Speaking exclusively with Slingo, Premier League icon William Gallas has warned Arsenal that Real Madrid are the club to turn around a 3-0 Champions League deficit.
The former France international has also explained why Bukayo Saka isn’t on the level of Vinicius Junior, and how Cole Palmer has been worked out by defenders.
Gallas has also suggested that Kevin De Bruyne could return to Chelsea after leaving Manchester City, but stated that Cristiano Ronaldo would love to have him as a team mate.
Q. What is your prediction for Real Madrid vs Arsenal?
WG: "The words 'big game' are too underwhelming for Real Madrid vs Arsenal, it will be massive.
"Arsenal don't have a choice but to perform at the same level as last week, I'm very happy for the club, the players and the fans. The result was amazing. But,I'm a little bit disappointed with Arsenal. After that performance against Real Madrid, a world-class performance, they drew 1-1 to Brentford.
“The players have shown they can perform to an incredible level but it's clear that they have given up in the Premier League, the players haven't shown the potential of these performances all season.
"With Arsenal, you never know what they can do, they're not consistent enough. They have to qualify since they're 3-0 up, there's no debate. The Bernabeu does produce a different atmosphere to most stadiums though. If anyone can turn around a 3-0 loss, it is Real Madrid.”
Q. Would this team surpass the likes of the Invincibles if they were to win the Champions League? The best in Arsenal history?
WG: "No, no, no, you can't compare the Invincibles to this Arsenal side. What the Invincibles did is incredible, even if this team wins the Champions League, you still cannot compare. The 2003/04 squad, nobody beat them in the Premier League, I don't think people realise how difficult that is.
“When you're playing every three days, and still not losing, you have to be such a strong team. The Invincibles deserve more respect. If this Arsenal teamwin the Champions League, they will be one of the top sides in their history, but not on the same level of the Invincibles."
Q. Now Declan Rice has established himself on the major European scene, will big European clubs look to him as a potential signing?
WG: "The two free-kicks Declan Rice scored against Real Madrid were brilliant, although I'll say the first one went in because of Thibaut Courtois' poor positioning. But the second free-kick was unstoppable, I think Courtois was actually ina good position too. We all wanted to see a performance like this from Rice.
"Now the big clubs will have their eye on Rice. What he's shown is amazing, but he has to be consistent with these big performances, that's how he reaches the next level. The most difficult aspect of football is to be consistent.
“Anyone can score one or two goals in one game, then nothing the next game. The world-class players repeat their performances, Rice can prove to everyone he is that calibre of player with another big game against Real Madrid."
Q. Is Bukayo Saka showing the likes of Vinicius Jr and Kylian Mbappe that he’s on their level, or better?
WG: "Bukayo Saka had a great performance after his long injury, but I don't think he's on the same level of Vinicius Jr or Kylian Mbappe yet. He does have the potential to do it.
“English people get too excited about their players, but sometimes you need to calm down, don't put too much pressure on the players like Saka.
“He has to be a champion and win trophies to be on the same level as Vinicius Jr and Mbappe, who have won the Champions League and World Cup.”
Q. Is Bukayo Saka a better team player than Vinicius Jr?
WG: "When Vinicius Jr is in his best form, he's unstoppable. You can't compare him to Bukayo Saka. Everyone looks into statistics, why don't we compare their trophies?
“Vinicius probably deserved the Ballon d'Or at his best, Saka was ranked 21st, come on. I need to see Saka performing the way he is for a whole season, keeping that same level and he definitely has the potential to do it."
Q. As good as Jurrien Timber has been, what does that mean for Ben White? Could he look to leave for more minutes?
WG: "Jurrien Timber has set the standard so high at right back, it will be very difficult for Ben White to get his position back in the starting XI.
“White will get minutes, but right back isn't his main position, he was never a real right back. He got a few goal contributions, but he needed to do more, like how Timber is performing.”
Q. Could we see Ben White leave in the summer?
WG: "Ben White has two options, he can stay and fight for his position and show he's the best right back at the club, or he can ask to leave. We'll see."
Q. Arsenal have been linked to Viktor Gyokeres, is he the right signing?
WG: "Arsenal still have the same problem, they need a striker that can score 20 goals a season. I know Viktor Gyokeres has surpassed that amount in the Portuguese league, but it could be completely different for him in the Premier League, it will be a big change.
“Can Gyokeres adapt to the Premier League? That is the question. He is 26 years old, I don't know if he can be one of the best strikers in Europe. If he comes to Arsenal, it will be another level of pressure for him.
"It happens a lot when a player is doing really well at a smaller club, then they crumble at a bigger club.Gyokeres will have a level of responsibility he has never had in his career if he were to join Arsenal."
Q. What is your prediction for Ipswich Town vs Arsenal?
WG: "Arsenal won 3-0 against Real Madrid then drew 1-1 with Brentford last weekend. The game is away too. I find it hard to expect a win, I won't be surprised if it is a draw.
