Exclusive Interview with Mendieta: Arteta to Barcelona, Xabi Alonso’s Man City Links and Endrick’s Future

Gaizka Mendieta: Mikel Arteta will one day manage Barcelona, Xabi Alonso could end up at Man City if Liverpool don’t act, Endrick would be a great addition at Chelsea, Julian Alvarez would be a perfect fit at Arsenal 

Speaking exclusively with BetBrothers.uk, former Spain international Gaizka Mendieta has given his thoughts on the Premier League, La Liga, the World Cup and beyond.

Mendieta, who played for Barcelona and Middlesbrough, has given his thoughts on a future move to the Camp Nou for Mikel Arteta and discussed Xabi Alonso links to Man City. The Valencia icon has also spoken on the impact that Endrick would have at Chelsea and named Julian Alvarez as a great fit for Arsenal as he continues to shine in Spain.

Can Michael Carrick follow Mikel Arteta’s lead in adapting Man Utd? 

I think Michael Carrick is already doing a great job, but of course, if things go wrong between now and the end of the season, people will not remember what he did when he first came in. That’s the challenge for most big clubs, clubs that obviously have a reputation and should be dominating games. In any situation, when there is space and time to play the ball, most clubs don’t do well with the kind of players they have, considering the quality and ability that all these players possess.

The challenge comes when teams are defending deep. The Premier League is learning to do that more and more often now. Before, it rarely happened, and teams were more open and attacking. But I guess that’s one of the consequences of bringing in foreign coaches and also football being more global and universal. Teams understand that if you play that way, you make it more difficult for them. We see it with Manchester United, we see it with Arsenal, we even see it with Real Madrid and Barcelona. When teams defend deep on the edge of the box, it’s challenging. You need a lot of resources, skills, players, and tactics to break through. So, I think for him, that will certainly be one of the challenges.

Yes, he’s proven himself so far. He’s settled into the club very quickly. He’s changed things and the statistics actually back it up, he’s playing more direct football.

I think it’s 50 direct passes per game or something like that, which is amazing, considering any other club really, but also what they were doing before. This aligns more with the United philosophy of the past, being very fast and direct, going to the flanks, crosses.

Bruno Fernandes in number 10 is obviously used a lot more than more efficiently as well. So, he’s identified that, he’s identified the essence of the club and what makes the fans feel connected. He’s showing that he’s a very clever manager.

How big a statement is it that Middlesbrough sit top of the table? 

I thought they might struggle when the manager left but their football has proved us wrong. In football, anything goes. I think he clicked with the players.

I think that’s important for managers nowadays. Obviously, it’s a plus if you’ve been at the club and you know the club and the city, I think it adds some extra layers of connection. But, if you are prepared and you understand what is needed in the club, as the coach did, you can start with a good footing straight away even with no history there.

Coventry is a massive game. I think when you’re on top, it’s different to when you are chasing. That pressure of having to be on top is different to chasing whoever is there, and we know how difficult it is to maintain that. But let’s see what happens. Obviously, he knows what is required and what needs to be done, and hopefully the club will continue to do so.

Could you see Rodri at Real Madrid next season? 

When he does leave Man City I could see it being an agreement with the club, there is also a big connection there with Barcelona. There was Txiki Begiristain there and of course Pep Guardiola, but it would still be up to Rodri personally.

Personally, I think it’s difficult to see that happening, especially knowing Rodri, how he is attached to the club and everything else. It would have to be a very extreme situation where he is kind of forced to leave rather than leaving just because he wants to. I think he wants to stay there and wants to perform to the level he did when he was in the running for the Ballon d’Or and Champions League medals. So I think as a player that’s his challenge, and that’s what he wants to prove to himself and for the club and the fans. But if there are to be any changes, I think the time will be when Pep leaves the club for Rodri to think about his future too.

Would Dominik Szoboszlai be a good fit at Real Madrid? 

Obviously a player like him. I mean, there’s a bit of overbooking in midfield, but seeing how he’s playing, it’d be interesting to see if someone leaves.

Would it be Arda Guler or Jude Bellingham? It would be interesting to see, but I think Real Madrid need to be more active in the transfer market for sure. We saw nothing happen in winter when I think anyone seeing football regularly, especially watching La Liga, could see what Real Madrid needed immediately in the summer market and didn’t do it. Next summer, Madrid has to be active in the market.

Could we see Harry Kane at Barcelona next season? 

When you look around, there aren’t many proper number nines. I think football is trying to bring back proper number nines, but it’s still a slow kind of comeback since the era of false nines and players with more pace than an actual box-player style.

