What have you made of Man United's summer transfer business so far, and where do they really need to strengthen next?

I think the signing of the center half Yoro, I think he's a very good player, and he's going to be one for the future but he’s already got an injury - two to three months he's going to be out, so that's disappointing but I think given time he will be a success. I think Zirkzee. He’s a very good player. He's one that's going to need a bit of time, but he's going to be fearless. When you're that age, you're fearless. You go to a big club and you want to express yourself. But I still think Manchester United need more signings.

You look at the center midfield. Fernandes in there, you look at Mainoo and you look at Mason Mount, he's going to be like a new signing. He's got to have the season of his career, to be honest, after that big money move. But I would still say another midfielder, a defensive midfielder who can get around the pitch. Casemiro isn't the answer.

You talk about a winger, Sancho might be leaving, so you'd say another winger, because, for me, Anthony is not ever going to be at the level that Manchester United need to really kick on. On the opposite side, Garnacho and Rashford are very talented players, but I would say a center midfielder and a left-footed right winger.

Do you think Man United appointed Van Nistelrooy with the idea that he could be a simple replacement for Ten Hag if Hag can't improve this season?

I said this about ten days ago and I got a lot of stick-off Manchester United fans saying that I'm being negative already, but I just don't see Van Nistelrooy being so early in his managerial career at PSV, he's had a season without being a manager. I don't see him coming to Manchester United to be a number two for the long term.

He saw the history of Manchester United with Solskjaer, with Carrick. He knows that after 10 - 15 games, Manchester United are in really poor form, it's an easy option then for the Manchester United hierarchy to say, okay, Ten Hag is gone and Van Nistelrooy, you come and take the team to the end of the season.

We know Manchester United are really focused on not rushing into bringing in a new manager. It just makes sense. So, I think it's a clever appointment from Manchester United. But if I was Ten Hag, I'd be looking over my shoulder.

If you were in the Old Trafford dugout, what would be your Manchester United starting 11 for their Premier League opener against Fulham?

I think with the players they've got available with injuries; you know I think Hojlund is out as well, I would look at; goalkeeper Onana. I would look at Dalot, Maguire, Martinez and Shaw. I think that's the best you've got available, if fit because we know there could still be injuries in the next eight, or nine days. I would go with a midfield of Manioo, Fernandes, and Mount. And I'd go for a front three of Garnacho, Rashford, and Sancho.

I'd have Rashford playing down the middle, Garnacho and Sancho off the wings, but even when I look at that team, that doesn't fill me with excitement. That doesn't scare Fulham. That's the problem with Manchester United. The season's starting and your team does not scare Fulham. Fulham will go to Old Trafford confident they can get a result.

West Ham have been linked with a move for striker Duran. How do you think he would fare at the London Stadium playing with Bowen and Kudus?

I think he'd do really well. I saw him do the hammer sign (the crossed arms) on his Instagram Live, where it might have got him in a bit of trouble, but I think if he did go to West Ham, he would suit them. I think he's fearless, he offers great pace and aggression.

Whenever he was on the pitch for Aston Villa, he always put in a very good performance. He's a player I'd love Aston Villa to keep, but I think West Ham needs someone like Duran. Yes, they've signed Fullkrug, but I think Duran offers a good backup to Fullkrug as well. I think he'd do really well and you've got pace on the wings with Bowen and Kudus. West Ham could be a force next season.

He goes Villa’s center-back Diego Carlos has emerged as a target for Fulham. How much dof an error do you think it would for Villa to sell him?

I think it'd be an error, but I think with financial fair play and how you have to sell before you buy, I'm sure Unai Emery is going to sell Diego Carlos and we'll have a replacement ready, because last season he did quite well, but at times he was at fault for goals, he was a bit slow with getting back after the high line.

You look at our center halves you’d say Konsa and Torres are our first choice if everyone is fit. So, I'm sure Diego Carlos, if Fulham paid the right amount, Villa would accept and use that money to have a replacement ready. So, he's a good defender, but if we're going to the Champions League now, would he be good enough?

Villa open their campaign against West Ham and Emery and Lopetegui obviously know each other quite well. How do you see the match panning out?

I think it's going to be a tough game. I said already, I think a draw. It's the start of a season and when you play home first in your first game of the season, it's a lovely day in August, the fans are all filled with enthusiasm and hope and the players always put in a very good performance at home. So, I think it's a very tough game for Aston Villa to have first. You've got new signings of Kilman, Summerville, and Fullkrug, who all want to shine on their home debut. So, really, really tough game and it wouldn't surprise me if it's a 1-1 draw.

Obviously West Ham has brought in a new manager. Do you think Villa should be wary of the new manager bounce at West Ham?

100%. You'd rather play West Ham after five, or six games, not their first game. Lopetegui's first game at the West Ham stadium, it's going to be really, really tough. They're going to have a new manager bounce. Everyone's going to be on a level playing field. They know they have to perform in his first game because he’ll make changes for the second game and they're all going to want to impress the manager. Like I said as well, three exciting new signings are going to want to get off to an exciting start as well.

And what football are they going to play? We're used to West Ham maybe sitting back under David Moyes and counterattack, Aston Villa might be shocked with the way West Ham line up and they're right on you from the start. So, definitely a tough game and I'm sure Unai Emery will be making preparations for this game knowing Lopetegui very well.

