Speaking exclusively to Spin Genie, former Chelsea, Everton and Scotland winger Pat Nevin has explained why the ongoing FIFA Club World Cup is ruining football, while also suggesting that Jarrard Brainthwaite could be the next John Terry if he moves to Stamford Bridge this summer and that Everton should make a move for Manchester United flop Rasmus Hojlund.
Q: Is turning down the Jadon Sancho deal promising signs that Chelsea’s owners have learned a lesson in the transfer market?
PN - "I don't think the Jaden Sancho signing was a mistake from Chelsea. Putting it simply, he's a decent player who did an okay job for Chelsea. His three Premier League goals and four assists aren't bad. Also, he showed a good attitude and worked hard but Chelsea need more. They are looking for something extra special.
"They took a risk and have had to pay the price of £5 million to cancel a permanent deal. But let's be honest, it's not a lot of money. It's not a lot of money in the context of what they would be spending to sign Sancho permanently and in the context of what they have spent on other recent transfers that haven't worked out well. It's an insignificant amount of money for Chelsea.
"Just because it's Jadon Sancho, people take things more seriously. At the end of the day, Chelsea took a small risk, and it hasn't worked out, which isn't the end of the world."
Q: Talks have gone cold on Jamie Gittens, would he be a marked improvement on Jadon Sancho if he was to join the club?
PN - "Jamie Gittens would be an improvement on Jadon Sancho. The problem for Chelsea could be that nobody knows, and recent history will tell you, how players coming from the Bundesliga will perform in England.
"We don't know if Jamie Gittens will perform but he absolutely fits the bill of what Chelsea are after in the transfer market. He's 20 and scored 12 goals in 48 games across all competitions last season, which is really good for a wide player. You do, however, have to remember that the Bundesliga is completely different to the Premier League.
"Someone like Florian Wirtz is a no-brainer and is almost a certainty to work, which is why you have to pay big money to get him. Gittens isn't one of those but he's young enough to ensure he'll always have sell-on value, which mitigates how big of a risk he is as you can sell on at a small loss if required. That's what makes the Chelsea transfer model work.
"I'd be in the camp of signing Gittens over Sancho. No disrespect to Sancho, but he's not a massive improvement. You need to bring in players who are currently better than what you already have in the form of Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke, which isn't the case with Sancho."
Q: If Chelsea look closer to home for a new goalkeeper, is there anyone in the Premier League who would fit the bill?
PN - "The goalkeeper position is a tough one for Chelsea because what they're looking for is youth. But goalkeepers, like centre-backs, don't really come into their own until they're around 25 or 26. They are two very specific positions in that regard.
"We all look at Jordan Pickford and think he'd be brilliant. He's a fantastic shot-stopper and is okay with the ball at his feet, but he'd cost a lot of money and I don't think the goalkeeper position is where they want to spend that money.
"Look who's already on their books with Robert Sanchez, Filip Jorgensen, Gabriel Slonina, Djordje Petrovic and Kepa Arrizabalaga. I think the resolution to their goalkeeping problem could already be at the club. Kepa is as good as any of the goalkeepers we have mentioned and he'san option that I think is worth revisiting for Chelsea.
"I'm not sure if the ownership regime would think the same, but he's there and they're paying him. If he's the best option at the club, after learning a lot of things while out on loan this season, Chelsea shouldn't be looking all around the world for another goalkeeper. He's got better with his feet and is a fantastic shotstopper. While you can question his presence and it's a challenge Chelsea face, I don't think it's their biggest problem."
Q: Can Cole Palmer and Liam Delap be the Lampard x Drogba of a new era for Chelsea? Could Delap thrive from the influence of Palmer?
PN - "Comparing anyone to Frank Lampard and Didier Drogba is unfair but, to be honest, the numbers Cole Palmer has put up are outstanding during his time at Chelsea so far.
"Can Liam Delap and Palmer build a similar partnership? Certainly. Delap's work rate is fantastic and he will improve because he wants to improve. He's got the attitude that Chelsea fans like to see in their players and, after scoring plenty in a much worse Ipswich Town, if you create the chances, he will score the goals. The numbers and data don't lie. If he goes into Chelsea as first-choice striker ahead of Nicolas Jackson, he'll score more goals than he did last season.
