This will NOT be a final-day cakewalk for City… there will be drama!
This will NOT be a final-day cakewalk for Manchester City… there will be drama! Micah Richards and Chris Sutton talk title race drama, Roy Keane rages… and why they would love to be referee Mike Dean for a day
- Manchester City and Liverpool are locked in a battle for the Premier League title
- Burnley and Leeds are fighting to avoid relegation from the top-flight on Sunday
- Rivals Tottenham and Arsenal are battling to qualify for the Champions League
Micah Richards and Chris Sutton talk about the Premier League title race drama ahead of the final day of the season.
Manchester City remain in control with a one point advantage as they come up against Steven Gerrard’s Aston Villa while Liverpool face Wolves still determined to keep on track for winning the quadruple this season.
The Sportsmail double act talk about everything from the title race to Jack Grealish being a flop and Luis Diaz being the best newcomer as they met up with Sportsmail’s Kieran Gill.
Micah Richards and Chris Sutton talk about the Premier League title race drama and the season overall ahead of the final day of the season
IS THERE A LAST-DAY TITLE TWIST?
RICHARDS: After you, Christopher.
SUTTON: I hope there’s a twist! I want that last-day drama. But, I’m not sure we’re going to get it.
City are too good to trip up against Aston Villa. OK, they bottled the Champions League again, but they’re not going to choke in this one. It’s just not going to happen.
Manchester City are in control of the Premier League title, but could there be a final twist
MR: I agree with you.
CS: What, that City bottled the Champions League?
MR: (laughs) No, Christopher. I think City will win — but I also think there will be a twist. It won’t be 5-0 and all singing and dancing.
It’s the 10-year anniversary of the 93:20, the Sergio Aguerooooo moment. I don’t think we’ll get that level of drama, but I don’t think it’ll be straightforward.
JACK GREALISH: FLOP OR FANTASTIC?
CS: I’ll say it before Micah says it: it’s not as bad as the £10million that Chelsea spent on me. Grealish isn’t a flop. He’s gone into a team full of superstars.
Is he selected to start in the big games? Against Atletico Madrid? Against Real Madrid? The 2-2 with Liverpool? He was benched for all of those, so there’s definitely more he could be doing.
MR: I would say he’s probably not performed to the level we know he can in the big games he’s started, but he’s most definitely not a flop. I’ll just say I expected more, because I know how good he is.
CS: Had Grealish gone to City for free, we wouldn’t be having this debate. But it’s because he’s the ‘£100m man’, and that’s money that City would have preferred to spend on Harry Kane. (pauses) Oh, I didn’t get the desired bite out of you there, Micah!
MR: (laughs) Look, Rodri struggled in his first season. Riyad Mahrez, Raheem Sterling struggled. He’s come into a system where he’s had to adapt his game.
That £100m price tag didn’t help him, but let’s give him next season to show us what he can do, at least.
£100million summer signing Jack Grealish is not a flop, he just joined a team of superstars
IS LUIS DIAZ THE LEAGUE’S BEST NEWBIE?
MR: Dejan Kulusevski’s done well and so has Cristian Romero. But no one’s had an impact like Luis Diaz. He’s come here, won the League Cup, won the FA Cup, and now might win another trophy or two? Ridiculous.
CS: Bruno Guimaraes has been good at Newcastle, too. It’s interesting how he couldn’t get a game because Eddie Howe preferred Joe Willock, Jonjo Shelvey and Joelinton in midfield.
But now he’s flying. Still, it’s Diaz who’s nailed it. Liverpool’s front line has always picked itself. Now we barely talk about Roberto Firmino anymore!
Liverpool attacker Luis Diaz is the best newcomer of the season after his impact since January
WHO FINISHES FOURTH: TOTTENHAM or ARSENAL?
CS: I think the readers deserve to know you actually phrased the question as, ‘Can Spurs do something as “Spursy” as lose to Norwich to miss out on the Champions League?’ Disgraceful that, Kieran. Norwich is a really proud city. It’s got lovely old City walls…
MR: (laughs) Stick to football please, Christopher.
CS: Stranger things have happened. Do I expect Spurs to win? Yes, but don’t rule out plucky little Norwich.
Tottenham Hotspur are expected to beat Norwich and finish fourth in the Premier League
All you boys in the media have said “Spurs have Champions League football sewn up”. Well sometimes Carrow Road isn’t the easiest venue to visit.
MR: Nah. Sorry. It can’t be done. That defeat at Tottenham was a killer for Arsenal.
CS: Here’s one for you, then: is it a failure for Mikel Arteta’s Arsenal to finish fifth?
MR: It is and it isn’t. At the start of the season, no one expected them to be here, fighting for fourth.
But the way they’ve ended the season, you’d say they have failed. Arteta likes them to play a particular way.