For Barcelona, I would struggle to find one. Luckily for them, Ferran Torres is an option. The decision already is the player to replace Robert Lewandowski in most of the games.

In terms of the market, I would struggle to find one. We mentioned Harry Kane, I wouldn’t be surprised if they ask the question. But it’s one thing to test the waters, and then another thing is actually seeing it happen.

Could we see Alexander Isak at Barcelona next season? 

How can Barca attract players? Maybe players nearing the end of their career who are looking for something else, but just the contracts… If they are obviously attached to contracts with relatively young players, those players are not going to move to Barca.

Take Rashford, for example, he was in a very particular situation where he needed to prove himself, and obviously Barca provided that and he decided to reduce his salary. But for players at the top, at their peak, it’s difficult for Barca to afford that and for those players to reduce their salaries. That would be the one issue with Alexander Isak.

How big a loss is Mikel Merino for Arsenal? 

Regarding Mikel Merino, it’s not only the goals, which are very important, but also the leadership and as a manager having that player that he can play in different positions, that he does everything well, that he’s kind of the leader in the team. So I think it’s a huge loss for them. I really have a fantastic squad. So that on one side, but also how good an option he is as a striker.

I think it’s an important thing to consider when teams like Arsenal or teams that are not used to being on top of the table or leading throughout the seasons for long periods of time is not easy. That’s why we’re seeing these results that in theory they would have navigated quite easily, but they’re not because of the pressure of being on top, they’re having to win, especially if you know the results previously from the chasers.

The Carabao Cup final will definitely add pressure again. It’s more difficult than people realize to be on top and every week have to win, have to win, have to win. It takes a lot of energy and mental strength.

Would Julian Alvarez be a great fit at Arsenal or Chelsea? 

He hasn’t played much this season due to injuries, and he’s still struggling. I mean, his potential is huge, we’ve seen it with the national team and with Atletico. He’s a great player who can play on both sides. I think he’s the type of player that modern football is looking for, obviously good at one-on-ones, and he scores goals.

There’s still a margin to improve, but I think he will get there eventually. I think anytime a good offer comes and he considers it, he will not prioritize the club over a career decision.

Will Cesc Fabregas be in the frame for the Arsenal job? 

I think Cesc Fabregas will take his time because he has everything he needs at Como. He wants players, they bring him players. Whatever he wants, they bring it to him. And that’s allowing him to have that kind of power in the decision-making.

I saw something this weekend which I haven’t seen throughout the season with Alvaro Morata. Morata got sent off because he reacted to a provocation and Fabregas came out publicly to say, you know, he should know better.

His former clubs will let managers go and obviously Chelsea, Arsenal, I mean really any club at the top, will be looking at him as an option because he’s doing an incredible job at Como.

Will Marc Cucurella be on the radar of Barcelona and Real Madrid? 

I’m sure Marc Cucurella will be on the radar of Barcelona and Real Madrid. He’s capable of playing at a high level in La Liga. Now he’s joined Chelsea and the national team. He’s gained experience. He can play both, full-back and winger, a very intelligent player. So I’m sure he’s being checked by big clubs.

I think as a player, it’s wherever you want to go next in your career, how you want to navigate that.

He has his place in the team and his respect from his teammates and from the rivals as well. I think that for a player, this is very important because he works very hard to get where he is now. He’ll be careful to take his next steps. And obviously, not signing, I don’t think it’s a statement or saying ‘I might leave.’ It’s just a matter of positions in the negotiation.

Could Xabi Alonso manage Man City next ahead of Liverpool? 

I think any competition between Liverpool and another club to sign Xabi Alonso will make it difficult for the other club, obviously because he has that deep connection with the club.

Again, it might seem weird to speak about this in the past, but as the club is evolving and is changing, these things can happen. And any project like that, I’m sure for Xabi, would be a good move, a great move.

As you say, it’s an interesting summer. Arsenal, even Barca, Madrid, Man Utd, so many big clubs might look for managers in the market, and obviously, I think in a way they’re all related because so many of these managers that could be available are options for all of them.

How do Real Madrid fans feel about Trent Alexander-Arnold? 

When Trent Alexander-Arnold has missed games, it’s been due to injuries, and you can’t blame a player for not playing when they are injured. But when he plays, he’s done well.

I think in the last game fans were super happy with him. Not only for the assist, but there were actually a few features on him in different programs highlighting the number of passes that he made. Sometimes, for some types of fans, not very football-literate fans, when they criticize him, they say he doesn’t run, doesn’t tackle, he doesn’t do this. But he doesn’t need to. He is a player who is clever in where he positions himself. He is very good and very quick when it comes to making those passes. If you look at some of them, he doesn’t need to look up; he already knows where he has to put the ball. And he prepares the pass very quickly to be very precise. So, it’s a different style of player.

