary Lineker]

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[Gary Lineker]

For more information about land referrals and energy powering the full festive fixture list, head to landfuse energy.com well chaps, I mean, what performance from the Premier League clubs? I mean, I know Newcastle missed out Alan, but only just and it could have gone their way. It could conceivably been six teams out of the eight that automatically qualify for the last 16, but it was five and well, that's pretty impressive. I would say that kind of performance will make sure that England continues to have five teams in the Champions League. I know there's six this year, but there were extraordinary circumstances.

[Alan Shearer]

Isn't it remarkable that for large parts of this season we've said how indifferent Man City have been, haven't played that well, how poor spurs have been, how up and down Chelsea have been, how poor Liverpool have been, yet they've all basically sailed through and that's in the top eight of the Champions League. I mean, to have five of the Eight is really is remarkable for the Premier League.

[Gary Lineker]

Did you see the quotes by Anthony Gordon in the press conference prior to the matches seeing about she was talking.

[Alan Shearer]

About the sit the block and what have you.

[Gary Lineker]

He said how it's much more physical now Premier League it's changed a little bit. It's gone. I mean come can I say here that we look like we've gone backwards in some ways in English football back to that up and atom thing where we didn't and then we started producing technical players. Now it seems to shift it back. It's all set pieces and throw ins and corners and all that sort of stuff. I mean Anthony Gordon I thought he put it quite well in the press conference. He talked about the differences between because obviously he's been doing really well in the Champions League as all the Premier League teams have and he was talking about you know it's more difficult against in the Premier League. It's much more active and actually the the stats back him up quite a bit. There are more duels in the Premier League. The more aerial jewels. 32.1% to 25% time spent in build up play is greater in the Champions League. Time spent in set piece phases. Well guess what Premier League clubs 2 minutes 44 compared with 149 throw in phase 1 minute 2322 so it is backed up transitions is more in is 92.3 in the Premier League and 110 in the Champions League high intensity distance it's 9090 meters opposed to 8777 meters in the in the Champions Leagues and the sprinting distance as well 2410 meters in the Premier League compared with almost 2300 in the Champions League. So the statistics back up exactly what Anthony says.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah and I I like because I when you're watching the Premier League now and people keep talking about wingers don't they and the lack of goals. So Saka's been mentioned, Martinelli has been mentioned. Gordon's been mentioned. Anyone in in any top club talking about wingers. I think the game has changed now guys in terms of how wingers can perform in games because of teams now tactically associate they know exactly what to do and because Saka and I've mentioned it before and say Martinelli having to go so deep the only goal or really time they can affect the game to some effect is on the transition. So if you look when teams go in that low block the 2v1 so what teams now are doing if you see watch it I'm Gonna do a piece on this on Match of the Day or wherever I'm on, especially the stuff we're gonna be doing in the World cup Now in a 2v1 down the side as quick as possible. So there's going to mid block. As soon as it go wide, everyone drops in. So what the wingers are having to do now is get the ball, come back out, and then just recycle the ball. I've been watching it. I'm thinking, why are wingers finding it so hard, the starting deep and then when they're on attack, they're getting doubled up. So what do you want them to do? And that's not me making excuse for wingers. But it is changed now. When I used to be. Back in my day, it used to be one versus one full.

[Gary Lineker]

You're already saying, mike, back in my day, you're only 28.

[Michael Richardson]

I'm getting older. It was individual battle. You win your individual battle versus winger. I might get the help on the odd occasion by James Milner when he was playing on the wing, because he was really fit and he loved that side of the game. But I used to get zero help from David Silva when he used to play on my side because he was all offensive. So I had to deal with that. Now they're getting extra help from the midfield in front, and I think that's why wingers are struggling to get as much goals as we've seen previously.

