Football
EXCLUSIVE Interview with Paul Dickov for William Hill
Paul Dickov talks exclusively to Williiam Hill
Former Arsenal & Man City striker Paul Dickov talks exclusively to William Hill ahead of the new Premier League football season. Known for his injury time goal 25 years ago for Manchester City against Gillingham in the play-off final, Dickov is well regarded by fans for this achievement to set Manchester City back on the path to the Premier League. With the new Premier League season days away Dickov gives us his preview and views for the season ahead and with Pep Guardiola only having a year left on his contract, what this could mean for Manchester City.
Paul, Give us your take on the Community Shield. A 1-1 draw after 90 minutes with a penalty shoot-out win for Man City.
Paul Dickov; The performance by City was what we expected. Plenty of the ball and giving squad players the chance to perform on a big stage like Wembley. With Rodri, Walker, Stones and Foden not in the squad, you expected a drop off from the quality of total dominance. These players are first names on the team sheet, plus you also have to say this is a friendly too. It does go to show the strength in depth of City that these younger players can come into the team and be comfortable in the first team. Pep likes to ensure the players at Euros are brought back into the team at the right pace, so it’s unlikely all of them will be available this weekend, but the experience for the players who played on Saturday, would have been very useful exercise. It is excellent for these squad players to get game time as it’s a long season and most will have a big season ahead with City challenging on every front. I don’t see it as Man Utd improving, but credit to them for the way they performed. They can raise their level for playing against Man City, but I don’t see Man Utd challenging for the title.
What do you make of the criticism Erling Haaland seems to get?
Paul Dickov: He thrives on the criticism. As you say, he is a goal scoring machine. 27 Premier League goals last season and some say he didn’t have a good season. With so much talent behind him with Silva, Bobb, Doku, De Bruyne, Grealish and Rodri, Haaland will once again score plenty and help City to another successful season
Pep Guardiola has one year left on his current contract at Manchester City, Will he sign a new deal?
Paul Dickov: I hope he extends his contract. I saw him pre-season and he looks refreshed and ready to go again, he was full of the joys in training and has fire in his belly to win again. He has earned the right to leave on his terms so I think he will inform the City Ownership as and when he is ready to sign again or leave. I believe they will have a contingency if he goes.
He is the best! I know the Club don’t want Pep to leave, but with mutual respect, they will allow Pep to make the decision in his own him. He has been incredible for Man City, he is irreplaceable. I am sure Pep may well have a say in who could come in next as well to continue the legacy he leaves. I am sure it will also come up in press conferences this season, but Pep has earned the right to leave when he wants.
Julian Alvarez has left Man City for Atletico Madrid. He delivered many big moments for Man city. How big a miss will he be?
Paul Dickov: What a player. Loved by the players, fans and Pep, his stats are brilliant. He impacts games in a big way and a crucial part of City’s success. He wants to play week in week out, so a move was inevitable, given Haaland is number 1 choice.
He has won so much so young; he was a huge part of the squad and scored vital goals and played a big part in so many games. City have many players who can fill his void given the flexibility of the attacking players, so I am confident that City can still be as effective.
Who do you think will be the player to look out for Man City this season?
Paul Dickov: For me it’s Oscar Bobb. I have seen him in pre-season and he is ready to shine in the Premier League this season. He is my number 1 to watch and the surprise package for teams to worry about. I expect Bobb to play a big part throughout the season for Man City and he a typical Pep player too, knowing how to appear in the pockets, very skilful on the ball and has a good eye for an assist. Both Nico O’Reilly and James McAtee will also get game time, but it’s Bobb for me.
Switching to Arsenal, they have a tough opening 5 games of the season. Does the squad have the fight to recover if they fall off the pace early?
Paul Dickov: Arsenal has a tough start to the season, but they are strong mentality now. There isn’t a weak link in defence like a few years ago. They are stronger and with Arteta in charge, they have improved year on year. They have added Calafoiri in defence so have further strengthened their defensive unit. The squad has the experience for sure and mentality wise, I think they are strong too. Wolves should be a nice start, but then they have four teams who will cause them problems. After these four games, Villa, Brighton, Spurs and City, we will have an incline where Arsenal is going to be for the season. It will give a very good steer as to Arsenal being the number 1 challenger to City for sure.
What presents success this season for Arsenal?
Paul Dickov: Ultimately, to win the Premier League. They have gone from strength to strength under Mikel Arteta. Two seasons now running Man City to close, and the next step is to win the title. Also, to win a trophy as well is success, so the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and go even close in the Champions League too. Arsenal are so much mentally stronger than years ago, they have so much quality all over the pitch. It’s going to be a great title race again.
Onto Manchester United, what do you make of their decision to stick with Erik ten Hag despite finishing eighth?
Paul Dickov; Man City fans believe it’s the best decision the club have done in a long time. I do believe that behind the scenes Man Utd now have outstanding back-room staff with Jason Wilcox and Toby Craig. Their new philosophy with their football department is of high quality so with Dan Ashworth as well, expect them to make more right decisions than wrong ones.
Premier League Season 2024 / 2025 – Paul Dickov Picks
Premier League Winner – Manchester City to win the Premier League
Paul Dickov: Manchester City will be the title winners. Too much strength in depth, plus a proper number 9 who will score 20+ goals. Rodri is the best player in the League and all-round City will still have too much. You also must mention Pep Guardiola, who still has the fire and hunger to keep winning, so will have the squad in the best shape to get over the line. Arsenal are going to be a tough challenge once again, but I just feel Man City have the experience and better first XI and squad to get the job done, but it will be very close.
Premier League Top 4 – Man City, Arsenal, Liverpool & Chelsea to be Top 4.
Paul Dickov: So, it’s Manchester City for the title for me. To complete the ‘Top 4’, Arsenal to follow them home in another close title race. Arteta has such a high-quality team and there are no weaknesses over the pitch. So much talent in attacking areas and defensively, everyone knows Arsenal are strong. Liverpool third as they have a very good forward line and all over the pitch, they have top talent. Chelsea to finish 4th as I am sure they will get it right as the season goes on.
Premier League Top Goalscorer – Erling Haaland to be Top Goalscorer
Paul Dickov: I can’t look much further than Erling Haaland. People said he didn’t have a great season last year but scored 27 Premier League goals. He will be the man to beat and with so much talent behind him to supply him with chances, I don’t see any other player overtaking his goals. Grealish, Foden, De Bruyne, Bobb, Doku will thrive on assisting Haaland and he will gladly look to take the chances coming his way. Havertz at Arsenal isn’t an out and out striker, so don’t see him hitting 20+ goals. Elsewhere Salah has dropped his number of goals, Solanke is a good signing for Spurs, so can have a good season. Palmer at Chelsea will score plenty, but Haaland is the man to beat.
Premier League Relegation – Ipswich, Leicester City & Southampton to be relegated
Paul Dickov: It’s going to be tight at the bottom of the Premier League this year. The three teams who have come up are likely to struggle. Ipswich are the unknown as they had a great season last year, playing attractive football and in Mckenna they have a good young manager. Leicester City have lost their best player from last season so this isn’t a good sign at all. Southampton came up through the play-offs and don’t look to have invested in quality over the summer. These three are my pick to all be relegated. Nottingham Forest, Fulham, Brentford are the ones to be concerned about, but all these teams should have enough quality and squad depth to stay clear of the drop.
