"RONALDO IS PAST IT!" Simon Jordan & Sean Dyche SLAM Piers Morgan's GOAT & England 4-2 Win Reaction

The reasons why we haven't got an England manager with an England coach is because you guys haven't been good enough.Tuchel goes in there with an elite record.

What a load of nonsense, my lad.

Not having that, Sean.

The knives are out, he's over the hill.

You have to accept that your little mate now is at the end of his runway.Do you bring this sort of circular argument up, Sean?Because you are a bit of a bloody dinosaur.The old dinosaur died.Just asking, Sean.Asking for a friend.

Asking for a friend.I'm Sean Dyche, and welcome to World Cup Uncensored.

Wait a minute.What are you doing sitting in my chair?Well, I'm the boss, and I'm the real gaffer, not like you lot, you know, like, playing at it.I'm an actual gaffer.

We have a very, very good...Who are you, mate?Is that Piers?Oh, you're the Arsenal fan.Oh, yeah, yeah, I know you are.

You can tell I'm the Arsenal fan because I have that radiant glow of a champion.

Yeah, of course.Very good, Sean.Very good.I realise you've got nothing else to do, but you can't lick our gig, mate.

To explain to our viewers...I'm in as tanned as you, mate.Look, I'll take this colour like you.

No -one can be as tanned as Mr Jordan.Just to explain to viewers what the hell is happening here.So, John Terry, who's been with us the first two episodes and will be on many of the others, was at the England game last night and is in transit with FIFA so he's had to take a mandatory substitution and in his place we thought who can we get?who would be even more provocative and potentially annoying to a global audience, Sean Dyche immediately sprang to mind.And he's actually in my chair in my London studio.I've just got back from New Yorker at my home.

And Simon Jordan is in New York.So we have a cross -Atlantic gathering here with a really strange optic of looking like Sean Dyche is in charge.Simon, how do you feel about this?

I'm fine.I like Sean.It's nice to see him in charge again, because the last time I saw him was at a press conference where he thought he was in charge and he got fired the next minute.So it's nice to see him in a situation of control over his own mind.

Thanks for the reminder.Thanks for the reminder.Well, we've got a message.We've got a message.You know, lads, in a strange kind of way, believe it or not.

We've got a message from John Terry, who was in Dallas last night, because he was caught on camera.

I know.He's having it awful.I thought he was having a snog -a -thon with Arsene.I wonder what's going on there.It was with Arsene Wenger, and it was a very...

Legend Arsene.

Legend, to be fair.

Yeah, they were deep in conversation, and we actually got John, and he revealed an utter bombshell from that conversation, which he's never revealed before.Listen to this.

Piers, Simon, Sarah, can't be with you guys but hope the show goes well.Make sure you look after Daishi.I'm sure he's big enough to look after himself anyway.And also Piers, I'm sure you're wondering what myself and Arsene were talking about last night.An interesting story that we'll probably get into on one of the later episodes.Tony Adams and him pulled me into his office many, many years ago.

I've actually never spoken about this and they tried to sign me and convince me to leave Chelsea and go to Arsenal.I was in the squad, but didn't make the bench.So I was kind of around the tunnel and they pulled me into Wenger's office.But what an insight last night, sitting next to him.He loves the game and he just, he sees things, manages to see things, don't they?People are kind of born that way and he absolutely loves it.

So, really enjoyed the game.Obviously, it was a great victory for us and delighted with the three points.for England and now we sit top of the group as well.

game at Arsenal and Wenger and Tony Adams squirrel him away in the, I presume at Highbury, and they squirrel him into Wenger's office and try and sign him.I mean, what do you make of that?

The dark arts of signing players, as if that never goes on, Simon.Never goes on, does it?I mean, look, a legendary figure in Tony Adams as well.You know, why not?If you're going to rub off on a player, get someone like him to rub off on him.I also think he's a great footballer.

He was always brilliant with me before and after games.Apparently that wasn't his bag so much.Always spent time with me when I was at Burnley, so a lot of respect for him.But no, I mean, that's the way, you know, that's the way the business is sometimes.You know, you get a window, small window to just rub off on someone, say a couple of things, push them in the right direction, maybe for the future.But no, I'm sure he didn't come out and say it that time though, with good reason.

But it's so interesting.

I mean, I was quite shocked that that would happen.Particularly from Arsenal, who has this reputation of always being squeaky clean and above board.

No, of course, Arsenal would never operate in that way.They would always be above board.They're the Bank of England club, aren't they?To say this, though, ironically, I tried to sign John Terry a few years ago when I first bought Palace.And I think I got a slightly less polite response.Batesy was managing, I was owning Chelsea at the time.

John was just about breaking into the first team.And I said, oh, I like him.Can I sign him?So Ken Bates said, you can fuck off.He's going in the first team next week.So I think I got a less polite response than perhaps John was greeted to from Arsene Wenger.

But listen, John Terry, fabulous player, fabulous leader.He'd have him in any side.Absolutely.

Well, all I could think was, imagine if it had been John Terry and Tony Adams.I mean, that would have been one of the...

Well, Bolling was brilliant with them as well, weren't they?

Well, yeah, Bold and Keogh.Beauty and the Beast.

Yeah, Keogh as well, of course.

Yeah.

Beauty and the Beast.Oh, listen, any opportunity to replace Martin Keogh and I would take, mate.Don't worry about that.I'd have to work with him on a regular basis.I've seen you two in action.

I've seen you two in action.Don't worry about that.

Well, let's...Absolutely.Let's...Much as I'd like to say,whole 40 minutes talking about Arsenal.Let's talk about the England game.

I've got to say, we'll play another clip from John in a moment.He gave us two.The other one is his verdict on the game.I watched this game in New York yesterday.I thought we were, I mean first half I thought was not as bad as people have been trying to say it was.It was a pretty tense, quite competitive first half.

Four goals, 2 -2 at halftime.We were a little bit lax I thought at the back and we can come to that.The second half performance, from the moment Bellingham scored that brilliant goal, at speed, running at them, with a pack of marauding England players around him.That seemed to energise us, Sean, to really, I thought, put on one of the best halves of football I've seen from England in a long, long time.What did you think?

Well, I think the dynamic of it was right, wasn't it?I think the first half, I agree, I didn't think it was awful.I did just look a little bit off it.You know, they haven't played, well, a real game, if you like.In the Premier League, it's a different animal.You play friendlies.

You know what it's like, I tell you lads, people go on about pre -season, it's not that easy, it doesn't have that same edge to it.You know, this is a World Cup game, you expect a bit of nervousness as well, which I thought there was just a bit of disjointedness, but no lack of effort or commitment or anything, just not that fluidity you're expecting.A few wrong decisions, but that can happen.The goals are poor, I mean, they're a little bit worrying because I didn't think the back four unit looked as solid as what I was hoping it would look.But, that being said, I couldn't agree more after half -time.Manager says it's a bit, you want a reaction.

There certainly was a reaction.Police for Kane looks super sharp, buzzing off that.Bellingham looks really good.Definitely a starter for me, without a doubt.Two wide players were okay, I think.I mean, Gordon's a great example, lads.

You know yourself, Simon, from your days, that a lot's happened to him in a really short space of time.And I actually put him in my starting side.But when I look back on it, maybe that's where your staff come in as a manager.to give you an insight.We'd have spoken about the team, maybe a couple of your staff go, look, he's just had a big move, a lot's going on in his life, maybe leave him out of this one, give him a window, you know, to just you know, take a breath on it.