“The players will be very tired after the second leg against Real Madrid, the focus, the energy and the pressure against 90,000 fans will probably have a big effect on the team.”
CHELSEA
Q. Chelsea look to have the tie against Legia Warsaw wrapped up, do you expect it to be a tough final if they were to face Real Betis or Fiorentina?
WG: "Enzo Maresca has started to have pressure on winning the Conference League now because it's the only trophy they can win this season. If Chelsea do win that trophy, it will be historic as they will be the first club to ever win every European trophy available. It will be an achievement for the team and Maresca's aim is probably to win that competition.
"Would I rather win the Conference League or earn a Champions League spot? I would rather create history with the Conference League. But, Chelsea should be able to qualify for the top five too."
Q. Jadon Sancho has scored and assisted a few goals recently, Chelsea arereportedly keeping him, is that the wrong decision?
WG: "In the past at Borussia Dortmund, Jadon Sancho was scoring lots of goals and making a lot of assists. He has not reached that same level again and now he's 25 years old.
“He's been part of the starting XI and he has had opportunities to show the level he can achieve. Sancho scored a great equaliser against Ipswich, the quality is there. But, I don't think he can give the club the expectations they have. For me, I wouldn't sign him on a permanent deal."
Q. Do Chelsea need to get rid of Christopher Nkunku? How likely would he start performing well at the likes of Arsenal or Man United?
WG: "Christopher Nkunku's performances this season have not been strong enough, he isn't offering good enough competition in the squad.
“Nkunku wants to feel that love and importance at the club, to be that number one. For me, it looks difficult for Nkunku to make an impact if he were to stay at Chelsea this summer.”
Q. Cole Palmer hasn’t scored since January, what’s happened to him?
WG: "Everyone has put too much pressure on Cole Palmer, people were calling him the best player in England. Unfortunately, he hasn't scored since January and hasn't had the same impact in games recently. He's only 22 years old, we all need to leave him alone.
"Palmer knows everyone is waiting for him to reach the standard he set, but it can be difficult because some different factors could be affecting him.
“Opponents know how he plays now, he doesn't get the opportunities to score or assist goals now because defenders know not to give him the time on the ball. Palmer now needs to work harder on creating a solution to get back to scoring goals."
SPURS
Q. If Tottenham are knocked out by Frankfurt, will Ange Postecoglou get the sack?
WG: "After what Tottenham showed us against Wolves, they're terrible, it will be hard to qualify against Frankfurt.
"If Tottenham are knocked out by Frankfurt, Ange Postecoglou will be sacked. Maybe not right away, he may finish the season, but if he doesn'tqualify I think they will part ways in the summer.
"Postecoglou has tried to find his best XI and get his team to perform, what he did at the beginning of last season was incredible. His tactics and style of football is incredible, but you can't do it every game.
“The opponents now know how Tottenham play and Postecoglou doesn't have a plan B. It makes them predictable."
OTHER
Q. How big of a game is Fulham vs Chelsea? Does Maresca need to win the derby after losing the first one? What’s your prediction?
WG: "It's a derby, a London derby. Is it a big derby for Chelsea? No.
"Normally, with the history of Chelsea, they must always beat them. But Fulham are doing very well at the moment, so I'm predicting it will be a draw.
"I want Chelsea to qualify for the Champions League but I'll say they'll draw. But I think they have to win."
Q. Does Mohamed Salah and Virgil van Dijk’s contract extensions make Liverpool favourites for the Premier League next season?
WG: "It's good for Liverpool and it's a relief that Salah and Van Dijk are staying. I think they have both stuck to a strategy which has ended up with both players getting what they want. But it's good for Liverpool.
"Salah will continue to be a very important player for Liverpool and I think he's going to break records. It sends a good message to the players and fans that they both care about Liverpool and it could mean that other players will extend their contracts, as well.
"I think that one of Salah's targets will be to win the Ballon d'Or. Can he win it this season? I don't think so, because they are out of the Champions League, unfortunately. He will have that target though as players want to make history and he will come back again next season to break all the records and win the Ballon d'Or."
Q. Where does Kevin De Bruyne rank in your all-time Premier League players?
WG: "The guy scores so many goals, gets so many assists, his passing is unbelievable and he's a very clever player.
"I didn't play against him but I've seen he has the second-most assists in Premier League history. You put Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo ahead of everyone but he is one of the very best players behind those two.
"He's a different profile but if you compare him with players known for their assists, he's right up there."
Q. Where do you expect he’ll play next? Is a reunion with Vincent Kompany at Bayern Munich a potential move for him?
WG: "Bayern Munich? Maybe he could go there. If he wants to win more trophies, he could go there.
"If he still wants to play in the Premier League, why not? No way he'll go to Liverpool, Manchester United or Arsenal. Even if he knows Mikel Arteta, he can’t go there. It will be hard to manage two playmakers and I'm sure he has some offers.’