Are you glad that Jurgen Klopp turned down the England role? And do you think he should have retired?

No, I'm not glad he turned it down because I always say the next England manager for me, I couldn't care less if they're born in England or they're born on a different continent. It doesn't bother me. It's about who's going to bring our first trophy in 58 years. So, if Jurgen Klopp was available, I would love him.

My first choice would be Pep Guardiola, I just think he'd get so much out of these players but, if Klopp was available and wanted it, I think it would be silly for us to turn that choice down.

I think it was the right time to leave Liverpool. I really do. He'd won the Champions League, he'd won the Premier League, he'd won numerous trophies, but I can just tell he's the sort of guy that's going to retire in Mallorca like he's planning, but you get bored. Ask any manager who's in their late fifties, or early sixties, Steve Bruce still trying to manage, and Neil Warnock managed till his late sixties, and early seventies.

So, I just think that option hasn't gone. I really don't and if we could put a package together and try and persuade Jurgen Klopp to take the England job, why not? Do you know what I mean? You'll show a lot more enthusiasm on the sideline than Gareth Southgate did with these players. And I think you'd get more out of them.

If Klopp came out of retirement, where/who should he manage at club level?

I think he'd probably look at it Germanly, but I think it's difficult because what does his wife say about this? They've built a lovely house in Mallorca, the newspapers say.

She might say, no, no, no, no retirement, retirement. We're happy here in Mallorca, with the climate, but he might say, "Well one more job". Can I go back to Borussia Dortmund? Can I go to another German team? Can I go to the German national team if they struggle during World Cup qualifying? You never know. If that job's on the table, then I'm sure he wouldn't turn down his country. We're talking about this because he has come out. He recently said that it's not definite retirement. So sometimes you can leave a big club you've been at for seven, eight years in Liverpool and you think that's it. I don't want to manage anyone else, but football can be life. Football is a lot of people's life across the world. You can retire after a year and think, all right, I'm bored of riding bicycles around Mallorca. I'm bored of the hot climate. I want to go back into management.

Yeah, we'll see if Mrs. Klopp's actually the real manager in that situation.

Exactly. Yeah, see who wears the trousers.

Gary Neville recently came out and said that you skinned him during a game. Did you enjoy playing against Gary?

Yeah, I think I've got to be fair. I've said it before a bit tongue-in-cheek because he was at the latter stages of his career. I didn't play against the prime Gary Neville, so I have to be fair in that. When I played against him, he was probably mid-thirties, I can imagine. Early thirties, mid-thirties, and he was that sort of defender that I would have loved to play against every week because he wasn't quick, he wasn't strong.

It was quite easy playing against him because I had him for strength. I could hold the ball up turn and just knock it past him. No skill was needed. The pace was obviously me being in my early twenties. Yeah, it was quite easy, but I could imagine any defender that's similar to Gary Neville's attributes in their mid-thirties, I would have skinned.

Do you know what I mean? I have to be fair on that. His age was a factor but obviously, he had a fantastic career.

Do you think you'd get into Aston Villa's current team in your prime? And how does their team now compare to the team you played in from 2009 to 2011?

Oh, I think it's a better team. I really do. I think they proved that by getting the Champions League, which we struggled to get. We got three top six finishes, but I think I would make the team.

Because it's a front three, I think part of that front three, I would make.

I think Watkins down the middle, I think the second half of my career I played left wing. I can imagine myself on the left, Watkins down the middle and Bailey on the right. I think Aston Villa has very good options on the left; Jacob Ramsey, Rodgers, but I would say, when I was at my best, I would have played before them. I think I would have started on the left in this team. And the team I played with; I still think Gareth Barry gets in. I still think Petrov gets in. There must be a space found for Ashley Young as well. So, I think there'll be more players in this team than there would be in my team if that makes sense. If I did a best 11. But still, my team was a very good team to play in. You forget about Milner. The career James Milner had. Stuart Downing. I mean, there are some really good players but this Villa team now, as a team last season, was the best team I've seen in the last 20, 30 years.

There are report that Ben White is considering a return back to England following Southgate's departure. Do you think White should be welcomed back into the international setup?

I do, yes. Is Kyle Walker going to do another tournament? He's getting on now into his mid-thirties so that could be someone who looks to retire from international duty.

Yes, we’ve got great right backs in Trent, in Reece James, but Reece James has injury problems. Trent isn't the greatest at defending. I think Ben White offers everything as an all-around right back.

So, who are we to say no, no, no, no, no you didn't play for England and you didn't want to go to the Euros, and you're done forever, no? And I feel that it's not our decision. It's the new manager's decision. A new manager could come in and say, I couldn't care less what happened under Southgate. I'm going to pick my squad of players. Ben White, are you available?

Yes, I am Gaffer.

Okay, you’re in the squad.

Let the media have a meltdown. Do you know what I mean? The new manager won't care about that. Ben White, you can tell with the attitude he's got. He doesn't care that not wanting to play for his country has upset people.

Now, there's talk that he fell out with Steve Holland. Now that Steve Holland won't be part of the coaching staff, he might say, alright, I want to come back. Now that's life and that's football. That happens in a lot of club teams. So, I would welcome him back with open arms because I think he's a very good right back.