But you know what, Simon?I know you wanted to jump in there.I just thought when we unleashed the replacement bomb squad, it was a bit like when the South African rugby team bring on the bomb squad, right?I mean, when you saw Rashford, Rodgers, Saka coming on, it was like an elevation in quality right across the board.Oh, absolutely.And that was brilliant to see.

Of course it is. I mean, ultimately, Sean will tell you that the squad, you know, teams as good as it scored at certain times.But the catalyzing effect for Marcus Rashford, if you're Marcus Rashford and you're sitting here and you're watching Barcelona not pick up an option on you and sign Anthony Gordon to replace you, and then in the England set -up, Anthony Gordon is in starting line -up, if nothing is going to move your arse in gear, it's going to be that.You're going to be highly motivated.What I was interested in, Sean, was, as a manager, what is it about the starting message that Thomas put to the players that needed to be reinforced at half -time because the difference between the two teams in terms of England being at the races in the first half but a little bit off it and completely on it in the second half.Why did he need, Sean, to reinforce the message?Why didn't they get it first time round and start really strong?

Because they looked a little bit fragile in the first 10 minutes.

Right, the biggest challenge I've ever found in management, once you've got your points across, your pre -plan, they're obviously planned, you can imagine, everything goes into it.The last moment, When you're in the dressing room, your instinct tells you, productive feel or not, the energy of a side, is it right, is it wrong?The hardest thing is to point that out sometimes, go, hey, lads, need to be on it, don't feel right, but then, of course, you put doubt in their mind, or to blank it and just let it go.The first half is about then getting a feel of it, and I agree, it wasn't awful.Piers said it was just a bit off.So then, of course, you're looking at it going, right, OK, the hardest thing is to point that out.

downtime.If you hit that really hard and where you're expecting the energy is right in the dressing room, you can't affect it because you think it's right.They go out and you go, oh, it's a massive lull.Then the halftime comes.Then you get a chance to really go and act upon what you got feelings on your staff.And I think that's what he's done.

I think that's what he's done.I thought that what the players were saying about what Tuchel said at halftime, I thought was brilliant.They revealed a lot, actually, about Tuchel's halftime team talk.And he basically looked them all in the eye.He apparently was sitting when they came in, gave them a beat to calm down, because they just let a goal in, obviously, and they knew he'd be annoyed.But he actually said, look, guys, just effectively take the handbrake off.

Just go for it.I don't care if we lose this, right?Just unleash yourselves.go out there, have fun, attack them.And it was a real Churchillian rally cry, which they obviously all got very motivated by.

But he would have said that.And Piers, I mean, Piers, he would have said that from the outset.For my mind, the point I'm making with Sean is Sean saying he's reacting to the circumstances and letting himself fill into the game.It's an interesting dynamic that before the game, he had talked about the 16, 17 days.The preparation was right.They were ready to go.

They were in go mode.And so to reinforce it, Piers is a strange dynamic, but it is what it is.What I wanted to ask Sean, and there's going to be obviously a lot of comparisons between this and Southgate, and I think there's a marked departure in terms of substitutions, in terms of the way that the team plays.This is the kind of England performance, without getting carried away, and I sat in a bloody bar yesterday, Sean, where the Americans played It's Coming Home as soon as we won, and I wanted to hold my head in my hands, because it's the worst thing that we can do, right?But this is the kind of England that we want to see.But this kind of performance, is this a template for how they can win the World Cup, Sean?

Well, hang on a second.To qualify, I think we all thought, yeah, you're going to qualify.I think that's fair, right?I think cross the board.You look at the games we play.Croatia are not where they were eight years ago, in my opinion.

I don't want to throw a damn squib on this, but I don't think they're where they were.So, yes, super pleased with it.Very pleased with the second half.I think we all are.The energy, the commitment, the cause, the rally cry, the way the players responded to it.They're going to come across, I think, stronger performing teams than Croatia on the day, I think.

So that's going to be the biggest challenge going forwards, I think.Some of the points you make are absolutely valid.What I'm trying to say is, you know, to put your finger on the pulse is where management really lies.You know, we can all give a...Well, every manager used to drive me mad.Back in the day when I was at Burnley, you know, oh, but this new manager, they've got analysis.

Everyone's got analysis.Every manager in the World Cup has got analysis.They've got teams, especially, they've got everything.The true point of management is picking the right moment, saying the right things at the right time.And guess what?He could have easily sat there, Piers, as you said, well, allegedly, and been calm and said, take the brakes off, take the freedom, let's go this.

And we could have lost.And then they would have said, why didn't he have a go?And why didn't?And that's the challenge in management.That's the knife that you sit on every week.How do you feel, Sean?

How do you feel about having a German manager, about having a non -English manager?No foreign manager of a team in World Cup history has ever won the World Cup.There are two this year that could do it.Tuchel with England and Ancelotti at Brazil.But it's never happened before.It is a contentious issue.

I have said this to Simon, but Tuchel goes in my local cafe and I've got to know him quite well in recent months.

It's a posh cafe.

It's a quite expensive coffee.

I thought it would be.

It's a bit like me, reassuringly expensive.

I like myself.

But the thing about it, I found with him, he's very charming.He's very personable.He's incredibly hot on the detail.If you talk to him about any of the players, off he goes.but very calm.I just felt that this is a guy who's been there, done it.

He's won big trophies.He knows how to do it.He's managed big players.Does it matter?that he's German.And I'll segue with that, an issue which came up in our last Uncensored about the players singing the national anthem, which has been an ongoing kind of thing for many years.

Interestingly, a few of them didn't in the last warm -up game, but they all belted it out yesterday.I'm claiming entire credit for this because of the World Cup Uncensored campaign.But the one who didn't sing it, was Thomas Tuchel, and I'm going to come to Mr Jordan about this in a moment, because Mr Jordan thinks Tuchel, a German, should sing the national anthem.Tuchel has responded to these critiques by saying, if we get to the final, he will sing it, to which I say, why?Why would we compel a German to sing our anthem?

I'll go on to the football side of things.You can debate all the nonsense of it.For me, the way I look at it is this.As an English coach, been through the system, the whole system I've been through, and so have many others.The system was designed in theory, and you both know this, many years ago, to bring through coaches through the whole system, almost teach them and plan their way, their journey, not just into football, but the ones they chose, the chosen ones, to make it simpler, were the ones they'd sort of guide through.And on the back burner, you know, quietly behind the scenes, they'd be monitoring their progress to bring them through to the international scene, and therefore an international manager.

Of course I might say, well you told us all that 20 years ago and now you haven't done that.But the reality of management is, have you got someone who can win the World Cup?Because that's what we've all been thirsty for for many, many years.Obviously I was too young, 66, I was born in 71.But I've heard all the stories, we've all heard all the stories, we've all been close.Gareth, I personally am a fan of Gareth and what he tried to achieve with England.

I thought he left a brilliant benchmark on a group of players and an energy and a commitment.to it.For example, this is, I think, I think this is the oldest team, the oldest England team, since there's been from a long time ago, so for two shows picking players who are a bit more rounded, a bit more, you know, not looking for the next tournament, just an example.Going back to the idea of an English manager, yes, I would have preferred it.But not for any xenophobic reason, just because the system suggests, why are we not creating coaches?Why are we not?