"As a striker, there are very few players that you would prefer to play with other than Cole Palmer. It's a dream scenario and it will have played a part in the transfer. Remember they were both from the Man City academy, so there is a shared history.
"The question is fair. Will they become as successful as Lampard and Drogba? I don't know but I think they can become special in their own right.”
Q: How good is Liam Delap right now? Enzo Maresca said he will be England's striker but how long will that take?
PN - "It's a strange one because when Harry Kane first broke through, you didn't see any 'X factor' or anything like that. It just wasn't there. You almost thought 'What do you do?' He was obviously good but didn't have a standout trait. But it soon arrived and we realised he is a natural goalscorer.
"Delap isn't of that level just yet, but that's not to say he won't get there. If his conversion rate and goalscoring ability reaches the level that Harry Kane's does, then it's not impossible he becomes just as good."
Q: At 20/1, are Chelsea being underestimated in the Premier League title race for 2025/26? Or is it too soon for Enzo Maresca?
PN - "Chelsea are outsiders to win the league and, yes, it's a longshot but they're better than 20/1! I'd certainly be playing that each-way.
"Last season, I said they had to make the top four, and that's what happened. I think they'll improve again as you can see the players more maturity in the players and that their game management is improving, particularly in the centre of midfield with Moises Caicedo, Romeo Lavia and Enzo Fernandez. The creative options are looking good and the likes of Cucurella continue to get better.
"They're not quite there as a league-winning team at the moment but I think they'll comfortably finish in the top-four next season. The expectation would be to consolidate their place in the top-four without as much panic.
"The biggest problem Chelsea have ahead of next season, which is also the same with Manchester City, is that they're currently playing in the FIFA Club World Cup. They're not going to get enough rest.
"Yes, they have the youngest squad in the Premier League, but it's still going to affect them. You might not see it at the start of the season, but wait until November, December and January when they have a dip. People will say 'Oh, they're losing it', but that will be down to the matches they are playing now. It's just what happens when you don't get enough rest and we're playing matches like this and late international fixtures. Your body gives up. I remember playing against Estonia for Scotland in mid June and despite having scored two goals, my overriding emotion was tiredness.
"Physically and psychologically, your body gives up. You almost become ill and then they ask you to go and play more? Manchester United playing in Hong Kong was horrendous for football. Look at the heat they are playing in. The games that are being played now will ruin football as a product. Yes, it brings in more money but it's a shame for the fans who are going to be watching tired players, whether that's in the Premier League or the Club World Cup. It's a disaster for the players. I understand the argument that they are paid a lot of money and should be able to play, but it's ruining the product and standard of football for fans who will pay top-dollar and not see players at their best.
"As big as it is, I think it's an absolute outrage that the Club World Cup is being played at this moment in time. The tournament can go on for 29 days and, for the teams who get that far, just watch how the players fare next season.
"But it may well be the future of football and it's up to Chelsea to make sure they add enough cover to their squad."
Q: Does Levi Colwill have the potential to be a long-term leader at Chelsea like John Terry? Or would Marc Guehi be a better option?
PN - I've said before that centre-backs don't come into their own until they turn 24, 25 or 26. Levi Colwill is 22 and has everything you want in a defender. Chelsea must stick with him in their current model.
"Someone like Marc Guehi is coming into his prime at 24. Would I like to see him partnered with Colwill? Oh yes, definitely. I would love to see that. I've been saying for quite a while that Dean Huijsen is one of the best defenders in the world and, if I were Chelsea, he would have been the one I would have gone for. I thought he could replace Virgil van Dijk at Liverpool, so I was surprised to see him end up at Real Madrid.
"The other defender Chelsea need to consider signing, and I don't want it to happen, is Jarrad Branthwaite. He's young, but acts way beyond his years, and is growing into something special. Out of all the current defenders out there at the moment, I think he's the closest there is to John Terry when it comes to leadership and his style of play. My Evertonian hat hopes it will not happen though.
"But you can't have it all, and what we do know is that Colwill is someone Chelsea need to stick with. The dilemma is probably finding the perfect partner for him. They've spent a lot of money on centre-backs, which is probably the hardest position to sign in the current model. If you buy them young, they make mistakes and you lose games. That's what we've seen with the centre-backs Chelsea have spent an awful lot of money on.
