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Once a week for an hour, The Athletic’s subscribers can ask me for my views on anything from the world of football. I have pulled together some of my favourite questions and my answers to them from the latest Q&A below. Thanks to all who took part today.
Want to ask me a question? I’ll be back next week for another session.
Ferenc F asked: Are you expecting another wave of high-profile transfers into the Saudi Pro League in the summer or may it not be so lucrative this time for the players and their agents?
David Ornstein: I do think the SPL will be very active again this summer after a quiet January, Ferenc, but not to the level of last summer.
Most clubs over there have now filled the majority of their slots, so there’s not a huge amount they can do, whereas a year ago they were in the process of constructing their teams and the opportunities were boundless.
Clearly, we need to keep an eye on the Mohamed Salah situation and the same applies to Kevin De Bruyne — both players are of interest to SPL clubs.
I’m sure the deals that do get done will continue to be as lucrative as before for players and agents. However, in time, you imagine that if the league progresses as they wish, the level of investment can be somewhat brought under control.
Could Salah be on the move this summer? (Franck Fife/AFP via Getty Images)
Jj L asked: Liverpool owners FSG are moving to a multi-club model. Which clubs are they targeting? And how certain is Richard Hughes joining Liverpool?
David Ornstein: Our latest understanding of FSG’s search for a second club is detailed here by my colleague Phil Buckingham.
“The South American market, particularly Brazil, has already been assessed by FSG, but the preference for this first step will likely be a European club.”
As for Hughes, his appointment as Liverpool sporting director was basically agreed subject to Michael Edwards taking the FSG role and so, yes, he will be joining in the summer. I suspect they are simply in the process of finalising that deal.
Dylan H asked: Do you have any insight into Ben White’s reluctance to be part of the England squad for these friendlies?
David Ornstein: Thanks for the question, Dylan, and sorry not to give you much of a reply, but here is our insight on the situation via a piece on The Athletic today. Clearly, there are reasons and we do our best to explain them while respecting the fact we probably don’t know everything.
Southgate’s squad for Brazil and Belgium friendlies
Let’s not forget that when White left England’s 2022 World Cup squad, the FA and Arsenal statements cited “personal reasons”, so we should all bear in mind there could be sensitivities around this. Gareth Southgate said in his news conference a short time ago that even he does not know the full reasons. It’s a real shame because, on merit, White should be in.
Ross W asked: Hey David. If Manchester United and Newcastle United cannot come to a deal over Dan Ashworth and have to wait, will that have an impact on Manchester United’s plans for this summer window?
David Ornstein: I’m still not aware of any significant developments between Newcastle and Manchester United for Ashworth to start his new role, but I don’t think it will make a massive difference to Manchester United’s summer plans. They will have been trying to formulate these for a while via their existing staff and executives — that will largely depend on the work of their scouts and negotiators, the financial situation and INEOS, given it has sporting control.
It isn’t ideal not having the key individuals you are appointing inside the building yet — but firstly, Dan Ashworth is more a builder of clubs and structures than a recruitment expert and negotiator, and secondly, they can bring other people in sooner if needed.
A deal for Jason Wilcox, for example, should be more straightforward (but ideally they would like to secure Ashworth first as Wilcox would be reporting to him). Come the summer, Omar Berrada will be in position as CEO and there are other individuals Manchester United are looking at, too, who are available to start immediately.
Ashworth has been called ‘the most-skilled landscape gardener in the country’, in reference to his structure-building within clubs (Getty Images)
Matthew B asked: Hi David, have you heard of any clubs being in for Graham Potter this summer?
David Ornstein: Manchester United have obviously been linked to Potter because he has a good relationship with INEOS and it has spoken to him about the Nice job following his departure from Chelsea — plus, he and Dan Ashworth have worked together previously at Brighton. But this does not mean he is going to Old Trafford and — let’s be clear — we currently don’t have any information to suggest Erik ten Hag will be leaving.
West Ham are a club many in the industry suggest could be a more plausible destination, but I don’t know of a decision being made on whether David Moyes will continue there as manager or, even if he doesn’t, whether Potter would want to go there.