Because I personally couldn't believe, allegedly, yet again, Eddie Howe wasn't interviewed.I can't believe that.You know, he's probably the shining light of English coach.Been through the season, he worked his way diligently from the worst scenarios at Bournemouth right the way through the ladder.Done a brilliant job overall.Bit of a tougher job this season, but overall a brilliant job at Newcastle.

C .V.'s clean about what he is and what he does and yet allegedly didn't get an interview.So that's an interesting one for me.

But Sean, what system are you talking about in terms of developing coaches?Well, the FA system.Sorry, Simon.I should have quantified it.No, I hear what you're talking about.I understand what you mean by the FA.

But what system do you think they have in France, Italy, and Germany that specifically targets developing coaches?You've got a Premier League that is a global league that's picking managers that are best in class.You've had opportunities to manage in a Premier League at two or three different clubs, or two clubs in Everton and Burnley.You look at it and say, what system are you talking about, besides on -the -job experience, that's developing coaches that should manage England?

No, it's a fair shout.So behind -the -scenes systems, so I'm talking about the coaching badges, the licences, you know, the development side of things, the management courses, the course of many different things, getting you out to... companies to learn off companies, you know, I certainly cross -referenced, I don't do as much now.

But they haven't got that, Sean, they haven't got that in Italy, France and Germany and the reasons why we haven't got an England manager with an England coach is because you guys haven't been good enough.

No, the idea was not to copy.And that's why the Premier League is made up of foreigners.No, I think there was a period, Simon, when we were copying others.I think the idea was to bring a new way of thinking and not copy, to bring a new system, to not copy.others.You know, unique ideas.

I always say the best coaches are the best thieves.The best systems are the best.The best companies are the best thieves.But what I'm saying is, there was a design there.I'm not saying it's right or wrong.What I'm saying is there was a design.

I think it's still there.Like a way of trying to get the next England manager to be the best.On this occasion, they've chosen someone else.Now, I'm not remotely, by the way.I must make this clear.It's important to me as a manager.

I'm not questioning Tushel.I mean, his record's there.You know, he's a top manager.He knows what he's doing.He's won things.So that's a different ball game.

But I would also say that the best England managers of my lifetime have been Alf Ramsey, Terry Venables, Gary Southgate and I would put Bobby Robson in the mix.

What kind of managers were they?Do you think they were doing tactics and corners?They were all English.They were motivators.They were managers.They were team builders.

They were like a squad builder style managers.The game's changed, lads.The game's not like that.These players are like their own mini companies.It's a different ball game now.So that's what I was saying earlier.

Tuchel giving this wonder speech that changed everything, that could easily be the other way, where I guarantee you players would go, well, we didn't know the tactics, didn't remind us of the tactics, they didn't tell us this, they didn't tell us that.So it could have easily gone against him if, as the story suggests, it was more like, come on lads, take the break off, play with freedom, do all the things we've been working on.It sounds magical when you win and you go out sharp.But if we wouldn't have, I guarantee you there'd be players going, well, they'd be ringing their heads going, we didn't know what we were doing.I agree with that.

It's easy to lord the manager when you've just won 14.Yeah, exactly.If you lose 3 -2, it's a different conversation.Simon, this issue of the anthem, it may not seem a lot, but a lot of fans do care about whether the players sing it or not.Why would you expect Thomas Tuchel, though, to sing it, a German national?

Well, my answer is a bit twofold.First of all, I think it's about establishing trust.and value and respecting the culture.I think we've got a lack of respect in our country across the pantheon of the way we interact with the systems that we applaud or don't applaud in terms of the values.Now, the reasons why I think...And the national anthem, to me, is a flawed concept, because I actually think The National Anthem is a poor one because if you look at the most of the National Anthems around the world, they're revering the country.

They're revering the values.They talk about revolution.Our National Anthem is, let's all herald the boss.So I think the National Anthem in and of itself isn't a great one.But my principle is that I've watched in rugby, and I love the character of rugby people sometimes more than I like football people because they've got more substance to them.And I look at Eddie Jones, and he was prepared to sing the National Anthem as an Australian managing the England team.

It was ridiculous.Well, you might do, but you're asking me, not you.

No, I'm saying for an Australian to sing our anthem is utterly ridiculous.

But that's your point of view, but they did.No, it's a fact.In the same way that Jürgen Klinsmann sang the national anthem for the US, I think when you're in Rome, you're a Roman mate.And so when you're managing the England team, you show respect for the environment and you pay a tuque towards it.

It ain't going to make us win the World Cup, let me tell you that.It ain't going to make us win the World Cup, just so it appears likely.

That's all I'm bothered about.All right, so would you sing, for example, Flower of Scotland, Simon?

If I was managing Scotland, yeah.It's a good one.It's a good one, Piers.It's a good one.You would, would you?If I was...

OK, but...

If I was...OK, that's a two -fold question, Piers.Would you?If someone asked me to manage Scot...If someone asked me to manage Scotland, my first answer would be, no, thank you.If my second answer was that I was silly enough to want to take that thankless task on, I would then embrace it in all of its finery.

And one of them would be...

You would be seen on camera belting out Flower of Scotland.Let's dispense with that.the national anthem?

I don't think he did, did he?

What do you care, Piers?You're not even bloody English.

Well, I've got no English DNA, but I was born in England, which makes me English.You mean I like it?I just have no English DNA.

I'll tell you what, I might as well be ball -boying, because once you two start, it's like the last World Cup.

I'll tell you what will get things really fired up here, I think.There were two narratives, really, in the last few days about arguably the two greatest to ever play the game.Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.Two very different performances.Two very different...You put yourself out there, Ronaldo.

You put yourself right out there.The two themes I want to explore with you guys.Immediately that Ronaldo has not a great game.Portugal don't play very well.The knives are out.He's over the hill.

He's finished.It's embarrassing.He should never play again.Blah, blah, blah, blah, blah.Messi, fantastic hat -trick.I thought the goals were brilliant.

He looked sensational.He's a lot younger than Ronaldo, it should be said.However, he shouldn't have been on the pitch, John.The guy committed almost a war crime.against one of their defenders.I mean, he went in, studs up, raked the guy's car.

I'm not quite sure if that's true.Didn't get a booking.Didn't get a booking.It wasn't even referred to VAR.You mean he made a good solid tackle in the old days.That's a redirect.

Well, hang on.

That's a redirect, Piers.Piers, that's a redirect.You wanted to have this reductive conversation on the first episode about who was the best player, right?Between Ronaldo and Messi, right?So we've had that conversation, and you want to replay it again.You have to accept that your little mate now is at the end of his runway.

Whether you like it or you don't like it, it's universally accepted now.Not because, well, OK.But that's irrelevant.And he has that little abs in you, as well.The point is, is that you haven't seen my abs, so don't slather my abs.

He has abs in world footballs.I know he does.

It's a bit concerning that you're spending your time looking at his apps, but go back to the central point, which is, you wanted to make an argument about Ronaldo and Messi, we've now seen the argument, whether you like it or you don't, Martinez, and I think Sean can jump in here, Martinez is being cowardly about playing him, he's not helping the side, he's slowing the team down, he's occupying positions that other players should be taking in terms of opportunities for the midfielders to break through, and Martinez has no reason to continue playing Ronaldo, because for whatever reason, we've now seen Ronaldo at 41 years of age, which by the way, remarkable to even be at this stage, so it doesn't diminish him, but we are now at a point where Ronaldo is a busted flush going forward.