[Alan Shearer]

I think in terms of physicality, in terms of set pieces, all things. I'm not sure it's changed because I think part of what's great about the Premier League is the physicality, are the referees in terms of letting a little bit more go. And I do think that's part of what is being great about our league over the years, but exactly right in terms of what you're saying. But I think it's probably improved over the years. But that's nothing new for wingers to get back and help their fullback.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah. But I think more so than ever, when you look at Arsenal specifically, I would say this, or particularly this season, just watch soccer. Or if it's Trossard, watch their starting positions and when they lose a ball, how quickly they get back into shape, that's definitely something they've been told to do. And then when they get the ball, it's so hard, they're having to cover 50, 60 yards just to make an opportunity. A perfect example was the Man United game. Perfect example of. Of what I'm saying right now. I'm like well, how are they supposed to score? Arsenal on the ball. Recycle, recycle, recycle. Man United are in great positions. You're not going to break us down. You're gonna have to put a cross in to. No one will head it out again. Transition. We've got pace on the break and that's how they got done. It was just. Yeah, I think managers are just more tactically aware of what they need to do and the playing percentages. And Arsenal know very good at set pieces. They know they've got good defenders and that's what they're trying to do.

[Gary Lineker]

Do you think the physicality of of the English game now, particularly with. I think there has been a change in, in the set pieces. I mean it's not like it used. I mean the crowd in the goalkeeper, for example, things like that. Do you think that's one of the reasons why the English clubs have done so well in this, this group stage and does that make it more likely that an English team will win it? Because it's really difficult for them to cope with perhaps the set piece routines that the English teams use because we've seen they struggle in the Premier League as well because it has become more and more prolific.

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I mean that was definitely in terms of the long throws last night with Newcastle psg because up come the cavalry of Sven Botman. Malik Chow. Three centre offs come up for throws in and they look really dangerous on the long throws and they couldn't handle it. PSG in that second half. But yeah, I think that's one of the good things about our league is that the physicality and all of those things that go with it, the intensity, the pace and all of those things and that's what I think makes the Premier League stand out from any other league and why everyone looks all around the world and look at the Premier League and be jealous of it.

[Michael Richardson]

You've done loads of games on on Match of the Day. Gaz, what has it changed for you watching football is it still is exciting. Do you like this in football right now?

[Gary Lineker]

It's moved on a lot obviously because you can't just kick people as well, which is what it used to be like. And I think that's a really good change. I think English football, even though it's did change and has changed over the last decade or so towards a more technical sport. You know the people like Pep Guardiola came in, you remember when he first came in, they said you can't build up that never work in this league. And he proved everybody wrong. So I enjoyed the fact that we started to get more technical. I think we were helped by the quality of pitches as well, which improved things and we started to train youngsters to actually football skills rather than full size pictures where the big lad at the back kick it as far as he could because the only way could get down to the other end, which is very true. So I've enjoyed the fact that we've become more technically gifted and we're kind of promoting that side of the game more. I think it's now taken a slightly backward shift. I think it's a balance in there somewhere and if you can get that right, there's a lot of teams now do play very defensively and low blocks and stuff like that. So for me there's always a slight danger, as someone who's lived through many decades of watching football, that you go, it was better then. There's a nostalgia in the air. Football was better back then because you see stuff and you'll go, oh, that was. Those games. They used to have brilliant games then. But you forget the nine out of 10 games that were pretty much drossed back in the day. So I think it's, it's, it's always evolving. I think obviously nowadays every team has a player that can hurl it 60 meters or something with, with throwing. So it's going to drift back to that because they're actually hard to defend than, than corners unless you've got a delivery like Sakur and Rice because you can't be offside from a throw in, so you can't push your team out like you can with the free kicks. I should say that they're actually more difficult to defend than free kicks because you can't hold a high line. So the game's always evolving. I enjoy it whatever way it is. Sometimes you'll get terrible matches and, and lots of times you'll get football really good games. But I think the mix in the Champions League is really good because you're going to get teams that are super techn the Spanish sides, for example, that their football doesn't change that much. But in my day they were very much kicking and like whacking you up in the air and it was really physical. So that's evolved even over there since the days of Johan Cruyff came in and probably turned things around there and pep was one of his disciples. So, yeah, you know, people will always, always reminisce and think nostalgia and it used to be so good and now it's Not. There are a couple of things I would say about the football now that I do I don't like, and that is obviously one is Var. And people talk about the amount of time footballers waste. The biggest time wasters in football now are the referees. Every free kick, we have to wait 10 minutes while they mark the ball, mark the wall and go back until the referee is ready. You can't take a free kick. The introduction of Var, I think has been a by and large a disaster at the moment. I think it's. It's terrible experience of supporters in the ground where you can't see what's going on. It's bad enough on TV at home. I think that needs a complete rethink. So there are ups and downs in all things. They're going to apparently bring in this new offside law where your back foots would be on, you know, as long as part of your body is in an onside position. I think he's awesome. Vengas thing. My fear for that will make teams perform even more of a low block because they won't be able to play offside anymore. They really won't. And then you'll end up with teams just defending in their own box all the time. So it's always evolving, but, you know, you go with it and there's still great games and then not so great games.

