Enzo Maresca, Thierry Henry and the Man United squad (Photo by Stuart Franklin/Getty Images, Alvaro Mendranda/Quality Sport Images/Getty Images, Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images)
In his exclusive column for CaughtOffside, former England striker Stan Collymore discusses some of football’s biggest talking points, including Chelsea and Tottenham’s season after European success, Thierry Henry’s comments on Arsenal and Mikel Arteta, Man United’s trip to Malaysia, and more.
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UEFA Conference League win ends excellent season for Chelsea
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during the 0-0 draw with Brentford
Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca during the 0-0 draw with Brentford (Photo by Mike Hewitt/Getty Images)
I think it has been a 9/10 season for Chelsea. There has been a lot of talk about the money that they have spent over the last couple of years, but it has to be remembered that this is a very young group of players. Enzo Maresca is also in his first season as manager too, which must be taken into account.
Winning the UEFA Conference League should not be overlooked. There were massive favourites to win it, but it is still a good achievement. They struggled in the first half against Betis, but the changes made at half time were the catalyst for the comeback.
Chelsea had a great start to the season, then they had a wobble, before ending it strongly in recent weeks. Maresca deserves credit for the work that he has done, and with that squad only going to get better as it gels and more signings are added, there is a bright future at Stamford Bridge.
The signing of Liam Delap is a very good one. I think it was a clear choice for him to pick Chelsea over the likes of Man United and Newcastle, as there is far more of a pedigree. And on top of this, he already knows guys like Maresca and Cole Palmer. There is also more of a settled environment for him at Chelsea compared to someone like Man United.
Tottenham have work to do despite Europa League success
Daniel Levy, Chairman of Tottenham Hotspur, greets Ange Postecoglou, following the UEFA Europa League Final win (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
If Chelsea is a 9/10 season, Tottenham would get a 6/10 from me. Of course they ended their trophy drought by winning the Europa League (which I predicted), and in turn, that gets them Champions League qualification, but there are big problems there. Finishing on 38 points in the Premier League, which is an absolute embarrassment, means that they are probably going to need 10 more wins in order to qualify again via their league placing when looking ahead to next season. That is a big jump for them to make.
But it can be done, and I think they can do it. And if they do, they would be more on equal footing with the likes of Chelsea and Arsenal. I don’t particularly subscribe to the opinion that Tottenham’s season has been better than Arsenal, but if they can carry the momentum into next season and finish in the top 4/5, they could soon be right there with their rivals. But I’m unsure about them being able to do this with Ange Postecoglou still in charge.
Arsenal need to take notice of Thierry Henry comments
Mikel Arteta reacts during Arsenal's draw vs Crystal Palace
Mikel Arteta reacts during Arsenal’s draw vs Crystal Palace (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
I am a big fan of the comments made by Thierry Henry on Stick To Football. Basically, he has said what everyone else has outside of Arsenal, but because he is a club legend, I think there is more chance that he is listened to.
It is clear that Arsenal have made progress in recent years, and they are one of the best teams in England. But they have nothing to show for it during Mikel Arteta’s tenure, aside from an FA Cup in his first season. He cannot continue to get away with these results for another season, otherwise he should be getting sacked. Another manager is more than capable of coming in and delivering the success that he has promised.
Hopefully Henry’s comments, and the ones made by Ian Wright too, really resonate with Arsenal, and also the cult-like supporters of Arteta too.
Expected Florian Wirtz deal is fantastic business by Liverpool
Florian Wirtz looks to be on his way to Liverpool (Photo by Daniel Kopatsch/Getty Images)
I really like the prospective signing of Florian Wirtz to Liverpool. People are saying that he is not someone that is necessarily needed, but when you have the chance to sign a player of his quality, you take it. And for me, he does satisfy a need for Arne Slot, and that is that he brings more guile.
I rate Dominik Szoboszlai, but Wirtz is a different level in that he can do so much on a football pitch. He can drive Liverpool forward in more ways than one, and I would expect him to be played in that attacking midfield position next season – because that it his position, don’t use him as a winger or a false nine.
Wirtz, Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong is a very good start to the transfer window for Liverpool, and they are looking in a strong position to retain their Premier League title – which would be more bad news for Arteta.
Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo deals don’t suit Man United
Bryan Mbeumo in action for Brentford
Bryan Mbeumo in action for Brentford (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
On the other hand, I don’t like the signing of Matheus Cunha to Man United. I think he has shown this season that his temperament isn’t the best, and that has been apparent on the pitch and on social media too. He has a lot of red mist around him, and that problem isn’t going to be resolved in an environment like Man United’s.
And I also don’t think Bryan Mbeumo should go there. He’s had talks this week, but there are a number of clubs that he would be better suited to joining – and given the season that he has just had, he has earned the right to play European football in 2025-26. In most cases, going from Brentford to Man United is a big step up, but with Mbeumo, he can do so much better.
He’s been linked to Newcastle, but for me, I also think Aston Villa would be a really good fit. He would be working under a manager that would continue to get the best out of him, and he would be playing regularly in the Premier League and Europa League. Arsenal should also be all over him, as he would be a sensational addition to their attack, even if he weren’t to be a regular starter in his preferred right wing position because of Bukayo Saka’s presence.
Chelsea would be another good move. I really rate Mbeumo, so for me he is better than Pedro Neto and Noni Madueke, and he can also provide backup to Delap in the striker position.
Malaysia trip has been an utter embarrassment for Man United
Man United took on ASEAN All-Stars earlier this week in Kuala Lumpur (Photo by Manchester United via Getty Images)
Man United’s trip to Malaysia has been a disaster. The open-top bus parade is a joke – I can understand wanting to show yourselves to supporters, but this is typically reserved for a celebration, and there is simply nothing to celebrate at that club after the season they have just had.
The stuff with Amad Diallo reacting to a fan too, and also Alejandro Garnacho looking completely uninterested at the signing event. And the icing on the cake was losing to the ASEAN All-Stars in a match that would have seen them win some prize money – which they need because there will be no European football next season. I think these movements would have been overlooked had they won, but because they didn’t, there are being highlighted more.
It all epitomises the terrible atmosphere that currently exists at Man United, and there need to be big changes on that front going forward. They need to humble in their approach to announcing new signings over the summer, work hard behind the scenes and show the benefits of this next season.
Ruben Amorim has a big job on his hands because it is not only his squad that needs overhauled, but also the club’s attitude – and this is where Sir Jim Ratcliffe can also get involved.
Changes needed after Aston Villa no-goal controversy
Morgan Rogers was denied a goal during Aston Villa’s defeat to Man United (Photo by Reuters)
Aston Villa were unlucky to be denied Champions League qualification after that decision to deny Morgan Rogers’ goal against Man United, but I think they deserved what they got when taking the whole season into account – and even that match too, as they were very poor throughout the 90 minutes.
But saying that, it is clear that PGMOL needs to make changes about that rule. A goalkeeper cannot be judged to be in control of the ball when they aren’t touching it, that’s just absurd. I’m sure that something will be done about it as it was such a controversial moment.
I think Aston Villa were right to issue a formal complaint, and the way they have done about it has been dignified. They recognised that nothing can be done about it now, but it is important for changes to be made in the future so that another club doesn’t suffer the same fate.
And highlighting the inexperience of the referee is important too, because he did not follow the guidance established about letting the ball go dead before making the decision. We saw what happened with Taiyo Awoniyi a few weeks ago when play was allowed to continue (when it shouldn’t have done), but the same rule wasn’t applied in this case.