Enzo Maresca, Thierry Henry, Man United Team (Stuart Franklin/Getty Images, Alvaro Mendolanda/Quality Sports Images/Getty Images, Ash Doneron/Manchester United
In his exclusive column on catch-offside, former England striker Stan Colliemore discusses some of the biggest topics in football, including comments on Chelsea and Tottenham seasons after the success of Europe, Thierry Henry’s Arsenal and Mikel Arteta and Man United’s trip to Malaysia, among others.
–
The UEFA Conference League victory ends a great season for Chelsea
I think it was Chelsea’s 9/10 season. There has been a lot of talk about the money they’ve spent over the last few years, but it’s important to remember that this is a very young group of players. Enzo Maresca also has his first season as manager. This should be taken into consideration.
Winning the UEFA Conference League should not be overlooked. I had a huge favorite to win, but it’s still a good result. They struggled against Betis in the first half, but the changes made at halftime were the catalyst for the comeback.
Chelsea have made a big start to the season, but they wobbled before they ended up strong in recent weeks. Maresca has been credited to the work he has done, and that team will only get better with Gel and more signatures added, and Stamford Bridge has a bright future.
The signature of Liam Delap is very good. He has far more pedigrees, so I think it was a clear choice for him to choose Chelsea over something like Man United or Newcastle. And on top of this, he already knows people like Maresca and Cole Palmer. Chelsea also has more calming environments for him compared to people like Man United.
Tottenham has something to do despite the success of the Europa League
If Chelsea were in the 9/10 season, Tottenham would get 6/10 from me. Of course they ended the trophy drought by winning the Europa League (I predicted), and qualify for the Champions League, but there’s a big problem there. Scoring 38 points in the Premier League is an absolute embarrassment, meaning that he will likely need another 10 wins to qualify again via the league placement when he looks ahead next season. That’s a big jump for them to make.
But I think it can and they can do it. And if that were the case, they would be on a more equal footing with things like Chelsea and Arsenal. Although they haven’t particularly registered with the opinion that Tottenham’s season is better than Arsenal, if they can get momentum next season and finish in the top 4/5, they can be with their rivals right away. But I don’t think I can do this using the Ange Postecoglou, which they still take charge of.
Arsenal should be aware of Thierry Henry’s comments
I’m a huge fan of comments by Thierry Henry, a football-obsessed person. Essentially, he said that everyone else has outside of Arsenal, but I think there’s more chance he’ll listen because he’s a club legend.
It is clear that Arsenal has made progress in recent years, and they are one of the best teams in the UK. But they have nothing to show for it during Mikel Arteta’s tenure, except for his first season of the FA Cup. He cannot continue to escape these results for another season. Otherwise he should be fired. Another manager can provide and deliver the success he has promised.
Henry’s comments, and also made by Ian Wright, really resonates with supporters like the Arsenal and Arteta cult.
The expected Florian Wirtz deal is a great business by Liverpool
I really love Florian Wurtz’s future signature to Liverpool. People say he’s not necessarily the person he needs, but when you have the opportunity to sign a player of his quality, you’ll take it. And for me, he meets the needs of Arne Slot.
I appreciate Dominique Schboschlei, but Wiltz is on a different level in that he can do a lot on the football pitch. He can move Liverpool forward in multiple ways. And I hope he will play in midfield positions next season during offensive.
Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong are a very good start to Liverpool’s transfer window and are in a strong position to maintain their Premier League title. This is worse news for Arteta.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo’s deals are not suitable for Man United
On the other hand, I don’t like Matheus Cunha signs Man United. I think he has shown this season that his temperament is not the best. That’s evident on pitch and on social media. He has a lot of red mist around him, and that problem will not be resolved in an environment like Man United.
Also, I don’t think Brian Mbeumo should go there. He’s been discussing this week, and there are plenty of clubs that are suitable for him to join. And considering the seasons he’s had up until now, he won the right to play European football in 2025-26. Going from Brentford to Mann United is a big step most of the time, but with Mbeumo he can do better.
He links to Newcastle, but for me I think Aston Villa is a really good fit. He works under a manager who continues to make the most of him, and he will play regularly in the Premier League and Europa League. Arsenal should also be everywhere he is, as he is a sensational addition to their offense, even if he doesn’t become a regular starter in his right-wing position, which he likes due to Bukayosaka’s presence.
Chelsea will be another good move. I really appreciate Mbeumo so for me he is better than Pedro Neto or Noni Maduke. He can also provide backup to Delap in the striker position.
Travelling to Malaysia was a complete embarrassment for Man United.
Man United’s trip to Malaysia was a disaster. The open-top bus parade is a joke. You can understand that you want to show your supporters themselves, but this is usually reserved for celebrations and there is nothing to celebrate with that club after this season.
Amad Diallo has responded to fans as well, as well as Alejandro Garnacho, who appears to be completely uninterested in the signature event. And Cake’s icing lost to the ASEAN All-Star in a match where they saw them win the prize money. These moves would have been overlooked if they had won, but they weren’t, so it’s even more emphasised.
It all represents the horrifying atmosphere that exists today at Man United, and there will be a big change in that aspect in the future. They need to announce new signatures over the summer, work hard behind the scenes, and be humbled by their approach to showcasing the benefits of next season.
Reuben Amorim has a big job with his hands as it is not just his team that needs to be overhauled, but his club attitude too. This is where I can also participate in Ir Jim Ratcliffe.
Changes required after the Aston Villa goal controversy
Aston Villa was unlucky to be denied Champions League qualification after Morgan Rodgers’ decision to deny his goal against Man United, but he was so poor throughout the 90 minutes that I think he deserves what he got when considering the entire season.
But with that, it is clear that PGMOL needs to change the rules. The goalkeeper cannot determine that he is in control of the ball when he is not touching it. It’s just ridiculous. It was a very controversial moment, so I’m sure something will be done about it.
I think Aston Villa is right to make a formal complaint, but the way they did it was dignified. They knew they couldn’t do anything about it now, but it’s important that it happens in the future so that another club cannot suffer the same fate.
It is also important to emphasize the lack of experience in judges. Because he did not follow the established guidance on letting the ball die before making a decision. A few weeks ago, when Play was allowed to continue (when it shouldn’t have been), Awoniyi Ida saw what happened, but in this case the same rules didn’t apply.