Jump in, Sean.So far, so far, lads, as it's my show, you're about 30 all at the minute, you two, all right?You're about 30 all.Well, Sean, let me ask you two questions.Let's go well.

Sean, two questions for you.

Hang on, hang on.I'm going to answer.I'm going to answer.So the first thing is, Ronaldo, 41.Go on.His movement was very clever the other night.

He's drawing the defenders away.He's allowing space for him to...But, but...I don't think he's got that edge that he did have, because he's 41 and he's immaculate.He's an unbelievable player.He's a fantastic professional.

Everything.But the edge that you need, hang on a second.The edge that you need to be the best, I would suggest, is going to be difficult for him to find, not impossible to find.He needs the other players around him to rally, to work, to do all this.Allow him to do the cleverness that he's got.And by the way, if he does get a chance, he'll score.

He will get an equal score.

Exactly.And that was the argument the manager used, which is if he gets the chances, he'll score.But my argument was, having watched the Portugal game, I thought the one who had the really bad game was Bruno Fernandes, who many people have tried to convince me was the player of the season in the Premier League this season.I think Declan Rice was.It doesn't matter.But Fernandes supposedly is our Premier League wonder boy.

And I thought he barely had a good kick in the game.Now, Ronaldo, playing in the way that he does now as a number nine, rather than a flying winger, he needs the service from the team.He didn't get it.service.So I'm not sure why, like I said, he becomes the fall guy immediately.Whereas if Messi has a bit of an off game, that never happens.

And conversely, if Ronaldo had raked somebody's calf like Messi did, all hell would have broken loose, and he would have been sent off.So there is a double standard in the way that Messi and Ronaldo get treated, I think, by the wider public, the media, and so on.Do you agree?

Well, just quickly on the refereeing, by the way, I think so far from what I've seen, I've been quite happy with it, because they've been letting things go.People have been barging, they've been shoulder barging, they've been, you know, a bit of rough and tumble.Nothing mad, nothing crazy.I don't think that was a send -off, by the way, in my opinion.Back to Messi, back to Messi.They're playing against the side, by the way.

He should do what he does, because he is Lionel Messi, and he is a world -class genius -type style player.And so is Ronaldo.You know, I always picked Ronaldo against him, because...Ronaldo's done it in many different clubs, many different situations, many different clubs.But I do feel, having seen him the other night, apart from his cleverness and his understanding of the game and reading it and letting others...Don't forget the opposition are thinking he's still Ronaldo, by the way.

That's a big weapon to have someone in your team and the others are going, we've got to watch this guy.Even if he's having a quiet one, because any second he could pop up and do something.So he has still got that.What I'm suggesting at 41, it's bloody difficult when you're 31, let alone 41.And you've been playing where you're playing, and suddenly you're in a World Cup playing against elite people who are on it.So I think that's the difference.

Well, let me ask you a very pointed question.Obviously, we don't want to drown under the sheer weight of Piers' expertise on this subject.Of course.But are Portugal better with Ronaldo in the side or not?

That's the big question.I totally agree with that.That is the hardest decision.Forget about Martinez, whether he's strong or weak and all that.We'll get off the bloody fence and answer it then.I would have started him, yes.

I would have started him as a talisman.He puts doubt in the opposition.By the way...

charity, Sean.Did you see how many goals Ronaldo scored in qualifying for Portugal?

I certainly know what I'm dealing with.

He was banging in goals for Portugal, like Harry Kane, right?We'll see.We will see.The proof will be in the pudding.No, you're asking me to knock it on the fence.Oder started, yes.

Whilst slightly off game, where he got no service, is no way to...

Based upon what you've seen now, Sean, would you start him again?

Now we're going back into manager world.This is where your staff are important.This is where the appeal of the group are important.This is where eventually, by the way, it's your decision as a manager.That's one thing I'm really good at.I take all the opinion and it's my decision.

I make it clear.If I get the sword, I get the sword.But I always take responsibility as a manager.So now, it's go away time for them.And I think it's really tough, Simon.He's going to talk to his staff.

Now they're going on the talisman idea.Do we stick with the talisman or do we give him a rest?And then, of course, you've got to say you're resting him.You can't say you're dropping him.

100 % Ronaldo will start the next game for Portugal.And my guess is he will react, as he's always done, to this kind of abuse that gets hurled his way.He's probably texted to ask your advice, Piers, you know what I mean?It never gets hurled at Messi.It's not abuse, Piers.Stop being a fanny.

It's creative observations.He will score, and he'll ram it down everybody's throats.And Sean, for you, the Wednesday and Stoke question, right, Wednesday and Stoke on a dark, cold night, you can choose one of them, Messi or Ronaldo, to score a goal to save your life.Which one are you choosing?Ronaldo.

Thank you.I already said that.No, I already said it.But that's not to do with Ronaldo, Piers.That's because someone who's done it in so many different situations, so many different clubs, it makes no difference at all that.But Lionel Messi is a more magical player.

But if you're not a productive player when you need him, then I'd go for Ronaldo over the different reasons I've just said.Exactly.He's done it on multiple platforms.Exactly my point.But that doesn't mean he's necessarily better.They're both geniuses.

What I'm saying is,productivity is different.That's what I'm saying.Messi needs a team that play a certain way.I think Ronaldo could play in most teams.He can edit, he's big, he's strong.

Messi needs the ball, he is a genius but he needs players around him to give him the work for him.I think Ronaldo can do all the other parts and that's why he's played at so many different clubs that have been productive.That's the only reason.I'm talking about productivity.Both geniuses in my view for their different reasons.Both mercurial, both all the best words you could ever use.

Agreed.

I want to talk about Jude Bellingham for a moment, because he has come out saying he's had a bit of a chip on his shoulder, point to prove, not happy with the way he's been treated and so on.He scored a brilliant goal.I thought he was terrific in the game.I think he silenced the argument about whether he should start.He's a big game hunter, I think.What do you think, Simon?

I mean, I just thought that he stepped up when he had not even a point to prove, but some people thought he did.

I don't know what Sean thinks, but I was never doubting my mind.I think Jude Bellingham is a world -class player.He hasn't arrived at Real Madrid by mistake.Whether there's background noise, because there was a legacy Piers.Going back to the 2024 Euros, there was a lot of pissing and whining from the players about observations of the media, because they expected the media to be cheerleaders.And at the front of that queue was Jude, who wasn't happy with some of the representations.

You've heard a season where potentially there's challenges between him and Mbappé in the dressing room, and that might explain the reason why Mourinho's been brought back, and why Alonso couldn't manage that dressing room.This is a world -class player.So you put him in your starting lineup.Now, whatever his motivation is, whatever energy he wants to get out of it, whether he wants to play angry or he wants to be mindful of the fact that Morgan Rodgers might be on his shoulder, whatever that motivation is, if he's got it between his eyes, Jude Bellingham is a top draw footballer and should absolutely categorically be in that England side.And there was no surprise to me whatsoever that he put in the performance that he did.He was strong in the first half.

In the second half, he was electric.He was at the front of most things for the first 15 and 20 minutes, which brought everybody 5, 10, 15 yards further up the field.