[Michael Richardson]

The reason why I asked the question, because, you know, when you watch games and you analyze and you see what. That's why you have to give a lot of credit for. For Barcelona, for what they're doing. Okay. Their high line is frustrating for us to watch. It is so frustrating, especially for me as a defender. I'm looking at thinking it's making me cringe every time I watch it. They conceded a goal yesterday that the players are still running forward when they need to run back. But they. The way they entertain and play football, if they could move that line five yards back, just five yards, that's all. That's all I'm talking, five yards. Barcelona could be anyone on any day because the football that they play, the rotations, the movement, the pace, they've got absolutely everything. So I would always advocate for a team like Barcelona because it's entertaining and it's good football and a different way to. To play football, and that's what you want. I always use the phrase football's a winner, don't I? But I love watching Barcelona play. But like Gus says, it is constantly changing and teams are doing whatever they have to do to win games.

[Gary Lineker]

Totally Agree with you on the Barcelona front. I mean it's very rare that you get a bit of a dud or a boring game because they, they gung ho style. They go for it, they do it for a reason and to play that high. So when they win the ball, they're tie up the pitching. But I mean there's so much talent in there and in football that they play, I mean they go goal down in every game. Whereas most teams, you go, they're in trouble now, but you go, well, they'll probably win four one or something. Yeah, they have, they've got the forward.

[Alan Shearer]

Players to hurt you as well.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

So. But yeah, it's incredible. I watched them when they did play Chelsea, didn't they? And Chelsea just killed them with the, with their tactics and how they exploited that high line. But it is definite good to watch. It's entertaining for sure.

[Gary Lineker]

Who was the pick of the, the England teams, do you think? I suppose Arsenal so far in the Champions League because eight out of eight, eight out of eight, what they considered just three goals, was it all in all remarkable really. Yet with, you know, one or two people are starting to question them and say, well, because they got one bad result and they just saying, well they just set pieces and they're just crowding the goalkeeper. And lots of people complain and say that, you know, the game needs to look at this sort of thing, the treatment of goalkeepers. I've got no sympathy for goalkeepers because they've had it easy for years and years and years. You go near a goalkeeper and you breathe on a goalkeeper and they used to give a free kick.

[Michael Richardson]

But Arsenal, so what, the top of the, the Premier League?

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Michael Richardson]

And top won the, the league phase in the Champions League. If Arsenal were in the final right now, would you back them against any of the big European teams?

[Gary Lineker]

Yes, I would.

[Michael Richardson]

You would? For what reason?

[Gary Lineker]

For a reason. They're very difficult to score against. They're very well organized and they will hurt you with a set piece. And I don't see that many European teams at the moment probably being able to deal with their set pieces. And I think, I mean, people say, well, it's not great for, you know, to watch, but you know, it's mainly because teams play low against them. They could be more pleasing on the eye on occasions. But I mean, look where they are. They're clear in both competitions they're going really well.