But when you’re going into a north London derby with a top-four spot at stake, just manage the game! You don’t need to go out all guns blazing.
It felt a little naive of Arsenal, what they did against Tottenham and then Newcastle, the last game of the season at a jumping St James’ Park. You’ve got to find another way to play.
CS: They’re an angry bunch, Arsenal fans. The celebrations after their win at West Ham this month — I was slaughtered for saying it was as if they’d won the league.
Arsenal can still finish fourth, but it looks very unlikely after losing to Newcastle United
I was called the celebration police and a numpty and everything in between.
But now they’ve got egg on their face. You’re taking selfies after you win at West Ham? Wait until the job is done!
MR: It’s in the moment, though, isn’t it?
CS: Thierry Henry, Dennis Bergkamp, Patrick Vieira, mad-dog Martin Keown, would they have been celebrating before the job was done, or celebrating fourth at all for that matter?
MR: This is where the club are now, though. We can’t keep going back in history. It doesn’t matter what you’ve had in the past. It’s about the present.
CS: If they had confirmed Champions League qualification, by all means, celebrate. But celebrating winning at West Ham with four games to go? Deary me.
MAN UTD OR WEST HAM FOR SIXTH?
CS: Manchester United deserve the Europa Conference League after this sorry season.
MR: It’s not what we want! It’s what we think. I think West Ham win at Brighton but I don’t think Manchester United beat Crystal Palace. So if that happens, West Ham finish sixth for Europa League, and United seventh for Europa Conference League.
CS: Are those crossed fingers I see there, Micah?
Manchester United need to beat Crystal Palace to ensure Europa League football next season
MR: For West Ham to reach the Europa League semi-finals and still be in with a shout of a top-six Premier League finish, that’s not getting the credit it deserves.
CS: Brighton are a good team, mind. I’m saying both games end in draws, so United get sixth. But I do think West Ham deserve to finish above United.
MR: Why ‘deserve’?
Richards and Sutton believe West Ham deserve to finish above United in sixth place
CS: They’ve been competitive in European competition this season. Their squad is stretched. They’ve not got a dressing room full of prima donnas.
They’ve given it a go. Most people around the country would say West Ham deserve sixth more than United. But you’re right, Micah, it’s about where you finish after 38 games.
IS ERIK TEN HAG THE RIGHT FIT FOR MAN UTD?
CS: I’m not sure what Ten Hag can achieve next season. So many stories have come out about this United team, the egos in the dressing room, the problems, the Cristiano Ronaldo issue, how does he turn this around?
MR: You’re not still saying Ronaldo is a problem, are you, Christopher? The man’s got 18 League goals!
CS: This tells us more about you and your selfish mentality, Micah. I was all for the team. You’re for yourself. Give Ronaldo the Player of the Year award if you like. Give him whatever personal accolade you want.
The bottom line is, where are Manchester United now compared to last season? They’ve gone backwards, not forwards, and Ronaldo is part of that. It’s a team game but he’s not a team player.
The duo also question whether Erik ten Hag is the right fit for Manchester United next season
MR: All a player can do is perform to the best of his ability and that’s what Ronaldo has done! If someone scores 18 goals, it helps the team, and Ten Hag says he wants to keep him.
CS: Well, he has to say that. Imagine if he rocked up and said, ‘I don’t want Ronaldo’. I’m not saying he isn’t a great player. His career speaks for itself. But he’s 37.
How can Ten Hag have a long-term plan that includes Ronaldo? It’s impossible to judge Ten Hag fairly until he’s had a transfer window or two. Next season is bound to be a long, hard slog for United.
MR: The first thing that Ten Hag needs to do is come in and say, ‘We’re going to play like this. If you don’t fit into this system, then unfortunately you’ll be leaving’. Right now, United are using players just because of their names, and that is a problem.
CS: What’s success for United next season? Top four?
MR: It depends. If they bring in £200m worth of players, the expectation will be massive. But Ten Hag needs to go in, pick the bones out of it, find a way to play, then after that we’ll judge him.
WHO GOES DOWN WITH WATFORD AND NORWICH?
CS: I think I’ve said a different team every time I’m asked for these predictions! I’m still backing Norwich to somehow stay up! Neither Leeds nor Burnley have it easy, facing Brentford and Newcastle respectively.
MR: It’s so hard to call, but I can see Leeds winning at Brentford. Thomas Frank’s side have had a great season and just got a very good result at Everton.
They’re almost on their holidays, but Leeds will be playing like their lives depend on it. So I’ll say it’s Burnley who will drop down.
Richards is predicting Leeds to win at Brentford to ensure their Premier League survival
Chris Sutton feels Leeds will go down instead of rivals Burnley on the final day of the season
CS: There are real issues at Leeds, mind. If they drop down, you wonder who will leave.