Sean, you with me?Yeah, absolutely.I would have put him in my team without a shadow of a doubt.I mean, you guys are a bit...The hardest thing for people to manage is these guys are often young, still, you know, he's been through a lot as a very, very young player.He's only like 22.

It's hard to go to Real Madrid and suddenly you're getting all of that on top of you.Not just the money, the whole lifestyle, everything.He's 22, lads.I would have been an absolute whopper.I'm a whopper anyway, but imagine at 22 on 200 grand, 500 grand a week or whatever.I mean, you've got to handle that and all the noise and everyone telling you you're brilliant every day and every social media telling you you're brilliant, you're amazing all the time.

You are bound to get questioned, and you're bound to feel a bit odd about it.You're bound to have periods when you're not all flying on all cylinders, and excuses, because you haven't worked it out.He's 22.But would he be in my team?He was in my team.Has he delivered more?

Let's get to him.I don't want him to deliver more.

Offensively, I thought we looked great.And actually, I like the fact that you have competition on both the wings.You've got, you know, I think the midfield were terrific, Anderson and Rice, and I think that's all great.The problem, it seems to me, is at the back.And I thought that Tukul, the one decision he made, which I didn't agree with, was not starting Gehi.Would you have done that, Sean?

Would you have put Gehi up front?

I put Gehi in my team, because I've named the team.I'm hoping new social media appears.You know all about that.Flying as it is.No, I put him in my team because I like natural balance.Ideally, I like balance.

If you can have a lefty and a righty, I still...I know it sounds really old hat, but I am.If you can have a balance too, I think it's important.They give balance, you know.Stones are experienced.I know some people question that.

Cons are inexper...Well, relatively, you know, compared to stones.Gay, less experienced, but...physically, more balance, been playing the top side, you know, got used to that top kind of way about doing business.That would have been my two to start.Would you have taken Maguire?

Yes.

You see, Simon, I think that may be the one thing that Tuchel might be slightly regretting when I watch the way the back four played.I do question a little bit that decision about Maguire.

Do you know what, from a manager's point of view, just to give you an insight on how we, well, I think, he hasn't played that much football where everyone else has.He's been coming to the side when it's changed, the whole dynamic of Man United changed at the end of the season.So he's on blob, you know, he's back on, you know, he's blown up, his tyres are fully inflated.He's been there, seen it and done it relatively, he's not won it, but he's been there in the big games for England.He's mature enough, he's old enough, he gets it enough and he's still fit enough.And at the worst, he's going to rub off on them around him.

So that's the reason I would have took him.

I mean, Piers, my answer to that, My answer to that question is, I know that there's a perception that you and I are a pair of opinionated swines, specifically you, but I don't have a dog and bark.I look at Thomas Tuko and I think he is the antidote.I think he's the kryptonite to the paralysis that I think we had under Southgate to get past the games that we couldn't win on paper.So I'm sitting there going, I'm not gonna have a dog and bark.I'm gonna let this guy, I think he's an elite manager, until he proves me wrong, I'm going to back his decisions, I'm going to back his judgement, and I'm going to sit back and say, I can't make a case for him being an elite manager, and then spend the rest of my time telling him how he should be doing something differently, until I've got a reason to do it.Yes, there was some creaking.

Yes, I think the midfield, at times, didn't get close enough to the ball.The two goals were because we weren't close enough and didn't shut the ball down.But I think he'll fix those problems.Stuart Pearce talked to me earlier on today about how he looked.He was quite sanguine.And both Pearce and Sean are acolytes of Gareth Southgate.

I don't have that malaise, so I'll be a bit more to the point.I look at it and say we've got more things right under Tuchel in one game than I think that we got at times with Gareth Southgate.He put harmony in the camp.We missed opportunities.I think that the things that were wrong defensively, he will fix.And offensively, if we spend this time in your vicious half, it's one game.

The comparison I would make would be...

It's not one game, Sean.It's nine games.

Are you kidding me?If we didn't qualify for that, my mum could have qualified for that.You know what I mean?She'd get us through that.Come on.I agree.

I agree.You know, there's nothing to judge on yet.You're judging Gareth Southgate over a period of playing against some big teams, big games...I'm not.I'm not.

I'm judging, Sean.Don't be so bloody defensive.I would say that the comparison I would make is Arteta and Southgate action.I think we saw a little bit of that in the Champions League final.

Will you stop it getting Arsenal in every bloody conversation, Piers?

You know what, Piers, I've got to have you on this.I've noticed that the narrative that set -piece Arsenal are boring and terrible, and isn't it terrible to rely on set -pieces, And yet, last night, I seem to see a lot of people on social media embracing the great new world of...Oh!Okay, hang on, hang on.

I know we're going off -piste.

...by an Arsenal player.

I know we're going off -piste, lads, but why then, why won't our attention just come out and just say, I completely ripped up my philosophy, the beautiful game, and I won?Because that would be refreshing to football on every level.All the lower league managers who are struggling...I think the answer to that, Sean, is I think you'll see in the transfer window...And that's a positive comment I've just made.No, I get it.

I get it.You mean embrace it.I get it.I think the answer will come this transfer window, and I think you will see him moving to more of a Tuchel philosophy about this and letting the hand break off a bit more.Now he's won the league.I think Arteta was just desperate to get

that millstone off all our necks at Arsenal.

I think that's right, Piers.You know what you'll forget though is Wenger started with a 4 -4 -1 -1 solid as you like team.That's how he started winning.Then it took him years to mould it into what ended up.you know, before his departure, but, you know, it took years to do.But also, Sean, I mean, an amazing stat.

It's an amazing stat, right?Arsenal scored 71 goals this season in 38 games.How many do you think the Invincibles scored in the same number of games in 2004?

Not much, no, I don't think it'd be a lot more.

73.Oh, there you go, yeah.So you've got Omri, Bergkamp, Pérez, Lundberg and the rest of them.Yeah, yeah, yeah, my instinct tells me.And they actually only scored two more goals.

There's knowledge that no -one needed.

I'll tell you one of the best things of each year.40 -30.40 -30, Simon.Everyone plays with a striker up front now, whereas there used to be a lot of 4 -4 -2 formations.What's that all about?I was in Sweden the other day, and Isak and Jokeres look great together up front.

Is there an argument for Arsenal to go and get an Isak that we were in for him at one stage, apparently, to get a quick, lithe, fast striker and put him in with Jokeris and play two at the front.

Lads, you've all watched the game for long enough to survive.I was getting battered at Burnley for set pieces.Now they're all lording everyone.Tony Pugh is getting battered for set pieces.They're lording everyone.But get battered for 4 -4 -2.

You mark my words.4 -4 -2 will come back around.I'll bet you any money 4 -4 -2 in the next couple of years comes around.I like 4 -4 -2.The big centre forward.Guess what everyone last season they were clamouring for?

Big centre forward or certainly an out and out centre forward.Lads, it's just...I've said it's skinny jeans, flared jeans, skinny jeans, flared jeans, that's the way football works.Come on, you've all been, you've seen it for many years, you've been part of it for many years, both in your different ways and so have I.It will come round again.It's recycled.

Don't get me wrong, every time it comes round, like fashion, it changes a bit.So there will be changes to it.I'm not about the old -fashioned kicking back.the big centre forward.I'm talking about a big centre forward who can hold it, but they hold it up.They don't just nod it on.

