Speaking exclusively to JeffBet, former Arsenal, Chelsea and Barcelona midfielder Emmanuel Petit thinks Jose Mourinho could bring a winning mentality to Wolverhampton Wanderers, and that the appointment could happen with the Portuguese connection.
He added that Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi may actually not be the solution to Liverpool’s defensive problems if they did go ahead and try to sign him at a later date.
Read the full interview below:
Q: Just how good was Viktor Gyokeres against Burnley?
EP: “Viktor Gyokeres is getting better and better. He’s starting to link better with his teammates and he’s shown he’s a great finisher, although he still has things to improve on.
“When he arrived, I think it took some time for him to understand the movement of his teammates and the way Arsenal and Mikel Arteta want to play. The team play high up the pitch, so there is a lack of space in behind the defence most of the time. So far, I’m very happy with his progression and that he can still improve a lot.”
Q: Gyokeres now has four league goals against Leeds, Burnley and Nottingham Forest. When will he start scoring in the big games?
EP: “I have confidence Viktor Gyokeres will score against the bigger teams eventually. He was under so much pressure when he joined because the number nine position at Arsenal had been something that they wanted to address for a while. You could see Gyokeres trying his best by making runs, but maybe he wasn’t receiving the ball.
“His first goal at the Emirates, he was so happy and that kind of confidence can change a player. Against top teams, Gyokeres will score sooner or later, his link-up play with his team has improved and he’ll have teammates like Martin Odegaard coming back from injury to support him.”
Q: How dangerous could Sunderland be to Arsenal given their record of hurting the big teams in the Premier League this season?
EP: “Arsenal have a lot of injuries, similar to the last few seasons. Playing at the Stadium of Light is never easy, it’s a huge atmosphere over there and they play without pressure. You can see it on the pitch. Sunderland has transformed behind the scenes and on the pitch, lots of French players have joined the team.
“The atmosphere will make the game hard for Arsenal, coming back from a midweek Champions League game is not easy either. It will be a mental and physical battle. I remember having to play in Europe midweek and then against a different type of team in the league, but you knew that team would put up a big fight.
“I’ve been to the Stadium of Light, I remember the atmosphere was huge. They will put Arsenal and the referee under pressure all game.”
Q: What’s your prediction for Sunderland vs Arsenal?
EP: “I can’t decide between a draw or an away win, I know Arsenal won’t win every game until the end of the season. Sunderland will be fresh, but I will predict Arsenal to win this game.”
Q: Could Manchester United finish in the top four?
EP: “Manchester United are conceding too many goals to finish in the top four. Things are better at Manchester United, but I still think they will struggle to break in.
“It’s been like this for years and years, the best four sides in the league usually have the best attacks or defences in the competition, and Manchester United are conceding too many. It will be difficult for them to get top 4, even though they are improving.”
Q: Is getting a 2-2 draw away at Sean Dyche’s Nottingham Forest a setback or a good result for United? Will other teams struggle away at Forest now this season?
EP: “Looking at how Nottingham Forest finished their season in May, they’ve not been the same Nottingham Forest we saw for the previous eight months before that. So much has changed
with players and managers. Nottingham Forest will continue to lose games I think, so I don’t think a draw was the best outcome for Manchester United.”
Q: Spurs have one of the worst home records in the Premier League. Will anything less than a win be a disappointment for United and Amorim?
EP: “Manchester United have impressed me in terms of transitions, with their wins against the likes of Chelsea and Liverpool. Manchester United are not far off being a good side, but most of their good performances come against teams higher than them in the league table. They’re not far from finding the right balance.
“Tottenham and Manchester United will both have to change something if they want to win this game. Confidence will be a big factor. The priority is to win games at home and Tottenham need to be getting results.
Q: What is your prediction for Tottenham Hotspur vs Manchester United?
EP: “I will predict a draw. Neither Manchester United and Tottenham can guarantee a clean sheet and both struggle to hold the lead in games. I think Manchester United will score first, then Tottenham will and it will end as a draw.”
Q: Did you see the clip of Micky Van de Ven and Djed Spence ignoring Thomas Frank?
EP: “Micky Van de Ven and Djed Spence apologised to Thomas Frank for ignoring him, they had to do it, and I think it’s good they did so. Van de Ven and Spence need to be aware that their actions would have been seen by their teammates, fans and the manager, so they need to be conscious of that in the future.”
Q: How would you feel if you were Thomas Frank in that situation?
EP: “I think Thomas Frank would have been very disappointed. Micky Van de Ven and Djed Spence are very lucky that he didn’t choose to react differently.
“Would they have reacted like that if Jose Mourinho or Pep Guardiola were their manager? No. These managers may have punished the players, even if they apologised. If I was their manager, I would make sure they know that I am the manager, and I won’t be disrespected like that.
“Frank is the last manager to throw players under the bus, I can’t remember him pointing a finger at his players, so I can imagine he was very hurt by their actions.”
Q: Moises Caicedo had another huge game for Chelsea. He’s only 23 and often the best player on the pitch when he plays. Just how good could he become? What is his potential?