You can bet Kalvin Phillips’ head will be turned, for one. I’ll say Leeds get nothing at Brentford and are the ones destined for the drop.
SURPRISE OF THE SEASON?
CS: If you’re a glass half-empty kind of guy, you’d go for Everton. But I’m half-full, and I’ll say Brentford. Who gave them a chance of staying up? I didn’t. I got them so badly wrong.
MR: Liverpool.
CS: Liverpool? For your biggest surprise?
Brentford are the surprise of the season according to Sutton, while Richards says Liverpool
MR: If Liverpool win the League and the Champions League, we’re talking about the best team to ever grace English football.
CS: Is this you with your Manchester City hat on again? Is it not patronising to Liverpool to say this is such a surprise?
MR: Is it not surprising to that Liverpool are chasing four trophies?
CS: I don’t think that’s a massive shock. They were always going to improve on last season with Virgil van Dijk back. I’m shocked by Brentford. I’m shocked by Everton. But I’m not shocked that Liverpool are doing well.
MR: Well I’m shocked by how great Liverpool have been. It’s greatness we’re seeing.
YOU CAN TRADE PLACES WITH SOMEONE IN THE PREMIER LEAGUE FOR 48 HOURS. WHO?
MR: Mike Dean.
CS: That’s a great shout.
MR: He’s hilarious. He’s a character and I love it. The League will miss him when he’s gone.
Both Richards and Sutton would like to be referee Mike Dean if they could swap with someone
CS: He’s the greatest showman. Micah’s nailed it there. I think I’m Mike Dean as well if you’re giving me the option! Hell, ask anybody across the world and I think they’d all say Mike!
Also, I like the thought of being in the VAR truck. We can only assume that, given the number of incidents they seem to miss, they must nip out to put the kettle on.
The amount of decisions that have gone against Norwich, Micah! Whenever they score, I assume it’s going to get ruled out.
YOUR PLAYER, MANAGER AND PUNDIT OF THE YEAR?
CS: Player of the Year first. Come on, Micah. Get it over with and tell me which City man you’re nominating.
MR: Nope! I’m saying Sadio Mane, who didn’t even make the Premier League’s eight-man shortlist! He won AFCON for Senegal.
He got them to the World Cup. He’s scored in most of the big games for Liverpool this season. He’s been a joke, Mane. He’s my choice.
Liverpool star Sadio Mane (pictured) would be Richards Premier League player of the season
CS: Wow! Well, like you, I’m also saying someone who wasn’t shortlisted for the award — Van Dijk. Liverpool are a different machine when he’s with them.
MR: Manager of the Year?
CS: Thomas Frank! It’s not all about the big boys, playing with their millions. What Frank has done with Brentford is remarkable.
I had them finishing in the bottom three in my pre-season predictions and I’ve got so much egg on my face I’m a walking omelette. They beat Arsenal on that season-opening Friday night and haven’t looked back.
Chris Sutton has named Brentford boss Thomas Frank as his manager of the year
MR: I’m going for Patrick Vieira. He took over a Palace team in transition. They finished 2020-21 with the oldest average XI, had more than a few players coming to the end of their contracts, but look at them now. Did you have them in your bottom three, too, Chris?
CS: I think I did! Thanks for that.
MR: Vieira made Palace believe that they were more than just a hard-working team. He’s given his flair players the belief to go and show just how good they are.
Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira is Micah Richards pick for his manager of the year
CS: Last but never least, Pundit of the Year. As much as I’d like to say you, Micah, I’ve got to give this gong to the one, the only, Martin Keown. He sticks to his guns like nobody else I know!
He backed Arsenal blindly — refusing to say a single Tottenham player he’d take when asked before that north London derby — and now he’s getting his backside kicked along with the rest of the Gunners out there. So, Martin, you’re my man.
MR: Erm, I’ll go for…
CS: Roy Keane.
MR: You know what?
CS: Just say Keane. You’re too scared to not say him.
MR: (laughs) Say you’re at home this Sunday. You’ve had your delicious Sunday dinner.
The Sportsmail double act both voted Roy Keane (pictured) as the TV pundit of the season
You turn on the telly, switch on Super Sunday. Who do you want to see? If Keano is on, you know it’s going to be entertaining. His brutal honesty is brilliant. Before we got to know each other, Chris, I used to think you were just some wind-up merchant!
Now I work with you, you’re only half-bad, because I know you just say it like it is. But in terms of entertainment value, it’s Roy Keane, all day, everyday.
CS: I’m sure Mail readers will be writing in to tell us why we’re their favourite pundits after this chat, Micah. Here’s to next season and another year of predictions blowing up in our faces!
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