The England job is always one to keep an eye on given the FA likes him as well. Despite what happened at Chelsea, Potter deservedly remains well-regarded and he is also well-connected. He has been travelling a lot; we’ve seen him caught on camera at several matches and no doubt he is working on improving and preparing ahead of the next opportunity. He will want to be convinced that opportunity, the project and those involved are absolutely right for him — whether in the UK or abroad, club or international level — before jumping back in.
My assumption is he will return to the dugout this summer (if not sooner), but unfortunately I don’t know where just yet. There are likely to be many managerial changes and therefore it feels quite shrewd of him to bide his time and see how the landscape looks ahead of making his choice.
Abhishek S asked: Could we see significant departures at Arsenal this summer? Also which position is a priority for incoming transfers?
David Ornstein: Hi Abhishek. I’ve been asked this on here in recent weeks, but just to quickly recap: there are players such as Aaron Ramsdale, Kieran Tierney, Nuno Tavares, Albert Sambi Lokonga, Thomas Partey, Jorginho, Emile Smith Rowe, Fabio Vieira, Reiss Nelson and Eddie Nketiah who have questions surrounding their futures.
Therefore, we could see a reasonable number of exits and Arsenal have an opportunity there to raise significant funds to help their financial situation and fund incoming business. On transfer priorities, my understanding is that this will be a striker and I touched on some of the potential names previously. Then there is the desire to add backup for Bukayo Saka/Gabriel Martinelli, a No 8 or No 6 depending on other movements in that area, possibly a left-back and a backup goalkeeper if Ramsdale leaves.
Nils S asked: What motivated Chelsea to search for a new dedicated set-piece coach, and what made Bernardo Cueva their first choice?
David Ornstein: Brief answer, Nils, is that Chelsea have been too exposed at set-pieces for the liking of their sporting directors, who were behind this move. There’s a bit more on that from my colleague Liam Twomey here.
We’ve seen at Manchester City, Arsenal, Aston Villa and, of course, Brentford how beneficial good experts in this area can be. Cueva is regarded as one of the best around — not only a great professional but also a fantastic character. We will be doing more on Cueva and this topic in the coming weeks, especially looking at how Brentford are basically making an industry out of set-piece coaches by finding and developing them before rivals come to poach them.
Sam H asked: Any rumours on Kalvin Phillips’ future? Fair to say he’s done at Manchester City and is struggling at West Ham. Losing his place in the England squad must sting, too. What next?
David Ornstein: Nothing has been decided yet, Sam, but Phillips needs to get his career back on track and I think everyone would wish him the best with this. We’ve seen he can be a top player and is said to be a great character, so fingers crossed he finishes the season strongly with West Ham and then whatever the next step may be (I don’t think he has a future at Man City), it proves to be successful.
Phillips is hoping to get back to his best while on loan at West Ham (Eddie Keogh/Getty Images)
Medwyn G. asked: Will there be any plans for INEOS to further its multi-club model?
David Ornstein: I suspect it will focus on Manchester United, Nice and Lausanne for the time being. There may be thoughts about further acquisitions, especially with Omar Berrada coming in from City Football Group (CFG). But just because it has worked for CFG, it doesn’t mean everyone else can or will try to do the same.
Some clubs (such as Liverpool, for instance) may look to add one or a small number of teams rather than expanding in the same way CFG has. So for now, INEOS already has its little group of clubs and we’ll have to see whether it feels there is a need to enlarge that or not.
Liam W asked: Was Harvey Elliott ever considered for the latest England squad?
David Ornstein: I don’t know for certain, Liam, but presume he was on the long list and — this is just an opinion, not information — surely he is now not far off inclusion.
His form, fitness and consistency have been outstanding. The problem, as ever in recent years, is competition — and that is something he will need to navigate. But a call-up would be well deserved and at this rate, you have to think it’s coming. First, let’s hope he shines for the England Under-21s and has a strong end to the season with Liverpool.
(Top photo: Michael Regan/Getty Images)
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