[Alan Shearer]

And also, Mike, if that was the case, then the probability of the team they're coming up against isn't going to Sit back and try and nullify them and have everyone back like they do in the Premier League in this low block, because the team they're up against will fancy themselves to go against them, which then should free up the wingers, which we haven't really seen in the Premier League for the last.

[Gary Lineker]

So.

[Alan Shearer]

But I would back Arsenal in the final, definitely.

[Gary Lineker]

I think it depends also who they're playing, because if they played another English club, they have tended to struggle a little bit against the elite teams in the Premier League. Not terribly, but they've found it more difficult. So, you know, if it were, you know, Manchester United or Liverpool at their very best, you could say maybe be difficult. But if they were, you know, if they were up against Barcelona, you would think, oh, I think. I mean, they're not. They're not brilliant defensively. Barcelona particularly, I think, from set pieces as well as the. The high line. So it depends. But I know exactly where you're going at, because against the very best in the Premier League that they've not been as. As brilliant as against other opposition.

[Michael Richardson]

Well, could I just. One more to add to that.

[Gary Lineker]

Okay.

[Michael Richardson]

The lack of goals and you guys have been strikers. I mean. I mean, Champions League. I totally agree with what you said. I think they've got an amazing chance to win the Champions League. I really do. Because of the things that you've just said. That's why I asked you guys.

[Gary Lineker]

But the.

[Michael Richardson]

The lack of goals.

[Gary Lineker]

All the strikers scored last night.

[Michael Richardson]

Michael, talking about Premier League. Let's switch the competition. Yeah, to the Premier League. I think there was a stat that you think he mentioned on the last pod about the own goals was really high. I think the top scorers only got five or six goals. Does that worry you then going forward? Can you sustain that for the rest of the season and win the league?

[Alan Shearer]

Well, they've done it up to now, so the answer to that is yes. But that. That will prove. I think it will be very difficult. They're gonna have to start scoring more goals. There's no doubt. I mean, because Jocher has five. I mean, Saka hasn't scored for what, 12 or 13 games, as some of some of the others haven't either. That. That has to improve. There's no doubt about it. Those. Those guys have to start scoring in between now and the end of the season. They're two good players. Not to something. Something has to change with Saka. There's not. I mean, Saka is an amazing player, as we know that, but in terms of assists or goals, it hasn't worked for a while. That has to change. He's too good for that.

[Michael Richardson]

What is the mindset? You know you're going. You won the League at Blackburn. Al. I know we're going a little bit off topic, but the, the insight in Arsenal, where they are, the going for the League, going for the Champions League. As a. My mindset was just do the basics. Do the basics. Right. You must have went through a little spell, I don't know in that season. But you're the talisman of the team. You're going to get them over the line. And Saka, Yorez, Havertz coming back now, Jesus, Trossard, Martinelli, they're the guys who are going to do it. Yes. They always say defense wins your championships. I always get that. But the lack of goals to, to some people is concerning. What was going through your mind throughout the season? Did you feel though you had to be that guy to take him over the line?

[Alan Shearer]

Yeah, I mean, I felt. I felt that. I enjoyed that. I enjoyed everyone looking at me to try and score the goals and obviously everyone was trying to stop me, but I, I enjoyed that pressure there. But that's why I say that has to improve if they're going to go on and win the league. But they also. It's not just that. I mean, what they have to deal with, they've got to deal with the mental side of it and the noise because after every defeat or every game they don't win, the noise gets a little bit louder because of what's happened in previous years. And it'll get a damn sight louder if Man City keep putting the pressure on them, or even Aston Villa, you know, Aston Villa are there or thereabouts. So the more the teams win below and they don't, obviously because of what's happened, then that's what they have to deal with, as we have to have that as well at Blackburn because, albeit it wasn't for so long and we were newer to the party, if you like, but we had to deal as well and we, we very nearly tossed it away come the end of the season. So that's another thing. They have to deal with the mental side of it.

