up and I think this is one of the more fun
handicapping angles that really hasn't been like truly
digested. I at least I haven't heard anyone really kind of say
like this. There's there is a betting angle here because of
the break
and I'm just, you know, I'm curious like
what, you know, putting yourself having experienced
this like in the players position, like it is pretty
important. I feel like to go to the World Cup and and show up
on the
His stage, if you intend to like ultimately cash in as
a professional and you know so how do you balance? Like
the responsibilities of like hey I'm competing for my world. My
I'm competing for my
home club and on top of that trying to make my mark
internationally to you to score that next contract. Like how do
you how do you balance all that while also competing in
the Premier League
as a professional this year?
Well I don't think it balances. The problem is you have to go
full till on both on both angles and
you know, When we talk about listen to some managers, and
even my own manager
over the years, there's a World Cup hangover for these players.
Yes, physically.
But mentally, it's the greatest,
it's the greatest ever moment.
Every single player
has pulled on a shirt for their country World Cup will say
outside of having my children
and sometimes equal to its the greatest single moment of my life
and
it's emotionally draining, and normally that happens in
the summer you go on holiday. You take your family way. For
a month, you put your feet up and come back to pre season. And
even then
after about four to eight weeks, there's still a hangover,
there's still a hangover going into September
this year. He finished the World Cup and you've got about
10 days to get right back in it. And so I think there's
going to be a hangover for
a lot of those players
from abetting standpoint. I think the team's
naturally we're going to do better or the bigger teams with
more money, with bigger squats, right? So they'll be able to
rotate more, we'll be able to
have more substitutions, they'll be able to play. Maybe
didn't go to the World. Cup are still incredibly talented
because
they spent the time money in the summer
to make their squads
healthier and stronger. So
the teams that will suffer are going to be the smaller key of
smaller budgets but that's that's natural.
Are there any team is in particular that you think with
the deeper PL benefits with the, having the roster? Like
which ones are the team that
you want to know?
Well I look I think the
the, the one, the two for me, our liver Liverpool Manchester
City. We talked a lot about the time, but to your point most
Sala Masala is a Golden Boot winner.
He's not going to World Cup. He's gonna be fresh as a daisy.
Coming out of the break right there.
Essentially feel two different teams in the Premier League and
still probably finish in the top four, right? So they're
going to be able to go take their squad and
rest players. And so it's,
you know, that makes. And then listen, we know the title is
going to be decided by very few points, right? So, coming out
of the World Cup, starting on boxing day, December 26th, you
know,
which one of these teams going to drop points which one of
them is going to go on and run. I swear for me, the real money
is
I love it.
Do you have any thoughts on Team USA? We're coming up here.
We're in group E were plus 110 to qualify to The Knockout
stage, so you can get plus money just to get us out of
group
6 plus 600 to win groupie.
Of course, England is sort of the, the monster in our group
but we match up, okay, with them? I think they're known to
be a little bit on the, on the chokey end of World Cup
International play in general,
you know, I guess what are your thoughts on
Team USA? As we head into
You what should be a pretty awesome opportunity.
I think to get of the group I do it's a tough group. What
I would say is
you can get out of the group on Four Points
in certain years,
you know, which means a loss of winning the draw
England, being the first game is good because I think goal
differential will play it play a part off and doesn't in group
stages you know? So they can have a good performance against
England. I don't think they'll be in England. I don't think
anyone's really picking them to beat England,
but they have a Performance against England.
Keep the scoring down. Keep it a tight game
and then go on and win one or two of their other games.
I think, England will batter some of those teams in the group,
right? And so when it comes down to that final day,
you me and everybody else is going to be looking in the
80th minute 90th minute,
or it's going to be about goal difference within
within that group and so
do I think they'll qualify? Yeah, I do
absolutely. But I also think
in that group England,
you know, England's, one of my favorites are going to win
the World Cup. I don't think the field is incredibly strong.
Like Brazil's team chemistry, they have it will really be
king and
you know, but being this this isn't even golden generation,
you know, by their own admission
England, golden generation failed
but this generation
of players are together. They got a brilliant manager and
Gareth Southgate and they've shown that they can compete and
they, you know, them in the semifinals
and finals of World Cups in European Champion. Their Prime,
this is this. Now,
they're no longer kids, they're ready for it, so
it will cook them.
All right. So you would you take England to take the boat
captain over France, Brazil, like you said, Argentina Spain,
Germany, like all these teams. Yeah. Look, I think Germany,
Germany and Argentina.
You know, will be strong. I think France, of course will be
strong, but this England seems got got something they really
do.
How do you feel about? It seemed like Belgium,
who has sort of that kind of golden generation as well at
the very. Very this is Gail. Last chance to really do
something with all that Talent, similarly mess. Like Messi's,
probably his last opportunity to win a World Cup.
Do you think these guys have anything left in the tank that
could kind of get there?
It's the end, you know, Belgium God. I love those guys. All of
the managers, so many players I play with them friendship but
they're,
you know, they didn't live up to the hype, you know, they've
stumbled at every at every hurdle. This is, as you said,
this is the last
exit 44,
they're building generation. I don't know if they get it done.
I don't think so.
Oh man. Well
I guess it would it would. Yeah I mean it's not like I'm not
going to say you know those none of those guys should be
disappointed. They've done some amazing things. I have
had incredible careers but
it is it is going to be a especially tough path. I've
heard some people make some pretty impassioned cases. That
Argentina is a little bit under priced right now that they're
actually a little bit more dangerous than the market.
Realizes they have a little bit of a tough group but assuming
they win group
their path. Then kind of breaks.
A little bit easy. So I think Argentina's were circling but
interesting, shout them,
we're circling because also this is the group that had one
and then they finally got over the hump and won the Copa
América, right? So they understand now that winning
feeling as a group, they all want individual throughout
their career,
but understand that winning feeling as a group. And so,
I think that is that is important to note and, and their path
there, as you said, it slightly easier.
Oh, that's interesting. So there is something there in
terms of getting over the hump as a group, that carries over,
absolutely, I think so. You know, it's It's muscle memory,
right? It's
it's the say, my mind works the same. It's that winning feeling
thinking. We if you can't do it and you never do it, you don't
think you can. But when you finally get is that monkey off
your back and you think you can go again,
I love it. Sure, sure stuff. Great analysis. Temporarily
having you today, a man
appreciate you coming on the show,
and if you're not following Tim already, make sure you go get
them on Twitter. Ad, Tim Howard, g k. As in goalkeeper,
make sure you watch as announce to the Premier League this
season on, NBC Peacock
and USA. Tim, thank you so much, man, enjoy the week.
Well, Andrew
appreciate you guys. Thank you.