Julien Laurens EXPLAINS how Man City's GUILTY VERDICT is viewed by PSG amid Prime Minister SAGA!

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talkSPORT: How PSG view Man City's troubles amid the prime minister saga

The show discusses political interference in the Man City case, David Kogan's threat to resign, and Andy Burnham's links to Man City; Julien Laurens explains why Qatar and PSG are watching, and perhaps enjoying, Man City's difficulties. It then previews Man City v PSG in the Champions League, arguing PSG do not need to peak early and should be ready for the knockout stage in March.

Julien Laurens, Alan Brazil, Ally McCoist and Laura Kirk-Francis discuss Manchester City's guilty verdict ahead of their clash with PSG. Subscribe: https://youtube.com/c/talkSPORT?subconfirmation=1 🏆 Ready to win? Check out the latest prizes at talkSPORTwin.com Enjoyed this YouTube video? 😍 🖥️ talkSPORT's Website: https://talksport.com/ 📲 talkSPORT's X/Twitter: https://x.com/talkSPORT 📷 talkSPORT's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/talksport/?hl=en 👤 talkSPORT's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/talkSPORT/ 📱 talkSPORT's Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@talksport ? 🔴 Download the talkSPORT app HERE! - https://talksport.com/apps/ 🔎 Want to see if you feature on our YouTube channel? Check out our Best talkSPORT callers playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFVMnSsi04LGLa9pS9xDvme-Gjmlu2 mcfc talkSPORT PremierLeague