[Gary Lineker]

I would say, Micah, that yes, they can win the league playing as they currently are, but they'd have a hell of much better chance of winning the league if one of their strikers could start banging in on a regular basis. Now there's like both glimmer of hope in Gyokres has a couple of decent goals in his last couple of games. Jesus has come back and scored one or two goals and have Havertz now as well. So they've got more options than they've had in the first half of the season. Havertz has shown in the past that he does score. I don't think he's a natural nine by any means, but at the same time, he's also intelligent and his movement's pretty good in the box. So someone like that might come in and score the goal. So I think they'll have a much better chance if they can find someone to score on a consistent basis rather than relying on defenders and set pieces and stuff. So. But I mean, you couldn't have much better first half of the season. You couldn't have much better first half of a podcast. So we'll be back in a minute. This episode is brought to you by Octa. You hear a lot about AI agents now. They're everywhere, quietly running things, making decisions, speeding work up across organizations.

[Alan Shearer]

And that's all well and good until you stop and think who's actually in charge.

[Gary Lineker]

Because if you don't know who an agent is, what it's connected to, or what it's allowed to do, you can't really trust it to act in your interests.

[Alan Shearer]

It's like letting someone loose with the keys but not knowing what doors they can open or which ones they shouldn't.

[Gary Lineker]

That's the bit Octave focuses on. They secure the identity of AI agents themselves. So there's one clear layer of control and one consistent standard of trust across the whole system.

[Alan Shearer]

Which means every agent has a clear identity entity, clear permissions and a clear line of accountability.

[Gary Lineker]

Developers can move faster, IT and security teams stay in control and risk becomes something you actually manage not guess at. Secure every agent, Secure any agent. Okta secures AI. This question is brought to you by Fuse Energy, our presenting partners here at the Rest is Football. Each month fews give their customers the chance to send in a question for us to tackle on the show. And today's question is from Sarah. Thank you, Sarah. She asks, how did Senegal's decision to walk off the pitch impact Afcon and what could it mean for African football as a whole?

[Michael Richardson]

Good question. Well, you was there, Gas.

[Gary Lineker]

I. I was there. I've seen a lot of things in my football in lifetime, but I don't think I've ever seen anything quite as mad as that. 15, 20 minutes at the end of the final. I mean, first, the stadium was incredible. The atmosphere was amazing. The noise inside was, you know, the stadium was Gorgeous. And you're thinking, this is really good. The pitch was perfect because sometimes in the past, a lot of the. Actually I went to the game with one or two of. The canoe was in. In the car. We saw Adebayor and Makalele and chatting to them and they were all saying, it's really great African football's. You know, it's getting itself act together, the pitch is perfect. And then it all went a little bit pear shaped. It was mad what Var were doing again. I mean, I. I've been meaning to get this rant out bit there.

[Michael Richardson]

What.

[Gary Lineker]

Firstly, the referee made a mistake because Senegal scored, right? They scored what was a perfectly fair goal, but the referee blew his whistle before it went in the net. Seville couldn't intervene, unfortunately. Then at the other end, a very, very soft dish. I mean, you were watching it, weren't you? I know you were watching it.

[Michael Richardson]

Yes, I was watching it.

[Gary Lineker]

I mean it was. Was. I mean, the softest of decisions to turn. To turn over a game in the last kick, basically of. I mean, it was mental. Why do that? Unless you. Unless it was absolutely clear and obvious, which it was far from.

[Alan Shearer]

Must have been a great experience for, for you to. I know it was. It was slightly bonkers in terms of what you saw and everything else, but must have been a great experience for you.

[Gary Lineker]

It really was. And he looked after us very well. That 15, 20 minutes, that was like. You just go, what. What is happening? It was kicking off then because he gave the decision, half the players stormed down the tunnel with. And you're thinking, well, what they're going to do, you can't just. You can't just go off. You're going to forfeit it.

[Michael Richardson]

You might.