Do you think anyone can stop Man City this season? And if so, who and how?

Well, I think if you look at last season, Manchester City winning the league, Liverpool finished nine points behind Manchester City which isn't a lot of points. It's three games, three defeats for Man City, Liverpool matched them.

Liverpool have a new manager.

I really do think that Jurgen Klopp saying that he was going to leave so early affected the players in a negative way and they didn't perform in the last three months as you'd expect them to. So, I think Liverpool can challenge them if everyone's fit. Arsenal finished two points behind Manchester City, that's nothing. The season before was five points. So, if you look at it, five points to two points, what's next? It's to go and win the league. They've brought in the perfect center back, left back in Calafiori. I think he's going to be the difference because there were so many games last season where you're like, Zinchenko, no, you're looking at Tomiyasu, you're like, no. They've got now a strong left back who can play with the ball, he can also cover a center half. You've got Timber available, who's like a new signing.

So basically, they've got two new defenders added to that team, who I think they conceded maybe 19 Premier League goals, if I'm not mistaken. They didn't concede a lot of Premier League goals. So, I think Arsenal is the team that I would say, it's neck and neck, I couldn't call it.

What impact will Villa have on the Champions League?

Well, if it can be a bit complicated, the Champions League, the new format, but from doing a bit of research, I think it's 36 teams and I think it's 16 to 24 play in a playoff. So, I think the top 16 go straight through. 16 to 24 play in a playoff and 24 to 36 go home.

So, I think the plan in Unai Emery’s mind will be, can we get into that 16 to 24 and play in the playoff and try and get through that way? Because if you look at the 36 teams that are going to be in it, obviously some are still qualifying. There are games where you're going to get results. If you look at the draw as well, you're going to play four at home, four away, so eight different teams.

If you get the right draw, you're going to probably have four games that are very winnable. One game that's 50- 50, 3 games that are really tough. And I just think the experience Emery has in Europe is going to work for Aston Villa. So, I really do think Aston Villa will have some big results against some big teams and they will finish between 16 and 24 in that league.

What are your just general expectations for Villa in the Premier League season?

I think top seven. I really do. There's nothing in my thinking that we can’t do what we did last season. I mean, the records show we had consistent home wins last season. Last season was outstanding with the injury record we had as well.

I just think playing in the Champions League on a Tuesday and Wednesday night. A different level, higher level to what some of these players are used to is going to take so much out of these players. And then to go again on a Saturday.

Every Premier League game is tough. I think it's going to be a really tough ask to be able to get into the top four again. I think winning a domestic trophy, getting into the playoffs of the Champions League, and finishing top seven will be an outstanding season for Aston Villa.

Who would be your number one choice for the next England manager?

My number one choice would be Pep Guardiola. I said this a couple of weeks ago. What I would do is have an interim manager in Lee Carsley. I would let him take the team for the next year, then when Pep Guardiola leaves Manchester City, if he does in a year's time, I would bring Pep in and I would have Lee Carsley as part of his coaching staff.

That's the route I would take. I wouldn't rush into it now and give it to just anybody. I think Lee Carley is a safe bet. Let him take this team into the qualifiers and then we'll bring in the big boss Pep Guardiola.

I say Pep because he knows half of these players he's worked with. We talk about Cole Palmer who's left, Foden, Walker, Stones, Grealish. I'm probably missing more. You’ve got so many players that Pep's going to have known.

Imagine Pep playing Trent as a right-back coming into midfield.

I think he’d get so much out of that group of players. And I think from speaking to people that know him, he does want to manage a national team.

So, all the people that say they think they know Pep and he can't manage a national team because he can't have them all the time. They don't know him because he's done everything at club level. Bayern Munich, Barcelona, Manchester City, he's too young to retire, what better than finishing by winning a trophy with a national team? Add that to his CV. He’d probably go down as the best manager ever if he wins a trophy with say Brazil or England.

We would play football like Spain played against us in the final if we had Pep. We'd have teams penned in. I just think it's the best option. We talk about finances. I think Pep gets 12, 30 million pounds a year. I think the FA paid Gareth Southgate 5 million. Maybe as a country, we'd have to all chip in and set up a GoFundMe account to get the extra 7, 8 million but I just think, why not?

We say we invented football, we're the favorites for most tournaments. Lets go and get the best manager available.

Predictions on the top scorer in the Premier League this season?

If only Olly Watkins took penalties, I'd say Olly Watkins. But I've got to go Haaland again. As long as Pep's at Manchester City, I just think he’s going to dominate with the way he plays football.

Watkins can't just stay in the width of the goalposts. He has to do unselfish runs, but I'm going to go with Haaland to be the top goal scorer again.

Who do you think has been the best summer signing so far?

I think there's been a few good signings. I like Villa's business with Onana Maatsen. I think Newcastle, if Guehi can go through, would be one of them, but that hasn't gone through yet. But I'm going to have to go with Calafiori. Watching him in the Euros, and the problems Arsenal have had at left back, you look at Manchester City with Gvardiol. Look how good he did in the second half of the season. Arsenal now is going to have, similar to Manchester City, four center-backs on the pitch, with Ben White, Gabriel Saliba, and Calafiori. So, I think I'm going to go, with him because White is going to add to that Arsenal defense and he's very good on the ball and going forward.

