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.
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Dan Z. asked: Hi David. Given the return of Michael Edwards at Liverpool and him being very data-oriented, could you see him being ruthless with ‘Klopp signings’ this summer? Could Darwin Nunez be at risk of being sold this coming window? Thanks!
David Ornstein: I very much doubt Nunez will be leaving. Whatever you think of his form recently, he has shown himself to be a good player for club and country, he is still young, Liverpool wouldn’t make any/much profit from selling him now and there is clear potential for him to have a successful career at Anfield.
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If suitable offers come in for any player it’s only natural that Edwards, sporting director Richard Hughes and anyone else in their positions — and at board level — will consider them, but that doesn’t mean they will be accepted.
There are no signs that dramatic revolution is on the way for Liverpool — more likely, it will be smart and necessary evolution. Three key players — Mohamed Salah, Virgil van Dijk and Trent Alexander-Arnold — are approaching their final 12 months, so that will be a priority.
There will be some departures and arrivals but Edwards tends to favour relatively subtle but important alterations to ensure the team improves and remains competitive. A good operation, which Liverpool is, shouldn’t require much change and often that has a destabilising effect.
With a new manager/head coach arriving there will be tweaks, but Liverpool already have a strong nucleus, plenty of promising young players and some experienced pros who have plenty left in the tank.
They are better placed to handle this transition than Manchester United after Alex Ferguson and Arsenal after Arsene Wenger. Of course, Edwards (and Hughes) will be under pressure to deliver — and they won’t be afraid to make tough, bold and perhaps unpopular calls — but I don’t envisage it being particularly drastic.
🏳️🌈🏳️🌈🏳️🌈 asked: Hi David, Is there any truth to the link between Arsenal and players such as Michael Olise and Alexander Isak? Are Arsenal trying to bolster the squad depth?
Ornstein: Neither of those are names I have heard figure prominently in Arsenal’s thinking but it is still early (the window isn’t even nearly open!), so it is not easy to say much definitively.
We’ve talked loads about a central striker but, as John Cross in the Daily Mirror first reported, the impact of Kai Havertz up top may influence Arsenal’s decision — especially if Gabriel Jesus also stays.
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Midfield is a key area of focus. If Declan Rice is going to be a No 6, you’d assume they recruit a No 8. If Rice is going to be a No 8, you’d assume they recruit a No 6. Departures in both positions will play a part.
The long-term conversation around depth in the wide positions will continue — whether somebody comes in or not, we’ll have to wait and see. Left-back is also an area that we could see bolstered, and a backup goalkeeper if Aaron Ramsdale leaves.
Jonny N asked: Hi David, could you please give your insight into the Ruben Amorim situation? Why did Liverpool abort their interest in him and instead target Arne Slot? And what happened with Amorim and West Ham? Thanks!
Ornstein: Amorim was in the Liverpool conversation but so were/are other candidates and I was never aware of him being the internal favourite, irrespective of some of the external reporting.
It might not be that they aborted their interest in him (and don’t forget it’s not one way; he will have preferences, too). Instead, maybe Slot emerged from this process to tick the most boxes and be deemed the most appropriate candidate.
Amorim’s camp held talks with West Ham and then he flew over to meet them this week. Exactly why he did that so publicly is the source of much debate — but after that meeting, he felt a move to West Ham was not right for him at this time.
Th W asked: Hi David, when does Omar Berrada complete his gardening leave? And do you think Manchester United will employ a recruitment expert (head of recruitment or another technical director who focuses on recruitment) before Dan Ashworth’s gardening leave?
Ornstein: Berrada starts in mid-July. I could see another appointment in the area you suggest but it is probably unlikely until Ashworth is in, as it would probably be to work under him. It’s not ideal if they arrive earlier!
Jason Wilcox was a bit different because they wanted and needed somebody to start in the absence of Berrada/Ashworth and after John Murtough left. But I’m not aware of any subsequent appointments being on the horizon just yet.