There has been some comparison to David Beckham. Obviously, both English, both played in Madrid, and there’s a similar style, I must say, in the way they deliver those crosses. So, yes, they’ve been compared to each other.

Is Hansi Flick under pressure at Barcelona? 

But with all the noise around Madrid, the crises, changing managers, and Barca seemingly doing great, Madrid have spent time at the top of the table, just one or two points in. So, the pressure is there.

The 4-0 defeat to Atletico Madrid was the biggest defeat in Hansi Flick’s coaching career. Looking at the game, it was one of those days where everything went wrong for Barca. Atletico Madrid played very well, and I’m not taking anything away from them. However, Atletico Madrid are so inconsistent. They beat Barca 4-0, then they lose 2-0 to Rayo Vallecano in a neutral stadium. You don’t really know what to expect from them.

All the talk about winning La Liga or at least challenging for it seems to fade away with every fixture because they can’t manage to be consistent enough. So, yes, Barca needs to win every game. I think the toughest part came at the beginning of the season, no Raphinha, no Lamine Yamal. Now Yamal seems to be recovering, obviously showing his best form, and Raphinha is the same. Pedri is slowly coming back, Eric Garcia as well, although he got sent off, that’s something Hansi Flick does so well. He keeps everyone on their toes. He even gave a couple of young players their debut in the cup.

It shows that he doesn’t relax, he wants and needs everyone. The Atletico Madrid game will be difficult to come back from, but I’m sure they will compete, and they will be a team that we are more used to seeing, rather than having another disastrous game.

What did you make of Barcelona’s complaints about VAR? 

So when they complain about the referees, the rest of the teams in La Liga, or if it happens in Italy or in England, if big clubs complain about referees, I think the rest have bigger or more reasons to complain about it. They obviously have the right to do that, but it doesn’t feel fair.

Will Mikel Arteta one day manage Barcelona? 

Again, the connections are strong. But I think it depends on how he wants to deal with his managerial career, in terms of having his mind set to be there forever, like a one-club man sort of thing. Does he really want to experience football in different countries? To be honest, if he is to leave Arsenal, I see him more likely to go abroad than to another Premier League club. So, obviously, I’d say Barca would be his favourite next move if he were to leave Arsenal.

To be honest, I don’t know what’s best. If he wins, he will leave. If he doesn’t win, he will leave. I don’t know. If he wins, he might continue to increase the number of trophies.

We would have to be in Arteta’s head to think what he wants to do in the future. But for me, I see him more on the long term, as long as possible to stay at Arsenal, rather than moving somewhere else, than leaving any time soon.

Will Marcus Rashford be a Barcelona player next season? 

But football speaking, yes, double figures, goals and assists, all competitions. He was the leader in the team’s last game, when Lamine Yamal was not having a great game. He was the player that actually showed that the attack could come through him and he was the most dangerous player. He would get the ball, responsibility he’s not afraid of.

He would not only shoot but also pass, and you could see he’s comfortable within the squad, he’s comfortable with him being the leader who is on the pitch, and I think he feels obviously important for a player and a player like him.

As when he came to the club, he showed that he’s confident. I’m pretty sure he would like to stay if money is not an issue, which it might be. But if we speak about football, I’m sure he’s very happy. In the team, in the city, I think he’s having a great time at the moment.

Can Marcus Rashford thrive at the World Cup? 

A player like Marcus Rashford is so valuable to England because of his set-piece ability, other players can also perform well in that area but you can never have enough of those. His crosses, especially when you have a striker like Harry Kane, and midfielders or players getting into the box are so accurate. We’ve already seen 13 assists from him, playing with various players around him. He also encourages others to get into the box. If I were the manager, Thomas Tuchel cannot hesitate in picking him, he’s a player I’d want in the squad because he can easily unlock games.

Are there fears over the fitness of Kylian Mbappe?

He was on the bench last game. Arbeloa said he will play in the Champions League, so it must not be something really serious, of course. But if I was in their position, I’m sure there would be conversations about it. I’m sure Deschamps has called Mbapeé and has called the club and wants to know what’s happening. But I would be concerned. Obviously I’m not saying that Arbeloa is not concerned because if he’s not, that as well would be strange, but it’s different when you deal with things on a daily basis and you know what’s really happening than when you are seeing it from outside. So a player like him, of course, even for Madrid it would be a big loss. Vinicius Junior has played fantastic without Mbappe, but I would have rather have both starting if I was the manager.

Who do you see as the next Real Madrid manager? 