Obviously there are still speculations on Pep leaving Man City at the end of the season. Who is your money on for the city job once Pep leaves?

That is a tough one. Wow. Maresca is at Chelsea already. Arteta at Arsenal. This is a tough one because I can imagine the city hierarchy is going to be wanting somebody who plays exactly like Pep. It's not going to be like a Conte or like a defensive-style manager. It's going to be someone who wants to play. It wouldn't surprise me if Maresca does very well at Chelsea and they go and get Maresca from Chelsea.

Obviously, Chelsea are a big, big club as well. So, would you leave a big club like Chelsea to go to Manchester City? But it depends on how much you can get out of these Chelsea players and how far you can take them. So, I would say Maresca and, maybe it's a manager that we haven't seen yet. Maybe it's a manager out there that's doing his business at another team and comes out of nowhere this season and you're like, Oh, they're looking at him. I think that's a really tough one because how can you replace Pep? It's some job.

If you had any predictions on the first manager to get sacked in the upcoming season, who would it be?

Because the England job is still around, the manager that I think could leave but not sacked would be Eddie Howe. Maybe when the season starts and the England manager has still not been named, but if we're talking about being sacked, I'm going to say Ten Hag.

I look at the three teams that will come up and I think their managers will get time because it's going to be so tough for them unless they're losing 10 in every game. I think Leicester, Ipswich, and Southampton managers will get time. I'm going to go with Ten Hag. I just don't look at this Manchester United team any better than last season. Especially with Yoro injured. Especially with Hojlund out for a period of time as well. How will Zirkzee start? There's a lot of pressure. And teams now look forward to going to Old Trafford. It's like a day out to go and get a result. I really think that Ten Hag is the one that I'd say would be sacked first.

Arsenal seem to have had quite a busy transfer market so far. Do you think they've done enough to get them into a position where they are comfortably competing in Europe?

Yes, I really do. Could they do some more business? I really think they could. Smith Rowe leaving now for 27 to 35 million. Can they use that money to try and bring another winger because Saka, touchwood, hasn’t had any injury problems. He plays a lot of football. If he were to get injured, Reiss Nelson is not good enough on that right-hand side as backup. So, I think they've got enough in them, a lot of their players have got another year of experience in the Champions League. So that's going to do them better as well but for them to go and win the Champions League, I still think they're missing that top, top number nine.

Gabriel Jesus and Nketiah are not good enough. Havertz did well last season, but will teams start working him out? Will it be harder for him this season? So, I don't think they've got enough to win the Champions League, I don't.

Do you put Man City among the favorites for next season's Champions League?

100%. The reason why I do is because last season, I don't know how they didn't get past Real Madrid. It was like an act of God that stopped them from getting through that game. The possession they had, Real Madrid couldn't get out, and then somehow, they lost that game. Incredible. So, I think they would have gone on to win it last season.

So, knowing Jack (Grealish), and speaking to him, and how hungry these players are to keep winning trophies and to keep going again. They will want revenge this season in the Champions League. One Champions League is not big enough. They want two. Do you know the Premier League? They want another one, five in a row. I think the way they play, hungry, new players coming in as well, I really think Manchester City will be the favorites as long as Pep's there, to be honest.

Obviously Chelsea is undergoing a huge squad overhaul at the minute. Where do you think Chelsea needs to prioritize to get them back into a top-six position?

I actually think the squad they've got now; they will finish top six. I really do. Nkunku coming back is like a new signing. He's a very good player. I think a lot of people won't know a lot about Nkunku, but he's a great finisher and has great movement. So, I think he will do well. Nkunku will come back as a new sign and score goals. Nicolas Jackson will keep improving every game. That's what he does. Yes, he missed his chances, but if you look at his goal record last season it was very good.

But the problem I've got with Chelsea is I don't think Mudryk is going to improve. It's like teaching somebody who can't be taught. He makes the same mistakes, he runs the ball out of play, he shoots at the wrong time, he crosses at the wrong time, I think he's one of them players that maybe needs to leave and go down a level. Sterling will come back with avengeance after missing out on the Euros. I think he will perform this season. Madueke, I do like on that right-hand side, but if I'm saying I need one player, I would say another winger. They need a really, really experienced winger in their mid-twenties who's going to come in and take the game to other teams. Because Cole Palmer, yes, he can play on the right, but you want Cole Palmer in the center, you want a top winger on either side of him. I think Chelsea will be fine this season, and now they've sold Conor Gallagher, maybe they can use that money to go and bring in another winger, but I think 10 days ago as well, I named two 11s for Chelsea, and they were so good.

Center halves you've got Tosin, Fofana, Badiashile, Colwill, you've got some top center halves there. I just think they've got to get used to the football that Maresca is asking them to play. And once they do, I really think Chelsea will be a tough team for anyone to play.

Yeah, I mean anything's better than the last couple of seasons for them, isn't it?

Yeah, 100 percent and I think the pressure is on as well because Chelsea fans won't accept missing out on Champions League football. So, I think the top four is a minimum, not even the top six.

In the Euros, we saw how players who are showing dissent are now being instantly yellow carded and then there's the rule where the team captains can only speak to referees. Do you think these rules will be effective in the Premier League? And are there any teams you think will struggle more with dissent than others?