Joel K asked: Do you have any insight into whether Arsenal plan to extend (or trigger the extension in) Jorginho’s contract? Given it expires in the summer, I’m surprised at how little we’ve heard about it.
Ornstein: I’d expect one of Thomas Partey and Jorginho to leave this summer. Perhaps that might be Partey because he could raise some money.
But I don’t say that with certainty because, when Partey plays, we know how important he is. We also don’t know what Jorginho will decide to do himself, given his contract is expiring.
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Arsenal would love to keep him but this is one of many areas that needs to be resolved.
Sean M asked: Any new info on Mauricio Pochettino and Chelsea? I sense frustration from him on the recruitment model and lack of experience.
Ornstein: This situation will be reviewed in the summer. You’d expect him to be judged on results, of course, but also on style and principles of play.
There is still a lot to compete for at Chelsea this season — European qualification will be high on the agenda. Given Champions League qualification was the aim at the start of the season — and that isn’t happening — they will want to get into the Europa League rather than the Europa Conference League.
I’m not aware of Chelsea looking to change their recruitment model at all, but collaborative conversations will take place between the head coach, sporting directors and owners.
Harsh B asked: “Advanced negotiations”, “talks took place” “advanced stage”, “close to agreeing”. We read these words often during negotiations. What do these mean? How do you journalists categorise these terms? How advanced are the negotiations when we read “advanced negotiations are taking place”? What’s done and what’s left to be done in that case?
Ornstein: First, the wording we use is based on the information we have independently sourced, corroborated and offered rights of reply on. We rely on the detail we are told and have cross-referenced.
If there is a discrepancy we will review the information, discuss it internally and maybe go back to our contacts to make further checks. It’s better to be safe than make a mistake, so if in doubt show caution or stand back entirely until you are in a stronger position to report.
The options you mention are not massively dissimilar — it’s largely semantics — and, let’s face it, when you get to this point it’s not one of the most sensitive areas of journalism. But still, you need and want to be as accurate as possible.
Notionally, the first step is “contact” on an “enquiry” or “expressing interest”. That is pretty much as it sounds and would normally be club-to-club or via intermediaries. Once clubs (directly or via intermediaries) start discussing a potential deal, you’re into “talks” territory. This might be in person, by call, text or email.
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If it progresses to “serious” conversations between the clubs and with the player — ie, a discussion of numbers and clauses, offers and counter-offers, a desire among all parties and a realistic chance of striking a deal — that could be classed as “advanced”.
Should everyone be broadly on the same page, the finances be in the right ballpark and draft documentation begin changing hands, I’d say that’s “close to an agreement”.
It may already be that an “agreement in principle” has been reached, which tends to be verbal or in writing but not official paperwork — with details that still need to be resolved, personal terms finalised and/or a medical undergone. That would probably still be termed as “close to an agreement”, “on the verge/brink of an agreement”, “agreed subject to…” or “agreed but not signed”.
I’m sure you catch my drift. Obviously, it’s unlikely journalists are in the room when this is happening so you rely on trust and the rigour of your due diligence. Sometimes you might see the evidence yourself. Hopefully, that gives you a reasonable answer before I waffle on any longer!
Steve S asked: West Ham United manager, what’s the latest?
Ornstein: Last I heard was that if David Moyes leaves, Julen Lopetegui and Paulo Fonseca feature prominently in the club’s thinking. Amorim had become their main target but that is not a move that seems like it will develop.
Daniel A asked: Has there been any news from Manchester United regarding Erik ten Hag and his future? Are they looking for another manager?
Ornstein: There is no decision yet. They are working/planning with him for the time being and Wilcox and INEOS will be assessing the situation.
Naturally, the new regime will be studying other options in case they decide to make a change or he doesn’t want to continue — that’s normal due diligence and many clubs can say the same — but Ten Hag is in position and I don’t know of any movement to alter that.
There are so many factors involved, which means it is not as straightforward as some of us might think.
(Top photo: Getty Images)