Madrid, Barca, United, City, big clubs all attract this power. I would not be surprised if Klopp does get approached for the job.

I can also see Zinedine Zidane over Jose Mourinho, I don’t think Alvaro Arbeloa will be the one to stay, regardless of what happens this season.

Madrid needs to look in the market for a manager. It’s going to be interesting because Madrid is not only about football, it’s about ego. So you need a powerful coach, and Klopp fits that profile. He knows how to deal with this kind of player. So I’m sure he will be on the shortlist.

Would Real Madrid be making a mistake selling Endrick? 

Unfortunately, we’ve seen this with Madrid many times. They sign a very young player, but because they sign an even bigger, more senior player, the young player doesn’t get to play often and needs to leave.

Even if he does very well, it’s difficult for him to go back and be the first choice, especially with Kylian Mbappe seemingly set to be the striker for Real Madrid for many years. Unfortunately for him, I don’t see him being a regular starter or even getting 20 to 30 minutes in every game. Madrid would always have other players to think of, not him. It’s not that he made a mistake, it’s just that, thinking of young players who went to Madrid and didn’t end up playing. We saw Martin Odegaard at Arsenal, the type of player that he is, but it was just too early. They come and knock on your door, and it’s hard to say no.

Could you see Endrick being a success at Chelsea with Estevao? 

The potential for what I’ve seen of Endrick is that he’s a really good player already and could be very special. He can shoot with both feet, is very powerful, and can score goals. His goal-scoring ratio is amazing. So, for whichever team signs him, he’s going to be a great addition. If it’s Chelsea, obviously, that adds more power to the incredible list of strikers they have.

Did you predict the way that the European Super League would end? 

Real Madrid were left on their own for quite a long time but for Fiorentino Perez to make that declaration, it just seems odd to me that a man, a person, a businessman like him to know, would just let this go like that. They were really alone, not Premier League, not Spain, not France, not Germany, no Italy, no. So literally there were no teams to have not a Super League, not any kind of competition at all.

So, yeah, I think it was just left there to kind of settle and people maybe take a bit of the steam of the moment, and maybe try to have less impact than it would’ve had months ago.

But yeah, it still surprised me like the whole thing with Florentino how it’s gone. I didn’t imagine that he would defend it like this. Although I knew it was almost impossible to happen because you have the Champions League, then FIFA made the World Cup, and so there was no room for the competition. Even the fans and the official leagues were not letting the club join. But yeah, it’s been an interesting process anyway for Florentino to manage.

I think he has a lot of challenges in the next few months. He needs a new manager, he has to think about the team, the stadium. I think he’ll be busy enough without the Super League.

Do you fear for Valencia in the relegation battle? 

Qinning is everything because it gets you really far from it, and the fact Valencia won against Levante yesterday, it’s been relief not only for the manager but also for the club and the fans. But again, it’s going to be tough until the end of the season because so many teams are in that gap where you win two, you go up, you lose two, you’re in relegation.

Again, I think it’s one spot to be decided. Fortunately for those that are involved and unfortunately for Levante and Oviedo because it seems like those two are already gone.

What do fans in Valencia think? They’ve shown this season not being consistent. I don’t think fans will be happy until the last fixture of the season and they’re safe that day. I think they will be.

What do you make of the fan protests? 

They’ve been complaining for a long time now. But I think the fact that the team has been flirting with relegation, very, very close, increases and raises all these worries. The target is obviously the owner. Eventually, I think the manager a little bit, but I think they like what Carlos Corberan is doing, and they like the team as well as there is.

They have had to re-blend the players because there are no other options. But yeah, they’ve been demonstrating this unhappiness about how the club is being managed for years now and I don’t think it will stop.

Who would your five favourites for the World Cup be? 

Spain right now is tough to put there, but just because, again, we have so many injuries of players that are key in the group. We do have replacements and very good ones. However, when you bring players out of that dynamic, that sort of connection with the group, it could change, actually.

Then Argentina, I spoke to a lot of Argentinians and they don’t seem as confident, which may be reverse psychology.

Spain, France, Germany might be there. But out of the other national teams in Europe, I don’t see it.

England could be there, if Harry Kane is fully fit, which again, you rely on one player, it’s difficult. Also, not only that, but the style. Of course, England are among the favourites, but they aren’t really a favourite. If you analyse how they play, they’re very consistent at the back, they defend very well, but you need more than that in a World Cup to win it. Yes they can lead one-nil. But when it comes to winning these kind of competitions, you need a bit more than that. At the moment, I don’t see it. Obviously they have potential, but will England really change what we’ve seen in the past tournaments? We haven’t seen much in the games with Thomas Tuchel in charge, let’s see.