They hold it up.They bring others into play.You buy my words.Over the next couple of seasons, 4 -4 he'll be back in.

Do you bring this sort of circular argument up, Sean?It's because you are a bit of a bloody dinosaur, and it will soon be your turn to go back round in the circles of Port Royal.Oh, I get that all the time.It's all right.

I get it all the time.It's like that.The old dinosaur diet.Ask him for a friend.I'll be honest with you, because that's what this show's about.I used to have loads of coaches ask to come and see me at Berlin.

When they come in, I guarantee, and every player went, Wow, I didn't know you did all this.And I went, I know, never did a session ever on 4v2, never did a session of kicking it forward.I just like to win and keep teams in the Premier League that weren't good enough.How old are you?He told you, he's born in 71, he's 55.35, you've not seen how good I look, 35.

You look good, but how old are you?55.

IQ.55 next week, actually.Simon, you must be more than 55, Simon, aren't you?

I am.I'm younger than you, Piers, though.That's all we need to worry about.

You're the oldest here, mate.How old are you?57, 57.Right, so you just called a guy a dinosaur who was two years younger than you.

Yeah, but he means a football dinosaur, doesn't he?Yeah, but dinosaur in his thinking, in his thinking, not in his age, you one -dimensional wally.

Do you know what the best surprise for people is?Do you know what the best surprise for people is?That I'm a dinosaur that I keep getting invited to talk about all these games at the top level.It's funny that, isn't it?I've just been to UEFA and done a talk for 200 Premier League, 200 pro -licensed coaches.Funny for a dinosaur at UEFA to say, show me where you come and talk to 200 coaches.

Funny that, isn't it?

I've had the pleasure of having dinner with both of you in the last calendar year.One, Sean, you and our mutual friend Amanda Holdens, and Simon, you and I had dinner.The thing that I think all three of us have in common is that we may be absolute whoppers and massively opinionated whoppers, but we are exactly the same.in the real world as we are on camera and I think that is that's a rarity in the world right where we're genuinely authentic even if people don't like it.

No, that's great.I think it's a valuable quality.I know you lads, I've spoken to you both on separate occasions, I totally agree, and I'm not blowing smoke at either of us, but I can't be arsed spinning things and lying to people and then trying to be clever.I'm not that clever, but it's one thing my mum always told me, if you tell the truth, You ain't gonna lie too much, because you've told the truth.So when you get pulled on it, you can just tell the truth again.I'm going to remember the lies.

Yeah, exactly.Exactly right.

But we all know, we see so many people in this industry, I think, I see a lot of people, who when you talk to them privately, they'll say one thing.I mean, I see them on camera a week later saying the complete opposite, because they're terrified of the reaction or they want to appease a certain crowd or whatever.

I think that's why I've always had a good relationship with my camps.Like, you know, there's not many players that slag me off.There's a few come out, but a couple of liars, by the way, I'm not going to go into that, complete liars.which I don't like, but there's not many because I'd treat them as we're treating each other now, I'd tell them the truth.And that's it, you know, just be true, show a bit of respect to people and tell them the truth.It's not the only word, the truth.

Tell them the truth.Talking about authentic...Talking about, yeah, I agree with you both.Talking about authenticity, Sean.Yeah.I mean, I had an opportunity to do a deal with Sheffield Wednesday and buy Sheffield Wednesday.

I looked at it and went, you know what?I did 10 or 11 years at Palace.I didn't enjoy it that much first time round.I'm not going to buy another football club and spend five or six years of my life trying to build another one back up again.How are you looking at the football world?Some of the conversations I've had with you about the modern day football and how they're islands.

Are you still in love with the game?Does it still bring out the same emotions in you that it once did?

It's a great question.No, it doesn't bring the same emotions up as it once did.I don't think the development that I enjoyed so much, that's why I got into it, to help others, because I felt that I could offer something back to them.That was my original plan.I still love the win.I do love the win.

That's it.me going all my life.When I was a young kid and all the way through my career, just winning, that's been the key for me. I still love that bit.It's getting harder.It's getting harder, lads.Dealing with players, dealing with their agents, it's getting harder and harder and harder.

The number of players I've dealt with now, They're not uncoachable, but they don't want to be.It's almost like they see everything as a criticism.The modern world sees everything as a criticism, and it's not.You know, just tell them the truth.And you know yourself.I'm not talking about brutal truth that I used to get from Brian Clough.

I'm not talking about that.I'm talking about analysis truth.I'm talking about sharing.I'm talking about, you know, going through the learning, visual, audio, kinesthetic, written discussion.I'm talking about coaching like that.Not just telling you, get it done, like I had.

you know, visual, audio, kinesthetic, written, and discussion.I used to go through them five things with every player as many times as I could on a loop.And if I wasn't, my staff were.And it's almost like, well, some want to know, but a lot just, they look at you as if, like, why are you telling me that?Because so -and -so told me, you know, I should be doing this, I should be doing that.Or people on social media told me I'm brilliant and all that.

So you're fighting against a different way of life.You know, maybe that's why I'm a dinosaur.It's not because I don't believe that life moves on.Of course, we all do.You know, we're all on social media.We're all doing the media.

We're all talking about these things.But it hasn't moved that far that pride, respect, team ethic, work ethic, and the truth, they should be still part of the honesty of a manager to a player.100%.

100%, Sean.I completely agree with you.I'm going to play the second clip from John Terry about his verdict on the game last night.

Listen, we can only be positive about the result yesterday.It was a really good performance, especially the second half.And listen, the first half wasn't great.But coming into these big World Cups, there's loads of pressure on the players.You could see that from both sides as well, a little bit cagey.But delighted for Harry getting on the score sheet, getting two goals.

We scored four goals.Dubelinum gets on the score sheet as well.I thought he was magnificent yesterday as well, as was David.Rice, as always.Defensively, we have to be a little bit disappointed with the goals that we conceded, but overall, that is the perfect performance and three points.So, I think we learned a couple of bits as well from the group.

Anthony Gordon showed blistering pace down the left and Madaweki showed bits of pace as well down the right, but I think both just lacked that little bit of quality in that final third for me.And you can see the difference when Saka comes on and Rashford comes on.Rashford obviously gets his goal, which is a great finish, but just that end product further up the field as well.So I like the fact that the four of them are different in terms of our wide players.I will say, because Harry Kane drops a little bit deeper as well, I'd love to see those, especially Gordon and Madawaki in the first half.They were staying really wide.

You have to make those out -to -in runs as well, because you've got two attacking full -backs in Rhys James and O 'Reilly that can progress up the pitch as well.And you either commit the full -backs to stay with you, or you become a one -player.one with a central defender because the other one's dropped in and tried to stay with Harry Kane.But overall, we can only be delighted with that result yesterday.

You know, Sean, the thing I took issue with what Jon said, I agree with most of it.I didn't agree with him necessarily about Madawaki.I mean, Madawaki did cut inside to win the penalty that Harry Kane took two attempts at, and we'll come to what Harry Kane said about that, which is quite interesting, whether we believe him.But I thought Madawaki actually looked pretty dangerous.

Yeah, I think he's...

I've seen the same arse with him.I like him.I think he gets...He's underrated, Madawaki.He's a jinxy, tricky, strong -running character.