"I think they could also do with signing another right-back. If Reece James is fit then there is no problem as he's the best of the best, but it will always be a concern with Reece. I think we've also seen recently that Malo Gusto is a winger-turned-full-back who may struggle when pinned back and asked to defend as opposed to solely attack. I think Chelsea could do with someone who possessesmore defensive nous in that position.
"Another right-back and a centre-back would be my priorities this summer."
Q: Should Frank Lampard be in contention for the Brentford job this summer? Has he earned a Premier League return or does he have to do more?
PN - "It's a funny one with Frank Lampard. He's taken tough jobs and has actually done the hard yards in management without really failing yet.
"If someone like Brentford took a chance on Frank, I don't think he'd let them down. Thomas Frank leaves big shoes to fill as he's been brilliant for them and you've also got to think about the players they might lose in the transfer window. They lost goals last summer with Ivan Toney leaving but managed to survive with Bryan Mbuemo and Yoanne Wissa, who could leave this summer. It's all good saying we'll sign strikers, but they don'tgrow on trees!
"Therefore, it would be a risk for Frank Lampard and also a risk for Brentford. But knowing him, his work-rate, his honesty and his dedication, I wouldn't hesitate to give him the Brentford job. He fits the mould of being a young and progressive manager and would have to hope that their recruitment conveyor belt keeps on producing.
"Whether he'd be as successful as Thomas Frank is a different story, but I think Frank Lampard would be a great fit for Brentford."
Q: The links with Jack Grealish also won’t go away, could he be a marquee signing for Everton as they head to their new home?
PN - Signing Jack Grealish will be a difficult one, financially, for Everton, but it'sa great time for the club. It'salmost a fresh start with David Moyes returning, many players leaving, creating space and, of course, entering the new stadium. It's an extraordinary time to support Everton.
"Paying crazy money will prove difficult, but if they can work out a deal to bring Jack to the club, then I'd back David Moyes to get him firing again. I would love to see him work and flourish under David Moyes.
"Jack Grealish should actually be the future because, with the way teams play following Pep Guardiola's influence, everything was about passing, but that is changing thankfully. We've just seen Paris Saint-Germain win the Champions League by going all-out attack, which is completely Grealish's style. If he finds a manager and someone who won't care about him losing the ball and just wants him to create chances and take risks, like David Moyes, we will see the old Jack Grealish return.
"Jack needs to go to a team where he is a big fish and will see the majority of the ball and create chances, as opposed to being a small cog and having limited opportunities. That would mean taking a step down from one of the elite clubs and dropping to a mid-table Premier League club.
"But it would be a difficult deal to do for Everton and after losing Abdoulaye Doucoure, I think they need to prioritise adding power to their midfield again. A move for Grealish is a lovely thought but I'm not sure it would happen."
Q: Dominic Calvert-Lewin hasn’t been able to live up to expectations at Everton, would you like to see the Toffees bring Richarlison back to the club?
PN - "I've not thought for one minute Dominic Calvert-Lewin would be staying at Everton this summer, but stranger things have happened, I suppose. It would be strange, though. Will David Moyes be crying into his pillow? Not at all. He will want to bring a striker of his own into the club to suit his system.
"While Dominic has some outstanding attributes, such as his physicality, jumping and aerial ability, David Moyes will want more than that. He will want someone who is always available and can add other things to the game.
"Richarlison could well be someone they're interested in. You do wonder if he's still got that spark, however, as there have been some tough times for him at Tottenham Hotspur. He works hard but playing under Ange Postecoglou is different.
"Am I desperate for Everton to sign Richarlison? I wouldn't go that far. But if he's someone that they bring through the door, I think he'd be welcomed back by the fans with open arms."
Q: With Manchester United keen on Viktor Gyokeres, would you like to see Everton offer a lifeline to Rasmus Hojlund from his Old Trafford torment?
PN - "There are some good names out there. The loan market is something Everton have looked at in the past and I think it's something they should revisit again. It gives them all sorts of possibilities as they're not spending £50 million.