[Gary Lineker]

They might miss a penalty. And then the hero of the occasion was Sadio Mane. I mean, that fella is. He just gets everything always right, doesn't he? I mean, incredible player he's been throughout his career. You know, he looks after, you know, people in Senegal. He's built hospitals and all. He's an incredible human being. And then he's the man and you can see him. I could tell on the pitch, I'm thinking, thinking Mane's gonna. He doesn't want them to go. And he's gone down the tunnel. You can see he's. Get them back out on the pitch. We cannot do this. This is not right. Referees makes mistakes and he gets them on there. And I said to Harry, who was with me, I said, he's not going to score this penalty, you know, and probably it was for the best, that he missed the penalty, not for him. And there's a lot of conspiracy theories. Aren't they saying he missed it on purpose? Not a chance. Would you do that? If you want to miss it on purpose? But you say, right, we're going to act out sporting behavior, you kick it towards the corner flag because you make sure everybody knew why you did it. You wouldn't do it. That's absolute nonsense. No chance, they said, because the way Senegal players reacted. But the game's still in play, so you got to see it out. But in the end, Senegal won. I thought they're probably the best team in the tournament. Overall. I think they'll. A lot of the players will regret having run off the pitch at the end, but in the end it. That they saw it through.

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, I would say. I don't think it puts a stain on Afcon at all. I think it was just one moment. It's difficult because not. Not everyone watches Afcon and I've watched it recently. Some very good players and all the players are really passionate about going there. And then you don't want the tournament to be defined by that moment. And I don't think it was. We could all agree it was rare, strong, you shouldn't. You shouldn't be walking off the pitch. But it was justified to a certain degree with the refereeing decisions. So it's more about get the referees better than the standard that they have. Get var better. And then, you know, I think it's a good tournament.

[Gary Lineker]

Okay. If you want your question answered on the show and you fancy saving a bit on your energy bills, sign up to fuse [e-mail] just make sure you use the referral code. Football. Welcome back to the Rest Is Football with Alan Shearer, Michael Richardson. Meet Gary Lineker discussing. Well, a incredible night, Champions League football, and a brilliant night for English clubs. And let's talk about two of the teams that perhaps slightly surprisingly, given the circumstances of this season and. And things that have been going on at the top of their club. Spurs and Chelsea both made it through. Let's start with Chelsea because it's been a hell of a start for Liam Rosenhe, hasn't it? Yeah.

[Alan Shearer]

Other than the Carabao cup game against Arsenal, he's. He's won every game and obviously I didn't see them last night, but I've read the. I've read about what happened and going behind and then finding the way to come back.

[Gary Lineker]

Have you not seen Xiao Pedro's goals?

[Alan Shearer]

I haven't seen it yet, but it's meant to be a good. Good.

[Gary Lineker]

What? E. Well, two. First one was incredible. Second one was pretty damn good too.

[Alan Shearer]

Brilliant result, though. Great for him. Great for his belief and confidence and him settling down at Chelsea. Great. It's a great answer to anyone who didn't think it was perhaps the right appointment. But he's getting his right to reply, isn't he?

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, he is. He's getting a tune out of him. Spoke to Pedro after the game, actually.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah, he.

[Michael Richardson]

He's so cool. Not a lot of Brazilian. I don't want to disrespect any Brazilians here, but my Brazilian friend told me that not a lot of Brazilians speak English. So his English, I know he's been at Watford and Brighton and all that sort of thing, but his English was. Was very good. He talked about the. The new energy that Rossini's brought to him. Team look a lot more, I think, energized maybe was the word that I use. But for him to come from Strasbourg and then have instant impact after all the doubt at the start, it's just amazing for. For him and for the players. I think there's just that one question with Chelsea is what they're going to be satisfied with. Because I still see Man City ahead of them. Them, Liverpool on their. On their day are still ahead of them and obviously Arsenal and Villa too. So it's going to be intriguing how that goes. But it's a great start. They really are playing some good football. And when they went down, was their heads going to drop? They didn't drop the comeback. Two good goals. Yeah, they look really good, Chelsea at the moment.