EP: “Moises Caicedo can reach the same level of N’Golo Kante and Claude Makelele, I wish him all the best to become a legend at the club. Chelsea need to win the Premier League and other big trophies, they’ve started well with the European Conference League and Club World Cup, but they’re a level below the trophies they need to win.
“When Caicedo was at Brighton, I wanted Arsenal to sign him and Alexis Mac Allister together. Mac Allister has gone on to be one of the best midfielders in the Premier League and won the trophy last year, Caicedo is now one of the best, too.
“Caicedo came with a massive expectation to perform because of his price tag, but he’s meeting those expectations now. He’s amongst the best midfielders in the Premier League, to become a legend, he has to win the Premier League title and perform in the Champions League.”
Q: Do you think Enzo Maresca knows his best team at the moment?
EP: “I have no idea what the best Chelsea team is at the moment, mainly because of the injuries. I can start to see the spine of the team, though. Marc Cucurella, Reece James and Robert Sanchez are the mainstays in the defence, but it’s difficult to pick the central defenders because Levi Colwill has been injured.
“It’s clear what the midfield should be and it’s solid. On the left, it should Pedro Neto or Alejandro Garnacho with Cole Palmer on the right. Joao Pedro is the striker.
“I think Enzo Maresca will know his best XI when everyone is fit, but we need to see that more often.
Q: Can Reece James finally reach his potential in his career now the injuries seem to have stopped?
EP: “It must have been frustrating for James, whenever he got injured after a run of games. I think he loves the way he’s being used tactically at the moment, Enzo Maresca is trying to use all his qualities in the midfield.
“Because he comes into midfield, he’s not one-on-one with a winger as much, which may be helping prevent injuries to his body.”
Q: Is the Wolves job the perfect free hit for Steven Gerrard or even Patrick Vieira to get back into the game?
EP: “No, Patrick Vieira shouldn’t take the Wolves job. Vieira has been let go in a few jobs now, so I think he would benefit from a more stable environment. I’d wish Vieira and Steven Gerrard a lot of luck if they decide to manage Wolves, but there would be some tough moments and they would need to learn how to get through that.”
Q: Given Jorge Mendez’s connection to Wolves, how exciting would it be to see Jose Mourinho given the chance to rebuild the club in his image?
EP: “Jose Mourinho is not having the best of starts at Benfica, but you never know with him. Mourinho loves the Premier League and managing a team like Wolves could be something completely different for him. He’s used to teams with big players and a lot of money, trying to avoid relegation is something unexpected from Mourinho.
“Why not? Wolves are linked with many Portuguese people, and have been for years now, so it would probably suit Mourinho. It would be a huge battle for him though, Mourinho is a fierce character and maybe Wolves need his fighting mentality to stay in the Premier League.
“For me, I’d be happy to see Mourinho back in the Premier League and managing Wolves.”
Q: What’s your prediction for Chelsea vs Wolves?
EP: “Chelsea can’t lose points anymore, especially not to Wolves at home. It won’t make sense to me if they don’t win all three points. If you can’t beat Wolves, especially at Stamford Bridge, then that is disappointing.”
Q: Liverpool simply look better and more dangerous with Hugo Ekitike up front in place of Alexander Isak. Do Liverpool need to forget how much they paid for Isak and prioritise Ekitike as their first-choice striker?
EP: “Alexander Isak can’t be guaranteed game time anymore. It’s disappointing what’s happened with him, putting the pressure on Newcastle United and joining Liverpool in the last hours of the transfer market. It was a lot of money and you look at Hugo Ekitike, he’s doing a great job. Ekitike is enjoying his games while Isak is injured, one has scored three goals and the other hasn’t hit the ground running.
“If I were Arne Slot, there is no way I would put Ekitike on the bench for Isak- I don’t think many people would understand the decision. It may put Slot under scrutiny. For the moment, the best players should be on the pitch and Ekitike is better than Isak at the moment.”
Q: Would signing Marc Guehi go a long way to fixing this Liverpool team’s problems or are there other issues as you see it that make them too easy to play through?
EP: “I’m not sure Marc Guehi sorts Liverpool’s problems defensively, they won the Premier League with their defence last season. The level of some top players like Mohamed Salah has dropped. Alexis Mac Allister has been a little disappointing, and so has Ibrahima Konate, too. Andrew Robertson can’t seem to start anymore, and Allison has been injured.
“Liverpool won their game against Aston Villa and they deserved it. I saw the same spark in some of the players from last season. This is something they were missing at the start of the season. Liverpool will be back, they have the quality and personality, I guarantee it.
“They have to remember their movements and composure in midfield last season, put the opponents under pressure with their high intensity. It is rare to win the Premier League in consecutive years, people have to remember that.”
Q: What’s your prediction for Man City vs Liverpool?
EP: “Manchester City are moving in the shadows, no one expects them to be a danger in the Premier League or Champions League. Manchester City and Pep Guardiola have been amongst the best teams in Europe for the past decade. Over the last two seasons, they’ve declined but people are saying they’re not the same Manchester City side as before. I say, be careful, because when a beast is injured, that’s when they’re dangerous. Manchester City are avoiding the spotlight, no one is talking about them or betting on them to win the Premier League, but step by step, they’re returning to their best level.