I think it's natural as a footballer. I've been there. Sometimes you lose your head especially if the referee is in the wrong. You can't help yourself; you take a yellow, you don't care. But sometimes when the referees are in the right and you see it, the player that stands out for me and I think will struggle with that is Bruno Fernandes. I think even as captain, I think he'll be getting booked left, right, and center. He can't help himself. He kicks the ball away; he throws his hands up. I like it. But what I want to see is consistency.

Say Bruno Fernandes does it and he gets booked, and then does it again, don't think, Oh, I've got to send him off, I can't give a yellow, throw another yellow at him and send him off. It will make these players learn. That's what they've got to do. Consistency, if it's two yellows for descent, throw the yellows at them and send them off because it will stop other players. And there's nothing more frustrating as a footballer than knowing you can't go and have a go at the ref.

Because you've got so much anger to let out when you're losing and you're not getting a decision, or it's a petty foul the referees gives. So, if I'm the referee, use your cards as much as you can.

Bruno Fernandes stated that a reason for him to potentially leave United would be to win more trophies in his career. Do you think that United have much chance to win any silverware? Or do you think this could likely be his last season at the club?

No. Let's be honest, last season they played in the FA Cup final. Their run to the final was quite easy. In the final, they played against a hungover Manchester City, who were having the party of their lives after winning the Premier League. I think they had two all-nighters, some of the players. So, it was a poor season for Manchester United. And surely Manchester United’s hierarchy and the Manchester United fans are not going to accept domestic trophies anymore. They're going to want to win the Europa League. Can they finish in the top four minimum?

I think Bruno Fernandes should leave if he wants to win. He doesn't want to look back at his career and say, I didn't win a Premier League, I didn't win a Champions League and his team is a million miles off it.

Bruno Fernandes will be well into his thirties before Manchester United can get that group of players together. So, if I'm Fernandes, I'm gone.

Where do you think he should go?

I think he can go anywhere and play. I think he's an outstanding player. I think the bigger club he goes to, well not a bigger club because Manchester United is one of the biggest clubs in the world, but a club with bigger players than him. He will pipe down a bit, if that's the term that I like to use, in the sense that he won't be going to Manchester City for instance, or, Atletico Madrid, or Barcelona, or Juventus, and throwing his arms up in the air because you've not done much in the game. You've not won the big boy trophies, but at Manchester United, he's always throwing his arms up. He's the sort of player that I would get in the changing room, and I'll get him probably by the throat and say, throw your arms up at me again, and I'm going to beat you up.

Because he doesn't stop throwing his arms up, even when he passes the ball out of play, he throws his arms up at the player when it's his fault. I think Fernandes could go to loads of big clubs, but his attitude would have to change because you're not the only big player in these big clubs. The arm-throwing - players don't like it. They really, really don't like it. But at Manchester United, they're all scared of him because he's the main player. But at a bigger club with bigger players, you can't do that. You really can't.

Foden obviously picked up the player of the season last season. Do you think there are any new contenders that could be in the mix for this?

It's hard to look now, but I really do think that Cole Palmer will get it.

I just look at this player, especially during the Euros, he comes onto a pitch where the pressure's on and he plays like he's playing with his mates in Manchester. It's like relax, what's all the fuss about? Give me the ball, I'll make things happen, I'll get into dangerous areas and that's how he played last season and I really think he will go to another level this season. With better players around him, he's going to do better as well. He's going to be used to playing with his teammates more as well.

What I love and what stood out for me about Cole Palmer last season was that penalty incident at Stamford Bridge. And even though he’d scored a hattrick already, then Madueke tried to get the ball off him, and so did Nicolas Jackson. When you’re young you would be like, okay, okay, okay, there you go, but he was like, get the hell out of my way. I'm Cole Palmer. I'm the penalty guy. I'm taking it. And I loved watching that from him. He was like, you're not going to intimidate me. I'm taking these penalties. I don't care if I’ve scored seven in a Premier League game. I'm taking the next penalty. And there's nothing you can do about it. I loved that about him. And that's what made me look at him and think, he's that guy. He's the guy for Chelsea. He's the go-to guy. So, I think he could be the player of the season this season.

Ipswich, Leicester, and Southampton, early call on this, but do you think any of the promoted teams could surprise us with a top-half finish?

No. Looking at them I think they all go straight back down. I look at the reinforcements they've brought in - it's not enough. We look at last season, Luton made it ugly at times and they got points that way, but Burnley was poor, and Sheffield United was poor.

I just think that jump-up is just too much now. You're looking at teams and back in the day, it would be like, oh, Crystal Pace, you can go and get a result. Crystal Pace play outstanding football now. Fulham, yeah, we'll get it. No, no, no, Fulham are playing outstanding football too.

There's no easy game now for these three promoted sides. So, I think they all go back down in 18th, 19th and 20th. If you look at Southampton's business, you'd say they're expected to go down. They're not really giving it a go. I think Leicester will probably do the best out of all three, but they will go down as well.

Moving on to Ballon d'Or. Do you think Jude Bellingham has done enough to win it?