[Gary Lineker]

And Cole Palmer returning to action. Nice little ball for one of them. And who would have thought Napoli would miss out? And obviously he was up against a former Chelsea boss as well, Antonio Conte. So that, I mean, that was a massive surprise that Napoli didn't even make the playoff stages. And for spurs as well, big win for Thomas. I mean, I know Frankfurt have been struggling, but to finish so high.

[Alan Shearer]

It's incredible, isn't it?

[Gary Lineker]

Bit like last season did really well in Europe. I know it was an easier competition last season and really struggling in the league.

[Alan Shearer]

The performances against Burnley, the performance against West Ham, and then you go into the Champions League and it's just like totally different. It is remarkable, isn't it, that. That they can actually do that. But amazing that they've had such a good run and deserve to finish where they have.

[Michael Richardson]

It's just strange though, isn't it. Seeing it because normally when you go to the Champions League you're thinking, oh this is the best of the best now. And spurs absolutely flying. But then can't do it in the league. It's just weird to see, you know. But I was, I was happy for column war Barney because he's a striker I watch he works so hard for the team. When he gets in front of goal he doesn't really have that composure but he deserves a goal for his performance.

[Gary Lineker]

That's not a great asset for a striker.

[Michael Richardson]

I know.

[Gary Lineker]

Yeah.

[Michael Richardson]

But I mean in terms of. He snatches at a lot of things guys, you know when he's in there and when he gets his chance, he might not get a chance for 30 minutes and he gets it. It's not quite the right connection. So I was happy for him to get his goal. And then Solanke as well. Well, got his goal after coming back. He's been out for a while. Hasn't he been back the last few games? So yeah, I'm happy for them. And I'm happy for Thomas Frank as well.

[Gary Lineker]

Well, he's finished above Lewis, Enrique, Hansi, Flick, Pep Guardiola, Simeone, Cont, Mourinho. I mean I know it's only the group stage but it's. It's not a bad list to. To finish above. I mean there are so many English teams or guaranteed to be in the the last 16. Two of those Manchester City and Liverpool.

[Michael Richardson]

Oh, sit here back.

[Gary Lineker]

Sit here back.

[Michael Richardson]

Calm down. Harland is scoring five. You see his little chip.

[Gary Lineker]

Great little finish. Lovely little finish. We like those finishes.

[Alan Shearer]

Was it comfortable Micah?

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, cuz we had. That's the games and all but I had my eye on this. It was just to the left of me. City look, look comfortable. Had a lot of chances. Shirky looked like he played really well. Haaland took his goal all way. The had a few more chances as well. But I think City now are going to start to climb. I think they're going in the right direction. Semeno signing was massive. Gay signing was. Was big as well. And I always said, and we've said on the pod many times, I think it's going to go all the way to the end of the season if City can stay within two to three points of Arsenal when it comes to that game in April, April. I think it's at the Etihad as well that it's going to be very entertaining towards the end of the season. And the reason why I say that City are not what they used to be the intensity is not. Not there. Not getting the ball back as quickly. But when you've got Harland and Shirky and Semenya Docu come off injured, you got Foden the squad. Although it's not being clicking as we expect it to, you still look at the names on the team sheet and think if they get it right on their day, it could be anyone.

[Alan Shearer]

So you think they'll win it, do you?

[Michael Richardson]

No, it depends what they do defensively. It depends when all the big hitters are back. So you have Gay back, you get Diaz back. Obviously Guardiol's a little bit longer than that. You get Stones back. Rodri, who will have more game time. Nico Gonzalez as well. Well, and with Semenyo and Harland, look, they're not at their brilliant best, but I still think they could trouble teams. I do. Yeah. Maybe not win it, but there or.