“I’m hoping for a draw between Manchester City and Liverpool so Arsenal can extend the gap at the top.”
Q: Man City vs Liverpool might get highlighted as the Rayan Cherki vs Florian Wirtz game, who would you rather have in your team?
EP: “I’d rather have Rayan Cherki in my football team. I’ve been following him when he was 16 or 17 years old at Olympique Lyon. We’re all agreed in France that this guy has immense talent and a pure football talent, but he was missing consistency in his performances. People were complaining about his fitness too, but he was so young back then and he’s still only 22 years old. Going to Manchester City and being coached by Pep Guardiola is what can develop him to another level. If Cherki avoids injury, he will be a big hit.
“It will be a big battle between Cherki and Florian Wirtz, the only problem is that neither player is guaranteed to start in that game. Both players have something to prove in this game, so I want to see both players start.”
Q: Has Eddie Howe’s approach been found out by English opponents more familiar with Newcastle?
EP: “Newcastle United have done great things in the Premier League for the last couple of years, but this year, they maybe haven’t hit the standards that we have been used to. I think the Alexander Isak story has had an impact on the squad. If I’m a Newcastle player seeing one of the best players leave, I’m disappointed.
“Yoane Wissa has been injured and Nick Woltemade has a tough path to follow in trying to replace Isak, so you can’t expect him to do everything right away. Isak has left a big gap with his departure from the club.”
Q: What is your prediction for how the Premier League top six will finish, in order?
EP: “I think Arsenal will win the Premier League, and Manchester City, Liverpool and Chelsea will finish in the top four.
“I think it’s unlikely the likes of Sunderland and Bournemouth will finish in the top six because the season is so long and it may be difficult to keep up with the big teams, who usually can
keep up performances to finish high in the league table. Only Leicester City, from my memory, were able to compete at the top for a while.
“Crystal Palace won the FA Cup last season, they’ve started very strong too, but they may lose Marc Guehi in January and that can damage them. They’re not programmed to be in the top four, it would be a huge surprise if they get near that.
“Bournemouth reminds me of Nottingham Forest last season, look what happened towards the end of the season, Nottingham Forest faced a lot of pressure and they collapsed. I don’t think they’ll finish in the top six.”
Q: What are your thoughts on the incident between Vinicius Jr and Xabi Alonso? Is Vinicius Jr always involved in problems at Real Madrid?
EP: “Vinicius Jr has been a problem at Real Madrid ever since he lost the Ballon d’Or to Rodri and when Kylian Mbappe joined the club. There have been so many problems between Vinicius Jr and Real Madrid too, he felt disrespected by the club with the contract situation and the money he’s earning.
“Vinicius Jr keeps complaining, ‘Why always me? Why am I being subbed off? Why didn’t I win the Ballon d’Or? It’s becoming a problem at Real Madrid.
“Nowadays, I don’t get it when players go to social media to apologise. You want to speak to the manager? Go to the manager’s room and speak to him, go to the President, go to your teammates. The whole world doesn’t have to witness your apology.
Q: Vinicius Jr never said sorry to Xabi Alonso in his apology?
EP: “Vinicius Jr’s message was to the fans who follow him on social networks, but he doesn’t apologise to his manager at all. But he should apologise to his manager, it’s not them who are not playing you and they’re certainly not paying you!
“I read what Carlo Ancelotti said to Vinicius Jr. He said he spoke to him about the incident in El Clasico and that Vinicius Jr made a mistake. If Ancelotti, the manager of Brazil and one of the best-ever, speaks out against you, it’s because he’s probably tired of Vinicius Jr’s behaviour too. If I was in the dressing room with him, I’d have a very strong word with him. Are you unhappy playing for Real Madrid, the biggest club in the world? Maybe he should go to a smaller club, go be the star over there.”
Q: Is Vinicius Jr realising he’s not needed at Real Madrid anymore, now they have Kylian Mbappe?
EP: “Kylian Mbappe is the king, Vinicius Jr is upset he’s not being paid the same amount of money and the fact the team has been built around Mbappe. It felt like even Jude Bellingham was annoyed by Mbappe’s arrival because he wasn’t scoring as much, but that has changed recently. Everything has changed, in the media, in the changing room, the tactics on the pitch. Bellingham has been acting professionally and more intelligently in his communication than Vinicius Jr.
“I think Real Madrid and Florentino Perez think a lot of themselves. For instance when he hosted his own party with just Real Madrid players because they don’t like the award ceremonies anymore. He thinks his players should be winning the Ballon d’Or and other awards. I think Vinicius Jr acts the same way.
“Vinicius Jr probably did deserve to win the Ballon d’Or in 2024, he had an amazing season, but he didn’t. Now Mbappe is at the club and Vinicius Jr’s contract runs out in 2027. I think Real Madrid may look to sell Vinivius before his contract runs out. They don’t have to wait until 2027 for him to leave the club and they can sell him for a lot of money rather than let him go for free. I don’t like the way Real Madrid has managed Vinicius Jr either, it’s not in the best interest of Real Madrid or the players.”