Not at all, no. I think Jude Bellingham had an outstanding season for Real Madrid. In the Euros, he scored an outstanding goal, but I thought he was poor in the Euros along with a lot of the England players. I think he tried his hardest. I thought he ran out of steam a lot after 60 minutes in games. I felt at times he was trying to do too much. I was watching his games from the stands, lucky enough, in Germany, and he'd get past the player to try and do a bit extra and lose it. I felt that he tried to do too much. I just think there are players that have done more in the calendar year. I look at Rodri, who won the Premier League and won the Euros, and for me has been the best player in the world. But, is he who they want to give it to? Will they give it to Vinicius because he's just that flair player they want to give it to him? But if you look at it overall over the season, yes, Real Madrid won the league and the Champions League, but for one, they didn't deserve to win a Champions League. In my eyes, they weren't the best team against Manchester City. So, for that reason, I would give it to Rodri for winning the Euros as well. And he was outstanding in the Euros again.

Newcastle now. So obviously they got etched out of a Europa League spot. Do you think they're good enough to reach a Europa League spot next season? If not, what do they need to do?

I think they are. I think Tonali is going to be back at some point, isn't he, from his ban? Injuries last season killed them. They really did. If they can keep their top players fit.

No one likes going to St. James Park to play football. I'll tell you that now. It's a very, very tough place to go. And if they can keep their players fit, I think they'll have a chance. I really do. The top four, I think not. I think Botman is still out with injury. So, they need to get the Guehi deal over the line ASAP. But Newcastle, with financial fair play, they can't really buy many players. I think that group of players is a top seven group of players. I really do. I don't think they've got enough for the top four.

And will that frustrate Eddie Howe? Does Eddie Howe look at it and think, we're the richest club in the world, we've got 300 billion and we're scraping around for 40, 50 million for Guehi and we don't know if we can do that. So, will he want to move on? Will the Newcastle ownership be like, well, this isn't fun? Do we want to do this anymore? They might want to go and use their money elsewhere? So, I really think that it's going to be a tough season for Newcastle, but I'd say the top seven is doable.

There's been a rule put in place around time wasting next season. Do you think that time-wasting has become a bit of a problem in the current game? And who do you think is actually the worst team/player for it, if you had to name somebody?

Well, first of all, I think if I'm a player now, I'm not time-wasting because it gets added on. So, what's the point? If I were a player now, I'd be so frustrated looking at the clock and seeing 10 minutes added on, I'd be like, wow, that's because we were all time-wasting.

I think everyone's at it, from players going to take a corner, players going to take a throw-in, to players taking a free kick or staying down longer for fouls. So, I wouldn't say there's a standout player. I think all players are at it. If I was a manager before they started adding it on, I would say to my players, you’re 2-1 up, take your time on the throw-ins. Get the towel to wipe the ball. Things like that. I don't care if it's not raining. I'll do everything in my power to time-waste, and all you can do as the officials is to add it on, it’s as simple as that, nothing else you can do. I don't think there's a player that does it more than anyone else, I think all the players are at it.

There's been quite a few rumors circling around Ollie Watkins and Arsenal. Do you think Villa can keep Watkins? Do you think he's happy at the club?

Ollie Watkins, I think he's an Arsenal fan and would he love to play for a club that he supports? Of course, he would but he's at a club that he plays in every week. He's the main man. He's playing for England now and playing for Aston Villa. He's in the Champions League. You look at Martinez and Watkins and players who you think, oh, would they want to go now they're playing the big boy Champions League.

So that stops them thinking like that. He's at a club that he's loved at. Sometimes you hear rumors and you're like, Arsenal can't afford to go and spend 50, 60 million now. I don't reckon, with financial fair play, how are they going to afford Watkins? Watkins will probably cost 150 million because that's what he means to Aston Villa. When players go for a lot of money, Rice & Grealish for example, Grealish was worth 100 million to Aston Villa. Watkins is worth 150 million to Aston Villa because he's irreplaceable.

With 100 million you're not going to go and buy a replacement for Watkins, there's no one out there. Aston Villa doesn't need to sell now after selling Douglas. I think some rumors are like a 0.1 percent chance of Watkins leaving, so they're wasted rumors.

One on Southgate, obviously he's left England. What’s his path after his England exit? Where do you think he goes and do you think there's any clubs that need the structure and style that Southgate has?

I really don't. I look at the way the game has gone now. Even these substitutions and how long it takes. I mean, if you're a sub at a club team, you might as well go and watch TV in the changing room because you’re coming on at 70 mins. You're not going to be brought on. I just don't see what club he suits. I just don't see it because I look at club football and international football's intent from the media but club football has the local media and the national media, I don't think that's something that he's going to be used to.

At least with England, you play a couple of games and then we’ll see you in three months and you sort of out of the firing line. With club football, it's non-stop.

And the way he left England as well without winning a trophy.I just don't see him managing England. I really don't. I don't know what club would want him. I think every club in the Premier League would have more votes to not have him as their manager than to have him. I really don't see it. Could he be one of them who managed England and doesn't manage again?

I've seen a lot of circulation around Ederson potentially being the next Saudi league target. I'm just curious, would you have been tempted to move over there if something like that came along whilst you were in your prime?