"There are two or three players that they could think about bringing in from Manchester United but Rasmus Hojlund is the one that sticks out. If you look at his style of play, it's a perfect match with how David Moyes likes to play. While his numbers haven't been great this season, Moyes loves hard workers and that's something you can never complain about in regards toHojlund.
"It's not very often David Moyes has had a 20-30 goals-per-season striker. He's had strikers who run in behind and create space to bring others into play, so, if he's available, Hojlund could be a tempting option for Everton to sign on loan."
Q: Should Wrexham pick up Ashley Young from Everton on a free transfer? He has huge experience across so many leagues
PN - "I love what Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney have done at Wrexham. I've got time for anyone who can pick a club up and invest money to bring them back up the leagues. It might be annoying for the teams playing against them but that's what happens at every level of football.
"Ashley Young is so weird. There is no way he should be so fit at the age of 39. If you're a sitting midfielder or number 10 who is waltzing about, it may be understandable, but he's a full-back bombing up and down the wing which is staggering.
"He does, however, happen to be human, so it's inevitable he will drop off at some point. If he takes a step down, it needs to be for a project and Wrexham is one hell of a project.
"From my point of view, I would encourage it. I think it would be a really good thing for him to do. I dropped down a division later on in my career and it was possibly the happiest I ever was whilst playing. My advice would be that his next move won't be to Real Madrid, so he needs to do something he enjoys and ignore anyone who says, 'Oh, it's a step down.'
"He would offer so much experience and leadership to that team. Who else has achieved what he has at Wrexham? It would all rub off on his teammates and be a win-win for both parties. Even if he got injured, he will add something massive off the field."
Q: Is it almost a shame to see Kieran Tierney back at Celtic at 28? There were hopes that he could be a star in the Premier League and beyond for Scotland?
PN - "The end to Kieran Tierney's Premier League career is one of the most confusing and disappointing things I've seen.
"As an all-round player, he was a better left-back than Andy Robertson. Andy has done some brilliant things with Liverpool but as a player, not when it comes to crossing, but in terms of getting forward, Kieran was just as good and adaptable. That's no disrespect to Andy Robertson, who I think is world-class, but for Kieran to have done nowhere near as much is just partially baffling and just disappointing.
"I don't think he's done anything particularly wrong other than getting injured which held him back. His attitude has always been spoton and he's always offered quality. As a matter of fact, at one point, he was a favourite of the supporters at Arsenal. I just think Mikel Arteta thinks he cannot be trusted to stay fit. It's a shame and is as much of a problem as anything.
"Anyway, he's swapping the substitutes' bench for the place he loves and a place where he can still play Champions League football. Celtic pushed Bayern Munich all the way in Europe last season. It's not that bad, is it?
"Did he underachieve? Yes, but it's not due to any fault of his own."
Q: Should Celtic also be looking at Andy Robertson ona free next summer? Or does the signing of Tierney block that idea?
PN - "You know when a team like Liverpool are spending £40, £50 million on new players, that they are going to buy someone for them to come and sit on the bench. Milos Kerkez is joining with a view to replacing Andy Robertson.
"There are two things Andy can do: either fight for his place or think, 'I don't want to spend the last few years of my career on the bench, so I'll leave.' He needs to have a good talk with Arne Slot and make a decision.
"The good thing for him is that there will be plenty of offers on the table. There will be offers from Spain, other English clubs and I'm sure Celtic would take him if it were an affordable prospect. With two left-backs (including Kieran Tierney), however, Brendan Rodgers would end up with the same problem Steve Clarke faces, which is trying to shoehorn them both into the team. Kieran Tierney joining Celtic could prevent it from happening.
"With that being said, though, I, personally, would like to see him stick it out for another year at Liverpool, but that's only if he's been told that he's still in the manager's thinking. If he's not, I'd get out now."
Q: Is Russell Martin a safer appointment than an ambitious one? How much did his short spell at the club have an impact?
PN - "I don't actually take much from what happened with Russell Martin and Southampton in the Premier League. Any manager would have struggled with the team he had. I suppose he had a problem with sticking by certain things when they weren't working, almost in an Ange Postecoglou-like way.
