Emmanuel Petit | Jude Bellingham | Tyrique George | Andrey Santos | Frank Lampard | Lewis Ferguson | Premier League
Speaking exclusively with BOYLE Sports , football icon Emmanuel Petit has cast his eye over the Premier League and beyond ahead of a big season.
The 1998 World Cup winner has explained why Jude Bellingham has no reason to leave Real Madrid for England , backed Tyrique George 's move to Everton , and praised Frank Lampard for staying to prove himself at Coventry City .
The former Arsenal and Chelsea man has also questioned whether Andrey Santos can revive his career at Manchester United , assessed Hull City and Liam Rosenior , backed Lewis Ferguson as a Rangers target, and named Arsenal as his title favourites.
Premier League Links
Could Bellingham Join the Premier League One Day?
Is Jude Bellingham looking to come to England ? I'm not convinced. He's at Real Madrid , he won the Champions League in his first season, and he's playing for the best club in the world. There is no reason for him to move yet. There is no question, actually, that he's on his move to come to England . Maybe one day he will come to England after Real Madrid . Maybe. But maybe he'll never play here.
Transfers
Is Tyrique George to Everton a Smart Move?
When you are young, your priority is to play regular football. Everton is a huge club with a new stadium, but I wonder if they are ready to compete for European positions. It's important when you're young, your priority is to play regular football. This is the first priority.
I want to see Everton take a step up. For Tyrique George , I think it is a smart move; he will play in front of very competitive fans at a great club where the priority is regular football.
Is Andrey Santos the Midfielder Man Utd Are Missing?
Andrey Santos had a great season with Strasbourg before returning to Chelsea , where he didn't play often or perform as expected. The dynamic at Manchester United is different now; they are in the Champions League and need to keep improving. Andrey needs to recover his confidence.
He has the quality, but does he have the mindset? Joining United after a difficult period at Chelsea is a gamble for him and the club.
Survival Battles
Has Lampard Made the Right Call Staying at Coventry?
Promoted teams often find it difficult to stay in the Premier League , but I'm happy Frank stayed at Coventry . He has great ambition and something to prove. Managing them in the top flight is exciting, especially after the brilliant work he did last season.
I know that he would have probably received different offers. I think he's got great ambition. He has something probably to prove as well. Getting back to the Premier League is something very exciting. Coventry and Lampard are linked together now. I wish him all the best in the fight to stay up, though it will be very difficult. They will need a few experienced players to survive. Staying in the Premier League would be a bigger achievement than getting there. Coming back to the Premier League was such a huge achievement, but staying in the Premier League would probably be bigger than that.
How Will Hull City Fare in the Premier League?
Hull City are going to have to fight. Without much money to spend compared to other squads, it is hard. It has been about 10 years since they were last in the Premier League . Like Burnley , some teams seem stuck in the lift, going up and down. Hull City will be fighting to stay up, and it won't be easy. They are going to have to work harder than everyone else next season.
Can Rosenior Bounce Back at Paris FC?
Liam Rosenior has something to prove after what he did with Strasbourg . When he left for Chelsea , we saw straight away that the role was perhaps too big for him. Now at Paris FC , with the fourth-highest budget in the league, it is very important for him to bounce back.
If he doesn't reach expectations, that would be a failure and a risk for his career. The pressure will be high because of the money, the owner, and still having time in the transfer market. We will have to see if he's ready.
Season Predictions
Is Lewis Ferguson the Difference For Rangers?
Rangers need players with personality. We know the fierce rivalry with Celtic ; they need character and quality. Lewis Ferguson has exactly that, as the captain of Bologna , he would be a great target.
That would be a great message to the fans and the dressing room that Rangers are willing to fight back. Celtic have been dominating, and a huge signing can help Rangers bridge that gap, but he won't come cheap; that's for sure.
Early Top Six Predictions?
My prediction for the top six? It is hard to answer before the transfer market closes, but Arsenal are the champions, they are the favourites. Ask me again in September .
I am waiting to see what happens at Man City after Pep Guardiola . I was not completely convinced by Enzo Maresca at Chelsea , and replacing Pep is a huge task. Manchester United now have Champions League football, which takes a lot of energy. You cannot compare it to the Europa League ; it won't be easy for them. This is something the club has been waiting for years. And now it's not the same when you play one game during the week, and you can replace half of the team for the European competition. That won't be the same. It won't be easy for Manchester United .
For Chelsea and Liverpool , we have no idea what we are going to see under the new managers; only time will tell.
Bet on Football Odds at BOYLE Sports
Prices are subject to fluctuation.
Remember, Always Gamble Responsibly.
Behind every great sporting moment is a story worth telling. The BOYLE Sports Editorial team sits down with the most relevant names in sport for candid conversations, genuine insight, and the kind of access that brings you closer to the real stories behind the headlines.