I would have rode a bike over there, 100%. People talk about how can you g? how can you do this for this reason, for that reason? Listen, in this world, we're not here for a long time, so just make the most amount of money as you can. You look at Kevin De Bruyne come out and say it. Yes, I want to go to Saudi. I can earn more in a year than I've earned in five, or six years in the Premier League. Do you know what I mean?

So why not? You can go there and make money. Your generations for 50, 60 years would never be able to have to work again. Why wouldn't you? Do you know what I mean? People might say, Oh, you shouldn't go to Saudi for this reason, for that reason. The people that are saying that if they had the chance for their job would be long gone. Let me tell you that now. So, I would have jumped at the chance to go and earn the crazy money they're earning.

Do you think the City regrets selling Palmer? How long before they or other clubs come knocking on Chelsea's door for him?

Well, first of all, I think City will regret it, but they will see as he wanted to go. Because I remember watching a documentary, the Man City one, he always seemed like he was a bit angry when the camera went on to him. He wasn't part of it. So, he's probably said to Pep, I want to leave, I want to leave, I want to leave.

And Pep probably said, you know what? I've got so many good players, I've got to let him go, it's great money, I can use that money elsewhere. So, I think they will regret it in the sense of how far he's gone. No one expected Cole Palmers to do what he did last season. We knew he was a good player, but he's gone to a different level.

So, I think they will regret it and I don't think Chelsea will ever sell him. I really don't.

I feel like we're forgetting that Chelsea aren’t a Mickey Mouse club. They’ve won Champions League, the Premier League as well. Chelsea is a big, big club. They won't be looking to ever sell a player like Cole Palmer. It's very rare that players leave Chelsea. I know Hazard went to Real Madrid. Would that be an option in the future? You never know but I just don't see Chelsea wanting to sell Cole Palmer.

Aside from Chelsea, who do you think needs Cole Palmer the most in their squad and where do you think he would excel at the most?

I think Liverpool could do with a Cole Palmer. I like Harvey Elliott but I think Cole Palmer is a level above. So, if Liverpool want to take that next step to the Premier League, go for a Cole Palmer and Liverpool would be outstanding.

Arsenal have got Odegaard, but Cole Palmer could definitely find a place in the Arsenal side too. I think every team. Manchester United would be crying out for a Cole Palmer, I think he's that good. I think he starts in every team; I think he finds a way into the City team; I really do. I think every team in the top 6, or 7 would bite their hands off for a Cole Palmer.

Roy Keane was furious at Ian Wright for describing Fernandes as a winner last season. Obviously with United showing such a lack of leadership and winners throughout the squad. So, apart from Fernandes, who in your mind is most likely to step up and take charge for United this upcoming season?

Nobody. I think Maguire is a leader but I just think their mentality is weak. I see a lot of them in games and when I say a weak mentality, I look at when I watch Manchester United, I look at players not following runners. You don't have to be the loudest to be a leader. You're a leader by your performance. Jack Grealish, captain at Aston Villa, was he the loudest in the changing room or on the pitch? No. He showed his captain material from performances, getting the ball when no one else wanted it, and taking players on when it was easier to pass. That's what I want to see. Can I see Garnacho, a year older, step up? Can I see Højlund?

The game’s tough. You know what, I'm going to put my body about, I'm going to make something happen myself. That's being a leader. It's not who's going to shout because the cameras are on them like Bruno Fernandes does. It's not about that. That's all for the cameras. It's not who's kicking players when you haven't got near anyone all day. That's not a leader. I want to see Mainoo a year older. Can he take his game on? I want to see Sancho. I want to see Rashford. You don't have to be talkative, but can you go back to the Rashford that we know, getting the ball, taking players on, tracking back, pressing as if you're not in slow motion?

Can we start seeing that? That's being a leader. Doing your job sometimes. I think there's a lot of players that have got a lot to do. And Luke Shaw, with his injury problems, can you do more to stop these injuries and try and give Manchester United a whole season? Because last season, without Luke Shaw, they struggled in that position.

Dalot, who I really like, can he kick on as well, he needs to show he’s a leader because he’s one of the older players now. I think they've got players there, but all these players have to up their level and consistency, and Manchester United may be fine.

On just carrying on the topic of United, obviously, we've just said about the lack of leadership and the struggles that they have. And also mentioned that they have an injury crisis at the minute as well. Do you think the injuries will impact United's chances of challenging for the title this season, or do you think that ship has already sailed?

I think they have no chance of challenging for the title. Challenging for the top four was best even though I don't think they'll finish in the top four, but I'm sick of hearing about the injury problems. I don't want to hear it this season. We heard it all last season, we heard at the end of the season, this is why we didn't do this, do that.

At the start of the season, when Wolves should have beaten them and didn't get the penalty. When Nottingham Forest should have beat them and they didn't. They had a full squad then and their performances were still garbage. So it's more, let's complain about the injury problems so it covers up how poor of a manager and coach I am. I can't get the best out of these players.

Yes he has lost Yoro, but he's a young player who needs time anyway. Yes, Højlund for six weeks. Go out and sell players and bring in players like Aston Villa to make your squad more healthy. You've got players that you need to get more out of. Show you're a great coach and get more out of Rashford. Show you can keep Sancho and put your feelings aside. Show that you can get Mason Mount playing. He doesn't become a bad player overnight. So, I don't want to hear the injury problems because that's what you'll hear in the next month.