Transcript

The football regulator has vowed to resign if the government tries to get involved in the handling of this city uh case. So David Kogan has warned that he will resign if there's any attempted political interference. >> I don't blame him. Absolutely. I'm right behind him. I don't blame him. Soon as this broke, I thought, "Oh no, no, this is bad." Soon as Andy Burnham mentioned about, "No, we don't want to upset Abu Dhabi." He said he said he'd be concerned. >> Alarm bells were ringing saying, "You can't say that. You're the prime minister. You're involved. This is this is our this is our game. Football's our game in this country. It's it's part of so many people's lives because you're doing a deal with a a foreign government which is good for the UK. Forget it, mate. If you want to do that, you stick to that and keep your nose out of football. >> If we don't think for a minute that they're going to get involved, it might just be behind the scenes. Then we're being incredibly naive. >> Well, we're not naive. We know it's going to happen, >> right? So, they'll be involved. >> How far it goes, >> they'll be involved. All right. Whether we know about it or not, you better believe it. >> Yeah, we're going to be talking a bit later about what Andy Bernham's got in terms of his previous meetings with Man City. >> Well, that's the problem. That is the problem. I've just said something this morning about I'm told he's getting involved in Usuzmanov coming, you know, getting allowed back into the UK so he can get involved in Everton. You can't do that. If that is true, if it is true as a prime minister, you can't get involved in that. You can't. It's it's a nogo. And now they're going to look into everything he's done. I mean the next step, you know what's going to happen next? You'll start getting involved in people getting sent off and getting their vans overturned and things like that. So they >> unfortunately we've got we got precedent for that, haven't we? Thank you. Thank you, Donald Trump, for that. [laughter] >> Um finally, >> but we're only saying what most people are at home. They're saying, "Yeah, you're right. You shouldn't get involved." >> No, not at all. Um we got time for one more. Yeah. Go on then. Uh well, City face PSG tonight. That is live on Talk Sport. Are you going? >> I'm going. Great game. >> Lovely stuff. Well, um Ian Herbert in the >> up there motorway. [laughter] No >> goodness me trying to do a serious story here. Ian Herbert in the uh in the Daily Mail has talked about why Qatar who were the owners of PSG will be taking great pleasure in seeing uh the situation that Man City are in. Uh Qatar and Abu Dhabi's uh political rivalry goes back years but they also about about 10 years ago they were involved in a kind of PR um fight with each other planting stories. So they will be delighting in um that kind of downfall of Man City. Uh they've called it Gulfico tonight. I'm not not sure that works. What are you expecting from the atmosphere, Ali? >> That'll be fine. No, the atmosphere will be good because I wouldn't imagine that. >> Well, I've got to say to I couldn't imagine not that many PSG that is one of these stadiums to go to for an atmosphere. See the atmosphere on the part of the brands when PSG at home is it's as good as anywhere you go. And they do take a pretty good traveling support. Oh, >> they do big style. But I'm not sure. >> Yeah, it won't be as >> No, it won't be Anfield. >> No, no chance. And by the way, let's let's just hold our hands up as well. How good were City? >> Yeah. Second half. How good were they? You know, brilliant. Then >> you got to have some ball to do that pressure. They suddenly said, "Oh, come on. We're the best team." >> The quality of finish in those game, that particular game was absolutely remarkable. Remarkable. Harland left. >> He he drifts through games then suddenly. >> Well, do you know what? Yeah. If we if we buy caviar, I want to see caviar performances and we got on from Man City. >> Certainly did check from huge night tonight. The Champions League European champions PSG go to Manchester City. Whoa. However, it's not the football that's all over the papers this morning. Instead, man shifty. The Sun has revealed Prime Minister Andy Burnham has been accused of covering up his links to scandal hit city owners when Manchester mayor. Burnham claimed he only met the city chairman once in 2021, but it was actually three times >> with the other times coming in 2017 and 2018. So, we know how this political chaos is going down here in the UK, but how is this viewed around the rest of Europe? The Telegraph writes this morning, the Qatari Paris Sanjaman owners are loving it this situation for the city owners. So, is that true? Delight to say join us now and ahead of the game tonight. Let's say a very good morning to French football expert Julian Loren. Julian, >> how are you, Julian? Okay. All good. >> There you are. >> He's finished now. That's all he knows. Goodbye to English. >> Julian, [laughter] tell us this little spat between Qatar and Abu Dhabi. >> It's been going on for a while, Alan. You know, we know the rivalry uh between them, although they are all quite close to each other to be fair, but through the football and through City and and PSG and the investment in both clubs and them wanting to win the Champions League before the other for example, which City managed to do and who's going to get the biggest club and things like that. >> There's been a big rivalry between Abu Dhabi and and Qatar basically and that's the way it is. And I think [snorts] what has happened to City certainly from a Paris PSG perspective, yeah, has been really interesting for them to watch because I think for a lot of time we compare the two clubs really and and we used to call this game that we've seen many many times and Ali and I were were together in Paris the last time that they faced each other in Champions League that won the full 42 night in yeah January 2025 but it was El Cashiko you know for all the cash that those two clubs have invested in football and now we know on the city sides What happened on the PhD side? It doesn't seem that things have gone the way the things have gone for City. >> It's interesting a little bit of what is it they call it again Julian? Is it the German terms it Shaden Freud? >> Yeah. >> Yeah. Shad a little bit of Shad and Freud. He's looking at me perplexed there Julian. I'm I've obvious [laughter] >> I've obviously gone right above his head. What about tonight Julian? Am I seeing at the game tonight? I'm looking forward to it. >> Yeah. I mean the only disappointment we have Ali is that it's not in Paris and that we will be there together you know but because we love our trips there. Uh it's going to be great because we saw what how City the players responded on the pitch against Liverpool in terms of >> unity and and being that solidarity and being together and sticking together like Hen said they should and they would before the game and for against a PSG team that does really really well against English clubs home or away doesn't really matter. Well, they have started slow though, haven't they? >> Julian, PSG, >> they did. So, I learned last season too to be fair. And I think what they taught us all a lesson a bit last season especially is that you don't need to start the Champion League especially that well. I mean, remember last season they didn't finish in the top eight, neither the season before, and they they won it back to back. So, that's why I think we've seen a bit more rotation from the likes of Arsenal or Bayern Munich right now because you don't really need to be at your peak in this competition right now. But, this is a a massive game nevertheless. Julian, you and I have spoken on many numerous occasions and it's exactly what I felt particularly with the Champions League. Julian, I think it's all about peing at the correct time and for a team like PSG is without doubt the latter stages of the tournament because let's be honest about it, they will have enough to get through to the latter stage of the tournament and then it's all about peing at the right time. >> Yeah, I agree with you and let's not forget we