[Gary Lineker]

Thereabouts, it's always a tough competition to call a lot of big teams. And if Liverpool can get back to their best form, I mean, they're banged in six. They got a, dare I say, a carrier bag full of goals against Carol back, as you might expect. And a goal for Mo Salah, which will help him perhaps a bit like the same way as Harlan. Because you need your star men in the second half of the season. Because the season sort of starts now, doesn't it? In. In many. You know, Ferguson used to say didn't it's all about after Christmas, get the second half of the season. But the English teams are in really good shape, looking elsewhere as well. You got Barcelona, probably Bayern Munich, Real Madrid struggling this. They're very in and out. They were poor again, really poor last night. We saw quite a bit of that game. I think also looking ahead to. To the World Cup. I mean, Foden's sort of gone. He had a great spell and now he's out, maybe needs a bit of a rest. The fact that they might get a bit of rest, though, look at someone like Harry Kane. They have a little bit of a winter break in Germany and he comes back and he's came on a sub and banged another brilliant finish in last night. Marcus Rashford's not playing all the time, but he's contributing really well. When does. And all of a sudden England might have one or two players who are not completely knackered. That's my point. Come. Come the World cup in the summer, which is often the case, I think.

[Michael Richardson]

In terms of the Champions League, we can't get too excited. Do you remember psg Last season they.

[Alan Shearer]

Just started now, didn't they?

[Michael Richardson]

They. They just started now.

[Alan Shearer]

I was looking at them last night though, Mike, I was thinking, I said. Because maybe a week or two ago I said, I went for PSG because I thought, yeah, they kicked in at this time time last year when they played City, wasn't it? And then they played Liverpool in the round of 16 and knocked them out and from then on looked really, really impressive. I don't know, I'm not, I wasn't. And for them, yeah, I'm not, I wasn't that impressed with them last evening.

[Michael Richardson]

But back to Gary's point and what's he's talking about going to the World Cup. Yeah, don't forget the French League. They can, they can afford to take their players out the game games because I'm gonna win the league anyway. So that's where the rest comes in and that's what, you know, them extra games that PSG had to play last, it didn't matter to them, you know, and that, that could be the, the difference. But I agree with you. I don't think they're quite right yet, psg. But yeah, the table, you can't get too excited with the table. I think the biggest win is you don't play the extra two games.

[Gary Lineker]

That will help most English clubs definitely a little bit. A little bit.

[Alan Shearer]

And also is that, Is it the top, Is it the top two or the top all guaranteed? Yeah, top two is going forward that their second legs are all at home.

[Gary Lineker]

From now on, which, which gives you a slight, slight advantage, doesn't it? Again, goes to extra time. Obviously you get longer at home. Okay, before we wrap it, give me your winner.

[Alan Shearer]

Change my mind from a couple of weeks ago because I wasn't that impressed with psg. So I'm going to say Arsenal.

[Gary Lineker]

But you weren't very impressed with them last year when they played Arsenal, were you? In the early stages, ages.

[Alan Shearer]

True, very true, very true. Yeah, Arsenal.

[Michael Richardson]

Just for me, Micah, if Bayern turn up on their day, I'm, I'm telling you now that they can cause people problems.

[Gary Lineker]

Arsenal batted them though, didn't they?

[Michael Richardson]

Yeah, I just, I there, there's something about Harry Kane, Alise Diaz, they got that young Leonard Carl and they're going to win their league. So they might have. Have time to rest their play. Can I pick two or.

[Alan Shearer]

Oh, stop it. Stop being so stupid. Hurry up, I've got a flight to catch.

[Michael Richardson]

You know what, I'm going to say Arsenal too, Alan. Just because defensively could be the difference.

[Gary Lineker]

I think Arsenal take a lot of beating. But I can't go with both of you, so I'll go with Barcelona. Oh, yeah, yeah, yeah, Barcelona. I. I mean, yeah, it. They give a bit away.

[Alan Shearer]

No.1 Fancy Newcastle, then That's all for.

[Michael Richardson]

The rest is football.

[Gary Lineker]

Come on, Car. Mike, you can wrap it.

[Michael Richardson]

Next joke, Alan.

[Gary Lineker]

Go on. Oh, that's harsh. That's harsh.

[Michael Richardson]

I love the Jordies. It's only a joke, Charlie.

[Gary Lineker]

Great stuff. Well, goodbye from me.

[Michael Richardson]

Goodbye from me.

[Alan Shearer]

Goodbye from me. Have a great weekend.