They will say, oh, we've lost two out of three because Zirkzee needs time, Yoro's injured, Højlund's out, we've got no striker. I don't want to hear another season of moaning about injuries. I really don't because a team like Brighton last season, with Mitoma ,Fati, Ferguson, all these players they're attacking stars who had long spells out apart from Ferguson who didn't have the right form. I didn't hear the Brighton manager mention injuries once. It's an excuse.

I've seen Liverpool sniffing around after Anthony Gordon whether that happens or not, do you think he should stay at Newcastle this season or do you think he would excel somewhere else like Liverpool?

I did do some research on this and I think he's a Liverpool fan, isn't he? So, he's a Liverpool fan, he played for Everton, he's gone to Newcastle. I'm sorry if you're a Liverpool fan and they come in for you, they win the Champions League, they’re a more stable club. You'd say, new manager, new ideas, I think Anthony Gordon jumps at it.

He didn't think twice before leaving Everton. He sort of forced that move through to Newcastle, if I remember. The way Newcastle are at the moment, if I'm him I'm saying goodbye, let me go to Liverpool. They're my boyhood club, he's a scouser, he can go back home, it's a no-brainer, it's the club he supports. I would go to Liverpool if I was Anthony Gordon, 100%, because this offer might not come again.

There's always speculation about Harry Kane returning back to England as well. What do you think about this?

I'm sorry to say, but I'm still scarred by his performance at the Euros. Honestly, I just want to know the truth. Was he 50 percent fit? That wasn't the Harry Kane who played for Bayern Munich last season. Someone’s got blood on their hands, Harry Kane and Southgate. Southgate played him and now he is injured, Harry Kane played injured and cost his country a tournament.

If I'm looking at the clubs in England now, from the way he played in the Euros, no one's touching him. That performance was like a 45-year-old running around the pitch. He never got into the box once to try and score a goal. He couldn't move. He was the slowest player at the Euros. So, if I'm going off that performance, I'm not touching him. I'm really not. You could ask me now; would you have him at Aston Villa? No, thank you.

I need to see his first month at Bayern Munich to see if whatever he had wrong with him at the Euros has gone. Until I see that, then I wouldn't even look at a club that would suit him. Maybe his injury is better because he didn't play in the game between Bayern Munich and Spurs which was for him to say goodbye to Spurs fans. So, the injury must still be there. Some extra time off maybe as well. I think a lot of English fans are still scarred by his performance. It was terrible.

I just couldn't believe it. Like being there as well, in the stadium where you see the whole pitch. I was just looking at his movement off the ball as well. It was like someone who's got a big, big injury. And there's talk about back problems. It looked like a back problem. I've had a back problem before, and you can't move.

Imagine, your lower back having back spasms or cramps or some sort of slipped disc. You can't move. These players are selfish. He might have thought, listen, this could be my last Euros. I'm playing no matter what. I think he's definitely got an injury and once that injury goes and you see his form pick up, everyone's going to say the same thing.

He was injured at the Euros. Simple as that. That wasn't like nerves or loads of games in a season so you were tired. That was someone who was running with no back, basically.

We've mentioned how you think Haaland could be the top goal scorer next season. He was criticized last season for his absence in big games.

Do you think that this is fair or do you think It's a little over the top considering his achievements within such a short time period?

I think sometimes, it's unfair because let's talk about Rudiger, for instance, who they had that battle with for the last two seasons. Some defenders just hate playing against him. When I played against Rio Ferdinand, Kompany, I used to hate playing against them because they're quick, aggressive, and strong. That's like Haaland with Rudiger. Rudiger had him in every single way possible. But Haaland wasn't brought in to hold the ball up, turn and run at players. He was brought in to do what he does, which is score goals.

How many seasons have we complained about Man City, no striker, false nine? Yes, he didn't show up in some games, but he would look and say, look at my goals. I'm getting over 20 league goals a season. What can you say? You can't say anything to him. Is he the complete striker? No, he's not.

Will he win a Ballon d'Or? Maybe he won't because he's not going to win much with his country, Norway. They've not got a great team.

Yeah, I think he's an outstanding striker but part of his game, he probably needs to work on. Can he work on his first touch and his hold to play? Yes, he can. Can some games drift him by and he doesn't really get involved? Yes, but maybe he's been told that by the manager. If you keep coming into Harry Kane positions, you're going to get in the way of Foden, De Bruyne, Bernardo Silva, and Grealish. He's going to be told at all times to occupy two defenders. If you don't touch the ball for 30 minutes, we don't care. I could imagine that's what he's been told.

I just wanted to hear your hypothetical starting 11 for Team GB if you have one?

If I had one now, looking at what players performed in the Euros as well, I think there'll be 10 English players, and one Scottish player, which you're not allowed to do. And also, you have to have only two over 23's in it so it's a tough one. If I just name one where it's breaking the rules and it's over 23s; I would go with Pickford, Trent at right back, Guehi and Konsa, Luke Shaw at left-back, Mainoo, Bellingham, and McGinn in the middle as a three and I would go with Grealish on the left, on the right I would go with Saka and Watkins down the middle. It might upset the Welsh but I don't think they’ve got any good enough players to break into that team.