had a a World Cup summit. Obviously, most of PSG players were there. Some went really far like the Spaniards, even the French for example, but everybody was really involved in the summer. So, Rous Enrique is still managing a little bit the game time, that load management, the minutes and things like that. And all all he cares is to be ready in March. And again, let's not forget what happened last season and the season before where they didn't finish in top eight. They had all the knockout games, second legs away from home and yet they still managed to win the Champions League back to back. So, that's only the philosophy I think they have again for the game tonight. Julian, what are they saying in the French papers? Leip and and newspapers like that about Barca his start at Liverpool. >> Yeah, it's been tough and leip match report on the the Liverpool City game at the weekend highlighted that as well like like you know like all of us. I think for me maybe where the key is here and I think I talked to you about it when he signed I was saying like listen he's not ready to play right now. He hasn't had a preseason because of all this transfer saga hadn't played at all for PSG in August and three days after arriving plays him off the bench to start but then started him I thought a little bit too early and I don't think he's fully fit fully match fit and for somebody like him who relies so much on the pace and that acceleration over the first five 10 yards he needs to be super fit super ready and I'm just not sure he's he's there yet and also he needs to adapt a little bit obviously to a new environment and a new league. Yeah, I think that's very fair. Julian, what about last night? I was at the Arsenal Le game. I did a bit of work on Le and I was looking at them. Good start to the season. In fact, I think if memory serves me correctly, they were very unlucky against PSG. I think they were two nothing up and lost two late goals and they had a one- nothing victory against La Harve at the weekend and they've started pretty well. And I thought I I really enjoyed the game, Julian. I thought Leo first half were very very good and then completely lost their way the second half where they couldn't get out. Defensively they was they were sound but they just couldn't get up the pitch and then they lost to the real quality of Arsenal's finishing. Yeah, you're right, Ali. And and also I think there were there were players missing like the Chago Santos the right back who suffered the weekend and the young 18 year old who replaced him. I think it was okay the first half. The problem is against a team like Arsenal it's not just 45 minutes you have to be really good and focused and composed and compact for the whole 90 and they really struggled in that second half and on top of that when Havitz and Saka come on you think like okay we're going to have a we're going to struggle the last 25 minutes and they did. It's a shame you're right because they were so well organized I thought in the first half and David de Ancelotti is doing a really good job his first job in Europe since he arrived but the step up was a bit too big last night at the Emirates >> talking about Angelotti what about the other side in Paris Julian doing really well under Liam Rossa >> yeah really good really good they they okay they lost at the weekend it was the first defeat against Lyon in a game that it never really got going but he's got a young team and that's what he loves young players who really listen who can play the kind of intense football that he wants. There's no ego, you know, in the dressing room unlike maybe at Chelsea where he struggled a little bit to manage all that kind of dynamic. And there's he's very happy. He had a bit of an algarian, a bit of beef against his former players, against when they came to Paris to play >> and with the ultras, but that's because he cares and that's because he he's really enjoying himself. So, I expect them to to finish top eight for sure. And if they can nick a top six finish and go to Europe next year be a really good year. >> Julen, enjoy the game tonight. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> What's up with you? >> What is up with you? >> I was you know something I'm going to >> Oh, he's got his phrase book out here in between interviews. >> I was going to throw in an Aento, but but I wasn't 100% confident and then he threw I know. I should have I should have >> I should have been more conviction, but here we go. >> The sun has a big piece today. uh man shifty is the headline and there's really two issues um that are kind of surrounding this particular story. One is how many times uh the PM has met with Manchester City. So the the Sun are essentially saying he said one uh he they are saying three. One of them um actually included tickets to see uh Whitney Houston. Oh no, sorry. Ed Sheeran at the Etihad. Um >> was uh was with the backing man Johnny. Exactly. Yeah. Yeah. Um and the other issue really is around the continuation of how involved anyone from politics should be in this and this comes today as well as the um independent regulator. >> I think that's the second issue. The issue is have Man United Man City have they cheated? What's the punishment? And then politicians should not get involved with football. >> But Alan, how do you feel about uh Burnham accepting things like hospitality from >> I think it's difficult for them. Listen, I you know I I do I think it's difficult because he's a football fan >> and if he feels he's going there just as a guest >> and he thinks, "Oh, that would be nice." Cool. Yeah, big game. I want to see that. >> But I think you have to pinch yourself and say, "I can't do that. I'm the prime minister. I can't I want to do it, but I can't do it. I I have to politely say no." >> I mean, your man your man SNP man get absolutely dogs abused, didn't he? for he flew whatever it was to see the Scotland game at British Airways spent about 25 grand and he could have jumped on a flight. So this isn't something >> another join the caravan club. >> Exactly. [laughter] >> Exactly. >> What caravan sort of >> Kharma also received a considerable amount of tickets and things totaling just under £13,000. Um, but ultimately, can a prime minister credibly insist that football regulation is independent? If he's also saying things like, "I would be concerned if the Man City owners left the city." >> I I think he's gone too far already and he's just making me worse from what I disclosed this morning. If it's found to be true, then he's in more trouble. >> Remind us what that was. >> This was I'm I'm told that um he's helped in trying to get the suspension of Mr. Usmanov >> from coming to our shores again as a oligarch. You know, we banned all the Russian oligarchs. >> I think he's already been he's he's been cleared in France to go back to France and now I think we're trying to or some people are trying to get him back into the UK. So that that's taken away that punishment. You're not allowed. They're trying to get them back into the UK, which quite clearly is to get involved in Everton. Who supports Everton? We are kidding ourselves on Laura. Right. No matter the party, no matter the politics of the politician, if it suits or helps their agenda getting involved in football and sport, then they will do it. Simple. It's as simple as that. And whether we see it happening or it's done discreetly, it'll be getting done. Forget about the the rights and wrongs of it. It'll be getting done. >> Yeah. And the Sun have also reported that after one of the dinners that Andy Bernham was at, the GMCA, which is the general Manchester um author authority, approved a loan to Manchester Life, which is effectively a property venture between the city and the club owners. So, this is the problem really we have. Yeah, >> absolutely. >> No, it's a can of worms and they're going to dig deeper and deeper and I think the I think the prime minister's in trouble. >> Well, did I mean the the airlines came out, didn't they, immediately and and made a statement. So, it's gone political anyway whether we like it or not. >> And if this Susman off thing is correct, it just adds fuel to the flame. >> Yeah, it was