"Maybe he could go to Chelsea, why not? But he has to be sure. He might want to go somewhere that he knows he can win trophies. So, that would all depend on Chelsea's recruitment of a striker."
Q. Or could De Bruyne play alongside Cristiano Ronaldo? Would they be unstoppable together?
WG: "It would be great for Cristiano Ronaldo and Sadio Mane. It would be great for the club (Al Nassr). I know that the club are desperate to win the league, so it would be a very positive thing for them.
"It would definitely help Ronaldo score 1000 goals because De Bruyne's vision is amazing.I'm sure Ronaldo would love to play alongside him.”
Q. Where would Manchester United be without Bruno Fernandes? Out of Europe and lower in the Premier League table?
WG: "Maybe Manchester United would be out of the Europa League without Bruno Fernandes.
"He's a player that always needs to have the ball because his vision is like De Bruyne's. They are both playmakers and are of the same profile. Without Fernandes, who's going to get the assists? Nobody can at the club.
"Manchester United could be in a really bad position without him, you never know."
Q. Nemanja Matic called Andre Onana one of the worst goalkeepers in Man Utd’s history, then he made two mistakes against Lyon, is Matic correct?
WG: "Yes, he made two mistakes and he's not one of Manchester United's best goalkeepers because he makes too many errors.
"When you are a goalkeeper, you need to save shots before being good with your feet. He's one of the best with his feet but makes too many mistakes when it comes to preventing goals.
"Nemanja Matic knows this very well."
Q. Who will finish in the top five? Newcastle?
WG: "You have Liverpool, Arsenal, I think Manchester City will be there and I think Chelsea will be there.
"I think Nottingham Forest will drop off. I still believe that. Chelsea will replace them and Newcastle will stay in fourth.
"Man City will come third, Newcastle will be fourth and Chelsea will finish fifth."
Q. Do Aston Villa have a chance against PSG?
WG: "I think that third PSG goal makes all of the difference. If Aston Villa hadn't conceded that third goal, I would have said they have a possibility of qualifying. It would have been 50/50 as we know how strong they are in the Premier League.
"But being two goals behind makes it very hard. Even if PSG don't play their best football, I think they will still score goals which makes it impossible.
"PSG will have to be prepared, though. I'm sure players who have played in the Premier League will speak about the atmosphere and tell their teammates and even the manager. They can't be taken by surprise."
Q. Are PSG now the favourites to win the UCL?
WG: "PSG are one of the favourites to win the Champions League, yes, however after everything I've seen, I think Barcelona are the favorites to win the competition. They'rea very strong team and destroyed Borussia Dortmund.
"Nobody expected PSG to be at this level because Kylian Mbappe left and they don't have too many superstars in their line-up. But,they're very compact, defend very well and can damage a lot of teams with their attack. If they reach the final and play Barcelona, I would say it's a 50/50 game."
Q. The race for the Champions League spots in Ligue 1: Marseille are disappointing at the moment, while Monaco and Lyon are coming back strongly. What's your prediction?
WG: "A lot of people are disappointed in Marseille because they started so well with Roberto De Zerbi as the manager. But now, it looks really difficult for Marseille to get into the Champions League next season.
“Marseille have one of the best fanbases in France, I'm sure they will be very disappointed if they can't reach the Champions League.
"Monaco deserve to be in the spot they're in because they've been very consistent since the start of the season."
Q. Desire Doué has impressed in recent weeks, is he the best French talent at the moment?
WG: "Desire Doue deserves to be in the France national team after what he's shown in the Champions League. He will come to the national team very soon because he's very mature at 19 years old. Doue has the desire to improve game-by-game.
“What he's doing with PSG is just incredible, at this age, it's not easy to show the potential he has because there is so much pressure to play at PSG. It's not like playing at a smaller club like Rennes, he's playing with players on a similar level to himself and he's very mature. I'm sure he'll play for the national team soon if he continues the way he has been playing.”
Q. What is your prediction for Man Utd vs Lyon? Can Lyon go to Old Trafford and get a result?
WG: "Andre Onana made two big mistakes against Lyon, it was very important for Lyon to get those two goals. They can still believe they can qualify at Old Trafford. I'm sure Nemanja Matic will speak to his teammates and try to give as much advice as possible. I won't be surprised if Lyon come to Old Trafford and attack, they will be confident. I can't imagine they will sit back and counter-attack. Lyon have a great opportunity to qualify.”
Q. The race to stay in Ligue 1: does he see Saint-Etienne holding their own?
WG: "It will be really hard for Saint-Etienne to stay in Ligue 1. It will be a shame if they are relegated because they have a really good group of fans in their stadium. Their club deserves to be in Ligue 1 because of their fans, they go home and away every week and show their passion.
"Saint-Etienne is a big club, it will be a big shame if they go down to Ligue 2."
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