Yeah, I think he's implied more of it, because, like I said, if Kane comes in, the idea is, if one of these sentinels definitely...Now, they shouldn't, by the way.does get dragged in, then that is a cue for your wide players, especially inverted wide players, to come inside and drive down the throat of the opposition.To do that, of course, you've got to see that movement.Now, whether they could see it quick enough, I agree, did on the penalty.whether they could see it quick enough.

But equally, you've got to stretch the pitch.You've got to play longer.And that's a bit of a contentious issue with England.You know, are they going to play longer passes?So that fits into what John's saying.I think the thing for me, the scariest thing for me, was on transition, the goal.

You know, Bellingham gives the ball away.He's looking for a foul.There's no foul.Anderson dives in.If you watch the back four, they're so slow in getting together.I mean, O 'Reilly's going to be a top player as he keeps learning.

He is a top player, but he's going to get better.But smell in danger for me, when you play the big guns, you've got to close ranks much quicker than what they did yesterday.That's the bit that when I thought, well, that's got to be out quicker.

Let me ask Simon about the penalty taking, right?We've seen a lot of penalties recently where top players, we saw a couple of Arsenal players do this in the Champions League final, Eze and Gabriel and a few others did it too.This kind of stuttering run up they do.And Harry Kane did it, which I was surprised about yesterday.And then he got a chance to retake it and then he banged it in like he normally does.His explanation was his study, which I know he does, the goalkeeper, And he had worked out that this goalkeeper often comes off his line very quickly, too soon.

And that's why he did it, because he thought if he could just throw him off a bit, he'd be off his line and he'd be able to score.I don't entirely buy into that.I mean, if you're Harry Kane and you can smack it in the top corner or left or right with impunity, why wouldn't you just do that each time?

Well, strangely, I thought Harry looked very nervous in taking that penalty.I don't think the second penalty was a brilliant penalty either.I mean, the explanation seemed to me that he was trying to draw the goalkeeper off the line because it was a backstop to if he missed the penalty, the goalkeeper would be penalised.That's perplexing.I don't really understand that.But, you know, from the point of view of taking the penalty, look, modern day footballers, or the footballers as we see today, all have their own vantage point.

We have analysts that are telling footballers to behave in a certain way, losing some of their own natural tendencies.but it's all style over substance in the end.The best penalties are the ones that you run up and ram in the back of the neck, back of the net.Going back to Madiweki, I tell you what Madiweki isn't, he isn't Saka.And what Madiweki gives, is Saka.It's not what Saka does.

And what I like Madiweki for, because I think he's a little bit of a speedboat without a brain, without being too harsh, although that is bloody harsh.I was going to say, he can't be harsh.And I ain't CB Harsh.I know, I know, it's a contradiction in terms.Would you like some other names for that comment, please?I know, I know, I know.

But they're both Arsenal, Pierson, shut up.So, I think 75 minutes into a game, Madiweki comes on, he's a problem.

I think Saka is such a clever player with the numbers and the way that he sees the game, the speed of his thinking and his end product is so much more advanced that when you get Saka... it's top fitness.

Can I just bring up a different point lads, but it does fit in.Did you see, I was really intrigued by this just going on to the bigger picture of this England tournament, well the beginning of it.Did you see there was a big thing about them going out there and doing a week's hard work, did you see that?I thought that was really interesting because you know in the past they've all said well what's the manager doing, they're all tired and yet this manager went no no no we're grafting.So I thought that was interesting.

I was told the training account was ferocious.

Yeah, but don't you think that's interesting?Because if that was...Yeah, again, I think if that was an English manager, that's where the lines you're asking me all about, English and foreign managers, or English -German manager and all that, that's where I think the lines get blurred, because I think that was an English manager.No, Peck...What's he doing?What's he doing?

Sean Peck...Sorry, sorry, it's less of a point.I was trying to fit it in with Saka, say.So Saka, what I'm saying is, with doing that work, did the manager look and think Saka's not quite there yet, which is why he didn't do it?I agree with Simon.He would be playing in my team, definitely.

And by the way, he would have known what happened at Arsenal, he's 100 % sure.

And that's nothing to do with Madiwaki, I think he's a good player, but I agree with Simon totally.But it's not.

It's not an English manager thing, Sean, so pack that victim complex in.It's a winning manager thing.Tuchel goes in there with an elite record.

He's won the Champions League, he's managed the biggest club.It's too easy to go to the victim stuff and all that.No, no, that's your narrative.That's your narrative.That's not right.I try and bring up a point, and because I look like this, and because of my past and I sound like this, everyone suddenly goes stuff like, oh, he's a victim and all that.

What a load of nonsense, by the way.It's a woke nonsense, that.It's a woke nonsense, Simon.Not having that, Sean.

Not having that.

It's a kind of phrase.It's a kind of phrase.

I've actually wanted Simon Stewart to be called woke nonsense for a very long time.

Someone allegedly said that.

I don't know who, but someone allegedly said that.

OK.

Chaps, let me just, on a bigger picture, we've seen some stunning performances, some cracking games, actually.I think it's been a really good World Cup so far.I thought the England game was right up there with one of the best games.But we've seen some great performances by individuals.Agreed.Harland looked really good the other night.

I thought Mbappe looked fantastic.Messi we've discussed and others.So big players are turning up here, aren't they?Simon, of all the teams so far, and it's early days and tournament football's a very complicated beast, but based on what you've seen so far, which team do you think, I mean, has your view changed about who may win this?

No, not really.I mean, I think the French are always going to be at the front of the queue for most opinions.It doesn't take a rocket scientist to work that out.I think the Spanish, well, look, OK, they didn't have Laminia Mallet.It's a poor performance against Capoverdi.If someone gets your favourite statistic, they're going to get millions of followers afterwards, which is what the goalkeepers got.

I look at England, and it's not me being some ridiculous linguist.

I mean, that goalkeeper got more followers in 24 hours than you've had in your lifetime.

I know, Piers.I know these metrics are very important.to you and your little world, not mine.Well, you know when you're a mean shoulder, don't you?I know, mate, I know.I know you get your validation from little things like that.

But I look at it and think, if England can get a little bit of luck, and if the Tuccal effect is what I think it is, I'm still in the camp that I think England can win this World Cup.And it's not me being ridiculous and disappearing up my arse and wanting to suggest that Southgate didn't do a good job.

Similar with you, we want England to win the World Cup and I want Tuchel to, not sure about this Tuchel effect, that's interesting, but I'd be interested to see what we can do, but I agree.He's a winner, he's a winner.Shaun, that's the Tuchel effect, he's a winner.I've watched all the early games, but I will say the France game particularly, I thought they were a bit off first half.I thought they were disjointed in the second half, looked really on it.You know, that was my opinion.

But yeah, so far, I think it's been a very good start.You know, in the last couple of times, it's been super cagey, haven't they?

Super cagey.Of the big teams, probably the most difficult opposition was Senegal.And if you look at all the big teams, whoever they've played, the most difficult opposition was Senegal, and France overcame it.Spain will look at it and go, well, that's a bad day.

Morocco looked terrific.They did.And I would also say some of the teams we would never have guessed would be as good as they were.I thought Congo were terrific.I mean, I did.I just thought they were great to watch.

I agree.I think the physicality of them teams have been super.It's been right there in front of you.I think that what we're talking about is the killer edge, aren't we?You know, the big teams have the killer edge.I know, forgetting about the debate...