"If you're trying to play Russell Martin's style of football in the Premier League where nearenough every opposition has better players, then you're going to struggle. Rangers will be fine in terms of having better players than 10 out of the 11 opponents they will face in the Scottish Premiership next season but maybe not when it comes to Celtic... and that's what matters.
"He's up against a good manager in Brendan Rodgers and has to bring in a lot of new players at Rangers this summer. A bit like with David Moyes at Everton, there are a lot of changes that need to be made with players having already left. It'salmost a fresh start for Rangers.
"But catching up with Celtic, who are currently ahead when it comes to finances, performances in Europe and how long things have been in place, will take a while. For Russell Martin to win the Premiership in his first season would be staggering and I think Rangers fans might have to be a little bit patient.
Q: What percentage chance would you give of Rangers beating Celtic to the Scottish Premiership title next season?
PN - "As a Hibernian supporter, it hurts me to say it's still a two-horse race. The problem for Rangers, however, is that it's a long two-horse race and much tougher than winning the Scottish Cup, for example.
"I'd give Rangers a 25% chance of winning the league title next season in a two-horse race. That's how far Celtic are ahead. Perhaps we should wait and see who Rangers bring in this summer but, from what I've been told about how much Russell Martin will be allowed to spend this summer, he'll do really well to catch them."
Q: West Ham and Brentford are linked with Hamza Igamane, is he ready for a transfer like that? Should Rangers cash in?
PN - "Is Hamza Igamane going to set fire to the Premier League? No. It's not like someone will be singing the next Eden Hazard.
"I do think he's capable of doing a job for someone in the middle region of the division but that's probably it.
"In Rangers' situation, where you've got to sign five or six players this summer, you could do with the money. I suppose with new owners, it means there will be a bit more available to Russell Martin but sometimes, even though you're desperate to keep one player, selling them means you can sign four more. That's the sort of situation Rangers currently find themselves in.
"It wouldn't show a lack of ambition if they sell Igamane or anything like that. It can actually help them refresh the squad and start this new era.
Q: Rangers have been linked with a move for Christian Eriksen, do you think that would be the signing of the summer in Scotland?
PN - "Look at Steven Davis when he played for Rangers, he retired at 39 and was brilliant. Scottish football can just be about blood and guts and times but in that number 10 position, I think Christian Eriksen would do well.
"Christian is not a centre midfielder, he's an attacking midfielder. He's not able to go and chase younger players but bringing him to Scotland would work. You'd want to get the best out of him, which isn't when he's running about. Watch him play for Denmark. He's still a number 10 who can create chances and score goals.
"It's just hard to see how it happens financially but he could do a great job for Rangers as a number 10."
Q: What do you make of the recent criticism of Steve Clarke as Scotland boss? Fans seem downbeat with recent performances
PN - "Scotland were qualifying for nothing before Steve Clarke arrived and now we have qualified for two out of the last three tournaments.
"Yes, the last two or three games have been poor but, firstly, I do not care about friendlies one bit. These games exist just to try out different players, and Scotland are of no use if they are not at 100% full strength. That doesn't happen in friendlies, so we should just ignore them.
"Steve Clarke will be given the opportunity to get Scotland to the World Cup. I spoke to the Chief Executive of the SFA a couple of days ago, who told me that is going to be exactly the case.
"Qualification is what matters, and Steve Clarke will have the boys fired up for it. He's really good at the technical side of coaching but is also great with the mental aspect."
Q: Given what he has done in Italy, how much would Scott McTominay’s value be in the transfer market if Manchester United ever try to bring him back?
PN - "Steve Clarke deserves credit for Scott McTominay's progress. We needed something between the midfield and attack, so Scott played there and did brilliantly. Manchester United had him every day in training but couldn't see it! He's now playing in his natural position.
"The player that we are seeing star at Napoli is worth £70 or £80 million. He'll work hard, is selfless, scores goals and will do good things off the pitch. I was hoping he'd go to Everton when he left Manchester United.
"He's now been given what he wants, and, like Jack Grealish, players will thrive in the best circumstances. If I were Scott McTominay, I would not care if someone came in offering £80 million, and I would stay at Napoli.
"I can't see him leaving. He's found the perfect club and has the opportunity to play with Kevin De Bruyne next season. The joy he's found after the torture of being at Manchester United would make it staggering if he left."
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