The quality.Yeah, forgetting about the debate on Ronaldo, but you get my point.Ronaldo, Messi, Kane, Haaland, you know, and all that, you know.Kyore, I think, is a really top player, you know.I mean, they've got that little...I'm not sure them sides have got it.

You know what I mean?That will be the...No, no, I agree.I totally agree.

But what it does mean, it does mean a lot of the group...matches are a lot closer than people anticipate.

I thought France against them were very strong in the second half.What about what happened with Spain?I mean, everyone thought Spain would win 10 -0.Yeah, but there's always an anomaly, isn't there, in football?You know, it's one of them things, isn't it?You know, it's a...

It's a...What is it?I don't know.Not a billion to one, but...It's one of the odd things that happens in football.That's why we all talk about it so passionately, because, believe it or not, something like that happens and you go, well, I cannot believe what I've just seen.

And that's the marvel of football.

Saudi Arabia beating Argentina.

That was unbelievable.You're totally right, by the way.I want to shout that.We all went, you've got to be kidding me.

Who won the World Cup that year?

I know, I know.It's interesting you said about Morocco.Think where they've come from in the last 10, 15 years.Morocco looked fantastic.

Piers, taking it off the field, what have you made of the situation surrounding Thomas Partey?Because I had a massive row with a Guardian journalist, which I probably always would, because we're either logically poles apart.Because the noise, obviously the Partey allegation is a serious one.But the Ghanaians have decided to take him to the World Cup.The Canadians have said he can't come in because he didn't fill his form in.Ultimately, he's allowed into America.

So when Trump does something, like stop a referee coming in, there's absolute outrage.When party is not allowed to come into Canada, all of a sudden, it's background noise.What did you make of that?

It's complicated, because I think with all these things, I believe fundamentally in the principle of you're innocent until you're proven guilty.So the question then becomes, if you are facing incredibly serious charges, as he is, and multiple allegations of rape, does that go unnoticed?bar of acceptability while you're trying to prove your innocence that you should be allowed to continue in your workplace?And I would say, you know, take any workplace.If you're working at a law firm or you're working, you know, at a bank or whatever it may be, if you are facing...

But that ship has sailed.Well, it has to, I agree.I agree with you, Pierce, because if he was my club player, and he was accused of something as serious as this, I would be looking at it very carefully.And if it moved from that stage for being an allegation into a charge, and the CPS had taken a view on it, I would then say, for the benefit of the player, knowing the system as it is, knowing the way fans will react, knowing the adverse publicity to the club, I would take him out of the firing line and potentially have to honor his contract.We've seen it happen with Benjamin Mendy.We've seen it happen with Chet Evans.

And both of those suddenly got reversed.But my question is not that.The question is, Ghana made a decision to put him in their roster.And the Canadians decided, and I know there's a mitigation, which is he didn't fill his form in properly and apparently lied on his form, but they didn't let him in, yet party is going to play for Ghana whilst the tournament is in America and not when it's in Canada.So my point is, why is Trump catching so much shrapnel for a Somalian referee that has challenges, but the Canadians that are not allowing party to come in are not catching any backdrop?

I think it's a perfectly reasonable question, and they should be consistent.And they've all known that Partey was coming because he was named in the squad.And so the idea of this is all happening in real time, I think is very unfair to him.It's very unfair to Garner.It's very unfair to all of them.You know, it's an interesting line, isn't it?

I just remember When you run a big business, if you have employees who are facing very serious charges and are going to go to court over them, do you continue to allow them to operate in your workplace?And that is a wider question for society, which has to be answered.lot of very inconsistent attitudes towards it.And that is the problem, is that it just really, really depends on what day of the week it is and where you are in the world and what the occasion is and what the industry is you're in.

Agreed, agreed.

What do you think, just bring Sean back in, Sean, on the separate thing, this issue with Iran.You know, Iran not being allowed to be in the United States, so they're playing a game, then they have to leave immediately and so on.Clearly, and I've heard Simon say this on the show last week, Clearly, that is unfair on the Iranian players to have to do endless, immediate, more traveling.

Yeah, I'm pleased you put it back in the football world because I don't want to get involved in the politics.No, no, I'm asking you about the Iran war.No, you're right.Handling it must be extremely difficult, yeah.You know, because it's nothing to do with them as individuals, is it?I'm sure they want to, you know, support their country and all that sort of stuff.

But when they were there and the world cut, their manager's got to find a way of handling that, forming them as a team, still prepping them, still getting ready.Incredibly difficult.Incredibly.I can only imagine it, by the way.But it must be incredibly difficult.Yet again, you're relying on your staff.

You're relying on the feel of a group to just stand up and be counted, I suppose, really, and deal with it.You know, at the end of the day, they want to play football.Playing football in the World Cup.If you keep reminding them of that, I think you've just got to stick with that.

Have you seen the latest nonsense?I have got to pull this up, Piers.Infantino goes into the Iranians' dressing room to talk about resilience whilst giving a peace prize to the presidents of bombing the country.You can't write this stuff.And then you've got FIFA, a FIFA whistleblower, talking to a journalist saying, we think it's appalling.Well, you're the ones that signed a hosting agreement with the US.

Either they have obligations or they don't.And if you want to be a whistleblower, which is wonderful, how about FIFA?Stand up, have a set, have a pair, and say, this isn't right, rather than whistleblow through the back door.

Do you know what?To my utter astonishment, and we're going to have to leave this very compelling show, I have to say, on this point, I find myself in complete agreement with Simon Jordan, which is deeply, deeply uncomfortable.

You're learning, Piers.You're learning.

Deeply uncomfortable moment.Gentlemen, brilliant show.You're learning.Please come back again.Fantastic.No, brilliant.

I really enjoyed it.It's great to see you both.Well, albeit on camera.Simon, I much prefer being about 3 ,000 miles from you.It's beneficial to my well -being.Me too, mate.

Me too.

there's more room in the studio because you're so bloody chubby i've got more room on my own by the way by the way i hear i hear channel five viewers are going to be really lucky they've got our show going on there and they've got it from virtually nothing you lucky swines at channel five well you know what the uncensored machine has cranked up again and channel five my Piers Morgan Uncensored show.

They did a highlights package on Friday nights.It's gone very well for them.And they've actually swooped on World Cup Uncensored immediately.They love it.And they're also going to take up Royals Uncensored, which is one of our other channels we've started.So, yeah, it's very interesting to be having spent my life in mainstream media, in newspapers and television, sort of legacy networks.

Don't make it about you, Piers.

It's not about you, it's about me. I'm making the point, it does involve you, but I do think that when you get into this digital world now, it is the future.I look at my four kids, 32 down to 14, they don't watch TV, they don't do any mainstream media stuff, they watch YouTube.

They're telling me in my ear that I should be sitting in this chair.That's what they're saying, apparently.I don't know.

Don't get too comfortable, Dicey, because remember, you only lasted about a hundred.You've got a face for radio, Dicey.Oh, come on, nothing like that.The good news is...Hey, don't put yourself down.

That's what I'm here to do.Well, given your track record of forestries, you'll only be there a hundred.days.I'm not going to worry too much.Oh, you know what they say.

You know what they say, lads?You shouldn't drink on an empty head.

Gentlemen, thank you very much.Great episode.Really appreciate it.Brilliant, lads.